Killing Lies

On the sixteenth of April each year, the Fortalejo family would extend their invitations to their whole clan, including the ones who are not closely related to them. This is for celebrating the last day of the Pahinungod festival, which is a three-day feast that has been observed since the year 2047. It had been over three decades since Talia Fortalejo started their family tradition of gathering on this day as a gesture of thanksgiving to the gods and the ancestors who had come before them.

It was also a way of honoring the rich history of the Segunda island and the bountiful harvest that sustained them.

However, it is unfortunate that the true spirit of this gathering has gradually faded away over time. It used to be full of love, joy, and unity. Now, it's just an event where people only show off their expensive clothes and family jewelry. But most of all, people only came here to maintain their connection to none other than Ron Fortalejo, a name that is often whispered in hushed tones among the elite crowd.

Ron offered his arm to his wife, Kela Fortalejo. The lights caught the gems embedded in her dress and hair, casting a shimmering aura around her. Kela accepted his arm.

The crowd was struck with awe as they gracefully roam around the dining hall, greeting guests with warm smiles. Truly, their attire was a reflection of their status and their taste for the unconventional. It was clear that Ron and Kela were not just wealthy socialites but also trendsetters that the elite would try to emulate.

For Jane, the one and only heiress of the Fortalejo family, this is all just ridiculous. She would rather stay in her room and watch the sky for hours rather than engage with her family and their guests.

Watching the sky change from a soft blue hue to an orange pool gives her indescribable peace. However, as much as she would like to stay in her room, she has to deal with her parents' expectations first who care more about their family's image and reputation.

"Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago," her lola Talia said with a sigh. The words heavy with resignation.

(You're still the same.)

Jane paused, knife in hand, and met the eyes of her family. Everyone's sitting together at the dinner table. Disappointment was written all over their faces, especially on her mother.

"Why can't you just smile, iha?" her mother, who was now sitting across from her, asked. "Year after year, you're like this," she scolded. "You're only proving to everyone that you're ungrateful."

Jane remained expressionless and continued eating because why even bother smiling when merely mentioning "Fortalejo" elicits a slew of negative comments throughout Segunda Island?

It doesn't feel right, knowing that the scandalous drama and tensions within their family might have already spread throughout the entire Segunda island. Every move they made was under constant scrutiny. Even their loyal supporters are beginning to have doubts about them.

Her mother was so obsessed with pleasing everyone that she either pretends not to see or doesn't notice these things. Either way, it didn't matter. The fact was they were far from being the 'decent and gracious' family she desperately wanted them to be.

Jane glanced at the large clock after finishing her meal. She watched every movement of the clock's long hand. By the time it hit seven o'clock, the power suddenly went out across the hacienda. The music, conversations, and laughter were replaced by their commotion.

The automated security systems that monitored each room also shut down when the power went out. Meanwhile, all of the security personnel of her father were only focused on the front yard.

She used this opportunity to leave their house through the back kitchen as her family kept their esteemed guests calm.

Whispers of the wind welcomed her when she arrived at the orchard, letting her loose hair and long dress follow its flow. Green lushes dotted with vibrant pops of color from the fruit trees stretches out before her. The ethereal glow cast by the moonlight emphasized the beauty of this scenery.

"May nakapagsabi na ba saiyo?" a familiar voice spoke behind her.

(Has anyone told you already?)

It's none other than her favorite accomplice. Her lips curled before facing Vino.

"Na ano?"

(Told me what?)

"Na mukha kang kontrabida."

(That you look like the villain.)

"Oh, tapos ikaw 'yong gago kong henchman?" she asked, which caught him off guard.

(Oh, so you're my stupid henchman then?)

He went silent and checked his fit. She's right. The white and purple waistcoat made him look like her loyal server.

A boisterous laugh escaped from their mouths.

Jane's eyes widened as she remembered their deal.

"Teka! Nabili mo na ba?" she asked again.

(Wait! Did you already buy it?)

Vino reached into his blazer pocket and pulled out a stainless hip flask. This brought a brief glimmer in her eyes. But her expression quickly turned into a frown when he pulled it back out of reach, teasing her with a smirk.

