No Way Out

Chapter 28: Tears

Chapter 28: Tears

Celestria's P.O.V.

Sometimes we also need to sacrifice ourselves in order to save others. We have no choice but to continue this freaking game.

Nakatayo ako ngayon sa harap ng sofa where French was sitting, looking utterly defeated. Parang wala siyang balak kumilos. The gun still lay beside her, a dark promise of the horror we were forced to endure. 'Yong kutsilyong kinuha niya kanina? I forced myself to put it back on the table. Huminga ako ng malalim, trying to calm my racing heart, before approaching the table. I studied the weapons laid out before me — a chilling array of death.

I was about to reach for the sword, its cold steel glinting under the harsh light of the room, when a gunshot echoed, ripping through the tense silence.

Napahinto ako sa aking ginagawa. Parang nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko. Every nerve in my body screamed. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence that followed the shot. A few agonizing seconds later, a body thudded heavily against the floor.

They’ve started!

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. I slowly turned towards the direction of the shot. My eyes landed on Reixel, shaking uncontrollably. Hee eyes were wide with terror, fixated on the convulsing form of Honey. She dropped the blood-soaked knife she held — it clattered against the polished floor, a metallic echo of our broken hope.

I fought back the tears threatening to spill. I knew it was hard, so damn hard, for all of us. Pero kailangan talaga itong gawin, if we ever wanted to escape this hellhole.

Hindi ko na itinuloy ang pagkuha ng espada. Instead, I walked back to French. I found her staring blankly at the scene unfolding before her.

Her face etched with shock and grief. She looked lost, utterly shattered by what she had just witnessed.

"French," I called out softly, willing my voice to remain steady.

Huminga ako ng malalim, trying to compose myself. Unti-unti siyang humarap sa akin. The fear and pain in her eyes almost broke me.

"Ga-gawin mo rin ba ang ginawa nila?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

I looked down, my gaze fixed on my own trembling hands. I had made my decision a long time ago. Sana naman, tama itong gagawin ko. I forced myself to look her in the eye.

"Alam kong hindi mo ito kayang gawin, French. Pero ito lang ang paraan natin para makalabas ka sa lugar na ito," I began, my voice cracking slightly.

"What do you mean?" She asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. Siguro ay naguguluhan din siya sa mga pinagsasabi ko.

"Don't hesitate to kill me. Hindi na rin ako magtatagal pa sa mundong ito," I confessed, the words tasted like ash in my mouth. "Kanina ko pa gustong magpahinga pero kailangan kong lumaban para sa inyo. Ilang minuto na lang, pakiramdam ko ay bibigay na rin ang katawan ko. Kaya, please… I'm begging you… please kill me," I pleaded, tears welling up in my eyes.

She froze, her expression a mix of disbelief and horror.

"Per—"

"Please, French, gusto ko ng magpahinga. Wala nang oras," I interrupted, my voice choked with emotion. This time, I couldn't hold back the tears. They streamed down my face, a final farewell to this cruel world.