Elora's POV

STARING at my reflection in the mirror while blow drying my hair, I noticed that I lost weight. The dark bags under my eyes were, once again, making its appearance. I couldn't hide the tiredness in me that my mother worried about my health again.

It was a hell of a month for all of us while working on Janus 2. I wasn't really much help with regards to the technical aspect and scientific approach, but I did my best to be of service to Cooper by being his temporary assistant. I went back and forth from Manila to Cooper's private laboratory in Pasig every single day.

Fortunately, Eli made things easier for me by willingly driving me whenever I needed a ride. I didn't have to commute at all. He also delivered takeaways for us since we didn't have time to worry about that. However, I still often missed eating meals on time and settled for fast foods or ready-made sandwiches from cafés. Although it was tiring juggling my studies along with it, every second spent was very fulfilling to each and every one of us working on the project.

Binaba ko ang blower nang matapos ako sa pagpapatuyo ng aking buhok. Halos kauuwi ko lang galing sa laboratory ni Cooper. Naligo ako upang mawala kahit papaano ang pagod sa aking katawan.

Biting my lower lip, I worried about how I would look the next day. It was finally the most awaited launching date of Janus 1 and Janus 2 since the two Coopers were successful in building the portals which would―hopefully―make travelling between two parallel worlds possible.

Kung kailang magkikita na kami ni Elrond ay saka pa talaga wala sa magandang kondisyon. As much as I wanted to wear makeup to cover the dark circles, I wasn't really skilled to do so. I also couldn't decide what I should wear. Inalala ko ang laman ng aking kabinet at kahit na marami akong magagandang mga damit ay wala akong mapili.

Napanguso ako at naisip si Karina. Maybe she can help me choose which clothes to wear and doll me up for the once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

With that thought in mind, I stood up from my vanity table and picked my phone up from the lamp desk beside my bed. In the midst of composing a message for Karina, I suddenly received a call from Elrond on Alter.

A smile crept on my lips. He must be back at the warehouse. Habang pauwi kaming dalawa kanina ay magkausap na kami. Ang sabi niya ay kukuha lang daw siya ng damit sa kanilang bahay at babalik din agad sa warehouse kung saan nila binuo ang Janus 1.

I immediately answered his call. "Hello―"

"Wala si Coops dito sa warehouse! Nagri-ring ang cellphone niya pero hindi ko siya ma-contact! Wala rin ang Janus 1! Bukas na bukas ang pinto! Nagkalat ang mga gamit! Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari pero masama ang kutob ko!" natataranta at sunod-sunod na sabi ni Elrond mula sa kabilang linya. "Na-kidnap 'ata siya, Elora! Anak ng putspa! Ano ang gagawin ko?! Hindi ko alam!"

I could hear him panting hard because of anxiousness. Fear was also creeping in my system but I tried my best to keep calm. I needed to think properly. Ayaw ko ring makadagdag sa nararamdaman ni Elrond.

"Calm down, Elrond," I told him, my voice calm and low. "I know you're worried about your friend but, trust me, you need to calm down."

Nang sabihin ko 'yon ay nadinig kong unti-unting tumigil sa paghingal si Elrond. I was a bit relieved as he finally settled his emotions.

"Now, let's think..." sabi ko kahit hindi ko rin alam kung saan kami mag-uumpisa. "Sino sa tingin mo ang kumuha sa kanya?"

"Hindi ko sigurado pero sa tingin ko ay iyong mga bad guys na gustong makuha ang you-know-what―" Natigil sa pagsasalita si Elrond saglit. Napatayo ako sa kama dahil sa takot na baka may nangyari din sa kanya, ngunit kalaunan ay muli siyang nagsalita. "Alam ko na kung paano ko siya mahahanap! May tracker ang device! Ginawan iyon ni Coops at nilagay sa phone ko! Pupuntahan ko siya, Elora! Tatawag ulit ako kapag nakita ko na ulit si Coops!"

