CHAPTER 4

I SLOWLY looked at my bound hand. It felt like my brain was going blank. What's going on? Isn't this a dream?

Four soldiers were walking up to the front of the bookstore. Sebastian looked at the boy and quickly pulled me into a room behind the table.

"Keep an eye on her, I'll be back later" he instructed the young man, he looked at me for a moment before he left and walked out of the store as if he were saying 'don't try to run away because it will make my life easier.

The boy quickly closed the door and locked it. I kept banging my shoulder against the door, but it was tightly shut. "What did I do? Let me explain first!" I shouted until I just got tired. I leaned against the door and slowly fell to the floor. I couldn't tell if it was hunger, exhaustion, or the shock of the situation that caused my vision to darken and momentarily lose consciousness.

I was startled by the continuous thud of books falling on the floor. It felt like they were being rearranged and put back in place. I got up with all my strength, but I couldn't move and my arm and hand were getting numb because I'm still tied up.

I snapped back to reality when I remembered what happened last. I forced myself to stand and looked around. I think I'm inside a stockroom full of books. Most of them are damaged and some show signs of being read.

The stock room is small, almost the size of our bathroom at home. There's sunlight coming through a tiny hole in the roof, barely the size of my finger, and it's super high up.

I started pacing back and forth, this is what I do when I'm thinking hard. I also started talking to myself, I often do this in front of the mirror or in my room especially when I can't decide on the direction of the stories I'm writing.

"It's not a dream, it's ... "Time travel," I paused and stared at the ceiling, shaking my head at the same thought.

"Impossible, there's nothing like that. But why am I here? There's no shooting. This isn't a prank either. Wait, is this a prank?" I paused again and looked up at the ceiling, Pia is a vlogger on YouTube and she's done pranks a few times.

I have been the victim of her prank twice. fist, she had a sugar daddy and I scold her about it. Second, her boyfriend got her pregnant and now they're going to run away and leave, and just like the first, I scolded her.

"I've been here for almost a day, this is impossible as a prank. Are they going to starve me to death?" I just held my stomach. I haven't eaten since last night until this morning. It seems like twilight is coming soon because the light color has changed.

I kept pacing back and forth, "So, why do people here have the same names as the characters in my story? I thought I was just dreaming and overthinking this novel. But it really doesn't seem like a dream," I just stomped my feet in frustration. I also couldn't help but laugh at what was happening. This is such a big joke, such madness.

I froze when I saw the boy peek through the door, he quickly closed it when I caught him watching me.

"Wait!" I shouted while banging on the door. "Can I have some water and food, please? I haven't eaten yet," I kept asking, repeating it several times. He probably thinks I'm losing my mind since he saw me talking to myself and laughing alone while getting frustrated and teary-eyed. Plus, my hair is all messy and my clothes are dirty.

Half an hour went by but he didn't come back. I was just staring blankly while still thinking deeply. I'm trying to find answers to what's happening. Could it be that I'm actually inside the story I wrote? But why? Am I really going crazy? Maybe I'm hallucinating right now!

I want to cry and go crazy inside the stockroom because no one can answer my questions. But I don't have the strength to scream anymore and besides, others will definitely think I'm losing my mind.

When I came to my senses, I leaned back against the door and talked to myself again, "Wait, let me think. The first scene in Salamisim is the rebel group led by Lorenzo storming the prison to rescue his brother Santino. But since they failed, his group retreated, but Tadeo got caught." I bit my lip, I'm so thirsty.

"Tadeo is going to be sentenced to prison, that's what I saw this morning. But no matter what they did, they still couldn't get Tadeo to admit it. So I'm going to take the case to court immediately, Santino will be more stressed," I nodded to myself. It was a good thing that Tadeo was willing to sacrifice his life earlier and it was okay with him even if he had his tongue cut off.

"But Tadeo will be able to escape from there, and his twin brother Berning will run away with him. Berning will keep Tadeo in the jungle and he will start the move without consulting Lorenzo" I remember Berning's look, he and Lorenzo have the same goal in the organization but he has jealousy towards Lorenzo so he can fight the hero as well.

But somehow, he helped me escape earlier. I'll just change his appearance in the reprint editing if there's going to be one, I'll make him a bit chubby so he doesn't look too skinny.

"Tonight, Berning is going to sneak Tadeo out. I need to find out if he can actually pull it off. If that happens, no doubt about it, I've been locked up here inside Salamisim!"

