Belonging to the Fire

Chapter One

COMMON KNOWLEDGE:

Eden's Hierarchy

High-tiers— extremely wealthy individuals and most powerful people in Eden.

Mid-tiers— above average people. Not that rich but also not that poor.

Low-tiers— unprivileged people in Eden who mostly works as a slave for high-tiers.

--

I GLANCED at the dark blueish sky as it shows the fluffy white clouds. The night already falls at the town of Eden, the blue and blue sky is now dotted with countless small stars. The evening is now deep and the bright moon is completely out. Even the quiet footsteps of the people can be heard from a near distance. I took a deep breath and glanced at my wristwatch, it's already 8PM.

I am hiding behind a huge tall tree only a kilometer away from my target destination. From where I am standing, I can see twenty armed men holding a rifle in their right hands. All of them are wearing black suits that is designed for their protection. From the looks of it, they are all professional assassins. Matiyaga nilang pinagmamasdan ang bawat sulok ng mansiyon na kinaroroonan nila na tila ba meron silang inaabangan.

“There's too many of them,” I whispered at myself while scanning the whole place using my telescope. I can sense that my life is going to be in danger once I entered the mansion. But then ofcourse, I've been doing this for ten years. Danger isn't really the thing that's going to bother me— It's failure.

I pushed the mic button of the earpiece I am wearing on my left ear while still scanning the inside of the mansion using my telescope and also preparing my plan on breaking in inside my head, “Are you seeing his car now?” I asked my friend and also my woman on the chair, Reesh.

She is currently inside her room at Paps' mansion, facing her computer while watching me execute my mission. She is the one assigned in infiltrating security systems, hacking CCTV cameras around Eden's District 1 and giving me informations and happenings outside my knowledge. In short, she is my accomplice in heisting. She's a genius and technology is her expertise.

“I can see his car on the main road, he's on his way,” sagot ni Reesh sa kabilang linya kaya tumango tango naman ako. Ibinaba ko na ang telescope ko at sumandal sa malaking punong pinagtataguan ko upang ihanda ang mga gamit na nasa loob ng itim na backpack na lagi kong dala dala.

I even packed my pistol with me in case of emergency. Habang nag aayos ng mga gamit ay nakapa ko pa sa bulsa ko ang isang silver na kwintas na merong heart shaped pendant— it's a gift from my dad when he was still alive. Inside the pendant, there's a picture of him and mom smiling happily and on the other side, there's the innocent 5 years old me. I just stared at it for a couple of seconds before closing it and kissing it for goodluck.

I hope I won't die tonight.

“We're stealing golds tonight huh? At sa mayor pa talaga ng District 1? How daring,” I heard a low baritone voice said in the earpiece I am wearing. He is my friend and also my getaway driver, Elian.

Elian is only a few houses away from where I am right now. He is assigned to back me up whenever something went wrong and things didn't go as planned. He is a skilled fighter just like I am and he knows every shortcuts and streets na hindi na sakop ng security system ng Eden. Kahit siya lang ang back up ko ay kampante ako na kaya ako nitong sagipin. We are almost the same level when it comes to fighting, I am just a little bit ahead.

I shrugged at what Elian said, thinking that he was right. What I am about to do is indeed daring and suicidal. I am going to steal golds from the most powerful person in District 1 that has the highest security systems around his mansion and dangerous guards protecting him. But it doesn't bother me, I'm confident of my skills anyways. I also have Reesh and Elian with me— my two heisting partners and also my brother and sister under Paps family.

Ofcourse, we are not doing all of this on our own.

We are just low-tiers. We have a protection from a high-tier named Giovanni Peterson whom we also call Paps. He is our foster father, not legally, but he's calling us his adopted children so that makes him our foster father. He is technically our boss giving us missions and assigning us illegal jobs in exchange of financial support. If I can remember it right, there are 50 of us low-tier kids that he adopted and we all came from different districts. Eden is consist of 13 Districts in total and Reesh, Elian and I came from District 1.

