LOHIKA 2: Land Of The Missing Children [COMPLETED]

Chapter XXXIV - Rounds

​ The deafening sound of gunshots filled the air of Highway 14, North Hamilton Road. It was clear to those who heard the sound that it came from firearms, but it was nothing unusual. Mayroong shooting gallery sa naturang lugar at araw-araw naririnig ng mga tao doon ang nakakabinging ingay. No one even thought of the mere possibility that there could be someone fighting.

​"Alinas! Sumuko ka na!" Detective Sariin yelled between his breath. He was tired from running and following the sly detective. Ngayon naman ay nakikipagtaguan sa kanya ito sa malawak na junk shop. He wanted to finish him ngunit ubos na ang bala ng kanyang revolver. Nanatili na lamang siyang nakasquat sa likuran ng mga nagpatong-patong na bakal. At nang maramdaman niyang masyado nang tahimik sa paligid ay sinilip niya ang lugar na inaakala niyang pinagtataguan nito.

​A gunshot echoed around the shop.

​Mabilis na ibinalik ni Detective Sariin ang kanyang ulo sa pagkakatago. "P*ta!" he muttered as he realized na muntik na siyang matamaan ng bala. "Nasaan ka na ba, Lieutenant Lim?" he asked in frustration. Magda-dalawampung minuto na kasi ang nakalipas mula nang tawagan niya ito. He then thought of calling him again.

​Mabilis namang sinagot iyon ni Jiho. "Nasaan kayo?"

​"Anak ng tipaklong! Ikaw ang nasaan na? Ginawa na naming shooting range 'tong junkshop sa High way 14! Wala na akong bala—" he cut off his sentence as he felt someone's presence behind.

​That someone was the sly detective, Detective John Alinas. He was poking his Glock on top of the old detective's head. A grim smile flashed on his lips as he met the wavering eyes of Detective Sariin.

​Detective Sariin didn't even bother to end the call. Itinago na lamang niya basta ang cellphone sa bulsa ng pantalon at dahan-dahang tumayo habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay bilang sign ng surrender. It was over. Alam niyang malaki ang posibilidad na tutuluyan na siya nito. Isang kalabit lamang ay masusundan na niya ang yumaong anak sa kabilang buhay. Maybe it was for the best. Makikita na niyang muli ang anak na si Cariza. Mayayakap at makakahingi ng tawad dahil hindi niya ito nagawang ipagtanggol sa panahon na kailangang-kailangan siya ng anak. "Sige, iputok mo na," he said with his eyes closed. "Pero sinasabi ko sa'yo, Alinas. Ito na rin ang katapusan mong gago ka."

​"Tingnan natin," Detective Alinas said habang nakataas ang isang gilid ng labi. He was ready to pull the trigger. He was ready to kill the old man in front of him. But before he could even do it, a furious sound of a motorcycle stole his attention. The man driving it shot him right on his shoulder. He felt an extreme pain na nagpawala ng lakas sa kanyang kanang braso dahilan upang ito ay lumaylay. Nabitawan niya ang baril na sana'y tatapos sa buhay ng matandang detective. Iniwan niya sa lupa ito at nagtatakbo papasok sa animo'y maze na tambakan ng mga lumang piyesa ng sasakyan.

​Detective Sariin's knees almost gave up. He hunched his back while resting his wet hands above his knees. Tila ba noon lamang siya nakahingang muli nang maayos. Maybe it was not the right time to follow his daughter. Iyon ang naisip niya.

​Lieutenant Lim parked Sebastian's motorcycle in front of the weary old detective. He took off his helmet as he went off of the motorcycle at ganoon rin si Jiwon. Pinulot niya ang baril na nabitawan ni Detective Alinas at ibinigay niya iyon kay Detective Sariin. "Okay ka lang?" he asked with concern in his eyes.

​"Okay lang," Detective Sariin lifted his gaze and noticed na kasama nito ang kanilang profiler. "Dalawa ang baril ng hayop. Ang mabuti pa iwan na muna natin dito si Miss Natividad."

​"Jiwon, dito ka muna. Tumawag ka ng back up. Ipaalam mo na rin kay Prosecutor Del Mundo," Lieutenant Lim commanded nang makalapit sa kanya ang dalaga.

​But Jiwon didn't like the idea of being left behind. Alam n'yang sinabi iyon ni Jiho para sa kaligtasan niya. He saw how vulnerable she became noong unang beses niyang ginamit ang kanyang baril. Ngunit hindi na iyon ang kaso ngayon. She was well determined to fight back using a fire arm. Alam niyang kaya na niya. So she brought out her glock and released the safety. "No. I'm coming with you."