And just like that, Cielo’s commands came true. In just a day, Kris is driving the NCIP’s white van with a unique bunch of people as his passengers.

Yani was listening to shuffled songs from The Cure. As much as he wanted to stare outside the window and emote, every bounce from the car reminded Yani how Cielo’s bag kept squeezing him through his seatbelt.

Thud

There, the ginormous backpack hit his face. With his expression souring by the second, he lashed out, “Why on Earth did you bring your entire house here?!”

Cielo peeked from the wall made of her bag in between them. She can’t even look at me properly because of that thing!

“I need it.”

“What could you possibly need it for?”

Cielo snickered, “You’ll see.”

When they all arrived at Tanay, Rizal, they were met with a cozy view of greenery from a mountain range—mixed with a village right by a cliff. The place could almost be compared to another country because the temperature was low enough for Isagani to huddle up beside Pauline, and use her as a natural heat pack. Pauline just stood there like one of her unfazed wood carving statues with a jittering man beside her.

Yani observed the scene. “I guess not even your biceps can withstand the cold.”

Still jittering, Isagani replied, “I’m an aeta from Zambales. I’m used to the burning heat, not this massive refrigerator.”

Pauline, still expressionless, patted the man’s curly hair bun. “There, there.”

Meanwhile, Rafael was behind where the car parked—shaking a pine tree in hopes for pinecones to fall down.

Kris, hands on his hips, couldn’t help but shake his head just from observing the already messy team he had to be with. And of course, Yani had to be included too. Back when he was in the Hiligaynon division, he often did missions alone or with his sister. But now, he had to deal with whatever this was.

Cielo patted his back—already reading what was on his mind. “Come on, give it a chance. I bet we’d all make a great team.”

Kris sighed, and nodded. “Fine”

Yani led the way—recalling the vision he had while treating Janna. Joseph Dalang. The man we are looking for… he should live in a house beside a cafeteria. He kept walking through the provincial streets hoping to find what they were looking for. He closed his eyes for a better vision. Lamp post, pine trees, cafeteria… There! A place that sells lomi noodles.

“I think we’re here!” Yani pointed at a small house. It seemed pretty normal—nothing out of the ordinary or related to the mystery they had going on.

“You sure this is the place?” Kris asked.

“Positive. The cafeteria is very clear to me. Janna and Joseph ate there often.”

Cielo nodded her head, and eyed Rafael. Rafael mirrored her nod in understanding of what to do. He placed his hand on the handle of his wavy sword—not yet taking it out of the scabbard. Then, he entered the front yard with Isagani trailing behind him.

Rafael used the handle of his kris to knock on the door twice. “Tao po! Anybody home?”

Silence.

Rafael tried again. This time, he spammed his knocking while announcing, “Tao po!”

They all heard footsteps approach the door, and this made everyone hold their guards up. Soon, the door knob began turning.

“Who is it?” A voice quietly asked while slightly showing his left eye through the small gap he opened.

“We work for the government. We’re here to ask you some questions.” Rafael showed his NCIP badge that looked like it belonged to a police officer.

Slowly, the door squeaked wide open—revealing Joseph whose hair was messy, clothes unironed, and pants worn down. He smiled. Very. Very. Slowly. “Please, come in.”

Rafael looked at the others, and nudged everyone to follow along. Yani, who was very new to this situation, couldn’t help but feel like his legs were being pulled by gravity. He walked behind everyone else, feeling uneasy. Maybe even scared? Scared? No way I’m scared! I’ve had a third eye since I was a child and watch horror films daily! Why would I be scared? It’s not like this guy with no fashion sense could murder us all. Right? And even if he does try, I’ll find that fun and exciting, right? Yani, you’re a mangkukulam. Get it together!

Suddenly, Yani felt a warm hand on his back. It was tiny, but comforting. Soft. These gentle-looking hands could only come from Kris. I guess he saw right through me. Yani exhaled, and grew some balls so he could follow the group.

They all sat down in the living room. “Want water? Or juice?” Joseph asked—still with that eerie smile.

“No, thank you. We’re all good.” Cielo politely declined.

“Very well, then.” Joseph kept still, with posture straighter than a pole.

Pauline, in secret, pulled out a chess piece sized carving from her pocket. When everyone was busy talking with Joseph, it was only Yani who spotted how that carving began clumsily walking around the wooden floor, and hiding itself in the corners as it frolicked around the house.

“Your name is Joseph Dalang, right?” Cielo started, to which the man nodded in response.

“We’re here to ask about someone named Janna. Do you know her?”

Surprisingly, even with the mention of his ex, Joseph’s smile didn’t fade away. He simply nodded again.

“We heard that she’s been sick lately. She was last seen with you before that. Do you have any memory of what happened that day?”

“We broke up.”

“Where did you break up?”

“Here.”

“Did you two have a meal?”

“No.”

“Do you feel any sort of resentment for her?”

“No.”

From his short answers, Kris couldn’t take it anymore. “Did you contact a mangkukulam for revenge? Or… a mambabarang?”

Joseph’s smile grew wider and wider. Now, his gums are even showing. With a squeaky tone, “What is that? I don’t know what that is.”

This put all of them on edge. But of course, despite the weirdness, they couldn’t act rashly.

Pauline’s wooden figure ran back to the living room—sometimes tripping and falling due to its lack of joints. Yani saw it again, and this time, the wooden figure climbed up Pauline’s body—up to her shoulder to whisper to her ear. Her usually expressionless face was introduced with widened eyes—making her abruptly direct her head towards Joseph, with a question, “Can we check on your bedroom?”

Everyone looked at her—surprised by the sudden question.

Joseph’s unmoved smile was finally nudged by a boulder. In less than a second, his expression turned to hostility. “No.”

“We’re requiring it as a part of this investigation.”

Joseph stood up from his seat and screamed, “I SAID NO!” From under the couch pillows, he pulled out a machete.

Crap.

Then, he swung his arm at Pauline. Thankfully, Isagani was able to bring his sword out on time, preventing Joseph from hitting her. 

Rafael pulled out his own wavy dagger, and tried to push the man’s machete from his hand. However, as though his strength multiplied, Joseph swung back at Rafael.

“Everyone, quick!” Cielo gestured the unarmed group to the kitchen in order to not be caught up with the fight. While running towards her, Yani looked back at the two men.

Isagani tried to hold Joseph down, but he almost had a machete pierce through his skull. He stepped back, and with Rafael, they both tried to hit Joseph together. But, Isagani ended up kicked to the stomach—flying across the room and breaking a book shelf while at it. Rafael almost got to the man’s neck, but he already had his machete prepared for defense.

In the kitchen, Yani questioned, “Will those two be ok? That guy is too strong for an average person.”

“They’ll be fine.” Cielo assured. “But, you’re right. He’s way too strong. Kris, can you try your bugaw?”

Kris shook his head. “I can’t sense his dungan. I don’t know what to target.” He frustratedly grunted, “It’s like he’s empty.”

“Because he is.” Pauline stepped forward.

“What do you mean?” Kris asked.

“This little guy.” She opened her hand, and showed the chess-piece sized carving to everyone. “I made it investigate the area. It told me that he saw Joseph in the bedroom.”

“What? As you can see, Joseph’s fighting with the boys.

Rafael flew to the kitchen from being thrown—breaking the plates.

“Rafael!” Yani exclaimed.

“I’m alright! Just a little misstep.” He chimed, and happily ran back to where the fight was ongoing.

Pauline spoke again, “I don’t know. My creations are not necessarily smart. It can only say a few words.”

“Anyway, let’s check it out, just in case.” Kris nodded.