The Limekiln Antigone Turtle looks the same as when I first laid my eyes on it---a tall building made out of red brick walls, shiny steel doors, and bright neon lights that even the blind can see from a mile away. 

Ang hirap isipin na ang taong ilang dekada na naming hinahanap ay parang dagang nagtatago sa mga lansangan ng Eastwood. But I guess he never realized that no amount of dirt and deception can cover up his bloodied hands.

"At kung magtatago lang din naman siya sana ginalingan niya."

Gumuhit ang kidlat sa kalangitan kasabay ng pag-ihip ng malamig na hangin. Lumalalim ang gabi. Dumidilim ang paligid. Patay-sindi ang isang lampara sa 'di kalayuan at matagal nang sumilong ang mga sibilyan. If they decided to retire early because of the approaching storm or because they saw me in the neighborhood, no one can tell.

My gray eyes fell to the invitation they left me. I crumpled the fancy paper and finally crossed the street.

'Tonight, we'll end this.'

Agad kong napansin ang biglaang pagsulpot ng mga lalaking nakamaskara sa magkabilang gilid ko. As cocky as it sounds, I didn't even bother turning my attention to them as I unsheathed twin swords from my back and slit their chests open in one move. Nang sinubukan akong sorpresahin mula sa likod, I twisted out of the way and cleanly chopped both his legs off, leaving them standing on the same spot.

A scream escaped the man's mouth as the rest of his body fell next to his comrades.

"Get out of my way."

More attacked.

Bodies dropped dead.

Nang makarating ako sa bukana ng bar, humarang ang isang bouncer at sinamaan ako ng tingin. His bulky mortal body covered the width of the doorway. It makes me wonder if he has a death wish.

"Ang bilin ng boss mamayang alas-dose ka pa papasukin."

Buti pa sila may pakialam sa oras.

"Pakisabi naman sa boss mo hindi ang kamatayan ang mag-a-adjust para sa kanya."

When he attempted to speak, I stabbed him with a sword through his chest and kicked him aside. I tossed the other one and adjusted the collar of my coat. Hindi na ako nag-abala pang kunin ang mga espada at tuluyan nang naglaho sa isang pasilyo, the layout of this hell imprinted in my memory.

"GAAAAAAAH!"

'And I thought I instructed them to be as silent as possible?'

Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang ingay na nagmumula sa direksyon ng main hall at tuluyan nang naglaho sa hagdang nakatago sa "storage room" ng mga alak. Of course, no one would dare think there's something illegal hidden underneath the foundation of this harmless human wasteland.

And as I descended into the darkness and into the amphitheater, I knew there's someone down there waiting to kill me.

Too bad because...

"Neverwoods never die."

*

"GAAAAAAAH!"

A cry of pain followed by the Joker's cruel laughter.

Isang malakas na pagsabog ang tumapos sa paghihirap ng gwardiyang tumilapon sa kabilang bahagi ng silid. His body crashed into several tables, toppling over with his dead weight. Nang lumipad sa ere ang mga bote ng beer, ngumisi si Joker at walang kahirap-hirap na sinalo ang isa.

"And that's what you call a performance!"

He crossed the room with his beer in hand, the other bottles smashing on the floor behind him.

"Your brother wouldn't be too happy with the noise," the Puppet Master reminded him after he finished dissecting one of the bouncers. Sayang nga lang at poor quality ang katawan nito kaya iniwan na lang niya ang bangkay sa sahig. Wala siyang interes magkaroon ng puppet na may arthritis.

Nagkibit lang ng balikat ang imortal at inayos ang suot niyang top hat. He doesn't really give a shit whether he'll get in trouble or not. Matagal-tagal na rin mula noong huli siyang nanggulo at nag-enjoy, magpapapigil pa ba siya?

'Besides, the Knight will be too busy saving his damsel in distress,' he thought.

"Frabjous! I'm quite disappointed. Nasaan na ba 'yong pinagmamalaki nilang mga participants ngayong season? And I was hoping they'd fucking entertain me!"

Joker leaned against the counter and scanned the area. Sa kanila naka-assign ang parteng ito, and as boring as it sounds, mukhang tapos na sila rito.

Napasimangot si Joker.

Something definitely isn't right here.

'Where is everybody?'

Suddenly, the Puppet Master's eyes widened at something behind him. Ano bang problema nito? Para siyang nakakita ng mul---

SMASH!

