Margou's Pov:
Kasalukuyan akong nakaupo sa back seat ng kotse ni Drex habang nakikipagplastikan sa kanya. Kanina pa ito nagsasalita at mukhang hindi pa gustong tumigil kakachika sa akin.
"You need to kill Shan as soon as possible," biglang utos ni Drex sa akin. Agad na tumaas ang isa kong kilay.
Sino siya para utos-utosan ako? Hibang ba siya?
"Copy boss," irap kong tugon bago sumandal sa upuan tsaka luminga-linga sa labas ng bintana.
Kanina ko pa kino-kontak 'yong bwiset na Yhurlo na iyon pero ni hindi man lang napag-isipang sagutin ang mga tawag ko. Alam ba niyang maaaring pumalpak ang plano namin pag nagkataong hindi ito nagtugma sa planong ginawa ni Shan? Naku! Ako talaga ang naiirita sa lalaking yan.
Habang palinga-linga sa labas ng bintana ay agad kong namataan sina Shan at Yhurlo na nagtatago sa likod ng nagtataasang mga damo. Mabilisan akong natuliro tsaka aligang-aligang lumingon ulit kay Drex sa takot na malaman niyang nakita ko sila. Nanlalaki pa rin ang mga mata ko kasabay ng paghahabol ko sa aking hininga na para bang may nakakatakot at nakakagimbal akong nasaksihan sa damuhan. Taka naman akong tinignan ng matandang iyon kasabay ng pagkunot ng noo nito. Hindi ko iyon pinansin at sinubukang kausapin siya nang sa gayon ay mabaling ang buong atensyon niya sa akin.
Habang papasok kami sa mataas at napakalaking gate na gawa sa bakal ay pasimpleng hinanap ng mga mata ko ang aking mga kasamahan. Mula rito ay tanaw na tanaw ko sina Aaron at Kitty nasa rooftop ng abandonadong guest building. Maayos na nakaset-up ang mga armas nila at tanging senyas na lamang ang hinhintay nito samantalang si Elton naman ay nasa abandonadong building na kaharap sa guest building. Katabi nito ang isang napakalapad na courtyard. Prenteng nakapandekwatrong nakaupo ito sa sira-sirang silya habang naghihintay rin ng senyas.
Mukhang hindi man lang nag-abalang magtago ng mokong na'to. Iiling-iling akong nag-iwas ng paningin tsaka muling tinuon ang atensyon sa harapan ng main building.
Naunang bumaba ng kotse si Drex na agad ko namang sinundan. Nasa likuran lamang ako nito na tila ako ang kanang kamay at mapagkakatiwalaang tauhan sa lahat dahilan upang palihim akong matawa. Lahat ng mga tauhang nadadaanan ni Drex ay tinatanguan at yinuyukuan siya animo'y isa itong makapangyarihang tao na sinasamba bagay na ikinangiwi ko.
Aksidenteng dumapo ang aking mga mata kay Sofilia at Justine nang lumingon ako sa pinakasulok ng pasilyong nadaanan namin. Doon sila pansamantalang nagtatago habang hinihintay ang pagdating ni Yhurlo. Palihim ko silang sinenyasan na magtago sa likod ng mga naglalakihang kahon dahil awtomatiko silang nakikita mula rito sa kinatatayuan ko. Napairap naman ako nang makitang naghihilaan pa ang dalawa dahil ayaw ni Sofilia na magtago sa likod ng mga kahon dulot ng mabahong amoy, samantalang si Samer naman ay paniguradong nasa kabilang sulok upang simulan ang pasikretong pagkakabit ng mga bomba sa bawat kanto ng palapag.
Hindi ko na sila pinansin pa at sumunod na lamang kay Drex papuntang elevator na patungo sa ikaanim na palapag, kung nasaan ang opisina nito. Habang naghihintay na makarating sa ikaanim na palapag ay narinig kong magsalita si Vince mula sa kabilang linya. Gamit naming lahat ang earpiece na binigay ni Shan sa amin para magkaroon pa rin ng komunikasyon sa isa't-isa kahit na magkakalayo kaming lahat.
