Stay Awake (ORIGINAL DRAFT)

Chapter Five: A Monster of Sorts

Chapter Five: A Monster of Sorts

"Sigurado ba kayong tinanggal nyo na 'yung bangkay doon?" Felicity asks skeptically. She had already recovered from her breakdown earlier and she's back in her usual self. At least hindi siya nasuka, unlike me. Mabuti na lang at hindi niya nakita 'yung unmanliness ko kanina. Kahit mahilig ako sa movies na gore ang pangunahing tema, ibang-iba pa rin pala kapag nakita mo na sa personal.

We're now lounging outside Oblivion, still a bit shaken because of the dead body that we saw earlier. An hour had already passed since we put her in a broom closet, but I can still remember her appearance, especially the mic stand protruding from her stomach. Just thinking about it makes me want to throw up again.

"Yeah, itinago na namin siya," sagot ni Ian sa tanong ni Felicity, at sumanda siya sa hood ng kotse ni Dad. "Ano nang gagawin natin?"

"We'll go back inside," I say.

"Again?!" Holly exclaims incredulously.

I shrug. "Yes, again. 'Yun naman ang ipinunta natin dito, hindi ba?" Tumingin ako sa langit, checking the clouds and the position of the sun. "We still have an hour of daylight. Sulitin na natin."

"Right," Andre agrees. "You don't have to come if you're too scared. Samahan mo na lang si Felicity dito, kung gusto mo."

"Excuse me?! Hindi ako natatakot," Holly says with a serious expression. Tinaasan pa niya ng kilay si Andre. "Besides, sino ang nagbigay ng pahintulot sa'yo na gumawa ng desisyon para sa akin?"

"Wala naman," sabi ni Andre, sabay ngiti ng nakakaloko. "Nag-aalala lang ako kasi baka matakot kayong dalawa. That's what girls do, right?"

Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Holly. Tumayo ito mula sa pagkakaupo sa tabi ni Felicity at dahan -dahang lumapit sa kanya.

"You sexist bastard," she says, spitting out every word like nails. Her face is so red because of anger, her eyes cold and hard and unyielding as she use it to glare at Andre. "Don't underestimate us. You have no fucking idea what a girl can do to boys like you."

"Oh, yeah?" Andre taunts. "Show me what you got, then." He gives her a dirty look, making her even more angry.

Nakayukom na ang mga kamao ni Holly at nanlilisik ang kanyang mga mata. Akala ko ay sasabog na siya dahil sa sobrang galit. But she just gave Andre a playful smile and said, "I'll show you." Then she smacks him.

In the face.

Twice.

She's so angry. Maybe even angrier than a red bull in a stampede. I stare at her, unable to process what she just did, while making a mental note to myself: Never, ever mess with a girl like Holly Cruz. If you want to preserve your life, don't even think about it.

Andre puts a hand in his jaw. Man, that hurts. He throws his hands up in surrender, grinning. "I'm just kidding," he says. "Of course you can come with us if you want to. Hindi ko kayo pipigilan."

"Just shut up and don't talk to me," Holly hisses, her voice full of venom. "Ever." She shoots one final glare at Andre, making her point clear.

Felicity gives her an approving smile. "Nice one, girl."

"Tama na 'yan," Ian says all of a sudden. Tumayo siya mula sa mula sa pagkakasandal sa hood ng kotse ni Dad. "Kumilos na tayo, if we want to get this over with as soon as possible."

Holly walks towards the nightclub. Nang mapansin niya na hindi kami sumusunod, huminto siya sa paglalakad at humarap sa amin. "Are you coming or not?" she asks urgently. Tumango naman kami at sumunod na sa kanya.