"I MISSED, you very much, anak."
Humahagulgol si Ashley habang nakasubsob sa dibdib ni Caleb.
Caleb almost wept but he kept his cool. Namamasa ng bahagya ang kanyang mga mata. He missed his parents so much but he knew he can't stay with them for long. Isa iyon sa mga parusa na ipinataw sa kanya nang mawala ang kanyang pagka-Watcher. Mapuputol ang kanyang komunikasyon sa pamilya.
Pero wala nang pakialam si Caleb. Sa simula pa lamang ay hindi na niya iyon sinunod nang lapitan at kontakin niya si Gideon. Susulit-sulitin ko na ang paglabag sa batas. Nothing's holding me back anymore.
Handa siyang ipagsawalang-bahala ang kahit anong batas basta maisalba lamang si Autumn.
"I missed you and Dad too. Don't worry, I'll make this right," aniya sa ina at niyakap ito ng mahigpit. Nasa isang tabi naman ang kanyang ama at nakahawak sa kanyang balikat.
Ashley looked up at him and cupped her son's face. "Are you sure about this? Mapanganib ang susuingin niyo, Caleb. Lalo pa't isa kang tao na ngayon." Worry was visible in the eyes of Caleb's parents.
"I'm sure, Mom. I will save Autumn."
"We're here for you, son. Remember that," sabi ni Troy sa anak.
Caleb felt a big hand sqeeze his heart. He was so grateful for his family's support. Ngayon niya lubusang nararamadaman ang suporta ng mga ito. Sa puntong iyon lubusang masasabi ni Caleb na hindi makakapigil ang kahit anong batas para paghiwalayin o paghinain ang relasyong meron ang isang pamilya.
"Thanks, guys. I love you both, very much."
"We love you too, Cal. Remember that. Mahal naming kayong tatlo."
Pagkatapos magpaalaman ay ay dumeretso si Caleb sa van ni Daniel na nasa labas ng bahay. They were on there way in no time. Alam nina Caleb kung saan sila patungo.
Noong isang araw lamang ay may natanggap na sulat ang mga magulang ni Caleb. It was from the abductors of Autumn. The demons held Autumn as captive. Hindi alam nina Caleb kung ano nag-aabang sa kanila sa lugar na itinuro ng mga kumuha sa dalaga. Ang tanging alam lamang nila ay kailangan nilang iligtas si Autumn.
Autumn's parents on the other hand was kept in the dark. Ang buong pag-aakala ng mga ito ay na-kidnap ang dalaga. Until this very day, they are still expecting a call from someone and ask ransome money from them. Hawak ng kinauukulan ang kaso ni Autumn at patuloy na naghahanap ng lead ang mga ito. Caleb hated the fact that they had to hide this kind of thing from Autumn's family. But it was necessary. Walang pwedeng makaalam tungkol sa kanila. It isn't just right. They can't risk it. Ayaw rin nina Caleb na makadagdag ng opensa sa Committee of Guardians.
Walang patutunguhan ang imbestigasyon ng mga tao, sigurado doon si Caleb. This is something supernatural and way out of the human's league. Nasa kamay nila nakasalalay ang kaligtasan ni Autumn. They need to finish this sooner or later. Kailan nilang tapusin ito nang walang tulong mula sa Guardians. They need to do it on their own.
Klarong ipinahayag sa sulat na ipanadala na hindi maaaring makarating sa Committee of Guardians and kaso dahil ikakamatay iyon Autumn. The threat for the girl's life was clearly stated and Caleb can't risk it. They can't risk it.
"Ilang oras ang ating biyahe?" tanong ni Daniel kay Gideon na siyang nagmamaneho. Yes, Gideon was with them. Ilang buwan itong hindi nakauwi sa Pilipinas kaya sadyang ikinagulat ng kanilang mga magulang pagsulpot nito kasama niya.
Hindi lamang sila ang dumating sa Pilipinas mula sa Romania. Kasama nila si Chloe, ang partner in crime ng kanyang kuya.
Chloe was riding shotgun beside Gideon who had the wheels. Chloe is a British Watcher. Just like them, she had blue eyes and raven black hair. Hindi rin ito masyadong nagsasalita. She was always cool and composed. Banat na banat ang buhok nito at malinis na nakapusod. Chloe and Caleb never became friends. Maybe it was because of the reason that the girl didn't talk that much and was always serious. Now Caleb knew why she and Gideon were good friends.
Ilang taon na itong kasama ng kanyang kapatid sa mga misyon na kinakaharap ng mga ito. Gideon ang Chloe made it their life to hunt demons all over the world and at the same time, protect their Mortal Halves.
"Limang oras. Now shut up and concentrate on what's yet to come." Gideon kept his eyes on the road.
The next few moments were spent with Gideon and Daniel bickering with each other. Tahimik lamang si Caleb at malalim na nag-iisip. Hindi nila alam kung ano ang aasahan sa kanilang pupuntaha. It could probabaly be a trap. All they knew is that they need to save Autumn no matter what happens. Handa si Caleb kung ano man ang haharapin nila. He may not be armed with his lethal wings but his ability as a fighter remains in him. But he cannot deny that he his weaker this time but that won't stop him. He will save Autumn by all means.
Their plan was simple-if their was actually a plan, that is. They'd make a foray into the demon's lair, kill lottsa bad-ass creature, save Autumn, then he'll have his happily ever after with her.
'Wish it were that easy, Caleb mentally snorted.
BINABASA MO ANG
THE WATCHERS TRILOGY: Caleb (book I)
Romantik"One day, he just woke up realizing that Autumn wasn't just his Mortal Half, she was his other half." Some angels are meant to walk amongst us. Some have a purpose to fulfill; a duty to uphold; and a human to protect. But what will you do if you rea...
