CHAPTER 12

Hello! Sorry for not updating for two days, perhaps? This is a new update to all of you! I had fun writing filler chapters but sadly, I will now focus on the story. I hope you enjoyed getting to know of my characters. Happy reading!  (◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*.

CHAPTER 12

A cat walked towards the two that immediately turn stiff and still after seeing the cat transforming into a lady. A lady that emmits dark aura who walks proudly like she owned the place, well she really do, somehow.

"Jape od dajar?" A voice that screams authority and danger asked the two that was wearing black cloak that reach the floor, their heads are down to respect the newcomer.

"Daje od gomar, Asfu Silvia. Daje'd natraslomha." One of the two answered the mysterious lady with respect, still lowering their heads, afraid of meeting the lady with their eyes.

The lady laugh wickedly like the answer of them satisfied her.

"Hapapaf, yajran O esmat zaptra."  The lady commanded and just like  how she appeared, she jump into thin air, turned into a black cat and a black hole opened and suck her.

Just like that she disappeared but the pressure that she gave to the two didn't leave. They are now on another mission again.

The question is, Who is she? Who is the two who's wearing cloaks? and... What are they talking about?

***

Isang araw na ang nakakalipas simula noing magising ako. Maayos na ang palagay ko pero hindi parin ako pwedeng magbuhat ng mabibigat at mag gagagalaw. I've been drinking a pill that will help me recover faster.

Naghilom narin ng tuluyan ang mga nauna kong sugat. Ang inaalala nalang namin, mostly nila ay ang nangyari sa spinal cord ko.

Nagising ako at naabutan silang nagtatalo kanina. Noong tulog pa ako ay pinagaawayan nila kung ano ang gagawin. Ngayon namang gising na ako ay pinagaawayan naman nila kung paano sila kikilos.

Naiinis na napakagat ako sa aking labi. Did I just become their burden?

Akala ng mga ito ay hindi ko naririnig ang mahihina nilang pagtatalo. Ang hindi nila alam ay nagpapanggap lang akong tulog para sabihin nila sa akin ang totoo.

Before, I was the one keeping secrets from them. Now, they are ganging up on me on keeping me blind on what's happening.

This is what they're feeling if I'm not including them into planning huh? This is what they're feeling when I'm keeping secrets at them.

Useless. A burden. Impatient.

"They're getting stronger, hindi niyo ba pansin? Ni hindi na tumatalab ang mga nauna nating patibong at plano! What? We'll just sit here and die?" Kris hysterically asked in a low voice enough for them to hear.

"We'll just do another plan then..." Clay answered in a low voice.

"What plan? What? Sige nga? Dehado na tayo! Hindi niyo ba nakikita?" sa pangalawang pagkakataon. Malakas na ang boses ni Kris.

"I mean.. Don't get me wrong. Kung ako lang, ayoko ring umalis. I rather stay here because I knew what are our enemies but we can't just stay in our comfort zone forever. We can't just stay here. We cant'!" Mas malumanay na ang boses nito pero nandoon parin ang kaba niya.

"Remember kung ano yung sinasabi ni Joy noon? Don't let you emotions dictate you. Leash it so you can think of the solution easily. Ang pinapairal natin dito, emosyon. We are letting our emotions dictate us! We are going in the wrong way," she added again.

That shut them up but that made me smile. Kris... What a wonderful bitch.

I don't want to eavesdrop anymore so I stand up and walk towards their location. They looked like they've seen ghost. I'm a beautiful ghost for their information.

"I agree with Kris. Come on, I'm not weak. I can manage and I also don't want to be a burden so please, don't hold yourselves because of me. " I said and smiled genuinely.

Nakita kong nangingiting nag thumbs up sa akin si Kris habang naiiling naman ang apat na doktor na alam kong isa sa mga opposed sa pagalis. They're doctors, alam nila kung gaano katagal ang recovery ko pero hindi nalang sila umimik.

Walang nagawa ang iba kung hindi tumango kaya natawa ako ng mahina. Wala silang magagawa kung ang pinoproblema nila ay hindi na problema.

They have no choice but to agree.

"So... To my hidden room, right?" I asked and they nodded.

"That's easy, Let's do it after 15 minutes. Nakapag pahinga naman na kayo hindi ba?" I asked and they nodded.

"Well then... I will just ready myself." I finally said and excused myself so I can at least rinse my face with lukewarm water. Nanlalagkit na kasi ako.

Dumiretso ako sa maliit na lababo at naghilamos. Pag-kaangat ko ng mukha ko ay napapitlag ako ng sinalubong ako ng repleksiyon ni Clay sa salamin. Hindi ko ito pinansin and find an unused toothbrush so I can brush my teeth. Nang maramdaman malinis na ang mukha ay sunod kong hinubad ang pangitaas kong damit. Wala namang masama doon dahil nababalitan naman halos ng benda ang aking itaas na katawan. Besides, I don't have time to be maarte. Nagagawa ko ngang magsuot ng two piece sa beaches, eto pa kayang nakabenda naman ang katawan ko.

