Chapter 60: Blood, Sweat and Tears

GRAY IVAN SILVAN

After all the betrayals in the past that she's been through, she told herself not to trust that easily and so she did.

Or so she thinks.

She thought she was able to build a wall to protect herself but unknown to her, she have given people a ladder to climb that wall. And so now, she's suffering the same treason plot as she did before. She thought she never trusted people but she wouldn't feel betrayed if she haven't trusted in the first place.

And what's funny is that when we are betrayed by people around us, it's the closest to us who have the most power to make us bleed. I felt the same the moment I knew about Detective Tross. He WAS a friend, a confidante and a brother. At nakakalungkot isipin na lahat ng iyon ay pawang kasinungalingan lamang pala. It was an act excellently played.

Napakatahimik ng mansion. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan ang iba ngunit sa tingin ko ay hindi ako nag-iisa rito. I closed the Bible and gently put it on the side table. Anim na beses ko nang nabasa ang aklat ng Genesis mula pa kaninang umaga hanggang ngayon na halos mag-aalas sais na ng hapon. I even almost memorized all its contents from the creation of heavens and earth, Adam and Eve, the fall of man, the call of Abraham and until the death of Joseph ngunit wala pa rin akong makuhang ideya kung alin sa mga nabasa ko ang magagamit doon.

Halos magdadalawang araw na at hindi pa rin kami nakarinig ng ano mang balita kay Amber. I wasn't thinking that she committed suicide-hell no. That's not Amber. Pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mag-alala. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko sa bulsa at sinubukan siyang tawagan ngunit palagi siyang out of reach. I can't help but feel frustrated. Sa inis ko ay tinapon ko ang cellphone ko sa kama. I sat on the edge of the bed at sinabunutan ang sarili. My mind was filled with the thoughts of Amber, the Genesis and Jeremy.

Napukaw ako ng ilang katok at pagbukas ng pinto. It was Deltran and just like me, he's still at the Vander mansion. Bahagya siyang tumikhim upang kunin ang atensyon ko.

There is still that imaginary wall between him and me. Dahil iyon sa pagkamatay ng mama niya noong mga bata pa lamang kami and since then, nagkalamat na ang pagkakaibigan namin. Ngayong alam na niya ang lahat, I guess it's about time to clear the gap between us and rekindle the friendship we lost before.

"Deltran-"

"Silvan-"

Parehas kaming natigilan nang sabay kaming magsalita. "Mauna ka na," wika ko sa kanya at nag-iwas ng tingin.

"No. You go first tutal mas matanda ka naman sa akin," he said and smirk. This brat?! Why does he have to emphasize the word "matanda?" Just few days.

"You go first, mas matanda ako sa 'yo so you have to follow my command," sabi ko sa kanya.

"Kailan pa ako nakinig sa 'yo?" His voice was of a guy pushing me to lose my temper.

"E 'di walang magsasalita!" Naiinis na wika ko at tumingin sa labas. Does anyone know I have a short temper? They said it's common to the Vanders. Good thing I know how to handle mine kaya lamang sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi ko yata kayang kontrolin ang pasensya ko.

From my peripheral vision, I saw Deltran advanced toward me at nang malapit na siya sa akin ay nilingon ko siya ngunit bigla na lamang akong natumba nang sinalubong ako ng kamao niya sa mukha.

"What the hell?!" I clenched my jaw at napahawak sa dumudugo kong ilong. A hand was offered in front of me upang tulungan akong tumayo and when I glanced who was the owner of such hand, it was the same person who punched me.

I smirked as I reached for that hand and stood up. "Ang hina mo pa ring sumuntok."

"Your nose is bleeding, 'yan ba ang mahina sa 'yo? I joined a local frat, I survived the initiation rites and riots at sasabihin mong mahina ang suntok ko?" nakangising wika niya.

"Yeah. Still the kid who punch softly," wika ko at sabay kaming natawa. Our laughter didn't last long dahil bigla kaming tumahimik and Deltran was the first one to break the silence.

"I'm sorry, Silvan," nakayukong wika niya. "I know it's been years. I hope my apology will still be accepted."

"Sorry saan?" pagmamaang-maangan ko. I slowly lift my arm and when he tried to look at me, he suffered the same fate I did a while ago. He lose his balance and smacked on the table at nalaglag ang lampshade na naroon. It made a loud noise ngunit mas malakas pa roon ang tawanan naming dalawa.

When he lift his head, his lip was bleeding. "Ang lambot mong sumuntok!"

