3:34pm

Esther asked the guard to open the gates for Mr. and Mrs. Calderon

4:00pm

The madam asked where her kids are and Esther explained that Almira and Marco are both in the library upstairs. The madam did not seem to care because the look in her eyes, to which Esther has grown accustomed of, wanted nothing more but to see her most beloved child, Gen.

Esther knowing all too well the implication of not answering immediately, explained that Gen is inside her room.

The child has always been a loner but recently she has gotten some friends at school and thus kept her on the phone day and night.

7:00 pm

Dinner was served. Everyone is present in the dining table except for one.

The madam threw a glance in Esther's direction, and that look made her scram towards the dining room door, past the great hall, up the winding staircase and in front of Gen's door. "The child does this all the time" Esther murmured. "Gen open up, your mom wants you downstairs" she called out, but there was no answer.

"Gen its dinner time" she repeated, but there was silence still. Finally, Esther gave up and pushed the door open. "Empty" the room is empty.

12:00 am

A mind blowing scream echoed at the back of the Calderon mansion. Esther who was a light sleeper stumbled out of her bed, it took a few turns before she reached the back door leading to the garden, and as she proceeded to open the closed door, it sprang open revealing Arthur covered in blood, his face is ashen, his eyes dead. Cradled on his arms is his wife Althea with blood dripping from her stomach from a gaping wound.

12:10 AM

Esther stood frozen as Arthur walked past her. Tears streaming down his shock filled face.

The Housekeeper stood motionless, waiting for his command, but none came. Arthur went past her, as if the man didn't see her at all. It was when she heard a tiny voice coming from the garden that Esther managed to move her seemingly frozen feet. She slowly crossed the small garden gate, and there, on a branch of a maple tree, sat a fear stricken Gen. Her small hands wrapped around a white linen.

It was by accident that Esther's eyes lingered below the tree, her heart raced like crazy, blood drained from her face when her eyes befall on
one of the white wooden fence which surrounded the garden. The fence is covered with a red liquid.

Slowly, Esther approached it, a long strand of intestine and a pool of blood greeted her, and it was then that she truly felt the impact of what happened.

12:23 AM
The sound of a deafening gunshot echoed throughout the Calderón mansion.

********************

Esther

Esther

The voice felt so close. "Esther, wake the hell up, your burning my bacon" Gen yelled teasingly, knowing all too well how jittery the old woman becomes when she hears loud noises.

Esther opened her eyes. Gen is standing beside her. "Esther you're getting old. If you want, you can leave and go to a retirement home. I will pay for it" Gen said with a grin.

Esther loosened the spatula on her hand and laid it flat on the tiled counter. "No use for the past, better leave it buried" she murmured, putting an end to her reminiscing.

"What, do you agree?" Gen asked

Esther gave the girl a pat on the head. "You can get rid of me once you turn eighteen" she answered sweetly before nudging her head towards the table and commanded the young girl to start eating. Esther watched in awe as she dug into a pile of bacon and eggs." My, you're hungry" she exclaimed in bewilderment. Gen only smiled between bites, and once she was done, she got up and ran towards the back door.

"You and Mike stay safe now" Esther yelled behind the girl's disappearing form.

The old house keeper stood smiling, unaware of what that day marked.

(9 years later) (2015)

Walking along the dirt road, blue umbrella in hand, tiny raindrops collided on the umbrella's old material and exploded into pearl like afterthought of the young man under the black and greyish hue of the dimming afternoon.

The man dressed in a full black and white suit covered by a grey over coat winced and groaned at the unrelenting weather hovering above him.

He, after just passing the licensure exam for his degree in human psychology was invited to join one of the popular psychiatric hospitals in the country. Popular by means of their recovery rate, but nothing always bathes in sunshine and rainbows.

The hospital, despite its popularity, housed less patients compared to others lesser to its prestige.

He used to wonder why, but now, as he ascends the final mountain which will lead him to this hospital, he pondered if the location contributed in its low patient rate.

The hospital is situated on top of a mountain, miles away from any form of civilization. Remembering the hurdle that he overcame earlier, Dr. Zackary Salvador tsked and replayed the entire journey leading to where he's at.

After riding the train, he met with his guide, ridden a car, and was dropped in front of an odd looking carriage.

After that, he and the chaperone sent by the hospital, mounted the cart. After passing a full town, they were once again dropped off in front of an old rest house. Then his guide, after picking up their luggage, revealed that they have to reach the hospital by foot from there on, leaving Zackary dumbfounded.

After his musing, Dr. Zackary let out a desperate sigh. Well, who would
want all that trouble, when they can shove their crazies in a nearby hospital, he thought to himself.
Still on the trail, he shrugged his body in hopes to reduce the pooling rivulets of raindrops that attached itself on his coat, luckily, he wore one that's waterproof, for god knows the amount of anger he would feel had he not, and the rain destroyed the only presentable suit he owns.