Clandestine (Erityian Tribes Novella, #6)

07 : Lingering Thoughts

I drew a shaky breath as I leaned against the tree. Napahawak ako sa ulo ko habang pinupunasan ang luhang namuo sa mga mata ko. The nightmares were getting worse. Now, I'm scared to sleep, too.

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago ako tuluyang kumalma. Napatitig ako sa mga kamay ko. They were bloody because of my wound. Seeing them the moment I opened my eyes made the dream look real.

My gaze shifted to the surroundings. Pasikat na ang araw at wala na rin sa baba ang mga tigre kaya dahan-dahan akong bumaba mula sa puno. I stifled a scream as I landed on my injured leg. Despite the pain, I ran from the Green's Bane.

Initially, I wanted to return to the cabin but I didn't want that guy to see me in a pathetic state. My pride wouldn't allow that. Ayoko ring pumunta kay Yuuki dahil paniguradong busy pa sila sa mga nangyayari. In the end, I decided to go to Akemi since that was the safest place in the forest for now.

I was already half-dragging my right leg when I saw the grassland. Pero napatigil ako nang may makita akong tao roon. It was Hideo.

He was sitting in front of her grave while Demi was on his lap.

Napasandal na lang ako sa huling puno bago makarating sa grassland. My heart sank upon seeing him with her in this kind of situation. They deserved better than this.

Lalo pang bumigat ang loob ko nang makita ko siyang ngumiti. That was the smile he would only give to Akemi.

'What are you doing there?'

I flinched upon hearing his voice in my head. Dahil alam niya na rin namang nandito ako ay lumapit ako sa kanila. I sat beside him and Demi walked toward me.

Hideo stared at my wound. Napalayo ako sa kanya nang kaunti dahil mukhang magagalit siya.

"Michiko," he carefully called. "Could you—"

"It's just a scratch," I chuckled. "Wala lang 'yan."

"I told you to be careful."

"Come on, it's just the usual training injuries," I retorted. "Anyway, napuntahan mo na ba si Akira?"

Fortunately, he let it go as soon as the topic shifted to Akira. Napabuntong-hininga siya bago sabihin ang kalagayan ni Akira.

"Yuuki recommended a month of rest," he stated. "I think she'd be assigned in training or patrol duties instead of missions in the outside world."

"Mas makakabuti na rin sa kanya na magpahinga muna," dagdag ko. "Besides, she has a family. It's better for her to stay here."

Ilang minuto rin kaming nabalot ng katahimikan habang iniisip ang kalagayan ng mga kasamahan namin. Demi returned to Hideo and I thought that was my cue to exit. He needed some time alone with Akemi.

Matapos kong magpaalam sa kanya ay dumiretso ako sa cabin. Buti na lang at tulog pa siya.

I immediately went to the bathroom and cleaned myself. I had to keep myself from screaming as water ran through the deep wound. Nahirapan din akong magsuot ng shorts dahil sumasagi sa balat ko. Paglabas ko ay agad kong kinuha ang medical kit pero napatigil ako nang makita ko siyang nakatingin sa akin.

"Ah. You're awake."

He didn't respond but he continued staring at my wound. Pakiramdam ko, jina-judge na niya ako. I suddenly felt like I was a weakling.

Hinatak ko ang upuan malapit sa kama at tumalikod sa kanya. I started cleaning it and I had to bite my lower lip to suppress a yelp. Damn those tigers. Sa susunod, sisiguraduhin kong makakaganti ako sa kanila.