Chapter 10 - The Abduction

*Allen Marque*

The team has been exhausted from the past few days. We've undergone non-stop training day by day. Today is the team's rest day but unfortunately there's an unexpected mission. Ang sabi nila this would be an actual training for the team.

"Aside from the real mission our team is badly needed by the Association." Team Leader Benitez stated as he placed his laptop on top of the table. And there, he started the presentation. He showed us a picture of a young lady.

"This is Lailah Respicio, a 20 year old college student of University of Western Institute of Arts. She was reported missing five hours ago." The team leader said.

"Five hours? Hindi ba twenty four hours ang kailangan hintayin para ma report na missing ang isang tao?" Demeter asked. Well she has a point, paano kung sumama lang sa kaklase? O kaya sa kaibigan?

Everybody in the room remained quiet. Some of us are having a critical thinking aside from Ady who's simply sleeping in her chair. Well hindi ko siya masisisi, dis oras na kasi ng gabi at biglaan ang tawag samin.

"Well here's the scenario. As a daughter of a politician she's very close to this kind of incident. A politician has more enemies than friends. But we still don't know if she's been kidnapped, so I let Allen and Adelaide go to the University, Troy and I will meet the family for further investigation. Sebastian and Demeter just stay put and wait for our signal, you'll be needed here to locate the victim." Team leader commanded.

We were about to go when Sebastian asked the captain if he could come along with me and Ady. Demeter was fine with it so the captain allowed him.

Missing Person: Lailah Respicio

Age: 20 years old

Gender: Female

We went to the University at exactly one in the morning, it's really late and everybody is having a good dream and then this thing happened. I look at my colleagues and by just a look on their faces I can see their tiredness.

"I'm going to check the CCTV footage of the University. The both of you should find traces outside the campus." Adelaide ordered me and Sebastian. In her state right now she's still attentive and cooperative.

"Okay, let's go!" I said to Sebastian, who I think is still dreamily because he keeps on yawning.

We both parted our ways to find clues immediately. While scanning the area I received a call from Ady.

"Marque, Lailah has been seen at the University exit gate at exactly 7:25 pm."

I looked around to find any possible lead, and at last I saw a store near the waiting shed.

"That's good! I can see a store near the waiting shed. I'll be checking if there's a possible witness or lead on the incident."

"I called Crisostomo earlier and he's on his way to the Ballet Studio, probably 15 minutes away from the University, he's going to verify if the victim went there before the abduction. The security guards told me about the victim's ballet lesson scheduled every Monday and Wednesday, they knew her because of her family status."

"I'll let Troy and Captain know about this." I told her.

"Okay, I'll be there in a bit." Adelaide stated as she hung up.

I went to a store in front of the University's waiting shed where I saw CCTV hoping that they might have footage of the abduction. Luckily, the owner agreed to help me.

***

*Troy Conde*

"What would be the possible motives?" Benitez asked the Senator, we're at the latter's compound. He's sitting in a big office chair in his office while we're at the couch, they served us coffee and bread and I see calmness in his face.

"Being a man with honor, high status and wealth, what do you think slashers like them want in someone like me?" A man with a strong voice stated. He's a big guy with wrinkles on his forehead, he's around 48-50 years of age, no gray hair, his deep and dark eyes are straight looking at us. His hands holding one another while resting on the table, he's also leaning forward.

"Do you think it is money?" Benitez asked another question. He sounds like interrogating, not asking.

"I have a hunch that you're suspicious of me Captain?" the old man stated. He leaned his back to the chair's backrest. His hands parted and his right hand's fingers started tapping the table constantly. He seemed anxious.

"With all due respect Sir, I am just expanding my views here. I am looking for more possible motives for us to save your daughter." The captain boldly answered.

"Your job is to save the victim nothing more nothing less!" Gregory Respicio said firmly.

"As of this moment, yes, but I'm a law enforcement officer, and my job is to do justice." Benitez uttered.

The room was filled with silence and an aura that neither I can explain. I feel like I am choking, the air in the room is not enough for the three of us. Benitez let out a sigh trying to control himself from exploding and the senator uttered another word.

"Well you see? Being a Senator isn't a safe job. I've received a lot of threats for my life and also for my family. But I ignored it with the thought that it's just a threat. Then this day came and it happened, they have my sweet Lailah right now! In front of you is not a senator but a father who needs help to rescue his child." His words are emotional and painful, but his eyes remain blank. I don't see fear in his eyes. I don't see any.

"We need your full participation to save your daughter. Please cooperate with the team before it's too late." He calmly said to the old man who's now emotionally stressed thanks to the captain!

Senator Respicio opens his desk's drawer to get something. He stood up and handed brown clip files to our Captain.

