Group Chat (GC Series 1)

GC 89

Author's Note: The flashback covers events from chapters 31-33. 11 more chapters to go!

Sunod-sunod akong napalunok habang pinapanood sina Axiel at Aeron. Mukhang walang ideya si 14th kung sino ang kausap niya, ngunit hindi malabo 'yon dahil hindi naman namin nakakasama sa personal si Aeron.

"Bibilang ako ng hanggang sampu. Kaya umpisahan mo nang magtago, Aeron." Tumaas ang balahibo ko matapos marinig ang boses ni Axiel, lalo na ang pagbibilang nito. His tone was cold and commanding, enough to make anyone's heart race.

"T-tinatanong kita. P-paano mo nalaman ang pangalan ko?" Hindi maikukubli ang gulat mula sa mukha ni Aeron nang makita ang buong mukha ni Axiel kahit naka-disguise ito.

The tension grew as Axiel hinted that someone close to him was one of Aeron's victims. He didn't name anyone specifically, but the context clearly pointed to sexual harassment. He wanted confirmation, but Aeron denied it. What exactly was Axiel referring to? What was Aeron being accused of? Buong akala ko'y tungkol sa pag-alis ni Aeron sa GC ang babanggitin niya.

"B-bitawan mo 'ko! Tulong!" Aeron screamed as he struggled to escape when Axiel found him hiding under a car.

"Yeah, that's it! Lakasan mo pa!" hamon ni Axiel sa kanya. He was trying to push Aeron into admitting something and answering his questions. They continued to exchange harsh words until I winced as Axiel drove an ice pick into Aeron's foot.

Axiel told Aeron to crawl to the yellow line, promising he would stop once Aeron reached it. Axiel was clearly still challenging him. Aeron had only two choices: to suffer more or to admit.

Aeron chose to crawl as fast as he could towards the yellow line. But he didn't make it in time, and Axiel attacked him again. "Tigilan mo na 'to, pa.. parang awa mo na. N-nagmamakaawa ako s-sa.. iyo. Hirap na hirap na ako."

I thought Axiel was going to finish him off, but something unexpected happened. Axiel's expression softened. as if he felt pity for Aeron. He suddenly apologized and took off his gloves as he walked away.

Pareho kaming naiwang nagtataka ni Aeron dahil sa nangyari. Hindi ko magawang habulin si Axiel dahil baka makita niya ako, kaya nanatili ako sa pwesto ni Aeron. Duguan ang paa niya dahil sa pagsaksak ni Axiel kaya nahirapan siyang maglakad at makapasok sa sasakyan. Buong akala ko'y lilisanin na niya ang lugar ngunit nagulat ako nang biglang umalog ang kotse nang makapasok siya.

Shit! Mukhang may iba pang tao sa loob? Pero imposibleng si Axiel 'yon dahil sa ibang direksyon siya lumabas, malayo kung saan naka-park ang kotse ni Aeron. I shifted to a new position to get a closer view of what was happening. I crouched beside a car near Aeron's. His car wasn't fully tinted, so I could see the scene inside. Hindi naisarado ni Aeron ng buo ang pinto ng maayos kaya rinig ko pa rin ang usapan nila.

"Sino ka? Pakawalan mo 'ko!" Aeron shouted in pain. Nakatakip ang mata niya gamit ang isang panyo, habang ang kausap niya ay nasa backseat. Iyon din ang parehong taong kausap ni Aeron sa loob ng simbahan; nakilala ko siya dahil sa suot niyang sumbrero. Ngunit wala siya kanina roon sa kotse habang kausap ni Aeron si Axiel.

"Kapag sinabi ko ba kung sino ako, makakatakas ka?" the person replied with a mocking laugh.

"Your voice is f-familiar," saad ni Aeron. Hindi malabong maging pamilyar nga ang boses nito dahil nakausap niya ito sa loob ng simbahan kanina. Ngunit anong pakay niya kay Aeron? Kasabwat kaya siya ni Axiel?

My eyes widened when the person pulled out a dog chain and made Aeron guess what it was. Aeron managed to identify it correctly despite his fear. I could barely hear the rest of their conversation as Aeron's voice grew faint when the person started choking him with the dog chain. The person tightened the chain even further, making it harder for Aeron to breathe.