Chapter 36
I woke up, but I had no idea what time it was.
My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the thin curtains.
When I looked beside me, I realized I was alone.
The warmth that had been there last night was gone, replaced by nothing but the lingering scent of faint perfume and fabric softener.
Then, everything that happened last night flashed back into my mind—the quiet whispers, the stolen glances, the warmth of a presence so close to mine. My heart started pounding again, each beat loud and insistent as if reminding me that what happened wasn’t just a dream.
I groaned, burying my face into the pillow, feeling like a high school girl giddy over a crush. Damn it. I thought I had outgrown this kind of reaction, but here I was, smiling into the sheets like some hopeless romantic lead in a cliché movie.
With a deep sigh, I finally sat up.
The air was cool, and the faint chirping of birds mixed with the distant sound of people talking.
The walls of the house were thin, and I could clearly hear voices coming from outside.
The laughter of older women, the occasional barking of a dog, and the sound of sweeping filled the morning.
Curious, I glanced at the clock on the bedside table—8 AM. Ganito pala sa probinsiya. Ang aga nilang magising. Back in the city, people wouldn’t even be up at this hour, except maybe for those rushing to work or school.
Stretching my arms, I reluctantly got out of bed, slipping my feet into the slippers beside me. The wooden floor was cool against my skin as I padded towards the door. The scent of something warm and slightly sweet filled the air—freshly baked bread, maybe? It made my stomach grumble in response.
Stepping out of the room, I was greeted by the sight of Aling Rosa sitting with Ms. Sanchez at the small wooden dining table. Basa na ang buhok ni Ms. Sanchez kaya sigurado akong nakaligo na ito.
"Magandang umaga, iha," Aling Rosa greeted warmly, her voice carrying the gentle kindness of someone who had seen many mornings like this.
"Magandang umaga rin po. Kanina pa po kayo rito?" I asked as I took a seat beside them.
"Oo, iha. Ang saya nga kausap nitong kaibigan mo. Nakakatuwa mag-Tagalog," she chuckled, glancing at Ms. Sanchez with amusement.
I turned to my companion, "Talaga po?"
Ms. Sanchez, ever so composed, cleared her throat before attempting to speak. "Syempwe poh. Hindi... akor nagsisiw pomontar ditow..."
I nearly choked on my own spit. I had to press my lips together to stop myself from bursting into laughter.
"Ang cute nga po talaga n'yan," I said, my voice shaking as I held back a giggle.
Ms. Sanchez muttered something under her breath, but I caught it anyway.
"Pufferfish," she grumbled.
Aling Rosa spoke again, her voice as motherly as ever. "Gusto mo ba ng inumin, iha? Kape o Milo?"
I shook my head politely. "Wala naman po, tubig lang po."
She nodded approvingly before standing up. "Sige, iha. May pandemonay dito, gusto n'yo?"
At the mention of food, my stomach betrayed me with a low grumble. I quickly nodded. "Sige po, salamat."
Aling Rosa disappeared for a moment before returning with a small plate of pandemonay, the golden-brown bread looking soft and warm. She placed it in front of us before giving a knowing smile.
"Kain lang kayo d'yan, magwawalis muna ako sa labas. Tsaka baka yayain kayo gumala ni Lea mamaya, ang dami kasing naghihintay sa inyo."
I gave her a grateful smile. "Salamat po."
As she walked away, I turned my attention back to the girl sitting beside me. Ms. Sanchez was casually sipping on her milk, as if she hadn’t just embarrassed herself a few minutes ago.
I narrowed my eyes at her. "Why didn’t you wake me up earlier? Hmp," I pouted, crossing my arms dramatically.
She merely raised a brow. "It’s not my obligation, Gom— Sylvia," she said before taking another slow sip of her milk, her expression completely unfazed.
I smirked, leaning slightly closer. "I really love it when you call me by my name. What more if I heard you say it while begging—"
Before I could even finish, she smacked my arm.
"It’s early in the morning, Sylvia!" she huffed, her expression now full of irritation.
I let out a loud laugh. "I was just joking!"
She rolled her eyes and turned away from me, pretending to focus on the bread in front of her. Then, she spoke again, her voice a bit softer this time.
"I want that..."
I blinked. "The what? I’m not a mind reader, you know."
She hesitated for a moment, looking unsure. "I want... I want monay."
I stared at her, processing her words.
