Flame 11 - Dependent Master

Busy mag-impake si Krauser ng mga gamit niya ng pumasok si Katherine habang nakangisi. Halatang excited ang dalaga sa Forest Camp dahil unang school activity niya iyon. Ready na siya kagabi pa at excited na din siyang umalis papunta ng Larkworth. Merong bus doon na maghahatid sa mga estudyante sa Dorell Forest.

"Masaya ba ang Forest Camp?! Madami kayang activities doon?! Grabe excited na talaga ako!!!" masayang sabi ng dalaga habang paikot ikot at bitbit ang travelling bag niya.

"That's like the tenth time you asked that. What the fvck?!!" inis na sagot ng Master niya sabay sarado ng maleta.

"Bakit maleta gamit mo?! Duh. Forest pupuntahan natin, hindi resort hotel oy!" tapos tinabig niya yung maleta ni Krauser. Bumukas iyon at nagkalat ang mga laman sa sahig.

Krauser glared at her. "Look what you've done you lousy b1tch!!!" inis niyang sigaw.

Katherine just smiled at him and giggled. "Wala ka bang travel bag? Hindi talaga appropriate ang maleta sa pupuntahan natin eh."

"The hell I care? I'll bring whatever I want!" hindi niya pinansin ang butler at padabog na inayos ang maleta niya at mga laman niyon.

Inabot lang ang biyahe simula sa Larkworth hanggang sa Dorell Forest ng mahigit isang oras. Isa itong klase ng rainforest na nasa gitna ng bundok. Habang aliw na aliw ang mga estudyante sa pagtingin ay umakyat ang isang guide para magbigay ng instructions.

"Welcome to Dorell Forest and Wildlife Camp. Hanggang dito nalang ang mga sasakyan so we have to hike for half an hour to reach the camp site. Bring all the things that you need for the camping event. We will start hiking after 10 minutes!" anunsyo ng guide.

Krauser's jaw dropped as soon as he realized what his butler said earlier.

"Kraus? Okay ka lang?!" tanong ni Annielyn habang pababa na ng bus.

"W-Wala." tumayo na siya at wala na siyang magagawa kundi bitbitin ang maleta niya paakyat ng camp site. Sinubukan niyang pakalmahin ang sarili at ang utak niya sa pag iisip tungkol sa dala nitong maleta habang pababa ng bus.

Hinati ang buong grupo sa dalawa. Nauna ang grupo kung saan kabilang si Katherine. Hindi siya mapakali dahil nag aalala siya kay Krauser. Naiinis siya dahil ang tigas tigas ng ulo ng Master niya. This was the thing she kept on saying earlier but her conceited Master never listened. She kept on looking back and trying to check if her Master is just behind.

"Nasa baba pa ang Master mo," nakita niya si Opium habang naglalakad din. Dalawang traveling bag ang dala nito na parang walang kahirap hirap. Kapansin pansin din ang pink na bag na ang alam niya ay sa kapatid nitong si Olivia.

"Second batch ba sila?"  tanong ni Katherine habang tinatanaw ang iba sa likuran.

"I don't think I care. See you at the camp site, Lovell!" ngumisi pa ang bampira bago tuluyang tumakbo.

"Aroganteng nilalang," sabi niya habang pinaikot ang mata sa sobrang inis. Oo na, siya na ang biniyayaan ng supernatural strength. Tss.

Katherine sighed and turned around. Sumalungat siya sa direksyon ng mga kasama at mag-isang tinahak ang daan pababa. Many of her schoolmates looked at her and was confused pero hindi niya ito pinansin.

Nang malapit na siya sa simula ng trail at halos makasalubong niya ang buong second batch pero nakita niya ang Master niya na napagiiwanan na habang kaladkad ang maleta.

Ang asul na maleta ni Krauser Vaughaun ay nababalutan na ng putik dahil makailang beses na itong nalaglag sa maputik na daanan.

"Mas mabigat siya kapag bitbit kesa kapag hinihila! Ugh!" sabi ng binata sa sarili while struggling to climb up the trail.

"Master!" napatingala agad si Krauser ng marinig niya ang boses ng butler niya. Hindi niya alam pero parang gumaan ang pakiramdam niya ng bahagya.

