tw// sexual harassment, violence

"Venus, if we don't get out of here, none of us would be alive by day 5," Maia told Venus.

Hours had passed since we discovered Lisa's body. We reported the incident and they're now cleaning the female quarters again.

I looked around the cafeteria. Lahat kami ay mukhang puyat at pagod dahil wala nang nakatulog pa matapos makita yung katawan ni Lisa.

We told Venus about our theory that there might be an impostor among us but she insisted that AUSA's security is strict so it's impossible for a non-trainee to enter. She postponed the eviction for tonight but we'll still be trapped in this hell hole for three whole days.

Inis na pinatay ni Maia ang mic niya at bumuntong-hininga. "Nakakapeste talaga! Masyado daw suspicious kung i-eend agad yung program. Reputation over safety ng trainees. Pambihira!" Maia said, frustration evident in her tone.

"Oh." Tim handed Maia a tea pouch. Dali-dali naman nitong kinuha yun at ininom.

I shook my head. Alam na alam na talaga ni Tim kung ano magpapakalma kay Maia. I can feel that they like each other already. Takot lang sila umamin.

"Maia, may lason yan!" biglaang sigaw ko kaya nabuga niya yung inumin niya kay Tim.

"Puta!" mura ni Tim bago napatayo. Tinawanan ko lang ang mga reaksyon nila.

"I was joking," sabi ko habang tumatawa pa rin.

"Bitch, what the fuck? Seriously, nagbibiro ka pa at a time like this?!" inis na sabi ni Maia.

"Like you're one to talk. Sino nagsabing sasayaw pa kayo sa Mars ng Ice Cream in front of Lisa's dead body?" I fired back.

She rolled her eyes. "Kinabahan ako. Pota ka!" sigaw niya.

Tinawanan ko lang siya. "Basa na yung damit ko. Dugyot niyo kasi! Nananahimik ako dito tapos bubugahan ako," Tim said while drying himself using the table cleaner.

"Sino kayang mas dugyot satin? Panlinis ng lamesa yan tapos pinupunas mo sa sarili mo," sabi ni Maia bago umirap.

"Ang layo ng tissue kasi! Gusto mo maglakad pa ako papuntang quarters?" Tim sarcastically said.

"Oo para mawala kadugyutan mo," Maia answered. I laughed but then immediately stopped when I felt my stomach turning.

Pinakiramdaman ko kung anong mangyayari at ito na nga ba ang ikinakatakot ko.

"Hey, Maia. Come with me. Nasi-CR ako," sabi ko kay Maia.

"Number one or two?" tanong niya.

"Two," I honestly answered.

"Ang dugyot, Sky!" puna ni Tim.

"It's natural for humans to release waste, asshole!" I countered.

"Wait! Paano kung plano mo yan para patayin ako? May trust issues na ako, ghorl!" sabi ni Maia.

"Then we'll take Tim. Punasan mo na rin sarili mo while you're at it," I answered before walking to the female quarters and straightly going to the bathroom.

There are three stalls in the bathroom. Each stall have sets of toilet paper and wipes. Kakaiba ang ginagamit naming toilet. For number one, there is a tube with a yellow opening where we have to pee in there. The tube sucks the liquid and then filters it to become potable water for us to use for showering.

Our process of showering is very different from usual. Pati pagtoothbrush ay kakaiba. We still brush our teeth like the usual but we don't spit out the toothpaste and instead, swallow it. We use rinseless shampoo for the hair then liquid soap and filtered water for the body. We then wipe our bodies with a towel to remove excess water. Our shower kits are in our sleeping cubicles.

For number 2, there is a small toilet-like container for solid wastes. Maglalagay kami ng parang plastic doon at yun yung sasahod ng wastes namin then ipupush down namin yung plastic para malagay doon sa container.

After doing my business, gumamit ako ng baby wipes para malinis ko yung katawan ko at gumamit din ako ng disinfecting wipes para malinis yung kamay ko.

When I got out, the first thing I noticed was the vent a little bit close to the door of the bathroom. Sinilip ko siya at nakita kong malaki siya para magkasya ang tao doon.

I tried lifting it up but it's screwed shut.

Naglakad ako papalabas at sinilip ang hallway. Mayroon ding vents doon.

"Anong problema, sis? Ba't ka nakatingin diyan?" Maia asked.

I faced her and Tim who just came out of the male quarters.

"I think I just found out the impostors escape route," I answered.

