Man at Arms

Chapter Twenty-One: Saving the Captain

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Nonno?

Kamukha niya si Nonno pero hindi siya si Nonno. It was puzzling, especially when Calix bowed his head before him as if the man, Nonno's lookalike, were his king and he was his obedient slave.

The man was lean, proud, and dangerous. I was convinced he wasn't Nonno because he exudes authority and evilness, in contrast to the man I had met in Calix's house, who had soft features and gentle eyes. His dark eyes gleamed as if he held the future of Italy in his hands, and his lips frowned as if about to burn it.

A flash in his finger caught in the moonlight before the back of his hand struck Calix's cheek. Umalingawngaw sa daungan ang lakas at sakit nito pero hindi natinag si Calix. Pumikit lang ang mga mata niya habang bagsak ang mga balikat at ang ulo ay bahagyang nakayukod.

"Traitorous bastard!" The man bellowed and whacked Calix again.

Hindi nagpakita nang kahit na anong pagtutol o pagprotesta si Calix. Tinanggap niya ang bawat hampas sakanya na tila naghahangad pa nang mas masakit.

"Let's go," bulong ni Nazi at hinila ako pabalik sa yate. Nagtagumpay siyang gawin ito dahil tila ako naging stuffed toy na walang pakiramdam at walang lakas para tumanggi. Ang mga mata ko ay nanatili kay Calix hanggang sa may dalawang lalaki na mas malaki pa sakanya ang lumapit sa tabi niya.

One of them kneeled him on the stomach, while the other elbowed his spine. Calix lurched forward, his arm pressed against his stomach.

Hinawi ko ang mga kamay ni Nazi at akmang bababa ng yate pero muli niya akong hinila. Sa pagkakataon na ito ay binuhat niya ako mula sa likod at sapilitang dinala sa loob ng cabin.

"For goodness sake, Circe! He must not see you!" His voice shook, and I felt the tremor of fear in it.

Pinakawalan niya ako nang matago na kami sa loob at naglakad pabalik si Nazi sa harapan ko habang nakasapo ang isang kamay sa noo at ang isa ay nasa bewang niya. This was the first time I'd seen him uncontrolled, unrest, and unglamorous. Bumagsak sa mga mata niya ang mga buhok niyang maayos na nakasuklay at naka-gel kanina, ang mga mata niya ay nanlalaki at mapula sa pangamba.

Nazi was so vulnerable that I wanted to comfort him, but I stood my ground and gritted my teeth.

"We can't just hide, Nazi! We need to do something! Who the fuck was that man?"

Saka lang siya mukhang nagising sa sarili niyang mga isip at humarap sa akin, tila nanlalambot ang mga tuhod niya.

"That man is Lucian De Luca."

The name itself made me shiver. Was he Calix's father? May nakita akong resemblance nila pero hindi gaanong kadepino. Mukhang nabasa ni Nazi ang nasa isipan ko at bumuntonghininga siya.

"No, not their father. He was Nonno's twin brother. Calix's father was their younger brother. He's dead now," he explained, still pacing like a man waiting outside an emergency room while also being hunted by the police.

"Why would that man beat him up? And why would Calix let him hurt him?" The impact of that slap echoed in my ears. I rubbed my hands on my face as if it would disappear when I did so.

Tila tuluyan nang sumuko ang mga tuhod ni Nazi at naupo siya sa settee at dinala ang mukha sa mga palad niya.

"It's because Calix is powerless, Circe. That man is a Don." He too looked powerless, like he had given up any hope in his life.

"And I am certain Calix doesn't fear a Don. He's fearless, he's — "

The way Calix's eyes widened and froze when he saw Lucian, flashed before my eyes. Para siyang nakakita ng demonyo mula sa bangungot niya na hindi niya matatakasan gamit ang lakas at bilis niyang tumakbo. After the trepidation came an understanding that he could not run and escape but could submit. And he did, offering himself in front of the devil with his tail tucked between his legs, eyes downcast, and head bowing in submission.