by Rona Go
"Reckless!" Lucas squawked angrily.
When the two vehicles were almost bumper-to-bumper close, Xavier noted that the black car was very familiar. He had seen Rebecca Blood being driven by it. Although, the car was slightly tinted, an outline of a woman who was exactly the form of Jonah's mother with her long black hair materialized from the backseat of the car, as if by queer coincidence.
But it can't be…she's dead! But if she was what they say she was…then, anything was possible. Xavier told himself quietly. He was feeling unnerved by the whole thing.
As Xavier tried to take a closer look at the other car, it sped off and left them far behind.
"Isn't that Jonah's mom's car?" Xavier asked.
"Who, Sir Xavier?" Lucas asked.
"It's Rebecca Blood's car! Can you see who's driving it?" Xavier asked.
"I know the Blood driver, Damian. Met the fellow once or twice. But I don't think it's him, Sir Xavier. Although, I can't be so sure—" Lucas declared.
"Never mind, Lucas!" Xavier said. "Can you see Jonah's car?"
"I'm sorry, we've lost them, Sir Xavier!" Lucas said.
"Let's go home!" Xavier said. Disappointed, he put on his disposable facemask as the older man was veering the car back to the Lively's mansion.
"It's happening. Now, that they've seen me going after her, they'd do anything to take her away from me," Xavier said more to himself than to Lucas who was listening to him intently. "It's all my fault anyway!"
They were almost nearing the mansion when Xavier got out his phone and dialed Hugh's number. If he did see the ghost of Rebecca Blood, it was possible there was some kind of a connection to the new greatest healer— who could be Jonah. And Xavier was planning to tell Hugh about what just transpired.
Just as the phone rang, Xavier changed his mind about telling Hugh and hanged up. He felt nobody must know about Jonah and what just happened between the two of them. He may be imagining things and Jonah may be put in danger because his mind was too creative.
No, you don't want Hugh anywhere near her…Xavier heard his own voice telling him off. Admit it, you like it that you know something about her which Hugh may never find out. It makes you feel better. It's enough! They've been sharing a lot together without you lately. This is your turn.
"Stop!" Xavier called out."Stop the car, Lucas!"
"Are you okay, Sir Xavier?" Lucas asked curiously, peering through the rearview mirror, slowly gliding the car to a stop.
"Yes, Lucas, thank you for asking. I am fine," Xavier answered. "I think I want to walk the rest of the way home. Get some fresh air."
Lucas looked at him hesitantly. Then, his eyes darted towards the road ahead. Although, they were within the family’s homestead, there was still quite a mile stretched away before they reached it. The driver looked back at Xavier and said, "I don’t think that’s a good idea, Sir Xavier!"
Xavier avoided the man’s eyes in the mirror and obstinately kept his chin up, "I need it," he said. "The walk. The air. The space."
Of course, he knew he won’t be able to reach the house in one piece. And Lucas will likely be reprimanded for allowing him to do it. Xavier realized.
He stepped out of the car and took off his mask. He took in a lungful of air. But instead of feeling alright, he was feeling nauseous. His chest tightened. And all he wanted to do was cry. But he just couldn’t.
The sick and his jealous heart…he thought to himself pitifully. He didn't have the right anymore.
"You left her, remember?" Xavier mumbled. "Now, she's got Hugh!"
Lucas got out of the car as well and went to stand next to Xavier. The old man pounded softly on Xavier's back, his face registering worry.
"Sir Xavier! We need to take you home, now!" Lucas said urgently.
"No, I will be fine!" Xavier said. He bent over and stretched out his hands to his knees which relaxed him a bit. Then, he pulled himself up to his full height and took in another long breath. "I am fine, now!" Looking at the driver cautiously, he added, "I hope my mother wouldn’t have to know about any of this and the trip to the Church earlier, the chase, Jonah. Anyway, I just—"
"As long as you are feeling fine, sir—then, there’s no need to say anything to the Madam," Lucas responded slightly tipping his hat.