I pinned my ear to the door, there's definitely gonna be a customer at this store. They need to know someone's trapped in here! I took a deep breath and then screamed super loud like I was in a horror movie.

I already prepared myself when I heard someone running towards the door and quickly opened it. "Shut your mouth!" the teenager defied me, and I crawled over to him, but he surprisingly pushed me to the floor. I just smiled. He backed off because of my smile, probably thinking that I'm possessed now.

I stopped smiling and pouted like a kid asking for candy "Can I please have some food and water?" I pleaded, his hand was shaking while holding the door.

"Even if you scream, I will not take any action that my master has not commanded. I'm sure you're a thief, that's what you deserve" he spoke bold words but he was shaking in nervousness and his hands were also shaking.

I just scrunched my forehead, "Are you sure I'm a thief? Can't your boss just be judgmental—Oh, I mean, 'that Sebastian'?" I wasn't planning to get triggered and confront the characters in my story but my stomach is growling, which is making me even more annoyed.

His head tilted, he was probably thinking about what I said. "You don't have the right to call our señor by his name!" he retorted.

I'm getting more and more annoyed with what he's fighting for, "Listen up kid, I know your boss. He's too blinded by love, failed in life, and not his dad's favorite. Sure, he's a successful general but he has no friends. He doesn't even know the real meaning of friendship because he's too competitive in training to get promoted quickly. Oh, there you go, he's a general at such a young age but he's not happy. Do you know why? Tell me why..." I said, I felt like a tough women but I didn't care anymore because I was just frustrated with what's happening.

The teen just furrowed his brow, trying hard to understand and follow what I was saying. "Why? Because his heart is full of hatred. He won't be happy because he's selfish and has no heart. He doesn't know how to feel pity; the word 'sorry' isn't even in his vocabulary. He's always haunted by memories of his mom who died for him when he was young. So even now, he still blames himself," I continued, a bit out of breath from talking. It seemed like the teen didn't really get everything I said since his head was still tilted.

"You totally lost your mind," he said as he closed the door. I was just left gaping and blinking twice. After I spoiled the background of his boss to him, he's just going to shut me out?!

But I ended up smiling because he didn't realize I took the key from him. I was trying to loosen the rope, it took a few more hours before I finally got free from it. The inside of the stockroom was dark, it was definitely night already.

I slowly opened the door with the key. In less than a minute, I had it unlocked. I saw that the teenager had fallen asleep, his face resting on the book he hadn't finished reading.

There's a candle lit next to the table, I slowly crawled on the floor like a worm. I couldn't see the way out too well since there was only one candle, so I carefully took it and brought it outside the door.

I quickly blew out the candle and ran away from that store. The whole area was dark and most of the shops were closed. Even the church and the houses were closed.

It's like I'm playing hide and seek with the roaming civil guards carrying torches. They can't catch me, or else they'll just take me to their boss again. I've managed to hide from almost four pairs of civil guards until I spotted a shop that's just closing now.

When the two civil guards passed by, I quickly walked towards the open store while keeping my back close to the walls of the house I was passing. My eyes widened when I read what was written on the store, Panciteria Ala Pacita.

This is the eatery that the members of the group also visit because the couple who own it are members of the rebels. "Bro!" I called softly to a man in his forties, as he lowered the big board to close the store's window.

He stopped what he was doing and looked around, trying to find out who spoke. I took a few steps closer and called out to him, but he still couldn't see me because there was no light outside. So I ran up to him and stood in front of him.

"Does the voice come from you---" he didn't get to finish what he was saying because I spoke up. I need to hurry; there are definitely civil guards coming by soon. "Is Aling Pacing there?" I asked, he looked at me closely, probably wondering who I am.

I think, he is Aling Pacing's husband, Mang Pedro. Their house is on the second floor of the store. The cooks and staff at their panciteria go home.

"What do you need from her?" Mang Pedro asked, lifting the board again to talk to me. Mang Pedro is a small and skinny man compared to Aling Pacing, who is the head cook. He was still chewing something. I know they always argue about that as a couple because it smells bad from his breath.

Almost all the dishes in their panciteria were started by him. Besides pancit, they also sell various viands, delicacies, and sweet foods.

"Uhm, what..." My eyes widened, what can I say? I don't want to use the code of the organization because they might find Lorenzo from me and I don't want to mess with their organization anymore, I shouldn't mess with the story I've built.

I was about to speak but we heard Aling Pacing's voice peeking through the window. "Why haven't you closed the window yet?" she asked, but Mang Pedro didn't answer anymore because his wife saw me.