★・★・★

"Hey. Gusto mo na kumain?" Skyler asked out of the blue. Nasa Reactor kami ngayon at ginagawa ang tasks namin.

I looked at the wall clock. Tanghali na pala at katulad kahapon, hindi ko namalayan ang oras.

"Sure. Let's go," sagot ko at sumunod sa kanya.

We walked over to the decontamination hall at kahit hindi na ako magtakip ng ilong ay hindi na ako nauubo. I got used to it so things are a lot easier now.

Pagkarating sa cafeteria ay namili lang ako ng kakainin ko then rehydrate and diretso sa tray. Nakaupo si Maia mag-isa sa isang table at parang tulala. Umupo ako sa harap niya at parang nagulat pa siya nang makita ako.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Huh? Oo naman," she answered.

I nodded before looking at my tray. "Ay! Nakalimutan ko kumuha ng juice," I said and I was about to stand up when Skyler placed a juice pouch in front of me.

"Uhmm..."

"That's for you," he said before walking away. I felt my heart race because of what he did. What's happening to me?

I looked at the pouch and smiled. He gave me apple juice. Akala niya yata favorite ko na rin pero masarap naman yung juice so okay lang.

"Sky, baliw na yata ako," Maia said out of the blue.

"Bakit?" I asked.

"Nagkakagusto ako sa isa sa mga ka-crewmate natin. Shit! What do I do?" nagpapanic niyang kwento.

I shook my head. I guess I was right. She probably likes Tim already. "Sino ba yung gusto mo?" tanong ko na kunyari ay hindi pa alam.

"Sky, please keep this a secret. Bawal mo sabihin kahit kanino hangga't hindi ko pa nafifigure out, alright?" she said and I nodded before opening my food.

"I think I fell in love with–"

"Sabi ko na crush mo ako, eh," someone said from beside us. Pareho namin siyang tinignan at ayun na nga si Tim na ngising-ngisi.

"Wala ka talagang manners kahit kailan, 'no? Nakikinig ka sa may usapan ng may usapan," sabi ni Maia.

"Sus! Ako kasi yung pinag-uusapan kaya nagagalit ka diyan," Tim said.

"Hindi nga!" Maia defended.

"Eh, sino?"

"Si Ridge. I think I fell in love with Ridge," Maia answered.

"Excuses, excuses." He shook his head. "Sabi mo crewmate. So ako nga?" pangungulit ni Tim.

"How long have you been listening on us?" I asked and he just shrugged.

"Ako, di ba?" tanong niya ulit kay Maia.

"Hindi nga kasi!" pagtanggi pa rin nito.

"Amin na, Amaia. Alam ko nadala ka sa charms ko. So, ako talaga? Why me, babe? Yung sinabi ni Sky kahapon totoo ba yun?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Tim.

"Shut up, Tim!" naiinis nang sabi ni Maia.

"Dali na kasi! Ako, right?" pangungulit ni Tim na inalog-alog pa ang braso ni Maia.

"Tang– Oo na!" Maia yelled, making everyone look at our table.

"Uhmm... Maia," I said because we're drawing too much attention.

"Tama yung sinabi ni Sky. I have fallen in love with you. Oo, ganun kabilis," pag-amin niya. Timothy's eyes widened. Ganun rin ang sa iba. Kahit ako na alam na alam na ay nagulat pa rin dahil sa katapangan ni Maia na umamin.

"Sabihin mo lang kung may balak kang saluhin ako o hindi," Maia said before picking her tray up and walking out of the cafeteria.

Tim just stood there, dumbfounded. He doesn't know what to say.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked.

Nagulat naman ako nang bigla na lang siyang napangiti. "Sabi ko na, eh," he said before walking out of the cafeteria to find Maia.

Napailing-iling ako bago kumain ulit. Someone sat beside me so I looked at the person and it was Skyler.

"Hey," I greeted.

"Maia's brave for doing that," sabi niya.

"I know," sagot ko.

"It makes me want to say I like you too," he said and I looked at him in shock.

Did I hear him right?

"W-What did you say?" I asked.

"Finish your food, Skyzea." He smiled before standing up and getting his tray.

Like Tim, I was speechless. I'm trying to remember what he said. I don't know if I heard it right but whatever it is, it made my heart flutter and I don't know if I should be thrilled or not.

★・★・★

"I'll see you later," paalam ni Skyler sa akin bago pumasok ng admin. Pareho na kaming tapos sa task namin sa Reactor at ngayon naman ay may tasks kami dito. Ako sa office kasama si Maverick at si Skyler naman sa admin.

