Chapter 80: Fight

It pains me to close her eyes. Namatay siyang nakamulat pa ang mga mata. I hope she finds peace.

Nagitla ako nang may kumalabit sa'kin. When I looked at that person's direction, I saw Dark's worried face. He immediately hugged me and I hugged him back while sobbing.

"I-I killed her, D-Dark." I said in the middle of crying my eyes out.

"Shh, baby, it's gonna be alright." I somehow found comfort in his words. "Let's get out of here. Madame will come back soon."

I nodded and gave Reena one last look. I mouthed my sorry again before we left.

*****

When we arrived at Dark's dorm, Julia and Demi were there. I was surprised to see them but nothing came out of my mouth. I couldn't speak. I felt weak.

Dark made me sit on the couch. I can still picture Reena's dead body in my mind and a fresh batch of tears started falling from my eyes.

"H-Hey, we were so worried about you." Julia said, her voice trembling. She then hugged me.

"I-I... I killed Reena. Oh my God." Sabi ko at humagulgol pa.

"W-What? What happened?" Shock was evident on her face.

Demi was surprised about what I said too but she made it less obvious.

Even though it feels so hard, I still managed to tell them everything. I told them that Reena knew about me, stealing the book and having the rarest power. I told them everything that happened earlier, including the syringe with the dangerous substance for Dark and I.

"Listen, Zaya," Julia tried to comfort me. "You didn't have a choice. You needed to kill her. You needed to save yourself."

"But it hurts, Julia. I feel guilty. I can't handle this." I said in between sobs.

"To be honest, she's better off dead." Demi concluded and I glared at her.

"You really don't have a heart, do you?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili.

She doesn't know how all of this affects me right now. She couldn't relate because she has a heart of a goddamn stone. Sanay na siyang pumatay and she doesn't even care.

She just rolled her eyes at me and went to Dark's kitchen. Julia stood up from the couch and followed Demi, probably going to tell her to take it easy on me.

I was then left with Dark in the living room. He sat down beside me.

He made me look at him as he caressed my cheek. His brows furrowed and his jaw clenched. "Did Madame and Reena do this to you?"

I wasn't planning on answering him but he's waiting for me to tell him so I slowly nodded. I then saw the anger in his eyes.
I was startled when he examined my neck next. Mas tumagis pa ang bagang niya.

When I told them about what happened earlier, I excluded the part where Madame and Reena hurt me physically. But Dark is too smart to not notice.

"You didn't deserve this,"

Reena didn't deserve to die too. Yeah, she might have endangered my life but I still believe that there's hope for her. May pag-asa pa siyang maitama ang mga maling nagawa niya. She was just a person blinded by love.

Dark held my hands tightly as if he's scared to lose me. "I said I would be there for you. I said I'll protect but I failed. I'm sorry."

I immediately caressed his face. "Don't say that. You were there for me when I needed you. You came to get me. And I thank you for that."

He looked down. "Still, I'm sorry. This shouldn't have happened."

He caressed my wrists, kung saan ang marka ng lubid. He looked so worried.

I made him look at me. "Hey, listen to me. Stop being sorry. This is not your fault."

"But this shouldn't have happened. I could've prevented this from happening—"

"Dark, I love you. Stop blaming yourself."

Mapupungay ang kanyang mga mata. I don't want him to be this way. I don't want him to blame himself for this. None of this is his fault. It's my fault in the first place. I created this mess.

I hugged him and he hugged me back so tightly.

"I love you so much. I don't want to lose you." He said to me.

"I don't want to lose you either," I said with the same intensity as his words.

*****

It's been an hour since what happened. The image of Reena's cold body is still stuck in my mind. I feel so sorry and I feel so guilty of what I did.

I was deep in my thoughts but I was immediately interrupted when I saw Demi. She sat on the bean bag in front of me. She crossed her arms and legs. I have a lot of questions right now regarding why she's here.

Dark went to the kitchen to cook me food and Julia went to our dorm to fetch my things. They said it's better if I stay here for the time being.

"Stop beating yourself up for it. She deserved to die." She said in her usual voice.

