Sa kabila ng mataas na kisame ay ang madilim na tunnel na nasa ceiling. Yari ito sa metal at bawat hakbang gamit ang tuhod ay tumutunog ito. Nakadapa kaming dalawa at nauuna siya sa akin. Binuksan ko ang hawak kong flashlight para maibsan ang kadiliman sa lugar.
"I found them, we have to go quickly." He is so determined. Siguro ay alam niyang hindi siya papatulugin ng konsensya kung sakaling wala siyang magawa. Kita ko ang disappointment kanina ni Max kay Nate. Naaalala ko ang itsurang 'yon, alam ko kung gaano kapait 'yon dahil naranasan ko na 'yon pero sa kamay ni Pisces."Ikaw ang pupwesto sa mismong butas. Ihuhulog mo ang lubid sa tamang oras at ililigtas sila. Nakuha mo ba?" Kahit hindi niya ako nakikita ay tumango-tango ako. "Pupwesto ako sa intersection para magkaroon ng lakas sa paghila. I'm counting on you, Collier. Please do it carefully.""I will try, Nate.""Don't just try.""Y-Yeah, I'll do my best, NI can clearly hear their footsteps running inside the room. It was mixed with Karen's thunderous voice."Find them! Find them now!" she yelled. The girls in black chunky boots searched for the whole place. I can clearly see Karen's face. It is completely red and her veins are protruding. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang mapaangat ang tingin niya sa tunnel na para bang nakikita kami. Nanlisik ang mga mata niya kaya pinigilan ko talaga ang sarili ko ultimo ang paghinga."Find them! They can't escape us! Kill them right away if you find any of them! Huwag nang ituloy ang letseng plano na 'yan dahil patay na yata ang dalawang hunghang na pinahiwalay ko!" Her shrill echoed inside the room. Pagkaangat ng tingin niya sa tunnel ay pinaulanan niya ito ng bala.Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa
"Let us all congratulate... The last squad standing!"I opened my eyes. My head is aching and it feels like an ultra hangover."Shit..." I cursed as I massaged my temples."Collier! You are awake!" Celine cried. Tinawag niya ang iba pang mga kasama.I thought I'm dead. Nasa langit na ba kami?Celine's still bloody. What's happening?All of us are still bloody.Dahan-dahan ang pag-upo ko bago tingnan sila. Pisces is on my side, he's eyes are closed and he's bleeding so bad.
"It is a pleasure to work with you all." A lady with bloody red shiny lips welcomed us. Her thin, finely plucked eyebrows raised. She's wearing a sophisticated red sweetheart top and black tulip skirt together with a black stiletto. "I heard that you had a hard time inside the arena. Congratulations for winning the Tricup Tournament, Brave Strivers."Her smile grew wider as she held our hand one by one."By the way, my name is Crimson, I will be one of your trainors. This is Apollo, he specializes in weapons and self defense. And the other one here is Velvet. She's my sister and she will be your trainor, too." Lumingon ako sa binanggit na Apollo at blangko lamang ang tingin niya sa amin, ni hindi siya ngumiti o ano pa man. He's wearing a gray t-shirt that is perfectly fitted in his body, together with faded jeans and chunky boots. Hi
"Nate-""Collier-""You don't need to do this. I'm not ready.""I'm willing to wait until you are ready."I shut my eyes. I opened it again and I noticed him. His brown curly fringe and high-faded hair is shining against the light, his eyeglasses, his almond eyes down to his pointed nose, his thin lips. He looks like a demigod!"I'm not in love with you, Nate. I don't think I'll fall."He heaved a deep sigh."Collier," he said in a defeated tone. "I was dead scared when you ran away from us. I thought I'd lose you. Mabuti na lang at
"Airlion..." usal ko sa harap ng trainor. "Iyan ang nakasulat sa papel na 'yan." Dahan-dahan kong pinulot ang sticky note. "Salamat po." Akma akong lalabas pero ang huli niyang sinabi ang mas nagbigay ng palaisipan sa akin. "Be ready, Collier. You are about to unravel the dirty secrets behind this outbreak." Umuwi ako sa mansion at gaya nang inaasahan ko ay nandoon sila at masayang nagbabatuhan ng unan. "Oh, Collier. Sipag, ah. Aga gumising. Nag-almusal ka na?" kaswal na tanong ni Celine at nakipagkilitian ulit kay Cedr
Hindi na natahimik ang utak ko simula nang makita ko ang sintas ng sapatos sa padala ng ZAPS. That was the same thing I saw when I woke up. I don't believe that it was a coincidence. Naaalala kong malamig pa ang tubig nang mainom ko ito, ibig sabihin no'n ay may taong kadarating lang sa seldang 'yon at dinalhan ako ng tubig. Ang biskwit na nasa kahon ay parehong pareho sa biskwit na kinuha ng batang Isaiah sa akin. At ang sintas ng sapatos. That's totally unfit! Bakit naman ako papadalhan ng sintas ng sapatos? Bakit magiiwan ng sintas noong nagising ako? The ZAPS knows me. Malamang ay alam din nila ang naging kondisyon ko. May ibang nakakaalam ng kondisyon ko at hindi maganda iyon! Paano kung gamitin nila ak
Nang makauwi si Batch ay hindi na ako mapakali at hinila ko na pataas si Nate. Gulat sina Celine sa ginawa kong paghatak pero nginisian niya kami nang may malisya. Though, I'm used to Celine's malicious stares, I still can't handle the thought of Nate and I as dating. Nate already stated that he would pursue me no matter what but I doubt that I waver. My responsibility is much more important than any other thing. Mariin naman ang tingin ni Pisces habang papa-akyat kami. "What's with the rush, Collier?" Hindi ko pinakinggan ang tanong ni Nate at patuloy siyang hinatak pa-akyat sa ikalawang palapag. "Do you remember the notes we got from the laboratory?" Hingal na hingal ako pagka-akyat sa second floor. Ang laki naman kasi n
"Kira, you're alive... I... I thought you were dead." my voice was hoarse.Nagbalik sa akin ang ala-alang pagligtas niya sa akin mula kina Sasha sa Center. All I thought was she's already dead. I heard the gunshot. Pisces closed my eyes but I heard the gunshot. Hindi pinatama ni Sasha ang bala dahil hindi na siya mapapakinabangan at nagdesisyon na ibenta na lang?"I heard that you won the Hunters' Tricup, Collier. I was so happy! Hindi ko alam kung saan kayo hahanapin at ang swerte ko naman at nakita kita rito."Ibang-iba na si Kira. Ang dating babaeng madumi ang suot at kitang kita ang bahid ng paghihirap, tuluyan nang nawala ngayon.She's wearing a crop top and short shorts.