Others would try to help him earlier lalo na yung mga may gusto sa kanya but he ignored them and sometimes he'd feel really pissed off, but Katherine was different.

"D-Diba first batch ka?!" nagtatakang tanong ni Krauser.

"Oo. But I know you need help. Tutulungan na—" aabutin palang ni Katherine ang maleta ng tapikin ni Krauser ang kamay niya.

"I can manage," masungit na tugon nito.

"You don't look like you can manage."

"Shut up." Just when he was about to carry his bag he slipped back and fell straight to  mudpool. Katherine ran towards him.

"Are you all right?!" she asked and wiped some of the mud from his face.

"Yeah. Go ahead." He stood up at masungit na iniwanan si Katherine doon para patuloy na buhatin ang maleta niya.

Oo, totoo yun. Gumaan ang loob ng binatang Vaughaun nang makita niya si Katherine. But he's not stupid to show her that. He's stubborn and he'll always be stubborn kahit pa mahirapan siya.

Nagpatuloy ang dalawa sa pag akyat sa trail. Makailang beses nadulas si Krauser but he'd stand up and continue. Nakaalalay lang sa kanya sa likuran si Katherine. Krauser's body is weak. He's a spoiled brat na hindi marunong magbanat ng buto. He's not equipped for hardships dahil mayaman siya. At isa pa, he uses his ability often. He rely on his telepathic ability than his physical strength kaya siya ganyan.

"Ugh!!!" malapit na sila sa camp site ng matumba na naman si Krauser but this time, he fell straight into a huge rock.

"Krauser!" agad inalalayan ni Katherine ang binata pero mukhang malaki ang sugat nito sa braso. The rock caused him a huge slit on his right arm.

"I can still—" tatayo na sana siya pero hinila siya paupo ng kanyang butler.

"Shut up, Vaughaun." Kinuha ng butler niya ang med kit sa bag niya at nilinis agad ang sugat sa braso niya.

Nakanguso ang mga labi ni Krauser dahil hindi na naman siya nakapalag sa butler niya. Pinanuod niya lang itong gamutin ang sugat. Napapapikit siya habang nilalagyan niya ito ng antiseptic pero nawawala din agad kapag hinihipan niya.

"Hey..." tawag nito sa butler niya.

"Hmm?" tanong nito sabay tingin sa kanya.

"Uhh— ano, I just-- well, I wanted to—"

"It's all right, Krauser," pagputol nito sa kanya. "I forgive you," sabay ngisi ng dalaga.

"H-Hey!!! I wasn't apologizing to you! Kapal mo!" he yelled at her.

"Well, ano bang sasabihin mo dapat?!" natatawa pang sabi ni Katherine.

"T-That I should stop depending on you so much. Maybe I should stop it. It's turning into a bad habit."

Katherine stop laughing and looked at him. Hindi niya alam pero parang may kumirot sa dibdib niya matapos iyon sabihin ng Master niya.

"Anong sabi mo?" she asked but Krauser looked away and stood up. "Hey Vaughaun! What did—"

Tyempo may parating na forest guide at tinulungan si Krauser na mabuhat ang maleta niya. Katherine sighed dahil hindi niya alam kung bakit biglang bumigat ang pakiramdam niya after what he said. And Krauser wasn't sure if he said the right words or did he just said some things out loud.

"Krauserrr!!!" bati sa kanya ni Annielyn ng marating nila ang camp site. "Nasaan yung butler mo? Akala ko kasama mo siya?" hanap ng werepanther sa kanya.

Krauser looked back and saw no one. A flash of guilt came inside his head pero mas nagkakaroon ng kirot ang ulo niya dahil sa sama samang tao sa camp site. Oo nga naman. Bawal siya sa madaming tao at isa ang Forest Camp sa pinaka ayaw niyang event sa school.

No wait. Scratch that. Ayaw ni Krauser sa lahat ng events sa school dahil lahat iyon ay madaming tao. Ayaw niya ng sobrang daming tao.

"Tara na!" wala ng nagawa si Krauser kundi ang sumama sa excited na si Annielyn papunta sa mga cabin kung saan sila magpapalipas ng dalawang gabi.

