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Chapter thirty-nine

COURAGE

You can never change someone to your liking. Every student that was unfortunate to be kidnapped here have their own weaknesses and strengths. What I've picked up starting from the first to the fifth day is surely interesting. It may have even changed who I am. Dahil pansin ko'y hindi na ako nagpapasimuno ng alitan sa kapwa ko estudyante, I've now become a spectator. Pinapanuod ko nalang silang sirain isa-isa ang kanilang mga buhay, in contrast to what I was doing dati pa. It was to stop them.

Nasa kuwarto na ako ngayon at pinaglalaruan ang ballpen na hawak-hawak ko habang nag-iisip ng malalim kung papaano ko sila makukumbinse na maghimagsik laban kay MC na isusulat ko rito sa notebook. Heh, joke lang. Grabe naman 'yong word na himagsik.

Tsk. Simula kasi no'ng away nina Azazel at Jeric sa kusina mas lalong lumala ang pakikitungo ng lahat sa isa't-isa na pati si president wala na ring magawa. Everyone's been deceived, that's what I could say. No one also seemed to take note of what Azazel said, as everyone started cleaning up after that... at isa-isa na silang umalis papuntang kuwarto. But of course, bago 'yon, sinamaan muna nila ng tingin si Prisoner four na para bang ang laki ng kasalanan niya sa kanila. I knew I had to leave too after making eye contact with him, knowing we had a good conversation yesterday, he'd definitely talk to me that time; but I had to stay low profile. Katabi ko pa nga no'n si president, pero mas nauna ako kaya hindi ako sigurado kung umalis din ba siya agad o kinausap si Prisoner four para pakalmahin siya. Understandable naman 'yong pinapakita niyang ugali, sino'ng hindi magagalit kung bigla nalang nawala sa harap mo 'yong tinuturing mong kaibigan? Nakikita ko rin kasi silang nag-uusap at nagtatawanan sa lobby dati kahit ibang-iba ang aura ng isa't-isa.

Sigh. Nakaka-stress. Dahil alam kong biktima lang kaming lahat dito. Lahat ng pinapakita namin ay resulta lang ng kahibangan ng lugar na 'to. Umiling ako habang sinusulat ang numero ng unang taong may pinaka-onti lang akong napapansin dahil sa katahimikan din niya. Prisoner Thirteen.

A Freshman. Isa rin sa tahimik— kaya alam kong kaunti lang malalagay ko rito sa notebook. I quoted his nickname that I personally gave him on the notebook. "The stuttering guy". That wasn't meant to offend him, it's what I think makes him different than the others. First impression? He was awkward around people, until now— actually. But he got better at communicating. Physical features? Well... he has a generic face and he's chubby. The thing is, we actually never had a proper conversation. His mysterious intent is somewhat to watch out for. He could be hiding something... more than what we'be known from Mental Education; whether the present or the past.

Looking at the things I just recently wrote, I wonder if he's going to be an easy one. Hmm, I'd definitely need to talk to him before things get messy. For now, I'll be moving on to my next subject. Prisoner two.

Another freshman. If I'm correct, she's one of the last freshmen alive along with Prisoner thirteen. And if I also remember correctly, she's the cunning student who introduced herself as the person behind MC. Funny how MC told her to stop being a poser and punished her for that. I was never convinced because how could a pretty young girl plan this monstrous hellish place? Alam kong bata pa siya, too young to comprehend how serious our situation is. Naaawa nalang ako keysa naiinis sa asal niya rito.

I jokingly wrote, "The first person punished for being acting like her age". I chuckled. But then I suddenly remember how she got punished that stopped me from writing another word to describe the prisoner. Nakalimutan ko na ang ilan sa nangyari sa unang Class Debate pero... teka— MC mentioned that there was something planted on our napes. When she mentioned it, I felt uncomfortable around my nape that I was gullible to actually believe it. In my defense, it is possible.