Switch

Chapter 36

MACE ALQUIZA

My head feels like splitting into two. Every inch of my body throbs with pain, like knives carving through my skin and bone. The ache is deep and paralyzing. Every breath I take feels stolen, sharp and shallow, like my lungs are giving up on me.

Sinikap kong gumalaw.

My eyes were shut to darkness making it all scarier for me to make a movement. My eyes are blindfolded, my ears catching only the deafening silence around me. No voices. No whispers. Not even the sound of life.

I feel so alone but my senses are telling me there's someone out there watching me.

Pumaibabaw ang kalansing ng bakal nang gumalaw ako. I realize the pain are coming from my both arms and feet. My wrists are bound high above my head, my feet tied down, straining against the cold. There's an unyielding wall at my back. The feelings give me chills. Pakiramdam ko, anumang oras ay may biglang susugod sakin at sasaktan ako.

My eyes sting. Sa telang bumabalot sa mga mata ko ay doon lang lumampas ang mga luha.

The moment of silence hits me with the memories I could never forget.

The gunfire. The screams of people. The sight of death in front of me. It feels as if I've been in war. I can barely fathom how I escape the bullets dancing in the wind. Parang isang panaginip, but I know it was far from that.

Now this.

I've been taken. Sa dulo ng tunnel, may van na naghihintay sakin na inakala kong mga tauhan ni Kysler, but then I was wrong. Posibleng kasabwat sila ng mga taong sumugod sa mansion. Pero anong kinalaman ko roon? Why would they keep me captured here? Before my last sense brought me to darkness, I heard them referred me as the baggage. Hindi ko maintindihan.

My senses grow sharper with the absence of sight.

Namayani ang kaba sa sistema ko nang makarinig ng mga yabag papalit. My heart pounds violently in my chest. Sa diin ng paglalakad niya ay sigurado akong lalaki.

I remained in my position, stilled and unmoving. Ayokong ipahamak ang sarili ko kung malalaman nilang may malay na ako. Kahit hirap sa posisyon, sinikap kong hindi gumawa ng ingay at tiisin lahat ng daing at sakit na nagmumula sa katawan ko.

The door opens and steps echoed inside the room. I could sense two figures probably staring at me already.

Sumarado ang pinto. Nanaig ang takot sa buong sistema sa kaalamang may mga estrangherong nakatitig sa walang kalaban-laban kong sarili.

I silently prayed for my safety. Alam kong malabong makaalis ako rito at makatakas, pero sana ay magkaroon ng himala at makaligtas ako. I don't want to die yet.

Dear God. I know I have sinned and I am never your perfect daughter. P-pero please po. Don't let me die here. Hindi ko pa po naitatama nang maayos ang lahat ng mga mali ko. I still haven't forgiven myself. Please, Lord. Not yet. Allow me to live just a bit more until I am certain that everything's placed in their proper places. Alam ko pong imposibleng hilingin, pero sana, magkaayos ang kambal kahit sa kabila ng kasalanang nagawa ko. I promise. I promise I will accept whatever punishment you will bestow. J-just please, not now.

"Why did you have to cuffed her like that? Hindi ka na talaga naawa."

I feel someone coming near my direction. Mas tumindi ang takot ko.

"Masyado kang maawain sa babae." The other man hissed as if nothing.

Naramdaman ko ang paggalaw ng mga kamay ko. Then I feel hands—rough but quick—undoing my restraints. I heard the metal clicks. Hinayaan ko ang pagbagsak ng katawan ko na agad nasalo ng lalaking nagpakawala sakin.