Nilapag niya ang bag at naiiritang kinuha ang headphones niya sa bag. Isa pa sa mga ayaw niya ay ang cabin assignments. Ayaw niyang may kasama sa cabin. Kung ano ano kasing iniisip ng mga kasama niya at hindi niya masikmura ang mga iyon.

He looked at George Fiasco, isa sa mga roommates niya sa cabin na nakatingin sa maliit ng bintana ng cabin nila. "Wow! Ang daming chikas!!! Kaninong kwarto kaya ako maninilip mamaya kapag shower time na?!"

Napaikot ang mata ni Krauser dahil wala ng inisip ang lalaking iyon kundi manilip sa tuwing may Forest Camp. Tumingin siya sa kabilang side ng cabin at nakahiga si Dustin Sanders sa itaas ng double decker habang may katext.

"Excited na akong makatabi tong si Hannah sa cabin niya mamaya. Buti nalang tig iisa ng cabin ang mga girls. Hehe. Sana hindi ako mahuli ng mga forest guides!"

Napaisip naman si Krauser ng mabasa niya ang isip ni Dustin. Ang daya. Ang mga lalaki, tatlo sa isang kwarto samantalang ang mga babae tig iisa?!

Naging abala ang lahat sa sunod sunod na activities sa camp site. Nandyan ang tree planting at tower making. Nagkaroon din ng group activities at environmental awareness. Maayos ang pag oorganize ng panther pack sa Forest Camp ngayong taon and everything is going smooth according to plan.

"Ang saya ng Forest Camp! Woo!" energetic na sabi ni Annielyn habang nakain sila ng hapunan.

"Oo nga," ngumiti si Krauser at naiilang na tumingin kay Katherine na tahimik lang na nakain sa kabilang lamesa.

"Nag away ba kayo?"  out of the blue na tanong ni Annielyn kay Krauser.

"Huh? Nino? Ni Katherine? Hindi ah!" agad niyang sagot na mas lalo pa yatang nakapagpatunay kay Annielyn na may nangyari ngang hindi maganda sa kanilang dalawa.

"Ah. Ganun pala. Well, sana magkabati na kayo."

"Aish. Hindi nga kami nag away sabi eh," inis na sabi ni Krauser sa kaibigan.

"Okay. Kunwari nalang wala akong alam tungkol sa away niyo."

He sighed and gave up convincing her. Awkward niyang tinignan si Katherine. After their conversation ay hindi na ito naulit pa. Hindi man lang siya kinausap ng butler niya. And it's driving him nuts.

"Hindi mo ba kakausapin ang macho mong Master? Mukhang may tampuhan kayo ah?" sabi ni Opium sa tahimik na Katherine nang makishare ito ng table.

"Go away, Scatterella."

"Oh? Sige na. Ikwento mo na saken—"

Binaba ni Katherine ang kutsara at tinidor na hawak niya tsaka may lumabas na baril sa palad niya. Napalunok agad ng laway si Opium at ngumiti nalang.

"I was about to shut my mouth. No need to show off your gun, Katherine." Nagpatuloy siya sa pagkain ng tahimik. Katherine puts away her gun and continued eating as well.

On the other side of the dining hall, nakatingin ang grupo ni Olivia Scatterella sa kanyang kapatid.

"Isn't that girl the transferry na kaaway ni Opium noong isang linggo? May something sa kanilang dalawa. Gusto ba siya ng Kuya mo, huh?" tanong ng isang babae na kasama ni Olivia sa table.

"Hindi. Hindi siya gusto ni Opium," diretchong sagot ni Olivia.

"But I think Opium is interested to her. I mean kahit pinapahiya siya nung babae hindi man lang nagagalit si Opium, right?"

"Oo nga. And she's kinda pretty din."

"Sabi pa ng ilang classmates ko, magaling din siya sa acads."

"At sporty din!"

"Bagay sila ni Opium noh?"

"Oo nga! Pwede din—"

"SHUT UP!" umalingawngaw ang sigaw ni Olivia sa buong dining hall dahilan para matigil ang lahat at mapunta sa table nila ang atensyon.

"O-Olivia..."

