Blood Menace

18- Sophomore

"Kamdyn, is everything alright there?" seryoso ang matigas na boses ng ina n'ya.

"P-Po? Oo naman po. My studies are doing great. As a matter of fact, I'm studying right now in my room," aniya. It was a Friday night. Other students would be out enjoying. Pero hindi si Kam. She studied every night.

Kaya nga nag-top one siya last school year. Kasama si Cole.

Ugh! That Bloodworth was a pain in her existence.

"I'm not talking about your school," sabi ng ina n'ya.

"Ano po ang ibig n'yong sabihin?"

"I sent you an image."

Mabilis niyang ini-on ang loudspeaker saka tiningnan ang message ng ina at agad na nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata sa nakita.

It was her! Naglalakad siya sa gitna ng school ground. She looked disheveled. Magulo ang buhok n'yang naka-messy bun, maputla siya at walang make up, luma at faded ang kanyang oversized gray t-shirt, dark blue ang cycling shorts, gray din ang kanyang sneakers na pinaresan n'ya ng puting medyas na abot just above her ankles. She was also carrying her cheap white cloth tote bag.

She looked like she didn't have money. Something her parents would disapprove.

Napatiim-bagang ang dalaga. Agad na kumulo ang dugo n'ya.

"Seriously? You have spies here? Can I live a normal life? Kahit sa loob lang ng apat na taon na nandito ako?" she blurted out.

Pagak na natawa ang kanyang ina. "Please. When you asked to study there, hindi namin nagustuhan 'yun. But you wanted, like you said, a normal life for four years kaya hinayaan ka namin. You're free to do whatever you want as long as you meet our condition of excellence."

"So, you didn't pay anyone to spy on me?"

"No. Someone anonymous sent that to me. Why the hell do you dress like you're struggling? Hindi ba sapat ang perang pinapadala namin sa'yo? You are ruining our family's reputation," her mother's voice was hard. Parang nainsulto ito.

Kam sighed. So, her mother called worrying about their reputation not because she looked like she was struggling. Again.

Paano pala kung talagang nag-i-struggle siya financially?

"Mother, I'm fine. Kagagaling ko lang mag-overnight study sa library n'yan. Hindi pa ako nakapagkape at walang tulog kaya mukha akong... ganyan."

She didn't even know how to describe her appearance. She didn't look that bad. Just exhausted.

Pero sino naman ang nagpadala ng picture na 'to sa ina n'ya?

Sino ang nakakaalam ng totoo niyang pagkatao? Maliban kina Cole at Director Brisbois.

He wouldn't betray her. Kahit hindi na sila nag-uusap ay alam niyang hindi nito magagawa ito.

And the Director wouldn't do this either. Ma-prinsipyo ito.

"So, ano'ng gusto ng sender? Why did this person send this photo to you?"

"I do not know. Why? Should someone ask for something in exchange of your mortifying photo?"

"Nothing. I'm just curious since sending you my mortifying photo seems irrelevant," she answered.

Hindi alam ng mga magulang n'ya na inilihim niya ang totoo niyang identity. Her fanily's money was temptation enough for opportunists.

And this right now could be the second instance that her money would disrupt her life. The first one was the kidnapping attempt several months ago in Macon City.