My eyes widened. "But, Elrond, wait! It must be―" He already ended the call before I could finish my sentence.

Doon na ako nakaramdam ng matinding kaba. Natatakot ako na baka mapahamak silang dalawa. It would be very dangerous for him to go alone. What if the men who kidnapped Coops are armed?

Nasa gitna ako ng pag-alala nang biglang tumunog ulit ang aking cellphone. Sa pag-aakalang tumawag ulit Elrond ay mabilis ko 'yong sinagot ngunit bumungad sa akin ang pangalan ni Cooper na tumatawag sa aming group chat. Naisip kong mabuti na lang din at napatawag siya dahil kailangan kong sabihin sa kanya ang nangyari kay Elrond at sa kanyang counterpart.

"Cooper, I have something to say―"

"I received an alert, Elora!" Cooper told me which cut me off once again. I also heard a sound that indicated that another user joined the call―it must be Eli. "Janus 1 is already activated! Nakausap mo ba sila? I thought we would launch it tomorrow?"

There was a hard pound against my chest which heightened my anxiety. Kung activated na ang Janus 1 ay nagsisimula nang tumakbo ang oras. According to the two geniuses, our time to use the portals was only limited to 24 hours. Kapag naubos iyon ay magse-self destruct ang portals kasama ang Esoterra.

If that happens, we won't be able to travel through different dimensions anymore. The time, money, and effort we spent to work on everything will be put to waste.

"Pupunta ako riyan ngayon, Cooper!" walang pag-aalangan kong desisyon. "Please wait for me. Your counterpart is in trouble. Ang sabi ni Elrond ay na-kidnap siya kasama ng Janus 1. Kaya pupunta ako, Cooper. I want to help them."

"Sasama ako," biglang pagsali ni Eli sa aming usapan na kanina pa nakikinig. "I'll take you there, Elora."

I couldn't help but feel emotional. Even though it was almost midnight, he was still willing to give me a ride. "Thank you, Eli."

"No problem. Drop the call now. I'll pick you up in three," he quickly said and left the group call.

"Mag-ingat kayong dalawa. Hihintayin ko kayo," sabi na lang ni Cooper at binaba na rin ang tawag.

Once the call ended, I didn't waste time and immediately slipped into my jeans and a simple tee shirt. Tulog na sina mommy at daddy kaya hindi na nakuwestyon ang aking pag-alis ng hating gabi. The moment I got outside of our house, Eli's car approached my way. Mabilis akong pumasok sa loob nang walang pag-aalinlangan.

"Buckle up your seatbelt," he told me, and once I did, he stepped on the gas and took off.

*****

ANTICIPATING our arrival, Cooper was already waiting for us outside his laboratory when we arrived. Eli didn't bother parking his car properly. We both went out and followed Cooper inside the building, going straight to the secret room where we decided to build Janus 2 for better security.

Pagkapasok na pagkapasok namin sa loob ay napatigil ako nang makitang activated na rin ang Janus 2. There was a bright whirlpool of light in the middle of it. Sa taas ay mayroong orasan na tumatakbo at halos tatlumpong minuto na ang nagagamit.

I knew it wasn't the time to be amazed but I couldn't help myself. Everything about the portal was very enticing. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nabuo namin 'yon sa loob ng maikling oras.

"As you both can see, it's already activated and working," Cooper stated the obvious. "Once you pass the portal, you're expected to arrive in the world where Janus 1 is located."

Kahit na hirap akong alisin ang mga mata sa portal ay nilingon ko si Cooper. "Ang ibig sabihin ba n'on ay kung nasaan ang Janus 1, doon ako lalabas kung sakaling pumasok ako?"

"Theoretically, that should be the case." He nodded, his eyes never left the portal. "But to be honest, that's still a hypothesis. Hindi pa natin napapatunayan na ganoon ang mangyayari dahil ngayon pa lang ito na-activate."

"What's the worst-case possible?" Eli asked.

