Genius in Distress

Chapter XI: Lt. Alex Alcatra

Atlantis was in the car with her mom. They were both excited to reach home. Her dad would be delighted for sure seeing the two ladies he loved so much.  

“So do you have a boyfriend yet?” asked her mom.

She rolled her eyes and shrugged. “Never mother.”

Her mom turned, facing her. “Why is that? You are very pretty and very intelligent. It’s a shock no one courted you before.”

“That’s the problem mom, the word ‘very’.”

Her mother held her hands, “No, I don’t think na na sa’yo ang problema. You are special. Someday, you’ll meet the right person who truly deserves you.”

She was about to say that having a boyfriend was least of her priority when gun fires rang out.

She reached out for her mom.

Their eyes locked for a terrifying second.

Mooooooooooooooooooom!

Aia jolted upright in her bed. Her heart was hammering so hard that she could feel her heart jerk and she was panting. Too frightened to go back to sleep and afraid to lie down in the dark, Aia fringed back covers, untangled her legs from twisted sheets, got out of bed and switch on the light. Pacing the length of the room, she tried to take a deep breath, willing herself to calm down, but nothing helped.

She went to get a glass of water but then, she remembered, she was not in her apartment in London, nor in her room in their home.

She sat on the edge of the bed crying. She felt so alone. She wished she had someone she can turn to for support and comfort. Aia thought about her dad, but he’d been through so much too. Her super friends!

 But no.

She didn’t want them to get involved in the mess she was in. It was too risky and dangerous. She’d have to wait until everything cleared before she could tell them. They’d understand, she hoped. Lt. Castellejos entered her mind. She shook her head.

He dislikes me!

Aia glanced at the clock in her bedside table. It was four in the morning. In stillness of completely being alone, she got up wore her hoodie and shorts, pull on thigh high socks, and jump her feet into a pair of sneakers she worn yesterday and gone out for an early morn walk. She didn’t bother to wear her vest since she was inside a military facility.

Aia spotted a hammock. Pumwesto siya doon. She took a look around the camp in a morning view. She was surprised to see soldiers on the field. They were doing some drills. She wondered if Lt. Castellejos was one of them.

Now, why are you thinking about that Strict, Stiff and Stoic officer?

Aia stomach grumbled. She rose, and decided to go to the cafeteria, hoping na bukas na iyon. On her way, soldiers were throwing her curious glances. But she ignored them. She halted just a few meters outside the cafeteria when she saw the inside; it was crowded with soldiers in civilian uniform. Some were having breakfast; some were drinking coffee and chatting the time away with the troops.

“Aren’t they sleeping at all?” she whispered to herself.

She was thinking twice as to go on or go back to her quarters. But the crunched in her stomach made her continue. She walked slowly towards the entrance. When her presence felt by the troops, she stood still, glued on the doorway. The place fell silent, all eyes turned to her; curious and questioning eyes, wondering who the intruder to their territory was.

Aia tried to ignore their presence. But it was next to impossible, especially when all attention turned her way. Darn, this is not a good idea, after all. Lt. Castellejos was right. She muttered a simple, ‘good morning,’ and continued moving. They returned her greetings with a nod and went back to what they were doing before they were disturbed by her intruding presence.