The Fire Ignites

14| Trigger

When he motioned to the door, my mouth slightly opened. Biglang nanlamig ang palad ko, kasunod ang pamamasa nito.

"Uhm.. Sa labas?"

Napatingin ako kay Rico. He smiled gently and nodded at me, urging me to go on. I looked at Dathan who's now opened the door beside him.

I awkwardly smiled and said, "Pwede namang siya yung lumabas?" I pointed at Rico. However, he didn't say anything and continued to look at me while his arms hold the door open. Wala akong naging choice kung hindi umabante.

I warily looked at Dathan when I reached to where he is, "Are you sure?"

I feel like I should ask this question to myself though.

"What are you afraid of, Liana? You were able to overcome death, what is more to be afraid of?" nagtatakang tanong saakin ni Dathan na hindi na naghintay ng sagot. Bigla nalang siya lumakad na.

That's the problem Dathan, I was not afraid of death. I was longing for it.

Napalunok ako at sumunod na rin sakanya.

The walk was silent, but it was able to allow me to take the place in. Unlike Corden, this place is gloomy. Kung ang Corden ay parang araw-araw pinapakitaan ng rainbows and butterflies, this place is the opposite.

Ang lugar ay parang hindi nasisikatan ng araw. Maybe that is why the hallway to where I was staying is dark. Akala ko ay tago lang talaga ang kwarto kung nasaan ako, pero mukhang buong lugar ay ganto ang ambiance.

"What do you call this place?" curious kong tanong, patingin tingin parin sa paligid.

Dathan turned left at muntik na akong umatras.

A huge space consisting of cheap tents filled my vision. Families flooded in front of me, doing things they normally do.

I saw a mom carrying her baby to sleep. On my far right, a group of children are encircling each other while playing. On the other side, a man is trying to fix their tent. A lot of them are smiling, talking with each other.

Dathan was already surrounded by a lot of people, smiling and talking with him. Magiliw din naman siyang nakisama. I stayed rooted at my place. I don't know any of these people. I am not an introvert person, I am sociable as I was trained to socialize by the Corden City, but here..

Being in a place that is not familiar, with people I don't know gives me anxiety. Nang bumaling saakin si Dathan ay napatingin narin ang mga kausap niya saakin.

A lot of them were surprised. Some frowned, some stopped smiling. Unti-unti nagtinginan na rin ang ibang tao, even those who were outside Dathan's circle. Ang iba ay napatigil para tumingin.

I looked at them too. Funny, because I can see in there eyes that they know me. But I don't know any of them.

And I feel like they don't like me at all.

I stepped near forward to where Dathan is. I held my hands together and forced myself to smile.

Smile, Liana. Your good at this. You got this.

I smiled at them and tried to look at each one of those who were talking with Dathan awhile ago. Pero umiwas lang sila ng tingin. May iilan namang ngumiti pero peke, pagkatapos ay mabilis ding umiwas ng tingin.

"This is our new recruit." The group was suddenly quiet. Walang nagsalita, even the adult ones shut their mouth. I bit my lips.

Recruit?

"Hello.." matinis ang boses ang nagpalingon saakin. A child greeted me. This time, I can't help but to smile genuinely. Lumuhod ako para magpantay kaming dalawa, "Hi." I offered my hand for a handshake.