Kinawayan ko lang si Skyler bago pumasok sa office. "Hey, Maverick," I greeted.

"Hi, Sky." He looked at me and smiled.

"Almost done with your tasks?" tanong ko.

"Yeah, isa na lang. How 'bout you?"

I looked at my card. "Two more," I answered.

He nodded. I then quietly did my tasks.

"Maia's brave for confessing a while ago," sabi ni Maverick after a few minutes.

I smiled without looking at him. "Yeah," I answered.

"Makes me want to confess to you too," he whispered and I stiffened because he was just right behind me. Sobrang lapit niya sa akin at hindi ko man lang namalayan ang paglapit niya.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" kabadong tanong ko.

"I like you, Skyzea," he said before kissing my neck and cheek.

I quickly pushed him away. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

"Oh, come on, Sky. I like you and I know you like me. Maia and Tim are probably out there enjoying each other's warmth and company so why don't we do the same, hmm?" he said.

"Anong tingin mo sakin? Easy to get?" I scoffed.

"Stop resisting me, Skyzea. Alam kong gusto mo rin naman," sabi niya na hinawakan ang braso ko.

Agad kong binawi yun. "No, ayoko. I don't like you as well so leave me alone," I said before walking to the door.

I gasped when he suddenly grabbed my wrist, spun me around, and pinned me against the door.

"You listen to me, Sky. Tigilan mo na ang pagpapakipot mo. Alam kong gusto mo rin kaya bakit pa natin patatagalin kung doon rin naman ang punta natin," sabi niya na mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko.

I tried pushing him away but he was too strong. Kahit anong force ko ay hindi siya gumagalaw. "Maverick, let go of me, please. Nasasaktan na ako."

"Stop moving," he commanded but I did not listen. "This will be quick, I promise. You'll definitely be asking for more once we're done," he whispered.

"No. Please don't," pakiusap ko.

✁- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (proceed to the next dotted lines if you would like to skip this part)

He started kissing my neck. He bit and sucked on my skin. It felt so disgusting. I badly wanted to push him away but his grip on my wrists were so tight.

He then caressed my chest. I started tearing up. I felt so vulnerable. I don't know why I just suddenly can't move.

"Please... stop." I tried to scream but it came out as a whisper.

He carried me to the table and placed me there. I kicked him when he hovered on top of me and I tried to outrun him but he was fast enough to catch me.

"Tulong!" I screamed, gathering my remaining energy that he successfully drained.

"Be quiet!" he exclaimed before giving me a hard slap on the cheek and kissing my neck once again.

His hands were now starting to unzip my suit.

"Somebody, help me, please!" I cried.

He successfully removed it from my body and I was left in my underwear. He reached for the straps of my bra. I tried dodging him and was finally successful. He got irritated and I received a punch on my stomach. I screamed in pain.

He then forcefully ripped off my bra and started to lick and suck on both my nipples. Habang ginagawa yun ay isinilid niya ang kanang kamay sa loob ng panty ko at sinimulang ilabas masok ang daliri niya sa pagkababae ko.

They say you are supposed to feel pleasure when someone did that to you but all I felt was pain and disgust. Wala na akong iba pang nagawa kundi umiyak out of frustration. I don't know how to stop him anymore. I can't believe I'm letting him get away with this. I feel so weak and tired.

✁- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

We then heard the door open and it revealed Skyler. Agad-agad siyang tumakbo palapit kay Maverick at hinila ito palayo sa akin.

Tumayo naman ako at kinuha ang bra ko mula sa sahig. Sinubukan ko rin suotin ang suit ko kaso hanggang legs lang ang nakaya kong suotin. My knees felt so wobbly which is why I collapsed on the floor.

There I sobbed. I hugged my knees tightly and placed my head in between.

I can hear Maverick and Skyler throwing punches at each other. I wanted to stop them but all I can do is cry. I don't know why this happened to me. I was taught to fight back and not let anyone get their way with me but I just lost all my strength a while ago.

I went face to face with a demon and I almost lost. Kung hindi pa dumating si Skyler ay baka nagtuloy na si Maverick sa balak niya.

"I'm sorry I was late," sabi ni Skyler na lumuhod sa harap ko.

I looked at him then at Maverick who was lying unconscious on the floor.

"Can you stand?" tanong niya pero hindi ako makasagot. He tried to help me by touching my arms but I flinched because of the sudden contact of our skin.

