2022-08-11 16:55:24All the lights inside the house were turned off and only the television turned on served as light in the living room where the friends were present.
The rustling sound of junk food bags and crisp chewing of chips is what brings relief to the quiet night. They were both focused on the television that was showing only beautiful sights.
"I'm losing interest in road trips, you know? We can't find any good places anymore," Zaliyah sneered as she sat on the couch and leaned on her boyfriend Nivo's chest. He also looked down at her face and stared at her chewing mouth. He didn't speak and just grabbed the chips she was holding and then threw a piece into his mouth.
"Yeah," agreed Yvaine who didn't feel like peeling a piece of ring chips into small portions before eating them. "We have almost been to all the beautiful places in the country. Even all the historic mountains or volcanoes in the Philippines, are not new to me," she said in a low tone and flicked the plastic of the chips.
"Then let's go back to Mt. Cristobal. Why not, right?" Bax said mischievously and leaned against the back of the couch as if he was about to lie down and snuggle up behind Yvaine. Yvaine looked at him with a frown. "On the very day of Friday the thirteenth," he added and looked straight into the woman's eyes. "Then we'll just make horror content." Everyone looked at him.
Nivo and Zaliyah looked at each other for a moment because the day he was referring to was five days from now. And another thing, Mt. Cristobal says is the well-known 'the devil's mountain.' In other words, it is dangerous to visit on Friday the thirteenth.
"The question is..." Colthen interjected and simply pointed at Bax with his index finger even though he was holding a bear. "Are you brave enough?" his doubtful question.
He was just sitting on the opposite couch they were sitting on with only a round table in between and next to Vynx who was quietly flipping through a book even though it was dark. Only a cellphone was used as a flashlight to see its contents.
"Lol," Bax whined and glared at him while throwing the chips that were taken from Yvaine's palm. "I'm not a rat—"
"I mean..." Colthen quickly grabbed the chips with his left arm. "Except for Friday the thirteenth, that day is still holy week," he added and dusted his own sleeve. "They say it's more dangerous."
Yvaine laughed softly and looked at Colthen. "Do you believe that?" she asked raising her eyebrows to him.
The man stared at Yvaine's face for a moment. "N...no—I-I mean..." He shook his head for a moment before continuing. "Yes, by the way. Nah! It's wrong!" He slapped his forehead and he closed his eyes again. "It's not," he answered in confusion, causing some of them to laugh.
"What exactly?" Nivo asked irritatedly and patted the girlfriend's cheek.
Colthen sighed—not knowing how to explain. "It's like this..." he scratched his head trying to think of the words to say. "Because you guys know." He adjusted his seat first and everyone remained waiting. He placed his two elbows on his knees as if ready to tell a story. "Because when we say we believe, then we will be embarrassed," he reasoned and some of them nodded. "But when we say we don't believe and it turns out to be true then we are doomed—"
"The answer should be yes or no, just go with or," Bax laughed and threw the chip he picked up from Yvaine palm into his mouth. Zaliyah giggled while Nivo, who was leaning on her, shook her head laughing.
"But do you believe it?" Yvaine asked again.
"Or," Colthen answered.
"What?" It seems his answer was not clear to Yvaine.
"Bax once said, if I'm not sure if the answer is yes or no, I'll go with or. So my answer is or!" he clarified to Yvaine and drank some wine then stood up. "I'll go to CR," he patted Vynx on the shoulder, who had been lighting the book he was flipping through with his cellphone. When Vynx nodded, Colthen immediately left.
That's why everyone noticed Vynx. Of them all, he is the quietest member of their group—opposite to the behavior of his twin sister Vyze. Apart from the conflict of attitudes, they are also not compatible. They disagree on many things, but when it comes to the road trip, they are still united.
"What are you doing, Dude?" Nivo asked Vynx. It was obvious that he heard something but he didn't look up. "Are you memorizing the historical mountains in the Philippines?" Nivo added and at that moment he looked at his friend.
