Scarper House

4•5 - Bumped

5 - Bumped

I think, at that time, we still don't really understand what's going on. Even though we saw my father being killed by Justin. Even though Justin took his own life in front of us. Even though we have been chased by people and mascots with weapons. And even though a bear shot Isla to death. Nothing has really sank in on us. Maybe, a part of us is still thinking that maybe... hopefully, everything is just a dream.

"Get in, come on," the voice from the speakers told us for the nth time as we hesitated to enter the same circus tent where our nightmare started. "It's not the same as before, I swear."

Saint squeezed my hand, making me look at him. He slightly tilted his head to the entrance, telling me to come inside with him. "Wala naman tayong choice," he said while sighing.

I looked at Wren, Chad, Sean, and Kurt. They were just looking at us too. I nodded at them and they nodded at me too. We entered the tent without a word.

Yes, it's not the same as before.

Trevor Alejandro's corpse was no longer there. The roulette was no longer there. Even the elevated rows of seats where we sat earlier are gone. It was just a whole large space, with six convertible cars.

"Choose your ride, players."

Huh?

"You have a minute." A screen suddenly went down from the ceiling, displaying now only 58 seconds and still going down. "And once you're inside your car, you can't get down until I say so. You all saw how Isla Ferreira was shot. You don't want that."

"Sandali, hindi lahat marunong mag-drive!" apela ni Saint, alam na never pa akong nagmaneho, pero tumawa lang ang boses.

"That makes it more fun, right?"

"Shit!" nasabi ni Chad, alam din na hindi rin marunong mag-drive si Wren.

Nagulat ako nang biglang hawakan ni Sean ang magkabilang balikat ko para iharap ako sa kaniya. "Trace, alam mo pa 'yong parts?"

"H-Huh?"

"Lintik, manual!" Napalingon kami kay Kurt na isa-isa namang sinisilip ang driver's side ng mga sasakyan. "Manual lahat!"

"Putangina," inis na bulong ni Sean. "Clutch, brake, gas, Trace. Alam mo 'yon, 'di ba? 'Yong gear shift, tanda mo pa?"

Bahagyang napaawang ang mga labi ko nang maalalang sinubukan niya akong turuang mag-drive dati, noong matagal na nagbakasyon sa probinsya si Saint at ang pamilya niya. Lagi siyang umaangal pag sinasabi kong nagko-commute ako kasi napipilitan daw siyang ihatid ako, kahit hindi naman ako nagpapahatid. Kaya bigla na lang siyang nagpunta sa 'min noon para turuan akong mag-drive. "Y-Yes, I remember the parts."

Lumingon siya kay Saint. "Pre, samahan mo muna, ipaalala mo mga kailangan niyang gawin. Kay Wren kami."

Saint wasn't even able to answer when Sean ran to the first car. Chad and Kurt were already there, pointing things to Wren, who's seating on the driver's seat, and telling her what they are for.

"Babe," Saint called as he dragged me towards the last car. He opened the door and gently pushed me to sit down on the driver's seat. Siya na rin ang nagkabit ng seatbelt at pumihit sa susing nakasaksak na roon para mabuhay ang makina. "Babe. Babe, focus. Hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari pero mas delikado kung magmamaneho ka nang 'di ka naka-focus."