"You want... what?" I asked, just to make sure I heard correctly.
"I want that bread. I can’t reach it," she said seriously, completely unaware of what she had just said.
I bit my lip, trying—really trying—not to laugh.
"What’s the name of the bread again?"
She gave me an unimpressed look. "Monay, dzuh," she answered, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
That was it. I lost it. I burst out laughing, gripping the edge of the table for support.
"Gosh, Cyn! It’s not just "monay"! It’s "pandemonay"!" I corrected her, still laughing as I handed her the bread.
"So what? It can be used as a shortcut, stupid," she argued, refusing to admit any mistake.
"You don’t get it! The meaning is different!" I said, trying to control my laughter.
"Whatever, Syl. It’s just the same," she said, taking a bite as if our conversation was over.
I shook my head at her, still amused. "So, how’s the monay? Yummy?" I teased, forcing myself not to laugh again.
"Yeah. It’s yummy," she replied, absolutely clueless.
I sighed and grabbed my glass, quickly taking a sip of water to stop myself from laughing again.
As I struggled to hold back my laughter from our previous conversation, Ms. Sanchez shot me a sharp glare.
"You laugh too much for someone who just woke up," she muttered, taking a small, careful sip of her milk.
I smirked, resting my chin on my palm. "Well, I can’t help it."
Before she could retort, we heard hurried footsteps approaching. A few seconds later, someone burst onto the scene.
"Uy, Sylvia!"
Nilingon ko nga kung sino ito at si Lea lang pala.
"Hi, goodmorning." bati ko sakanya.
"Goodmorning. Kagigising niyo lang? Ang dami na naghihintay kasi sainyo sa labas." sabi nito sa amin at umupo sa tabi ko.
"Ha? Bakit?" nagtataka kong tanong.
"Syempre damating 'yung may ari ng halos lahat ng lupa rito. Kulang nalang talaga bilhin niyo na 'tong buong syudad eh." biro pa nito sa akin.
"Do you want to go outside, Cyn?" tanong ko sakanya who just silently eating and drinking her milk.
"Okay." tipid na sagot nito.
"We'll just get ready, lalabas din kami ka agad." sabi ko kay Lea at tumango ito. "Maghihintay lang ako rito," sabi niya.
After we finished eating, agad kami munang nag-ayos ng sarili namin at binilisan nalang din namin mag-ayos dahil naghihintay na din si Lea sa labas.
As soon as we stepped outside, the bright sunlight greeted us, making me squint for a moment.
The fresh, cool breeze carried the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers, a stark contrast to the city air I was used to.
Ms.
Sanchez, as usual, was quiet beside me, her gaze wandering over the unfamiliar surroundings.
The moment we stepped outside, I immediately noticed the small crowd gathered near the sari-sari store.
Some of them were older folks chatting over their morning errands, while a few younger ones stole curious glances at us.
Lea had warned us earlier that people were eager to see us, but I didn’t expect this much attention.
“Ang dami nilang nakatingin,” I muttered under my breath, leaning slightly toward Lea.
She chuckled. “Tama nga ako, ‘di ba? Sikat kayo rito. Wala kasing madalas na dumadayo rito na kagaya n’yo.”
I sighed, already feeling the weight of the curious stares. “Ano ‘to, tourist attraction?”
Lea smirked. “Medyo.”
Ms. Sanchez, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke, her voice calm and even. “This is… different.”
I turned to her, “In a good way or a bad way?”
She took a moment before responding, her gaze lingering on the simple houses, the open fields beyond them, and the people who watched us with mild curiosity. “It’s not bad,” she finally said.
Lea grinned, nudging me playfully. “O, kita mo? Nagugustuhan na ni Cynthia.”
"Hala, ikaw naba si Sylvia?" sabi ng isang babae na may edad na rin.
"Opo," sabi ko sakanya at ngumiti.
?The moment the old lady confirmed my identity, the entire neighborhood seemed to explode into noise.
?
?“Aba! Siya nga!”
?
?“Ang ganda pala talaga ni Sylvia sa personal!”
?
?“Totoo bang may mansion kayo sa Maynila?”
?
?“Ay, grabe ‘yung kutis! Ano sekreto mo, iha?”
?
?Before I could even process what was happening, I was suddenly surrounded. Women—mostly middle-aged titas—were already closing in, their eyes twinkling with curiosity and admiration. Some even reached out, lightly touching my arm as if I were some rare artifact.
