Chapter 56: Mind Maze (Part 1)

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman. Should I feel alarmed because of what they said? I took a deep breath and kept my phone in my pocket. Hindi naman sa iniignora ko ang sinabi ni Cooler at Zywon but I don't think it will really happen. There's a 50% probability na pwede ngang may mangyaring masama but they can't be sure about it. Maybe I should think of Law of Attraction. Dapat wag kong isipin ang mga bagay na iyon, I might attract danger if I keep on thinking about it.

Nang makababa na kami ng taxi ay hinatid nila kami sa dorm ng mga babae. Gray walked behind on purpose upang makausap ako na malayo kay Math and Jeremy.

"Amber, anong sabi ni Cooler?", he asked. He's carrying his backpack comfortably. I'm sure he's as tired as me but he still has more energy than me. Maybe I lost my remaining energy after reading Zy's text message.

"He got a feeling that something bad will happen."

"And?"

"That's all."

"Just stay at-"

"What now? You also want me to stay at the dorm? Tell me Gray, what do you think will happen?", I asked. Nagtataka ako bakit ganito sila sa akin. Why do they care for me that much?

"I have no idea but to be sure, just stay there. Don't do anything stupid", wika niya. His pokerface is boring through me. Why do I have this feeling na kapag ibang babae ang kausap ni Gray ay tila alerto ito while he seems bored when he's talking to me?

"Hindi ko kayo guardian so stop telling me what to do", wika ko sa kanya. I know that it's rude but my bratty side is on and I'm not in my best mood.

"And stop your bratty attitude", wika niya. Why does he sound like he doesn't care or it's just me?

"Wala kang pakialam."

"Amber."

"Yeah, I know that's my name", wika ko. I walked ahead of him and refused to look at him. Naiinis pa rin ako and I have no idea why I am feeling this way.
I can hear his sigh at ilang saglit lamang ay naramdaman ko ang kamay niya na nakaakbay sa balikat ko. He rests his chin on my head as we walk.

"Bakit galit ang mahal na prinsesa?", he asked.

Mahal na Prinsesa, huh? It's been a long time since I heard those words from him. Yup, I used to be his "Mahal na Prinsesa."

I tried removing his arm around me but he's too strong to let go. "Wag ka ngang umakbay sa akin, baka isipin pa ng mga estudyante na boyfriend kita."

May mga iilan kasing estudyante sa paligid. Some are on the ground playing ball games, others are dating on the side benches at may mga nagbabasa din.

"Mabuti. Then they will distance theirselves from you. Or atleast the guys will", he said. Kahit hindi ko nakikita ang mukha niya ay alam kong nakangiti ito.

Uh, this guy is really unpredictable. At one point, he'll be throwing glares at you, then he'll talk with other girls totally ignoring you, then he'll be sweet again.

Just what kind of guy really is Gray Ivan Silvan?

Hinayaan ko na lamang siya sa ginagawa niya. We look silly in such position while walking with his arms on my shoulders, the other on my waist and his chin on my head. To put it simply, he's clinging on me by hugging me from the back as we walk.

Saka lamang siya bumitaw sa akin nang makarating kami sa gate ng Girls' dormitory. Both Math and Je are giving us their "I-Know-What-You-Did" look but we just ignored them at nagtuloy sa mga kwarto namin matapos magpasalamat sa kanila.

Pagdating ko sa kwarto namin ay wala sina Andi at Therese. I wonder where did those two go. I felt sorry for not joining them during meals anymore dahil madalas na sina Jeremy ang kasabay kong kumain. Maybe I should make up with the two of them. I bought them souvenir shirts and other items from Iligan.

Napansin ko ang isang itim na tila invitation card na nakalapag sa kama ko. There's even a bloody red lace around. Oh, what is it?

Agad ko iyong binuksan at binasa. I was expecting an invitation for a gothic-themed party but it wasn't. Sa halip ay tila kakaibang mensahe iyon na nakasulat sa isang nakakatakot na font.

Because we are evil
Odds are with us
Afraid of nothing
Risen and Hailed
Darkness within
Welcome to the GAME.

This is a game of death. Decode what is scribbled below. Waste Time means waste Life. The game commences now.

1x16-1x13(2)-2x8-1x13(1)

2x8-1x24-1x16-2x8

1x13(1)-1x13(2)

1x15(2)-4x5-1x24

1x7(1)-1x16-3x4(1)-1x15(1)-
1x13(3)-1x16-1x15(2)-
1x15(1)-1x13(3)-4x4(3)

I would have considered it as a prank but taking into account the warning of Cooler, maaaring seryoso ang nagpadala ng papel na iyon. But what is his motive? At bakit ako?

What do these codes mean? This is the first time that I have met this kind of codes. Bigla na lamang bumukas ang pinto at hinihingal na pumasok si Therese.

