tw // incest , grooming , rape

- - FLASHBACK - -

｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. NARRATION

Ilang araw nang nararanasan nina Achilles at Yves ang delubyo sa bahay ni Hermés.

Pinaglalaruan pa rin sila na tila bang parang manika. Pero wala silang magawa. They could only watch each other suffer while held at gunpoint. They were bound to Hermés' rule.

Ilang araw nang naririnig ni Achilles ang mga sigaw ni Yves. At katapos noon ay pipilitin siya ni Hermés na gawin 'yon sa kapatid niya. They were played like puppets by a demon. A demon disguised as their friend.

Achilles and Yves felt so helpless.

"Here's the money."

Para bang may liwanag na dumating kina Achilles at Yves nang ibigay ito ni Ares. May pera na siya, he just had to make a concrete plan na makatakas sila. A plan that was too risky but had a higher chance of them escaping.

Gustong-gusto na sabihin ni Achilles kay Ares ang pambababoy na ginagawa sa kanila ni Hermés... but he was too scared. Kapag nagpadalos-dalos siya, baka umuwi nalang siya kasama ang bangkay ni Yves. He would not risk her safety.

"Ayos naman kayo sa bahay ni Hermés?" Natigilan si Achilles nang itanong 'yon ni Ares. He wanted to say 'no' so bad. Pero nauna pang umakto ang isip ni Achilles kaysa sa puso niya.

"Oo naman!" Ngiti ni Achilles at tinapik ang balikat ni Ares. "Maraming salamat, ah?"

Hindi rin magawang ngumiti ni Ares. His guilt was consuming him... lalo na noong nabalitaan niya na Dior's parents were beaten to death in jail. They never even had a proper burial.

Kinailangan din pumasok sa school si Dior at marinig ang bawat panglalait sa kaniya.

"Kriminal!"

"Magnanakaw!"

"Pokpok na nga magnanakaw pa!"

The once confident Dior Araceli Aurea was now hiding herself from the sea of people. Isinuot niya ang hoodie niya at nagtago sa gitna ng mga kaibigan niya. She was now on the bottom of the food chain.

"Putangina, parang sirang plaka!" Sigaw ni Hades. "Manahimik nga kayo, punyeta!"

Other than that, nagpunta rin ang mga police sa university nila upang imbestigahan ito. Sinamahan nina Apollo and Ares si Dior, as budding lawyers, upang masigurado na patas ang pag-iimbestiga.

However, justice was too far to reach for the poor.

"E, kriminal mga magulang mo, hija," ani ng isang pulis. "Hindi malabo na kaya mo ring gawin 'yon."

Apollo gave that police a full-blown punch and Ares did not bother to pull him back. Nakakalungkot lang na the investigation was meant to uncover the truth and give justice but all they got was prejudice. Hindi pa nagsalita si Dior, may verdict na sa kanya.

That fucker deserved the punch after all. He should be removed from his position. But, hindi lang siya ang nagkita ng kanyang bias sa kaso. Even lawyers would not dare to take her case dahil wala namang kayang ibigay si Dior.

Amidst all that, hindi nila nakitang umiyak si Dior. Kahit nawalan siya ng scholarship, ng trabaho, at ng mukhang maihaharap sa tao... her face was stone cold. Bawal tumigil ang mundo niya dahil mamamatay siya kung ginawa niya.

She always had to move.

Dahil sa guilt ni Ares, he tried to help her using the little allowance he had. Ganoon din ang iba nilang mga kaibigan... they wanted to help her hanggang sa makahanap na ulit siya ng trabaho. After all, she was just trying to make ends meet.

Pinanood ni Ares paano umiyak si Tiffany dahil sa mga nakitang pangbabatikos at panglalait sa best friend niya. That was when it hit him hard... na pinagbayaran ni Dior, ang tropa niya, ang kasalanang siya ang gumawa.

"Hindi deserve ni Dior ito..." Humikbi si Tiffany sa yakap ng boyfriend. Ares had no words to say... siya ang may kagagawan nito. He only had the courage to caress his girlfriend's hair to comfort her.

"Hindi ako naniniwala sa mga sinasabi nila!" Muling sigaw ng babae. "Hindi 'yon kayang gawin ng best friend ko. She was just trying to make her life complete again."

"I know, love..." Ares whispered. "Dior can never do such a thing. Hindi ako naniniwala sa kanila."

Of course, hindi 'yon magagawa ni Dior. But, Ares could.

- -

"I'm gutom lang siguro."

