In a Split Second

Prologue

#IASSPrologue

"Miss Robinson."

"Miss Robinson," ulit niya sa mababang boses

I was startled when his tone became low and scary. I swallowed hard and slowly lifted my head. His eyes landed on mine. His stare was cold and intimidating or is it just me being anervous wreck.

Bumagsak ang mata ko sa kamay ko na nababalot ng dugo, tuyong dugo na galing mismo sa walang malay na katawan ng pamilya ko.

"Did anyone else saw the incident?" he asked

We were inside this small room. Just two two of us. May lamesa lang sa pagitan namin. Dinala ako nila dito pagkatapos nilang hingin ang impormasyon ko.

I gulped and played with my fingers. Kanina pa ako hindi mapakali sa upuan.

God I feel so nervous. I clenched my fist to prevent my hands from shaking. My lips are trembling in fear. My heart is beating wildly inside my chest. Kinakapos din ako sa hininga.

All I can picture is my family with their dead bodies. The scene keeps replaying on my mind over and over again that made me feel much worse that I could have possibly felt in my entire years of existing.

"I want you to cooperate with us Miss so that we can help you. We need all the information to help us solve this case," he added

The police officer seem strict but patient. I just can't find the right words to say. My mind is in chaos. I couldn't even construct a sentence properly.

I licked my lips because it was so dry. My tears too, were dry from the amount of tears I've shed.

"I don't know," I answered weakly as I look down on my bloody hands

I am physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. Hinang hina na ang katawan ko at ultimo magsalita ay hindi ko magawa.

I heard him sighed. "Listen, I know it's hard but you have to tell us more."

I sighed.

Paano ko sasabihin sa kanya ang lahat simula umpisa kung magulo pa ang utak ko. I want it so bad to tell him everything but I don't know how to put everything together. The incident is still fresh on my mind and my heart continues to break into pieces. 

I must tell him.

I need to tell him.

But I'm too weak.

"I don't know, I don't know okay?! As soon as I got there, I saw a bunch of people in our neighborhood. They were all surrounding our house. I had no clue what was happening, so...I ran. I ran towards our house and there I saw..." I paused

My vision became blurry. Hot tears were forming on the corner of my eyes. I clenched my fist to calmed my breathing.

"I saw their lifeless bodies," my voice broke as tears slowly escape from my eyes

Humagulgol ako at tinakpan ang mukha gamit ang palad. 

He didn't utter a word. We stayed silent and all I can hear is my soft whimpers that made me cry more.

My heart is aching. 

Malapit nang bumigay ang katawan ko.

Inalis ko ang palad na nakatip sa mukha ko at tinignan siya. "So tell me. You tell me. Are they murdered?"

He sighed heavily and massaged his forehead. "Possibly, there were multiple gunshots on their bodies."

"Oh God," I cried

Napahilamos ako sa mukha ko at sinabunutan ang sarili. My hands are placed on the table as I recall the incident a few hours ago.

"Please...just please tell me in all honesty," I begged like my life is on the line

"Even in the slightest chance, can they still survive?" I asked weakly and looked at him

I don't care if my eyes are swollen right now. I don't care if my hair is a mess. I don't care if I look like a crazy woman in front of him. I don't care about anything anymore. I just want answers.

He avoided my gaze and shifted his position. Napapikit nalang ako at yumuko.

"I'm sorry," he muttered

Those words that I did not want to hear. It's not the answer I wanted.

"Who can it fucking be?" I asked myself and clenched my fist on the table

"Listen Miss-"

"Please," I pleaded

"Just give me a minute. I just need a minute, that's all I'm asking." I said without looking at him

I heard him sighed heavily. Ilang sandali ay naramdaman ko siyang tumayo hanggang sa marinig ko nalang ang pagsara ng pinto.

Tinakpan ko ang mukha ko gamit ang palad. 

I still can't process everything that happened right now. I can't believe they're dead. I can't believe I'm here, having a fucking interrogation. And mostly, I can't believe they were murdered.

It all came too fast. It just came all at once, no warnings, no signs. It just happened so sudden.

In just a snap, they're gone.

Gone too soon.

My life is meaningless.

My life too, is gone.

This is probably the first time that I've felt so empty. Like an empty vessel.

Everything felt so unreal. I have never even imagined my life to turn out like this.

I want to wake up from this nightmare. I don't want to be here anymore.

I want to see my family again.

I want to see them. Gusto kong makita baka sakaling may pag-asa pa. Baka sakaling buhay pa sila.

Who on earth would do such a thing?

Would do something inhumane!

I can't think of anyone who could have done this to us.

Ano ba'ng kasalan ko?

Bakit nangyari sa'kin 'to?

To whoever murdered my family, I just want to ask them. Ano ba'ng kasalanan ko sa kanya? What did I do to them that made them kill my family?

Whatever they're reasons are, it is still unacceptable. And it will never be.

Hinding hindi ko sila papatawarin.

To whoever did this to my family...

I'll make sure they'll pay.