"Palibhasa kasi wala ka sa sitwasyon ko. I feel so damn guilty, Demi. I never wanted this to happen."

She raised a brow. "Kahit ako naman sa sitwasyon mo, I could've done the same thing. I would kill her but I won't feel guilty afterwards. She's better off dead since she knows what you're hiding."

I've already calmed down. My tears have dried up. I'm sipping on a cup of tea to somehow relax me but it doesn't help at all.

Nilapat ko sa mesa yung tsaa at sinamaan ng tingin si Demi. "Why are you here anyways?"

"I saw how you got kidnapped so I told Dark about it."

Nagulat naman ako sa sinabi niya. "T-Then who brought me there? Who kidnapped me?"

"It's none other than the psychopath of a professor,"

Prof Leonsio... Of course. I shouldn't be surprised at all. He's conniving with Madame. They both want something in the end and they need each other for their plan to work.

"And don't get ahead of yourself. I just told Dark to rescue you since I don't want Madame's plan to work. We all want to escape from this hell."

"Of course I know that. 'Di mo na kailangang sabihin sa'kin 'yan." Sabi ko at sumimsim ulit ng tsaa.

"You know what, I don't understand. Reena has done a lot of awful things to you. She tried to steal your boyfriend and she tried to break you apart. She messed up with your mental health and she even told Madame your secret so you'll get killed. But here you are, still pained by her death. You should at least feel victorious or something."

I sighed and put down the cup of tea once again. "She wasn't what you thought she was, Demi. She was just hurt, that's why she had done all this. But I know that deep down, she's a kind-hearted person."

Demi rolled her eyes at me. "She did a lot of awful things to you and yet you still defend her. You shouldn't even feel bad since killing is legal here."

"I couldn't be like you, Demi. I can't turn my heart into stone. I can't pretend that what I did was fine. Killing might be legal in this hell hole but it's not for me." Sabi ko at bumuntong-hininga. "Look, I know the you're being like this because of what happened to your friends—"

"Don't bring it up. Just don't." She said with a deadly look. She then stood up and walked out of Dark's dorm.

When her friends died in this hell hole, it broke her apart. That's the reason why she has this heart of stone now. Losing the people that she cares for shattered her heart more than I can ever imagine.

It's actually the same with everyone. When you lose the person or the people you care about, it shatters you. It breaks your heart into millions of pieces and there's no assurance that you can move on from it.

The anger and the grief she has turned her heart into stone. But I do believe that Demi has a soft spot. Everyone has a soft spot but some people just refuse to show it.

I heard the front door open again. I then saw Julia enter. Kumunot ang nuo niya. "What happened to her?"

I refused to answer her. Bumuntong-hininga na lang siya at hindi na nagtanong ulit. She placed a bag full of my stuff on top of the table and she sat beside me on the couch.

"How are you feeling?" She asked in a worried tone.

"I'm alright... I-I guess. Stop worrying about me." I said and I tried to give her a smile that was obviously fake.

"How couldn't I? Knowing that Madame captured you? I can't just sit down and keep calm." Giit niya.

"I'm sorry," I sighed heavily.

She pulled me in for a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're safe,"

"Well, not for long. Surely, Madame is planning something again." Sabi ko sabay tayo mula sa couch.

I'm trying to think of a plan. Madame will surely find me in no time. And I'm sure she knows my relationship with Dark. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin niya kay Dark pagkatapos ng nakalap niya tungkol sa'kin.

Will she question him? Will she question him about his involvement in this? Pati na rin si Julia, baka usisain niya rin. Or she can do much worse than that...

No. Hindi pwedeng madamay sila dito. I can't let her harm the people I care for.

To be honest, I don't know what to do right now. Parang mababaliw ako. But I'm trying my best to act calm. I know Dark and Julia want to help me with this but I don't want them to get involved. I created this mess in the first place and I should be the one to clean it. Alone.

*****

It's already nine in the evening and I'm still thinking of what happened today and what will happen next. I'm sure Madame is on the hunt for me.

