Chapter 4: Detour

"Is this how syndicates like you work?"

Poseidon removed his sunglasses and fixed his cap. Masama ang tinging pinupukol niya but I ignored him and continued looking around the place.

Few days after I recovered, here we are, back to the fake place I told him about. We both wore huge sunglasses and baseball caps. The place was smelly and crowded, perfect place para sa mga away at kung ano pang gulo. It's a place where you cannot run freely, unless you choose to hop from roof to roof. It was a smelly squatter's area, and a dangerous one. Tanghaling tapat ay may mga tambay na lasing sa mga kanto.

I know we're here for nothing, but it's good to fool the reaper. Nakita ko kung paano siya magtrabaho— which is kind of lame. Akala ko ay napaka-cool maging reaper o assassin, but it was actually a pathetic job.

"Nauuhaw na ako," reklamo ko at iginala ang paningin sa paligid, looking for a store. I spotted one on a far corner, at gaya ng iba pang mga tindahan, may iilang nag-iinuman. "I'll buy us a drink."

Wala akong narinig na sagot mula sa kanya kaya umalis na ako at nagtungo sa tindahan. Nang nilingon ko siya ay panay ang obserba niya sa paligid, casually asking people random unsuspicious questions.

Nang marating ko ang tindahan ay tumayo ang isang lasinggo. "Hi, miss!"

I faked a smile. "Hello."

"Shot ka muna."

No, thanks.

"Sige, salamat," sagot ko, not to offend the men. Mukha pa naman silang mga may masamang balak. But I learned not to judge people easily. These ugly-looking men probably didn't kill a guy, yet, that good-looking guy I was with killed quite a number. Kaya hindi ko na huhusgahan ng kung ano ang mga lasinggong 'to.

"Nauuhaw ako eh, tubig sana—"

The most ugly-looking one insisted and filled the glass with what appears to be white liquid, but I doubt it was water. I don't drink this shit, pero mukhang wala akong choice.

"Sige na nga, isa lang ha!" I know saying no would be bad, so I was trying to be on these guy's good side, lalo na't dayo lamang kami rito. I accepted the glass each of them used to drink. Gross, I know. I hope I don't die.

And they made a happy cheering sound as they watched me chugged the liquor.

******

I almost fell on the ground as I laughed on Kardo's joke. Kardo is huge guy, na sa simula ay tila walang gagawing mabuti but after a shot of gin, or maybe six bottles, he's actually a great guy.

Ang payat naman na kasama namin na medyo maasim ang pawis ay si Robert, Berto kung tawagin. He just told us a story of how he met his pretty wife.

Si Pako naman ay ang pinakabata sa kanilang tatlo. Medyo tahimik at walang ambag sa usapan but he has the most laugh of all. Siya iyong tipong ang babaw ng kaligayan. I mistakenly chugged on the gin instead of water, ayun halos mautot na sa katatawa.

It's been an hour or more mula nang magpaalam ako kay Poseidon na bibili ng tubig. He must have not worry about me kaya hindi na niya ako hinanap. I was thirsty so I supposed a bottle of water will solve it, but here I am, on our sixth gin bilog.

Sinong mag-aakalang magugustuhan ko 'to?

And it’s been hours, pero hindi man lamang ako hinanap ni Poseidon. Is he dead already? Mabuti sana kung ganoon. But I don’t think he’s anywhere near Zolotov’s trail. Th real Zolotov is in Miami, somewhere far from their touch. Tristan is just a scapegoat, with no knowledge of all the shits around him. Kung sa madaling salita, Tristan is innocent. He’s just paid to do whatever we want. I was always amazed of how money can control people. Imagine, people are willing to do whatever in exchange of some petty pocketchange. Pathetic.

My train of thoughts was interrupted by Berto. “Ano ba kasi ang pinunta ninyo dito, Star?”

I threw a peanut in the air and catch it with my mouth. “Business.”

“Business, as in negosyo?” tanong  ni Pako.

