CHAPTER 1: Never A Victim

CHAPTER 1: Never A Victim

Noisy chatters. Hurried scurry steps. Bustling students. The wind howls as I arrived through the gates, standing a few feet away to stare at the golden carved stone that indicates: A+ Academy. Sa harap nito ay isang mahabang daan na mayr'ong nagtatayugang mga puno sa kada-metrong tatahakin.

It was just one of those ordinary day for everyone except me. I don't even know if I should consider this one ordinary, since I just got expelled recently from my previous school and now, here I am to take the examination for transferees. I wasn't really planning to find another school to study at, but my Auntee shows how-good-of-an-auntee she is by referring this school after my expulsion.

Binaybay ko ang daan sa grounds para magtungo sa designated building na nakaindika sa slip na ibinigay sa 'kin ng isang Admin. Kasabayan ko rin ang ilang mga takers na kaunti na lang ay maiihi na sa kanilang pantalon dala ng baon nilang nerbiyos. Sa halip na ituon ang atensyon sa kanila, minabuti ko na lang ilihis ang tingin para suriin ang buong akademiya.

The sight is the heaven we all craved. A+ Academy is huge. Really, really huge. The entire Academy is in crimson red color, sa pagitan ng pagiging moderno at makaluma. It resembles more of an Urban area. The building were constructed like a small village; bricks instead of modern touch on the physical appearance. Ang daan ay yari sa mga bato na hindi gan'on kabako kung tatapakan. The field in the center almost consumed the entire school. I wonder if they trim the grass daily, ang linis kasing pagmasdan. Tipong kahit isingkit mo ang iyong mata ay wala kang makikitang naliligaw na taas ng damo.

I guess, bad luck is on my side upon bumping with someone. Dahil abala ako sa pagmamasid sa kapaligiran at mukhang nagmamadali ito, pareho kaming napahakbang palayo matapos naming magkasalisi.

"My coffee!" She dramatically stared at the white cup on the ground that she's holding a few seconds ago. Great. Instead of giving her concern sa damit kong namantsahan, mas nag-alala pa siya sa kape niyang natapon. Now, I'm starting to question myself if the value of that coffee is more valuable than I am.

Marahil sa pagkabunggo naming dalawa ay nabitiwan niya ang styrofoam cup kaya nahulog ito sa damuhan, natapon pa ang laman. Masasabi kong ang swerte ng lupa. Imbes na madiligan ng tubig, nakatikim ito ng mamahaling kape. Nahagip din ng mata ko ang isang parihabang slip, kumpara sa 'kin ay kulay pula ang kanya.

Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin sa babae. There's a tag on her uniform which indicates: DESIREE LUXEM, probably her name. Her hair is in a pigtail style, beads of sweats were also pooling on her forehead making some of her strands of hair stick. I also noticed a few highlights adding to the volume of her black hair. She's quite slim and her skin resembles a porcelein doll. As far as I know, mga takers lang ang pinapayagan na magtungo sa side ng school na 'to. What could be her reason aside from buying a cold drink?

"As much as I want to help, I badly need to go." She immediately fished out her pink hanker chief at siya na mismo ang naglagay nito sa 'king palad. Wala akong ibang nagawa maliban ang sundan ito ng tingin nang tumakbo na siya palayo, nabangga pa nito ang isang lalaki na nakasuot ng blue neck pillow.

I heaved a sigh and darted my head towards the ground. Muli kong nakita ang naiwan niyang pulang slip na tila sinisilip ako, asking me to touch it from being left behind. I crouched down and grab the thin card, tracing my thumb to smoodge off the brown liquid.

SLEEPING BEAUTY'S SECRET

August 03, 202* • 6pm-8pm

Venue: Theatre

If she's talking about this performance, then she's a one of a kind early bird. The play will be held two weeks after this day, based on the indicated setting on the card. Desiree must be lying of being in a hurry, pero kung hindi ay baka sa ibang dahilan ang pagmamadali niya. I just gave a dismissing shrug. Maybe she's talking about practice.

Dumiretso muna ako sa restroom para magpalit ng damit, satisfying myself with their neat washroom. Tila kumikinang ito sa linis. Pumasok ako sa loob ng isang cubicle para hubarin ang red shirt kong namantsahan at isinukbit ito sa single hook ng pinto. Unfortunately, I didn't bring any extra clothes with me. Mabuti na lamang at hindi ko inaalis sa 'king bag ang yellow jacket ko.