"Nakakapagod naman dito, Margou! Ang dami-daming mga ulupong!" Hinihingal at nauumay na pagrereklamo ni Vince sa kabilang linya dahilan upang sitahin ito ni Cassie.
"Bilisan niyo na dyan!" Rinig ko pang sigaw ni Jake na mukhang nagmamadali sa pagkakabit ng mga bomba.
Nanatili lamang ako na tahimik at pinilit ang sarili na h'wag magsalita nang sa gayon ay hindi maghinala si Drex. Maya-maya pa ay bumukas na ang pinto ng elevator. Sabay kaming lumabas ni Drex tsaka niya ako inaya na pumunta sa loob ng kanyang opisina.
Pangalawang beses pa lang akong nakatapak sa palapag na'to. Hindi ako gaanong nakakaabot sa ikaanim na palapag dahil hindi ka basta-bastang nakakapunta rito maliban na lang kung inanyayahan ka mismo ni Drex na pumunta rito. Umirap ako tsaka tinignan ang kanyang mga tauhan na may malalagkit ang tingin sa akin. Akmang cha-chansingan sana ako no'ng adik nang biglang matigilan dahil sa kamaong pinakita ko sa kanya. Mabilis at natatakot itong napaatras tsaka nanatili na lamang sa kanyang pwesto.
Sinundan ko na lamang si Drex na ngayo'y nauunang naglalakad papasok sa kanyang opisina. Inumwestra pa nito ang kamay para sabihing maupo ako na agad ko namang sinunod.
Lintek nagmumukha akong alipin!
Pinatong niya ang dalawang kamay sa lamesa bago ito pinagsiklop tsaka pekeng nakangiting tumingin sa akin matapos maupo sa itim na swivelling chair.
"What would you want to say?" Pang-uusisa niya kaagad sa akin bago pinakawalan ang malalim na hininga. "You want us to talk here. I'm afraid that's a very private matter." Dagdag pa nito tsaka sumandal sa kanyang swivelling chair para kumuha ng sigarilyo sa drawer. Sinindihan niya ito at humithit tsaka pinakawalan ang makapal at mabahong usok sa mukha ko animo'y nang-aasar.
Sarkastiko ko siyang nginiwian at sumandal na lang rin sa upuan.
Old piece of shit!
Akmang magsasalita na sana ako nang biglang tumunog ang kanyang telepono dahilan para mabilis at walang pag-alinlangan niya itong sinagot. Bahagya pa siyang tumalikod upang hindi ko marinig ang sinasabi ng kausap niya. Agad ko naman iyong kinuhang dahilan para magpaalam na pumuntang cr na agad naman nitong tinanguan.
Hindi nakatakas sa magaganda kong mga mata ang pagkunot ng kanyang noo nang tumingin sa akin animo'y isa ako sa mga kalaban niyang gustong patayin. Inirapan ko siya tsaka maarteng nilagay sa likod ng tainga ang ilang hibla ng buhok bago dire-diretsong pumasok sa cr na nasa loob ng kanyang opisina upang kausapin si Nick sa kabilang linya.
"Nasaan na si Shan?" Mahinang tanong ko na muntik nang maging bulong, pero siniguradong maririnig niya. Baka kasi biglang marinig ni Drex ang mga sasabihin ko, madaldal pa naman ako.
"Papunta na si Shan sa inyo. Mukhang nagtataka kung bakit walang taong humaharang sa kanya," pagbabalita nito kasabay ng mabilisang pagtitipa sa keyboard na nanglilikha ng ingay. Siya ang naatasang magbantay sa control room na naka-locate sa maliit na silid na isang kanto lamang ang kalayuan sa rooftop. Nagbibigay at naghahatid siya ng mga updates sa mga kaganapan sa loob at labas ng building na'to.
"Nakasalubong niya ba sina Vince? Tatanga-tanga pa naman iyon," tanong ko pa ulit at umupo sa nakasiradong bowl para hintayin ang sagot niya. Hindi niya agad ako sinagot at mas naging abala pa sa pagtitipa. Pakiramdam ko'y nakatuon ang buong atensyon nito sa screen na kaharap at mukhang hindi narinig ang sinabi ko. "Ano na!" Mahinang pagsigaw ko sa kabilang linya nang hindi makapaghintay sa sagot niya.
