Stay Awake (ORIGINAL DRAFT)

Chapter Fifteen: A Faulty Plan

Chapter Fifteen: A Faulty Plan

What we're seeing right now is some serious shit.

Bakit nila kinukuha 'yung mga taong natutulog? Is this some kind of a dark scheme planned by the government? Papatulugin nila 'yung mga tao sa buong mundo tapos ia-abduct nila?

All this time I thought that there are only five of us left who are not affected by the mysterious syndrome. Tapos ngayon, may makikita kaming ganito. This is fucked up. Akala ko sa mga TV series lang nangyayari 'yung mga bagay na ganito.

"What are we going to do now?" Felicity asks nervously.

"We have to get out of this car," Holly answers. "I'm sure na titingnan din nila 'yung kotseng ito at kapag hindi tayo umalis dito kaagad, we're doomed."

Ian nods. "You're right."

"But how?" tanong ni Felicity. Sumilip siya sa labas ng bintana, sa direksyon kung nasaan 'yung tatlong lalaki. They're getting closer. "Siguradong makikita nila tayo once na lumabas tayo ng kotse na 'to."

"We need to move fast then," sabi ko. "With their size, siguradong mahihirapan sila na habulin tayo."

Not to mention the element of surprise. Kapag bigla kaming lumabas ng kotse at nanakbo nang mabilis, hindi agad sila makakakilos dahil sa gulat. Marahil ganito rin 'yung nangyari nu'ng sinusundan namin sila. Kaya nila kami pinaputukan ng baril ay dahil hindi nila in-expect na may mga taong gising bukod sa kanila.

Kung sakaling tama ako ng hinala, if this is some dark scheme conducted by our own government, then I will do everything that I can to stop them.

I just hope that my companions have a mindset like mine.

"But what about their guns? Hindi man nila tayo mahabol, pwedeng-pwede naman nila tayong barilin," Felicity states. "I'd rather be captured than shot to death. At least I still have a chance to escape."

She's right.

"Then tumakbo tayo sa iba't-ibang directions," Holly suggests. "That way, malilito sila kung sino 'yung babarilin nila."

I nod. "Good idea." Tiningnan ko sila isa-isa. "Are you guys ready?"

"Wait," biglang pigil ni Andre.

"What is it?" tanong ko.

He points a finger at Pauline, who is currently unconscious beside me. "What about Pauline? Hindi siya makakatakbo sa ganyang state."

Oh, right. I completely forgot about her.

"Someone needs to stay here and keep her safe," Ian says. "The rest of us will distract those guys para lumayo sila dito."

"I'll do it," presinta ni Andre. "You guys can go. I'll keep her safe."

I nod. Then tumingin ako kay Felicity, since she's the closest. "Kapag lumabas na tayo dito, we'll run off towards Oblivion."

She nods, her face full of nervousness and sheer determination.

I turn my gaze towards Ian and Holly. "Kayo naman, tumakbo kayo papunta sa likod ng Oblivion. I'm sure there's a back door there. Doon tayo magkita-kita."

"Got it," Ian agrees.

"Are you sure okay lang sa'yo na maiwan dito kasama si Pauline?" I ask Andre. This is the first big task we've given to him, and I'm kinda worried. He's not exactly the brave type.

"Of course," he answers, his voice tinged with determination. "Don't worry about me. I can do this."

I'm lying if I don't say that I'm not nervous. In fact, my hands are shaking uncontrollably and I'm doing my best to hide them from my companions. I don't want them to see me in this state. Baka mag-panic rin sila.