Dangerous Innocence [ATARAXIA Series #2]

War

Ganther Uries Neric Asuncion's Point of view

When I open my eyes a plain white ceiling greeted me. I'm sure I am at the infirmary right now. Mabigat ang katawan ko, even my breath isn't normal. Dahan-dahan umupo mula sa clinic bed, napunta ang atensyon 'ko sa tray na puno ng pagkain na nasa table sa gilid ng kama. I saw a note on it. Kinuha 'ko 'to at binasa.

"Eat. Make sure you'll finish it. You still going to pay for letting someone hurt you. Ako lang dapat ang mananakit sa 'yo.

-Onyx

I clutch my chest. What's wrong?  Why my heart is pounding? I shrug my head and focus on the note that I'm holding I put it in my pocket and start eating the food. Saktong pagkatapos kong kumain bumukas ang pinto ng clinic at iniluwa ang nurse. She smiled at me as she saw me. 

"You're already good to go, Mr. Asuncion. But before that, I need to know why you didn't put on the medical record that you have Nyctophobia?." Tinitigan ko ito ng blangko.

"I don't have Nyctopbia." Her forehead creased. 

"What do you mean? You collapsed on darkness—" I cut her off.

"I didn't pass out because of darkness. It because of silence. Sedatephobia." Kita ko kung paano napuno ng katanungan ang mukha n'ya. I smile at her. Unti-unti akong lumapit sa kan'ya. Nang makalapit ako I cupped her cheeks diniinan ko ang paghawak ko dito. She tried to push me away but I'm stronger than her.

"I don't hate darkness. That's my best friend but I do hate silence. Silence is too loud and I am not fond of it. Keep this our little secret... or else." Inilapit ko ang bibig ko  sa tenga n'ya. "Buong university ang makakalam kung anong klaseng demonyo ang tinagato n'yo." A terrified expression showed on her face. Para itong isang papel sa putla. She's shivering and tears are about to escape  but she didn't let it. Feisty. Trying to be brave.

"H-how?" Her voice was cracking. 

"You don't need to know. Hindi ka kasama sa laro. You are just a mere extra on it. So do what I'm saying. I'm not someone you'll want to mess up." 

"Do you understand, missy?" Walang pagdadalawang isip itong tumango. I let her go. Saka lumabas sa clinic na parang walang nangyari. I checked the time it's 5:55 pm in the afternoon. I still have a class to attend.  Habang nag-lalakad ako sa hallway wala akong magkitang kahit isang estudyante.. Normally, time like this there's bunches of students walking around. I grab my phone and to text Kit but to my surprised, I have already unread messages from Kit. 

Today 1:15 PM

From: Pawn

Where are you? Saan ka dinala ng mga 'yon?

Today 1:30 PM

From: Pawn

Hey!!?

Today 1:40 PM

From: Pawn

Ganther!!

Today 1:55 PM

From: Pawn

Class na!

Today 2:00 PM

From: Pawn

Onyx is here! Hinahanap ka n'ya. Nasapak pa ako!

Today 2:30 PM

From: Pawn

Hoy!

Today 3:30 PM

From: Pawn

The class is canceled. May nangyari. Students are not allowed to wander for a while. Someone was killed. 

Tinitigan ko ang huling mensaheng pinadala ni Kit. My side lip tilt. Nagpatuloy akong maglakad hanggang makarating ako sa locker room. I hide right away when I saw a commotion inside. Amoy na amoy dugo sa paligid. Onyx and others are there too. Kumpleto ang council. Even the headmaster is present. May mga naka suit na lalaki. Base on their aura they are Leighton's men. Their faces screamed confusion. My eyes turned to the lifeless body that covered with blood. May tama ito ng baril sa ulo. His body parts are scattered inside of the locker room. May nakaukit sa mukha nito. 

'Hide. Seek. Die. Leighton Heirs.'

"F*CK!" Onyx snarled. His jaw is clenching. He's gritting his teeth. Madilim ang aura nito. Maging si Orion ay gano'n din. 

"I THOUGHT THOSE THREATS ARE JUST F*CKING PRANK!" Orion snapped. Halos mapatalon ang iba dahil sa galit nito.

"They are messing with us. And they dare to enter inside my territory. And they declared war." His baritone voice was cold. Cold than before. His voice has a hint of danger. Kuyom ang mga kamao nito. Kahit kalmado ang itsura nito, everyone can feel how mad he is. And it's dangerous. Indeed Onyx is a vicious piece that I have on my chessboard. 

"It seems that the true show is about to start." I hummed beneath my breath. Ramdam ko ang isang ngising unti-unting nabubuo sa mga labi ko. Seeing them frustrated, frightened, and angry makes me feel so satisfied. 

"The white pieces are now moving, Onyx you need to move too, as the king of the black pieces." Ilang minuto ko silang inobserbahan. Hanggang pinaalis ni Onyx ang headmaster, pati ang mga naka-suit. Naiwan sila magkakaibigan. Tumalikod na ko. I'm about to take a step when my phone vibrated.

Today 6:30 PM 

KING:

I know that you are hiding. Get out. 

Wala akong nagawa kung hindi lumabas. I made sure that I looked nervous. I let out a deep sigh. And come out to the corner where I am hiding. They immediately saw me. I acted like I'm trembling as I saw the body. Panay ang lunok ko. 

"You look stupid." Bry suddenly said. Tinawanan naman ako ng iba. I flinched when Tyren wrapped his arm around my shoulder. 

"Bry, don't be so  rude to our little bean." 

"Are you okay, Ganther? I heard what happened." Orion asked. His furious expression a while ago was gone. Kalmado ito at may ngiti na labi. 

"Y-yeah," I replied. May humatak sa 'kin palayo kay Tyren. His strong arm snaked to my waist. 

"Masyado kang nag-enjoy sa kapit ni Tyren." He coldly said. Napatingala ako dito. As eyes met I feel another wave of stranger feeling inside, that's why I averted my gaze away from him. 

"Hey, Onyx saan kayo pupunta?" I heard Alex ask. When Onyx suddenly walks away from them and still holding me. He didn't answer. He just 'tch' on them. 

Hindi pamilyar ang dinadaanan namin hanggang huminto kami sa harap ng isang pinto. He kicked the door to opened. He dragged me inside. It's abandoned room. Malayo din ito sa main building. At hindi dinadaanan ng mga students or maging ng mga staffs.

"Are you okay?" His voice was gentle. What are you playing Onyx?

"Huh?" He gives me a dagger look. 

"I'm asking you! Are you okay?" I nodded. I gasped as he pinned me to the wall. He held my shoulder carelessly. It's hurt. His nails are wounding my flesh. 

"Listen to me, Ganther. No one should harm you without my consent. I'm your master. Don't let them hurt you. I don't want to see you again almost lifeless. It's hurting my ego. Ako ang dapat gumagawa no'n." He hissed. I don't know what got in me but I just found myself asking a question.

"Why are so mad at me, Onyx? May nagawa ba ako?" I don't know why my voice was so soft and sounded like hurting? He didn't answer. I smiled at him. And slowly pushed him away from me. 

"I really appreciate your help. But I really don't understand why are you so eager to make my life living hell. You are just the same to them." I turned my back to him and left him shocked and I don't know why.