———

Life is like a series in television with a very brief commercial pauses of happiness. When the time comes for the usual series to air, you got a choice whether to stay still and watch the entire episode or just skip it and wait for the next one. By skipping meant, avoiding the possibility of pain yet avoiding the possible euphoria either.

In every risk, certainty is never assured. But her risks molded her well. She almost thought that uncertainty has come next to her name. Uncertainty comforted her and it was a lot better than the painful 'what ifs' and regrets in the future.

Living, dying and living again, Lyca's been through a lot. Nonetheless, Lyca always believes that, when you got the chance in life, grab it and live with the moment.

And this is her living it.

But is it worth it?

The chaotic crowd was dispersed on the ground, the dinning noise of serenes from the police mobiles scattered around the pub, at first she was confused but she was vigilant for what would happen next. When the fleeting lights from each car and the crowd ended up creating a ruckus between the authorities and drunkard customers of the pub, in an instant she moved her feet to look for Judge.

"Please stay low! Put your hands up where we can see them!" sigaw ng isang pulis habang pilit na pinapasunod ang mga tao roon.

Nagtataka kung bakit may mga pulis doon ngunit kusang umalis si Lyca sa kinatatayuan niya nang makita ang mga paparating na mga pulis na pawang armado at nakatutok ang mga baril sa mga taong nanglalaban. May isang lalaking mukhang lasing, basi sa pagewang-gewang na lakad nito patungo sa isang armadong pulis.

The drunk man tried to grab the gun from the police, but the young officer was attentive enough to stop the man. He harshly moved his gun away, yet it came a bit late when the man got a grip of it. Sweat building up on both forheads, the officer in uniform got the chance to kick the counter part's stomach. When the other flinched, slouching his back a bit because of the sudden gush of pain in his stomach gave the officer another chance to completely punch the guy and slump him on the ground. Gaining his authority,  he drew his gun and pointed it straight to the drunk man, crawling in pain on the cold surface.

"Down! Don't try to move!"

Surprisingly, the man got up. Lyca could tell, the man was trembling when he went closer the officer. His movemets were harsh and heavy. Lubhang nagtaka si Lyca dahil deretso na itong maglakad kumpara sa pagewang-gewang na galaw nito kanina lang. Although stunned and flustered the police officer alerted himself from the possible attack but what happened next left him dumbfolded and Lyca in awe.

Malalaki ang hakbang ng lalaki at walang awang sinakal nito ang pulis. Nagpupumiglas ito ngunit mas lalong humigpit ang sakal ng lalaki hanggang umangat ang paa ng pulis mula sa lupa. Sa hindi malamang dahilan, dahil sa kakaibang lakas ng lalaki nagmukhang munting papel ang pulis sa harap nito habang sakal-sakal ito.

Napaatras si Lyca. Habang ginagawa iyon ay mabilis na nahagip ng kaniyang tingin ang mga mata ng lalaki. Malalim, mabagsik at purong itim ang naroon. Deretso lang din ang tingin nito habang nanginginig ang kamay animo ay may ibang nagpapagalaw nito.

Gasping for air and desperate for his own life, the police officer took the gun and aimed it straight to the man's head. Although he was trembling, he did his best to do it but even before lifting— the man caught his hand, hurling the gun away. The last hope for the police to get away crashed before his eyes when the gun fell on the ground.

This was her time to step in.

Ginising ni Lyca ang kaniyang ulirat at mabilis na lumapit sa dalawa. Mabilis siyang napahinto nang sa paglapit ay nahagip niya ang itim na usok na nakapaligid sa dalawa. Ito 'yong usok na karaniwang nakikita niya kapag may susunduin na kaluluwa. Binalewala niya iyon at tuluyang lumapit sa dalawa. Kusang lumabas ang sandata mula sa kamay niya.