?
?I barely had time to react when a man, probably in his mid-20s, casually slid into the growing crowd, his eyes locked onto me like a hunter spotting prey.
?
?“Well, well, well…” he drawled, smirking. “Ikaw pala si Sylvia. Alam mo, kanina pa kitang gustong makilala.”
?
?I blinked at him. “Uh… okay?”
?
?Ms. Sanchez, who had been quietly standing beside me, immediately stiffened. Her grip on her phone tightened.
?
?The people, completely oblivious, continued their excited chatter.
?
?“Naku, Sylvia, dalaga ka pa ba?”
?
?“May boyfriend ka na?”
?
?“Kailan ka mag-aasawa?”
?
?“Gusto mo ba ng taga-rito? Maraming mabait na binata rito, ‘yung tipong pang-asawa!”
?
?“Speaking of binata,” the annoying guy cut in smoothly, flashing me a confident grin. “Sylvia, baka gusto mong gumala mamaya? I can give you a personal tour.”
?
?He leaned a little too close, his cologne aggressively strong. Ms. Sanchez eye twitched.
?
?I forced a polite smile, trying to inch away. “Ahaha… ang dami namang tao dito, baka may gusto pang kumausap sa akin?”
?
?“Wag kang mahiy—”
?
?Before he could finish, Ms. Sanchez suddenly stepped between us, her movement so sharp and precise that even the titas quieted down.
?
?“She’s busy,” she stated flatly, staring him down.
?
?The guy blinked. “Ha? Eh, di pa nga siya sumasagot—”
?
?“She doesn’t need to.”
?
?I swear, the temperature dropped. Ms. Sanchez face was completely blank, but her aura? Terrifying.
?
?Just when I thought things were about to escalate, Lea suddenly stepped in, clapping her hands loudly.
?
?“Okay, tama na ‘yan,” she said, stepping between Ms. Sanchez and the guy like a referee stopping a boxing match. “May pupuntahan pa kami.”
?
?I sighed in relief. .Thank God.
?
?Lea gave the guy a pointed look. “Ikaw, kuya, may trabaho ka pa ba? O nagpapalipas-oras ka lang dito?”
?
?The guy awkwardly cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. “Ah… Sige, next time nalang, Sylvia.”
?
?“No next time,” Ms. Sanchez said immediately.
?
?Lea grabbed my wrist and started pulling me away before Ms. Sanchez could say anything else that would make the situation worse. “Tara na, baka matunaw na ‘yang binata sa tingin ni Cynthia.”
?
?I followed quickly, not daring to look back. Ms. Sanchez, casually walked beside me like nothing happened, while the people here continued their excited chattering behind us.
?
?As soon as we were out of earshot, I groaned. “Ano ba yon?"
?
?Lea cackled. “Grabe, Sylvia! May guard ka palang kasama, eh!”
?
?I side-eyed Ms Sanchez, walking like she didn’t just scare a grown man into silence. “I don’t like him,” she said simply.
?
?Lea smirked. “Kita nga namin."
?
?Ms. Sanchez shrugged. “He was annoying.”
?
?Lea gave me a knowing look. “Grabe ‘to, Sylvia. Ano nga ba kayo?”
?
?"Ha?"
?"Wala hehe," sabi nito at hindi kona siya pinansin pa.
We continued walking, and soon enough, the crowd slowly dispersed, going back to their usual routines.
Lea led us toward a narrow dirt path that seemed to head toward the outskirts of the town.
On both sides of the path, rice fields stretched out endlessly, the green stalks swaying with the breeze.
Further ahead, there was a cluster of trees providing shade.
“Saan mo kami dadalhin?” I asked, stepping carefully to avoid the occasional rock on the ground.
Lea turned her head, a playful glint in her eyes. “May ipapakita lang ako sa inyo. Para naman hindi lang bahay ni Lola ang nakikita n’yo rito.”
I glanced at Ms. Sanchez, who merely nodded, her expression unreadable as usual.
“Alam mo, Sylvia, kung dito kayo lumaki, siguro ang dami n’yo nang kaibigan dito,” Lea mused.
“Edi sana hindi ganito ‘yung tingin nila sa amin,” I muttered.
Lea laughed. “Sus, sanay lang ‘yan. Baka mamaya, bago kayo umalis, kayo na ‘yung hinahanap-hanap nila.”
I shook my head, amused.
