Chapter 11- One Percent Possibility

*Adelaide Sheridan*

I was staring at the moving hands of the clock hanging at the white wall of the room while listening to its sound that's breaking the silence.

I spread a sight and saw a dextrose in its holder together with the transparent hose that connects to Crisostomo's right hand. I saw him lying on the bed wearing a hospital gown, and it seemed like he's resting in peace.

Paulit-ulit lang ang ginagawa kong pagtitig sa mga bagay na naririto sa loob ng kwarto. Halos makabisado ko na ata ang kabuuan ng itsura nito.

"Gosh this is tiring." I murmured. I've been here for an hour or two, if Crisostomo didn't get shot we wouldn't be here.

Nakarinig ako ng tatlong katok sa pinto bago ito tuluyang magbukas. It was Troy Conde. He started walking towards the couch where I was sitting.

"So, how's he?" he asked as he sat beside me. I took a deep breath before I expressed my jealousy.

"You see, he's good. He's having the rest he deserves." I answered without taking my eyes from the patient.

"If you badly wanted to take a rest you should take the bullet instead." he smashed me with those words.

If I'm not too tired right now I could have rebated him. I'll just ignore his words and I'm going to do the same with his entire existence.

I started taking off my shoes para itaas ang dalawang paa ko at akapin ito. I leaned my head on my knees as I started yawning. I did it for two reasons, firstly I wanted to take a nap, second I didn't want to see Conde's face and talk to him. He's annoying.

"I'm just kidding Adelaide." I heard him and felt like he's facing me. I didn't mind answering.

"Are you ignoring me?" he asked. Tsk. Mabuti at alam niya hindi ko na kailangan sabihin.

"Look I'm just trying to crack a joke." yeah you've said it a while ago but the thing is it doesn't sound like a joke and also, it's not funny.

"So what are your thoughts about the case?" he asked.

Pwede bang manahimik na lang muna siya? Lahat kami sa team puyat at pagod pero itong isang to mukhang hindi nauubusan ng energy.

"I wanted to share my thoughts with you, would it be fine?" he again asked me. For goodness sake can we just talk about it some other time? This is not the only hour of the day. Maybe after an hour? I just wanted to take a nap.

"Adelaide!" he called me. This time hindi na ko makapag timpi at nilingon ko na siya.

"Oh sige ano ba ang nasa isip mo? Pwede siguro nating pag-usapan sa labas kasi natutulog si Crisostomo!" I answered nonstop.

"That's good, let's have coffee. There's a nearby Caffè outside." he said as he stood up and waited for me.

What a numb feeling! I rolled my eyes before I lowered my feet on the floor.

"You're so funny Conde." I started as I put on my shoes and started walking towards the door. He followed me in an instant and mumbled a word.

"Girls are so weird."

Bumitaw ako sa doorknob at hinarap siya and to my surprise he's an inch away from me. He didn't step back but raised his eyebrows instead. As if telling me to spill out the beans.

"What? Do you have anything to say?" he said as he proudly stepped forward towards me that made the spaces between us tighter.

I wanted to tell him that he's a weirdo but I changed my mind. I slightly put up an awkward smile and immediately turned my back on him. I was about to open the door when we heard someone.

"Ady.."

Conde and I both look at the man lying on the bed. He mumbled my name for a second but he's still asleep.

"You've heard it too, right?" I asked.

"Yes, it seems like Sebastian's still on the battle ground in his dreams."

Kaagad kong nilapitan si Sebastian nung marinig ko ang kompirmasyon kay Conde.

I stared at him and waited for his eyes to open. This guy got hurt and still does his best to save the victim, without even noticing about the gunshot in his body.

The mission hasn't started yet but his life has been put in danger, I feel sorry for him.

I thought the BCI needed talented and skilled agents? Why would they hire someone who doesn't possess such things? It feels like Benitez scammed me about that.

"I think Sebastian has a somniloquy." Conde stated as he's still in front of the door. He still wants to have some coffee and talk about his ideas.

