Chess Pieces Endgame: Checkmate

Chapter 15

Nakatingin lang kaming lahat sa laptop ni Tracer, waiting for the voice to spill the question. I could see in their reaction that they are all impatient. Paano ba naman, may patanong-tanong pa yung boses na 'yon kung ready na daw ba kami, eh hindi nya naman maririnig 'yung sagot namin. May pa-thrill pang nalalaman.

The voice explained that our chess game started when the brothers, Dyke and Sieg, killed the Sanfords parents. Simula pa lang ng laro, pandaraya na ang ginawa ng Red Faction. That's why I understand Tracer's grudge. Lahat ng galit nya ay tinanggap ko. As I also helped to get the information of his parents and gave it to Dyke.

My skills. My hacking and tracking skills is a gift yet it's also a curse. Ang akala ko ay nakakatulong ako. I was even proud of myself. Little did I know, I was already breaking someone with my skills.

Halos ayawan ko na ang skills ko na 'to. But then,  without this, I don't think I will ever meet L or the rest of the EL Ordre and Red Faction. Despite in this death game, I've met people whom I can call as my family.

Napatingin ako kay L sa tabi ko na tahimik na umiinom sa kape nya habang matamang nakatingin sa laptop ni Tracer. We are all having the same expression on our face as we wait for the voice to speak again.

Alam namin na pinaglalaruan na naman kami. Whoever owns that voice must've known that we are desperate to find the Red Faction's hideout. Lalo na si Tracer. Kailangan naming mabawi kaagad ang kapatid nya.

"The Sanfords suffered so much in this game." the voice said. Halata ang pagpapaawa sa boses pero tumatakas naman ang katuwaan doon. "Imagine? The first move of the enemy was killing their parents that was against the rules! Then they plan to kill the older Rook's beloved woman! And worst, they took their youngest Sanford and made him their King! Para hindi makalaban ang EL Ordre sa kanila!"

The voice laughed. Nakita ko kung paano naapektuhan ang iba sa kanila especially Tracer and Ate Eresh. She looked so guilty at masama na talaga ang tingin sa laptop ni Tracer. Her hands were balled in a fist and Fourth's trying to calm her down.

That voice... It's trying to stir our emotions.

Nahalata ko na iyon. Una pa lang. Like it's trying to attack us on our weakest point. Like Aius going back to that condo unit after that day. Tracer going back to their house where his parents were killed. And I'm scared on what it's gonna be this time.

"But they're not the only ones who took so much damage in this game." the voice continued. "Well, alam ko naman na lahat kayo ay may kanya-kanyang pinagdaanan but I just want to commend this strong person dahil nalagpasan nya ang lahat ng iyon! It's none other than the Mad Queen!"

"Dami pang satsat ng putanginang 'yan." Kylo growled. Hindi na makapag-vape sa sobrang inis.

"Can't you trace it's location, Tracer?" Hoax asked. Sinusubukan nyang intindihin ang lahat kahit hindi sya masyadong makaintindi ng Tagalog.

Tracer shook his head.

"It's not retraceable."

Both L and I nodded by Tracer's statement. Ilang beses naming sinubukan i-track ang IP address ng sender but to no avail. Whoever it is, magaling din sya like us. It built their firewall so well.

"Well, then." muling sabi ng boses kaya napatingin ulit kami sa laptop ni Tracer. "I just gave you the question. Time limit, four hours. Good luck on answering that one! Ciao!"

Biglang nawala ang boses kaya nagkatinginan kaming lahat. We couldn't understand what just happened. Nakikinig lang kami sa mga pinagsasabi nya kahit marami syang satsat pero wala kaming napansin na tanong!