"Congratulations, brother. You almost wiped out Eastwood if it weren't for the drug we injected you."

I didn't miss the sarcasm in Evil's voice.

I know I deserve it.

Kaya siguro imbes na ipagtanggol ang sarili ko, pinili ko na lang sumandal sa sopa at huminga nang malalim.

Maya-maya pa, bigla siyang napangiwi nang inabot niya ang mug ng iniinom niyang kape. Alam kong dahil 'yon sa na-dislocate balikat kahapon. His body was still adjusting. I already healed him, of course. In fact, the moment I calmed down, I healed every single one of their injuries and revived the civilians I killed, those who can still be saved.

Kaya latang-lata ako kagabi at medyo tinanghali na rin ako ng gising kanina. My muscles still ached with fatigue, and I know it'll take some time to gain my energy back.

Tuluyan nang binasag ng bunso namin ang katahimikan.

"At kanino bang ideya ang buhayin ang mga patay nang serial killers?"

"Sa'kin."

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Evil. Nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin. Alam niyang nagsisinungaling ako, pero mukhang wala na rin siyang lakas para ibuking ako. Instead, he slammed the mug down on the coffee table. I was almost certain that it left a crack on the fine glass. "Well, this is the highest form of stupidity, brother. Hindi na nga natin alam ang gagawin sa mga bagong EKT participants, dinagdagan niyo pa ang mga kalaban natin?!"

Kung tumatanda lang siguro si Evil, malamang high blood ang magiging numero unong problema niya.

"They're not our enemies, Evil," I retaliated. "Kapag napapayag natin silang umanib sa'tin, mas mapapadali ang mga plano nating pabagsakin ang Elite Killing Tournament. Mas malaki ang tyansa nating manalo. We have an army of killers at our disposal!"

"That is if they don't dispose us first."

Magpapaliwanag pa sana ako sa kapatid namin nang biglang lumapit si Joker at pasipul-sipol pang naupo sa katapat naming upuan. Our eldest snatched the mug and drank Evil's coffee, just to spit it out.

"Pwe! Kadiri~! Hindi mo ba alam na naimbento ang asukal, bunso? This coffee should be fucking banned from the mortal world! Gagawa ako ng batas! Hahahaha! Ipaalala niyo nga sa'kin kapag naging presidente na ako..."

I rolled my eyes at him, "Wag naman sana. Baka mapaaga pa ang apocalypse kapag naging presidente ka."

The Joker's laughter filled the living room of Kleo's home. But once that died down, the tension returned.

The three of us stared at anywhere but each other.

"Narinig ko yung usapan niyo. And no, I don't fancy the fact that you used my insane little sweetheart to steal my staff, Knight." He glared at me. Pero ilang sandi pa, napabuntong-hininga na lang si Joker. "Having former killers on our side, huh? It's a crazy idea, indeed... but that's why I'll frabjously support it!"

Kung posible sigurong malaglag ang panga, sigurado akong ganoon na ang nangyari sa bunso namin.

"WHAT?! Nababaliw ka na ba?!"

"Hindi pa ba halata? We're all crazy here! HAHAHA!"

"Tsk. Ang akala ko ba wala kang pakialam sa mga taong 'yon? You and that girl were the ones who killed them in the first place!"

Nagkibit ng balikat si Joker at sinulyapan ang staff niya. An unreadable expression passed his eyes. "Nabalik naman na ang lahat ng mga alaala nila... they don't hate humanity as much as they did anymore. Kahit naman sabihin nating pare-pareho silang naging biktima ng karahasan ng mga tao at marami silang dahilan para itakwil rin ang mundo, there are still a few parts in their past that makes them human... Just like us."

"You read their minds?" I asked.

He nodded, "Mukhang mas madaling basahin ang iniisip nila ngayong kababalik lang nila sa kamatayan. I don't know how that works but I'm not complaining."

"That's interesting."

"Nah, it's more entertaining," ngumisi siya nang malawak. "Alam mo bang crush ka ni Poison Ivy?"

I ignored his comment and asked, "Kamusta si Marquessa?"

Napasimangot si Joker sa tanong ko at pinatong ang mga paa sa coffee table bago muling humigop ng kasumpa-sumpang kape ni Evil. "She's awake but barely talking to me. Dinalhan ko siya ng pagkain kanina pero inisnob niya lang ako while I was trying to make a conversation."

"Eh, bakit may bukol ka?"

"Binato niya ako ng tray kanina nang sinubukan kong mag-knock knock joke. Geez!"

Pinigilan kong matawa. Kahit naman noong nalaman ni Joker na kasabwat namin si Marquessa sa pagnanakaw ng staff niya, hindi rin naman niya kayang magalit sa dalaga. Since yesterday, he was just trying to catch her attention again ever since Kesa woke up from her unconscious state. We kept her here so that I can monitor her vital signs. Mabuti na lang may spare bedroom sa taas. Hindi ko rin alam kung anong eksaktong nangyari sa kanya, pero ang mahalaga mukhang maayos naman siya.