Immediately holding the prestine handle of her scythe, she slammed it against the man's arms, forcing him to detach his grip from the police's neck. The loud groan from both male enveloped her ears while both of them where thrown straight to the ground.

"Are you okay Sir?"

"Who the hell is that guy!"

Lumuhod si Lyca sa harapan ng pulis, habang himas-himas nito ang leeg. Sa nakikita ni Lyca na hindi nagbago ang reaksiyon nito kahit na sa likod lamang niya ang scythe, napagtanto niyang hindi ito nakikita ng pulis.

"Tao pa ba ang lalaking 'yon? Tignan mo ang mga mata niya! Parang sinapian ng kung anong maligno!"

Nanatiling nakatikom ang bibig ni Lyca habang ramdam ang takot ng pulis at kaguluhan sa paligid. Pinilit niyang 'wag gumalaw ang leeg at ideretso sa harap ang ulo ngunit ang mga mata niya ay naglalakbay sa pamilyar na bulto ng katawan sa hindi kalayuan. Sa pagtaas ng balahibo sa leeg at ang kakaibang pagdaloy ng kilabot sa buong sistema ay napagtanto niyang tama ang kaniyang hinala.

She just need to confirm more.

Just by then, a strong pair of hands came harshly to strangle Lyca's neck. It was the guy again. With her pale face, she whimpered against the guy's callous hands as he totally caught her off gaurd. Lyca was gasping for air when she felt her throat getting narrower as the guy's grip was getting tighter, depriving the passage of air. She pursed her lips as she elevated her scythe and ready to spat an attack but when she was on the verge of doing it, she froze.

Sa gitna ng alon ng tao at kaguluhan ng paligid, nahanap pa rin ng kaniyang mga mata si Judge. Nakatayo lang ito sa gitna ng nasusuntukang pulis. Nakatulala ang binata habang dahan-dahan yumuyuko para abotin ang isang bagay— isang baril.

Slowly, he caressed the gun. Judge's touch was gentle and delicate, like every contact of his skin against the weapon matters. In his eyes, it was very beautiful, majestic and enchanting. Judge wanted it real bad. Like a puppet, blinded with the beauty of the perilous puppeteer, Judge unconsciously held the gun infront and aimed it straight to his head.

"J-judge!" She managed to screamed even though she was running of air herself.

With all the strength she have, she forced herself to hold her weapon firmly and smashed it directly to the guy's skull. Agad na napaatras ang lalaki, ngunit hindi pa rin nito binibitawan ang leeg niya. Mahigpit na hinawakan ni Lyca ang scythe niya at walang awang hinampas ito ulit. Isang malakas na sigaw ang pinakawalan nito nang tumama ito sa mukha ng lalaki. Makikita ang malaking sugat sa mukha na para bang hinampas ito ng nag-aapoy na bakal. Agad napaatras ang lalaki at napabitaw para hawakan ang mukha nito.

Nang tuluyang makawala ay mabilis na lumayo si Lyca at tumakbo papunta sa kinaroroon ni Judge.

"Judge! Put that down!"

Still running out of breath, she quickly arrived infront of the boy. Judge wasn't moving but his fingers was on the trigger, ready to pull it anytime. Quivering in both fear and worry, Lyca's hands were shaking as she held the gun with Judge's on it.

"No, no, please!" Iling niya. "Judge! Look at me, please put that gun down."

Hinawakan niya ang mukha nito pilit pinapaharap sa kaniya, ngunit nakatulala lamang ang binata. Wala itong naririnig at mukhang hindi rin siya nito napapansin. Nakatutok lamang ang baril sa sariling ulo. Tears rolled down on her cheeks when Judge even moved further the perilous weapon in his head.

Ngayon ay idinikit na nito ang dulo ng baril sa noo niya. Tuluyang nanghina ang mga tuhod ni Lyca, hindi alam kung anong gagawin ay kusang naglakbay ang mga mata niya sa sandatang hawak. Humigpit ang hawak niya rito habang ramdam ang bawat pagtibok ng dibdib. Dahan-dahan siyang umatras para bumwelo. Kasabay nito bagama't nanginginig ay itinaas niya ang sandata, handang hampasin ang kamay ni Judge.

