CHAPTER 57

"I DIDN'T MEAN for this to happen, princess," sabi ng ama ni Happy habang nasa daan sila patungo sa address na ibinigay ni Helena. Si Uncle Klaus ang driver ng kotse na kinalululanan nila habang nasa backseat naman sila ng kanyang ama. "If only I can save Lucky without putting you in dangers. I won't put you in this position—"

"Daddy." She held her father's hand and squeezed it. "Ang dami mo nang ginawa para sa akin. You don't have to say sorry for this. Wala kang kasalanan dito. And we have to save Lucky. She needs us more than ever now and we will not fail her, Dad."

Pinakatitigan siya ng ama, saka ikinulong ang kamay niya sa mga kamay nito. "I'm proud of you, princess."

She smiled. "You always say that."

"Because I am." He squeezed her hand. "Nang magising ka sa coma, puro kaligtasan mo lang ang nasa isip ko. Because I don't want to fail you for the second time. I protected you from everyone who means you harm. And to see you protect your sister from someone who wants to harm her as well, I felt really proud of what you have become."

Inayos muna niya ang suot na bull cap ng ama, saka humilig sa balikat nito. "We can do this. We can save Lucky."

"I know we can," sabi nito na puno ng pagtitiwala sa kanya ang boses. "This is your plan."

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay nito. "I'm scared, Dad."

"It's okay to be scared but control it. For your sister's safety."

Tumango si Happy, saka humugot ng malalim na hininga. She had to save Lucky and protect her baby. Madaling sabihin, pero mahirap 'yong gawin, nasisiguro niya.

"Master, we're closing in," anunsiyo ni Uncle Klaus. "Someone tailed us the moment we left my house. Looks like the Triad is serious about this."

"Of course, they are," sabi ng ama niya. "They always fight dirty." Her dad kissed her temple. "Take care, okay?"

Tumango siya. "I will."

Panay ang hinga nang malalim ni Happy habang papalapit sila nang papalapit sa address na ibinigay ni Helena. Panay ang tagis ng mga bagang niya habang pilit na kinokontrol ang takot na nararamdaman.

She couldn't let herself be scared. Lucky was counting on her.

My little sister. I have to save her.

Agad na tumingin sa labas si Happy nang tumigil ang sasakyan.

"We're here," anunsiyo ni Uncle Klaus.

Nakiramdam muna siya. Tahimik ang buong paligid at madilim.

"Master Dominick, this is a trap," sabi ni Uncle Klaus.

"Of course, it is," sabay nilang sabing mag-ama.

"It's the Triad," dagdag ng ama niya. "It's always a trap."

Hindi lumabas ng sasakyan si Happy hanggang wala siyang nakikitang paggalaw sa paligid. Lumipas ang isang minuto bago may umilaw sa unahan nila.

It was a truck's headlights against their car headlights.

Then Helena came into view.

Doon lang siya lumabas.

"Happy, my baby," bati nito sa kanya.

"Helena," sabi niya sa malamig na boses.

Ngumiti ito habang naglalakad palapit sa kanya. "I'm happy that you're here. Finally. No guards." Hinaplos nito ang pisngi niya nang makalapit sa kanya, saka bumulong. "I have snipers in every corner of this place. One wrong move, you and Lucky will die, okay?"

Tumango siya. "Where's my sister?"

Helena waved her hand on the air. Minutes later, she saw her sister on a wheelchair. Itinutulak ito ng isang lalaki na may kasamang dalawang lalaking armado.

There was still a bomb around Lucky.

"A-Ate..." Lucky weakly spoke when she neared her.

Umangat ang kamay niya para hawakan ang kamay ng kapatid na nanlalamig. "Hey, lil' sis. Everything is gonna be okay. Hinihintay ka ni Blake sa bahay. Trust me, okay?"

"Aww... so touching," sabi ni Helena na binuntutan pa ng tawa. "This is the reason why I know you'll come. Your family is your weakness."

Matalim ang mga matang tumingin siya rito. "At least I don't kill them."

Tumawa lang ito, saka sinenyasan na naman ang mga tauhan nito. Nakasunod ang mga mata niya sa kalalakihan na inaalis ang bomba na nakakabit sa kapatid niya.

Mahigpit ang hawak ni Lucky sa kamay niya. "Ate..."

"I'm here." She squeezed Lucky's hand. "Hindi kita pababayaan. Nandito si Ate."

Lucky nodded at her with so much trust in her eyes. Ayaw niyang biguin ang kapatid.

