#DS6Unwavering #CirCoal #SharkFamily #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: CRY

CIRCE'S POV

It was like a scene from a movie. It happened so fast that I can't even process what's happening. Pakiramdam ko ay tumigil ang oras ko at naroon pa rin ako kung saan ako nakita ni Coal habang hawak ko ang sulat na 'yon.

I can still see the way he looked at me. I can still hear him calling out to his brother, his voice carrying a tremor of urgency. And it's like the scene of Domino dragging him back and carrying Kaise out of the house is replaying in my mind on a loop.

Despite everything, I'm glad that Coal's brother was with us. I'm glad that he kept him away.

Si Domino ang nagpaliwanag sa akin ng lahat. At least some of what they're considering. He told me what they think happened and what I should expect to happen. He explained everything while maintaining his distance from me. Nasa labas siya ng pintuan ng kuwarto habang nasa loob ako.

At that moment, I knew that what was happening was worse than I could possibly imagine.

All I focused on was the picture and what the message implied. I thought about the danger that will come, but not the possibility of danger that has already arrived.

Biological attack. It wasn't something I expected to witness in real life, what more to happen to me. I often see it in movies, read about it in stories, but I never would have thought that I would be subjected to it.

It wasn't long before the other Dawson brothers arrived. May kasama silang tatlo pang empleyado ng Dagger. Three employees that were wearing hazmat suits when they approached me, helped me get into the vehicle they provided, and transported me here to the laboratory of Dagger Private Security and Investigation Agency.

"I will need to get a sample of your blood."

The woman wearing a protective suit in front of me was a familiar face. She was the one that collected DNA samples from Coal and I.

"My name is Sorcha Byrne," she said when she noticed me studying her.

"I remember," I whispered, speaking for the first time since I left the house. "Dom... he explained a bit about a biological attack. That the powder from the card might be... might be one." I gave her a small smile, and without even seeing it, I knew how forced it looked. "I don't want to delay you, but I just needed a bit more explanation than the one he gave me. With all that's happening, I don't know if I'm going to think that I'm in the world of House MD or if I'm in the movie set of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial."

Sorcha blinked as if she were processing what I just said. "That's not much of a choice. If this is House MD, then you will be put through various painful tests as we try to cure you. It means you'll be near death three to four times before we miraculously find an answer to what might help you. If this is E.T. then it means you're physically incompatible with Earth and you need to return to your planet."

A loud crashing sound made us both turn to the glass window of the room they put me in. I sighed when I saw Coal vibrating with anger while his brothers were trying to calm him down.

Tumingin sa akin si Sorcha. Hindi kakikitaan ang mukha niya ng pagkabigla o takot man lang nang makitang nakatuon sa kaniya ang matalim na tingin ni Coal. "I think I made him angry."

"He was already angry. Don't worry," I reassured her.

Lumapit siya sa akin dala ang hawak na tila biomedical kit. "I'm sorry. I barely slept, and the forensic department has a lot to do this week." Nang tila may maisip ay binigyan niya ako ng maliit na ngiti. "I've been told that I lack humor."

Mas parang gusto ko pang matakot sa inis na dumaan sa mga mata niya kesa sa galit ni Coal.

"And that I should smile more."

Despite my current dilemma, I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose at what she said. "What an asshole thing to say."

"Right? It's not like I don't know how to smile. Hindi lang talaga ako natutuwa na makita siya." Huminga siya ng malalim at ipinilig niya ang ulo niya. "Sorry again. You said you needed an explanation?"

I was dragged back to reality, and my smile melted off. "Yes, please."

"There are two possibilities. One is that the powder from that letter was just a means to scare you off. The second is that it is a toxin. What kind is still a question that we don't have an answer to right now unless I get your samples and have it tested." She started preparing the syringe. "They were right to act quickly and call us. This is not something to second guess. If there's a possibility of this, then what they did was the right thing. They also made the right decision of taking your baby out of the house. If this is really a biological attack, then the microscopic spores can be inhaled."

Halos bumaon sa mga palad ko ang mga kuko ko sa higpit nang pagkakakuyom ko sa mga iyon. I could handle anything. I'll endure everything. As long as my baby is safe, I don't care what happens to me.

Pilit na pinatatag ko ang boses ko. "Aren't there a lot of bioweapons?"

"Yes, but right now we still don't know what it is. Aside from your blood, we will also test the sample of the substance that you received. If this is a Class A agent, then it's a high risk. Flu-like symptoms could show within the next twenty-four hours. We need to test you so that we can act quickly."

"So it's curable?"

Sorcha didn't answer instantly. Alam ko na hindi lang iyon basta dahil sa abala siya sa ginagawang pagkuha ng blood sample ko. I know there's more meaning to her silence.

"Please," I whispered. "I need to know."

