She didn't usually give second chances to everyone. But when she does? She gives them option. Either you do what she wanted or she would remove you to the fucking crowded population of this world. And that dear, ang mangyayari kay Laura kapag hindi n'ya sinunod ang gusto ni Ericka.

She was wearing her sunglasses while driving. Iniisip n'ya kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng organisasyon kapag sinunog na n'ya ulit ng tuluyan ang lungga ng mga ito. Napangiti si Ericka, ayun naman ang kanyang rason kaya nabubuhay s'ya sa mundong ito, to destroy everything who would try to block her way.

"All good, Ericka? Ang sabi sa akin ng tauhan ko wala sila ngayon dyan. Tatawagan kita kapag may nakita kaming pumasok." Saad ni Martha sakanya mula sa phone.

"How's Laura?" She asked.

"Mukhang papunta na ang kaibigan n'ya. So we better move. Darating nadin ang mga pulis maya-maya."

"Okay. Balitaan n'yo ko." Ibinaba na ni Ericka ang tawag.

Huminto na s'ya sa lugar kung saan s'ya halos lumaki. This place reminded her everything about her life. Her pain. Her slaves. Her joy. Her toy. Bumaba si Ericka nang sasakyan n'ya at kinuha ang mga bote mula sa compartment nito. She puts it in her bag, one by one para hindi mahalata ng bouncer ang balak n'yang gawin. Then she slid her knife at the back of her pants. This might be the end for her or the new beginning, she didn't care anymore. Shejust wanted to fulfill this game.

Nang makuha n'ya na ang lahat na kailangan, agad s'yang lumakad papasok. She raised her eyebrows when the bouncer was about to inspect her bag. Napahinga na lang ito ng malalim at pinatuloy s'ya sa loob. She could hear the loud music from the other room. Oh, this is the night. She thought. Habang naglalakad halos lahat ng madadaanan n'ya pinapasadahan s'ya ng tingin, Ericka was walking confidently. Dumeretso s'ya pababa, pinakita n'ya lamang ang kanyang tattoo para malaman na isa s'ya sa matataas na miyembro ng organisasyon.

When she reached the bottom. Inalabas ni Ericka ang kanyang kutsilyo. Lumapit si Ericka sa mga sofa sa bawat nadadaanan nila at habang naglalakad hinihiwa n'ya ang mga ito. Including the wooden wall. Nagiiwan ito ng marka. The she stopped, sa isang pinto kung saan ang kwarto n'ya at ni James noon. She wrote using her knife. 'Quinn was here.' at nagpatuloy sa pag lakad.

She was now standing to the last door. They called this the VIP room. Isa itong malaking function room na sobrang dilim at tanging matataas na tao lamang ang nakakapasok dito. Inilabas ni Ericka ang bote na may laman na gas sinimulan na n'ya itong itapon. Then she opened the door.

It was all dark. Kinapa ni Ericka ang switch sa gilid n'ya. Unang bumukas ang spot light na nasa gitna. She was taken aback for a moment because there was an electrical chair in the middle. Nanigas ang buong katawan n'ya.

"Oh, fuck. Abort mission." Paatras na s'ya nang matamaan ng likod n'ya ang isang lalaki. Bumukas ang isang ilaw. It was Saul.

"Quinn, we meet again?"

Kahit naguguluhan she smiled at him. "I can see that. But I have to leave."

Hinawakan nito ang kamay n'ya. "You can't." Hinila s'ya nito papunta sa gitna. She tried to fight back ngunit may humawak din sa kabilang kamay n'ya at sa likod n'ya.

"Leave me fucking alone." She gritted through her teeth.

Bumukas ang ibang mga ilaw. There were three of them and the bodyguards around her. Napamura na lang sa isip si Ericka. She was now trapped. Napagplanuhan ng lahat ang pagbabalik n'ya rito. It was like they are waiting for her.

Binitawan s'ya ng mga lalaking nakahawak sa kanya.

"What now? Kill me?" Sabi n'ya sa mga ito. Ericka crossed her arms. "I know you can't."

Nagsitawanan ang mga tao sa kanya. Inikot n'ya ang mata sa bawat isa. This was them. All of them. They will execute her for sure. This can't be happening. Hindi pa s'ya tapos, hindi pwedeng bumaliktad ang lahat.

