Venom of the New Era (Season 3)

CHAPTER 18

Chapter 18
From the Ashes

"V-Vira!" Dire-diretso akong pumasok sa gusali na walang inaalalang iba pa. Nakahabol man sila, masyadong okyupado ang utak ko para isipin pa 'yon. Pakiramdam ko bawat pulso ko ay tumitibok nang marahas kaya't nag-iinit ng ganito ang katawan ko.

Is he really...? That? Panic made me hysterical.

I should not just believe that man who exchaged information for silvers. We should investigate thoroughly! But... why am I pressured by a mere address? With jus couple of words — it made me run kilometers. Vira, you know when you feel it. And I am... bothered. May natatamaan akong hinala.

A hundred of stores in this forsaken place. Why did that exact location was heard from his mouth? It cannot just slip without reason!

Lumalangitngit ang lapag bawat yabag ko. Nakapako lang ang titig ko doon hanggang makarinig ng ingay. May papalabas sa opisina, palapit saakin.

When did we met him for the first time again? Right... when my clan vanished. Suddenly, Kuya was busy doing things with someone. For years I only heard stories about him from my brother. Whenever he is the topic, Kuya's irises would shine as if saw someone phenomenonal. Being a blacksmith was also his dream.

Handymanie works alone. He said he only choose his customer wisely. He offered to send my brother to Peta. He said he's a big fan of the Fierdons. He favors us despite being an outcast of this society. And he never whistle that a Fierdon is still alive. He is one of those few people my brother trusted. And everything suppose to have an exchange. What was the consequence of his help all this time?

A devil laugh in my mind from the hints I never... I fucking never notice. Why did he trusted him? Kuya never told me.

And now, after months. I am eyeing him straight and vivid — but this time. Blankly. 2 years... what was 2 years for you?

"You found Pandora..."

Kumuha ng ilang hakbang si Radzyn patungo sa likod ko. Pumatong ang dalawa niyang kamay sa balikat ko na tila pinipresenta. "Doctor, am I now worthy of your sight?"

Language that I cannot puzzle. Their eyes as if communicating without my knowledge. And all of this fucked up situation. Is... is too fast.

DR. How about the handkerchief. Why did the very first lead point us in here?

"Vira!" Lumitaw ang tinig nila Neddie sa likod, hindi parin ako gumagalaw sa kinatatayuan. Wala ako sa katinuan para pumansin ng iba.

"What is the truth?" Walang paligoy ligoy na lumabas sa bibig ko. Umabante ako para magkapatapat ang mukha namin. Inalis ni Radzyn ang kapit saakin at pinabayaan kaming dalawa.

Totoo ba? 'Yon ang binubuga ng tingin ko kay Handymanie. Out of all people, he's the only remaining person who knows my purpose for staying alive this far. 10 months... you let me out for 10 months to be found in this place again?

My heartbeat are rolling like drums.

And he knows why I am damned mad.

"Hello, Vira. Have you been well—" Tinapat ko ang punyal sa leeg niya. Nandidilim ang paningin ko sa kutob.

"Hey!" Tumakbo sila Wendell para pumagitna. "He is our lead! And trust me, bebs. You don't want to commit the same mistake—"

"Get off..." Binuhay ko ang venom, lumunok siya nang tensyonado.

"Fierdon ka, kalmahan mo..." Nilingon niya ang nasa likod, wala man lang bahid ng takot sa mata ng matanda. Sigurado akong narinig na niya ang tungkol sa abilidad ko kaya hindi na siya ganoon nanibago.