Del Rico Triplets #2: Retracing The Steps

Kabanata 38

A better new

As his coat's warmth encircled my shivering body, the chill behind me becoming less noticeable. He seems to be trembling as well. He cursed as he struggled to get my hand onto the coat's sleeve.

"Hang on, love... Don't sleep on me," he grumbled. Voice is shaky.

I tried to open my eyes even if I'm too sleepy. I smiled when I saw his face clouded of worries in agony. His eyes are telling me that he won't let anything bad happen to me now. That I'm safe now.

"Mommy..." I heard my son's voice.

From Troi, I found my son in the arms of a man with a  blurred face. They're not that far from where we are but I can't see his face clearly.

"Nandito na ang mga tauhan ng Hijazi, Troi," ani isang boses na nagmula sa labas ng pinto.

Troi didn't try to answer. Binuhat lamang niya ako nito. Yumayakap sa katawan ko ang init na nagmumula sa kaniya. Sa bawat hakbang niya ay para akong pinatutulog.

I guess I know why I'm feeling like this. Even though I'm exhausted because of what Maximus did to me, my body feels like I borrowed strength from something. My mind might be fuzzy and I'm drowsy but my body feels light. As if I'm floating and I can do anything I want. Even the most impossible ones.

Pumikipit-sara ang aking mata.  Natanaw ko pa kung saan kami patungo at kung kani-kanino nagmumula ang mga yabag ng paa na alam kong hindi kay Troi.

We're heading to the exit of the area. There are three men who's with us right now. Tarian is with them. I can't distinguish who they are because my mind is too cloudy. I cannot think straight. However, I feel safe. I know we're safe.

The awful drugs in that bottle, which that monster made me suck, are slowly devouring my body. As a result of it, I am beginning to give in. I bit my lip as I heard another gunshot and I trembled.

I felt another arm catched me.

"Take her with you..." I heard his voice.

I wonder what he meant. Humigpit ang hawak sa akin ng kamay sa kaliwa ko.

"The fuck are you planning? Let's get out of here, Troi!" may diin ang boses na iyon.

I know that voice but I can't name who owns it. I heard that voice called Troi's name nonstop but the latter didn't replied. My heart went wild because of worries. Where's Troi? Why isn't he saying a word? Why did he gave me to someone?

I opened my eyes in attempt of seeing what's happening. Marahil sa kagustuhan kong makita kung nasaan ang hinahanap, nagawa kong bawiin ang sarili kong katinuan.

"T-troi..." I muttered.

Naroon siya sa gitna ng ilang mga taong nagpapalitan din ng putok ng baril at ilang mga suntok. Lalong nadagdagan iyon dahilan kung bakit naging mabilis ang kilos ng may dala sa akin.

"Fuck! Let's get these two out of here and bring that fucker out!" shouted by someone who's with us.

I saw my son looking at his father's way. His eyes are filled with tears and worries. I cried with that sight. The sight of my son scared of losing Troi. Why can't he just leave with us? Bakit hindi niya pa iwanan ang mga iyon at sumama sa amin palabas?

"G-get him..." I managed to say as I watched Troi received some punches from the man behind him.

Unti-unting lumabo ang mga imaheng iyon. Napalitan ng usok dala ng isang pagsabog. Lalong nagwala ang puso ko sa takot. Tarian's cries are heard as the man who's holding him is doing his best for my son not to witnessed what happened.