"As promised," sabi ni Helena na nakangiti. "I will give your sister back in exchange of you. You can have her now."

Itinaas niya ang kamay para senyasan si Uncle Klaus.

Nang makalapit si Uncle Klaus kay Lucky, agad nitong ipinalibot ang bomb detector na hawak nito sa bawat parte ng katawan ni Lucky at sa wheelchair na kinauupuan nito.

"Oh, come on," sabi ni Helena na umikot pa ang mga mata. "Don't you trust your own mother?"

"No," sagot niya.

Tumingin sa kanya si Uncle Klaus nang may ma-detect itong bomba sa suot na pulseras ni Lucky.

Tumalim ang tingin niya kay Helena. "We have a deal."

Helena chuckled. "I was just trying my luck. Boys... take it off of her."

Nang maalis ang pulseras, inulit uli ni Uncle Klaus ang pag-check sa bawat parte ng katawan ni Lucky at sa wherlchair bago tumingin sa kanya at tumango. "No bombs."

"Take her to safety," sabi niya.

"Wait," pigil ng kanyang ina kay Uncle Klaus. "I want to see Dominick."

"Dad is not well—"

"I don't care. Let him out or the deal is off."

Tumango siya kay Uncle Klaus na tinawagan sa cell phone ang ama niya. "Master Dominick, please step out of the car for a moment."

Nang patayin ni Uncle Klaus ang tawag, segundo lang ang lumipas ay bumukas ang backseat na pinto ng kotse at lumabas doon ang ama niya, saka tumingin kay Helena.

"Satisfied?" Puno ng sarkasmo ang boses ng ama niya.

Tumalim naman ang mga mata ni Helena. "Really, Dominick, Henreitta? That bitch? I know you two are doing something behind my back even then."

Her dad smiled. "What can I say, I'm just irresistible."

Nagtagis ang mga bagang ni Helena. "I won't let you get away with this. You cheated on me again and again!"

Her father scoffed. "Come on, Helena, you betrayed me first. You're the one who played me. I was a good husband to you until the day you left. What do you want me to do, accept you and the Triad in my life?"

"That's what a good husband will do! Accept his wife and what she does!"

"And go against everything I believe in and what I fight for?!" balik sigaw ng ama niya. "You can rot in hell for all I care. I begged you to leave the Triad, to choose our family, but you chose them, so fuck yourself!"

Nagtatagis ang mga bagang na may tinawagan si Helena at inutusan nito ang nasa kabilang linya. "Kill Dominick Quinn."

Happy eyes widened in fear as she looked at her father. "Noooo! Daaaad!

Gusto niyang takbuhin ang pagitan nila ng ama para ilayo ito sa kapahamakan, pero huli na. Dalawang beses na tumama ang bala sa katawan nito at duguan ang katawang bumagsak.

Nanginginig na nag-uunahang bumagsak ang mga luha niya. "Daddddddy! Noooo!"

"D-Daddy..." bulong ni Lucky. "W-what happened to D-daddy?"

Galit siyang humarap kay Helena, umiiyak siya, handa na itong atakehin at patayin sa ginawa sa ama niya pero ang isa sa mga tauhan nito ay itinutok ang baril sa ulo ni Lucky na nagpatigil sa kanya.

"Ah-uh." Helena shook her head at her. "One wrong move, remember?"

Naiiyak na kumuyom ang kamay ni Happy. "You bitch!"

Tumawa lang ito, saka tinapik-tapik ang basa niyang pisngi. "You'll get over it. He wasn't a good dad anyway. It was his fault that you got into coma."

Nanlilisik ang mga mata niya. "No! It was your fault!"

"Because he doesn't want to give you to me!" Helena tsked before glancing at one of her men. "Check the pulse of that bastard."

Tumango ang lalaki, saka nilapitan ang ama niya.

Happy was sobbing when the man spoke after checking her dad's pulse. "He's dead."

"No... Daddy! No!" Fat tears streaming down her face. "No! No! Daddy!" She couldn't even go to her dad because she was seized by the two men!

"Master Dominick." Uncle Klaus looked in shock. "Master... No..."

"Leave with Lucky and that corpse, Klaus, before I change my mind," walang emosyong sabi ni Helena.

"Daddy!" Happy screamed while crying. "Daddy!"

Pilit siyang nagpupumiglas sa hawak ng dalawang lalaki pero itinutok ng mga ito ang baril sa ulo ng kapatid niya.