"This includes the list of my political enemies and the threats I've received for the past months. I am now entrusting my daughter's safety to you and to your team." he stated as he managed to give us a smile.

"Makakaasa po kayo." the captain answered as they shook each other's hand.

After a few more talks we've decided to go back to the Pentagon as we received messages from Allen and the team. While riding on the captain's car I noticed he's quiet, that's why I decided to break the ice.

"What's on your mind captain?" I consciously asked. He focused on the road because he's driving.

"I plan to investigate further," he answered.

"Yes and that's exactly what we're going to do right?" tanong ko, pakiramdam ko kasi iba ang ibig niyang sabihin. He just gave me a smile on his face. I've been silent the whole time that we're at the Respicio's residence but I was observing everything that's inside including the people. We didn't have a chance to talk to anyone but the senator. We don't even see his wife, that's a total oddity.

"Don't you think it's odd?" tanong ko sa kanya dahilan para sulyapan niya ko sandali.

"What's odd? What do you mean?" tanong niya sakin pabalik at itinuon muli ang sarili sa manibela at kalsada.

"We didn't see the victim's mother. And I don't see any emotions in the senator except for his calmness." I stopped from there and took a quick glance at Captain Benitez who's now looking straight at me.

"Go on." he said with excitement on his face. He's excited about what I'm going to spill.

"Well for a father whose daughter is abducted, he's too calm. The whole household's way too calm and that's what made things odd." I spilled. The captain smiled at me like a child who found an ally.

"You're right! That's the exact thing that's been playing in my head right now!" sabi niya na para bang tuwang tuwa siya sa narinig niya sa akin. Hindi muna ako sumagot at hinayaan siyang magsalita ng muli.

"Looks like the Senator is hiding something under the sun!" he said.

"So what's the plan?" I uttered.

"As of now focus on saving the victim, lead the team to victory and I'll do the digging." he answered firmly. I don't know why he chose me to lead the team where there's Allen who's much better pero sa totoo lang natutuwa ako sa ideya na ako ang nangunguna sa kanila.

"Make sure na kumpleto kayong makakabalik sa Pentagon Troy." that's the last words I've heard from him.

*PENTAGON*

"May nakuha kaming footage ng abduction sa mismong store na katapat ng waiting shed ng University, we had a lead now." Allen showed us the footage. The vehicle was already park in front of the store around 5 pm and it shows that there were eight guys who kidnapped Lailah. At first she was waiting at the area with another student who's standing less than a meter apart from her and the suspects who were already waiting for the victim for almost two hours attacked them and another guy was abducted when he tried to meddle with the scene.

"So we have three victims to be exact." Demeter stated upon watching the video, she hurriedly went in front of the panel and started searching. Lumapit kami sa kanya para silipin kung anong ginagawa niya and we saw a map on the screen.

"I am going to locate them through the vehicle route. It was a Hyundai Starex Van, there's no plate number attached on it but I still managed to search for it through its conduction sticker." and she pointed to the right upper part of the vehicle's rear windshield, it's IG1211.

"Very clever" I heard Sebastian said but not to praise her, it's more like sarcasm. Hindi man siya pinansin ni Demeter halata naman ang namumuong away sa pagitan nila.

"This will take more time." She said,

"If that's the case I believe we need to make a move right now." Adelaide said as she started tying up her hair. Napapansin ko yun sa kanya palagi bago mag start ang training it's like her sign of getting ready.

"Sandali Ady!" Tawag sa kanya ni Allen dahilan para mahinto siya sa paglalakad palabas ng kwarto.

"Maiwan ka na dito kasama ni Demeter no girls should be on the field!" Allen said out of concern. Adelaide walks towards him and crosses her arms.

"Just to remind you Marque I am not just a girl. I am an agent." She said as she finally left the room.

"Ang tigas talaga ng ulo nun!" Sabi ni Allen sabay kamot sa ulo niya.

"You can't force Ady to stay here. She's a very capable agent." The captain said.

"I think Ady is right, you need to make a move right now. I'll be sending you the routes to find the villain's nest." Demeter stated. Dali dali na kaming kumilos nila Sebastian para maghanda.

We started riding in the car as planned. Demeter is currently sending the vehicle's route and the captain called for backup.

"Demy, ilang oras pa?" tanong ko sa kanya mula sa earpiece na nakakabit sa tainga ko.

"We have 20 minutes left. Just follow the map that I've sent you."

"Okay, can you do me a favor?" I asked.

"What favor?" she asked back.

"Can you find me someone's whereabouts? I'll be sending you the vehicle's plate number."

"What? Is that a personal matter?" She asked me.

"No. I think it has something to do with this case." I started and the people inside the van started staring at me as if waiting for me to tell a story.

