✓ | REBIRTH OF THE REBEL [Book One]

CHAPTER 21

[ CHAPTER 21 ]

LATISHA VALENTINE

My feet began to walk towards Celot, and the tension I felt loosened making me look like a machine who now has no emotions. I could hear his triumph laugh as I took more steps, and when I finally arrived in front of Annika, I looked at the grinning face of my father's messenger. I took the dagger from his hand in an instant and hit his neck with a glitch.

Gulat ang rumihistro sa mukha ni Celot at napahawak siya sa kanyang leeg na ngayon ay dumudugo. His blood made my entire mind shout with pleasure and I didn't just stop there. I pulled the dagger out and his blood spurted like a fountain, then kicked him away as I embraced my scared daughter.

The dagger is not long but it is sharp, and I hit the vital part of his throat. He will eventually die from that attack. Napangisi ako habang pinagmamasdan ang pagsuka niya ng dugo at gulat na gulat pa rin siyang nakatingin sa akin.

"Trai...tor..." he uttered before his body collapsed on the pile of leaves and never breathed again. Hindi ko nilulubayan ng tingin ang katawan niya at nanatili pa rin akong nakangisi na parang baliw. I can feel my heart throbbing hard and I can also sense Annika's fear while gripping my dress.

Napaluhod ako para tingnan ang kabuuan niya. I looked at her little wound and my eyes almost dimmed through the darkness because of my brewing anguish, but I tried to take control. Inayos ko na lamang ang nasira niyang buhok dahil marahas na paghila ni Celot sa kanya kanina.

"It looks like we missed your performance, Annika," I said to her while ripping a portion of my dress and using it to cover her wound. "Don't worry, I will tell Lady Graciela the reason why we didn't attend."

"Mummy..." nanginginig niyang sabi.

Ngumiti lamang ako sa kanya. "Now, listen. I want you to run away, run as fast as you can and find Erwan or Sir Hasan, or even Hana."

"Mum—" she cut her words when it turned into a sob. Niyakap ko na lamang ito habang pinipigilan ang aking sarili na patayin siya. I can't, I can't control my hand but with the remaining reasoning I have, I need to instruct her to run.

"Listen to me, please. Lumayo ka muna kay Mommy, kasi hindi kontrolado ni Mommy ang kamay niya, anak. Seek help, my little child. Save yourself from me," I whispered at her before I pushed her harshly. Tumingin ako sa kanya ng walang bahid na emosyon. "Go now, Annika Marbella!"

She got startled as she looked me. Inulit ko ang sinabi ko at sa bawat bigkas ko ng pangalan niya ng paulit-ulit ay lumalakas at bumibigat ito. Nagsimula siyang humakbang paatras hanggang sa tumakbo na siya paalis. Doon lang ako bumagsak ng tuluyan at napapikit ng marahan.

I managed to control myself when I heard her voice but it won't be long until my own fear will overthrow me. At hindi talaga ako nagkakamali, the moment my eyes opened again, all I could think of was blood. I roamed my eyes around seeking blood and I spotted the dead goons. I wanted to see fresh blood and not from those who were dead. It would be better to see it flowing from their skin like an uncontrollable water dripping away from the faucet.

I diverted my gaze at my hands and that recurring thought entered my mind. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang bugso ng pagnanasa na saktan ang sarili ko. I'm still holding the dagger with my one hand and Celot's blood is on it. Ilang beses pumasok sa utak ko na kontrolin ito kaya napapapikit ako ng mata upang kumalma, subalit mahirap.

I need to kill to replenish my hunger. I stood up and walked away from the scene. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako papunta pero ramdam kong may gustong puntahan ang mga paa ko. The sun is oozing hot today and it's bright light peeking through the tall trees. I still aim for an unfamiliar path like a soulless body walking towards the unknown.