"No... no..." umiiling na pakiusap ni Happy habang hinihila siya ng dalawang lalaki patungo sa likod ng truck. "No! Daddy!"

Isinakay siya ng dalawa sa truck pero bago nito isinara iyon, pinaalis ng mga ito ang lahat ng suot niya at pinagsuot siya ng ibang damit. May babae roon sa loob ng kinapkapan ang lahat ng parte ng katawan niya, mula ulo, likod ng tainga, kahit ang pagkababae niya ay kinapkapan nito, pati ang pang-upo niya bago tumingin sa dalawang lalaki.

"No bugs," sabi nito bago lumabas ng truck at iniwan siyang mag-isa sa loob.

Napahawak siya sa pupulsuhan. Wala na roon ang bracelet niya.

No... my tracker.

Napaigtad na lang si Happy nang malakas na sumara ang truck at nabalot ng kadiliman ang buong paligid. Nanghihina siyang napaupo habang naiisip ang lagay ni Lucky ngayon pagkatapos ng mga nangyari.

Please, Lucky, be okay.

She was alone, worried and scared in the back of the moving truck when she heard her husband's voice on her ear—from the nano-sized earpiece hidden and glued in the inside of the fossa part of her ear.

"How's my baby feeling?"

Lihim siyang napangiti pero hindi siya nagsalita. She just hummed a little to tell Blaze that she was okay. Baka may hidden camera na naka-night vision sa loob ng truck, hindi siya puwedeng mahuli.

"Uncle Klaus and Lucky are on their way home," sabi ni Blaze na siyang nasa kabilang linya. "And, Dad, he's ahm, he's gonna be okay. Huwag kang mag-alala."

Happy hummed softly again.

"And about your tracker, don't worry about it too. Si Yrozz na ang bahala. Mahahanap ka niya hanggang nakadikit sa iyo ang nano-sized earphone na gawa niya."

But I thought the signal only works at twenty miles radius?

"Don't worry if it's just a twenty-mile radius," dagdag ni Blaze. "Hindi ka niya hahayaang mapahamak kung ayaw niyang gilitan ko siya."

Pigil ni Happy ang magsalita. Ganoon siya hanggang sa tumigil ang truck sa paggalaw. Si Blaze lang ang nagsasalita sa kabilang linya habang siya ay nakikinig lang.

Nang bumukas ang pinto ng truck, pinalabas siya ng dalawang lalaki at hinawakan sa magkabilang kamay.

Napatigil siya sa paglalakad nang sumalubong sa kanya si Helena na nakangiti habang pinagmamasdan siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

"There. New dress, no bugs," sabi nito.

Tiningnan niya ito nang masama at puno ng poot. "You will pay for what you did to my dad! I will make you pay!"

Tumawa lang si Helena, saka sinenyasan ang mga tauhan nitong ipasok siya sa malaking gusali na nasa harap nila.

This was the new building of the Triad that they couldn't infiltrate because of its powerful walls and top security.

Naging sunod-sunuran si Happy kung saan siya dalhin ng dalawa hanggang sa dumaan sila sa pinto na bigla na lang nag-ingay at umilaw ng pula.

Shit! What is that?

"Search her again!" sigaw ni Helena na pasimple niyang ikinaigtad.

Agad namang kinapkapan siya ng babaeng kasama nila, lahat ng sulok kaya naman nakita nito ang nano-sized na earpiece sa tainga niya at ibinigay nito iyon kay Helena.

Helena crushed the small earpiece on her fingers before glaring at her. "I said no wrong move!" galit na sigaw nito sa kanya, saka mahigpit na hinawakan ang baba niya at pinisil iyon nang malakas pero hindi siya ngumiwi kahit sobrang sakit niyon. "What did you do?! Who are you talking to?! Answer me!"

Happy glared back at Helena. "Screw you."

Malakas siyang nitong sinampal at mahigpit na namang hinawakan ang baba niya. "Answer my questions!"

Happy remained silent.

Padabog na binitawan siya ni Helana, saka bumaling ito sa pinakamalapit na bantay. "Double our security." Pagkatapos ay dinuro siya nito. "And put her on the torture chamber until the file is ready for extraction."

Hindi nagpumiglas si Happy at hinayaan na lang ang mga lalaki. Nang makarating sila sa sinasabing chamber ni Helena, umawang ang bibig niya nang makitang may babaeng naghihintay sa kanya roon.

Babaeng kamukhang-kamukha niya.

Another look-alike.

