Rage Of Whispers

A shrill blood curdling scream, that's what brought it to consciousness. It lay still, stubborn and indifferent. It tried to pry its eyes open but couldn't, it tried to close its eyes but failed. Its sight consumed by darkness, not even aware that the eyes it believed to have had no longer existed. What the hell, it thought, and for a brief moment, it tried to relax-yet once again failed. It felt its heart thumping so fast, it vibrated like a trumpet on its head.

So it reached out to its chest hoping to meet its rhythm, but found none. It felt hallow, empty, it felt nothing for there is nothing.

In its dark paradise it lay motionless again, too stunned to accept what it has become.

Another scream echoed inside the void. It craned its imaginary head towards its left and then right, up and then down. It's calling, calling once more.

I know that voice, it said to itself, but unsure how to respond.

Screaming

Pleading

Panting

Those sounds kept repeating like a broken record, only louder by every passing second.

"What?" It replied, after convincing itself that the sound asked for its name, more like begged.

"What?" it asked again, and in an instant, it felt a tremendous amount of pain, leaving its body, if it even had one, pulled in every direction. Swirling, stretching, kneading, sinking, bouncing. It tried to scream but couldn't.

Suddenly, a flash of light filled its dark abyss, and then everything went still, motionless.

Ahhh... It sighed in realization

Smirking using its nonexistent mouth, now I remember it whispered.

Towards the light it moved, floated or slithered it did not know, but there towards the light it needs to go.

"Meet you" It kept whispering over and over, afraid that the darkness will cave in again.

"Meet you, Meet you, Meet you."

And the barrier in between, finally broke.

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

She lay still, eyes closed mouth agape while lying in a pool of her blood. The white and plain hospital walls are no longer confining her. The heart which beats inside her no longer felt anguished or pained, rejection and doubt no longer held importance. She smiled and raised her hand towards her mouth to take a final puff from the cigarette that's already spent half way through.

Blood trickled from her injured wrist. She closed her eyes welcoming her impending fate, finally succumbing to darkness. Surprise suddenly jolt her to awareness when with half lidded eyes she caught sight of it, the bane of her existence, and root of her sorrow.

No, she managed to say while staring at the thing that hovered above her.

It began like it always did. Swirling hues, but dominantly black, danced, enticing and hypnotizing her to keep watch.

It stretched uncomfortably but never abandoning its rhythmic dance. An arm took shape, a leg swayed, a head formed, and for the first time it took on a face.

With widening eyes and panic in her heart, confusion suddenly filled her head, I-I, she murmured. The death which she longed wavered in her new found knowledge. She stared, oblivious, as the image slowly sank into her. Increasing in familiarity the longer she soaked on the visage.

"You!" She screamed, choking by the dryness of her throat as a tear escaped her eyes.

"Yes." It answered, leaving her barely conscious mind angry, baffled and filled with regret.

"How-Why?" Her words said in a whisper.

It smiled and whispered back.. "Let me show you.

The Calderon

In a small town called Sutoria, with a population of 3,756 stands a residence isolated from the rest. It occupies almost 2000 acres of land. The Calderón mansion, a Victorian House sits to at least a fourth of their property. It has eighteen bedrooms excluding the maid's quarter and a huge living room with a large chandelier fit for royalty hanging proudly on the ceiling.

It has all the basic rooms and function halls that one would only dream of. But what truly makes the mansion magnificent is the huge triangular shaped garden at the back. It houses the most unique looking flowers and trees, some of which are not even native to the continent, how the Calderons managed to keep them alive remains a mystery to the town's people.

The master of the house, Arthur Calderon and his wife Althea, are both warm and gentle people, willing to open their home for anyone in need. They have three children, Marco, the eldest-a small pale faced boy who always carried a smile on his face. Almira, the second-with curly brown hair and a deep set of eyes, and finally the youngest, Genelyn Calderon, luckily born with the film-star good looks of her mother. A deep pool of emerald globes fanned with thick dark lashes adorned her face, while soft pink lips and midnight tresses completed her uncontested beauty.

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

*(Sunday January 15, 1996) *

Inside the car, Arthur cannot help but hold back the tears in his eyes as he steals a heart wrenching glance towards his wife. The woman whom he met on a rainy afternoon fifteen years ago, the woman whom he taught will never throw a glance at him but did, is now dying. Her once bouncy hair has become dull and almost bald. Her fair skin that glistened under the sun is now saggy and scarce of vitality.

