I took a glance at my wrist watch. It has been five minutes but I couldn’t find a trance of the logo. I searched everywhere I’ve been too. Tumitingala ako sa puno nagbabakasakaling nandoon ang hinahanap ko.
It wasn’t long before someone grabs me from behind. I went to scream but the person behind me put their hands over my mouth. I tried to release from them but I can’t obviously because the person holding my wrist is strong as hell!
No way, if this continues, ilang minuto nalang bago matapos ang twenty minutes. My eyes lit up when I saw someone not so far from where am I. It was Ryu! I tried to shout again but all that’s came out of my mouth was a low moan that couldn’t even be heard with the distance between us. Patuloy akong hinihila ng kung sino man ngunit hindi parin nawawala sa paningin ko si Ryu. It was to my shock that when he picked something from the floor, it was the logo that we’re all looking for! Hindi siya nagdalawang isip at tumakbo pabalik sa lugar kung nasaan sila Bea.
On sceond thought, I felt happy. Now, Bea is free. I still have one problem though. I still need to escape from this person at hanapin ang logo na makakapagligtas kay Ken. Tama, why didn’t I thought of this? I bit the palm of the person that is carrying me. He immediately took off his palm from my mouth but I’m still unable to free myself from his grasp on my wrist. I’m kind of thankful that me and Third used to do this activity that I immediately came to a plan. I kicked his groin without blinking and I quickly dashed away from him. This individual, on the other hand, is a force to be reckoned with! He yanked on my hair and yelled at me. “Baliw ka ba?!”
“Ako pa ngayon ang baliw? Idiot!”
He’s wearing a mask that is covering his entire face. Nag-iisa lang siya but if I let my guard down, siguradong wala akong kawala sakanya.
“I’m sorry but I still need to save my friend.”
I grabbed his wrist and slightly bent before spinning. Shock was evident on his eyes when he realized that he wasn’t holding my hair anymore.
We started kicking and punching each other. While we’re fighting, I started to think why am I the only person he’s attacking? Does everyone need to face this kind of situation? But it didn’t seem like it when I saw Ryu earlier.
I was about to punch him in the groin with a balled fist when he grabbed my arm and twisted it as I swung. I recoiled in pain, but I was able to overcome it. I snatched his legs and dragged him to the ground. I stepped on his chest and catch my breath.
“Sinong nag-utos sa’yo na atakihin ako?”
He didn’t speak.
“Speak or I’ll cut your throat!”
Mabilis kong kinuha ang maliit na kutsilyo na palaging nasa boots na suot ko at tinapat ‘yon sa leeg niya.
“Huwag! May pamilya ako! Napag-utusan lang ako!” hiyaw niya noong may tumulong kaunting dugo mula sa leeg niya dahil sa hawak kong kutsilyo.
“Nino nga!”
I removed his mask. Of course, I don’t know him. I guess he’s in between Thirty to Forty years old.
“Sigurado ka bang may oras ka pa para makipagkwentuhan sa’kin?”
Sinenyas niya ang relo ko gamit ang nguso niya. I eventually stood up noong makita kong limang minuto nalang bago matapos ang twenty minutes. Noong sinulyapan ko ang lalaking kanina’y nasa lapag lang ay nakalayo na ito ng takbo. I stomped my feet.
Wala na akong oras na masasayang pa, mabilis akong tumakbo at tumingin-tingin sa paligid.
‘Oh, come on!” angal ko.
Hindi ako tumigil sa paghahanap. Matagal pa ang five minutes, Jelcy. Whoever sent that motherfucker, I’ll make sure they’ll rot in hell.
“Jelcy?”
“Thana!”
My face lit up when she showed up.
“Hindi mo pa nahahanap?”
I started crying.
“No, someone attacked me earlier. Nasayang ‘yong oras ko.”
Nakikita kong sumisimpatya siya saakin. Pagyuko ko ay nakita kong may hawak na siyang logo. I immediately pushed her away from me.
“Save Third now!”
Tumingin siya sa oras at saakin but I just gave her a smile. Hindi rin nagtagal ay umalis na siya. A great tremor overtook me. Tears raced down my cheeks. Gut-wrenching sobs that tore through my chest could be heard while I was still looking for the logo. Hindi ko kayang tumingin sa oras. I never wish for time to slow down ever, pero ngayon, gusto ko nalang ‘yon huminto.
I wanted to say sorry to Ken. The fact that we’re still in a fight, makes me more terrible. I don’t want to say goodbye to him like this. I mumbled incoherent things through my hands and choked on my sobs. Right after I was about to run to go back and save Ken with different means, a piece of paper with a logo of our school showed up in front of me. I took it and ran as fast as I could. Hindi parin ako tumitingin sa oras. I can save you, Ken. I will save you.