Matapos ay lumabas na ako ng cubicle at nagtungo sa lababo para maghugas ng kamay. I felt so exhausted from the long walk underneath the sun kaya pasimple akong tumingin sa salamin para tingnan ang hitsura ko habang abala sa pagsabon sa pagitan ng mga daliri.

I caught a peek of a hook from the mirror, but this time it wasn't sticked to the door. Weird. The place where it's bolted is somehow odd. Bakit sila maglalagay ng hook sa pader na naghihiwalay sa mga cubicle? Or maybe, the purpose of it is for extra uses.

Nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako dahil tapos na akong maghugas ng kamay. Humablot ako ng toilet paper mula sa toilet-roll holder, pero sa kasamaang palad ay ubos na, tanging kapiraso lang ang nakuha ko. Kung minalas ako dahil natapunan ako ng kape, mukhang mas minalas ang tinawag ng kalikasan.

Iginala ko ang tingin sa buong banyo, nagbabaka-sakaling may mahagilap akong nagtatagong toilet papers ngunit bigo ako. Tanging fire extinguisher lang na malayang nakalagay sa tabi ng pinto at mga bottled chemicals sa ilalim ng lababo ang nakita ko. Seems like this day isn't really for me and I wasn't blessed with any toiletries.

I took the girl's hanker chief and used it to dry off my hands. Wala sana akong balak gamitin ito dahil nahihiya ang kamay ko sa ganda ng burda sa panyo—isang bulaklak. Pagtapos ko magpatuyo ng kamay ay lumabas na ako at inumpisahang maglakad sa pasilyo. Mag-isa na lang ako at batid ko'y lahat ay nasa assigned rooms na nila.

🎶Living together as aspirants

Alma Mater's forever with us

Misunderstood, yet still respected

Being different won't get condemned

Oh, dear Alma Mater

Lead us to a place of nowhere

Thee held our encephalon

Cloud our thoughts of unknown🎶

I jerked my head up to find where that sound is coming from. Napansin ko ang mga speakers na nakakabit sa kisame, may screen din kung saan naka-flash ang liriko na pinamagatang "A+ Academy's Hymn." I glanced at my wristwatch at pumatak na pala ng ala-una ang oras, sa ganitong oras siguro ipinatutugtog 'yon.

🎶We offer you all our hearts

Gently accept our humanness

Mind's clouded with abstracts

Give us the key for felicitousness

Oh, dear Alma Mater

Lead us to a place of nowhere

Thee held our encephalon

Cloud our thoughts of unknown🎶

I stroll down the hallway while searching for the room where I will be taking my examination; finding my hands making sign languages as I accord it to the Academy's Hymn. Sandali pa 'kong napatigil nang makita ang isang lalaki na may hawak na riffle sa dulo ng pasilyo, mabagal pa ang paglalakad na animo makatatapak siya ng landmine.

Nilagpasan niya ang pwesto ko at tumungo na sa gawing kanan, mukhang hindi ako nito napansin. That's unreal. Maybe this scenario explains why that Desiree girl was in a hurry, dahil dito rin ang lokasyon ng kanilang practice. That guy must be one of the actors. And, why will there be a modern villain on a fairytale story?

Tumigil lang ako sa paglalakad nang makarating sa tapat ng Room 304, bahagya kong inilusot ang ulo sa loob para sumilip. Marami na ang nasa loob. Perhaps, I should prepare myself to be scolded from being late.

The moment I stepped into the room, I was greeted with a man in front who seems to be the Facilitator. Nabitin ang kanyang kamay sa ere na nakaturo sa screen na nasa bandang gilid ng kisame, naka-konekta naman ang mga kable nito sa kaniyang laptop. Mukhang nasa kalagitnaan ito ng pagdidiscuss ng rules for the examination nang pumasok ako.

Binigyan ako nito ng tipid na ngiti bago ako senyasang pumasok. Smooth. I lightly bowed my head and sprinted to the vacant seat at the back na sinundan pa ng tingin ng iba. I sat near a boy who's wearing thick glasses with jet black hair na tumatakip sa noo niya. It's either he didn't notice my presence, or he simply chose to ignore me dahil abala ito sa paglalaro ng video games sa kaniyang phone.

