Redemption

Chapter 01: Introduction "Meet your new parents, Autumn." the sister said, and introduced a couple who looked older to have a child like me. I want to refuse but who am I kidding? There's no way you can decide for that. In this orphanage, every children hopes that one day, they will finally be chosen to be adopted-and those who was chosen and finally got out of here always gave us a smudge look that we're gonna stay here forever. Myself? I'd rather not have. Ayokong mapili, ayoking umalis sa orphanage na ito. I'd rather die here than to be given away with some strangers. Those children find this place horrible and suffocating. I find it relaxing and free. I may be locked up in this whole villa than to trust those strangers who only wants the best for theirs. I was ten when sister introduced these couple. They aren't the first though. I was always chosen, but I always made something that they would hate me so in the end, hindi ako mapipili. Mas mabuti pa pagkatiwalaan ang mga madreng ito, masungit pero hindi ka pababayaan. But, this time it was different. After years of staying here, I finally understood life and how it should be going. I won't always be here. After I reach eighteen, they would still find another way to dispose me since this orphanage only cater the minors. This old couple who seemed in their sixties smiled lovely at me. They looked creepy, and I don't think they can be trusted. But, I need to find a way to live, to survive, and these couple for the first time- I have given myself up. "Congratulations, Autumn!" the children ran to me, laughing and happy for me. I laughed with them, and told them about how the things changed my mind. They don't understand it though, hindi sing lawak ng pagiisip ko ang sa kanila. They are still kids who longed for parents and toys, and I'm not. "Thank you! I promise I will visit you again," the greatest lie I have ever always heard, now, I'm saying it. It's quite funny actually. "Sure. Did they tell you already where do they live?" one child asked, "Yes, uh-you know it's always there. Once I've chosen, it's always that reason." "That you're a Filipino?" I nod, "Exactly!" "So, they will bring you to the Philippines, huh? You can finally go back." Right! I am from that small country. My parents were murdered while we were in a vacation somewhere in Mexico. I ran away from the officers who said they will take care of me. I was six years old, barely knew anything, but I ran away because I didn't want to go home. I wanted to be with my parents, but I knew they were gone. Until the church found me and brought me here. I was one of these orphan children who lost their parents in different ways. Some were thrown out here because the mother couldn't take care of it. Every day, you would see countless of children getting thrown out, left out by their parents and you know what's the saddest part? It's the look on their faces asking "why". They won't understand, but they want to ask why, because it hurts. My parents may not even abandoned me like some of them, but they were brutally murdered in front of me. I have always looked up to them. I have always find them strong and brave, but what I couldn't understand was that how they got killed just like that? "Have you pack your bags, Autumn?" sister Mary asked. I'm in my bed, lower side of the deck. She is standing at the doorway, crossing her arms and staring right into my eyes. Of all sisters here, she was the only one who understood me. Iba siya kumpara sa ibang madre pero sa kaniya lang ako nagtitiwala. She was strict, cold and a great deciple of God. But I know there was something behind her, something I should never know. "Yes, sister Mary." "Be careful out there. Try to love your new parents, and to your advantages, make sure you properly use that. Never trust, Autumn. Everyone can be as deceiving as you," "I'm not deceitful, sister." I said, smiling at her. Because I used to joke about stuffs and ran away from them? Was it because I always manipulate the kids to get what I want? "Always use your head wisely," "Are you gonna miss chasing me, sister Mary?" "Yes, little liar. I'd rather have you here than to let you show the real world. But, what choices do I have?" "Maybe, I can be a sister like you too so I could remain here." She smiled, I was taken a back. I saw her