Morrow

ELLE’S POV It has been years and yet, I’m still inside that nightmare that creeps in me every night and slowly devours my entire room. It was designed with creaking door, obviously old seen through its cracks, small windows enough to let the rays of light from the moon lit up my space, withered ceiling slowly covered with rusts creating holes on it causing water to leak during the rain, walls which limits my every action were enough to make me look like a prisoner with its layer by layer of steel bars anchored around the room, and bed covered with bed sheets just enough to make myself comfortable. There’s enough water for me to drink and clean myself, and clothes to make myself still look like a human, yet, I hate how I am still here after the chances that I could have taken to change everything but fear took control of me. I hate how I see the traces of memories that I don’t want to remember in every corner of this room. I hate how I prayed for miracles to come but did nothing to make it all happen. Every day, I am always left with one choice, to be strong no matter what. If I can’t do that, how will I survive in this world I never wanted to be born with? “Elle.” For some unknown reason, I hear voices calling out to me. “Wake up, Elle. We need to leave.” I hear a plenty but one voice overpowers all of them. It’s so familiar that I exactly know who it belongs to. I did not realize that I’d fall asleep after drowning myself with those miserable thoughts last night and now I hear this? I couldn’t believe how I’m feeling this way despite of knowing the life they live. It’s something you wouldn’t believe that someone like him would get involved. If this continues, I might never want to wake up from this dreamy moment and sleep feeling like this forever. “Elle for god’s sake! How many times do I have to call you?!” my eyes immediately opened as my fantasies had turned to reality. Reed. I said to myself. It’s really him! I can’t believe he’s looking at me right now! My heart’s racing and I don’t know what to do. “Elle!” he called on me for the fourth time. “Don’t be such a slowpoke right now, we are in a situation here!” he continued with obvious irritation from his voice. What? What situation? “Only get the things that you need. Clothes, water, or whatever you think you might need but we really need to get out of here.” I did not bother to question what does he mean about the situation and immediately packed things with him. Finally, I was able to catch up with Reed. I can see now what he’s doing and know what I should do next, one after another. I got no time for series of fantasies and suddenly space out in this kind of situation or out time will get wasted. We ran as fast as we could to check every exit that we could use to escape, including the secret exits that we personally made, just to prevent crossing paths with what’s up ahead, the police. “Where do you think we should go?” I asked and stopped for a moment taking our time to take some deep breaths. I feel so dizzy now going on here and there around the house. It took some time before Reed reacted to the question and let out a deep sigh. I looked at him intently and saw how the tension traced on every edge of his facial. I suddenly remembered how we always get in this kind of situation. But no matter how many times this happens, he always finds a way to get me out, safe and sound. “We have no other choice, Elle.” He said and looked at me. “We need to go through the tunnel.” I immediately turned my gaze on him in confusion, like it’s as if that I’m asking him if what I heard was right. “What?!” “We need to go through the tunnel.” “What?!” “I said, we need—” “Yeah, I know! I mean, why?!” “Then, you should have asked me why, not what.” Those last words he said got me stupefied. I just diverted my glance elsewhere after that in humiliation. But that didn’t stop me to get worried. Later on, I looked at him in disbelief with my eyes glaring at him. Do you really think you can make me go through that manhole?! It’s mossy all over the place, gray water flowing through that tunnel with rats everywhere. I wouldn’t even last a minute down there. I said these words in my mind. Besides, we don’t have time to argue with this simple matter, so instead of starting a debate I ended up following him inside that tunnel after that intense staring contest, and obviously, it’s my lose. I did not let myself drown in thoughts worrying about what kind of place I’m in right now and hurriedly leveled with Reed’s speed. I guess, I can’t blame Reed for deciding to get through the tunnel because other than it’s much closer to the parking lot, where our cars are, from below we can also clearly hear police car noises and gunshots, and witness how harsh those vermin handle us. “I guess they really don’t change, huh? Tch!” Reed whispered, but that rage coming from his voice never escaped through my ear. I saw how his eyebrows had met because of anger, and this isn’t the first time that I’ve seem him like this. I thought I was the only one who can’t forget the trauma, I didn’t realize that Reed could have been more hurt than I do. After a couple of minutes we could finally see the exit from this tunnel. I felt relieved because now, I know I am much closer of getting out of this place. But what Reed feels is opposite of mine, and I’m worrying about what will happen if he can’t contain it in. But I trust him deeply, and I know he’s not going to do something reckless. I just shook my head and decided to forget what was inside my mind. I shouldn’t be thinking of Reed that way. “Elle.” “Y-yes?” I didn’t realize he was calling out to me! “I’ve been calling you many times now, are you okay?” “Uhm yes, of course! I’m good, don’t worry.” I replied and faked a smile, trying to avoid my voice to let out a c***k. I think I really need to practice not to get myself drown in thoughts. I hope he’s not mad. The deafening silence after that conversation was filled with another round of staring contest. It seems that I failed to convince him with my words that’s why he’s staring at me, trying to catch me through my eyes. Oh, how I hate that my eyes always betray my words, every single time! He is really checking through my eyes, taking a glance on my right eye and on the left, right eye again and another left, and that continued for a lot of times, until he had enough. I saw how his expressions were changing every time. If his eyebrows had totally met a few minutes ago, it can’t compete with the sadness laid on his eyes right now. “Elle, I asked you if you’re okay and you said you are.” I felt his words dug deep down. It was something I can’t escape. “But your eyes says the opposite, and that hurts me.” His last words caused my eyes to dilate and stared at him even more, now I feel like I’m drifting through the air, sending enormous number of butterflies. Reed feels that for me? I didn’t know. “I already lost mom and I lost dad, too. I can’t afford if I lose the only person left for me. I would lose my sanity. That’s why as long as I’m breathing, no matter what the situation is, I will keep you safe and sound.” —Bang! Bang!