"I'm going to repeat the rules of examination for the new comer," the Facilitator said, pagbibigay ng konsiderasyon sa 'kin. "You have an hour to complete the examination. There are 4 sections that should be done within 20 minutes; Math, Science, English and Abstract. Strictly, no cheating. Sa oras na mahuli kayong nangongopya, I'm afraid that your admission will be forfeited."

Binigyan niya kami ng 15 minutes to bring our souls back to its place. Ginawa ko na lang na pampalipas oras ang paglilibot ng mata sa kabuohan ng classroom. May nagpatutugtog ng isang hindi pamilyar na kanta at 'gaya ng ginawa ko kanina, I accord it with sign languages while scanning the room. Ang mga upuan ay mayroong sariling desk, limang lamesa sa bawat hilera. The windows have its own curtains which is well tied on the side. Small lockers were also at the back and there are few decorations on the wall.

"Kindly, remove all the things on top of your desk—" he immediately stopped after hearing a thud. Natahimik kaming lahat na tila hinihintay kung may susunod pang tunog, at 'gaya ng inaasahan ay muli namin itong nadinig paglipas ng ilang segundo.

All our heads shot everywhere like we're searching for fire. Mistulang sinusundan ng aming mga tainga ang direksyon kung saan nanggaling ang tunog na 'yon, ang iba ay napatatayo pa.

*bang!~*

Sh*t. It's not just a thud, but a gunshot!

"Code Red: There's a shooter on the lose." The speaker rung. The first thing that came to my mind right now is the guy who I mistaken as an actor in the hallway. He's probably the shooter!

Halos lahat ng mga taong nakapalibot sa 'kin ay nanginginig na sa takot, mayroon ding naiiyak. I remained my posture as I try to ease my fear. Panicking won't keep us away from trouble, we have to do something.

"S-Sir, ano po'ng gagawin natin?" gumagaralgal ang boses na tanong ng isang babae sa harapan, fingers and knees are shaking in fear.

Suddenly, we heard a ringtone— Outro: Tear of BTS, if I'm not mistaken. I don't know whose phone ringtone is that, pero mukhang masyadong na-divert ang atensyon nito sa facilitator kaya hindi niya magawang patayin

Mula sa pagkatatalikod ay dahan-dahang humarap sa 'min ang Facilitator. His eyes were blank as he became pale. We gazed at him in horror when he suddenly turned numb and eyes rolled back in a jiffy. He collapses on the floor while shaking and trembling nonstop. He's having an episode!

"Sir!" Halos talunin na naming lahat ang espasyo sa pagitan ng Facilitator mula sa mga pwesto namin para makalapit. Pinalibutan namin siya na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin natatapos ang pangingisay.

"We need to call for help!" one suggested from the crowd.

I shook my head. "No," sa isang salita na binanggit ko ay bumaling ang atensyon nilang lahat sa 'kin. From staring at the Facilitator who's in the middle of seizures, they glanced at me with curiosity escalated to impossible heights. "If we call an Emergency Personnel, they will not treat the injured until the threat has been neutralized."

"Then, what are we suppose to do? Watch him die without doing anything?!" they were all complaining at me, showing their disapproval at my statement. Muli kong tiningnan ang Facilitator na paunti-unti nang humuhupa ang pagkokombulsyon at hindi pinansin ang sunod-sunod na pagbato nila ng salita.

Another seconds have passed and the jerking movements of his body finally stopped. Tila isang tao na lamang ito na namiling mamahinga sa sahig. Natapos ang pangingisay niya matapos din ng instrumental intro ng kanta.

"Treat him ourselves." I roam my eyes around, in search for something. Tumigil ang mata ko sa lalaking nakabangga ni Desiree kanina; neck pillow's still around his neck. "Can I borrow your pillow?"

Walang pagdadalawang isip niya itong tinanggal sa pagkasasabit mula sa leeg at iniabot sa 'kin— his name was engraved on the pillow: Hebreo. I signalled everyone to provide a space and remove all sharp objects away from the person with epilepsy.

"Does anyone here knows how to treat seizures?"

"I do." A girl stepped into a crowd. She has a long mermaid-like hair that bounces at her every step. She approached my side and took the pillow from me. "I'm Sierra. If you don't mind, I don't want to be distracted for the next 2 minutes." Lumapit siya sa Facilitator na lupasay sa sahig at lumuhod sa gilid nito, 'tsaka niya inilagay ang neck pillow sa ilalim ng kaniyang ulo bilang suporta.

