Watch

Its been a week since that day. And luckily the gossip and news about that didn't spread out. And since that day, Cato seem distance to us.

And its okay with me. Were trying to get lowkey. I've been involve to most popular person here. Mahirap ng makakuha ng atensyon.

And last day I heard another student vanish without any single trace. Me and Nasha talk about it.

Were been alarm since that news. And some student also alarm but the seniors are not new about it.

They seem normal. Sabi nga noong lalaking nakausap namin sa cafeteria. Sanay na sila.

Haunting stage na sila. I didn't got the logic about haunting someone digging about the University.

What they trying to keep on? Why they kill innocent just to keep it secret?Why?

I can't figure it out. And who is the master behind all of it.

Grabe nakakaya nila ito?

"Absent minded," pasiring ni Tofee sa akin. Its lunch time and were eating on the same spot. Nagtataka rin ako sa lalaki na ito. Noong nakaraan sabi huwag kaming magdidikit. Tapos ngayon ito kasama ko siya. Ang gulo din minsan eh.

"What about that look?" pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. And seem he doesn't realized it.

"You say in the past week. We can't be this so close. Cause your being watched. So?" bitin kong tanong. Napa 'O' naman ang bibig niya na parang may naalala.

"Ah, about that. Pinag isipan ko lang last week. And mas narealized kong maghihiwalay tayo after makitang magkasama. Parang pagdududahan tayo na nakakaramdam na tayo. So I think become close again. So they won't think we know they after us," mahabang paliwanag niya.

Natahimik naman ako sa sinabi niya. Sabagay may point siya. Nakita na kaming magkasama tapos biglang mag iiwasan. Baka nga makahalata din sila.

"Okay, so what we gonna do? You know about whats the latest news," i ask him without telling it. Cause we are not only the people here. Dumami na ang tao kanina kasi kakaunti lang. At malayo sa amin. Ngayon may medyo malapit na.

He simple look around and said.

"In my basement again. I have something to tell you also," he whisper on me. And back on his usual style of sit.

He still chewing his food. While I finish my. He talks a lot that's why he doesn't finish yet. And the people here are being more.

A silent place turn into noisy one. Its look like a theme park. May kanya kanyang grupo. At dahil hindi pa tapos kumain itong si Coffee. I look around.

They seem never bother how this school is in chaos. Maybe they use to it. But how they doing it?

Napailing na lang ako sa sarili kong tanong. Maybe they here to reach they dream. I've heard every student graduated here had a high chance to get a stable job.

Next to the Central City. The lowkey are the Westwend and NorthTown City.

I look at the sky. And muli kong maalala ang pangarap ko. To be a Pilot. But the discrimination is still visible here. I've here from other Island. They allowed women to do men's job.

Dahil nagkukulang na sila sa human work force. Lumilipat dito kapag may letter of invitation to work here.

"I'm done," i hear him exclaim that. Doon ko siya pinansin. His brows knitted together with his lips purse.

"What?" i raise my one eye brow and look him puzzle. His lips form a small smile and chuckle a little while making eye contact on me.

Then I remember his majestic pair of eyes. I love the color and I still can't get enough with it.

The legend is true but the supernatural plot thats I don't know.

"Why are you smiling? Are you making fun of me?" his voice fill with accusation. His eye brow frown and look bother. Making his two thick eye brow meet.

I chuckle at his accusation and annoy him more.

"What do you think?" i mock him and lick my lips. Tilt my head and look him boastful. Making his face darken.

"This is not funny Eirlys. Stop messing around on me. I'm not good at funny stuff," He serious utter and fix his thing.

Tsk... I just let out my other side 'di pala pwede sa kanya. Fine! I'm at fault.

"Sorry, I'm just can't stop being like that," i appologize sincerely. This is funny of me. Me saying sorry is new. Since I never that interaction to my classmate before cause they found me intimidating.

"Sound like sincern. Appology accepted," he answer and stand up. May isang subject pa kami bago muling mag P. E.

"So vacant hours again?" i ask him without telling what is it. Marami kaming kasabayan eh.

"Yup," he casual answer me and walk with me. Sabay kaming umakyat sa building kong saan kami mag-roroom.

We seat on our designatied place. As usual our room fill with noise. Some are playing, dancing and throwing paper ball.

Laughter and loud noise fill the four corner of our room not until stop by an flash announcement.

Galing sa speaker ang tunog. From the audio room.

"Good afternoon student of Eastford University," bati ng isang mahinahon boses ng babae. Ang rinig ko ay isang member ng student council.

"What's now? Its look like they official starting it," i heard one of my classmate ask it. Kaya napatingin ako sa gawi niyang iyon. Pero nakatalikod siya kaharap ang mga kaibigan.

Official starting?

