A/N: This chapter is inspired by Eraserheads' Spoliarium.
-Yang ♥
°°°
"The truth is the painful reminder why I prefer to live among the lies."
-Unravel Me
"WHO ARE YOU?"
Tama nga sila, naisip ni Gordon, maganda nga ang batang 'to. Mukhang porenjer! Ayos, tiba tiba kami dito.
Lumapit siya sa bata at naupo sa tabi nito, "Ako si Gordon, ikaw anong pangalan mo?" Kunwari'y mabait na tanong din niya.
"Hope." Natigilan ng saglit ang bata, tila nakaramdam ng panganib kaya dahan dahang lumayo kay Gordon.
"O saan ka pupunta, Hope?" Sinundan siya ni Gordon, "Naguusap pa tayo di ba?"
"Get away from me! I don't talk to strangers!" Sigaw ng bata, nagpapanic na nga may british accent pa.
"Aba! Inglesera pala 'to eh!" Tumawa ng malakas ang malaking lalaki, "Hindi naman kita sasaktan ha! Tutulungan pa nga kita eh."
"You'll help me?" Napangisi si Gordon sa naging sagot ng bata. Interesado na kasi ito.
Gordon inched closer to Hope, he is gaining confidence that he will get what he wants in this situation. Hope, on the other hand, was desperately thinking of an escape route. That if she tried to assault him that would only work to the advantage of Gordon. That if she tried to go for the door or the window he'll surely catch her. In the midst of all her thoughts, she wondered, where is her housemate? She knew she couldn't mention it to Gordon because that will only endanger his life.
She studied Gordon's stance, he's alert and undeniably intimidating and strong. One thing she had learned and always used, studying the oponent or anyone in front of her. It was a survival method her parents installed on her mind. To always, always, always figure out her target before speaking or doing anything. Whatever he intends on doing it sure isn't his first time to execute it.
"Syempre naman tutulungan kita. Kaya nga ako nandito eh." Native Filipino, she thought, there's an accent like he was from Pampangga or somewhere like that.
"W-What kind of help?" She pretended to stutter because based on his appearance, he is an egoistic man and it would make him shut down a few walls if she pretended to be weak.
He smirked, "Tutulungan kitang maghiganti. Pare-parehas lang tayo dito, sweetheart. Ipaghihiganti natin ang magulang mo."
Based on his tone he is telling the truth about revenge but she can sense something else, an ulterior motive perhaps.
"What's the catch?"
"Catch? Anong catch?" Hmm, he knows basic english phrases but is not that fluent on that particular language. Perhaps, he opted to familiarize himself on dialects and whatnot.
"What do you want in return for helping me get my revenge?" Napangisi ulit ng palihim si Gordon (kahit ala-Nile river na ang dami ng dugong nawala sa kanya) kumakagat na si Hope sa plano niya. Ayos. Akala niya mahihirapan pa siya eh.
Nagkaroon ng kaunting buffering bago nakasagot si Gordon (kamusta naman kasi ang neurons niya na nagsuicide na di ba?) "Mukha namang matalino kang bata, Hope, kaya hindi na ako magsisinungaling sayo. Tutulungan ka naming maghiganti para madagdagan ang tauhan sa aming organisasyon."
An organization, alarm bells started ringing on her head right after she heard that. This means he is not working alone. This whole fucking situation is premeditated. They really want her. Because Gordon doesn't seem to be a member from the lower part he knows a lot. He might be from the middle or upper part.