"SIGURADO AKO," sabi ni Yrozz habang nakatutok ang mga mata nito sa laptop. "This is it. This is the place."

"I'm sure as well," sabad ni Ruthgar. "We had been circling around and this is the only suspicious place, and this is the area where we lost the transmission from Lady Happy's earpiece."

Blaze secured the central strap lock of his parachute before speaking. "Ready for the drop."

Everyone was strapping their parachute as well. And he could see Kane's jaw tightening.

Nilapitan niya ito. "She's gonna be fine."

"We lost contact." He was worried of Happy. They all were. "What if... what is something bad happens to her?"

"She's fine." Blaze had to believe it so he wouldn't go insane. "Happy is fine. Okay, buddy?"

Tumango si Kane.

Blaze secured the duffel bag that had his guns before looking at the others. They were all doing the same thing. Knight, Niccolo, Monti and Kane were securing their parachute's strap locks. King was with Uncle Klaus in the cockpit piloting the plane. While the Team Oldies together with the first Arkhon were now securing their guns and bullets inside a duffel bag.

Nilapitan niya ang ama ni Happy. "You're still not healed," sabi niya. "The jump might open the wound again."

Tinapik nito ang balikat niya. "Huwag mo akong alalahanin. Focus on my daughter."

"But, Dad—"

"I died earlier—with the help of Parisi's medicine—for my daughters." Ngumiti ito. "And I'll gladly do it again. For my daughters."

Blaze sighed before looking down at where the old man was shot. In the chest. Twice.

His father-in-law was wearing a vest made by Niccolo. Impenetrable. Kahit ang bull cap nitong suot na halos matakpan na ang mga mata nito ay bulletproof din kung sakaling sa ulo ito patamaan ng kalaban. It was just costumized to spurt blood by Racini to make it more convincing. While the medicine was from Racini as well. It could stop a pulse for a minute or so and it stopped Dominick Quinn's pulse, fooling the enemies.

It was a risky plan but it worked. Lucky was now already receiving the best care in the world and Blake was with her to protect her. He would have like for Blake to be here but baby girl needed him more. Ang huling balita sa kanya ng kakambal ay maayos na ang lagay ni Lucky.

Baby girl is a fighter. She would never give up.

And he would like to have Luther's help but it was a nine-hour flight from Italy to here. They couldn't wait that long.

"What happened earlier... we're lucky," sabi niya sa ama ni Happy. "Our luck might run out this time, Dad. Happy will be devastated if something bad happens to you. 'Yong pag-iyak niya kanina, mas doble pa ro'n ang iiiyak niya kapag may nangyaring masama inyo."

Tinapik nito ang balikat niya. "Kung ikaw ang nasa sitwasyon ko, susuong ka ba sa laban kahit ganito ang lagay mo?"

Blaze nodded. "Even wounded and battered, I will, for my wife and my child."

Dominick smiled. "See? And this is my daughter we're talking a about. Makikipagpatayan ako para sa mga prinsesa ko."

Tumango na lang si Blaze. Hindi naman niya mapipigilan ang ama ni Happy. Anak nito ang pinag-uusapan nila. Kung sa kanya man mangyayari 'yon, kahit magkagutay-gutay siya, para sa anak niya, handa siyang pumasok sa giyera.

"Vest in?" tanong ng ama niya sa ama ni Happy. "Ready to roll?"

Dominick smiled. "Fuck, yeah."

"It's been a long time since we got together like this," sabi ng unang Arkhon. "With new faces this time." Inilibot nito ang tingin sa kanila at tumigil ang tingin kay Knight, saka nakangiting bumaling sa ama ni Happy. "That young man idolized you. Please don't disappoint him."

Tumawa ang ama ni Happy. "No worries. I'll give him a reason to idolize me more."

Napailing ang unang Arkhon, saka bumaling kay Knight. "If you got disappointed, remember, I told you so."

Lumapit naman si Knight sa ama ni Happy, saka inilahad nito ang kamay. "Sir, it's really an honor for me to fight beside you. Really a big honor."

Ang seryosong mukha ni Dominick ang tumitig kay Knight. "I loathe your father."

"I feel the same," sabi ni Knight.

Biglang ngumiti si Dominick at tinanggap ang pakikipagkamay ni Knight. "Then we're buddies. You and me."

"Don't idolize him," sabi ng ama niya kay Knight. "His head is getting bigger."

"He's a legend," bulong ni Knight habang nakatingin pa rin sa ama ni Happy na puno ng paghanga. "Such an honor. I'm glad I came here. Fuck."