Bulong ni Prada habang kasama niya sina Chanel at Tiffany. Kumakain sila ng kwek-kwek ngayon or what Prada refers to as 'neon balls' while waiting for their other friends. Balak nilang pumunta sa arcade ngayon.

"May problema ba?" Chanel asked.

Other than the fact na nakunan siya ng baby? Yes, there was another thought lingering on her mind. But, it was about Achilles again. Kahit kailan talaga ay si Achilles ang nananatiling problema niya.

"Mukha kang nandidiri," ani Tiffany. "May tae ka bang nakita?"

"Baka pagmumukha ni Apollo." Chanel joked, making her and Tiffany laugh.

"Ang bad niyo!" It managed to make Prada laugh as well.

Pinapanood nila ngayon sina Yves at Achilles na papalalapit sa kanila.

"Prada!" Maligayang bati ni Achilles at saka tumakbo papunta sa kanila. Prada's heart doubled in beat at that. Every fucking time... he would always find a way to her heart.

"Ate!" Yves' smile was odd.

Prada was very observant... lalo na pagdating kay Achilles. Ayun ang dahilan bakit nakita niya rin ang pagbabago sa mga galaw ni Yves. Her eyes shone differently pero this time hindi kay Zeus, it was for Achilles, her brother. Prada was in love with Achilles... that was why she knew how one looks at him with so much love.

Nakikita ni Prada ang mga mata niya kay Yves tuwing tumitingin ito kay Achilles.

Akala ni Prada noong una ay gutom lang ito... pero ilang araw nang ganito ang nakikita niya. She even wanted to ask Zeus kung may problema ba sa relasyon nila. Prada wanted to feed her curiousity... not just for her feelings but dahil alam niyang mali ito. Hindi niya kayang i-tolerate ang ganitong behavior ng kaibigan.

Hindi lang pala si Prada ang nakapansin noon.

Alam ni Tiffany paano tumingin si Yves kay Zeus... at ganoon ang pagtingin niya kay Achilles ngayon. It might sound ridiculous in her mind pero ganoon ang nakikita niya. Hindi niya nakita ang ganitong ngiti before... only these past few days with her brother.

However, she did not want to dwell on it. Gaya nga ng sinabi niya, the idea was ridiculous. Moreover, hindi 'yon kayang gawin ni Achilles. Alam niya kung anong klaseng tao si Achilles. He was always for the right.

At hindi niya rin kayang pag-isipan si Yves nang ganoon. Alam niya kung paano siya nahulog kay Zeus... that they even planned to stay for a thousand lifetimes together.

Chanel, on the other hand, was bothered noong huli nilang usap ni Yves sa library. Yves looked so bothered and disturbed that time. Ni hindi nga niya magawang lumapit sa iba nilang kaibigan.

These past few days, tumatanggi na rin siya sa mga lakad ng barkada. It was already concerning her. Naalala niya tuloy ang sinabi ni Yves sa kanya... ayaw na niya sa bahay ni Hermés.

Perhaps, was Hermés' father abusing them?

Alam ni Chanel ang buhay ni Hermés. He was often beat up by his father dahil sa maliit lang na pagkakamali nito. There would be no doubt na kaya niya rin itong gawin sa mga kaibigan niya.

She had to do something. She knew Yves and Achilles needed her help.

Pero, hindi nila alam kung ano na ang nangyayari sa relasyon nina Zeus at Yves ngayon.

- -

"Babe, date naman tayo ngayon, oh?"

Ilang araw nang kinukulit ni Zeus si Yves na makipag-date sa kanya. Ever since that incident in the library, mas lalong napalayo ang loob ni Yves sa kanya. She would always get so excited to go home... na para bang mas gusto nalang niya roon.

They barely even had time with each other. Napapansin din ni Zeus na his girlfriend would prefer to sit beside her brother than her. Hindi naman siya nagseselos sa kapatid nito... he just wanted to be with his girlfriend.

"Mag-aaral ako mamaya, e." Ngumuso si Yves, nagsisinungaling. "Promise, babe! Next time!"

Nakailang pangako ka na, e. Zeus thought.

Zeus respected her alone time so much kaya hindi na rin niya nagawang ipaglaban ang side niya. He would always choose to understand her before him. Mas mahal niya si Yves kaysa sa sarili niya.

Bakit niya naman ipapangalawa ang babaeng nagturo sa kanyang magmahal?

Pero, hindi niya inakalang dadating ang panahon na magdududa na siya.

Nahuli niyang nagtatakip ng hickey si Yves gamit ang concealer niya. Never did... Zeus give that to her. Nirerespeto niya na bata pa sila so where the fuck did she got that?!