Paps are adopting low-tier kids that, just like me, have potentital to do illegal type of works. Iba iba ang misyon na ibinibigay sa'min ni Paps base sa mga skills at talent na meron kami. Ako, bilang mabilis ang kamay, mabilis ang kilos at magaling makipaglaban, in-assign niya ako sa mga pagnanakaw sa mga high-tiers. Ang iba ko namang mga kapatid ay naka-assign sa pagbebenta ng droga, pagi-spy, pag hack ng mga security systems at kung ano ano pang mga trabaho na labag sa batas.

Paps may seem like a bad person because he use kids for illegal type of works but for us he is a hero. He is the only high-tier who's helping low-tiers like us. Dahil sa mga binibigay niyang trabaho sa'min ay nagawa naming suportahan ang mga pamilya namin. Bilang kapalit sa mga paghihirap namin ay sinuportahan niya rin kami sa pag aaral namin at mga pangangailangan namin sa pang araw araw. Dahil sakaniya ay hindi namin naranasan na mamatay sa gutom katulad ng mga kapwa namin low-tiers.

Sure what he's doing is wrong, but it's all for us anyway.

“This is going to be one of your most dangerous task Bravenry,” Reesh said in a worried voice. She's right. This year's mission is indeed the most dangerous one.

“Yeah. Don't worry, I can handle it.”

“I mean, is there anything you can't handle?” she added. Napangiwi naman ako dahil sa sinabi nito.

“Damn right. She is Bravenry Walker, there's nothing she can't do,” gatong pa ni Elian. Napailing iling naman ako sa pinagsasabi nilang dalawa, lowkey enjoying their compliments.

“There's one thing that I can't do,” wika ko bago isuot ang backpack na hawak ko. “It is to fail.” Nakarinig naman ako ng sari saring reaksyon mula sa kanilang dalawa matapos kong sabihin ang katagang 'yon.

“Grabe ang yabang mo talaga!” Natatawang komento ni Reesh.

“Ibang klase ka na! Dapat na ba kaming magpatayo ng rebulto mo sa mansyon ni Paps?” Biro rin ni Elian. I chuckled at their reaction. They are my number one fans but also my number one bashers.

“The statue thing isn't impossible. After all, Bravenry is Paps' best girl,” dagdag ni Reesh at kahit hindi ko nakikita ang mukha nito ay nai-imagine ko siyang nakangisi.

“Yeah, sana all favorite.”

What both of them are saying isn't true. Paps love all of his adopted children equally. Madalas na biruan lang naming tatlo na ako ang paborito ni Paps dahil na rin siguro sa ako madalas ang napapansin nito. Hindi naman 'yon dahil sa mas lamang ang pagmamahal niya sa'kin, it's just that, I am the only kid among all of Paps children who haven't failed on his given missions yet. He's just proud of me, that's all. But don't get me wrong, wala kaming inggitan sa isa't isa. Naiintindihan naman namin na sa misyong mga napag tatagumpayan ko ay kasama rin sila. My success is also their success.

“Sorry folks, I'm just born gifted with talents,” I joked and they started bashing me jokingly. Reesh, Elian and I are the first low-tier children that Paps adopted. That explains why sa lahat ng mga kapatid ko, silang dalawa ang pinaka-close ko. Mas matagal ko kasing nakasama ang mga 'to at halos nakalakihan na namin ang isa't isa. The type of family we have is a secret because it's illegal. A high-tier cannot adopt low-tiers because it's a disrespect to the hierarchy. Lalo na we are disobeying the law, that'll be equivalent to a heavy punishment.

Magsasalita pa sana ang mga 'to pero mabilis din na natigilan nang may marinig kaming tunog nang paparating na sasakyan. Bahagya pa akong napayuko nang muntik na akong matamaan ng liwanag na nanggagaling sa headlights nito. Mula sa pinagtataguan ko ay pinagmasdan kong makapasok sa malaking gate ang itim na limo na siyang itsura palang ay halatang pagmamay-ari na ng isang high-tier. An old man— which I assume the driver, got off the car and opened the door of the backseat. Iniluwa naman no'n ang isang may edad ngunit matipuno pa ring lalaki na nakasuot ng puting long sleeve na polo at itim na slacks. Sa kanang braso nito ay may nakasabit na itim na tuxedo habang may hawak namang itim na briefcase ang kaniyang kaliwang kamay.