***

*Sebastian Crisostomo*

The team arrived at the exact location of the kidnappers at 2:30 in the morning. It was confirmed when we saw the van that's been used for the abduction parked 10 meters away from the hideout. It was an abandoned building in an isolated area. It's more like an old hospital or clinic.

"Kailangan nating mag hiwa-hiwalay to explore the whole area!" Troy stated as he counted the number of the group. There are 12 backups and four of us for a total of 16 persons.

"Let's divide the group into four. We need to take the four sides of the building. My group will be the bait we're going to lure the opponents. Find the victims as fast as you can." He ordered.

Adelaide took the left side of the building and Allen took the right. My team and I will be aiming for the back. I am holding a survival gun with a silencer. Well I prefer to use a silencer para hindi nila kaagad mahalata na may kalaban sila sa area.

Mapalad kaming nakapasok kaagad sa back door dahil walang nagbabantay dito, kasalukuyan kasi nilang kinasasagupa ang grupo nila Troy. I hope no one gets hurt from the team and I don't want to be hurt either.

Dahan-dahan naming tinatahak ang madilim na hallway at isa-isang binubuksan ang mga pintuan na nakasara hoping that we can find the victims immediately.

"Sir confirmed! Nandito ang anak ni Senator Respicio." Wika ng isa sa mga kasama ko habang hawak niya ang doorknob ng isang pintong nakabukas ng bahagya. Nag senyas ako ng pagsulong ngunit bigla na lang kaming sinalubong ng mga bala mula sa baril ng kalaban. Kaagad kaming nagtago sa mga pader na nakaharang at nakipag palitan ng putok sa mga kalaban. Nilingon ko ang lalaking katapat ko na nakasuot ng uniporme ng SWAT, may tama siya sa balikat. Nakatingin din siya sakin at sinenyasan ko siya na ako ang mauuna. Before I make my move pinagmasdan ko muna ang buong paligid. Nasa loob ng kwarto ang mga kalaban na patuloy sa pagpapaputok ng baril. Bukod sa kwarto kung nasaan sila may isa pang kwarto sa bandang kanan. Sumulyap akong muli sa mga kasama ko. If I'm not mistaken hospitals was made with ventilations. It is normally located in the ceiling.

"I need to go to that room!" I said as I pointed out the vacant room at the right corner "I'll be discarding the teargas for us to enter their room and save the senator's daughter. Be sure to wear your gas mask."

"We'll cover fire for you sir." One of the SWAT said. I nodded as a sign of agreement.

"Just don't overboard, we need to secure the victim's safety." bilin ko, baka kasi matamaan o masaktan ang biktima. Two of the members move forward to form a defense using their shields which formed horizontally to cover me and the remaining member who's firing against the opponents. I was successfully transferred to the vacant room as planned at ang mga kasama ko ay kasalukuyang nakipag palitan ng putok sa mga kalaban. Pinagmasdan kong maigi ang paligid and as expected nakakita ako ng ventilation sa may bandang kaliwang bahagi na konektado sa kabilang silid kung nasaan ang ilan sa mga kidnappers at ang biktima. I immediately climb up to the ceiling and open the ventilation path. Halos kalahating metro lang ang lapad nitong pathway at sa kabutihang palad nagkasya ako.

Gumapang ako palapit sa dulo kung nasaan ang sirang exhaust fan at sinilip ang kabilang kwarto. Nakita ko sa ang mga suspect na patuloy na nagpapaulan ng bala sa mga kasama kong nasa labas. Kasalukuyan kong hawak ang tear gas at gas mask, kinuha ko ang baril na nakasukbit sa aking pantalon at umayos ng puwesto. This is what the special team thinks of me, a sniper. Saglit kong pinagmasdan ang pwesto ng mga kalaban. Mayroong nasa bandang kanan sa may pinto at kaliwa, ang tatlo ay nasa gitnang bahagi ng silid nakatago sa mga mesa at malalaking drum. Palagay ko sementado ang laman nito dahil kahit anong tama ng bala dito ay hindi tumatagos sa kanila. Nakapagtataka lang na may ganoong bagay sa loob ng lumang gusali na ito. Ilang beses ko mang isipin ang rason hindi pa rin ako makabuo ng tamang konklusyon regarding that matter. Isinantabi ko muna ang pag iisip sa drum na sementado at itinuon muli ang atensyon ko sa pagsagip sa biktima.

