1 1st (What's the Ending?)

It was early in the morning, the sun is still sleeping. Around 4:30 in the morning, Bernice woke up feeling groggy. She pinched herself to fully wake her half-alseep body.

"Man, I just slept for about 3 hours!"

Her fluffy brown hair bounced as she dragged herself into the bathroom. She still need to finish the manuscript that she's doing last night.

After doing her morning routine, she went towards her study table and started to scribble some words in her notebook. Writing is her best way to replenish her thoughts after enjoying a deep slumber. Bernice loves to write everything that comes out on her mind.

A long sigh was heard in a four wall room. She couldn't arrange her thoughts today. Which is really weird. Ideas always pops out around this hour. But not today.

'Something is wrong.' That's what she thought.

This is bad, her deadline is tommorow. She still haven't arranged the ending of her story. She still can't think of what to write next.

To refresh her mind, she decided to go out and buy her favorite banana milk. She picked a huge black hoodie that is placed in her drawer. It is her comfort clothes everytime she goes out of her small studio-type room. She grabbed her notebook and her favorite pink unicorn pen that always helps her with her work.

Bernice covered her eyes as soon as she got out of her room. The radiant light of the fluorescent light in the hallway greeted her. It's bright because of the light but the deafening silence gives her creeps. Bernice was never a fan of horror films but she gather all her courage and trudge towards the stairway.

On her way down, she heard a load moans and some scratching. It gave her goosebumps. Her courage disappear like a magic after what she heard. She hurriedly run towards the lobby of the building, almost tripping herself.

"I should stop watching horror movies." She murmured to herself.

She felt relieved as soon as she saw the security of the building standing on his post. He was eying her curiously. Probably confuse on her identity. The security became vigilant as soon as he saw Bernice panting.

Bernice noticed it. She removed the hood of her jacket to rid his clouded judgement. She smiled as soon as she saw the security eased.

"Good morning Miss Pelayo! Ang aga n'yo atang lumabas ngayon?" The security greeted her.

"Good morning din kuya Jojo. Magpapahangin lang 'ho ako. Walang akong maisip sa kwarto ko eh."

After the greetings, she went along her way. The store was not that far to the building so she decided to take her time walking. After all, this is the only extreme activity that she can call exercise in her whole day.

Bernice hummed a lullaby as she stroll. The route towards the store is quiet. There are some cars that passes seldom. The street lights are flickering, no wonder most of the crimes are commited during dawn.

As soon as her feet landed in the cold tiles of the store, she went on her way towards the dairy section. The buzzing sound of the aircon filled the store. Her eyes landed on her target. Banana milk. She grabbed two bottles and hurriedly went to the cashier.

The bell on the top of the glass dor of the store chimed. A panting man wearing a black swaetshirt and gray jogging pants entered. His brown hazel eyes landed on Bernice, whose back is facing him. He immidiately recognized the hoodie that she's wearing.

Bernice, being herself, is oblivious of her surrounding. She just wanted to claim her purchased banana milk and enjoy her peaceful morning.

"Bernice, is that you?" The man asked in a low but soothing voice.

Her body stiffened. She pondered wether to face the man that called her or not.

'It must be a fan.' She thought.

Grabbing her banana milk and the reciept from the cashier girl, she turned around with a smile plastered on her face. Her smile falter as soon as she landed her chinky eyes on the man. The man in front of her was not 'just a fan'.

"Oh, it's really you. It's been a while. How have you been? Are you having your breakfast here?"

Bernice's mouth gaped open. Her small chinky eyes became wide all of a sudden, in just a glimpse of the man in front of her. No words came out from her. She's really surprised after seeing him. Many thought start to flow on her mind.

"Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago." Eight, her ex-boyfriend said, while giving her a playful smile.

That remark made her snap out of her stupid daydream. She gave him a smile. Wanting to escape from the awkward situation. But Eight was still exuberant as ever. He noticed the brown notebook on her left hand.

"Are you writing again?" He said with full of excitement.

Bernice gave up on her escape plan. There's no way that she can avoid this persistent man. She bobbed her head. After that she just found herself sitting in the porch of the store. In front of her is Eight, whose drinking his energy drink.

The sun is almost setting. The dark blue horizon was now painted in with a light blue along with yellow-orange light. The morning breeze greeted them. Some cars passes through them.

"What are you doing here early in the morning?" Eight asked. Breaking the silence between them.

She shrugged. "I just went out for my milk."

"I didn't know that you live around here. I haven't seen you around." He said.

"There's no reason for you to see me around." Bernice mumbled under her nose.

Eight clearly heard and understand what Bernice said. So he just dropped the topic to avoid the awkwardness.

"Anyways, it's good that you decided to write again. Your fans must be eager to read your new release book."

"It's been a while since the last time I wrote something. Now, I'm having a hard time deciding how will I end the story." Bernice sighed as she gulped down her milk.

Eight gave her a smile. He wanted to help her, just like before. But things are different now. Judging from Bernice's personality, she might get uneasy if Eight force his help.

Bernice was distressed. She need to finish her story before midnight today. But any single idea won't greet her little brain. Even her banana milk doesn't do the tricks today. She has no time conversing with her ex-boyfriend right now. But Eight was irresistable. At this rate, her work might not meet the deadline given by the publishing company.

"Can I read it?" After a long silence, Eight manned up.

Bernice looked at his eyes. Uncertain on what to do. This is her first book after being on a hiatus for about 3 years. The story was special to her. She doesn't want to have some spoilers buzzing around before the release.

"I might give you an idea after reading."

Her eyes fell on her notebook. Tracing the cover of the notebook using her fingers.

"Don't tell anyone about the plot. I'll kill you if my book release became a flop." Bernice gave up. She gave a treathening look at Eight, whose smiling upto his ears. She handed her precious item to him.

"I won't spoil anyone. I promise." He chuckled.

He flipped the cover of the notebook and read the words written in the front page.

"Fortuna City, the land where her journey starts." He read it out loud which makes Bernice frowned.

"Don't read it loud! Someone might hear you! The title should be a surprise you idiot!" She bursted out.

Eight gave a peace sign before reading silently. His eyes focused on the white paper.

'It was a gloomy day. A dreadful dream, or we can call it a nightmare, woke me up in my deep slumber. I saw it. I saw her body in front of me. Lying in a newly semented road. Bleeding.'