Confidential File: Dungeon of Axlberm

Prologue

I stopped running to breath. I looked around to see the other joggers who enjoy the soothing air of the grass field. Some of them are having a picnic with their family, some of them are with their friends then some of them are just alone, reading book or just relaxing.

I smiled.

Who would have thought that this country will face this kind of freedom and happiness? These people suffered enough to fight for what they deserve at the first place after all.

I picked up my phone in the right pocket of my jogging pants when I felt its vibration. When I saw the name appeared in my phone screen, I shook my head.

This man.

I immediately click the answer.

"What now?" My voice sounds bored but a wide smile is flashing on my face.

"Zaki naman eh!" he complained. I am one hundred percent sure that he is pouting right now. He doesn't like it when I'm serious or bored because it basically means that there is a problem or I am mad.

I laughed.

"I'm just messing with you." I said, still chuckling. "What's up?"

"H'wag mo akong ma- what's up what's up d'yan. Bumalik ka na dito. Ilang taon na ba ang nakalipas? Lima? Anim? Aba miss na miss ka na namin lalong-lalo na ni—"

"I'm busy." I cut what he is about to say. I am not yet ready. I don't want to hear his name right now. Ngayon pa na marami akong ginagawa at kailangang tapusin. Malamang sa malamang mawawala na naman ako sa pokus nito.

I heard him sighed. "Zaki, alam mo namang hindi ka namin kayang pagtakpan lagi. Isa pa, hindi naman p'wedeng pagtaguan mo nalang lagi iyong taong 'yon." mahinahon niyang sabi.

Alam ko, Evo. Alam na alam ko.

It was broad daylight that time when I was kidnapped by them and introduced to a new place, a new world. I can still feel the calmness of the spider lilies in Evangeline's Garden especially when spring comes. The astonishing loudness of flowing river in Eldred that the kids love. Karol's baked pies from her shop that make the by passers to drool and buy. Lastly, the breath-taking view of sunset in Flora de Bay. All of it was worth the scream and bloods of the people who died fighting for the citizen's rights, the blood of the Aces.

I shrugged the thoughts of reminisce. I cannot be taken by my emotions right now. The last time I was taken control by my emotions was resulted into chaos. You just can't be spacing out in the middle of a war.

I was about to respond on Evo when I heard a loud explosion not so far from my location. Without any second thoughts, I ran fast towards the explosion. I had the hard time to go there because of the people panicking from the sudden explosion. The peaceful environment is now gone and it was replaced by the fear of people caused by someone's threat.

"Hello Zaki? What's happening? Pagsabog ba 'yon?" I heard Evo said from the other line.

"Yes. I think it already started." I replied while looking at the tree where the bomb exploded. I covered my nose with my left arm because of the smoke then examine the place. I was glad to see that no one is injured from the explosion.

Narinig ko pa ang pagpa-panic ni Evo sa kabilang linya para pagsabihan ako na h'wag lumapit ngunit wala na roon ang atensyon ko.

I was walking around the tree to investigate the root of the explosion and to see if there is more bomb when I notice the smoking part of the tree. It looks like something carved in it using heat. Nervous to think that there are maybe more bombs to explode but I know my mind will be not be at peace if I don't see it with my own eyes.

I cleared the smoke by swaying my hands to see what is written on it. When I saw the carvings, I was stunned.

"Zaki? Can you hear me? Zaki?!"

"Evo..." I paused. Fear was drawing in my face.

Fear of what will happen to me and to the people who are close to me. Fear of facing them again, facing him again.

Mamamatay na naman ako nito.

"...I'm coming home." ang tanging nasabi ko na lamang nang matapos basahin ang nakaukit sa malaking puno kung saan nanggaling ang pagsabog.

"We will take back what you took from us... freedom. -C"