"I am fine," Xavier stressed out again as he got back in the car. Aside from the reality that he was terribly sick and death could only be looming in the horizon, his heart was quickly dying. "I am just fine." In his thoughts, Xavier decided he needed to get back with Jonah to make his statement real.
I will die in her arms even if everybody won’t allow it… Even if she, herself won’t hear of it… Xavier thought and filled his lungs with air before he put the mask on. A lone heartbeat seemed to jump right out of his chest. For a moment, he felt good again. It almost felt like Jonah was touching him all over again.
She is my cure. Xavier thought. And I'll do anything to get her back…
It occurred to Xavier no matter how it hurt him to think about Hugh's connection with Jonah, he didn't have a choice. Hugh was the closest thing he has of getting closer to Jonah once again. He knew that Hugh communicated with her.
And the habak… it was the perfect excuse to go after Jonah.
Xavier dialed Hugh's phone again.
"Hello!" Xavier heard Hugh's voice on the other end of the line. He sounded worried. "X, talk to me. Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing's wrong! I am here. Where are you? We need to talk," Xavier answered.
Chapter 12
The Hunters
Xavier was still in the foyer and the menthol scent he learned to loath so much had drifted through his nostrils and his surroundings. His heartbeats skipped a bit, feeling nervous all of a sudden. Instead of pulling off his mask when he was at home, he kept it in place for his own sake while he was around Gilda.
Although, Xavier would rather want a detour towards the safety of his room, he took hurried steps towards the room where the scent was leading him. He stopped just right outside the door of the den which was slightly ajar, took in a deep breath and listened to the voices coming from the inside of the room.
"Rebecca Blood is dead," a man's voice said. Xavier has heard the voice before but he couldn't quite remember where. "The Andalusian Hunters are now thirsty for the next one, Gilda. We must do something before they get to the new one."
"I am working on it, Father," Gilda said. "It is only a matter of time before I find the new one."
"Good. Good. Good. Oh, I am afraid that there will be a massacre to get to the new one. And if we don't find the new one before they do, we will have to suffer for their crimes again," The voice said. "I don't want it to happen in my diocese."
"It will not, I promise you, Father—" Gilda said.
"Send a word to me as soon as you heard something from the new one," the male voice said.
"I will, Fr. Ulysses," Gilda answered.
Fr. Ulysses? Xavier had just seen the priest awhile ago at the Church. What's in it for him with the healers?
Xavier heard scraping of chairs from the inside of the room indicating that the people inside were in the move. So, he tiptoed away from the den. As he rounded a corner to another room, he heard the man's voice again, saying, "I will be in touch, Gilda!" And footsteps leading outside echoed through, until they slowly faded down.
It was the first time to dawn on Xavier that the healer stuff was a serious business after all. Everybody seemed to be trying to find the new greatest healer. And if it turned out to be Jonah, Xavier was unsure anymore what they would do to her if they found her. Gilda had once mentioned that healers think differently, that they can kill for the power bestowed upon the new one.
Even Aunt Gilda can do something drastic… Xavier realized. Jonah is in danger…
"Xavier, dear boy! Is that you?" Xavier heard Gilda’s voice calling out from the half-open door of the den.
Xavier was shocked that Gilda knew he was around. He cleared his throat and noisi
ly came out of the room he was hiding.
"Yes, it's me, Aunt Gilda!" Xavier answered.
"There you are!" Gilda said, peering with one eye from the door frame of the den. "What are you standing there for? Come quickly and let me take a look at you."
Xavier entered the room cautiously following Gilda and closed the door softly. Gilda sat on her high chair. Xavier glanced momentarily at his mother who sat opposite the older woman. He stopped right in front of Gilda and got down on his knees.
"My," Gilda uttered. "I have only seen you a moment ago and you seem to have grown another inch."
"You have already blessed me earlier, Aunt Gilda!" Xavier reminded her.
"It doesn't mean that you are healed then the healing must stop. On the contrary, it must continue even more. You need blessings every waking moment you have. Healing is eternal, my dear boy Xavier. It does not cease as long as I breathe life. Otherwise, it will be to your own detriment." Gilda said.