Napangiti ako. “No, not that. May hinahanap kaming tao. Kilala n’yo ba si Zolotov?” Damn, I think I’m already a little bit drunk. These guys know nothing about him, because this is a made up place of Zolotov’s whereabouts.

“Sino bang hindi nakakakilala sa kanya?” sagot ni Kardo.

I threw up on my gin.

“Kaya hindi mawala-wala ang mga tarantado dito eh dahil malakas kapit kay Zolotov!” dagdag ni Pako.

I looked at them with wide eyes. Tila nawala lahat ng alak sa sistema ko dahil sa narinig. What the hell?

“Mula nang dumating dito ‘yan si Zolotov, naging mas magulo na rito. Halos araw-araw may barilan. Ewan ko ba sinong pulitiko ang kapit niyan bakit hindi mahuli-huli.”

Dahil sa narinig at dala na rin ng alak ay muntik na akong mabuwal sa kinauupuan. I tried standing up, but damn, this gin bilog is surely hitting me the wrong way. Tila umikot na ang paningin ko, but my mind was so focused on what they are saying.

“Ano bang pakay n’yo sa kanya? Bibili ba kayo ng baril o bala?” tanong ni Kardo sa mahinang boses.

What the hell? They even knew about that! Baril is used to mean firearms, while bala means drugs. These people… what the hell is happening?

“Star? Ba’t nanigas ka d’yan? Inom ka muna,” wika ni Berto sabay abot ng baso.

My heart was racing as I slowly grip on the glass. Unti-unting akong nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip. I know it’s not a coincidence. This Zolotov here must be related to us. But this is just a place I made up to confuse the reaper Poseidon. Paano nangyaring may Zolotov nga na nag-oopera rito?

Ininom ko muna ang laman ng basa bago inilapag iyon sa mesa. “Itong Zolotov na sinasabi ninyo…  matangkad, may sunog na balat sa noo--”

“Iyon daw ang nagbibigay ng swerte,” nakangising sabi ni Pako.

Right. The real Zolotov has a huge scar on his forehead, so as Tristan. The reason we chose Tristan ay dahil sa peklat na iyon. But… why? This plan is only to confuse the reaper, paanong may ganitong nangyayari na hindi ko alam?

Napalunok ako ng ilang beses at nag-isip ng posibleng mga rason, but I cannot think of any plausible reason for all this. The Capo knows all about my plan kaya malabong ilagay niya rito si Zolotov… I stopped halfway my thoughts.

Tama, the Capo knew about my plan… but why?

Hindi pa ako nakaisip ng maaring sagot sa mga katanungan sa isip ko ay bigla na lamang may tunog ng basag na bote. When I looked up, I saw the angry and bloody Poseidon. He flipped out table kaya napatayo kaming apat.

“Poseidon—”

"Putang—" natigil si Kardo. He came face to face with Poseidon's gun.

Dala na rin siguro ng lango ng alak ay niyakap ko si Poseidon at hinila palayo sa kanila. "Please don't hurt them! Kilala nila si Zolotov!"

Poseidon looked at me with a frown. "Are you drunk?"

I grinned. "Maybe I am, maybe am not." Hinarap ko ang tatlo na kahit mukhang mga siga ay nanigas dahil sa presensya ni Poseidon. "Mga kaibigan ko sila. This is Kardo, Berto— and his wife is very pretty, ito naman si Neil o mas kilalang Pako."

"I don't care—"

"And why are you bloody?" Hinawakan ko ang dumudugong mukha niya. In all fairness, Poseidon covered in blood is... I think I like to see it that way.

"Zolotov escaped."

My eyes geniunely widened. Ibig sabihin ay nandito nga si Zolotov! Marahil ay dala ng alak kaya sinalakay ako ng kaba. I don't know why I feel such. Maybe it was because not what I planned.

"You don't have to look that scared," mayamaya ay sabi niya. His men didn't see you come with me so you will be safe." Nilingon niya ang tatlo na nakatunghay sa amin, bago hinawakan ang kamay ko. "Let's get out of this place."

I pulled away. "But how about Kardo, Berto and Pako?"