I'm sitting on the edge of Dark's bed, thinking deeply while looking at the window. I have thought of a plan but I'm still hesitant. I'm hesitating if this is the right thing to do...

"Hey," Dark sat beside me and he hugged me.

His body feels so warm. I can feel comfort and I feel safe in his embrace.

Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap. "I'll surely get caught again, Dark. She'll surely know that I'm here with you in no time."

He caressed my face and he looked at me intently. "I'll protect you,"

That's the problem. I don't want him to protect me right now. I don't want him to protect me from this. As I have said, I brought this all to myself. And I don't have any regrets. If I didn't steal the book, I wouldn't know that I have the rarest power in me.

Now, I want to face this alone.

Dark always protected me. And again, he wants to protect me now. But I don't want to lean against him this time. I want to fight. I want to fight on my own.

"Dark, don't protect me this time. Please."

He looks surprised. His jaw clenched right after. He stood up from the bed. Napahilamos siya sa mukha niya. He looks mad now. "What do you expect me to do? Just wait for Madame to kill you? I can't fucking do that, Zaya!"

"Hey, listen to me," I also stood up from the bed and I tried to reach his face but he walked away from me. "You've always protected me and I'm thankful for that. But right now, I want to face this on my own."

And if everything fails, I don't want to bring you down with me...

"Why do you keep doing this, huh? You can't stop me from protecting the woman I love! I want to fight for you. I want to fight with you."

Parang nanghina ako sa mga sinabi niya. A tear escaped my eye.

"Dark, trust me on this. I can handle this! Can't you trust me?"

"I trust you, okay? But I can't just sit back and do nothing! I can't let you do what you want!"

I walked closer to him and this time, he didn't walk away. I caressed his face and I gave him a small smile. "I know her. I know what she'll do. She'll find out that I have the power in me but the last thing I want is for her to find out that you have it too."

"What are you trying to say?" He removed my hand from his face.

"You need to get out of here. All of the innocent people who're stuck here need to get out."

"No, no... What are you trying to say? What are you planning?"

Again, if everything fails, I can't bring him down with me. I know to myself that I can't kill Madame. She's still Selton's mother and he needs her. She's still a mother, and she was a wife once.

I truly believe that there is still a good side in her. I believe that she hasn't shut it all off. I want to talk her out of it. People might think it's so stupid of me to think that but I will hang on to that chance that she'll listen to me.

Even if I fail to do so, at least I tried. I don't want her to get my power. Because again, if she does, she'll become powerful and much more evil.

But if I... if I kill myself before she can kill me, she would not have my power. If I die before she sucks out all of my blood, she wouldn't have the chance to have the rarest power. I've been thinking about this for the rest of the day. This is my plan.

In science, after death, the cells are depleted of their energy source. By the time the heart stops beating, the blood circulation will stop. And my blood will be of no use anymore since I'm dead. The power wouldn't be in my system anymore.

Bumalik ako sa aking huwisyo. Fresh batch of tears started falling from my eyes down to my cheeks.

Wow, Zaya, you're really planning to commit suicide if everything goes wrong, huh?

"Dark, I love you." I hugged him tight, while the tears continued to stream down my face.

Agad siyang kumalas sa pagkakayakap ko. "What are you doing? Are you really getting yourself killed? Can you please tell me what you're planning?!"

I can see the veins showing from his forehead and neck. He's so angry at me but I can't say what I'm planning because he surely won't agree to it.

"Baby, listen to me, whatever I'm planning, it's going to be alright. I got this." I tried to sound very convincing but I'm not sure if he's going to buy it.

"If you think your plan will work, why can't you tell me what it is exactly?! You're going to get yourself killed, aren't you?"

"I-It's not like that," I blinked a few times and I tried to wipe my tears away.

"You know what, we should stop talking about this. Whatever you're planning to do, I won't let you." He said and walked out from the room.

Napa-upo ako sa sahig, nanghihina. I cried harder. He wouldn't listen to me at all, and I get it. I get why he wouldn't allow me to do what I'm planning to do. He's afraid of losing me.

