“It’s true that Sigbins are pestering this area. However, we should not eliminate the idea that we are dealing with two separate entities.”

“Wha… What do you mean, Mang Eddy?” Melchor asked.

“Sigbins are responsible for the animal killings. But I believe another entity is responsible for the incidents in the forest.”

The citizens gasped out of surprise.

“It makes sense since Sigbins aren’t capable of doing those things that happened in the forest,” Jess murmured.

“Wh - What could it be?” an old man asked with a jittering jaw.

“Unfortunately, I still can’t give you an exact answer,” Eddy replied.

Cassie quickly opened her notebooks and began skimming through her notes.

“There are myths about certain entities that thrive in rural forests. These entities prank their victims by misleading them and causing them to lose their way in the forest. There have been accounts of victims wandering in circles while someone or something laughs at them,” Cassie read.

Jess added, “There are different versions of these entities in every region, but what’s native in this region is the Tambaloslos*.”

“I see, you’ve done your assignments,” Eddy commended his apprentices.

Open mouths, widened eyes, and shocked faces filled the room after the citizens heard the statements.

“Sigbins and Tambaloslos? Jusko! What’s happening in our barangay!?” a lady said while doing the sign of a cross.

Commotion and panic began again. Even Geraldine was frightened and started whining with the other people.

As the room was engulfed with loud mumblings of the citizens, Cassie had to move closer to ask Eddy about something.

“So, what do you think, Mang Eddy? Is it really Tambaloslos?”

With eyes staring at the ground, Eddy answered, “We still don’t have enough evidence to confirm it yet.” Then he lifted his face and stared at Michael suspiciously.

Noticing the stare, Michael looked away and blended himself into the crowd.

Eddy suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. Cigarette smoke blew through his ear.

“Mang Eddy, what are your plans for this?” Mario asked. “Surely you have some crazy rituals to deal with this.”

Eddy nodded his head.

After that, Mario faced the crowd, and with his husky voice, he announced, “HEEEEEEY - EY!! The old man’s going to say something.”

And like a while ago, the citizens went silent and gave their full attention to Mario and Eddy.

After clearing his throat, Eddy started giving his statements.

“My apprentices will teach you something. It’s a simple barrier that will fend off the Sigbins. As for the forest incidents……” Eddy looked at the Barangay Captain, “You might need to issue an ordinance, prohibiting citizens from entering the forest while we’re still conducting our investigation.”

After taking a long puff from his cigarette, Mario faced his constituents and announced, “You heard him! Starting tonight, no one can go to the woods without my permission. I’ll post the official announcement tomorrow.”

With the silence that loomed in the air, it seemed like everyone agreed to their captain.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Alright!” Mario glanced at Eddy and nodded.

Eddy began talking to the crowd again, “I need each member for each family. We left some of our equipment in Lorna’s Shack, follow us there so we can teach you the ritual for the barrier.”

Eddy instructed Jess and Cassie, “Please lead them there.”

“Sure, Mang Eddy,” Cassie replied.

With the apprentices leading the way, the citizens started moving.

As people started leaving one by one, Eddy held his head low, as if he was still in a deep thought. But when Michael walked past Him, his eyes followed the anxious young man.

The volunteers followed Jess and Cassie to Lorna’s house, while the rest went straight to their homes. Triggs’ Team, Eddy, Mario, and a few Barangay Officials remained in the Barangay Hall.

Finishing a cigarette stick, Mario let out a deep sigh. “When are you planning to finish this, Mang Eddy? I expected you could solve these problems within a day.”

“Sorry, but we can’t rush paranormal investigations,” Eddy replied. “As a seasoned veteran in this field, I have always approached every occurrence with the utmost dedication, like unraveling the mysteries of a true crime scene.”

“Whatever. Just hurry the hell up. I can’t afford another sleepless night because of this,” Mario said as he prepared to depart the Hall.

Before leaving he asked Triggs’ team, “How about you? What are you kids planning to do after this?”

Lae answered, “Honestly, we still haven’t thought about it, Sir.”

“I don’t know where you live, but it’s dangerous to travel now. Spend the rest of the night here,” Mario insisted. “You can use the correctional room. It was originally built to detain troublemakers, but till now, it remains unused. You can stay there for now.”

Triggs and Lae stared at each other, with eyes asking if they should accept the offer.

Triggs just nodded and answered Mario, “I guess we can do that, Sir.”