Cooper adjusted his specs before he sighed heavily. "The worst case―of course―is you'll just disappear into thin air once you enter the portal."

Napalunok ako sa takot ngunit nang naisip ko na kailangan nina Elrond ang tulong, mariin kong kinagat ang aking ibabang labi. The faint metallic taste of the small amount of blood from my lips spread in my tongue. Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang aking cellphone bago nakapagdesisyon.

"Papasok ako, Cooper―"

"No, you won't," pagpigil sa akin ni Eli kaya naman napalingon ako sa kanya.

He was staring at me with an intense gaze. "Didn't you hear what Cooper just said?" he asked. "We're still not sure if this thing really works."

"Well, I can't just sit here, Eli!" I was already very frustrated and desperate. "They need help!"

"I know," he simply said, and then turned his head to face the portal. He suddenly looked so determined without any hint of hesitation in his eyes. "I will go instead."

My lips parted. Napalingon na rin sa kanya si Cooper sa gulat.

"E-Eli..." I didn't know exactly what to say.

"If you would successfully pass the portal and exit through Janus 1, you'd surely be like walking into a lion's den," he said, as a matter of fact. "Mapapahamak ka lang. Kaya ako na ang papasok."

"But Eli..." I took a deep breath as I worriedly looked at him. "I don't want you to risk your life for us."

"I'm not risking my life for anyone, Elora," he gave me reassurance as he averted his gaze back on me. "We're talking about my and Cooper's counterparts. Even though I don't really know them well, they are also very important to me. And besides, if I manage to successfully travel, I know how to fight. I can help save Cooper's counterpart."

Hindi ako sumagot at nag-iwas ng tingin. I still couldn't decide if I would let him go, even if his reasons were pretty convincing to me. However, before I could even come up with a decision, Eli closed the distance in between us. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang tingalain siya.

"I promise I'll do everything I can to save them, Elora," he swore and his eyes were filled with sincerity. "Please, trust me."

Taking a deep breath, I shut my eyes hard before I looked straight into his and finally nodded. "I trust you," I told him. "Siguraduhin mong babalik ka rito."

Napangiti siya nang dahil sa aking pagpayag at tumango. Agad din niya akong tinalikuran upang lumapit kay Cooper.

"I'm ready, Cooper. Do I just need to go inside and that's it?"

Ilang segundong nanahimik si Cooper bago humakbang papalapit kay Eli. I was shocked when he suddenly gave him a punch on the stomach. Napangiwi si Eli at napahawak sa kanyang tiyan sa sakit.

"If you want to punch me back, make sure to come back whole," Cooper challenged Eli as a way of motivation.

While still feeling the blow in his stomach, Eli smiled and nodded. He gave Cooper a pat on his shoulder before he faced the portal once again. His smile gradually faded and without looking back, he finally entered the portal and I watched him get swallowed by the light.

*****

Elrond's POV

KALMA, Elrond. Kumalma ka. Tumingala ako para huminga nang malalim. Anong gagawin ko? Hinalughog ko na ang buong warehouse at kalapit na lugar pero wala ni anino ni Cooper pati na rin ang Janus 1.

Calm down, Elrond. Sunod-sunod akong humugot ng hininga at medyo nakatulong 'yon para humupa ang malakas na kabog sa dibdib ko. At saka ko lang napansin ang kamay kong nakahawak sa cellphone, nanginginig 'yon. Bigla akong nawalan ng lakas ng loob na kumilos upang puntahan si Cooper—salamat sa GPS tracking device na kinabit niya sa Janus 1, nakikita ko ngayon na mabilis siyang dinadala sa papuntang south.

Kumilos ka na, Elrond! Nasa panganib ang buhay ni Cooper. Kumilos ka! Pero tila naparalisado pansamantala ang mga paa ko. Biglang nabuhol ang aking utak sa nakabibiglang pangyayari. Dapat ba akong tumawag ng pulis? Gaano kadelikado ang organisasyong kumidnap kay Cooper? Mawawalan na ba ng saysay lahat ng mga pinagpaguran namin?