"Si Shan nasa harapan na ng opisina ni Drex!" Natutuliro at nagmamadali nitong sigaw kasabay ng pagbilis ng pagtipa nito sa keyboard. Wala sa sarili at kusa akong napatayo tsaka akmang pipihitin na ang busol nang magsalita ulit siya. "Si Jake at iyong~" hindi na nito natapos pa ang mga dapat sabihin nang pigilan ko siya sa pagsasalita.
"Tumahimik ka na nga! Nandito na pala si Shan e bakit si Jake 'yang inaatupag mo dyan!" Inis kong asik sa kanya at basta na lang pinatay ang tawag bago nakapikit na huminga ng malalim upang pakalmahim ang sarili. Naramdaman kong may gusto pang sabihin si Nick kanina, pero agad ko siyang pinigilan dahil si Shan naman talaga ang importante dito at hindi si Jake.
Dahan-dahan kong pinihit pabukas ang pintuan tsaka pinanatiling kalmado ang ekspresyon ng mukha, ngunit agad ring natigilan nang saktong paglabas ko sa palikuran ay siya namang pagdapo ng mga mata namin ni Shan.
Nanliliksik at galit na galit itong tumingin sa gawi ko habang mahigpit na hinahawakan ang baril na nasa kanang kamay niya dahilan para bigla akong kabahan at mapaatras dulot ng matinding takot na nararamdaman. Bumibilis ang pagtibok ng aking puso dahil sa mga tinginan niyang ngayon ko lang nakita. Pakiramdam ko'y kaya niya ako patayin ora mismo. Umatras ako ng ilang beses habang hawak-hawak pa rin sa kabilang kamay ang door knob upang kumuha ng lakas ng loob na tumayo sa harapan niya. Namutla na lang ako nang tuluyan nang bigla nitong itutok ang baril ng diretso sa aking sentido habang diretsong nakatuon ang nagbabagang tingin nito sa mga mata ko.
Putangina!
Zach's Pov:
"Shit! Shan, why would you go this far?" I anxiously whispered to myself while driving the car straight to the police station.
I continued dialing her phone number while heading to the station hoping and wishing she'd answer. I want to tell her that what she's trying to do might put her life in danger.
Minutes later, I arrive in front of the station then immediately park my car in the parking lot.
My presence caught the attention of some of my co-police men. Their gaze says it all for what I am expecting, their eyes, their eyebrows everything shows their confusion and curiosity. I ran hurriedly along the long hallway. Those stares, I didn't mind it anymore and started to mind my own business.
I stopped in front of police chief's door and heave a deep breathe before knocking to acknowledge my presence. I slowly opened the door to enter myself then walk towards him. When he saw me, he immediately stopped scanning the files that he was holding before looking at me to give me a sweet smile. It was a heart-warming and contagious smile that can soften the heart of others, but I was too anxious and nervous to smile back at him. I just salute to pay respect, so did he.
"What can I do for you?" He asked gently then invited me to sit, but I refused and chose to stand.
I looked at him straight into his eyes and unintentionally bit my lower lip. I cleared my throat before talking.
"Will our plan continue later?" I hesitated to ask and averted my eyes when I felt his forehead wrinkle. He looked at me curiously as if he was confused by my question.
"Yes. You even made that plan yourself, Zach." He stated using his clear and stern voice.
I avoided my eyes from him and let out a heavy sigh to calm myself down. I even clenched my fists to prevent myself from letting my emotions out. His brows were furrowing while looking intently at me.
"Dad, can we just cancel our plan?" I asked in a hesitant tone, not knowing how to say it without him noticing something.
"No. The plan's final." He persists saying that nothing can stop him. I slightly shook my head, obviously against on what he said. "What's wrong with you, Zach?" He worriedly asks and slowly leans forward to touch my forehead as if I'm sick. When he felt that I'm okay, his eyebrows furrowed even more, unable to understand the flow of my brain.
"Shan's in danger," I unknowingly confessed as I stare blankly at the wall.
