SECOND DAY IN CROWBONES

｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. APOLLO

"For the second play, you have to change your strategists!"

Napamura ako sa kaloob-looban ko nang marinig 'yon mula kay Crow. Umakyat ang lahat ng dugo ko dahil sa galit. Puta, ano bang problema nito?! Bakit papalitan ang strategist? Ayos na ayos na kami kay Ares, ah!

Pero kailangan ko itong gawin.

"Ako na sa Black team!" Sigaw ko, umiiwas sa mga tingin ni Dior. Hindi ko muna siya mapoprotektahan ngayon... dahil hawak ko rin ang buhay ng iba naming mga kaibigan. Masyado akong magiging madaya kung uunahin ko ang mahal ko.

Mas lalong namuo ang galit sa puso ko nang malamang si Hermés ang maglalaro para sa grupo nila. Nanliit tuloy ako sa sarili ko... e, matalino itong gagong 'to? Para lang akong pinagmumukhang tanga rito.

Hindi ko tuloy naiwasang manggalaiti nang maalala ang mga sinabi ni Chanel sa akin. Putangina mong hayop ka... pababagsakin kita. Ang dumi dumi mong tangina ka. Sumagi tuloy sa memorya ko ang alaala noong una kong nalaman ang tungkol sa mga hilig niya.

Pinagkatiwalaan ko noon ang sinabi niyang hindi niya pinag-iisipan nang ganoon ang mga kaibigan namin.

Napakuyom ako ng kamao nang mapagtantong ang mga tingin niya kay Dior ay... marurumi. Makaalis lang kami rito, kaya kong makapatay ulit. Wala na akong pakialam kung naging kaibigan ko ito.

Ang galing niyang mang-uto. Lahat kami napapaniwala niya.

Ang kapal pa ng mukha ng gago na sabihin na pinagsamantalahan siya ni Yves.

"Manalo, matalo... Ikaw pa rin ang icing ng cupcake ko." Kasinungalingan. Kailangan ko lang hindi ipahalata na may galit ako sa kanya. At siguro, ayun na ang huling beses na sasambitin ko ang mga salitang 'yon.

Walang kwenta na, e.

Sa kalagitnaan ng laro, nakakaramdam na ako ng tensyon sa aming dalawa. Magkaiba man kami ng ugali ni Hermés... may isa kaming pagkakatulad. Parehas kaming competitive. Kahit naman pakiramdam ko ay matalino ito, hindi ko pa rin kayang magpatalo.

Wala sa pangalan ko ang salitang 'talo'.

"Checkmate," sambit ko at nakita ko paano nandilim ang mukha ni Hermés.

Sakit, 'no? Aminin mo na kasi ang kabababuyan mong hayop ka para makaalis na tayo rito. At, wala na akong balak na maging kaibigan mo pa katapos.

"Pre..." Pero, nakita ko nalang ang sarili ko na lumalapit sa dati kong kaibigan. Nagpakawala ako ng buntong-hininga nang umatras siya.

Wala, competitive si gago, e.

Pero, mas competitive si Crow.

Halos mahulog ang puso ko nang pumasok sa chess board sina Yves at... Achilles. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa lalaki dahil naaalala ko lang ang ginawa ko sa kanya. Teka puta... buhay ba ito o hindi?

Kung oo, edi magdidiwang ako.

"Is your conscience consuming you, Mr. Andigre?" Kumakapit nalang ako sa napakanipis na pasensya ko ngayon... lalo na noong itinanong 'yon ni Crow. Wala nalang akong nagawa kundi pakalmahin ang sarili ko.

Napatingin ako kay Hermés na gulat ngayon. Agad naman akong napangisi sa kanya... hindi nga lang pala ako ang marumi rito.

Ano, gago? Kinakain ka ng konsensya mo?

Nagsimula na ang laro at mas lalong umiinit ang ulo ko dahil sinasadya akong inisin nitong tanginang si Hermés. Kita nang nagfo-focus ako tapos ngingisi sa akin! Puta, simula nung narito kami, wala na siyang ibang ginawa kundi ngumisi.

Gugupitin ko na ang labi niyan. Tangina.

