Saving Humanity

Chapter Forty-Three: Shattered

Chapter Forty-Three: Shattered

Holly

The sound of the gunshot echoes through my mind. My body freezes in an instant, and a cold feeling settles over me.

Binaril niya si Raf.

I watch, feeling helpless, as the President steps out of the hallway, belting out laughter.

Nanlambot ang mga tuhod ko at sumalampak ako sa sahig. Then a sob escapes my throat. Napahawak ako sa bibig ko, hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa mga nangyari.

Binaril ng Presidente si Raf. Because he isn't someone significant to his plans. For him, he was just a disposable someone that can hinder his plans if he doesn't eliminate him as soon as possible.

So he did.

Warm tears start to flow from my eyes, obscuring my vision. There's a deep pain in my chest that is new to me. It hurts so much, so much that I have to put both of my hands against my chest and push hard. Hindi na ako makahinga nang maayos dahil sa labis na pag-iyak ko.

Bakit ba kasi sinama ko pa si Raf dito? Dapat hindi ko na sila dinamay. Dapat ako na lang mag-isa ang kumilos, para hindi nalagay sa peligro ang mga buhay nila.

Si Ephraim... Kapag may nangyari ring masama sa kanya, hindi ko alam kung anong pwede kong magawa sa sarili ko.

I hear someone calling my name, but I'm too hurt to respond. The pain in my chest hurts so much, and I can't focus on anything but that.

Niyakap ko ang sarili ko. This is all my fault. Everything is my fault.

Someone calls me again, and this time I respond.

"Leave me alone," I say loudly, my voice cracking at the last word. "Please, leave me alone."

"Holly, it's okay. I'm not dead yet."

My breath hitches, and I stop crying in an instant. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali... Boses iyon ni Raf.

"Holly, stop crying. Hindi ako tinamaan ng bala."

I swallow, struggling to form words. "Raf? Ayos ka lang ba talaga?"

I wait for a few seconds, and then--

"Yes, dummy. Masyadong madilim sa loob ng selda ko. The President won't be able to aim directly at me."

Ian speaks up as well. "He's right. It was just a sick trick conducted by the President to produce a strong emotion from you. He wants you to be out of focus, and by the sound of your crying, I think he succeeded."

Pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko at kaagad na tumayo.

"Hindi," I deny. "My mind's still clear. I just let my control slip for a few moments, that's all. Everything's good now."

My knees are still shaking because of what I thought had happened, but I think I can manage not to cry. Masyado lang akong nagulat sa mga nangyari kanina kaya hindi ko na naman napigilan ang emosyon ko.

There's silence for a few moments, then Felicity speaks up.

"We have to get out of here." Her voice is shaky and hoarse, like she'd been crying and shouting at the same time. Gusto kong tanungin kung anong nangyari, pero may kung anong pumipigil sa akin.

Sumilip ako sa butas ng pinto. Nakita ko si Dr. Valdez na nakatitig sa akin.

"Dr. Valdez," I breathe. "Sila 'yung mga kaibigan ko. 'Yung kasama ni Pauline noong mahiwalay kami ni Jared sa kanila."

"Nasaan siya?" tanong ng scientist. "Nasaan ang anak ko?"

I can't help but smile as I wait for Pauline to speak. Noong magkakasama pa kami, nakita ko kung gaano siya ka-determinado na makita muli ang ama niya. Kaya masaya ako ngayon na sa wakas ay muli na silang magkikita.