"Arthur keep your eyes on the road I'm not dead yet," his wife whispered between breaths. Arthur finally allowed his tears to roll down his cheeks. "Althea how could you leave me? You promised we will be together forever," He murmured between sobs.

His wife did not respond. She kept her eyes closed, pretending to have not heard him.

*(Wednesday January 18 1997)*

The siren from the ambulance rushing towards the Calderon mansion nearly awakened the entire town. Lovely, a kinky haired girl who goes to the same school as the youngest of the Calderon's, rushed towards her mother, latching on her legs. "Mom what happened?" she asked. Her mother looked at her gravely and said, "The Calderons are dead."

"What do you mean dead?" She questioned, innocent eyes probing her mother to give an answer. Her mom took a step back and ended the hug between them, she knelt in front of her and said "It's best if you keep company with the young Calderon for the next few days OK?"

Lovely, confused as she was, nodded her head. Her mother stood and took her by the arm, then whispered, "Let's go back to sleep."

The double funeral of Arthur and Althea Calderon was held on a Sunday morning. The sky was ashen and solemn. The winds blew colder breeze than normal. The two young Calderon stood on the right of the caskets, hands locked with each other, while the youngest stood on the left clinging to the skirt of the house keeper. Anita Miluki the towns seamstress, couldn't help but notice the indifferent glare the two oldest was throwing at the young one and when it was all over the family of three walked back to the Calderon mansion.

The following day both Marco and Almira was taken by a distant relative leaving the youngest child Genelyn Calderon under the house keeper's watch.

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

(November, Monday 2006) (9 A.M)

Gen awoke with the rays of an early morning sun, the first thing she sees is the chandelier which her mom insisted on hanging above her bed, which gave a swirling shade of amber and blue, as it meets the sun's glowing rays. She smiled, thinking, "How long has it been 10 years or more?"

The memory of the incident that changed her life forever keeps fading over the years. She got out of bed and headed for the bathroom, but of course, she grabbed her cancer sticks with her, the only solace and companion-which Esther, their house keeper said, will kill her someday. None the less, Gen kept her cancer sticks, at least, it will keep her company, even in death.

A loud knock coming from her bedroom door made Gen rush out of the bathroom. "Gen it's past nine aren't you going to school?" It was Esther, her husky voice hasn't changed over the years. "I won't go" Gen answered with an annoying tone.

She waited for retaliation, but none came. It appears Esther had finally given up on her too. Just like my siblings Gen thought to herself.

Down stairs-Esther prepared Gen's favorite breakfast, bacon and eggs. Although the Calderon masters are gone, their wealth remained. Old money, as people call it. She, the Head of the house maids had been entrusted by the family's lawyer to keep the young Calderon's share.

Since Gen is only sixteen years old, Esther will have to endure two more years of the girl's willfulness, before finding freedom. But, is that what she truly wants? She has nowhere to go, truth be told. Esther came to the Calderon mansion when she was only fifteen years old. She started as a personal maid for the old Calderon, then became the nanny of young Arthur, until finally, she was made the head of the housekeepers when Arthur got married. Thinking back, what truly transpired on that rainy night? Esther took a deep breath and started reminiscing.

It was a Sunday afternoon. The madam and Arthur came home, both with a sullen expression. Esther felt there was something wrong.

The madam who once was the envy of every woman in town with her fair complexion, rosy cheeks, bouncy black hair and flowy dresses has become unrecognizable in a matter of months. Esther was curios but dared not ask.

3:34pm

Esther asked the guard to open the gates for Mr. and Mrs. Calderon

4:00pm

The madam asked where her kids are and Esther explained that Almira and Marco are both in the library upstairs. The madam did not seem to care because the look in her eyes, to which Esther has grown accustomed of, wanted nothing more but to see her most beloved child, Gen.

Esther knowing all too well the implication of not answering immediately, explained that Gen is inside her room.

The child has always been a loner but recently she has gotten some friends at school and thus kept her on the phone day and night.

7:00 pm

Dinner was served. Everyone is present in the dining table except for one.

The madam threw a glance in Esther's direction, and that look made her scram towards the dining room door, past the great hall, up the winding staircase and in front of Gen's door. "The child does this all the time" Esther murmured. "Gen open up, your mom wants you downstairs" she called out, but there was no answer.

"Gen its dinner time" she repeated, but there was silence still. Finally, Esther gave up and pushed the door open. "Empty" the room is empty.