"Yeah but not as soft as yours," I replied as I rubbed my knuckles. He smiled widely at tumayo ng tuwid. And that's all we need. Just one punch to say his sorry and one punch for mine. No need to say all the past things. We were both young when that tragedy happened. Pareho naming hindi ginusto ang nangyari kay Tita Emerald. And now that everything was clear, there's no need to continue the grudge for what happened.

It was very complicated. Sinong mag-aakala na si Deltran ay anak pala ni Sweet Vander who was living as Amethyst Sison na half-sister naman ni Emerald Deltran na siyang nag-ampon sa kanya? But I am glad that everything is fixed now. Sa simula ay naging mahirap ang lahat sa kanila, hindi lamang kay Tita Sweet kundi maging pati kina Amber at Zywon. And also Ryu, who also suffered a lot because of all the complications.

Then I remembered something! The next thing I knew was that my fist landed on his face for the second time! It was harder than the first one and he was taken by surprise.

"F*ck! What was that for?" gulat na wika niya sa akin.

"I just remembered something you told me before. You said you snuck into Amber's room at Athena's dormitory! Anong ginagawa mo roon?!"

His face crumpled for a moment as he tried to recall things and then he smirked. "I was trying to get the notebook, bastard!"

"Huh! You jerk! Baka itinapat mong nagbibihis siya o kaya naman-"

"Yeah!" He said and he smiled naughtily samantalang mas lalo naman akong nainis.

"You bastard!" Sasalakayin ko na sana siya ng suntok nang tumakbo siya sa kabilang bahagi ng kama. "Lumapit ka rito!"

"Gusto mong malaman ang vital statistics niya?" he teased and he was successful in doing so! Sa ngayon ay nais ko siyang pagsusuntukin ng walang humpay ngunit agad niyang binawi ang sinabi niya. "Just kidding. I respect Just Amber so much."

"Dapat lang!"

"But don't you know she has huge-" Hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin dahil binato ko siya ng bagay na nahawakan ko.

"Don't ever say anything, you ass face!" naiinis na wika ko. I don't know why am I so upset like this.

"I was about to say she has a huge heart! Ano ba ang iniisip mo?!" wika niya at makahulugang ngumiti. "Binata na si Ae-ae!"

"Shut up!"

"Type mo ba si Just Amber?"

"Don't call her Just Amber. Bakit ba ganyan ang tawag mo sa kanya?" The thought that he has a special endearment to her annoys me! Just Amber!? Tsk! Maging si Alonzo ay meron din! Special A! Damn these two! What's with them? I used to call her Mahal na Prinsesa before but she seem annoyed to such so I dropped that endearment.

The theory behind such endearment? She's a princess not because she's an attractive girl that should be treated with special attention and kindness but because she command like a princess before! At kung makaasta siya, dapat siya ang masusunod! I hated her princess-like attitude before but now I'm getting used to it. She wouldn't be Amber if she doesn't act that way. Iyan ang rason dati kung bakit ko siya tinawag na Prinsesa. At Mahal dahil ma-nevermind. Siya ang Mahal na Prinsesa. That's it.

"What are you smiling there?" tudyo ni Deltran na sinagot ko lamang ng masamang tingin.

Bigla na lamang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa niyon ang tila natatarantang si Ryu. He was only in his boxer shorts and sando. His eyes and his messy hair tells me that he just got up from the bed.

"I heard a crashing sound. What happened?" Pumasok siya at lumapit kay Deltran. He held his face to check his bleeding lip. "What happened to your face?" His voice was worried and when he turned his gaze to me, mas lalo lamang napakunot ang noo niya. "And to your face, too?"

"Nothing," magkasabay naming sagot ni Deltran. Tila ayaw maniwala ni Ryu ngunit hindi na siya nagtanong pa dahil nakarinig kami ng tila tunog ng sirena ng ambulansya.

"What's that?"

"That's an alert notification on my room," sagot niya at tumakbo palabas. Nagkatinginan kami ni Deltran at walang salitang sinundan na lamang si Ryu sa silid niya.

There was a large screen along with small screens ng ilang computer unit na naroon sa kanyang computer cluster. There was a red light on top of the table at gaya ng ilaw sa ambulansya, the red light was blinking along with the sound.

"What's that?" tanong ko sa kanya habang tinitingnan ang tila mapa na nagzo-zoom in patungo sa isang lugar.

"I tracked Amber," sagot niya. "She's in a museum?" Ryu looked at us with disbelief in his eyes. "Anong ginagawa niya sa isang museum?"

