[ Chapter 6: Rage ]
Selene | Selvy
Marahas akong tinulak ng lalaki para pwersahan akong sumunod sa gusto niya. The sheer strength of his grasp made it unbearable, as if my very bones were being crushed under the pressure. His grip on my arm was relentless, causing excruciating pain that made my eyes instinctively squint.
"Lakad," utos nito bago siya pumalikod sa akin. He was whispering it to my ear to avoid people from knowing I was being abducted in broad daylight. "Kapag sumigaw ka, hindi lang ikaw ang mapapahamak, pati na rin lahat ng nandito, naiintindihan mo ba?"
Agad napaikot ang aking mga mata dahil sa sinabi niya. He should have known that I couldn't care less about these people. They meant nothing to me, and I had no connection to any of them. So, he was free to take them if he pleased, but he should leave me be. I had no interest in being dragged into their affairs, but here I am, following his orders.
"Manong, hindi ba uso sa inyo ang ligo?" Hindi ko mapigilan itanong. His scent was overpowering, as if he hadn't taken a shower in months. The pungent odor filled the air, assaulting my senses and making it hard to breathe. It was a combination of sweat, dirt, and something indescribable. The stench clung to him, creating an invisible barrier that repelled anyone who dared to come near. I couldn't help but crinkle my nose in disgust, desperately wishing to escape from the suffocating smell that surrounded him.
However, it felt as if I had dug my own grave with the words I uttered. Regret washed over me like a tidal wave, consuming my every thought and emotion when I saw how his face darkened, a shadow of displeasure crossing his features. In that moment, the weight of my thoughtless words became painfully evident. Parang hindi na niya ako dudukotin, mukhang dito pa lang mawawalan na ako ng ulo.
Hindi siya nagsalita bagkus marahas na naman akong tinulak. Mukhang mababali pa ang balikat ko sa lakas ng tulak niya. Wala pa naman ako sa mood makipag-bardagulan ngayon dahil hinahanap ko ang kausap ko kanina. Bakit ba kasi ang bilis niyang makalakad paalis?
"May preference ba kayo sa mga kinukuha niyo, manong?" inosenteng tanong ko para itago ang totoo kong nararamdaman. I am consumed by nervousness, my heart racing as if it were attempting to break free from my chest. Each beat reverberates through my body, a constant reminder of my heightened state of anxiety.
"Tumahimik ka na lang at sundin ang utos ko," mariin niyang sabi na parang sinasabi na isang beses pa akong magsasalita ay malalagutan na niya ako ng hininga. From his voice, I know he was that armored man from before. Mukhang seryoso talaga ang transaksyon nila dahil kailangan limampung ulo dapat ang ipapadala sa kung saan man ang tinutukoy ng mga ito.
Isa lang naman ang tanong ko. Sa dami ng tao dito, bakit ako pa?
"Manong, bakit ako?" I asked, despite his warning earlier. Thoughts swirl in my mind, a whirlwind of worries and uncertainties, fueling the rapid tempo of my heartbeat. It's as if a thousand butterflies have taken flight within me, their delicate wings fluttering with a restless energy. With every passing moment, my apprehension grows, leaving me with a sense of vulnerability and anticipation for what lies ahead.
"Mukha kasing hindi ka tagarito," sagot niya. "Tingnan mo sila, lahat ng mga tao ay magaspang ang mga balat dahil sa tubig na siyang pangunahing pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan."
"How bold of you to think that way, manong. Baka naman hindi lang talaga ako lumalabas ng bahay-"
"Kaya nga rin ikaw ang pinili ko, dahil kung mawawala ka, walang maghahanap. Lakad, bilisan mo," putol niya sa akma ko sanang sasabihin. Nababanas na ako sa sakit ng pagtulak niya.
The road of this small town is narrow. Kung hindi maingat at isang lampa ang dadaan dito, tiyak na magkakaroon siya ng trauma. People don't care about other people. They pass each other in a hurry, they don't apologize if they pressed on you too hard, and just walk as if nothing happened. Ilang beses kaya akong nabangga ng ilang tao, at kung hindi lang dahil sa kasama ko, baka may naka-away na ako ngayon.
