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Every step I take around the island feels heavy. I felt like I shouldn't be moving at all, but my feet somehow kept going. One...one was just killed, and then another, just executed.
I somehow found myself being wary of the ground, trying to not get my cold feet pricked by any sharp objects hidden in darkness—even though I was wearing my trusty shoes from Europe. It was...not like me.
At some point, I stumbled upon her cottage.
Apparently, someone new will be taking that room soon—but I swear, she was still there. They can't just replace someone who's still alive! I saw her, on her desk fighting for her life! Her chest was still rising and falling, against the prickly ones lodged into her soft skin. Her once shining eyes and dress were now horribly decorated in pink. Her mouth was agape, like the door that stood before her. But hear this, and you'll see that she still lives: Although the handkerchief muffled her cries, I heard her. She was calling my own name. And after that she screamed of skies, for me and the skies to hear her. If she was referring to that maiden she told me about, or the Heavens themselves, I don't know. But it doesn't matter!
I answered her cries by calling her name back. I rushed towards her, but the moment I tried to touch her, she disappeared. Only I was in that room.
...
Silence once again filled the space as I walked away. I found myself in the library. Someone was there, reading books. I squinted my eyes, and it was the face of Isagani—who helped set the trial in a...lawful and orderly manner—seeing that he is the Ultimate Lawyer, after all.
Now, I would join him and read books, and perhaps thank him for his help—but I didn't want to disturb him with my...grievances. I took an oath that I would come back to the library, and walked away. Walking and walking, I never noticed that I was now outside, being able to see the stars. My vision still sees darkness—somewhat, looking for a star no longer there.
I went into a cycle of repeating that gruesome scene, and trying to at least pause it. I tried to pause it so, by listening to my footsteps, which gradually got shorter and shorter.
Until finally, I was tired.
I stood for a moment, and then sighed. I sat on the ground, once again, quite unbecoming for a man like me—but it seems like I did not care at all.
I looked at the midnight skies.
No longer will I look at the stars in awe.
They don't shine brightly like they used to.