They were neighbors and as far as Jamie could remember, he and Tonton were friends ever since they started walking. His house was just next to Tonton"s and both their mothers were also friends way back high school. They were not really the best of friends but they belonged to the same squad. When they got married, they coincidentally became neighbors. Jamie"s family moved in first. When their daughter turned four, the new neighbor came in. They had no children as they were starting yet. A year later, both mothers gave birth to baby boys.James Michael de Jesus, or Jamie as fondly called by everyone, may be considered lucky as he was greatly provided and spoiled by his parents. Growing up was fun and easy for Jamie. All that he needed were easily within reach - food, clothes, toys, health cares, and all that a child needs and asks for. No wonder, he grew up to be a handsome boy. He was tall for most boys of his age. He had fair yet smooth skin. His eyes always widened in excitement. These were mostly genetics but his lifestyle was a big influence in his proper grooming. In school, he also performed well.
Despite everything, Jamie was a humble and kind child. In fact, he was soft-hearted and caring. He could not bear when some other kids were being bullied or hurt. His best friend Tonton, or Mark Anthony Tagalogon, was not so much different. Maybe because they had been playmates since toddlers that they had also developed the same att.i.tudes and interests. Like Jamie, Tonton was also a good-looking boy, though his gla.s.ses made him look more serious and brainy than his friend.
Their mothers were pleased that their boys struck a strong friendship, more so that they had been good influences to each other. So when one boy asked for a sleepover from the other, the mothers did not make a fuss about it. They simply felt secure with their kids.
Still, the boys can be naughty sometimes and they were just forgiving about it. They knew that they were the ones who wrecked the rose garden and not the dogs. They knew that sometimes, when they were too eager to ran out and play, they carelessly rocked the clothesline and dropped the newly-washed clothes. They knew that they had been into fights with other boys. They believed that these things were typical to children of their age. For as long as they were responsible for their actions, the two mothers would always trust them.
Jamie was reliving several memories when he suddenly heard movements and m.u.f.fled voices. Slowly, he rose and examined his surroundings. He forced himself to recollect the moment and soon realized that a powerful light impacted Subangdaku.
He squinted his eyes and saw two shadows closing in on him. They were Bogart"s and Kiko"s. They were also moving slowly, as if feeling unsteady from what had happened.
"Where"s Tonton?" he asked himself. "Why don"t I see him?"
"Jamie!" Bogart shouted his name while waving his chubby arms.
"Hey, guys!" Jamie called back. Gently, he propped his hands on his knees and stood up. He was shaking.
"Can you believe what just happened?" Bogart was all energy again. "It is nothing I have read in the books."
"We must be dead if it had been a meteor," Kiko finally spoke up.
"Did you guys see Tonton?" Jamie asked.
The two shook their heads. There were only three bicycles nearby and so Tonton must have been thrown far.
"We must find him," Jamie said calmly.
The stars seemed less brighter than before and so the surrounding seemed less illuminated. Jamie felt uneasy but he did not let it show. He could not let his friends see him tense or worried, but in his heart, he was terribly anxious.
They were six years old when Jamie and Tonton experienced something unforgettable in the old haunted house. It was twilight and along with other boys, they played in the gra.s.ses near the feared structure. They were in the middle of their hide-and-seek game when the pair ventured into the old house. They had been warned never to get inside it as its rickety floor and post might easily give in.
Once inside, the boys instantly got crept out by the shadows casted by the setting sun on the gaps of the walls. They tiptoed their way into the middle of the house when a black object suddenly jumped from out of nowhere. They screamed, and panicky, they ran their separate paths. Tonton ran upstairs while Jamie found the door out of the house. He was about to go outside when a loud cry reverberated from the upper floor. It was so loud that the other boys in the gra.s.ses heard the scream. They all rushed inside and tagged along Jamie when they ran upstairs. Tonton was screaming like he was in so much terror.
When Jamie opened the room at one end of the second storey, they saw Tonton hanging on the floorboard. The floor had collapsed and several planks had gone down. Tonton"s right hand was tightly clutching a board while the other was reaching out to them. Immediately, they dashed towards him and successfully pulled him up.
Tonton continued crying while his whole body quivered. He claimed that an unknown force dragged him into the room and into the floor. It was only after a while that Tonton stopped his whimpering and relaxed. Since that day, Jamie vowed never to return into the house. He felt that if something worse had happened to his best friend, he could never forgive himself.
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The fear that Jamie felt that day was the same way he was feeling now. He could not let his friend get into an accident again. The mere thought terrified him. They called out his name but no answer came.
They walked and from a distance, they saw a bicycle resting atop a large bush. It was upside down, one of its wheel was spinning. Just a feet or two from the bike was an arm sticking out from the bushes. It was not moving.