Capitulo I

"Directo...cuanto....otorgar....a nosotros....pron pers..," chanted by the men in red robes as they circled around on a little baby.

"Holy crap!" Jazer said when he woke up from his night terror. His sweat and tears are slowly dripping on his blanket. He's panting heavily. after composing himself, he then moves out from his bed and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. He walked back to his bed, lay down and stared blankly at the ceiling. Suddenly, his phone vibrated. He received a message from Mari, one of his college friends.

"From: Mari

3:30 AM

Good morning, J. Just want to remind you that we have a meet up with you know who. 8:30 AM at Alson's. Don't be late!! See yah."

All his worries fade away. A smile curved in his lips.

"To: Mari

Okay. See you. Good morning too, and by the way please get some sleep it's only 3:30 in the morning." Jazer immediately falls asleep after he has hit the send button.

The prism of the light from the sun strikes Jazer's eyes. He started to cover his eyes with his hand then pulled the blanket to hide himself away. His phone. Lazily he reached out for it then anawered,

"Hello?" he said.

"8:30 at Alson's. Don't be late. Bye," it was Mari.

Straight away he woke up and check the time in his phone, "Oh shoot! 7:30. I got an hour. Argh!" Jazer uttered.

He was able to finish preparing in just 20 minutes. Fortunately, there's no traffic so he was able to reach Alson's just in time.

Alson's is a very intriguing bistro that is mainly made from woods and was decorated with wooden sculpture. It is located at the heart of West Trima, the place where Jazer lives.

Jazer entered the bistro and forthwith found his friends at the left corner side of Alson's.

"Hey guys," he called out.

His friends looked at his direction and wave at him. They signalled him to come to their table.

"Good morning, J! How are you doing?" Drew inquired.

"Well, I think... there is something... I don't... know... wrong with me," Jazer bluntly replied as he took a seat next to Drew.

"Is it something serious? Are you pregnant?" Reanne joked. Jazer's friend laughed, but he remained serious.

"Lately... I am having these weird dreams... recurring night terrors," Jazer declared.

"What kind?" Mari asked as her laugh ceased away sounding concern.

"In my sleep, I can see men... about 9, 10 or 12 of them. They are chanting some sort of incantation," he narrated.

"Are they familiar to you? The men?" Luwis questioned joining in the discussion.

"No. I haven't seen them. The men are wearing red robes and I can't barely see their faces cause they are covered with hoddies. Then there's this baby... inside the circle formed by these men. That baby... I don't know... he seemed familiar to me," Jazer replied. He looked at his friends and they fell silent with concern in their eyes. "I am sorry... I should have not brought up the topic. It's something that I should have kept to myself," he added.

"Well, maybe you're just tired or maybe you have been reading too many weird books so even your dreams turned weird. J, don't overthink... it's just a dream." Drew said.

Jazer laughed, "Yeah yeah, I guessed so."

"Over your weird dreams... what's more pressing is your 19th birthday!," Luwis butted in. "I think that is a bigger thing that we should be worried, right?" Luwis added.

"That's true. So what's the plan Jazer?" Mari asked.

"Maybe, I will.. uhm ... I don't know yet," he replied as he scratched his head feeling shy.

"Well, that's fine. We are here to help you," Reanne said. "We will make sure that your birthday will be fabulous and unforgetable!" she added.

"Affirmatively." Luwis seconded.

The day went fast. They were able to go to differently places such at the town's garden, and WT Mall. At eight in the evening they were in the plaza when they decided that they need to start bidding good bye to each other.

"Mari, can I take you home?" Jazer shyly asked Mari. She gave him a 'what do you mean' look. Jazer immediately put his defenses up.

"I mean... no, it's not like what you think. What I want to tell you is that if you just want to have a ride with me. I'll bring you to your house since your house is on the same way as mine," Jazer explained giving emphasis to the last sentence that he said.

Mari laughed, "I am not saying anything though, so no need to get defensive."

"Hey, J! Got to go," Drew interrupted.

"Bye, guys! I also need to go" Luwis said. Raenne smacked him in the head. "Forgetting someone?"

"I mean we, we need to go," Luwis said pointing at the two of them.

"Okay, take care. Safely drive!" Jazer said with a smile on his face. "Yes, please take care everybody." Mari added.

The three went off leaving Mari and Jazer alone. Awkward air started to blow through the starry night. They fell into silence for a while until Jazer broke it,

"Shall...shall we go now?"

Mari smiled, "Yes, sure."

The trip was long but it wasn't awkward like what happened in the park. They talked to each other about random things. Jazer secretly hope that the night will not end. However, after an almost hour of driving he saw Mari's house in the distance. In a few minutes, they finally reached the house. Mari went out of the car and bid thank you and good night to Jazer.

Then not long enough, he reached his own house. The house was quiet and dark. He opened the door then straightway he head towards his room. After taking a warm shower he decided to sleep.

"Jazer, my son..," the woman repeatedly uttered as it motion for him to come near her. He was astound by the big mansion at back of woman who was calling him.

Suddenly, everything became dark. They were inside a room where candles were the only source of light. "Jazer!!! No!! No!!! Jazer..," the woman on his dream screamed. He saw again the weird men chanting, "Directo...cuanto....otorgar....a nosotros....pron pers..,"

He jerked up and wake. After relaxing himself, he get out of bed and move towards his drawer. He was searching for something, "Come on! Where are you?" Jazer said as he continuously searched.

He moved to his cabinet and opened each box that he saw. As he was digging up files, a photo album fell on his feet. He picked it and he starts scanning it. He stopped turning pages when he saw the picture of him and his father. His eyes were transfixed on the photo,

"At last, I found you!" Jazer exclaimed.