I smiled at Aling Pacing and approached the window, "Aling Pacing, do you have any leftover food? I haven't eaten yet," I pleaded, with no pride left in me, I don't want to die of hunger. Besides that, I can still smell the fried chicken cooking in the store's kitchen.

"Don't you have a place to stay?" this question wonders, I know that Aling Pacing has a good heart. Of course, she's one of the supporting roles in the story and a mother figure to Lorenzo. She's also helpful to others, especially to strays like me.

I wiped my tears a bit. It feels unfair; I'm just a wanderer in the story I created. Aling Pacing opened the door and let me in, while Mang Pedro whispered that he seemed to be against letting me in because he was suspicious. I made sure to portray Mang Pedro as careful and observant, always worried that the authorities might catch them being part of the rebel group.

I couldn't help but cry a little, I was touched by Aling Pacing. I also felt sorry for myself, and most of all, it's emotional because I can finally eat.

"Pedro, grab a plate and cutlery. I set aside some food earlier, bring the rice here too," she ordered her husband who had no choice but to comply because he was also scared of her when she got angry.

"What happened to you hija?" she asked worriedly, grabbing my hair that was now hardened in the mud. I bit my lip so much, I had to come up with a solid reason. I also have to connect myself with aling pacing right now because she's such a nice character.

As long as I haven't found a solution on how to get out of this story, I need Aling Pacing's help. I have nowhere else to go and stay. I know it's wrong to deceive but this is the only way for me to survive this craziness. I might completely lose my mind and die of hunger if I just wander on the streets.

Sorry Aling Pacing and to your family. I promise, after this, I'll make it up to you. I'll turn you into a rich businesswoman in the story and I'll also open many more Panciteria branches for you in the nearby town. I'll add to your menu list and double your customers every day.

"To be honest, I'm a newbie to the area. I'm from bulacan, Amalia is my friend" I closed my eyes and pretended to cry. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry aling pacing. She was surprised by what I said and gently grabbed me by the shoulder.

"Amalia? My daughter?" she looked at me almost without blinking, Mang Pedro arrived and immediately placed the food on the table. He heard what I said so he also spoke, "Do you know our only daughter? How is she doing?"

I looked at the food served on the table and swallowed. There was chicken, vegetables, soup, noodles and cooked rice. "Does she have a letter she wants to send us?" Aling Pacita asked, causing me to come to my senses and look at them. I suddenly felt guilty, I knew they were just characters in my story but it was still not right for me to fool them.

I smiled a little to remove the worry from their faces, "O-okay... Ah, Amalia is doing well at the beatery. She's happy there and studying well," I replied, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Their only daughter, Amalia, has been staying in a convent in Bulacan for two years. "I-I just lost all my belongings because I was robbed on the road and fell in the mud, so I look like this now," I continued, having to bring myself closer to them and pretend that their daughter is my friend so they can let me stay here.

"But why did you come here to Manila? Were you allowed to leave the convent?" Mang Pedro asked, I came to my senses again, I didn't realize that I was already dazed by the food. Can I eat while we chat?

"Ah, I said goodbye to the convent, I wanted to try something new here in Manila, so I came here. Unfortunately, I was spotted on the way. Luckily, Amalia told me about your panciteria, so I dared to ask for help," I replied, I was about to reach for the spoon to taste the soup in the bowl, but Aling Pacing spoke again.

"It's good that you made it here, hija," Aling Pacing said, then handed me the spoon, I started to sip the soup and ate the food served one after another like there was no tomorrow.

"We are also happy to know that our daughter is in good condition," she continued, suddenly I stopped eating and looked at them.

It is true that Amalia is still doing well in the convent, but in the following months, news will reach them that their daughter has escaped with a guardia civil. That will also be the cause of her death, and that will also be the beginning of Mang Pedro's intense anger at the government. Because their daughter was shot while she was escaping with her guardia civil boyfriend.

Aling Pacing grabbed my shoulder again, "You can stay here for now, hija, until you find a job," she smiled, making me feel even more guilty. "By the way, what's your name, hija?" Aling Pacing asked, my eyes rolling back. What was that name I told Berning again?

Mang Pedro smiled again, it seemed like his suspicion of me had disappeared. "Perhaps you are famous in the Bulacan, hija, that's why you are shy to introduce yourself to us," he joked, what he said struck me, causing me to say the name "Tanya"

"Oh, come here with us, Tanya," Aling Pacing smiled again. "You can use Amalia's empty room, some of her things are still there. We were planning to bring her other clothes and visit her on her birthday," Mang Pedro added, I was just speechless at the couple and completely unable to eat because I knew Amalia wouldn't be able to celebrate her birthday in December.

