Enchanted Series 3: The Darkness Within

CHAPTER 18

Tumatakbo sina Dane at David papasok ng kanilang headquarters. Nakasalubong nila ang isang babaeng ngumunguya ng bubble gum na nakairap sa kanila.

"Rod's been looking for you," saad nito na medyo nakakunot ang noo.

"I know. I missed his calls." Pinakita ni Dane ang telepono sa kanya.

"You better hurry up cuz the old, cranky guy is pretty much pissed off."

Tumango na lang ang dalawa at tinakbo ang opisina ng director ng International Superhuman Alliance. Nadatnan nila itong tahimik na nakaupo sa kanyang mesa. Napaangat ito ng tingin pagdating nila.

"Sorry, Rod. We were..."

Matagal itong tumitig sa kanilang dalawa. At maya-maya ay pinagapang ang mga daliri sa kanyang mesa. Lumitaw ang mga imahe sa tila naging computer screen na mesa. "Our subject has been taken."

"When?" tanong ni David.

"3 hours ago. We just received this tip." Yumuko si Rod.

"What do we do?" tanong ni Dane na nakapamulsa.

"You fly to the Philippines." Kinuha ni Rod ang dalawang pasaporte at nilapag sa mesa.

"On the jet?" tanong ni David.

Umiling si Rod. "Not sure it's wise to make an entrance like that. We have to come as quietly as possible."

"This is going to be exciting." Ngumisi si David. "Been waiting for some fun." Sinuntok-suntok ni David ang isang palad.

"He's in a heavily guarded facility in Quezon City. Dane, I've forwarded the coordinates to you. It's on your phone," saad ni Rod.

Kinuha na ng dalawa ang mga pasaporte. "I've arranged your flights. You're off in an hour."

"An hour?" Sumimangot si Dane.

"Any objections?" Binaba ni Rod ang suot na salamin.

Kinalabit ni David si Dane at tinitigan ito.

"None," payak nitong tugon.

"A car is waiting for you when you arrive in Manila. It's 16 hours away. That's the most number of hours we can lose."

"Aren't we too late?" tanong ni Dane habang tinitingnan sa kanyang telepono ang mga files na finorward ni Rod.

"We are. But that's not the point. That guy can't be with the CIA."

"Because they can't make anymore light bulbs with him," bulong ni David kay Dane sabay ngisi.

"This is serious!" sigaw ni Rod.

"Calm down, Rod." Humarap si David dito na nakangisi. "We have this under control. Consider this mission done."

"Don't be too complacent. The CIA is not to be trifled with." Bumuntong-hininga ang matandang director.

"How many personnel are in that facility?" seryosong tanong ni David.

"About 50," tugon ni Rod. "Some of them are medical staff. The rest are armed guards."

"We're outnumbered then," nakangising saad ni David. "This sure is fun." Kumindat ito sa kasama.

Hindi naman bakas kay Dane ang pagkabahala. Sanay na sila sa mga ganitong misyon. "Are all of them CIA personnel?"

"Some of them are Filipinos."

"Won't Maggie join us?" tanong ni Dane.

"I don't think you need her. You both are enough."

"Don't be scared." Umakbay si David kay Dane at bumulong, "I'll cover you."

Siniko ni Dane ang nang-aasar na boyfriend. "Are you taking him in?" tanong niya kay Rod.

"Let's see." Tumanaw siya sa labas ng bintana. "His safety is our priority. Besides, we need answers."

Tumango na lang si Dane.

"You have to take him out of the Philippines as soon as you get him. He needs our protection."

"We'll notify you as soon as we grab hold of him," saad ni Dane.

"You're leaving in an hour."

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HOLD on! I'll post chapter 19 later today.