"Let's go and check," suhestiyon ko at sumang-ayon naman sila. Nag-ayos muna ng sarili si Ryu at nang matapos siya ay agad siyang sumama sa amin habang dala-dala ang kanyang laptop.

Hindi nagtagal ay narating namin ang museum. We were surprised to know that the museum was currently exhibiting some antique paintings kaya marami-rami rin ang mga taong nandoon.

"Ano naman ang ginagawa ni Just Amber diyan?" nagtatakang tanong ni Deltran. "Sigurado ka bang nandito siya?" he asked turning to Ryu.

"Positive. She made a call on her phone so I was able to get an address of where the call is originating."

I looked intently at the building. It may seem crazy but I can't help to think that she's here to enjoy herself. I know how hard it is for her and coming to an exhibit is a good way to distress yourself. It's just that I didn't peg Amber to be someone who's fond of watching paintings than thinking of a way to get her friend back.

"I'll go and check," wika ko sa kanila at lumabas ng kotse. Nakapamulsang nilakad ko ang daan papasok sa loob ng museum. It was an open exhibition so I got no problem in entering.

Kilala ko ang ilan sa mga naroon. Not personally but by their designation in the society. Known businessmen, politicians, artists and other art enthusiasts. Nilibot ko ang bulwagan in hopes of finding Amber but there was no any sign of her. Dalawang beses kong nilibot ang museum, but to no avail. Palabas na sana ako nang maagaw ang atensyon ko ang isang nakasabit na frame. It wasn't a painting but it was a shroud in which the traces of dried blood formed into a woman's face.

I've heard about such shroud from the news and internet. Ayon sa mga balita, it was a shroud used to wrap the body of a very beautiful woman 500 years ago. When the shroud was recovered, people were amazed to see that the traces of blood formed into the woman's face which they believe to be a beautiful woman.

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at lumapit sa frame. "So it's really true," wika ko sa sarili habang tinitingnan ang naka-frame na shroud. "Wow, I can't believe that something like this exists."

I know about the Shroud of Turin but I never thought that one like that truly exists. The shroud of Turin was a linen cloth bearing the image of a man who is alleged to be Jesus. Ayon sa paniniwala ng iba, ang telang iyon ay ang ginamit sa katawan ni Hesus matapos siyang ipako sa krus.

"Peke ang telang iyan."

Napalingon ako sa babaeng nakatayo sa gilid. Gaya ko ay nakatingin lamang siya sa naka-frame na shroud ngunit mukhang ako yata ang kausap niya. I looked around to make sure that she's really talking to me. Nang masiguro kong walang ibang taong malapit sa amin ay sinagot ko siya.

"Paano mo naman nasabi? Are you an expert?" I looked at her. She looks like a businesswoman in her corporate attire.

Pasimpleng ngumiti lamang siya. "Sa tingin ko lang." Hindi na siya nagkomento pa at naglakad na palayo sa akin. I followed her with my eyes for a while bago muling itinuon sa frame ang paningin at nagpasyang lumabas.

Agad naman akong sinalubong ni Deltran. "Did you find her?" Pareho silang nag-abang ni Ryu ng sagot ko kaya nang umiling ako ay pareho silang napasimangot.

"Sigurado ka ba talagang ito ang address na nakuha mo?" I asked and Ryu nodded.

Napasandal ako sa kotse at napaisip. If we will not see her and plan with her, we cannot guaranty Jeremy's safety. And knowing the organization, hindi sila magdadalawang isip na gawin kung ano man ang nais na gawin nila sa kanya.

"Bumalik na tayo," yaya ko sa kanila at sumakay ng kotse. Deltran drove the car ngunit 'di pa man kami nakakalayo ay napansin ko ang babaeng nakausap ko sa loob ng museum. She was holding something in her arm maliban sa dala niyang handbag. "Stop the car!"

Agad naman iyong tinigil ni Deltran at nagtatakang napatingin sa akin. "Bakit?"

Hindi ko na siya sinagot at nagmamadaling lumabas na ako ng kotse. The woman tossed her bag and the folded cloth on her car at papasok na rin sana siya nang nahawakan ko siya sa braso.

"You're not getting away," nakangising wika ko sa kanya. Sa simula ay tila nagulat siya nang makita ako ngunit agad din namang napalitan ng ngiti ang pagkagulat sa mukha niya.

"Anong sadya mo?" tanong niya sa akin at sinubukang kumawala mula sa pagkakahawak ko sa kamay niya but I held even tighter.