"Kanino 'yan galing?" Malamig na tanong ni Zeus sa girlfriend niya. Natigilan siya saglit at saka umaktong walang alam.

"Ang ano, babe?" Tanong ni Yves.

"I saw your hickey," sagot ni Zeus, pinipigilan ang sarili niya na sumabog. His anger issues were taking over him again. But, this time was worse. Dahil, ang tanging tagapagpakalma niya ang kusang rason bakit siya galit ngayon.

"Nakagat lang ako ng lamok." Binigyan ni Yves ng matamis na ngiti ang jowa. "Pinagdududahan mo ba ako?"

"Hindi naman sa gano-" Yves cut Zeus off.

"Akala ko naman pinagkakatiwalaan mo ako," hindi makapaniwalang sambit ni Yves. "I'm going to class."

Pinanood lang ni Zeus maglakad palayo ang girlfriend before sighing. Ayaw na ayaw niyang nag-aaway sila ng jowa niya kaya he felt worse. He was blaming himself for taking his anger out on her.

Maybe... allergy lang naman talaga 'yon.

And, he did not trust Yves enough.

"Baka hindi na ako." Mapait na napangiti si Zeus sa sarili niya. Magkasama sila ni Gucci ngayon sa bahay ni Zeus dahil nag-aya itong uminom. He initially wanted to be with Yves but she keeps on shutting him out.

Hindi rin naman tanga si Yves para hindi mapansin ang pagbabago sa relasyon nila.

"Nakausap mo na ba?" Gucci asked as she sipped on her banana milk. Underage pa kasi siya pero mabuti nalang ay malapit na ang birthday nito.

"Bold of you to assume na kinakausap niya ako," he scoffed. Pati, sa text at chat ay madalang na rin silang mag-usap. Zeus would respect if she fell out of love... pero sana sinabi nalang nang diretso ni Yves.

Hindi 'yung mababaliw na siya kaiisip kung may iba nang mahal ang girlfriend niya.

"Pwede mo ba siyang kausapin for me?" Tanong ni Zeus. "Please, Guch."

Nasasaktan din si Gucci sa nakikita niya ngayon. Hindi siya nagpaubaya para lang makita ang mahal niya nang ganito. She would treat him a thousand times better kung siya nalang ang pinili niya.

"Of course." Ngumiti si Gucci.

Kaso nga lang, pati si Gucci ay iniiwasan na rin ni Yves. Hindi lang sila ang nakapansin... pati ang buong barkada. Tuwing tinatanong naman ni Zeus kung nag-away sila ay tinatanggi niya ito. Wala siyang magawa kundi mag-isip ng kung ano-ano.

"Greenbelt tayo mamaya!" Pag-aaya ni Hades.

Nasa cafeteria ang buong barkada ngayon, eating their lunch. They only had one day na sabay-sabay ang lunch time nila and they wanted to spend it together.

"Sama!" Maligayang sagot ni Gucci.

"Hoy, tukmol, sama tayo," Apollo said and wrapped his arm around Hermés' neck. "Papakita ko sa'yo ang gusto kong sapatos."

"Hindi ako interesado sa sapatos mo," Hermés hissed.

"Buti pa sa sapatos nagco-commit ka," pangbabara ni Chanel na para bang masasaktan si Apollo. If only she knew.

"If only sapatos were women, 'no?" Pang-aasar ni Prada, walang alam sa totoong relationship status ni Apollo ngayon.

"That's my sugar daddy." Kinindatan ni Achilles si Apollo at ito namang isa ay nagbalik ng flying kiss.

"Hoy, bakit ka kumukuha sa pagkain ko?!" Pagrereklamo ni Hades kay Dior na pasimpleng kumuha sa baon nitong itlog. Napanguso tuloy si Dior at kumuha nalang ng pagkain mula sa plato ni Prada.

"Niluto ako ng itlog na 'yan!" Hades exclaimed. Magmula noong nagkarelasyon sila ni Chanel, walang sawang napapasapo sa ulo ang babae. Madalas kasi ay walang sense kausap ang jowa niya. Katulad nalang ng sinasabi niya ngayon.

"Mahal... hindi na kita kayang depensahan." Chanel sighed but ended up laughing after.

"Naol niluto ng itlog!" Ares laughed kaya sinabayan ng iba.

"Hindi!" Pagdedepensa ni Hades. "Ang itlog ay niluto ako."

