A vivid and haunting dream consumed me. In it, a man stands alone on a desolate battlefield. Blood coats his body, both his own and that of his enemies. His clothes bear the signs of relentless wear and tear from countless fights. The air is thick with the scent of smoke and the distant echoes of war.
His sword, once a symbol of his strength, now lies shattered at his feet. The pieces of the blade scatter on the ground, reflecting the dim, gray light of the overcast sky.
Enemies surround the man, their silhouettes looming menacingly, closing in with each passing moment.
Despite the overwhelming odds, he holds his head high, his gaze steady, his posture defiant, his eye's fierce, filled with unyielding determination and resilience.
He knows the end is near, and he refuses to bow or break.
Suddenly, a crescent-shaped blade swings toward him, arcing through the air with lethal precision. The blade moves swiftly, aimed at his neck. Just as it is about to strike, the dream abruptly ends. I wake with a start, the beeping sound of my alarm echoing in my ears.
The recurring dream leaves me with a lingering sense of unease. The image of the man, bloodied and battered, yet unyielding in the face of death, stays with me.
When I woke up, it was 6:23, a little later by my usual standards. I quickly headed to the bathroom to take a shower and wrapped myself in a towel for the trip downstairs.
With my hair still dripping, I threw a couple of slices of bread into the toaster and grabbed some San Marino from the fridge to heat up in the microwave.
While the bread was toasting, I whipped up an omelet while drying my hair.
After breakfast, I set up the ironing board in the living room and began ironing my school uniform, humming a random tune as I went.
Once the creases were smooth, I headed back upstairs to change into my uniform. When I checked the time, it was exactly 7:00. I was about to leave for school when I remembered my cousin, who'd been staying with us.
I quickly heated some leftovers from the fridge and left a note on the kitchen table for him, reminding him to eat something before he left for work or whatever he had planned for the day.
With that done, I grabbed my backpack and hurried out the door. It was another busy morning, but I was used to the routine. The school bus would be arriving any minute, and I didn't want to be late.
As I stood at the bus stop in front of our house, I took out my phone to check for any messages from friends or family.
There were a few unread texts, including a group chat where my friends were planning a badminton match after class.
I chuckled softly at their playful banter and teasing; it was an infinitesimal moment of joy before the day ahead.
BEEP! BEEP! The bus pulled up with a loud honk, its doors opening wide. The familiar school bus driver, Manong, greeted me with his usual cheerful "Good morning!" I returned his greeting with a smile, stepping inside and finding my regular seat at the back near the window.
My parents were pretty strict, so they insisted I take the school bus for safety. It meant sharing the ride with elementary school kids, but I didn't mind.
Their innocent chatter and questions made me feel like an older sister they could rely on, and it was nice to have their company on the way to school.
I pulled out my earphones and slipped them into my ears, tuning into Frank Sinuntra's smooth voice. It was my favorite way to start the day. As I gazed out the window, watching the familiar sights pass by...the local bakery, the small park, the bustling market.
I let the music fill my ears, creating a calm buffer between me and the bustling world outside.
The ride to school was a short one, but it gave me a moment to myself, a chance to reflect and enjoy the music before the busyness of the school day took over. It was in these quiet moments that I felt at peace, content with my routine, and ready to face whatever the day had in store.
We soon arrived at school, and as I stepped off the bus, I made my way toward my classroom. My friend Allisa spotted me from a distance and, with her usual boundless energy, ran up behind me and gave me a tight-back hug, making me blush. "GOOD MORNING, RYA!" she shouted, her voice full of cheer. I returned her greeting with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Allisa," I said, still recovering from the unexpected hug.
"Rya, your cool demeanor never ceases to amaze me," she said with a grin. "It's one of the many reasons I adore you!" I replied with a lighthearted, "Well, you seem to like me just as I am."
"Of course I do! You're my best friend!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "Shall we head to class?" she added, her voice softer.
"Sure, it's time anyway," I replied, and we walked toward our classroom together. As we made our way through the bustling hallways, she leaned in with a playful smirk and said, "Hey, did you know someone has a crush on you?"
"What is this now?" I replied with mock exasperation.
"Oh, just some juicy gossip I heard. There's a certain boy who has a crush on my precious Rya!" she teased, her voice dripping with humor.
The thought of romance had never really crossed my mind.
My focus had always been on studying and staying active, but curiosity got the better of me. "Oh? Who could it be?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, that's for you to figure out!" she replied, giving me a playful wink and pointing a finger at me. I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but smile at her antics.
"All right, Allisa, if you say so," I said with a laugh.