As we walked further, the noise of the town grew fainter, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds. The air was fresher here, untainted by smoke or pollution.
Ms. Sanchez, who had been quiet for most of the walk, finally took a deep breath. “It’s… peaceful.”
I turned to her, surprised by the comment. She wasn’t one to say much about her surroundings unless necessary.
Lea grinned, clearly pleased. “O, ‘di ba? Ang ganda rito. Sabi ko na nga ba magugustuhan niyo.”
I smiled as I looked around. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all.
"Malapit na tayo," Lea announced, glancing back at us with a grin.
"Saan nga ba talaga tayo pupunta?" I asked, stepping over a stray tree root on the path.
Lea just smirked. "Surprise."
I sighed and kept walking. Ms. Sanchez, on the other hand, remained silent, her gaze flickering from the trees to the open sky visible through the gaps in the branches. She seemed… relaxed. Or at least, as relaxed as Ms. Sanchez could be.
After a few more minutes of walking, the trees finally opened up to a clearing. My breath caught in my throat at the sight before me.
A wide, crystal-clear river stretched out in front of us, its waters shimmering under the sunlight.
Smooth, flat stones lined the banks, and a few large boulders jutted out from the middle of the river.
The sound of flowing water mixed with the distant chirping of birds, creating a serene atmosphere.
"Whoa," I murmured, stepping closer to the edge. "This is… beautiful."
Lea grinned proudly. "Dito kami madalas tumambay pag walang ginagawa. Ang layo sa ingay ng bayan, ‘di ba?"
Ms. Sanchez stopped beside me, her gaze fixed on the water. For a moment, she didn’t say anything, then, in a soft voice, she murmured, "It’s nice."
I glanced at her, a little surprised. "You like it?"
She gave a small nod. "It’s quiet."
Lea plopped down on one of the bigger rocks near the shore, kicking off her slippers. "Dapat lang! Dito kasi walang istorbo. Gusto n’yo bang maligo? O kahit tampisaw lang. Ang linis ng tubig, malamig pa!"
I hesitated, looking down at the clear water. "Uh… baka may ahas?"
Lea laughed. "Ano ka ba? Wala ‘yan! Malinis ‘tong ilog, hindi ‘to gaya ng maruruming estero sa siyudad."
Ms. Sanchez crouched down and dipped her fingers into the water, her expression unreadable. "It’s cold," she noted.
Lea stretched her arms and took a deep breath, as if savoring the fresh air of the province. "Ang sarap talaga ng hangin dito, ‘no? Ang layo sa usok ng siyudad."
I nodded, taking in the peaceful scenery. "Oo nga. Ang tahimik pa."
As we stood by the river, a light breeze blew past, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees. Ms. Sanchez remained still, her eyes following the movement of the water as if lost in thought. Lea, on the other hand, was already testing the waters, dipping her toes in and grinning at the sensation.
"Tara na, Sylvia! Subukan mo na!" Lea called out, splashing a little water in my direction.
I took a step back and held my hands up. "Pass. Baka malamig masyado."
Ms. Sanchez looked at me with a raised brow before, without warning, she flicked water in my direction. The cold droplets hit my skin, making me yelp.
"Hoy! Cynthia!" I gasped, rubbing my arms.
A rare smirk crossed her lips. "You’re overreacting."
Lea cackled. "Grabe ‘to, Sylvia. Ang arte! Sige na, hindi naman tayo aalis agad. Magbabad muna tayo sandali!"
I sighed in surrender before taking off my slippers and stepping closer. The moment my feet touched the water, a shiver ran up my spine. "Ang lamig nga!"
Ms. Sanchez let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "Drama queen."
Lea leaned back against a rock, tilting her head toward the sky. "Alam mo, minsan ang sarap ding magpahinga ng ganito. Wala masyadong iniisip, walang nagmamadali."
I looked at her, then at Ms. Sanchez, who seemed more relaxed than I had ever seen her. Maybe Lea had a point. The city always demanded so much from us. Here, time seemed to move slower, and worries felt lighter.
After a while, Lea stretched and stood up. "Sige na, at baka antukin tayo rito. May pupuntahan pa tayo!"
"Saan naman?" I asked as I shook off the water from my feet.
She grinned mischievously. "Surprise. Pero sigurado akong magugustuhan n’yo."
Ms. Sanchez gave her a skeptical look. "If it's another tourist attraction where people will stare at us, I’m not interested."
