OPERATION: NIGHTSHADE

Disclaimer: This story story is fictional. Any names, events, and ideas are only a product of the author's imagination. ----------- SAGE  Marahan kong pinagmasdan ang kulay pulang likido na ngayon ay nanunuyo na sa aking balat. Warak ang aking damit  at walang saplot ang aking mga paa. Sa likod ko ay isa sa mga gwardya na siyang umaalalay saakin habang ako'y naglalakad sa pasilyo na walang ibang laman kung hindi mga selda at mga matang may tinatagong pagbabanta. That kind of look doesn't give me the chills anymore, marahil ay madalas kona itong nakukuha sa pamilyang yon, ngunit hindi ko inaasahan na ganto ang magiging paraan upang makalaya ako sakanila. Inihinto ako ng gwardya sa harap ng isang malaking bakal na pintuan, agad na kumilos ang tagabantay nito upang kami ay pagbuksan. Halata sa kanyang mukha na nahihirapan sya sa bigat nito ngunit hindi manlang nagabalang tumulong ang guwardya na nakabantay sa akin. "Hanggang dito nalang ako. Pagpasok mo sa loob ay may kakausap sayo. Depende na lang sa isasagot mo kung ano ang magiging hinaharap mo" aniya at saka marahas akong itinulak sa loob at umalis. I can hear my heart beat as loudly as the closing of the metal door. Hindi ako gumalaw sa kinatatayuan ko, bagkus ay pinagmasdan ko muna ang kapaligiran. Madilim at nakakatakot, iyon ang larawan na nasa isip ko ngunit nagulat ako sa nakikita ko ngayon. It was a neatly designed place with ornate objects. Sa dulo nito ay isang lamesa  kung saan prenteng nakaupo ang isang lalaki. Kunot ang noo nitong nakatitig sa tambak ng papel na nasa kanyang mesa at mukhang hindi nya pa napapansin ang aking presensya. Maraming libro at papel ang nagkalat sa iba't ibang sulok ng silid ngunit mukhang hindi sya nababahala rito. I turned my gaze towards him and examine his appearance.  He look like he belong to a powerful family, his black shoulder- length hair compliments his face very well. He has a prominent nose and his skin looks lighter and smoother than mine.  "Done checking me out?" napapitlag ako ng bigla siyang nagsalita. His eyes were still fixed on the paperworks. Wala ni isang salita ang lumabas sa aking bibig, marahil ay masyado pa akong naguguluhan sa pangyayari. "Have a sit" he motioned his hands towards the chair in front of the table and threw a glance towards my direction. I felt an unusual feeling resonate throughout my body as blue eyes met mine.It felt as though he was looking into my soul and was judging my humanity. I bit my lower lip and proceeded to the chair. "Soooo, you are a murderer huh" mapanuyang saad nito pagkaupo ko. His words offended me a lot, kilala ko ang sarili ko at tanda ko ang panyayari. " It was self-defense, I am-" "Innocent?" pagputol nya sa sinsabi ko. I nodded my head and remained silent. "But the report here says otherwise" saad nya at saka binuklat ang tumpok ng papel na nasa harapan nya. " Hindi rin magsisinungaling ang investigation". Hindi ako nagsalita. I knew it. They are twisting things again, they want me to feel miserable even when I am locked in here. Pakiramdam ko ay ang buong mundo ko ay umiikot sa palad nila. I can feel my heart spilling out my eyes, it feels like a dead end. Tumayo ang lalaki at saka may kinuha sa isang kahon. Nakabalot ito sa puting tela na may kaunting bahid ng dugo. I think I know what it is. Pagupo nya ay ipinakita nya saakin ang isang bagay. It was a golden dagger, covered in blood. In its handle was my name. Sage. Seeing the dagger made my heart ache even more. I felt guilty knowing that I dirtied the only thing my parents left me. " That's mine." I said. I know it would be impossible but I want to take the dagger back. It was my treasure. It holds my memory. "You need to give it back" I said as firmly as I can. " This is a murder weapon, and a very interesting item. I can't give this to you unless.." an evil smirk appeared in his face. Masama ang kutob ko dito kaya naman ay pinangunahan ko na sya. " You drop dead." as much as I don't want to use those words, I have to. The moment I stepped out of that house I decided to do whatever it takes to have my freedom.  An outburst of sarcastic laugh echoed on the four corners of the room. Kahit ako ay nabigla, this guy is taking me lightly.  Sa galit ko ay marahas kong hinablot ang dagger at itinutok iyon sa leeg nya. His eyes showed not a hint of fear, but instead he looked as if he was entertained. "You are brave for a commoner, you remind me of a dead friend" his expression became very cold and he looked at me dead in the eye. That moment, I knew that what I did no longer scares this man. But I will not waver and decided to make a bargain. " Free me from this place if you want to live" I said and pushed the dagger closer to his throat.  The man remained unfazed. But he spoke and his words gave me hope. "I can do that, but not for free"  " I won't do anything for you, I have the upper hand this time" I said. "Do you?" he mockingly asked. As if on cue, four high ranking soldiers entered the room. My body went cold and I can feel my heart throbbing. Mas lalo kopang idiniin ang dagger sa kanyang leeg. Ngunit lalo lamang naalarma ang mga guwardya at itinutok sa leeg ko ang espada. "You can relax so we can talk or you can keep being a rebel and kiss your freedom away." he said. Kaya pala kampante sya kahit may patalim na nakatutok sa leeg nya.  Nagisip ako saglit. Honestly, I can count dying as freedom but I know that I can do better than that. I let a out a sigh of defeat and slowly moved the dagger away. Nang mapansin iyon ng mga gwardya ay agad nilang  kinuha ito at saka ako muling pinosasan.   Tinignan ko ng mariin ang lalaki na ngayon ay inaayos angbkanyang kasuotan, nang matapos ito ay saka nya ako tinapunan ng tingin. " I know what really happened to you and I know I can use your experience for my sake" he said and motioned to the guards to leave. Agad namang sumunod ang mga ito ngunit pinanatili niyang nakaposas ang mga kamay ko. " Use me? For what? I'm pretty sure I'm not that useful" sinasabi ko lamang ang katotohanan. I've been confined within the four walls of that house all my life, I barely know what its like in the outside world. " You already murdered someone so I know you are suited for the job. Don't be humble" his words would always come out with a hint of insult, ngunit kailangan kong habaan ang pasensya ko dahil baka ito na ang pagasa ko." So, how about you become one of my pawn?"  "How does that benefit me?" I asked. I'm pretty sure that being a pawn would only cause me to be trapped in someone else's hand " It is true that I killed someone once, but that does not mean I can do anything else, so would you want me?" "Simple, we both wanted freedom. That is what joining me gives you, Sage. Freedom. Even if I let you go tonight, that does not mean you will be safe from the hands of your family and the family of the man you killed. Make me stronger and I will guarantee you your freedom. This is a Prince's word after all." the way he suddenly revealed that he is the King made me feel two things. The fear for my life and hope. He placed his hands in front of me waiting for my approval. At that moment I knew that the decision can only be made by me. It felt as though for the first time in my life, I can finally be able to choose for myself, even though I know that the choice I am to make will lead me down the rocky path. I looked at his hands again, and in my despiration.... I held is hand tightly.....because I promised myself that no matter what it takes, I will make myself free.  By hook or by crook.