"Joe!" sambit ng kasama ko. Piste, hindi ata marunong sa proper hygiene ang taong ito. Mukha na nga siyang paa, singbaho niya din ang kanal. Lumapit ang tinawag niyang Joe sa amin, at bahagyang napamaang naman ito nang dinapuan niya ako ng tingin. "Isama mo siya sa iba. Siguraduhin mo rin na hindi 'yan makakawala."
"Mael, masyado siyang malinis," sagot nito.
"Oo, mukha siyang taga-kanluran, hindi ba? Naaamoy ko rin ang halimuyak ng karagatan sa kanya kaya hindi malabong malalaman ng Lord na kinulang tayo ng isa."
Halimuyak? I smelled myself. I do know for a fact that I haven't bathed in four days, but I don't smell like them. Napakunot tuloy ang aking noo ng mapansin kong tama ang sinabi ng lalaking ito. The scent that envelops me is reminiscent of the ocean breeze, carrying with it a refreshing and invigorating aroma. It dances delicately around me, as if I have been kissed by the sea itself. The fragrance evokes memories of sandy shores and crashing waves, transporting me to tranquil coastal landscapes.
May you take what is rightfully ours, Selvy. That voice succumbed in my head again. It feels as if I am caught in the midst of a mission that eludes my understanding, like a puzzle with missing pieces that leave me puzzled and uncertain. The reminders of this enigmatic task pulsate through my mind, causing a throbbing pain that intensifies with each passing moment. It's as if my thoughts are engaged in a relentless tug-of-war, trying to unravel the mystery that shrouds my purpose.
Papa apologizes for this cruelty. This is the only thing I can protect you from them. A voice, heavy with remorse, resonated through the air, its echoes reaching the depths of my soul. Each word dripped with a profound sense of sorrow, as if the speaker's heart bore the burden of their actions. The timbre of their voice conveyed a longing for redemption, a desire to right the wrongs that had been done.
The King of the Sea is in rage!
Another unfamiliar voice echoed. Its timbre was haunting, carrying an otherworldly quality that seemed to transcend the physical realm. The words uttered were cryptic, their meaning veiled in a shroud of mystery.
I felt like I was transported to the night of the event I cannot remember. Napahawak ako sa aking ulo at nawalan ng lakas ang aking katawan. I held my head tight to ease the pain but it didn't help. The ocean's essence lingers on my skin, mingling with the salt-kissed air and leaving a trace of its enchantment wherever I go. As I breathe in its intoxicating scent, I am reminded of the vastness and beauty of the sea, and I feel a deep connection to its timeless majesty.
"Anong nangyayari sa kanya?!" may bahid ng pag-alala na sabi ng mga dumukot sa 'kin. As the memories of my ordeal resurfaced, I could still faintly hear the haunting whispers of those who had forcefully taken me. Their voices lingered in the depths of my mind, leaving behind traces of fear and apprehension.
I felt someone grasp my arms, but since I was in pain, I tried to move away, resulting in my mouth to express intensified words.
"Don't touch me!"
Huli na para matakpan ko ang aking mga bibig, dahil tumilapon na palayo ang dalawang taong nasa malapit lamang sa akin kanina. As a scream escaped my lips, a spiral wave of energy surged forth, emanating deep. The sheer force of my scream caused everything in front of me to tremble and shatter, as if caught in the powerful current of the wave. The scene unfolded in a chaotic dance of destruction, leaving me both astonished and bewildered by the unforeseen power that had been unleashed from within.
Dahil din sa impak ay napatumba ako. Fear coursed through my veins, causing my heart to pound with an intensity that felt as if it might burst from my chest. My body trembled, unable to escape the clutches of fear that had become an unwelcome companion, always lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce at any given moment. Saan man ako lumingon, ang takot ay tila nakakahabi sa mismong kalooban ng aking pagkatao, isang walang-patid na kasama na kahit na natutunan ko nang sanayin, patuloy pa rin akong kinakain nito mula loob.
Bigla agad dumilim ang kalangitan. This scene is so familiar that even I cannot forget. The similar ambience of danger lurking at each side welcomed my entire system, again.
Hindi kalayuan ay may parang bilog na unti-unting nagpapakita. It felt like a portal, a means of transport that effortlessly brought someone here, and then, a familiar figure emerged from within the circle. The familiarity of his presence caused my eyes to widen and intensified my fear threefold. I attempted to move my body, to run away, but I found myself completely frozen in place.