Sa kabuuang bilang may limang tao na bumabaril sa mga kasamahan ko sa labas. Nilibot ko pa ng isang beses ang aking paningin para hanapin ang biktima ngunit hindi ko siya makita. Marahil ay nasa opposite direction ko siya o maaaring nasa kwarto sa loob ng silid. May nakita pa kasi akong isang pinto sa loob ngunit hindi ito lagusan, mukhang banyo. Baka itinago nila ang biktima doon. Isinuot ko ang gas mask na hawak ko at pinakawalan ang teargas sa ibaba ng silid. Walang nakapansin sa mga kalaban dahil masyado silang focus sa pamamaril sa mga kasama ko. Unti unting kumakalat ang gas sa loob ng silid at isa-isa na silang nataranta, kumapal nang kumapal ang usok at sinimulan ko ng tanggalin ang elisi ng ventilation upang makapasok sa silid. I successfully removed it and jumped in to the other room. I guess my colleagues are already here, I saw someone checking the villains pulses. I immediately went to the door that I saw a while ago. I opened the door and saw a young lady, she was blindfolded with tied hands while sitting on a chair. I quickly untied her hands and took off the blindfold. I removed my gas mask and gave it to her.

"Just wear that mask for a while." bilin ko sa kanya. Humawak siya sa braso ko at nagsimula kaming lumabas ng silid na yun. Sinalubong pa rin kami ng makapal na usok mula sa tinapon kong tear gas. Nakita ko ang ilan sa mga kasama ko kanina na naka thumbs up sa akin. Medyo nanlalabo na ang paningin ko dahil pa rin sa usok at medyo naaapektuhan na ang paghinga ko. Ginamit ko ang siko ko upang takpan ang aking ilong at bibig. Teary eyes na rin ako sa sobrang hapdi ng usok. The team is about to leave the room when a sudden shot occurred. One of my team kneeled down, he was shot in his left leg. The other SWAT team came to rescue and assists the injured member. I explored my sight on the area. It's hard to identify the shooter with this fog, the team quickly move for a escape. I feel the hands on my right arm became tighter. I look at the victim, maybe she's terrified. I grab her hand to calm her, I feel very dizzy at this point. Palagay ko napuno na ng usok ang baga at utak ko. Wala na yatang natirang oxygen sakin. Unti-unti na akong nanghihina. Inalalayan ko ang hostage palabas ng kwarto kasama ang iba pang miyembro ng SWAT. Pagdating namin sa labas nadatnan namin ang grupo nila Adelaide na kaagad kaming sinalubong.

"Crisostomo ayos lang ba kayo?" tanong sa akin ni Adelaide.

"Yes we are. Kindly assist her to the exit." bilin ko sa kanya sa hostage. Napatingin ako sa kanya na ngayon ay wala ng suot na gas mask.

"Thank you." Sambit nito habang nakatingin at nakangiti sa akin.

"It's our duty to give justice and save people that are in danger." I answered.

Saglit na napalingon ang dalaga kay Adelaide na kasalukuyang nakatingin din sa kanya.

"Nga pala, nakita niyo po ba yung mga kasama kong na kidnapped?" tanong niya dito.

"Oo, huwag ka ng mag alala ligtas na rin sila." sagot ni Ady.

"Let's go." Saad ni Ady nung magtama ang paningin namin. Tinanguan ko siya at tsaka siya tumalikod sa akin, she started walking towards the exit door followed by Lailah Respicio. She was half a meter apart from Adelaide. I was about to follow them when I noticed a red dot pointing on Adelaide's back. My eyes widened when I realized what that thing is! It's a sniper! I immediately run towards Ady and push Lailah who's in front of me that causes them both to hit the ground. I

intentionally did that in able to miss the sniper's shot, we all heard a loud bang after. I successfully missed the shot because both Ady and the senator's daughter are looking fine. The SWAT fired back at the sniper's location, the others start to accompany us towards the exit door. Habang tumatakbo kami palabas ng gusali ay nakaramdam ako ng matinding pagkahapo. Parang kinukulang na ko ng oxygen sa katawan, dahil siguro to aa tear gas kanina. Napansin ko rin ang unti-unting paglabo ng mga bagay sa paligid ko. I stop for a while and I saw Adelaide walks towards me.

"You're bleeding." She said. Napakunot noo ako sa sinabi niya, nilingon ko ang kanang balikat ko kung saan siya diretsong nakatingin. Doon ko nakita ang sugat sa aking balikat at bigla ko na lang naramdaman ang sakit nito.

"So I got shot?" tanong ko sa kanya. Tumango sakin si Adelaide at unti-unting nanghina ang mga tuhod ko. Namamanhid na ang kanang bahagi ng katawan ko.

"Crisostomo!" tawag ni Ady sakin. Napahawak ako sa magkabilang balikat niya. Hindi ko na ata kayang buhatin ang sarili ko.

"Crisostomo!!" tawag niya ulit sa'kin.

Hindi ko na makontrol ang sarili ko at tuluyan na kong bumagsak, unti-unti na ring nagdilim ang paningin ko.