Damn it. Lasing na nga ako. Also, I miscounted. It's actually seven. We're on our seventh bottle. So kanina habang panay tagay kami rito, Poseidon is fighting with Zolotov's men— which doesn't make sense.

Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin, Zolotov is not here! This is not part of my plan! Kung hindi lang sana ako nakipag-inuman, I would have seen who that impostor was!

Dinukot niya ang pitaka sa bulsa, pulled some bills that I didn't bother to count at inabot iyon sa kanina lang ay tinutukan niya ng baril na si Kardo.

Nagkatinginan silang tatlo, bago tumingin sa akin ba tila ba tahimik na nagtatanong.

"Oh, just take it," sabi ko sabay tango. Naintindihan naman nila ang tango na 'yon at agad na tinanggap ang pera bago umalis.

Poseidon picked my baseball cap na ngayon ay nasa lupa. Padabog na sinuot niya 'yon sa akin at hinila ako paalis sa lugar na iyon.

"What happened? Why are you bleeding all over?" I asked.

He tucked his gun on the side, so as not to scare the people we meet on the way to his car.

"Did you find him? Are you okay?"

He stopped and faced me. "Shut up, you reek of alcohol."

I stopped and breathe on my palm at inamoy iyon. "Yeah, you're right."

Muli niya akong hinila at tahimik na nagpahila na lamang ako hanggang sa makarating kami sa sasakyan niya. His new car was better than the one we blew up. For the first time ay pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto, pushed me inside and slammed the door beside me. I winced in surprised at tinanaw siyang umikot sa kabilang bahagi ng sasakyan.

Napaungol siya sa sakit nang pumasok siya at naupo. He turned on the engine at tumingin sa paligid. Bago kami umalis ay binuksan niya ang glove compartment sa harap ko. He pulled something— a medicine kit— and started pulling things from it to tend some of his wounds within his reach.

I sighed, staying still and silent like he told me. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin lubos maproseso sa utak ang mga narinig. It all doesn't make sense. I watched him tossed back the things at pinaharurot paalis ang sasakyan.

"Seatbelt," he commanded.

I complied like a good girl I knew I never was.

He was pissed for some reasons. I knew he was pissed because he looked like he was, not to mention that he was gripping hard on the steering wheel. I can tell by how some veins popped as if they are screaming to get out.

I cleared my throat before speaking. "Y-you know, cussing can make you feel better."

"Not in my car."

I nodded. "Should we stop so you can scream outside?"

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin, like saying he does not like that idea at all. I acted like zipping my mouth before turning to the different direction. Whatever happened, it must be the reason why he's upset. Well, he's alive anyway.

He sighed. "Zolotov..."

Napalingon ulit ako sa kanya.

"He knew you were helping me."

Sinalakay ako ng kaba. "You talked with him?"

He nodded.

What? Paanong... Tristan should be dead by now. Klaro ang instruction ko. I told the men to kill Tristan the moment I became acquianted with the reaper. Paanong nakausap niya ito? Malabo ring mangyari na nakausap niya ang totoong Zolotov. Man is scaredy-pants. He's just good in money, not with planning, fighting and all.

"W-what did he say?" Tanong ko.

"He got eyes watching you all the time." He was cold  and I don't think he's concern about my welfare at all. But still I chose to go by my plan and that is to act scared.

"W-what? Anong gagawin ko ngayon? Am I in danger—"

"I will protect you."

Tila nahimasmasan ako sa impluwensiya ng alak. He sounded sincere despite the lack of emotions in his voice, and even in his face.

Sa totoo lang ay totoo na ang takot na nararamdaman ko. I was a little scared things detoured, away from my plan. If I expected a detour, it's on the Vander Mafia's side  hindi sa amin. Maybe I'll find a way to talk to the Capo sooner or later.

"Protect me? How?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Leave it to me," sabi niya.

Hindi na ulit siya nagsalita at nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip. I don't think he's up for any conversations anymore kaya nanahimik na lamang ako hanggang sa makarating kami sa pad niya. It's the same place he brought me few times, only to find that the door was slightly ajar.