When we reached our classroom, we took our seats, and the teacher soon entered to begin the day's lessons. The lectures seemed to fly by in a blur, my mind still lingering on Allisa's words. I couldn't help but wonder who might be interested in me, but I quickly pushed the thought aside.
There was too much to focus on in class, and the last thing I needed was to be distracted by rumors.
Still, Allisa's infectious energy and cheerful attitude made the day feel lighter, and I was grateful for her friendship.
She always knew how to make even the most ordinary days a little more interesting.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of class, Allisa and I exchanged our usual goodbye.
She waved enthusiastically, promising to send me a text later about our plans for badminton.
I waved back with a smile, grateful for her cheerful spirit.
As I gathered my things and headed out of the classroom, my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text message from my parents, and the content made my stomach drop: "Your cousin is missing. Please come home right away."
A dense fog of worry and anxiety rolled over me, enveloping my thoughts in a shroud of unease. It felt like the surrounding air had grown heavier, pressing against my chest, squeezing my lungs, and turning my calm into a storm of uncertainty. The familiar corners of my mind became shadowy and obscure as if a swirling mist was concealing the way forward, leaving me disoriented and on edge. Each breath seemed to carry a chill, each beat of my heart a drum signaling impending chaos. The world outside seemed distant, and muted, while the tumult within grew louder, relentless and inescapable.
My cousin, with whom I'd grown up and shared so many memories, was gone.
I quickly texted Allisa to let her know I wouldn't be joining her and our friends after school, then hurried out to catch the bus home.
The bus ride felt longer than usual, my mind racing with questions and concerns. What could have happened to my cousin? Was he okay? How would my parents be handling this news?
When I finally got home, I rushed inside to find my parents waiting for me in the living room, their faces filled with worry.
We sat down to discuss the details, trying to piece together what had happened and what steps we needed to take next.
Phone calls, planning, and working with authorities filled the rest of the evening.
The carefree day at school had quickly turned into a tense and uncertain night. My parents and I knew we had to act fast to find my cousin, and we were determined to do whatever it took to bring him home safely.
As I sat in the living room with my parents, trying to make sense of the situation, my mind wandered to memories of my cousin.
He'd always been such a positive presence in our family, someone who could light up a room with his smile and infectious energy.
I remembered the times we played together as kids, running through the backyard, climbing trees, and sharing secrets in our little world.
He was a natural leader, the one who could rally everyone for a game of tag or a family picnic, no matter what we did, he made it fun, always coming up with new ideas and adventures.
As we grew older, my cousin's kind heart shone even brighter. He was the one who'd help carry groceries without being asked, who'd take out the trash or mow the lawn just because he knew it would make things easier for everyone.
He never complained, and never expected anything in return; he just liked helping out. It was who he was.
When we had family gatherings, he was the one who'd take the time to talk with everyone, young or olD, and make sure they felt included.
He'd play with the younger kids, tell jokes with the adults, and even help clean up after everyone else had left. It was hard not to admire him for his selflessness.
He also had a way of reaching out to people in need. I remembered hearing about how he helped an elderly neighbor with yard work, or how he volunteered at a local shelter, just because he wanted to give back to the community.
He didn't do it for recognition or praise; he did it because he genuinely cared about people.
As I sat there, my heart ached at the thought of him being out there, possibly in trouble or danger. It didn't make sense for someone as kind and good-hearted as him to disappear without a trace. I couldn't help but wonder if he'd gotten himself involved in something while trying to help someone else, or if he'd simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Whatever the reason, I knew one thing for sure: I couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
My cousin had always been there for us, and now it was our turn to be there for him.
I was determined to find him and bring him back home, no matter what it took.
RYAZANIA POV:
My father, tense with worry, decided to go to the police station to file a report about my cousin's disappearance.
Meanwhile, my mother busied herself around the house, checking for any clues or signs that might help us understand what had happened.
Both of them seemed overwhelmed, but were doing their best to hold it together for my sake.
"Go to bed, dear," my mother said gently, though concern clouded her eyes. "Don't worry too much. We'll figure this out."
I hesitated, wanting to protest, to stay up and be part of the search, but when I looked at my parents' tired faces, I knew they were doing everything they could.
The last thing they needed was more stress from me.
"Okay, Mom," I replied softly, trying to sound obedient, "I'll get some rest."
I made my way to my room, feeling fear, worry, and a strong urge to do something to help find my cousin.
I didn't want to feel useless, but I also didn't want to add to my parents' stress.
Once in my room, I lay on my bed and closed my eyes, resisting the urge to reach for my phone. The temptation to text friends or search for news was strong, but I knew my parents needed me to stay calm and not cause additional worry.
