Chapter 14-(Weird invitations)

"Wohhh I didn't know what to do, I just froze there. Ang akala ko talaga ay papatayin niya yung babeng nagngangalang Dedania." Turan ni Maha habang nakaupo silang lahat sa table at kumakain.

"Grabe unang araw mo palang sa club Ran ehh may achievement na kayo." Turan naman ni Bri na napatingin kay Ran na tahimik na kumakain.

"Oo nga at saka Ran yung sinabi mo sa terror adviser nung equestrian club....ang cool dudz. I'm proud of yowwww." turan ni Maha na nakathumbs up pa sa kanya. Napatawa naman yung iba habang siya ay nakangiti lang.

"Oo ng Miss Ran yung sinabi mo kay Sahara ay nakakalambot ng damdamin. Pano mo pala nalaman na magkapatid yung dalawa at pareho sina Sahara at Matt ng nararamdam?" tanong ni Conor na naglalagay ng kanin sa plato niya.

Katabi niya ito sa left side niya at sa right naman niya si Maha, kaharap naman niya sina Ramhil, Sofan, Bri at Jovy.

"Wala lang gusto ko lang tigilin siya sa gagawin sana niya kaya kung anu-ano na ang sinasabi ko. Naswerte lang siguro ako na tama yung mga hunches ko." Napapatawa pa niyang saad, hindi lang niya maamin sa sarili niya na pati siya ay naguguluhan kung paano niya nalaman ang mga iyon.

"Ah ganon ba." Turan ni Conor na nagtataka pa rin.

Ran is so tired that she can't move her body actively. Napabangon siya nang may marinig siyang ingay sa labas, she slowly slide out of the bed and walk towards the window to see what is happening outside. She slowly opened the window and she gasp at what she saw. Napatago siya sa gilid ng bintana habang napapahawak sa collar ng kanyang t-shirt.

"B-bakit siya naka tingin sa gawi dito.....why is he here anyway?" she said as she tried to peek again but still he is there.

Nagulat nalang siya nang biglang may nambato sa kanyang bintana, Ran look out to see him raising his hang at her as if saying she should come down. She took a deep breath and she grabbed her jacket that is hanging on the hook right on the side of the cabinet. Dahan-dahan siyang bumaba sa hagdan at nakita niya itong nakatayo sa may mini gate. Lumapit siya rito at nagtatakang nakatingin dito.

"Seth what are you doing here in the middle of the night?" saad ni Ran habang yakap-yakap ang kanyang sarili.

"I heard that you are my sister and cousins' club adviser." Saad nito habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"Pumunta ka lang dito para jan, Seth it's too late and it is too cold. Come on get a rest." Saad niya rito.

"You should have worn something more appropriate then." Seth said as he looks at her making Ran look at him as if saying, 'Are you kidding me?'.

Nakadamit kasi siya ng isang manipis na brown t-shirt at pajama na kulay puti. Tanging yung jacket niya ang nakatakip sa kanyang pang-itaas na nakikitaan na ang kanyang cleavage. Her hairs are flying in the wind dahil nakalugay lang siya at nakatsinilas pa.

"Excuse me....akala ko po ay emergency ang pinunta mo rito kaya hindi ako nakapag-ayos, if you have told me then I would have worn different." Ismid niya rito.

Napatingin siya sa ibang direksyon sa inis nang makakita siya ng isang lalaking nakaitim na nakatago sa likod ng isang malaking puno. Nakatingin ito sa kanila ng nakakatakot at nakikita niyang pula ang mga mata nito. Napayakap siya sa sarili ng makaramdam siya ng takot.

"Okay can't argue." Napabalik ang atensyon niya kay Seth nang bigla itong nagsalita at hinuli ang kanyang kamay at hinila siya.

Halos madapa siya sa bilis ng lakad nito at napapahingal na siya dahil sa paghila nito.