It seems that it is lost in himself as his companions look at him. So before he spoke, Zaliyah took the lead. "We've all been there, haven't we?"
He folded the book and sighed. "Nope," he answered and then scratched his forehead—a mannerism. "We've only been to major rank mountains. But there are more than three thousand mountains in the Philippines and most of them we haven't been to yet." He was right but Zaliyah was only referring to the famous mountains.
"I know, but I'm not interested in others anymore," she said indifferently. "Look..." she said, shrugging her shoulders. "We tried to visit the others, the ones that are not so popular and look what happened? We were not even satisfied because all the views are almost the same. There are wishing falls, a view deck that you can also see the mountain below, if not mountains, rice paddies, or whatever kind of field," she clarified and took a deep breath. "Guys, we need unique places in our vlog not common. We will have fewer viewers if we don't have explosives," she almost whispered in her last sentence.
Because of what Zaliyah said, everyone become silence. They meditated one by one and Yvaine, who was sitting on near her anus, even sniffed. She felt Nivo squeeze his hand to strengthen his will. She got up and faced him then stared at him to convey her sadness. "We need to find ways," she said.
"Sure." He removed her hair that blocked her face. "Let's go to BDO," he said foolishly and tried to make his reaction look serious. Zaliyah glared at her boyfriend, even though she wanted to laugh.
"That's old joke okay?" she said as she nuzzled him and pinched it on the side. Nivo stuttered but the laughter prevailed.
"What if..." She turned to Yvaine who suddenly spoke. "What are we going to do..." she stared at her for a moment before turning to the others. "At... man-made attractions—"
"No!" Bax quickly reprimanded her and flicked her elbow so that the young woman giggled and moved a little. "Are you crazy? That's why we're so frustrated now because we're not discovering unique places anymore and then we're going to bite those man-made attractions?" Bax annoyed by this and Yvaine even looked at him.
"Required to flick my elbow?" Yvaine interrupted and rubbed her elbow. Bax grinned and held up two fingers.
"I think there is someone," Nivo said because of their silence and they looked at the door at the same time until it opened.
"I'm here!" Vyze spoke loudly as the light turned on. "You don't like the light, do you? Tss!" She blinked for a moment then placed the things next to the door before closing it. She walked towards them with a rampaging steps. Everyone was speechless because of the clothes she was wearing. The shortness of the red shorts and the blouse almost outside the soul. She has a shoulder bag on her left shoulder and a blazer is hanging on her arm. "I have good news guys," she announced artfully and leaned onto the back of the couch behind Zaliyah and Nivo. Her lips almost blooded of lipstick but it fits because of her beautiful and long hair with a little curl. When she turned her gaze to her twins Vynx, they also looked at Vynx to find out his reaction.
"It's burning again," Bax commented simply and then whistled.
"Hello, Brother!" Vyze greeted him teasingly and waved flirtatiously as she rested her elbow on the back of the couch. "My boy version."
"Don't talk to me," Vynx said sternly as if he was just holding back. He looked away and firmly clenched his fist.
"Sure, do I care about you?" Vyze agreed without a trace of fear and even smiled. Vynx didn't speak to help himself calm down. "But I do have good news, don't I?" She blinked after speaking. But Zaliyah's face shows interest in what she said last.
"Wow, good news! What is that?" Suddenly, Colthen appeared from CR. His gaze even wandered all over Vyze. "You're sexy every day, but I think you're overdoing it now?" he commented.
Vyze's eyes rolled at him. "I have a blazer, I just took it off because it was hot!" she reasoned in defense and showed the blazer hanging on her arm.
Zaliyah was so impatient that she couldn't stop her own closeness to Vyze. "Hey! What's the good news?"
"Wait," she said and quickly rummaged through the bag. "I saw it among Grandpa's things while my Mom was fixing it earlier, so I stole it," she said and grinned.