The room was quiet, except for the faint sounds of the city outside.
I thought about my cousin and all the good times we'd shared and hoped he was safe wherever he might be.
I knew I could try to figure things out later, but for now, my parents had asked me to rest.
I sighed deeply, trying to relax my racing mind. I would do as they asked, not wanting to be a burden or cause any more anxiety.
It wasn't easy, but I trusted my parents, and I knew they were doing their best to bring my cousin home with that thought.
I slowly drifted into an uneasy sleep.
A few days after we reported my cousin's disappearance to the police, the search efforts began in earnest.
Officers combed through our neighborhood, while my parents and I asked anyone and everyone if they had seen him.
We went to his school, his favorite hangouts, and the convenience store where he worked. After classes, I joined the search, hoping to find some clue that could lead us to him.
Weeks passed, but there was no sign of him.
Every day felt like an endless cycle of hope and despair.
We kept searching, even checking CCTV footage from cameras near his last known location.
I posted his missing person flyers around town, hoping someone would recognize him and come forward with information.
As the weeks turned into months, the once-hopeful energy surrounding the search began to wane.
My parents looked visibly tired, and even the police appeared to lose interest in the case.
They'd investigated every lead and came up with nothing. It was as if my cousin had vanished into thin air.
His last known location was at a crosswalk near our house, where a surveillance camera had caught him walking home. He disappeared.
The footage showed him rounding a corner, and then nothing. No witnesses, no clues, just emptiness.
My parents, despite their best efforts, had given up hope.
They tried to move on, but I could see the sadness in their eyes, the uncertainty that haunted them. They had other responsibilities, other children to care for, and they couldn't afford to keep searching indefinitely.
For me, giving up wasn't an option. I couldn't just accept that my cousin was gone without a trace. The search had become my mission, my reason for getting through each day.
Even if everyone else gave up, I couldn't.
I knew my cousin-his kindness, his warmth, his love for our family.
I couldn't bear the thought of him out there, alone, without anyone looking for him.
I continued my search on my own, asking questions, keeping the flyers up to date, and following every lead, no matter how small.
It wasn't easy, and there were times when I felt like I was fighting a losing battle.
I knew that as long as I had hoped, there was still a chance to find him.
"Everything will be alright," Allisa said, her voice firm and reassuring.
We were sitting together during break, and I appreciated her presence. She always had a way of making things feel a bit less heavy.
"They'll find him, just have to trust," she added, giving me a small smile.
"I just can't understand how he disappeared," I replied, my voice tight with frustration. "It's like he became a ghost! No one saw anything, and there's no trace."
"Maybe he ran away," Allisa said, though I could tell from her tone that her own words did not convince her.
"That would be so unlike him," I said, shaking my head. "He had no reason to run away. He loved his job, his family, everything."
"I know, but it's been months, Rya. I still believe they'll find him," she said, trying to stay positive.
She didn't know that the police had officially closed the case, labeling it as a runaway. The police left my parents devastated and left me with nothing but questions and a feeling of helplessness.
I sighed deeply. "It's just... there are no leads. I don't know what else to do."
"Let's try going to where he was last seen, then," Allisa suggested, her voice more serious now. "Maybe we missed something. It can't hurt to look again, right?"
"I've been there a thousand times, Allisa," I replied, my frustration spilling over. "We've gone over every inch of that area. We didn't find anything."
"One more time," she said, her eyes meeting mine with determination.
"I'll go there with you. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can make a difference."
I was silent for a moment.
Despite the discouragement of the past months, Allisa's offer felt genuine, and I needed her support more than I cared to admit. "Okay, let's go after class," I agreed, feeling a glimmer of hope amid the darkness.
"Deal," Allisa said with a nod. "We'll figure this out, Rya. I promise."
After our classes ended, Allisa and I made our way to the crosswalk where my cousin, Reid, was last seen.
The clouds were darkening, and a light drizzle began to fall, quickly turning into a downpour.
The rain soaked us quickly since we didn't have umbrellas.
We ran to the nearby bus stop for shelter, but even there, the rain was relentless.
"I'm so sorry you got soaked because of me," I apologized to Allisa, feeling guilty for dragging her into this.
"It's fine," she replied with a dismissive wave. "I should've brought my umbrella. I thought the forecast said no rain." As she spoke, something caught my eye-a figure in a red hoodie passing by, the same color as the one Reid used to wear. Without thinking, I bolted from the bus stop, shouting, "Reid!"
The traffic was heavy, and cars were moving fast, but I didn't care. I sprinted across the crosswalk, not noticing that the light was still green.
