Maine along with the rest of the team just arrived at South Cotobato , they were supposed to be here a few hours ago but due to the bad weather and the non-stop security threats they got delayed. The minute they landed, she quickly asked her Dad if there's a latest update on Richard and the others.
"I'm sorry, but there isn't any. I'm still trying to get info from the camp" he replied.
Maine just let out a sigh and looked out of the window, she knows that they are losing a lot of time and if this pace continues they might not even be able to save anyone. A few more minutes have passed and they were finally escorted out of the private plane.
The entire team then went straight to the cars that will take them to the camp. The intensity of the moment just started sinking in on her. This is her new reality now, and Maine must face whatever the result is with a straight face and a brave heart.
Speaking of heart, her fragile one is currently pounding vigorously. She looked at her Dad and saw him nervously reading something. They only have twenty four hours to collect at least one hundred twenty million pesos and arrange the release papers of the rebel commander before the killing starts. She knows the president declared a decree on not having any negotiations with the terrorists but they just can't sit and hope for a change of heart. They must do something, and this is a part of that move.
Maine found out from her Dad that the parents of the lads and the government already prepared enough money for their ransom. However, they are still having a hard time fixing the release papers for the commander as it will need the signature of the president himself, being the commander-in-chief of the entire army body.
That makes her anxious. The fate of Richard, Kyle, Tommy, Nick, Emmett and Thomas lies on the president's hands. And if he doesn't change his mind, all six of them will die.
"Maine? Sweetheart?" his Dad asked and so she looked at him.
"Po?"
"You're a nurse here okay? Always take care"
"I will" she answered before giving him a quick hug.
"We'll bring Richard back, pangako yun"
"Thanks Dad"
--
Richard did not sleep at all, he just sat at the corner the whole night and mourned the death of Nick. His best friend whom he considers as his brother has died in vain. From what Richard had observed, Nick was shot in the forest and got dragged all the way back to the camp. He did not deserve to die like that, he's too kind to be treated like a deer killed while hunting.
Broken is an understatement compared to what he feels right now. The emotional pain is too much he's sure he can die from it. Tears are still flowing freely from his eyes, he's losing hope ... hope that they will ever get out of this place alive, hope that he will see his loved ones again, hope that he will be with Maine ever again.
Richard reached for his notebook and pen, he has to write this entire thing out to clear his chest for he already feels like it will explode any moment.
"Today is our fourth day and things will never be the same. Nick was killed last night during our escape attempt and I can't help but blame myself for it. If only ... If only I made sure that he's by my side then he would have never been shot. Pinabayaan ko siya ... at namatay siya dahil dun. I don't know what to do anymore. It hurts, it hurts so much and there's no way to get it off my chest easily. My best friend in the whole world is dead, the lad that I considered as my brother from another mother will never be able to feel what it's like to make his parents proud because he successfully graduated, he will never get the chance to be a father, have his own family and love his children the way his parents loved him. He has a long life ahead of him, he should have lived ... he deserved to live. I'm scared, I don't know what will happen to me ... the only thing I want right now is for all of this to end. I just can't do this anymore. I wa-"
