Tomorrow marks the start of Ericka's semestral break—the perfect time for her to uncover the truth behind her friend's silence.
She hadn't told her parents what she was truly planning. Instead, she said she would visit her grandmother in a distant province, knowing full well they wouldn't allow her to go if they knew the real reason.
Lying felt wrong. She was aware she might get caught. But before that happened, she needed answers—about everything, including the truth behind Fuego's life.
Her departure was set for tomorrow. No more delays. She sighed as she lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her mind had been preoccupied for days with everything she planned to do.
This is also for your peace, Jasmin. I won't let you become a lost soul, Ericka thought to herself.
Soon after, she drifted to sleep, needing the rest before her early departure.
She had an acquaintance near the area where they had camped for three days—an experience that had quickly turned into a terrifying roller coaster of events.
While she napped, a vision came to her, transporting her to another place. These episodes happened occasionally; she had learned to stay calm and let the vision show what it needed to.
In it, she saw a woman in a jacket digging frantically. The woman carried a shovel in one hand and a knife in the other. Her movements were rushed and desperate, as if she were fleeing something.
Another woman stood nearby, watching silently. The way they dug and moved showed urgency, like time was running out.
Suddenly, the vision shifted. Ericka found herself inside a large mansion, watching a woman run and hide behind thick walls while a man waved a gun, chasing her.
Then, the scene changed again—this time, to the past. Ericka found herself in front of Thalia's house. Two people came out, whom she assumed were Thalia's parents. A little girl followed them, worry written on her face. They all got into a car.
Before she knew it, Ericka was sitting inside the car with them. Though she couldn't hear their voices, she sensed they were having a serious conversation.
She looked down and saw a brown envelope in her hand. She didn't know what was inside it, but she had a strong feeling it held crucial information connected to what was happening now.
Suddenly, the car jerked to a stop. The couple got out—but before Ericka could follow, armed men surrounded them and began shooting.
The couple quickly returned to the car, and just moments later, a blinding light filled the scene. A ten-wheeler truck crashed into the vehicle.
The collision was brutal, sending the car flying and spinning violently.
Ericka was now standing in the middle of the road, surrounded by a gathering crowd.
She looked over at the wreckage and covered her mouth in shock. The accident had been horrific—the victims' faces were nearly unrecognizable.
She realized the crash hadn't been an accident. It had been planned.
She watched as a police officer stealthily removed a brown envelope from the wrecked vehicle. Intrigued, she followed him to see where he would take it.
The envelope ended up in the hands of a woman in her mid-thirties—someone Ericka instantly recognized: Ellese, Fuego's second wife and Thalia's stepmother at the time.
Then the vision returned to the dense forest. She saw Ellese again, frantically digging with her bloodied hands, desperate to bury something.
Eventually, she pulled out the brown envelope, now inside a plastic wrapper sealed in multiple layers. She buried it deep and then disappeared.
Ericka was stunned as the dream changed once more. Now she saw a man in a black jacket digging. His arm had a bullet wound, and his hands were covered in blood.
She watched as he opened a small box, placed a flash drive inside, sealed it in thick plastic, and buried it in the ground.
Afterward, he abandoned the tools beneath a large tree and walked away.
Suddenly, a loud gunshot echoed, jolting Ericka awake.
She clutched her forehead and shook her head, disturbed by what she had seen.
Could Thalia's parents have been involved in something sinister?
Does Thalia even know about this? she wondered.
Sitting up in bed, her mind raced through the possibilities. She was overwhelmed by the questions clawing at her.
Evidence.
Yes—those things she saw could be evidence. And if they were, they might change everything.
Who were the women digging in the forest?
Her eyes widened with realization.
Could one of them be me?
Or… Thalia? she whispered aloud.
She had a gut feeling their paths were going to cross again. Something unexpected was bound to happen.
With a sigh, she lay back down and glanced at her alarm clock. She needed more sleep.
Thankfully, her ability didn't bother her again. When the alarm rang, she woke up.
It was time to prepare.
Her parents hesitated, as if unsure whether to let her go.
"Call me when you get there," her mother reminded her.
"Your grandparents don't know how to use gadgets—make sure to give them a call, anak," her father added.
Ericka only nodded.
Her parents escorted her to the bus station. Once they were gone, she quickly boarded a different bus that would take her to her true destination.
She messaged an old classmate from her elementary school days in that province. The girl was now her trusted contact—someone who might just help her uncover the truth.