"It's been more than eighteen hours since we were taken. Surprisingly, we are not being tortured yet. I found that a bit too weird but I'm not complaining. However, their boss is coming and that scares me a lot. I can see my friend's faces and they're petrified as well. We're quite hungry, weak and helpless. I'm pretty sure we'll get in trouble if we ever try to defy them. But we're not giving up yet though, we're just waiting for the right time to find our escape. We made a pact, whatever happens ... at least one of us should get out of this place alive. I know we don't have any control over the things that can still happens to us that's why I hope to Dear God that there will be a survivor. I hope this place will not be our burial ground, we can't vanish in here"
That's all for now, I think someone's coming. I'll write again later"
And with that, Richard slammed his notebook shut and quickly put it inside his pocket as fast as he can. The six of them exchanged looks right before the door opened and they were told to get up. Like first time military hopefuls following their chief's orders, all of them stood up and pressed their backs against the wall. Richard and Nick looked at each other, he knows his best friend is nervous as hell and so he secretly held his hand.
Nick has always been there whenever he needed him. That's why during dark times like this, Richard will make sure that he'll be able to return the favor.
"Dude I'm here. I won't let anyone harm you" he whispered, hoping to make his shaking best friend calm down.
Richard then looked on and saw a tall muscular guy walk inside the room. He has tattoos all over his arms and even at the side of his face. He's definitely scary, probably a little too much that just a stare from him can give Richard the mother of all Beejezus.
At first, the guy spoke in a vernacular language for a few minutes before shifting into tagalong. He took a step forward and scanned the young boys' faces.
"Sigurado ba kayong makukuha natin yung gusto natin? Eh mukhang walang may pakielam sa mga ito eh. Puro batang pinoy , patayin niyo na lang kaya"
"Boss, yung isa sa kanila apo ng General" one of the guys behind him replied. Richard's heart skipped a beat after hearing those words. He immediately let go of Nick's hands because he's shaking too much as well.
"Sino?"
The commander's minions then pointed at him.
"Shit, I'm fucked" he thought to himself before gulping. The rebel commander then approached him and cupped his chin.
"Sigurado kayo?" he asked his comrades. All Richard can do right now is close his eyes and hope that this doesn't make his situation any worse.
"Opo boss. Apo siya ni General Arthur Faulkerson"
His heart started racing again. This time, he now knows exactly what will happen. They will be used as leverage in order for the terrorists to get their captured mates.
"Sige, alam ko na kung anong gagawin ko sa kanila" the commander replied with a smirk on his face.
--
"Young lady you need to rest. And besides, you can't help with their mission. You will only get hurt" Mrs. Mendoza told her daughter.
"But Mom, I have to find him. I NEED to find him"
"Maine, you're his girlfriend. Not his savior"
"But Richard saved me. Mom, please tell me you didn't forget that. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for him" Maine answered, pertaining to a school shooting tragedy that took place a few years ago.
"Fine, but what would you do huh? ... Maine, you can't even fire a gun"
"I don't know what I will do Mom. All I know is that I need to be there for Richard, I have to find him" Maine replied in a very determined tone. She knows it's dangerous but she really wants to help.
"Maine ... you can't. Your father and I won't let you, I'm sorry"
"Mom, please" she begged.
"You will only get hurt. We'll just wait here and trust those who can save them. Richard will be safe sweetie, I promise" Mrs. Mendoza said before giving her a tight hug. Maine just closed her eyes and let her tears flow down again. She knows she just can't stay here and pray that Richard will be fine. Maine will make a move to save him, with or without her parent's consent.
--
Later that day, all six were almost literally dragged outside. "Tayo!" one of the guys yelled and so they did. Richard, Nick, Thomas, Kyle, Tommy and Emmett then lined up just as a few more armed men walked out of the shed right in front of them.
Richard looked on and saw one of them is carrying a camcorder.
"Alright ... gusto ko magmaka-awa kayo hah? Magmakaawa kayo para sa buhay niyo"
His heart skipped a couple of beats. He can already feel it ... not all of them will make it out alive