"The shroud that you steal," sagot ko sa kanya. I pulled her hair at gaya ng inaasahan ko, her wig comes off at naexpose ang kulot niyang buhok na bahagyang nakatali. It was Victoria. She fooled me once nang nagpanggap siyang nurse at ng mamahaling relos sa ospital. I cannot afford to be fooled by her. Not again.

At ngayon ko lamang din naalala! She stole Amber's phone when she handcuffed us together! At kung sakaling iyon nga ang ginagamit niya, it must be the one that Ryu traced!

Muli siyang ngumiti nang ubod ng tamis. And such smile was very deceiving because the moment she let out such smile, she kicked me on the knee kaya nabitawan ko ang kamay niya. Agad siyang sumakay sa kanyang kotse at akmang isasara ang pinto nang nahawakan iyon ni Ryu.

"Not that fast," wika ni Ryu at tuluyang binuksan ang pinto ng kotse. He pulled Victoria out of her car. Naging madali lang sa kanya na hilahin ito palabas. Halos magkasingtangkad lang sila ngunit likas na mas malakas si Ryu.

"What's with this girl, Gray?" he asked at sinulyapan si Victoria. Nagtangka itong magpumiglas mula sa pagkakahawak ni Ryu ngunit isang masamang tingin lamang ng huli ay napatigil ito sa ginagawa. Ryu indeed has a scary and dominating presence.

"She stole something from the museum but that's not the case. We are tracking her, not Amber," wika ko at naguluhan naman si Ryu.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"Amber is not here but it's possible that she knows where Amber is," I held Victoria's hand and held her on the pulse. "Alam mo ba kung nasaan si Amber?"

"Hindi ko alam! Paano ko naman malalaman kung nasaan siya. Kayo ang magkaibigan, 'di ba?" wika niya at tumingin ng bahagya sa akin.

"So you really don't know where she is?" tanong ko ulit sa kanya.

"Ang kulit din ng lahi mo, ano? Sabi nang hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya eh! Dapat kayo ang nakakaalam-" I cut her off.

"You're lying. You know where she is. You could just simply say no without being so defensive. Your pulse is irregular, too. I just did a basic lie-detecting technique."

"Hindi ko sabi alam kung nasaan siya eh! Hanapin niyo na lang kaya siya sa halip na-"

"So paano, ihahatid na ba natin siya sa presinto?" biglang tanong ni Deltran. He opened the car's other door and pulled the shroud that Victoria stole. "Wow, you managed to get this? Hindi ba ito naka-frame at nakalagay sa loob ng glass case?"

Victoria choose not to say a word kaya ako na ang sumagot. "I guess she unscrewed the frame beforehand. So as the glass case, probably she made some manipulations. Napansin ko kanina ang mga maliliit na dents sa case. It were so small that you will never notice unless you closely examine it."

Napansin ko ang bahagyang pag-ikot ng mata ni Victoria sa sinabi ni Deltran. "Victoria, kailangan naming malaman kung nasaan si Amber. Jeremy's life is at stake."

She avoided my gaze. "Hindi ko sabi alam kung nasaan si Amber."

"You know you're an excellent thief but not an excellent liar."

"Parehas pa kayo kung magsalita," she mumbled beneath her breathe but it didn't escape my auditory skills.

"Alam kong nanatili siya sa bahay mo the past days. At kung nasaan man siya ngayon, we need to talk to her and plot a plan to save our friend," pagsusumamo ko sa kanya. We already spent some hours but we still have no idea how to save Jeremy. Despite his weird behavior, I have established a relationship with him called friendship.

It is not something that you learn from school, or something that a private tutor teach you. It is something developed in an unexplainable beginning. Marahil ay naramdaman ni Victoria ang paghihirap ng kalooban ko.

Isang malaking buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan niya. "Sige na nga! Papunta siya ngayon doon upang iligtas si Calv-Jeremy."

"What?" Bulalas ko at nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa mga kasama ko. They must be thinking the same thing as I am. "Sabi niya hindi na niya mahihintay na mailigtas si Jeremy kaya gumawa na siya ng sariling plano."

"And what is that?" Ryu asked. "She'll be caught. That place is fully secured with alarm system and CCTV cameras. She should have asked us to manipulate their footage or crash their system."

"Sigurado ka ba?" tanong ko kay Victoria.

She nodded her head at hindi na kami nag-aksaya pa ng panahon. I ran toward our car at ganoon din ang ginawa ni Ryu but I stopped halfway when I remembered that I must have to return the thing stolen by Victoria first ngunit nakalulan na siya sa kanyang kotse at pinaharurot iyon palayo-taking the shroud with her.

Sumakay na kami ng kotse and I called Math. Ilang ring lang ang hinintay ko bago niya sinagot iyon.

