Last chapter, guys! Naiiyak na ako! *fans myself with the mousepad*
This chapter's track is Helena by My Chemical Romance. Enjooooy! :)
***Dawn's POV***
It was all an act. The entire thing was a plan. I made people believe that I was still on the grieving process and that I couldn't pull myself together anymore. I was done grieving. My mind's clear now and I knew what I had to do-- to face the culprit. At para magawa 'yun, kinailangan kong lokohin si Red at ilayo siya sa pag-aaral niya. No one could beat him in this school, so I had to pull him down in a different way. It was not an overnight process, kailangan kong magpuyat ng ilang gabi para mag-aral at mag-mukhang kawawa during the day. It was easy playing the pathetic role, kaya madali ko sila napa-ikot lahat. The plan went accordingly and now it's time to face whoever's doing these once and for all. It's me they want, it's me they're going to get.
Alam kong malalaman at malalaman din nila ang plano ko, pero huli na nang komprontahin ako ni Joyce. Ibig sabihin, epektibo talaga ang ginawa ko. I was feeling very guilty for what I did to Red, but I had to do what I had to do. It was for his sake, too. Hindi ko na kakayanin ang isa pang estudyanteng mamamatay lalo na ngayon at alam ko na kung sino ang kalaban. I already lost Anastacia, I already lost Vince and all those other students that I barely knew, I would not let Red or anyone else follow. Oras na para harapin ko kung sinuman ang may pakana nito.
"You tricked me." Napatalon pa ako sa gulat nang marinig ko ang malamig at boring na boses niya. It felt like years since I heard his monotonous and boring tone. On second thought, mas gusto ko ito kaysa sa bagong siya. We used to just mock each other and get on each other's throats, pero parang na-fast forward ang lahat at naging isang masamang panaginip. We were just high school students, dapat grades or love life lang ang pinoproblema namin, hindi ang kaligtasan ng mga buhay namin. I looked down and attempted to continue climbing the stairs going to class. Hindi ko siya kayang harapin dahil sa ginawa ko sa kanya. I took a step and he stopped me by holding my arm.
"Malapit na mag-bell." I tried to lose his grip on me, but he was stronger. It's that or I just grew weaker.
"Let's skip class." He pulled me down the stairs and out of the Main Building. Alam ko na kung saan niya ako dadalhin kaya sumunod na lang ako sa paglakad niya. Hindi ito ang tamang oras para sa usapang ito. We reached the Restricted Garden and we made our way towards our usual spot inside. He stopped in front of the old greenhouse and pushed me against it's glassless door.
"Red..."
"Bakit?! Dawn, bakit mo nagawa 'yun sa 'kin?! Niloko mo ako!" He was shouting. First time in Red Domingo's history, I think. I looked at him and saw his dark side. He was towering over me at parang ibang Red na ang kaharap ko. Kung naging bully pala siya, nakakatakot.
"It was for your own sake." I somehow managed to say, pero walang dating ang pagkakasabi ko noon. Parang nawalan ako ng lakas bigla nang makita ko ang mga mata niya-- he was angry.
"My sake?! Who told you I need your help?! Dawn, I was supposed to do the helping, not the other way around!"
"Kahit ano pa'ng sabihin mo, nangyari na--"
"Joyce and I have a plan." Plan? Bigla siyang kumalma at nagbuntong-hininga. He let me go and put his hands inside his pants' pockets. "You can be saved, Dawn." Gusto kong matawa sa sinabi niya. There's no way that I could be saved! Isa pa...
"Gusto ko nang matapos ito, Red. Haharapin ko na sila once and for all. It's me they wanted eversince. Makuha ko man ang lahat ng sagot sa mga tanong ko bago nila ako--"
"You. Are. Not. Going. To. Die." He pushed me against the door and held me on both my shoulders. His face was only inches away from me and I could actually smell his breath. I stared at his eyes wide eyed and I felt like he's trying to see inside me. My heart beat fast and my knees weakened. May paraan ba talaga? Pero kailangan ko na talagang tapusin ito. It was the plan since day one. I can't turn back now.
"I'll try my best not to."
"Not that way! Nakatakas ka na noon, you can always do that again!" Oh. Right. I escaped the first time by leaving Sisters of Mary. 'Yun ba ang pinaplano nila? Paalisin ulit ako dito sa Monte Carlo?
