They settled the animals in temporary pens near the old poultry shed. The goat explored every corner, nibbling on a stray rope. The ducks waddled straight to the small pond near the mango grove, quacking in approval. The rescued hen sat quietly, watching Bianca as if waiting for instructions.
Lara helped for a while before retreating to the shade with a glass of calamansi juice, declaring that she'd "supervised enough manual labor for one day."
---
As the afternoon wore on, Bianca moved among the animals, checking their water and feed. She wasn't consciously trying to use her strange ability, but the land responded anyway.
The grass in the goat's pen grew greener, sprouting tender shoots the goat eagerly munched on. The ducks' pond seemed clearer, the water sparkling in the sunlight. The chickens clucked contentedly, pecking at the ground where plump worms now wriggled to the surface.
Kaloy appeared on the fence post, watching. "They know you're their keeper," he said.
Bianca glanced at him. "Is it really me? Or is it this place?"
"It's both," Kaloy replied. "The land has power, but it listens only to the right voice."
---
Toward sunset, Lara wandered back outside, camera in hand. She caught a picture of Bianca standing between the goat pen and the pond, the fading light turning her hair to gold. "You look like you belong here," Lara said.
Bianca smiled faintly. "I think I do."
From the orchard's edge, the mysterious man stood in shadow, arms crossed. He had followed them to the market, unseen. He had watched Bianca's touch bring life to the sick hen, watched the subtle shift in the animals as they settled into her care.
The signs were growing stronger. Others would notice soon.
And when they did, he would have to be ready.
---
That night, Bianca sat on the veranda with a notebook, jotting down ideas for proper shelters and a feeding schedule. Lara had gone inside, still sorting through her photos.
Kaloy appeared on the railing again, his tail flicking. "The boundary was tested today," he said.
Bianca looked up. "What do you mean?"
"Something followed you to the market. It didn't cross the line… but it will try again."
Bianca's grip on her pen tightened. "Why? What do they want?"
Kaloy's eyes glinted in the moonlight. "The same thing everyone wants, once they know it exists. Power."
A chill ran through her despite the warm night air. She glanced toward the orchard, where the shadows seemed deeper than before.
The animals were quiet in their pens. The land was still. But somewhere beyond the bamboo forest, something—or someone—was waiting.
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End of Chapter 10