"Wire it first!" Vino demanded.

"You're such a jerk!" She flicked his flat nose. "Can't you just give it to me for free?"

"Please?" She begged, using her teeny-tiny voice that made him cringe.

"That ain't fair, Janice!" he protested.

"How dare you, Giovinno?"

A deep crease on her forehead forms as her mood turns sour. Out of frustration, she tried to steal the flask from his hand, but then his reflexes were so fast that her every attempt failed. He sticks out his tongue and trolls around her, insisting that she must fork over five thousand chips before he would consider handing her the flask.

Sometimes, Jane still can't believe this dude is much older than her. Maybe it's true that maturity doesn't come with age. Her shoulders drop in defeat. She can't risk arguing with him, or else their hidden agenda will be revealed. She accessed her e-wallet and wired him the chips.

"You're lucky we're friends," she muttered. The smug smile on his face grew wider. He finally passes the flask, so Jane grabs her sling bag and hides it there.

They froze in place when they heard the rustling of grass. Someone's approaching, and they thought they've been caught.

"Huy!"

But as the moonlight illuminated the clearing, they saw the familiar faces Trixie, Gabby, Rina, Shae, and Britt. They are Jane's distant relatives, with whom Vino also became friends.

"You sly little bitches! You're effing geniuses!" Trixie greeted with bursting energy.

Jane playfully curtsied like a princess and thanked them. But from the back of her mind, Jane couldn't believe they would succeed in their initial plan to escape.

"By the way, I also brought a little something to make the night even better." Britt steps forward, holding out a bottle of wine.

"Now let's ditch! I'm getting excited!" Rina exclaimed.

"Yes, let's make some memories and forget about all the stress for a while," Britt added.

"There's a music festival happening at the Night Cirque tonight." Jane felt her face brightened up. "We can go there."

"Oh, my gods!" Trixie squealed in delight. "Redstone Riots is going to perform there! We have to go!"

Gabby hesitated. "Won't our parents be angry about this?" she asked.

"That's what I told her earlier," Vino answered. "She doesn't care."

Trixie turned to Gabby. "Come on, Gabby, it's going to be amazing," she said, practically bouncing up and down.

"Okay, okay, you got me," Gabby said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "But we need to be careful!"

"Wait, guys!" Shae looked at Jane and Vino. "I don't know how you both pulled it off, but one thing's for sure: it ain't permanent!" she said and pointed at the flickering lights.

They only have a few minutes left until the power goes on again. So, they didn't waste time and ran together out of the hacienda.

As they made their way outside, Jane couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. They had overcome the odds and pulled off their great escape. They were on a mission to see the spectacle that is Night Cirque and watch the Redstone Riots perform live.

Nothing is going to stop them now.

***

It was not easy for them to escape the grand reunion to go to the music festival happening at Night Cirque. It's an amusement park that only opens every leap year and is located in the dense forest of Mount Ampacao.

They can only ride buses to get there. But before they could reach the bus terminal out of the Alatus district, they still needed to rent a transport just to avoid the long traffic flow caused by the fiesta.

Vino presented to lead them to the nearest rental station.

When they arrived there, they immediately saw the sleek and futuristic design of hover scooters lined up in rows. They walked up to the rental booth and handed over their IDs.

The attendant handed them over the helmets and keys to their assigned hover scooter.

"Are we sure about this na?" Gabby asked. "Hover scooters are dangerous," she said in a worried tone. "They levitate, don't have any seatbelts, and they're super fast!"

"And that's what makes it thrilling!" Britt said.

Gabby wanted to back out. She didn't have much choice when she saw all of them hopped onto their respective scooters.

They zipped through the central market, weaving in and out of traffic. They were all astonished by the city lights and the bustling streets of the Alatus district. Even the houses and establishments they passed by had come alive; each of them had unique designs made out of vegetables and flowers.

The sensation of riding a hover scooter through the air was unlike anything they had experienced before. It was their first time, so they were not yet accustomed to its unusual mode of operation. Well, except for Vino, who had done this a hundred times as he was the only one not shrieking.