Ngunit hindi nakalagpas sa akin ang mahinang pagmumura ng lalaki kaya natawa ako ng mahina. They told me that he's been guiding me almost all the time. He's been acting weird towards me, patunay na nga ngayon. I wonder what change his mind for treating me nice now? I wonder what made him change his treatment?

"Anong kailangan mo, Clay?" I asked him while holding the garter of the pajama I am wearing so I can change it into sweatpants.

Hindi ito sumagot kaya nilingon ko ito pero nakatalikod ito sa akin. Kinunutan ko ito ng noo bago nagpalit. Umupo ako sa isang silya dahil hindi ko pa naman kayang yumuko ng sobra sobra. Masakit parin ang likod ko pero hindi ko nalang ito pinahahalata sa kanila.

Nang matapos magbihis ay tumayo na ako at tumabi sa lalaki na kalmadong nakatitig sa kawalan. I asked him the same question again.

"Kaya mo na ba talaga?" He questioned and I smiled before shrugging.

"Kaya or not, I can't just sit here and turn blind eye even though I can see all your sufferings. Kakayanin ko Clay as long as you are all with me, safe. Besides... You'll protect me right?" I jokingly said the last part but his face remained the same, serious and unreadable.

Bumuntong hininga ito at nagulat ako sa sunod niyang ginawa. He hold my right hand and intertwine our hands. Nandoon na naman ang malakas na kabog ng aking dibdib. I can feel my breath being hitched, the racing of my heartbeat, the warm feeling coming into my cheeks and the shivering of my lowerlip.

I was looking at him and he was looking at our intertwined hands. Then he tigthen his grip like he wanted to say something through those moves.

Hinayaan ko ito sa gusto niya kahit na nga naguguluhan na ako sa inaakto nito. Pwede ko namang bawiin ang kamay ko pero iniisip ko palang, kumikirot na ang dibdib ko.

Hindi naman ako tanga. I know these feelings. I knew what will happen. I knew what he's doing. But I rather pretend not to know than expect and disappoint myself.

Actions aren't enough without words. If he can't clarify what he really wanted to say, I won't accept and tolerate his actions. Words are made for clarification anyway.

"... Joy?" I came back when I heard him called my name.

"Po?" I said almost a sudden. Nakita ko ang naglalarong ngiti sa kaniyang labi na inirapan ko lang.

"Since you aren't allowed to run, I'll be the one to carry you. Itatanong ko lang, ano bang timbang mo?" Tanong nito sa mapangbirong boses.

Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin at sa inis ko ay inapakan ko ang kaniyang paa. Hindi naman malakas pero 'kala mo napilayam na siya kung makasigaw. Napabitaw ito sa pagkakahawak sa kamay ko kaya napangisi ako.

"It's rude to ask a woman of her weight! Bwisit! D'yan ka na nga!" Sigaw ko sa lalaki pero hindi naman talaga ako galit.

Iniwan ko ito roon at pumunta sa pwesto ng mga kaibigan kong may kaniya kaniyang mundo.

I wonder... If this ends, sino kaya ang unang ikakasal sa amin?

"Ehem," I cleared my throat and smiled at them. Nakangiti ang mga itong tumango sa akin kaya napatawa ako ng mahina.

"Cha, Gray, Trav, Hen and me will be the offense. Nica and Chi will be the defense and Clay will carry you while Kris will stay with you too. Is that clear?" Asta asked and we nodded.

"Okay then, Let's move forward and make sure this we will succeed, okay?" He then said before stretching his hand forward.

"Yes!" We shouted put out hands together.

It seems like Asta was already been a part of my family. He's very much welcome and he's been the one leading them all. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti.

Mukhang napansin ng lalaki ang tingin ko sa kaniya kaya lumingon ito sa direksiyon ko at saka kumindat. Napailing nalang ako bago napatawa ng mahina.

Still the same guy, I guess.

Ako at si Clay ang walang bitbit sa aming sampo. It's because I wasn't allowed to carry heavy things and I'll be carried by Clay.

Naunang lumabas ang lima na magiging offensive force namin saka sumunod si Chi at Nica. Nilingon muna kami ni Kris bago sumenyas na lalabas lang kami kapag narining na namin ang tawag niya.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Clay, hindi malaman kung ano ang gagawin. Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay kaya bumuntong hininga ito bago ibinaba ang katawan para makasakay ako sa likod niya.

He tighten his grip to my thighs as we wait for the signal for us to go out. The ticking of the clock was the only noise heard in the room as well as our deep breaths. A minute has passed but the signal haven't ring yet.

I wonder what happened? We don't hear noises so... What happened to them?

"Don't you think they're taking too long?" I whispered to his ears.

"They're maybe having difficulty to fight but it's weird. I don't hear noises..."