"I saw a chart indicating the school's emergency contact on the wall. Should I call them to inform about the shooter?" tanong ng lalaking hiniraman ko ng neck pillow kanina. I nod at him and he quickly took his phone out from his pocket.

Lumapit siya sa tabi ko at idinial ang nasabing numero, making sure that the speaker is on. Habang hinihintay ang pagsagot sa tawag ay pinapanood namin ang ginagawa ni Sierra.

"A+ Academy Police, Operator 253. What's the location of your emergency?"

Sierra tilted her head up and lightly opened his mouth for the air to come in. She took his left hand at inangat ito na tila siya'y nagpa-panatang makabayan and rested his right hand against his left chest. Hinawakan niya rin ang kanang paa nito para i-angat ang tuhod. After that, she rolled him to his side.

"Bright building. There's a shooter on the lose, and we can't seem to identify where he is right now." Hebreo looked at Sierra who's now whispering to the Facilitator, pinapaliwanag sa kaniya na siya'y inatake ng seizures at magiging ayos lang ang lahat. "Another thing, one of my fellow-takers is currently dealing with our Facilitator who just undergone an episode. We're hoping for your immediate response."

"Copy. Stay inside at all cost, don't go out. The Academy's Police and Medical Personnel is now in route."

Nang matapos ang tawag ay nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Hebreo. Ako na ang nagsalita, "We're now in the moment between life and death. Hindi p'wedeng umasa na lang tayo sa kanila, at least, we have to do something."

As if on cue, we heard another gunshot. The shot wasn't muffled, which means that he didn't point the gun at anyone. Mukhang tinatakot lang kami at tila nagbibigay ng senyas na narito lang siya.

"Listen." I took a deep breath and stood in front. I have to refrain myself from scanning their faces, showing sympathy to those who are scared is not the right time. "If you still want to live, I want all of us to work together. We're going to save each other's lives. Are you all with me?"

Nagkar'on ng matagal na katahimikan, nasira lang nang itaas ni Hebreo ang kaniyang kamay. "I'll help."

"Me, too."

"Tutulong din ako."

"Kami rin."

Nang lahat ay magsi-sang-ayon-an, agad ko nang sinabi ang aking plano. "Now, here's what we're gonna do.." Lumapit ako sa kanila na inaabangan pa rin ang mga susunod kong sasabihin. "Boys, I need all of you to barricade the doors. Use the tables, chairs and cabinets if you must. Make sure it's block and no outsiders will be able to barge in."

Mabilis tumango ang mga kalalakihan at nag-umpisa nang kumilos. They all silently carried the chairs and tables towards the first door to block it. Ang iilan naman ay itinulak ang aparador sa gilid pang-harang sa kabilang pinto.

"Girls, pull down the curtains. We shouldn't let any open area be the reason for the shooter to see us. Pull down the screens on the doors as well." They did as it told at bumaling naman ako sa ibang walang ginagawa. "The rest, turn off the lights and keep your phones silent. Once everything is done, huddle on the back."

"Can I help with something?" I inclined my heard towards the boy I sat with before the ruckus happened. His eyes boars at my soul like he's trying to read me by my appearance. I'm not quite sure if he doesn't care about what's happening because of his blank emotion, or he's just good at hiding.

I puff out some air out of my lungs. "All we have to do is to keep on track of that shooter. Do you have something under your sleeves for that?"

"Yes, I do." I was patiently waiting for him to say that he's only kidding 'cause what I said is suppose to be a joke, but he didn't. Instead, nilagpasan niya 'ko para tumungo sa laptop na nasa harapan. "They made an alert, but the Academy should have an Additional Alert System to display any warnings across the campus. I checked the campus's website for updates about the shooter, but there was none."

Sinundan ko ito na naupo sa silya na nasa tapat ng laptop. His eyes remained focus on the screen and his fingers were speedy typing on the keyboard. Halos iiwas ko na nga ang mata ko sa bilis nang pagtitipa niya na para bang mahihilo ako kung patuloy ko itong pagmamasdan.

"What're you doing?" I asked after seeing lots of tabs appearing on the desktop. Hindi ito tumigil at mistulang mga kabute na sulpot ng sulpot. But with his first class technical skills, he managed to get through those without even wasting a single sweat.

"If you're talking about my strategic maneuver, I'm planning to hack the School's System." My eyes almost pop out. Hacking the system is not a joke, baka malagay lang siya sa alanganin. But judging by how concentrated he is on the device in front of him, it seems like he's willing to take the risk. "But since the School District secured all the access to any centralize resources that may help us, I'll shift to hacking the CCTV System installed all over the campus to transmit its signal to us, instead. Then, I'll connect it to this monitor right here and, wallah! We'll be able to track the shooter's location and share it to everyone."

