The Lost Boys (on-hold)

| Lost: Safety |

"Let's face it. Those bastards will never stop until they ditch Drim's butchered body to God knows where!" Baron exclaimed.

Drim scowled at his twin, "As much as I want to punch you in the gut for saying that, it's the truth..." his face darkened when he turned to us, "They're not just some ordinary group. They engage in lots of illegal and unlawful shits out there so they wouldn't bother going beyond greater heights just to fucking kill me,"

"Why do we have to be chased down by someone who wants us dead?" halos wala sa sariling bulalas ni Dru. I lifted my eyes and saw the same dark expression in his face which was very far from his usual bright smile.

Hindi ko naintindihan ang sinabi niya. They are being chased down? By whom? Someone who wants them dead? Who is it?

I wanted to ask him about it if it wasn't for the things that keep running around my head.

Kanina pa ako walang imik habang nakikinig sa usapan nila pagkatapos ng sinabi nila Ferdy at Carrie sa akin. Wala akong naging reaksiyon o maging sagot. Katahimikan lang ang naibigay ko.

I was born and raised in Riverbay City. Truth be told, it was just another city up north. Despite being one of the largest cities, Riverbay City isn't exactly any different from the others - it could be full of shitty people where unpleasant things also happen around, yet I grew up having so much attachment to the place. That leaving it behind along with the family I once had and cherished, completely shattered every last pieces left in my heart; that when I chose to left the city, I also had to leave a part of me...

I would badly want to come back in different circumstances but it's been merely two months and going back now isn't part of my initial plan.

However, someone's life could be in great danger if we choose to stay.

They are still immersed into the conversation when I decided to finally voice out one of my thoughts, "Why Riverbay City?" I asked to no one in particular, only enough to shut them up.

All their heavy eyes fell on me as I sat motionless inside the van, facing them. Bukas pa rin ang sliding door at nakaupo kami sa loob ni Earl na gising pero mukhang inaantok. He's making an effort of staying awake just to be aware about the situation. While the other boys outside the vehicle are standing in a semi-circle with the right distance from each other; Dru's leaning on the door beside me with his arms crossed. In his right was Baron followed by Drim, Carrie, and Ferdy.

"Why Riverbay City?" I repeated in a stern voice. Nakuha ko nang mag-angat ng tingin sa kanila at unang tumama ito kay Carrie. "How could you tell that it's the safest city? What are your grounds?" dagdag ko pa.

Hindi inalis ni Carrie ang tingin sa akin nang magsalita, "Aside from it being the farthest city from where those goons are residing, they also have the weakest connection and power in that city based on Drim's knowledge. That means, it wil be harder for them to find us there."

"Well, is it the only city where they have no power over with? Have you tried looking into other near cities?" I turned to Drim, sounding almost desperate even in my own ears.

"Iyon lang ang alam ko, Eri." matigas na sambit ni Drim.

Umiling ako. No. I won't go back, more so getting close to stepping a foot in that place again.

"Wala na ba talagang ibang lugar, Ferdy?" tanong ni Dru. Sapat na ang katahimikan ni Ferdy bilang kasagutan.

"At this point, they will surely be able to find us even in the smallest cities, both rural and urban. So for now, we have no other options but Riverbay City..." Carrie pointed out.

Baron sighed exasperatedly, "Hey, look. We can just go back to our town and-"

"The fuck. Is that even a suggestion, Barymore?!" galit na asik ni Drim.

"Then do you have better suggestion, asshole?!" asik pabalik ni Baron.

"I do actually have one, unlike something out of that pickle-head of yours-"

"I suggest we go back because those fuckers probably wouldn't think we're crazy enough to do so! Kaya hindi na nila pagkakaabalahan na hanapin tayo-"

Drim scoffed, "Bullshit. You're crazy. Your idea is fucking stupid like you!"

"Hey, guys-" sinubukang pumagitna ni Ferdy ngunit inunahan na siya ng nanggagalaiting si Baron.

"You're the stupid one! If you just listened to Grandma and Grandpa then your stupid ass would never be involved in this shit! That's what you get for always wanting to appear like a fucking tough guy in front of everyone!"

Akmang susugurin na ni Drim ang kapatid nang mabilis na pumagitna sina Ferdy at Dru. Watching them fight because I couldn't accept their decision makes me feel so damn guilty. I am the only hindrance why they can't proceed with their plans. I shouldn't even be here, in the first place.

Tila may bumabara sa lalamunan ko habang pinapanood silang nagtatalo.

Kung wala ako, wala sana silang problema at pinag-aawayan ngayon. Ako iyong sagabal sa kanila. Inaamin ko dahil iyon ang totoo.

Sa sandaling panahon ay may nabuong desisyon sa isip ko at hindi na ako naghintay pa ng pagkakataon para ipaalam ito sa kanila.

"I'll stay here," that made them stop and bring their attention back to me.

Carrie's brow raised, "Kung mananatili tayo rito, hindi lang buhay ni Drim ang nakataya. Kasama na rin-" aniya na agad kong pinutol bago pa siya matapos.

"I understand and respect your plan but I have other plans of my own ever since I left. Isa pa, hindi n'yo naman talaga ako responsibilidad at kaya ko na rin ang sarili ko," I gave them what I hope was an assuring smile.

"Eri, you can come with us..." nangungumbinsing sambit ni Earl sa gilid ko.

Umiling ako at tipid na ngumiti sa kanya, "No, Earl. I can't return to the city where I got myself broken..." ibinalik ko ang tingin sa mga nasa harap ko, "You can all go there without me. It's okay."

"Fuck," ani Drim at naglakad na palayo.

Seryoso pa rin si Carrie ngunit tulala sa kung saan. Ferdy, Baron, and Earl has a torn expression on their faces while Dru can't shoot me a glance.

Again, I swallowed the lump on my throat. I know I look pitiful enough and I don't want them to pity me. Crying would only make me even more pathetic.

Totoong ayos lang sa akin na humiwalay sa kanila dahil iyon naman talaga ang plano sa simula pa lang. I was the intruder in the first place and now I'm causing them more problems that they won't even have if I was out of the picture.

I took a sharp inhale, "With that being said, thanks for keeping up with me up to this moment. I know I've been a pain in the ass for a while and I'm sorry... Uh, I guess that's all since I'm not exactly a cheesy person so..." I chuckled lightly to ease the mood but no one reacted.

"What's your plan, Eri?" Ferdy seriously asked me instead. The others seemed curious as well.

Isang bagay lang ang pumasok sa isipan ko sa sandaling iyon.

"To live as far away as possible from my reality," I answered with a mischievous smile on my face.

♢♢