The Devil's Trap

Chapter 20: Crashing Waves

Huminto ako sa paglalakad. The sand sipped between my toes and the waves crashed against my feet.

"Your wrist?"

I raised my hand to see what he's referring to. Kanina noong nagbibihis ako muli akong nagkamali ng galaw dito kaya muli ko itong binalutan ng benda upang hindi ko magalaw at sumakit ng tuluyan.

"It's nothing,"

"It seems like you can't knock a person's face for a few days. Should we try?"

Ngumiti si River, exposing a set of white teeth. But then, a strange glint caught my eyes. From the hanging white lights on the palm tree I could see his fangs.

"I have two working feet that can kick your ass."

Humalakhak si River. "You take jokes too far, don't you?"

"Having a boyish grin doesn't always makes you less dangerous, are you aware of that?" I countered.

"Whoa, human girl chill," he said chuckling with his hands raised in resignation. "Even if I wanted to, family code, dude." This dude thing is contaminating. "You don't touch what's marked. It's an undefined teritory."

"Good."

"My sister seems right."

"What?"

"You're too endearing for your own good."

Strange family. I thought as River head back to the hotel. I told him I'll spend a few minutes more in the beach.

Ngunit sa totoo lang hindi ko gustong bumalik doon. I could hear their party noise from where I stand. The blinking lights, their laughters, their shouts. The beach party started an hour ago. And I'm no mood to join the fatal fun.

I stayed on the beach for a few more hours. I wasn't worried about the danger lurking in the dark. It's an exclusive property. A Monaghan's property. Ngunit kalaunan kinailangan ko ng bumalik. Lumalalim na ang gabi.

Naglakad ako pabalik sa resort. Malayo palang naririnig ko na ang kanilang ingay. There were cheers and persuading. They are playing a sort of party game.

Umakyat ako sa view deck kung saan nagaganap ang party. May bonfire at walang lamang mga bote ng alak sa buhanginan. Nakaupo ang ilan sa kahoy na sahig. Ang iba sa gilid ng pool. There is a bar in the counter that serves drinks.

"Okay, Clifford!" Narinig kong sinabi ng isa sa mga lalakeng nakaupo sa sahig at may hawak na bote matapos itong paikutin.

"Kiss the girl you want to fuck."

Napakurap ako sa kanilang laro. What the hell is this game?

Nakaupo si Landon sa isang lawn chair malapit sa pool. Binaba niya ang hawak na baso ng alak. May nakakalokong ngiti sa kanyang labi bago siya tumayo at naglakad papunta sa babaeng kanyang kasama na nakaupo sa bar stool malapit sa akin. It's too easy for Landon. He could do more than just kiss a woman.

Muli akong naglakad papunta sa entrance ng hotel. Ngunit natigilan ako nang may humila sa aking siko. The sudden act forced me to turn around. I was greeted by Landon's warm lips.

"Whoa!" Narinig kong sigaw ng mga kasama namin. But as Landon slowly move his lips against mine, nawala ang ingay at gulong aking nararamdaman.

This... this is what exactly confuses me. This game he's playing. He was distant and cold, but his kisses were burning. I was breathless. His lips taste like liquor. Landon smiled against my lips and ended the kiss with a whisper.

"Never take that shirt off outside."

It sounded like a warning. I didn't know what to make out of his statement. I was flushed. Bumalik siya sa kanyang upuan na parang walang nangyari. The woman Landon's with gave me a sharp shameless look.