Strings and Chains (The Frey, #1)

18. The First One Who Broke The Code

STRINGS AND CHAINS

CHAPTER 18

Nakaupo ako sa kama habang si Rai naman ay nasa sofa. Kanina pa kami nag-uusap tungkol kina Joseph. Ipinaliwanag niya sa akin ang pamilyang Liverton ay pamilya ng mga witches. The reason why those incubi killed Ana and Marian because they want something. Hindi rin alam ni Rai kung ano 'yong bagay na gustong makuha ng mga ito. He's been here with me for three years at wala naman daw siyang pakialam sa iba.

All he wanted to do is to stay here and protect me.

My parents said one thing. A war. Gulo. If those incubi started this then maybe higit pa rito ang inaakala namin. Wala akong ideya kung saan nagtago o tumakbo si Joseph. There's one thing for sure. Hindi hihinto itong mga incubi hanggat hindi nila nakukuha 'yong gusto nila.

"Kung ang target nila noong una ay sina Marian at Ana... Bakit nadamay ako?"

Biglang natahimik si Rai. Mukhang hindi rin ata pumasok sa isipan niya ang bagay na 'to.

"Is it because my family is a hunter?" tanong ko.

Yes, a hunter. I don't know kung ano ang eksaktong hina-hunt nila. But they know how to kill these creatures. Lumaki ako ng walang kaalam-alam tungkol sa tunay na pagkatao ng pamilya ko.

"They won't do that," sagot ni Rai sa akin kaya mabilis na kumunot ang noo ko.

"Hunters will not get involved with it. This is a war between different creatures. If this also a way to wipe out some of them then they will let those kill each other," paliwanag ni Rai sa akin.

"Besides, I don't think they want to mess up with your family. They're pretty big here in town," dugtong pa ni Rai.

Based na rin sa pag e-eavesdrop ko sa mga usapan nila Mama. I have this feeling that they're like protecting this town.

"Should I... Should I tell this to my parents?" tanong ko kay Rai.

Hindi siya sumagot sa akin. At base sa eskpresyon ng mukha niya, mukhang ayaw niya.

"If you do that, I won't be able to stay here."

"Pero... they need to know what's happening to me. They are my parents."

Nakita kong mas lalong nagdilim ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Rai sa sinabi ko.

"Them as your parent and them as what they are in their job is different. Job and family are two different things, Maru."

Hindi ako agad nakaimik sa sinabi ni Rai.

"If you tell them what happened to you, what do you think will they do?" wika pa ni Rai.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. "So what should I do? Act as if I don't know anything?"

"Sooner or later malalaman din nila 'to," dugtong ko pa.

Tumayo si Rai at lumapit sa akin.

"Kapag dumating ang araw na 'yon, Maru... You need to choose. Right now, I don't think you're ready to choose me. You will still choose them."

Hindi ako sumagot at nanatiling tahimik dahil totoo ang sinabi ni Rai. Kung ano itong kami o itong nangyayari sa amin ay hindi permanente. My family is a hunter, he is a vampire. Let's be real and practical. Even he completes my day or he makes me happy, o kahit na pinapasaya niya ako sa iba't ibang bagay, can I really leave my family which I spent my whole life with? Ng ganoon kadali? No. I cannot do that.

"Then give me a reason to choose you," sagot ko sa kaniya pagkatapos ng mahabang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa.

Itinuro ko ang kaliwang dibdib niya. "This... Make this clear. What's the reason why you need me in your life? For fun? For what exactly, Rai? Bakit kailangan dumating sa puntong pumili ako sa pagitan ninyo ng pamilya ko?"