Ruckus Crown

Chapter 7

"Did she stay in the isolation room?" Ruckus asked, sitting in a chair in front of Mark's desk.

"No, she didn't," Mark replied, eyes on the computer.

"You telling me she stopped bitching around?"

"No, boss." Tumingin ito sa kanya. "It's the other prisoners that stopped touching her."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Ruckus. "Elaborate."

"Menezes doesn't go into trouble because she wants it. It's always because someone touched her inappropriately that's why she snapped and gets into trouble," Mark explained.

Nodding his head, Ruckus narrowed his eyes on the man.

"Did someone touch her again?" Ruckus's jaw tightened. Peasants can't keep their hands to themselves. Tch.

"Yes, someone did. And she was lashed five times yesterday—"

"What?" Ruckus calmly asked even if he was angry.

"A prisoner groped her and she headbutts him in response sending the man to the ward with a broken nose."

Ilang sandali siyang nakatitig lang kay Mark bago siya walang salitang tumayo at lumabas ng opisina nito.

Pagkalabas niya ay hindi mapigilan ni Ruckus ang pumalatak.

Just yesterday she was lashed and she fall to the floor this morning on her back but not a single pain crossed her face.

Damn woman... You're strong. But damn himself more for feeling worried about her. Inis na napasuklay ng buhok niya si Ruckus saka siya lumabas ng underground at umuwi ng bahay niya.

"Where have you been?" Salubong ng kapatid niyang si Kronack na nasa sala pagpasok niya ng bahay. Kasama nito si Kalisz na kinakausap si Death na tahimik lang.

Ruckus frowned. Why are they here so early?

Shrugging the thought, Ruckus sat beside his twins.

"Didn't know I must report my whereabouts now twinie," Ruckus grinned. "You miss me noh?"

His twin brother glared.

Natawa siya. Mukhang wala sa mood ang kakambal niya.

"What's up with the bad mood, twinie?" he asked.

Mahina lang itong pumalatak at hindi sumagot habang nakatingin kay Kalisz. Then Ruckus frowned while looking at his pregnant sister-in-law.

"Pandak, 'di mo ba ako babatiin?" Tanong niya dito.

Nagtaas ito ng tingin mula sa librong binabasa nito kay Death na hindi niya alam kung nakikinig ba o ano. Blangko naman kasi ang mukha ng bata.

"Kapre."

Napangiwi si Ruckus sa itinawag sa kanya ni Kalisz.

"Si Death talaga ang ipinunta ko dito. At gusto ko rin tawagin kang kapre, wala kasi sa bahay si Morris kaya't wala akong matawag na Morri."

Napahilot ng ulo niya si Ruckus. Damn... I wonder how twinie stayed sane? This is a total craze.

Humilig siya palapit sa kakambal para bumulong. Mahirap na baka ibato ni Kalisz ang libro sa mukha niya pagnarinig nito ang itatanong niya.

"Twinie..."

"What?" Bored na tanong nito.

"How do you keep up with her weirdness?"

"I'm barely hanging Ruck. Damn! Her adoration for Morris is maddening." His twin's voice was frustrated while whispering back. "I'm very jealous."

Mahina siyang natawa. Kawawa naman 'tong kakambal niya.