Bring It On, Detective

QO

10 years ago

2012

"HELP ME, PLEASE," nanghihinang saad ng isang batang babae na nasa gilid ng daan. The chilly wind that the night blew made her shiver. Nagsitayuan ang kanyang mga balahibo at napayakap siya sa kanyang musmos na katawan.

Her cheeks were stained with tears, and she was only wearing a white lab gown that reached below her knees, and its back portion was stained red. The. . . family who promised to keep her safe and give her shelter did this to her. . . along with other kids.

Pero siya lang ang nakatakas. She was the only one who got out of their post hypnotic suggestions and triggers by doing reverse self-hypnosis. The other kids won't listen to her. Talagang kontrolado na ito ng tinuturing nilang pamilya.

I'll come back soon to save you all. . .

She sat on the ground and hugged her knees to her chest. Naisubsob niya ang kanyang mukha roon at umiyak. Umaalog ang kanyang balikat, and she could feel the weight of what happened sitting at the top of her heart. It was pinning her down, bringing her heart down to her stomach.

God. Five years in the orphanage and eight years in the place she called home. . . Eight years of suffering. Eight years of going through trials and tests.

The family is an illegal organization built to create a human weapon out of hypnosis. At a young age, they were controlled to steal at banks and make the family's enemies kill themselves.

Ayaw niya nang maulit iyon.

She doesn't want to be controlled and do things against her own will.

"H-Hey, kid."

She looked up when someone touched her shoulder. The face of a man with black eyes, a pointed nose, and almond-shaped eyes greeted her. May katandaan na ito, and his features contorted in concern. Salubong ang kilay nito at bahagyang nakaawang ang mga labi na para bang gulat na gulat ito sa nasaksihan.

The man let out a gasp. And her tears poured again. Will this man be good to her? She hopes so.

She's so tired. . .

"H-Help." Her lips were trembling, and her stomach was growling. Nanginginig din ang kanyang katawan dahil sa lamig at gutom.

She just wants to end this suffering already. Ayaw niya na. She wants to live a good life.

"Oh, my god. What happened to you? Dadalhin kita sa hospital. I'll carry you, okay?" his voice was laced with gentleness and concern, soothing her senses. At dahil sa pagod, wala na siyang magawa kundi ang tumango.

"HEY. YOU'RE AWAKE." The man who helped her was the first person she saw the moment she opened her eyes.

Sinalubong siya ng puting liwanag, pero muli niyang ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata nang makaramdam ng pananakit doon.

Nakakasilaw.

She blinked her eyes, slowly adjusting to the lights. And when she did, dahan-dahan siyang napatingin sa lalaki na nasa tabi niya. Salubong ang mga kilay nito, and concern was written all over his face.

"How do you feel?" he asked in a gentle voice, and hearing his voice feels like. . . coming back home. Real home.

May kung anong naantig sa puso niya. She tried to speak, but her throat was too dry. Tanging hangin lang ang lumalabas sa bibig niya.

The man seemed to notice it dahil mabilis siya nitong tinalikuran at no'ng bumalik ito, may bitbit na itong bottled water. He opened it and helped her sit before giving her the water.