The next moments happened in a blur.
A car hurtled toward me at full speed. Allisa screamed, "RYA, NO!"
Just as the car's tires screeched against the wet pavement, Allisa leaped and tackled me to the ground.
The driver slammed on the brakes, barely avoiding us, but the impact of Allisa's tackle left us sprawled on the wet asphalt.
My heart raced with adrenaline and fear. The driver leaned out of the window, shouting, "Are you okay? What the hell were you thinking, running during a green light?"
Allisa, her voice filled with a mix of anger and concern, said, "ARE YOU CRAZY? You could've been killed!" She winced as she sat up, her elbow scraped and bleeding.
"I saw him," I said, my voice shaky and low. "I saw Reid, I swear!" I scanned the area, hoping to catch sight of the figure in the red hoodie, but there was no one.
"Where is he? Where did he go?" I stammered, my eyes darting around in desperation.
Allisa's voice was firm but worried as she said, "There's no one here, Rya, you must've imagined it."
It was then that I noticed Allisa's injury, blood seeping from the scrape on her arm.
I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. If I hadn't run into traffic, none of this would have happened.
"I'm so sorry," I said, tears welling up in my eyes.
I turned to the driver and asked, "could you please take us to the nearest clinic? my friend needs help."
The driver nodded, still looking annoyed but seeing that we were just a couple of frightened kids.
Allisa and I climbed into the car, and I couldn't help but feel the crushing weight of everything. The search, the rain, my reckless actions-everything felt overwhelming but at that moment, all that mattered was making sure Allisa was okay as we drove to the clinic, I prayed that I'd get another chance to find Reid, without risking anyone else's life.
After we got into the clinic, the driver gave me a stern lecture about safety and then went on his way. Allisa called her parents to explain what had happened.
The nurses at the clinic cleaned and bandaged Allisa's scrape while I waited, my heart still racing from the close call.
Soon, Allisa's parents arrived, visibly concerned but relieved that their daughter was okay.
Allisa told them the whole story.
How I had run into traffic and how she'd saved me from getting hit by the car, her parents were understandably upset and gave me a lecture about being more careful and not risking my life.
I listened with my head down, knowing they were right, even if I had acted out of desperation to find my cousin.
When I explained that my parents were already overwhelmed with worry and work due to my cousin's disappearance, Allisa's parents softened a bit, they expressed their sympathy and told me they understood. It was getting late, so they offered to drive me home, and I accepted.
"I sincerely sorry for what happened," I said, feeling guilty about causing so much trouble.
"It's okay, just be more careful next time," Ms. Seclair replied. "You scared us all, and especially Allisa."
"I know. I'm really sorry," I said, feeling genuinely remorseful. "I'll try to be more careful."
They drove me to my bus stop, and before I got out of the car, I thanked them for the ride. "Thank you for the ride, Ms. Seclair. I hope Allisa gets better soon."
She nodded, offering a small smile. "Take care, Rya. And please, be safe." With that, they drove off, leaving me at the bus stop.
I watched as their car disappear into the night.
The rain had stopped, but everything was still damp, the air heavy with moisture.
I felt a mix of emotions-guilt, sadness, and a sense of responsibility to be more cautious in the future. I knew that my actions had consequences, and I couldn't afford to be reckless, especially with my parents already dealing with so much.
As I waited for the bus to take me home, I saw someone wearing a red hoodie walking across the crosswalk and heading into the corner.
My heart skipped a beat.
"Reid?" I called out, but the figure didn't turn.
I looked both ways, making sure the road was clear, and then I ran toward the corner, hoping it was him.
As I turned the corner, there was nothing but an empty alleyway, the walls slick with rain.
then I noticed something unusual on the ground-a sigil etched into the concrete, faintly glowing.
My heart sank as the rain grew heavier, pouring down from the sky.
I dropped to my knees, tears welling up in my eyes. "Where the hell are you?" I shouted, my voice lost in the storm.
The sigil pulsed with light, growing brighter.
I blinked through my tears, trying to make sense of it, when suddenly, everything around me shifted.
The cold rain, the dim alleyway-it all vanished in an instant.
When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the city. Instead, I found myself in a vast, lush plain, stretching out as far as I could see.
The grass was vibrant and green, and the sky was a brilliant shade of blue, the air was fresh, filled with the scent of wildflowers, and a gentle breeze rustled through the meadow.
I stood up, disoriented and confused. "Where am I?" I asked aloud, but there was no one around to answer.
The plains were empty, no sign of civilization or landmarks to guide me.
It felt like a dream, yet everything was so vivid, so real.