I felt the void of emptiness in my heart as I sat on the chair. I forced myself to calm down before slowly taking a deep breath to draw courage. I don't know what will I do in case Shan goes to see Mr. Drex.
What if we meet there? What if she perishes? What if she gets hurt? Lots of questions in my mind with no answers. I wanted to stop our plan, so I could just go there alone to help Shan. I know this is not right, but because the welfare of the woman I love depends on it, I will do everything even if it hurts and destroy me.
WE ARE already in front of the hideout. The night is deep and the sky is dark. We got out of the police car while the high and fancy gate in front was in full view. My forehead furrowed when it opened sharply, but my forehead furrowed even more when I saw countless bodies lying on the ground.
"What the heck?" Rychll was shocked and unbelievably cheap after seeing the unconscious characters lying on the ground. She walks towards them to see if it was still alive. "They're still alive." She said and unconsciously let out a relief sigh.
I don’t know if I should believe in myself that Shan did this to them. I know how brave and strong the woman I love is, but I don't think she will reach the point where she will attack Mr. Drex alone. I aggresively shook my head to refuse what was running into my mind before continue walking.
We went straight to the main building while holding our guns, and walked around the area. Every time we step, there were almost lying and prostrate armed men meeting us which made my colleagues even more alarmed. When we got inside the building, we were immediately greeted by two young women and two young men who were gasping for breath, sitting on the floor. Fresh blood surrounds their entire bodies due to the wounds, bruises and scratches of the knife that they received. I raised my eyebrows and looked at them one by one.
My companions were alerted, especially Rychll who was standing next to me. She directly pointed her gun at them. The two young women and men were surprised because of her sudden movement.
"Walangya kayo tinulungan na nga namin kayong patumbahin ang mga 'to tapos tututokan niyo lang kami ng baril!" The woman spat and annoyingly stamped her feet then immediately looked at me with her searching eyes. "Hoy ikaw! Si Shan hanap mo diba?" It's a question that seems to be very sure of what is being said. I didn't answer for fear that she might mouth me. "Nandoon siya kay Drex nakikipagpatayan na!" She snorted using her loud voice, not even scared and distracted by the guns pointed at her.
I was stunned for a seconds while looking at her. I didn't even know if she's telling the truth, but it's scares the shit out of me. I remained silent and calm as I could.
I told Rychll not to hurt them and lowered the guns before I ordered some of them to take the four of them to the clinic so they could heal their wounds.
"What the heck! How dare you talk to him like that!" Rychll's eyebrows were annoyed while looking directly at the woman. She was about to hit her when I stopped her.
"How dare you too! Kingina niyong lahat!" She shouted back as she walked away to go to the clinic and get treatment.
I took a deep breath after seeing that they had entered and boarded the police car.
I feel like I'd rather be with Shan who's quite and calm than that loud noisy woman.
"Do you know her?" Rychll immediately asked after that woman got in the police car.
All I know is that they helped Shan with the plan she developed. So, it was definitely one of her friends.
"Let's go," I said to Rychll, refusing to give an answer. They all followed me as I walked straight towards the stairs to go up to the sixth floor. We couldn’t use the elevator because Mr. Drex might found out that we were here, that's why we preferred to climb using the stairs even though it was tiring.
"I'm freaking tired!" Rychll complained as she sat on the floor to have a rest.
The rest of us did the same, exhausted as they lay on the cold floor while chasing their own breath. I looked at them and wiped the sweat from my forehead before leaving in front of them to tour the fifth floor of the building.
My uniform was already soaked with sweat because of the very tiring climb. I turned to the other corner and was startled to see a young woman lying on the floor covered in so much blood with a man leaning against the wall next to her. I saw on its side Jake who's still continuing to plant the bomb. My hands moved automatically and directly pointed the gun at him. Obviously not one of them noticed my presence caused maybe by extreme fatigue.
"What are you doing?" I asked loudly and wrinkled my forehead while holding the gun tightly. Jake immediately stopped what he was doing to looked at me with a mixture of shock and astonishment on its face.
Their mouths were widely open as they watched me standing firmly in front of them. Their eyes widened as they scan my whole being. My eyebrows met automatically as I slowly lowered the gun I was holding and returned it to the pocket gun on my waist.