It brought out the old orange book. Her brow furrowed with curiosity and she took the book from Vyze hand. "The history of Mt. Enigma can be read in that book and its total parts can be seen on the map," Vyze explained.
"Mt. Enigma?" Yvaine asked curiously and peeked as he opened the book. Those with them immediately approached him to take a peek except for Vynx who was just watching them but could also see the interest in his reaction.
"Mt. Enigma, the hidden mountain, the secret mountain, the forgotten mountain...I don't know what to call it, all I can say is that it is not in the list of historical mountains in the Philippines," she answered enthusiastically. .
"The cursed mountain, that's the exact words to call," Vynx suddenly said that the said mountain was not new to his ears.
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Mt. Enigma Chapter 2
Vynx just watched his companions staring at the book Zaliyah was holding. It was too old and the paper on each page was too soft. Upon opening it, the map appeared to them. His grandfather had shown him this before, besides that he had also told him about Mt. Enigma.Yvaine quickly took the map. It also immediately unfolded every fold and Bax was currently waiting. "So, this is the map?" Yvaine asked in a whisper and she and Bax looked at each other as it was completely unfolded."What are the important parties there at Mt. Enigma?" Bax asked and pouted at the map. Only moderate silence prevailed when they heard noises outside—the smell of talking. Vyze and Colthen looked there, Nivo and Zaliyah were busy flipping the book and didn't pay attention to the newcomer while Yvaine and Bax were busy tracing the map.They were in that situation when the door opened. It spat out their three other companions; their manager Skyeh whom they call Mamo, Wynce and the beautiful little girl Chaleigh
Mt. Enigma Chapter 3
The clock is ticking, the TV is on, almost inaudible due to the weakness of its volume, the sound of Colthen's fingers knocking on the round table between the couches they are sitting on is the noise that relieves their moment of silence. They were all looking at Vynx and waiting for his speech. He just stared at their manager with an unpredictable reaction on his face.When he noticed that he was not blinking, he was forced to open his mouth. "Because..." He glanced at his companions for a moment. "It's cursed in the end," he answered and his eyes stopped at Nivo who was also staring at him."Why is it cursed?" he asked while leaning on the back of the couch.He hesitated to answer for reasons he knew. He was sure that if he said it, they would just laugh at him. He turned to look at their manager who was also right next to his twin. Mamo eyes widened at him as if ordering him to answer. He took a deep breath before speaking, almost forcing himself. "Because..." He moved his eyes to
Mt. Enigma Chapter 4
"Vyze, are you done there? Hurry up, we're the only ones here," Chaleigh impatiently called her artistic best friend. She was holding the handle of his pink suitcase. The lights in the whole house were already turned off because they were just leaving. All their companions are already downstairs and they are the only ones left. There is nothing new here for his friend and it is no wonder that she is the always last of all of them."Vyze! How long have you been there?" she called and tried to reflect the direction of the door. It's not that dark even though the whole house is sealed. Its windows are only in each room. It also added thick curtains, which killed even more color in the bright morning.She stomped her feet on the floor out of impatience. She snorted even more because she knew that their companions were waiting for them and she was worried that they might be impatient. She thought for a while when her phone suddenly rang. She seemed suddenly lost herself and turned arou
Mt. Enigma Chapter 5
"Traffic is boring, guys!" Zaliyah complained while looking out the glass window of the car. They are currently stopped in the traffic area of Taguig. "We'll be here for a long time, Mamo. Can we just go around, right?" Colthen suggested. "The NAIA expressway is the only traffic we will cross." "What are you going to do there?" Mamo blocked him, which caused Chaleigh to look up at them. "We won't turn around and we won't turn around! We're going to Batangas because we're just going to ship!" He snarled at Colthen and hit him on the head with a fan. "Shall we go across the sea?" Yvaine and Vyze asked at the same time. Mamo looked at the two and they looked at each other. When Chaleigh looked ahead, Mamo turned to them. "Are we rich enough to take a plane? Maybe you'll make money later with your vlog on Mt. Enigma, not even your fare!" He continued and self-indulgent. "How much does it cost to flight, Mamo?" Bax asked from behind and Chaleigh turned around. It was just too diffic
