Live to Avenge [HIATUS]

CHAPTER 1: A MUTUAL BEGINNING (Spring)

CHAPTER 1 - A MUTUAL BEGINNING (Spring)

ILANG BUTIL ng pawis ang naglandas sa gilid ng aking mukha pababa sa leeg. Halos mabingi ako sa lakas ng pagtambol ng dibdib ko dahil sa kasalukuyang sitwasyong kinaroroonan ko. Kagat-labing mariing naipikit ko ang mga mata nang marinig ko ang kaliwa't kanang putok ng baril sa aking likuran. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa baril at tila ba mas bumibigat pa iyon sa bawat segundong lumilipas. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at dahan-dahang dumausdos ng upo sa likod ng pader na pinagtataguan ko — naghihintay ng tamang pagkakataon.

My gaze fell to the lifeless body of a Spanish man lying a meter away from me. That mutt somehow managed to sneak behind me, but was unfortunate enough to taste how a bullet felt to be planted in the head.

Dead he may be, but the final words he choked out before dying bothers me for no particular reason.

'They're on the move. Circulo de Ocho is on the move.'

The exchange of gunshots became more extreme, pulling me out of my deep thoughts.

Everything was in slow motion: I could easily hear the many empty bullet shells clanging on the floor like small bells, I comprehended the issues these henchmen ordered to each other – which was pretty dumb, I guess, because the only opening they had was the hallway right in front of us –, and the screams for help of those who had been shot.

And when the gunshots temporarily stopped, I swiftly stood on my feet and peeked out of my cover... which was a very huge mistake.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins when I felt the whiz of a bullet dash passed my face. I was lucky enough to dodge it: any closer, I would have lost my ear, and even my life. I scowled and returned fire with my pistol, leaving but three bullets in its magazine and, taking a quick glance before hiding back to cover. Seven more suspects.

But what made my blood boil is that the seventh and farthest target was our main objective. If only we had been more careful... I shot at his direction, but he had dived into the corner, disappearing and successfully dodging me. His goons soon followed, with two of them spraying my cover with semi-automatic rifles, leaving me no chance to give chase.

"Bullshit!" I cursed in a gritted teeth.

Ayoko mang gawin ito pero wala na akong iba pang pagpipilian.

I pushed a button on my earpiece, shouting at the idiot in the other line. "Agent Dale! They're heading your way! Plan A, failed; execute Plan B. Do you copy?"

A low whistle answered me from the other line, and I know he's grinning like a mad dog at the moment. "About time, partner."

My lips instantly thinned. Out of frustration, I tuned him out then warily followed our targets' escaped route taken.

It didn't take long enough before another volley of gunshots resonated in the air.

HINDI NA nakapagtataka pa kung ganoon na lamang kalapad ang ngiti sa labi ng hunghang. You could just imagine how wide Rain's grin was, even as we returned to the base. He was too proud of his kill; greeting every single member of the agency we passed by.

Kung hindi lamang kasalanan ang pumatay ay baka kanina ko pa naikasa ang baril sa bewang ko't kinalabit ang gatilyo habang nakahalik sa kanyang sintido ang labi niyon. His dead-cold body, drowning on his own pool of blood, lying on the floor by my feet would be a lovely sight to see. I inwardly grin at this thought.

Upon reaching the top floor of the building, he was singing mindlessly... like an asshole suffering from a severe sore throat. Sa puntong iyon ay 'di ko na napigilan ang sariling pandilatan siya habang magkasalubong ang dal'wa kong kilay at nangungunot ang noo. I didn't say anything though. I just glared at him in disdain, until he finally glanced down at me and stopped damaging my eardrums.

"What? I'm just happy," he said as if I'm accusing him of an unforgivable sin.

Tanging pag-ismid lamang ang nagawa ko saka ibinaling sa paglalakad sa pasilyo ang buong atensyon. Samantala, siya naman ay pinagpatuloy ang nakakairita niyang pagkanta ng One Call Away.

Kapwa tumigil kami sa harap ng isang French double-door. Beyond its doorframe was a golden placard with the words Managing Department Office carved. Akmang aabutin ko na ang seradura ng pinto nang maunahan niya ako't buong p'wersang binuksan iyon.

Insolent mutt.

"Mission accomplished!" anunsyo niya sa mga taong nasa loob ng 'Managing Department Office'.

"Yeah, yeah. Sinabi mo na kanina pa," said the lady sitting in one of the computer stalls, her back facing on us. She turned her swivel chair around, revealing her always smiling face and bright jade eyes, and gave us a two thumbs-up. "Anyway, good job!"

That's Blaze. She served as an operator for those on the field.

"Good job?" Mahinang ulit ko sa sinabi niya. "You must be kidding me."

What part of the job was good? What part of it can you call well if the target knew of our presence in the field?

Rain was taking another breath. He was going to ramble again. Before a letter escaped from him, I growled, sending thousands of dagger-like stare at him.

"Zip your filthy mouth."

He tilted his head, then scratched its back. "Why so cranky? We finished it, after all."

I looked back at Blaze, then to the one at the farthest side of the room. There sat the moderator of the whole command center, Hera Dawn. On another note, she was the mother of Blaze. She nodded at us, quietly praising our good job. I scanned the entire room, looking for someone. Wala siya.

"I'll send our report later. Right now, I think I need a rest." Turning on my heel, I was more than willing to make Rain eat his pride, and maybe even my knuckle. Yeah, that would be much better.

Rain managed to step in my way. "Leaving so soon?"

I managed to shove him aside, taking huge strides to the hallway leading to the elevator. I could hear his footsteps echoing behind mine, and he was either yelling my name or asking if something was bothering me. Whichever of those two, I don't care.

I could feel curious eyes of the employees and clients at us, and it was making the last of my nerves spark with fury.

"Shut up! Damn you! Leave me alone, you Homo erectus!" I retaliated, turning quickly to scowl, then spun again. I was barely even at the end of the hall when he grabbed my wrist.

"Spring."

His tone was serious. Some part of me made me stop for a second. I looked over my shoulder, and I could make out how much worry he had for me.

Worry...

My brows knitted in pure disdain.

I hate that word.

"I hate you." I spat, jerking myself free from his grasp, slapping him with the back of my hand in the process.

He gasped in surprise, holding his cheek. Seconds later, a mocking grin formed on his lips. It vanished the moment he fixed his enraged eyes on me.

"The feeling... is mutual," he hissed.

I stared at him deadpan. "I'm glad you feel the same," I spat then walked away.

(Dedicated to @MayiTintin for revising most of this chapter. Thank you!)