At The End Of The String (Insomniacs Series 2)

44

"Been a long time, Keira." Matamis siyang ngumiti sa'kin. Napahawak ako sa aking shoulder bag, handa nang hugutin ang baril nang akalain kong yayakap siya sa'kin. Mabuti na lang ay hindi.

"A-anong mayroon?" He sounded so soft as if he didn't do anything brutal! How could a killer sound so calm knowing they haunted many families in their sleep? "I mean after all I've done—"

"Past is past, Jayson. I'm not here to bring things up but to make things a little light between us. Besides, it just came to me, I don't wanna hold more grudges towards you anymore and found out that the first step to that is... I don't know, reconciliation?" I laughed nervously.

"Oh, is that so? Well, it is still shocking for me to hear that from you, though. Uhm... Coffee?" He offered, opening the door wide for me to come in. Rule number one today, Keira. Never ever let yourself step inside a killer's roof because you will never make it out alive.

"Oh, I'm actually planning to have a walk with you, if it's okay? With coffee maybe... Isa pa, 'di ba, may karera ka ngayon? The Dash Racing Circuit isn't that far from here. We can have a little walk trip," I convinced him more and glad he agreed. Kinuha niya lang ang bag niya sa loob saka kami nagsimulang maglakad.

Bawat segundong humahakbang ako kasabay siya ay parang binibilang ko ang oras ng buhay ko. Hindi ko maintindihan ang kinukwento niya dahil ang tanging naririnig ko na lang ay ang pintig ng puso ko sa sobrang takot para sa sarili. No, Keira. You need to make it out of this situation alive. You're one of the evidence, a witness.

"How about you?"

"H-huh?" Balik ko sa wisyo. "How are you and, uh, Joaquin?" tanong niya muli.

"We're good, he's doing good. He's getting ready for the race today, too."

"Glad you met someone better, Keira." Ngiti niya. Ganoon na lamang din ang ginawa ko. Marami pa kaming napagusapan na para bang normal na nagkikita kami araw-araw. Hindi rin namin namalayan na kaunti na lang ay malapit na kami sa Dash Racing Circuit.

"Aggy, can you hear me?" mahina kong sambit sa maliit na walkie-talkie na laruan. Hiniram ko pa 'to sa kapatid ni Lexi.

[Agatha: I can't see Alva anywhere, but Joaquin's already here.]

"Please, make sure he's safe."

"Oo naman. Gusto ko na ng pamangkin sa'yo," biro niya pa. Mabuti na lang at hindi ganoon kalakas ang tunog ng laruan. Para lang akong kumakausap ng bag.

"Aggy!" suway ko. Napailing na lang ako. Unti-unti ko na ring nakikita ang mga pulis. Isa-isa na silang kumakalat sa paligid namin nang patago, and from that moment, I know I need to point the gun now.

"Is everything okay?" tanong ko kay Jayson dahil parang kanina pa siya may hinahanap sa bag niya. "The race is already starting."

"I think I have to go back for a little minute. My house is only a walking distance from here. I forgot my racing suit. I can keep up with the race. It can wait anyway." Kibit-balikat niya at nilagpasan ako. "But this can't." And the moment I heard a loud click from behind, I pulled the gun from my shoulder bag and face him. He's pointing one at me, too.

"Where are you going back exactly?" mariin kong sabi. Mayamaya'y may narinig kaming boses mula sa malayo, galing sa mga pulis. "Surrender now, Jayson Perez! You're under arrest for committing a crime of murder! We have evidence linking you to the crime and you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."