Paano ko maililigtas si Cooper? In the first place, ako ang may nagpasimuno ng project na 'to kaya technically ay kasalanan ko 'to. Kapag may nangyaring masama sa kanya... Hindi ko na alam.

Calm down, Elrond! Biglang may pumitik sa loob ko. Tama, kailangan ko ng tulong. At isang tao lang ang naisip kong pwedeng makatulong sa 'kin na nakaaalam ng sitwasyon—'yong maniniwala sa 'kin. Ang kaso lang ay hindi ko alam kung... kung naroon pa rin siya—kung buhay pa ba si Sanjay.

Saktong nasulyapan ko sa sahig ang isang susi, iyong susi ng motor ni Cooper! Kaagad ko 'yong pinulot at lumabas ako ng warehouse. Pagkasuot ko ng helmet ay kaagad akong sumakay at pinaandar ang makina. Pinaharurot ko ang scooter papuntang Nyx.

Alam ko na sa oras na malaman ni dad na tila nakipagkarerahan ako sa kalsada kasabay ng mga bus at track ay malilintikan ako. Wala pang kalahating oras nang marating ko ang Nyx. Saktong buhay na buhay na ang lugar dahil sa oras.

Pinagtitinginan ako ng mga tao sa loob dahil ni hindi ko na tinanggal 'yung suot kong helmet. Halos itulak ko ang iba na nakaharang sa daan para makarating ako sa may bar counter. Pero hindi si Sanjay ang nadatnan ko ro'n.

"Boss, nasaan si Sanjay?" tanong ko sa bagong bartender. Tiningnan ako nito na para bang nawiwirdohan.

"Wala na si Boss Sanjay, nag-AWOL na lang bigla," sagot nito.

"Alam n'yo ba kung saan siya nakatira?"

Nagkibit-balikat ang bartender. "'Di ko alam, brad." Shit. Naglaho na nga si Sanjay. Nagpasalamat ako sa kanya bago ko hanapin ang manager ng Nyx. Pero sa kasamaang palad ay tila nalulunod na naman ako sa dami ng mga tao.

Hindi maganda 'to. Nag-aaksaya lang ako ng oras! Kung wala na si Sanjay, no choice ako kundi harapan 'to nang mag-isa!

Papunta ako sa exit nang biglang may humila sa braso ko.

"I'm sorry, but I can't go with you because I'm with him." Pamilyar na boses. Napatingin ako sa taong mahigpit na nakahawak sa 'kin. Si Elise. May kaharap kami na isang lalaki na malaking bulas, maraming kumikinang na burloloy sa katawan.

"Ano?" maang ko kay Elise pero pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata.

"Come on, babe! I'll buy you whatever you want and have fun with me," pangungulit ng lalaki pero mas lalo lang kumapit sa 'kin si Elise.

"Hoy, ano ba, bitiwan mo ako—"

"I'm with my boyfriend, we're going somewhere else, okay? Bye!" Walang ano-ano'y hinila ako ni Elise palabas ng club. Nang mapadpad kami sa parking lot ay tinanggal ko 'yung kamay niya na nakahawak pa rin sa braso ko.

"Ano bang trip mo?" inis kong sita sa kanya. Saktong malapit lang 'yung motor kaya tumakbo ako palapit doon.

"Hey!" Nakita ko siyang sumunod sa 'kin kaya mas napakunot ako. "I'm going with you."

"Pwede ba, wala akong panahon para—"

"That creepy guy is a politician's son, he's been following me for days. And I'm scared." Halos malaglag ang panga ko sa narinig kong 'yon dahil base sa tono at itsura niya ay mukhang takot nga siya. May kinatatakutan din pala ang babaeng 'to. 'Di ko maiwasang maisip bigla na mukhang hindi na ito ang unang beses na nakaranas siya ng harassment.

Muli akong napabuntonghininga. "Bakit ngayon pa, Lord?" sabi ko sa sarili ko.