As a result, a stolen video of them riding hover scooters while screaming at the top of their lungs became an instant hit on various social media platforms. Many were amazed by their designer dresses, suits, shoes, and jewelry, which were usually only affordable for the elite. It was clear they were from a wealthy family, they commented. Some netizens were even angry because they noticed the dirt on the lower part of their clothing.

Their scooters automatically stopped at the next rental station near the e-bus terminal. Although the group was unaware of the trending online discussion about them, they noticed the jeering stares of the people around them after they returned the hover scooters to the rental station.

They just shrugged it off and laughed. It's good enough that they still arrived at the bus terminal in one piece, despite almost falling several times due to the speed of their ride.

Vino said one of the buses would take them to the Night Cirque, so they bought their tickets and boarded it. They settled on their seats and chatted about what they were going to do at the Night Cirque.

Trixie was already planning on trying every ride, while Rina and Britt were looking forward to trying the food. Gabby, Shae, and Vino were more cautious, but they were still excited to experience the Night Cirque for themselves.

Jane, who was now in the window seat, gazed off outside the bus, feeling like she had accomplished something great.

Her senses went back when she overheard a conversation behind their seat. They were discussing the hospital's dilemma in regards to the patient-to-bed ratio. According to them, there's a surge of patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms similar to rabies.

"I bet it's the government's doing," one whispered.

"What do you mean?" the other asks, intrigued.

"Matagal nang bali-balita na may kinalaman daw mismo ang gobyerno sa pagpapakalat ng mga sakit noon para pigilan ang paglobo ng populasyon natin," the first person explained.

(It has long been rumored that the government itself was involved in spreading diseases back then to control the rapid growth of our population.)

It sounds far-fetched, but Jane wondered if there's some truth to it.

An ambulance hastened up with a bold force, letting everyone know its siren wasn't a polite ask to move. Her head turned, following its red and blue streak.

It's a pity they're in the rain-washed town of Alatus district. Nobody gave a single damn about it. People around here were too occupied by the annual feast. Even the bus driver seems unimpressed, muttering under his breath as he pulls to the side of the road to let the ambulance pass.

Jane understood them, though. Because just like them, she just wanted to shove all their worries aside. And maybe, just maybe, that's not such a terrible thing after all.

The speed of our bus slowed down when it turned in another direction. The rocky grounds of the parking lot show that we finally arrived at our destination.

We were all in high spirits as we walked through the dirt path into the deep forests of Mount Ampacao. Trixie started to harmonize with the music coming from the distance. The closer we got, the louder it became. The Night Cirque was just up ahead.

Its large neon signboard beamed so brightly, successfully luring tons of people.

The whistling sounds of the engine and the joyous screams of people on their roller coaster ride welcomed us when we entered the Night Cirque. The vibrancy of this place really pops out, especially the banderitas. Not to mention that this land is so wide, it even has an entire lot dedicated to the musical festival!

The committees behind this event did an impressive job for making the whole place look enchanting and pretty exciting.

A photo of us, featuring the stamped carnival logo on our wrist, would be an adorable remembrance from this day on, so we stopped for a while and searched for a great angle and lighting.

Trixie then immediately ran off to try her luck at the carnival games. Britt dragged Shae and Rina over to the mini roller coaster. While Gabby, Vino, and I headed off to get some snacks.

I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet aroma of cotton candy and popcorn.

***

The group reunited after almost an hour. Trixie then clings to my left arm with enthusiasm before dragging us to the grandstand where the music festival is going to take place. I couldn't do anything, but to keep up with her speed.

Many have collided with our group. Pasalamat sila I'm still in a good mood kasi kung hindi, tatapakan at tutulakin ko rin sila isa-isa.

The never-ending crowd amassed to a greater degree when we passed by the food court. Red and white striped parasols are all over the place. They hung some of it on an almost invisible string, making the passersby awe with its floating aesthetics.

We strolled into the open field as we reached the grandstand. There are also small booths and food corners set within this area. Merchandises like glow sticks, t-shirts, bracelets, and any various abubots are the common products that sell the most.

