Tattooed Corpses

Chapter 4

I was awakened by the sunlight. I am laying on an unfamiliar wooden bed. I looked around trying to know where I am. My wounds are covered with bandages. It still hurts but I tried my best to get up. My stomach is what hurts the most. I roamed around the small house made of wood and tarpaulins. I stopped when I remembered what exactly happened to me. Fear suddenly hugged me.

"He must be around," I muttered to myself.

There's no one here, so I decided to run away. I saw a river a few meters away from the house. I ran as fast as I could, dragging my wounded leg with me. I need to go far away. I just kept running until I saw a road. I need to get away, I need to escape! I know he's around and watching me. I saw a truck loaded with vegetables parked on the side of the road. I walk towards it and sat beside the crops. I need to hide in case he's around. Moments passed and I heard voices.

"Bartolome, go and set everything ready. We have to deliver the crops in Manila until 3:00 PM today." I heard someone says and heard the door of the truck opens and closed.

"Okay, I got it." A man replied.

I heard his footsteps so I hid between the baskets of cabbage. He covered the crops and walk away.

"All done! Let's go." He said as he climbed up the truck.

I felt that the vehicle is moving. Right, Manila. He won't find me there since it's a crowded place. I only realized I fell asleep when someone shook me gently.

"Hey, hey miss wake up." His voice was gentle. I opened my eyes to see him smiling at me.

"What are you doing here? You don't seem like a thief." He asked nicely while smiling.

I stared at him as he smiles. He looks fine and kind but my eyes widened when suddenly he's no longer the guy who woke me up. I saw that man smirking at me. I saw that monster in front of me.

"Get away from me!" I screamed as I pushed him. I hurried down the truck and ran like he's after my life.

My heart was racing, I can hear his laughter. I can hear him saying that this is my end. I cried as I ran. I ran so fast that I didn't even feel that my wounds are now bleeding. I only felt the pain when I stopped and realized that I am now covered with blood.

"Ah!" a woman screamed when she saw me. She grabs her Child and ran away like I was about to kill them.

I looked at my hands, it's all covered with blood. I looked like I just killed someone. I stopped running and sat on the side. I think I am in a marketplace. There's a lot of people walking around carrying baskets and bags, but no one could notice me. No one cares if I am bleeding or whatever, they're all busy with their lives. I sat on the Corner beside a dirty woman holding her baby while feeding it. I missed my Mom. The pain worsen when I dared to touch my wound. All of a sudden a pair of hands grabbed my right arm and dragged me.

"Let go of me!" I screamed.

He did not stop, instead, he pushed me inside a car. I noticed his uniform. He's a policeman and this is a police Car.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked. Even though he's a police officer I still feel like I am not safe.

"Where do you think? Of course, I'm taking you to the police station. Children nowadays, so reckless. Did you fight with your gang? Which gang do you belong to?" He asked.

What did he say? gang? I am confused.

"Gang? What do you mean?" I asked puzzled.

He laughed sarcastically while driving.

"You can't fool me kiddo. I am sure that you're one of those kids who think violence and drugs are fun. Look at yourself!" He scolded.

I looked at myself. I was bloody and dirty. Aside from that, I can't think of anything. My wounds sting a bit. He stopped in front of a police station and pulled me out of the car.

"Spend a week in jail so you could learn your lesson." He said in frustration as he drags me towards the station.

I think about protesting but I decided, this is much better than the cold street. We are about to enter when I saw him. The man who killed my parents! The man who molested me! My hands became cold and tears started to run down my cheeks. Fear came across me again. The man who killed my parents and do such horrible action...was a Police Officer. He's wearing the same uniform as my father!

"Hey!" The policeman who's dragging me noticed my action and started to get irritated.

I did not bother to look at him. I just stared with burning eyes at that man. He's laughing with his fellow officers. He looked like an innocent and a good man but he is a devil. A monster. All of the memories from that night came back. How he Shoot my Father. How he Shoot my Mother. And how he r***d me and throw me on the river. My body is trembling because of both anger and pain. I remember how I wished to die that night. I remember how I begged for him to kill me instead. Right now, I just gave it a second thought. Before I die, I want to kill him first. I took a deep breath and looked at the officer who brought me here. He continued walking thinking that I am now going to obey him. He's only a meter away from me. I read his surname as Fajardo and I heard his name is Zack. I stared at him while he's busy talking with another officer. With a heart full of rage and pain because of what happened. I immediately snatched the gun from the officer who brought me here. Ang looked at the devil with burning eyes.

"Die, Zack Fajardo!" I screamed as I aimed the gun at him and pulled the trigger.

I don't know how to use a gun but I have watched my Dad while practicing several times. I got his Left shoulder. everyone looked at me including Him. They're all in shock. He stared at me with wide eyes. His fellow Police officers took immediate action before I even got to pull the trigger once more. When the gun was no longer in my hands I ran. I made it out easily for they are all still in shock. Officers ran after me but I won't let them catch me. I just ran and ran until my own body gave up.

I stopped to breathe. My wounds were bleeding more. I feel dizzy 'cause I haven't eaten anything. I also lose a lot of blood. I was catching my breath. My vision starts to become blurry and the last thing I knew, is I fell on the ground.