5 A.M.

Ruffian

Yca 'Ika'

***
"I was agitated, I stir"

"You're drunk again!"

"Kaya bawal kang lumabas Enna!"

"Whatever Tam Mi"

"Wait, where's Yca?"

"Mukhang nagising siya Tam"

"Ruffians will stay as ruffians"

"Siya ang lumabas"

***

   She opened her eyes, the ceiling was the first thing she saw. One thing made her realized, this is not their room. It's someone's house. Where is she? A guest room, perhaps. She saw her reflection through glasses on the wall. The clothes she's wearing, are not hers. And its style isn't fit for her. She needs to leave. She made her way to get out of the house and go home.

    It's still evening, or late in the morning. Already twelve yet dark outside. Only the light
posts give glints on her sight. She already changed her clothes. A black three-fourths jacket put over on her black mini-strapped fitted sando. Partnered with black pants and plain black military boots. She tied its lace and puts her mask on. All black. And leave their house to disguise with the outside's darkness.

***

"Si Yca!" everybody leaned on her as she stepped in.

    A smirk was plastered on their lips, most. Some are frightened and scared. Few were admired and idolized. Like she's a celebrity showed up to her fanatics. But there's only one person who's not glad on her comeback. Seeing her is a sin, an unforgiven sinful being. As how they enjoy her returned. There's a question occupied his mind. Why'd she came back? After five years, she showed up like nothing happened. Well, the ruffian blood running in her veins. Still she's a ruffian, a last one standing.

"I'm glad you're back" she just nod and sits where all high ranked ruffians rest in.

    Ruffians are allowed to hide their identity. Even their fellows and followers. They use mask to hide their faces, especially the high ranked. Composed of thugs, gangsters, mobsters and hoodlums. Their leader was called a hooligan. He seldom speaks and meet their gangs and mobs. Special leaders could see him frequently.

"Report" one of the highest rank said. Their mates positioned at the back of their leaders.

"Ycu, fifth high ranked. District 2 and 3, no found illicits" Ycu the last ranker, of high ranked.

"Yci, third high ranked. Yco is gone for Route 5, we saw syndicals roaming around with less number" that caught her attention what Yci the mid ranker, of high ranked said.

"Why syndicals involved" it's a statement, she said to their own leader.

"Why'd you want to know? You're gone for months, then you'll just showed up whenever you want?" a stare, deadly stare Yca answered.

"Yce" their leader warned. But they did not listen.

"Then what? Just stare me all the time, then later you'll be gone for months and show up again" Yce gritting his teeth with anger, half of his face wasn't covered of his mask. His lips says it all.

"Yce calm" he was warned again, but they don't care. The tension is nothing compared to their missions.

"You don't know what we're doing the whole time you're not here so you must not involve on what we are doing!" he shouted in anger and it's eating him badly. It's bad for him to see Yca around.

"Yce! Shut up! At least you show respect to your own leader second high rank, Yce" his own mates made him calm and Yca? Nothing, she just show what does she needs to prove. A ruffian with a heartless emotion. Showing nothing, just an expressionless face. Their leader cleared his throat when he felt the tension was gone.

"Is that all Yci?" he asked, Yci nods as answer. Their leader faced Yca, staring blank at Yce who's eyes are ranging in anger.

"Your report, Yca?" all eyes on her, wanting to hear words coming from her. That made Yce smirked, what she'll say? If she's gone for months and do nothing. All missions for Yca was passed to him. The reason why he's not in good shape for now.

"Yca, top high ranker. District 7 to 12, no found illicits. Route 10 and 12, last month syndical's vehicle was tracked, roaming. No illegal deeds. According to the gathered information, their syndic princess is lost. Other families were remained silent, including the Agents" she reported that made them all shut. Also Yce remained silent, their leader look at him but he looked away.

"Well, Ycu keep eyeing District 2 and 3. And I'm letting you the monitoring of District 7 to 12. Yci tell to Yco report first before he do an action and I'm giving the order to other. Yca will you?" she nods. Well she seldom speak nor talk.

"I'll contact Yco" Yci excused.

"What particular place in Route 10 and 12 you saw them Yca?" their leader asked.

"Route 10 near at a certain school and in Route 12 at the back of that school" the leader nods and look at Yce, this time he met its eyes.

"Monitor that school, it's your own mission" saying it's not to anyone else's, only for him.

"And Yca, check the Route 5 for illegal deeds. Monitor the syndical movements, huota syndikus. Klar hell?"

"Ja" they say in chorus.

"Treten!" all stand and leave the meeting place. They have something to do, their assigned missions.

    Yca leave the hideout. She decided to do her mission, as quick as she can. Her time is too short, she needs to be fast. If she just can held back all her time. She will. But no one can, even her cannot. All she have to do is savor every minute she had. To do her mission as a ruffian.

"Leader, it's Yci we have contacted fourth- high ranked Yco" goodly, they're dismissed.

***

"Ang cool talaga ni Yca, di ba Yce?" tanong ni Cav kay Yce, inismiran niya lang ito. Saktong pagkalabas nila ay nakasalubong nila si Yca. Nagtama ang kanilang paningin. Wala sa kanila ang gustong mag-iwas.

"I'm satisfied" Yce said that made Yca smirked.

     Nilagpasan na lamang niya si Yce at umalis sa lugar na iyon. Habang nakamasid sa kanya ang lalaki. Hindi nito aakalain na sa ilang buwan na pagkakawala ni Yca ay dala niya ang isang mahalagang impormasyon. Impormasyon na malaki ang pakinabang sa kanila. Ang hidwaan sa bawat pamilya na nag-ugat sa pagkakawatak nito. Mabuo pa kaya?