Loving The Light [Cosmos Series#4]

Kabanata 20

I craned my neck as I opened my eyes. Kadiliman ang unang kong nakita. I waited and adjusted my sight but still, all I can see is darkness.

"Can someone explain me what's happening!" A familiar dangerous voice thundered that made me stopped. That's Mirae.

I tried to move but I realized I'm tied while there's something in my head, covering my face. Ang dalawang kamay ay nakatali sa likod. Nakatali rin ang aking mga paa sa paa ng aking kinauupuan. I felt the strands of my hair resting at my back. I can still feel the prosthetics on my face.

"She's awake." Nahigit ko ang aking hininga nang marinig ang boses ni Archer.

Someone removed the black cloth that's covering my head. Agad na namilog ang aking mga mata dahil sa una kong nakita.

"Fuck," I silently cursed when I saw the fake Dellany standing near me. Beside her is Archer.

I swallowed the big lump on my throat when I remember what Archer said. That he'll kill the real Dellany after finding her.

Damn! Paanong nakalabas siya sa warehouse? It was fully secured.

Mariing akong napapikit nang maalala ang kausap sa telepono ni Creed nang maabutan namin sila sa labas ng mansyon kung saan nakatago si Mommy. Siguro ay ang babaeng ito na ang kausap niya!

I sighed when I remember my mother. Sana lang ay naihatid na siya sa amin.

My eyes darted at Astrid when she gasped, with her opened mouth while looking directly at me. She doesn't know anything too. I glanced at Creed who's standing beside me.

They're all holding a gun except for Astrid.

Mirae frowned with her lips parted a bit. Siya ang nakatayo sa karap ng aking kinauupuan. She glanced at the fake Dellany before fixing her eyes on me.

"What the fuck is this?" Mariing tanong niya, hindi para sa akin ngunit nasa akin ang mga mata. Tila ineeksaminang mabuti ang aking mukha. Nang walang sumagot ay nahuli ko ang paggala ng tingin ni Mirae sa mga kasama.

"That's what I'm telling you." It was Creed who answered but looks like for Mirae, it's not enough.

"Let me go," kalmado ngunit mariing sambit ko. Though I know right now, its nonsense.

"Who the fuck is this woman? Last night we're with Dellany. Now you'll tell me that you found her already?" Naguguluhan pa ring tanong ni Mirae. "Archer! Creed!" She demanded answer from the two as she glanced at them.

"Dellany Mallari, the real Dark vanished four years ago-"

"What?" Astrid interrupted Archer's words.

"That was a few months after she entered Cosmos," Mirae frowned and continue. "Then who's the hell is the Dellany that's with us the past four years?"

"Matapos ang ilang linggong paghahanap sa kanya, hindi ko siya nakita. That's when Creed thought of a plan. To hire and train someone that can replace Dellany while we're searching for her. She undergoes a plastic surgery, copying the real Dellany's face."

Mirae's mouth parted. I looked at Archer but he's not even glancing at me.

"The fuck? Why didn't you tell me! Sino-sino ang nakakaalam ng nangyari?"

"Archer and Dasher, including me. Plano naming sabihin sa inyo, kapag nakita na namin si Dellany."

Marahas na bumaling si Mirae kay Creed dahil sa sinagot niya.

I felt my chest heaved. I'll surely die, no questions ask. But I just can't! Hindi ko kayang iwan ang anak ko!

If death is the consequence for all that I did, I'll accept it. But everytime that I'll remember Rye, I just can't. I need to live for my son.