My eyes were closed but I can still feel the weird glances of people at us inside the bus. And that is fucking annoying. I sighed exasperatedly. I open my eyes then shot them a glare. Nagsiiwasan naman sila agad at nagkanya-kanyang abala sa sarili. Nilipat ko ang aking tingin sa batang katabi ko na tuwang-tuwa sa pagkain ng binili niyang lollipop, oblivious of everything. Tsk! If it wasn't her hair. Damn! It keeps attracting attention. We rode from terminal to terminal and this keeps happening.

"Next time, dye your hair black, blue head." Mahinang wika ko sa kanya. Why did she even dyed it bright blue, anyway? Doesn't she know that assassins should remain unseen and unknown? We should blend in the crowd.

Nagtataka itong tumingin sa akin, "Ha?" Wika nito.

"Your hair, it's attracting too much attention." I told her. Napatingin naman ito sa mga tao sa paligid.

"Ah, April thinks it's not her hair." Depensa nito. Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay. "They were looking at you." Natatawang dagdag pa niya.

"And why the hell would it be me?" Kunot-noo kong tanong. Bukod sa nakapang-waitress akong uniform, wala na akong kakaibang suot pa sa katawan.

"Maybe, because you still look like a goddess even in a waitress uniform." Kibit-baliktat nitong sagot. I just gave her a stern look pero hindi niya ito pinansin at mas lalo pa itong ngumiti. "But it's true." Giit niya at bumalik sa pagkakasandal sa upuan. Hindi na rin ako nagsalita at pinabayaan na lang ang mga nakakairitang titig nila.

Later on, we reached our destination finally. We went off the bus. Nagtatakang tuminging ang driver sa amin. Bumaba kasi kami sa lugar na walang kabahay-bahay at mapuno. Plus the fact that it is already night. Madilim at munting ilaw lang ang nakukuha sa mangilan-ngilang streetlights. But, I know this is the right place. Normal lang itong walang nakatayong bahay sa paligid dahil malapit ito sa teritoryo ng mafia. April told me that the Headquarters was just reconstructed. So, basically, it was not move in other place.

"This will be a quite long walk." Wika ni April. I didn't talk back and just mentally agreed. "We should've brought a car or a motorbike." Dagdag pa nito.

Nagsimula na itong maglakad patungo sa patag na kalsada pero agad ko itong pinigilan. "Hindi diyan tayo dadaan. We'll walk on the other side." Wika ko. It's the other way that I discovered years ago. For sure, there are mafia guards along the normal road. I can't be seen by them or any mafia members for now. Mahihirapan ako sa sabay-sabay na atakeng pwede nilang ibato sa akin. I need to be careful.

"But it is like a forest. April thinks we might get lost in there. It's too dangerous." Saad nito ng makita ang balak kong dadaanan.

Hindi ko ito pinansin at nagsimula ng malakad papunta sa kabilang bahagi. Dangerous? Yeah, right. Madalas akong dumaan dito dati para makaalis ng lugar na walang nakakakita.

"Wait for me!" Sigaw nito at agad tumakbo pasunod sa akin. Uh, why did I bring a child? Tsk!

"Keep quiet." Kalmadong sita ko sa kanya. "You can walk on the road. I'll be fine here." Suhestiyon ko sa kanya pero umiling lang ito. Ayos lang na makita siya dahil hindi ito pagdududahan. Samantalang maaaring may makakilala naman sa akin.

"No. April needs to stay besides you. That's my mission." Wika niya. I just heard my own groaned. Hinayaan ko na lang ito hanggang hindi ito nakakasagabal. Natahimik kaming dalawa ng tuluyan na naming napasok ang mapunong lugar.

Dark tree trunks, clumps of bushes, shadows——All are barely visible if it wasn't for the moonlight. It is shining through a lattice of leaves, patchy sky and stars seen in glimpses through tree breaks. Later on, I cold wind blew. I felt April hugged herself and drew near me. Tree trunks start creaking, creating a grating sound. In each step there is the sound of cracking undergrowth. Palayo ng palayo ang aming nalalakad. Maingat kong tinatapakan ang mga bagay-bagay. Ramdam ko ng malapit na kami sa aming destinasyon.

