Caught In Flames

89 : Not like him

ARTEMIS

"I never planned to agree to the game not because of what Kuyas friend said, but because I didn't think it was a need. I mean, at the time malapit ilang taon na lang bago kami mag-graduate. The more we should focus on our studies. But since Kuya's friend lied, nagkagulo ang lahat. Isinumbong niya ako kina Mom and Dad. Nagalit sila sakin kaya nag-away kami. Hindi ko din binalak tumakbo palabas kasi alam kong maiintindihan nila ang sitwasyon at papakinggan nila ako, pero nang makita ko si Kuya, hindi na ako nakapagpigil. Sa sobrang inis ko ay nagawa kong tumakbo palayo."

"And then you went to your friend's house, right?" Tanong ng hepe na siyang tinanguhan ko.

"Dumeretso ako sa kwarto ni Khali and then I saw her and Sue sitting on the floor facing a laptop. Napansin nilang namamaga ang mga mata ko pero hindi ko sinabi ang rason at naintindihan nila 'yon. Akala ko ayos na, pero ilang minuto pa lang ang nakakalipas, bumalibag ang pinto at hinatak ako ni Dad papunta sa kotse. He drove fast. We were driving through tall grass. Papunta kami kina Tita Hera at ililipat na din daw nila ako ng school. But I retaliated and out of nowhere this idea comes into my mind and I grab the steering wheel. Now that I remember all of this, akala ko noong una ay nakatakas ako sa kotse at umabot papunta sa bahay ni Tita. But it wasn't possible. Both because it never happened at hindi ko din alam kung nasaan ang bahay ng Tita ko."

"Before Mom and Dad dragged me out, I agreed to the game out of frustration. Sa sobrang inis ko binaliktad ko lahat ng sinabi ko tungkol sa larong 'yon jist to prove all of them wrong. Seeing how my brother had people to target, obviously they continued it. After the accident kina Tita Hera na ako nakatira. Lumipat ako ng school. And so did Khali. I remembered her eventually since palagi na kaming magkasama. I remembered who she is, but not our friends. Temper, Trailer, and Sue became nothing in my mind as if they never existed. Until I met them at the base." I played with my fingers and looked down.

"'Yung pinuntahan namin?" I nodded in response. Somehow I hoped he wouldn't say anything after that because I wasn't done. Moment ko na 'to, 'no?

I chuckled lightly in my mind. How can I joke at a time like this?

"Lance─ I heard he told you about it kaya hindi na ako magsasalita tungkol do'n. I guess he transferred too. Nagawa niya 'yon habang wala si Kuya." I clenched my fists and bit my lip.

"He's the one who told your brother about the game." Napaharap ako sa kanya pero hindi ako nag-react. I knew it anyway. Iyon lang naman ang naisip kong dahilan.

"All of this, just to get his way with me. And now he submits himself just like that? Dapat sa mga katulad niya paunti-unting sinusunog ng buhay. He lied to everyone just because he couldn't control himself. Ayaw niya no'n? He'll die the same way he created all this chaos." I could feel the Chief's stare at the side of my head after I said that.

Where did that come from? Malay ko. From the dark depths of my brain, I guess? Some people bring out the demon in me. I guess this is it.

I smiled and looked up at the Chief, "Don't worry. I won't end up like my brother dear. Ikaw na bahala sa kanya, kuya, ha? Pakisapak naman para sa'kin. You might want to record my voice for proof."

Napangiti ito sa sinabi ko at tahimik na tumayo at nagpaalam.

I smiled to myself and pat my head, "It's about to end now, Art."

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thenewtyphoon:
GionaLebraco heto na
ud mo HAHAHAHA