Olivia dropped her utensils and walked out of the dining hall. Tumayo din si Opium and followed her leaving Katherine alone. Katherine did not even took any moment to glance at and continued eating as if nothing happened.

"Via!" habol ng binatang bampira sa kapatid nito. "Hey Via! Wait up!" he ran to her and grabbed her arms.

"WHAT???!" he was taken aback to see her red fuming eyes and her sharp vampire teeth. Opium is still not used to seeing her in this form.

"What happened back there? Inaaway ka ba nila?!" tanong ni Opium ng mahinahon.

"Nothing that concerns you!" binawi niya ang mga braso niya and pushed him.

"Olivia—"

"Pwede ba? Just leave me alone! Go back to that stupid silver bitch!"

Olivia turned around and transformed back to normal but as she transformed, tears started to fall from her eyes. The sides of her eyes were like burning and she couldn't help but cry.

"I hate you!" she whispered and bit her lip. She tried to wipe the tears off her face but the tears were replaced by more.

She felt his hands wrapping her body and hugging her from behind. His chin was resting on her shoulder. She could feel his breath as Opium nuzzled her neck. It was electrifying. It was sweet and it made her stop crying.

"Why are you so possessive? Huh?" he asked softly.

"T-The hell? I-I'm not possessive!" she argued while sniffing.

"Then why are you getting mad about me sharing tables with Katherine?"

"B-Because—" she bit her lower lip and tried to think of any reasons aside from the fact that she doesn't want Opium being with any girl aside from her.

"Because?" he hugged her tight.

"Because— others might think of it the wrong way. Baka iba ang isipin nila."

"Ahhh... ganun pala yun." He loosen the hug which made Olivia a little upset. He hold on to his nape and chuckled. "Sige. I'll try not to make them think of anything kapag kasama ko siya. But I'm sure hindi ka nag iisip ng iba tungkol samin diba?"

"O-Of course not! Pakielam ko naman sa inyo?!" mataray na sagot ng kapatid niya.

Opium grinned at her sister. Namumula ito at hindi makatingin sa kanya ng maayos. He was fighting the urge to hug her tight and kiss her.

"Olivia, stop being such a cutie pie. Baka hindi na talaga ako makapagpigil at mahalikan kita."

Nang marinig niya iyon ay mas lalong namula ang dalagang Scatterella at hinampas agad si Opium.

"What the— kapag may nakarinig sayo!"

"I don't care. I wanted to kiss you so bad right now, Olivia." he said huskily which made her bones shiver. His eyes turned red and his lips smirked.

"What are you trying to—"

"AHHHH—"

Natigilan sila ng may marinig silang sigaw. Napatingin ang magkapatid sa madilim na kakahuyan. Nasa labas kasi sila ng Main Camp Cabin. Malapit lang naman dito ang Dining Hall kung saan sila galing pero sigurado silang dalawa na ang lahat ay nandoon pa sa Hall at nakain. Napapaligiran ang buong camp site ng malalaking puno at pareho silang nakarinig ng sigaw mula sa di kalayuan.

"You heard that?" tanong ni Opium.

"Y-Yeah. What was that?" takot na kumapit si Olivia sa braso ni Opium. "I think I heard it from that side of the forest," tinuro niya ang madilim na parte ng gubat.

"We better go back to the cabins. Madaming shapeshifters ang pagala gala dito for sure. You're not safe."

"B-But I'm all alone in my cabin! That's more dangerous, you moron!" lalo pang yumakap si Olivia sa Kuya niya.

"Well I can't go to your cabin, Olivia. Hindi na nga ako makapagpigil na halikan ka tapos isasama mo pa ako sa loob ng cabin mo?! Are you crazy? You stay in the cabin while I go out and look around," inis na sabi ni Opium sa kapatid.

"B-But it's dangerous! You can't—"

"I'm starting to think you're worried about me. Are you okay? Huh, Olivia?"

Olivia got back to her senses and punched his arms. "Shut up Opium! I was just— well I was just being sure that Dad will not blame me if you die all of a sudden! Assuming ka!" she exclaimed.

"Fine, fine. So where will I take you then?"

Olivia pouted. "Ihatid mo nalang ako sa cabin nung mga friends ko," she said and hugged his manly arms some more habang napapangiti ng lihim.