"Wench," a familiar voice engulfs my ears. "It took you four days and fourteen hours to scream again." One of his feet stepped outside the circle, followed by the other. There was someone standing behind him, but they didn't overshadow the figure in front.
"Who are you?" I whispered. I'm unsure if he will hear me, but as I saw him let out a smirk and a sinister grin, my voice seemed to backfire even more.
"Get her," he coldly commanded, his voice devoid of any hint of playfulness. He had no time for foreplay, no patience for the tantalizing build-up of desire. His approach was direct and calculated, as he wasted no time in diving straight into the heart of the matter.
Mas lumaki ang aking mga mata ng may mga itim na usok na nagsilabasan sa kanyang likod at papunta ito sa akin. I gathered enough strength to move my body but it wasn't enough for me to get away from them. Sisigaw na sana ako dahil malapit na ang mga usok ng biglang may balabal na tumakip sa akin. I was then welcomed by the darkness of the cloak and the embrace of the one wearing that attire.
"Wohoo! I thought werehorses were extinct!" It was Admiral I just heard from a meter away from me. Subalit, hindi siya ang taong nakagapos sa akin.
I raised my head, curiosity mingling with apprehension, to catch a glimpse of the person responsible for protecting me. As my eyes met his, there was no mistaking the identity. A pair of piercing electric blue orbs locked onto mine, their intensity palpable, but something seemed amiss. Though his eyes welcomed my sight, there was a peculiar absence-a void where the usual swirl of emotions would reside. It was as if a curtain had been drawn, concealing the depth of his true sentiments.
Valan.
"The wench is ours," bellowed the creature they referred to as werehorse. His voice carried a venomous edge, filled with anger and resentment. There was no trace of humor or lightheartedness in his words; he appeared thoroughly irked, as if the concept of amusement had no place in his world.
"Finders keepers!" exclaimed Admiral, his voice resolute and determined. As his words hung in the air, a sense of anticipation filled the atmosphere, causing my lips to part in surprise. In a swift motion, he vanished from sight, disappearing into thin air. But just as quickly, he reappeared in close proximity to the werehorse, a gleaming sword materializing in his hand as if from the depths of nowhere. The sight of his sudden appearance and the weapon he wielded sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of awe and apprehension gripping my senses.
However, the werehorse was not one to be easily overpowered. Reacting swiftly, he yielded his ground and launched a counterattack, his movements fluid and precise. With a powerful swipe of his huge ax, he deflected Admiral's sword, causing sparks to fly in the air. The clash of their opposing forces reverberated through the surroundings, echoing with an intensity that sent tremors down my spine. It was a battle of strength and skill, each combatant fiercely determined to gain the upper hand. The tension in the air grew palpable as their confrontation intensified, leaving me breathless with anticipation of what would unfold next.
Mahirap sundan ang galawan nila. Napansin ko na lang din na binuhat ako ni Valan at naglakad siya paalis sa kaguluhan. A series of black smoke tendrils slithered towards us, their malevolent presence attempting to encroach upon our space. However, as they drew near, an invisible barrier seemed to materialize around us, repelling the sinister smoke with a forceful energy.
The dark tendrils recoiled and dissipated into thin air, unable to breach the protective shield that surrounded us. It was as if an unseen force shielded us from the impending danger, keeping us safe within its confines. The sudden manifestation of this mystical barrier filled the air with an aura of both mystery and relief, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the chaotic scene unfolding before my eyes.
Is Valan protecting me?
Napako ang aking tingin sa kanya subalit hindi pa rin nawawala ang nakadikit na ekspresyon sa mukha nito.
With a gentle yet firm grasp, he lowered me down onto the edge of the broken fountain, his touch filled with a delicate precision. Despite the chaos and urgency surrounding us, he handled me with utmost care, ensuring my safety even amidst the turmoil. As I settled onto the uneven surface, I could feel the coolness of the broken stone beneath me, a stark contrast to the intensity of the situation
Magsasalita na sana ako, subalit agad akong napatigil. Valan locked his eyes at me without falter, as if telling me it is best to never open my mouth at times like this, so I did.
The world seemed to spin in a frenzy, filled with unfamiliar sights and sounds that threatened to overwhelm my senses. Yet, I clung to a fragile thread of rationality, determined to stay grounded. I don't know what is going on, but I will try to unravel it.
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are highly recommended. See you, wanderers