Watch your thoughts, they become your words: 02 | He Saw Me

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Losing someone like her was like watching the pillars of a government crack. Her absence would ripple through the Continent, disrupting the careful balance of their operations. 

She wasn't just a resource—they lost a master of knowledge, strategy, and precision, someone who moved through the shadows like second nature. Her departure left a wound that skill or resources alone could never heal, exposing the Continent to dangers it wasn't prepared for. 

"That kind of loss creates a hole no one else can fill," I muttered. 

Dirk frowned, worry etched on his face. "What's your next move?" 

I gave a small, dangerous smile. "Haven't decided yet... but I will soon enough." 

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Ruby's POV

The atmosphere was charged with the aroma of gasoline and excitement as I perched on a bench encircling the racetrack, my gaze fixed on the unfolding events at the middle.

The roar of engines filled the space, echoing off the walls and vibrating through my bones. Two cars lined up at the starting line, ready to duel. On one side was a veteran racer, known simply as "Damon," his sleek black car with crimson stripes gleaming under the dim lights.

On the screen, his image appeared, projecting a sense of tranquility and resolve. With a helmet cradled under his arm, the man exuded a focused and determined demeanor that captivated those around me. The crowed leaned in, engrossed by his presence as if Damon himself stood among them, his larger-than-life image transcending the boundaries of the display. Their excitement was already pulling me in. 

As I've heard, he's a racer feared by all who dared challenge him—his legacy built on countless victories and the awe of spectators. Opposite him was the underdog, a rookie known as "Croce," ready to defy expectations. The screen shifted to the rookie's image. His face was masked, his hair cascaded over his eyes, but his confidence was unmistakable—poised, steady, and unshaken. He exuded confidence without any hint of arrogance.

And of course, the cars were just as captivating as the racers. Damon's ride, an Apollo Intensa Emozione, was a thing of beauty—low, aggressive, and perfectly tuned for domination. The way it growled, you could tell it had seen its share of victories, every inch of it screaming precision and experience.

Then there was the rookie's car, a Hennessey Venom F5. It wasn't as polished, but that didn't matter. It had raw energy, untested but undeniable. The flames on its sides felt fitting, like it was ready to ignite and prove itself. Seeing machines like these here in the Philippines? That was the real surprise—this kind of action wasn't something you'd expect on a third world country streets.

All I thought it was just a regular race. But, guess its not. This race reminded me of Racing Madness, the infamous underground competition in Italy where winning often meant surviving. I doubted the authorities here would ever approve of something like this, but then again, anything's possible. All I could do now was sit back and enjoy the show.

As the countdown commenced, my focus shifted entirely to the F5. The crowd around me erupted in a frenzy of excitement, their cheers and applause heightening the already electrifying atmosphere. The showdown was on the verge of beginning, with both racers once again showcased on the large screen across the bench.

Croce adjusted his gloves one last time, his eyes locked on the track ahead. He was a wildcard—unpredictable, determined, and hungry to make a name for himself.

The signal lights changed from red to green, and in a flash, both cars surged forward, their tires screeching on the asphalt. A rush of adrenaline swept through me. This was the moment everyone had anticipated. Leaning eagerly in my seat, my heart raced in my chest.

Come to think of it, this feeling... this excitement... Ito yung pananabik na aking nararamdaman habang hawak-hawak ko ang aking patalim na unti-unting bumabaon sa laman ng aking biktima.

At hindi ako titigil hanggang sa maramdaman ko ang init ng dugo na dadaloy sa aking mga kamay. Ang bawat pagtalsik ng dugo ay nagpapakita ng tagumpay sa aking karahasan. Sa bawat diin, pasok at baon—umaalab sa aking kaluluwa ang diwa ng aking pagkatao...

Haha!

HAHA!

HAHAHA!

CHARIZ.

Damon's car glided ahead, his skill honed by years of experience. Croce, however, was relentless, pushing his car to its limits to stay in the race. 

Every turn and straightaway revealed the gap between them—Damon navigated each curve with smooth precision, as if the track obeyed him. Croce, on the other hand, attacked the corners with raw determination, his tires skidding slightly with each turn but refusing to lose ground.

"Hey heard the rumor?" agad akong napalingon sa katabi kong lalaki nang marinig siya.

"What rumor?" balik tanong naman ng isa pang lalaki.