"If I leave, they will come for number two. Ganun ang nangyari noon kaya nawala si Anastacia. The cycle won't end until I get to face them. There's no other way, Red."
"Tinawagan na ni Joyce si Inspector Chan. They will go here and secure the school. We can have the listed students leave. May paraan, Dawn. Mahuhuli sila, makakaligtas ka at lahat ng nasa listahan."
"You made it sound so easy." I already gave up on my life. There's no reason to involve a lot of people. I had to do this on my own. Tumahimik muna ako at nag-isip ng paraan para maka-iwas sa kanilang lahat, kung talagang tinawagan na ni Joyce sila Inspector Chan.
"We will not let you go somewhere alone, if you're planning on something. Alam naming matigas ang ulo mo at masyado kang reckless. That's the problem with you." He slid his hands from my shoulders down to my hands and he placed his forehead against mine.
"R-Red..." Hindi na ako makahinga at sobrang bilis na ng tibok ng puso ko. Takot ba ito? Lungkot? O iba pa?
"What should be done to contain someone like you, Dawn Dominguez?" He then closed his eyes as if he's falling asleep. "If only..." If only what? He sighed heavily and opened his eyes. "Your safety's the priority right now. I can deal with the rest later." Bigla niya akong binitawan at umalis na lang siya basta. Napaupo ako sa sahig at hindi ko halos maramdaman ang sarili kong katawan. I tried to calm my heartbeat and slowly moved my extremities to check if they're still intact. My entire body felt jelly earlier and the only support I had was him.
"I assume Kuya Red already talked with you." Joyce caught up with me while I was climbing the stairs to our dorm room.
"You little pest."
"I'd take that as a yes. Inspector Chan's team will be here later in the evening. Nakikipag-communicate pa sila sa Admin for the added security."
"I don't need added security. You of all the people should know how Espada works. They can get pass those security like ghosts. What made you think that's a brilliant idea, anyway?" Nakarating na kami sa dorm room namin at agad kong binuksan ang ilaw. I went straight to my study table and dropped my unused school stuff.
"Mabuti na 'yung may plano, kaysa wala. Sabi mo nga, we won't let them win without a fight." I rolled my eyes on her and opened my closet to change clothes. And just as I expected, the red note was already delivered. It was pinned on one of my hanged clothes and the message was very clear.
It's only my fight.
Hindi ko alam kung kailan sila aatake. I received the red note three days ago, pero wala pa ring nangyayari. Walang nangyayari sa akin, walang nangyayari sa Monte Carlo. Principal Abad's already considering removing Inspector Chan's team dahil mukhang hoax lang naman daw ang lahat. I wanted them to stay not because I needed them, it's for the other students in the list. Sigurado akong kung pumalya sila sa akin, they would get the next one.
Joyce wouldn't leave my side, kulang na lang, sumama siya hanggang sa classroom namin. That led to Red. Para akong napasok sa Twilight movie, his eyes were always on me, parang any moment mawawala ako. Tapos tuwing breakfast, lunch and dinner, sabay-sabay kami kumakain. Silang dalawa pa lang, security na talaga eh.
"Magkikita kami ni Red." I grabbed my hoodie and wore my running shoes.
"Okay. Mag-sho-shower lang ako, tapos susunod na ako sa inyo for dinner. Stay close to him."
"Opo, Nanay!" I tied my hair in a ponytail and close the door behind me. Sa dalas kong magsinungaling, nagiging natural na lang ang labas nito tuwing nagsisinungaling ako. Agad akong bumaba ng hagdan palabas ng Dorm. I needed fresh air. I had to clear my mind off things and plan ahead in case they attack. Pumasok ako sa Main Building at patakbong umakyat hanggang sa rooftop. I pushed the door open and cold air welcomed me. It's been a while since I was here.
I stood by the door and saw two students by the railing. They were dancing and I could see how the boy looked the girl with so much love. I blinked my eyes and the image was gone. It was dead gone. Just like that boy. I approached the railing and looked over Monte Carlo High. I didn't know what I've done wrong to deserve this. Pero kailangan nang matapos ng kabaliwang ito.
"Finally. I get to have you for myself." The familiar cold voice pierced my ears and I turned to face it's owner. My eyes widened as I saw two minions stood by the rooftop's entrance. In their hands were their signature weapon, the sword. Bumalik ang tingin ko sa taong tumawag ng atensyon ko. Hindi ako makapaniwala na siya ang may pakana ng lahat ng ito.
"Ikaw...?"
