Gangster High

The Warning

Chapter 16

THE WARNING

I didn't plan to know more about the game. I hated being part of it, in fact. Nasanay kasi ako na walang nagdidikta kung ano ang dapat kong gawin. 'Yong malaya akong kumikilos. 'Yong ako ang batas sa sarili ko.

Pero simula nang lumaban ako sa Underground, pakiramdam ko'y laging de numero ang mga kilos ko. I felt like someone was watching me every-f*****g-day. I felt like someone was going to stab me from behind anytime. The feeling was cringe and I didn't like it.

However, since I learned the history of the game especially when I heard the Player's voice for the first time, curiosity kicked in. Yes, he amazed me when Eduard told me about him, but it wasn't amazement at all that pushed me now to know him, to see him. His story was a legend as well as the Legendary Queen's story. Kung papalarin ay gusto ko silang makilala... silang dalawa.

May tatlong taong maaaring makapagturo sa akin kung sino ang Player. Unang-una na ay si Naami. After what happened at the cafeteria yesterday, I knew, she was related to the Player... somehow. Hindi s'ya poprotektahan ng mga bodyguard noon kung isa lamang s'ya sa mga walang kwentang estudyante rito.

The other two people were my mother and Miss Meira. Based on their conversation yesterday, there was a possibility na kilala nila, personally, ang Player. Kay Miss Meira ay wala akong duda. She was a teacher here; involve sa larong ito noon pa man. Alam n'ya ang lahat.

But Tiarah? Why did she talk as if she knew who the Player was? Sinabi n'ya kahapon na ililigtas n'ya ako at wala s'yang pakialam kung gaano kalakas ang babanggain n'ya. Was it posible na she was once a part of this game? Could be true because the first time she came here, sinabi n'ya agad sa akin ang tungkol sa torture ng koronasyon. Noon pa lang ay napagtanto ko na dapat na maaaring nanggaling nga siya rito.

I wanted to ask her. I knew I would get nothing, but still, I had to give it a try.

Tahimik akong naupo ako sa guest's chair sa harap ng lamesa n'ya. All teachers in Rapsodhee High have their rooms na nagsisilbing office nila. Tiarah's office was just next to Mr. Hontraver's.

"What are you doing here?" Tiarah asked.

Hindi ako nagsalita, sa halip ay wala sa loob na pinagmasdan ko s'ya. Minsan, naitatanong ko sa sarili ko kung nanay ko ba talaga ang isang ito. She was not the one who raised me. Palagi s'yang wala noon. Kung nasaan s'ya, I didn't fuckin' know. A very good relationship between a mother and a daughter, wasn't it?

Pero kahit pagbaliktarin ko man ang mundo, Tiarah was still my mother. In fact, kamukhang-kamukha n'ya ako. Mula sa katawan, sa tindig, sa mukha, at higit sa lahat ay sa pag-uugali. There was only one thing na ipinagkaiba namin. I didn't have the same eyes as hers. That was the only difference.

"If you're not going to talk, you can leave now. I have many things too—"

"I have something to ask," I said. Without waiting for her reply, I went on, "I want you to tell me who the Player is."

Tiarah's reaction was always neutral. I didn't know her that much, but my father once said that it was rare to see a reaction on her face. Just like now. Her eyes narrowed and she gritted her teeth. I tried to look calm, but deep inside, I was nervous.

"Say it again," she commanded.

I gulped. "The Player, who is he? I heard you and Miss Meira talking yesterday. I know you were part of this game before and you know who the player is and—"

"Why are you asking me these things, Temple? Why are you so interested?" Tiarah interfered. Tumiim ang mga mata n'yang nakatitig sa akin. Nilabanan ko ang titig na iyon ang hindi nagpakita ng pagsuko. Ilang sandali kaming nagtitigan pagkuwan ay pumalatak siya. "Oh, let me guess. You heard the story, didn't you? And now, you are interested to know the Player because you want to challenge him—"

"What?"

"—because you always want to prove that you are stronger than anyone. You always want to be on top and challenging the Player and winning a fight against him would satisfy your stupid pride."

"What the hell are you saying?"

"Do you deny it, Temple, that you always want to be on top? Since you came back from Thailand, what else did you do except fighting in the illegal street fights, except proving that you could beat everyone with your bare hand?"

