Bjorn Wryner Vlasmo
We have been walking for the past 10 minutes. I see no end to this; I don’t even know where are we supposed to go.
It’s like a maze – all trees look the same without any source of light. We can’t use flashlights too; we might get the attention we are trying hard to avoid.
“Alam mo ba talaga kung saan tayo pupunta?” Potreras frustratingly asked as we keep on moving.
“It’s been 10 minutes Bjorn; I don’t want to fucking say it, but shit!” he continued in between deep sighs; his voice is cracking.
“I’m afraid,” he paused and let a deep breath, stopping our walk.
“I’m afraid, it’ll be too late-” he cracked up as I interfere in his mid-sentence to stop him from the destructive judgements – it can be worse.
I totally get Blake’s emotions; I can’t blame him. Of course, I have thought of that too, there’s a lot of possibilities that could happen in 10 minutes. I don’t think I’ll be able to forgive myself if anything happens to Cleo, but I shouldn’t be all negative too – it will just slow us down.
“Stop being such a pussy,” I responded, keeping my cool. He immediately raised his look on me with his irritable expression.
It will be much worse if we feed each other’s fears.
“Cinense won’t die easily,” I assured him and continue my walk.
He laughed uncontrollably as if I’ve said the funniest line in the world.
He pulled himself together and chuckled “yeah,” he agreed.
“Sinabihan niya pa ako na kapag nauna akong mamatay, she would do everything to bring me back to life and she will kill me herself,” he said as he laughed out of his memories.
“Ang corny nga nung sinabi niya yun eh,” he continued. “I disowned her right away,” he added in between his chuckle. “But right now, hindi ko mapigilang—“
“Just shut the fuck up Blake,” I cussed.
I certainly find him annoying right now.
“She’s not dying man, and I won’t let her, so please— cut the shit,” I looked back at him with pure madness and I saw his reddish, wet eyes — what the fuck?
Yuck.
I’ve never seen him cry and I don’t want to see him cry. It’s disgustingly annoying.
I looked-up the long-ass trees, looking for signs. Me and my folks— Coach Farlio left a sign before we leave the forest 7 years ago. It serves as a symbol of our honor, patriotism, duty, hardships, and memories.
It’s a rope filled with our dried bloods— a mark. We placed it on the top of the tree to commerce and declare our liberty despite our pasts.
After a minute of walking, we saw lights coming from afar. Blake and I looked at each other as we slowly advance together — two trees apart from each other.
The flashlight’s getting closer and closer as we slowly get to hear their conversation.
Blake’s about to ambush the four men; two’s holding a flashlight and all four of them are holding their rifles – where the fuck did they get that? Are they planning to start a bloodshed or something?
I signaled him to stop and he immediately paused-back – looking at me with all disagreement.
I sent another signal pertaining to stay down and wait – we need to hear their discussion first.
