What a morning. The ESMERALDA bar feels like home. The place seems like home. The T.V in front of the couch is playing. Buenavondre sits and drinks a red juice, the usual. The news shows a closed cafeteria (Expresso Aficionado), filled with yellow caution tape and blood splatters. He is on focus; all eyes on time T.V. Looking for someone. Obviously finding out if Pilar is the reporter. Today’s news? It shows the happenings last night: three men caught on camera, ended the lives of fifteen people, including the Gapocan owners, husband and wife.

“Three missing people; five injured-” a reporter said.

While the news is airing on national screens, the people are looking for the main reporters: Daisy and Pilar- The news continues to play without them.

What a sunny morning. The Employees’ Room of TCWD News Center is empty. It’s only filled with a long, big rectangular table and the chairs around are empty. The only one in the room is Daisy. On the table, assorted foods are placed. Two pitchers of water and a glass are also being displayed. Daisy stares at the food in front of her, all of her fingers are moving, her hands are shaking- she cannot pick a spoon. She is recalling her past, random familiar voices around her mind.

“Be thankful that there’s food, you picky brat!” the voice of Xerxes yelled.

“Two people found dead… Some of their bodies went missing.” Pilar’s voice randomly echoes.

“Are you an aswang!? Oh no! That’s why I’m heading to the province because you creatures are staying here! I’m not safe in the city.” said an old lady that Daisy met last week.

“Three months ago, there were six injured; scratches were found on their arms and legs.” a story that Alejandro told way back from her college days.

“I think they feel that we’ll not harm them.” said by Maya…? Also way back from her college days? Who knows.

Daisy’s eyes filled with such tears. She is sniffing, rubbing her eyes, combing her hair with her shaking hand. Still recalling her past. A new set of voices are ringing her head.

“What if there’s no food in your house, Daisy? What if your purse is empty? Where can you get your food?” Ellias said.

“Sometimes you need to do immoral things so that you can continue on living. If you put too much kindness in your soul, the world will take advantage of you.” this is the last message of Buenavondre to Daisy- cannot recall if it’s way back college or happened at their reunion.

Daisy is holding back her tears. Grabs the spoon and fork, and proceeds to feast on the foods on the table. She eats like a monster- the mess goes everywhere. Daisy is still eating the foods, from slow to fast. She is taking too much in her mouth and drinks excessively. While Daisy is eating, someone knocks the door twice. 

“Daisy?” Pilar questioned while knocking the door.

Pilar’s patience is running low so she steps inside the room. She sees Daisy eating and drinking a lot. Daisy didn’t mind Pilar, only focusing on what's on the table. 

“Are you alright?” 

Daisy is still eating… eating.

And surprisingly stopped- pours in a glass of water, drinks, drops the glass, and then stares at Pilar. Pilar looks so confused.

“Did something fly above you?” her question is hanging in the air.

Daisy continues to stare at her, rotating her head. The voices in Daisy’s mind echoed again.

“Not all aswangs are bad guys.” Maya exclaimed.

“If you can’t beat hunger, then eat. Nothing’s wrong with that.” Buenavondre encouraged her in her mind.

Daisy stands up, her clothes are messy. Her stomach is rumbling. Slowly coming closer to Pilar.

“WHAT’S GOING ON, DAISY!?” Pilar screamed.

Daisy keeps her mouth shut. Pilar is running away, opens the door quickly, and runs faster. Still catching her breath. The empty hallway is too quiet. The approaching footsteps are clearly being heard. Pilar is running away, finding the exit of the news center. She is running down the stairs. Daisy is still following her. Slowly going down, menacing. Running, panting, crying for help, but nobody came.

PILAR finds the exit of the news center, the main lobby, however, she sees Daisy at the corner of the room. Angrily looking at her. Pilar continues to leave the place. The people in the main lobby are wondering why Pilar is acting strange, no one notices Daisy.

What a dreamy afternoon. Ellias is wearing a white button down shirt, black pants, and black shoes, wandering around and his expression tells why he was in his former university. The school hallway is blank and lifeless. Ellias standing still, in tremble, showing signs of fear. Strange winds howls strong and a familiar voice echoes.

“So, you’re a part of Bartolome’s crew.” said by Buenavondre…?

The vision of Ellias went a bit blurry then went back into normal eyesight. The familiar voice still echoes.

“I thought you were worried about Pilar?” Buenavondre added.

Ellias’ body is shaking, he is looking at any objects he sees. Nothing but a hallway exists. Another familiar voice echoes.

“I thought everything will be alright if you step on that new job! You’ll leave me all alone for the sake of your rank! You always think money buys happiness?” Maya…? cried out.

Ellias is stepping backwards, preparing himself to exit. Suddenly, a new yet familiar voice came in.

“Pilar didn’t broadcast her life that much because she is staying away from those people who may betray her- Maybe there’s someone who reports it to her father and thinks that Pilar’s ruining its reputation.” said by Alejandro…?

Ellias is still stepping backwards, slowly and surely. Another new familiar voice echoes the hallway. Maybe it’s the voice of Pilar.

