Tik-Tik Above the Banana Trees

My lola used to warn me never to walk home alone after midnight. She said the Aswang

only hunts when the streets are quiet. One night, I ignored her.

As I walked past the banana trees, I heard footsteps behind me. Slow.

Careful. Matching mine. I turned around. No one was there. Then I heard it…

A soft “tik… tik… tik” above my head. Lola said if the sound is quiet, the Aswang is far.

But if it’s loud… It’s already close. The sound suddenly stopped. My shadow moved

before I did. It stretched longer. Thinner. Wrong. I felt a breath

against my neck and a whisper in my ear: “Umuwi ka na.” (Go home)