No Time to Die

Chapter 01

Chapter 01

Mission

They say that once you let the darkness inside you, it never comes out. It's hard to crawl back out into the light and see hope in things. It's easier to just feed yourself to the darkness... To never bother letting it go because it feels normal.

It's my life.

Thirteen years ago, I know what it's like to live in peace. Thirteen years ago, I was full of life. Pero lahat ng iyon ay nagbago nang datnan ko ang buong pamilya na patay sa loob ng sarili naming mansiyon. My father had multiple stab wounds. My mother, who was in labor when they were attacked, had a bullet in her head. And my newborn baby brother... Ni hindi ko masikmura nang dumapo ang tingin ko sa kapatid na wala ng buhay at pinapaliguan ng dugo.

Life was harsh to me. Madalas kong isipin na bakit hindi na lang din ako pinatay? Bakit ang mga magulang at kapatid ko lang? Surely, it's better if I was with them during those last moments. To be able to protect them at least while we fight to live.

But that's all in the past. My life, no matter how cruel, shaped me into who I am today. The fierce and untouchable Nerissa Brooks.

Umugong ang hiyawan ng mga manonood nang mapatumba ko ang kalaban. I grew up in fight clubs. This is totally in my wheelhouse.

"Yield," malamig kong sabi sa lalaki. He's been unfair in this fight. Wala akong armas habang siya ay may brass knuckles at kutsilyo na nakatago sa suot na boots.

Imbes na sumuko ay muli itong sumubok na masugatan ako gamit ang kutsilyo. I evaded it swiftly and caught his arm. I used my force to direct the sharp blade onto his chest.

"I said, yield."

Nanginig ang kamay niya at nabitawan ang kutsilyo. He bowed his head as a sign of defeat. Mas lalo namang umingay ang paligid. They were even chanting my code name.

"Queenpin! Queenpin! Queenpin!"

When I was hailed as winner, I collected my money and went out of the cage immediately. Agad kong nakita ang kaibigang si Natalia na nakaabang sa exit. Nilagpasan ko siya pero sinundan niya ako hanggang sa sasakyan ko.

I went in and removed my blonde wig. Inalis ko rin ang net at pins. It revealed my long jet black hair.

"I knew you'd be here," said Natalia. Nakaupo na siya sa front seat at nakapatong ang mga paa sa dashboard.

"Of course you know. I told you I'd go here."

I drove away from the place. Tinahak ko ang daan pabalik sa headquarters.

"Old habits really die hard. What's so lovely about fight clubs? It's rowdy and everyone plays dirty."

"Wala lang. It clears my mind," sagot ko.

She scoffed. "Really? Dirty players clear your mind?"

"Yep. They remind me how unfair this world is."

Natahimik si Natalia sa sinabi ko. She know damn well what I meant.

"Anyway, there's a new burger joint downtown. Puntahan natin?"

Umiling ako. "I'll pass. I have a mission briefing in ten. Can't be late."

"Why? Si Danté ang magbibigay ng mission?"

"Yeah. The director himself."

Nang makarating kami sa HQ ay agad may sumalubong sa amin.

"Agent Brooks, Agent Vasquez," sabi nito at yumuko pa. "Danté paged the both of you. Fifth floor. Conference room."