Lea laughed. "Hindi ‘to! Tahimik din doon. May gusto lang akong ipakita sa inyo."
Curious, I nodded. "Sige, tara na."
We walked for about fifteen minutes, following a dirt path that led deeper into the countryside.
The further we went, the more secluded it felt.
Trees lined both sides of the path, their branches intertwining above us, creating a natural tunnel.
Birds chirped in the distance, and the air smelled of damp earth and wildflowers.
After a while, Lea finally stopped. She gestured ahead with a proud smile. "Ayan!"
I turned my head and was immediately taken aback.
Before us stood a small, abandoned house, partially covered in vines.
It looked old but still sturdy, its wooden walls weathered by time.
A massive tree grew beside it, its roots stretching out and partially covering the ground in front of the house.
"Ano ‘to?" I asked, stepping closer.
Lea grinned. "Luma na ‘tong bahay na ‘to, pero may kwento raw dito. Sabi ng matatanda, dito dati nakatira ang isang babaeng maraming sikreto. Walang nakakaalam kung bakit siya biglang nawala, pero simula noon, walang nangahas tumira dito ulit."
I turned to Ms. Sanchez, expecting her to scoff at the superstition, but she simply stared at the house, her expression unreadable.
"You’re saying it’s haunted?" she asked flatly.
Lea shrugged. "Ewan. Pero wala pang may lakas ng loob na pumasok uli."
I looked back at the house, my curiosity growing. There was something eerie about it, yet at the same time, it felt... inviting.
"Tingin mo, Sylvia? Pasok tayo?" Lea teased, nudging me playfully.
I swallowed, suddenly unsure. "Baka naman may... ahas diyan."
Lea snorted. "Mas takot ka pa sa ahas kesa sa multo."
Ms. Sanchez sighed and crossed her arms. "Let’s just get this over with."
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward. The wooden steps creaked under my weight as I reached for the door. With one final glance at Ms. Sanchez and Lea, I pushed it open, revealing the darkness inside.
The door groaned as it swung open, revealing a dimly lit interior. Dust swirled in the air, disturbed by our entrance. The scent of damp wood and something faintly metallic filled my nose. I hesitated on the threshold, my heartbeat quickening.
"Mukhang matagal na talagang walang pumapasok dito," I murmured, stepping inside cautiously. The wooden floor creaked beneath my weight, and I winced at the noise.
Lea followed behind me, her eyes shining with excitement. "Ang ganda ng vibes dito! Parang nasa lumang pelikula."
Ms. Sanchez remained at the doorway, her gaze sweeping across the room. "It stinks," she muttered, wrinkling her nose.
The space was small, with a few pieces of old furniture covered in tattered white sheets.
A wooden rocking chair sat eerily still in one corner, and a dusty bookshelf lined the opposite wall, its contents long abandoned.
A single framed photo lay face down on a table, the glass shattered.
I reached for it hesitantly, turning it over.
The image was of a woman, her features obscured by time and grime. Something about her expression made my skin prickle. Her eyes, though blurred, seemed to stare directly at me.
"Sino kaya ‘to?" I asked, showing the photo to Lea.
She shrugged. "Malay ko. Baka siya ‘yung babaeng sinasabi ng matatanda."
Ms. Sanchez exhaled sharply, stepping further inside. "This is a waste of time. There’s nothing here except dust and—"
A sudden thud echoed from upstairs.
We all froze.
Lea’s grin faltered, and she glanced at me with wide eyes. "Narinig mo ‘yun?"
Ms. Sanchez entire body tensed. "Probably just a rat. Let’s go before—"
Another noise. This time, it sounded like slow, deliberate footsteps.
The hairs on my arms rose. I looked at the others, my breath caught in my throat. Lea, who had been the most eager to explore, was now gripping my arm tightly.
"Baka may tao?" I whispered.
Lea shook her head, her jaw tightening. "No one’s lived here for years."
"Then what’s making that sound?" I hissed.
The footsteps stopped. Silence pressed down on us, heavy and suffocating.
Then—
CREEAAAK.
The sound of a door upstairs slowly opening.
A chill ran down my spine. I could feel Ms. Sanchez and Lea tense beside me, all of us caught in the same unspoken question—run or investigate?
I swallowed hard. "Ano… tuloy?"
