Saving Humanity

Chapter Thirty-Six: Kenneth is Missing

Chapter Thirty-Six: Kenneth is Missing

Holly

"What do you mean, someone took him?" Jared asks.

"I don't know!" Kenji snaps. "I don't know. Pumunta ako sa kwarto n'yo kagabi, pero hindi ko siya dinatnan doon. Hinintay ko siya hanggang sa makatulog ako, pero paggising ko, wala pa rin siya. I tried to look for him as soon as I woke up. I searched everywhere, but I can't find him."

His knees buckle, and he slides down to the floor. He's full-on weeping now, his body shaking because of his sobs.

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo sa higaan ko at naupo ako sa tabi niya.

"Kenji, calm down," I tell him as I touch his back. "It's too early to declare that he's missing. Baka may pinuntahan lang siya."

He looks up at me with such anger so intense, I involuntary scoot away from him.

"Saan siya pwedeng pumunta, sa tingin mo? We aren't allowed to go out of the institute. Hindi mo ba narinig 'yung sinabi ko kanina? Sinubukan ko na siyang hanapin!"

"Hey," Jared interjects. "Don't speak to Holly that way."

Sumenyas ako kay Jared upang pigilan siyang magsalita. Kenji's actions are completely justifiable. It might be possible that Kenneth is really missing, and he's the most important person in his life right now.

"Nag-report ka na ba sa New Army?" tanong ko.

"Hindi pa. Binanggit ko lang doon sa mga sundalo na nakasalubong ko kanina habang hinahanap ko si Kenneth."

Tumango ako. "Halika, sumama ka sa akin."

Hospital gown lang ang suot ko, pero hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na samahan si Kenji papunta sa office ni Sgt. Agustin, para i-report ang pagkawala ni Kenneth. He can't stop crying, and while we're walking down the hallway, people stop to stare at us.

Hindi ko siya pinigilan sa pag-iyak, dahil alam kong ganyan din ang gagawin ko kung sakaling mawala si Jared.

"We'll find him," paulit-ulit kong tugon kay Kenji habang naglalakad kami. "We'll do everything to find him."

*****

Five hours have passed, and Kenneth is still missing.

After reporting the incident to the New Army, Sgt. Agustin quickly assigned soldiers to go look for Kenneth. But he's nowhere to be seen. They also questioned the soldiers who were on gate duty last night and they claimed that they were on alert during their shift, and no one attempted to exit the premises.

Kahit isang segundo ay hindi ko iniwan si Kenji. Ginawa ko ang lahat para mapatahan at pakalmahin siya, pero hindi ako nagtagumpay. He's too worried to think about anything else, except for Kenneth's whereabouts.

Some time after lunch, Jared approaches us while we are sitting at the cafeteria. I feel relieved to see him walking without any problems. Mukhang hindi masyadong pinuruhan ng mga tao ni Max ang mga hita niya.

Naupo siya sa tabi ko at tumingin sa umiiyak pa ring si Kenji.

"Anong balita?" mahinang tanong niya sa akin.

Umiling ako. "Wala pa rin. Hindi pa rin nila mahanap si Kenneth. Nakakatatlong ikot na sila sa buong Institute pero kahit ni anino niya ay wala silang nakita."

I'm starting to get worried, too. I have a very bad feeling about this. Kind of like the same thing that I felt a few days ago. Something very big is going to happen any time soon, and I don't know if I'm fully-prepared for it.