The Terror of the Thalon Part 1
It was sunset along the mountainside and the trail was getting darker and darker. Carlo and Che were headed back to their resort after a day’s journey being one with nature. It was the third time in as many days that they decided to explore the nearby mountain and the local guides were more than accommodating.
Carlos thought this was nice. It had been more than a month since they decided to get back together and things were looking up. He had somehow managed to atone for the mistakes that he had made, or maybe she just decided to forgive him, but now this was like the old times. When they could laugh and walk and he could hold her hand. He wished that this could go on forever.
The trail was getting hard to see now, and the couple was glad they remembered to bring flashlights and headlamps. They were used to going outdoors and they had even met in their school’s mountaineering club. To them it always paid to be prepared.
“Do you feel that?” Che asked.
“Don’t worry about it, the temperature drops really fast in this area.” Carlos replied. “We should be near the resort now anyway, give or take 15 minutes.”
“We’re more than 30 minutes away, I recognize this tree from the trek going up.” Che smiled, she always liked to remind Carlos who had more experience on the trail.
KAO-KAO
KAO-KAO
KAO-KAO
“What was that?!” Che spun her flashlight around trying to illuminate the trees.
“It’s probably one of the wild birds. Don’t worry, there’s nothing here that can hurt us.” Carlos calmly stated. “Che? What’s wrong?”
Che dropped her flashlight and started running towards the opposite direction from Carlos. He didn’t know what was happening and he turned around to see what Che ran away from.
KAO-KAO
KAO-KAO
KAO-KAO
The only thing Che heard was the sound of Carlos’ scream as she ran down the trail. She hoped that he would be faster than whatever that thing was but she knew that was wishful thinking.
KAO-KAO
KAO-KAO
KAO-KAO
She could already feel it behind her.
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Story inspired by The Myths of the Philippines: The Terror of the Thalon. Gaverza. 2014.
Mhenamad Thalon Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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