With all her might, Lyca held her scythe and smashed it on Judge's hand, forcing him to let go of the gun. Napasigaw pa siya habang ginagawa iyon at mas lalong napasinghap nang makita ang naging marka dahil sa marahas na paghampas.

Nagising mula sa animo'y bangungot, agad na napaatras si Judge at napaupo sa sahig. Walang pag-aalinlangan ay dinaluhan ito ni Lyca.

"Lyca?" Judge asked, confused. "A-anong nangyayari?"

Lyca immediately locked her arms around Judge. Marahas ang paghinga at sinasabayan ang ritmo ang mabilis na kalabog ng dibdib. Sinapo ni Lyca ang ulo ni Judge habang rumaragasa ang luha mula sa kaniyang mga mata.

"I will save you, Judge," she whispered.

Loud set of gunshots were heard next. Though, she expected it yet she couldn't help but froze upon the fall of a body before her eyes. It wasn't Judge. It was another body, distorted flesh, drenched with blood and eyes still wide open. Nakita ni Lyca ang pagtagos ng bala sa ulo ng lalaki habang napaluhod na lamang ang pulis sa gilid, hawak-hawak ang baril na umuusok pa dahil sa ginawang pag-asinta.

Sa gitna ng dagsa nang tao, kaguluhan, sigawan at takbuhan, nakakatitig lamang si Lyca sa pamilyar na bulto ng babae sa hindi kalayuan. Nakatitig ito pabalik sa kaniya. Deretso, walang pag-aalinlangan at walang-awa. Doon na napagtagpi-tagpi ni Lyca lahat ngunit may boses pa rin sa likod ng utak niya na tinatanggi lahat ng mga iyon.

It couldn't be her right?

It couldn't be Sadako.

Nevertheless,

"I will save you," she repeated as she caressed Judge on her arms. "No matter what."

--

Lyca woke up from her trance with a ball of dread in her stomach. She was confused of what she would do about it. The tingling sensation was still in her system. First from the heels of her feet then slowly creeping through, way up to the back of her neck. She embraced herself, thinking it could dust off the chills she's feeling, it did. Somehow, it worked, especially when the warmness of the soft cardigan enveloped her cold arms against the outdoor night breeze.

"Thanks," she muttered, looking up at the guy who gave the warmth she desired for tonight.

"Pwede ba akong umupo?"

Lyca shrugged and nudged the space next to her. They were sitting on the stairs, outside the facade of the house and their eyes fiesting the beautiful starry night.

"What are you doing here? Malamig dito," sabi ni Gab at umupo sa tabi niya.

"May iniisip lang. Ikaw? Anong ginagawa mo rito? Walang duty bukas?"

Marahang napailing ang lalaki. "Meron naman. Nakita lang kita rito at ang ganda lang ng langit. I mean look at the stars it's so pretty."

Tumungo-tango si Lyca at hinimas ang malambot na telang nakabalot sa kaniyang braso.

"Sorry for the trouble," Lyca said. "Salamat sa paggamot ng mga pasa ko kanina."

"Don't mention it. Ang importante safe ka," Gab said, pertaining about the incident. After that, the defeaning silence embraced them.

"Anong iniisip mo?" Si Gab na ang bumasag sa katahimikang iyon.

"Nothing, just wondering how these beautiful stars actually came from chaos. Ang galing lang 'di ba? How destruction may lead to something beautiful like the stars," she said without taking off her gaze from the stunning glitters in the sky.

"The world is really amazing!"

Though Lyca couldn't see Gab, yet she felt him nodding in approval.

