-chapter forty-two-

FINN

Simula noong bata ako, I always thought Death was always following me.

It's been a constant thing from my parent's work, to their death, and to the next things that happened.

Nagtatago ako sa isang cement stone ring na nasa isang abandonadong construction site malapit sa beach. It's peaceful in here since no one comes in this place for fear of being injured. Hindi na din bumabalik dito ang nga workers dahil matagal na atang nacancel ang plano nila.

I'm hidden from the blazing sun in this summer noon. Flock of birds flew in the horizon, creating black spots among the white clouds that decorated the blue sky. From above the sea wall, the sounds of vehicles and dogs barking are present.

I hugged my knees watching the wide sea stretched in front of me. Tita Layla will probably look for me when she comes home, but I don't want to stay in the house today. The rooms feel suffocating and my heart's constricting whenever I stay there.

Dito sa labas, I get distracted by the sounds and the different sceneries.

Tita Layla and Geneva always tell me that I'm free to play with Gavin. Pero... kahit na ilang buwan na akong nandito, it still feels weird when I enter their house. Lalo na't may dalawa ding bata doon na laging tumatambay.

"Finley!"

Mahina akong napatalon sa kinauupuan nang marinig ang pagsigaw sa pangalan. When I looked up, I saw Gavin. Mukhang umakyat siya sa taas nitong stone ring at sinurpresa ako mula doon. A bright grin appeared in his face, his brown hair flying at the gust of wind that passed.

Napaawang ang labi ko. Anong ginagawa niya dito?

Gavin disappeared and I thought he'll leave, but he jumped down, arms stretched to balance himself while muttering a small, "Hup."

"Gavin? Nakita mo na ba si Finley?"

I made myself smaller when I heard another child voice. It's similar to that pretty girl who always hang out at Gavin's house.

Nilingon ni Gavin ang nagtanong at ngumiti. "Oo, Ree! Andito siya! Mauna na kayo sa dagat. Susunod kami."

"Okay~ Siguraduhin mong nando'n siya o ilulunod kita, Vin." a sweet, threatening voice.

Gavin's smile was replaced by a frowning pout. Dumako ang mata niya sa'kin at lumapit, kaya naman napaatras ako at mas pumasok sa stone ring. Napahinto si Gavin.

"Hindi naman kita aawayin! Gusto ko lang makipag-kaibigan!"

I stared at him suspiciously.

Gavin held his palm out, promising. "Talaga! We just want to make friends with you. Lagi ka naming nakikita pero nahihiya kaming makipag-usap, at dahil nag-iisa ka dito at maliligo kami, sumama ka na at maging friends tayo! Okay?"

I understood nothing but that we could be friends. Hesitating, I gave a small nod.

"Talaga, ha? Wala nang bawian 'yan. We'll be best friends!"

Akala ko ba friends lang. But then, I haven't had bestfriends kaya tumango na din ako.

Gavin smiled widely, holding out his hand to me. It was one of the moments that will forever be engraved in my mind. Gavin promising to be friends with me, who was hiding from the world, while the sea and the sun glowed behind him.

Nang kunin ko ang kamay niya ay bigla niya akong hinatak palabas. He ran towards Renée and Sebastian, dragging me, the waves and sands covering our bare feets. Nang makita kami ng dalawa na paparating ay tumayo sila't kinawayan kami.

It was new.

For once, life wasn't filled with death for me.

Isang araw, natagpuan naming umiiyak si Gavin. He was hiding below the bridge, sitting on the large rock, his face buried in his knees and his shoulder trembled at every heavy sob. Naunang lumapit si Renée na hinawakan ang ulo ni Gavin at pinapatahan ito. I followed, unsure of what to do and say, because whenever I'm used to just locking myself in my room when I cry.

Mas mukhang awkward si Sebastian dahil hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin at sasabihin. Inayos na lang niya ang salamin at sinubukang pagaanin ang paligid.

"Why are you crying, Gavin? Iyakin ka talaga." biro ni Baste.

Renée rolled her eyes and I bit my lower lip. Sebastian may be the smartest out of the four of us, but he really sucks at comforting people.

Gavin lifted his teary face and sniffled. "Si Mcdo kasi namatay na."

Medyo nablanko pa ako hanggang sa maalala ko kung sino 'yon, aside sa isang fast food chain. Gavin's older brother gifted him with a puppy last year, but it started to weaken a few months ago.

"Ah..." tanging nasambit na lang ni Sebastian na mukhang nagregret sa sinabi niya kanina. "Condolence."

Renée gave Sebastian a long stare and I knew he's going to be suffering after that.

"Ikaw magdala." utos ni Renée kay Baste nang makadating kami sa bahay nina Gavin.

Renée handed a black sack to Sebastian, at nandoon ang remains ni Mcdo. We ducked down the kitchen, to save ourselves from Tita Geneva's eyes because we're going out without permission. Nang makaabot sa kalsada ay mabilis kaming tumakbo papunta sa sementeryo.

