The Protectors

Chapter 23: Pandora's Box

Chapter 23: Pandora's Box

"Who you trust, is on you. Who'd trust you, is on them."

—

"I never thought we have a place like this." Niyuko ko nang kaunti ang malayong lupa mula sa pwesto ko. Nalula din ako agad. Kumapit ako sa isang posteng nakausbong sa tinutuntungan naming bubong.

Raphael showed me a way to get to the Church's rooftop. Literally. We are on the gold and blue painted roof of the institution, the wide space below us became a scenery to see.

I don't think this is even allowed. I just hope the Queen doesn't find out about this.

"The other way of keeping your mind off Michael's....stay as far as you can."

"Never thought of that," I murmured as I locked my eyes on the far horizon.

What's in front of me is a great view. Maingay at puno ng Protectors sa labas ng Church. Nakapalibot ang malawak na gubat sa di kalayuan. Buhay at makukulay ang mga halamang nasa hardin malapit sa Church grounds.

Magaan ang ihip ng hangin. Marahan ang dampi sa balat kahit na ilang kilometro mula sa lupa ang taas namin. Pumikit ako habang nangingiti. Nangingibabaw sa akin ang pakiramdam ng kalayaan habang ninanamnam ang bawat naririnig, nakikita at nararamdaman ko mula sa kintatayuan namin.

"Thanks."

"For what?"

I finally looked at Raphael with a wide smile. His shimmering eyes tell me that he feels what I feel....the peacefulness being here.

"For understanding."

He nodded with a grin.

Muli akong nagpakasawa sa magandang tanawin sa harapan. Nagsalubong lang ang kilay ko nang may mapagtanto. "Don't open this up to anybody."

He chuckled. "Sure."

We stayed longer than I expected. We were lost as we watched the sun slowly move its way in the sky. Nang makatungo na ito sa pinakamataas na posisyon sa kalangitan ay ako na mismo ang nag-aya kay Raphael na bumaba.

"Let's train," may galak na aya ko. Gumabay ako sa mga maliliit na poste para ligtas na makarating sa pinasukan namin kanina nang harangin niya ako.

"There is an easy way down. Ba't ka magpapakahirap bumaba ng hagdan?" tanong niya habang magkakrus ang mga braso sa dibdib.

Sumimangot ako. "You Guardians are like racists. Just because you have wings..."

Hindi na siya nagsalita. Hinapit niya ako sa bewang at isinama ako sa pahulog sa lupa.

Hindi ko alam kung paanong pigil sa malakas na sigaw ang ginawa ko. Ramdam ko pa ang lula na dala ng pagtalon nang maitapak ko ang mga paa sa lupa. Hagalpak si Raphael sa pagtawa.

I took it as a chance to attack. Naiharang niya sa armas ko ang sarili niyang espada.

"Still too slow." Malaki ang ngisi niya.

Lakas pwersa ko siyang itinulak. It was a really wrong move because it was as if I pushed a wall. Natawa na lang din ako.

Raphael was actually great. He was a good trainor and a better friend. He was patient. He continued training me for days and I could say I am doing better than I do before. And he's a really, really great emotional support.

I should not tell him about this because it'll just inflate his ego.

"Is that it?" I taunted as I managed to block another attack. He just laughed at my boast.