"Ikaw si Zach no?" Shocked and incredulous question of the man leaning against the wall seemed surprised to see me. I hesitantly nodded as they looked at me with a pure shock written all over their faces. He was about to speak again when my colleagues suddenly arrived then immediately turn their gazes at them, especially Rychll who seemed annoyed to see the friends of the girl I love.
"Sino ba talaga kayo ha?" Surprised, Rychll asked them and simply glared at Jake who was just silently looking at us.
"Kaibigan kami ni Shan," was the shy and weak response of the woman who was now standing to face us.
"Aalis na ako," Jake suddenly said as he finished with the bombs. He passed in front of me and stopped just to glare at me which made me scared.
I know this guy likes Shan, but it's too much if he looks at me badly. I will report him to Shan. I whispered on myself and secretly pout my lips.
"Pa'no kami, Jake?" The another man complained using his very tired tone. He could even barely stand. I immediately called the three police men who were with Rychll and me to ask them to take them to the clinic.
"Pupuntahan ko si Shan." Jake replied as he walked towards the elevator causing me to turn to him who was now inside the elevator and ready to climb to the top. I wasted no more time and pulled Rychll to go with him. I just warned my fellow cops to be careful because we will be ahead of Drex.
"Sandali!" I shouted and puts my one arm in between the door so that it would stop from closing. The slight rise of Jake's eyebrows did not escape my sight.
Rychll and I entered immediately and waited for the elevator to stop on the sixth floor. When it landed on the sixth floor we walked straight and quietly towards the long and dark hallway. I scanned my eyes all over the hallway just to see one room. That room has no door causing the light to come out.
My body moved automatically and quickly ran over there and stopped in front of it as my lips unconsciously falls while looking at her. Rychll and Jake immediately followed me and also stopped when they saw Shan pointing the gun at the woman who had just come out of the toilet, and slowly moves the tip of the gun to Mr. Drex before giving Drex a serious glare.
I was shocked to see Shan with eyes focused on Mr. Drex. I turn my eyes to Shan just to see her directly pointing the gun at the old man, obviously didn't even seem to hesitate to shoot it at the opponent's head.
"Any last words?" Shan asked as she grips the gun tighter than before. The old man just grinned, trying to hide his nervousness. "Ikaw Margou, baka gusto mong sumunod sa kanya?" She diverted her eyes to Margou as she glares at her. The woman could hardly move in shock and fear.
I don’t know if she was surprised by what Shan did or she was more surprised to see me. Margou didn't speak causing Shan to refocus her gaze on Mr. Drex. She slowly walks closer to him while still gripping the gun tightly. We've been standing here before, but she doesn't seem to even notice our presence.
"Any last words to your love ones?" Suddenly, Mr. Drex smiled and asked who now looks happy to say those words. Shan's eyebrows automatically furrowed and confused. I was about to speak when I felt something hard on the back of my head. I was stunned when I realized it was a gun.
"Zach," cried Rychll in a frightened whisper that was now unable to move because of the gun on the back of her head. Jake's condition is similar as he tries to calm himself down and fight his nervousness.
I swallowed one after another and blinked a few times as I slowly raised my hand in the air, Jake and Rychll did the same. I bit my lower lip when the man behind me presses the gun harder causes me to wince because of the pain it caused.
"I bet you want to have a formal farewell, Shan." Mr. Drex added, who could now no longer break the silly grin on his lips. He even gestured his hands at us.
Bullets of sweats came out as I fearfully looked at them, nervous that they might kill us.
"Shan," I softly called her when I felt them triggered the gun.
I felt Shan's shoulders rose as if surprised to hear my voice. Slowly, she turns her back and looked at me together with her chestnut eyes. Her face immediately pale as she looked at me with a mixture of shock and fear. I saw how she continuously swallow along with her blinking eyes, confirming if this is really me.
"Put your gun down, Shan." Strong command of Mr. Drex to her.
Shan then slowly and unconsciously followed his request and weakly dropped the gun on the floor while still looking at me in disbelief.
I could feel the trembling of my knees along with the coldness of my body before seeing the goofy but excited grin of Mr. Dex.