"Please, do me a favor! Just... Just get me out here," pakiusap niya. Tiningnan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa, kinulang masyado sa tela ang suot niya sa pang-itaas. Napailing na lang ako at hinubad 'yung suot kong itim na jacket at inabot sa kanya.

Binuksan ko 'yung compartment ng scooter at inabot sa kanya ang isa pang helmet. Sumakay kami parehas at muli kong pinaandar ang motor. Bago 'yon ay nai-set ko muna sa holder sa harapan 'yung phone ko habang nakabukas 'yung mapa.

"Hey! Drive slowly! Ang mabilis mo masyado!" rinig kong reklamo ni Elise pero hindi ko siya pinansin. Mas binilisan ko 'yung pagtakbo at halos yumakap na si Elise sa likuran ko. "You—jerk! You're going to kill me! Where are you taking me?!" Napansin niya na rin 'yung direksyon na pinupuntahan namin ngayon.

"Sshh! Huwag kang magreklamo! Ginusto mong sumama sa 'kin!" sigaw ko pabalik sa kanya.

Maya-maya'y napansin ko sa mapa na huminto ang location ni Cooper sa isang subdivision area. Napalunok ako... Nakarating na ba sila sa hideout ng mga masasamang loob?

"Stop! It's red!" Halos mabingi ako sa lakas ng boses ni Elise kaya pumreno ako, halos sumubsob siya sa likuran ko at saktong nakahinto kami sa kalsada. "Gago ka! Bakit ba sa 'yo ako sumama!" Pinaghahampas niya 'yung likuran ko.

"Elise, pwede ba! Na-kidnap 'yung kaibigan ko! Ikaw 'tong pabigat, eh!" galit kong sabi sa kanya. Nanahimik siya bigla. Ang akala ko nga'y bababa siya at maglalakad sa gitna ng kalsada pero hindi. Nasa EDSA kami ngayon at napaliligiran ng malalaking sasakyan. Salamat naman at nanahimik na siya.

Biglang nagberde ang screen ng phone ko at may rumehistrong, Cooper is calling...

Saktong nag-go na ang traffic sign kaya naman pagkatawid namin sa kabilang kalsada ay pumarada ako sa gilid, bumaba ako ng sasakyan para sagutin 'yung tawag.

"Cooper! Okay ka lang ba?! Anong nangyari sa 'yo?! Nasaan ka?!" sunod-sunod kong tanong.

"Elrond, I was kidnapped by the bad guys we encountered before, but don't worry, I'm okay now—"

"Anong okay?! Nasaan ka?! Sinaktan ka ba nila?! Pupuntahan kita! At saka paano ka nakatakas?!"

"Chill, dude! Sasagutin ko lahat ng tanong mo mamaya. Promise, I'm not harmed. I'll be right here." Napu-frustrate pa rin ako kahit na napakakalmado lang niya sa kabilang linya. "Anyway, I want you to know that Janus 1 is already activated, and gano'n din ang Janus 2."

"Ha?! Bakit?! Bukas pa ang launching natin! Paano 'yan? D-Don't tell me na..."

"Unfortunately, yes, you need to pass through the portal now. I'm sorry, dude. It's the only way for me to ask for help. Kung hindi ko inactivate ang Janus 1, hindi mo mata-track ang location ko. And thank goodness they activated Janus 2 dahil sa kanya, naligtas ako."

"Sino?"

"Just be right here now, Elrond. We'll wait for you."

We? H-Hindi kaya si Elora ang tinutukoy niya? Niligtas ni Elora si Cooper?

"O-Okay."

"Just follow our location, see you later, dude. Be ready. Wala nang atrasan 'to," paalam ni Cooper bago maputol ang tawag.

Natulala ako saglit sa kawalan. Parang kanina lang ay libo-libo ang takot ko at ngayon... Okay na si Cooper pero sinabi niya na kailangan ngayon na namin gawin ang misyon namin—ang mag-travel papunta sa universe nila Elora.