Napatingin ako sa gawi ni Tofee. His face darken. He never move on his place. His serious listining to the annoucement. Ano bang meron?

"We the student council officially starting today our annual run and hide game. So student be aware. For those whose new here. The mechanics of the game will be posted in every college department annoucment board. Read and understand the mechanics it will save your life. That's for today. Enjoy the rest of the day. This is your student council member, Kainda," her sweet evil voice gone after she introduce herself. And the loud room being silent. Parang dinaanan ng angel sa sobrang tahimik.

Something is wrong about that said game. Run and hide? Annual? So its happened every year?

"Good afternoon student," biglang pasok ng prof namin kaya nagkagulo.kami sa pagbalik sa upuan namin.

Nakakapanibago talaga parang may mali. They seem very silent. Tahimik ang room habanh nagsasalita sa harap si sir. Lumingon ako kay Tofee at katulad ng iba. Tulala at tahimik.

After that discussion tahimik silang nagsialisan. Habang inantay ko naman si Tofee. Saglit niya akong pinasadahan ng tingin saka deretso ang tingin sa labas.

Sumunod na lang ako sa kanya. I can't stand the silent between us. Pagkalabas namin sa building. Doon ko mas napansin na, hindi lang pala sa room. Maging sa labas probably the whole campus.

"Let's go," rinig kong bulong niya. Doon ko napansin na napahinto pala ako. Nabigla pa ako doon pero pagkalingon ko malayo na siya sa akin.

Kaya mabilis akong sumunod. Where heading toward his basement. Pero bago pa kami makarating sa may cover pathway.

I see Nasha with a man. They seem so serious. Naalala ko nga pala mas maraming alam si Nasha tungkol sa school kisa sa akin.

"Ay!" gulat kong saad ng may masangga ako. Kaagad naman yumuko ang babaing nakabangga ko. Saka mabilis na umalis.

"Okay ka lang?" takang tanong sa akin ni Tofee. Pero ang tingin ko nasa babae lang. May napansin ako sa wrist niya.

"Hoy!" kinuwit na niya ako doon ko lang siya pinansin.

"Oo tara na," anyaya ko sa kanya. Napabuntong hininga lang siya saka muli kaming nagpatuloy.

Nagkatinginan naman kami muli ng makita ang bukana patungo sa basement niya.

Siya ang nauna dahil kakaunti lang ang tao. Nang medyo dumami doon ako pumasok.

Maingat akong naglakad patungo sa may basement niya. Sa kumatok sa nagsisilbing pintuan nito.

Umangat ito saka ako pumasok. Inalalayan naman niya ako. Sinugurado niya munang sure na nakasara at naka-lock iyon bago nagtungo sa may pwesto ko.

Andoon pa rin yung spider web na investigation niya. Mga taong nawawala at konektado sa taong iyon.

"Tungkol saan nga pala iyong sasabihin mo sa akin dito?" tanong ko habang pinapanood siyang tanggalin iyong contacs lens niya.

Nakaramdam ako ng excitement makikita ko muli iyong maganda niyang mga mata na kinatatakutan ng iba.

"They are so beautiful," hindi ko mapigilang punahin. Kung pwede lang hawakan matagal ko ng ginawa kaso mata yan eh.

"And scary," pasunod niya. Kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Hindi kaya. Hindi lang sila sanay na makakita ng ganyan klase ng mata. Its rare and bihira lang talaga," hindi pag sang-ayon ko sa kanya. Saka siya tinarayan.

"Tsk," hasik niya saka kinuha ang upuan bago binigay sa akin. Habang niya nakatayo't nakatukod ang dalawang kamay sa may lamesa.

"So?" pabitin na tanong ko. Referring to my question earlier. Saglit lang niya akong tinignan saka yumuko bago ako hinarap.

Humugot siya ng silya saka umupo sa harap ko.

This is not a good news I guess. From his expression down to his moves. I think this is really something that much dangerous.

"I doesn't need to tell you. The announcement made by the Student Council say it all. All you need to do is to know the mechanics. Just like she say it save your lives," his voice seem like giving me a warning. I gulp for once this is serious. And I didn't think it come to this danger.

"I'm not knew about this. Run and Hide Game is an annual game for the Student of Eastford University. Its started a decade ago. Its eventually stop but I don't know they retrieve it back. And now its the 60th annual Run and Hide Game. And this is my Second time joining the game. And I know what this silly dangerous game is. You better not forget to read it," he explain and advice me to read the mechanics. Then he look me with his serious pair of eyes. Now I know how they say its scary.

I nod as I answer him 'yes'.

"How this game long?" i curious ask him. Since its annual dapat may katapusan. His expression look sad. What about that look. He stand up and look his board where the victims are posted.

"Until the school year end," his vioce become deep and lonely. What! That long? So it's mean hanggang next year pa itong game na ito?