Napa-buntong hininga na ako sa stress... mawawalan nanaman kami ng piece nito. Parang na-checkmate ang horse ko. Mahal ko pa naman ang mga piece na 'yon... para sa akin ay sila ang pinakamahalaga sa chess.

"Just admit you lost to me, dimwit," bulong ni Hermés sa akin kaya mas lalong namuo ang galit sa puso ko.

In the end, ako ang napangisi nang makita ang nandidilim na mukha ni Hermés.

- -

THIRD DAY IN CROWBONES

｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. ARES

"Ares, pwede bang mag-usap tayo?"

Tumingin ako kay Apollo na lumapit sa akin. Pakiramdam ko ay iisa lang ang iniisip naming dalawa... but after all, I tried so hard to know anything about the situation we're in. Hindi katulad noon na clueless ako.

I nodded and followed him to a corner. Nakita ko kung paano siya nagnakaw ng tingin kay... Tiffany. He went to my girl's room. Parehas nga kami ng iniisip.

"You went to Tiff's room," I started because I felt that he was hesitant to talk. I wanted to assure him that he could talk freely with me... parehas naman kami na gustong umalis dito. Ayaw ko nang mabawasan pa kami.

"Bakit ang dami niyang law book sa kwarto?" My brows furrowed when he asked me that. I never saw Tiffany read law books... at mas lalong wala siyang binabanggit sa akin na gusto niyang mag-abogado.

"What law books?" I asked.

"RPC, tol." What the fuck? That's criminal law! "Hindi lang 'yon, naka-highlight ang lahat tungkol sa violation of privacy, coercion, at rape."

"May mga case digests din siya tungkol doon," Apollo added.

Why would Tiffany read law books when she was focused on being a doctor? At mas lalo na... why did she highlight and study about very specific topics?

"Tiffany was in the campus the time the murder happened," sabi ko at doon ko nakita kung paano kumunot ang noo ni Apollo. "I saw it in the CCTV footages Hermés has in his room."

Apollo stood there shocked... why did his once best friend have the CCTV footage e dapat sa pulis 'yon ibinibigay?

However, that just proved Chanel's claim more correct.

"Alam ko bakit may ganoon si Tiffany," Apollo said that made me look at him. Napalunok ako and glanced at Tiffany for a while before looking back at my friend.

"Why?" I asked, and I was scared as hell for his answer. Alam ko na sa sasabihin ni Apollo... magbabago ang pagtingin ko sa mga kaibigan kong nandito.

Apollo took a deep breath as he looked down. Nakikita ko ang mga nagbabadya niyang luha before immediately wiping it and looked at me again.

"Sabi sa akin ni Chanel... Pinilit ni Hermés na magtalik sina Yves at Achi. Siya ang gumahasa kay Yves." My world just stopped at that.

Tangina... after all these time, na naniwala ako na biktima si Hermés. He was the fucking traitor in here! Siya ang baboy! He... looked at our youngest friend with so much lust. And, Yves had a fucking boyfriend that time!

My knees failed me so I had to lean to the wall for support. So... kaya pala ganoon nalang ang galit ni Apollo kay Hermés. Napakuyom ang kamao ko when I realized something. If he looked at Yves with lust, did he also look at our other female friends like that?

"Fuck..." Napamura ako sa sarili ko dahil sa mga nalaman ko. Apollo just gave me a bitter smile and patted me in the back. "What do we do? Bakit hindi niyo i-expose?"

Apollo shrugged. Hindi rin niya alam ang gagawin.

"I have a plan," I initiated. "Sasabihin ko ito kung willing ka lang..."

He took a deep breath and glanced at his friends. They deserved to know the truth too... we deserve justice. Most of all, Yves and Achilles did not deserve to die. We were all victims by the bullshit games of Hermés.

"Willing ako," he answered.

"Hihintayin natin na si Hermés ang magsabi..." I said. "Kailangang manggaling sa kanya mismo ang totoo."

- -

FOURTH DAY IN CROWBONES

｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. PRADA

"Prada, tutulungan kitang maghanap!"

Apollo cheerfully said as soon as he got out of his shackles. Ngumiti ako sa kanya, feeling somewhat thankful, at pinagpatuloy nalang ang pagfa-find sa susi ko. I was actually thinking about something already... pero malay niyo hindi ko na siya need gawin.