I smiled as I confirmed who the man was— Ermenrich Emanuelle, our target. He is a high-tier and also the mayor of District 1. He looked like he just got out of the casino dahil sa briefcase na dala dala nito. If what Paps said was right, that briefcase he is holding contains a 1 million cash na siyang napanalunan niya sa isang sugal. Paps wanted me to stole the 1 million cash right after I steal all his golds. Ayon sakaniya ay gusto niya lang makabawi sa pagkatalo niya sa laban nila sa sugal no'ng nakaraan.

I watched some of Ermenrich's guard as they walk towards him and greet him respectfully.

“Nakikita n'yo ba ang nakikita ko?” tanong ko sa mahinang boses. In-adjust ko pa ang suot kong device na nasa aking kaliwang mata. This device I am wearing is in a form of a contact lense which allows someone to see what the person who wears the device are seeing.

Reesh made this herself but she just copied the original from the equipments used by professional spies. We can't buy this kind of devices legally or illegally because we're avoiding being tracked by government or even non-government officials. My secret to why I haven't been caught by the law for ten years of stealing money and golds from high-tiers is because I make sure that all of my footsteps cannot be tracked. Fortunately for us, Reesh is very talented.

“The guards are already distracted, you can now move,” Reesh said to me and I nodded.

“I am going to enter.” Isinuot ko ang itim na mask ko na siyang natatakpan ang buo kong mukha maliban sa mata at bibig. I also wear my black gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints all over the place.

“Take care out there Bravenry,” Paalala pa ni Elian. I slowly formed my lips into a smirk before shrugging my shoulder proudly.

“They should be the one to take care,” sagot ko at dumaan sa madilim na parte ng gubat kung saan hindi iyon sakop ng liwanag na nanggagaling sa mansiyon.

Isa sa mga nakapagpadali sa misyon ko ay ang kadahilanang nakatayo ang mansiyon ni Ermenrich sa Tallwoods— a forest here in District 1 where most mid-tiers live. Kung tutuusin ay nakakapagtaka kung bakit ang mayor at high-tier na si Ermenrich Emanuelle ay nakatira sa Tallwoods kung saan napapaligiran siya ng mga mid-tiers kumpara sa Plaza kung saan madalas nakatira ang mga high-tiers.

Pero dahil sa marami na akong alam sa pasikot sikot ng mga ilegal na trabaho ay naiintindihan ko kung bakit ito nagtatago. Ermenrich is rumored to be a drug dealer wherein he injected his drugs to fruits and vegetables and give it to the mid-tiers around him for free on the first try. Kapag naadik na ang mga ito sa binigay niya ay kusa na ang mga itong bibili pa ng droga sakaniya. Para maitago sa mata ng publiko ay nagpanggap itong namimigay lang ng mga prutas at gulay sa mga mid-tiers out of kindness. But people like him who is hungry with money, that's impossible. Someone even tried to investigate him to prove their theory but unfortunately, he came out clean.

Money really do solve your problems huh?

High-tiers like him hates my existence, it's expected. Lahat ng perang pinaghirapan nila na galing naman din sa dumi at pangma-manipula sa mas mahina sa kanila ay pwedeng mawala sa isang iglap lang. That's why the high-tiers decided to give a huge amount of price to someone who will caught me dead or alive. The government agreed to this because I am also ruining Eden's reputation for being the safest and most peaceful place to live due to its tight security systems na sakop ang halos buong lugar.

Even non high-tiers like mid-tiers and low-tiers are curious about my identity and some even uploaded theories online on how I am able to escape the law despite Eden being the most secured place on earth. Some low-tiers even idolized me for standing up against high-tiers. I have quite a reputation already and mind you, I am just a 17 year old girl.