I'm silently praying that everything will go well. I silently pray that I would be able to talk Madame out of this. If that'll go well, everyone would be free from this hell hole and Selton will get his mom back.

I laid down on the bed and I tucked myself in. I'm thinking deeply again when the door suddenly opened. I turned to see and it was Dark, holding a shot glass with some scotch in it.

I turned my back against him. He doesn't want to talk and so do I. No one wants to talk about anything right now.

I thought I wouldn't be able to fall asleep but I did. My body was probably exhausted after everything I've gone through today.

*****

I woke up when I felt the rays of the sun on my face. Dark wasn't beside me anymore. I sighed heavily.

I got up from the bed to adjust my vision. I stretched my arms and legs. I went to the mirror to see my appearance and of course, it was pretty obvious that I've been crying the whole day yesterday.

I decided to get out of the bedroom and went straight to the kitchen. I can smell food and Dark probably cooked.

When I saw him, I tried to smile.

"Eat," He coldly demanded.

My smile faded and I just sat down on the chair and did what I was told. Kahit wala akong ganang kumain, kumain pa rin ako. Dark's really in a bad mood right now, I can say. And why wouldn't he be? He has every right to be, after last night.

"A-Aren't you going to eat?" I managed to ask him after he organized the table.

"No," Tipid at malamig ulit niyang sagot. I sighed and just continued to eat my food.

Pagkatapos kong kumain, hinugasan ko na ang pinagkainan ko. I then went to the living room when I finished. I saw Dark sitting on the couch, with his eyes closed. He was probably thinking.

I sat on the bean bag instead of sitting beside him on the couch.

"D-Dark I—"

"Don't, please. Not now... not ever."

I sighed again. "Can you listen to me this one time? Please?"

I feel so desperate now. I'm begging him to listen to me this time.

He opened his eyes and looked at me with bloodshot eyes. "Your plan is to get yourself killed, right? I wouldn't allow it. I wouldn't listen to you."

"Hey, I'll try to talk Madame out of this. I believe she hasn't shut it all off. I believe there's still good in her."

"There's no hope for her, Zaya. And of course, you wouldn't kill her. You can't take it." He looks... disappointed.

"Are you serious? You want to kill her?!" My voice raised.

"We all want to kill her, Zaya. She made our lives miserable!" He raised his voice, too.

"So you're telling me that you'll kill her when you get the chance?" He didn't answer me. "Dark, tell me the truth!"

"Yes! I will kill her!" He shouted back with equal anger.

Bigla akong nanghina. I understand that he's so angry at Madame for making our lives miserable in this hell hole. But... she's still Selton's mother and she's the only one he has.

"Dark, she's Selton's mom! She's the only one he has! If you kill her... if we kill her, Selton will have no one left with him!" He looked weak after I said it. "Pagkakaitan mo talaga siya ng nanay? Yes, Madame Selina might be cruel, but there's still hope for her!"

There's still hope. And I choose to hang onto that.

"What if you can't talk her out, then? What if she decides to kill you? She's smart, we both know that. Before she kills you, she'll test first if you have the power and when she knows that you have it, she'll suck out every inch of blood in your body until you have nothing left!"

"I know that! I clearly know that! Do you think I haven't thought of it all?"

He then looked me in the eyes like he knows what I'm planning already. He looked at me with wide eyes and all I did was look away from him.

"No... Tell me your plan is not to..." Ginulo niya ang buhok niya at tumayo sa couch.

Yumuko ako. I couldn't look him in the eyes. He already knows what I'm planning.

"Are you really out of your mind, Zaya? A suicide mission, seriously?! No fucking way!"

I stood up too and I looked him in the eyes this time. "Yes, it's a suicide mission, Dark! And you can't stop me from doing this! I'm doing this for you... and for everybody!"

"Nagpapakabayani ka na naman! You always want the role of the hero! Fuck it!" He fisted his hair again, out of frustration.

"This isn't about being a hero, Dark. This is about doing what I have to do."

"What if you... what if you die for real? What do you want me to do next, huh?"

"Get away from here. Escape from this hell hole and put Madame and Prof Leonsio to jail or something like that. Just don't kill them."

