Eukrania Academy

CHAPTER 10: Archer Of Desire

"Tell me. Why did you choose her?"

A moment of silence ate them.

"She's not capable of this task."

"We're aware of that, team captain. In fact, outcasts are not totally capable of it. But, we have no choice. We have to choose," it's Erica.

"And you chose her?"

"Yes. Because I can sense something inside her. She's different," Alice said.

"Now tell me, why wasn't she able to protect herself from those stupid students?" He hissed. "Because she's different? For fuck's sake, she almost died there."

"That's why, we need to train her," George suggested. "Whether we like it or not, we have to pick one of them. And among these outcasts, we've already known about Alvira's existence, so why would we try to search for another person, if the answer's already at front of us."

"George's right. We have no time to look for others. We need to prepare as soon as possible," Miguel added.

~•~

Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang aking mga mata. Tumambad sa akin ang puting kisame. Medyo nag-aadjust pa ang paningin ko sa liwanag ng paligid. Kanina'y tila may naririnig akong mga taong nag-uusap. Hindi ko lang masyadong maintindihan at marinig dahil okupado ang utak ko habang natutulog.

Akala ko katapusan ko na. Akala ko iyon na ang huling sandali ko sa mundo. Pero sa pangalawang pagkakataon, iniligtas niya ako.

A knock on the door interfered with my thoughts. Biglang pumasok ang isang babaeng nakasuot ng puting kasuotan, iyong pang-nurse. Ngumiti siya sa akin saka niya sinuri ang vital signs ko.

"Miss, maayos na ang kalagayan mo. Pwede ka nang lumabas sa mga oras na ito kung gusto mo," aniya.

Ngumiti ako pabalik, "Salamat po."

Lumabas na siya sa silid kung saan ako naka-admit. Nasa clinic pala ako ng academy. Dito niya ako dinala. Sinubukan kong tumayo pero medyo nahilo ako dahil siguro sa magdamag kong pagkakahiga sa clinic bed, tapos biglang tayo pa. Umupo muna ako saglit saka inayos ang mga gamit ko na nasa ilalim ng bed. Inayos ko rin ang hinigaan ko, nang biglang bumukas ang pinto.

"Oh. Alvira, maayos na ba ang pakiramdam mo?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Alice.

"Oo. Salamat."

Kumpleto silang apat dito: Alice, Erica, Miguel, at George. Mababakas ang pag-aalala sa mga mukha nila. Ngumiti ako sa kanila para ipakita na ayos lang ako, pero hindi nawala ang lungkot sa kanilang mga mata.

"Alvira, we have to ask you once again," Erica started to talk. The serious tone from her might have a deep meaning.

"What is it?"

"Are you willing to join this team?" Miguel asked.

"Are you ready to take part of the game?" Alice added.

"Are you willing to dedicate your time, your effort, and most especially... your life?" George.

There's something in their voices I cannot explain. Why are they asking me these things? Then it hit me. They are talking like this because of what had happened just earlier.

I tried to deeply comprehend what they have said. And now, I am asking these questions with myself.

Am I ready to face the consequences of joining their team and participating the game?