Mostly young adults like us are the ones who loiter here, setting up their own blankets on the freshly trimmed Bermuda grass. It's as if they are here to picnic and spend their time on the soft ground rather than engage in the festival. Well, to be fair, I do love their sense of style, though. A classic boho at a musical event.

The next song blasted in full volume. The iconic style of the blended electrical distortion of pitches of guitars, bass, and a drum made us feel wild, young, and free. With Redstone Riots' Eye of the Storm, the people become more hype than before.

In the darkness, we ignite,

A fire that burns so bright.

But beneath the surface, we hide,

A truth we cannot deny.

Living in the eye of the storm,

Can't keep running,

From what's to come,

In flames, we'll drown.

The chorus is particularly intense. It features a powerful and anthemic melody, with the lead singer belting out the lyrics over a pounding bassline and soaring guitar chords.

The clock is ticking,

Time is running out,

Our fates are sealed,

There's no doubt.

Spinning out of control,

The signs are there,

We can't ignore.

End is coming, that much we know.

As the song reaches its climax, the tempo picks up, and the band pushes the tempo to its limits, driving the energy level even higher.

We're living in the eye of the storm,

Can't keep running from what's to come.

Our fate is sealed, we're going down,

In flames, we'll drown.

A group of young guys belted out its lyrics as they jumped and jostled throughout the crowd like a train. Others are simply on their feet, clapping and swaying to the beat. While there's me, trying to capture the crowd's silhouette under the starry sky.

We're all seizing this moment yet I couldn't help but feel something off with the ambiance. Misty strong winds caress my skin, making me shiver a little. Maybe it was such a bad idea to wear a mesh cropped top and not bring a cardigan. However, the truth isn't because the cold bothers me.

I don't think everyone notices it. From the exchanging looks of the police officers, there must be a problem. I don't know whether it's because of a possibility that there might be a drug syndicate somewhere selling drugs or recruiting some drug pushers. Worse, there may be a serial killer out there lurking amongst us. Because if that isn't the scenario, why would they even be here?

Sure, they might just be protecting us from a stampede. It's one of the most common possibilities for rave parties like this, but why do they look so tense, like they messed up big time?

Trixie slightly elbowed me, making me go back to my senses.

First thing I noticed were flocks of birds flying in a dispersed direction. They seem disoriented and make this high-pitched sound, which sends an odd feeling to everyone.

Even Trixie who was usually lighthearted and carefree seemed to tensed up. It was as if peace had nowhere to be found and the fear crept into every corner of the festival grounds.

A piercing sound echoed across the field, diverting our attention to the front. Our eyes were drawn to the middle-aged woman on the stage, her hand clutching the microphone.

Clad in formal corporate attire, she resembled an office worker or a secretary from some company. But it wasn't her outfit that held our attention, it was the blood soiled all over her clothes, spread across her entire being.

"Nandiyan na sila... nandiyan na sila!" The woman's panicked cry was interlaced with bursts of blood that sprayed from her mouth. Her disheveled figure trembled, as if on the brink of collapse.

Die-hard fans of Redstone Riots in the pit, which stood closest to the stage, found themselves drenched in the woman's gooey fluids. Their grumbles blend with the mounting tension that hung heavy in the air.

"Nandiyan na sila!" she repeated, her voice now laced with a threatening edge.

Sinong sila?

My gaze shifted to the approaching policemen, cautiously making their way towards the platform. Their guns were raised, primed and ready to fire, as if the disoriented woman posed a grave threat, on the verge of committing a heinous crime.

"Oh my gods, we have to get out of here now!" Rina's voice was urgent. "I have an idea, but we need to move fast." Her eyes darted around in panic.

With swift efficiency, Rina outlined a plan for us to navigate our way through the exit point of the amusement park. Vino then chimed in with an alternative idea - automatically summonning our car from where we are - but he cautioned that it might take hours depending on the traffic.

A loud groan echoed in the field again, interrupting our discursion. It was the woman on the stage, and she sounded like she was in deep pain before the mic dropped onto the platform.

