Behind The Bars

Prologue

"Come on! 2 more laps!"

The gym instructor shouted as he watched over his grade 11 students sprint around the perimeter of the covered court. It is 4 pm in the afternoon. All students seemed tired due to the extensive exercises and drills with the addition of the unrelenting heat of the day's weather. The students dropped on the ground after finishing the last lap - everyone catching their breath and wiping off the sweat that built up during the sprint.

"That's all for today. Good job." Our gym instructor said. "You may all go home already."

Just like that, he turned around and left us.

"C-Curse him." Said Anthony while still catching his breath. "Why does he have to be the subtitute teacher?"

"I know right? How am I supposed to walk home with this sore muscles?" I, Six, responded.

Anthony stood up straight and massaged his soring legs gently.

"Let's go to McDonald's before we go home to rest." He said.

I agreed. We both went towards our bags and pulled out a bottle of water and drank. We bid goodbye at our departing classmates. We changed our shirts with dry and fresh ones then we both went out of the campus and into McDonald's. The place was crowded by people. Fortunately, we found a vacant seat. Anthony ordered as I waited patiently at our table while tapping on my cellphone.

Anthony is a slim, average-heighted, and dark-toned man. He and I have been bestfriends for 10 years. We've known each other since we're children. I am also slim, a bit taller than Anthony, and light-toned. Poor eyesight led me to wear a pair of rounded, black-rimmed glasses. I am a shy and quiet person. And the way I look represents my personality as well - a decent man, well-disciplined, and intelligent (not to toot my own horn, but everybody does say so).

I peered outside the window. The sun is almost setting. I looked at the time on my phone. It is 6:30 in the evening already. We sure took our time resting inside the campus. As I turned my phone off, Anthony was there already holding a tray with our orders on it. He distributed the meals and we dug in.

"It's almost 7 already." Anthony stated as he looked at the time on his phone. "Let's go already."

I took a final sip at my cola and stood up. We picked our bags up and went out.

"I'll go now. Bye!" Anthony said.

He waved his arms as he entered a jeepney. Me and Anthony were once neighbors. But Anthony's family moved residence three years ago. But being in the same school strengthen our bonds. Despite the distance of our homes, our friendship remained strong.

I started to walk my way towards a terminal of jeepneys. It is a long way to go especially now that my body is sore.

"Curse you Sir Ignacio." I murmured to myself.

There are two ways towards my destination: a long but brightened area ang a short but dark, less-crowded way. I took the shortcut only because I can't tolerate the long way with my current condition. Usually, I take the long way. It is much safer and it was instructed to me by my parents to take that way for that reason.

Tonight was an exemption. As I turned towards a dark alley, I was petrified with a sight that will embed into my memories forever.

Blood.

Corpse.

Murder.

I stood in shock as I process the information in my mind. Murder... As I was about to snap back to myself, the murderer is already running towards me. Before I could run away and scream, I was grabbed by him.

"Hel--!"

The murderer shut my mouth before I was able to shout for help. I struggled and tried to get out of his grip. He put a knife against my neck. I felt the cold steel pressed against my throat.

"Don't try to shout or run away or else you'll find yourself lying like that person."

His voice was coarse and deep, shaky but intimidating. My tears started to fall down. I am not strong. I admit that. I excel academically, but physically I am weak. In my current situation, I can do nothing but cry. What else could I do? One wrong move can lead to my death. Plus, I can't really do anything with this worn out body.

"Come with me if you don't want to get harmed."

He dragged me towards a motorcycle. He threw me towards a bike and pointed the knife towards me.

"Get on. Don't try to do something you'll regret." He warned. "If you do anything I don't like, I'll make sure you'll pay for it."

The murderer's eyes glared like a predator hunting his prey. His movements are shaky but his words are clear.

I stood still for a while. What to do? Should I run for it? No, I cannot with this condition. Should I fight? Much worse. I cried as I get on the back of the bike. The murderer got on as well and drove off. I dropped my glasses as I tried to wipe off my tears.

I have no idea where we are going. All the way, I cried. What could I do? Should I jump and run? But I'm too weak and worn out. I can't do anything. I looked around. It's dark and overgrown with plants and trees. We are the only person there. The murderer stopped in the middle of this dark place.

"Give me your phone." The man said in a demanding tone.

I handed my phone. The man bent and broke it and threw it far away into the dark forest. I wasn't able to do anything but watch as my phone get destroyed. More tears fell as I remember the first day I got it. It was a graduation present for me by my parents.

The man continued driving.

"Pl-ease. Bring m-e back." I pleaded.

I started to grow more nervous and terrified. I was both scared and angry.

"Shut up." The man said. "Or I'll kill you."

I bit my lower lip to prevent sound from going out. I am very terrified now. It is almost thirty minutes already. Suddenly houses began to appear. But no one seems to be outside

I want to shout. I want to scream for help. But the murderer is clear with his words. He could do what he said he would do to me.

Then he stopped in front of a big house - close to being a mansion. The man dragged me inside of the big house and threw me on the floor.

"Take off your bag and stay there."

He went into the kitchen and searched the cabinets. While he was searching, I rushed towards the door and hurriedly openned the locks. Before I could open the door, the murderer caught me by the neck and pointed his knife towards my belly. I struggled as I gasp for air.

"Please don't!" I pleaded, tears flowing down.

"Then don't do that again!" The murderer seems furious and threw me back on the floor. "Take off your bag now!"

I did as I was told. The man approached me and dragged me towards the stairs. He is holding a handcuff. He cuffed my left hand at the rail of the stairs.

"This way, you won't go anywhere." He said.

He took my bag and went upstairs. I tried to pull off the cuffs, but failed. Eventually, I grew tired and dropped on the floor. I cried... that's all I could do anyway.

"Mom, Dad, Ana. I don't know what will happen to me. Help me. Help me..."

I cried before passing out.

I don't know what will happen to me. I don't know if I could ever see my family again. But, now for sure, I should find a way to escape this man.