Sa girls quarters, pinatay na ni Katherine ang ilaw sa kwarto niya and was about to sleep. Pagkatapos ng dinner ay inantok na siya sa dami ng nakain. Siguro kapag medyo upset, madaming nakakain. Niyaya siya ng blockmates niya para magkwentuhan muna pero she decline. Hanggang ngayon kasi masama pa rin ang loob niya after what Krauser said earlier.

"He doesn't want to depend on you, why the hell are you feeling like shit? Gusto mo bang umasa ang conceited na lalaking yun sayo? Huh?" inis na sabi niya sa sarili niya.

She ruffled her semi curly hair and rolled off to bed. Naiinis siya dahil hindi na maganda ang nararamdaman niya. Her heart, her entire system is not normal at this point. And whether she admits it or not, Krauser has something to do with this.

"Katherine," biglang kumabog ang dibdib niya ng may marinig siyang tumawag sa pangalan niya. It was followed by a soft knock on the door. She slowly got off of bed and tip toed to her door. Noong sinilip niya sa peephole, Krauser was standing at her doorstep, he's wearing a Larkworth jacket while his hands are inside his pockets.

Katherine hurriedly opened the door. "What the hell are you—" natigilan siya ng mapansin na may dala siyang kumot at unan.

"Can I sleep here?"

"W-What?! Are you crazy?!"

"I can't sleep. Masyadong madami sa boy's quarters at hindi ko masikmura ang mga pinag iisip nila. At least kapag katabi kita I can sleep without hearing any of those things."

"And you said earlier that you don't want to depend on me so much," she said while raising an eyebrow.

"Well I'm human, I make mistakes. Please forgive me. Now can I come in?!" he said in a monotonous voice.

Katherine rolled her eyes and puts on her straight face before opening the door wide. Krauser grinned at her before entering her cabin. Dumiretcho agad siya sa kama and snuggled to her blanket.

He tapped the right side and smirked at his butler. "Dali. Humiga ka na sa tabi ko."

"Are you really— whoa!!!" he didn't let her finish and dragged her to bed tsaka niyakap siya. Madilim naman sa loob ng cabin at tanging ang paghinga lang nila ang maririnig.

"You know what, Lovell?"

Katherine just remained silent while still stuck in Krauser's arms. Katherine's heart is beating so fast as if she can't breathe.

"I was wrong to say that. Hindi lang naman ang silver power mo ang kailangan ko eh. Somehow... I feel at peace when you're near me. You can calm me down, you can easily stop me from worrying... you make me feel that I'm not alone."

Katherine felt his words were like a lullaby that instantly erased the heavy feelings she felt a while ago. Her heartbeat started to slow down. His words suddenly make her weak and all she wanted was to close her eyes and hugged him tight till she falls asleep after a long day.

"I think I wanted to depend on you a little. Is that okay?!" he whispered as he gently comb her hair.

Katherine slowly pushed him away and looked at him. Kahit madilim sa loob ng cabin niya, nakikita niya parin ang mukha ng Master niya dahil sa maliwanag na buwan. His face that seem to shine under the moonlight was something she finds soothing.

"Well I guess I have no choice," she smiled and Krauser pulled her back to bed. Nakahiga lang siya sa dibdib ni Krauser at dahan-dahang pumikit ng--

"AHHH!!! MAY MGA BANGKAY DOON!!!" napatayo agad ang dalawa at sumilip sa bintana. Nakita ni Katherine ang nagtatakbuhang mga babae sa labas ng mga cabins nila. May mga naglabasang teachers na din para icheck ang mga estudyante.

"Okay! Don't panic. We will search the area. Dito lang kayo!" sabi nung isang faculty.

Krauser looked at Katherine and they both nodded at each other bago tumakbo palabas ng cabin at dumiretcho sa kakahuyan.

* * * *

Brace yourselves dahil talagang mas babagal pa ang updates ko. Haha. Pasensya na. Bear with me please! Promise ko naman sainyo na pagagandahin ko ang bawat late updates sa abot ng aking makakaya! Yoooosh! Maraming salamat sa pagbabasa mga kaibigan!

Okay. Penge comments guys! :3