I glanced at Hades who looked so tired. He was getting old na kaya... baka may rayuma na siya. I think his likod was hurting right now. I had to pout in worry for my best friend. For sure, he was so devastated.

He lost Chanel.

I was snapped out of my thoughts nang biglang nagshout si Hades! I was quick to look at him at kung ano ang nangyari sa kanya. Apollo and Ares even had to squint their eyes dahil malayo ang pwesto ni Hades sa amin.

"Hades!" Ares shouted at him. "Are you okay?!"

"Oo!" Hades answered back... pero hindi ako convinced. Sinenyasan ko si Apollo to go to Hades and check on him. Kaya ko na ito, Hades looked so tired and exhausted. Among the both of us, siya ang mas may need ng help.

"Sure ka, ayos ka lang dito?" Paninigurado ni Apollo as I nodded. "Kalampagin mo lang 'yang chains mo kapag kailangan mo ng tulong, ah!"

I watched Apollo disappear in my sight as he dashed straight to Hades. Sa totoo lang, I was not confident na mahahanap ko ang susi ko. But, it was... okay.

Ayos na sa akin ang umalis, I just missed Achilles so much.

When I saw Achilles, his duplicate rather, on the chess board, I wanted to run to him and hug him. Gusto kong paulit-ulit na magsorry sa kanya. I wanted to start a new life with him... and this time, hindi ko na siya iiwan.

That was the dream.

Mapait akong napa-smile sa sarili ko nang ma-realize ko na that is what it will ever be... a dream. Wala nang pag-asa para magkatotoo ang mga plano ko kasama siya. Kahit as a friend... I wanted to be by his side.

I looked around as something caught my eyes. Agad akong lumapit and saw... a key. I felt happiness for a moment, but I realized something. I was quick to hide the key in my pockets. Basta, sa hindi nila makikita.

Alam ko sa sarili ko that no matter what happens, someone has to die here.

And, I would not let Apollo and Ares, and most importantly, Hades to die.

"Prada, tumingin ka roon." I was already seeing the tears on Hades' eyes as he panicked sa kakahanap sa susi ko na nasa akin na. He was desperate to keep me alive... while I was desperate to keep him from dying.

He was the greatest friend.

I would not trade him for anyone.

I did not do this para makita ko si Achilles... I did this for Hades. The best man in my life. Kahit anong kagagahan and karupukan ko, he chose to stay. He treated me better than any man ever would.

"Time's up!"

- -

FIFTH DAY IN CROWBONES

｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. GUCCI

"Gusto mo ako na ang magsabi sa kanila?"

Napamasahe ako ng sentido ko. I was sensing a fight again between kuya Ares and kuya Apollo. Magmula talaga nang mapunta kami rito sa Crowbones, walang araw na hindi kami nag-away. Parang naging routine na.

"Shut up, Apollo!" Kuya Ares hissed. The other group immediately stopped their meeting and looked our way. Ano ba 'yan? Nakakatamad na silang pigilan.

Kung ako kaya makipagsabunutan kay ate Dior?

"Kung gusto mong ayusin ang pagkakamali mo, sabihin mo kay Gucci ang alam mo."

Napakunot ang noo ko nang marinig 'yon kay kuya Apollo. I knew that kuya Ares did something very wrong... pero ano naman ang sasabihin nila ngayon? Before, I thought alam ko na ang lahat. But now... parang napag-iiwanan na ako. I was losing faith at my plan with kuya Hades.

"Gucci, I have something to tell you," sabi ni kuya Ares at sinenyasan ako na pumunta kami sa tabi. I complied before glancing at the other team who are now planning their strategy. Pinapanood kasi nila kanina ang away nina kuya Apollo and kuya Ares.

"Kuya... what is it?" I asked. Nakita ko paano siya nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga. He looked... nervous yet so relieved at the same time. Wait...

Baka alam niya na ang totoo?

"Yves and Achilles were forced..." My lips parted when kuya Ares said that... I was just plainly shocked. Napatakip ako ng bibig ko when I realized that I almost killed Yves because of a false accusation! "Hermés forced them to have sex and filmed them. He also raped Yves."

Nanghina ang mga tuhod ko as soon as those words escaped from kuya Ares' mouth. I wanted to cry... and expose him at this moment! My best friend... she was fucking touched by a monster! Akma sana akong susugod kay kuya Hermés but kuya Ares was quick to hold me back.