yellow teeth and pale lips smiling wide for the first time. "On the other side, I want you to be free and enjoy the amazing life, Autumn. Be happy." I heard the bell rang. That means the mass is done. Children are going back to their bed and this is the time of my leave. Two more sisters went inside our room to fetch me. I smiled at sister Mary. Inalalayan ako ng isang madre habang ang isa naman ay dinala ang gamit ko. Sister Mary is behind, following us. We went to the headmaster's office for final briefing and farewell. My new parents are supposed to be there, too. Fr. Javier greeted me as I went inside. Nakita ko agad ang bago kong magulang na parehas matanda na, naka ngiti sila na hinintay ako. "Hija, I have already arranged the papers and even though you are a minor, you still have to sign these." My little hand received the ballpen and signed all the papers that Fr. Javier has given me. My new parents signed in those too. "Congratulations, hija! Enjoy your life outside!" that was the last words Fr. Javier has said to me. We were escorted by the 'holy' guards but sister Mary is still following us. I looked to my new parents and nodded at us. Sister Mary came near me and kissed me on my cheek, "Take care, and remember my words." I nodded, and hugged her tight. "Thank you for everything, sister Mary." She smiled and patted my head. I got my bag and finally bid my good bye to her. "Don't avenge your parents." That was the last words I heard from her bago ako hilahin ng new parents ko papasok ng sasakyan. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang tanawin na lang si sister Mary na kumakaway sa amin habang palayo kami. We didn't waste time in Mexico. Kinabukasan lang agad, lumipad kami papuntang Pilipinas at ngayon, naka lapag na. My new parents had nurses with them, the new hired nanny is assigned to take care of me. I may never liked this idea but their richness could help me with life. Autumn Niebes, that's my new name. My new parents whose name is Belinda and Julio Niebes are married for 45 years already. They had one child, but it passed away due to chronic disease. They are not getting younger anymore and both of them are having maintenance, both of them has got sick and they need someone to inherit all their properties. They can't just give it to anyone so they decided to just adopt an innocent child who would love them eventually. I was that lucky child. I was enrolled in fancy schools and had all the best things other children couldn't have. We are not that entirely rich but my parent's 9 digits networth are already enough to get me a good life. Hindi ako matalino, I admit that. I was one of those students who gets 2 or 3 and that's okay. I never reached the top. I was always at the middle, iyong tipong sapat ng maka pasa at kung bumagsak 'man, uulit na lang. I had friends, a lot of influencial friends. I used to party too, drank and went home late. Nasulit ko ang high school at college life. I had fun, I enjoyed, like the rest of them, like a normal teenager. "Get down!" malakas kong sigaw. Sabay kaming nagsipag-dapaan lahat para hindi matamaan ng grenade. Mabilis kong hinablot ang AK-47 na nasa tabi ko kanina at walang habas na pinaputukan ang direksyon kung saan nang galing ang bomba. Saglit akong yumuko at nagtago ulit ng sila naman ang gumanti ng putok. They're using assault rifle so I had to wait for their next reload. As long as I don't f*****g get shot. "Is everybody okay?" I shouted, still ducking behind the wall. "Still alive, motherfucker!" that's probably Julió hiding somewhere. "Damn yes, baby!" Dani, my black ass friend answered near me. Nagka-tinginan kami ni Euly. He's in front of me, holding his hand gun. "Pass that carbine, Euly." I said, Binato niya sa akin ang carbine at kinasa ko ito. Binigay ko naman sa kaniya ang AK47. "Cover me." He nodded. Kinuha niya ang AK47 at tinutuok ito sa direksyon ng mga kalaban. When the fire stopped because it's just their time to reload, Euly started firing them and that became my cue to go in. Using my carbine, I shot whoever I see in its binocluar. All head shot. Nagsimula na rin magpaputok si Julió at Dani. Mabilis akong nagtago sa pader ng magpaputok ang kalaban ng shotgun. After his shot, mabilis akong lumabas at agad siyang binaril sa ulo. Mabilis akong tumakbo palapit sa may hawak ng machine