Devon was quick to pull us behind the wall. Fortunately, no one had a hit after those multiple gunshots thrown to us. Nagkunyapit sa tabi ko si Katy, sobrang bilis ng paghinga, at balisa. Muntikan na siya. Mukhang siya ang unang target nila.

"What now?" hinarap ko si Devon na inihahanda ang hawak nitong rifle.

"I just spotted one sniper. Nakita ko kung saan siya nakapwesto," aniya. Mag-isa pa lang pala, pero maaaring nagtatawag na ito ng kasamahan. Sa ngayon, madali muna itong patumbahin. "Cover me, I'll shoot," he added and told me the exact location of the sniper. E 120° N 45°.

"Mag-ingat kayo. Hindi pwedeng matamaan ang mga iyan. Gasolina ang laman niyan," turo ni Katy sa dalawang puting gallon sa aming tabi. "May mga naibuhos rin ako sa banda roon na sahig. Utos ni Chris. Plano niya atang sunugin ang barko," aniya. Tumango ako at naghanda na sa pag-atake.

Sinubukan kong sumilip at hindi na ako nagulat ng paputukan ako nito ng ilang beses. Napatayo ako ng tuwid at napailing. "Take the other side, Devon. I'll mislead him," I instructed him and took a deep breath.

"In the count of three," aniya. Tumango kami sa isa't-isa.

"Three," sabay naming saad at agad isinagawa ang plano.

Lumabas ako sa aming pinagtataguan at mabilis na tinakbo ang kabilang bahagi ng pader. Sa bilis ay hinayaan ko ng magpadulas ang aking mga paa at agad na na makarating sa panibagong pagtataguan habang hawak ang dalawang pistol at nagbasyo ng mga bala sa kalaban. Sinundan din ako ng mga bala nito, ngunit hindi nakaabot sa akin.

I took the liberty to add bullets to my guns. When I look at Devon who's hiding on the opposite side, he signed me that he is ready. Sumandal ako sa pader at inihandang muli ang aking sarili. Nilibot ko ang aking tingin sa paligid at napansin ang isang puting gallon na walang laman. Isinukbit ko muna ang aking mga armas at kinuha ito. Tumingin ako kay Devon na naghihintay ng senyas. Tumango ako sa kanya.

Inilabas ko ang hawak kong gallon at sadyang ipinakita sa sniper. Sa sobrang alerto nito ay pinaulanan niya ito ng sunud-sunod na bala. Para itong nadurog at malakas na tumalsik mula sa aking pagkakahawak. Alintana ng kalaban, lumabas si Devon sa kanyang pinagtataguan at pinagbabaril ang sniper na nakatuon ang atensyon sa pwesto ko.

It didn't took him half a minute when he released the trigger and glance at me. "Head shot," he mouthed and winked at me. Napailing na lamang ako at ngumisi. Yabang.

"T-Tapos na? Patay na?" gulat na tanong ni Katy ng lumabas kami sa aming pinagtataguan nang naglakad lamang pabalik sa kanya. Tumayo ito at nagpagpag ng damit.

"I don't fancy slow action, unless, otherwise, needed," I told her blankly and grabbed the fuel. "Let's burn this fucking ship."

Ang ambon kanina ay nagbabadya ng lumakas. Lalo na ring dumilim ang paligid. Well, that's not a good news now that we're planning to set everything on fire. Kailangan naming unahan ang paglakas nito.

"That's a pilot house, right?" tanong ko kay Devon at tinuro ang nangingibabaw na parte ng barko. Iyon ang pinakamataas na palapag. Tumango ito. "Let's burn that to shut everything down and escape," saad ko.

Bitbit ang mga gallon ng gas ay lakad-takbo kaming tinungo ang direksyon na iyon. Amoy na amoy ko pa ito.

"Teka!" pigil ni Katy sa amin at tinuro ang parte kung saan madaming metal na naglalakihang kahon. "Dyan ako nagbuhos ng gas," wika nito. Hindi na ako nag-atubili at itinutok doon ang aking baril. I shot a steel bar to create flares that fell on the puddles of liquid which I assume is gasoline. Biglang lumitaw ang malaking apoy sa parteng iyon at mabilis na kumalat tulad ng aking inaasahan. Great.

