Professor Kim Cruz had made a terrible mistake.
She'd added Glad to a group chat.
Supernatural Studies Department (5 members)
Prof. Kim: Everyone, I'd like you to meet my new research subject. Please be respectful.
Dr. Reyes: New subject? What kind?
Prof. Kim: The kind we've been studying for decades but never thought we'd actually meet.
Dr. Reyes: ...Kim, what did you find?
Prof. Kim: A living Manananggal.
Dr. Reyes: left the chat
Prof. Emilia: joined the chat
Prof. Emilia: Dr. Reyes said you found a what now?
Prof. Kim: A real Manananggal. Her name is Gladys. She lives in Dumaguete and orders blood from Shopee.
Prof. Emilia: left the chat
Dr. Santos: joined the chat
Dr. Santos: Why did everyone leave? And why is my phone suddenly hot?
Prof. Kim: I found a real supernatural creature and everyone's being dramatic.
Dr. Santos: KIM. THAT'S NOT DRAMATIC. THAT'S LIFE-CHANGING.
Prof. Kim: I know! That's why I'm telling you!
Dr. Santos: Where is she? Can I meet her? Does she have powers? Can she turn me into a creature? I've always wanted to be a creature.
Prof. Kim: ...You're taking this surprisingly well.
Dr. Santos: I teach folklore, Kim. I've been waiting for this my entire career. Also my marriage is falling apart and becoming a supernatural creature seems like a good escape plan.
Prof. Kim: I'll... ask her.
Dr. Santos: Please. Also does she need a roommate? I cook.
Meanwhile, in a separate chat, a more dangerous conversation was happening.
Dumaguete Supernatural Watch (Private Group) - 8 members
Mang Berting: I found her. The Manananggal. She lives in an apartment near the boulevard.
Tita Hanya: I KNEW IT. I KNEW IT. Yung pusa niya sumakay sa drone!
Mang Berting: We need to investigate. Properly. With evidence.
Member 4: What kind of evidence?
Mang Berting: We need to catch her separating. At night. When she flies.
Tita Hanya: Eh paano kung totoo? Kainin tayo nun!
Mang Berting: That's why we need preparation. Garlic. Holy water. Aspin.
Member 4: Aspin? Asong Pinoy?
Mang Berting: Yes. Aswangs are afraid of dogs. Everyone knows that.
Tita Hanya: Saan tayo kukuha ng aso?
Mang Berting: My neighbor has three. Very fierce. One time they barked at a delivery rider for five minutes.
Member 4: That does sound fierce.
Mang Berting: We strike on the next full moon. Three nights from now.
Tita Hanya: I'll bring my ring light. For documentation.
Mang Berting: Hanya, this isn't for social media.
Tita Hanya: Everything is for social media, Berting. 2024 na.
In her apartment, Glad sneezed suddenly.
"Alexa, is someone talking about me?"
"Multiple sources indicate yes. Your name has been mentioned 47 times on Facebook in the past hour. Would you like me to block them?"
"No, I'd like you to stop monitoring my name."
"I cannot. It's in my programming to protect you."
"From WHAT?"
"From yourself, mostly. You're very bad at this."
Glad threw a pillow at the speaker.
It missed, obviously.
Anino watched from the windowsill, tail twitching.
Three nights until full moon.
Three nights until everything changed.
He wondered if Glad was ready.
He wondered if any of them were.