Run, Valor

“s**t! You sure about the place?” I asked Yza who’s on the phone right now. I’m nervous as hell but I need to pack fast. I’m not even looking at what I’m packing, I’m just grabbing everything that I can fit in my knapsack. “Of course! Just ask for Cervantes, everyone knows her around there,” she yelped at the other line.  I nodded even though I know she can’t see me. I bid my goodbye and finished ransacking my closet with what I can bring. Thank God I don’t have that much clothes. I looked around my messy apartment to see if I’m forgetting something important. After a few rounds and some more checking, I’m finally satisfied with everything. I took a deep breath before stepping out. I’m nervous but I didn’t let it get into me. I grabbed my face mask and cap and wore it while half running. I almost shouted when I saw the familiar men running up the usual route to my apartment.  I muttered a curse before changing my direction. I’m now going South instead of North where the main stairs are. Left with no choice, I’m going down through the back ladder.  Or so I thought. Of course they also have it covered! I almost shrieked when a man looked at my direction. Thankfully, I hid myself pretty fast. I looked around for a way out but I can’t think of any way anymore. There’s no more stairs that can lead me down. So I go up. I ran up, not minding if I’m already seen by the men. I’m going to be, anyways. I just need to have a jumpstart and leave first before them.  I climbed my way to the rooftop and looked for the small ladder that I’ve always wondered what it's for. And now, I’m finally making use of it. I hid myself on the side, holding on to the small ladder that won’t even lead me a floor down.  I lifted myself a bit and jumped from the ladder to the bar beside it where an aircon’s in. I kept my silence and hoped that they wouldn't notice where I’m at. I saw men peeking over the rooftop down, looking for me.  They’re stupid if they think I’d jump down. I waited for them to get out of the place but I wasn’t really left with much time as the leak from the aircon is dripping onto my hands and because of it, I’m now left with slippery hands. I tightened my grip around the steel bar. I looked up and cursed when I saw three men still looking around. “Damn,” I whispered to myself. I focused on my grip and I almost yelped when I got cut because my hands slipped on the part where there’s a small sharp bump of metal. The blood is now dripping from my hands down to my arms.  When the blood dropped, I knew it was my end game. I looked at the men left and they sure did catch that small drop of blood, tracing where it came from. One of them even looked at me eye to eye and his eyes widened then shouted at his colleagues. Totally opposing my statement earlier, I jumped my way down. Quickly, I fixed myself and even thanked the stash of garbage now scattered around because of my fall. I ran without looking back at the men following me. With its sparkly seat, I immediately found my way to my motorbike. I rode it and went full speed ahead. My mind is totally focused on trying to remember the directions to the town Yza told me about. Unluckily, I don’t have my cell phone with me. I must’ve left it at my apartment or maybe I dropped it at the pile of garbage earlier. Either way, I’m now facing a big problem. I’m lost, I have nowhere to go and I don’t know the directions to the town I’m supposed to go to.  I increased my speed when I noticed cars tailing me. I sighed with the sight of them already. They’ve found me this fast. That fast and I’ve been away from them, maybe an hour ahead. And here they are, at my sides.  The one on my right kept moving beside me and trying to push me to the other. When I got their pattern of crashing my bike, I toned down my speed and they crashed onto each other instead. With my safe and sound bike, I made my way at the side and left them there. I even waved at them. When I’m finally feeling my luck, my buddy gave up on me. The annoying sound of the exhaust added fuel to my blazing irritation. I looked back for the men following me and fought to myself if I should leave my motor here and run or try to fix it? When I saw two cars rushing, I knew I had no choice. I ran through the forest as fast as I could. I look back every time, anxious that they might have followed me already. I don’t want to die in this forest! I don’t want to die yet, even in the fanciest place! I don’t deserve to die because of something I didn’t do!  I ran and ran until I couldn't walk anymore. I stopped by a big tree just beside a river and got myself some water. I washed my face with it and made sure to completely rest from the long run I just had.  And when I thought I had the opportunity to rest, I saw three girls on the far side of the river, lying on the ground and unconscious. All of them are covered in blood and I even thought that they’re dead. Not until one shouted for help when she spotted me.  I was about to go and help her when I heard dry leaves being stepped on and the noisy crowd of men. My defense went up when I realized who they are. They’re the men after me! Torn between helping the women or saving my life, I made my decision when I saw another person in front of the two girls. There’s someone else there that can save them! Glancing at their sides, I left with a light and assured heart. But when I saw how fear radiated through the girls’ eyes while looking at the mysterious person in black in front of them, I knew that that’s not their savior.