"Ako nga. Surprised? Those friends of yours are getting brighter by the day. Akalain mong naisipan nilang ipatawag ang mga pulis to add security in this freaking campus just for you? And they were always around you, for goodness sake!" Humakbang siya palapit sa akin na siya namang ikina-atras ko. Isang hakbang lang paatras ang nagawa ko at napasandal na ako sa railing.
"Bakit?"
"Bakit? Good question." Ibang-iba ang taong kaharap ko sa taong nakilala ko noon. Hindi siya 'yung tipo ng taong mananakit. Siya 'yung madalas binubully at nasasaktan. Ang lahat ng iyon ay palabas lang pala. "I always wanted to get my father's attention. He's the leader of this organization, I assume you already know that through your bright roommate. Sayang siya, Espada wooed her for years only to be turned down multiple times."
"Who would want to be in an organization of killers?" I was starting to regain my strength, kakailanganin ko ito ngayon. It's going to be a long night and I was not sure if I could still see light after this.
"Espada has great offers. It's her loss anyway." She waved her hand in the air to dismiss the topic. "Going back, to get my father's attention, I had to show him outstanding grades. I have to be number one. Pero kayo, kayong mga matatalino, made that impossible for me."
"So you killed everyone who's number one dahil lang nagpapapansin ka sa tatay mo?! How pathetic can you get?" I couldn't believe this. Ang daming buhay na nawala ng dahil lang sa KSP na brat na 'to! Lalo akong nanggigil sa galit.
"Watch your words, Princess. Tandaan mo, wala ka sa posisyon para umastang matapang. Nawala na sa 'yo lahat, why not give up your life to me? I personally have to do this, you know. You should consider yourself lucky. Matagal na sanang nangyari ito kung hindi ka lang nakatakas the first time."
"Why would I do that? Marami na akong ginawa para matapos na ito. Those students... they were all innocent. Hindi nila kasalanan na walang laman 'yang utak mo kaya hindi ka maka-pwesto sa rank one! How heartless could you get?!"
"Iiyak ba dapat ako sa part na 'to? Well, I'm sorry, that will not happen. Espada trained me to be cold-hearted, to kill without mercy. Like what my minions did with those students. Jennifer and Nina were the weakest. They just cried and cried while they were being slaughtered. Then your best friend, Anastacia. She was tough, lumaban ng konti, pero unfortunately, she was no match. You should be blaming yourself for her death. Hindi sana siya mamamatay kung hindi ka umarteng may sakit at umalis ng Sisters of Mary."
"I never wanted any of that to happen, especially to Anastacia! You did that to them and you caused me the mental disorder that I have!"
"Oh, is that so? Kaya ka lumipat dito para maka-iwas sa lahat? Well, it's not that easy, you know. I had to transfer here to make Monte Carlo High School accessible to Espada. You see, we keep on our grounds, hindi kami pwedeng basta basta sumasalakay sa hindi namin teritoryo."
"That was you. I saw you during the entrance examinations in the auditorium." Naalala ko na nga. Nakita ko siya, pero hindi ko masyadong pinansin kasi hindi naman kami close at busy din ako noon sa ibang bagay.
"Exactly. I had those twins killed just to remind you of the thing that you ranaway from-- your death."
"Wala silang kasalanan!!!"
"Wala naman akong magagawa doon, number one kasi 'yung isa sa kanila. My minions couldn't tell which one was which, they exactly looked the same, so I told them to just kill them both. They had a clue, alam na nilang may mangyayaring masama. The other twin covered for her sister, very brave of her. They both claimed to be the target, so ayun... pareho silang nawala." Tinignan niya pa ang kuko niya na parang tungkol lang sa fashion o weather ang pinag-uusapan namin.
"Napaka-sama mo! Wala silang ginagawang masama sa 'yo!"
"Wala nga, except you and that boyfriend of yours. Tsk tsk... Sayang siya. Kung pumayag lang siya na maging boyfriend ko, maliligtas pa sana siya, eh. Pero hindi, he insisted that his heart only belonged to you. Sabi ko sa kanya, mali siya doon, I could have his heart."
"You... his heart..." Tears started to form in my eyes. Red told me that Vince's heart was missing after the autopsy was done. After they took me away from the room, hindi ko na siya nakita ulit, kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ba'ng nangyari talaga sa kanya.
