Nikka found herself in a place she never knew existed. She exited the checkered door and the cold wind kissed her skin, making her hug herself in cold.
It was dark.
The sound of the crickets confirmed that a vast forest was ahead. Babalik na sana siya nang may napansin siyang babae.
She's not wearing a mask. Nakalugay ang mahaba niyang buhok habang niyayakap nito ang sarili.
" She's not a player. How did she end up here? " tanong niya sa isip.
Her curiosity led her to follow the young lady.
Palingon-lingon ito na para bang bihag na nagbalak tumakas. Maingat ang ginawang paghakbang ni Nikka para di nito mapansin.
" Lady Lianhua! "
Napaatras ng bahagya ang babae nang dumating ang mga nakaitim na lalaki.There are twenty five of them.
" Bakit po kayo lumabas? Bumalik na po kayo sa loob," wika ng isang lalaki.
" Pasensya na nagpapahangin lang," sambit ng babae.
Nikka did not expect what happened next.
Their eyes fixated on each other. Naririnig niya ang pintig ng puso niya.
Hindi niya alam pa'no sya nakita nito pero sigurado siyang may nais itong iparating.
Without looking away from her, the Lady took off her necklace and throw it into the water.
"Lady Linhua! That's your family's heirloom ," nababahalang tanong ng isang lalaki na nakayuko nang mapansin nito ang ginawa ng babae.
" I wore that for 8 years already. I want something new ."
Nang mapag-isa na lang si Nikka, agad na tinungo niya ang ilog. She's not a good swimmer and she could only survive for minutes under the water. Tinanggal niya ang pantali sa buhok at iniwan yun sa lupa.
" Aaaah," sigaw niya bago tumalon sa tubig.
Sinadya niyang sumigaw para may maghahaanap sa kanya. Kapag malulunod na siya, it won't take long for her to be rescued. She left a trace of her so they would locate her instantly.
She never thought her plan was too foolish, not until she's struggling under the water. The moment she found the necklace, she put it inside her pocket.
She felt her body getting heavier and numb. Her mind became blank. She heard the call of death.
" If someone would come for me, I would take him as my husband ," he utterred to herself.
There was a splash of water. Someone's coming over.
When she felt someone's arms holding her, she's already married.
Sa kabilang bahagi naman, aalis na sana si Damon para iligtas si Nikka nang may naalala siya.
[ Zeus, I can't save her ]
[ Why? ]
[ I have thalassophobia ]
" What do you mean? " tanong ni Sasuke na nakasalubong niya.
" The fear of large bodies of water, I have them," tugon niya rito.
Sandaling katahimikan.
[ Ako na ang bahala. Bumalik ka dito. Kailangan ka nila]
[ Pero__]
[ I'll bring her back. Alive ]
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Nagkatitigan lang sina Damon sa lugar na natagpuan nila.
