Chapter Two: Captured

I wasn't able to sleep that night. My aunt found his adopted son's body in their house and was frantic, their house was in commotion. She couldn't believe what she saw, she cried while looking for justice. They try to call an ambulance but there's no hope, his son has been dead a couple of hours from the time his body was found. The siren of a police car echoed in my head, they started the investigation, and they asked everyone in the neighborhood questions that could provide them with leads. Our neighbors even wonder what happened. While I just stood there outside staring blankly at their balcony where some of our neighbors were questioned. I was also questioned; I just stared coldly at the eye of the police officer and provided my alibi. 

"I was in the mountains hiking so I can't really provide useful information to help you with your investigations." I lied. I was shocked because there wasn't any hint of strain on my voice. 

"What time did you arrive home?" He asked without looking at me as he was busy writing all the information. 

"Around 5 pm." I lied again. The police immediately released me from questioning.

A lot of things happened today. I became an instant murderer. I also couldn't believe what I did, but I tried not to feel a single remorse convincing myself that what I did was right; I only protected my cousin. That monster deserved it.

On my last day here, we have a small picnic with my brother. We talked, ate, and played. I cannot really say that this vacation is perfect because of what happened but I enjoyed it, it's better than spending my summer vacation in the City. Everything happens so fast; can't believe I am now packing my things as I am going back to the City today. My brother cried as he will miss me, I assured him that I will try to visit him again. However, I am not certain if I will still feel the same excitement I feel every time I visit. What happened is still evident, I can still see the clear image of a dead body with his blood flooding on the floor, and I can still feel the heaviness of the axe and its impact on the man's head. I was not able to have a conversation with Gail but I know her alibi as I am the one who planned it. There is no conclusion yet from the police, the incident is still under investigation, and the axe was brought for inspection. I think my aunt demanded for autopsy, but I'm not sure. I know I cannot keep this forever; they will find some evidence that will lead me as a suspect. I just hope that, if that day comes, I am strong enough to handle it. I hope that luck will be with me.

The busy street of Cebu City welcomed me as I headed out from the bus. So here I am again trying to survive life. I sighed as I looked at the dark sky. I convinced myself to leave and forget any negative events that happened in the province. I will try to live my life without thinking about it; that never happened, it's not real, it was just a nightmare.

There was no sign of my aunt's or even my uncle's when I arrived at their place. Maybe they are still at work. The house is so quiet that it's almost deafening although I'm already used to it but I can still feel the discomfort. I immediately went to my room to change on my comfortable clothes. I already ate so I decided to rest. I stared blankly at the ceiling and couldn't help but overthink, I know I already said that I would not think about it but it's really hard. I silently pray that God will forgive me. I am not a religious person, I sometimes doubted my faith but in times like this, He is the only one I can rely on; He is the only one I can talk to. I know what I did is unforgivable but I am willing to seek God's forgiveness.

I get up from my bed and try to unpack my things. I decided to organize my things to keep my sanity from overthinking. My aunt and uncle are still not home. I don't know where they are, I already messaged them that I'm here but they are not replying. It's eight in the evening already and they are still not here. Overtime? Maybe. The cold breeze from outside signifies that there's rain coming. I leave the window open since it's not raining yet. My phone beeps and I open my aunt's text message. 

"Why didn't you inform us that you will be coming back today? We are here in Oslob, your aunt Marisa needs us here to help with your cousin's funeral. We will be out for a week. Anyway, why did you come back so early? Don't you wanna attend your cousin's funeral?"

And again, that hit me. It seems like my system is lagging and what happened just now registered to me. He is dead. I killed him. I became a murderer. My hands are trembling a little bit while holding onto my phone. 

My aunt and uncle know what happened already. Of course, Nevy they will know! They are your aunt Marisa's relatives as well. It was like cold water was poured on me; my aunt's message felt like she was accusing me of what happened because I left so early. I know that's not really the case, there's nothing wrong with her message. It's just that the guilt that I am trying to bury is crawling up from the deep within me. 

I try to type a reply but it's so hard to construct any sentence. I don't know what to say. I stared at my phone's screen while absentmindedly biting my fingernails.

"I don't know if I can attend. I still have to enroll for the second semester. I'll text you if I can." I feel the cold breeze from outside as I hit the send button. 