"But isn't sad when you're a star? When you need the chaos. When you need the darkness to shine. When you need to undergo that certain destruction before they'd see your worth." Gab stayed still while his eyes never left the stars above. "Worse, when you've reach to the point that the certain destruction isn't enough anymore. You gotta destroy others too, to prove your worth."

Lyca sighed.

"That's sad."

Tumango-tango si Gab. "Yes, really sad."

Nagsimula na silang tumayo mula sa kinauupuan at sabay na pumasok sa loob. Inalalayan siya ni Gab, lalo pa ay may mga pasa siya sa katawan.

Prior from fully entering the household, Lyca stopped from her tracks. It was a huge portrait posted on the wall that made her stop for countless of times. The discolorations of the wooden frame, a major shift from dark, earth brown to a pale, washed off color of wooden brown says this had been here for years. Nevertheless, it was well mentained and kept in good condition through the years.

"He's my brother," Gab said.

Agad siyang napatingin sa binata dahil sa sinabi nito. Sa paglakbay ng mga mata ni Lyca sa mukha ni Gab, ang pungay ng mga mata, ang pamilyar na kurba ng buhok at higit sa lahat ang labi nito. Ang pagkakaiba nga lang ay si Gab ay isang malungkot na bituin samantalang ang lalaking nakangiti sa larawan ay isang masayang uri.

Napatango-tango si Lyca.

"Yes, I know."

Kinabukasan ay maagang nagising si Lyca. Lumabas siya sa kwartong bihis na bihis at handang umalis sa bahay. Napatalon siya nang makita si Lola Dhalia sa bulwagan ng pintuan. Mukhang papasok ito pagkatapos ilabas ang mga halaman para maarawan.

"Lyca? Hindi kita nakitang umuwi kagabi." Nag-aalalang tanong ni Lola Dhalia kasabay ng paglapit nito sa kaniya.

Lyca remained muted. Hindi niya alam kung anong isasagot sa matanda. Kaya ilang segundo rin siyang natahimik. Mabuti na lang ay dumating si Gab at lumapit sa kanila.

"I picked her up last night," Gab casually said.

"Ba't may mga pasa siya?"

"Don't worry ma. It was nothing." Tinulak siya ni Gab tuluyang lumabas na sila sa pinto ng bahay. At first, she was confused but when she saw Gab winked at her, she loosened up and followed Gab inside his car. Nang huminto ang sasakyan ni Gab sa pamilyar na gusali ay nagsimula na siyang buksan ang pinto ng kotse para makaalis na.

"Do you want me to pick you up later?"

She shook her head. "I'm good."

Standing before the facade of the familar structure of RORO. The wooden exterior depicts the homey vibe. The chartreuse plants add aesthetics to the building. Covering herself a bit from the burning late morning rays of the sun, Lyca brisked towards the building's pavement to avoid the heat.

When Lyca reached the shed near the entrace of the pub, Lyca's eyes flew on the large announcement on the door says; Notice Of Suspension. It was eye-catching with bold fonts and passive background.

Later on, she was taken aback when she noticed a familiar figure of a male. Embracing both knees, he was slumped on the filthy ground.

"Jon?"

His hoody was kind of familiar to Lyca. This was the one he wore when he went to disguise in RORO just last week. Lyca came to the confirmation when the frail face of Jon has come to meet hers.

"What are you doing here?"

Jon stood up but he wasn't able to gain his balance yet, making him fell on the surface again. Luckily, Lyca was fast. She caught his head before Jon slammed it on the ground along his body.

"N-nasaan sina Judge? I n-need to t-talk to them."

Jon's face lacked with color. He was very pale and his eyes were half-close when he was telling her stuff. Jon was sorry for the trouble he had cost to Lola Millie, the pub and the boys. He was going through those words until his lids grew heavy. Heavier as time passed by, until he dropped his last words as he closed his eyes.

He lose his consciousness.

###

a/n:
hey! took so much time before i finished this ud. still did it. 7 chaps to go!