Moon's Misjudgement

Chapter 1: Normally Abnormal

Chapter 1
Normally Abnormal

Most people are numb because they no longer want to feel what they fear the most. Emotions.

Emotions that are memoirs of darkness or pain.

Aria's POV

Guns ablaze, shoots ring through out, blood stains the pavement and bodies litter the ground. I think I even saw a pile of it near the entrance of the hotel.

The gruesome scene is disgusting. Utterly disgusting. I could feel the cold gazes of my fellow reapers as I walk the path towards the large mahogany doors of the prestigious hotel before me. Naiintindihan ko ang dahilan ng malamig nilang mga tingin sapagkat anim na oras na nang nagsimula ang bakbakan dito ngunit hindi pa rin ako dumating. Inaasahan nila na ako ang unang makararami ng kills sa laro. Unfortunately, my sister is more important than any credit I could get for killing preys laid out in front of me.

I don't appreciate free killing sprees. But I join in on the fun sometimes.

Killing is a game, meant to be played by the giver of death.

Death is pretty imminent in this part though.

I thought as I scan the scene before me. Blood stains the elegant white walls, limbs scattered around the room. What stands out the most though is the only other figure standing in the lobby aside from me. Guess he didn't hear me approach nor open the door. That is completely bizarre.

"What happened to 'I'll arrive before the killing spree ends'? Did it encounter traffic?" I stayed silent for quite sometime contemplating between all my choice of answers before responding.

"Oops. Nalimutan ko yata lahat ng tungkol sa killing spree. I'm sorry for disappointing you, sir.", sinabi ko nang walang bahid ng emosyon. Just like on any other day. Mahirap magpanggap kung ang kaharap mo ay isang x-ray machine na walang pinapalampas na sikreto.

Unfortunately, ako ang kawawang pasyente na kailangang sumailalim sa mga mapagmatyag niyang mga mata. I kept my posture straight under his scrutinizing gaze. It was scary, almost.

Naglakad siya patungo sa akin at hinawakan ang braso ko at hinila ako patungo sa labas ng gusali. Hinila niya ako hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking lot. Pinagtitinginan na kami ng ibang tao ngunit walang nagsalita tungkol dito. Well, normal na rin naman ito after every battle.

"Tawagan mo ang back up kasama kanina and tell them to get rid of the mess.", utos niya sa akin nang makarating sa tapat ng Camaro ko. Pumasok siya sa passengers seat at sinenyasan ako na umupo sa driver's seat.

"Drive.", malamig na usal nito sa akin at wala akong nagawa maliban sa sumunod. "Where to?"

"Invierno Mansion."

"Copy", sagot ko. Kinuha ko ang work phone ko at dinial ang number ng leader ng back up nila. 

"Delta 4 team leader, this is Ariadne. Clean the mess in Glam and Gold Hotel then burn the whole place down.", utos ko dito habang minamaneho ang sasakyan sa gitna ng highway. "Copy. What about the package?"

The package? Hmm...

"Master Ace, what about the package?", tanong ko sa lalaking nakasakay sa passenger seat of my beloved Camaro.

"Get rid of it. It's useless anyways.", walang emosyong saad ng lalaki. Tumango na lang ako at ini-relay ang message kay Reeve, ang team leader ng Delta 4.

Wala ng umimik sa amin pagkatapos niyon. Truth be told, I was expecting a little more interrogation but I'm not complaining.

Natanaw ko ang isang pulang Sedan sa tapat ng gate ng Invierno mansion. Bago kami makapasok pinigilan na ako ng kasama ko at lumabas siya ng kotse.

Lumabas rin ang sakay ng Sedan at nakita ko na isa itong magandang babae. She's probably in her 20's and looked quite young.

"Ace!" sigaw nito ngunit nag-iba ang ekspresyon niya nang makita ang damit ni Ace na puno ng dugo. "What happened to you? Are you hurt? Did your guards not protect you well? I must report this to uncle --", she stopped talking when Ace pushed her. Roughly, may I add.

"I don't need shit from cheaters Laura. What are you doing here?"

Oh... so that's the infamous Laura who cheated on Master Ace. Laura Harts.

"Shit? I'm obviously concerned for you, Ace! Have some gratitude!", she shouted. Ace's jaw clenched and his eyes flared with unkempt rage. "Gratitude? I didn't need nor want your concern and nobody needs it." sambit niya rito at tinungo ang guard house doon.

"Hey, get them out of here. They're blocking the drive way."

'Blocking the drive way? Freezin' hell, kahit tatlo pang bus ang dumaan kasyang-kasya diyan sa daanan."

And it seems parehas kami ng iniisip ng guard dahil hindi yata na-register talaga nang maayos ang sinabi ni Ace sa kaniya.

"I said get them out of here! Go!" nag-aatubili namang umalis ng guard house ang lalaking guard at kinausap nito ang driver ni Laura. Habang nangyayari ito, bumalik na sa passenger's seat si Ace at umupo lang siya. Hindi ko pa pinaandar ang kotse sapagkat wala pa akong naririnig na utos.

"Why are there pests in my life? Just when I found a way to get rid of it...it bounces right back to my world.", kunot-noong saad niya. I shrugged, thinking it was me he was talking to.

"Probably 'cause you look like a plant. Green and all.", he glared at me and stared ahead of us. "Just drive, Luna."

Umiling ako at pinasok na ng gate ang kotse ko. Sinarado ko ang makina ng kotse at lumabas. The coldness of the rain greeted me once I got out. Hindi ko man lang ito nakita nang nasa loob pa ako ng kotse. Although it was just light rain but still.

I'm normally observant.

Tumungo ako sa pintuan ng passenger's seat at akmang bubuksan iyon. Bumukas na ito bago ko pa tuluyang maabot ang handle sa pintuan at bumungad sa akin ang galit na mukha ni Ace.

"I'm not a fucking lady!", bulalas nito. "Oh... I'm sorry. I thought you were. You needed me to drive you home after all.", sarkastiko na saad ko.

"Don't forget I'm also your boss, Aria. Just because we have the same status as a reaper doesn't mean you can taunt me like that."

"Hai. Won't forget, Master Ace."

"Master Ace? Are you two at it again?", Saad ng isang boses na alam na alam ko. I rolled my eyes and heard Ace groan.

"Dominic!"

"What, Hugo? Did I hit a sore spot?", pang-aasar ni Dominic. "Domingo... I suggest you shut up before our dear volcano here erupts." Dominic ignored my nickname for him.

"Noted", he made a mock salute and disappeared to the garden leading to the forest.

Naglakad na palapit ng pintuan ang lalaki at tumigil siya sa harap nito. Tumingin siya pabalik sa akin at may 'di mabasang emosyon sa mukha.

"Are you comin' or what?", then his face scrunched up.

"Why am I even asking?"

Silhouettes are the most dangerous thing in the world. You'll never know what's behind the shadow until you actually try to see... until you actually want to see something else than what is laid out for you on a silver platter.

~SA73