Run

Another day for the student in Eastford University is begin. Cold breeze blow, dancing some fall dry leaves away. A normal day for the other who pursue they career there. Scene of student banters with their peers, along the way. Laughter's and loud chat break the silence.

Atmosphere beyond the light of deadly game begun. The number of student decrease, as the purpose of this annual game. The amount of student is increasing as the classes begin. And their some student fighting for their lives.

"Stop you idiot! You can't escape now!" A student from CoAS corner at the back of their building trying to make his live a bit longer but his haunter corner him.

"You petty shit of trash!" he point the gun level on head of the afraid guy. Who's now in pale white pushing himself in the wall. With bullets of sweat evident on his face. The haunter smirk as he satisfy on the expression of his prey giving on him. "Now die!"

His mouth hang open as the bullet dig in the middle of his head. Blood spilled on his mouth and head, slowing falling down on the floor, his lifeless blood count on the points of the haunter.

"Tsk! Easy!" he speak and leave the place like nothing happened.

"Hey bro!" A man shoulder cling into his neck. "Seem you down your target again."

He was praise, but he didn't care at all. Tsk!

"Oh come on!" The guy block him. Wearing his annoying look face. "She's fine. I see her in the ceremony. With your-"

"Whoa! Whoa! Okay I get it!" he raise his both hand as the gun pointed on him. "Chill bro! Your too hot headed and short-tempered man!" And then, His sign zip his mouth. And accept his defeat rather exchange his life.

"Try to bring up that again. I never think twice to push the trigger."

He stiffed and his face pale. He pass and leave him.

"Tsk! Your just jealous!" he shout and run when his turn back to him.

What a jerk! Jealous?

His face turn into distracted. He never realized his stuck on the way. Thinking about what his friend shout at him. That make him surprised.

Did I? He point at his self.

Mabilis niyang binura iyon sa isipan at umalis dala dala ang nakasanayan na itsura.

Its third day of her being unconscious, lying down on her bed. Katatapos ko lang siyang bihisan. Hindi na bumalik dito si Cato pagkatapos ng gabi na iyon. Gaya ni Nilu, bihira ko siyang makita dito.

Naalala ko na naman si Nilu. Nabasa na niya kaya ang mga sulat ko? Katulad ni Miliano? Naalala ko, hindi pala ako ang unang gumawa non. Ghad! Eirlys what have you done.

Matagal na pala ng huli ko siyang nabigyan non. Nag aabang kaya siya muli? Napapikit ako ng maalala ang ginawa kagabi. Jezz I'm back from him. Even there is something about Diello is around. But the fact that is hit different when I thinking or saying his name. There is something deep inside is awaken. When I tried to compare between them, both are different but more about Nilu. Like the first time I saw him. Hindi nawala iyon kahit pa naging malapit sa akin sila Cato. His presence is really something into me.

That made me curious, what that something on him that make me confused like this?

Napahilamos na lang ako ng palad sa mukha ko. Kailangan ko ng umalis, may klase pa ako. Mukhang hindi pa siya magigising.

"Please come back soon," I whispered and shut her door close.

Inayos ko muna ang dagger na nasa anklet boots ko. I change my footwear from combat to ankle. I more comfortable to use this in this stunt. I am used to my ankle boots rather than combat boots.

Isang mahaba at malalim na hinga pinakawalan ko bago lumabas.

Nagmasid ako sa parehong gilid ko. He might in the corner waiting perfectly for me.

His like a bit assassin. You can't feel his presence immediately, except your senses is open.

I walk through like a normal student. To avoid gaining attention. If this a normal day to my perspective I would enjoy walking under this falling dry leaves swaying on the wind blow. But, it is take away when I see one student rushing through and behind of him is Nilu.

Mabilis ang naging galaw nila. Mabilis silang nawala sa paningin ko. Saktong pagharap ko, ang siyang pilit kong iniiwasan na makita ngayon. Magkaharap kami bagama't may distansya. Kitang kita ko ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya.