"Hindi ka naman siguro iiyak ngayon, no? May mas importanteng bagay ka pang dapat isipin at ipag-alala bukod sa patay mong boyfriend. You did a great job protecting his best friend, by the way. That was an unexpected plan. Sayang, kasi naisip ko na kung ano'ng gagawin sa kanya, in case siya 'yung mag-number one ngayon."
"Shut the fuck up, Khione! Enough of your bullshit! I'm here now, ako naman talaga ang kailangan mo, 'di ba?!"
"So eager all of a sudden, my friend?"
"We being friends was long gone!"
"Fine. Let's end this now, I have my beauty rest to catch. Magpapa-misa na naman kasi si Principal Abad soon, I have to be beautiful eventhough I lost a dear friend. I would even prepare a good speech for your eulogy." She got her minions' swords and threw one at my direction. "Don't worry, my minions will just stand here and watch. Ang laban ko, laban ko." This is it.
"Your father should be so ashamed to have you as his daughter. Killing out of envy, killing to get her Daddy's attention. Bakit hindi ka na lang nag-aral ng mabuti instead of planning how to have someone killed?" Pinulot ko ang espada sa sahig at hinawakan itong mabuti. Dehado, I'm not good with swords.
"You have no right to say those things to me! I have your life, you belong to me!" She charged and I was able to shield from her attack using my sword.
I pushed her away and held a better position. Sumugod siya ulit at sa pagkakataong ito, umilag lang ako. Napakapit siya sa railing dahil doon siya na-diretso. I was about to slash her on back, but surprisingly, she was faster. Naunahan niya ako at nahiwa niya ako sa tagiliran. My yellow hoodie was stained red as blood gushed out of my body. Napa-atras ako at hinawakan ang sugat ko.
"Mahina nga siguro ang utak ko, pero mas magaling ako sa 'yo sa labanan. Ano, Princess, kaya pa ba o gusto mo na agad makita ang boyfriend mo sa langit?" She aimed her weapon at me and I prepared for another painful attack. Wala akong pag-asa dito. I'm not that good with swords tapos nakikipag-laban ako sa anak ng lider ng Espada. Obviously, she was trained since birth.
Umatake siya ulit at muling nag-tama ang aming mga sandata. Kung magaling siya sa gamit na ito, saan ka ba magaling, Dawn? Mag-isip ka...
"Nagdadasal ka na ba sa mga santong itinuro sa atin doon ng mga madre? Simulan mo na nga, kasi malapit mo na silang makita sa kabilang buhay!" She made a circling motion with her weapon that caused my weapon to be thrown to the side. She made a quick step forward and my face got a deep cut. Weaponless, hopeless and soon to be lifeless. Sa ganito lang ba ako mamamatay?
I took a step back and lost my footing, causing me to fall on the ground. Katapusan ko na talaga. I saw her coming at me with a deadly smirk on her face. How could someone with an angelic face have a demon's personality? She raised her sword and made her final attack. I just crossed my arms to cover my face and closed my eyes. The blade continued to cut through my flesh and her evil laugh echoed in my ears.
"You may have shown a strong personality here in Monte Carlo, but you will always be that weakling from Sisters of Mary!"
Tama na! I gave her the strongest kick in the gut that I could give and stood up quickly to catch her while she was still composing herself. She was using her sword as her support to have balance standing properly. I took this opportunity to grab her by the neck and push her towards the railing. Nang mapasandal siya sa railing, hindi ko napansin na naka-pwesto na pala ang espada niya at bumaon ito sa katawan ko.
"That's a very wrong move, I see." She whispered in my ear as I tried to calm myself down. She pushed me away from her with her sword still in my torso. I was just standing there, watching my blood flow out of my body. She took a couple of steps forward and I tried my luck by pulling out the sword and attacked her.
She dodged the attack and luckily I was able to grab her hair and pulled her in front of me, the sword aimed on her side. I was already feeling numb and I knew I had to do everything that I could to fight. I threw the sword away, towards the Campus Ground's direction.
"Baliw. That's the only chance you have."
"I don't think so."
I quickly turned her to face me and punched her in the face. She held her broken nose and I gave her another kick on her gut that cause her to take a few steps back. I saw the railing from behind her at alam kong kakapit na naman siya doon for balance. Hindi na pwede 'yun. Before she could reach the railing, I gave her one last kick and instead of her holding on to the railing, she went over it. I heard a loud scream before I fell down and everything went black.
---END OF CHAPTER 11.30.14