"Your friend was kidnapped, you must call the police, you idiot," dinig kong sabi ni Elise na nasa likuran ko. Umiling ako.

"Tumawag siya, okay na raw siya." Hinilot ko 'yung sentido ko, hindi ako pwedeng ma-stress ngayon. Kailangan kong mag-focus. Get a grip, Elrond. Kailangang sabayan ng emosyon at utak ko ang bilis ng mga pangyayari.

"What? That's silly."

Lumapit ako sa kinaroroonan niya. Akmang tatanggalin niya 'yung helmet nang pigilan ko 'yung kamay niya. Nagtatakang tumingin siya sa 'kin.

"Gusto mo bang makita si Elora?" Muntikan na siyang matumba nang marinig ko 'yon. Mabilis siyang nakabawi mula sa pagkakagulat. Ganitong-ganito 'yung itsura niya noong araw na komprontahin ko siya sa university nila.

"W-What the fuck? Are you toying with me?" Sa itsura niya ngayon ay malaki ang tsansa na bigyan na naman niya akong sakit sa katawan.

"Seryoso ako, Elise." Pero hindi ako natatakot.

*****

Elora's POV

TIME seemed to be moving so slowly even though the timer kept ticking. It had been only ten minutes since Eli went through the portal. Cooper kept pacing back and forth in front of Janus 2, while his hands were intertwined as he rubbed his palms against each other. I was anxious, worrying about Elrond, Coops, and Eli, but he looked more worried.

"You look really worried," I voiced out my thoughts which caught his attention. He slowly turned his head to look at me, his lips slightly parted. "Eli must be very important to you."

Napabuntonghininga siya at saka napaupo sa upuan malapit sa portal. Wala siyang komento kaya naisipan kong kuhanin ang pagkakataon na 'yon upang makausap siya nang masinsinan. Mas mabuti na ring mabaling muna sa iba ang aming atensyon upang hindi kami tuluyang kainin ng takot at kaba. Makakasama lamang iyon sa aming dalawa.

"Eli told me you two used to be very close, but you suddenly shut him off..." I told him what I knew so far about their friendship. "You may act cold and indifferent to him, but the way you worry about him, I know you're still holding on to that lost friendship. Ayaw ko man manghimasok sa inyong dalawa, pero hindi ko maiwasang isipin kung ano ang dahilan ng paglayo mo sa kanya. Even Eli doesn't seem to know the reason why."

A bitter smile slowly formed on Cooper's lips. "He really doesn't know, huh?"

Napakunot ang aking noo. Hindi nakatakas sa akin ang sakit na dumaan sa kanyang mga mata.

"Simula pagkabata ay magkaibigan na kaming dalawa..." kuwento niya. "We were neighbors so it was easy for the both of us to get along with each other. It was hard for me to make friends because of my personality. Wala rin gustong makipagkaibigan sa akin. I guess they found me intimidating. I was often tagged as the freaky genius guy in our school. On the other hand, although Eli might seem cold and aloof on the surface, he's a cool guy that's why many people love to be friends with him."

Tinagilid ko ang aking ulo upang makinig sa kanya nang mas mabuti. I wanted to show him that I was willing to listen, so that he wouldn't hold back opening up to me.

"That day, it was one of the most memorable competitions in my life. The National Robotics competition here in the Philippines was the competition I had been wanting to participate in. Noong first year college lang ako nakasali dahil noon lamang ako tumungtong sa kailangang edad." He reminisced. "Eli promised that he would watch with my family. Siya lang ang kaibigan ko kaya inasahan ko siyang dadalo. And guess what happened next?"

Nilingon ako ni Cooper nang siya ay tumigil sa pagsasalita kaya sinagot ko ang kanyang tanong. "Hindi siya pumunta?"