"Will he be fine alone?" I asked him.

"The Medical Facility has been built inside the Polygon's premises so there's nothing to worry about and besides we can leave him with one of the nurses." he encourages.

Kapag naiisip ko si Crisostomo at ang sitwasyon niya nagdududa talaga ako sa sinabi ni Benitez, pero kapag itong si Conde na ang kaharap ko parang gusto ko ng maniwala sa kanya.

***

I was sitting at a couch in a two sitters table inside the Caffè while having a zip of my americano. It's my favorite coffee.

"Have you heard anything about Gregory Respicio?" the guy sitting parallel to me asked after he put his cup on top of the table.

Kahit pa nilibre niya ako ng paborito kong kape hindi pa rin nababawasan ang pagkainis ko sa kanya.

"What about the senator?" prente kong tanong sa kanya.

"He seemed fine," he mumbled.

"Hindi ba dapat lang? Ligtas na ang anak niya."

"Yun na nga ang pinag tatakhan ko Adelaide. Walang nagbago sa kilos at itsura niya. The moment I saw him early this morning he seemed fine, it's like I was watching a movie." he said as an arch drawn in his forehead.

His words are like puzzles. I remained silent and waited for his explanation.

"Are you saying na palabas lang ang lahat ng nangyari?" straightforward kong tanong sa kanya.

"Only my gut feeling. Unless I'll be able to find a solid proof." he said as he gave another sip of his coffee.

"Aren't you just acting paranoid?" I asked, having all the confusions I have inside me.

"I think that's not the right word to use." he said as he placed his hands on the table. "Intuitive suits the most," he continued.

"Okay so paano ka nga nag come up sa intuitions mo?" I again asked.

"When we went to their house this morning I noticed something weird on the residency. Para sa isang taong dinukot ang anak nagawa pa nilang maghanda ng coffee and bread. Masyadong tahimik at kampante ang buong paligid. I don't feel any distress and grievances. Everything was calm." he explained.

"So that's the reason why you asked Demeter to look for someone's whereabouts?" Well I recall what he said when we're about to rescue the victims. He asked Demeter about someone's vehicle.

"Yes. It was one of the parked vehicle in their garage." kung isa yun sa mga sasakyang nakaparada doon bakit yun lang ang natatandaan niya? I mean he can took a picture of those dahil hindi naman siya sure kung saan sa mga yun ang ginamit niyang sasakyan.

"How can you be so sure na yun nga ang ginagamit niyang sasakyan kung sakali?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Well I'm not sure of that. Pinagmasdan ko ang mga sasakyan sa garage at yun lang ang natatanging sasakyan na tumatak sa isip ko dahil naiiba siya." he said as he look straight to my eyes.

I remained silent and waited for further explanation.

"Halos lahat ng sasakyang nakaparada ay malinis, parang bagong car wash ang mga yun. Makintab at pulido ang mga ito. Pero yung sasakyan na yun napansin ko dahil marumi siya, parang kagagaling sa masukal at maputik na daan."

Kung babalikan ko yung operation masukal at maputik nga ang dinaanan namin dahil liblib yung lugar. It was one of the isolated areas in the city. He has a point but I need to consider the benefit of the doubt.

"Pero kung siya nga mismo ang nagpa kidnapped sa anak niya, what will he gain for it?" I asked Conde. Bahagya siyang napalingon sa kanan niya at tila ba napaisip sa tanong ko.

"There's a lot of possible and impossible reasons Adelaide. How about he gained the sympathy of the crowd? For all we know the election is fast approaching." he scored again but I don't think that's a valid reason.

"That's too absurd." I said. He smiled a little as he took a sip of his coffee while his eyes stared at me. Before things could go worse I immediately cut eye contact by looking at the other side and took a sip of my americano.

"Naiilang ka ba sakin?" Biglang tanong niya.

Kaagad akong napalingon sa kanya na halatang nang aasar lang naman.

