The Tale of the Ascendants

CHAPTER 8: The Awakening

"This isn't just a normal operation for us. Our lives and honor are at stake here. The General chose all the best soldiers in this operation, and we couldn't bear to disappoint him. We shall return with our dignity still intact. Understood?" The Commander said and ordered. All the high-caliber soldiers from different teams were here for the seize-and-rescue operation. Each one of them was given the necessary weapons and ammunition.

"I am counting on this team. Now go and come back with Colonel Everdale, the General's wife. Ave!"

Everyone saluted at the Commander before we headed towards the C-17 on standby, which would carry us to the location. It was a good sign that nobody was able to recognize me after sneaking out to join this operation despite the Commander's strong conviction to put my name off the list.

Upon hearing their conversation in the briefing room, I decided to go with the rescue operation despite the fact that the General, my Dad himself, had ordered them not to involve me in saving my mom.

I couldn't just standby and wait for the report. I needed to save my mom. It was not because I didn't trust these soldiers enough, but because of the second reason that this organization still owed me, and I was going to make them pay with their own lives.

Clutching the M4A carbine, I got in the aircraft with a heavy feeling. Doubts and fear should not cloud my mind right now. We must carry out the mission as planned.

Just hang in there, Mom. I'd find and save you.

***

NAKARATING KAMI sa bahay sa loob ng kalahating oras. Iyon na yata ang pinakamahabang byaheng naranasanan ko. Agad kong tinakbo ang gate pagka-park ni Ex ng sasakyan sa gilid. Nang marating ko ang loob ng bahay, sumambulat sa akin ang magulong living room. Nagkalat sa sahig ang bubog mula sa nabasag na bintana. Disorganized ang sofa, mesa at cabinet. Halatang nagkagulo sa loob ng bahay.

I was rendered astonished as I noticed that there were no traces of Steve and his team. Where did they go? They should've secured the house! Lalong bumigat ang nararamdaman kong kaba.

Nang hindi sila makita sa living room, nagtungo ako sa ibang parte ng bahay.

"Mom?" Naghintay ko na sumalubong sa akin si Mommy. But to no avail, she didn't. Tears started to pool again. I remembered entering this house with my mom's never-ending questions about my whereabouts, which I pretended not to even hear. Hindi ko inakalang dadating ang panahon na ako mismo ang maghahanap sa kinagawian niya na minsan kong kinaiinisan.

I was about to take one more step but stopped at the middle when I caught a sight of bloodstain on the floor. With trembling hands, I slowly sat on my knees and looked at the blood. How I wished it wasn't my mom's! I could think of the worst thing I would do if they hurt my mom!

Nanatiling tahimik ang dalawa sa aking likuran. Hinayaan lang nila akong umiyak. Kalaunan ay nagsenyasan silang dalawa. Si Terrence ang nagtungo sa second floor samantalang si Ex naman sa grounds. Sa sobrang panghihina ko, hindi ako makagalaw mula sa pagkakasalampak sa sahig. I just remained still and cried in hopelessness.

Few minutes after, I heard footsteps coming from the backdoor. Inakala kong si Ex iyon kaya pinilit kong makatayo at tanungin kung may nakita siyang ebidensya. Ngunit ibang tao ang naabutan kong nakatayo sa may pintuan. Sinubukan kong mapag-sino ito pero hindi ko maalala kung saan ko siya nakita.

Without hesitation, I slowly took the gun from my waistband and shot the ground where he was standing, giving him a warning that I was prepared to shoot him anytime if he made a wrong move. Maaaring isa siya sa mga may gawa nito.