Gilda inhaled deeply. She closed her eyes, placing both her hands a few inches away from his face, both her thumbs pointing directly towards the bridge on his nose where his eyebrows almost met.
Xavier felt like he had his hair back and was standing on its ends and his eyes were burning hot. Deep within him, he was feeling feverish. He looked down and saw his fuzzy reflection through the shiny surface of the tiled floor and everything looked normal to him.
Gilda had never failed to scare him even as a little boy. It wasn’t just the way she looked with her pure white hair, her light bluish-grey eyes and the web of wrinkles that seemed to jump right out of her skin. It was her very presence…her healing touch… that made him fearful. There was something in Gilda’s character that made him feel uncomfortable. Only two other people can make him feel that way…and they were gossiped to be sorceress—Jonah’s mom and aunt.
"Xavier, dear boy— you have got to keep what’s inside of this alive, lest you will be weaker by the minute. The heart is your source," Gilda started slowly, lowering her hands a few inches away from his chest. She opened her eyes, looking perplexed. She placed her hands once again, a few inches away from his chest. Then, she pressed gently right on his chest."What is wrong, my dear boy, Xavier? Something is different."
Helen stood up and went to stand behind Xavier. "Gilda, what do you see?" she asked reaching out for her son’s hand.
"The poison in his blood is stuck in his heart," Gilda blurted out insistently. "But you have been touched by a healer, my dear boy, Xavier!"
Helen gasped loudly, squeezing Xavier’s hand. "The new one?"
"Maybe," Gilda said. "Why don't you tell us, my dear boy, Xavier."
"It's Hugh! He was fooling around earlier wanting me to see. He said something about making me feel better," Xavier quickly explained, keeping his fingers crossed and hoping nobody could see through him and what really occurred.
Xavier stood up avoiding the stares he was getting from the two women. He wasn't about to tell them about his encounter with Jonah earlier. After overhearing the conversation in the den, Xavier didn't know whom to trust anymore.
"So Hugh has decided to learn it," Gilda said, impressed. "How did you feel?"
Xavier hesitated for a moment thinking Gilda may find a way to determine if it was indeed Hugh he was talking about or Jonah. So, Xavier simply said, "Fine! I felt better afterwards."
"Really?" Gilda said gaily. "But still you must find the new healer. Rebecca's curse is very powerful. And the new one is the only one who can heal you properly," she added.
Just then, Dr. Christopher Lively entered the room and took his seat opposite the two women. Xavier walked to where his father was seated silently.
Dr. Christopher Lively cupped his son’s face lovingly with both hands and motioned for Xavier to take the seat next to him.
"Find the new healer? Xavier? Please, Gilda," Dr Lively said. "Let us stop this! The boy is responding to his treatment well." His weary face of sixty years attempted to lighten up with a smile.
"That’s because Rebecca is dead!" Gilda interjected. "But we cannot be complacent, Christopher! Xavier is not totally healed."
"I totally agree with Gilda!" Helen said moving towards Xavier and sat at the arm of his chair. "I need to really be assured that Rebecca’s curse has been lifted out of X’s body—completely."
"X wasn't cursed!" Dr. Lively said.
"He is!" Helen and Gilda both said.
Dr. Lively had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at both women. He smiled at Xavier instead and gave him a playful wink.
"We need to find the next healer in line," Gilda said. "The healer is our cure. Whoever she is."
"She?" Helen asked curiously. She lowered her voice and added, "Rumor has it that her seven children killed Rebecca."
"I believe one of them did…yes! And whoever that is…is the new healer. Xavier, dear boy, where is Hugh?" Gilda said. She directed her attention towards Xavier, staring at him meaningfully."I think it is imperative that we discover the truth— the cure."
Xavier squirmed in his seat and tried to take his mask off. His mother reached out to stop him from removing it. Speaking through the material, he said, "Hugh had the habak fixed, Aunt Gilda!"
"What habak, Gilda?" Helen asked.
"It is for the new healer, Helen," Gilda answered. "I have asked the boys to give it to one of Rebecca's daughters. I believe, our dear boy, Xavier, is close to her."
"That girl Jonah!" Helen exclaimed. Her eyes grew large with alarm. "You can't mean she's the one!"