"How far did he go?" he asked. I tried answering but the events that occurred a while ago replayed in my head, making me cry again.

He calmed me down but I just cried louder. Everything was too much to take in. Up until now, I can still feel Maverick's hands touching me.

I held on my head and screamed from the top of my lungs and before I knew it, everything went dark.

★・★・★

"Bakit ba kasi walang maeeliminate? Bwisit na Maverick! Anong karapatan niyang babuyin si Sky nang ganoon?!" dinig kong sabi ni Maia.

"Mapapatay ko talaga yung gago na yun!" Tim answered.

I opened my eyes and was greeted by a blank white ceiling. I squinted my eyes to adjust to the brightness of the room before I sat up straight. I looked around and noticed that I was in the medbay. I looked at the small window and saw that it was already dark out.

"Sky, okay ka lang?" tanong ni Maia nang makita akong naupo.

"Anong nangyari?" tanong ko.

"Dinala ka ni Skyler dito na wala nang malay. Ikinwento niya sa amin yung mga nangyari," sagot ni Tim.

I sighed. "Pinalitan na rin kita ng underwear kasi parang nasira yung bra mo tsaka buti na lang hindi napunit yung suit mo," Maia said.

"Thanks," I replied.

"Okay ka na ba? Kaya mo na maglakad pa-cafeteria?" Maia asked and I nodded as a response. Tinulungan nila akong dalawa tumayo bago kami nagtuloy sa cafeteria.

They asked me to sit down at sila na daw ang bahala sa kakainin ko. I watched them get food from the chests and drinks from the vending machine. Medyo nagtalo pa sila kung ano yung ibibigay na food and drink sa akin.

Nang makapagdesisyon sila ay kanya-kanya nang pagkain ang kinuha bago naglakad papunta sa table kung nasaan ako.

"Did you tell Venus?" tanong ko sa kanila matapos nilang i-abot sa akin yung tray ko.

Naupo na rin sila sa harap ko na dala-dala ang kanya-kanyang tray.

"Hindi. Wala naman kasing magagawa si Venus. Puro siya reputasyon ng AUSA. Nakakabwisit," Maia said.

I nodded before cutting the rehydrated food pouch they gave me and started eating the contents.

"Tinapos na nga pala ni Skyler yung tasks na hindi mo pa nagagawa. Si Maverick naman ay–"

"Let's not talk about him," I said, cutting Tim's sentence.

They nodded before eating their meals as well. None of us talked. Pinakikiramdaman siguro nila kung okay na ako.

It went like that for a few minutes until I broke the silence. "Guys, I'm fine. Yes, he touched me and I still feel traumatized but I'll have to keep on going just for two more days then once I get out of here, I'll make sure justice will be served. I won't let him off the hook," I assured them.

"I'm sorry, Sky. Ako yung walang station na permanente, eh. Anytime ay pwede akong tumakbo para iligtas ka kaso di ko nagawa." Tim looked down, feeling guilty.

"Stop blaming yourself, Tim. You didn't know. None of us did," pagpapagaan ko sa loob niya.

Hindi na sila sumagot at nagpatuloy na lang sa pagkain. I did the same and finished the remaining food inside the pouch. I also finished two pouches of water because I felt dehydrated.

After eating, we cleaned our trays then placed it back where it belong. Maia held my hand and guided me to the female quarters but I told her that I needed some fresh air. She was hesitant to let me go to the balcony alone but I told her I'll be fine. She told me to call her if anything happens and I just nodded before walking to the balcony.

Nang makarating ako doon ay umupo ako sa sahig at isinilid ang legs ko sa siwang ng railing. I closed my eyes and inhaled the fresh air. I looked up at the sky after that.

The moon looked so beautiful and the stars shine so bright. Not a lot of clouds can be seen.

I raised my right hand and pretended to touch the stars. "I thought after getting in this program, it'll be easier to reach you, but I didn't know I have to be crewmates with a rapist and an impostor just to get to you," I whispered.

"How unlucky are we, huh?" someone said from behind. I faced that person and saw Skyler leaning on the door frame.

"Hey," I greeted before looking at the stars again.

He walked over to where I was and sat beside me.

"Are you okay now?" he asked.

I took a deep breath before shaking my head. "But I'll be fine soon."

He didn't respond and just looked up above just like what I was doing.

"Thanks for saving me," I said while still gazing at the sky.

"I should've went there earlier. I'm sorry," he apologized and I looked at him.

