I wiped away the sweat running down my face. I've been walking forever yet I still have no idea where I am. I turned around for the fifth time. I have been sensing someone following me but whenever I turned around, I see no one. Not even a shadow or an animal.

Waking up in a freak hospital must have made me paranoid and jumpy. Akala ko ang pagtakas ko sa lugar na iyon ay mas makabubuti sa akin pero ang ma-trap sa malamig at walang katao-taong lugar ay hindi rin nakagaan sa problema ko. I almost lose hope when I saw a group of people not far from where I was standing. Finally! I walked hastily to them with hopes finally restored.

"Excuse me?" I politely greeted them.

They faced me in unison and I looked around to check their faces. I scanned them from head to toe-they have piercing in their faces, tattoos all over their bodies, cigarettes in their hands, weapons in their waists, motorbikes beside them, and most importantly ugly faces. Their looks literally scream trouble. One you'll see mostly in prisons. All I can say is; I just encountered a group of goons! Luck is definitely not on my side today but I've worked long enough in the business industry to know not to judge even the filthiest person. I can use them to my advantage.

"Pare! May englisherang palaka dito!" Sigaw ng isa sa kanila, is he calling me a frog?

Unbelievable but I expect nothing less from the way they dressed. What do you expect from a goon like them? They really have an undignified sense of humor and lame insults. I'm already in an extremely sour mood but I need patience. Patience, Elena. Although they seem uneducated, let's talk business to get this over with. I've never spoken to thugs before so how do I speak their language?

"Pasensya na sa abala pero gusto ko lang sanang—"

"Boss, saan ba lakad natin ngayon?" I was cut off by one of the thugs with a piercing in his nose.

Sinubukan kong tawagin muli ang atensyon nila pero hindi man lang sila nakinig. It was like they can't see nor hear me. Napabuntong hininga ako habang minamasahe ang aking templo. They're giving me a migraine.

How unlucky am I going to be? Sa mga barbarong ito, magiging mahirap ang pagpapatunay na ako si Elena Perez. My name and face is known even to thugs, so, how will I make them understand my situation?

Someone unexpectedly bumped into my shoulder, causing me to fall to the ground. He has a large scar on his face as well as thick lips. The thug glanced down at me with a darkened expression, as if he was implying that I should just scram and die. I stood up and faced him.

"Listen, I just need to borrow your phone. Kailangan ko makausap si Dad. I'll pay you kung gusto mo." I fearlessly faced him.

This is all or nothing. I need to contact my family first even if I have to face these thugs. I need this to survive. Grandma trained me in martial arts; I can defend myself but I want this to be diplomatic as much as possible. I want to avoid violence.

"Wala ka sa posisyon para mag-demand sa amin nene!" He uttered with stoic expression. "At hindi ba dapat humihingi ka ng tawad sa akin."

Apologies? He was the one who bumped into me! Why should I apologize? I mentally rolled my eyes. Patience, Elena.

"Just do what I said while I'm being nice. I'll wire you the money once I talk to Dad," I answered him unapologetically.

I am no hypocrite, why should I bow down to these low lives? He just stared at me and his gang laughed loud with my statement. I really don't understand their humor.

"Ang sama na nga ng mukha mo neng, ang sama pa ng ugali mo. Aba, gifted ka masyado, iha," he sarcastically said to me while his company laughed hard. "Ang dami mong sinasabi. Wired mo mukha mo. Mukha ka namang mahirap.'

These guys, they're making fun of me with their cheap insults. I won' let anyone look down at me. Kung hindi lang dahil sa hospital na 'yon I could really bring them down in a minute. Tsk!

"How about this, can you tell me this place instead," I asked in frustration.

There's no talking with these thugs. I should give up trying to borrow their phones. They gave me a scary look. I felt my knee trembled but Elena Perez doesn't back down. I matched their glares and didn't back down. Dapat alam nila kung saan sila lulugar at sino ba ang kausap nila.

"Tama na ang laro," suddenly exclaimed a man with a well-built muscle in the middle of the crowed.

His neck has a scorpion tattooed on it and his lips have an old cut on them. His aura stands out from the gang, it was intimidating and sends pressure to you just with his glare.

The guy who had a scar on his face gave me a sly smile then without a word gave me a punch in the stomach with no hesitation. I was thrown away and coughed out blood. I can't believe I became this weak and dodn't see that coming, this is all that freak hospital's fault.

"Oh? Natahimik ka ata neng?" The guy walked towards me and laughed.

"Mahina naman pala 'yan eh," I heard someone shouted from the crowd.

My vision is becoming fuzzy, and I'm still coughing up blood. My mind is blank and not processing information adequately. I'm barely conscious; I felt a pain in my stomach and back and didn't realize they were kicking me.

"Sto-" I can't even utter a word.

They continued kicking me like I'm some sack of garbage in front of them. I felt so weak. This must be a bad dream, this must be a nightmare! There's no way this is happening to me! I am a Perez.

"Ano? Neng kaya pa ba?" Someone asked me while I turn numb from all the pain.

I can't let anyone see me like this... well not like they can tell that it's me though. I glared at them and spit at their feet. You can physically hurt me all you want but I will never-

"Aba, matapang," I heard one laughed out.

I won't ever bow down to these thugs. Not in this lifetime. Every kicked they gave me is slowly devouring my consciousness. Their voices are getting further. I have no odea how many hours passed but it feels like I'm... It feels like I'm floating.

