It Started in the Library (Completed and Editing)

Chapter 33: Forever is Longer

"Guys, we'll get through this," I tried to give them some strength. "Tiwala lang okay? Di ko hahayaang masira yung loveteam niyo. Kakasimula pa nga lang eh."

"Aya baliw ka..." Kiko groaned softly but I saw a soft smile on his lips. "Di ko pa kayo nalilibre kaya di pa ko pwedeng mamatay."

"Kiko tumahimik ka nga!" Sab scolded him. "Kung anu-anong sinasabi..."

"Can you drive faster?" Yelle asked and I nodded before I floored the accelerator. Mabuti na lang at madaling araw kaya madalang ang sasakyan. Nakakatakot na may ibang madamay pa sa gulong ito.

Binuksan muli ni Rin ang bintana at may ibinato siya sa labas. Makalipas ang ilang segundo ay may narinig kaming pagsabog and I saw from my side mirror how one of the SUVs spun out of control when its tires exploded one by one upon contact with whatever it is that Rin threw.

"Anak ng wag nila akong hahamunin," she snorted as she readied a second bomb.

"Anong nilagay mo?" Yelle asked.

"Pako, yung gamit na saka shrapnel. Mas madaling ipaliwanag kapag usual items lang ang ginagamit." She giggled as she leaned back out and threw the second bomb. Yelle held up her hand habang nakikinig sa kanyang transceiver.

"YES!" Napasigaw si Yelle, "we're clear. Andiyan na yung back-up." She high-fived with Rin. I breathed a sigh of relief nang makasalubong namin ang sinasabi niyang clean-up squad at bumaba siya ng sasakyan para lumipat sa kabila at sumama sa pag-round-up nung natitirang alipores ni Hernandez.

I drove Kiko and Sab sa hospital at nang ma-admit na sila Kiko ay si Rin ang nakipag-usap sa nurses at doctors. She adamantly told us not to talk and let her handle things para walang masyadong tanong.

"Rin," I walked up to her and she nodded her head in acknowledgment. "I need to see my brothers."

Her expression was priceless.

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I stopped the car and immediately got out to check on Red. Sa kakamadali ko at sobrang alala nakalimutan kong buhay pa nga pala ang laman ng FJ Cruiser at bigla silang nagpaulan ng bala. I had to duck behind Barney's door. Ah shit, nasabi na ni Kuya Ali kanina na ang matamaan tanga and I freakin' don't want to be the first casualty.

Hold on baby cake, akong bahala sa'yo.

I pulled out the assault rifle Red left at the backseat of my car and took a good look at my quarry. Three targets. I didn't have long to admire her taste in weapons dahil mabilis na lumabas ng sasakyan ang tatlo at mukhang balak na i-hi-jack itong pick-up ko.

Ulul, as if I'd let you touch my Barney.

I heard a groan from the truckbed and saw Red stir from where she lay curled. "Fuck, someone's gonna be visited by nightmares." I smiled softly. Ayos, dark din ang humor ng isang 'to.

I aimed and fired a series of shots which caught two of the guys and they fell down before they were able to reach the truck bed. Nakita kong kinalas ni Red yung baril niya sa mount at hinampas ito sa mukha nung panghuling kalaban. I put down the gun I'm holding at sumampa sa truck bed to check on her.

"Okay ka lang baby cake?" She scowled at me and tried to shove me away when I scooped her up.

"Baby cake?" Oh man, ang epic ng mukha niya. I grinned at her. What the hell, I have to admit that she looked really good earlier while she fired at our pursuers. Parang si Angelina Jolie lang sa Lara Croft.

"Red velvet," I flashed her a grin and she looked confused before her eyes widened.

"You gotta be kiddin' me," she muttered, "that's the cheesiest pick-up line I've ever heard."