Five Lives Left

Episode Two: Rowing of Two Lunatics

Both of us were silently rowing down the boat we're riding on the semi-shallow river beneath us. The sound of rushing water was music to my ears, relaxing my messed up state of mind and at the same time, it calmed my stiffening nerves down. I've never felt such anger before, rage against people who're close-minded and those who were easy to assume things beyond their ability to imagine. They just couldn't comprehend things when it would turn out they couldn't benefit from it. Turn it into another weird angle and everything would have a drastic change. POOF! You'd lose everything. But at this point of time, one couldn't just say whose fault it was; after all, all of us are contributors to this change we're talking about.

The reflection of the stars and the moon illuminated with the clear water. All the fireflies followed and danced with grace as we continued our rowing. I could hear them giggling happily, or might just be my own head creating illusions for coping mechanisms. Moreover, it was merely a myth to believe that they were, though still, the moments I'm delusional make me sane. The midnight breeze was followed by the eerie whispers of the wind.

"We all have to take a moment, even for a short time. Just to forget all the vicious beasts in our lives. Remembering things that made us who we are in the past, and the people played part in it. Like my family. My love, Kiko; and my children, Theresa, Rexel, and Winwin... They are on their longest break, rather an eternal yet peaceful slumber. I know it hurts to lose 'em, but I don't want them to hurt any longer." Manang Mayana began to look up into the dark skies in her most depressive state. Her tears dripped down across her wrinkled cheeks and wiped it right after with her sleeves like a typical child would do.

I knew what she's feeling — the same feeling of desperation and loneliness as if your entire existence wouldn't matter anymore once you lose the people you value forever. I missed everyone I loved as well, including my family that were long gone. If it weren't for that wretched son of a bitch, I could've been stressing myself out for my college finals and not trying to be a hero and save the world.

"You know, Manang. I certainly have no idea of what's ahead of us and the plans I'm about to execute. I don't even know what I'd do at this point would pay off right after. I just wanted everyone to have peace for once and not like this... sort of abandonment until all of us die." I said, engulfing her in a tight embrace. She hugged back so tight, feeling how dejected she was with all that's currently happening to us. "I don't have a home to get back to anymore. One day, I'd fall into a certain degree wherein I would just end my own life in exchange for peace.

We're almost there to our destination when I suddenly felt a strong presence that we weren't the only ones in the area. Not just felt, but rather a loud ringing of heartbeats stayed in my hearing for quite a while now.

"Wait, I... can hear... people."

I didn't know why I could even feel something bad happening at the moment. It's kinda odd but I could literally hear the sound of two hearts beating and there's some kind of warmth lingering somewhere in the atmosphere.

"Two men... I'm not sure." I said zealously, although confused. Backing up the old lady for the sake of protecting her in case some wild goose chase would happen, she only stared at the eastern part of the riverside where there were large bushes among the trees.

*Behind the bushes near the river*

"Shit... How come she knows we're here?" A man hiding in the shadows told his partner, holding up binoculars, stalking the other duo rowing peacefully who were now alarmed. They were wearing moss green coats and black hoodie jackets that one could easily find in a thrift store.

"We better go ahead before she'll totally spot us here. We'll just find the place tomorrow at sunrise." The other one said and then both of them left with no single trace.