I was stunned, my mouth opened. I didn't expect that she would say such words. My chest tightened not because I was insulted but because Tiarah just slapped the truth in my face. Yes, I always wanted to prove myself. I always wanted to be on top. I just didn't realize how annoying it was until Tiarah voiced it out loud.

And how did she know na simula nang bumalik ako galing Thailand ay naging laman na ako ng mga illegal street fights?

"Sa reaksyon ng mukha mo, mukhang tama ang mga sinabi ko," aniya. Tumaas ang sulok ng kanyang labi at hindi iyon kaaya-ayang tingnan. "Listen to me, Temple. You came in here, snatched the fight from Creed, win against Tom Craden, and now you're the new queen of Rapsodhee High. You are already on top of everyone. That's enough. Challenging the Player is a complete nightmare. Stop killing yourself."

"I didn't snatch the fight from Creed because I wanted to be on top," I barked. It was true though. "I fought in Underground to save myself from being slaughtered. You know nothing—"

"I know enough," Tiarah barked back. "You saved yourself, you saved your pride. Hitting two birds with one stone."

It was my turn to grit my teeth. "You are talking as if you really know what I feel."

"I. Know. Enough." She slammed her fist on the table. I flinched but stood my ground. This wasn't the first time that we had a heated argument. I was scared of her wrath, but I didn't let her saw it. She said between her teeth, "You, Temple, is just an insect compare to the Player and I won't let you meet him just to satisfy your ridiculous pride."

I raised my chin. "You are scared of him, am I right? What were you on this board before the bishop, knight, pawn, rook... or queen?"

"It doesn't matter," she replied that confirmed my silent question. Tiarah was really in the game before. "Stop this now, Temple," mahinang sabi n'ya pa. Obviously, ay umiiwas s'ya sa paksa. "I'm warning you. Don't come closer to the fire. It may not just burn your wings, it could also cause your death."

"Okay then. Just one more question. About Sahara..." Mabilis akong nagbaba ng tingin nang maramdaman ko ang pagbikig sa lalamunan ko. May sumipang sakit sa dibdib ko. Mentioning her name was still torture. The memories were so painful. s**t! I hated this feeling, but I didn't have a choice. May kailangan akong malaman. "A-about Sahara. You said, hindi ka papayag na magaya ako sa kanya? What do you mean by that?"

"I don't want to talk about her." Nakita ko ang pagguhit ng lungkot sa mga mata ni Tiarah na kaagad n'ya ring itinago sa pamamagitan ng pagyuko. I couldn't blame her. She was a b***h, but she loved Sahara more than anyone else... more than she loved me. She heaved a sigh. "I want you to be honest, Temple, just once, I want you to be honest with me. Do you really want to play this game?"

"Do I have another choice?" I spoke even before I thought.

Tiarah looked at me, eyes dark. "Do you really want to play this game?" she repeated.

I didn't. I would never want to play this game. Yes, I wanted to be stronger. Lumaban ako sa mga street fights para mas maging malakas. Gusto kong talunin lahat ng nasa itaas ko. Ang mga laban sa Underground ay parang illegal street fights din lang, pero ayoko sa larong ito. Ayokong may humahawak sa leeg ko. Ayokong may komokontrol sa akin na parang isang puppet.

"Ayoko," wala sa loob na nasabi ko.

"Good," sagot ni Tiarah. I could have sworn that I saw her grinned. "There is only one thing I want you to know, Temple. I will get you out of here no matter how hard it is. Just give me more time."

I didn't speak—no, I couldn't speak. This was the first time na narinig ko s'yang nagsalita sa ganito kaseryosong tinig. Unlike before na oo nga at seryoso s'ya which was her normal tone, but this time was different. Determination was in every word she spoke. It was like she was dragging the death behind her to give it to anyone who would block her way.

"Leave," she commanded after a while.

The conversation was over. She would never say any word at all, I knew.

Napabuntong-hininga akong tumayo ay humakbang patungo sa pinto. Mabilis akong lumabas. I was disappointed dahil wala akong nakuhang sagot sa kanya kahit alam kong ganoon naman talaga ang mangyayari sa simula pa lang.