"Quinn, alam mo na kung bakit ka andito." Nagsalita si Sabrina.

Sabrina... According to Laura, ito ang nakakalam kung nasaan si James. She needed him right now.

"Where's James?"

Nagtinginan ang mga ito at biglang sumeryoso ang mga mukha.

"Walang tutulong sa'yo ngayon, Quinn. We're about to execute you."

"You're not." Lumakad s'ya papunta sa likuran. "You can't." Hinawakan s'ya ng isa sa mga bantay rito. "Remove your fucking hand." Ngunit mas lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa kanya.

"Shall we start?" Nagsitanguan ang lahat.

"Everyone, as you can see your previous Quinn is here." Sigaw ni Sabrina. "Ano ba ang ginagawa sa mga taksil na miyembro?"

"Pinaparusahan." Tumingin s'ya sa direksyon ni Saul.

"Pinapahirapan." Saad ni Tanta. Nakaramdam ng takot si Ericka. Nagawa n'ya na ito dati. They were all cruel just like her. Hindi sila titigil hangga't hindi nila napapatay ang mga taksil na miyembro. This maybe the end of her life but this shouldn't end this way.

"At pinapatay." Sabrina said.

"Just like the old times. We have the right to do whatever we want to do with her. You know the drill? Kailangan n'yo lang sabihin isa-isa ang paglabag na ginawa n'ya sa organisasyon na ito, kapag nasabi na ng isa bubuksan ang switch ng bahagya at kapag may nakapagsabi naman na isa, mas matagal sa una hanggang sa hindi na kayanin ng katawan n'ya."

Sinubukan n'yang tanggalin ang pagkakahawak ng mga ito sa kanya pero hindi sapat ang lakas n'ya. They forced her to sit on the electrical chair. Oh, God... She tried kicking them, ngunit hindi parin s'ya nagwagi. And now, here she was sitting. Kung dati s'ya ang isa sa nanonood ng ganito. Pero ngayon bumaliktad ang lahat.

She was scared for a moment. She shouldn't die like this. She couldn't move her hand, dahil mahigpit ang pagkakagapos nito kahit ang kanyang paa'y hindi na n'ya magalaw.

Napahinto ang lahat nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. They all looked away, isang rebulto ng katawan ang naglalakad papalapit sa kanila. It was the same familiar body she would recognize everywhere. Napahinga si Ericka ng malalim.

"Rake..." Bulong n'ya. He was still having that dark aura. His face was dead serious. Mukhang wala itong ibang ginawa kundi mag-inom. He didn't shave at all. Gulo-gulo rin ang buhok nito but one thing that didn't change it's how he walked, he's still the superior man she knew. He was walking with dominance, with power. Everyone was respecting him.

"Y-you're h-here..." Nauutal na sambit n'ya. Ngunit wala s'yang nakita na reaksyon mula rito. His face was emotionless. He didn't frown upon seeing her situation as if he didn't care at all.

"Rake." Bati ng lahat dito. Ngunit nakatingin padin si Rake sa kanya. Suddenly, all she could see was hatred.

"See your future now, Quinn?" There was disgust in his tone. "Sinabihan na kita na h'wag kana magpapakita sa'kin dahil ganito ang mangyayari sa'yo. You're still stubborn as hell."

Napalunok si Ericka dahil alam n'yang tototohanin ni Rake ang mga sinasabi nito. His muscles was clenching as if he couldn't wait to see her die right now.

"Rake, don't do this."

"Quinn," He knew exaclty how she hated that name. Especially kapag nanggagaling kay Rake. "I told you to run, didn't I?" His voice was cold. "It's like offering yourself to us right now."

"I know you won't." She answered. "I need you."

"Too late, Ericka, too late. You only realized that after the damage you've caused us." Tumalikod si Rake sa kanya at lumayo.

"Rake... Please." Pilit s'yang pumipiglas sa pagkakatali sakanya. "If there is one thing I want to change in my life. It is the day I met you. I wanted to start a family with you. I truly do. Nagpanggap ako, yes, pero para rin sa'yo 'yon. Para satin. I don't want this. Please, spare me."