"Ang Alamat ni Hades... Si Hades ay nagmula sa itlog." Hindi na napigilan ni Tiffany ang tawa niya. Ngumuso si Hades at napatingin sa taas... nalilito na rin sa mga pinagsasabi niya. Chanel chuckled and hugged her boyfriend from the side.

"Back to the topic! Sasama kami ni Tiffany mamaya," Ares said. Ito ay sinundan naman nina Prada, Dior, Chanel, Gucci, at Achilles.

"Ikaw, Yves?" Ngiti ni Gucci sa kanya pero umiling lang ang babae, making her and Zeus sigh. "Sama ka na!"

"I have to study," nakangiting sagot ni Yves. She was even busy in her phone too.

"Ikaw, Kaelo?" Tanong ni Apollo, purposely calling him by his second name dahil pansin niyang kanina pa ito tulala. "Sasama ka?"

"Hindi." They noticed that Zeus was angry. "May dinner kami ni mama kasama ng kumare niya."

"Yieee," pang-aasar nina Apollo, Hades, at Achilles. Iisa lang talaga ang utak nilang tatlo. Everyone was confused bakit ganoon ang reaksyon nila. May nakakakilig ba?

"Kumare plus Kylo!" Hades exclaimed.

"KuLo!" Walang kwentang sigaw ng tatlo.

"Kumukulo ang dugo ko sa inyo," Zeus said.

Kalahati ay natawa tapos kalahati ay nakaramdam ng stress. Good thing, nakita ng lahat paano sumaya nang kahit kaunti ang mga mata ni Zeus.

However, he would not be fooled by Yves' eyes. Because, her eyes that once looked at him so lovingly was now staring at him so coldly.

- -

Lust.

That was what Hermés felt for Yves. Kahit mahal niya si Dior, he had his own "needs" that he wanted to fulfill. Ang kaso... he mistook lust for love dahil nakakaramdam na ito ng selos tuwing nakikita niyang masaya si Yves kay Achilles.

His eyes did not fool him.

Nakita niya kung paano lumiwanag ang mga mata ni Yves tuwing katabi niya si Achilles. Nakita niya kung paano nasarapan si Yves sa bawat halik ni Achilles sa kanya... but not his. After all these time na he thought he was giving her a good time, sa iba pala siya nasisiyahan,

He did not even feel guilty for Zeus. Hindi sumagi sa isip niya na may sinasaktan siyang ibang kaibigan. That was the demonic side the others had not seen yet... and Yves and Achilles hoped that one day makita na nila ito.

Oh, Hermés had to take revenge.

Alam ng mga kaibigan nila paano magalit si Hermés. Bihira lang naman ito but no one dared to get on his bad side. He was petty... and he hated losing. If he lost, kailangan niyang maghila ng kasama pababa. Unlike Dior who chose to stay silent, he would hate to be at the bottom of the food chain.

What Hermés wants, he would get. That was his mindset. Alam niyang hindi niya makukuha si Dior so he had to bug someone else. Nang makita niya si Yves, he was instantly filled with desire.

And, now he desired to take revenge.

He lost again... now to Achilles.

"Time for your punishment." Napakunot ang noo nina Yves and Achilles sa sinabi nito, sa pagkakaalam naman nila, wala silang nilabag na rules nito.

Natigilan sa pwesto si Yves... perhaps, narinig ni Hermés na humihingi siya ng tulong kay Chanel noon sa library? She did not know that they were being punished because she started to have feelings for her brother.

"Ano nanaman ang ginawa namin?" Inis na tanong ni Achilles.

"Get in the room now." Nag-aalburuto sa galit si Hermés as he shoved the two siblings in his sex room. He made them do it to each other again. However, this time was different.

Yves and Achilles did not know that they were being filmed by Hermés.

Each time Achilles would do it to his sister, si Prada lang ang naaalala niya. All these time... sa mga oras na nahihirapan siya... na nangangailangan siya ng tulong... he only thought of the girl. Kung kailan naman unti-unti na rin siyang nahuhulog kay Prada, ngayon pa nangyari ito. Fucking became making love for Achilles too, but only with Prada.

Nang matapos, umiyak lang sa gilid si Achilles. Yves did not bother comforting him... dahil alam na rin niyang si Prada na ang nilalaman ng puso nito. Yves never thought of Zeus when Achilles was doing it to her... she surrendered her feelings to her brother.

On the other hand, Hermés felt triumphant as he watched the video. Oh, he knew what he had to do. In-edit niya muna ang video to cut the part where his voice was heard. His plan had no loose ends.

Not only did that video kill Yves and Achilles, but the crows kissed the death of everyone in their group.