His Secret Desires

Chapter 2

"Carson, pinapatawag ka ni Boss Lando."

Walang ganang tumango si Axel sa kasamahan niyang si Jairo at umalis sa pagkakahiga sa duyan.

He made his way towards the large canvas tent that served as the camp's headquarters to see the camp's leader known as Boss Lando.

"Boss, pinapatawag niyo raw ako?" Tanong niya rito nang makita itong nakaupo sa sa maliit nitong opisina. Lando was a burly man in his 50s, his body marked with numerous scars, and a leather eyepatch covering his left eye.

"Carson, come here."

Axel brushed aside the gun strapped to his body and stood at attention before the boss. He placed his hands behind his back and stood straight with a calm expression.

"Isa ka sa mga sasama sa misyon bukas." Panimula ng boss niya, "Tatagpuin niyo ang grupo ni Gerald tapos grupo niyo na ang dadala sa mga taong dala nila dito sa kampo. It's an easy job and it pays well, too. Our role is simply to bring them here until the employer comes to collect them. Pero mag-iingat lang kayo dahil mga membro ng Philippine mining and exploration association ang mga 'yon, baka may rescue na dumating."

"Copy, Boss." Sagot niya.

"Good. Alas sais bukas ang alis niyo. Makakalabas ka na."

Axel nodded in acknowledgment and wordlessly bade farewell to the camp leader.

He turned around and walked out of the tent, he was met again by the cool night air. The camp was illuminated only by the dim glow of crackling campfires, casting flickering shadows around the area. His fellow camp members were engaged in various tasks and activities, their silhouettes moving about in the semi-darkness.

Some were meticulously cleaning and disassembling their guns, ensuring they were in top shape.

Others were refilling their bullets, making sure they had enough ammunition for any potential confrontations.

There were also those who were sharpening their knives, carefully running it against a whetstone to maintain their sharp edges.

Pero sa pinakadulong bahagi ng kampo, may malaking apoy doon na kung saan nila tinatapon ang mga katawan ng taong kanilang pinatay.

Para sa trabaho.

Basta't pera ang pinag-uusapan, walang-wala na sa kanila ang pumatay ng tao. Working in that field exposed him to the darker side of human nature.

He encountered clients who were high-ranking officials with a twisted sense of humor, as well as individuals who were willing to pay for extreme and painful forms of torture.

Kahit 'yong iba mga wala ng kakwenta-kwenta ang mga pinapagawa sa kanila. Out of rage, jealousy, pettiness, and hatred.

But as long as they were paid, they didn't care about it all.

They have no morals nor ethics.

They were raised that way.

At the age of 24, Axel had become a product of his environment, his upbringing shaped by the battlefield world he grew up in.

He was devoid of empathy and compassion, as the lack of care and concern from others had instilled a sense of cold indifference within him.

Natuto siyang gumamit ng mga baril at iba't-ibang armas gaya ng mga patalim.

Kahit pati sa pakikipaglaban ay magaling siya.

Ginawa niya talaga ang lahat para hindi maging mahina.

He was, like the others, just flesh devoid of emotions and driven solely by the need to earn money to stay alive.

Axel returned to his hammock and laid down, placing one hand under his head. He gripped his gun tightly, his eyes scanning the surroundings.