"April thinks we should go back." Bilgang saad ng kasama ko. May bakas ng pag-aalala ang tono ng boses nito. Pero nanatili lang akong tahimik at patuloy sa paglalakad. "Sir Devon will surely get mad if he will hear about this." Dagdag pa nito. Agad akong napatigil sa paglalakad at hinarap siya. Napatigil din ito. Ang buwan lang ang tanging nagsisilbing ilaw para makita namin ang isa't-isa.

"He will not get mad, darling." I said in a too-sweet voice with a bright smile. It abruptly changes into seriousness as my smile dropped. "Because he will not hear any of these escapades, got it?" I added sternly while gnashing my teeth.

"But I need to report——" She started but I cut her off.

"No buts. Argue with this again and I will kill you right here, right now." Malamig at seryosong wika ko sa kanya. She caught her breath like she still wanted to protest but then she swallowed it. "Hindi ka magsasalita tungkol dito. Are we clear?"

"Y-yes."

"Good." Nagpatuloy akong muli sa paglalakad. Ilang minuto lang ay may natatanaw na ako sa dulong bahagi. Nasisinagan ito ng buwan kaya kapansin-pansin.

"Is... Is that the wall?" Takang-tanong ni April na bahagyang tumakbo palapit lalo sa tinitignan.

"The Headquarters' barricade." The whispered to no one particular. But it seems April heard it.

"Ah, April thought we're already lost." Wika nito. "So, it looks like you've been here since you know the way to this place." She added. I remained silent. Naalala ko ang nangyare noon. Bago tuluyang sumabog ang gusaling prinoprotektahan ng pader na ito ay dito ako mismo dumaan para makatakas. At ngayon, susubukan ko na naman itong pasukin. "Are we going to climb this wall to get inside?"

Hindi ko sinagot ang tanong nito. Bagkus ay lumapit ako sa sementong pader at kinapa ang ilang parte nito. Narinig kong nagtanong si April kung anong ginagawa ko pero hindi ko ito pinansin. Nang sawakas ay makita ko na ang hinahaanap ko ay malakas ko itong tinulak. Napasinghap ang kasama ko ng makita ang bahagyang may kalakihang butas sa pader. Sakto lang para magkasya ang isang katawan. Of course, I'd rather make a hole than to climb this 10 meter wall again and again. Not to mention that there is a fucking censor at the top of it.

Agad akong sumilip para tignan kong may nagbabantay sa paligid. Nang wala ay tuluyan na akong pumasok. Mabilis na sumunod si April sa akin. Damn. I'm now inside the main territory of the Clemente Mafia. I inhaled deeply. Remind me not to set this place on fire before I leave.

"What are going to do next?"

"We'll just enter." I told her. Tahimik akong naglakad palapit sa gusali. I'm going to gatecrash their party without any of their notice. It's not yet the right time to finally show up with vengeance. For now, I just need to observe and gather information about this arisen mafia. So...

Lahat ng makakakilala sa akin, kailangan kong papatayin.

Entering the building was easy since we're already inside its premises. Of course, the main security was in the front gate. Pagkatapak na pagkatakap ko sa mismong sahig ng gusali ay nakaramdam ako agad ng matinding emosyon. This is a black mood that no one can dispel. I really hate this place. Lalo na ang nagpapalakad dito. Gusto kong sirain ang lahat ng bagay dito na pwede kong sirain. But, destroying their properties won't do good to stop them.

Napatingin ako sa kaliwang bahagi ng may naramdaman akong nakatitig. Pero wala akong nakita ni isang pigura ng tao o kahit anino. Napahinga ako ng malalim at hinarap si April.

"Lead the way." Wika ko. Tumango ito bilang sagot at nauna sa paglalakad. Ito na siguro ang pakinabang ng batang 'to ngayon sa akin dahil hindi ko pa kabisado ang bagong gusali. Hindi na rin ako mukhang kaduda-duda dahil may kasama akong legal na myembro nila. Well, yes, I'm a member of this organization no matter what but I still don't consider myself as one.

Kasalukuyan akong naglalakad at nakasunod lang kay April ng may biglang humigit sa braso ko. I was caught off guard but I remain emotionless, ready to eliminate whoever this person be.

"Huy! San ka pupunta? Dito ang kusina." She told me, keeping her tone low. I look at her wondering on what the hell she's talking about. Kusina? Anong gagawin ko sa kusina? I look back at April who is unaware of my situation. She's too far now from here. Damn. "Oh, ano pang tinitiganan mo diyan? Halika na! Mapapagalitan tayo niyan, eh." She pulled me on the opposite side. I want to rip her hands off me but I held it when I group of mafia guard walk passed us. Yumuko na lang ako para di nila ako makilala.

