Mist and Moonlight

CHAPTER 40: Within Arm's Reach

(a/n his first POV hihi)

Salem's POV

My sister's abduction made them the whole school upside down. They never leave a rock turned. Security cameras are checked. Papa used his connection sa police station.

Do not make Aries Gabriel Jacinto angry.

He is the most understanding father but don't take it for granted. Hell will break lose when you touch his family lalo na si Mama at Artemis.

"Damn it! Anong wala!?" sigaw niya sa kausap na pulis.

"Pasensya na po pero hindi nakarehistro ang plate number ng sasakyan." nanginginig na sagot nito.

It's almost 48 hours ng nawala siya.
Kapag umabot pa bukas siguradong sasabog si Papa ng tuluyan.

Mama's are red and swollen already. Hindi pa siya natutulog simula kahapon.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap ito.
Umiyak ulit siya. She's like my sister too emotional. I remain calm dahil alam kong buhay pa ang kapatid ko.

"You should rest Ma." alo ko dito.

"No. Not until she comes home." My mother knows how to control her emotions unlike my sister.

"Please get us some coffee. Magtimpla ka na din kung gusto mo." she smiled remaining brave for us.

I am not like this before. May nalaman akong hindi maganda. A living stone tulad ng sinabi ng kapatid ko. I rarely show my emotions.

"Did you find her?" sagot ko sa telepono.

"Ayaw umamin ng nahuli namin." he answered gravely.

"Leave him to me." binaba ko ang tawag.

Dinala ko muna ang mga kape sa kanila bago halikan sa ulo si Mama.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

"Mag-iisip lang kung saan siya pumunta."

I took the keys of my motorcycle.

When I reach the familiar gate. It didn't took me long to reach a secluded room. Kahit ang mga maid hindi ito alam.

Hinubad ko ang jacket na suot ko at pumasok sa kwarto. His back is turned to me interrogating our prisoner.

"Saan siya dadalahin?" his face dark.

"Hindi ko alam napagutusan lang kami." the former answered.

"What do they want?" my turn to question him.

"At sino ka naman."nakaismid na tanong nito.

"Anwer my fucking question." I commanded him.

I look into his eyes searching his soul. If he has one kaso miski utak wala.

"B-blood r-r-ransom." that's it fear me.

"Blood ransom?" tanong niya.

"O-oo. M-ma-may sinabi siyang pangalan." he swallowed because of fear.

"Sino?" the latter quipped

"M-minerva."

Muntik ng magdilim ang paningin ko. Putangina pati Si Mama idadamay pa nila?! Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong kwelyuhan siya.

The door opened. May kumuha ng upuan sa tabi ko.

"Tama na pre." awat ng bagong dating.

"Tell us the truth kung ayaw mong maging bangkay ng maaga."

"Patayin niyo na ako." humalakhak siya.

"Gladly." he stood putting the dagger on his neck.

"O-oo na aamin na ako!" pinagpapawisan niyang sagot.

This one doesn't do jokes, a "no" is not an answer either. Blood trails down the former's neck dahil sa diin ng patalim sa balat nito.

"S-sa l-lumang bahay l-lagpas sa commercial building ng town c-center..." he shivers.

After questioning him we made the plan. While the rest of us retrieves my sister. The other two will be the eyes and the ears of the group.

"Ma late na ako uuwi may pupuntahan lang ako." I kissed her goodbye.

Tatlong sasakyan ang gamit namin. The other one just wants to show off.

We confirmed the location ng may isang SUV na nakaparada sa labas nito. The same plate number ang nakalagay dito.

XJC338

Pagpasok sa bahay ay nilibot agad namin ito. It was becoming dark. The nightsky is cloudy.

"1st floor. Clear"

"2nd floor. Clear."

This is cliché if she is kept in a basement. It's already used in the movies and stories. Gasgas na kumbaga.

A loud thud caught my attention sa isang kwarto sa first floor.

"First floor. East wing, second door."

Mukhang ordinaryong kwarto ito but the wall is too thick. If my suspicion is right may secret panel dito. The figurines arrangement on the divider caught my eye.

May kakaiba sa pattern ng dust break.
The swan figurine look clean. Hinila ko ito may secret room dito.

There I saw my sister's bloody fur.
May mga tauhan ding patay na. Blood splattered on the floor and walls. Kung sino man ang nasa unahan niya she's ready to devour it.

"Artemis!" I called her attention. She's angry her eyes glow silver and blue. Sa isang sulok ay may lalaking duguan tied to a post.

May mga narinig akong yabag na papalapit sa akin.

"Di ba si Dan yan?"

"Tangina."

"She's so angry right now."

They have their own comment.
I am shocked that she didn't kill him yet.

"Leave her to me. Delikadong lumapit sa kanya." utos ko.

They did what I told them to do. I don't mind stepping on the pool of blood.

"Artemis listen..." she growled at me. Tulad ng asong ayaw magpaagaw ng pagkain. "...please stop that. Isipin mo sila Mama..."

I tried to touch her but resisted. Backing away at the corner of the room.

"Grrr..." I hug her neck to calm her down. I feel her shift to her human form. Ginala niya ang mga mata niya sa kwarto "What have I done?"

She hollered on my chest. She bathed in blood lalo na ang damit niyang suot. Sinuot ko ang jacket ko sa kanya.

"Check his pulse. Baka buhay pa yan and bring him to the headquarters."

I let her rest sa isa sa mga sasakyan. Tulala ito at walang imik sa passenger seat. We drove off the area baka may makakita pa sa amin. Sa headquarters muna kami ngayong gabi.

As for Daniel sa hospital na siya ididretso.

I am part of the reapers. The first of our kind.