How the Mighty Fall (The Sinner #1)

SIN 16

Viel

"Gusto ko kay mama!" hinahampas ng batang babae si Gideon nang ipasok niya rito sa mansion.

I pushed myself off the sofa and followed after them. They're going in the direction of Kairos's wing. Dinig ko rin ang mga yabag ni Atlas sa aking likuran.

Pumasok sila sa dating kwarto kung saan ako kinukulong ni Kairos. Bago pa maisarado ni Gideon ay pinigilan ko ito ng aking paa. I don't know where all my strength came from but I don't trust the kid with him. I kicked the door open with a force I never used before.

Tahimik kong ininda ang sakit na dulot ng pagsipa ko. Mas mahalaga ang bata.

"What happened?" Agad akong tumabi sa bata sa kama. They can't confine her in here. If I almost went insane staying in this room, how much more if it's a kid?

"Balik ako mama ko!" nakakarinding tili ng bata dahil sa tinis ng kanyang boses.

Naninikip ang aking lalamunan. Halos hindi na ako makalunok habang naririnig siya.

Gideon only snobbed my question. Pagkalapag na pagkalapag ng bata rito sa kama, he and Atlas exchanged looks. In a blink, he's already out.

The girl regarded us with clear distrust. Magulo na ang kanyang buhok. Ang iba'y dumikit na sa kanyang mukha dahil sa mga luha.

Dumaan ang kirot sa aking dibdib.

"Mama!" I tried to stand up one more time but it's too heavy.

There's something hot on my neck. Hot is the word. Mama taught me this adjective.

"Patay na?" a deep voice muttered. He sounds like a bad guy. The villain from the movies. "Anong gagawin ko rito sa bata? Didispatyahin na?"

"A-are you bad man?" I said in a small voice as my vision blurred and I can see unclear water in front of my eyes. Did it come from me?

The bad man above me who is holding a gun gave me a scary smile. I hugged my stuffie tight. Mama said it will protect me from evil.

"I'm not a bad man," he said. "Because I'll make you feel good."

Feel... good?

I frowned. Will he give me chocolates? Brush my hair and give me cuddles? Because that's how mama makes me feel good.

Strong arms shook me by the shoulder. The grip was so tight, my bones hurt.

"Vivendel!" A male voice and high pitched cries were simultaneously making noises. My mind was fogged for a moment.

Atlas.

"May sakit ka ba?" hinawakan niya ang aking noo at leeg. "Kairos willl be fucking mad at me."

Umiling ako.

"Ayos lang ako."

"No shit. You were fucking white as snow."

I stared at the child who kept crying for her mother. Where were those visions coming from? Am I projecting what this child feels in my own head?

I don't have a mom. The memories were showing me a child who is close to her mother. I don't have that. I never met her.

I softened my face and slowly touched the little girl. Nagpupumiglas siya. But I talked to her soothingly. She looks like she's three years old. Kids this age needs assurance.