The Killer's P.O.V.
I love Ara, I love her very much. I will miss her, so much.
But I really had to kill her. She knew too much. Besides, she had a relationship with Roli. It made me jealous.
What a waste.
I still had plans for her. I was going to prepare Ara for Ara.
Ara is for Ara... but now Ara is gone? What about Ara?
I promised her that I would bring her to life through Ara... but Ara is already dead just like her.
I should have waited for Ara to fully mature into a woman before I killed her. Like a fruit on a tree, waiting for it to ripen before picking it.
But I couldn't control myself anymore. What's done is done.
Because of that, I'm no longer happy. Good thing SHE is still here—another fruit I'm letting ripen. But for me, she is ripe enough. There she is, and I'm watching her. I am here right now at Ara's wake.
Sigh... I'm so excited to kill her. I will kill her first and follow up with her companions. I will spare no one, all of them who love Ara.
Well, I love her too, just like my love for Ara. It's just that, it seems I can no longer stop myself from killing. It actually feels so good, especially when you love the person you're going to kill.
My whole body is trembling. This is the first time I've felt this again. I am so eager. It's like a drug, it's addicting.
I want to kill! I want to kill now. Tonight, I will kill. I will kill... Janice!
But before that, I'll watch her first. And right now, I can see her sitting in a corner. Silent, motionless.
Haaaaa! Looks like I can't bear just looking at her any longer. If this continues, I might lose my mind. I need to wait for the right opportunity.
Later... I will kill her.
I will kill her...
Janice Ocampo's P.O.V.
How do I explain to Mommy that my illness isn't severe? I just really can't speak. And I don't know what's happening to me. That's why she's extremely worried because I haven't had a voice for three days.
To make my story short, we are now here in the hospital. We came from Ara's wake. Well, I really hate going to places like this. I'm easily frightened. I won't mention which hospital this is anymore.
Anyway, it was eight in the evening when Mommy was forced to have me confined.
It's really annoying, I don't even want to stay here. She got me a private room where Auntie Madge and I are right now. Speaking of Auntie Madge, why does she look at me like that? Her glare is so sharp. It's been like that since we were at the wake. Her stare at me is weird.
The room's door opened and out came Nana and Tito Roger. Mang Isko was with them. Even before Nana's tears could fall, Mommy already caught her in a hug. "Nana, be strong..." Mommy consoled Nana.
Tito Roger approached them. "Thank you, Maria."
And Mommy here, she seemed to blush. Uhmm... is there something going on? Meanwhile, Auntie Madge scoffed. It looks like this Tito Roger is quite a heartthrob, huh!
Nana pulled away from hugging Mommy. "Help us, Maria... Take us to this Ka Pineng you were talking about..." Nana pleaded, her voice cracking.
Mommy and Auntie Madge just looked at each other. It looks like they are truly desperate to catch Ara's killer. Well, maybe Ara isn't giving them peace either, just like me. A moment later, Mommy turned to Nana again. "But..."
Mang Isko interjected. "If we bring them to Ka Pineng, I'm sure he won't be able to refuse anymore..." He was also persistent.
At that point, Auntie Madge held tightly onto Mommy's shoulder. "I'll just stay here to watch over Janice."
They all turned to me. Then, Nana approached and hugged me. "Oh Janice... are you alright?" I know how much Nana loves me. She treats me like her own daughter.
I just nodded. I couldn't speak.
Because according to the doctor, my condition is called Aphonia. Anyways, they said I still need to undergo various tests.
They said Aphonia has different forms. It's also possible that I'm experiencing Laryngitis or Dysphonia. But hopefully not Laryngeal because it's thyroid cancer. But I don't feel any swelling or pain in my throat. Even the doctors can't determine what is happening to me.
Tito Roger also approached me and then he stroked my head. I could see the extreme sadness in his eyes. He probably remembered Ara.
"Okay! Let's go to him now. I'll go with you..." Mommy suddenly spoke. But she was looking at me.
Shortly after, they all said goodbye to me, but Mommy stayed behind for a moment. "Janice, Mommy will be right back, okay. It's night time and the travel is fast, I'll be back easily..."
I just nodded and hugged her.
I wanted to tell her that it's fine with me, but as I said, I couldn't speak. Because I know Ara is also making her presence felt to her, to them. That's why they are determined to get Ka Pineng's help so my friend's death can finally be given justice.
After that, Mommy walked out of the room. But before she could step out, she stopped first and faced me. Tito Roger and Mang Isko appeared at the door again. They all waved at me.
I smiled at them and waved back. I observed their smiles and- Oh my God!
My eyes widened and I covered my mouth! Mommy's appearance changed. "Why, Janice? I-Is there a problem?"
I couldn't speak. I got goosebumps from what I saw. What's wrong with Mommy? I just shook my head in response.
Tita Madge approached me. "Are you okay, Janice?"
