Project X (published via Sanctum Press)

Chapter 18: Captive

Nang may mga pumasok na tatlong lalaki at naupo sa pwesto nung matanda ay napalingon din ito sa amin.

Napalunok ako at napatingin kay Carter, mukhang pareho ang naiisip namin. The rumors are indeed true. Neolution weren't being discreet about hunting us to. And they're probably trying to intimidate us.

"Anong dapat nating gawin?" tanong ko kay Carter na hindi inaalis ang tingin at papalit palit sa kanilang apat.

"We wait," he dropped his gaze and looked outside the glass window.

Tumayo ang pinaka batang lalaki sa grupo, naglabas ng wallet at mukhang pupunta ata ng counter para magorder ng pagkain. Pero kinabahan ako ng papunta siya sa direksyon namin ni Carter, dali dali kong inalis ang pagkakatitig ko sa kanya at tumingin kay Carter na lumingon din sa kabilang direksyon.

Nasa aisle nga pala kami kung saan paderetso ang counter, pero hindi ko maiwasang hindi kabahan. This the first time I'm able to meet these people preying on us. I know what they're capable of.

Carter found my hand resting on my lap curled into a fist. He pressed his palm on my knuckles and made that circling motion again using his thumb as it gently grazed my skin. I don't know if this is his way of calming people but it did made me feel at ease. I tried to loosen up and lay my palm flatly on my thigh.

Nang makalagpas na ito sa amin at nakalayo na ay saka rin inalis ni Carter ang kamay niyang nakapatong sa kamay ko. Mukhang alam niyang mas kalmado na ako ngayon.

Lumapit ang lalaking iyon kay Neil at mukhang matagal na silang magkakilala. While trying to assist the younger man, I noticed Neil's eyes landed on me for a quick second, and I know Carter must've noticed it too.

Neil probably called them, tipping that we are potential hiddens and confirming it in person. But how were they able to find out? What gave it away?

Pagkatapos niyang makakuha ng order ay napadaan muli siya sa amin, umiwas ako ng tingin. Nakabalik siya sa dati niyang pwesto ngunit inilapag niya lang ang inorder niya sa mesa at medyo pasimpleng tingin na uli sa amin.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto, tumila na rin ang ulan, at mukhang aalis na sila.

Balak ni Carter ay sundan sila ngunit hindi ko maiwasang mapa isip. "What if they're trying to lure us into their trap? We're outnumbered," I told him. I can't stop but be paranoid.

"I already texted the other team, and we have trackers. They'll be able to find us easily, if we don't follow them then mission is pointless. Besides, it looks like you don't trust me enough that I can take them all?" He cocked his head.

"Hindi naman sa ganun. I just don't want to see you get hurt," those words escaped my mouth before I even got a chance to think about it. Nang ulitin ko iyon sa utak ko ay parang medyo mali pakinggan.

Carter's lips parted, it looks like he's taken by surprise with what I have said but he didn't say anything else.

Hindi ko rin binawi ang sinabi ko at nanahimik nalang. I don't want to sound guilty or defensive, I just want us all to go back without a scratch.

Sabay-sabay silang lumabas ngunit nagtungo sa iba't-ibang direksyon na hindi namin inaasahan ni Carter. I thought they'd stay as a group but didn't. Maybe they didn't really find out about us. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

Napgdesisyunan namin ni Carter na sundan yung matandang unang dumating sa coffee shop. Huminto ito at may kausap sa kanyang cellphone, pagkatapos niyang ibaba ang tawag ay nagpatuloy ito sa paglalakad. May nilikuan itong corner palabas ng building ngunit pagkaliko namin ay wala na yung sinusundan naming matanda at nandito kami ngayon sa likod ng café kung saan tinatambak ang mga basurahan.