At kung wala akong napala mula sa sarili kong ina, siguradong ganoon din ang mangyayari kung si Miss Meira ang kakausapin ko. Sa ngayon ay isang tao na lang ang naiisip kong pwedeng magdala sa akin sa kasagutan ng mga tanong ko.

Naami Stones.

That kid! Where the hell was she anyway? Hindi ko na s'ya nakita pa pagkatapos ng nangyari sa cafeteria. Saan s'ya pwedeng pumunta gayong hindi naman pinapahintulutan ang kahit sinong estudyante na lumabas ng Rapsodhee High? I never thought na may itinatago rin pala ang batang yun. Napakainosente ng mukha n'ya.

Mapanlinlang na hitsura.

Nasa ganoon akong pag-iisip nang maagaw ng isang pamilyar na tao ang atensyon ko. Kasalukuyan na akong naglalakad noon patungo sa cafeteria. Students were everywhere, but one particular person caught my attention. Nakatayo s'ya sa isang sulok ng school, malayo sa karamihan, and he was wearing the Rapsodhee High's uniform with a cap on his head na halos tumakip sa mga mata n'ya. He was almost hiding.

It's him.

Kaagad na kumilos ang mga paa ko para tumungo sa kinatatayuan n'ya. Marahan naman siyang humakbang palayo pagkatapos akong bigyan ng simpleng tango. Mabagal ang kilos n'ya, could be trying not to get attention from the other students. Nakatungo rin s'ya na parang iniiwasang may makakilala sa kanya. Ilang ulit n'ya akong pasimpleng nilingon na tila ba tinitiyak kung sumusunod ako sa kanya. He is up to something.

Careful, Temple, I warned myself.

It was strange. Obviously ay gusto n'yang sumunod ako sa direksyong tinatahak n'ya. It could be a trap, but I didn't care. Isa s'ya sa mga nakakaalam ng totoong nangyari kay Mikki, isa s'ya sa mga kailangan ko, and now was my perfect chance lalo pa at s'ya na mismo ang lumapit sa akin.

Ganoon pa man ay naging alerto ako nang makarating kami sa likuran ng school building. Sa lugar kung saan ako dinala dati ni Creed dati para patakasin. So, dito pala s'ya dumaan para makapasok sa Rapsodhee High. He was indeed lucky na walang nakakilala sa kanya. Well, he was in disguise anyway. No one would think na napasok na naman kami ng isang intruder... the same intruder before who was beaten to death by the students here, by Creed himself.

"What do you want?" I asked. I stood ten steps away from him.

"I came here to warn you," he answered. I saw his eyes and his stares brought chills to my spine. "I was stupid not to recognize you when I first saw you. I should have known it was you. Your eyes..."

"What the hell are you talking about?" kunot-noong tanong ko.

"This game is related to you, Temple, sa pagkatao mo, sa nakaraan mo. Kung hindi ka aalis, you will die here. He will kill you," he answered. "Mikki and I were not like you. She died for doing what was right. I will die for doing what is right. Mikki and I... we were trying to end this, but it killed her and is going to kill me. But you, Temple, you will die not because of this game, you will die because of that blood running in your veins."

"I... I don't understand." naguguluhang sabi ko.

"I have no time to tell you everything at all. Death is chasing me, I'm going to die. I just came here to tell you that your life is in danger. The Player is going to kill you. You've been warned."

He was stupid. If he really wanted to warn me, he would say everything now. Hindi na niya kailangang daanin pa sa mga paliguy-ligoy ang mga gusto niyang sabihin. It was certain now that he was related to Mikki and he knew who killed her, but...

"Who is the Player?" I asked.

"He is—" He stood frozen. Lumatay ang pag-aalinlangan sa mukha n'ya. Parang bigla siyang natakot. Bigla ay mabilis s'yang pumihit at tumakbo palayo without looking back at all as if a demon was chasing him.

"Wait—" Awtomatikong kumilos ang mga paa ko para sundan s'ya, pero isang matigas na kamay ang mahigpit na humawak sa braso ko at pumigil sa akin. Si Creed ang nalingunan ko. Madilim ang mukha n'ya habang nakasunod ang tingin sa tumakas na intruder.

What the hell was he doing here? Sinundan n'ya ba ako?

"What are you doing here?" he asked gritting his teeth. Great! S'ya pa talaga ang may lakas ng loob na magtanong sa akin ng ganoon.