"It's what's got everyone buzzing, dude! The rumor that whoever loses might wreck the other's car!"

"What? Seriously? That is next level crazy. Can't imagine what's at stake for them to go that far." gaya ng sinabi niya ay hindi rin ako makapaniwala sa aking narinig.

Mukang bibigating tao ang andito ah? Pero bakit wala akong mahanap tungkol sa kaniya? My presence in this racing den has a purpose other than casual curiosity. I'm here to make a superficial connection within the underworld.

I seek help from someone I once knew, a figure obsessed with snakes—a strange but appropriate preoccupation in this secretive society. Pero kanina pa ako naglilibot, wala parin akong makitang kahit anong balat ng ahas na'yon.

However, despite my wandering earlier, I have yet to come across any trace of that serpent-like individual. So, I stopped searching and found myself seated on a 16-foot bench, observing a race filled with peculiar individuals. Although this wasn't my main purpose for being here, I couldn't resist joining in the excitement with the crowd. 

This wouldn't be detrimental, right?

Anyway, I don't really give a damn right now. My body is still tired, and half of my ass hardly functions. I feel like a leftover, my dignity was already consumed by ravenous puppeteers and that damned, Adofo.

Why bother when I'm no longer the valuable stone that shines brighter than others? Besides, I find solace in the chaos, comforted by the roar of engines and the screech of tires.
           
"I heard the rookie's been talking big, itching to prove himself. Accepting Damon's duel challenge is bold." pakikinig ko ulit sa usapan ng dalawang lalaki.

Tama siya, Damon guy in the Intenza car looks like a paladin in the monitor. Kung sa screen ay mukha na siyang papatay ng tao paano na kaya kapag nasa loob na ng track at nakahawak na sa sandata niyang manibela?

Pero kung mukha ang basehan sa performance ng dalawa, hindi ko makita ang kayabangan sa mukha ng rookie. Malayo sa sinasabi ng lalaking katabi ko na nagyayabang daw ito, eh mukha ngang mas alaskador itong si Damon eh.

Habang pa cool guy lang si Croce. Well, the rookie appears to be young and talented, but I can only assess him based on his hidden face. His name speaks something though.

Croce.

"Croce," meaning "cross" in Italian, symbolizes strength and stability—two crucial traits for any racer. Racing requires more than just speed; it demands physical endurance, sharp mental focus, and a deep knowledge of the car's mechanics and aerodynamics.

Well hindi niya naman tatanggapin ang hamon kung wala rin siyang maibubuga, hindi ba? He must be fully aware of his F5 and both of their capabilities. At kung totoo man ang sinasabi ng lalaking katabi ko?? I clicked my tongue and hissed.

This racing den is quite something too. I did find a good place but this also might serve my way back to my grim reaper.

So, you should be cautious, Ruby.

But wrecking someone's car? That's going too far, even for this competitive world of racing. The rookie's Hennessey Venom F5, the world's second fastest car? If he's going to lose, it shouldn't be because of foul play.

I am head over heels of that F5 tapos sa tagal kong namuhay sa Italy ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganoong sasakyan! Mas mahal pa ata ang Hennessy kesa sa Apollo Intenza kaya talagang ikakasakit ng puso ko kapag natalo ang F5.

And speaking of their stakes, no doubt it adds a whole new level of pressure. I mean, imagine the tension on that track. It's gonna be one hell of a race, for sure.

Back on track, they're already neck on neck. The rookie isn't backing down, matching the veteran's speed. And it is turning into quite the contest!

The screen displayed a close-up from inside the rookie's vehicle, revealing his concentration as he expertly drove the corner. Damon remained solid, adding to the growing tension as their engines screamed in sync.

Shet! ang lulupet nila!

Sino namang tangang mag paharurot ng sasakyan habang papalapit sa isang blind curve? Syempre iyong rookie lang!

Croce executed a precise drift with expert control, the F5's tires screeching as they momentarily lost traction. The car slid into the curve, its rear swinging out in a smooth, controlled arc, leaving a mesmerizing trail on the asphalt.

The F5 moved like a ballerina twirling effortlessly on the road, seemingly defying the laws of physics.

And that got me smiling like...joker! Time appeared too friggin' slow in that inertia drift! Tangina, ang astig ng galawan niya sa screen.

At hindi lang doon natatapos ang kaastigan at angas niya. 