Pinagmasdan ko ang babaeng kumakaladkad sa akin. Oh, crap. Now, I know what the hell she's talking about. Halos parehas kami ng uniporme bukod sa may pulang scarf ito. Hell! Napagkamalan niya akong kasamahan niya. Nang makarating kami sa kusinang tinutukoy nito ay nakita ko ang iba pang babae na may suot ng kagaya sa kanya. Napatingin silang lahat sa amin na bagong dating.

"Bat' antagal niyong dalawa?" Tanong sa amin ng isang may katandaang babae na nakatayo sa harapan nila. Pinasunod niya kami sa linya. "Sa susunod, 'wag kayong aalis basta-basta. Lalo na't delikado ang lugar na 'to. Hala, sige! Magserve na kayo ng pagkain. Kanina pa nag-umpisa ang party!" She scolded. Pumunta ang karamihan sa lamesa na puno ng tray na may iba't ibang inumin.

"Ito, oh." Inabutan ako ng tray ng babaeng nagdala sakin rito. "Alam mo ba, ha? Ang narinig ko, pagtitipon daw ito ng mga mamatay-tao. 'Yong ano...'yong Mafia na tawag." Bulong pa nito sa akin. "Grabe! Nakakatakot dito. Kung hindi ko lang kailangan ng malaking pera, di ko ito susuungin. Ayokong lumapit sa kagaya nilang mamatay-tao, 'no!" Natatakot niyang wika. I didn't talk back and just mentally laugh evilly. Talk about deadly people. Wala itong kaalam-alam sa taong kinaladkad niya. Oh, well, hahayaan ko na lang ang pagpapanggap na server sa party na ito. Mas mapapadali ang lahat.

Pumasok kami sa isang malaking pintuan at bumungad sa amin ang napakaraming tao. It looks like this is the right place. Mabilis akong lumihis ng daan para humiwalay sa babaeng kasama ko.

"Hey!"

Napatingin ako sa sumigaw at nakatingin ito sa akin. Meron din itong mga kasamahan na abala sa kanya-kanyang bagay. He motioned me to come near them. He doesn't looks suspicious so I remained emotioneless and walk casually to his direction. Kumuha ito ng baso sa tray na dala ko ng hindi ako tinapunan ng tingin. Pati ang mga kasama niya ay gumaya din. Nang maubos lahat ay agad din akong umalis palayo sa kanila.

I went to a secluded area and scanned the place. Almost all mafia members are present. Nasa iisang lugar silang lahat pero meron pa rong pagitan ang bawat myembro para hindi magbanggaan. I expected this. Working in one boss doesn't mean they were all close to each other. Of course, there is still petty rivalries and pride. Mafia assassins and guards are just roaming around, securing the place. It's obvious with their attires and fetching weapons.

Ilang sandali ay may lumapit sa akin na isang lalaki. "Hi, Miss. You look alone." Aniya. Pinasadahan ko ito ng tingin. In one look, I know he's one of the mafia assassins. A short katana was displayed behind his back.

"I'm not alone. I'm with my imaginary friends." Bored kong sagot sa kanya. Imbis na mawalan ng interes ay tumawa pa ito.

"You're funny. I already like you." Nakangising wika nito at tumitig pa sa mukha ko. I mentally rolled my eyes heavenward. Oh, gosh. Isang walang kwentang nilalang. Inabala ko na lang ang aking sa sarili sa pagmamasid sa paligid. "What's your name? I'm John." Nilahad nito ang kamay niya pero hindi ko ito tinanggap.

"Aurora." I answered shortly and emotionlessly. He pulled his hands back like nothing happened to conceal his awkwardness.

"Aurora?" Pag-uulit nito na parang may naalala. "Hmm. I like your name. But, at the same time, I hate it, too." Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Hate?" Mukhang naalarma naman ito sa tanong ko.

"A-ah. Yeah. But, don't get it wrong. There is just this bitch you have the same name with." Saad nito. I gave him a narrowing look.

"Really?" I said in a bemused smile. "Anong ginawa ng bitch na 'to sayo?" I asked mischievously with a playful smile.