"Hindi mo kasalanan. Si Maverick ang may kagagawan ng lahat. He's disgusting and once I'm out of here, I'll make sure he rots in jail," sabi ko. "Stop worrying about me for the meantime and let's worry about the impostor who's still out there and claiming lives."

He chuckled. "Sino kaya yung gagong yun, 'no?" he asked and I shrugged.

"I wish this impostor would just go away. I am one step closer to my dream. I am this close to reaching the stars," I said before raising my hands and pretending to touch the stars once again.

"I don't get why people romanticize the moon and the stars so much. Why do we always dream about something so far away we can't reach?" he reasoned out. I looked at him and he did the same. My heart skipped a beat so I quickly looked away.

"I think the clouds are enough to dream about and you can see them from morning 'til night. Not like the moon and the stars that only shines at night," he added.

I smiled a bit. "I'm a pilot. I have flown beyond the clouds so it doesn't really appeal to me anymore." I shrugged.

"When I die," panimula niya kaya napatingin ulit ako sa kanya. "I want to live there or just be one." He pointed at the clouds.

"I don't want to be the brightest star. I just want to be the closest cloud on land so I can watch over the people I love." He smiled which made me smile as well.

"I don't want them to reach for the stars because that's impossible. I want them to raise their hands high up and touch the clouds. That is how they can remember me by," he said, raising both of his hands.

I have never seen this side of him before. He was always serious and not the soft type. This night changes everything because behind that cold and irritating aura of his, he has a sweet and fun personality.

"And also, when I die, I want it to be natural, not forced. The only one who can force my death is me," he said out of the blue.

"You sound morbid right now, you know that?" I chuckled.

He laughed. "I just want someone to know all of these. Hindi mo alam baka ako na pala susunod nung impostor na yun."

"But I thought you want your death to be natural, not forced?" I raised both of my eyebrows.

"I do. I'll fight back syempre. That impostor can't kill me without getting a beating but what if he's stronger than me, right?" he asked and looked at me.

I gave him a pat on the back. "I saw how you protected me. Matatakot na yung impostor, for sure," I said and both of us laughed. "Bakit nga pala ayaw mo na forced ang pagkamatay mo?" I asked.

He stared at me for a few seconds before saying, "You know, I'm not wrong. You really are stupid sometimes."

I scoffed. 

"Sino ba naman ang nasa katinuang gusto mamurder, di ba, Captain Skyzea?" he sarcastically asked.

"Fine! Sorry! Ako na hindi nag-iisip," sagot ko bago siya inirapan.

"Basta ayoko mamurder dahil ibig sabihin nun talo ako and I don't accept defeat. I always win," mayabang niyang saad. "Always," may diin niyang dagdag.

"Never ka talaga natalo? Ever?" hindi makapaniwala kong tanong.

"Yup." He nodded.

"Seryoso ka ba?" natatawa ko nang tanong.

"Mas seryoso pa sa jowa mo," pagbibiro niya.

"Wala akong jowa," pag-amin ko.

He chuckled. "Okay, good."

I scoffed. "Hey! Anong okay, goo-"

"Skyzea, Skyler!" someone called from behind.

"Tim? Bakit?" I asked, standing up. Skyler stood up as well.

"Si Maverick!" nagpapanic niyang saad.

"What about that asshole?" tanong ni Skyler.

"H-He's..." he said while trembling.

"He's what?" medyo kinakabahan ko nang tanong.

"He's..."

"Just say it, man," sabi ni Skyler.

Tim closed his eyes and took a deep breath before saying, "He's dead."

A/N: I asked my mom if it's possible to become a flight captain at the age of 27 at ang sabi niya parang wala pa daw siyang na-encounter na ganoong case. I looked it up and sabi minimum of 6 years bago ka mapromote. Tinanong ko ulit si mama at ang sabi niya kapag daw sobrang galing at lipad ng lipad, posible yung 6 years. Let's just say na sobrang galing ni Skyzea at Jennie kaya bata pa lang sila napromote na.

Nagbilang ulit ako ngayon so dapat pala 28 na sila for it to be possible. Inedit ko na yung Chapter 1 nung sinabi nilang 27 sila. 28 na po sila Skyzea, Maia, and Tim. Kalimutan niyo na yung 27. Thank you so much!

P.S. Here are videos showing astronaut toilets and beds in a spacecraft.

[Dapat mayroong isang GIF o video dito. I-update na ang app ngayon upang makita ito.]

[Dapat mayroong isang GIF o video dito. I-update na ang app ngayon upang makita ito.]