Reyna Hustisya: Righteous Outlaw (Dauntless Series #1)

Reyna Hustisya

Who Do You Call For Help #RHRO

A social disorganization.

That's what it was. I stood on the cruddy pavement, wandering my eyes to the dirty run-down shanties. The neighborhood was densely populated and the noises from the frolic kids playing in the next alley can be heard from there. There's also a lingering stinky smell that I couldn't take.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad. I passed by a wide canopy in front of a small house where people gambled while some were only investing as they watched. They followed me through their gazes. Confused, but they didn't seem to care that much.

Inside the house was a crying woman. In front of her was a coffin.

No one would dare approach a strange masked lady, that's what I thought. Subalit mali ako.

“Bagong recruit ka?” asked a woman na sinabayan ako sa paglalakad.

She wasn't looking at me but straight on the way. Her tone was casual.

“Ayan. Yan yung headquarter nila,” dagdag niya nang malampasan namin ang mataong parte ng lugar.

Her lips and eyes gestured to a dilapidated establishment at the end of the alleyway. Without a word ay umalis ito.

Tinahak ko ang daan patungo sa sinabi niya at pumasok sa nakabukas na pintuan nito.

“Kaya 'to ng isang tao lang, gago. Mas malaki ang kikitain pag walang kasamang kahati. Kung wala kang lakas ng loob ay maghahanap ako ng ibang gagawa nito.”

The sound of my heels gathered the attention of the vigilantes inside. Nagtitipon ang mga ito sa isang mesa maliban sa dalawang nag-uusap sa isang gilid.

They scrutinized me from head to toe, takang-taka kung sino ako at anong ginagawa ko rito. Above all, I knew they were confused about the way I was dressed. I already felt out of place since earlier. Dapat pala ay mas sinimplehan ko ang aking porma. Thought this would do.

I gave each of them a quick glance. Most were in their 20s-30s, meron ring medyo matatanda na.

“Naligaw ka ba, hija?” tanong ng isa sakanila. He sounded malicious.

“I think I came to the right place,” I replied. “I'll do it.”

Binalingan ko ang isa sa dalawang lalakeng nag-uusap kanina. He seemed to be the leader of this vigilante group.

“Ano daw?” tanong ulit ng lalake.

He tapped the chest of the guy beside him but he could only shrug.

“Ang sabi ko ay gagawin ko ang misyong hindi niya kayang gawin.”

Inilipat ko ang tingin sa lalakeng kausap ng lider kanina. He looked so young. 16-18, maybe? Siya ata ang pinakabata rito.

“Sino ka? At sinong nagpadala sayo?” asked the leader.

“Hustisya, from VISTA Chapter 2.”

His stares were laced by distrust in my words, which was normal. They would appear very stupid if they trusted me in an instant. Kinuha niya ang kanyang cellphone nang may tumawag rito.

“Kumander Pidong,” bungad nito.

Naibalik niya ang tingin sa akin dahil sa sinabi ng kausap sa kabilang linya. He didn't say anything after that and just listened to someone on the other line. Pinatay nito ang tawag pagkatapos ng isang minuto.

“Kaya mo bang gawin ang ipapagawa ko?”

“Wala ako rito kung hindi ko kaya,” I said.

“Kung ganun—”