Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 25: Turning Point

A man's voice sounds from the walkie-talkie that Chance grabs from his pocket, calm but wary. "To all agents on deck: Incoming boat with armed men. Bigger than the last. Approximately sixty. Over."

Mahinang napamura si Hera at inikot ang tingin sa buong ballroom.

I followed her eyes and scanned the room. The ballroom that smelled like fresh flowers turned into the smell of gunpowder and blood.

Umaakyat pa rin ang mga guests pataas, habang ang mga agents ay hinaharangan at kinakalaban ang mga goons.

Wala na akong nakikitang magkapatid na Del Valle maliban sa dalawang magkasama rito.

Tiningnan ko ang dalawang magkapatid na nag usap gamit ang kanilang mga mata. Based on their expression, James didn't want to do whatever Kuya Jupiter wanted, but he backed down.

"Fuck." TJ swears.

"We'll be at your back." Sambit ni Hera na parang may napag usapan na sila sa kanilang mga utak. Lumabas na siya at si Kuya Jupiter sa pintuan.

"Go up. Make sure they're safe." Bilin ni TJ kay Mark at lumingon kay Chance, "Secure the cockpit, we need to move the ship away."

"Got it, Cap."

Pagsagot ng dalawa ay nagulat ako nang hilahin ako ni TJ palayo.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Tinang habang lumalayo kami sa isa't isa. She's safely tucked beside Mark and behind Chance while they're going towards the north side, the stairs.

Taka akong lumingon sa kaibigan ko, "Hindi ba tayo sasama sa iba?"

"No."

Kinuha niya ang kanyang mga kutsilyo sa mga katawan at pinulot ang dalawang baril na napag iwanan. He checks if they're loaded and hides it into the corners of his suit. His expensive suit that turned bloody.

Lumingon ako sa mga taong nagsisigawan sa labas at tinanggal ko na ang suot kong heels. It wasn't practical and I have to be prepared just in case we have to run.

"James... hindi ba mas ligtas—" I'm caught off guard by his brutal touch, and I barely register the softly spoken words he muttered. "Ano?"

"Wear this." Ulit niya sa sinabi at hinila ako para umupo sa gilid ng natumbang lamesa. Sinuot niya sakin ang isang pares ng bota na nakuha niya sa isang patay na katawan. Hindi ko na inisip kung nasaan nanggaling 'to dahil wala nakong pakialam. The shoes is immensely bigger than my foot but its better this than nothing.

As he kneels in front of me, TJ tightens the knot and slides a sheathed knife on it. "Just in case."

Tumango ako kahit nanginginig na ang aking katawan.

"This shouldn't be the first reason I'm on my knees for you." He smirks and squeezes my calf softly. Leave it to TJ to make a sexual joke in the middle of what's happening around us.

I scoffed, but it came out shakily.

Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaluhod at inalalayan akong tumayo habang may inaabot sa akin. Napasinghap ako at tinignan siya sa ilalim ng mga pilik mata ko. "...Why?"

"I told you that this is dangerous and useless when you don't know how to use it." Mas idiniin niya ito sa palad ko. "But when you're in danger, you don't have a choice but to use it."

I shakily hold the gun. It was the same type he taught me to use.

"Remember, you don't need a weapon. Be the weapon."

"I am the weapon." Ulit ko.

Tumango siya at nilagay ang baril sa likod ng aking palda. "And I'll be your shield."