12:00 am

A mind blowing scream echoed at the back of the Calderon mansion. Esther who was a light sleeper stumbled out of her bed, it took a few turns before she reached the back door leading to the garden, and as she proceeded to open the closed door, it sprang open revealing Arthur covered in blood, his face is ashen, his eyes dead. Cradled on his arms is his wife Althea with blood dripping from her stomach from a gaping wound.

12:10 AM

Esther stood frozen as Arthur walked past her. Tears streaming down his shock filled face.

The Housekeeper stood motionless, waiting for his command, but none came. Arthur went past her, as if the man didn't see her at all. It was when she heard a tiny voice coming from the garden that Esther managed to move her seemingly frozen feet. She slowly crossed the small garden gate, and there, on a branch of a maple tree, sat a fear stricken Gen. Her small hands wrapped around a white linen.

It was by accident that Esther's eyes lingered below the tree, her heart raced like crazy, blood drained from her face when her eyes befall on

one of the white wooden fence which surrounded the garden. The fence is covered with a red liquid.

Slowly, Esther approached it, a long strand of intestine and a pool of blood greeted her, and it was then that she truly felt the impact of what happened.

12:23 AM

The sound of a deafening gunshot echoed throughout the Calderón mansion.

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

Esther

Esther

The voice felt so close. "Esther, wake the hell up, your burning my bacon" Gen yelled teasingly, knowing all too well how jittery the old woman becomes when she hears loud noises.

Esther opened her eyes. Gen is standing beside her. "Esther you're getting old. If you want, you can leave and go to a retirement home. I will pay for it" Gen said with a grin.

Esther loosened the spatula on her hand and laid it flat on the tiled counter. "No use for the past, better leave it buried" she murmured, putting an end to her reminiscing.

"What, do you agree?" Gen asked

Esther gave the girl a pat on the head. "You can get rid of me once you turn eighteen" she answered sweetly before nudging her head towards the table and commanded the young girl to start eating. Esther watched in awe as she dug into a pile of bacon and eggs." My, you're hungry" she exclaimed in bewilderment. Gen only smiled between bites, and once she was done, she got up and ran towards the back door.

"You and Mike stay safe now" Esther yelled behind the girl's disappearing form.

The old house keeper stood smiling, unaware of what that day marked.

(9 years later........) (2015)

Walking along the dirt road, blue umbrella in hand, tiny raindrops collided on the umbrella's old material and exploded into pearl like afterthought of the young man under the black and greyish hue of the dimming afternoon.

The man dressed in a full black and white suit covered by a grey over coat winced and groaned at the unrelenting weather hovering above him.

He, after just passing the licensure exam for his degree in human psychology was invited to join one of the popular psychiatric hospitals in the country. Popular by means of their recovery rate, but nothing always bathes in sunshine and rainbows.

The hospital, despite its popularity, housed less patients compared to others lesser to its prestige.

He used to wonder why, but now, as he ascends the final mountain which will lead him to this hospital, he pondered if the location contributed in its low patient rate.

The hospital is situated on top of a mountain, miles away from any form of civilization. Remembering the hurdle that he overcame earlier, Dr. Zackary Salvador tsked and replayed the entire journey leading to where he's at.

After riding the train, he met with his guide, ridden a car, and was dropped in front of an odd looking carriage.

After that, he and the chaperone sent by the hospital, mounted the cart. After passing a full town, they were once again dropped off in front of an old rest house. Then his guide, after picking up their luggage, revealed that they have to reach the hospital by foot from there on, leaving Zackary dumbfounded.

After his musing, Dr. Zackary let out a desperate sigh. Well, who would

want all that trouble, when they can shove their crazies in a nearby hospital, he thought to himself.

Still on the trail, he shrugged his body in hopes to reduce the pooling rivulets of raindrops that attached itself on his coat, luckily, he wore one that's waterproof, for god knows the amount of anger he would feel had he not, and the rain destroyed the only presentable suit he owns.

Mr. Salvador? The question sounded like it came from a tiny and innocent mouth, but he knows better.

The man that picked him up from the train station a few hours back, is a

mountain, towering over 6'7 in height, his body muscular and firm, the hands that now carry his suitcases are big and rough. With his judging eyes he sees unimaginable threat from this intimidating giant, a full contrast to his voice, which sounded innocent and angelic. If anyone had seen him during his descent from the train and was presented with this man, one would find horror in his face and tremor on his body.

But, the reluctance he showed while handing his belongings hours back to this man, might be uncalled for.

