I’ve been searching for Ken all over the place but I can’t find a single trace of him!
“Ouch!” I bumped onto someone.
“Sorry!”
Tinignan ko kung sino ang nakabangga ko. Turns out, it was one of the new students.
He was tall and imposing, and his posture exuded authority even in this laid-back setting. I couldn't help but stare as his shirt stretched taut across his shoulders as he shifted. At the back of my mind, I was laughing not because of his appearance but because this is exactly Bea’s type.
“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” tanong ko.
He looked behind me and everywhere like he’s hiding from someone.
“Naghahanap ng lugar kung saan makakatakas dito. Ikaw, sa tagal niyo na dito, may alam ka bang kung saan pwede tumakas?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I crossed my arms over my stomach as an attempt to catch my breath.
“Do you really know what situation are you in now?”
He was confused as hell. I wish to talk to him a little more pero kailangan ko pang hanapin si Ken.
“Any way, if I were you, mananahimik nalang ako sa isang tabi.”
I walked away. Before I can even leave completely, I heard him shout “What do you mean?!”
Halos kalahating oras na ang nakakalipas at pansin kong paikot-ikot nalang ako sa kung saan ako naghahanap so, I gave up the thought of finding Ken and looked for Bea instead.
“Jelcy!”
Nilingon ko si Thana na hinahabol ang hininga niya habang papalapit saakin.
“Come with me!”
Kumunot ang noo ko.
“Is it urgent? I still have to look for Bea and Ken.”
“Alam ko kung nasaan siya.”
Mabilis akong sumama kay Thana. It’s quite unusual to see her without Third with her.
We ran as fast as we could. I can already feel that something’s wrong and Thana wants to let me see it myself.
Ilang minuto rin kaming tumakbo bago huminto si Thana sa isang lugar malapit sa bangin. But it is not the one that shocked me. Right in front of where I stood, I can see a big aquarium tank that can fit hundreds of people. Inside, were three huge crocodiles that was staring on top of them. Noong makita ko ang nasa itaas ay nanlumo ang tuhod ko. Mayroong sampung taong nakasabit sa itaas ng tangke. Nakatali ang mga kamay nila mula sa isang malaki at makapal na bakal. Those ten people hanging includes Third, Jackie, Gueyo, Ken, and Bea.
“Jelcy!”
I couldn’t move my mouth. I was catching my breath the whole time I was staring at the unconscious Ken and terrified Bea.
“Now that you’re all here, welcome to our new game.”
I looked furiously at Miss Alvarado. A smile completely enveloped her face.
Furious, I said, “Get them down.”
She burst into laughter.
“Oh no, I’m not the one to do that.” I already see where this is going. “Your task is simple, each person, kailangan makahanap ng logo ng school natin na nakatago sa gubat na ito, sa bawat isang taong hindi makakabalik after twenty minutes, say goodbye to one of your friends.”
“How can you do this?!” Sigaw ng kung sino man mula sa mga bagong dating.
“Just because I can, darling.” She smiled. “Now I want you to pick someone you want to save.”
“What?!” Singhal ko.
Tinignan ko ang dalawang kaibigan kong nasa itaas. I need to save them both.
“Jelcy.” Mahinang tawag saakin ni Thana.
“You can’t save both of them, you’ll end up losing one of them or worst, you’ll end up losing both of them if you can’t come back after twenty minutes.”
Nagpapanic na ako. Whom can I trust to save one of them? I want to save them both pero paano? Paano kapag nakulangan ako sa oras?
“I’ll save Bea.”
Nilingon ko si Ryu. He gave me a reassuring smile.
“No, I’ll save her, you save Ken.” ani ko.
“Jelcy, I think ipaubaya mo na si Bea kay Ryu, I know you’re very worried about her, baka mataranta ka while looking for the logo.”
Nag-isip muna ako bago tumango. Bea needs to be saved as soon as possible. I know she’s very scared right now but I can’t make a decision recklessly.
“Please save her.” Pagmamakaawa ko.
“I will, I promise.”
Ryu pat my shoulder.