ACT 40: First Round (PART 1)
BLAIR
Napaungol ako sa sakit na nanggaling sa magkabila kong kamay. Hindi ko 'yon magawang tingnan dahil baka masuka ako. I tightly clutched my wrist, hoping it would lessen the pain. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang elevator. I could see my reflection on the mirrors around me. Salamin ang pader ng elevator na sinasakyan ko.
I was wearing the same cat-like mask they were wearing. Somehow, it felt familiar. Na para bang nakita ko na ito noon. And then suddenly, strange scenes flashed in my mind.
I entered the woods. It was a dark forest, tall trees loomed over me. Pero biglang iyong naglaho at natagpuan ko ang sarili kong nakaupo sa lupa, my back pressed against the trunk of a tree. At nakita ko sila. Ang pigura nila sa kadiliman. They were a group walking towards my direction. Suot nila ang cat-like mask and red cloak.
Nakaramdam ako nang matinding sakit sa ulo ko pero mabilis din iyong nawala. I wanted to look at my face, I told myself. Sa nanginginig na mga kamay, tinanggal ko ang maskara sa mukha ko.
My white blonde hair was neatly combed. I have bruises on my cheeks. Napansin kong tuyo na ang dugo niyon. Funny how they could comb my hair but they couldn't even clean my face, I told myself. I realized na nakasuot pala ako ng black-and-white stripes na prison uniform. Dumako ang tingin ko sa numerong nakatatak sa leeg ko—296. What does this number mean?
Strange how I could remember these small details pero hindi ko magawang maalala kung paano ako nakarating dito.
"You are in the most prestigious place on Earth. At isa ka sa mga masuwerteng estudyante na napili ng nakatataas para sumali sa pinaka-unang madugong laro sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas." Miss Trinity's voice echoed in my head. Napahawak ako sa sentido ko at marahan iyong hinilot.
Game of Survival... what the hell does that mean?
Isang buton lang ang nakalagay sa loob ng elevator. May nakalagay na capitalized letters ng "ARENA" doon. Nararamdaman ko na ang pabilis nang pabilis na pagtaas ng elevator hanggang sa tuluyan na 'yong tumigil.
The elevator came to a screeching halt and dinged. Then the next thing I knew, the doors slid open. It revealed a monstrous arena packed with people wearing the same prison uniform I was wearing. Bahagya akong nakaramdam ng takot. Is this supposed to be some kind of prank?
Napunta lahat ng tingin nila sa gawi ko. Napansin ko ang mga kamay nila. Sugatan din iyon pero nababalutan na ng benda. I scanned the entirety of the arena. There were bleachers on both sides. May malaking telebisyon din ang nakakabit sa pader sa may dulong bahagi ng arena. I also noticed the cameras attached on every corner.
"I-I'm sorry I couldn't save us both."
Napapikit ako sa sakit nang biglang umalingawngaw ang pamilyar na boses na 'yon sa tainga ko. I fell on my knees. Hindi ko namalayan na bumabagsak na pala ang luha ko.
"N-no... don't say sorry... T-thank you, Jem. Thank you and I'm sorry."
This time, it was the sound of my voice, I'm sure of it. There were flashes of images in my head. Napakislot ako nang may maramdaman akong humawak sa braso ko.
"Are you okay?" a voice asked from behind me.
Nagmulat ako ng mga mata at nagtaas ng tingin. It was a guy. He's wearing the same clothes. Malungkot siyang nakangiti sa 'kin. He helped me get up. "Baka gusto mong lagyan 'yan ng roller bandage?" aniya. Ang tinutukoy niya ay ang kamay ko.
BINABASA MO ANG
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