I strained to see what was happening since the dense crowd around us blocked our view. Clearly, they just stood here, recording the women's distress on their phones rather than helping her.

Suddenly, the sound of a rotor blade shattered the air. Three choppers hovered above us through a single route, leaving us no idea what's going on. It was unclear what they were doing, whether they were there to assist or exacerbate the situation.

Then, a pickup truck abruptly came rushing into the scene, causing its tires to screech onto the ground. A police officer stood in the truck's cargo bed, gripping a megaphone. He's covering his neck with a blood-soaked towel.

With a voice amplified through the megaphone, the officer yelled to run for our lives. It was like a trigger that ignited a chain reaction of fear and desperation.

The once-thrilled crowd now turned into a frenzied mob, scattering in every direction. We were pushed and shoved, making it harder for us to stay together. Trixie and I got separated from the group.

Britt's voice pierced through the noise. "Jane! Trixie! Over here!" She was waving her arms frantically, trying to get our attention. "Meet us at the camping grove!"

I grabbed Trixie's hand and pulled her towards Britt's outstretched arms, but the sea of people won't let us. We've lost them again.

The sky lit up with an orange glow, accompanied by an overwhelming boom that shook the ground. The shock wave rippled outwards, destroying everything in its path.

A frightening wildfire erupts, burning with an intensity that cannot be contained. The uncontrollable flames soared higher that spreads through the trees, creating an eerie darkness. The crackling sound of the fire was almost deafening. Soon, the birds, lions, and donkeys scattered, as well as the people in the area. Everyone's in a state of hysteria, shrieking and fleeing to escape the flames.

The smell of burning flesh permeated the air as charred bodies lay scattered in the wake of the fire. The heat of the flames was so intense that skin melted away and organs burst. Charred limbs and faces were all that remained of those who could not escape.

JANE

Snow-like ashes fell from the sky. The night became more suffocating and foggy than before.

If not for Trixie slapping my face, I would remain petrified like an idiot in the middle of haywire.

Unfortunately, the only exit point was the entrance itself, so we ran as fast as we could, dodging fallen debris from ruined establishments and avoiding the flames as we made our way through the perya.

We held each other so tight. I could feel our pulse resonating against each other. Our breathing was rapid and shallow as we tried to make sense of the chaos around us.

All of my focus was interrupted, and everything else faded away as Trixie stumbled down to the ground, twisting her ankle in the process. I tried pulling her up, determined to help her walk, but each time we tried, we always caught off balance, causing her to cry out in pain.

At that moment, I knew Trixie's injury was more serious than I initially thought. I took a glance at her ankle and saw a deep laceration, caused by the glass shards that littered the ground. A dark bruise was forming around the wound, and I could tell that it was infected by the pus and other fluids flowing out of it. My hand trembled as I lost my grip on her arm.

Trixie needed immediate medical attention. With all the energy I had left, I pulled her body towards an abandoned booth nearby. "Stay here," I said, my voice eager, and I gave her a reassuring look. "I'll find help."

"No!" she cried. "You can't leave me here!" She pulled my hand before I could walk away. I gasped in shock when Trixie pinned me on the ground, begging me not to leave.

I pushed her away to escape from her grip. She kept calling my name as dark gooey liquid gushes out of her mouth. Her tears and her saliva excessively drooled all over her face. It was so strange for her to react that way just because of her sprained ankles.

I took a slow step backward and then ran. Stepping away from her is the only choice I have. I abandoned her so that I could find help along the way. But how stupid am I to assume that someone was willing to assist us? Even a police officer wouldn't help! And now that I could see the exit, all I could think about was saving myself from this mess.

Mindless as it seemed, I let my body flow through the horde of desperate humans who want to get out of this perya.

A little girl being carried by her father caught my attention. They were far away from me, yet I could feel her fear the most. Her high-pitched tantrum dominated everything despite having the sound of chaos coming around in different sorts of directions.

I stopped myself from taking another step when Trixie's face kept flashing in my mind. I scratched the side of my head.

What am I even doing?

I turned around - pushing everyone who's blocking my path and ended up emptying the decorated kariton full of merchandise. I ran with it towards Trixie.