I looked at the outside from my window and stared at the dark. There's something or someone outside. I had goosebumps when I saw someone's silhouette, my heart pounds so bad. It feels like someone is watching me outside from the window. I never felt so scared my entire life except for this night. I run to my door and make sure that it's locked. I immediately closed my room's window. I can still feel my fast heartbeat. I don't know if I'm just being hysterical, maybe I am just tired and seeing things. Yes, that's it. I'm just tired from the long trip. I decided to sleep. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Maybe tomorrow, I will no longer think about it. 

Hours of trying to sleep but my mind is still in chaos. I decided to take a pill, the usual pill I take if I cannot sleep. I opened my Apple Music from my phone and played a song.

"Finally! She is awake! Our little criminal is awake!" A voice from a distance shouted with excitement. I tried to open my eyes but all I could see was a bright light coming from somewhere. A faraway thud echoed across the cold, hard floor, rebounding into my ear. I tried to utter a word but duct tape was covering my mouth preventing me from speaking. My brows furrowed and I immediately tried to get up. But then, I realized that I was not on my bed! I am sitting on a chair with my hands and feet tied on it. What the hell? Am I having a nightmare again? But it feels so real. My head ached as I struggled to assess my surroundings.

"So, how's your sleep princess?" A man's voice echoed. I can hear his footsteps. I panicked as I realized that this is not a dream, I tried to get away from the rope that is tying my hands and feet. I tried so hard to remove it but it was tied up tightly. 

I tried to drown out any terrifying ideas that would happen to me for me to devise a strategy. I stayed calm and I peered around the eerie room. Dust discolored every ornament, adding to the clutter in the already cramped quarters. Where am I? This seems like an abandoned house.

The man appears in front of me holding a metal axe. The lights hurt my eyes but I tried my best to recognize him. My eyes narrowed at him; he is a bit familiar but I just can't recall where I saw him. I looked at the axe he was holding and my heart raced.

"Oh, do you recognize this?" He said while waving the metal axe in my face. Fear is now evident on my face. Is this one of Rino's friends? Is he trying to get revenge? His bloodshot eyes looked at me with rage, he played with the axe's sharp tip maintaining our eye contact. I tried to speak. I tried to loosen the tie but it just made me feel hopeless.

"Wh- ar-" I tried so hard to speak.

"Do you have something to say?" He laughed and impetuously removed the tape that was covering my mouth.

"Who are you? Why are you doing this?" I said with a weak voice.

"Pretending to be innocent huh? I know what you did bitch!" He shouted indignantly, he let go of the axe he was holding and focused his attention on my face, and slapped me. I scowl and closed my eyes. 

"I saw you! I know you are the one who killed Rino! And yet you just act as if nothing happened? How dare you! You have to pay for what you did! I will make you pay!" I screamed when he punched me in the face. What the hell is wrong with this guy hurting a helpless woman?

"I didn't mean to do that to him. Your friend is a monster! How can I let him do that to my cousin? She is just a kid!" I tried not to cry but my voice broke. I am so scared. Is he going to kill me?

"No, of course, I will not kill you!" He said as if he heard my thoughts.

"I will make you suffer for you to admit what you did and surrender to the police." He said and got a piece of wood and hit my leg using it, he kicked me and stomped me viciously. His outrange tortured me; I don't even know if I will survive this. My howl echoed, and I tried my best to endure the pain. My stomach retched, and my whole body was aching, how did I get myself into this situation? 

He stops and I look at him with anguish. 

"Why are you doing this instead of reporting me to the police?"

He laughed wickedly and angrily grabbed my neck for me to look at him directly in the eye. 

"Why the hell should I do that? I want you to surrender. Tell them what you did! Turn yourself in!" He desperately utters.

"I can't!" I said without holding back our eye contact. I suddenly remember his face. I am right, he is one of Rino's friends but he is a known ex-convict and drug addict in our province. I suddenly got an idea to provoke him. I stared at him blankly and smiled.

"Are you afraid? Are you afraid that they will not believe you? Oh, right! Who will believe an ex-convict and a drug addict like you?" I laughed.

I howled again when he smacked me, I felt like I was going deaf because of its impact but I tried to act tough and laughed.

"They will think that you are hallucinating. That you are under the influence of drugs again! No one will believe you!" 

He is so pissed now. Now I regret that I said that. He looks at me with so much exasperation, the look that is ready to kill. My whole body is shaking and I look at him with pleading eyes. He lost it! He grabs the axe and is ready to hit me. I don't know what happened next but I heard a gunshot. I couldn't breathe and my vision went black.