"Should we take a look?"

Tinignan ako nito kahit na nahihirapan siyang ipihit ang kaniyang ulo para lang magkatinginan kami bago ako sigawan. "Nababaliw ka na ba? Hindi pa nga nila naibibigay ang signal tapos gusto mo ng lumabas?"

Pinalobo ko ang aking mga pisngi saka nakasimangot na nangalumbaba sa kaniyang balikat. "We'll just peek lang naman, duh."

Before he can even answer, Kris face appeared and smiled at us.

We looked at hee confusedly. "It's fine. It's safe outside." She said and we gaped at her.

Gusto ko sanang bumaba pero hindi na ako binitawan ng lalaki at dumiretso na sa pwesto ni Kris.

Napaawang ang labi ko ng masilayan ang paligid. The surrounding.. everything, they were in their proper place, like a bloody fight didn't happened, like it didn't even occur.

Tulad ko ay tahimik lang rin ang mga kasama ko. Lahat kami naguguluhan, lahat kami nagtataka. 

What the hell just happened?

Tinapik ko sa balikat si Clay para ibaba ako na agad niya namang ginawa.

"We don't have any idea,"

Magtatanong palang sana ako ngunit sinagot na agad ako ni Cha.

"This is fucking confusing..." I mumbled and I felt like all the strength was strip from me, making me fell in the floor, knee first.

"Surprised?"

The feeling of fear and hatred immediately came rushing into my veins as I heard that familiar voice.

That old lady... What the fuck is she doing here?

Walang umimik at walang gumalaw nang bigla nalang lumitaw out of nowhere ang matandang babae. She doesn't looked like she's old, she looked liked in mid 40's.

Her true form? Maybe.

Tanging tunog lang ng kaniyang takong ang maririnig habang naglalakad ito palapit sa isang one seated sofa.

"Why don't you guys follow Joy? Kneel and bow down to my power," she said in her menacing voice. I gritted my teeth and tried to stand up but it seems like there's a big force stopping me.

When I looked up, I saw her looking at me, smirking.

"Ara ara~" she softly whispered and then her eyes turn red, her hair rose up, "Kneel." Her voice sounds dominating, commanding.

Nagulat ako nang sabay sabay na lumuhod ang mga kaibigan ko, their faces are all emotionless and they looked like they weren't there.

Inisa isa kong tignan ang kanilang mga mata only to sighed after seeing that familiar eyes. That emotionless eyes, that was the eyes of the people trying to kill us.

Humalakhak ang matanda kaya bumalik ang tingin ko sa kaniya.

"Now... Where are we?" She asked.

I glared at her, the only thing I can do right now. Damn it! "What did you do to my friends, you damn old hag!"I shouted as loud as I can.

She looked at me and a devilish smirk was formed in her face. What happened next seems so impossible.

I cried and shouted in pain when I blink and saw her in front of me, her nails digging my eyes as hard as she can. I can feel the blood gushing out of my eyes as I felt the never ending pain when she took my eyes with her fingers.

"Ahh!" I cried even though I can't feel my eyes. I shouted in pain because that's the only way I can let go of the pain.

Am I blind? Did she take my eyes?

Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. I can't see, I can't feel. It's like my sense were already losing, fading. I don't know what to do but just bear the pain.

I don't know what to do anymore.

Then she laughed. She laughed like she just did something hilarious. That made something snap inside of me.

The pain was gone, I can hear again. I can smell again and when I opened my eyes, I saw her smiling pitifully at me while showing her bloody fingers.

Hinawakan ko ang aking mga mata, walang bahid ng tusok, walang bahid ng dugo. The only liquid in my cheeks were tears, my tears.

"Great for you to overcome my illusion. The question is, will they too?"

She laughed again and I don't know what to say. Actually, I'm not thinking straight right now... The pain is still there, it's so fresh that I can't even process her words.

Tumayo ang babae at naglakad papunta sa harapan ko. She hold my chin and lowered her head.

"I'm almost done breaking your friend, might as well do it to others right?" She asked but I don't even understand her.

What is she trying to say?

Hindi ako kumilos at hindi rin ako umimik. Nakatingin lang ako sa nakangising labi nito bago tinignan ang walang emosyon niyang mukha.

No, there's an emotion there. Hunger...

Hunger for?

"See you in Netherworld, dear ... If you will all survive."

Was her last message before she vanished. I felt the force being taken away from me, but the others... They remained kneeling. They were left in their own illusions.

And I can't help them. I can't save them. It's now the time for them to save theirselves.

Guide them to the truth, my Lord. Lend them your hands, show them your light. Bring my friends with me again, I beg you.

—

There you are! If you're curious what they are talking about (first scene) let me give you a clue.

I type in my phone and I want to learn how to backflip. I only appear above the arrow and was made to make incoherent words, coherent.

Try guessing it okay? I created my own Netherworld language so yeah. Echosera lang lol.