Yves... I was so angry at her for hurting Zeus. But... no, may mali. The love in Yves' eyes when she looked at Zeus was already gone.

"No..." My voice cracked as I shook my head. Mali ito... this was wrong. "What do you plan to do? Should we expose him now?"

"We have a plan. You should tell this to Hades too," he answered. I raised a brow at him, waiting for him to continue. "Hihintayin natin na si Hermés mismo ang magsabi ng totoo."

I scoffed. Hanggang ngayon ay gulat pa rin ako sa nalaman ko. Kanino nila nakuha ito?! I always saw how they looked at each other... and this was not it. Kailangan ko rin sabihin ang side ko... the side they never expected from Yves.

"Kuya, you don't know much about Yves," I told him.

"What do you mean?" Kuya Ares asked as he intently looked at me. I took a deep breath... I was ready to expose Yves and her secret. Kahit napilitan lang siya, or so they said, Yves did not truly love Zeus.

"Pineperahan lang ni Yves si Zeus," sagot ko as I watch kuya Ares froze in his position. I sighed... mukhang hindi siya maniniwala sa akin. Of course, Yves was the angel of the group. If I were kuya Ares, hindi rin ako maniniwala sa sarili ko.

"Bakit ngayon mo lang ito sinabi?" Nagtanong ulit siya. I gave him a bitter smile.

"Ayaw kong manira ng relasyon," I answered.

- -

- - PRESENT - -

｡˚⛓˚｡⋆. HERMÉS

"The crows kissed Dior's, Gucci's, and Hades' death. They are all innocent. Hermés is the last one standing. He is also an innocent."

I stayed glued to my position as I heard that fucking announcement from Crow. Fuck... hindi silang tatlo ang killers?! But, all the fucking clues pointed to them! Napasabunot ako ng buhok ko to contain my anger.

"Fuck you!" I shouted, releasing all the ounce of madness I have within me. I was trying so hard to keep calm and be patient. Kaso fuck! I felt so stupid and fucking brainless!

First, I made a mistake on accusing Apollo. Now, with the killers of Yves too?!

"Who killed them?" I asked through my gritted teeth. All of us did not kill... so who the fuck killed them?! "Tangina mo, Crow, sumagot ka!"

"You were thirsty for answers too." Mas lalong uminit ko when I heard the chuckle of Crow. "So, I wonder why you did not tell them the truth. You had a week in there to fix this... but you were still selfish."

"Why would I?" I hissed. "That's why I brought them here. And who the fuck are you? My therapist?"

"Well, you have a point..." Sabi ni Crow. "Fair enough. Congratulations on winning Crowbones, Mr. Hermés!"

At least, I get to start a new life now.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang may pumasok na grupo ng mga taong nakasuot ng police uniform. What the fuck? Ano nanamang pakulo ni Crow? I was already getting impatient... one week in this hellhole made me miss home.

"Do I get to go home now?" I asked, smirking at them.

"What the fuck?!" I exclaimed when one of them suddenly pushed me behind and attached cuffs to my wrist? Bullshit?! "I thought this game was over, Crow! I paid you, motherfucker!"

"Oh, the game is already over, Mr. Hermés!" Narinig ko nanaman ang tawa ni Crow as I tried resisting from the guards restraining me. "You'll get to go to jail now."

What in the fucking world? Bakit sa jail?! The fucking agreement was I win this and I get to go home with my clean reputation!

"Tangina mo. I paid you, you worthless piece of shit!" Sunod-sunod kong sigaw habang dinadala ako palayo ng mga guards. Was this a fucking prank or what?! Kung prank ito, tangina, hindi ako natutuwa.

"Don't worry, Mr. Hermés!" Crow exclaimed. "Makakasama mo ang papa mo sa kulungan. I also had his abuse with you settled in court."

I felt every bit of regret when I heard Crow's next words. I regretted negotiating and trusting this prick. Kung alam ko lang na hindi niya kaya ang pinapagawa ko na linisin ang reputasyon ko, I would not even bother wasting my time here.

"The crows were not meant to kiss the death of any of you. That was your mistake with Crowbones. It was always meant to kiss the death of injustice."