DARK and WILD || {k.taehyung} ✔

- 28 -

#DAWTheDanger

After class ended, nagmamadali akong umuwi. Hindi ko na hinintay si Mickey and I didn't talk to Laverne about it either. Lucas was not at school today so okay lang. I called an Uber para mabilis.

When I got home, I packed things na sa tingin ko ay kailangan ko. Basically things to defend myself. Pepper spray is a must. Kasi pakiramdam ko hindi magiging maganda yung mangyayari.

I called an Uber again para dalhin ako doon sa address na binigay ni Lia.

"Sure po kayo Miss? Doon po ang punta niyo?" Nagtanong pa yung driver bago kami umalis.

"Ah, yes po. Bakit po kuya? May problema po ba?" Tanong ko.

"Kasi ho, walang tao dun. On going ang construction pa eh." He said.

I felt different. Just then, I knew something bad was up.

"Sige lang po." I said then we pushed through.

While on my way, I quickly sent Mickey screenshots of my conversation with Lia. Nagsisi ako na hindi ko sinabi sa kanya, pero sana makarating agad sa kanya yung message ko. I also sent it to Laverne.

Then suddenly, nagtext si Lucas.

From: Lucas

Have dinner with me?

Hindi ko na siya nireplyan dahil ayokong mag-alala pa siya, and knowing his personality, I know he'll insist on going to where I am.

I was already feeling uneasy so I turned my phone's GPS right away. Then my phone rang.

"Venice! What are you thinking? Stop whatever your plan is and come back home!" Sigaw niya sa phone.

"Mickey, I have to do something. If she wants to meet then let me meet her. It's my problem with her." I said.

"No. Hindi mo alam ang pwedeng mangyari!"

"Kaya nga kita sinabihan diba. Whatever happens to me, you'll know." I calmly said.

"Venice, you don't understand. Please. We'll plan this together. Umuwi ka muna." His voice was pleading.

"I turned my GPS on. Follow me if you want. But I will not wait for you. I'm sorry, I have to fix this." I said then ended the call.

Sakto naman dumating kami sa isang madilim na lugar. It says Hillside Food Park, pero hindi pa nga tapos ang construction. I paid the driver then went out of the car.

Pagkababa ko, I tried dialing the number that Lia used to text me last night, pero cannot be reached na ito.

I didn't bother entering the premise dahil sarado, nang may biglang tumawag.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Venice, I'm here inside. Pumasok ka." It was Lia.

"Okay. But what are we doing in this kind of place? Anong bang gusto mong sabihin?" I asked.

Then I heard a thud. Then she started crying.

"Lia? Lia? Where are you? What's happening? Okay ka lang? Lia?!" I called her name multiple times, dahil rinig ko yung iyak niya.

What the hell was happening?!

"I'm sorry Venice. Just do what I say. Pumunta ka sa likod. Makikita mo ako doon." Then she ended the call.

I walked slowly. Madilim kasi and the only source of light I have with me is my phone. Nung makarating ako sa bandang likuran nung food park nakarinig ako ng umiiyak. I immediately ran towards the voice and then I saw her. I saw Lia tied up on a chair in the middle of grass fields. Her mouth was taped up.

"Lia!" I called her name.

Papalapit na ako sa kanya nang biglang may narinig akong tunog ng motor. I immediately turned around kung sino iyon at nagulat ako nang may itipat siya sakin na baril.

I could not see his face dahil suot pa rin nito ang helmet niya, but I know for sure na lalaki ito dahil sa built ng katawan niya.

I raised both of my hands as a sign of surrender.

"Please, pakibaba yan." I said as I slowly walk towards him.

Pero hindi ito sumagot, instead, kinasa niya yung baril at itinutok pa lalo sakin. My heart was beating so fast dahil sa takot. I knew then that he'll pull the trigger. Whoever it is, he planned it very well. Hindi ko alam kung ano bang nagawa kong kasalanan or kung may natapakan ba akong tao para mangyari sakin to.

Pinikit ko yung mata ko at narinig kong pumutok yung baril. I felt nothing. Siguro ito yung feeling ng mamamatay? The feeling of nothingness? Parang wala lang.

But as soon as the gunshot was fired, narinig kong yung motor na papaalis. Then..

"MICHAEL!!!" I heard a very familiar voice. So I opened my eyes only to see my cousin lying down on the floor, bleeding.

"Michael! No! No! Wake up please!!!" I cried as I gently tap his face.

Laverne was crying while Mickey's head rested on her lap. His blood is on her uniform.

"No please! Wake up!" Sabay naming sabi ni Laverne.

Mabilis kong kinuha yung phone ko. With trembling hands I dialed the rescue hotline and explained what happened, not minding kung maubusan man ako ng hininga. I was crying so hard while I tell them where we are and what happened.

"T-thank you." I said.

I immediately went to Lia after the call and untied her. Tinanggal ko din yung tape sa bibig niya then she fell off the chair. She was unconcious.

I was too weak to even carry her because of what happened. Fear and hate filled up my system, that I don't even know what to do!

Wala sa sarili kong tinawagan si Lucas.

"Hello?" He said. But I didn't answer. Hearing his voice just made me cry harder.

"Hey? What happened? Okay ka lang? Where are you?" He said with concern.

But I couldn't speak. It was already hard for me to breath. I just cried on the phone and cry hanggang sa dumating yung rescue team. I didn't end the call hanggang sa makasakay kami sa ambulance.

"Hey, don't turn off your phone and keep your GPS on. I'll track you. Wait for me Venice. I'm coming for you." He said, but did not end the call.

I stared at the nothingness, too tired, but tears wont stop from falling.

Hanggang sa makarating kami sa ospital. Mickey was brought to the operating room while Lia was in the emergency room. My phone was still on my ear while Laverne was crying beside me.

Then I heard his voice again.

"I'm here." He said, then I looked up and saw him standing in front of me.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there." Sabi niya.

I felt all emotions mixed up. I was, again, crying. Tumayo ako para yakapin siya. Because, maybe, just maybe, I'd feel comfort. And I did.

"I promise, I'll never leave by your side. I'll protect you Venice. I promise." He said.

Still sobbing, I tightened the hug. Then he whispered something in my ear that made me cry harder.

"Because I love you."

--