The Cold Case

Chapter 11

They aren't alone. There's someone else with them in this dream– another young man. Hindi maaninag ni Sage ang mukha nito, ang nakikita lang nito ay ang kulay ash brown nitong buhok na nasisinagan ng liwanag. Nakaupo ito sa isang couch at may ibunubulong kay Mackenzie na nasa tabi niya. Magkahawak ang kamay nila habang tumatawa at dapat may gawin si Sage para matigil ito ngunit nakatayo lang ito at pinapanood sila.

Nabigla si Sage nang hawakan siya ng hindi kilalang lalaki, ang parehong lalaking kausap ni Mackenzie kanina. Pagtingin niya rito ay napansin niyang nag-iba na rin ang paligid. Nasa isang banyo na sila na ang laman lang ay isang malaking bath tub at nakaupo sila sa loob nito.

"It's time" sambit ng lalaki at tumango kay Sage. Tumayo ito at ngumiti sa kanya. "Count of three?"

A large blocks of ice appeared in the bath tub all of a sudden. The cold penetrated Sage's bone despite the fact that he's wearing layers. So is the other man. Napatingin si Sage kay Mackenzie na nakaupo sa tapat siya at mahigpit ang hawak sa kamay lalaki. Nanlalaki ang mata nito at nanginginig sa lamig dahil sa suot nitong manipis na t-shirt at shorts.

"Remember, I love you, baby." the man says, his voice is soothing, gentle, and sweet. Tumingin lang si Mackenzie dito.

The water in the bathtub suddenly rose, leading it to fill up. The unknown man holds Sage's and Mackenzie's head and submerge them in the water. They are trying to escape the man's grip, but he is stronger than them.

Sage was released by the man. His heart is beating so rapidly that he is already gasping for air. His vision is already becoming blurry, and he feels he might pass out. He can see the water everywhere. It's colder than Sage could have thought, it starts to sting his skin, and he feels excruciating pain throughout his body. His tears ran down his face. He can't take it any longer. He can't do this.

Nakita ni Sage na nakalubog pa rin ang ulo ni Mackenzie sa tubig at patuloy ang pagpigil ng lalaki sa pag-ahon nito. Gusto man niyang pigilan ang lalaki ngunit hindi niya magawang igalaw ang katawan niya. patuloy ang pagpupumiglas ni Sage hanggang marinig niyang muling nagsalita ang lalaki.

"Now... we'll make a choice." the man says and a slow, frightening smile draws at his lips.

***

Sage wakes and notices Mackenzie staring down at him.

"Izzie!" he shouted and immediately hugged her tight.

"O-okay ka lang? Gigisingin na sana kita, mukhang binabangungot ka kasi" sambit ni Mackenzie habang yakap-yakap pa rin ni Sage.

"u-uh o-okay lang" sambit ni Sage at bumitaw na sa pagkakayap niya kay Mackenzie.

There's beeping coming from a machine and the smell of antiseptic. Sage is feeling uncomfortable and weak, and his head is throbbing.

Umupo si Mackenzie couch malapit sa kama ni Sage habang si Megan naman ay nanatili lang na nakatayo sa gilid ng kama nito. Pareho itong hindi naka uniporme ngayon kaya't masasabi ni Sage na day off nila ngayon.

Sage stares at them for a while. His whole body aches.

"Okay lang ako" he says, watching Mackenzie's face light up with relief. "Okay lang ako, masakit lang ang katawan ko."

"Naalala mo ba yung nagyari sayo?" Tanong ni Megan

Umupo si Sage ng dahan-dahan at hinatak ang kumot papunta sa kanya dahil nagsisimula na siyang makaramdam ng lamig.

"Of course I do," he says, scowling. "I nearly got fried, didn't I? Nasaan si Yohan?"

Mackenzie and Megan exchange weary glances. Tinignan siya ulit ni Meagn at bumugtong hininga.