"Amber!", she said and ran towards me. She's sweating all over at madumi ang suot nitong damit. May pasa ito sa mukha at tila galing ito sa pag-iyak.

"Res, what happened?", natatarantang tanong ko sa kanya. She's hardly breathing so I reached for the pitcher on her bedside table at nagsalin sa baso. Iniabot ko iyon sa kanya para kahit papaano ay maging kalmado ito.

"A-amber..." She started crying kaya mas lalo tuloy akong kinabahan.

"Res, just calm down and tell me everything."

She sobbed and hugged me na tila ba humuhugot siya ng lakas mula sa akin. My God, what's wrong with her?

"Amber, s-si A-Andi...." Muling kumawala ang impit na iyak mula sa labi ni Therese.

"Why? Nasaan si Andi?"

"K-kinuha siya ng mga nakaitim na lalaki." Umagos ang luha sa kanyang mga mata and I want to do the same after what she said. Andi is in danger!

"Saan siya dinala? Do you have any idea who those guys are?" She shook her head and continued to weep.

"N-no. Hindi ko sila kilala. After they took Andi, a guy hit me at sinabing mamamatay daw si Andi kapag nagsumbong ako sa awtoridad. Not even to Bridle's management."

I felt my anger doubled. Mga tuso ang kumuha kay Andi. What do they want from her?

"A-at sinabi din niyang sabihin ko sa iyo na magsisimula na ang tatlong oras mo. Amber, please. Please help A-Andi", Therese said at muling napahagulhol.

Napabaling ang paningin ko sa papel. Then this code must be for Andi. But who is behind all this? If it's the Genesis, bakit kailangan pa nilang gawin ito? Why not directly attack me if they're not fond of me dahil nalaman na nila ang ginawang pagkupkop ni Daddy kay Mommy, which happened to be Sweet Vander, the name they loathe?

"Therese, please rest here at wag na wag kang lalabas, I'll just go somewhere to ask for help, okay?", wika ko sa kanya. I cannot waste any time. The card says wasted time is a wasted life.

Nang tumango siya sa akin ay agad kong kinuha ang card at cellphone ko and ran towards the exit of the dorm. I need to find Gray. For now, he's the nearest person to ask for help.
Tinakbo ko ang likurang bahagi ng dorm. To save time, I need to ran on the grassy part of Bridle's backyard upang mas madaling makarating sa Boys' dormitory. Ininda ko na lang ang mabahong amoy na nagmumula sa compose pit ng Bridle, the important thing now is I should find Andi.

"Tabiiiii!"

I almost cursed to death when I saw someone jumped from the highwall and it was too late to move aside. That someone instantly fell right on me at natumba ako sa lupa with him atop of me. I just let out a sharp scream when my butt hit the hard grassy ground.

"Uh, please get up", I said as I slowly opened my eyes and was surprised to see the face of the person on top of me.

"Khael?!!!"

"Special A!!!", he said in glee. He smiled and winked at me ngunit agad ding nawala ang ngiti nito nang mapagtanto ang awkward na posisyon namin.

"Uh, get up Khael."

"I'm sorry Special A", wika niya at inalalayan akong tumayo. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

I glared at him for such stupid question. I should be the one asking. He's from Athena High School and right now, he's in Bridle's territory.

"Sigurado ka sa tanong mo na yan?", I asked and rolled my eyes. Oo nga pala, medyo engot din itong genius na ito.

"Oh, oo nga pala. Let me rephrase it, Khael anong ginagawa ko dito?", he said jokingly.

"Try harder."

He pouted at hinarap ako. "Seryoso na, anong ginagawa mo dito sa likod Special A?"

"I need to see Gray urgently."

"Aray", he said at tila nasaktang napahawak sa kanyang puso. "I climbed the high wall to see you look for Silvan, aray ulit."

Mahinang hinampas ko siya sa braso. "Khael this is a serious matter. Kailangan ko ng tulong, my roommate is in danger." Iniabot ko sa kanya ang itim na card at napakunot ang noo niya nang mabasa iyon. Gone was the playful Khael at napalitan iyon ng pagkaseryoso.

"This isn't a hoax right?", he asked and I nodded. Ikinuwento ko sa kanya ang tungkol sa nangyari kay Therese. I don't know why I'm shaking with fear habang nagkukuwento. He pulled me towards the nearest convenient shade at tinawagan si Gray na pumunta doon. Hindi naman nagtagal ay dumating nga ito.

"Silvan", he said at sinalubong ito nang sapak. The latter smirked when he felt the pain ngunit agad din naman itong gumanti ng suntok sa sikmura ni Khael.

"Uhhhggh", Khael mumbled as he tried to cup his gut. Geez! I should remind myself not to be best of friends with these guys.

