The Fall

I was still confused with what Officer Alcalde told me, he clearly said Traveller nobody else really called me that apart from Uncle Ian, Ciel, and that damned demon that nearly killed me. I wanted to know more, I needed to know more, if only there is someone to ask. I caught a glimpse of my watch, it's almost quitting time, with a sigh I prepared to go home. Getting into my car I had to cover up my bruised neck, I knew that the guard was really eyeing me, maybe he was worried or maybe he thought I smuggled something out of the office, if the office was awkward enough I can't imagine how getting to my room will be. As I parked my car inside the garage I took my jacket off the car seat and wore it close to my neck to cover up the bruise, I walked up to the house so fast that nobody barely noticed me went inside, I rushed straight to my room and as I locked the door behind me -- AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!

I screamed so loud that I heard footsteps running towards my room, soon Manang Seling was literally banging on my door shouting in hysteria. I controlled my breathing before opening the door slightly, "I'm okay Manang...cockroach... you know". Manang's face relaxed as I closed the door once again, as the door shut I faced the problem at hand. Ciel was sitting on my bed looking at me and be like, "Hey".

He was wearing his usual stylish clothes and his shoes was on my bed,I felt how my blood boil at the sight of him I didn't know how but I managed to to throw a pillow straight at his smug face.

"What in Christ's name are you doing here?!" I said at him trying my hardest not to shout, "how did you get in here!?"

"You do know that your voice is still loud right?" he retorted.

I fell silent and glared at him, this guy just knows how to make me furious, he grinned at me, snapped his fingers and a bubble began to grow from its tips and enveloped the whole room. "Now go scream at me all you want, they won't hear you now", he said slyly, I raised an eyebrow

"Why are you here", I found a calmness in me, but if he pisses me off I'll blow up

"I still need your help you know", he said jumping off of my bed

"I still don't want to help you", I snapped back at him, "if only we weren't grieving I would be back in the church and be away from all of this".

"But you can't, so just help me already."

"No. So leave me alone."

The room fell silent and when I looked back Ciel was gone. I took of my jacket and examined my neck on the mirror. The bruises were a lot worse, they have turned dark purple, and stung like hell. I sighed, how in the world will I hide this?

"Wow that's an awful bruise", I heard Ciel's voice and I almost jumped

"Goodness gracious! I thought you were gone!" He was sitting by my window.

But his eyes were fixated on my bruises, and didn't pay attention to my nagging.

"They found you Beth," he said grimly, "be very careful, your life is in danger. They will stop at nothing to kill you, the demon wants you dead before you can even balance the scales." He then placed his hand on my neck. They were warm and soft and when he removed it the bruises were patially healed. I thanked him, but Ciel's expression was still grim, "you have no choice now but to be a Traveller, Beth. If you want all of this to end you must get them before they get to you." He didn't talked to me for the rest of the evening, he remained silent and touched my bruised neck every now and then healing it every time he removes his hand. I felt a warm sensation radiating from his hand as if it was being wrapped by a warm blanket.

That night as I laid in bed I can't stop thinking about what Ciel said, he was dark and depressing after seeing the bruises. Its been ten years since I had been in such an experience as today, but I was in church that time I was safe, now is a whole different situation, I'm at a loss. Ten years ago I was attacked by an entity that I didn't want to believe, I thought that I was just being deluded and crazy. I had been to many counselors and psychologists from the day Annie disappeared, but no one ever believed me, other than Uncle Ian up to some extent. I just wanted to go back to the church where I stayed until a few months ago, at least there I knew nothing ungodly can get to me, but right now I can't. I just want this to end. Exhausted I fell into a very deep sleep.

.

**********

I can feel heavy breathing, my legs were burning but I had to keep on running. As fast as I could and as far as I could, I have to get away from here. What about Ramon? I thought to myself, I'm sure Clara had taken him to safety, I... I have to save myself right now. Reluctantly I stopped thinking about my nephew for a moment, I focused on running. I looked behind me, and I saw the most horrible sight, the demon was after me, He was fast and will get to me soon, Cielo has fallen and I have to find a way to survive. I ran and ran until there was nowhere else to run to. I stared at the precipice before me, I have made it to the end of our land, the demon was drawing near what am I going to do? There is no one to ask for help, all that is left is to face the demon, I braced myself, it was coming and then - Riiiiiiiiiing!

