Saavedra Series #1: Until I Found You (Book I)

Kabanata 21

Disaster

"MAL!" I SHOUTED as I jolted towards them. The group of men was caught off guard and widened their eyes in shock just as I swung my bag hard into the face of the nearest guy to Mal. His head snapped back, and he quickly stumbled, eyes wide in shock.

The rest of them froze momentarily, caught off guard, and I thought they might scatter. But one of them, with his face dark with rage and realization, snapped out of it. He immediately lunged forward with fists clenched, aiming a punch straight for my face. Ngunit nang akmang gagawin niya iyon ay yumuko agad ako at sinapak siya sa tiyan.

"Ugh!"

Before he could recover, I grabbed my bag from the ground and swung it at his legs. He fell with a grunt, hands on the back. Ang isa ay agarang hinila ang aking buhok at itatama na sana ang kamao sa mukha ko nang pigilan ko iyon gamit ang isa kong kamay at saka siniko siya sa tiyan gamit ang aking kanan. I followed it up with a swift sidekick to the side of his neck and finally knocked him down.

Another guy lunged at me, grabbing my arm, but I twirled and slammed my elbow into his chin, making him let go. No time to think—another came at me fast. I sidestepped his swing, grabbed his wrist, and twisted it behind him. He howled in pain, but before he could react, I brought my knee up into his stomach, sending him staggering backward.

I spun around to face another attacker that is now running towards me. I realized it was the guy who grabbed my arms. May natamo akong isang sapak mula sa kanya gawa sa pagkakabigla, kaya sinapak ko rin siya kaagad. Bago pa siya makabawi, sinunod ko ang kanyang baba.

I grapped his head next, sweeps his legs out under him, and hit his face to the ground. Pinatihaya ko siya at sumampa sa kanya at saka pinagsasapak ulit ang kanyang duguang mukha.

My head is now getting heavy, eyes turning dark. Wala na akong makitaang kung ano kundi ang galit at ang nasa isip ko lamang ngayon.

"Nasaan si Rando?" Kinuwelyuhan ko siya nang mapansin kong hindi na siya masyadong makagalaw.

"H-Hindi ko alam ang pinagsasabi mo—"

"Nasaan si Rando?!"

"H-Hindi ko a-alam—h-hindi ko sila kilala..." nahihirapan niyang saad. Mas lalo akong nagpursigi.

"Did you know about the video?!" I growled. Unti-unti siyang umiling. I groaned in frustration and punched him again. Five times, left and right.

Halatang hindi na alam ng ilan kung ano ang gagawin, kaya sa wakas, nagawa na rin nila ang matagal ko nang hinihintay—ang tumakbo at iwan kami rito. I took a sharp, deep breath and slammed this guy again to the ground with force. He groaned in pain, but I didn't care. I had more important things to focus on.

I immediately ran to Mal, who was coughing and slowly coming to.

"Mal!" I called, kneeling beside him.

He looked terrible. I was sure he'd been in a bad fight before making it home, especially since I saw his Ford parked at the side of the court. Halatang kagagaling lang din niya sa Cove gawa sa suot niya. I couldn't help but wonder who those guys were, but I have a strong hunch it's them.

Without wasting time, I grabbed the wallets of the men still lying on the ground, pulled out their IDs, gently helped Mal to his feet, and guided him toward his car.

"I-Ione..."

"Huwag kang magsalita." He's still stink of alcohol.

I wondered if the video had already spread. Panic started to creep in, and I didn't know what to prioritize—should I check my phone or focus on getting Mal to the car safely?