Echoes of the Void

Dispatch 13 : The Hunter Becomes the Prey

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March 28, 2024

Malamig ang hangin, pero mas malamig ang takot na nararamdaman ko habang pinipilit kong magpatuloy. Each breath I took felt like fire in my lungs, pero wala akong oras para magpahinga. Astrid was leaning on me for support, her steps faltering, at bawat hakbang naming palayo ay parang bumibilang ng oras bago kami maabutan.

"They're coming..." Astrid whispered, ang takot sa boses niya ay parang malamig na pako sa dibdib ko. Hindi ko alam kung gaano pa kalayo ang mga Echo agents, pero alam kong hindi sila magpapabaya.

"We have to keep moving," sagot ko, pilit na tinatago ang kaba sa likod ng mga salita ko. My eyes darted around, looking for any sort of cover, any path that could lead us away from the trap we found ourselves in. The forest around us was dark, thick with shadows, but it was our only advantage.

Nang makarating kami sa isang maliit na clearing, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind us—silent, precise, calculated. Sinanay ko ang sarili kong maghanda, pero paano mo lalabanan ang isang kalabang hindi mo makita? It was like we were the prey in a game of hunters.

"Dito muna tayo," bulong ko kay Astrid, guiding her behind a large tree. I crouched down beside her, my hand gripping tightly on the handle of the gun I had taken from Nate. Hindi ko nga alam kung handa akong gamitin ito, pero wala na akong ibang pagpipilian.

Astrid's breathing was ragged, and the blood seeping from her wound wasn't slowing down. She leaned her head back against the tree trunk, closing her eyes as if accepting what was coming. "You should go, Kira. I'm slowing you down."

"Shut up," sagot ko, my voice harsher than intended. "We're both getting out of here."

"I'm serious..." Her voice cracked. "There's no way we can outrun them. You have a better chance alone."

Before I could respond, may narinig kaming tunog mula sa likuran. A low rustling, almost inaudible, but unmistakable. Someone was close—too close. My heart pounded, and I held my breath, tightening my grip on the gun. My body tensed, ready to move.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, malapit na malapit na. It was one of the agents, clad in black, his face obscured by a mask. He hadn't seen us yet, but he was moving in our direction.

My fingers shook as I raised the gun. I had never shot anyone before, but now... now wasn't the time to hesitate.

BANG!

The shot rang out, echoing through the night. The agent dropped to the ground, lifeless. I stared at the body, my hands trembling, shocked at what I had just done.

"Kira..." Astrid whispered, but her voice was faint.

We didn't have time to process. No time to feel guilt or regret. The sound of the gunshot had alerted the others. Nakita ko mula sa malayo ang paggalaw ng mga anino, papalapit sa amin. We had to move.

Nang hinila ko si Astrid, we started running again. My mind raced, every second feeling like a countdown to the moment they would catch us. The trees blurred past us as we ran, but the sound of pursuit grew louder.

Sa wakas, we reached what looked like an old, abandoned cabin. It was hidden within the trees, almost invisible in the darkness. Wala kaming choice kung hindi pumasok sa loob.

"Dito muna tayo," I whispered as I guided Astrid inside. The cabin was dark, cobwebs hanging in the corners, and the air was stale, but it was shelter—if only temporary.