We take a cab to this place called Makati City. It's the most urban place here; tall buildings scattered all over. We rent three hotel rooms at a hotel called "Pleasants".

All of us were too tired to go out and buy food so we just ordered pizza.

We spent the rest of the night lounging in front of the TV. I didn't understand much but it seems like tomorrow is going to be a fair day; not too hot, not too cold.

After dinner, I was the first one to go to bed. I was sharing a room with the girls. Adam, Sam, and Malcolm are in the other and John, Eight, and Nine are in the last one.

Nine.

I still feel weird about the hug. I think I comforted him a little bit but I just feel so weird. I don't know what I'm feeling. I don't know how to deal with the things I'm feeling. Is it awkwardness? I can't say for sure.

…

Today is my 16th birthday and also Sondra's 1st death anniversary. A lot of people don't celebrate their loved ones' deaths but I'm the type of person that thinks when people die, they always leave some sort of legacy one way or another and that we should at least think about them in some way. Sondra definitely left her legacy and I refuse to drift apart from her just because she's passed on.

I'm the first one awake out of all of the girls.

I check the other rooms. All of them are still asleep.

I eat breakfast quickly and decide to take a little morning stroll.

I also decide not to tell anyone about the two events happening today. To be nice, I left a little note on the door saying I'm just going out for a walk.

It was still early, not too early that you can't see the sun, but early enough for you to feel safe. Not that I think murderers are around. And even if they are, I'll be able to handle them.

I pass by students on their way to school, people on their way to work, men who have passed out from last night, buildings, bakeries, etc. My looks don't quite fit in here in the Philippines since I have blonde hair and green eyes but the people here in Makati are too busy to notice, which is good.

I decide to stop at a nifty bookstore called National Bookstore. It opens early in the morning and closes late at night which makes it the most convenient store around here, I think.

I browse the fiction section, recognizing a couple of names like John Green, David Levithan, J.K. Rowling, etc. Sondra always told me to read books because she said they would develop my communication skills.

After browsing, I sit on a nearby bench in between two big planters. I sigh deeply. I'm supposed to be happy right now. I'm supposed to be celebrating. Another year has passed and I'm still alive! That's something to be proud of, right?

And yet I don't feel proud at all.

I wish Sondra was here with me. She'd help me hone my Legacies even more; to tell me about the gems and stones inside my Chest, to tell me about Lorien.

But she's not.

The Mogadorians have killed her. And I will never, ever forgive them for that.

The familiar anger bubbles up inside me again and it was harder for me to keep it down this time but I manage to do so.

Someone sits down next to me and I realize it's Nine. Oh great.

"Hey." he says lamely.

"Hey." I reply

"What're you doing here?" he asks.

I shrug. No way am I going to tell him it's my birthday. I just don't want them to make such a big fuss over it, that's all.

"C'mon…tell me." He says, nudging me on the shoulder.

"It's nothing. Why are you here?" I ask, trying to keep my cool down even though I'm very annoyed. Not necessarily at him. Just annoyed. At everything.

"For my morning jog. And you know I won't stop bugging you until you tell me." He says with a wicked smile. He thinks I'm playing around. He doesn't think this is serious.

"Why? Why do you care?" I ask, somewhat angry now.

He doesn't stop.

"Because I do care about you, you know. And plus, you'll be no good in battle if you're all depressed and stuff." I frown at the last part. Wait, what?! Am I having feelings for Nine? Of all people? No, this can't be good.

I take a huge breath. There's no point in hiding it now.

"It's my birthday today." I huff out.

"Really? Oh, I mean, Happy Birthday!" he exclaims trying to make me laugh or even smile. I don't though.

"Why are you so down then?" he asks.

Here it comes.

"Because it's also Sondra's death anniversary."

"Your Cêpan?"

I nod, tears forming in my eyes. I don't want to cry. I can't cry. I won't cry.

And yet I still do.

"Geez, Five. I'm sorry." He says, sincerity evident in his voice.

I nod and turn away. Tears were streaming down my cheeks now and I was quietly whimpering.

I wipe them away and turn back to him. "Just don't tell the others, okay? I don't want them to make such a big fuss over it."

"Okay."

We just sit there for a while until a taho vendor crosses by. Taho is basically tofu (sometimes soybeans) mixed with caramelized brown sugar syrup and little pearls resembling tapioca. I get up and buy one. The man doesn't understand English so I had to use the little Filipino I'd learned when I first came here.

I returned to the little bench and silently ate.

While eating, I didn't realize that I was also crying. I didn't want to look weak in front of a member of the Garde. But he wanted to know, and now he knew.

I finished eating and threw the cup in one of the nearby trash bins.

"I was like you when Sandor died, too." He said.

"Really? I don't think I can imagine you ever being depressed." I say.

He chuckles. "Beneath my passion for killing Mogs, I'm pretty much an emotional train wreck. Sometimes, I don't even know how to feel things anymore."

Once again, I didn't know what to say so I just nod.

"Thank you," I muttered.

"No problem. Thanks too. Also, we should probably get back now. The others might be worried.

He starts to get up but I pull on his arm. "Can you stay? Please? Only for a little while?" I beg. He nods, smiles at me, then sits back down.