CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
KAHIT kulang kaming lahat sa tulog, maaga pa rin kaming bumangon at naghanda. First day of this new year. Another year of bewilderment and anxiousness.
We ate breakfast in silence. Kung gaano kami kaingay kagabi, siya namang ikinatahimik namin ngayon. Siguro dahil inaantok pa kami o dahil simula na ng kalbaryo namin.
"Meet me at the main hall A.S.A.P."
We all turned out heads to the intercom when Mr. Wilson's voice spoke through it. Wala na rin naman akong ganang kumain kaya nauna na akong tumayo at lumabas ng dining hall. Agad naman silang sumunod sa akin at hindi na rin inubos ang mga hot chocolate nila.
The wind is cold; freezing. But I still decided to wear the dress Tito Sam gave me last night with my black combat boots. The others seems comfortable with their fits and I'm dying of hypothermia.
"Good morning," I greeted Mr. Wilson who's sitting comfortably on the sofa.
"Please take a seat," he gestured for us. Tumayo siya at hinarap kami. Dahil hindi kami magkasya sa upuan, tumayo na lang kaming dalawa ni Shin.
"What is it? Are you bidding us your farewell already?" Ayan na naman ang matalim na dila ni Felicity. We all turned towards the entrance when Ms. Leslie opened it. She's abruptly wiping her tears.
"Yes ,we are," she answered. She stood beside Mr. Wilson and smiled in a forced way.
"After six months of training, this is it. Panonoorin ko ang liga at titignan kung may napulot ba kayo mula sa amin. I want to see you applying all the lessons we had, and all the techniques we taught. I want to see you get out of there alive. But that is not the main goal. Your goal is not only to survive but to bring home victory. You need to slaughter everyone who will block your way and get their points." Mr. Wilson wants us to win. That's what important to him.
"It doesn't matter if you win or lose. Just please, get out of there alive," Ms. Leslie said, voice cracking with the effort to suppress her tears. She don't care about winning. They have different goals.
"Unity. Always remember that. Meron mang mas malakas sa inyo sa liga, merong mas matalino, mas magaling, mas mahusay. But one thing they don't have is your unity. I want to see you helping each other to live; to survive. And together, you will have the sweet triumph in the end of the game. Nakita ko kung paano kayo nag-improve at kung gaano kayo kalalakas. At alam ko, tiwalang-tiwala ako, na kayo ang magbibigay ng unang panalo sa distritong ito." I almost teared up by Mr. Wilson's speech. I want that. I want to win. I want to survive. I want us to get out of that hell so we can do something to abolish that stupid game forever.
"Kingston, you take care of them. Make sure no one's left behind. Onyx, Magnificent, keep your keen abilities on work and don't let any enemies to reach you. Shin, be serious. Please don't think twice to attack. Giofrey and Felicity, you two are strong enough to survive on your own. Just the two of you would be unstoppable. Gusto kong makitang lalabas kayong lahat doon nang buhay. Can you promise me that?" Ms. Leslie asked. We all nodded at her silently.
"Come on, give us a squeeze." She opened her arms and we all went to them and gave them a hug. Mafi's crying too so I patted her back sympathetically. Mamimiss ko ang training. Mamimiss ko 'yong pagsigaw ni Mr. Wilson tapos 'yong mga joke time namin sa discussion. Mamimiss ko 'yong five-lapse jog sa oval. Mamimiss ko 'yong mga duwelo at sparring. I would miss this dorm, my room at the second floor, the balcony, even the vegetables at the dining hall. I can't believe it's been six months since we moved here.
