Figli della Notte #1: Codename Havoc

Chapter 7

"Do you know me?", panimula ni Cody.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag ng umiling ang babae. Kung nagsasabi ito ng totoo, then his real identity as Cody Vanz Herrera is still safe.

"Anong pangalan mo? Edad?", panimula ni Cody.

Nagsimulang magsulat ang babae. Hindi naman nainip si Cody dahil ipinakita rin agad nito ang sinulat sa kanya.

[Luna Crisostomo. 18.]

"Nice to meet you, Luna.", sabi ni Cody sabay abot ng kamay para makipag-shake hands. "I'm Havoc, 30 years old."

She's a complication from the mission kaya normal lang na ang codename niya ang ipakilala niya.

"Why were you locked up at Don Elizalde's mansion?"

[I don't know.]

Tinitigan niya ang mukha nito upang makita kung nagsisinungaling ba ito o hindi. Like the first time, walang mabakas na emosyon si Cody.

"How long have been locked up?"

[More than 5 years? I've stopped counting.]

Nagulat si Cody. Ganoon na katagal?

"Why would you be locked up for that long?"

[I don't know.]

"Where are your parents?"

[Orphan.]

"Siblings?"

[Older sister. But no idea where she is.]

"Did you see what I did in the mansion last night?", tanong niya. This is actually the most crucial point of their conversation.

Natigilan ito at napatitig sa kanya. Akala ni Cody ay hindi na ito sasagot ngunit marahan itong tumango.

"How much have you seen?"

[Everything.]

"I see.", napabuntong-hininga si Cody. "You are quite honest. Alam mo ba na pwede kitang idispatsya agad dahil sa mga nakita mo?"

Tumango ito ay nagsulat muli. Medyo mahaba iyong ngunit nagpasensiya lamang si Cody.

[I was thankful already that you took me out of that cage. I don't have regrets. In fact, I think it is for the best if you get rid of me asap.]

"Why would you think that?", kunot-noong tanong niya.

[They would probably come looking for me if they found out I escaped.]

"Who would come after you? Patay na si Don Elizalde."

[His partners? Organizations? Anyone who knows me? I don't know.]

"Why would they come after you?"

Matagal bago sumagot ang dalaga, wari'y nag-iisip pa. Bumuntong-hininga ito bago ipinakita sa kanya ang naisulat na sagot kanina.

[I don't know.]

Talagang ayaw magsalita ng dalaga kung ang bagay na tinatanong niya ay tungkol sa rason ng pagkakakulong nito. Mukhang wala na siyang ibang makukuha sa dalaga kaya nag-pasya na lamang siya na hintayin ang resulta ng pagi-imbestiga ni L.

Naputol ang kanilang pag-uusap ng marinig ni Cody ang special ringtone mula sa kanyang phone. He took it out and saw the text message with the phone number for L.

'Grabe ang isang to, parang may superpowers.', napapalatak na usal niya sa sarily. 'Alam na alam kung kailan tatawag.'

"Excuse me, I just need to make a phone call.", saad ni Cody kay Luna bago lumayo.