OPERATION: NIGHTSHADE

THAN WHAT USED TO BE MINE

SAGE

"Malapit na tayo" aniya ng isa sa mga escort. After the incidents happened, we decided to walk by foot dahil hindi narin namin magagamit ang karwahe. Bakas sa mukha nila ang pagod dahil narin sa kalayuan ng aming destinasyon. 

Ayon sa kanya ay ayon ang base kung saan naroroon ang Prinsipe pati narin ang myembro ng Nightshade.

Paglaon ay unti unti nang lumitaw ang isang mataas na gate. It was a tall gigantic rusty gate, malayo ito sa imahe na nabuo sa isipan ko. Sa likod nito ay isang daanan na napapaligiran ng berdeng damo at matatayog na puno. May iilan ding baging at ligaw na damo ang nakasabit dito.

Nagtataka akong tumingi kay Harper at tinapunan niya lang ako ng casual na tingin. One of the escorts lead the way and pushed the rusty gate wide open. Its creeking sound was torturing my ears ngunit mukhang sanay na ang iba rito.

We proceeded towards the grassy path at sa dulo nito ay isang mansyon. It was gorgeous colonnaded outside and it has wooden doors that can accommodate family of giraffes.

As I entered the mansion, I was welcomed by the polished wood floors, ornated wall and a graceful banister that curved up toward a soaring second floor.  Velvet drapes framed the beautiful high arched windows, the lace inner curtains remained drawn, allowing daylight to enter while rendering the heart-stopping view over the whole forest. 

"You should rest first, I'm pretty sure he will call for us later" Harper said. Noong sinabi niya iyon ay agad akong nakaramdam ng pagkapagod. I think the adrenaline that I felt earlier drained the energy out of my body. 

"Heyyy! I'm shocked you actually made it back!" isang lalake ang bumaba mula sa ikalawang palapag. He has that goofy look in his face. His bed hair looks disgusting and the way he was dressed up is not exactly neat.

Harper looked at him with disgust at saka ibinato dito ang kanyang quiver. 

"Kung alam kolang na ikaw ang sasalubong saakin paguwi ko edi sana namatay nalang ako!" Harper looked really pissed while saying those words. They must be really close.

The guy let out a sight and put his hands in his heart, acting as if he was really hurt by her words. Nang mapansin nya akong nakatingin sakanya ay agad siyang tumakbo sa direksyo ko at inakbayan ako.

"Hi, I'm Augustus, the fairest of them all. I hope her grumpy attitude does not intimidate you" he said and held out his hand for a shake. I  smiled awkwardly and shook his hands ngunit nagulat ako ng sa halip na bitawan ang kamay ko ay binigyan nya ito ng isang halik.

Agad kong hinila ang kamay ko at tumingin kay Harper. Nakuha nya naman ito at saka marahas na hinila ang tenga ni Augustus. 

"Stop pestering her! and for pete's sake, take a bath! makakapaghintay yang research mo!" the poor guy groaned and whined as if he was being bullied by his superior.

Sinenyasan ni Harper ang isa sa mga escort upang dalhin na ako sa taas. Binigyan ko lamang sya ng isang tipid na ngiti at saka sumunod na sa taas. 

Iginaya niya ako sa pinakadulong silid at saka tinulangan iayos ang ilan sa mga gamit na ibinigay ng Prinsipe. Iginala ko ang mata ko sa kabuuan ng kwarto, It was a room big enough for two people with a queen sized bed and a wooden cabinet in its side. On its front side was a bay window covered with a sheer laced curtain bordered by burgundy drapes. 

Inilatag ko ang likod ko sa malambot na higaan. Unlike my past room, this place was better. It might not look welcoming outside but it was really warm inside.

I looked at the ceiling while thinking of the events that happened until now. I still feel fear for the things future may bring, then there's the gathering later and the questions that I want to answer, about the Nightshade and about myself. 

But all I know is that...

This place is better than what used to be mine.