Amalia's room is tiny, with only a long bed, a wardrobe, a mirror, and a chair. There is a window next to the bed that I think a thief could easily enter because of its size.

I couldn't sleep. I rolled over on the mat several times. I chose to lie on the floor rather than on Amalia's bed. I felt like I was alone and didn't deserve to lie on her bed. I used her to get free accommodation here in their house, and most of all, I was the one who wrote and planned her death.

I heard a series of rooster crows until the door opened and Aling Pacing came in carrying some clothes and clogs. I was startled when she entered, I somehow managed to fall asleep despite thinking about things last night.

"Oh, why did you sleep on the floor, hija?" she asked in surprise, then neatly placed the things he had brought on the chair. I got up and rubbed my eyes. I had taken a shower and changed into proper clothes last night, so at least I looked refreshed.

"Perhaps you're not used to sleeping in a bed," Aling Pacing smiled, making me smile a little too. If only she knew that I've almost had a bed with me in my life. "Come, join me at the market"

I can't even count how many times I yawned while following Aling Pacing. She was busy shopping at the market, I was holding the bag containing some vegetables and fruits she had bought. She said she would buy the ingredients that were missing from the kitchen, Mang Pedro and the cooks and staff in the panciteria were already busy there.

I was wearing a cloak, apart from the fact that it was still foggy when we left their house, I also had to wear a cloak for fear that I would encounter some guardia civil on the road who had seen my face the other night and that Sebastian and his minions might pass by.

A moment later, we noticed people gathering against a wall. Aling Pacing seemed curious too, she held on to my arm and we walked towards where the people were.

We squeezed through the crowd, it seemed like they were staring at something on the wall. My eyes widened in shock when I saw three sketches taped there. A man and a woman, I even blinked twice at the drawing of the woman posted there.

"The government will definitely be stricter because of those bandits," said one ale, which was agreed upon by the others. I swallowed hard and then adjusted the cloak I was wearing and lifted it up a little to cover my nose and mouth. What else could I expect from Sebastian? After all, I admired his character for being a good army leader.

"That's why we can't be free from the invaders, some of our countrymen also have a bad view of those who fight for freedom. They also view those who are willing to fight for freedom as bandits," said Aling Pacing while looking at the drawn pictures. Her eyes seemed blurry because she couldn't even see that the woman in the sketch looked a bit like me. It's just a little because the drawing isn't that beautiful, I'm still better at drawing."

"A-aling Pacing, they're definitely waiting for us at the pantry," I whispered to him, then we slowly left that place.

TWO days have passed, I have easily adjusted to Panciteria and Aling Pacing's house. Besides the kind characters they are, there is also a big chance that I will follow the story because they are also members of the organization.

I also help in the panciteria, I am the waitress and take orders. I easily became close to some customers because I did not write any complaining customers in the story. The business of Aling Pacing is smooth and has only happy vibes.

One night, I was wiping a table at the Panciteria. Some of the staff were washing dishes and the cooks were eating before going home. Mang Pedro was carefully closing the window but stopped when a board was bent because it was no longer properly made, so he had to fix it.

Aling Pacing was at a table counting the income. I wiped the tables down thoroughly, even wetted the rag and scrubbed each table thoroughly.

A moment later, someone spoke behind me, "Can we still eat here tonight?" I just continued wiping the table, I couldn't be bothered if there was still dirt left behind.

"We're closed. This isn't 24/7" I replied, stopping myself when I realized I shouldn't have said that. I immediately turned to the man who spoke with a smile on his face but it suddenly disappeared and was replaced by a deep shock when I saw who it was.

Even he was surprised to see me but his reaction remained calm. Following that was the arrival of his guards one after another, chatting as they entered the panciteria one by one. They were immediately greeted by Aling Pacing and Mang Pedro. They didn't notice that Sebastian and I were at the very edge because the inside was almost full.

I was surprised when Sebastian suddenly pulled out the cloak hanging from the window next to us and placed it over my head. He stepped closer to me, grabbed both of my shoulders and turned me around as quickly as the wind.

I seemed to freeze in place, he was behind me, he removed his hands from both my shoulders and whispered in my left ear.

"The general's office opens at six o'clock," he said, causing me to freeze in shock because that code was the one used by the spies in the story I wrote.

.......