"Quinn, hindi na ako magpapadala sa mga salita mo." Rake answered. "You will always be the same manipulative bitch everyday.Gagamitin at gagamitin mo ang mga taong nasa paligid mo hanggang sa maubos mo ang pera nila." Umiling ito. "Hindi kana magbabago. Let's start." His voice was domineering.

Everyone agreed right away. Pumwesto si Rake sa pinaka dulo ng taong nakapabalibot sa kanya.

"Rake! No! Rake!"

Unang nagsalita si Saul. She knew this already. Nagawa na n'ya ito dati. She is a ruthless bitch herself. But never in her life she would imagine that she would experience this.

"As we all know, we are a secret organization. And everything happen here will always be remain confidential or it didn't happen at all." Umpisa ni Saul. "I am asking for your cooperative to follow the rules all the time. Para hindi kayo matutulad sa mga taksil na miyembro ng grupo." Tumingin ito sa kanya.

Hindi na mapakali si Ericka pilit n'yang tinatanggal ang kamay mula sa pagkakatali.

"No, no, no! I can't die like this! I can't! No!" Pagpupumiglas n'ya.

Lumapit sakanya si Saul. "Quinn, you know the drill. Taon-taon palagi mo kaming pinagtataksilan at dahil sumusunod kami sa alituntunin ng bata ng organisasyon na ito. Wala kaming magawa. This execution is for betrayal."

"S-saul," Nanlaki ang mata n'ya nang makita n'yang hawak na ni Saul ang switch na papatay sakanya. "Please, no, Saul! I've been good to you! You taught me alot of things! H'wag----"

Napapikit si Ericka nang maramdaman n'ya ang sakit na dumadaloy sa buong katawan n'ya. It fucking hurt, alot. It was like someone was starting a fire inside her body. Dumadaloy ito sa bawat ugat ng kanyang katawan. Bago pa s'ya tuluyan mawalan ng malay biglang tumigil ang sakit. Nakaramdaman s'ya agad nang panghihina. Napatingin s'ya sa ibaba. She suddenly felt numb.

"You're very lucky. Dahil ang volt na inilagay rito ay hindi kasing taas katulad ng dati. Because we are saving you for last. We have to keep you alive. And now, Quinn, this is for all the pain you've caused. For ruining us all."

She could feel pain again. Oh, she wanted to die right now. Just let her die. Let her die, please. Mas masakit ang nararamdaman n'ya ngayon dumadaloy na ito sa buong katawan n'ya. It was electrifying her body. She lost control. Umiikot na ang panginin n'ya umaakyat ang dugo n'ya sa katawan palabas ng bibig n'ya. Her vision was spinning but still, she could feel the stinging pain everywhere. It felt like forever.

Suddenly, it stopped.

Namanhid na ang katawan ni Ericka. It was Tanta's turned, her mind was refusing what was happening. Her body was about to give up. She saw blood coming from her mouth. She still managed to laugh. Hindi na n'ya alam ang nangyayari. Pagod na s'ya.

She closed her eyes.

"Ma?" Nagbago ang lugar kung saan s'ya nakaupo. Hinahangin ang kanyang buhok habang nakatingin sa babaeng nasa likuran n'ya.

"Ericka! Ano bang ginagawa mo?" tanong ng kanyang ina. She was looking at her, confused. Napatingin si Ericka sa ibaba ng kinatatayuan n'ya. It was a cliff. Malakas ang alon mula sa baba. Isang hakbang na lang matatapos na ang lahat. Hindi na s'ya makakaramdam ng sakit. Magiging malaya narin s'ya.

"I want this to end..." Naiiyak na sambit n'ya. Nagulat s'ya na may tumulong luha mula sa kanyang mata.

"Anak, hindi mo pwedeng gawin yan. You are stronger than that."

"I'm not."

"You Ericka Quinn, remember?"

Napatigil s'ya. Tinititigan n'ya ang mukha ng kanyang ina. It was all the same when she saw her. There was wrinkle on her forehead. Dahil nadin sa palaging pag-aalala nito sa kanilang magkapatid. Despite of their problem, kitang kita mo parin sa kanyang ina ang pagiging magandang babae nito. Lalo na noong kabataan pa. Kaya maraming nahuhumaling dito dahil sa kakaibang ganda.