"Not only to me, actually. But, to all us here. Actually, it was already years ago. She caused massive destruction." Sagot nito. Hindi ako tanga para hindi malamang ako mismo ang tinutukoy niya. Destruction? Mukhang talagang malapit sa akin ang salitang 'yan. They kept on calling me destructive.

"Destruction like what? Like planting explosive bombs, bombarding buildings?"

"Y-yeah. How'd you know?"

"Does this bitch is like an assassin, too?" Wika kong muli at hindi pinasin ang tanong nito. Atubili itong tumango.

"You're right. But, how did you--" he started but I cut him off again.

"Does this bitch have a long black hair and a pale skin?

"Y-yes."

"Does this bitch's last name is Silvestre?"

"Yeah. Y-You're all correct. But, how did you know all this stuffs? You're just a server here, right?" Kunot-noong tanong nito. Imbis na sumagot at nilahad ko ang ang aking kamay. Nagtataka man ay tinanggap niya ito and we shake our hands. I gave him a devilish smirk.

"Hi, I'm Aurora... Aurora Silvestre." I said menacingly and didn't let go of his hand.

His mouth immediately drop, shocked and confused was all over his face. He stared at me like his time stops. "What the-!" He said after the realization. Before he could say anything else, I quickly pulled him near me and drew the short katana behind his back. His too shocked to react, I stabbed his own sword straight to his heart. He caught his last breath and blood gushed out. Good thing no one was looking in this area. Hinigit ko ang maliit na espada at mabilis na pinunas sa damit niya ang kanyang sariling dugo at muling binalik ito sa lalagyan nito sa kanyang likod.

Agad ko itong binuhat at inakay. Damn! He's quite heavy. Pumasok ako sa pinakamalapit na pinto at sinara ito. I abruptly let go of the corpse then bend my neck sideward, hearing a cracking sound.

"What the hell!" Napatingin ako sa nagsalita. Natagpuan ng mga mata ko ang dalawang lalaki at isang babae na nakapalibot sa isang lamesa at tila nagpupulong. They were all looking at me confusedly. Oh, damn. I got a wrong room. "What happened to that guy?" Tanong ng isa sa mga lalake at tinignan ang bangkay sa sahig. Walang bahid ng panghihinala. Mukhang hindi nila nakita ang mga dugo at hindi nila alam na bangkay ng ang lalaking dinala ko.

"He's already drunk." The lie perfectly rolled on my tongue. Ilang segundo lang ay tumango sila at nagkibit-balikat. Well, except the girl who looks like she's still shock? "I have to go." Wika ko na lamang, tumalikod at akmang pipihitin ang doorknob nang biglang nagsalita iyong babae.

"W-Wait!" Pagpipigil niya sa akin. "I-I know you." Aniya. Oh, crap.

"Hah?"/"Kilala mo siya, Gazelle?" Tanong ng dalawang kasamahan nito.

"W-What are you doing here?" She asked dumbfounded instead of answering her colleagues' questions. Even if I'm not looking at them, I know her question was for me. "The Aurora Silvestre." Mahinang wika nito pero narinig hanggang dito sa kinatatayuan ko. Nagkaroon ng kasagutan ang tanong ang mga kasama nito at agad nagkaroon ng isang nakakabinging katahimikan.

I sighed loudly, "Ugh. Now, I have to kill you all." I told them irritably. I turn around slowly to face them. They were all staring at me with wide eyes like I'm a rouge predator ready to attack them. I bend down to get them small katana from the corpse. "You, guys, should blame the girl." I added. If it wasn't for her, I don't have to waste my time killing them. But, anyway, I now have to. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad papalapit sa kanila. Agad silang tumayo sa kani-kanilang mga kinauupuan at naglabas ng armas. Well, particularly the boys. Oh, they're assassins, too? Great.

"So, ikaw pala ang tinutukoy nilang legendary assassin sa underground society. Paano ka nakapasok dito?!"

"Dapat malaman 'to ng nakatataas!"

Wika ng dalawang lalaki. Ang tinawag nilang Gazelle kanina ay gulat pa rin na nakatitig sa akin. Ano bang problema ng babaeng 'to? She looks like she'd seen a ghost. I sighed again and didn't talk back. Pathetic losers. I diverted my attention in katana instead and swayed it for experimental tests. Hmm. Not a bad blade.

