DARK GANG

Chapter 135: Dr. Martinez

[DR. MARTINEZ]

LUNA'S P. O. V

We were all standing outside the room where Denver was being treated. It was located at the back of a massive house. Suddenly, the image of the children we had seen earlier flashed through my mind though they didn't see us entering.

"W-where are we, and why are there kids here if this is supposed to be one of Panotchi's safe houses?" Rance asked, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

"This is an orphanage, and those kids you ran into earlier are around your age. Some are younger, while others might be close in age to you," Pareng Hades answered, his voice calm but tinged with seriousness.

"Magaling ba 'yung dalawang doktor na 'yon. Pati na rin 'yung isang nurse?" Zai's hands were still trembling as he asked, Vincent standing close by, gently patting his back, offering quiet reassurance.

I glanced over at Stella, who was trying to calm Eunice down. I signaled for her to approach Zai. She gave me a nod, guiding Eunice toward Wolf.

"Look after her for now," Stella instructed Wolf, whose eyes widened in surprise at the responsibility suddenly handed to him. Stella patted his arm before moving toward Zai and taking his hand gently.

"Breathe with me, Zai. Inhale... exhale," she spoke soothingly, helping Zai find some sense of calm amidst the chaos.

Pareng Hades let out a heavy sigh. "Yes, they're Panotchi's trusted doctors and nurse. Dr. Fernandez, Dr. Cervantes, and Nurse Gelliane. They're highly qualified, so trust them."

"What are they doing here?" Leo asked, staring at the door to the room where Denver was being treated.

"This is where Panotchi brings his injured men," Pareng Hades answered.

"H-huh? Bakit dito?" Rance asked, confusion crossing his face. We fell silent as we looked at him.

"Because it's an orphanage. No one would suspect anything," si River ang sumagot.

"They know? 'Yung mga madre?" Tanong ko. Imposible namang alam nila pero paano naitatago ni Pano-

Hades avoided my gaze for a moment. "Yes, the sisters know, but the children don't. They're forbidden from coming near this area. That's why it's safe for you to talk about your missions or anything else here. If not here, you can use the living room, but make sure it's after ten o'clock or later, when everyone is either asleep."

NASA hapag kami at nakaupo sa upuan habang ang mga babae kanina ay nasa likod namin. Lumingon ako sa kanila.

"Kain din kayo." I offered. The eight of them exchanged glances before smiling and shaking their heads in unison.

Ang galing?

"Kumain na sila, anak kaya huwag niyo na silang intindihin."

Napalingon ako kay Sister Pia, the eldest nun who had lived here the longest. She sat at the far end of the table, Sister Dianne standing beside her.

"Sila nga pala 'yung mga natirang bata rito sa amin." Sister Dianne said, gesturing toward the group of girls behind us. We all turned to look at them.

"Si Ricah."

A young woman raised her hand and smiled at us. She had shoulder-length black hair with bangs. Morena siya, her eyes dark and slightly round, and her eyebrows were thick and arched, giving her a sharp, almost fierce look. 

Gandang babae parang ako lang.

"Hello po sa inyo. Ang gaganda at popogi niyo." Ricah greeted warmly, her gaze scanning each of us. My brow furrowed slightly as I noticed her smile linger when her eyes landed beside me. "Especially you, kuya. Ang gwapo mo po."