Challengers

17 : The Adventure of a Coward

I've always liked silence, but it's bone-chilling when you're inside a haunted house.

Nakasunod ako kay Zion habang hawak ang laylayan ng damit niya sa likuran. The entrance was dimly lit but few steps later, the only source of light was the neon arrows on the floor and the small flashlight he was holding. Kinikilabutan din ako dahil tanging ang paglalakad lang namin ang naririnig ko and every little noise would make me wince. The only good thing was I couldn't see anything in front because Zion was tall. Dahil parang hanggang batok niya lang ako ay hindi ko makikita kung may nakakatakot na lumitaw sa harapan namin, lalo na at nakayuko rin ako.

I realized I was holding my breath for too long when I had to exhale the stress that was building up in my chest . . . and that was my first mistake.

Pagkatapos na pagkatapos kong mag-relax for half a second ay bigla kaming may narinig na batang umiiyak. The hairs on my nape bristled, and the next thing I knew, I was already screaming.

The faces of children suddenly appeared on the walls, and they were reaching for our clothes.

"No!" I screamed while trying to get away from the small arms grabbing my shirt. Sa sobrang takot ko ay umikot ako papuntang harapan ni Zion habang nakahawak pa rin sa damit niya. "Ayoko na!"

Zion held my shoulders and steered me forward. I heard him chuckling while pushing me. "Medyo nasa bungad pa lang tayo. And please, ayaw kong lumabas na punit ang shirt ko."

If I were in my normal state, I would have retaliated, but I was scared out of my wits and all I wanted was a safe space.

Bumitiw ako mula sa mahigpit na pagkakahawak ko sa shirt niya at pumuwesto sa kanan niya. I was trying to calm my nerves, but I flinched when I heard some noise around us again.

I tried looking at his face to make sure he was still beside me, but I couldn't see it clearly in the dark. Tatawagin ko pa lang sana siya nang bigla na lang bumukas ang pinto sa kanan ko. Ni hindi ko alam na may room na pala sa dinadaanan namin pero muli na naman akong napasigaw dahil biglang may sumilip na mukha mula sa awang ng pinto. I was reminded of Roi's story and how he experienced the real thing.

We ran away from that spot, and I wasn't sure who dragged who. Ang lakas na rin ng tibok ng puso ko dahil sa takot. Gusto ko nang lumabas dahil pakiramdam ko ay mahihimatay na ako anytime.

"Okay ka lang ba—wait, are you crying?" he asked.

I didn't even notice that I was sniffling. "I-I'm not!"

Palihim kong pinunasan ang namumuong luha sa mga mata ko at narinig ko naman siyang tumawa nang mahina. He was mocking me, wasn't he?

"Alright, alright. If you say so."

Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses na akong sumigaw at tumakbo pagkatapos no'n. My throat was already hurting from too much shouting and wailing, and we weren't even halfway. Napahinto na lang kami nang nakita namin ang isang arrow na nakaturo papunta sa isang room. Oh god, that was definitely a bad news.

I swallowed down the fear that was creeping through my throat again. Zion carefully opened the door, and it creaked creepily as it revealed a dim room. I followed close behind, making sure I could reach his shirt if something happened.

Pagpasok namin sa loob ay mayroong blackboard at mga lamesa. It looked like a classroom, but there was nobody here except us . . . I think. Pero halos magwala ako sa takot nang may maramdaman akong kamay sa balikat ko.

"Whoa, wait—!"

Zion managed to grab my arm before I could tumble from too much flailing, but I stifled a scream upon seeing the owner of the hand. It was a headless teacher with blood was gushing down from his neck . . . and he was holding his head on his right hand.