It was a small cemetery, a local one. Nasa may tabi lang ito ng simbahan at nasa dulo ng bayan. Getting inside is actually forbidden unless its visiting hours or a funeral's happening. Para sa aming mga bata, mas hindi kami pwede dito.

However, it's not like this is our first rodeo.

Gavin was the one who climbed over the gates and opened it for us. Siya kasi talaga ang mas athletic sa'ming apat. We decided to bury Mcdo in the deep part of the cemetery, under a shade of a mahogany tree.

Si Baste ang naghukay ng lilibingan ni Mcdo dahil sa sinabi niya kanina. Pagkatapos no'n ay tahimik lang siyang tumayo sa gilid at hindi na nagsalita pa. There are tears in his eyes, but it's not like Renée and Gavin's heavy sobbing.

I stared at the ground where Mcdo is buried. This was the dog who once wagged his tail at me and played tricks with. Now... he's dead.

Napatingin ako sa langit at 'di ko maiwasang mapangiti nang maalalang doon pumunta si Mcdo. Doon din nakatira sina Mama at Papa ngayon.

"You're bad, Finn! Are you happy that Mcdo died?" naiiyak na akusa ni Gavin sa'kin.

Umiling ako at ngumiti ulit, nakatingala pa rin sa langit.

"Mama and Papa has a pet now." mahina kong tugon. "Mcdo's with them."

Gavin pouted and cried harder. Si Renée naman na kanina'y pinapatahan si Gavin ay tumabok palapit sa'kin, pushing Gavin to Sebastian who didn't know what to do except hug the guy.

"Aww, Finn." Renée exclaimed, hugging me tightly. "Don't worry. We will never leave you."

"Tama si Ree." Sebastian agreed, dragging a still-sobbing Gavin. "If we're gonna die, we're gonna die together."

"Grabe naman. E sino na magkukuwento sa mga tao tungkol sa adventures natin?" Gavin asked, wiping away his tears.

"Magda-diary tayo." Renée suggested. "Tapos hahanapin 'yon ng mga anak natin."

"E paano 'pag namatay tayo nang hindi pa nagkaka-anak?"

"E'di parents natin!"

"E paano 'pag wala na din sila-"

"Basta!"

I cleared my throat, stealing their attention. Umiling ako.

"No promises to die together. Promise we won't die."

"Finn, the moment that we were born in this world, we've started dying." si Baste at ang philosophical views niya.

"We won't." Renée smiled. "We will be together forever. The four of us. Always looking out for our tomorrow, okay?"

"Mm."

And maybe we're really committed to that promise we made.

That even though the tides of fate will separate us or pull us away from each other, we will still find the anchor back together. That even though miles may stretch between us, the string we've carefully created all throughout the years will remain strong.

And we will find each other again, our own home.

The siren blared, taking me away from my thoughts. Umilaw ang mga posteng nasa labas ng kulay pula. Nanlaki ang mata naming apat at mabilis kaming tumakbo palabas, the red lights filling the street we're running on. Ang mga taong nasa paligid namin ay mabilis na ring tumatakbo pauwi.

The houses who had all their families in has started their lockdown. Steel walls covered the entire building, even closing on the rooftop. The loud sound of helicopters flying by made us duck our heads, still running towards Renée's house, which is the closest one.

"Attention to all citizens. The city will now undergo lockdown for the Eastern wall have been breached. Please go back to your own houses and initiate personal lockdowns." the speaker from a poster announced. "I repeat, the city will now undergo lockdown for the Eastern wall have been breached. Please go back to your own homes and initiate personal lockdowns."

Magkahawak-kamay kaming apat habang tumatakbo. Their hands felt safe in mine. Like a grounding vessel or a calming grip. When we all squeezed our hands after successfully entering Renée's house, we knew we were making true to our promise.

Whatever happens, we'll have each other.

Whatever happens, we'll be with each other.

Umihip ang hangin sa gubat. Eris' grave lay in front of us, flowers placed atop of it. Even though she had a gruesome death, may her depart to the otherworld be a peaceful one. I hoped that she would be consoled by our flowers, prayers, and forgiveness.

"Theo!"

Napalingon ako nang marinig ang boses ni Sapphire. She was running toward us but when she was the grave, tumigil siya. Kinagat niya ang ibabang labi na parang dumating siya sa maling panahon.

"Uh, sorry. I didn't mean to intrude." paghihingi niya ng paumanhin.

Theo raised a brow at her, eyes wide. "Sapphire, nilalagnat ka ba? Kailan ka lang naging magalang?"

Dahil sa sinabi ay nasipa siya ng babae. "Magalang ako 'no! Sa piling tao at sitwasyon lang- sandali, dude, anyare diyan sa mata mo?"

Sapphire frowned as she inspected the eyepatch on Theo's face.