Mt. Enigma Chapter 6
"My twin brother likes you, you just don't notice it, Chaleigh!" She heard what Vyze told her over and over again. It couldn't get it out of her mind even though she pretended she hadn't heard it before. What if it's true? What will she do? This is the question she asked herself.There is nothing wrong if Vynx likes her or even if she likes him too. He's good and almost don't know how to commit a sin. The only problem is that she is afraid; fear of being left behind, fear of being hurt. She once liked a man and she thought that man liked her too. But she was wrong, it turns out it's all prank. She didn't want that thing to happen again.She didn't even have a boyfriend but she has experienced being hurt. Maybe it's better to just ignore whatever Vyze said to her earlier. "Right," she whispered to herself."Yes, Miss! That's right." Her sanity returned to the present when the woman in uniform similar to the seafarers in front of her suddenly spoke. "This is mine," she said as she made
Mt. Enigma Chapter 7
Her knees shaking like a leaf when she saw the tip of the knife sticking out of the wall and it was held by a hand that seemed to belong to a man, wearing black gloves. The dazzling reflection of the sun on its blade even hit her eyes. That caused her to close her eyes as her arms to block her face.Vynx took it one step further. "Don't come closer," he said firmly and took another step back. As she looked at the floor, a pair of shoes also stepped forward towards Vynx. Her fear increased and her throat began to dry. She worried that the man might suddenly rush to hurt Vynx.Vynx took another step back. And as the man in front of him stepped forward. She saw only half of his body. He was wearing black pants, a long-sleeved black shirt but the sleeves were slightly raised that his triangle-shaped tattoo on his arm could be seen, and it looked like there was a rosary around the base of it. The rosary is red, the triangle is green, but it's not a perfect triangle shape. It is slightly
Mt. Enigma Chapter 8
Chaleigh heard the whispers of the passengers inside the ship. Others have not yet recovered from the shock of what happened. By now their group is gathering at their spot. Yvaine was currently rubbing Vyze's shoulder to ease her trauma. She was sitting on the right side and Zaliyah, who sighing, sitting on the left side. Vyze sitting on between them and Mamo sitting across from them. There was only a table in between and Bax sitting next to Mamo on the arm panel of the couch.They just face each other in silence—both thinking. She's standing next to Wynce and Nivo. She even noticed Nivo rubbing his neck as if stressed by what was happening. Colthen also just bent over sitting next to Vynx at the very end of the couch where Mamo was also sitting. Vynx was sitting on the side before Colthen. When she saw Vynx who was quiet and seemed to be thinking, she looked at what she was holding. That is bottled water that Mamo ordered her to bought for Vynx."Why haven't they touched the dea
Mt. Enigma Chapter 9
The man looked at her and saw that she was staring. He simply lowered his arms that were blocking his chest then left. Her suspicion grew stronger that the man who died earlier was an accomplice of that man. She decided to quietly leave Colthen's side and follow him. She walk normal, followed the man. She immediately went out the door and even ran into the girl she met, which is why she suddenly spilled the drink she was holding."Sorry," she said and patted the girl's shoulder but her eyes were on the man walking to the left—toward the stern of the ship. She immediately left in front of the little girl and followed him. They reached the end and there were only a few people there. Most of the ones she notices are lovers. Some are holding hands and others are the man hugging the woman's back—watching the sea water that the ship is passing through.The man turned left, and she followed. When she turned around, there was no one there, but she saw that there was only one more to turn
Latest Chapter
Epilogue