Marahas kong ipiniksi ang braso ko, pero hindi n'ya ako binitiwan. Nag-uumigting ang mga ugat sa leeg n'ya. Parang gigil na gigil.

"Let me go," mariin kong sabi.

Naniningkit na mga mata n'ya ang sumalubong sa masama kong titig. May galit sa kislap ng mga mata n'ya at nagtitiim ang mga bagang.

"Don't ever talk to him again if you still love your life," he warned.

Then he released my arm and left me. Lalo akong nakaramdam ng frustration. What the hell was happening here? That intruder just came out of nowhere to warn me. Sabi niya ay konektado ako sa laro, konektado ang nakaraan ko? Ano'ng ibig n'yang sabihin? And why the hell Creed wanted me to stay away from him?

"Temple? God, what are you doing here?" Suddenly, the worried face of Fashia appeared in front of me. I didn't notice her approaching and I didn't want to ask her at all. "Ano'ng ginawa sa 'yo ni Creed? Are you okay? What happened? Did he—"

"Not now, Fashia," mariin kong angil sa kanya. For God's sake! She was too loud.

"I'm sorry. I just want to make sure you are okay," sabi n'ya sa mahinang tinig. Bahagya ring nanginig ang boses n'ya na parang ilang sandali pa ay iiyak na.

"Where is Naami?" tanong ko.

"I don't know. Hindi ko pa s'ya nakikita pagkatapos ng ginawa mo sa kanya sa cafeteria. Bakit mo s'ya hinahanap? Magso-sorry ka na sa kanya?"

"No. I'm going to kill her!" seryoso kong sabi. Fashia's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak, but I didn't let her at all. I just left her.

.............

Ang paghaharap namin ng intruder ay nanatili sa utak ko hanggang kinabukasan.

This game is related to you, Temple, sa pagkatao mo, sa nakaraan mo.

Umeko sa utak ko ang sinabi niyang iyon. Paanong naging konektado sa akin ang laro? Hindi pa ako ipinapanganak nang magsimula ito. Ni hindi ko alam kung sino-sino ang mga sangkot dito.

May posibilidad kayang ginugulo lang niya ang utak ko? Posible kayang may nag-utos sa kanya para gawin iyon?

Oo at naging kabilang si Tiarah sa laro, pero—teka. Paano kung hindi naman pala talaga nawala ang aking ina sa larong ito? Paano kung ito pala ang pinagkakaabalahan niya noong mga panahong hindi ko siya nakakasama? Paano kung may nasagasaan siyang bigating myembro ng laro at ngayon ay nadadamay ako sa gusot nila?

"Temple!"

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon nang marinig ko ang malakas na sigaw ni Fashia mula sa labas ng kwarto. Kasunod noon ay pabalibag na bumukas ang pinto at humahangos na pumasok si Fashia. Namumutla ang kanyang mukha.

"What the hell is your problem?!" kunot-noong tanong ko sa kanya.

"Mamaya ka na magalit sa akin, Temple. You have to see this," sagot n'ya. Nanginginig ang kanyang tinig, parang takot. "Sa gym... m-may nangyari na kailangan mong makita."

Hinila niya ako pabangon mula sa kama at halos ipagtulakan ako palabas ng kwarto. Naiirita man ay hinayaan ko na lang siya.

Elevator was full of students, murmuring and looked scared. Nang makita nila ako ay nahawi sila para bigyan ako ng space. Mukhang alam nila ang kung ano mang nangyayari sa gym at patungo rin sila roon.

Halos mapuno ng estudyante ang loob ng gym nang dumating kami roon. Hindi sila makontrol ng mga teachers. They were horribly looking at one corner of the gym as if someone was dead there. And when I checked it out, I froze. There was literally a dead body hanging from the roof of the gym. s**t!

There was a dead body over there!

Napabilis ang pagpasok ko sa loob. Binibigyang daan ako ng mga nakakumpol na estudyante as if I was a real queen. I ignored the commotion. I just focused on the dead body. When I, at last, saw him clearly, my mouth flew open.

The body obviously experienced torture. There were too many wounds that could be caused by a sword or some kind of knife. His neck was tied using a red rope connected to the roof. Tumutulo pa ang dugo n'ya sa sahig.