Poseidon's reaper mode turned on. He grabbed me towards his back and silently observed the place. I did the same at mukhang wala namang anumang kakaiba sa paligid. Inilabas niya ang baril at dahan-dahang pumasok sa naka-awang na pinto.

He was toppled to the ground by someone kaya napasigaw ako sa gulat. They wrestled to the floor— but the fight ended in less than a minute. Poseidon had the guy held to the ground, his hand on his back.

Nag-angat ng tingin ang lalaki at nagtagpo ang mga mata namin. He grinned before making a face. "Okay, okay I surrender. I'm no match for the great Poseidon."

Binitiwan naman ni Poseidon ang lalaki. "Stop coming unannounced. At ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa inyo? I'm not interested joining your nonsense brawls."

Tumayo ang lalaki at pinagpagan ang sarili. He smiled before walking towards me, arms stretching for a handshake. A stitch on the left, a bruise on the right of his hand. Gayundin ang mukha niya.

Ah, I think I had this guy ID'ed a long time ago. It's one of the reapers, and his long hair tied in a ponytail reminds me of a disney princess and other shits like that.

Hermes, reaper of Vander mafia.

I acted scared and stepped backward.

He took it positively. "I won't hurt you," nakangising sabi niya. "Kung may katatakutan ka man dito... it's him." He pointed at Poseidon.

I couldn't agree more. Of course, my plan is to make the Vander Mafia fall, starting with its strongest reaper.

"I'm Hermes," pakilala niya at muling itinaas ang palad upang makipagkamay. I accepted it with hesitation.

"Star."

"Nice to meet you, Star," sagot niya at nilingon si Poseidon. "Damn you, Poseidon. Why do you always get pretty girls?"

Natanaw kong inalis ni Poseidon ang suot, exposing his bleeding wound on the side. There were bruises too, as if he's been hit with something. "Maybe because I'm finding girls instead of engaging in fights," sarkastikong sagot niya kay Hermes.

"Oh my god, you're wounded!" Nag-aalalang sabi ko at tumakbo palapit sa kanya. I gently examined his wound, only to get shy nang mapagtantong nakahawak ako sa katawan niya. Saglit na namayani ang katahimikan, until Hermes broke it.

"Look here, I'm wounded too, Star," pag-iinarte niya at inangat ang damit, displaying a knife wound on his lower abdomen.

Tinabig ni Poseidon ang kamay ko at tinalikuran ako. "Bakit ikaw ang nandito, Hermes?"

Napahawak ang huli sa kanyang dibdib. "Ouch, ni hindi ka man lang natuwa sa presensiya ko. Who do you expect, Mnemosyne?"

"Anyone but you."

Napahawak siya sa dibdib na tila nasasakyan. "Another ouch!"

I silently observed the reapers. Poseidon lives up to his reputation, but Hermes is definitely not. But there's something about him that's telling me to be careful.

Hermes scrunched his nose and smelled me. "Uminom ka ba?"

I nodded. Lumakad ako patungo sa sofa at naupo. Hinihila ako ng antok but I have to be vigilant, lalo na't kasama ko sila ngayon. I can have some useful info about the Vander Mafia that I can report to the Capo.

"I'll get you some water," narinig kong sabi ni Hermes at kumuha ng tubig. Natanaw ko siya sa ginagawa, and no matter how he stealthily move to slip something in my water ay hindi iyon nakaligtas sa paningin ko. He handed it to me with a smile. "Here."

It will be suspicious not to accept it. "Thanks—" napahawak ako sa bibig na tila nasusuka. I grabbed the glass in his hand, drank it without swallowing at tumakbo patungo sa banyo upang masuka.

"Uh-oh!" I heard him say.

Nilakasan ko pa ang tunog ng pagsusuka. Not to mention that I was truly vomiting. Sumunod si Hermes ngunit nang makita niyang nagkalat ako sa sahig ay umatras siya. "Just so you know, next to cussing, messy comfort rooms is Poseidon's petpeeve. Call me when you're done, Star. I'll clean it up for you," he said before shutting the door.

