Chapter 4: The Manananggal’s Menace

Jereco woke the next morning with a groan. His muscles ached from the previous day’s ordeal with the kapre. He wasn’t as young as he used to be, and the rigors of chasing down a supernatural mystery were starting to take their toll.

News of a series of gruesome murders had rocked the city. Each victim had been drained of blood in a horrific ritual. The police were baffled, but Jereco suspected a dark, supernatural force was at work.

A local legend came to mind: the manananggal, a creature that could detach its upper body and fly, seeking out victims to drain of blood. As Jereco delved deeper into the case, he began to see the signs of the manananggal’s presence: strange noises at night, a feeling of being watched, and a pervasive sense of dread.

One night, as Jereco was patrolling the streets, he witnessed a horrifying sight. A shadowy figure, its upper body detached, soared through the night sky. The creature landed on a rooftop, its glowing red eyes fixed on a terrified victim. Jereco knew he had to act fast.

Armed with a wooden stake and a silver crucifix, Jereco, channeling his inner Carl Kolchak, the legendary newsman who wasn’t afraid to tackle the paranormal, confronted the manananggal. The creature hissed and snarled, its sharp claws extended. A fierce battle ensued, with Jereco narrowly dodging the manananggal’s attacks. His aging reflexes, slowed by years of hard living and late-night deadlines, were no match for the creature’s agility. But Jereco, fueled by adrenaline and a touch of desperation, managed to hold his own.

In a desperate move, he hurled the wooden stake at the creature’s heart. The manananggal let out a blood-curdling scream and vanished into the night.

Exhausted but victorious, Jereco returned home. He knew that the battle against the forces of darkness was far from over. The city was still plagued by evil, and he was determined to protect its people.

To Be Continued