"Special A got a card with codes in it. Any idea in how to decipher this?", iniabot ni Khael ang card na kinuha niya mula sa akin.

Gray carefully examined the black card. "This is pretty annoying. We cannot determine the sender by the writing style dahil encoded ang sulat and I'm sure walang naiwan na fingerprints dito", wika niya. Naikwento na rin ni Khael ang tungkol sa nangyari kau Andi at Therese. I'm glad he relayed the message because I'm too frightened to retell it.

Kasalanan ko kung bakit napapahamak ang mga tao sa paligid ko. And why do they need to harm the people around me kung pwede namang ako ang atakihin nila?

"This cipher isn't familiar", komento nito habang muling isinusulat sa papel ang codes. Right now I cannot focus on what they are saying dahil puno ng pag-aalala ang utak ko.

Bakit kailangan nilang ipahamak ang mga taong nasa paligid ko? And why am I a danger magnet? My life is also at stake when I am just Amber, the normal Amber. Marion was after my life because of her jealousy.

At ngayong ako naman si Amber Sison/Allejo, mas lalong nanganganib ang buhay ko and this time, an evil organization is after me and not just a psycopath.

Tumunog ang cellphone ko at rumehistro ang numero ni Zywon. While the two are drowned with the thoughts of how to break the code, I excused myself at sinagot ang tawag ni Zywon.

"Hello-"

"Where are you Just Amber?", he asked and seemed to be gasping for air. Did he run?

"Nasa Bridle. Why-"

"I mean where are you exactly?", he said. His breathing is heavy, may humahabol ba sa kanya? Nasa panganib ba si Zywon?

"Nasa Bridle nga-" I stopped when I heard a thud and a sharp cry escaped from his mouth. Anong problema nito?

"Zy? Zywon? Okay ka lang ba?", I asked when all I heard is gasping for air and heavy breath. Kinakabahan ako, pati din ba si Zywon?

"Ugh, J-just Amber, nasa loob ako ng Bridle, near the compost pit. Come here quickly", wika niya at natagpuan ko na lamang ang sarili ko na tumatakbo papunta sa direksyong sinabi niya. He's sitting on the ground, leaning on the high wall with a crumpled face.

"Oh, anong ginagawa mo dito?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Sumimangot siya sa akin habang hawak-hawak ang kanyang balakang.

"Just wanna check on you. Hindi ka nagreply sa text ko sayo", wika niya. He's punching his hips at nagtataka ako kung bakit nakaupo siya doon. Hello Zywon, di mo ba pansin na ilang metro ka lamang mula sa compost pit?

"Uh, you should have put 'please reply' there", wika ko and rolled my eyes. Geez, hindi ko naman alam na kailangan na palang magreply sa bawat mensahe na matatanggap mo.

"You should have atleast considered my concern, tsk!", nagtangka siyang tumayo but then napangiwi lamang siya at muling naupo.

"Bakit ka ba nakaupo diyan?", tanong ko sa kanya. The ground isn't that clean at nakaputing damit pa siya. "At paano ka nakapasok?"

Mas lalong napasimangot ang mukha niya. "Argh. Are you really that dense o sadyang tanga ka lang?"

"Watch your words Deltran", I warned him.

"Seriously, you cannot tell by just looking?"

I shook my head. "Tanga ka rin ba? Magtatanong ba ako kung alam ko?"

He let out an annoying smirk and it reminds me of his evil brother Ryu.

"Maybe. People are dumb enough to ask what's obvious. Halimbawa, Nandito ka na pala? Geez, why ask if it's pretty obvious, right?"

"Ewan ko sayo."

"I'm serious here, Just Amber."

I rolled my eyes. "Tumayo ka nga diyan." Lumapit ako sa kanya and pulled him by the arm at hinila siya patayo.

"Arrrgh! Why are you so thin but so strong?", he asked at napangiwi ulit nang tuluyan itong makatayo. He massaged his hips for a while. "Where's Khael? Damn him."

"Teka, bakit ang dumi ng pwetan mo?", I asked at akmang papagpagan sana ang kanyang pwetan but I realized that would be too awkward. I saw him smirked at me.

"Do it yourself, you Perv!"

Zywon let out a hearty laugh at pinagpagan ang kanyang pantalon. "Really? Ako pa talaga ang pervert? You're the one who wanna touch my butt-"

"That's just to remove the dust! Argh! Why am I explaining myself to you?", I put my palm on my face. "Wait, did you just fall from the wall? Bakit mo hinahanap si Khael?"

Napalitan ng simangot ang mukha nito. "Please, don't state the obvious. I'm gonna punch him for using the wall. I swear I won't climb that wall again."