Tumawa ang ama ni Happy. "Don't make me blush now."

Nasapo ni Knight ang mukha. "My face is hot. Fuck! Am I blushing?"

"Yes."

"Fuck," Knight cussed.

Napailing na lang silang lahat.

"It's creepy seeing him like this," sabi ni Racini habang nakikipag-usap pa rin si Knight sa ama ni Happy. "I mean, I've seen the serious Knight. And the crazy Knight. But this... this is a whole new level of creepiness."

Monti chuckled. "Let him be. You know how Knight idolized him."

"Yeah..." Niccolo tsked. "Kaya nga siguro galit ang ama niya sa dating ikalawang Arkhon dahil bukambibig siya palagi ni Knight."

"Okay! Ready!" biglang sigaw ni Yrozz na ikinabaling nila rito. "Com check?"

They all checked their communication line through their earpiece. At nang maayos 'yon lahat, binuksan ni Uncle Ruthgar ang ramp ng malaking skydiving plane na kinalululanan nila.

"Good luck, bitches!" nakangising sabi ni Uncle Ruthgar. "Bring home the bacon!"

Natatawang napailing sila.

"Is your chest secured?" tanong ng ama niya sa ama ni Happy.

Tumango ang ama ni Happy. "Niccolo and Blaze secured it."

"Ready to fuck their brains out?" tanong ni Uncle Vent sa kanilang lahat.

"Fuck, yeah!" sabay-sabay nilang sagot.

"Let's roll!" sigaw ng unang Arkhon bago ito ang unang tumalon palabas ng eroplano.

Team Oldies followed and one by one, they jumped.

"Your Highness," kuha ni King sa atensiyon niya bago pa siya makatalon. "Don't die, okay?"

He smirked. "That's the plan, jackass."

"Dick." King tsked before glancing at Kane. "Keep His Highness and Young Miss safe."

Kane nodded. "I will."

"Okay. Go. See you down there."

"Tell Deth and Lyf to wait for my signal," bilin ni Blaze kay King.

Nasa ibaba kasi ang magkapatid, hindi nila kasama.

King nodded.

King, Uncle Klaus, Yrozz and Uncle Ruthgar, they would remain in the plane. They have other things to do.

"Come on," sabi niya kay Kane bago isinuot ang safety googgles na naka-night vision, saka tumalon.

Violent cold air hit his body as he fall, he struggled hard to control the air to work for him until he was finally gliding in the air like an expert diver.

"Guys!" Boses iyon ni Yrozz sa tainga nilang lahat. "There's eight guards on the rooftop where you will land! Two in every direction!"

"I'll take the east!" sigaw ni Niccolo na nakalabas na ang parachute.

"South!" Blaze said as he moved his body to south before releasing his parachute.

"West!" sigaw ng ama niya.

"North is mine!" sabi ni Uncle Vent.

Blaze took out his two knives that was safely secured and strapped on his thigh.

The air blowing the parachute was not helping him to aim better but his need to neutralize the enemy was stronger than the wind.

He gripped the knife tighter, waiting for the right momentum before throwing it.

"Hell, yeah!" Blaze hissed when he had hit his targets.

Nagkanya-kanya ng hiyaw sina Niccolo, Uncle Vent at ang ama niya nang tamaan din ng mga ito ang mga kalaban.

Blaze quickly manoeuvred his parachute towards the rooftop and landed smoothly and safely. Agad niyang inalis ang parachute sa katawan niya.

"Blaze, send the signal to Lyf and Deth," sabi ng ama ni Happy.

"Yes, Dad," sabi niya, saka inilabas ang grenade launcher na nasa duffel bag niya at iniabot 'yon kay Kane. "Do the honor."

Kane smiled before holding and pointing the grenade launcher at the gate of the building. It was powerful outside, but from the inside, they would see if it could stand an attack.

"Fuck it," sabi niya.

Kane pressed the release and it hit the gate with a loud bang—destroying the indestructible from the outside.

"Fuck, yeah," Blaze whispered with a smile before glancing at Team Oldies. "Signal has been sent."

Happy's sad unstrapped the parachute. "Let's rock and roll, people." Then he pulled a rifle from his father's duffel bag.

"Let's do it with a loud bang," sabi ng unang Arkhon.

"And always keep in mind our two important plans to win," sabi ni Knight.

"Gun's blazin,'" sabi ng lahat.

"And don't die," sabi niya.

CECELIB | C.C.