Chapter 2: How do gangsters dress these days?
"Wandering on a long road with no idea where you're going."
—
One hour later and I'm still going nowhere. Mom said somewhere safe. I don't know where that is. All I can do is continue moving. Somewhere. Anywhere.
Mataas na ang buwan. The busiest part of White City is noisier and more crowded. Others may be excited to start the night, but I am eager to end it. Baka sakali, paggising ko, nasa bahay ulit ako kasama si Mom.
Tumawid ako sa pedestrian kasabay ng mga tao. Malapit sa bus stop ang kabilang kalsada. May waiting shed, at may nakaupong lalaki.
Nagtama ang mata namin. Tumayo siya.
It's nothing, right? I'm just skeptical.
Pero isang kamay ang kumapit sa bewang ko. May dumiing matulis sa tagiliran ko.
"Pumasok ka sa eskinita." I glared at the man. Hopefully, he'll just die on the spot and I can be safe once more. He's in office attire—light blue polo, black slacks, and nice clean black shoes. I don't get it.
Lumiko kami sa unang eskinitang nadaanan namin. Itinulak niya ako pabagsak sa semento. Inihagis niya sa akin ang isang litrato. "Ikaw ba 'yan?" It was me—leaving the house. Days ago.
"Who cares?"
The man smiled to someone past me. May malamig na dumikit sa sentido ko. "Sumagot ka kung ikaw 'yan."
I bit my lip. "Ako."
Ngumiti ang lalaking nagdala sa 'kin sa eskinita. Dumukot siya sa bulsa ng phone.
This whole day proved I don't have any idea on how to keep myself alive. My mind tells me to push one of them and then run. Pero hindi nakikikoopera ang katawan ko. Kung pati hiya ko ay tinakasan na ako, I could be crying like a baby now.
"Nakita na namin ang anak ni Olivia."
Nakatingin siya sa akin habang nakikinig sa kausap. Tumango siya at ibinaba na ang telepono at muling ibinulsa 'yon. His smile is not a good sign.
"Patayin na daw 'yan."
"No!" I was pulled deeper into the empty alley.
I'm a hypocrite to think somebody could save me. The only possible help I could get is my Mom.
And she left.
Is there really no one that would give me a chance to live today? Wala na ba talaga akong pagkakataong bumawi?
Inihagis ko ang dala kong bag sa lalaking may hawak sa buhok ko. Isang hakbang lang ang nagawa ko nang hatakin ulit niya 'ko. Bumagsak ako sa lupa at nakatanggap ng sipa sa sikmura.
Then a scream.
The guy's gun dropped on the floor with his knees. May saksak siya sa gilid ng tiyan—the wound oozing with black liquid. Nanlisik pa ang mata niya sa akin saka tuluyang naging abo at tangayin ng hangin.
What the...
A new man dropped from the building beside the street. Malaki ang ngiti niya sa natirang captor ko.
"Hi?" His lips formed an upward curve. His hands are seated on the belt of his cargo pants. He's comfortable wearing nothing as a top. I can't get a full look on him as his long curls cover his face. Madilim rin ang eskinita.
May kinakapa siya sa bulsa at naglabas ng isang gadget. Same symbols on the back of it just like those on our floor.
"Nickita Maidlyn Someran," he read from his device. "Ikaw 'yon?"
YOU ARE READING
The Protectors
FantasyNick has been left to believe her life is common and boring just like any other teenager. She's not great at anything but to make sure her Mom's day is greeted with another your-daughter-is-in-the-guidance-office call. She can't make a simple decisi...
