Their Last Conquest

Chapter 4: Run, run, and run

Gabriel

KYLIE BOMBARDED me with questions, but even me couldn't answer them, not yet. Nakatayo kaming lahat sa harapan ng taong parang wala nang malay sa sarili.

I had to stay focused. One wrong move and it's over. It seems like everyone was looking at me, anticipating my move against this dangerous thing. Instead of staring, they should've already picked something useful around to defend themselves.

But I can't control or command them to do it. Paniguradong halos lahat sa kanila ay wala pang kahit anong ideya sa mga nangyayari.

“Urgh…” Andrew rumbled, humihigpit na yata ang pagkakahawak ni Miguel sa kanyang leeg. After all, Andrew proves himself nothing but talk. How stupid.

One thing concerns me more. I have to say, countless research and investigations I did for the entire week didn't waste. Matapos noon ay iilang teorya na ang bumabagabag sa isipan ko. But a theory remains a theory for now.

Damn. This guy standing right in front of us is completely mindless, his eyes tell more about it. I thought I was prepared for this, but I can't even do anything.

But then, Miguel for some reason swings Andrew's body while still holding his neck, and suddenly throws him near the board causing it to crack. We were all in dire shock.

I immediately ran as fast as I could when my adrenaline pushed me. The chair I've been holding tightly crushes into pieces as soon as I striked him head-first. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nasaksihan. His body was as hard as steel.

“Ano'ng ginagawa mo? Lumayo ka na kaagad sa kanya,” rinig kong sigaw sa akin ni Kylie. Halos mangilid-ngilid na ang luha sa kanyang mga mata nang sabihin iyon. I wonder what changed her mind. Kani-kanina lang ay gusto niya itong tulungan.

I wasn't paying much attention when the guy in front of me suddenly grabbed my neck, choking me for a second, then effortlessly shoved me into the ground.

Nagpagulong-gulong ako sa sahig. Hindi ko mapigilang mapahawak sa namamanhid kong leeg at umubo. Damn it. How can he be that strong? This guy is like a robot.

I should've sticked to my plan. One thing I learned about chess is that you can't defeat your opponent in just a single move.

Marahan kong itinayo ang sarili habang hinimas-himas ang aking leeg. That pretty hurts. Rinig ko ang walang humpay na sigaw at takbuhan ng karamihan sa labas ng classroom. Even outside now, huh?

“Why is this happening?”

Hindi ko maiwasang mapatanong sa sarili.

But I can't take my eyes off the guy who pushed me. Nanatili pa din siyang nakatayo. This was the only moment where I managed to take a closer look again at his expression.

I know that behind those cold, white eyes, pale lips, and gas-like face is where dark was truly hiding. I could sense it, the device made by this stupid technology that controls human emotions, brain, and how they move.

“Tara dali!” Biglang hinila ni Kylie ang braso ko at dali-dali naming tinakbo ang daan papalabas ng classroom.

***

WE HAVE RUN the passageway of the second floor for a moment, not knowing where to go. Halos magbanggaan na yung ibang estudyanteng nadadaanan namin. Everyone keeps yelling as if someone was chasing behind them.

“I can run myself,” I informed Kylie and put my arms away from her back.

“Kailangan nating maka-alis kaagad,” she said amidst the loud and chaotic surroundings. Ginamit namin ang aming buong lakas upang makatakbo nang biglang may lalaking kumapit sa binti ko.