— —Bang! Bang!— “Hands up! Hands up and step outside your door!” “S-sir, please, don’t shoot! Not in front of my family! I will turn myself in just don’t hurt my family. Please.” “On your knees!” “Y-yes sir.” “Arrest him!” We both witnessed how the officers arrested another innocent human for their selfish acts. The cries and calls of his family for help was present on the scene. Their motive? That’s something I don’t clearly know but with some information that we heard from our assets, it’s definitely connected with the organization. “We need to go.” Reed said and carefully reaches the hatch of the end of this tunnel. I just followed his steps after we finally got out. There are no officers around when we checked the parking lot. This is the best chance to do our escape. “Wait.” Reaching my hand, Reed stopped me from taking a step outside. Slowly I diverted my gaze to where his eyes were glued on, I realized that I was wrong. There were others guarding the entrance of the parking lot. We’re lucky enough that they’re facing opposite our side. “Okay. Here’s what we are going to do.” Reed started telling me about his plan to escape from them. He said that we only have one way and that is where the other officers are. That’s why we need one of our cars and drive straight out of this place. In other words, this is going to be a “Do or Die” moment. “Now, all you need to do is tell me whether the officers are looking this side or not. That way, I can get through without being caught and get our car. I’ll drive as fast as I can back to here to get you and finally make our escape.” He said continuously. It feels like I’m spacing out but understand every word that he says. “This is a good spot for you, you can give me signals without being caught.” Just like that, I didn’t realize I was staring at him for a long time now. He’s so amazing! I have never been this amazed with how Reed handles things, but now, I understand why girls easily fall for him and why many people trusted him. “Elle, did you copy?” “Huh?” “Ugh. Just tell me you remember everything I told you about the plan.” “Uhm y-yes, yes, of course! I remember everything.” I affirmed trying to convince him that I’m telling the truth. He just gave me a confused look and face palmed in dismay. But that was enough to convince him because after that, he immediately stepped outside trying to avoid a possible danger. At first, it was hard for me to give the right signals. The man on the gate is just so annoying! It looks behind, on the other side of the lot, behind again, and on another side. That’s going on and on just like that and it’s giving me a hard time to give Reed an exact signal. There was even a time when he heard Reed’s footsteps and almost saw him! He had a hard time going circles behind a pillar just to keep himself hidden, but definitely, the luck was on us and a rat squeaked near their side. And with the attention diverted, Reed took the chance to finally get inside the car. Now, the only thing I need to do is to wait for him. —Broom! Broom!— “Who’s there?!” This is the hardest part. If this gets their attention, it’s going to be a damn chase through the city. “Whoever you are that’s inside the car, step outside and put your hands behind your head!” the police that guarded the parking lot commanded. Reed didn’t react to it, but instead revved up the car in reverse and I didn’t expect that! Reed you’re going to hit him! —BLAG! THUD!— That left me in shock. No way, it really hit him. After that, the door on the back seat of the car opened. “Sakay!” Reed roared. Translation: (Filipino-English) Get in! He really is serious now. But instead of going inside in an instant, I gave him a questioning look. He did the same thing. “It’s not like he’s already dead, you know? Kaya sumakay ka na!” I have no other choice but to follow because if not, we’ll be dead instead of this officer that this i***t hit. “We’re definitely going to talk about that.” I pointed out the officer who is now laying down peacefully, but still breathing, I guess the luck’s on him too. “After all of this!” and swayed my hand in the air like I’m leading an orchestra, making my step inside the car. My brows are totally making a bridge right now like any moment it’s going to create fire! He immediately speeded up the car after he found me comfortable with my seat. I just took a deep breath and directed my attention of what’s outside. I can sense him taking some glances through the rear mirror. I didn’t bother to look back. I’m still thinking about what happened earlier. I hope that will not make the matters worse. I told myself through my mind. —Police car noises— Ugh! I knew this was going to happen. “Hey.” Reed spoke up. I took a glance to my side without facing him. “Want to take the ride?” His words surprised me. I never heard him, or any of them, letting me drive a car for them in the past. I just smiled and took a step inside the front seat while the car was running. Glad it was successful, Reed sitting on the passenger’s seat, while I’m on the driver’s seat. I smirked as I slowly turned up the gas. So, this is how it is, huh? I first glanced at Reed for permission and I didn’t expect he would give me his approval. My eyes sparkled with excitement and without hesitation, I made my first race with the police on the highway.