He is a Psychologist now, a licensed one at that. He should know better. He should have assessed the man with more scrutiny before jumping into conclusions. Note to self he thought, before sending the giant beside him a quick glance.

"Uhmm, Mr. Salvador, if you want, my aunt's house is a few meters ahead. We can take a short break and have some hot beverage before we proceed to the hospital." The man asked nervously.

Zackary hummed, and then gave him a warm smile, "I would love that," he replied. The giant gave him a wide smile, teeth and all. "Please lead the way," the doctor added. The man walked ahead of him, skipping with glee.

After a few minutes of walking, they came upon a Nippa hut house sandwiched between two Molave trees, its front lawn blanketed with well-trimmed grass and wild flowers.

"Well here we are," the giant in front of him exclaimed. "It's not much but it's well kept," he added while throwing a smile at him. Zackary smiled back while taking long strides towards the house. The rain has not let up, and all he wants now is to rest his aching legs and get out of his wet coat. The umbrella did not give him justice from the downpour.

The giant gave the hut's door a light knock, shocking Zackary in the process. Those large hands he thought, can't possibly give such soft and light vigor, but it did.

The door slowly opened and out came an old lady. She smiled, Damien, she murmured, in a soft old grandma tune while giving the giant a quick hug.

"Aunt, may we take shelter here for a while, it has been raining and I'm supposed to deliver this, Mr. Doctor here to the hospital, but I think he's tired." The last sentence, barely a whisper, did not escape Zachary's ear.

He squinted his eyes but gave a hearty smile to the old woman who was still standing behind the half opened door. It took a while before she fully opened the wooden barricade and gestured for the two of them to come in.

Zackary, sighing with relief, stepped inside without hesitation.

The young doctor, now sitting on a wooden chair in front of a fireplace with a cup of steaming hot chcco on hand, gazed with serious scrutiny at the two souls sitting adjacent from him. As a Doctor, he is familiar with the human genetics and can clearly see the huge resemblance between the old woman and the humongous man.

The man said the old lady is his aunt, but Zackary feels the similarities in their features are too prominent, one would merit them to be mother and son, though having a relative that looks like you is quite common, he still felt like the two are not what they claim to be. His train of thoughts was disrupted when Damien suddenly stood from his chair and beckoned for him to leave before night falls.

Zackary stood up and walked towards the two, carefully placed his cup on the table and gave the old woman a warm smile. "The choco tasted great madam," he said, before giving the old lady a quick bow. The old woman with her wrinkled face looked up at him and gave a nod.

After a brief exchange of words between the old woman and her niece, Damien started to pick up the suitcases which he carefully pilled before the front door when they came inside, while Zackary too, began to collect his coat and doctor's bag. Damien opened the door and stepped outside. "The rain has lit up," he exclaimed with glee while looking back at Zackary.

Zackary smiled and began to take a step towards the half opened door, but a few footfalls before reaching it, the old woman who was trailing behind him tugged at his arm.

He looked back, and gave her a questioning look.

"He is a good man, just a bit behind." She said to him. It took a while for Zackary to understand that she was talking about his giant companion, and when he did, he smiled and gave the old woman's hand a pat before taking back his arm. "I can tell" he answered, using the sweetest tone he could muster.

"He will be up there with the most of you, so do keep a good watch on him will ya?" the old woman added.

There is uneasiness in her eyes and voice, and Zackary couldn't help but wonder why? It seems the giant is accustomed to the place and would not have been tasked to guide him, if he was inadequate, or if there was not enough respect or trust given to him by those in charge of the hospital.

He kept that thought to himself though, and gave the woman a reassuring smile while nodding.

They continued their journey, walking through fallen branches and thick vegetation. The fauna that thrived on their path gave the doctor a sense of relief despite his aching foot. He is, after all, a nature lover.

But despite that, the journey towards the famed hospital had proven to be more of a challenge than he first imagined, making him second guess wether accepting the job was a good idea.

Keeping his head down, carefully picking which place to land his foot, he barely heard the small voice that said "we are almost there." He looked up, and finally, he saw it, the roof of a building.

Judging from the view, he can tell it won't be long before they reach the actual building itself, and for the first time in the hours that passed, the young doctor felt his heart, race with excitement.

After several huge trees and endless greenery, they arrived into a clearing.

The freshly mowed lawn presenting itself before him, gave a serene feeling.

They continued on, and not long after, he found himself standing in front of a white building. There is nothing special about its exterior construction, except for the huge letterings, just above the seemingly metal made door that says, El corazon esta en la razon