I watch him as he grab a plug from his phone to connect with the laptop. "If what you're planning to do will get you in trouble, you don't have to resume what you're doing."

"There's no limitation if I'm doing it in my own way," he pointed out without even bothering to give a glance on me. The reflection of the screen made it easier for me to identify his movements. After a couple of typings and clicks of mouse, he let out a frustrated sigh. "I forgot. Once I get in touch with the system, the CCTV Camera will flash all over the monitors around the campus, rest assured that he'll know someone's behind the curtain from the monitors on the hallways."

I thought for a moment nang lumapit sa 'min si Hebreo para silipin ang ginagawa ni.. well, I don't know his name. He was quietly whistling an unfamiliar tone while browsing the laptop. Maybe trying to soothe and make himself calm beyond the danger we are in right now.

The thought of him whistling an unfamiliar tune seemed to ring a bell. "Did anyone of you hear the Academy's Hymn at exactly 1 o'clock?"

Hebreo shook his head while the tech-geek boy meditated for a moment before replying, "If I recalled it correctly, I was in the middle of a game when the facilitator tasked me to stop playing and bow my head for the 1 o'oclock prayer."

1 o'clock prayer? "Who lead?"

"None. The prayer is automatically played in default through that" —he pointed at the speaker, then the monitor— "While the wordings were flashed through that as we recite it. Why?"

That's it! "If I didn't hear the 1 o'clock prayer from the speaker on the hallway, and all of you weren't able to hear the Hymn from here, then that means they both have a separate connection. We could freely share the shooter's location without him knowing. He wouldn't just barge inside the rooms, right?"

Hindi na niya 'ko pinatapos pa at kusa na lamang niyang tinuloy ang ginagawa. Maya't maya ay nagflash na sa monitor ang CCTV Camera. Batid ko ring nag-summon na ito sa lahat ng monitors sa classrooms. Faster like a speed of light, agad naming nakita kung nasaan ang shooter. Same floor as where we are located!

*bang!~*

Another set of whimpers from our fellow students were heard after the fire. This time, the shot is louder— the shooter must be getting closer and it's no good. Majority of them were covering their ears as if they will be able to block the disturbing sound. Ang iba naman ay nakabaluktot na tila isang sanggol na nasa loob ng sinapupunan. They were all trying to find comfort at the back.

*screek!~*

Starved for air, I followed where that screeching noise is coming from and saw students trying to unblock the door by moving the metallic cabinet. Huli na para pigilan sila nang tuluyan na nila itong naalis at agarang binuksan ang pinto para makatakas.

"Wait, no!"

I almost strained my legs just to run after them. I felt like I was wearing an invisible cloak and they didn't even take notice of my presence, tuloy lang sila sa pagtakbo. Nagmistula akong isang pulis na hinahabol ang mga suspek sa pasilyo dahil sa ginawa nilang karumal-dumal na krimen. Siguro dahil ayokong may mabiktimang tao kaya pakiramdam ko'y may obligasyon akong siguraduhin na hindi sila maiipit. I haven't seen any black cat since I got here, but I sense a big danger.

The place where I'm chasing them went familiar nang mahagip ng mata ko ang restroom na kanina lamang ay pinanggalingan ko. Along the way, nahahati ang maaari naming takbuhan sa dalawa. One that's straight ahead, the other is to the left. Ang pinili nila ay ang kaliwang direksyon, sinundan ko naman ang mga ito.

My feet were glued to my spot sa oras na lumiko ako and somehow, I can't seem to move a single muscle. Pati ang mga hinahabol ko ay naestatwa sa kanilang kinatatayuan nang mapansin ang shooter na nasa dulo ng pasilyo. Slowly, he turned our back to us while clutching the riffle tied around his neck. Before it can even face us, may humablot sa kamay ko at tuluyan akong inilayo para hindi makita.

"Mukhang may gustong makatikim ng bala, ah? Yuko!" Kahit hindi ko ito silipin, sa paraan pa lamang ng pananalita ay masasabi mo ng hindi siya 'yung tipong tao na rapat binabangga mo.

