I don't care

Chapter 22: It's a trap

CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNING: Contains descriptive information about abuse. Please engage in self-care while reading this chapter, as this could trigger readers with similar experiences.

I've been walking back and forth, trying to call Riri. I know this kind of situation should be addressed to the local authorities and I don't really like the idea of 'backer system' but this feels like personal to me. Gusto ko rin masigurado na we are getting the best for this. 

While trying to contact Riri, I kept stealing glances from Faith who is now being consoled by Becca. Si Kang naman ay nagluluto na ng kakainin namin. 

Faith told me everything kanina. The only thing I know on why she trusted me on this was because the perpetrator proudly told her that I was once in her situation. Putangina talaga ng babaeng iyon. 

"Fuck..." I cursed. Mukhang busy nga talaga ngayon si Riri. 

I walked towards them and faced Faith with a frustrated look on my face. 

"I'm sorry. I can't seem to contact Marie." I said. 

Her brows furrowed as she looked up to me, "Sino si Marie?" tanong niya.

Fuck. Dahil sa panic ko, hindi ko na nga nasabi sa kanya na balak kong humingi ng tulong. I didn't even asked her opinion on this! 

Iniwas ko na lang ang mukha ko nang hindi kami magkatinginan ni Rebecca. I did not told her anything about what Faith and I talked about. I just know what will happen if I told them Faith's story....and I don't really want to go back to those moments of my life. I don't even know why I am here helping Faith when I promised to myself that I won't be dealing with this kind of things that will only make me remember my karma. 

I gulped then faced Rebecca with a serious look on my face, "Rebecca, can you leave us for a minute?"

She looked shock with my request. In fear of her misinterpreting everything, I added a soft "Please..."

Tumango naman siya after contemplating, then left the room with a worried look on her face. I just wish she won't figure this shit out. But I doubt that, that girl is so smart. 

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Faith.

"Marie is a friend and she's....a cop." I hesitated. 

Faith's reaction was surprising and too much for me. When I mentioned Riri's job, she immediately stood up at lumayo sa akin. Napatayo na rin ako when she started crying and holding her head. I got worried when she pulled her hair, like she's in deep pain. 

"F-Faith, are you okay? Just calm down." I said at pilit siyang nilalapitan pero panay ang layo niya sa akin. 

"N-No! Erin, you don't understand! C-Cops...No--please! No cops!" Sigaw niya sa akin. 

After her behavior and my attempt to calm her shit down before the two  people outside would notice, she started caressing her belly. Then shit started making sense to me, was she perhaps threatened? 

Knowing how serious the situation is, more than what I thought, I stopped moving then palmed my face. Tangina mo naman, Erin. Look what you done. 

I harshly released my face from my hands and approached Faith who looked disturbed. She seemed to receive more than what I had back then. Tumabi ako sa kanya. Now, we're both sitting at the floor, leaning on the wall.