“Have you infiltrated the security systems?” I asked Reesh on my earpiece, whispering while watching the two armed men guarding the back gate of Ermenrich's mansion. Luckily, even if Ermenrich have the most advance security systems all over Eden, Reesh can still infiltrate it. She studied a lot last night for this.

Kasalukuyan akong nagtatago ngayon sa likod ng puno ilang dangkal lang ang layo sa kinatatayuan ng dalawang armadong lalaki na nagbabantay sa back gate, nag aabang ng tiyempo para patumbahin sila nang hindi nakakakuha ng atensyon. Hangga't maaari ay ayokong maka-engkwentro silang lahat dahil paniguradong malalagay ako sa alanganin.

“Yes, you can safely enter now.” Reesh answered.

Maingat ang mga galaw na tinungo ko ang daan patungo sa likod ng isang armadong lalaki. I keep my footsteps as quite as possible at mukhang hindi naman nito nararamdaman ang presensya ko. Nang lingunin ako nito ay agad kong sinuntok nang buong pwersa ang mukha niya bago pa man siya makapag react. Ang isa namang lalaki ay nakita pa ang pagbagsak ng kasama niya bago ko siya tadyakan sa dibdib dahilan para mauntog siya sa malapit na dingding at mawalan ng malay.

“Two guards down,” I announced in a low voice before entering the gate using the keys that one of the armed guy have.

“That's 15 seconds, whaaat?” Elian sounded amazed. Ang hilig niya talaga akong orasan. Sometimes it felt like he's watching my missions like how he's watching olympics.

Hindi naman na ako nagsalita at maingat ang mga galaw na pinasok ang loob ng bakuran ng mansiyon. I even saw Ermenrich with his guards talking about something that I couldn't hear. Nang makitang abala ang mga 'to ay ginamit ko na ang oportunidad na 'yon para pasukin ang bahay. With all the security systems down, entering the mansion caused me no sweat.

Alerto ang mga galaw na inakyat ko ang hagdan patungo sa second floor ng mansiyon kung saan naroroon ang kwarto ni Ermenrich. Tumambad sa'kin ang isang mahabang hallway at mga pinto. Good thing I know where Ermenrich's room is kaya hindi na ako magsasayang ng oras na tingnan ang bawat kwarto. Diniretso ko ang pinakadulo ng hallway at pinihit ang doorknob ng pintong naroroon. The door is locked kaya kailangan ko pa itong buksan gamit ang hairpin ko. After a few seconds, I heard a clicking sound bago tuluyang magbukas ang pinto.

“Bingo,” I murmured to myself.

Pinasok ko ang kwarto na siyang pinapalibutan ng mga displays na halatang mamahalin. The room is also neat and classy at amoy palang ay malalaman mo nang malaki laking pera ang ginastos para sa kabuuan ng silid. Iniwas ko rin naman agad ang tingin sa mga displays dahil hindi naman 'yon ang ipinunta ko rito. Kung mabibigyan man ako ng pagkakataon na magnakaw ulit sa lugar na 'to, babalikan ko ang mga gamit niya at ibebenta 'yon sa malaking halaga.

But now, all I have to do is find his safe.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal ang paglibot ng mata ko sa buong silid at huminto rin 'yon sa isang malaking painting na nakasabit sa dingding. I walked towards it and tried to lift the painting which is surprisingly light. Nang tuluyan ko itong maiangat ay tumambad naman sa'kin ang safe na merong finger print access password.

“Ermenrich, you're so predictable.” I whispered to myself at inilabas ang backpack ko kung saan naglalaman 'yon ng pulbo at tape na pwede kong magamit sa paghagilap ng finger print sa buong lugar. I damp a powder on the doorknob of his room and placed the tape on top of it. Hindi naman umabot ng isang minuto at nakuha ko rin ang hinahanap ko. I quickly placed the tape with Ermenrich's fingerprint on the safe's lock and after a few seconds of scanning, the safe finally clicked indicating it's unlocked. This felt easy but I shrugged it off. I opened my backpack to place the golds I am going to grab pero nang tuluyan ko nang mabuksan ang safe ay natigilan ako nang makitang wala itong laman!

