Searing Burst of Rage (Fireheart 2)

Chapter 50

My legs were shaking with agony. I feel like I was running forever. I have stumbled and fell a couple of times. The winds getting chillier, and the clouds are getting darker as my feelings are getting heavier. My sweats were cold as ice but my body was hot as fire.

Hindi ko na alam kung saan ako tutungo. Pagod na akong tumakbo pero hindi naman ako tumitigil. It seems like my legs have they're own minds, they keep on moving granted that I feel like giving up. One step after another.

From my distance, there is an elementary school nearby. I forgot what day is it already today, but luckily it's empty. Will anyone suspect I'd hide there? There are no walls, no gates, the school is basically open and anyone would come here.

Binilisan ko ang pagtakbo tungo sa paaralan nang marinig ang mas naging malakas na kaluskos ng mga halaman. They are near. When I reached the premises, the rooms were obviously locked. I don't know where to hide. The school is clearly small and looks weak. Once this is bombed, then it'll leave no traces of a school. Holy bloody!

I changed direction. I slipped off a vegetable garden in the backyard of one classroom and walked straight to where I spotted a small hut that looks like a tiny store for the kids here. Maybe, here is safer? They wouldn't suspect me hiding in this hut.

I feel like I stopped breathing the moment I heard the nearing footsteps. I badly want to take a deep breath to refresh my lungs but I'm afraid it might cause any noise, even just a little. I squeezed my eyes shut as I was sensing the presence of people who were coming nearer.

I formed a fist on the hem of my dress as I heard them more clearly. I prayed and prayed that they couldn't be careless about this ugly and small hut. It's nothing to give attention to.

"Siguradong hindi yun nakakalayo."

"Babaeng-babae at natakasan kayo!" sigaw ng pamilyar na boses. It was that rude guy. "Wala talaga kayong silbi!"

I hugged my knees together. Isiniksik ko ang sarili sa may gilid ng dampa. Sinubukan kong ibuka ang mga mata ko at sumilip sa may maliit na pagitan ng dingding na kawayan. I can see them in the school ground from here. They are more than five but less than ten. Since when did they become so many?

Lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko sa nakitang mga malalaki at mahahabang baril na dala nila. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hindi sila dumeretso at nanatiling nasa skwelahan. Makakahinga lang ako ng maluwag kung aalis sila at magpatuloy na maghanap palayo dito.

Ang isang putok ng baril kanina ay nasundan ng pangalawa kaya ay impit akong napasigaw at nagtakip sa magkabilang tenga. Mariin ko ding sinarado ang bibig ko pagkatapos gumawa ng ingay. Hindi ko kayang maimulat ang mga mata ko para tignan kung narinig ba nila ako mula dito dahil sa sobrang takot.

"Nandito na sila!" Narinig kong sigaw ng isang lalaki. Sa paraan ng pagbigkas at tono nya ay halatang kinakabahan ito.

I don't know what he meant but I hope it was Alfe, to save me, to get me out of here. Nadagdagan pa ng ilang pagputok ng baril at hindi ko na mabilang kung pang-ilan na iyon. Tahimik akong umiiyak at nagdadasal na sana hindi ako matamaan ng ligaw na bala.

"Hanapin nyo ang babae. Hindi tayo aalis dito ng hindi nyo iyon mahanap at madakip. We'll be doomed if she could get away. Leonetti will be the one to kill her."

"Everybody dispersed! Search for every corner," one demanded.

My muscles tensed. Perhaps, there is no escape. But, I can't surrender and give my life to Leonetti. I can't let him kill me and I can't also let him kill Alfe because of me. Since, from the start, I knew I was a flaw, to my father, to my best friend, to anyone, and to my husband. It's just that no matter how I want to do the right things, all of my choices will always lead to collapse.