Candle in the Dark (Tragic story #1)

Chapter 1: Darkness

Present: "and then darkness already consumed me"

"Anak, bakit hindi ka pa nag aayos? Dali na! Kunin mo ang mga gamit mo at nang makaalis na tayo dito!"

Bags were already packed, they were ready to go and officially leave my father behind.

But I did not move any of my things, not even myself. I understand that my mother only thinks of my sibling's safety and possibilities. However, thinking I could help him but instead choose to leave is a nightmare! Habang buhay ko yung dadalhin at hindi kakayanin ng konsensya.

"Magpapa-iwan ako."

Mga katagang binitiwan pagkatapos matuling nag isip at timbangin ang mga bagay bagay. Walang nagawa ang nanay sa ginawang desisyon. Tanging kakarampot na pera at lumang cellphone ang iniwan sa akin.

"Tatawag ako oras-oras"

My last conversation with her crossed my mind as I passed by the playground and saw one little girl whining in front of her mother, with her finger pointing at the ice cream vendor in the side. Probably wants to have ice cream but her mother does not have money, so she can't do anything about it. Hence, the reason for this little girl's small cries.

I wonder how it hurts the mother for not being capable of giving her child's wants.

I continued walking, not planning to back out for my today's goal. Alam ko kung saan ako pupunta. Alam ko ang gagawin ko. At alam ko ang mga panganib na ibibigay nito. Pero determinado ako sa gagawin. Lalo na't nalaman kong hindi lang pala si Tito Allen ang supplier. In fact, he's just a bait to catch and lure others and engage them in this illegal works.

Lalo na't nalaman kong nasa panganib din si Achile! I do not know what can I do after hearing he's also a bait!

Nasabi sa akin ni Vienne ang ilang mga suppliers sa probinsya. Ang pinaka pinupuntahan raw ay yung nasa lamber sa may syudad. Ngunit nasa liblib ito ng syudad, walang tao, hindi gaano pinupuntahan ng mga civilian, tanging mga seller lang.

Gumawa ako ng paraan para alamin ang mga tungkol dito. Honestly speaking, I am scared! This isn't something to be done by someone like me who's clearly almost out of mind for continuously walking thru the wet, dangerous street to get to him!

There are no people around, only a few who's obviously transacting illegal business here. I couldn't fully blame these people for I know not all of them are here to ruin their lives or ruin others. Some might just have forced, some might have no choice at all, or maybe the deed just gives life to lifeless individuals. I can't determine which is which, but I know there is a life-and-death reason involved.

Two blocks more and I'm there. Feels like I have been walking for an hour. Seems like getting there requires more patience and braveness. Dahil kunti na lang, bibigay na talaga ang mga tuhod ko na patuloy pa rin sa paglalakad. Natatakot akong talaga. Yun ang totoo. But I'm almost there, and I'm done. Achile will be saved, that's more important.

Ipagkakanulo ang sarili para lang masalba ang isang tao. Never did I imagine I can do that, but here I am, really doing it.

Napansin ko ang dalawang lalaki na may malalaking pangangatawan sa may bandang 1st block, kung saan ang tungo ko. Siguro'y bodyguards ng pinaka kinaka-takutang drug lord sa probinsya.. Cord.. ang tawag nila.

Humarang ang isa sa daraanan ko pero pinigilan ito ng kasama niya.

"Pare, siya yung tinutukoy ni Cord. Kung ayaw mong malintikan, huwag mong galawin"

Nagtaka man sa sinabi niya ay nag patuloy ako sa paglalakad pagkatapos maliwanagan ang humarang sa akin at pinabayaan akong pumasok sa pribadong parte ng lugar.