"You really had everything planned out, huh?" He scoffed. "This is stupid!"

"This stupid plan is what I need to do!"

Before he could say another word, the front door suddenly opened with a loud bang. Tila naubusan ako ng dugo.

"Ah, no! It hurts!" I then saw Julia, crying, while Madame was fisting on her hair. She has a dagger on her other hand. May mga naka-cloak siyang kasama.

"N-No, please! Julia!" I cried again. I was about to go to her when Madame stopped me.

She pointed the dagger on Julia's neck. "One more step, and I'll kill her."

"N-No, you can't do that! She's the president's sister!"

She sarcastically laughed at me. "I don't give a fuck! I will kill her if I want to! She knows you stole the book! She's involved in this! She betrayed me! I thought she was on my side but she wasn't. She knows you have the book but she let you keep it! She deserves to die!"

"Don't you fucking dare," Dark threatened.

"What are you going to do, Dark?" Madame looked at him this time. After a moment, she looked at him with wide eyes. She was fuming mad. "Don't tell me you're also involved in this?! You also know that she has the book! You and your sister are fucking traitors!"

She was about to slice the dagger on Julia's neck but Dark immediately went to where they were and he pushed her, causing her to fall.

"Hey, are you okay?" Tanong ni Dark sa kapatid niya. Julia just nodded, still sobbing. I also went to her and I hugged her.

Yung mga naka-cloak naman, agad na pinuntahan si Madame para tulungang makatayo. May mga galos siya sa magkabilang braso.

"You have no respect! Don't act all so high and mighty since I appointed you to be the president of this school! I can and I will oust you! You're no longer the president!"

Nagsitumpukan na ang mga estudyante. They look terrified with what's going on.

Dark didn't pay attention to her, instead he looked at the students. "Go to your dorms now! Lock it all up and don't go out!"

After he commanded them to go, nagsi-alisan naman lahat. Nagtakbuhan pa.

"No! You can't order them around anymore! You aren't the president—"

Before Madame could continue, Selton arrived. "Mom, what the fuck is happening? What the hell are you doing?!"

Selton's eyes went to me. He looks like he wants answers but I can't seem to give it to him.

"The woman you like stole the book from me!"

He looks shocked. "W-What?"

"Ninakaw niya ang aklat na pinaka-iniingatan ko!" Madame looked at me with her accusing eyes.

"W-Why, Demerine?"

"Stay out of this, Selton! You shouldn't be asking questions right now!" Matigas na sabi ni Dark kay Selton.

Selton eyed him with equal anger. "You shouldn't have let her take the book! You know that she would be in danger if she does!"

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. I thought he's mad at me or he feel betrayed that I stole the book from his mother. But I'm wrong. Selton's mad because I got myself into serious danger. Hanggang ngayon, kapakanan ko pa rin ang iniisip niya.

"S-Selton, don't blame this on Dark. It's all on me. It's all my fault. I took it out of curiosity and I don't regret a thing."

I was startled that after a swift movement, he's already in front of me. He held my shoulders.

"Don't you fucking touch her—"

Dark was about to go our way when I stopped him. "Dark, take Julia away from here. Please."

"What? No! We can't leave you here!" Ani Julia.

"I can take care of this, alright?" I said and I tried to smile at her. I then look at Dark again. "Dark, please?"

"I can't leave you, Zaya." His eyes were clearly begging me to stop what I'm planning.

I decided to go in his direction and I held his hands. "Dark, your sister's much more important than me. Trust me on this please, I can do this. All I ask of you is to be with her. Lumayo muna kayo."

He looks weak. Tears started to fall from his eyes.

My tears started falling too. I caressed his face and I tried to wipe his tears away. "I love you, Dark."

"I-I love you too, baby... Make sure to come back to me. You wouldn't die, right?"

The tears keep streaming down my face. I'll try my best. I'll try not to die during the process. I'll fight for him. I'll try my best to come back in his arms at the end of the day.

I'll fight on my own. I'll fight for him. I'll fight for Julia. I'll fight for Selton. And most importantly, I'll fight for myself.

-