1 Chapter 1: Consolacion

She feast her eyes as the caritela (a horse-drawn calash used in the Philippines) passes through the whole town, it is the 1st of july, townfolks are doing their tradition. "Senyor, mind if I ask something?" Consolacion ask to the man just beside her. "Go ahead hija." he said. (hija - A term for girls in the Philippines used by old people)

"If I remember correctly Todos Los Santos (All Saints Day) is still 4 months away, why are your people lighting up some candles in front of their houses?" she asked. Of course a foreigner like, Consolacion, would never know such things.

Pilato was the one who sit beside her, he is the town's Mayor and a very close friend of Consolacion's family, he lit up his tabacco once more. His eyes look outside the caritela, she can see that the topic she opened will be a very serious and sensitive one.

"There's a family in this town. The Constantino's, they are generous, kind, like they owned the every heart of the people here, but one day they were brutally murdered inside their house. Upto this date no murderer or suspects had been found."

As Mayor Pilato, tells his story, the townfolks can't help but to look at the gorgeous Consolacion sitting in the caritela, she was a very plain yet beautiful, reserved and pure looking girl. Not only that her round eyes made a perfect fit for her long lashes, her perfect lips curve like a filigree sculpture, and a porcelain skin just like a doll.

"That was a very tragic story Senyor." Consolacion said after Mayor Pilato finished his story. "Indeed it was, but... you know. It seems very strange." he replied. Her eyebrows rose and looked very curious. "Why is that?" she asked.

"Sebastian Constantino, the first son of the Constantino family, was dismembered, and his body was scattered all over the mansion, every piece of his body was found... except..." Mayor Pilato paused. thinking if he should continue his story, he didnt want to scare the lady beside him.

"...except his head." said the voice in front of him, reason that he get the attention of Consolacion. "Plaridel, if I remember correctly, you're one of their servants right?" Mayor Pilato asked.

The man called Plaridel, nodded, while his eyes is still on the road Consolacion tried to glance into Plaridel's face, he has no emotions "...That family... they're bunch of phonies! They're wicked! they deserve to d—" before Plaridel could finish his sentence. Mayor Pilato interrupted.

"EHEM.... Plaridel. Words, there's a lady in here."

Silence and awkwardness befall in that ride. Not long after they reach Consolacion's house, Plaridel helped Mayor Pilato and Consolacion to get down from the caritela. He immediately take Consolacion's baggage and carry it, but she insist. "Please... atleast let me carry those. As an apology for... earlier." Plaridel said.

Consolacion handed her baggage to him, Mayor Pilato show the house her parents bought for her. The reason why Consolacion moved at the San Bartolome, was to help the townfolks, they don't have a nurse, and the hospital is far away from them. Even though her father were against on her being a nurse, she still pursue her study with the help of her mother.

"Okay. That's all the baggage you have, Lady. I'm really sorry for earlier." said Plaridel, wiping his sweat on his forehead. "That's okay. I dont really mind it. If you need some medicines or you're feeling unwell, just visit me here." said Consolacion giving the towel to him.

Plaridel bid farewell to Consolacion, while Mayor Pilato still inspect some of the room, she look around and go to the second floor, she noticed how dusty and dirty the house is, she opened the windows, and look at the view, the townfolks was doing their business while the kids are playing hopscotch.

She noticed the very big house in the middle of the Plain. She scanned it and noticed some paint faded on the roof, the whole house is red with black on its windows, something sinister was flowing through her vains while looking at it...

"You seem to be interested in that big house." Consolacion almost jumped from the cold voice behind. It is a man wearing long sleeves in a hot weather, he looks like he's just around Consolacion's age. He has hazel brown eyes that reflect the sunset, his nose is pointed perfectly, his curly hair almost cover his eyebrows, and lastly his body is perfectly built.

'Perfectly stunning, just like I'm looking in a sculpture. He doesnt look like a Filipino, a Spanish-Filipino maybe?' Consolacion thought.

"Matias." he said. Consolacion came back to her senses noticing she's been staring at him for long. "I'm... Consolacion. S-sorry, it is not appropriate for a girl to look at a man for so long. You're just... well groomed." she said, not aware of what she's saying. Matias laugh, he walk towards her and look outside the window.

He pointed the very big house. "That's where the Constantino lived. I am aware that Mayor already told you the story right?" he asked. Consolacion nodded, feeling uneasy beside Matias. "Consolacion!" said the voice from the ground floor. "I think Mayor is looking for you." Matias said leading Consolacion to the stairs.

As they reach the ground floor, Mayor Pilato greet them with an old man with his cane. "I see that you've already meet Matias. This is his father, Cristobal." Mayor Pilato said, Cristobal offer his hand, he is around his 60's. She shake his hand but his eyes seems not meeting hers, as if he was blind or he really just avoiding it, is he?

"Matias will help you cleaning this house tomorrow. but for now. We can call it a day, the sun has already set. If you need anything, just call us. Our house is located just beside yours. Matias, why dont you show her the room you cleaned." Cristobal said, still not meeting her eyes. Mayor Pilato also bid farewell, he left with Cristobal.

"Come I'll show you." Consolacion followed Matias, and after a short while they reach a room with 2 doors. "This will be your bedroom. I wont go any further beyond this point. It is inappropriate for a lady to be alone with a man inside her room. I should take my leave." Matias said.

"Thank you, for everything. I will take you outside. Matias." Consolacion said. She led Matias outside. After she closed the gates. she changed her clothes and decided to sleep.

"WAKE... UP..."

"CONSOLACION!!!"

A loud bang on the door woke Consolacion. 'What is happening?! Its 2 am in the morning.' she thought. She immediately opened the door. She almost lost herself, after she saw an unknown man holding Plaridel bleeding, his arm is amputated.

What happened to Plaridel?! How did he lost his arm?!