Lea exhaled shakily but attempted a weak smile. "Sinimulan na natin ‘to. Sayang naman kung aatras tayo ngayon."
Ms. Sanchez glared at her but said nothing. Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, turning on the flashlight. Without a word, she started toward the staircase.
Lea and I exchanged glances before reluctantly following. Each step we took felt heavier, the anticipation growing with every creak of the old wood beneath our feet.
At the top of the stairs, a hallway stretched before us, lined with three doors—two on the left, one at the end. The air was colder here, and my skin tingled with an odd sense of being watched.
Ms. Sanchez aimed her light down the hallway. "Which one first?"
Lea pointed at the last door, the one that had creaked open moments ago. "Diyan."
My pulse pounded in my ears as we approached. The door was ajar, revealing only darkness beyond. I licked my lips, my mouth dry.
Ms. Sanchez reached out, fingers brushing the wood. She pushed the door open fully.
For a moment, there was nothing. Just an empty, dust-covered room.
Then I saw it.
In the farthest corner, an old wooden wardrobe stood slightly open.
And from the darkness inside, a pair of pale fingers curled around the edge of the door.
Lea let out a strangled yelp, grabbing onto my arm so tightly I thought she might cut off my circulation. Ms. Sanchez, ever the fearless one, sucked in a sharp breath but didn’t move.
For a long, tense second, none of us spoke. The fingers on the wardrobe door didn’t move either. My heart hammered against my ribs. Were we really about to witness some kind of ghostly apparition?
Then—
"Boo!"
The wardrobe burst open, and two small figures tumbled out, giggling uncontrollably.
I screamed—an embarrassingly high-pitched sound—while Lea scrambled backward so fast she nearly tripped over her own feet.
Ms.
Sanchez, on the other hand, just stood there, frozen, her flashlight shaking in her grip.
The "ghosts" before us turned out to be two kids, probably no older than ten, their faces smudged with dust and their clothes wrinkled. One of them, a boy with messy hair, was grinning from ear to ear. "Natakot kayo 'no?"
The other kid, a girl with twin braids, doubled over laughing. "Akala niyo may multo, ano?"
Lea clutched her chest, gasping for breath. "Mga bwisit kayo! Akala ko talaga mamamatay na ako!"
I leaned against the wall, trying to slow my heartbeat. "Who even are you? What are you doing here?!"
The boy straightened up, still snickering. "Dyan lang kami nakatira malapit, nakita kasi namin kayo papunta rito kaya ayon. It's a prank!"
The girl wiped her tears of laughter away. "Ang seryoso niyo kanina! Parang eksena sa horror movie!"
"Lumayo-layo nga kayo sa akian at baka mahampas ko itong tsinelas ko sainyo!"
The kids shrieked with laughter and darted out of the room before she could finish her threat. Their footsteps thundered down the stairs, and the front door banged open and shut as they escaped into the night.
For a few seconds, none of us spoke. Then Lea let out a half-laugh, half-sob. "Sinasabi ko na nga ba, dapat ‘di na tayo umakyat!"
I shook my head, finally laughing as well. "Okay, but admit it—if we were in a horror movie, we totally would’ve died first."
"Hindi pa ata nagsisimula 'yung movie patay na tayo eh," biro pa nito kaya natawa ako.
Bumaba kaming tatlo nang mabigat ang mga hakbang, pilit na bumabawi mula sa muntik na naming atake sa puso. Pagkarating namin sa pintuan, napagulong ng mata si Lea at napabuntong-hininga.
"Kapag nakita ko ulit 'yung mga batang 'yun, hahabulin ko talaga sila ng walis tingting," iritadong sabi niya.
Natawa ako. "Sige, good luck diyan. Mas mabilis pa sila kaysa sa'yo 'pag may ipis na hinahabol ka."
Ms. Sanchez, who was still gripping her phone like a weapon, rolled her eyes. "At least we didn’t run into an actual ghost. Now, let’s get out of here before something else jumps out."
Just as she said that, the old wooden rocking chair in the corner gave a single, slow creak.
We all froze.
Lea’s face paled. "Wait… that wasn’t the kids, right?"
I swallowed hard. "Nope."
Ms. Sanchez took one long look at the chair, then at us. "Alright, time to go."
Without another word, we sprinted out of the house, not stopping until we were safely outside. Panting, Lea doubled over. "Okay, new rule: No more abandoned houses. Ever."
I nodded. "Agree."