gun at binaril ito sa ulo, maging ang nasa kaliwa. Sabay na tumumba ang nasa kanan na kalaban mula sa bala ng mga kaibigan. Using my handgun, mabilis ko itong tinutok sa huling kalaban na nagtatago sa likod ng malaking halaman. Ng makita ang binti nitong naka labas ng konti, hindi ako nag dalawang isip na paputukan. Napaluhod ito, pero agad din akong inatake kaya sa kabila ako dumaan, sa may likod niya at ng makatapat siya, agad kong binaril sa ulo. I saw Euly, Julió and Dani started searching the area kung may possible pa na kalaban. Habang kinapkapan ko naman ang isa sa patay at hinanapan ng ano'mang pwede na malaman kung sino sila. These men are highly trained. Nagawa nilang makapasok sa bahay ko ng hindi ko nalalaman. Despite its tight security, they managed to took it down all. I wonder how. "All clear." Dani stated. Kinuha ko ang ID na nakuha sa isa sa kanila at binato ito kay Julió. Tinignan nila ito at katulad ng reaksyon nila, ganon din ang sa akin kanina. "Interpol." Mabilis na kumilos si Euly at niligpit ang mas kaylangan. Tumakbo ako papunta sa drawer kung nasaan ang duffel bag at mabilis itong nilabas. Dani help me put the guns and ammos inside. Si Julió naman ang kumuha ng mga ID's namin at sinilid din sa bag na hawak niya. We armed ourselves with lots of gun and back up guns na naka ipit sa mga katawan namin. "Let's go!" If Interpol is already on us, minuto na lang at parating na ang back-up. Damn it! How the f**k did they knew where we were. This was my safe house for years already! "Open up the basement!" Dani shouted, Julió ran towards the roller gate and opened it through computer monitor. Euly beeped the car and got himself in. He started the engine and when I was about to hop in, somebody shouted at paglingon ko, red lasers are all over us. The gate has been opened and before we could even flee, they got us surrounded. Armed SWAT units are aiming at us with their high-powered gun. There's two men officers in the middle both holding a glock 22 towards us. "Hands in the air or there's gonna be f*****g blood bath!" the officer on the left shouted. The red lasers started moving towards to different parts of our body. There's 3 snipers aiming at me, ganon din sa kanila. Nagtaas kaming lahat ng kamay, maliban kay Euly na nasa driver's seat ng sasakyan. I tried to call him but it's hard to f*****g move. "You are surrounded! One dirty move and this is over! Put down all your weapons!" the other officer shouted. I sighed. Given the situation, it's hard to assess for any possible exit. Even if one us had managed to kill one, mabilis kaming papuputukan and pooop! We're f*****g done. I eyed Dani and Julió and just like them, alam namin na wala kaming magagawa sa puntong ito. We've been arrested too many times and usually, we let ourselves get arrested and while en route to wherever they're gonna put us into, doon kami nagsisimula na tumakas. Dahan dahan kong binaba sa sahig ang baril na hawak ko, ganon din ang dalawa malapit sa gate. Pagtayo, muli kaming nag taas ng dalawang kamay. "Don't forget the back up guns!" I sighed and started unbuckling my belt and thrown it away near them. Pati na rin ang nasa boots, leg, and beside my boob kung nasaan ang daggers ko. Dani and Julió does the same. Euly started the engine. Nanlaki ang mata ko. "No-" He f*****g step on the gas and before the car moves, pinaulanan agad siya ng snipers. Putangina! Those f*****g bullet went through out his body and that f*****g meant their rifle shouldn't be taken lightly. "I warned you!" Euly!!!! Dani, Julió are both looked shocked. Hindi kami halos naka galaw. Euly is f*****g dead! He's our brother for years! Through guns and bullets! From that, we faced defeat and surrender to the Interpol. Habang naka taas ang mga kamay while the red lasers are still on us, those agents standing behind the officers came to us and started handcuffing us from behind. "You are arrested Autumn Niebes for the crime of federal murder, arson, obstruction of justice, jailbreak, counter-terrorism and more against twelve states in the United States of America. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of Law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him present with you while you're being questioned. If you cannot affored to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed for you."