Seems it's not my day huh!

Kinondisyon ko ang sarili ko. Buti na lang din maayos na ang pakiramdam ko. Like my endurance and stamina are back. Caused I can totally predict that this day will be tough for me.

Naging alerto ako ng nawala siya sa paningin ko. Fuck! I told you self to be aware and alert at all times but... fuck shit!

I prepared myself for a closed impact.

"Nice defense, Salvaz!" he eager spill when I dodge his attack from behind. My reflexes save me, when I manage to get my dagger to stop him. Sound metal clashing through between us. Trying to pull down both defense.

I step back for my support. His a little stronger than mine. Fuck! I cannot hold in this for too long. I have to make another attack or defense. Jezz!

I released my defense and duck before he hit me. That make an opening for me to counter back and launch an attack.

I heard his groaned. I jump backward after that to have a space and force to advance my attack. Nadali ko siya sa ilalim ng braso niya. I see the blood pour down on the floor. Mas naging maitim ang awra na nakapaligid sa kanya.

Nakakatakot na ngisi ang nagpatigil sa akin ng saglit. Natauhan din ako kaagad ng malakas at malalim ang tawang pinakawalan niya. Na para siyang sinaniban ng ibang katauhan.

Rinig ko ang pagtunog ng mga ugat niya sa leeg ng mag unat niya. Na parang ginaganahan sa nangyayari. Masama ang pakiramdam ko dito. Mukhang nasagad ko ang pasensya ng halimaw na ito.

Jezz! Fuck! It's already started. Let just finish this.

Inintay ko siyang umatake sa akin, katulad ng una niyang ginawa pero nanatili lang siyang nakatingin sa akin. Para bang sinusuri at tinatansya ang kilos at galaw ko. Tsk! I want to attack but what if it is trap? Mahirap na. His expert on this since his been a haunter while I am new here.

"Oh come on, Salvaz!" he provoked me. It's here tactics. No don't buy for it Eirlys. He just want you to move like he desire to see. Be intact, alert and prepare. You wounded him, impossible that he won't make any counterpart to pay me for hurting him.

"Tsh! Yan lang ba ang kaya mo?" he insult me. That make my blood boiled. "Oh! Ano pang tinatayo mo dyan. Tsk! akala ko pa naman isa ka rin katulad nila."

The corner of his lips curve up, his eyes little amused on me. He stand unmoved on his ground, waiting for me to push my trigger. What you're up to? Huh!

"Really?" hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili. May bitch side is showing on, and let see, who will get provoked and move his pawn. "You're a great haunter? To made the last game bloody..." I trailed off and mocking look at his wounded right arm.

"And yet, in two of us, you're the one who got wound?"

His intimidating look changed into furious one. He gritted his teeth, his eyes get wider yet on rage, and his eyebrow furrowed. His hand clench into fist. I see how he grip the combat knife he holding on.

Mas lalong naging mapang asar ang mukha ko, at hindi ako nabigo.

"Shut up the fuck!" his warned while setting an attack on me. I didn't dare to move on my ground. That make him more in rage. Yeah! I want more than that. "Arghhh!" he groaned and launch an attack. Like what I am expecting him to do.

"Ack!" I hear him groan in pain as I target his lower abdomen part. He let it in an open attack part. "You little wench!"

It almost make my soul get out of my body. His smirk is back.

"You seem so surprised!"

Chuckled sound like caution to me. Oh no! I am in great danger.

"Ahhh! Thanks for that. I have a great stretching!" he said in composed tone. Like it just an act for him to lure his prey to fall for his trap. The fuck, I admit I have to confident that lose to think his just making a show.

"Nice one!" I want to mentally slap myself. My feet is on my own grave and yet... My ghad!

Ano pa nga bang magagawa ko. We already started this show, may be best actor/actress win.

Pinanlaruan ko ang dagger na nasa kamay ko ngayon saka siya tinignan ng diretso. "Hanggang yabang lang ba tayo dito, Alpha?" I cited his name that caught his offguard. "Ano? Galaw galaw naman dyan."