"Math! Amber went to Tross' mansion alone!"

"What?!"

"Alert the police immediately. Sabihin mo kay Detective Adler. Papunta na kami doon kung sakali mang gumawa ng kung anuman si Amber."

"Got it," wika niya. Agad kong pinatay ang tawag at nag-aalalang napatingin sa mga kasama ko.

"I already alerted Cooler about it," Ryu said. Alam kong gaya ko ay nag-aalala rin sila kay Amber. That girl is really a trouble! Ano ba ang iniisip niya at nagpunta siya roon ng mag-isa. Is she trying to get herself killed?!

Mabilis ang pagpapatakbo ni Deltran sa kotse kaya agad kaming dumating sa destinasyon. The place was silent like it was when we were here the other night. Nakakabingi ang katahimikan ng paligid at ang tanging naririnig ko lamang ay ang huni ng mga kulisap at ang sariling pintig ng puso ko.

Nang sulyapan ko ang oras mula sa cellphone ko ay mag-aalas diyes na nang gabi. Base sa pagkatahimik ng paligid, I don't think that they already discovered Amber's presence. Sinubukan kong tawagan siya and luckily her phone rings!

"Trace the location of this call," wika ko kay Ryu habang hinihintay na sagutin iyon ni Amber. Ryu nodded at me at agad nitong kinuha ang kanyang laptop.

"Gray-" Nang sinagot niya ang tawag ay hindi ko na siya binigyan ng pagkakataong magsalita.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?! Ano na naman ba ang pumasok sa kukote mo at naisip mong pumunta rito ng mag-isa?" I may sound like a father worried to her daughter but who cares? Nag-aalala naman talaga ako sa kanya. I don't know why but I am annoyed upon the thought that she came here alone! Para na rin niyang inilakbay ang sarili niya sa loob ng kulungan ng gutom na leon.

"I will save Jeremy," matatag na wika niya. Isa iyon sa mga bagay na nagustuhan ko sa kanya. Nanatili siyang matatag sa kabila ng lahat. She lost her father and know she cannot afford to lose a friend. I understand how she must have felt. Maybe physical death is not the saddest thing that could happen to a person. Maybe it's when something inside us die as we live. And the worst part is that people we care the most are the ones who killed us the hard way.

"Nasaan ka?"

"I will save Jeremy," pag-uulit niya. There was something in her voice that tells me that she has the will to save her friend no matter what. Minsan ay hindi ko maiwasang mainis sa kanya. Balak niya yatang tularan si Mother Theresa sa pagiging mabait o di kaya ay sumunod sa yapak ni Jose Rizal at magpakabayani sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakamatay para sa iba.

"Tell me where-" I heard the beeps na tanda na pinatay niya ang tawag. Hindi ko mapigilang maasar kaya agad kong nasuntok ang kotse. "Damn! Did you get an address?" tanong ko kay Ryu.

"Nandito na siya," sagot ni Ryu. "You didn't keep her that long para sana malaman natin kung nasaan talaga siya."

I cursed all the worst words in my head dahil sa inis. I decided to make some deductions. "Alam niyang kompleto ang alarm system ng mansion. She knew that there will be security videos everywhere."

"Ibig sabihin ay dumaan siya sa kung saan maiiwasan niya ang lahat ng iyon," Ryu said. "And where is that?"

"If it is me, I will target the power source. I will find where the conduits are at sisirain ko ang power source," sabi ni Deltran.

"Right! The call was choppy at tila nasa isang kweba siya. She must be somewhere like in a sewer system!" Bumaling ako sa mga kasama ko. "Hintayin niyo sina Cooler at ang mga pulis dito. I'll go and look for her."

Agad akong tumakbo papunta sa likuran ng mansion. The walls are high at nasa harapan lamang ang ilang nagbabantay. I moved stealthily to the back at naghanap ng daan na patungo sa isang sewer system o subterranean conduit.

When I found a way ay agad kong tinahak ang madilim na daan. The sewer system was old smelly ngunit nagpatuloy pa rin ako. Ginamit ko ang flashlight ng cellphone ko upang lumiwanag ang daraanan ko. Pumasok ako sa loob at hinanap si Amber. My steps were fast as I entered the sewer system. Namataan ko naman siya sa harap ng malalaking conduit.

"Amber!" tawag ko sa kanya at tumakbo upang tuluyang makalapit sa kanya. I held her arm at hinila siya paalis doon ngunit hindi siya natinag sa kanyang kinatatayuan. "What the hell are you doing here? And without informing us!"