"What? Ang tagal naman. Diba Annual siya so? Kung hanggang next year. Next school year wala o meron pa rin?" i confuss ask him. I didn't get the logic nag-poprocess pa sa utak ko ang mga kaganapan.

Umiiling siya saka mahinang napatawa. What? What about the chuckle? I'm getting nervous and scare here. Knowing na may ganitong game pala dito. Kaya ang sabi ng ilan na nakausap ko tungkol sa unibersity na ito.

"When you what to be in that University. You have a strong will to finish your course. Cause that's not just an University. It's a charismatic dangerous and mystic University," my senior told me that. When I ask him. About Eastford University. Cause I heard his Older brother from that University.

"You didn't ger it right?" he ask me like he sure about my answer.

"Yeah, confuss and you know a little bit nervous," i try to make funny for him not me realize what I feel.

"Tsk, stop the act. Its not suit for you," he muttere and look away. Will I remain on my chair.

I look him move on his basement searching for something. He open a box, drawer and even his bag. Mukhang tagong tago iyon ah.

"Here." he exclaim and raise the notebook. His little far away from me causing for me not to see it clearly.

"What's that?" kaagad na tanong ko sa kanya pagkabalik niya sa harap ko. Pero hindi siya sumagot at binuksan niya ito.

"Hoy!" saka ko sinapa ang paa ng upuan niya. Doon niya ako nilingon. Nakakunot ang noo nitong tinignan ako.

"Notes ko ito nang una akong sumali noon," kunot noo pa rin niyang sagot. Mas lalong kumunot iyon ng papalit palit siya ng page ng notebook na hawak niya.

"Nasaan na ba iyon?" rinig kong bulong niya. Tahimik ko naman siyang pinagmasdan habang naiinis sa kahahanap ng hinahanap niya.

"Ah ito," biglang nawala ang kunot sa noo niya. Saka siya nagbigay ng atensyon sa akin.

"Ito katulad ng tanong mo. Natanong ko rin iyan. Ito ang sagot. Run and Hide game is an annual game where its started September 25 of the school year and end until the last day of school calendar," basa niya sa notes niya. Kaya napataas kilay ako sa binasa niya. Parang ganon sa kanila lang.

"Teka nga parang ganon din sa kanina eh." reklamo ko.

Napababa siya ng kamay kung nasaan ang notebook saka badtrip akong tinignan.

"Intindihin mo muna nga," kamot batok niyang sagot sa akin.

Okay, so whole school year siya magaganap. Eh sa isang school year. One year level ang inaaral mo. Ahhh kaya annual kasi. First year pa rin ako hanggang sa school end. And mag second year next school year. Ahhh gets.

"Ahhh, gets ko na," saad ko sa kanya pero tinaasan lang niya ako ng kilay. Ang lalaking ito.

"Dahil gets mo na. Ito pa ang ilan sa tatandaan mo," inilapit niya ang upuan niya sa akin.

"Iyon game na iyon. Ay para sa lahat new student or old. At ang game master dito ay ang University President. The Student Council will be the host. Sila iyon maglilista ng mga nasa Watch list. Or yung nominated para ilaban sa final game. Tapos ang Ibang university staff ang magiging judge. Sila ang hahatol base sa City, Ranking and Profile mo. Every Staff and non-staff ay kasama sa game. Even the janitor. Kaya paalala bilang kaibigan. Huwag kang magtitiwala sa mga nagtatrabaho dito aa University. Kahit na nasa pinakadulo sila ng trabaho o mababa. Huwag kang magtitiwala. Cause everyone of people here can be your enemy," pagbabanta niya sa akin. Habang pinapaliwanag iyon.

"Even you?" i ask him in low tone. Natigilan siya saka mahinang napatawa. 

Umayos siya ng upo saka ginulo ang buhok ko.

"Of course. Maybe I can be your enemy but who know. Mahirap magbitaw ng salita. Just be careful who will you trust," mahigpit niyang paalala saka tumayo para ibalik iyon sa pinanggalingan.

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin. Saka pinanood ang mga kilos. I didn't know. This past few days I've been thinking some things.

I've been so confuss all about this things. From the history down to this annual game.

Mag to-two months pa lang ako dito pero there are so many things here that remain untold and hide from mystery.

As I watch people from my point of view. All I can say. Many of us may not knew from this and some are knowledgeable but unable to speak up because the rule protect them.

That cause of silent of people who have try to open their mouth. But when the rule apply. One word causw your life.

And now the game is officially started. Student are being watch. We need to stand lowkey if we want to finish our goals and find the answer of this untold story.

This will be hell and long school year. But I'm will make sure. In the end, I will stand on my feet, stand up straight and head up. I will not let everyone tear me down.

Not even my fear.