Sunshine

XXVI

"SHE'S now out of danger. Good thing someone was here when that happened. Don't worry that much."

"She almost died, how can you say that?" Marie snapped. Her eyebrows crossed and she's obviously annoyed. ""Don't worry", "Everything will be fine"—can you all stop saying that just for the sake of it? Can you all stop saying that just for the sake of being kind? You don't know anything."

"I was just trying to make us see the good side of what happened no matter how unfortunate it is. Never knew that was wrong." Carlos murmured. Though he understands what Marie is trying to say, but he can't help but feel offended. "This is not just for the sake of being kind like you say. I care, Marie."

"But there could be no "good side" in this. My girlfriend's dying." Adrian, who has been quiet since he arrived at the hospital after he disappeared at the abandoned building finally spoke. He remained standing at the corner of the room, hands on his jeans' pockets that are forming into a ball. His eyes are nailed on Mathilda.

"This isn't something she should be in. She shouldn't be like this. Now tell me." His next words are for Carlos but his eyes remained on Mathilda. "Is it still possible to see something good in this situation?"

Carlos sighed. He almost did apologize but was stopped when the door swung open. A panting Juan went out of it. "Adrian. The force already know about what you did to Salazar. They are on their way."

"I don't care. They can come all they want." Adrian replied in a heartbeat, voice void of any emotions. But that only made Juan shake his head crazily.

"Salazar died."

Everyone froze. Marie was the only one who managed to make a sound when she gasped.

"You just became a murderer, Adrian."

"JUST what the f**k were you thinking? Are you ignoring me now as your Captain? Why did you do something on your own what am I for then?"

Marie, Juan and Carlos heads remained straight ahead, hands at their back in at ease position. They watch Captain Rivera rub hard on his forehead, sighing loud—probably the loudest sigh they ever heard. He was more like growling.

" Now tell me. Where's Adrian?"

Almost in unison they shook their heads no, with words "We don't know, Capt." That made the stress on Captain River rise.

"This is no time for loyalty he killed someone!"

"He didn't kill anyone!" Marie's shout made her male colleagues tilt their heads to her. Captain Rivera also paid attention.

"What do you mean?"

"I..." Marie cleared her throat and avoided their eyes. "I'm sorry. I just hope he really didn't."

The same "sigh" again escaped from Captain Rivera's lips. He looked at his team members, now with disappointment mirrored in his eyes rather than anger.

CAPTAIN Rivera had his teammates locked-up in the interrogation room and they've been inside for a good 6 hours now. Since then they still haven't spoken a word and even ate their food almost without making a sound. Captain Rivera just can't help but sigh at them while watching at the observation room.

"What should I do with this kids?"

They ain't kids. They are adults."

Captain Rivera stood straight and gave his salute. Lieutenant Colonel Catalan just waved his hand and sat on the nearest chair available. “Just how are you leading your team? How come you let a policeman kill his witness?”

Rivera put his hands on his pocket and murmured. “I’m not even sure if he was actually a witness.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, sir.” Rivera straightened his back. Though Catalan has not said anything yet, he already said the words his superior would have came in for. “I will personally find Executive Master Sergeant Dela Vega. I will personally lead the operation and the investigation, and will personally put him behind bars.”

Catalan only gave him the as-you-should look. But that wasn’t Captain Rivera’s main point.

“And I will take responsibility. After I do all that.”

Lieutenant Colonel nodded, and quietly left the room.

“THE autopsy report finds Salazar died because of head concussion. This might be wrong to say but I was actually hoping there was a foul play for the benefit for all of us.” Captain Rivera took a deep breath. He wants to burst in anger in front of them, but no bursting could ease the burning emotions inside him.

“You guys were stupid, and I was stupid for not noticing anything. How come you failed to stop Adrian from doing that? Just how come?”

“I’m sorry, Capt.” Carlos managed to say almost in a whisper. They thought Carlos was apologizing for the obvious wrong behavior of the team, but not until what he said after. “But please let us out. We can’t do anything if we stay here.”

“Are you crazy?” Rivera failed to stay calm. Even he couldn’t understand what he should feel with everything that’s happening now.

“Those who tried to kill Mathilda went to the hospital and attempted on her life again.” Carlos didn’t felt the need for introduction and went straight to the point. “And Adrian is ready to go to prison the moment he did this. It’s a shame Salazar died without leaving us anything that could help the investigation Adrian is going to prison for nothing. But it already happened. That’s why let us out.”

Rivera couldn’t keep his expression and emotions checked anymore. He slammed a fist on the table between him and his team.

“Just what are you trying to say?”

“We are kind. We were too kind that’s why we keep on failing.” Carlos looked straight at his Captain’s eyes.

Rivera’s confused, disappointed and angered eyes met Carlos gaze. Though anger is sweeping through Captain Rivera, but he still didn’t failed to see the despair in Carlos’ eyes.

“Adrian was right. Only monsters could defeat its kind. We should be the monsters they’re looking for.”

Captain Rivera’s fist landed on Carlos’ face. Carlos fell on the floor and the old monoblock chair he was sitting on broke its leg. Marie shouted and stood up as well as Juan, but they stayed frozen on their positions not able to do anything.

“What are you saying aren’t you a policeman?” Rivera picked Carlos from the floor by pulling its collar. He shouted on his face. “You are policeman! You are law enforcers you are supposed to abide by the law at all times! Why are you forgetting that?”

Rivera’s breathing was heavy after that. Carlos only stared at his face. “What? Are you realizing your fault now? That’s not something a policeman should say, Carlos. Please.”

No one knows if its because of Rivera’s heartfelt beg but tears just started to stream down Carlos’ face. That made Rivera take a step back, letting go of his collar.

No one managed to ask why. They all just watched Carlos weep silently frozen on his place.

The interrogation room was filled with silent cries that night, cries which are still yet to be explained.