Muling sumilay ang mapait na ngiti sa kanyang labi at saka tumango-tango. "Ayos lang sa akin noong una dahil naisip kong may importante siyang kailangang gawin. Kahit na hindi siya nag-text man lang sa akin, ayos lang," sabi niya. "But then, I found out he just played basketball with his new found college friends. He was tagged in the pictures on social media. Kahit na sandali pa lang silang magkakakilala ay mukhang sobrang close na nila sa isa't isa."

I licked my lower lip and bowed my head. Although I wanted to speak up for Eli, if I was in Cooper's position, I was certain I would also get hurt.

"After I saw those pictures, I was just filled with anger..." he trailed, then chuckled softly before he continued. "And maybe I was also envious of him. Kaya bigla na lang akong nanlamig sa kanya. Somehow his existence made me feel inferior even when I had so many achievements to boast about. I knew it was wrong. I knew I shouldn't feel that way about him, but that was how I felt at that time. I guessed I was just really immature."

"I'm not in your shoes, but I think I kind of understand how you're feeling..." I said to empathize with him. "But it's not yet too late, Cooper. Puwede ninyo pang maayos ang pagkakaibigan ninyong dalawa. The most important thing is what's at the moment. There's still a long future ahead for all of us. There's a lot of time to make up for the lost years. Huwag ninyo sanang sayangin 'yon."

Napaawang ang mga labi ni Cooper sa aking sinabi hanggang sa unti-unti siyang napangiti at tumango sa akin. With that, I couldn't help but smile back. Naalerto nga lamang kaming dalawa nang biglang may tumunog na siren kasabay ng isang medyo robotic na boses mula sa speakers.

"Warning! Intruder alert!" paulit-ulit na sabi nito.

Nanlaki ang mga mata naming dalawa. Mabilis na lumapit si Cooper sa may mga CCTV monitors. We saw a man lurking in the hallway where the entrance to the secret room was located. Mayroon siyang parang device na dinikit sa lock ng secret room, mukhang sinusubukang buksan ang pintuan upang makapasok sa loob. His face was covered with a black cloth mask that we couldn't identify him.

"Paano siya nakapasok?" problemadong bulong ni Cooper sa sarili bago may pinindot na sa keyboard at pinakita naman sa mga screen ang posisyon ng dalawang security personnel na nakahiga na sa lapag. "Damn it..."

Nagmamadaling pinindot ni Cooper ang isang red na button at unti-unting bumukas ang lapag kung saan nakatayo ang Janus 2 hanggang sa nagsimula itong bumaba.

"Ano ang ginagawa mo?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"I'm hiding Janus 2 in the emergency hideout I built in the basement," he simply answered while typing some codes at the last minute. "We need to leave the laboratory. I recognized the device that he's using. It can unlock the door of this secret room. I didn't know where he got that but I don't have enough time to improve the security. Doon tayo dadaan sa likod para umalis. Ililigaw natin siya para hindi niya hanapin dito ang Janus 2. Kapag bumaba rin tayo sa basement ay posibleng matunton niya pa rin tayo. I could tell that he's very skilled. We need to act as baits in order to buy time."

"Paano kung bumalik si Eli?"

"May button na puwedeng pindutin sa basement para makabalik dito pataas sa secret room at mayroon ding daan doon palabas pero hindi na importante 'yon ngayon." May hinugot siyang permanent marker mula sa isa pen holder na kanyang lamesa at may mabilis na isinulat sa lapag bago muling tumayo. "We need to leave! Let's go!"

Walang pag-aalangang hinatak ni Cooper ang aking braso upang makaalis kasabay nang pagbukas ng pintuan sa secret room. I panicked when I saw the man in all black enter. Mas lalo kaming nagmadali sa paglabas sa back door.

However, within just a split second of tasting freedom, I felt something sharp go through the back of my neck. Napahinto ako sa pagtakbo sa gulat kasabay ng pagkaramdam ng sobrang hilo. I could feel myself losing consciousness just like another fainting spell. I tried to fight the drowsiness but I failed as I finally closed my eyes and let myself fall.