Doon lang napagtanto ni Joker na biglang sumulpot sa kanyang likuran ang bartender at hinampas ang bote ng wine sa kanyang ulo. The expensive liquor trickled down the side of his head, staining his white shirt. Nang tiningnan niya ito, gulat siyang makita ang isang matanda.

The elderly man smiled.

"You must be one of the Neverwoods. Sana nagpasabi kayong bibisita kayo rito ngayong gabi," his patient smile then morphed into a sinister grin. "I'm Doctor Smiley, by the way. Hayaan niyong bigyan namin kayo ng pormal na pagtanggap..."

Dr. Smiley snapped his fingers, and, as if on cue, the room dimmed with red light. Yumanig ang bar na sinamahan ng tunog ng mga kadenang kumakayod sa sahig. A large shadow appeared from the doorway adjacent to them.

An obese killer with stitched up and rotting skin.

"I would like you to meet Flesh Eater."

"Well, I don't wanna meet him."

"Sa katunayan, matagal ka na niyang gustong makilala, Evarius. Especially after you killed his younger brother last season."

Gusto niyang matawa. Sino naman ang kapatid nito? Marami siyang napatay. These bastards need to be more specific.

But the longer he stared at the Flesh Eater's features, the clearer it became...

"Kapatid ka ni Jumbo Killer, huh? Frabjous."

Imbes na mabahala, kuminang sa saya ang mga mata ni Joker. Beside him, the Puppet Master already pulled out several of his marionettes, equiped with razor teeth and sharp talons...

Let the madness begin.

On the other side of the Limekiln, the corridors to the VIP rooms were filled with guards. Sa matamlay na liwanag ng mga lava lamps, kuminang ang kanilang mga armas na agad nilang tinututok sa direksyon ng anumang tunog.

"Nagkakagulo na raw sa labas," kabadong sabi ng isang tauhan at ibinaba ang kanyang cellphone. Kung hindi lang niya kailangan ng pang-extra income, hindi talaga niya sana tatanggpin ang trabahong 'to. "Sa tingin mo ba may mga kasama pa sila?"

Umismid ang lalaki sa kanyang kaliwa. "Hindi malabo. Pero kung aatake man sila rito, wala silang panama sa'tin." He flashed a boastful smirk and lifted his semiautomatic riffle.

But none of them noticed the vines that crept out of the vents and curled around their firearms.

Gulat na napamura ang ilang mga tauhan nang biglang sinira ng mga baging ang mga baril. The few who still had their rifles left started shooting down the plants, pero hindi nagtagal, pumulupot na sa kanilang leeg ang mga ito. Bones started snapping as the corridors became infested with monstrous vines...

"TANGINA, TAWAGIN NIYO ANG BACKUP NATIN!"

"It's useless, hon. My babies already ate them."

Nanlaki ang mga mata nila nang biglang lumabas mula sa vent sina Poison Ivy. The female killer smiled sweetly before forcing a poison berry into the man's mouth. Giliw niyang pinanood ang pagbagsak nito sa sahig, her precious poison slowly killing him. Sa kanyang likuran, nilakaran ni Black Sheep ang mga bangkay, a displeased look on his face.

"Such a mess."

"Oh, who cares? It's not like you can do things faster." She crossed her arms over her chest.

Noong mga sandaling 'yon, biglang nagsilabasan ang mga bisita at nagkagulo dahil sa mga bangkay sa pasilyo. The Black Sheep snapped his fingers. All the lights went off and darkness engulfed them...

Ten seconds passed.

Pagkabalik ng mga ilaw, namalayan na lang ni Poison Ivy na nakatali na pala ang mga ito at may busal na sa kanilang mga bibig. Beside her, Black Sheep smugly smiled.

"You were saying?"

She rolled her eyes, "Tara na nga! Kailangan pa nating puntahan sina Marlone."

Pero nang tahakin nila ang daan papunta sa lower levels ng gusali, napahinto sila nang makita ang higanteng mga teddy bear at train tracks na nakaharang sa kanilang daan. Just in time, the noise of a train's steam engine announced the killer's arrival.

'Anong gimik naman 'to?' Poison Ivy's eyes narrowed at the scene.

Huminto sa tapat nila ang isang train cart at lumabas ang matangkad na lalaki. He smoked his cigarette and eyed them deviously.