1 YEAR LATER"Oh my god!" A loud scream echoed throughout the living room and when Chaleigh turned around she saw Vyze patting the two kids on either side of her arm as she ran. "Help!"Her brows knit together looking at her as she was currently talking to one of their friends."Why? What's happening to you?" she asked Vyze and briefly glanced at the two men who looked alike on the opposite couch where he was sitting who were both busy playing Mobile games.Vyze arranged to carry two kids but she accidentally dropped one—just slowly—and it was about to run towards Vynx and Vio but Vyze stopped him. "They pooped together!" Vyze yells causing her to let out a bubble of laugh. This is how difficult when you are taking care of twins. When it comes to pooping together you don't know which one of the two to take first."Vynx!" Vyze called. She choose Vynx because only Vynx has the ability to answer."Oh?" replied the twin brother but did not look at her. Still busy playing his phone."He
Chapter 55
Suddenly the strong and cold wind blew even though they were inside a place she hadn't memorized. Maybe they were inside the path she saw earlier.The flames in the torch dancing causing the whole place becomes lighter and soon darker. Vio stopped what he was planning to do to her. He looked around in surprise and they all did the same.She felt Zaliyah moving and Wynce got up just in time and watched as Zaliyah rose up.Her long hair is blown by the wind. She stood up straight and faced Vio."Son..." Did she hear right? Zaliyah, called Vio a son? But Zaliyah went on, "You're not a bad person.""What's happening?" Marietha's footsteps were big approaching to them."Open your eyes, open your heart," Zaliyah continued."Who are you again inciting my son?" Marietha asked Zaliyah sarcastically.Zaliyah faced her and gave her a bad look. By now the strong wind had stopped blowing."My son, not yours, Marietta!" corrected Zaliyah.Marietha's eyes widened. "What the hell are you saying?""Th
Chapter 54
Chaleigh landed in an unfamiliar place. It doesn't seem ordinary. Everything around her smokes and she can't see anything but only that thing."W-Where am I?" she asked in a whisper but her voice echoed.She was not inside the church as she last remembered. She passed out... She ran as fast as she can, remembering the last thing that happened. "Vyze? Bax? Wynce, where are you?"But no one answered. She continued to run as if this place had no boundaries."Vyze!"She didn't stop, she just sped up but the smoke around her didn't seem to change."Wynce! Bax!"The last thing she remembered, Bax caught Vynx's stab that was meant for her. After that she lost consciousness.So what place is she in?"Is anyone here?'Is it still part of Mt. Enigma?"Chaleigh..."She quickly faced behind. Her chest pounded when she saw the woman who always appeared on her.She stepped back says stammering, "W-Who are you?""I said don't let him go." The woman stepped closer causing her to continue back away.
Chapter 53
The woman, looks like a large frame in the twins' house. She is the woman wearing the wedding dress that Vynx introduced to them as their mother.In other words, this girl..."M-Mom?" Is a mother of Vynx and Vyze. She walked straight in front of them and behind her followed about six people with tattoos on each right arm."A-Auntie?" Wynce whispered."You guys are too stubborn and you're still going here. I've sent several threats but you still haven't been brought in! Get them!" she ordered after stopping in front of them."M-Mom what does this mean?" Vyze asked as the two men approached to touch her but Wynce pushed one away."Auntie! What is this?! Why are you doing this?!" Wynce's veins almost popped out of his throat and on his forehead as he asked.The man stood up and Vyze's mother faced Wynce. Her face looks like Vyze's so it's not unlikely that they are mother and daughter, the only thing she doesn't understand is what's going on.Someone held her but Bax took off quickly. "L
Chapter 52
From head to toe, there was no doubt who the person was in front of them now. He was standing and Nivo was on his feet with blood currently gushing from his mouth.They know who he is. From the shoes he wears, his pants and his red jacket..."V-Vynx?" Her lips trembled when she said his name.Right! Vynx! What they saw is Vynx who stabbed Nivo. Vynx is now the man in blood-stained clothes, carrying the stone shaped into a knife standing in front of them. His face had no emotion, just looking at them while they couldn't believe.Wynce with currently parted lips. His eyes widened as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. And also Bax that is no different from Wynce's reaction. Uncle Bilyo is now obviously confused. Vyze with parted lips. Sweat and tears streamed down her face at the same time.While she? She didn't know if Vynx was still in front of her. It seemed like a different person and she couldn't feel the presence of the man she loved.Why is that? Everything in her dream c
