Believe

04

Chapter 04

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ASHLEY

Distant voices finally started to become clearer as we neared to the center of the island where everyone is gathered.

"—ill found them?" I heard Hunter's voice emerged which immediately hushed them. His authority can be clearly felt as they all turned their attention to listen to him.

When we finally stepped out from the forest, I saw Hunter standing amidst the crowd. Nakahawak siya sa kaniyang mga labi habang malalim ang iniisip. When someone finally noticed us, he immediately snapped out of it at lumingon sa gawi namin.

"Andiyan na si Ashley!" I walked towards them as one of them called out to me. The people blocking Hunter automatically moved as he passed by between them. From my position, kitang kita ko ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya habang mabilis siyang naglalakad papalapit sa amin. When he was a meter away from me, he stopped. As he took in my appearance, his brows furrowed.

"Uhm, hey." I greeted him para sa iba matuon ang atensyon niya. I held Thorne who was hiding behind my legs.

"Thorne!" We all turned to the small bun who's running towards us. It's Kai. His tears were all over the place. Muli nanaman akong napangiti dahil walang pinagkaiba ang itsura nito kay Thorne kahit umiiyak.

"Anong nangyari?" I flinched when I felt Hunter touched my elbow. Tumingin ako sa kaniya at bakas sa mukha nito ang paga-alala.

"I'm fine. It's nothing serious." I took back my arm from him. He didn't reply to me but instead called for Bell.

"Dalhin mo siya kay Lorraine." Bell nodded at his instruction and smiled at me as she led me away from there.

Hindi ko na nakuha pang magreklamo. Ayoko namang dumagdag pa. As I looked back, I saw Hunter carrying Thorne in his arms. Halatang inaalo nito si Thorne na ngayo'y umiiyak nanaman sa kaniyang balikat. I smiled.

I silently followed Bell until we reached the wooden bridge leading to the over water cabins. We walked for a few minutes before we entered one of the cabins. A woman inside became aware of our presence as she heard us enter.

"Lorraine!" Bell greeted her as she sat on one of the couches at the side.

"Anong nagdala sa iyo dito, Bell? I don't see anything wrong with you." The woman laughed as she went near us. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko kaya nanatili lang akong nakatayo sa may pintuan.

Tinignan ko ang babae and I can tell that she's older than me and Bell. Bago ko pa malibot ang paningin ko ay tinawag na ako ni Bell. She motioned for me to come closer and so I did. Dito napalingon sa akin ang babae.

"Hi! I'm Lorraine and you're Ashley, right? I'm so sorry I haven't got the chance to introduce myself. Bihira lang kasi akong lumayo dito sa 'zone' ko." She laughed as she even did the air quotes when she said 'zone'. Ngumiti lamang ako sa kaniya at nakipagkamay.

"What happened to you, dear?" Pinaupo niya ako sa isang tiheras. Kumuha siya ng isang upuan at inilagay ito sa aking harapan. I bit my lip in pain when she checked my injuries. Habang nililinis naman niya ang mga iyon, I recounted what happened earlier to her.

"So, you're telling me, you've been walking since earlier with a fracture in your ankle?" I immediately cut her off.

"It's not a fracture, Lorraine. I just sprained my lateral ligament." She looked at me, raising her eyebrows at my terms.

"Oh, okay. I'm surprised you can tell that." Lumuhod siya sa aking harapan and did a physical examination of my ankle. I waited for a while before she nodded.