Snow White is a Gangster (Published under Cloak Pop Fiction)

Chapter 37: A Falling Star

"Oh, Mr. Arturia! As much as I want your company tonight, I'm afraid you still need to grow older to get in this place--"

"I need your help." I cut him off.

Saglit siyang natahimik at nang mapagsino niya ang kanyang kausap ay muli siyang nagsalita. "Whoa! Let me feel this moment first. It's not everyday that you need my help."

"Come over in Arturia Mansion. We need an ambulance and a doctor immediately." Agad na nagbago ang tono ng kanyang pagsasalita at napalitan ng kaseryosohan ang kanyang tinig. Agad kong sinabi sa kanya ang sitwasyon at nangako naman siyang agad na darating sa mansyon.

Nang maibaba ko ang telepono ay bumalik ako sa kinaroroonan ng aking mga magulang at saka lumuhod sa tabi ng aking ina. My father was lying on the floor–-there was too much blood around him. May tama ng bala ng baril sa kanyang kanang dibdib na tinatakpan ng makapal na telang inilagay ng aking ina upang mapigilan ang pagdurugo nito. Nang hawakan ko ang kanyang pulso ay naramdaman ko ang mahina at mabagal na pintig ng kanyang puso. Whoever shot my Dad probably didn't have any intention of killing him because he missed his heart.

"Is he okay?" My mother asked.

"He will be okay," matatag kong sagot. Maya-maya pa ay narinig ko na ang tunog ng paparating na ambulansya mula sa di kalayuan. Connections–-it was something I could use from Detective Penber.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaluhod at saka tumakbo tungo sa aking kwarto. Nang bumalik ako sa kinaroroonan ng aking mga magulang ay bitbit ko na sa aking balikat ang aking AK-47 at dalawang pistols sa aking bewang.

"Henrietta? Saan ka pupunta?" Napalitan ng kaba at pagtataka ang boses ni Mom nang mapansin niya ang hitsura ko.

Muli akong lumuhod at hinalikan sa noo ang aking ama, gayunrin ang aking ina. Agad niya akong hinawakan sa balikat upang pigilan. "Henrietta, I can't lose you now. Hindi ko kakayanin kung mawawala ka pa," wika niya.

"Kung hindi pa sila nakakalayo, maaaring abutan ko sila at mabawi ko si Wycliffe. Don't worry about me, Mom. Just take care of Dad, okay?" Muli siyang napaiyak nang mapagtanto niyang hindi niya ako mapipigilan sa pag-alis. She was confused between my safety and saving Wycliffe. But she knew me too well, and she was sure I could handle myself. Kung kaya naman ay dahan-dahan siyang tumango habang patuloy sa pagdaloy ang luha sa kanyang mga mata.

"His captor said you need to bring him a certain Ethan Montreal. Who is he, Hetta?" tanong niya na hindi ko agad nasagot.

I was a combination of guilt and regret when I looked at her. This was the result of my decision of vengeance. This was the consequence of my recent actions. "He's someone that has nothing to do with this. I will bring Wycliffe back," sa wakas ay sagot ko.

My mother reached me and touched my face, "Bring him back," she said.

It was the cue I was waiting for. I stood up and turned my back from her. Naririnig ko pa rin ang paparating na mga sasakyan at ambulansya nang muli akong sumakay sa aking kotse. Agad ko iyong pinaandar at humarurot palabas ng Arturia Mansion. Kung tama ang hinala ko, isang lugar lang rito ang maaari nilang puntahan. At kung magiging mabilis ako, maaari ko pa silang abutan.