"Seth ano ba, saan mo ako dadalhin?" nahihingal niyang tanong.

Huminto sila sa isang balon na gawa sa mga bato at sumandag ito roon habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"The darkness really like you...you know. You're shining in it and you are attracting too much attention towards you. No wonder all are after you." Nakatingin ito sa kanya habang siya naman ay nakayakap sa kanyang sarili at naguguluhan sa pinagsasabi nito.

"Sethorne ano bang pinagsasabi mo. Nag eesleep-walking ka ba o nababaliw na.....what's your point dragging me here anyway?" saad niya na may halong inis.

"Who is there? Ms. Ran? Mr. Alonzo? What are you two doing here?" napalingon si Ran at nagulat nalang siya nang makita niya si Ashton at ang mga kasama nitong papalapit sa kanila na may kanya-kanyang hawak na kung anu-ano.

"Ashton? What ARE you all doing here...also?" she asked as she steps back closer to Sethorne's side, she sigh feeling the warmth coming from him. Weird huh, para siyang nasa tabi ng apoy sa init na nararamdaman niya katabi lang ito.

"Katatapos lang ng Séance namin. What are you two doing here? And Miss Ran.....why are you......wearing only that?" Leonore said as they all look at her appearance. Namula siya at napakibit balikat nalang.

"Tulog pa sana ako kung hindi ako hinila nitong taong ito rito." Turan niya at napatingin silang lahat kay Sethorne na parang batong nakasandag lang doon without any reactions.

"I'm just here to invite you on Saturday. Darating ang lahat ng pamilya ko bukas and my sister would like to introduce you to them. Mr. Brimstone, you are all invited to. It's an open party so everyone who is welling can go. Ohhh yah wear something old fashioned, my families are a bit like that, and it's a ball party. Well! I guess that's all." He said and he turned to leave, she looks at his back speechless as her jaw dropped. He pulls her out and almost drag her to tell her that. Ahhh what's wrong with him?

"What's wrong with that man? He is so....cold." turan ni Lilbenia na lumapit sa kanya at hinawakan siya sa kanyang kaliwang balikat. Napailing nalang siya.

"I don't know about you guys but.....I'm going back to bed, it's too cold here. I'll deal with him tomorrow for dragging me out. So....time to rest." Ran said as she shakes her head then she suddenly smile at them.

"That is the best idea I've ever heard. We will accompany you all the way." Robert said as they all nod and walk her back.

"Something is weird about that Sethorne guy." Lilbenia said as Ashton nod.

"Are you okay Ran?" Ashton asks as she smiles at him.

"Cold but fine...thanks anyways. So… kumusta ang ginawa ninyo?" She smiled as they approach the mini gate of where they are staying.

"Ayos lang at natapos nag walang nasasaktan. Here we are." Turan ni Leonore.

"Thank guys. You all should go to sleep. Rest for Christ sake." She smiled saka siya pumasok sa gate. Napatingin siya sa mga ito.

"Good night Miss Ran. Don't come out during the night. It's dangerous especially if you're wearing like that." Namula siya sa sinabi ni John at napatingin sila sa kanya habang napapayakap siya sa kanyang sarili.

"Geeee....thanks.....again. Don't linger in the dark. Pagkakamalan kayong mga criminal or worst....ghosts. Especially when you are all looking like that." She jokes back at kumaway naman sila sa kanya saka sila tumalikod at umalis. Nagpaiwan muna si Aston na nakatingin sa kanya ng kakaiba.

"May sasabihin ka pa ba?" she smiles as she looks at him.

"Hmnnnn nothing, I was just wondering if how was your visit to the school?" he asks as he looks at her.

"Maayos naman, maganda yong binigay nilang office namin at mababait din yung mga bata. So.....how was your séance.....or whatever you call it?" saad niyang hinihila yung jacket niya sa kanyang balikat.

"Same as always. Ahmnnnnn I was hoping if I could invite you tomorrow night. Are you free?" he said as she looks at him confusedly.