I stared at the boy in front of me, it was the tech-geek. It's either he followed me or he also had this instinct to chase those who's now the reason why we're in the brink of danger. I'm crouched down on the other side of the hallway while he's opposite to mine. Both of us are hiding behind the wall near the entrance of the hallway—where the shooter and the students who I may now label as victims are.

Pasimple akong sumilip, sinisiguro na ni-anino ko ay hindi makikita. There I saw them laying on the ground, front body facing the floor and heads tilted downwards. Nilipat ko ang tingin sa shooter na naglalakad paikot sa kanila habang nakatutok ang baril, tila hinahanda ang sarili na magpakawala ng balos sa oras na may gawin silang labag sa kagustuhan niya.

I returned back to my spot and let out a silent breath. Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin sa lalaki and he's now staring at me, like his eyes are trying to start a conversation. In the midst of chaos, he lifted both of his hands and started creating swift hand movements.

'Zero in on me,' he just told me to pay attention using sign language! Who wouldn't be shock if the tech-geek boy who seems to be into gadgets that you know, could actually understand nonverbal communication and apply them?

Sa kabila ng gulat, nagawa ko ring i-angat ang mga kamay at ikumpas ito para tumugon. I felt like a miracle just happened after feeling a little assurance to safety 'cause I have someone with me. 'Considered.'

He never darted his gaze away from me and neither do I. Kapwa kami magkatitigan na para bang sa oras na ilihis namin ang tingin ay pareho kaming malalagay sa panganib. 'We have to turn him down before making a move.'

My eyebrows knitted. If he's formulating to prompt the shooter down on his knees, the two of us won't be able to handle that. Isa pa, there's a chance for him to make one of those victims a hostage, or worst, put an end to our lifeline. 'Do you have any favorable card?'

He bobbed his head like he has 25 more tricks under his sleeves from removing the first plan on the alphabet. 'Think of something that will distract the shooter.'

Think of something that will distract the shooter. That statement repeatedly played in my mind like a broken cassette. What tactics can we possibly come up that will surely take the shooter's attention away from us?

Napako ang mata ko sa gawing kanan, naghahanap ng kahit anong bagay at baka may sumaging plano sa 'king isipan. During my inspection, I somehow took a peek at the washroom—wait, that's it!

I stood up and sneakily went towards the restroom, making sure to step on my heels to avoid any sound of footsteps. By the time I reached inside, I carried the fire extinguisher and went back to where I left him.

He look at me, confused. Right, I didn't tell him my scheme. But since we're now running out of time, hindi ko na ito binalingan pa ng tingin at sinilip na lang muli ang shooter. Nang masiguro kong wala ang atensyon nito sa 'kin, tahimik ang yapak akong lumabas sa pinagtataguan at pumasok na ng pasilyo.

I thought everything will turn out as plan. At least, that's what I expected. The moment I pulled the pin to break the tamper seal of the fire extinguisher, it created a small 'tik' sound that made the shooter's head shot back at my direction.

We were like the protagonist and antagonist of the movie as we pointed our weapons at each other. Before he could even pull the trigger, I aim the nozzle and squeezed the handle to release the agent. The entire hallway were field with expanding enormous gas as I sweep the extinguisher side to side, making sure that the white jet is thick enough to disrupt the shooter's ability to see.

The victims took it as a chance to escape, ni-hindi na rin nila kami nagawa pang lingonin dahil abala sila sa pagliligtas ng kanilang sariling buhay. I felt like I deserve a pat on the back sa ginawa kong pagliligtas sa kanila, not knowing that it's just half of the battle.

The tech-geek just appeared on my side out of nowhere at bigla na lang sumugod patungo sa makapal na usok. He must be insane for volunteering to inhale those toxic chemicals. As the white jet slowly fade, I saw him offering the shooter with countless punch and kicks. Unexpectedly, bigla siyang tinadyakan ng shooter kaya agad itong napadausdos sa sahig.

For pete's sake, I can't believe that I'll be doing this. Hands still holding the fire extinguisher, I drag myself into the fight. The metallic object shook his head like a bell when I rammed it at the back of his head. Nabitiwan ko ang extinguisher na kumalampag sa sahig. Binati niya 'ko nang nanliliksi na mga mata sa oras na ako'y kaniyang nilingon.

I glanced at the tech-geek boy and he's still catching his breathe, face turning red. He was clutching his stomach, probably where he got hit. His chest rose na tila kaunting langhap na lang ng hangin ay lalabas na ang kaniyang baga. Even the tiredness was able to complete its mission to drain his energy.

Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa shooter. Binanat ko ang leeg ko at ini-angat ang parehong palad, signalling him to dash. Hindi niya 'ko binigo at muli itong umatake. My moves were fast when I dodge his fist by bending my body. After learning his vulnerability, I took the the chance to elbow his eye, earning a pained wince.

I hissed when his sinful hands wrapped around my neck, napahawak tuloy ako sa kaniyang pulsuhan. Kahit isang kamay lang ang gamit niya sa pananakal sa 'kin, it's a difficulty for me when a familiar scenery flash back on my memory lane. I suddenly remembered what happened on my previous school, pricking the needle of my weakness.

Before white spots appear on my eyes, I saw the tech-geek rise from his feet. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng mama at kinabig ito, successfully freeing me from his grasp. Napaupo naman ako sa linoleum floor habang hinahabol ang hininga. I could no longer pay attention to him as he successfully  laid the man on his chest and sat on his back, hudyat na sumuko na ito after how many attempts of escaping.

Everything fell like a slow motion. Just like the usual sequence of the story, dumating lang ang mga awtoridad kung kailan tapos na ang laban. Dalawa sa mga pulis ang nag-asikaso sa shooter habang ang iilan sa mga emergency personnel ay lumapit sa 'min para i-check ang aming lagay.

**********

All students in the Bright Building are commanded to stay on the grounds after that unexpected occurrence. Pila-pilang lumabas ang mga estudyante habang nakatutop ang parehong palad sa mga ulo, just like a typical earthquake drill— even if there's no earthquake. Random emotions were visible on their faces; majority were fear and relief.

"Are you okay?" I jerked my head at Hebreo, his eyes are filled with concern. Nakaupo ako ngayon sa bukana ng school ambulance at katabi ko siya. Nasa loob naman ang Facilitator namin na ngayon ay may malay na at chinicheck na lang ang kaniyang blood pressure, at ang tech-geek na binibigyan ng quick medical assistance.

Right after the authorities take over the failed taking-over-the-campus attempt of the shooter, they assisted all those injured individuals to the ambulance parked on the field. Hindi pa raw p'wedeng dumiretso sa clinic dahil bukod sa located ito sa loob ng Bright Building, may mga personnels pa raw na naglilibot upang masiguro na walang tinanim na bomba sa loob or whatsoever.

I want to slap him with the truth that we just had our near-death experience and asking me if I'm okay is such a stupid question. Of course, I'm not. Kahit sinabi ng consultant sa 'kin na wala naman akong galos na natamo, there's still a big shock of what happened that will surely leave a scar.

Ngunit sa kabila n'on, I somehow felt like one of the heroes today. I have done something that I previously thought was impossible, not 'til this very moment. But, I felt no guilt nor pity. Not a single one. And I guess, I do have the right to show no mercy. We all do.

"Excuse me, are you with him during his episode?" I still haven't answered Hebreo's question nang magtanong muli sa 'min ang babaeng naga-asikaso sa facilitator. All of us nodded and another set of questions were asked, "How long did it last?"

Come to think of it, hindi nga pala namin na-orasan ang seizures niya. Hindi namin p'wedeng hulaan 'yon at baka magkaroon pa ng complications sa medical history niya once na magpa-checkup ulit ang facilitator regarding his illness.

But, it seems like we have our own bell to save the day when Sierra approached the School's Ambulance. "46 seconds, to be exact." The confusion carved on our faces must be obvious when she said, "The ringtone that you heard earlier is mine. Luckily, I didn't turn it off, so I was able to identify the range of time during the attack."

Napansin namin ang mga estudyanteng tila nagkumpulan para magyakapan, nakatingin sila sa isang direksyon na may bahig ng takot. I followed their line of sight and saw the shooter being escorted by the Academy's Police out of the building. Now that his black mask is not convering his face, malaya na naming nakikita ang hitsura nito. Mapanindig-balahibo.

"Students."

Shivers run down our spines after hearing that deep voice. Our attention cocked to the man in front with hands clasped behind his back, grinning at us. Sa tantiya ko ay nasa late 30's ito. And based on his aura, he seems to have a power. The atmosphere that invades already with tension had become so severe by his posture of authority.

"Would you like to come with me in my office? It's definitely a great place to talk." The way he pronounce those words shouts domination, but it wasn't the thing that caught us off guard. But, the fact that he said to talk.

WISECRACKER