I just forced myself to pretend that everything was fine. I smiled at Auntie Madge.
She smiled back at me and- SHIT!!!
What are these things I'm seeing?
I stepped back slightly! Wonder was evident on their faces because of my strange behavior. I just didn't let it show. I waved at Mommy and the others but I didn't look them in the face anymore. After that incident, they left.
I fixed my sitting position and then lay down.
Good thing Tita Madge is here. I know she won't neglect me even though... I have a somewhat bad feeling. My feelings towards her seem to have changed.
I turned my back to her as I lay there. I was still thinking about what I saw earlier. I'm still getting goosebumps!
Earlier, while they were waving at me and smiling, I wondered greatly why there seemed to be something different about their appearances.
Why were their teeth like that? Why did they suddenly become... BLACK!!! How do I even say that?
Maybe it was all just my imagination. But it seems like I also saw it in Auntie Madge's smile.
Moments later, I felt Auntie Madge stroking my hair while she was behind me. This time, I thought of looking at her again. Maybe I was just hallucinating earlier.
I faced her and smiled. Of course, she would smile back at me. Upon seeing her, I couldn't stop myself from recoiling.
Oh God!
I really didn't see it wrong!
"Janice?" Her forehead creased. She probably noticed that I grew pale and seemed out of it.
What could the things I'm seeing mean? Is this a premonition? If this is indeed a premonition, what else could possibly happen?
I'm getting nervous.
I didn't speak to her anymore. As if I could speak anyway. Instead, I just closed my eyes. I felt her caress my cheek. Because of that, my eyes fluttered open.
I opened my eyes slowly.
Just slowly. I have a strong feeling I'll discover something. I'm nervous.
Here it is!
Wah!
It was nothing.
Whew!
I thought I would see something strange. It turned out to be nothing.
She was still looking at me but I didn't want to see her smile anymore.
"Janice, I'll just buy our food outside, okay. I'll be quick." After saying that, she stood up, took her wallet, and went out the door. But she left the door slightly open.
I took my cellphone and checked what time it was. It's already nine in the evening. It was the same time on the wall clock above the door. I turned my back again and then closed my eyes.
I wanted to sleep, even just for a while. I was about to sleep when I heard the door open. I heard it creak.
Auntie Madge came back so fast.
But never mind, I'll just continue sleeping. A moment later the door closed, I heard.
Moments later, I felt the bed sink slightly behind me. It seemed like someone sat down, then moved again.
It felt like someone stepped on it. It felt like someone stood up! Yes!
It feels like someone is standing behind me!
They were standing on the bed where I am currently lying down. What is Auntie Madge's deal? Why is she standing?
She's even standing here behind me and on my bed of all places? Because that kind of behavior isn't normal for Auntie Madge, my heart suddenly started pounding fast.
A few moments later, it jumped! Jesus!
Yes, it jumped!
At this point, I was sure it wasn't Auntie Madge. Why would she do this? Why would she jump and right here on the bed where I'm lying down?
I was sweating profusely. My Mommy!
It jumped again!
Help!
I'm so terrified! It jumped yet again! The bed is rocking!
I don't want this anymore!
I'm going home, I can't take this anymore!
I wanted to scream but I didn't have a voice. So that I could somehow release the fear I was feeling, I just groaned a few times. Right now, that's the only thing I can do.
The jumping stopped. But I could feel that someone was still standing there. Should I look back? I don't know what to do.
I groped for my cellphone which was behind me. I was tearing up and getting goosebumps. Keep feeling around, Janice. Keep feeling around! I don't want to look behind me. But what am I going to do? I can't feel my cellphone.
Where did it go?
Wait, I feel something.
What is this?
Cold.
Sticky.
It has toes!
A FOOT!
I bolted upright and hurriedly backed away from the bed. I leaned against the wall and faced the bed. I had my eyes closed while facing it.
Should I open my eyes? Or just remain with my eyes closed so I won't see what I can't bear to see?
Why Ara, why? What do you want and why are you showing yourself? Why are you haunting me? A few moments later, I slowly opened my eyes. Slowly.
Oh God!
But there was nothing.
I didn't see anything strange. Then, my eyes were glued to the clock. Is this real?
It's already three in the morning. But earlier, just before I closed my eyes, it was only nine o'clock, right? Is it possible I just had a nightmare?
Maybe.
Maybe I just had a nightmare. Moments later, upon looking at the door, I noticed it was still slightly open. I stood up slowly. But suddenly, the door creaked. It was opening slowly. Someone appeared at the doorway.
A woman.
She was wearing a COWBOY HAT.
"Hi Janice..." She smiled at me. I grew pale.
Because she was holding a hammer. I couldn't see her face. Until a few moments later, she tilted her head up slightly, causing the light to illuminate her face.
Oh, no! HER?
"I'm sending you next after Ara," she said.
Why HER? Why? Out of all people, why HER? Why does it have to be HER who...