OPERATION: NIGHTSHADE

The Misfits

SAGE

I was to drawn into my thoughts that I didn't realize I drifted to sleep. Nagising nalang ako nang marinig ang kaluskos sa kwarto ko. I opened my eyes to see Harper putting some stuff in my bed.

"You're awake" aniya " Wear these then follow me downstairs"

She was referring to the clothes that she placed in my bed. It was a front-lace blue kirtle with beautiful lace pattern on its end. Aside from this one ay madami pa ang isinalansan nya sa aking aparador.

Maya maya pa ay nagpaalam na si Harper para bumaba. Bago sya umalis ay sinermonan nya pa ako dahil sa hindi ko pagsarado ng pinto, she talked about how careless I am and that I should change from now on.I remain seated for a minute to prepare myself mentally. I might have met him before but I can't deny that his irksome attitude intimidates me a little.

I honestly thought about escaping many times, when I was at the tunnel, when we were ambushed and even now. But then, if I do that, people will chase me and I will keep running away. I never wanted that kind of freedom. I realized that freedom should be something that will also set my mind free.

Tinignan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin, I have never worn this kind of dress before, but I think this kind of change is good. Nang makontento na ako sa itsura ko ay saka ako pumanhik pababa. I might look calm on the outside but I am a mess inside.

Pagdating ko sa dining hall ay agad kong napansin si Harper at Augustus. Nakaupo sila sa harap ng isang mahabang mesa kasam ang tatlo pang hindi pamilyar na tao. Bukod sa kanila ay wala naman nang iba.

I let out a sigh of relief ng mapagtantong wala pa ang Prinsipe. Its not that I am afraid of him, but there is something about him that intimidates me.

"Heyyy!" napapitlag ako nang bigla akong tinawag ni Augustus. I was trying so hard not to get notice but I failed. Now all of them are looking at me.

I gave them an awkward smile at saka umupo sa tabi ni Harper. Nakita ko kung paano nagmaktol si Augustus dahil nabanggit nya kanina na dapat ay magkatabi kami sa dining hall. Now that I look at him I noticed that he looks more decent and proper rather than how he is this morning.

"Soooo, I heard the new member was a murderer" the girl beside Augustus said. She has a long hair, green eyes and very fair complexion. She's definitely a bratty one.

"I'm Scarlet by the way, I'm the black sheep of my family" she said and offered her had for a shake which I responded to.

"Aren't we all the same?" komento ng isa pang lalaki na nasa tabi nya. Kung titignan ay halos magkamukha lamang sila ng nasa tabi ni Harper at ang tanging pagkakaiba lang ay mahaba ang buhok nito at ang isa naman ay tama lang. Pero masasabi ko na may itsura silang dalawa.

"I'm Jack and that shy guy is my brother Ethan" nakipagkamay rin ako sakanya habang bahagyang tumango lamang si Ethan.

Matapos nilang makipagkilala ay nagkwento muna sila tungkol sa dahilan kung bakit sila naririto. At dahil iyon sa Prinsipe.

Augustus was a former junior inventor at the palace, when he invented something that caught his senior's interests, they framed them and stole his work. Even before that he was already hated because of his talent. The Prince saved him from execution.

The twins were orphans and they were passed from households to households. Their adoptive parents cannot accept Ethan's odd behavior and casted him out leaving only Jack behind, and because Jack loves his brother, he left together with him. They later wandered the streets to steal but Jack accidentally stole the Prince's brooch and got caught. As a punishment he made them serve him.

Scarlet, as she said was the black sheep of their family. She belongs to a noble family who specializes in medicine but she wanted to learn art instead. She would also get into fights with other noble ladies because of her bratty attitude. Her family decided to marry her off to the Prince but he refused. She later realized that she could live her family if the Prince agrees to marry her, so she made a bargain with the Prince to at least get engaged with her then later dump her. She was rejected. And the Prince offered her to serve him instead.

While Harper.....

"For revenge, the Prince and I have the same enemy anyways" I can feel hatred in her voice as she speak.

"Revenge?" I asked.

"Her brother and closest friend died when the first selection happened" Augustus continued. I saw how Harper's fist tightened. There was a glint of pain evident in her eyes.