"Excuse me? As far as I know hindi lang tayo close." I answered.

"Well maybe I should make a way to get close to you." he said while still wearing that irritating smile of his.

He really has his natural way of annoying me.

*Ezekiel Benitez*

Upon reporting to the officials about the mission they decided to transfer the case to the Hexagon (The Profilers). Well I think it was for the team's own good, the mission hadn't started yet Sebastian was harmed and we cannot afford to have another patient among the members.

After my appointment with them kaagad akong pumunta kay Sebastian para kamustahin ang lagay niya. Kumonsulta muna ako sa attended physician niya upang alamin ang sitwasyon tsaka ako dumiretso sa kwarto kung nasaan siya. Naabutan ko siyang nakatayo sa harap ng glass window, napatingin siya sa akin kaagad.

"Kamusta ang pakiramdam mo?" tanong ko sa kanya na nagpukol muli ng tingin sa bintana.

"I'm fine, si Ady?" tanong niya sa'kin. Napakunot noo ako sa tanong niya, curious ako kung bakit niya natanong kaagad si Adelaide, sa tono ng pananalita niya mukhang gusto niya itong makita.

"She has an errand to run at this moment." sagot ko. Lumingon sakin si Sebastian na nakakunot noo. Para siyang nairita sa sinabi ko.

"Bakit mo siya hinayaang lumabas ng Pentagon?" He asked in a high pitch tone, he seemed anxious to me. Bakit parang ibang tao ang Sebastian na kaharap ko ngayon? May sapi ba to? Oh baka masyado lang siyang naapektuhan ng mga nangyari. Baka dahil may tama siya ng bala kaya siya ganyan pero hindi naman siya sa ulo tinamaan, e kaya nakapagtataka.

"Are you hallucinating or what? Side effects ba yan ng gamot na tinurok sa'yo?" Nagtataka ko pa ring tanong. Saglit siyang natigilan sa sinabi ko, mukhang natauhan na ata. Napalunok siya at napalingon sa kabilang direksyon. He took a deep breath before turning his head towards me. Ngumiti siya sakin bago nagsalita.

"I'm sorry sir, masyado lang siguro akong nag aalala sa kanya dahil sa nangyari." and now he's back to being a friendly creature.

"Huwag kang mag-alala kay Ady, she's not alone. She's with Troy." sambit ko. Baka nga may tama sa utak tong si Sebastian dahil sa mga gamot na naturok sa kanya.

"Sir gusto ko ng lumabas tutal ayos na daw ako sabi ng doktor." Mataman siyang tumingin sakin, parang batang nagmamakaawa na iuwi ko na siya. Siguro nga bored na siya dito.

"Oh well wala akong magagawa kung gusto mo na talagang umuwi sa Pentagon. Lalabas lang ako saglit para asikasuhin ang discharge papers mo." Paalam ko sa kanya.

*Troy Conde*

[PENTAGON]

I was surprised to see Sebastian in the house as I'm coming out from the bathroom. He was sitting on the couch while staring at nothing. I just took a bath and still wiped my hair with a towel. I decided to sit beside him and have a little chit-chat.

"So how are you?" I asked. He took a deep breath before he answered me.

"I'm okay Troy pero gusto ko ng makita si Adyyyyy." he whined like a child as he kept on telling he wants to see Adelaide.

"Do you have a crush on her?" I frankly asked him. He looked at me while wearing a big smile on his face.

"Bakit? Nagseselos ka ba?" he jokingly said. Napailing na lang ako sa sinabi niya.

"Don't get me wrong Troy, I just have something to tell her." he said. Well Adelaide and I went home after we finished the written reports, we're picked by Benitez as the team leaders of Pentagon for the meantime. I think she's been in a deep sleep since we got here and I don't think waking her up is a good idea.

"Tungkol saan ba yan at maging sa pagtulog mo siya pa rin ang iniisip mo?" I asked. I recall what happened in the hospital, he called out her name.