"Huh! S-saan naman? What for?" she asked na may halong pagkagulat.

"You will see. Don't worry you will be safe with me......I won't do anything bad to you. If that is what worries you." Saad nitong tumingin sa malayo.

"Anong oras? Ang oras ng last schedule ko para bukas ay sa 4 pm." Sagot niyang nakatingin rito.

"That would be perfect. Susunduin nalang kita doon....besides the place I'm taking you is near to the school." Sagot nin Ashton na ngumiti sa kanya.

"Huh! Umnnnnn s-sige. Iyon lang ba Ash ang gusto mong sabihin?" saad niyang nagpipigil ng hikab.

"I think so...goodnight." he said and she nods as she return the greeting.

Pinagmasdan niyang makalayo ito saka siya pumasok sa bahay at nilock yung pinto. Bumalik siya sa kanyang kwarto at pumunta siya sa may bintana upang isara iyon nang makita nanaman niya si Sethorne na nakasandag sa isang puno malapit sa kagubatan.

"God do this people ever sleep?" napapahikab niyang turan saka siya bumaba ulit at pumunta sa lugar kung saan ito nakatayo. Naabutan niya itong nakatayo lang doon at naka tingin sa bahay na tinitirhan nila. His arms are on his chest.

"Yoww akala ko umuwi ka na?" turan ni Ran dito at napatingin ito sa kanya.

"And you're still awake." Saad nitong nakapagpataas ng kilay niya.

"Okay what's your deal?" turan niyang nakatingin lang dito looking so pissed.

"As I told you before....my whole family will be here tomorrow and my sister want to introduce you-----."

"Yah yah yah. Saturday right? Okay I'll be there but I don't know where that is." Sabad niya dahil sa coldness nito ay nababagot na siya plus she is so sleepy, cold and tired. Kailangan pa niyang maaga bukas at ayaw niyang mapuyat.

"My sister and my cousins will be here to pick you up. Sila na ang bahalang magdala sa iyo sa bahay." Seth said looking at her.

"Nahhh not just me....can I bring my friends. I'm afraid I can't go if they will not be with me....they won't let me." Saad niya na nakatingin din dito. He sighs and he look at the forest behind her.

"Whatever you like." Seth said at napangisi si Ran.

"Now, tapos na ba tayo? I need to rest may klase pa kami bukas.......and you need to rest to." She smiles as she looks at his eyes.

"Sure." He said coldly.

Sinabi nito iyon ngunit hindi pa siya umaalis sa kinatatayuan niya. She was staring at his lovely eyes. It reminded her of a cat's eyes she ones saw.

"You should go home. Gabi na.....danger are all around us." Birong turan ni ran upang masira yung katahimikan, nagulat nalang siya when he suddenly chuckls and she was froze. He leans near her and whispers in her ear.

"That should be my line Princess." He said, she was about to speak when her head suddenly ached and she feel like the time stopped.

She opened her eyes to see herself lying on a wide bed and a thick soft white blanket is covering her. She looks from side to side as she lay there trying to see if she is dreaming or not. She suddenly gets up when she heard noises outside. She look around to see herself in a wide room, a cabinet designed with golden star shape is placed right beside a wide door. She slowly slide down the bed and she look at her hand to see it too tiny....it is a hand of a 7 years old child. She looks at her reflection on the wide size mirror right beside the cabinet to see herself in a body of a lovely child. She touch her hair....it is curly black and long. The girl in her reflection is wearing this old fashioned blue dress and a blue ribbon tied in her hair. She turned when the door suddenly burst open. A girl around 13 entered looking as if she is been run over by an elephant. She has this beautiful reddish hair that complemented her white skin tone. She is very pretty and she is clutching her dress for her not to step on it. She suddenly went closer her and grabbed her in the arm.