But, of course, I won't miss an opportunity to mock the Joker of Insanity.

"Do you need some advice about women, Joker?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Tsaka na siguro kapag wala ka na ring problema sa babae mo, Knight. Next time mo na lang ako yabangan. Hahaha!"

Ouch.

Tumikhim si Evil, halatang naiinip na sa usapan namin.

"Speaking of that ghostly girl, it came to my attention that the memories were prematurely placed because of her," he stated. Hindi nakaligtas sa pandinig ko ang pang-aakusa sa tono ng kanyang boses. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pakiramdam ko may iba pang gustong ipahiwatig ang kapatid ko, but if he thinks I'll just sit here while he accuses Kleo, then Evil should've thought twice before opening his mouth.

"Kamamatay lang ng tiyahin niya noong isang gabi, at hindi pa rin siya nakaka-recover sa pagod. Don't you dare put the blame on her."

"That doesn't explain why she did it," Evil challenged.

"She was in shock and she's too curious for her own good!" Hindi ko man nakita ang nangyari, but I can imagine Sadako caught a glimpse of the staff and thought she can help.

Kilala ko siya.

"At kung hindi dahil sa kanya, baka hindi tayo nag-uusap nang matino ngayon."

Nang hindi pa rin nawawala ang pagdududa sa mga mata ni Evil, I shot him a cold look and stood up.

Damn him for being so manipulative.

"I'll got check on her."

Nang tinangka pang magkumento ni Evil, Joker immediately dragged him into the kitchen and started bragging about the coffee. Alam kong sinadya niya ito para malibang si Evil. Who knew the Joker has a heart? Lihim akong napangiti, at dumiretso sa silid ni Sadako. A black door engraved with her initials and drawings of skulls.

"Sadako?"

Locked.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. Paano kaya siya nakakahinga sa loob kung wala namang bintana?

"Sadako, ako lang 'to... Come on, open up."

Kakatok na sana ako nang biglang umalingawngaw sa katahimikan ang ingay ng mga kandado. A dozen "clicks" later, nagpakurap-kurap ako nang bahagyang bumukas ang pinto.

I almost stumbled back when I saw the eyeless sockets.

"Roberta?"

The creepy doll just stared at me. I frowned. "Nasaan ang amo mo?"

"Wala siya rito."

It was Kleo's voice who answered while waving Roberta at my face. Napairap na lang ako. Hinuli ko ang pulsuhan ng dalaga at pumasok sa loob, despite using Roberta as her "defense". Agad kong binuksan ang ilaw at tinitigan si Kleo na halatang nabigla sa ginawa ko.

"Roberta can bite, but I'm pretty sure she can't talk, Sadako."

Tahimik lang siyang tumango at naupo sa gilid ng kanyang kama, yakap-yakap pa rin ang kanyang manika. I noticed a dozen white envelopes scattered on her floor, but chose to ignore it as I shifted awkwardly. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa mga gamit niya. I touched the glass werewolf figurines displayed on her desk. Nang tinangka kong buksan ang drawer, her voice immediately stopped me.

"I'm fine. Now, just go away."

Hindi ako nakaimik. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko.

'Why am I speechless?'

Tsk.

Ngayon ko lang talaga napagtantong hindi ko pala hinanda ang sarili ko para harapin siya. This is the first time we've talked since my madness possessed me. I always thought asking if someone's okay when they're obviously not is a bit stupid. Kaya hinubad ko na lang ang trench coat ko at naupo sa tabi niya.

Walang nagtangkang magsalita.

Naalala ko na namang ang pang-aakusa kanina ni Evil. He's just looking for someone to blame. Hindi nito mababago ang katotohanang kung hindi dahil kay Sadako, baka nawasak ko na ang buong bayan. I shook those thoughts away and stared at anything but the girl beside me.

'Ano bang pwede kong gawin para mapangiti siya?'

That's when my eyes landed on the large roll of paper. An imaginary lightbulb flickered in my head. Napangisi na lang ako at mabilis na dinampot ang papel sa sahig. Inilahad ko ang kamay ko sa kanya habang nakayukod na parang prinsipe. My charms may not work with her, but that didn't stop me at all.

"Let's run away together, shall we?"

Tahimik lang na tiningnan ni Kleo ang kamay ko.

"Gusto mo lang yata akong masolo."

"Siguro." I winked.

"Saan mo ako planong dalhin?"

Lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko. "Akala ko ba gusto mo akong ma-interview? Chivalry might be dead, but a knight knows how to honor a promise, my fair maiden."

---

If given the chance,
I would do it differently...
maybe then we won't be
anything less than a possibility.

---Kleopatra Claveria