Buried Tales

Chapter 20 - River Flows in Us

CHAPTER 20 - RIVER FLOWS IN US

BEATRIXIA

Dwight and I remained silent until Dwaynell called us to join them in eating some snacks that they saw in the vending machine.

"Binasag namin yung glass, hehee..." he said and scratched his nape while smiling awkwardly. I glanced at the vending machine, and looks like they really broke the glass to get these snacks.

"Hindi pa ba 'to expired?" tanong ko. Umiling siya at ipinakita ang expiry date. August 14 2022 ang nakalagay. Buti naman.

Dwight sat down and munched his snack while observing the surroundings. The other students are chattering with each other, except for me and Dwight.

I took my time and observed the surroundings like what Dwight does. Wala naman akong nakitang kahina-hinala o unusual kaya minabuti kong lumapit na lamang sa mga paintings. I need to check each one kung mayroong papel o ano man.

I took the first painting off the wall. I examined its back and the wall, none was suspicious or there were no uncanny traces. I continued to do the same until I reached the painting where there were lions. It's gruesome to watch so, I closed my eyes and took the painting off. I heard something fell and when I glanced at the floor, there was a piece of paper.

Isinabit ko ulit ang painting sa lalagyan niya at pinulot ang papel. Maybe something's written here, malamang. Minadali ko itong buksan at tumagilid ang ulo ko nung makita kong mga drawings lang ang nakalagay dito.

Parang labyrinth.

Isang mapa kung saan may malaking building sa gitna, tapos sa North nito ay kagubatan. Sa South naman ay mga pader na. Matatagpuan ang isang long narrow road sa East. And finally, sa West ay mga pader na din. May ibang mga daan pero hindi ko alam kung saan ang hangganan ng mga ito, and we don't know for sure if these paths are safe or not.

I creased my forehead as I looked at the building. Lumayo ako mula sa building at nung tinignan ko ang kabuuan nito, parehong-pareho sa drawing na nasa papel ko.

This is the map of an impossible labyrinth.

Lumapit ako sa mga hall doors to find if there's something unusual. Binuksan ko ang isang pinto at bumungad sa akin ang isang napakakalat na classroom. May mga damit na nababalutan ng dugo sa kahit saan-saang sulok ng classroom.

It stinks of blood!

I went inside. As soon as I stepped, on the floor inside, agad din akong huminto. Kakaibang bagay ang naapakan ko. Yumuko ako at halos sumigaw nung nakita ko kung ano ang naapakan ko.

P-putol na kamay ng tao.

Nangangantog na ang mga tuhod ko, pero sinikap kong labanan ang aking takot para makalabas lang mula dito. I went further in and tried to look for clues to help us get out of here.

"Ah!"

Napatalikod ako at nakita ko si Riann na namumutlang tinignan ang kamay sa doorway. She gulped hard and stepped aside for her not to step on it.

"B-Bea, what's with this place? N-nkakatakot..." bulong niya ng makalapit sa akin.

"Hell," simpleng sagot ko. "It's always scary, get used to it,"

We separated and searched for clues. Dahil wala naman akong may nakita, lumabas ako. Kakadating lang ni Edward at sinamahan niya si Riann sa loob.

Pinuntahan ko ang likuran ng building, which is yung North, at pumunta sa kagubatan. Pagdating doon, may isang napakalaking metal gate na nakatayo at isang malaking padlock. Behind it seems like an unending path towards darkness.