"Sister we need to leave now. Father will know about my powers, I accidentally used it to help a child cornered by a tiger. One of father's informant saw me....he will surely tell him. Mother said we must leave now while we got the chance." She said and she saw this fear in the girl's eyes. Magsasalita na sana siya upang umangal o magtanong nang biglang may lumabas na malamyos na boses sa kanyang bibig.

"Where is mother?" the voice that is coming out from her mouth said.

"She said she is going to father's library to get something. She will meet as on the back exit where Uncle Luke and Aunt Josephine are waiting for us. Come on we must haste." She pulled her out of the room and they were running on this wide house na hindi talaga familiar sa kanya. Sa nakikita niya ay nasa isa silang palasyo dahil sa kalawakan niyon, ni hindi nga niya maalala kung ilang pinto na ang nalakaran nila.

"Come, it's only this door and we are out of here. We only need to wait for mother." The girl said at binuksan nito yung itim na pinto na may design na mukha ng dalawang lion sa magkabilang pintuan.

May nakita siyang dalawang taong nahihitay sa may labas at may 4 na kabayo doon na nakatali. Lumapit sa kanila yung dalawa at niyakap sila.

"Don't worry you will be safe. Where's your mother?" the man asked at napapatingin nalang siya sa mga ito as her body do what it likes. Hindi siya ang may control sa kanyang katawan at pati kanyang mga sinasabi. Para lang siyang nasa katawan na iyon upang manood. She wanted to cry and scream but she was like as if she is lock into that body. She feels the terror rushing into her system. She is so scared...natatakot na siya sa nangyayari sa kanya. Nasaan siya at sino ang mga taong ito?

"She said she will meet us here Uncle Luke." The girl holding her hand said.

Napalingon silang lahat nang bumukas bigla yung pintong nilabsan nila kanina. Lumantad sa kanila ang isang babaeng katulad o kapareho nung babaeng may hawak sa kanyang maliit na kamay. Mahaba ang pula nitong buhok at maputi ang kanyang balat. May iniabot dito yung lalaki na isang itim na damit and she saw how she wore it....it is a cloak. The woman also give the girl holding her a black cloak and then she kneel in front of her and slide a black cloak to her shoulder and covered her head with the cloak's hood.

"We are running out of time we must make haste." Turan nung lalaki at saka siya kinalong at nilagay sa likod ng kabayo. Gusto sana niyang umangal dahil hindi siya marunong mangabayo ngunit hindi umaayon ang iniisip niya sa ginagawa ng kanyang katawan.

"Hurry the guards are approaching." The woman the girl called aunt Josephine said with a little panic as she ride the other horse.

Nakita niyang sumampa rin sa kabayo yung babaeng humila sa kanya doon sa kwarto. Sumakay naman sa isa yung babaeng kararating lang.

"Ride close to me sweetie." Saad nito sa babaeng humila sa kanya na ngayon ay iniaayos ang sarili nito sa kabayo.

"Yes mother." Saad naman nung babaeng humila sa kanya.

Napahawak siya sa tali nung kabayo nang biglang sumampa sa kabayong sinasakayan niya yung lalaking tinawag nung babaeng humila sa kanya na uncle Luke.

"Are okay sweetie? Hold on tight okay." He whispered to her ear at tumango naman siya......not her intention though.

Kanina pa sila hinahabol ng mga lalaking nakakabayo na may suot na mga armor at may mga hawak na mga armas. Napasigaw siya nang may biglang lumampas sa kanyang mukha na umaapoy na arrow. She scream and scream while the man behind her is holding her so tightly for her not to fall or be hit by flying burning arrows.

"Noooooooo!" napadilat siya na humihingal. Naramdaman niyang may nakahawak sa kanya na mainit na kamay kaya nagpupumiglas siya.

"Calm down it's just me." She look at the man holding her. Napabuntong hininga siya dahil nakita niyang si Sethorne lang pala ang nakahawak sa kanya.