Inayos niya ang mga sample sa lalagyan at nilagyan iyon ng sulat bago niya sinalubong ang mga mata ko. "There are some agents that can't be reversed. They can't be cured. However, if this is something like anthrax, we can treat it quickly." She looked at the glass window for a second before turning back to me. "If you ask me, my gut tells me that this is just a morbid prank. But whatever it is, I know that those brothers will do everything to make sure that you will be okay."

Isinarado niya ang kit na naglalaman ng samples. She hesitated for a moment before she gently patted my shoulder.

"I'll do my job to give you the truth as quick as I can. So for now, just hang on. Everything will be fine."

I don't think she believed what she said, but she still gave it to me. Gusto ko rin na paniwalaan iyon. Gusto kong maniwala na magiging ayos lang ang lahat.

There were a lot of times that I put myself in dangerous situations. When I competed without any drop of fear in front of raging waves that not only wounded but took the lives of unfortunate surfers, when I got thrown off my board and got dragged down the waters, when I hit the rocks and injured myself again and again.

All those times, I just shrug it off, telling myself that it's part of the sport. All those times, I didn't care because I enjoyed the thrill.

But right now, I have so much to lose.

So much more than before.

AFTER taking the longest shower I ever experienced, another employee of Dagger named Leo helped me get situated in their negative pressure room, where two people in hazmat suits were already waiting for me. One is named Cross Lawrence. The other person is Midori Roqas whom Cross introduced as his cousin.

They're both doctors. Cross is working for a hospital here in Tagaytay, while Midori Roqas is a medical toxicologist for an agency similar to Dagger.

They didn't delay in asking what happened. Like Sorcha, they remained professional and gave me the same answers that the Dagger employee did. After awhile, they move to questioning that is more related to what I'm currently feeling so that they can better access anything that would indicate that preparation must be done in case I need medical assistance.

"Matatagalan pa ba ang resulta ng test na ginawa sa akin?" tanong ko.

Midori was the one to answer. "If it's Dagger, then it wouldn't take that much longer." Tumingin ang babae sa pinsan. "I'll go and help them."

Cross nodded, and the woman gave me a reassuring smile before she went out of the room.

"Ang sabi ni Sorcha kung sakali ay hindi pa naman agad-agad ang sintomas," sabi ko kay Cross nang makalabas ang babae.

"That's correct," he confirmed.

"You don't need to be stuck here with me then. I think I'll be fine."

Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya, pero nanatiling nasa sinusulatan na medical clipboard ang atensyon niya. "I haven't been here long. You hate my company that much?"

Napanganga ako sandali sa naging tanong niya, pero pagkaraan ay sunod-sunod na umiling ako. "Hindi 'yon ang ibig kong sabihin. It's just that—"

"Relax, Miss Andino. I know what you meant." Ibinaba niya ang hawak at sinalubong niya ang tingin ko. "It's safe to say that you know my sister, right? Belaya Dawson?"

My eyes widened. I could see the resemblance now, but Belaya is so tiny compared to the man that is now in front of me. "You're his brother?"

"We're part of a triplet."

Hindi ko napigilan ang "wow" na kumawala mula sa bibig ko.

"Since Belaya is married to one of those brothers, she made a call to the organization that our family owns when she saw how Coal Dawson wanted to rip the whole building apart just to get to you. She said it's an emergency, so our eldest sister, the head of the agency, called me as well as Midori."

I tried my best not to think of Coal. Especially Kaise. Because if I do, I think it won't be long before I get paralyzed with fear.

"Belaya is family. Since she adopted the Dawsons, they became ours too. And we take care of family, so I'm here because they need me to be here."

"I'm not a Dawson," I whispered.

"You were claimed by one."

He has the same sharp eyes as his sister. Belaya's eyes feel more mischievous, like those of a cat. Where you don't know if they're about to pounce on you or if they'll be sweet to you. Cross eyes seem to be more on the observant side. But there's also a challenge on them, as if he's just waiting for you to take it.

"Here," he said after awhile. May binaba siya na paper bag sa tabi ko. "Lucienne told me to give that to you."

Binuksan ko ang lalagyan at napangiti ako nang una kong makita ang isang malaking cookie na mukhang homemade. May logo iyon ng The Dawson's Nook na base sa mga kuwento nila ay café na pag-aari ni Mireia. Café that sometimes serves alcohol at night. Like a café and bar.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita ko kung ano pa ang nasa loob ng lalagyan.

"Since Dagger needs to access your phone just in case they can find clues in your email, Lucienne thought that you might get bored," Cross explained.

Mga libro ng babae ang nasa loob. Dagger Series. Kinuha ko ang isa na may pamagat na "Unwritten" at nang baligtarin ko iyon para basahin ang synopsis ay mahinang napatawa ako nang makita ko ang pangalan nina Lucienne at Thorn.

"Do you want one?" I asked Cross.

"I've read it all." Nang tumaas ang kilay ko ay sumilay ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. "She made me and my other family members buy her books, and she's someone that is hard to say no to."

That I can relate to. Pakiramdam ko kasi parang wala akong puso kapag tinanggihan ko si Lucienne. It must have been like that for others too.