Shit, no.

He knew.

“Surprised?” a low mischievous voice behind me said. I alerted myself immediately at pinakiramdaman ang galaw ng tao sa likuran ko. This is why it felt surprisingly easy for me. He knew that I am going to rob him and he is about to trap me with the help of his men inside his house. Dahan dahan ko itong nilingon at mabilis na umilag nang magpaputok siya ng baril sa direksyon ko. The bullet missed me in just a few inches bago ito bumaon sa safe at gumawa ng malakas sa ingay.

If I haven't dodge that bullet in the right time, paniguradong kanina pa 'yon bumaon sa bungo ko. Luckily, I predicted that he will have a gun pointing at me so I prepared to dodge. I've encountered a lot of life threatening situations during my missions before so most of the time, I can predict what's going to happen. This is an endless cycle for me and I won't die easily. I am the best thief in town that haven't been caught in 10 years anyway.

“Bravenry! Are you okay? It's a trap!” I heard Reesh said on my earpiece. I quickly dodge all the bullet Ermenrich fired towards me and pushed his thick wooden table to the floor to hide there and use it as a temporary shield.

“Bravenry, should I go there? Respond if you're still alive,” Elian added. Pinindot ko naman ang mic button ng earpiece at nagsalita sa mahinang boses.

“Why did no one inform me that Ermenrich is already behind me?” I asked while breathing heavily and hiding behind the table.

“I am trying to! But the signal is glitched!” Reesh responded, feeling guilty. I took a deep breath and didn't say anything. Ermenrich might be behind all of this. Kailangan kong mag focus sa kinaroroonan ko ngayon.

“You won't get away from me shadowman,” Ermenrich said, emphasizing my codename.

People of Eden calls me shadowman. Since walang nakakaalam sa kung sino ako at kung ano ang identity ko, gumawa sila ng bansag sa'kin base sa kung anong nakikita nila. Ginamit nila ang shadowman sa kadahilanang wala pang nakakakita sa mukha ko at dahil purong itim ang suot ko ay nagmumukha akong parang anino sa dilim. Dahil naman sa skills ko at paraan ng pakikipaglaban, people assume that I am a man.

“Kung tutuusin, I'm a big fan of yours. You have taste sa kung sino ang nanakawan mo. Kung bibilangin lahat ng nanakaw mo sa loob ng sampung taon, aabot na 'yon sa bilyon, tama ba 'ko? I really like your audacity. Who knows? Maybe you can work for me,” aniya habang papalapit nang papalapit sa kinaroroonan ko.

“I researched a lot about you. Lots of high-tiers bought highly secured security systems from the government just to avoid letting you break in their mansions, not knowing you can easily get pass through all that just like what you did in mine.” I watched his shadow on the wall infront of me while also listening to the sound of his footsteps.

“High-tiers are even willing to give a huge amount of money to someone who will caught you dead or alive. Think about that, you are the only one to be entitled as the greatest thief in town for being the only one to have the balls to steal from high-tiers. How does it feel being so popular?” he continued talking like he is trying to make me talk back to him. He sounded really sarcastic and he seems like he's enjoying what he's doing.

“You really are mysterious. For years of stealing? Even one single clue about you wasn't found. Too bad shadowman, your mystery will end here,” he added laughing mischievously. I remained quiet habang pinapakinggan ang yabag ng mga paa nito. Hangga't maaari ay hindi ako pwedeng magsalita dahil ayokong makilala nito ang boses ko.

“You are cornered here shadowman, so come out come out wherever you ar— s**t!”

