Project 12

Prologue

Mainit ang gabi, the sky was a deep shade of indigo with faint stars scattered across it. Sa tahimik na subdivision ng Luna Vista, where houses stood neatly in rows and streetlights cast dim glows, tahimik ang buong paligid. The only sounds were the soft chirping of crickets and the occasional rustling of leaves in the evening breeze.

Kakatapos lang namin mag-dinner, pero faintly pa ring nandun 'yung amoy ng home-cooked food. Si Rue, umalis sandali to buy dessert sa convenience store, promising na hindi siya magtatagal. Ang bunso naming kapatid, tulog na. Our parents, nasa sala, tahimik na nag-uusap.

Ako naman, nakahilata sa sofa, scrolling mindlessly through my phone. The glow of the screen was comforting, keeping my mind occupied. Sa background, mahina ang tunog ng TV—just enough para hindi maging sobrang tahimik ang gabi.

It was just an ordinary night.

Until—

CRASH!

May nabasag na salamin.

Napabalikwas ako. My phone slipped from my hands as a sharp jolt of fear ran through me. Then—isang malakas na tunog, like something heavy hitting the floor.

Tapos, nagmamadaling mga yabag.

And then—

A scream.

Boses ni Mama.

Bago pa ako makapag-isip, I was already moving, rushing down the stairs, my heart pounding wildly.

And what I saw froze me in place.

May mga lalaking nakaitim—full combat gear, faces hidden behind masks. Isa sa kanila, hawak si Mama, her terrified eyes locking onto mine as she struggled against his grip. Si Papa naman, nasa sahig, nakaluhod—pero kahit hawak siya ng dalawang lalaki, his face remained calm, but his eyes burned with defiance.

"We have him," one of them announced in a distorted voice, amplified by a voice modulator. "Secure the area."

Napasinghap ako. "Have him?" Bakit si Dad?

I wanted to move, to say something—pero nanigas ako. My father's gaze flickered to me, something unspoken passing between us. A silent plea.

Don't interfere.

Pero bakit? Bakit nila siya kinukuha?

Before I could fully process what was happening, the men began dragging Papa toward the door.

"Please! Huwag! Parang awa niyo na!" Mom sobbed, desperately trying to break free.

I clenched my fists. No. This isn't right.

Biglang may kakaibang energy na dumaloy sa katawan ko, a deep pull from somewhere inside my chest. The air around me wavered, like heat rising from pavement. My vision blurred, and—

Si Papa—hindi na siya nakaluhod.

He was standing, fighting back.

Si Mama—hindi na siya hawak.

She was reaching for me.

And then—

BZZZT! CRACK! ZZZK—

Parang may sumabog sa utak ko. I gasped, my knees buckling as pain shot through my head. My breathing came in ragged gasps as I blinked—

Pero wala namang nagbago.

I saw something.

Pero... walang nagbago.

Bago ko pa ma-recover, the masked men made their move. A crackling voice came from one of their communicators.

"May tao sa labas. Kailangan na nating umalis."

Nagdalawang-isip sila saglit, but quickly adjusted their plan.

"Move. Now."

Sinubukan kong sumigaw, gumalaw, lumapit—kahit ano—pero my whole body felt frozen in place.

Then—loud footsteps rushing toward us.

Rue.

Pero huli na siya.

With a screech of tires, the black van sped off into the night—taking our father with them.

And all I could do was watch.