“If I didn’t tell Ellias about that… Who knows that one day he may work with my father? You’re the only one who knows my secret through observing. Daisy, Maya, Vondre? I don’t wanna tell them about that. Just- I’m afraid.”

He is recalling the memories- the rumors way back in college.

Suddenly, he heard a strange noise. He closed his hands, then a shadow figure appeared. Buenavondre? appeared in front of him. Standing fiercely. Rolls his head while eyes closed. Ellias is surprised because he’s suddenly holding a rosary.

“Banal-banalan.” Buenavondre said out loud.

Buenavondre? walks fastly, approaching Ellias. Going downstairs.

“LABAS MO TAPANG MO!” Buenavondre? yelled.

Ellias is running down the stairs, panting aloud, while Buenavondre? walks then runs like a flash of light. He continues to run away from Buenavondre? He is out of breath but continues to run. His eyesight is turning black, still catching his breath, and feels that Buenavondre? is grabbing him.

Atlast, he woke up from his dream. Looking at his surroundings while catching his breath. The walls are covered with  awards and certificates, the clothes are scattered on the floor and the door is left open. Ellias is rubbing his eyes. A loud bang heard from the other part of the house. A view from the door is seen, showing a small portion of the furniture, including art materials scattered everywhere. The loud bang is still heard while Maya rages.

“YOU’RE JUST GONNA STARE THERE!?”

Maya is raging in the living room, all of their things are scattered, screaming such words. Ellias sees her crying out loud, he approaches her and tries to comfort her, however, Maya keeps throwing things, including her barista uniform, black bag, and the small furniture in the room. A luggage and a big bag were placed beside the door.

“What now!? We’re not heading to Laguna!? You’re satisfied with being a corporate slave of MABAYA!?” she added.

What a soothing afternoon. The vehicles are in fast motion. People around, walking, crossing down the street; Alejandro is standing, showing distance from the building of MABAYA Shop. He stares at the building while holding a transparent folder with a resume inside.

What an afternoon, like fine wine. Buenavondre is at his usual spot, the one sofa with a table, and a T.V. He stands up and about to go to the kitchen counter to eat; someone is banging the door. He opened the door and saw Pilar heavily breathing, heads down, and sweating. Pilar almost cannot speak. While Pilar is trying to speaking, Buenavondre 

assisted her and grabbed a chair for her.

“Daisy is… out of… her mind…” 

Buenavondre serves Pilar a glass of water. Pilar drinks it quickly and wipes her mouth with hand. Still catching her breath while she is speaking.

“I visited… Daisy at the E.R. Because… she’s taking her time for so long… Our discussion is about to start… However-”

Buenavondre finds a chair then places it to Pilar's sides and listens attentively. Pilar looked at him.

“Where’s Jandro?” Pilar questioned.

Buenavondre sighed and looked away at her. He placed his hand on his forehead and looked at Pilar again.

“He went somewhere else.” he answered.

Buenavondre stood up and sighed again. He goes to the kitchen counter and checks the refrigerator.

“How does it feel to be greedy?” Buenavondre questioned for no reason at all.

Pilar looks at him. Both of Pilar’s eyebrows went down and confused. Buenavondre is still picking his food.

“Is it like having all the things you wanted?” he added.

While Buenavondre is talking to Pilar, there are a lot of happenings being played at the same time. 

Maya is holding the luggage tight, leaving, opens the door, but Ellias is stopping her by grabbing her arm but he’s holding a big bag.

“Is it like being selfish?”

Daisy is eating lots of food and the room is almost dark.

“Is it like being gluttonous?”

Alejandro is following an officer. They are going to the owner’s office.

“Is it like earning lots of money even though you know that it may anguish someone you love or even yourself?”

Pilar stares at Buenavondre, bothered, eyes are shaking, feeling almost cold.

“ALL THINGS WENT BROKEN, PILAR.” he said with a heavy voice.

Pilar voiced out at Buenavondre. Buenavondre is eating an ice cream while Pilar is talking.

“Are you losing hope!?” 

Buenavondre continues to speak at Pilar.

“Never catch a sight of peculiar things? The devils’ reaching us.”

Buenavondre comes closer to Pilar. Looking at her with an unusual aura. The air in the room smells like danger.

“So, nothing? Are you numb?” Buenavondre added.

Various things are still happening at the same time while Buenavondre is talking to Pilar.

Bartolome is giving a piece of paper to Alejandro’s hand. Is he a new worker at MABAYA?

“People come and go. They’ll eventually break their promises one day.”

The night finally rises as the streets are filled with crowded people, running; some are injured, others are lifeless. Lights are blinking, traces of aswangs can be seen. Some people who are alive are stealing things from those lifeless on the road.

“No matter who you are, you’ll do all sorts of wrongdoings just to save yourself.”

Buenavondre is looking at Pilar.

“ANO YUNG MGA PINAGSASABI MO?” Pilar yelled.

“The crane catches the crow. The eagle hunts down.” Buenavondre ended the conversation.