Chess Pieces #2: Hunter Sanford

Chapter 51

Fate is so unfair. It will let you experience being happy but just for a while. 'Cause after that, it will let you feel sadness to the point where you can't remember those happy days anymore.

That's why everytime that I will feel blissful or ecstatic, I can't fully enjoy the feeling. I can't help but to worry that when my happiness will end, sadness will come right after. And it is really terrifying.

Kaya mas masakit kapag nakaramdam ng kalungkutan. Dahil naranasan mo muna ang maging masaya.

Hunter didn't come back to L's house. I waited for him but I just waited in vain. He's not even answering my calls so I decided to leave L's house. I have a feeling na hindi talaga sya babalik kung hindi ko sya mahahanap.

I know that Gray's death is too much for him to bear. That's why I wanted to be by his side. Maybe my presence won't help him but I want him to know that I'm just here. He still has me. He doesn't have to face this alone.

I don't know where to get strength anymore. I am feeling tired but I keep on thinking that I must keep on walking. I must keep on running after Hunter. Dahil kung hindi ay maiiwanan na naman nya ako. There's no room for tiredness here.

I wanted to cry so bad. I want to mourn for Gray's death. He's been a good friend. Pero kahit ang umiyak ay wala akong oras. I have to find Hunter.

I looked for him for all the places that we've been. I went to Palawan again. I just smiled when Nanay Flor asked me why I am always looking for Hunter. Kung pinagtataguan na ba daw ako. But when I said about Gray's death, she understands what was going on.

I hugged her when she cried. Naging alaga nya rin si Gray. Sya ang tumulong na magpalaki sa kanya so I know that it's hard for her too.

Umuwi ako sa Manila nang wala pa ring balita kay Hunter. It is already upsetting me but I tried to understand where he's coming from. Nawala ang kapatid nya. At siguro nga ay mas gusto nya ang mapag isa.

But I don't want him to feel all alone. Mas lalo lang nyang pasasakitan ang sarili nya. He'll blame himself. I know that he'll do. Dahil noong sa game pa nga lang na namatay ako, sobra sobra na ang naging reaksyon nya. Paano pa ngayon?

Dumiretso ako sa bahay ni Daphne at ng kakambal ko. I feel so tired and I just want to rest for a bit. It was already late when I got there but still, Apollo didn't sleep and waited for me. When he opened the door, I immediately hugged him and cried on his shoulders.

"Gray is dead, Apollo. And I can't find Hunter anywhere." I said in between my sobs. Apollo caressed my hair as I tightened my hug on him.

I heard Apollo sighed. Gray was his friend too. Naikwento sa akin ni Daphne na madalas si Apollo sa bar kung saan bartender pa lang si Gray noon. That's why they became friends.

Daphne also cried with me. Naging kaibigan nya rin si Gray. We actually met because of her. At masakit rin para sa kanya ang balitang ito.

"It was so sudden..." Daphne said as she sobbed. Humigpit ang yakap ko sa kanya. Nakita kong nakatulala lang din si Apollo. Even I got shocked by his death.

He doesn't deserve this. Hunter doesn't desrve this.

"What happened, Artemis?" Apollo asked. I just shook my head. Hindi ako pwedeng magkwento nang hindi nila nalalaman ang tungkol sa secret organization. If they know about it, then they will be in danger too. Kaya mas mabuti na lang na huwag din nilang malaman.

Daphne was waiting for my answer but I just kept my mouth shut. Apollo nodded like he understood everything. Alam nya ang tungkol sa paghahanap ni Hunter sa pumatay sa mga magulang nya kaya siguro ay may ideya na rin sya kahit papaano.