"So, you're Poison Ivy and Black Sheep, huh? Hindi naman pala kayo nakakatakot."

The Toymaker laughed and dropped his cigarette on the floor, stomping the bud with his foot. Sa kanilang likuran, narinig nila ang malakas na pagtawa ng isang babae. Black Sheep spun around, now eye to eye with the wicked Laughing Jill.

"It's looks like they wanna play with us, Toymaker. Sino ba naman tayo para tumanggi? The boss told us we should welcome our guests with open arms..."

*

Bumungad sa'kin ang malaking arena na napapalibutan ng mga rehas. Pinaghalong mamahaling pabango, natuyong dugo, at lupa ang amoy ng lugar. Several antique chandeliers hung above the audience's seats. Gold and black silk decorated the place.

'Looks like it's the theme for tonight,' I though in amusement.

There was already a spotlight focused on me as I took a step closer to the center, as soon as the classical Devil's Waltz started playing in the background.

"How interesting! Mukhang pinaghandaan nila ang pagdating ko."

I grabbed the meteorite dagger from my coat and waited for someone to attack.

Tahimik ang buong lugar.

Masyadong tahimik.

*

"Raff, sigurado ka bang tama 'tong dinadaanan natin?"

"Oo naman!"

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Marquessa na naging dahilan para mapakamot sa ulo ang binata.

"Umm..siguro?" He laughed nervously. "H-Hindi naman kasi ako napapadpad dito! You have no idea how strict the secretary is!"

Napasimangot si Kesa. 'Paano naman namin mahahanap sina Kleo kung ganito?' Sa kasamaang-palad, mas malawak pa pala ang underground offices ng Limekiln sa inaasahan nila. Several feet below the dancefloor, Kesa, Raff, and the Muffin Man silently made their way through the restricted hallways and searched the rooms. Wala silang ideya sa kung saan nila hahanapin sina Kleo at Evil, at wala pa rito sina Poison Ivy at Black Sheep.

'Bakit ba parang natagalan yata silang i-disarm ang mga gwardiya?'

Kesa peeked into a room and sighed in frustration when she realized it was empty.

"Wala sila rito."

Habang tumatagal, lalo siyang nag-aalala sa kalagayan ng kanyang kaibigan. All at once, gruesome images of death and torture flashed in her mind, but she pushed those thoughts away. 'Hintayin mo lang kami, Kleo.' Nang sumulyap siya sa kanyang mga kasama, kapansin-pansing tahimik lang na nakamasid si Muffin Man sa dilim. He was probably waiting for the other killers to join them.

"May bodega pa ba sila rito?" Kesa asked.

Raff thought for a moment, "Teka... Meron! I think I noticed another room at the end of this hallway. Hindi ko naman masyadong napapansin dati dahil nadadaanan ko lang tuwing umuuwi ako."

"Well, let's hope that's the room we're looking for," she said and clutched the rubber duck on her belt. Sa sobrang ordinaryo nitong tignan, hindi mo aakalaing may tracking device silang nilagay rito. It was Joker's idea, since she had a hard time convincing him to join Raff and Marlone in their rescue mission. Sa hindi niya malamang dahilan, ayaw talaga siyang pabayaan ng loko-lokong 'yon.

"There's someone here."

Napahinto sila sa paglalakad nang magsalita ang dating EKT participant.

The Muffin Man sniffed the air and scowled at the scent of living human flesh nearby.

"Nasa harap natin siya..."

Agad na naging alerto sina Kesa at Raff nang marinig nila ang pagkasa ng baril. Biglang nabuhay ang mga mamahaling lampara sa gilid ng hallway, kasabay ng paglitaw ng babaeng kanina pa nagtatago sa dilim. Her sharp eyes burned them as she held the gun expertly, and Kesa noticed how those eyes briefly lingered on Raff.

"I should've known you'd be associated with the Neverwoods. Isang malaking pagkakamali ang ni-recruit kita," the short-haired woman commented. "Look, my shitty aunt doesn't like adjusting the schedule. At wala siyang nabanggit na dadayo kayo rito."

As the first gun shot sliced through the air, the Muffin Man pulled Kesa and Raff aside.

"Iligtas niyo na sila! Ako nang bahala sa isang 'to!"

Nang akmang haharangan na sana sila ni Nica, the killer ripped the gun out of her hands, chewed and spit it out. The sound of metal against metal created enough noise to wake up the dead. Inis na sinipa ng dalaga ang panga ng killer, pero isang mapang-asar na tawa lang ang ginawad nito sa kanya.

