STUPID things do happen and it does everyday. Just like this stupid Hugo pointing his filthy finger at me.  I dashed towards the uncrowded part of the forest, still in my shadow form. Hugo may have noticed it, he sprung his legs forward to ran after me. I accelerated and was about to reach the small hole where I entered when he shrieked a faint yell.  As though the gravity pulled me heavier than others, I thudded against the dry leaves on the ground, now back on being solid human. I looked up, wide-eyed, at Hugo who was wearing an annoying grin on his terribly chiseled face.  "Hello there, lady," he said, lifting his feet to my spot. "Hindi ka na makakatakas dito."  Kapwa silang napaatras habang nanlaki ang mga mata nang mabilis akong tumayo at pinagpagan ang sarili.  "I don't think so, mister," I smirked at the sight of the panic across their faces. 

"Who are you?" "Ara Belacour," I replied in a matter-of-fact tone. She grunted and picked herself up, pero hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pangangatog ng kanyang tuhod. Such a coward. "I'm not stupid." She successfully managed to stand straight. "Sino ka?" Napairap ako at pinagkrus ang braso. "Are you deaf?" Demi slammed her stone goblet on the floor. Nilamon ng ingay nang pagbagsak nito ang kabuuan ng cafeteria, but what took me was how the floor where the goblet was slammed formed a slight crack. Gano'n ba kalakas ang kapangyarihan niya para masira pati ang sahig ng building na ito? The students weren't even surprised as much I am. They're probably used to seeing this woman pisses her ass off. How does throwing objects help one's anger, anyway? "Who's behind the Ara Belacour everyone is talking about?" she uttered. Her gaze sharpened. There was something in there that I could

"KEEP IT SILENT, ARA. Let's investigate in our own ways," Genesis' voice echoed in my head. Indeed, he knew— both of us knew... But how come? Imposible na hindi alam ni Boris ang mga nangyayari sa paaralan na 'to o kahit si Carwell man lang. There must be someone whose behind all these.There was a knock after knock on my bedroom's door, making me shook in surprise. I have been quite skittish these days, cautious perhaps, for some reason. Tahimik akong tumayo at pinagbuksan ang kumatok. Just as who I expected. "Yes?" Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Shaye. "Can we talk?" "We're already talking," nayayamot kong sagot at umirap. She forced a smile. "I meant, talk — like in private. Just the two of us," she said. I lifted my shoulders in a shrug and let her in. She helped herself sit on my bed. Looking up to me, her face fell. "I don't think it's you who did it." I sniggered. "I don't c

I got up on my knees in silence. Dahan dahan akong lumabas sa tent kung saan kami nagpapahinga nang hindi gumagawa ng kahit katiting na ingay, and the only way to achieve that is transforming into my shadow form. I glided forwards through the air and felt the cold atmosphere embraced me. Sa wari ko'y madaling araw na ngayon. The Arcanes and I decided to stay for the night, with two tents for us girls and for boys. Hindi namin gustong mag-aksaya ng oras, lalo na ako, ngunit hindi rin kami makakapaglakbay ng maayos kung pasuray-suray sa antok itong mga kasama ko. Rinig na rinig ko pa rin ang pagragasa ng ilog mula sa malapitan pero wala ako sa mood para maligo ng ganito kaaga. Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ko at umupo sa malaking bato sa harap ng bonfire na gawa ng mayabang na Carwell kagabi. Tanging ingay ng mga kuliglig at mahihinang pagpitik mula sa apoy lamang ang maririnig sa buong paligid, at kung sino man ang lalabas, aa

THE sun was now at its peak and we finally found our way out of the woods. Pahinto-hinto kami sa paglalakad dahil kailangan ng pahinga ni Rhysan. Gustuhin man naming magmadali, 'di naman namin siya pwedeng iwanan dito.    Ngayong nakalabas na kami sa wakas, ilang minutong paglalakad na lang at maaari na naming gamitin ang portal.    "Are you okay? Gusto mong magpahinga ulit?" rinig kong tanong ni Third kay Rhysan sa likuran. Kasabay ko si Shaye sa paglalakad, sa likuran naman namin ay sina Snow, Third, at Rhysan. 'Yung isang masungit naman ay piniling magbantay sa likod.    "Yeah. Bwesit lang 'yong Almer na 'yon," Rhysan replied.    Napakunot ang noo ko. Who's Almer?   "Almer?" ani Third.   "That guy na kumukontrol ng buhangin. He was the one who knocked me off."    Napalingon ako kay Shaye na tahimik na nakikinig