I shoot his hand using my pistol nang tumambad ito sa harapan ko dahilan para mabitiwan niya ang baril na hawak at malakas na mapadaing. Matapos ay sinipa ko ito sa dibdib para mapalayo sa kinaroroonan ng baril. Hangga't wala siyang hawak na baril ay mataas ang tiyansa na matalo ko ito. Bukod sa mas bata ako sakaniya, I am also well trained and strong.

He still managed to throw a strong punch at me but I blocked it using my arm. I'm lying if I'm going to say that his punches doesn't hurt. He got the moves and he's bigger than me. He then continued attacking me by throwing punches and kicks that I just easily dodged and blocked. Maya maya pa ay nakarinig ako ng mga yabag ng paa na siyang paakyat sa second floor at patungo sa kwarto ni Ermenrich. I knew immediately that it's his guards. They must have heard the collision upstairs at paniguradong handa na ang mga itong harapin ako.

I ended my fight with Ermenrich by grabbing the back of his polo. Inilapit ko ito sa'kin at tinuhod ng ilang beses ang sikmura niya dahilan para manghina rin ito agad. Nang magbukas ang pinto ay inihagis ko ang katawan ni Ermenrich sa dalawang bagong dating na siyang agad din naman nilang sinalo. Sabay sabay na natumba ang mga 'to sa sahig ngunit nagawa pa rin nilang magpaulan ng bala na siyang tumama lang din sa iba't ibang direksyon sa loob ng silid.

“Bunch of men are coming upstairs Bravenry, you need to get out of there,” wika ni Reesh sa kabilang linya kaya mabilis naman akong naghanap ng bintana sa loob ng kwarto at binuksan 'to. Muntik pa akong matamaan ng bala sa mukha nang may muling magpaulan ng bala sa direksyon ko.

Shit!

Ermenrich's men are already aware of me and they are surrounding the place. I need to fight my way out.

Nang ma-realize na hindi ako pwedeng dumaan sa bintana ay muli kong nilapitan ang dalawang lalaking nakahandusay sa sahig at sinipa ang mga 'to para mawalan ng malay. Matapos ay kinuha ko ang isang rifle at pati na rin ang pistol ko ay iniipit ko sa pantalong suot ko. Dumaan akong muli sa hallway na siyang dinaanan ko rin papasok. Hindi naman ako nabigo nang may sumalubong sa'king grupo ng mga armadong lalaki na siyang pinaulanan agad ng bala ang direksyon ko.

Maswerteng nailagan ko ang mga ito at nabuksan sa tamang oras ang pinto ng isang kwarto na nasa gilid ko. Ginamit ko 'yon para itago ang katawan ko at makipagpalitan ng pagputok ng baril. Every bullet that I shoot, I made sure that I will hit them in their arms, hands, legs or shoulders just so I can disarm them. Nang tuluyang mawalan ang mga 'to ng access sa mga rifles na hawak nila ay nilalabanan ko na ito nang walang armas. Hangga't maaari kasi ay gusto ko lang patumbahin ang mga 'to at hindi puruhan.

I don't want to kill them or cause major injuries as much as possible. I am not trained for that.

Nang mapatumba ko na silang lahat ay dumiretso na ako pababa ng hagdan para makalabas na sa mansyon. I can even feel my heart pounding so fast that I can hardly breathe. Ngunit bago pa man din ako makalabas sa pinto ay napahinto na ako nang may marinig akong tunog ng paghila sa trigger ng baril na nanggagaling sa likuran ko.

There's someone behind me and I can feel his presence. I can evel hear his breathing which means that he's not that far from where I am standing.

I slowly raised my hands in the air indicating that I am not going to fight back while also slowly turning around. Pinakiramdaman ko ang paligid at inalerto ang sarili. Nang marinig ko ang pagputok ng baril ay mabilis akong yumuko at hinugot ang pistol ko na nakaipit sa suot kong pantalon. Ginamit ko 'yon para paputukan ang taong nasa likuran ko na agad din namang natamaan sa kamay niya. When I am about to fire a shot again, natigilan ako nang may makita akong isang matangkad na pigurang nasa likuran ng armadong lalaki na binaril ko. Ginamit ng matangkad na pigura ang isang kamay niya para ihawak sa ulo ng armadong lalaki at iumpog ito sa malapit na dingding.

