"Today is our third day of being held as hostages. This is also the day we'll escape this hell hole ... hopefully. I woke up early to be the eyes of the group and of course ... to write this entry. I don't know who will get to read this someday but if it's you Maine, I want you to know that you're the only one that makes me want to get out of this place. The thought of you is the only thing that keeps me breathing.
My entire body is hurting but I'm pretty sure it can't compare to the pain you're feeling right now. I want you to know that I love you very much and yes ... yes I should have listened to you. Once I get back, I promise babawi ako at susundin ko na lahat nang sinasabi mo.
I love you Maine, always "
Richard's tears were falling down while he was writing those words. Their first forty hours as victims by a terrorist group is something that they definitely don't want to go through ever again. He's pretty sure all of them are now scarred for life. They are emotionally damaged beyond repair.
"Dude?" a familiar voice asked.
"Tommy? What?"
"Why are you already awake?"
"I can't sleep"
"But you need strength for tonight, makakatakbo ka ba?"
Richard then got into thinking, he knows he has enough physical strength to run for his life.
"Of course I can, it's not me who you should worry about"
"Then who?"
"Kyle and Emmett, they're the weakest ones right now. I don't think they'll make it".
"What should we do?" Tommy asked him.
"We'll help them ... if we have to carry them on our backs then we will ... no one will be left behind, understand?" he asked his anxious friend. Tommy did not say a word, he just slowly nodded.
Richard's heart is already pounding for tonight is the night that they have to get out. If they don't do it today then they're already half dead.
--
Maine woke up at around midnight and prepared everything she'll bring with her to South Cotobato. The young girl has always been like this, all hard headed and focused whenever she's determined to accomplish something. But this time, things are different. Richard's life is at stake, and she's pretty sure she can't live without him.
As soon as 4:00 am arrived, Maine sneaked out of her room and literally tiptoed her way downstairs. She was about to open the front door with her spare key when she heard a familiar voice. Maine turned around and saw her Dad standing at the end of the hallway.
"Shit" Maine thought to herself. She knows there's no way she can leave now.
"San ka pupunta?"
"My friend's house" she answered, accidentally picking the worst alibi in the history of worst alibis.
"Sa ganitong oras? Wag mo akong niloloko, nakausap mo si Kevin no?. Maine, di ka pwedeng sumama sa South Cotobato ... hindi naman bakasyon yun." Maine's Dad told her. She noticed that he's dressed up as well and so she asked him if he's a part of the negotiation team.
"I am, kaya dito ka na lang. Bantayan mo ang Mama mo, kami na ang bahala dun."
"But Dad ..."
"No but's. Maine, alam mo ba yung pinapasok mo?, pwede kang masaktan dun."
"But I just wanna be there for Richard when he gets back. Dad please, I wanna help ... I want to find them."
"That's what we're doing. Pero di ko isusugal yung buhay mo dun, dito ka na lang."
