Echoes Of The Sea

Chapter 3: No One

The hospital's serene ambiance shattered in an instant as panic swept over the room like a dark cloud—freezing everyone in place. 

As the situation sank into their minds, most of them found the courage to run away from the impending danger, seeking refuge wherever they could. The situation unfolded before me while I remained rooted to my spot, holding my breath and unable to move. 

Ngayon parang gusto ko na lang magpasalamat na hindi ko pa naiinom ang kape ko dahil kung hindi ay pakiramdam ko tutumba ako mula sa kinatatayuan 

Inilibot ko ang paningin para humingi ng tulong kahit kanino pero nang mapansin kong halos wala nang tao sa paligid, para akong binuhasan ng malamig na tubig.

Complete silence enveloped the space before it was interrupted by a rhythmic sound. It took me a moment to realize that it was the beating of my own heart. Each thump echoed loudly as if an invisible hand was forcefully pounding against my chest, creating a chaotic rhythm. The sound seemed to amplify, resonating in my ears.

Pakiramdam ko rin ay may mga kamay na humahawak sa paa ko, pumipigil sa akin na makagalaw sa kinatatayuan. Lumukob ang nakakakilabot na pangamba sa puso ko at sa pagdaloy ng bawat segundo, unti-unti nitong nilalamon ang buong sistema ko. Sa isang iglap, ang gutom, pagod, at inis ay napalitan ng emosyong hindi ko na nanaising maramdaan ulit kahit kailan. 

Puta! Huhuntingin ko si kuya pag pinutok niya 'yang baril. Sisiguraduhin kong mapapaginipan niya ko gabi-gabi!

The male nurse I had seen passing by us earlier was the one aiming the gun at my head. His eyes bore into mine, intense and piercing, radiating a mixture of malice and something more sinister. From the way he held himself and the look in his eyes, it was evident that he wouldn't hesitate to cause me harm if I dared to resist...

"Dr. Moretti, tama?" pinagmasdan niya ang mukha ko, tinitignan nang mabuti ang bawat detalye. 

At that moment, I felt an icy finger trace down my spine, sending shivers through every fiber of my being.

I glared at him and ignored his question. When he didn't get a reaction from me, his eyes looked down to my hospital gown, where my surname was embroidered below the hospital's logo. 

Ngumisi siya sa akin, "Ang swerte ko naman at ako ang nakakita sayo. Matutuwa sa'kin si boss nito."

I felt my brows met in confusion to what I heard. I held my tongue from cursing him and focused on my breathing to calm myself down. 

In these situations, panicking wouldn't do anything good for me. I need to be rational.

You're a doctor, Adriana. You've faced more intense situations than this...

Did I?

Argh! I'm not the one who faces death! I'm the one who saves people from them.

But think carefully, do I know this person?

Tinignan ko nang maigi ang mukha ng nurse pero sa tingin ko ay ngayon ko lang siya nakita. May tattoo sa ilalim ng kanang tenga niya kung saan may ahas na nakapalupot sa isang dagger. Tumutulo mula sa dagger ang patak ng mga dugo at mayroon ding nakasulat na numero sa baba. Sinubukan ko itong basahin pero sa sobrang liit nito ay sumuko na lang ako. Sa sandaling iyon, nakumpirma kong ngayon ko pa lang siya nakita. 

Kung ngayon pa lang kami nagkita, bakit niya ko tinututukan ng baril? And who's the boss he's talking about?

After I came up with nothing, I gave up racking my brain for answers. I couldn't think of a reason why someone would hurt me.