"First Selection? you mean that tragedy from three years ago? That was barbaric right? Those bastards really wiped out the trainees, nobody survived" this time Scarlet is the one who spoke.

I was really curious about what the first selection is about, but I can't bring myself to ask given the pain it was giving Harper.

"There is one" Augustus replied

As if on cue, the door of the hall flung open, revealing two guys. I recognize one of them as the Prince while the other one is unfamiliar to me. They both have that dark aura as if it would kill them if they would touch each other.

Biglang tumayo ang lahat kaya naman ganoon din ang ginawa ko. They bowed their head slightly to show courtesy. I just did as they did at saka umupo na nang maupo narin sila.

The two of them sat at the opposite ends of the table. The Prince sat on the chair closest to us while the other guy on the chair far to us. He has a rave black hair, ocean blue eyes and a serious face. Pagkaupo nya ay agad nya namang isinampa ang paa nya sa lamesa.

I was looking at him when I felt Harper's hand pulled mine. I looked at her and she gave me a warning look.

"Don't look at him" she mouthed. Naguluhan naman ako at hindi naiwasang mapalingon ulit. But I really shouldn't have done that.

He was now looking at me with a questioning look at his face. I immediately shifted my gaze as soon as his eyes met mine. I felt my heart race for unknown reason.

Ipinako ko na lamang ang tingin ko sa Prinsipe na ngayon ay nakatingin sa akin. I suddenly felt conscious about meeting people's gaze.

"Did you brief her about the challenge?" he asked Harper. For some reasons everyone was silent. Bigla tuloy akong nakaramdam ng kaba. Nobody told me about a challenge. But I prepared myself for possibilities like this.

"I suppose you didn't" muling nagsalita ang Prinsipe

"Its too dangerous" tipid na tugon ni Harper

Dangerous. Hearing those words made me tremble a little. Sa tingin ko ay hindi lang basta magiging madali ito.

"What we do everyday is way more dangerous. There's no way I will let someone weak in this group" the Prince retorted. The coldness of his voice sent shivers down my spine. "Prepare her to-"

"So, you're still doing that s**t, you really are a bastard" the guy on the other side of the table suddenly spoke. "I know that its not your fault but I hope you should at least feel guilty."

Matapos ang ilang segundo ay tumayo ito at lumapit sa tabi ko. Bahagya nya akong tinignan bago marahas na hinila ang aking mga kamay papalabas ng dining hall.

"Arayyy, ano ba!" I said as I try to break free from his grip. But the harder I try the tighter he holds my hands.

Masyado akong naguguluhan sa pangyayare. Ramdam ko ang higpit ng hawak nya sa mga kamay ko. He was walking so fast that I was having a hard time following him.

Nang mapansin kong nasa gate na kami ay saka ko marahas na inagaw ang kamay ko sakanya. Nabigla sya sa ginawa ko at akmang kukunin ito ulit kaya naman ay inilabas ko ang dagger ko at itinutok yon sakanya.

Tila nabigla sya sa ginawa ko ngunit agad syang nakabawi.

"What's your deal?" he asked as if hindi nya alam ang ginagawa nya.

"I think I should be the one asking you that, what's your deal?"

"I'm obviously trying to save you from that bastard" he replied coldly

Agad naman akong naguluhan sa sinabi nya? Save me? From what? and why?.I apreciate the fact that he wants to save me but I don't see a reason to be saved.

"If its about the challenge then you don't have to--"

"Fine then, I think you should really go and see for yourself. Nightshade is not a game,trust me. I've seen people die because of it"

I was shocked when his emotions suddenly changed. There was pain on his eyes as he speak, gaya ng kay Harper. Maybe he went through the same thing kaya ganon nalang sya ka concern sa baguhan na gaya ko. Parang may kung anong pumisil sa puso ko at kumirot ito. Maybe its because I know the feeling of loosing someone.

"I won't die, people like me don't die easily" those words suddenly slipped off my mouth as if I was trying to give him assurance.

Tinignan nya muna ako saglita bago nagsalita "I hope you know what you're up to". He looked at me one last time and left the mansion.

I remained there, standing while looking at his back. I think I just made a promise. 

But no matter what this challenge is, I will not fall back.