"Sumagot ka! Anong ginagawa mo dito at paano ka nakapasok?!" Tinapunan ko ng tingin ang nagsalita. May hawak din itong espada kagaya ng akin pero mas mahaba lang ang kanya. Samantalang mahabang kadena na may maliit ng patalim sa dulo ang armas ng isa.

"Would it make a difference if I'll answer your questions? The outcome will always be the same. And that is death for the three of you." Wika ko

"Sa tingin mo mapapatay mo kami gamit ang maliit na katana'ng hawak mo, ha? At, isa ka lamang babae! Galing kami sa Class B at hindi mo kami basta-basta mapapatumba!" Pagmamayabang ng may hawak na mahabang katana. Class B? Oh, I remember that shitty class divisions of assassins in this mafia. And, what did he said? Isa lamang akong babae? He's degrading female species. I barked a short, mocking laugh. Minamaliit ako ng isang 'to.

"Just so you know, I'm the Top 1, Class A." I informed him threateningly with an evil grin. I used not to pay attention and not to depend on the certain division or ranks but this arrogant guy needs to learn when and to whom he can brag his position. Definitely, he chose the wrong time and the wrong person.

"I-Ilang taon na ang nakalipas. Isa ka na lamang traydor sa organisasyon na 'to!" Tangi na lang nitong nasabi at mabilis na sumugod. Hmm. Too impulsive.

He slashed his sword directly to me but I swiftly countered it. Diniin nito gamit ang pwersa ng dalawa niyang kamay habang isang kamay pa lang ang gamit ko. Tinignan ko ito ng walang interes at sinipa pa ko siya ng malakas palayo sa akin. Tsk! Isang mahinang nilalang. Malakas na tumama ang likod niya sa pader, napaungol ito bago bumagsak. Lumapit ako para sana itarak ang espada sa katawan niya ng may biglang nagpatigil sa akin.

A metal chain was wrapped on my wrist stopping it in the midair. What the heck! My brows wrinkled in annoyance. I pulled the chain hard with its owner. Tumilapon naman ito palapit sa akin. Tinakbo ko ang maliit na pagitan naman at mabilis pinulupot ang kadena sa leeg nito. I then pull each chain in opposite directions, chocking him to death.

"Your own weapon will kill you if you can't use it properly and wisely." I whispered to the guy as he struggle for escape. Naramdaman ko naman ang pagtayo ng isa pang lalaki na sinipa ko kanina. Akma niya akong aatakehin sa likod pero inunahan ko na siya. I stab the katana horizontally directly to his ribcage and I'm sure I hit his heart. Blood dripped down his mouth like running water. I quickly drew out the sword and went back to my other victim. Hinila ko muli ang magkabilang dulo habang pilit nitong tinatanggal.

"Ga... Gaze... Gazelle... " Pinilit nitong magsalita para makahingi na tulong sa natitirang kasamahan kahit kinakapos na ng hangin. Ilang segundo na lang mamamatay na rin ang isang 'to.

"S-Sorry. I know I can't do anything. S-She is unbeatable." Wika nong Gazelle. Nakatayo lang ito habang pinagmamasdan ang pagpatay ko sa mga kasamahan nito. I'm glad she knows she can't do anything. But she's showing that she is too weak to even at least try. Di nagtagal ay bumigay na rin ang sinasakal ko. His body dropped like a sack of rice on the ground.

Two down. Only one to go.

Naglakad ako papalapit sa babaeng nagngangalang Gazelle habang paatras naman ito ng paatras. Hanggang sa tumama ang likod nito sa pader. Sumilay ang ngisi sa aking labi.

"You're a wimp for not trying save your stupid friends." Malamig na wika ko sa kanya habang ako ay lumalapit.

"I... I'm not a wimp. I'm just thinking strategically. I-I know you. I know y-your capabilities. And, I'm smarter than them to not to go against you." Saad nito at pilit na pinapatatag ang kanyang boses.

Dahan-dahan kong nilapit ang patalim sa leeg nito. "You know me? Perhaps, you must thought strategically that I'm going to insert this blade in your neck and wrench it out." I told her menacingly as she hitch a breath.

"P-please, don't -k-kill me." Pagmamakaawa nito habang sinusukang hindi madikit and leeg nito sa patalim.

"Give me one reason not to." I told her that made her quite. Not that I will need that reason anyway. So, I decided to continue what I intend to do, to slash her neck and kill her. But, suddenly, she spoke that made me stop.

"I-I'm your fan."