"Eh? Si Khael ba ang nagturo sa iyo na umakyat?"

He shook his head. "Nope. I just saw him climbed the wall. I thought that it would be easier since he moved swiftly so I tried climbing too but then- What now Just Amber? You look silly", iritadong wika niya.

Err, I'm trying to picture out his position when he fell kaya natatawa ako. "Meh, he's a descendant of Kingkong kaya hindi mo talaga siya magagaya. Ano ba ang ibig mong sabihin sa text mo?"

Ang iritadong mukha nito ay napuno ng kaseryosohan. "The treachery has been revealed. Alam na ng taga-organisasyon ang tungkol sa Daddy mo at ang pagkupkop niya kay-", napayuko siya bago binigkas ang salita. "S-sweet Vander."

I want to correct him at sabihing he should call Mom as Mommy too. I hope he doesn't mind that I'm calling his mother Mom, too.

"And? What are they planning to do?", I asked. Maybe Dad's treachery was helping an enemy but other than that, I don't think there were any. Kung paparusahan man si Daddy dahil doon, I don't think that's justifiable.

Oh, I forgot. Justice isn't in the Genesis' vocabulary. They are merciless evil. Thinking about it makes me want to crash the one behind it.

"Saan mo naman nalaman iyon?", tanong ko sa kanya. The last thing I can remember is that he's no longer Cyanide and he's not part of the organization anymore.

"I have my ways."

His ways? I bet it's dangerous. Those informations are classified at hinding hindi iyon malalaman ng kung sinu-sino man. I'm sure as hell that he got someone with a high position in the organization.

"Magsabi ka nga ng totoo. Do you have someone on your side na may hinahawakang mataas na posisyon sa organisasyon?"

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin sa akin and he denied my accusation.

"Wala."

I am not convinced with such answer. Alam kong hindi basta-bastang male-leak ang impormasyong iyon unless may nagsabi sa kanya. Someone who holds a high position in the organization.

"I'm not convinced."

He stared straight to me. "Fine, let's just say I have a friend. Trojan."

"Trojan? The hacker?", I asked surprisedly. I heard that name from Ryu. Kilala si Ryu bilang Apollo, the genius hacker. He wrote software of his own and became an underground cult figure among hackers and programmers. He had degree in his field and he was even offered job by the National Security Agency but he declined and chose to work for the mafia instead.

But Apollo is not the only name that shines in such field. There's this legendary computer genius named Trojan. Just like Apollo, there were softwares that he wrote. He's into public-key encryption. Although famous in such field, no one knows who he is. He got himself protected that much.

May sabi-sabing hindi totoo si Trojan but programmers think otherwise. They know that he exists.

"Yeah, Trojan, the programmer", sagot ni Zywon. "And let's not talk about my friend."

"Can you ask your friend about Brain's identity?", I asked. If only that Trojan knows who Brain is, it would be easy for me.

"Brain's identity is confidential. Hindi alam ng kaibigan ko kung sino si Brain."

I sighed in frustration. Maybe it's not time for me to know who he is. I need to plan for their capture. Should I report them to the police? Hindi ko alam kung matutulungan ba ako ng mga pulis. Who knows that they have the protection from the law. It could be that Brain got a pawn who's directly working for the state.

"By the way, I talked to my- err your- I mean Sweet Vander", he said habang nakayuko.

"Our mother. I hope you don't mind", wika ko sa kanya. I still haven't gotten over the fact that the woman I've known for years is not really my mother. It still bothers me but they say we should not linger on the past and move forward to life. It was proven that she's a Vander and I am not but that doesn't mean that she's not my mother. Blood isn't just the measure of kinship.

"Yeah. I talked to her", wika niya. There's a glint of happiness in his eyes, an unusual spark in his eyes na hindi ko nakita dati.

"I hope she's fine."

"Yeah, she is. And she wants to see you soon. She said she wants the three of us to dine together."

"Sure."

Ngumiti si Zywon sa akin. "I must leave for now. I just came here to check on you", wika niya. May kinuha siya sa likurang bulsa ng pantalon niya. It was a pack of chocolate. The pack looked weird dahil napisa iyon, marahil ay dahil iyon sa pagkahulog niya.

"Para sayo. Uh, don't mind the shape, it tastes good", wika niya. Iniabot ko iyon at nagpasalamat. Yeah, Zywon and his sweet tooth.

Nagpaalam na siya at humakbang papunta sa mataas na pader but then he looked back with his pokerface.

"My hips still hurt. Do you have any other way out?", he asked at napasimangot nang makita niyang tumatawa ako.

"Stop it Just Amber, it's annoying", wika niya.

"You're funny. Halika na nga, sumunod ka sa akin."

Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagtawa at iginiya siya papunta sa "backdoor."

#

-Shinichilaaaabs.