"Though, I have to say, I could live with my life not knowing how my sister made Pierce Dawson fall for her... among other things." He tipped his head to the books. "Don't mind me. I have emails to answer."

It took me a moment to get used to his presence. Nakakailang naman kasi na may kasama ako pero hindi ko kakausapin. Pero hindi nagtagal ay parang nakalimutan ko na si Cross dahil nakuha na ang atensyon ko ng binabasa ko.

Moments later, I was trying not to die of laughter. No wonder Thorn seems to have the patience of an angel. Hindi lang ang mga kapatid niya ang mukhang sumusubok ng pasensya niya kundi maging ang asawa niya. That hotdog scene. Poor Thorn.

Hindi ko na napansin ang paglipas ng mga sandali. I was really engrossed with what I was reading.

Maraming mga pagkakataon na napapabunghalit na lang ako ng tawa, may mga pahina na nasasaktan ako para kay Lucienne, then there are scenes that made me want to punch someone because of how much she went through because of someone who turned her life into a game.

I was at the part where Thorn told Lucienne who owned the house she rented, and I stopped reading with a knotted forehead.

"Don't worry. The Dawson's Housing Plan got you."

I remembered Lucienne telling me that. Hindi naman siguro ang iniisip ko ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagbabasa hanggang sa marating ko na ang huling chapter bago ang epilogue. I was grinning to myself at the honeymoon part when I heard a noise nearby. Hindi ko pa tuluyang nasasarado ang libro nang pabalibag na bumukas ang pintuan ng kuwartong kinaroroonan ko.

My eyes widened in surprise, and I stood up when I saw Coal at the door. "You can't go in here—"

He didn't let me finish my sentence. In the next second, I found myself wrapped in his arms.

I tried to push him away. I struggled in his arms. But he wouldn't budge. He wouldn't let me go. His hug is so tight that it's like he's trying to fuse our bodies together.

"Don't do that again," he whispered, his voice laced with pain.

"Coal! You need to get out!"

"Don't ever do that to me again, Circe."

My chest constricted, and I felt my eyes fill with tears.

I wasn't a crier. I rarely cry. The last time I did was when I gave birth to my daughter. Pero sa mga sandaling ito, pakiramdam ko ay hindi magagawang maampat ang mga luha na sunod-sunod pumatak mula sa mga mata ko.

"I-I didn't do anything." Humihikbing tinulak ko siya pero katulad kanina ay hindi niya ako pinakawalan. "Bakit nandito ka? Are you that hardheaded that you're breaking your own company's protocol?"

"I guess I can take this off now." Napatingin kami ni Coal kay Cross na binuksan ang suot niya na suit. "The heat was making me dizzy."

It was only then that it finally settled in. I'm safe. It's not a biological attack. It's not a toxin. I'm going to be okay.

Coal immediately carried my weight and pulled me up when my knees gave out. I buried my face in his chest as I sobbed.

It's been hours. Hours when I keep trying not to think of the fact that I might not make it another day. Hours where I keep trying to keep it together... keep me together, because I don't want to go down without a fight. Not when it means that I won't get to see my baby again.

"I need to see her," I whispered. "I need to see Kaise. Please."

An agonized expression crossed Coal's eyes as he wiped my tears away. It was as if he could feel my pain.

Walang salita na hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at iginaya niya ako palabas ng kuwarto. I saw Sorcha and Midori outside, but I couldn't stop to thank them. The smile they threw my way, though, was enough to tell me that they understood.

We didn't need to go far. I thought they'd be on another floor o di kaya ay nasa bahay ng isa sa pamilya ni Coal si Kaise. But when we went through the hallway and exited in the opposite direction from where I was wheeled in when they took me here, I was surprised to see that Coal's entire family were already waiting.

Some of the men are standing up and talking quietly near a row of strollers that I'm sure have babies sleeping on them. Mireia and Ember were leaning on their husbands, their eyes closed. Domino has Lush Jr. in his arms. Kasama niya si Lucienne na abala sa kung anong isinusulat sa notebook na hawak. Near them, Belaya is playing with her phone.

Kumawala ako kay Coal at halos takbuhin ko ang kinaroroonan ni Kaise. Lia who was singing to her quietly noticed me and her eyes widened for a moment, but when I got close, she handed my daughter to me without hesitation.

Mahigpit na niyakap ko si Kaise na naalimpungatan dahil sa ginawa ko. Her eyes fluttered open, and a smile spread on her lips. "Mommy!"

"H-Hi, babi."

"Sup?"

"Yes. Mommy went surfing."

Her small eyebrows knotted together. Inangat niya ang kamay niya at marahang idinampi niya iyon sa luhaan ko na pisngi. "Mommy, no cry. Sese okay."

What she said made me cry harder, even if I didn't want to. From behind me, I felt Coal's arms go around us, enveloping us both in his arms.

"Mommy's going to be okay," Coal murmured. "Daddy will make sure of it."

_____________________________End of Chapter 15.