It was too late, though, because she was nowhere to be found. A bit of hope loosened up my feelings. Maybe someone helped her!

I dialed her number to call for her. I didn't expect I would hear her familiar ringtone near me. The faint sound led me in front of the House of Mirrors, just a one-minute walk behind the booth.

I picked up her phone on the porch to end my call. Dark stains parched all over her screen. It must be the gooey liquid coming from her mouth. I wrapped her phone with my handkerchief and put it inside my sling bag.

The front door creaked when I opened it - wait a second. If someone helped her, why would they go inside? And why is her phone not with her? Did she leave it here?

The lights are flickering and the path ahead is musky, so I used my phone to lighten up the way. I followed the drippings on the floor.

I was hoping to see her with random survivors, waiting for this madness to calm. Little did I know, at the end of the cold hallway, that a horrendous crime was waiting for me.

Trixie's body was already pale and ripped apart, exposing her guts. My mouth gaped apart, wanting to scream, but there was no voice coming out. I wish I was dreaming so I could wake up from this nightmare, but nothing ever happens every time I pinch myself. Thick, foggy smoke is everywhere, and Trixie's body is still lying on the ground.

I stumbled on my way to her. The warm blood soaked my hands when I tried to close the huge opening on her abdomen. Her guts keep slipping; it won't go inside her anymore.

I flashed the light on her face. Her eyes were still open, so I immediately checked her pulse.

It's weak, I barely feel her beating heart. She looked at me when I called her name. Her tears flowed down her cheeks.

"You ... you came ... back." The way she has a hard time talking, I know she's gonna lose her breath anytime soon. She reached for my arms, no longer aggressive as before.

I had so many questions in my mind, but only one word came out of my mouth.

"How?"

She wanted to whisper something, so I came closer to her. "Li ... kod ... mo."

I veered in the direction of light at my back. A pair of feet emerged from the fog that surrounded us. I looked up and saw his pale-skinned face and mouth covered with dark blood. His hand clasps a half-eaten meat-like organ that came from the insides of Trixie. I stand up and step away from him, fearing that I might be his next victim. I grasp the sling bag I was carrying and search for my lipstick taser.

We look at each other, eye to eye. No emotions can be seen in his eyes. They're just blank white surrounded by blackened veins in their corners.

He pounces on me, so I aim my taser at once. I thought fifty thousand volts would be enough, but nothing seemed to happen to him and that makes me shudder in fear. I push him against the glass wall and dash through the opposite way.

I pick up my phone to call for Vino. However, I am not able to press the button when the blank-eyed man pulls my hair. This time, he's the one who pushes me against the wall. The forceful impact makes my vision all blurry and everything seems to spin around. His pungent odor makes my fuzzy sickness worse, and I want to puke so badly.

The man seizes my arm. I grasp his neck in my defense. He freaking acts like a rabid dog who wants to eat my flesh out. He even groans and grits his teeth every time his face is near mine.

My phone slipped through my fingers because of his rough moves. Now, there's no way I could make this through without assistance. The only thing I can do is scream my lungs out.

My voice starts to become hoarser. I could feel the scratching in my throat. I slap, smack, and curse him over and over, but no matter what I do, he never stops. He's really out of his mind, like a total whacko on a killing spree.

His heavyweight got me almost squashed and bit, so I strangled his neck with all my might to prevent my face from being mauled. With that, I was able to avoid his scratches like he intended.

I can no longer understand what madness is happening to us right now. What I only know is that I won't let any person, especially the man in front of me, take my life away.

Ugh, wait. Scratch that! Is he even considered a person? Look at his eyes! No human being could ever have a blank eye!

Several loud explosions erupted again. The powerful force of the shockwave reverberates through the establishment, cracking the mirrors into spider-web patterns. The already distorted images of the room become even more distorted in the shattered glass.

In an unexpected turn of events, a metal pierced through his head. Small pieces of his brain spew out at me. My legs begin to tremble. He's not moving anymore. I released my grip on its neck, watching in shock as it crumpled to the ground.