"Kailangan kong iligtas si Jeremy!" buo ang boses na wika niya. I can feel her gazes through the darkness.

"By being this hopeless? Do you have any plan on how to save him or you're just acting impulsively again?"

"Yes, I'm hopeless! But the only way to get rid of this hopelessness is to do something! I cannot just sit there and wait for things to happen!" puno ng hinanakit ang boses niya. I don't know how she exactly felt but I know that it's not easy.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at humalukipkip. "I know. But you should have told us! Hindi ganitong gumagawa ka ng sariling hakbang!"

She began weeping and I somehow felt sorry for shouting. Alam kong pareho lamang kaming nag-aalala but Amber needs to be scolded sometimes. But the thing is that kahit ilang beses mo pa siyang pagsabihan ay hindi pa rin siya makikinig. "Look, I'm sorry." I pulled her toward me at niyakap siya. The moment her body was pressed against mine ay mas lalo lamang itong napahikbi.

"N-nag-aalala lang ako kay Jeremy. And when you're worried about someone, you can't think rationally dahil ang tanging naiisip mo ay ang iligtas siya. You wouldn't even think that you may be able to save yourself," she said in between her sobs.

I pressed my forehead in her hair. "I know but you also have to think of yourself." Her sobs were slowly disappearing as we stayed that way for few seconds. "Let's get out of here," I said without withdrawing from the hug.

"Uhhhhh! What a cute scene!"

Bahagya akong napapikit nang masilaw ako sa ilaw na mula sa dalang flashlight ng mga bagong dating. It was Therese with two armed man. Naramdaman kong humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Amber sa laylayan ng suot kong T-shirt.

"Sorry to ruin your perfect moment," wika ni Therese at bahagyang tumawa.

"Why are you doing this, Rese?! Kaibigan kita!" Amber shouted. Tinanggal ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa damit ko. Instead, I clasped our hands together. It's the thing about betrayal. It doesn't comes from your enemies but it comes from your friend.

"We're friends? Says who?" nakangising wika ni Therese at bumaling sa mga kasama niya. "Get them."

Lumapit sa amin ang mga armadong lalaki at hinawakan kami. Wala kaming nagawa kundi magpatangay sa kanila nang inilabas nila kami roon at pinasok sa loob ng bahay. Dinala nila kami sa loob kung saan nakatali si Jeremy.

"Je!" Amber shouted at kumawala sa pagkakahawak ng lalaki sa kanya. She ran toward Jeremy na may iilang pasa sa mukha. Nasa paanan nito ang bibliya na dala nila noong unang beses na nagpunta kami rito.

"Amber! Anong ginagawa mo rito?" Jeremy asked worriedly. Napatingin din siya sa akin at tiningnan ako na tila ba nagtatanong kung bakit nandito kami.

"Do you know the kill code?" wika ng isang pamilyar na boses. It was Tross who was looking at us on our little reunion.

Tumayo si Amber mula sa pagkakaluhod sa harap ni Jeremy. "Hindi kami nagpunta rito upang ibigay sa inyo ang kill code na kahit kami ay hindi alam. We're here for our friend!" Amber said in a loud voice. Gone was the Amber who cried a while ago. It was the Amber who has the power to make you feel scared with her tone. Malamig ang boses nito at tila walang takot.

Tumawa nang malakas si Tross. "You sounded like Copper. Anak ka nga talaga niya. But things are not that easy, darling. Give me the code and I will give you your friend."

"Hindi namin alam ang pinagsasasabi mo! Wala kaming alam sa code kaya pakawalan mo na si Jeremy!"

"Sino sa inyo ang nagpapanggap na Trojan?"

"Hindi ko alam!"

"Bullshit!" Sigaw ni Tross at kasabay niyon ay isang malakas na pagsabog. Part of the house exploded ngunit hindi man lamang nagulat si Amber. Nang nataranta ang mga kasama ng Genesis ay may hinigit si Amber sa loob ng bulsa ng hoody jacket na suot niya. Unti-unting natumba ang ilan sa mga armadong lalaki na naroon nang may sunod-sunod na putok ng baril. They didn't know who the assailants are dahil sa usok na dulot ng pagsabog.

"Brain! The Vander reapers are here! May kasama rin silang mga pulis!" sigaw ng isang babae na kasama nila.

It was a small hunter's knife na ginamit niya upang kalagan si Jeremy. Siniko ko ang lalaking nakahawak sa akin at tumakbo palapit kina Amber. Tinulungan ko siyang kalagan si Jeremy at nang tuluyan itong makawala ay pinulot nito ang Bible sa kanyang paanan.