"He is the intruder from Mary Kane College, right?" Fashia whispered.

I wanted to answer yes. The dead guy was the intruder. It was the intruder who warned me yesterday.

"Ibaba n'yo ang katawan." I heard Mr. Dominic Hontraver shouted. Nasa tapat ko s'ya together with the Student Council and Creed Craw.

Creed Craw.

Kinabahan ako habang nakamasid sa kanya. Walang reaksyon ang mga mata n'ya habang nakatingin sa nakabiting bangkay. Bigla kong naalala, s'ya lang ang nakakita na kausap ko ang intruder kahapon and he was angry because of that. Binantaan n'ya pa nga ako, hindi ba? Oh s**t! Was it possible na may kinalaman s'ya rito?

Nalunod ang tanong na 'yon sa utak ko nang lumakas ang komosyon sa paligid nang maibaba ang bangkay. Lahat ay lumapit para makita ito ng malapitan. Isa ako sa mga lumapit. Ilang beses akong napalunok. I felt bad for him. His death was horrible. This wasn't the first time na nakakita ako ng bangkay na ganito, but this one gave me a goosebump especially that we talked hours ago.

This intruder knew someone was after his life. He knew he was going to die like Mikki. But he chose to ignore it. He came to me. He came to warn me.

Natigilan ako nang makita kong lumuhod si Creed sa tabi ng katawan. Kunot noo akong napatingin sa blangko niyang mukha. What the hell was he doing? Searching how many wounds did the body get? And I called myself a crazy b***h dahil sa pag-iisip ng kabaliwang 'yon. Creed Craw was not stupid para gawin ang iniisip ko. Mukhang may nakita s'yang kakaiba sa katawan.

To my surprise, marahan n'yang ipinasok ang kamay n'ya sa duguang damit ng intruder at mula roon ay inilabas n'ya ang isang nakarolyong papel na halos kasya lang sa nakakuyom n'yang palad. Kumunot ang noo ko kasabay ng mabilis na paghakbang patungo sa tabi niya. Walang babalang tinunghayan ko ang binibuklat niyang papel na nabahiran na ng dugo.

"FIRST MOVE."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Creed. Nagtatanong ang mga mata ko at s'ya naman ang nakakunot ang noo ngayon.

What was that? First, move? Sa laro ng Underground? Yeah, right. The first move exists in a chess game and we were the chess pieces. The intruder was a piece from Mary Kane College.

Wait. Hinahamon ba ulit ng MKC ang Rapsodhee High? It was against the rule, right? MKC's rank dropped down to Rank 13 when Tom Craden loses against me. The only school that could challenge Rapsodhee High now was the school in the Rank 3, which I couldn't name at all.

That didn't make any sense at all.

Bumuka ang labi ko para magtanong kay Creed, pero kaagad n'ya akong hinawakan sa braso at hinila palabas ng gym. Gusto kong pumalag, pero parang wala akong lakas ng loob na gawin 'yon sa ngayon. Dinala n'ya ako hindi kalayuan sa gym.

Creed growled and looked at me. He said, "Nagsisimula na sila, Strawford. Rank 1 is now moving their pieces to start the game against us. You have to be careful."

"What do you mean?" nakamaang kong tanong sa kanya. Rank 1? Sinasabi n'ya bang sila ang may kagagawan nito sa intruder?

"Rank 1 has been silent since the Legendary Queen disappeared." Creed massaged the back of his head. Frustration was written on his face and there was a spark of fear in his eyes. That was the first genuine reaction I saw on his face. "This was their first move."

"Paano ka nakasisiguro na sila ang may gawa nito?"

Kunot-noo niya akong nilingon. "Walang ibang gagawa nito, Strawford. The Underground Council won't kill anyone like this."

"And?"

"It's Rank 1 who sent us a warning."

"Using a student from Mary Kane College, which is in the Rank 13 of this game? That is just insane, Creed. Why would they even do that?"

Creed's jaw tightened. His eyes narrowed. I thought he was going to hit me, but he just clicked his tongue and looked away.

"The intruder was connected to... to Mikki." Creed's voice trembled and for a moment, my chest ached. I wanted to ask why Mikki was mentioned, but he went on, "Mikki was connected to our Player. Do you get me now?"

"What?" That was all I could say.