Nagpatuloy kami sa pagtungo sa pilot house. Kasalukuyan namin itong inaakyat ng masilip ko ang pagdatingan ng mga tauhan ni Max. Para silang langgam na nagkalat at lahat ay papunta sa amin. Bahagya silang naharangan ng apoy pero hindi ito sapat para patigilin silang sumugod.

"Throw that!" turo ko sa hawak ni Devon na gallon. He did what I said and threw it high. The nose of my gun accurately followed it and shot it several times while in the midair. Sumabog ito at sumaboy ang kanyang laman. Lalong kumalat at lumaki ang apoy sa baba. Agad na napatalon paatras ang mga kalaban upang umiwas na matamaan. "Go! Go! Go!" I instructed.

Sinipa ko ng tatlong beses ang pinto hanggang sa tumalsik ito pabukas. Bumungad samin ang dalawang tauhan na agad nagtaas ng kanilang mga kaway at walang armas.

"Hindi kami lalaban! Hindi kami lalaban!" taranta nilang saad.

"I don't care," I said and shot them both dead.

"Be quick. I'll cover you," wika ni Devon at naiwan sa bungad ng pinto at nag-umpisa ng umasinta ng kalaban sa baba. Nag-umpisa na ang palitan ng bala. We are obviously outnumbered, but we already caused too much damage to this ship.

I poured the gas generously to all the controls and switches that I can see. Burning this would most likely stop this ship from functioning. Kapag lalong kumalat ang apoy ay may tsansa itong lumubog. Wala pa man sa kalahati ng barko ang tupok ng apoy ay mabilis pa rin itong kumakalat. Malaking tulong ang hampas ng malakas na hangin sa pagpaparami nito. Kahit na bahagya ang ulan at pagdilim ng kalangitan, hindi niya ito kayang pigilan sa laki na nito.

I was in the midst of spilling the gas on the wall when Katy screamed.

"Aurora, sa likod mo!"

Millisecond, I glance behind me and spotted a man standing outside the room with his rifle pointed at me. Before I could position my gun, he had already pulled the trigger. The glass window in front of him shattered and my view got covered suddenly. One second, my strength was pulverized into million pieces.

My eyes widened in shock when I saw Katy clasp on me. She hugs me, covering my body for protection. And, bullets hit her back twice.

Nahila ko ang gatilyo ng ilang beses at pinagbabaril ang salarin. Parang sumilab ang galit ko sa aking buong katawan at halos gusto ko pa ito tadtarin ng bala. Meron pa lang patagong nakaakyat sa aming kinaroroonan. I was so damn mad and shock.

The gunman fell from where he is standing down this floor same with Katy fell on my arms.

"Katy!" hindi ko marinig ang boses ko at nanlalaki ang aking mata habang nakatingin sa kanya. She looked at me like she's losing all her oxygen. "Katy!" I called her again, louder than before. I was on my knees while I carried her on my arms down, disoriented.

"O..." she grimaced in pain and I can fell her cold blood on my hands, starting to create puddles on the floor. "O-Okay lang. Okay lang ako," nanghihinang wika nito. No.

"No," mabilis kong iling. "No, you're fucking not!" I gasped in frustration. "Hang on! Makakatakas na tayo!"

A smile crooked on her lips while her eyes were closed. "Mukhang...Mukhang sumusobra na ko k-kung hihingi pa ako nga pangatlong buhay kay G-God," she said it in a whisper, but it reached my ears. I shook my head again.

"Mabubuhay ka. Stop saying nonsense."

"Salamat," she told me instead and a tear drop from her eyes.

"Katy!"

"Okay lang ako... Sige na, tumakas na kayo," aniya kahit nahihirapan na itong huminga. Hindi. Hindi pwede. "Ma...Masaya ako't nakilala kita." A hot liquid ran down my cheeks and fell on Katy's. "Tanggap ko na, Aurora..."

"No! Magagamot ka! Just fucking hold on!" She raised her hand and reached my to wipe my tears away. Damn. I'm crying again.

"Tumakas na kayo," wika nito. Umiling ako at hinawakan ang kamay niyang nasa aking pisngi. "P-Para sakin," she whispered. Bumigat ang kamay nito at tuluyang pumikit ang kanyang mga mata. Ang ngiti nito ay tuluyan na ring nawala.

"Katy," I tried to call her and reached her face with my shaking hands. Marahan ko itong tinapik at bahagyang niyugyog ang kanyang balikat. "Katy! KATY!"

Sa lahat ng nasaksihan kong namatay sa aking harap nitong mga nagdaang mga taon, kagagawan ko man o hindi, ngayon lang ako umiyak sa isang pumanaw pagkatapos mamatay ang mga magulang ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero sobrang bigat ng aking damdamin ng makita itong unti-unting nawawalan ng buhay. Tulad ng una kaming nagkita, niyakap niya akong muli hanggang sa huli. She protected me from the bullets that should have killed me. She saved me and I don't know if I freaking deserve it.

"She's gone," Devon spoke while checking her pulse. Kanina pa pala itong nasa aking tabi, ngunit ngayon ko lamang napansin.

"No," umiling ako habang nakayuko. My tears stopped and it's starting to dry on my cheeks. Now, I feel void and empty. My muscles were rigid and I feel cold.

I came all the way from here to save her, but I just failed.

"Kailangan na nating umalis. Paparating na sila," saad nito. Subalit, nanatili lamang akong nakasalampak sa sahig at hawak si Katy. "Aurora!" tawag niya ng mapansing hindi ako gumalaw. He cupped both of my cheeks and made me face him. I met his dark eyes deeply staring at mine.

"I can't." I told him in a low voice. I can't move.

"Listen, Aurora," matigas nitong saad. "You heard her. She wants you to escape. She risk her life to save you, so don't put it into waste. It's not your fault."

Napatingin ito sa pinto ng paputukan ito. Parating na nga sila, ngunit hindi ko mahanap ang aking lakas upang tumayo. I was late. I was fucking too late to shut the gunman.

"I'm so mad," I told him blankly.

"Then, use it. Slaughter this place," he pulled me up and gave me back the gun in my hand. His forehead touched mine and whispered, "Aurora, we really have to get out of here now. Please, come back to your senses."

I closed my eyes, trying to wake my mind from shutting down. Katy lost her life and exhange of mine. Mahirap tangapin, pero kailangan. I took a deep breath and calm myself from shaking in madness. I shouldn't. I shouldn't put her life into waste.

Aurora, wake the fuck up.

I stepped back and raised the gun. I started shooting the boards and controls until it short-circuit. Flame spread all over the room and it's heat is touching my cold skin.

"Get out and don't ever look back," Devon carried the gallon that is half empty of gas. He held my hand and pulled me out of the place. Diresto ang tingin palabas at tinatagan ko ang aking loob.

Paglabas namin sa pilot house ay agad kong napansin ang pagkapal ng usok. Ang apoy ay kalat na kalat na. Halos lahat ng mga tauhan nito ay mas abala sa pagtigil sa apoy kesa sa pagtugis sa amin. Umiinit ang lugar, subalit pumapatak ang malamig na ulan sa aking balat.

"Ayon sila!"

"Bilisan niyo!"

Rinig ko ang gulong nangyayare sa ibaba.Inikot namin ang pilot house at nagtungo sa likod nito. Walang ibang daan pababa o hagdan lamang. Unang inihulog ni Devon ang gallon sa ibaba sunod ang rifle na nakasukbit sa kanyang balikat. Walang usap ay sabay kaming tumalon. I rolled a few times and landed on my knees.

Mabilis akong tumayo at pagtingin ko sa likod ay sinusubukan nilang tawidin ang apoy upang mahabol kami. Kasalukuyan namang ikinakalat ni Devon ang huling gas na meron kami. Pagkatapos ay sinindihan na rin ito. Hinawakan niyang muli ang aking kamay at nagsimula kaming tumakbo palayo.

The fire will prolong our time to escape, but will not stop them from hunting us. My sight was blurry because of the rain hitting my face while we run like maniacs. Hindi ko alam kung saan kami patungo, basta kami ay sumusubok lumayo sa lugar. For a moment, I let my mind blank and just gave this man running beside me to lead wherever he wants us to go.

May mga nagpapaputok pero hindi nakakaasinta sa amin dahil mabilis ang aming galaw. Madami sila at nasa barko lang kami. Hindi ko alam kung magtatagumpay kami sa pagtakas.

We stopped and started gasping for air, drenched in sweat. We have reached the end of the of the ship. What now? We only have guns with us with limited number of bullets left, outnumbered and wounded. I look down at the deep ocean. We can't jump this high and swim its depth.They could target us easily down there.

"What's the plan?" hinihingal kong tanong kay Devon at humarap sa kanya. Nakatingin ito sa ibang direksyon.

"That's the plan," aniya. Sinundan ko ang kanyang tinatanaw at napadpad ang mata ko sa isang paparating na helicopter sa kalayuan. Ang pulang ilaw na kumikinang dito ang nagsisilbing gabay. Patungo ito sa aming direksyon at...

"Clemente Mafia," mahina at gulat kong saad. Devon agreed with a smile and look at me.

I can't believe this... They are here. There are coming here to get us. I can't believe they have traced Devon. He's really their Don and they're all bound to protect him by any means.

Tumingin ako sa mga kalabang paparating at sa mga apoy na naglalagablab, sumasayaw sa ihip ng hangin. I look back at the helicopter and to them again, examining the perimeters of each other. But then, I was paralyzed by the sudden realization.

"They will not make it," naiiling at natataranta kong saad. "Your guards will not make it," unti-unting nauupos ang aking pag-asa. Nilalamon na ako ng takot nang hawakan ni Devon ang aking mga kamay.

"We will get out of here. We have this," he told me. He held my hands up and let it rest and touch his lips. "I'll die for you, Aurora."

"I'll die for you, too."

Words came out without hesitation. It was like an automatic response to him. My heart is beating too fast and I felt like he could already hear it. Looking at those dark orbs of his eyes feels like I'm already safe. Fire reflects in it and illuminating the side of his face. Small drops of rain is pouring down his hair, tracing the angle of his jaw. A perfect view in a cruel scenario.

Like my calculation, the guards from Dark Clan reached us first. Pilit inaapula ang apoy at tinatawid ito upang makalapit sa amin. They stop meters away from us with all their high-caliber guns pointed at our direction. Devon and I went full alert with our weapons and fixed it at them, too. Silence is starting to engross the place while we all remain watching each other's move like two scorpions ready for battle.

Then, a shadow of a man is walking behind them and emerge from the fire. He's moving casually and taking all his time as he approach closer to us. Holding a handgun, he stood in front of the line up guards and I definitely know who this bastard is. His other hand was raised, holding his pests from firing.

"Well, I didn't see that coming. You have shut the power of this ship down. Clever woman," komento nito at tinanaw sa kanyang likod ang pilot house na nilalamon na ng apoy. Nanatili ang aking tingin sa kaniya dahil ayaw kong maalala ang pagpanaw ni Katy at kasamang pag-abo ng kanyang katawan sa loob ng pilot house. "But, the play ends here," Xam Monteverdi Navarro smirked viciously at us.

He pointed his handgun to Devon. Isang maling pagsugod lamang ay sigurado pauulanin kami ng bala. I could kill half of them, but the remaining might get us killed. I don't want to take the risk. Kung noon siguro, matapang akong susugod sa kanila kahit sobrang dami ng kalaban. I used not to care about life back then, so I'm always doing suicidal stunts. But, things have changed now.

"Why are you doing this? Inalagaan ka ng mga Clemente! Para sa ama mo? Pero pinatay mo na siya!" I shouted in rage. Hindi ko maintinihan ang rason nito upang magtaksil. He killed his own goddmamn father.

"I want to rule the underground society. And I'm doing his dead body a favor," sagot nito. "I'm giving you one last chance, Aurora. Join me and will turn my organization a legend. Just like how they named you a legendary assassin."

Napailing ako. Nabalot na siguro ang utak niya ng kasakiman sa tagal ng panahon ng pagkimkim ng masamang ugali nito.

"Go to hell," I dismissed him.

Pagak itong tumawa at gumuhit ang galit sa kanyang mga mata, "Then, let's all go to hell."

The noise of the helicopter behind us reached our ears. Alam kong malapit na sila. Hindi nagtagal ay ramdam ko na ang mas malakas na hampas ng hangin na dala nito.

"I see you brought some company," the grin from Max's face didn't falter. He's looking from above. "But, it's already too late," aniya.

A bright light interrupted us like a spotlight projected to the actresses on a stageplay. Nakatapat ito sa amin ni Devon nong una hanggang sa lumipat sa mga kalaban.

"Hell is for you, Monteverdi," Devon told him over the loud roaring sound of the engine. "Say Hello to your father for me in the afterlife," he added.

And, as if on cue, numerous bullets showered on their side from above. It is coming from the helicopter. Hindi nila ito napaghandaan kaya't marami ang agad na nagtumbahan sa kanila. Kahit ako ay nagulat. For a moment, I stiffened from where I am standing. My eyes roamed around, watching the chaos that is just starting to shed blood everywhere. I felt dizzy staring at the dancing fire around us and the blood and flesh splattering in the air. I can almost hear a timebomb ticking in my head.

Smoke is starting to cover the area. But, I fixed my eyes on one person who seems calm with the mess happening to his guards. I saw how he got shot on his left shoulder and fell on his knee. But, he stood like nothing and tried to walk to our direction.

"Hayop ka talaga, Henderson," he growled. "I'm done serving your fucking family, but the woman that I want was stolen by you in return," chuckles escape his lips until it turn into a dreadful laugh. May kinuha ito sa kanyang likod at unti-unti itong inangat upang ipakita sa amin. Isang Mk3A2 hand grenade ang kanyang hawak. "Alam niyo naman siguro ang mangyayare kung bumagsak ako at mabitawan ang hawak kong ito. Sabay-sabay tayong pupuntang impyerno!" he exclaimed.

Napahawak ako sa braso ni Devon. Tinaas niya ang kanyang kamao upang patigilin ang pagpapaputok ng kanyang mga guwardya mula sa helicopter at pinaatras. Sa palagay ko ay natunugan din nilang may bombang inilabas na maaring sumabog kasama kaming lahat. The gunfire subsided in an instant and the thick smoke was tag along by the wind. Dead bodies came to our view.

"Your game is over. Surrender and I might consider sparing your life a chance," Devon told him and he looks unnaturally calm.

Sumiklab ang tapang sa mukha ni Max ng inangat niya ang kanyang baril. "Mas gugustuhin kong mamatay tayong lahat," aniya.

My eyes widened when he threw the bomb straight above him and I almost saw how everything happened in a slow motion. Three seconds and I saw the end of this war clearly with my naked eyes while the bomb was still suspended in the air.

Devon made a move abruptly and had pulled the trigger of his rifle. The bullets were straight to Max's chest before he could counteract.

But in catastrophe, one bullet have manage to escape from Max's handgun targeting this man beside me before he drop down dead. My grip on Devon's arm tightened. My foot stepped forward in front of him as my body swang to face his. Awtomatikong kumilos ang katawan ko upang yakapin siya. Nasaksihan ko kung paanong mas dumilim ang kanyang mga mata ng makita ang ginawa ko.

Then, I realized something. I realized that I have already dreamt this abyss scenario.

Like in my dream, there is fire dancing everywhere, the shadow of an unknown man that emerged from the fire, Devon and I. We are all in that exact scene. Hindi ko alam na senyales na pala ito. Hindi ko alam na ganito pala magtatapos ang gulong napasok namin.

I once heard that happy endings are real, but if you think your ending is not happy, then maybe it is not yet your ending. I just mocked that thought back then. But right now, I'm hoping it's not yet my end.

My mouth gaped open when I received the outmost pain that hits my back that I didn't mind. There was that familiar burning, aggravating sensation in my back area growing outward from where the bullet traveled. It was radiating through my core. Devon held me up and mouthed my name. I started to fading in and out of consciousness. My brain did a rapid mental life scan, asking and answering questions that just flashed,

Is this my end? Have I done everything that is meant to do?

I hope so.

Please, save this man who change my views in life.

Devon wrapped his arms around me tightly and pulled my head down to the corner of his neck. Then, I felt us falling down the ship. Isang nakakabinging pagsabog ang aking narinig bago kami tuluyang yakapin ng tubig. Ang malamig nitong temperatura ang yumapos sa aking balat, ngunit hindi sapat upang hilahin ako mula sa pagdilim ng aking paningin.

Like in my dream, someone died.

I died.