Anathema (The Academy of the Cursed)

Chapter Thirty-Three: A Game of Dice

Magrest muna tayo sa cards kasi baka mapagkamalan na akong 'sugalerang' writer HAHAHAHA. Pairs lang alam ko, huwag kayo. 'Tsaka huwag din kayo masyadong maglaro ng baraha o magsugal. Thanks, wubyu 💓

-chapter thirty-three#teamkahel-

"They've been watching us this whole time, huh."

Naramdaman ko ang takot ni Mad Dog nang ituon ko sa kaniya ang isang napakasamang tingin. Sinigurado kong makikita niya ang galit at iritasyon ko. I have a feeling the emotion in my eyes are not even enough to display the fire burning in my heart.

But Kahel is stupid and stubborn, kaya naman hindi siya umalis sa pinto. Mas lalo pa nga niyang hinigpitan ang seguridad nito.

"Oh come on! Just let me out!" singhal ko.

Umiling siya. "Hindi pwede. May sakit ka."

I scoffed, frustrated. And so what? I'm not gonna fall to my grave just because of a fever. Para namang sobrang taas nito. Besides, I survived much more dangerous situations. One that included being experimented and burned alive, ang simpleng init na 'to ay parang langgam lang na gawa sa cotton candy.

Hindi ako makukulong ng lagnat sa loob ng kwartong ito.

"So what?" iritadong tanong ko. "Just let me out. Wala naman akong gagawin."

Sumama ang tingin niya. I could already hear the slow gears in his head turning and being used. It's such a rare sight because Kahel usually just use his head during combats. At tungkol lang 'yon kung saan parte ng kalaban niya ang mas sasakit.

"Serena." this is serious because he's calling me by my real name. "Alam kong alam mo na alam ko kung ano ang totoong mangyayari. You'll be curious once again on things and try to explore. Hindi puwede 'yon sa ngayon dahil may lagnat ka."

I sighed. Why is he acting like a parent? Mas malala pa 'to kay Kuya.

"So pwede ba later?" I asked.

Kahel gave me a blank stare. It's so weird to see him with less angry emotions this past few days or maybe, weeks. Parang nareign-in ang beast sa loob niya at mas naging kalmado siya.

"Hindi ka puwedeng umalis hanggang sa mawala ang lagnat mo." pinal niyang sabi.

Napaupo ako sa sofa. This is bad. Minsan lang maging seryoso at kalmado si Kahel, and when that happens it's usually bad. Parang obligated tuloy akong sundin ang mga utos o abiso niya.

I was actually planning to go to that underground place and search for an exit. It has already been two days after our talk and my exposure. It still makes me uncomfortable at times, but I'm glad some things I said were vague.

Me being a time maiden is a truth that will be exposed no matter what. And so, what better way to avoid feelings of hurt and betrayal than expose yourself in advance? It's not a secret I'll take to my grave for I am quite proud of the title.

The Anathema group is a bit taboo. Aside from it being a secret organization, the group's meeting plan was also made known to all the people inside the room, and even the government kung nakikinig iyon. However, it doesn't posses such a threat. No member names were uttered and everything remained buried.