"Umalis na tayo rito!" Amber said. "The plastic explosives will explode soon." Hinawakan niya si Jeremy at hinila palabas ng silid na iyon.

Hindi pa man kami tuluyang nakalabas ay may humawak sa braso ko. It was Tross.

"You're not getting away with this!" wika niya at hinampas ako gamit ang baril na hawak niya. My sight becomes blurry but I manage to keep myself awake. "Habulin niyo sila!"

He pointed at Jeremy and Amber na tumatakbo patungo sa hagdan. Agad namang sumunod sa kanila ang ilang mga armadong lalaki. Naramdaman ko ang pag-agos ng dugo mula sa sugat na sanhi ng paghampas niya ng baril sa akin.

"Brain! Napapalibutan na nila tayo!" wika ng isang babae. It was one of the woman who crashed Amber's supposed to be welcome party as a Vander.

"Shit!" bulalas niya lumingon sa paligid. Ilang beses siyang napamura bago tumakbo palayo at sumunod sa babae. Muli akong nakarinig ng pagsabog at tinakbo ko ang daan na dinaanan nina Amber at Jeremy kanina.

Napatigil ako nang makita ko sina Amber at Therese. Pinag-aagawan nila ang hawak na kutsilyo! Jeremy was on the floor with a bleeding side!

"Stop this, Rese!" umiiyak na wika ni Amber. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak nila sa isa't isa at nag-aagawan pa rin sa kutsilyo. Malapit lamang kami sa pasimano ng hagdan and we were on the second floor at mataas iyon.

"Not until you give me the code!" sigaw ni Therese. "Ito lamang ang paraan upang mapatunayan ko ang pangalan ko, Amber! I must show them that I belong to the family!" Unti-unting tumulo ang mga luha nito.

"No! May ibang paraan pa! You don't have to do bad things just to prove yourself, Rese! We need to get out of here! Marami pang mga pagsabog ang mangyayari!"

Tumakbo ako palapit sa kanila but just as I was about to reach them, Therese pushed Amber on the edge of the stairs ngunit nakahawak si Amber which caused Therese to be pushed on the balustrade while holding the knife.

"THERESE!!!"

Umalingawngaw ang sigaw ni Amber. Bago pa man mahulog si Therese ay hinawakan niya ito sa kamay at sinubukang iligtas. The stairs were high at umaapoy ang ibabang bahagi ng mansion.

"Kumapit ka ng mabuti!" umiiyak na wika niya. Lumapit ako sa kanya at sinubukan siyang tulungan. "Ilabas mo si Jeremy dito!"

"But-"

"The bombs will explode sooner kaya kailangan mo siyang ilabas dito!" Her tears covered most of her face at alam kong nangangawit na rin siya habang nakahawak kay Therese.

"Pero Amber-"

"Just go!"

I slowly took a few steps backward. Nag-aalalang tumingin ako sa kanya at kay Jeremy. I have to save the two of them! Not just Jeremy.

"Bakit mo 'to ginagawa, Amber? Bitawan mo na lang ako! Just let me die!" Therese said while crying.

"Hindi, Rese. Aalis tayo rito!" Puno ng determinasyong wika ni Amber kahit na nanghihina at nangangawit na siya.

"I betrayed you! Hindi ako naging mabuti kaya bitawan mo na lang ako!"

"You have been my friend, Rese. I love you as my friend-even if the feeling wasn't mutual."

"What have I done for you to do this? Masama ako, Amber! Isipin mo na lang ang lahat ng nagawa ko! That way, it's easier for you to let go of my hand!"

"Hindi! I told you! You have been my friend and that itself is the greatest thing you've done for me! Kahit na hindi pala totoo ang lahat ng iyon, I was happy!" Mas lalo lamang nag-unahan sa pag-agos ang mga luha ni Amber.

Therese smiled bitterly. "It was great to be your friend, Amber. At totoo ang lahat. I like you as my friend. It's just that I've chosen my family over friendship. Thank you."

She smiled geniunely at inangat ang isang kamay na may hawak na kutsilyo. "Thank you, Amber," she said sincerely at sinugatan ang kamay ni Amber but the she didn't let go. She did it again at umagos ang dugo ni Amber patungo sa mukha niya kasabay ng kanyang luha at pawis ngunit kahit nahihirapan ay hindi pa rin bumitaw si Amber.

"No! I won't let go, Rese!"

