1 Prologue

Rome Vendre

*a year ago*

"Hoy! Tigilan niyo na!"

"Tulungan niyo siya!"

"Bilisan niyo! Baka kung ano na nangyari kay Germany!"

"Germany? Germany!"

Naririndi na 'ko sa sigawan ng mga kaklase ko. I groaned and bang my head on the table. Kanina pa sumasakit ulo ko ha.

"Uy, Rome, hindi ka ba tutulong d'on?" My friend, Jethrone, asked with furrowed eyebrows.

Tumingin ako sa kaniya na parang baliw na siya sa tanong niya.

"Why would I? It's none of my business, Jethrone."

Ngayon, siya naman ang tumingin sa akin na parang ako pa ang may mali.

He scoffed and shook his head.

I rolled my eyes at him as an answer for his gesture.

'Di porket inaasar kaming "country couple" ay gusto ko na siya. Germany is nice, pero labas ako sa kung ano mang ginagawa, nangyayari, pinagdadaanan ng babaeng iyon dahil 'di naman kami close.

Hindi ko din naman siya kaklase para magkaroon ng kaunting pake sa kaniya.

I took a glance at the door where my classmates are hovering each other to look on what's happening outside.

Mga chismosa.

I continued reading our previous lesson. Wala lang ang mga teachers ngayon ay umasta na silang nakawala sa haula. Mas gugustuhin ko pang ulitin na lang basahin yung lesson namin kaysa makialam sa kung anong nangyayari sa labas.

Ang kaso biglang may sinabi si Jethrone na nakapagpabagabag sa akin. Hay, buhay. . .

"Tinarget ulit ng mga regular ang journa', specifically Germany." mahinang saad ng kaibigan ko.

Napaisip ako ng malalim. Ang baba ng dahilan para gawin nila iyon. Kung titingnan ay mas mataas kaming mga nasa star at special program pero umaastang makapangyarihan ang mga nasa regular ngayon.

Hindi lahat ng regular ganiyan, yung tatlong section lang naman. Eagles, Tigers, and Lions. They think that their sections' names represents their ranking in this school.

So much for trying to fit in this school's ranking.

Natalo ng Journalism class ang Eagle, Tiger, at Lion sa essay writing. Pati nga ang mga nasa literary arts ng Art class natalo nila. Jethrone placed second kasi siya ang lumaban para sa class namin, Jethrone is good at essays but Germany managed to defeat him as well.

Germany is more than good, she's humble on her wins.

Hindi pa 'ko tapos mag-isip ay may narinig na akong malakas na kalabog mula sa labas. Bwiset, iba na iyon.

Narinig ko na lang na mas lalong lumakas ang sigawan sa labas.

"G*go! Tama na!"

"Shucks, tulungan niyo si Germany!"

"Hindi natin siya pwedeng tulungan! Madadamay tayo!"

I looked at Jethrone that now has a terrified look etched on his face.

"W-Why is he still here?" nanginginig niyang sabi.

He met my confused gaze at nakita ko kung paano siya lumunok.

"Andito si Kriel . . . "

I rolled my eyes. Bakit pa nandito iyon?

We're almost graduating for highschool. Senior high na kami next school year pero ganito parin mag isip ang schoolmates ko.

Away, drama, childish games, immature thoughts. Pfft.

I don't blame them though, last year na namin for highschool, something more awaits us next school year.

Isa na namang malakas na kalabog ang nagmula sa labas.

Nakita ko kung paano umurong pabalik ang mga kaklase ko mula sa pintuan papasok sa classroom. Kita sa mga mukha nila ang takot.

Oh frack it!

Mabilis akong tumayo mula sa aking upuan. Iyon ang aking seguridad at nang sandali ko itong iwan, alam kong iba na ang kahahantungan ko.

My classmates parted to give way for me. What I saw upon exiting our safe zone is more than horrible. It was terrifying.

My blood immediately boiled.

"What the heck happened here?" I asked one of my classmates.

He didn't even had the courage to open his mouth and explain why a pool of blood is spread on the floor.

I rolled my eyes again. Should I have come earlier?

My gaze flew to the woman that looks so miserable right now bathing in her own blood.

Our eyes met and it showed fear, pain, and shock. Her eyes pleaded. She is pale, almost out of her living body giving a pang on my heart.

That moment I knew what I had to do.

I didn't even think twice and remember who I will be facing. I looked for the person who caused her pain and replaced the pool of blood on the floor with a lake of her abuser's thick blood.

• • •

A work of fiction. Similarities to anything living and out of this world is used unintentionally or in a fictitious manner. Songs or quotes that will used will be credited to the rightful owners.