No Time to Die

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Hit

I don't know how long I've been staring into nothingness when Colton tapped my shoulder. Bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo sa sahig at hinayaang kausapin niya si Greg. At this point, I don't care about anything else. I just want to get out of here alive and fly back to Chicago. I want to torture Danté... I want him to feel the pain that I'm feeling. I want him to get a taste of the hatred I've been nursing for years. Fuck. I want him to die! So damn bad that I don't care how it's done. Ang alam ko lang, at sisiguraduhin ko, na ako ang papatay sa kanya.

"Greg's our best shot at getting out of here unscathed. Can we trust him?"

It took me long to process what he said. Natauhan lang nang napagtanto na kaya kami nandito ay dahil ipagbibili siya ni Greg. Colton will serve as payment for the brotherhood. Hindi niya alam iyon at sigurado ako na napikot na siya ni Greg sa kaunting minutong pag-uusap nila. He's not easy to manipulate but he's just a kid.

"You should only trust yourself," I replied.

"I do trust myself. I trust you too, that's why I'm asking for your opinion."

"You should never trust me, kid."

He shrugged. "Alright but right now, I believe in you. So what do we do?"

Saglit akong natahimik at nag-isip. I am very fueled with anger right now. Hindi maganda na pinapangunahan ako ng emosyon.

Tatlong beses akong huminga ng malalim habang nakapikit. Logic is what I need right now, not these damned emotions.

In order to kill Danté, I have to get out of here. In order to get out of here, I need a safe way out.

"Follow me."

"Where?" tanong ni Colton nang tumayo ako at nilagpasan siya. Greg was startled by my sudden move so he wasn't able to react quickly. Naunahan ko na siya sa pinto. Agad kong pinihit iyon at nang tuluyang bumukas ay bumungad ang mga alertong bantay. Their guns were immediately pointed at us. I figured they are just ordinary brotherhood guards. Definitely not the elite types who don't ask before they shoot because they just shoot.

"Nerissa, what the fuck are you doing? I told you I have a plan!" mariing bulong ni Greg.

Yeah. A plan involving a kid. No, thank you. Ni hindi niya naipaliwanag sa akin bakit kasama ako rito. Kung bakit, pati ako, ay nakatali. Bakit hindi niya pa ako diniretso sa buong plano niya? I bet he doesn't know I'm a part of the brotherhood. That right there is already a flaw in his plan. Or maybe not... Maybe he knows and he's planning to sell me off, too.

"A little heads up would be nice," Colton said.

I stepped forward. Lahat ng baril ay sa akin na nakatutok. I just remained calm and composed. Rinig ko ang protesta ni Colton at Greg pero hindi ko pinapansin. I have a plan and they both should just shut up.

"I'm a member of the brotherhood. Can I meet your boss?"

The guards laughed at what I said.

"Back off, American."

Right. My accent.

I rolled up my sleeve and held out my forearm.

"I have the mark. Check it."

Walang pag-aalinlangang lumapit ang isang guard. He grabbed my wrist tightly to check. Kitang-kita ko ang pagdaan ng gulat sa mukha niya. And as realization finally hit him, he let go of me. Napaatras din kaya naguluhan ang ibang kasamahan.