I opened my eyes to to my white ceilings, my heart was racing, I was out of breath, my cheeks were moist by tears and a feeling of fear lingered around me. I covered my face with a pillow and let out a cry. I was scared, what is happening to me? That dream felt so real, the way that demon looked at me bore into my very soul. My door was opened and my yaya walked in, she heard me crying and instinctively went to me and hugged me tight. My yaya, Manang Seling was like a second mother to me and raised me along with my mom, she knows when something is wrong even without me saying anything. I cried and cried until I felt my consciousness melted into darkness.

**********************

Down the stairs, then left to the hallway going to the kitchen, salt, I need to get salt, Cielo said I could protect myself with salt. Then to the door towards the backyard, my legs are moving as fast as they could and they were burning. Move faster, I heard Cielo's pained howls, he was not going to hold out long enough, I have to get away, I ran towards the gates the guards are there, I need to get out, faster move faster my legs! Then as I arrive at the gates horrifying scene welcomed me, the guards that my brother stationed for our protection are dead. Ramon... my thoughts keeps on going back to my nephew. The gates were ajar and there were tracks on the earth, please let him be safe. I ran towards the open gates as fast as I could, I have to leave, but the gates flung shut I was trapped. The demon has gone through the house and was out, I tried to pry the gates open but to no avail. I went towards the walls hoping to be able to climb but it was impossible, it was a six foot behemoth without any foothold. All I could do was run. Run as fast as I can, to an exit, to find an exit. I breathed heavily. My legs burned with the pain of running, please God help me. I looked back the demon was behind me, he was fast approaching and I can feel that legs are not going to last much longer. There was nowhere else to run to, I arrived at the edge of the property, the cliff was behind me and in front of me the demon. I screamed.

I was still screaming when I woke up, and I was screaming at the top of my lungs. I felt someone envelope me in a hug, I began to sob, and bury my face on whoever chest it was. Then the voice I heard that hushed me was the one i least expected, it was Annie. I pushed back and she stood looking at me with worried eyes. "I asked Ciel to let me see you. Calm your heart Ate. Everything will be okay."

It was Annie, and not a demon I felt it in my whole being that this is my sister. She held my hand tightly, and gave me a reassuring look. She sat beside me once again and I felt myself succumbed to sleep, please no, I don't want to sleep. Please.

My hands hurt trying to pry open the gates, my dress was torn from attempting to climb the walls. Where will I run to now? Stairs… That's it… we have a flight of old stairs on the cliff-side. I have to get there and fast. I ran clenching the bag of salt in my hands, this small amount will never protect me, I have to get to the ocean. My head and heart was pounding, my breathing was rough and my legs felt as if they will come off at anytime yet I ran. I looked back and the demon as behind me, I ran hard, and as fast as I could. I arrived at the cliff my eyes searched for the long forgotten stairs, frantic I can't remember where it was, I looked at the fifteen story fall in hopelessness, I'm trapped. The demon was gunning for me and I threw the salt, and missed, curses! It was before me, I saw its wide menacing grin and I felt its sharp claw-like hands slashed at me. My body fell back, my arms flailing in midair, I was screaming , the world slowed down and moved fast simultaneously and the next thing was darkness.

I was crying when I opened my eyes, my white ceiling stared back at me and my heart and lungs were racing. I laid in bed motionless, I continued to cry silent tears, I was alone or so I thought. When I decided to move I saw Ciel silently sitting over at the corner watching me like a gargoyle he sat motionless. His eyes focused and his looked quite grim, scared as I already am I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Those are not mere dreams Beth, I'm relieved that you were able to make it back." I was too shocked respond to him, "I know you need more answers but you don't want to speak to me, it's best talk to Robin Alcalde, he may be able to help" and just like that Ciel was gone.