How the Mighty Fall (The Sinner #1)

SIN 13

Viel

"Mama," I rubbed my sleepy eyes while carrying my favorite toy, with my blankie hugging me. "Viel thirsty. Viel milk."

Bang!

Oh wow! There's fireworks. But it's not new years yet! Mama said I can't light up fireworks unless it's new year's eve. She lied to me.

I pouted.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Owie!" I screeched when I fell on the floor. Viel clumsy. Mama laugh if she see me. So I'm going to try to stand up because I good baby girl.

B-but I can't stand up. I try to push myself up the floor because I'm strong Viel with super muscles!

Can't! Can't stand! Me stuck!

"Mama!" I attempted to scream but forcing it out was a struggle. I can't call her! "Viel stuck. Scared."

I felt something firm on both sides of my waist and a presence hovering over me but I can't make out what it is.

It's dark and I'm immobilized.

"Viel!" a hand shaked my shoulder. "Poet, wake up. You're dreaming."

Humikbi ako. Wala pa rin akong makita.

"Come back to me, Poet," the voice commanded. "Eyes open, now!"

"Kairos! She doesn't need harsh right now."

Nanginginig ang aking katawan. I feel restrained and overpowered by someone. No.

"I'm not going to fucking coddle her. What matters is she obeys." My body was shaken again. "Viel, open your eyes. You're having a nightmare."

My eyes shot open and I can't catch my breath. I stared wide eyed up at Kairos's silhouette above me. Natatamaan ng kaunting liwanag ng buwan ang gilid ng kanyang mukha.

I pushed him off me because I feel crowded. Alam kong sa lakas niya, it's impossible to move him away. Ngunit mukhang pinagbibigyan niya ako.

I sat up.

Mariin akong tinitigan ni Kairos. At mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang baril sa kanyang kamay. Na parang sasabak siya sa labanan. Sa aming pintuan ay naroroon si Vashka at Atlas. The tension in their body and faces were the same as Kairos. As if something unwanted was here and all they wanna do is destroy it.

Nahihilo ako. At sa sobrang panghihina ko'y pakiramdam ko mapapahiga akong muli. At kahit ang malambot na kama naman ang babagsakan ko ay sinalo pa rin ako ng mga bisig ni Kairos.

Hinilig ko ng aking ulo sa kanyang dibdib. Pinagsalikop ko ang aking mga kamay sa likod ng kanyang leeg.

His brow pinched. At mukhang wala na siyang ibang gustong gawin kundi ang ibalik ako nang maayos sa kama, but I did not want to let go of him.

Nangatog ang aking binti dahil pilit ko siyang inaabot ngunit matangkad siya kaya kailangang tumingkayad para hindi ko siya mabitawan.

Bumulong siya ng mura sa sarili. GInamit niya ang bakanteng bisig at inilagay ito sa ilalim ng aking tuhod bago ako buhatin.

Mas komportable kong inayos ang pagkakapulupot ng braso sa kanyang leeg. I lay my head on the crook of his neck.

"Outside..." I whispered. "I need air."