God's Rise | WOTG #2

Thirty-Eight

CADE

HE KNEW.

Golberg knew about our plans and he just waited for us to act before springing the trap. But how?

The bombs kept coming and the explosions kept rattling the ground.

It wasn't important how he learned about our mission. We needed to get out of here quick.

"Shit," Kato said as he collected himself and stood up. The glass of the large window shattered from the impact and little powdered shards of it rested on our chest. We all stood up and wiped the dust covering our shirts.

I looked at the broken window and a huge fire stared back at me. The hospital was burning. Fire devoured it as drones and soldiers tried to extinguish it with blasts of water. I could feel its heat on my face. The bombing created black pillars of smoke against the clear blue sky.

I looked below and saw the avenues were chaotic as vehicles tried to swerve through the crowd-filled roads. Soldiers began to run and gather themselves to retaliate against the air strike.

Nakarinig ako ng mga sigaw. Mula sa hindi kalayuan ay may narinig na naman kaming pagsabog.

"Kailangan na nating umalis dito," sambit ni Deo. "Bilisan natin. Colonel, please."

Colonel Hanson only nodded. He knew Deo wasn't open for an argument. They both know they could avenge the lives that would be lost after the attack if they managed to escape from here.

Humarap ako sa kaniya. Papalabas na sana kami ng opisina nang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa si Kieth. May hawak siyang baril at nakatutok 'yon kay Erika.

Halos lumuwa ang mata ni Erika mula sa bungo niya. Hindi siya makagalaw at para bang naging tuod na lang sa kinatatayuan niya.

"Anong kalokohan 'to, Sargeant Salazar?" tanong ni Colonel Hanson. "Inuutusan kita na ibaba mo 'yang baril mo ngayon din!"

"I don't take orders from you now, Colonel," sagot ni Kieth. Pero may nakita akong dumaan sa mata niya na para bang hindi niya gusto kung ano man ang ginagawa niya. Hinawakan ni Kieth ang tainga niya-ang kaniyang earpiece-at sinabing, "Yes, I have them here at gunpoint. Send back-up now."

And realization slapped Colonel Hanson's face. But the hand of betrayal hit Erika's cheeks harder and lingered there for a moment.

"You," na lang ang nasabi ni Erika. "Ikaw? Isa kang spy?"

"Pasensiya na, Erika," sagot ni Kieth at ang boses niya'y nanginginig. "Hindi ko naman ginustong gawin 'to."

Kailangan nang matapos 'to at kailangan na naming makaalis dito sa lalong mas madaling panahon. Isang pitik ko lang at mabibitawan niya na ang baril na hawak niya. Aabante na sana ako nang biglang iharang ni Deo ang braso niya sa harap ko. Tumingin siya sa 'kin at umiling na para bang sinabing hayaan ko na lang silang dalawa. Wala na akong nagawa at bumalik na lang ulit sa kinatatayuan ko.

"Sergeant!" tawag ni Colonel Hanson. "You left me no choice but-" Sinubukang abutin ng koronel ang baril sa kaniyang baywang pero isang putok lang ay nakabulagta na siya sa sahig. Hindi hamak na mas mabilis nga talaga ang bala kaysa kamay.

Itinutok ulit ni Kieth ang baril kay Erika. Wala siyang nagawa kundi itaas na lang ang dalawang kamay niya.

"Isa kang traydor," madiin na sabi ni Erika sa kaniya. At kasing bangis ng apoy sa labas ang lagablab ng galit sa kaniyang mata. "Isa kang duwag. Isinusuka ka ng bayan mo. Pinandidirihan kita."