"We are not talking to each other anymore, Aunt Gilda." Xavier said.
"Gilda, X does not have to deal with the Blood family," Helen said.
"He does if you want him totally healed. By the way, you tell Hugh to see me immediately," Gilda said, her eyes looked like they had turned sparkling white all of a sudden.
"He told me he had to finish a few stuff for his summer program. But he said he'll be back as soon as possible. He never said anything about fixing a habak," Helen said.
"Xavier, dear boy—you need to get close to that Blood girl again for your sake. Or let Hugh do it. Know who the healer is."
"I heard about the Andalusian Hunters earlier, Aunt Gilda. Who are they?" Xavier asked. Gilda, Helen and Dr. Lively were exchanging each other skeptical looks. "Are they looking for the new healer as well?"
"I don't think you should concern yourself with them, X!" Dr. Lively said.
"No, Christopher!" Helen declared. "I think it is alright for X to know about them."
"They are very dangerous people," Dr. Lively insisted.
"But they don't concern X at all," Helen said. "Why bother keep it from him?"
"Anyway," Gilda butted in. "You heard right, my dear boy, Xavier. The Andalusian Hunters are also looking for the new greatest healer after Rebecca Blood. But they are out to get her at all cost. They thirst for the healer's blood. They are going in for the kill. According to oral tradition, in the beginning, the Andalusian Hunters received the mission from the Blessed Virgin Mary to hunt down Muslims in any way they can. They were given the authority to kill them if needed. And it seemed they saw the need all throughout these years. Later on, they extended their hunt to healers, witches and non-Christian believers. During the Inquisition, it was said that the Catholic Church, which they vehemently deny up to this day, supported this secret society to hunt down witches. These people are brutal. They feed healers to—not just one, but many wild beasts…hyenas—tearing their bodies apart and dissolving their powers to these lower forms of creatures. And making it hard to transfer the healer's gift to another person."
There was anger on Gilda's face which she couldn't mask and a faraway look in her eyes as if she was seeing something sinister from the past.
"What is it Gilda?" Helen asked. As if contaminated by a virus, the tale had also greatly terrified Helen.
"It's just that I had witnessed one of their hunts. I was but a young girl. It was my biological mother in that particular lif
etime. People were already gossiping about us being witches. But of course, it was only me in that family with the gift. But my mother sacrificed herself instead. She had offered herself to the hyenas. And I saw—never even thought it was possible for someone to have such loving eyes despite a torn limb—but it was the way she looked at me even at her fatal death," Gilda recounted. "The myth about the hyenas is true. They've always been associated with witchcraft and their body parts are often used as ingredients to alternative medicine. These are the healers' blood the beasts carry within them, whose power had been wasted because of some apparition which could have never took place in the first place."
Everyone jumped in surprise as the door burst open and came in Hugh, who was looking amusedly at all of them.
"What did I miss?" Hugh blurted out.
Chapter 13
The Witch Hunt
It had been long since the Blood family became complete, gathering together in their study the way the siblings came together that day. Jonah noted.
If mother hadn’t died, we wouldn’t have been together again…there was indeed something better that came out of her death. Jonah mused. She was lying on propped-up throw pillows with her legs dangling on the arm of the antique divan rattan sofa.
"Let us wait for Bricius. There’s no changing him—he is late as usual," Jane said. She took the tall seat where Rebecca usually sat even when their father was still alive.
"So, can you still feel her in that chair?" Jervais remarked her blue eyes twinkling with amusement. Her long, blond bangs which almost covered her face unsuccessfully hid a naughty smirk. She shivered dramatically before joining Jonah in the divan. She cleared all the throw pillows before lifting Jonah’s head into her lap. At twenty-two, Jervais was the close buddy Jonah ever had. Aside from Jane, Jonah had always liked Jervais among her other siblings.
"You are talking about your mother, Jervais!" Jane chided.
"And your mother, too!" Jerone interrupted, her pale blue eyes momentarily leaving the daily. She awkwardly tucked her newly-dyed ginger hair behind her ears before she proceeded reading the paper.