“Good,” Mario replied. Then, he ordered his 2 constituents, both tough-looking middle-aged men, “Randy, Chris, spend the night in this Hall. Look after these kids. Make sure they won’t do something stupid again.”

“Yes po, Kapitan!” the tough-looking man with a full-sleeve tattoo responded.

“Thanks for the accommodation, Sir,” Lae said.

Without saying another word, Mario left the Barangay Hall The other officials, except Randy and Chris, followed the Barangay Captain.

“Well, did you get the information you needed?” Eddy asked the team.

“Uhm… We think so?...” Triggs answered reluctantly.

“As I said, these investigations shouldn’t be rushed. Don’t worry, tomorrow is another day.”

“You’ve already done enough for us today, Mang Eddy. Thanks for your help,” Lae said to end the conversation.

"I’ll head to Lorna’s now. I need to ensure that Jess and Cassie are teaching the right procedures.”

“Okay, Mang Eddy. See you.”

“See you,” Eddy said as he left the Hall.

One of the tough-looking men groaned, “Uhhhh… Do we really need to babysit these folks? They seem perfectly capable of looking after themselves.”

The man with a full-sleeve tattoo replied, “It’s Kapitan’s orders, Chris. It’s just one night, and it’s not like you have someone who waits for you at home. You only have your dogs.”

“Harsh!” Chris responded. “Anyway……” He pulled out a set of keys from one of the desk drawers. Then he led the way to the correctional room. “Come this way.”

The team followed Chris.

After walking a few minutes through a dark hallway, they reached a door with signage that said ‘correctional’.

Looking through the transparent glass pane on the door, the team could see what was beneath - a room with nothing but a double-deck bed inside.

After finding the appropriate key, Chris opened the door and turned on the lights of the room.

Triggs, Lae, Zaine, and Monty entered the room and placed their things on the bed.

“Randy and I will be in the lobby if you need anything,” Chris said as he prepared to leave the team in the room.

“Sure. Thanks,” Triggs replied.

After making sure that Chris had walked away, Lae immediately closed the door and began scolding Zaine like a strict teacher.

“Zaine!? What were you thinking?”

“Oh, here we go…” Monty murmured while walking to a corner.

“Don’t ever do something reckless like that again, Zaine. Look what happened, our actions felt restricted because the people were starting to suspect us now. How can we go on with our plan?”

Aware that she was losing her cool, Lae had to breathe deeply to clear off her anger and stay composed.

“Just please be careful with your decisions next time. Always consider the consequences of your actions,” she said in a much calmer way.

However, Zaine seemed unaccepting. He was just silently sitting on the bed, eyebrows slightly frowned.

An awkward silence filled the room after that.

Triggs, who was always uncomfortable with this situation, tried to break the silence by bringing up another topic.

“Guys… What do you think about Mang Eddy? He seems legit to me. Hehe…”

However, no one was responding, so Triggs had to say something again.

“I really think he knows his stuff. What can you say, guys? Is he genuine? Or should we be worried about him?”

Monty replied. “Yeah, he seems fine. What I’m worried about is his body. He looks like he’s one cough away from dying.”

Without choice, and being the only one who replied to him, Triggs had to go along with what Monty said. He just let out a forced chuckle while scratching his head.

Finally, Lae decided to engage in the conversation. “Yes. I believe Mang Eddy’s team are legit Paranormal Investigators. They were mostly right with their analysis, especially about the Sigbins.”

“How about the incidents in the forest? Do you agree that it was the work of Tambaloslos?”

“Like Mang Eddy, I’m also not sure. But I agree that it was not the Sigbins,” Lae answered. “I don’t know, I believe Zaine can answer that; he’s the one who experienced it. But good luck making him talk,” she said with irk.

Another short silence filled the air.

“So, what’s the plan now?” Triggs asked.

“Well, if Mang Eddy really is knowledgeable about this kind of practice - I’m talking about paranormal activities and esoteric stuff - it will not take too long before he finds out who we really are,”

“Makes sense,” Triggs uttered as he nodded his head.

“I think we already got enough information to continue the investigation on our own,” Lae stated. “Starting tomorrow, we’ll move in incognito again, like we always do.”

“I understand,” Triggs replied.

Lae suddenly bowed her head as she thought of something, “But I can't come up with another excuse. We can’t just suddenly disappear. It will raise more suspicion.”

Triggs also joined in the brainstorming by bowing his head. After a while,

“I have an idea…”