Nights Unlike Before

Maribel's POV

Dear Diary,

Juliana is a smart girl. I know that she has noticed the changes in me, but she still kept quiet out of respect. She doesn't want to offend. My sister is the kindest girl I know, so I won't let her ex-boyfriend and slutty, disingenuous friend's betrayal slide.

I'll avenge my sister. She deserves justice for being hurt.

I haven't been by her side for so long. This is the least I can do for her.

I hid my diary and the pen under the pillow, smiling to myself. I knew Juliana wouldn't be happy with my plan, but she didn't need to know anyway.

The first day she came home, she already told me why she was on vacation. She told me about her editor and the traitors. Luckily, I saw a picture of the traitors when she showed me her phone. It was enough for me to remember their faces. Also, Juliana happened to bring one of the guy's handkerchiefs with her. It accidentally got mixed with her laundry when she was packing. His scent was still on it... enough for me to track him down.

                                                                                         * 

I waited until Juliana and Nana fell asleep before sneaking out in the full moon-lit night. They didn't know it, but the time I was abducted, something had changed in me. And yes, Juliana was right. A manananggal abducted me. The truth was, it was my aunt-- my mother's biological sister. Since the day I was accepted by Juliana's mother, Aunt Rina had been watching me, wanting to know if my father's family would treat me well. She even said that if Juliana's mom hadn't been loving and kind to me, she might've preyed on her while she was pregnant. Fortunately, Mama Ching had been the gentlest soul.

That night was a nightmare... I wished I could forget. 

After my abduction, my aunt introduced me to my kind-- what kind of aswang we were. Manananggal. That was what she said. We belong to the clan whose upper torso can detach from the lower. That was at least the ability of my mother. However, some of our relatives had interbred with other types, like those who can shift into animals.

 Shook as I was, I had no other choice but to accept my fate. They even threatened to harm Juliana and Nana if I didn't obey them.

The dogs' howl in the neighborhood was my signal. I ran to the cluster of trees a few meters away from our backyard and hid there. I climbed the mango tree where I built a tree house in case I needed a place to rest or be on the lookout. I could see our house from here, so whenever any trouble would arise, I could easily go home.

Filling my lungs with the icy air, I undressed, removing my blouse first, then my long skirt and my underwear. When I was already free from pieces that covered my body, I took the tiny bottle I always carried with me. A strong, pungent smell spread in the air when I opened its lid. The first time I did this, I threw up, but the longer I indulged in this ritual, the more I got used to it.

The warmth of the sticky oil penetrated my every pore, sending sensations of ticklish pain that crawled throughout my body. Once my body completely absorbed the oil, my transformation began.

I winced in agony when two scapulas slowly crackled and protruded, tearing my back as two large bat wings grew. I moaned in pain when another tearing of flesh and skin took place. My upper torso gradually separated from my hips down as I flapped my wings.

After my final transformation, I sniffed the air for threats. I furrowed my brows when a familiar scent filled my nostrils. 

Juliana followed me! I need to make a diversion!

I didn't want her to see me in this form.

                                                                                          **

Juliana's POV

Dear Diary,

Tonight, I snuck up on Ate Maribel. I pretended to sleep when she checked on me, but the moment I heard the back door shut, I jumped out of bed, wearing my socks. I couldn't even wear my slippers, as they might get me caught.

When I saw Ate entering the forest, I had a second thought. I was really doubtful, knowing the trees might be hiding some nocturnal predators. But I was more curious as to why she would be out prowling and running towards the trees. She was pretty fast, to be honest; it was like her feet were never even touching the ground.

I stumbled several times and tried to stop letting out a cry of pain every time I stepped on fallen twigs and the thorns of the many Mimosa pudica on the grass. 

I stopped and hid behind a huge mango tree when she stopped, which made my jaw drop. She climbed the tree with ease and swift movements like a monkey.

How did she even do that?

I  walked closer to the tree that she climbed when low growls and the scuffling of approaching danger permeated the air. I froze. Beads of cold sweat trailed down my cheeks. The atmosphere became warm and threatening, making my heart race with my breathing. 

Not far from me, I saw two red glowing eyes appear from the bushes; I couldn't see what animal it was, though. Its body was hiding behind the thick vines and bushes of wild plants.

I was torn between calling Ate Maribel for help or shouting to warn her. But in the end, the thought of not getting caught by her prevailed, so I carefully and slowly took steps backwards.

When I reached the open area, I ran back to our house and locked all the entrances, totally forgetting that my sister was still outside.

                                                                                   *

The next morning, I woke up with knocks on the door.

"Juliana."  Ate Maribel's voice came from outside the house. "Open the door."

I opened my eyes. It was still dark outside, though the roosters were already crowing. I grabbed my phone to check the time. It was only five in the morning.

"Who locked the door?" she asked.

I was speechless for some time. "I did. I didn't know you were outside."

"I went out last night to these." She raised a basket woven from buri. It was filled with mushrooms. My favorite mushrooms!

"Where did you get them?" I asked, completely forgetting what had happened the night before.

"I went out last night to check if my friend has them. I couldn't go in the morning because she works in town. Her family has been cultivating these fungi. I even brought some spawn so that we can grow some, too."

Teary-eyed, I hugged her tightly. I felt guilty for not trusting her. "You don't need to trouble yourself just to make me happy."

"That's how much I love you. I will do anything to make you and Nana happy. I won't let anyone hurt either of you."

She told me to go back to sleep as she prepared the mushrooms for breakfast.

I hugged her once more and went into my room. Just as I was about to slam my body back to bed, a notification popped up on my phone's screen. It was my editor.

'Any updates on what you're going to write? I have some news that might spark your idea.'