Anathema (The Academy of the Cursed)

Chapter Forty-Two: Dudes in Distress

-chapter forty-two-

"You don't need to worry. Keian and Kel will come save you."

I was silently humming as I let my hands wander on the wall. Hinahanap ko ang posibleng button na makakapabukas sa pader. I knocked at every new tile, trying to see if they sounded shallow or not.

I snorted when I remembered the fifty men guarding outside my door. Nakakatawa lang ng ginawa nila. I'm not some monster who can quickly take over twenty men, 'no. Kahel could, with his ability, pero hindi naman ako siya.

Napangiti ako nang makita ang tamang parte. I pushed the block and the wall started to open up. Napatayo ako. A radio, where I heard the voices earlier, appeared, as well as a thin piece of metal that seems to be a door. Sa parte kung saan dapat nakalagay ang doorknob ay napalitan ito ng isang screenpad.

I need access to open the door. Which is pretty impossible.

I should just destroy it.

From Leviathon's unceasing mind and psychological training and the physical growth that I achieved from joining Anathema, I'm actually pretty strong. It's the reason why I can overtake Kahel at any time. Aside from the dog being stupid, he's also inexperienced.

Kumuha ako ng malalim na hininga bago pinahinto ang oras. One and a half minutes will be enough. Inihanda ko ang kamao at dineretso ang suntok sa metal na pintuan. Unlike the front door, this one is weaker kaya naman madali lang nabuksan. Sinundan ko ito ng dalawang sipa at isa pang suntok bago tuluyang lumabas.

I smiled, victorious. Why would I need to wait for those two boys who moves like snails? Siguro kung naghintay ako, nasa loob pa rin ako ngayon.

Isang narrow at madilim na corridor ang nasa likod ng silid. It stretched into both directions and offered more corners. Tanging mga maliliit na kandila sa pader ang nagpapailaw sa lugar. Napakagat ako ng labi at pinili ang kanan. I remembered us taking a left turn back then.

Ang tanging hiling ko lang ay sana hindi ko mabangga ang kahit anong miyembro ng CE.

I halted on my steps when I heard noises. Frowning, I looked back. Wala namang sumunod sa'kin. It sounded like a battle, with grunts, groans and heavy punches. Naalala ko muli ang sinabi ni Akiru.

For a moment, a golden retriever entered my mind, tail wagging excitedly as it bit on a bone toy. Walang duda na si Kahel nga siguro ang gumagawa ng ingay.

I silently cursed. What the heck is he doing, charging at the enemy lines like that? I can't believe even Keian agreed to it. Wala din ba siyang common sense?

I rolled my eyes and continued walking. Those stupid⁠—

"Ah." muli akong natigilan.

"Ah." Keian also stopped and looked at me with wide eyes. Then, he sighed. "Figures."

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya at sa bahagyang pagkasurpresa sa mukha. Well, looks like Keian has functioning braincells after all. He knew I'd be looking for a way out myself.

Ngumisi ako. "So what? You used Kahel as distraction?"

"No." umiling siya. "Actually, it was your brother who made this plan. He knew you'd escape by yourself so he separated the both of us. One to help you from the front, the beast, and the other to intervene you from the back, me."

Namuo ang surpresa sa mukha ko. My brother made this plan? Sandali lang- nasa school premises si Kuya? Pero...

"Paano niyo siya nakausap?"