"Huh? Ano kamo?" tanong niya habang naguguluhan pa sa sinabi ko.

"Tinawag mo siya while you're asleep, in the hospital." I explained. He sighed after hearing it from me. He seemed worried to her.

"Anong meron Sebastian?" I straightly asked him.

"Well I think Ady is in danger." He mumbled. My eyes widened as I heard his words.

"In danger? How?" I asked him. How come she's in danger?

"May gustong pumatay kay Adelaide, I was shoot remember?" He said.

"Yes, but because we rescued the victim right? Tinamaan ka ng isa sa mga kidnappers." I said. Umiling si Sebastian bago nagsalita ulit.

"I doubted. I don't know how to explain this. If I were the kidnapper I would plan to shoot the hostage to win the situation. But instead of shooting the senator's daughter, the laser pointed at Ady's head." he explained.

Upon hearing his words something suddenly came to my mind. Now I get it. I heard that the case was transferred to the profilers (Hexagon), it seemed odd to me just like the hunch I have earlier. The confusions I have in my mind gradually cleared. I think this case was a big bluff. They planned to execute Adelaide. That might be the reason why the Senator planned to kidnap her own daughter. It was all a play and the real agenda is to harm Adelaide. But why? What would they gain from killing Adelaide? I still have to find a solid proof to turn this into a fuss.

"Are you certain of this?" I asked him.

"It was clear, very clear in my mind. I saw it pointing at Ady's head." He said.

"What's on my head?" We both heard a woman's voice and turned our heads to the left side to see her.

"Ady!" Sebastian shouted in shock as he stood up.

"What are you two talking about behind me hmm?" She sarcastically asked as she raised an eyebrow on the left.

"I think we need to discuss this in private." I stood up and led the two to the Power Room.

[Power Room]

I was standing in front of a rectangular table while Sebastian and Adelaide were sitting on a swivel chair.

I wrote letters on the glass board. It was the Senator's name.

"Do you personally know this person?" I directly asked her.

"Wait, why do I feel like I'm in an interrogation right now?" she asked back.

"Ipagpalagay nga nating ganun, I need you to answer my questions honestly. Okay?" I seriously uttered.

"Ano nga kasing meron? Could you just explain everything to me first?"

"I can't do that. It's better to ask you first to avoid filters and alterations. Trust me you must cooperate." I said. Nakakunot pa rin ang noo niya habang nakatingin sakin.

"Ady, we'll explain everything later. Sa ngayon sagutin mo na lang muna yung tinatanong ni Troy sayo." singit si Sebastian na kanina pa palingon-lingon saming dalawa.

Saglit siyang tinignan ni Adelaide at tsaka tumingin ulit sakin.

"You better be sure that you're invading my precious time and privacy for an important matter or else lulumpuhin ko kayo pareho!" pagbabanta niya samin.

"Don't worry, ako mismo ang lulumpo kay Sebastian at sa sarili ko kung sasayangin ko lang ang oras mo." sagot ko sa kanya.

"Teka bakit ikaw ang lulumpo sakin?" natataranta na sambit ni Sebastian na sinamaan ko lang ng tingin para manahimik.

"So answer me Ady, do you personally know Senator Respicio?" I asked her again.

"No, I don't actually know him. One thing I knew about him is before he became senator he's one of the state secretary's trusted friends. They're both members of the Polygon at that time." she answered.

"You did work with the state secretary before, right?" I asked.

"Yes, Alfonso Morales was my team leader before." she answered.

"Does he hold any grudges to you? How's your relationship with him?" I asked.

"Well he's not fond of me the way I'm against him. He's a pain in the ass. He's a selfish crazy old dog." The way she answered the question declares that there's an ill relationship between her and the latter.

"Did you perhaps make a thing that made him want you to be killed?" I asked. She stopped and remained silent. She took a deep breath and thumbs her hair.

I was about to revise my question when she uttered the words that shocked me.

"I betrayed the team."

****

AN: I wanna know your thoughts about this. 😊💭