Tignan natin kung sino ang tatagal sa ganitong laban. Ako pa na pilosopo ang hinamon mo.

"Mabuti pang tigilan na natin ito."

Tsk! ano ba yan sumuko kaagad. Ngayon pa lang ako ginaganahan eh, tsk!

Mabilis ang naging tugon niya matapos niyang sabihin iyon. Mabilis ko naman sinangga ang atake niya. Halos nagpapalitan lang kami ng atake. Na halos na ikipagod ko dahil sa pwersang ginagamit niya.

I am not prepared for combat short distance battle.

"Arghh!" I groaned when he finally reach my flesh. He make an enough mark on my shoulder cause to bleed. I gritted my teeth to prevent from shouting in pain. Damn! This is fucking hurt a big time.

Lumabas na naman ang ngisi sa labi niya, tila natutuwa akong pagmasdan na namimilipit sa sakit. Fuck you! Go to hell!

"Ahhhh!" he let his long amused expression when I face him again. He titled his head like measuring me.

I position myself into defensive. Protecting myself for his another attack.

"Ahhhh!" I shout when his now wounded my right leg. Making me knee on the ground. Wala pang ilang segundo may matalim na bagay ang nakatutok sa leeg ko. Pilit kong itanggi sa isipan kung ano yun pero habang unti unting dumidiin. Sa likod ng ulo ko alam kung kutsilyo na iyon.

I closed my eyes, accept my defeat. As much I wanted to fight. The wound that he created on me, made me vulnerable. It's my first time enduring this kind of pain in my life. Small tears flow on my eyes. What a fate for me.

"Sayang naman kung ganito kabilis matatapos ang laban natin," he whispered on my ears. Like this fight didn't satisfy his grief.

"Ano pa bang gusto mo?" hinihingal kong tanong sa kanya. "Diba ito naman? Ang mamatay ako sa kamay mo? Bakit hindi mo pa ituloy."

Mariin akong napapikit ng maramdaman na bumaon ng kaunti ang talim ng kutsilyong hawak niya sa leeg ko. Ramdam ko ang unting pag ragasa ng malagkit na likido sa leeg ko.

"Huwag mo akong pangunahan na gusto kong gawin sa iyo, Eirlys Sallel Salvaz. Oo sinabi ko sa kamay kita mamatay pero hindi sa ganito kabilis na paraan."

He level his mouth on my ears and added, "I want you to, suffer before dying. Like what he did to my sister. I want him to feel tormented to see how his little sister suffered before dying on my hand."

"Huh! You understand me now?" Matigas at mariin may bahid ng galit niyang bulong sa akin.

"Now, I want you to run," he order. That make me laugh, how I can still do this? Laughing at my situation.

"Me run? Fucking no!" Matigas kong tutol sa kanya. "Fuck! You!" mabagal kung bulas sa kanya. Tinapakan niya ang binti kong may sugat, at tinusok ng kamay ang sugat sa braso.

This is fucking torture. I have done to suffer like this.

"You will run or feel this shit!" he fuming make me choose. I bite my lower lips to prevent myself from groaning in so much pain. Mas diniinan niya ang ginawa niya sa parehong sugat ko. Mariin akong napapikit sa sakit na dulot non sa buong pagkatao ko. Tears won't stop from escaping on my eyes.

Binuksan ko ang mata ko kasabay ng isang desisyon.

"Fine!" I surrender weak on him. He release me, and now I kissing the cold cement ground.

I try to pull myself up, but I back to ground every time I try. Hanggang siya na mismo ang magtayo sa akin. Muntik muli akong matumba mabuti na lang nakahawak ako sa bagay na pwedeng gawin pang suporta. Hindi ko na siya nilingon.

I try to take a step, every time I do, my knees tremble and loosen my strength. But, thinking another side of this fucking situation, is like a win-win situation. He let me run from death, for now. But I make sure the next time we face each other. His the one who will run for his life.