Napapasapo siya sa kanyang ulo nang marealize niyang nakaangat siya sa ere. She suddenly opened her eyes to see Sethorne carrying her in a lover's carry style as he walk. Nagtataka talaga siya sa lalaking ito.....she's heavy for heaven's sake. It will take 2 men to carry her yet this man carried her as if he was just holding a baby. Ni wala siyang makitang pawis o ano mang ebedensya na nagsasabing nahihirapan itong kalungin siya.

"What? What do you have in mind? You're staring at me as if I am a pervert." Saad nito at naramdaman niya yung init ng hininga nito, they are too close that she can smell this sweet scent coming from him.

"You puzzle me, tao ka ba?" she said as she looks at him, huminto naman ito sa paglalakad saka nalang niya namalayang nasa loob na pala sila ng tinitirhan nila.

"Where did that came from?" saad nitong nakatingin sa kanya.

"Wala lang kasi naman kung buhatin mo ako ay para naman akong sangol na ang gaan-gaan. Your just....not like the other men I have meet saying no one can carry me dahil sa katabaan kong ito. Yet here you are." Turan niya habang tinutuloy nito ang pagpanhik sa hagdanan.

"I'm stronger than you think...besides you need to rest. I can see your eyes really want to rest. Don't worry I won't do anything to you. I'm just going to lay you to bed and I'm off." He said with a smile that reaches his eyes. She blushed as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, she seems to be at peace near this cold man who is so warm. What an irony.

"Sure thanks.....just keep your crazy thoughts to yourself and we won't have any problem. Besides if you do something shady there are 3 men in this house that can kick you out." She smiled at him as he also smile then he chuckled.

"Alright just relax. You're stronger than I am anyway. If I touch you without your consent it will cost my head." He said jokingly and she laughs a little and she just lean her cheek on his wide warm chest.

"Alam mo na siguro kung saan ang room ko. You're staring on my window so I guess no need to tell you where." Saad niyang nakapikit hindi niya namalayan ay nakatulog pala siya.

Naalimpungatan si Ran sa maayos niyang tulog nang maramdaman niyang binababa siya. Napamulat siya at nakita niyang binababa siya ni Sethorne sa kanyang kama at hinila nito yung kumot niya upang itakip sa kanyang katawan. Nakaramdam siya ng ginaw nang ilayo nito yung katawan nito sa kanya. Nakaramdam siya ng takot at dali-dali siyang napabangun at pinigil ito sa pagalis sana nito sa kanyang kwarto.

"Seth wait....uhmnnnn can I ask you some crazy....super crazy favor?" Ran suddenly said at lumingon naman ito sa kanya na nagtataka.

"What is?" Seth said as he looks at her.

"Can you stay.....just for a while. Ka-kasi lagi nalang akong binabangogot tuwing gabi......I thought will.....nakakaweirdo ngunit I feel at ease with...uhmnnnn you." She said the last word almost like a whisper.

He look at her for so long that she felt like she made a mistake.

"A-Ano ba yan nananaginip pa siguro ako at kung anu-ano ang sinasabi ko. You know what forget it I-----." Napapautal si Ran sa hiya.

"Its fine but don't shout saying I'm a rapist." Seth said and he went closer to her.

"Errrr thanks." Ran said as she touches her super-hot red face.

Napangiti ito at lumapit sa kanya at umupo sa kanyang kama sa mesmong tabi niya at sumandag ito sa dingding sa kanyang ulunan. She leans to his side at napansin niyang nanigas ito.

"Are you into me?" he said and she laughs.

"Nope. Feeling ka naman..but.....your warm so....thanks." she said as she closed her eyes pulling the blanket into her shoulder as she lean her head on his chest. She heard him sigh.

"Well! This is dangerous but well! just rest. It's our job anyway to be by your side." He said ngunit dahil sa inaantok na siya ay napapikit na siya at hindi niya narinig ang huling sinabi nito.