Another Shed Of Tears

A.S.O.T =21=

Ava POV

"Claire is missing, Ava."

Nanlaki yung mga mata ko sa narinig ko. Claire is missing? "What? Claire... is ...." my body feels numb because of what I hear. Though I hate her, hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko, now that she is missing. Si Nico kaagad ang pumasok sa isip. How will I tell him? For sure he will suspect me. He hates me. "Look at me, Ava." She put both of her hands in my shoulders and squeezes it. "I know that you hate my daughter, Claire, but I also  know that your a good kid. And you will not go to extreme lengths as such as kidnapping my daughter. "

"Tita, I'm really sorry. I really can't help you." Nagbow ako sa kanya as a sign of respect at saka ako tumalikod at naglakad palayo. Claire is missing. Hindi maalis sa isip ko ang mga salitang yun. Paulit ulit siyang tumatakbo sa isip ko. I don't know why but I don't feel good about this.

Suddenly I remember Hailey. My heart throbs at the thought of Hailey. She suddenly stops watching me. She also stops going to school. And I can't contact her. The thought of her warning me, that she will definitely involve me and Nico, came rushing to my mind. I stop walking when I thought of Nico. No. I was careful of my actions. I'm sure she didn't notice it. But I can't be sure so I fumble to my phone and hurriedly look for Nico's number. I dialed it but he's not answering. Bigla ako nagpanic, sobrang kaba ang nararamdaman ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. Hindi ako mapakali sa kinakatayuan ko nang biglang magring ang phone ko.

Hailey's name pop out in my phone, my heart sink and my fingers are shaking while I nervously answer her call. "Hey, Ava" I tried calming myself but I failed. I tried hiding my nervousness in my voice but it failed me. "H-he... hey"

"Why do you sound like you saw a ghost." Her laugh that I clearly hear in the other side make my body shudder. "Oh... maybe you've figured it out why I'm calling you after a few days of watching you and suddenly disappears without a notice." I wanted to end the call. I wanted to tell her that I'm sick of her childish games. I don't want to hear anything that she will say. But the thought of Nico, the thought that she could've involve him. And she could've hurt him right now. I can't just end it here. "Well, Ava, apparently, I kidnapped Claire. You know that, right? But then I discovered something. I thought that Claire might be lonely if she's alone so I brought someone. The more, the merrier. Exciting, right?"

"Hailey, please, walang kinalaman si Nico. Please don't involve him."

"Don't involve him? Then you should've betrayed me in the first place. Didn't I warn you?" She chided. I really don't know what to do. I could've just end it here and search for them but it will make the situation worse. She knew. She knew that I liked Nico. She's been watching me every single day. How can I be stupid that I didn't realize that she will found out the truth in the end anyway. "Hailey... please... I-" she cut me off.

"You have until twelve midnight before I murder them. But every two hours that you are not here, I will hurt them. Worse than you can imagine. I want you to watch every single thing that I will do to them. While you can't do anything but just to stare. There's no problem with Claire, right? But with Nico? I'm sure it breaks your heart. If you do called the police, you know worst will happen. You know where to find me." right then she end the call. I felt weak and I fell on my knees. Humagulgol ako sa iyak na kanina ko pa pinipigilan. Gusto ko sumigaw, gusto ko ibato ang mga gamit ko. Gusto ko magwala sa galit but I'm too weak. I know how worst can Hailey do. I saw what she can do. And what she is willing to do in order to gain satisfaction. Her bloodlust satisfaction.

After a minute of crying, I tried composing myself. I tried remembering what Hailey told me. Every two hours that you are not here, I will hurt them. Worse than you can imagine. I looked at my watch. 4:10. Probably, around four o'clock when Hailey called. So, apparently, I still have one hour and fifty minutes before she hurt them. But I need a plan. A plan how will I save them. I... no.... we. I need company. I can't do this alone. I need Stanley and the others. Stanley is probably still in the school. He has club activities, so is Ethan, he's part of the student body. But I don't know the others.