"Tsk. Kung 'di mo kaya ang sarili mo dapat 'di ka tumatakas!''

I didn't force myself to open my eyes. Nakiramdam na lang ako sa paligid. Someone's carrying me! Who is this person? How long was I unconscious? I tried to move my hands but I was too weak to gain control of my body. I felt myself being laid down to bed. I tried to open my eyes but it's too heavy. I want to see Luke, I want to see him. I have to open my eyes. When I was able to finally open my eyes, all I saw was a silhouette of a man.

"L-Luke?" I finally mastered to say as tears stream down my face.

He didn't even bother to look back. Why Luke? I tried to call him out again but my voice betrayed me, all I was able to do was shed a tear before the darkness finally devoured me again.

***

"May? Miss May?" I was awoken by a small voice calling out the name I detested.

I slowly opened my eyes. I saw the familiar uniform I was trying to run away from. I'm back-in this cage with insane people! I tried so hard to run away but I find myself locked up here again.

"Doc, gising na ang pasyente," she shouted facing the door.

The next thing I knew, Doctor KZ was beside me again. Her brows were furrowed as she stared at me. I look away and let out another exasperated sigh. I wonder how many sighs I will make today.

"May, Naiintindihan kong nahihirapan kang tanggapin ang lahat pero ito ang reyalidad, May," she softly stated. What is she talking about? Are they trying to feed me lies again? "You claim other people's memory. Siguro itong Elena na sinasabi mo ay malapit mong kaibigan kaya inaakala mong iyong mga impormasyon na nalalamasln mo tungkol sa kanya at dahil sa aksidente, inaangkin mo ang pagkatao niya."

I was bewildered by her statement. I shook my head violently in protest. How is it possible to claim other people's memory? That'" scientifically impossible. She should know better as a doctor!

"Don't try to fool me! My name is Elena Perez and you can't change that," I hysterically shouted to her and repeated myself for who knows how many times

"Tutulungan ka namin, May. Don't worry."

This is all just a lame excuse for their experiment. Yes, that's it! You can't let it get to you, Elena

"Ikaw lang ang makakatulong sa sarili mo, May," she added.

Stop trying to brainwash me with your mouth filled with lies. Introed to block her words out of my head. I won't be a victim of their brainwashing plan. I closed my eyes and exhaled. Making a scene here won't help and running away doesn't either.

"Okay," I answered.

I'll play along with your games for now but I swear I will exploit this place's secret but I need a solid plan first. I can:t be reckless or let my emotions run wild again. I will know the truth and what really happened.

"Thank you and please don't think of escaping again, May," she said before disappearing from my sight.

I peeked out my door and saw I am now heavily guarded. And this is making me more suspicious. Instead of wasting my energy, I will rest and think of a way to escape and find the truth.

I heard a knock that disrupted my thoughts.

"Miss Gonzales," called a baritone voice at the other side of the door.

That detestable name again. The door opened and a tall young man with a round face, short spiky dark brown hair showed up carrying a tray of food. Our eyes met and I saw his surprised ocean blue eyes behind the eyeglasses he's wearing.

"M-May?" he called out that name in surprise.

"Don't try being friendly with me and get lost," I coldly answered him.

He bitterly smiled at me before putting the food tray on the table. His eyes showed unspoken fear and longing.

"Galit ka pa rin ba sa akin? Dalawang buwan na ang nakalipas pero sariwa pa rin sa aking alaala ang lahat," he asked.

I heard my awkward stomach grumble in hunger. Whatever this psycho is talking about is none of my business. This is really a freak hospital.

"I don't know what you're talking about Mister-who are you again? But if you're done with your work please leave."

"Hindi mo naman kailangan magpanggap na 'di mo ako kilala," he stated and pain is evident in his eyes. I ignored him which made him sigh. "Babalik ako pagkatapos ng trabaho ko."

"Oh, please don't bother."

I guess the commotion the other night and the endless mystery made me hungry. Add up this guy who started spouting nonsense as soon as he entered my room. Kinuha ko ang kutsara at tinidor na nakalagay sa tray. When you're hungry, even the bitter hospital food looks delicious. I was about to take a bite when I stopped midair. What if may hinalo silang weird ingredients dito? I shouldn't carelessly eat foods served in this place then I heard my stomach grumble again. I guess my little worms are getting mad and I need to feed them. Saktong pagkatapos ko kumain ay pumasok muli 'yong lalaking nagdala ng pagkain ko. He looked at me and smiled. Again, his eyes are like a deep ocean drowning you in a dark abyss. What's with this guy?

"Mabuti naman at kumain ka na. Kailangan mong kumain para lumakas ka at gumaling," sambit niya habang nililigpit ang pinagkainan ko.

My brows furrowed with his statement. Is he talking to me? Why does he act like he knows me? What's wrong with this place? Whatever.

"Once you're done, please get out," I stated, ignoring him once again.

I heard him sigh. I saw how his smile slowly turned into a frown of sadness. I suddenly felt a pang of slight guilt. No, Elena. This is part of their plan, he is part of their plan. Humiga na lang ako at pumikit. This has been a very long day. There's always another day to plan. I guess I'll just rest for today.

***
Dedicating this chapter to @JiMaexie for the beautiful book cover ♥️