With Amber's blood dripping on her face, Therese smiled. "I'm sorry, Amber. And thank you." Sa pangatlong pagkakataon ay sinugatan niya ang kamay ni Amber. It was longer and deeper than the first two kaya walang nagawa si Amber kundi bitawan ito.

"REEEEEEEEESE!"

She watched as her body fell. Isang malakas na hagulgol ang narinig namin mula kay Amber kaya lumapit ako sa kanya at hinila ito. Tila walang buhay na nagpatangay lang siya sa akin at tinulungan naming tumayo si Jeremy.

"I'm happy that she see me as a friend," wika niya habang inalalayan namin si Jeremy. "But I should have saved her."

"It wasn't your fault, Amber," wika ni Jeremy. He watched the floor kung saan sa bawat dinaraanan namin ay may pumapatak na dugo mula sa mga saksak at sugat sa kamay ni Amber.

Nang makarating kami sa bukana ng pinto ay sinalubong kami ng mga pulis sa pangunguna ni Detective Adler.

"Kailangan niyo nang lumayo rito. The bomb squad is still searching for the C4 na nasa paligid," wika nito at inalalayan kami.

Math was there too at agad siyang tumakbo palapit sa amin. "Amber! What happened?" she covered her mouth when she saw her wound at mas lalo siyang napabulalas nang magpalipat-lipat ang paningin niya sa dumudugong ulo ko at lalong-lalo na sa saksak ni Jeremy. "Oh my God!" She began to weep at pinaghahampas si Jeremy. "Nasaksak ka na nga at lahat, hawak mo pa rin ang Bible!"

Lumapit din sa amin sina Deltran at Ryu upang alalayan kami papasok sa sasakyan kung saan lalapatan ng pang-unang lunas si Jeremy at maging kami ni Amber.

"Even if we haven't figure out the code, it's good that you're safe," wika ni Ryu. "Trojan's code will be forever anonymous."

"Let their supercomputer be burned kahit na alam kong mare-retrieve pa rin nila ang lahat ng nasa kanilang database. Is it really possible for a code to run and absolutely destroy whatever's inside there?" tanong ko kay Ryu.

"Yes, depending on the hardware. But since it's Trojan, I'm sure their supercomputer isn't the type that will throttle back or shutdown to prevent its destruction. He probably design the code to destroy all the data and not just the files which can still be retrieve. Imposibleng isang simpleng fatal system error lang ang ginawa ni Trojan, he's better than that," sagot ni Ryu. "Since we weren't able to run the code, may posibilidad pa na makukuha nila ang stored data and access it if they'll find a way how, kahit na masunog man ang supercomputer na meron sila."

Bigla na lamang napahawak si Amber kay Deltran nang marinig nito ang sinabi Ryu. "Trojan's code!" Bumaling siya kay Jeremy at kinuha ang Bible mula rito. Kahit nagtataka ay pinanood ko na lamang siya habang kinakausap si Deltran na tila ba ito ang solusyon sa problema.

"Bible... Bible... Genesis... Beginning..." she mumbled under her breathe. "When is your birthday?" tanong niya kay Deltran.

"You know that we two has the most complicated birthdays," sagot nito.

"Just tell me what's written on your damn birth certificate!" Amber hissed. Why is she asking that to Deltran?

"December 13-"

Amber opened the Bible. Her blood was dripping on each pages kaya kinuha ko ang bibliya mula sa kanya. "Let me."

Hindi na siya pumalag at sinabi sa akin na basahin ang Genesis 12:13. Kahit nagtataka kung bakit ang kaarawan ni Deltran ang ginamit niya ay sinunod ko pa rin siya.

"Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you," basa ko sa Genesis 12:13.

Amber's eyes grew wider. "Sister! Emerald Deltran's half sister is my mom! Amethyst! AMETHYST is the code!" she said at biglang lumabas ng kotse.

Sa gulat naming lahat ay hindi agad kami nakakilos nang tumakbo si Amber patungo sa nasusunog na mansion. Ilang minuto pa bago ako nakahuma ay sumunod ako sa kanya kahit pa pinigilan ako ng mga pulis.

Hindi ako nagpapapigil at hinanap siya sa loob ng nasusunog na mansyon. "Amber! Amber!" Paulit-ulit kong tinawag ang pangalan niya sa loob but the flames swallowed all my shouts.

Isang bombero ang lumapit sa akin at hinila ako palabas. I tried to resist at first but the heat and the smoke made me weak. Nanghihina na ako nang makalabas kami roon and just as when we reached the area behind the yellow police ribbon, there was another great explosion.

Amber's still inside! No! This isn't supposed to end this way! Please not this way!

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs