HARRIET

I ARRIVED just in time before the hound could tear off Morrie's arm. Mabuti na lang, may ibinigay na bakal na walking cane si Sir Dred sa akin kaya meron akong panlaban sa higanteng aso na 'to. It was twice the size of a regular dog and its glowing body would make our knees tremble in fear.

Despite our not so good relationship, I still came to this Moriartard's rescue. Pwede ko namang hintayin na lapain muna siya ng hound bago ako magpakita at iligtas ang mga kasama ko. But that wasn't honorable. In a life and death situation where your enemy isn't the current threat, you can set aside your personal differences and save the other.

Aiden and Mina were too shocked to see me spring before them. Kung inakala nilang hihiga ako buong hapon habang sila'y nagpapakahirap dito, nagkakamali sila. I am their leader and it's my duty to lead them.

"Ano, hihiga ka na lang ba riyan hanggang mamaya?" tanong ko kay Morrie na nag-enjoy yata sa kakaupo. I kept my eyes straight, watching the hound's movement closely. It could leap anytime and aim at any part of my body, hence I shouldn't be careless. Sapat na ang walking cane na 'to para maprotektahan ko ang grupo namin.

Morrie rose to his feet, dusted off his pants and took a few step backwards. I was not expecting the words "thank you" to escape his lips because that would hurt his pride. A Moriartian being saved by a Holmesian? Because of our House rivalry, magiging malaking issue 'yan.

"Paano mo nalamang nandito kami?" tanong ni Aiden.

"Coincidence na napadaan ako rito at natiyempuhan kong inaatake na kayo ng asong 'to," I answered, shooting a sideward glace at him. "I saw two flashes of light kanina kaya naisip ko na baka nandoon kayo."

To be honest, I did not have any idea on what's going on. Sir Dred told me that the forest would turn into a battleground so I needed to be extra careful.

Ngunit pinagtatakahan ko kung bakit muling nagpakita ang hound. I thought we would not encounter it again after our first meeting earlier. Our professor made it clear that they did not set loose a hound as a challenge for us.

Someone else was interfering with the teambuilding activities. The question was: to what end?

The hound bared its fangs, saliva dripping off its filthy mouth. Dahan-dahan akong umurong habang naka-ready ang aking pamalo. My teammates did the same. Being on the defensive gave me an advantage. I could defend myself from any point of attack. The hound was on the offensive. Once it attacked me, I could hit him in his most vulnerable parts.

And it did. Tumalon sa akin ang aso, nakahanda ang mga pangil nito na ibaon sa aking katawan. I swang the steel rod, aiming it at the jaw. Once it hit, the hound flinched and whimpered in pain.

"Takbo!" sigaw ko sa aking mga kasama.

We ran as fast as we could while the huge dog was recovering from my assault. Nagpahuli ako sa aming apat, palingon-lingon sa likuran sakaling nakakahabol na ang aso.

"Turn to the right!" utos ko. Leading them was Aiden, who followed my order without question. Sumunod sa kanya si Mina at ang sobrang bagal na tumakbong si Morrie.

Nagtago ako sa likod ng isang malaking puno at inihanda ang aking pamalo. I could hear the hound's barking as it got closer to me. Tinantiya ko kung dadaan na ba siya sa gilid ko o hindi. When I was prepared, lumabas ako mula sa pagtatago at iwinasiwas ang hawak kong walking cane.

WHACK!

The hound flinched once more and wailed in agony. Natamaan ko yata siya sa panga. Hitting him was good, but that turned him into a much angrier beast. Tumutulo na ang laway nito at lalo pang nanlisik ang mga mata. As it leapt to me, I swang my rod again, repellng his attack.

How many times must I hit this giant dog before he gave up chasing us?

Dahil mukhang walang ubra ang mga pag-atake ko sa kanya, I ran after my colleagues as fast as I could. The hound was still trailing behind me, baring its fangs and preparing for another leap.

Ilang sandali pa lang ang lumipas, nasabayan ko na ang bilis ni Morrie sa pagtakbo. Mukhang hinihingal na siya at gusto nang sumuko ng mga tuhod niya.

"Kung hindi mo bibilisan, ipapalapa kita riyan sa aso para hindi na niya kami habulin!" I yelled at him.

He tried to speak, but he was running out of breath. He may be a cunning strategist, but in a situation where we were up against a hungry and angry anmal, he was useless.

The hound was meters away from us, but Morrie decided to pause from running. Gusto ko na sana siyang iwan pero nakonsensya ako. He was defenseless against the beast while I had a rod that I could use to hit it again.

Yumuko siya at dumakma ng buhangin sa lupa. He threw it to the direction of the approaching hound. Bumagal ang takbo ng aso, nagpailing-iling at tinatanggal ang buhanging pumasok sa kanyang mga mata.

"That would buy us a few seconds," sabi ni Morrie bago nagpatuloy na tumakbo.

Aiden and Mina, who were meters ahead of us, took a rest at the fork in the road while waiting for me and the tired Moriartard. Pumulot ng isang mahabang stick si Mina at ini-load sa kanyang pana. She aimed at the monster who resumed chasing us.

Ilang metro na lang siguro, makakabalik na kami sa mga cabin. I memorized the track I took earlier para sakaling kailangang bumalik, hind ako maliligaw.

Nang magtagpo na kaming apat, hinabol muna namin ni Morrie ang aming hininga at humarap sa direksyon ng higanteng aso. We could still run away, but it might be better to confront our pursuer and put an end to the chase.

"ARF! ARF!" the hound barked at us, maintaning its pace.

Mina pulled the improvised string of her bow and let go of the stick. She almost hit the dog, but the latter dodged before the makeshift arrow could have hit it. Sayang!

I took a step forward and raised the steel walking cane, holding it like a baseball bat. Someone behind me threw pebbles at the hound, but the animal was unfazed and went on charging.

When the hound was only five meters away, we heard a whistling sound coming from the opposite side of the forest. Biglang pumreno ang aso at lumingon-lingon sa paligid, nakataas ang tainga at hinahanap ang pinanggalingan ng tunog. It turned around and ran toward the opposite direction.

That's it?

Nang makalayo na ang hayop, napaupo kaming apat sa lupa at huminga nang malalim. We survived!

"Ang akala ko talaga magiging dog food na tayo!" komento ni Aiden, pinunasan sa kanyang kanang sleeve ang pawis sa namuo sa kanyang noo. "That was a close one! Mabuti't dumating si Harriet para iligtas tayo."

Humarap si Mina sa akin at bahagyang napayuko. "Thank you."

"How did you find us?" Instead of expressing a little hint of gratitude, Morrie greeted me with a question.

"I was wandering in this forest when I noticed a light meters ahead of me," sagot ko. "I thought na baka nandoon kayo. I was right. Hindi ko lang in-expect na may humahabol sa inyong dambuhalang aso."

"Shouldn't you be in bed, taking a rest?" sunod na tanong ng Moriartard.

"Oh," I faked a surprised look on my face. "I never thought that you would be concerned about me. Come to think of it, you decided to leave me behind and start the next game without me. So much for teamwork, eh?"

"Ayaw ka kasi namang mapagod at inoobserbahan ka pa, 'di ba?" hirit ni Aiden.

I glared at him before returning my sight to Morrie. "Inisip mong magiging pabigat ako dahil sa injury ko kaya hindi n'yo na ako hinintay pa. And you also wanted the glory of winning, right? Gusto mong patunayan na kahit wala ang Holmesian na tulad ko, you can still emerge victorious."

"Partly correct," the Moriartard replied, making my right eye twitch. Knowing him as a straightforward person, he wouldn't attempt to lie.

"Hah," I chuckled. "Kung hindi ako umalis ng cabin, naging dog food na sana kayo ngayon. Show some gratitude, will you?"

"Thank you," Morrie said in monotone. "Is that enough?"

Nakakainis ang lalaking 'to. Ni wala mang kahit anong bahid ng sinseridad ang pasasalamat niya. What should I expect from a selfish bastard like him?

"Ano na ang gagawin natin ngayon?" I dusted my skirt off as I got to my feet. "Anong part na ba kayo ng teambuilding activity?"

"Nakuha na namin ang mga clue mula sa mga kalaban," sagot ni Aiden. "Hinati kasi sa tatlong piraso ang buong riddle, at ang bawat team ay binigyan ng kapiraso nito. Nasaan na ba ang clue?"

Mina shook her head when Aiden looked at her. Sunod niyang tiningnan si Morrie na napakapa sa kanyang bulsa.

"Well?" I crossed my arms across the chest.

He returned my gaze and calmly replied, "I lost it."

"Eh?"

Tumibok ang ugat sa sentido ko. Gusto ko siyang hambalusin ng hawak kong walking cane. How could he remain so calm knowing that he lost the thing that would have made us winners in this activity?

"I might have dropped them while the hound was chasing us," dagdag pa niya.

Panalo na, naging bato pa. He was not only clumsy, but careless too!

"Hindi mo ba kung anong nakasulat doon?" tanong ni Aiden, umaasang may alternative pa sa kamalasan namin.

Morrie shook his head. "Before I could have read a single word, the hound sprang up, forcing us to run."

"You should have read faster," I commented.

"Pwede naman nating balikan, 'di ba?" payo ni Aiden. "Kailangan nating i-trace ang dinaanan natin. I can use my expertise on that."

"But it's getting dark," sabi ni Mina, napatingin sa taas kung saan kumukulimlim na ang kalangitan.

I rolled my eyes. "Mahihirapan tayong hanapin ang mga clue, thanks to someone's clumsiness."

"E anong gagawin natin?"

"Maybe we can return to the cabins and ask Professor Dred. He also needs to know about what happened here."

Dahil wala rin kaming mapapala kung tutunganga kami rito sa gubat, nagpatuloy na kami sa paglalakad pabalik sa mga cabin. Sir Dred was outside, waiting for anyone who might return to the site.

"You are the first one to return!" anunsyo niya sa amin na sinabayan ng pagpalakpak. "Have you found the answer to the riddle?"

"Uhm..." Nagkatinginan kaming apat.

"We got the clues from the other teams," Morrie answered. "But we lost them along the way."

"What?" kunot-noong tanong ni Professor Dred, tila hindi makapaniwala. "You lost the clues? How?"

"Hinabol kasi kami ng hound diyan sa gubat," sagot ko. "Have they told you about the gigantic dog that chased us while on our way here? Nagbalik siya kanina para guluhin na naman kami."

"Nagpakita na naman siya sa inyo?" tanong ni Sir Dred.

"May mas nakakabahala pa riyan, sir," sabi ko. "When we were cornered earlier, we heard a whistle somewhere in the forest. Gano'n din ang narinig namin sa unang encounter nito. This would only mean that someone's taking care of the hound and unleashed it to hunt us, right?"

"Gaya ng sinabi namin kanina, may gustong makialam sa teambuilding activities natin," Aiden concluded. "At confirmed na siguro ngayon na kami nga ang target niya. Masyado naman yatang coincidence kung maging kanina, nataon na kami ang nadatnan ng aso."

Our instructor touched his chin and stared down. After seconds of contemplating, he lifted his head and turned to us. "We have to postpone the activities today while deliberating on what to do about these incidents."

Inilabas niya ang isang wireless radio at itinutok sa kanyang bibig. "Calling all students of QED University, please return to the cabins immediately. I repeat, to all students of QED University, please return to the cabins as soon as you can. Thank you."

"You have installed speakers in the forest?" nagtataka kong tanong.

Professor Dred nodded. "Mas madali ang pag-announce kapag merong speakers sa loob mismo ng gubat. We also installed some hidden cameras in the activity area. Pwede naming i-review mamaya para tingnan kung saan galing ang sinasabi n'yong hound."

Pinapasok niya na muna kami sa cabins habang hinihintay ang pagbabalik ng aming mga kasama. As I started walking to our quarters, bigla akong nakaramdam ng pananakit sa binti ko.

"Hey, okay ka lang?" tanong ni Aiden na sinubukan akong alalayan.

I pushed him away. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

Dahil na rin siguro sa kakatakbo ko kanina kaya muling nagdugo ang kagat ng ahas. The venom was already neutralized by the antidote, I think, so I had nothing to worry about.

Our team was given a solo cabin where the four of us could stay while we were in the island. Mas gusto ko sana kung nasa hiwalay na kuwarto sina Morrie at Aiden, but alas, they had to sleep with us under the same roof.

Hanggang ngayon, napapaisip pa rin ako kung sino ang nag-set-up sa lahat ng kamalasang nangyari sa amin. From the start where we were chased by the hound, tricked by an old man, fell into a hole and again pursued by the same hound, kami talaga ang tinatarget nila.

The question was who would be behind all of these?

By seven in the evening, ipinatawag kaming lahat para kumain ng dinner. Members of the other two teams were there, enjoying a cup of chocolate and coffee, and the steak served as our meal.

Professor Dred, who was seated beside the school nurse Dr. Wendy, raised his hand before standing.

"Good evening!" bati niya sa amin. "Alam kong nakakapagod ang araw na 'to para sa ating lahat. You are competitive in your own ways and you have shown how to work as a team."

Halos maibuga ko ang iniinom kong tubig. Work as a team? Iniwan nga ako ng mga kasama ko noong mag-start ang second activity. How could someone call that "a team"?

"Unfortunately, we have to postpone the next set of activities," he went on.

"What?!" Natigil sa pagkain ang ilan sa mga kasama namin. Halos magsalubong ang mga kilay nila.

"Bakit naman?"

A buzz of murmurs erupted around the dinner table, each team expressing their disapproval on the announcement. My teammates and I only exchanged glances. Our instructor silenced them with a single raise of hand.

"Before I called for everyone to return this afternoon, Team WHAM claimed that they were chased by a giant hound. That was the same hound that they encountered at the beginning of this team building. We suspect that someone let that beast loose."

All eyes were turned on us, with some of our classmaters whispering to each other. Some felt pity on us while some looked suspicious if our narrative was true.

Professor Dred continued. "While we haven't verified the report, it would be wise if we cancel the activities before someone gets hurt. Rest assured that we are on top of the situation, investigating where that dog came from."

"Sayang naman!"

"Nakaka-enjoy naman ang games ah!"

"Tomorrow, the ship would be here to safely return you to the university," Professor Dred raised his voice, silencing those who were complaining. "Are we clear on that?"

"Yes, sir," some replied hesitantly. I could see the disappointment in their faces. I was also looking forward to the games, but we couldn't enjoy these activities if there's another party playing with us.

"I advise everyone to not leave their cabins as the hound might return and attack any of you. Stay in your room. Have some indoor games to boost camaraderie and enjoy each other's company. Understood?"

Isang marahang pagtango na lang ang naisagot ng ilan.

Once we finished our dinner, we returned to our cabins with long faces. The excitement for tomorrow's clash was thrown out the window, thanks to the announcement.

We thought that all our troubles for the day were over. But we were wrong.

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