Siniguro kong nasuka ko na lahat at agad na naghilamos. I still feel hazy due to the alcohol, but I have high tolerance. Nagwisik ako ng tubig sa mukha, slapped my cheeks and looked at my reflection in the mirror. Saka ko na lamang iisipin kung ano ang mga nangyari, and who is that impostor Zolotov who's working out of my plan. Kinuha ko ang basong binigay ni Hermes, poured a quarter of it to the sink at lumabas ng banyo hawak iyon sa mukha, as if I just drink from it.

Sabay silang napalingon sa akin nang pabagsak na binuksan ko ang pinto. "Can I have more water?" I dropped the glass at nagkalat ang mga bubog sa sahig.

"Don't move, Star! I'll take care of it," agad na sabi ni Hermes at sinalubong ako upang alalayan patungo sa sofa.

"Thanks."

"Now, you can take a rest, I'll handle this."

I nodded before slowly closing my eyes, and stayed still. My mind wanted to shutdown, but I have to remain awake. This is my forte, so I'm not letting this moment passed. It felt like forever waiting for them to let loose. Hindi ko alam gaano ako katagal naghintay hanggang sa narinig ko na ang boses ni Hermes.

"I guess the drug already worked," he said.

"What drug?" Tanong ni Poseidon.

"Chill, she'll just sleep for hours. Isa pa, lasing din naman siya so a little sleep will help. What the hell Poseidon, I don't even clean my own mess, why am I cleaning your girl's puke?" He made a disgusted growl in his throat.

"Ikaw ang nagboluntaryong gawin 'yan, and no cursing or I'll throw you daggers," sagot ni Poseidon. "That's the girl I told you about."

"Your dad's whore?"

No reply but I presumed Poseidon nodded.

"But I heard your old man didn't fuck the girl though," narinig kong sabi ni Hermes. "If I have a wife like your mom, I'll definitely not find some whore. Your mom's scary."

"I'm not dealing with that right now," Poseidon said. "She's the one who brought me to Zolotov's den."

I did?

"She used to be his lover."

I'm not.

"Or one of his whores," komento naman ni Hermes. "Such a shame. Star's definitely your type."

I wish I could see the disgust in Poseidon's face right now.

"Don't deny it, Poseidon. Petite, innocent-looking, smart— in short, Mnemosyne in another body."

Now I'm curious who that Mnenosyne is.

"That woman is dumb, and do not see Mnemosyne in her," may conviction sa boses ni Poseidon, like he's truly offended that Hermes associated me with her. "She offered her help in finding Zolotov for a petty revenge, without knowing who he truly is. He could kill her in an instant yet he chose to just stab her. She's lucky that's all she got."

Well, the stab was according to my plan. What's going on right now is definitely not.

"Did you meet him?" Sumeryoso ang boses ni Hermes.

"Alam niyang dadalhin ako ni Star sa lugar na 'yon, so he prepared a little show for me. I've actually fallen into his trap."

Tumawa si Hermes. "Well, you walked into an opponent's den, what do you expect to see, snacks?"

"Just shut up, Hermes and help me stitch my wound."

It seemed like Hermes started moving. Nanatili akong nakapikit at nakinig sa usapan nila. Damn, why don't they talked about Vander mafia? Cronus' whereabouts? Current shipments? Important insider details?

"A busted stitch and a drunk woman, iba ka talaga trumabaho, Poseidon."

There was growl, I'm sure coming from Poseidon. "I told you it was a trap. Nevertheless, I know Zolotov's still in town. He's on the move so warn the others. I'll keep this woman in my custody. I think she knows some useful info I can use."

"Iyon lang ba talaga?" Panunukso ni Hermes. "We all know you're a slut, Poseidon. Even worst than Apollo."

"Not my type," Poseidon replied.

"Really? Does that mean I can—"

"No," mabilis na sagot ni Poseidon.

Hermes laughed, and I was confused what was funny. Baka naulol na sa dami ba naman ng pasa sa mukha at katawan niya, I doubt his brain sustain no damage.

"Not your type huh," Hermes said in between his laughs.

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