"I'm tired, ma... Pagod na pagod na ako. I don't want this... I want to end this. I need to end this." Iyak n'ya at ikinulong ang mukha sa kanyang palad. "Here with you, I find peace... Hindi ko na kailangan protektahan ang sarili ko kasi alam kong andyan ka." Mas lalong lumalakas ang alon mula sa ibaba na para bang tinatawag s'ya. "I badly want to go home, ma... Please, take me..."

"Ericka..." Naramdaman n'ya bigla ang haplos ng kanyang ina. "Andito lang ako lagi para sa'yo. Hindi mo man ako nakikita pero ang presensya ko palaging nasa tabi mo."

Umiling si Ericka. "No, ma, hindi mo ako naiintindihan. I want to end my life."

Nagising si Ericka sa pagkakahimatay dahil sa lamig na dumadapo sa kanyang mukha. Pinilit n'yang dumilat. She saw Rake. Pinupunasan nito ang mukha n'ya. At first, she thought he's helping her, ngunit bumaba ang pagkakapunas nito sa ibabang labi n'ya. At ibinaba sa iban parte na katawan n'ya.

"The more. Mas mabilis kang mamamatay." His face was still serious. Hindi rin ito tumitingin sa mata n'ya.

"Rake!" Umiling si Ericka. "You look at me," Nanghihinang utos n'ya kay Rake. "Gumaganti kayo dahil sa nagpanggap akong buntis? Dahil sa pagbabalik ko? O dahil sa plano ko na kuhain ang lahat sa'yo?"

Tumigil si Rake at iniayos ang ulo n'ya mula doon sa metal na nakadikit sa electrical chair. He locked it. Nataranta si Ericka.

"You don't know how much it hurt when you're hoping to something that does not exist. Kasi hindi mo alam kung paano mawalan. Hindi mo alam kung paano masaktan." His tone was bitter. He gazed sardonically. "Now, Quinn I have to end your life. I don't want to see your fucking face. Because everytime I sleep, I walk, sa lahat nang ginagawa ko mukha mo lang ang nakikita ko. It's how you betrayed me. How much pain you gave me. W-wala kang alam..." Rake voice was cracking. "You don't fucking know how to live with regret day by day. Kasi wala kang pakialam, Ericka." Lumapit si Rake sa switch.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Ericka. She didn't want to die like this. Natatakot s'ya. Ayaw n'ya pang mamatay. Nakaramdam s'ya ng awa sa sarili. She felt useles ---powerless. All these years, she's building her power; mastering the art of manipulation. Ayaw n'yang natatalo s'ya. Ayaw n'yang nahihirapan s'ya. Because she's been there. Naranasan na n'ya lahat ng paghihirap sa mundo. Her only defense was her sarcasm, herself. Turning her emotion off. Building her walls up. Ginagawa n'ya iyon dahil ayaw na n'ya ulit makaramdam ng sakit. Ayaw na n'yang bumalik sa dati. Ayaw n'yang kaawaan s'ya.

She was acting superior because it was her only way to feel powerful to others. At ngayon, wala s'yang magawa. She was losing her superiority towards this man.

"R-rake, please no." Umuubo na si Ericka ng dugo. Nanghihina narin s'ya. Although, she wanted this to end. But it doesn't feel right to her.

"You are a selfish bitch, Ericka. You don't know how to love. All you think about is yourself." Idinantay ni Rake ang isang kamay switch. "Goodbye, Ericka. It was nice playing your game."

"Rake. I don't want to be here! No. No. No. Stop! Stop this! " Bigla na lamang tumulo ang luha ni Ericka. Natahimik ang lahat. Because for the first time in her life, ngayon na lamang s'ya ulit umiyak. Tuloy tuloy ang pagpatak ng luha nito. "S-stop this please. S-stop." She was crying real hard.

Nanghihina na ang katawan ni Ericka. She felt like her body was shutting down. "R-rake..." She said in between her breath.

She looked at him helplessly, tears was still flowing. For the first time in her life she wanted someone to see her pain. Kung bakit s'ya nagkaganito. Kung bakit ang sakit sakit para sakanya sukuan ang larong sininulan n'ya.

Rake stared at her, confused. Ericka bit her lip and still sobbing.

"N-namatayan din ako. N-namatayan din tayo ng a-anak..."