"It's gonna take more than that to defeat the Muffin Man, young lady."

Nica leaped away just in time before he can bite her arm. Mahina siyang napamura at kumuha ng mga patalim sa kanyang body strap.

At habang abala ang dalawa sa kanilang laban, Kesa and Raff successfully managed to sneak towards the door. Nang mapansin nilang naka-lock ito, Raff started entering his personal access code in hopes of  breaking in. Sa kasamaang-palad, hindi ito gumana. Damn. Of course they wouldn't give him access to the restricted rooms!

"Ano nang gagawin natin Ke---wait, is that one of Joker's exploding ducks?"

Marquessa Legazpi smiled like an insane girl. "Quack!"

Oh, Joker would be proud of her for sure.

BOOM!

Nagulantang ang lahat sa pagsabog. Wala nang oras para isipin pa ang pagkawasak na nagawa nito. Kesa and Raff quickly tore off what's left of the door and ran inside. Sumalubong sa kanila ang madilim na bodega.

'Kleo?'

Heart pounding in anticipation, Kesa fumbled for the light switch and flicked it open. Doon nila nahanap si Evil na prenteng nakaupo sa isang bangko, the chains that kept him were discarded on the floor. Sa kanyang tabi, nakatali pa rin ang isang babaeng hindi nila kilala. Kesa's jaw and heart dropped in fear. "N-Nasaan si Kleo...?"

Evil shrugged. "Aren't you fools gonna ask how I managed to remove the chains on my own? Muntik na akong mainip sa tagal ninyong 'magliligtas' sa'kin."

Raff was about to hold her back, but a deep anger for this man surged through Marquessa Legazpi.

"Wala akong pakialam sa'yo. Tinatanong kita, nasaan ang best friend ko?!"

To her disbelief, the King smiled sadly.

"Time is of the essence, mortal. So if you stay here to shout at me, you might lose a 'best friend' for a second time around."

*

I tightened my grip on the meteorite dagger the moment I heard footsteps amidst the music.

Tumalim ang tingin ko sa lalaking nanggaling sa madilim na lagusan sa kabilang bahagi ng arena. From the shadows, the man wearing a black Givenchy suit. He stepped into the arena, with a spotlight following him like a slave. The boss wore a horned metal mask that almost made him look demonic. Huminto siya, ilang metro mula sa kinatatayuan ko.

Ilang metro mula sa kinatatayuan ko, nakatayo ang lalaking sumira sa buhay naming magkakapatid.

The man who I killed over and over again inside my head, who I planned the most sadistic tortures for just so I can give him a taste of his own fucking  medicine.

Namanhid ang kamay ko sa higpit ng pagkakahawak ko sa patalim.

'Control yourself, Everick.'

"It's nice to finally see you again, Everick. Kamusta ang buhay mong walang-hanggan? I hope you like the gift."

A dry laugh escaped my lips. Nagpapatawa ba talaga siya? How interesting. I tilted my head to the side and smirked. "Wala akong interes sambahin ang mga diyos-diyosang kagaya mo. I'd rather die on the spot than thank you for the crimes you did."

Hindi siya sumagot.

Sa pagkakataong ito, para na akong nabibingi sa musikang nanggagaling sa kung saan. Maya-maya pa, kalmadong sinulyapan ng boss ang kanyang relo at muling nagsalita, "I don't advise you to 'die on the spot', yet. Lalo't may kailangan ka pang tapusing laban ngayong gabi. Hindi mo alam kung gaano katagal naming hinintay na paunlakan mo ang imbitasyon. But if you're so excited to die, then kindly wait for while longer because someone will end your life for you."

Bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko dala ng kaba. Wala akong ibang naririnig. Nakatuon lang ang atensyon ko sa demonyong nakatayo sa harapan ko.

"And who might that be?"

Imbes na sagutin ang tanong ko, the boss side-stepped to give way for the person who emerged from the dark tunnel. Kasabay nito, tumunog ang isang buzzer na hudyat ng pagsisimula ng laban. But I was too busy staring at my opponent tonight to give a damn about other things.

"Kleo..."

---

Hear the walls of her heart
crumbling after every beat;
Watch her footprints in the sand
fading beneath my feet.

---Everick Neverwood