Napakagat ako ng labi. "It was my fa-"

"Natamaan ng isang gumagalaw na object." putol ni Theo. "Bakit ka ba nandito? Ano kailangan mo?"

"Super ganda mo talagang alliance leader. Ang sarap mong ibagsak. Anyway, sinamahan ko lang 'yong isang gwapo na pumunta dito."

"Gwapo?"

"Oo. Kaibigan ata nina Finn 'yon. Limot ko na." lumingon siya sa likuran at napakamot ng ulo. "Wengya, nasaan na ba ang lalaking 'yon? Sumusunod lang 'yon kanina ah."

A friend of mine? Is it Caspian or Gavin?

It seems like I didn't need to ask my question out loud because the answer has already shown itself. Gavin placed his hand on a tree, trying to catch his breath. His hair was already disheveled, sticking up to every side.

"Ang weak mo naman." reklamo ni Sapphire na nakalagay ang bawat kamay sa balakang. "Gano'n lang, hindi ka na makasabay."

"Kasi panay ang talon mo sa mga sanga! Ano ka unggoy?!" singhal ni Gavin.

Sebastian smirked. "Hindi mo siya nasabayan sa gano'n, Gavin? Hindi ba't lahing unggoy ka."

"Kung ganiyan lang din naman, lahing unggoy tayong lahat, 'ngina mo."

"Gavin." tawag ko sa kaniya at lumapit. "Need something?"

Gavin smiled, studying my face. He suddenly opened his arms, inviting me to a hug.

"Ah, Finn! Ihug mo nga ako para marecharge ako!"

Kumunot ang noo ko nang may maramdamang kakaiba sa paligid. I quickly lifted my hand to catch an incoming dagger, when I felt the ominous danger getting close. Ininspekta ko iyon. A double-bladed dagger.

Isn't this Kairo's weapon?

Umikot ako at nakita si Kairo na nakaupo sa taas ng isang sanga. Madilim ang mukha niya. Dumako ang kaniyang mata sa hawak kong dagger at sinagot niya ako ng kibit-balikat.

"My hand slipped." he reasoned.

I frowned. I've always known Kairo to be a good thrower.

"You never slip." malamig na sabat ni Wes. "Aren't you one of the best lancers?"

"Talaga?" Kairo answered coldly, staring Wes down as well. "Maybe my skills are getting rusty."

"I hope your skills aren't too rusty that you'll end up killing people." Wes raised a brow. "On accident."

"Kung magpapatuloy ka pa rin diyan, I might as well."

"Alam mo, Theo, ito ang mga paborito kong ganap. Ang nagsasabungan na manok." I heard Sapphire whispered to Theo.

"Kita ko nga. Kaya lagi kang natutuka kasi mahilig ka sa mga manok."

"Sisipain na talaga kita."

Humikab si Theo. "Nagawa mo na nga e."

My attention went back to Wes and Kairo, slightly worried that they'll start fighting soon. Nagaalala akong baka matumba nila ang bulaklak na nilagay ko sa puntod ni Eris. O 'di kaya ay kailangan pa naming hintayin matapos ang away nila para mapatuloy ang quest.

Thankfully, Renée calmly walked in front, clapping her hands together. Isang matamis na ngiti ang sumilay sa mukha niya, ngunit ang mga mata'y matatalim.

"I hope we can have this competition some other time. Narinig ko kasing may quest na kailangang tapusin ngayon at may sasabihin din si Gavin." Renée chuckled softly. "Kaya pwede bang tumigil muna kayo? We have more important matters to attend."

Wes nodded. "We're going back to the castle now to check the dungeons. May itatanong kami kay Gaston at hahanapin na rin namin ang mirror na nagpapakita sa tao ng mga sitwasyong nais nito."

"Alright. We found out that the completion status of the quest depends on who contributes. So we can just ride on your ongoing party and we'll complete it together." dagdag ni Sebastian.

"Have you contacted our alliance members? Or Marcella?" tanong ni Wes.

Naalala kong iisa nga lang pala ang alliance ng dalawang 'to.

Umiling si Baste. "I went with Nikki, but she stayed back in the castle to nurse her wounds. Sinundan ko lang si Renée nang makita kong umalis."

"There are quite a lot of people in the castle now." Kairo cut in. "The refresh time enabled more people to come in. But a rampage is currently happening."

Kumunot ang noo ni Theo doon. "Anong ibig mong sabihin? Ang beast ba?"

"Nuh-uh. It's about the Blood Vanguard's beloved leader. That's what that boy wanted to say." tinanguan ni Kairo si Gavin.

I faced him, questions popping out of my head without fail. Bakit naman kaya kasalukuyang nasa rampage ang kastilyo at ano ang kinalaman ni Marcella doon?

Gavin scratched his head, an akward smile appearing in his lips.

"Uh, ano kasi, 'yong guild leader niyo. May planong patayin ang beast..."

-chapter end-