Chapter 51
"Nhie! Wake up, Nhie!" Nivo almost climbed the cruz. It wasn't that high that he was still touching Zaliyah's waist. Every word he uttered echoed. Maybe because of the depth of where they are.Viewed from the church steps. The altar can be seen in the center. On the left side you can see various images, on the right side you can see the cross where Zaliyah is and it is slightly behind the altar.There is a large stone that can be compared to a wall but it is not attached for another stone. If Chaleigh wasn't mistaken that way will go inside and she doesn't know what's in there.But she is currently standing next to the cross. Bax and Nivo are working on how to get Zaliyah out of there. Wynce and Uncle Bilyo are also helping and Zaliyah's hands are only tied with rope. It's easy to remove if they are properly positioned."Nhie! Wake up! I'm here, Nhie!" Nivo kept crying and trying to calm himself."W-Who did this to her?" Vyze asked and she heard her swallowing saliva."It looks like t
Chapter 50
"Colthen!" Bax moved quickly and knelt down next to his lifeless friend. His hands trembled as he held it while his knees literally shook with trembling."C-Colthen! W-What happened, w-who did this?!"Wynce's light remained focused on them but his face was glistening with sweat. His lips parted as he watched Bax's crying to his friend's body fall asleep.Nivo's body trembled as he slowly approached Bax."I-Is he dead?" Vyze asked dejectedly and you could also notice the tremor in her voice due to shock and fear.Nivo's hands were shaking when he held Colthen's hand. After a while, he wiped off the sweat that seemed to be depressing."No! Colthen!" There Bax raised his head while crying. He hugged his friend's lifeless body and shouted the words, "Who did this to you?!"Chaleigh looked around while crying. When Bax looked up from where Colthen had come from she looked up too—even those with them. All they see are branches and leaves. It's just above where the moon can be seen.If someo
Chapter 49
"Zaliyah!""Hello!""Zaliyah, Please answer! Where are you?""Nhie! Don't play pranks like this please!""Did I hear right?" Chaleigh asked in whisper to her companions. "Is Zaliyah missing?""Looks like you're not the only one looking for someone. It looks like they've also lost a friend," Uncle Bilyo commented.They just remained standing where they were. They waited for the two men to come and when he got close to them, Wynce deliberately aimed the cellphone flashlight at their faces.They immediately covered their faces with their arms—glaring in the light of Wynce's flashlight."Who's that?" Nivo asked and because of the light they didn't recognize them. When he heard his voice, her entire system tingled."Colthen? Is that you?" Bax asked. He had no idea that they would no longer with his bestfriend. She clenched her fists in anger.Nivo came even closer to see them better. "Take that away!" He demand as he got closer and shook the phone Wynce holding, luckily he didn't drop it.
Chapter 48
The dress of the priest-shaped rock itself is white in color and has a red tie hanging from its neck and falling over the chest down to the belly. There is a cross engraved on the left side of chest and it is tilted as if it is being worshipped.It is not man-made by the book. It was only found by the Filipino ancestors. Only its paint is man-made and it looks like it has been taken care of because if this paint has been around for a long time it is sure to have faded by now.Nivo circled behind it. There is an arch there with a beautiful design. Just like the one at the feet of the priest, there are also flowers surrounding it. Some of them are orchids, queen of the night and other types of flowers that they don't know."Someone is taking care of this place. It's obvious," he said and touched the stone image."I think it's a group," Nivo said."A group but the quiet one now.""Probably, it's Friday the 13th and it's still Holy Week. There's really no one here.""What if there is?" Za