I watched the armed man as he fell to the ground before looking at the familiar tall figure again. He is wearing the same black mask I am wearing at kahit hindi ito magsalita ay makikilala ko pa rin agad ito dahil sa singkit at mapungay nitong mga mata. He gestured me to follow him kaya walang pagdadalawang isip na sumunod naman ako rito. Tumambad sa'min ang ilan sa mga armadong lalaki na ngayon ay walang malay na nakahandusay na sa sahig sa labas ng mansyon.

Elian did all this by himself, I'm impressed.

Nang makalabas sa mansiyon ay tinungo ko agad ang kinaroroonan ng sasakyan ni Ermenrich. Nakita ko pa ang driver ng sasakyan na nasa loob noon at takot na takot na nakataas ang magkabilang kamay sa ere. Bakas sa mukha nito na hindi nito tatangkaing manlaban kaya naman sinenyasan ko nalang itong lumabas at mabilis din naman siyang sumunod sa'kin. Tinutukan lang siya ni Elian ng baril sa likod ng ulo nito pagkalabas niya ng sasakyan para hindi siya magkaroon ng tiyansang manlaban.

Iginala ko ang tingin ko sa loob ng sasakyan at hinanap ang kinaroroonan ng briefcase. Nakita ko naman agad itong nakapatong sa backseat kaya nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Atleast kahit papaano ay may maiuuwi ako kay Paps pagkatapos ng lahat ng 'to. I grabbed the briefcase and closed the car before turning to Elian. Umalis agad kami sa lugar at iniwan nalang ang matanda mag isa. I honestly don't wanna hurt the old man. Mukha ngang naipit lang ito sa sitwasyon at isa pa, I have a soft heart for old people dahil naaalala ko ang mama ko na matanda na rin ngayon. Dagdag pa do'n, sigurado akong marami pang tauhan na darating si Ermenrich dahil dinig na dinig ang putukan ng baril mula sa kinaroroonan namin. Knowing Ermenrich, he has lots of dangerous men. We won't survive if we won't get out of there fast.

“Are there people coming this way, Reesh?” I asked on the earpiece at mabilis namang tumugon si Reesh na nasa kabilang linya.

“Yes. Elian knows where to go to avoid interacting them.” Hindi naman na ako nagsalita matapos niyang isagot 'yon. Hinubad ko na rin ang suot kong earpiece pati na rin ang contact lense bago inilagay sa dala kong backpack.

“Are you alright?” Elian asked nang makasakay kami sa sasakyan na siyang pinaharurot niya rin agad palayo. Tinanggal niya na rin ang suot niyang mask para makahinga nang maluwag. Nakita ko tuloy ang natural na brown at makintab nitong buhok. His hair is even healthier than mine.

“Yeah, thanks to you,” I said sincerely. Hinubad ko na rin ang suot kong mask at sumulyap sa labas ng bintana ng sasakyan kung saan makikita ang panaka nakang pagkidlat. Uulan ata ng malakas ngayon.

Elian smirked at me before chuckling, “You won't survive without me.”

“Yeah, right.” I glared playfully while smiling. Madilim ang daan na tinutungo ng sasakyan namin ngayon dahil walang nakatira sa bandang 'to ng Tallwoods. Hindi na rin 'to sakop ng security system ng Eden dahil sa madilim at abandonado na rin naman ang lugar.

“Admit it. You almost died there without me,” pang aasar niya pa. Umiling iling nalang ako habang malapad ang ngiti dito.

“Oo na. Ikaw na ang magali—” natigilan ako sa pagsasalita at agad na nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay ko nang may makita akong isang parang aninong nakatayo sa 'di kalayuan at mukhang nakamasid sa'min. Sinundan ko pa ito ng tingin nang tuluyan namin 'tong malagpasan pero hindi man lang ito gumagalaw.

What the hell did I just saw?