As the track straightened, Croce smoothly regained control, shifting the car's weight with precision. In an instant, the F5 shot forward like lightning, fueled by a burst of momentum. 

The crowd erupted in cheers, electrified by Croce's bold and flawless execution. His daring hairpin maneuver didn't just impress—it left everyone in awe... Also captivating my sanity.

The race's adrenaline surged once again, deep into my bones, sparking every cell of my existence. It was thrilling to watch such expertise, that delicate balance of control and recklessness on the road.

The thrill of racing came alive at these moments, and for in that fleeting instant, I was not merely an observer; I was part of the pulsating heartbeat of the race.

I shared in the crowd's exhilaration, the sheer joy electrifying the air. Time felt like it slowed, trapping me in a surreal dream, while adrenaline surged through me, heightening every sensation. 

Then, out of nowhere, a shocking bolt of dread sliced through the excitement! My breath caught in my throat as I saw a spear-like object shoot out from Damon's car, hurtling toward Croce's vehicle with terrifying speed.

Iniisip ko lang kanina na dapat walang dayaang mangyayari pero heto at nakikita ko. The thrill that had electrified the air moments before now morphed into a chilling wave of disbelief. My heart raced, each beat echoing in the tense silence after the shocking event.

The announcer's voice crackled over the speakers, a jarring contrast to the earlier cheerfulness, now filled with disbelief and urgency. 

His words echoed through the stands, igniting murmurs among the spectators. The crowd's vibrant excitement faded into a heavy unease, a collective anger evident in the air as they whispered among themselves.

Everyone probably knows the kind of game this Racing Madness is, but like the people around me, I couldn't believe the shock, and all I could do was stare blankly at the large monitor for a few seconds.

My eyes locked on the unfolding drama.  The impact was devastating, sending Croce's car crashing and spiraling out of control. In an instant, a deafening explosion shattered the air, engulfing the surroundings in chaos. Thick smoke billowed, obscuring their figures on the track and ripping away the remnants of excitement.

Grabe, ang lalang plot twist 'yon.

Unexplainable worry engulfed me. A wave of emotions flooded my face—bewilderment, concern, and a desperate urge to comprehend what had transpired. Lintik lang at simula nung naiyak ako ay hindi ko na hawak aking mga emosyon.

Sa sandaling iyon, hinawakan ako ng pagmamadali na parang isang bisyo. Nang walang pag-aalinlangan, tumakbo ako pababa sa bench at agad na tinalon ang taas niyon. Naitukod ko pa ang tuhod ko ng mag landing sa lupa dahil nawalan ako ng balanse pero hindi ko na inisip ang sakit dahil nagmamadali na ako patungo sa eksena.

Darting across to the next pillar, I aimed for a better vantage point, but my view was blocked by the thickening cloud of smoke billowing across the track.

Muli na naman akong natulala sa pagkakataong iyon. Hindi ko maikilos ang aking mga paa dahil wala akong ideya kung anong gagawin, pinakiramdaman ko nalang ang nangyayari sa paligid ko. As if like I am using my senses into a heightened state, feeling like in an Avatar mode.

Minutes passed in hushed quiet, everyone holding their breath and waiting. Then, my ears tingled on my right as a piercing scream of tires broke the silence, followed by a massive rumbling.

Napalingon ako sa aking kanan, hinahanda ang aking sarili before the F5 appeared from the smoke, defying gravity and soaring over the track.

"My F5." I whispered.

Parang nag slow motion sa harapan ko ang sasakyang nasa ere, hindi ko alam pero bumibigat ata bawat segundo habang tinitigan ko iyon sa'king ibabaw.

The next thing I knew, another vehicle was racing towards the finish line, narrowly beating the flying Hennessey. However, the flying car's fall came to a sudden halt when it crashed into a pillar near where I was standing!

Agad kong tinakpan ang aking mukha gamit ang mga braso ko. The impact threw my cap off, leaving me disoriented for a time. It took a few heartbeats for me to calm down in the thick of the mess.

Bigla nalang akong namangha sa kalagayan ko ngayon. Gusto kong matawa dahil maaari ko iyong ikamatay pero mukang si kamatayan ang umiiwas sa akin.

Grabe, mercy on me.

Inayos ko nalang ang aking sarili matapos bumahing mula sa alikabok habang kinukuha ang ballcap ko. Nabalik nalamang ang aking atensyon sa nangyari nang makarinig ng malakas na sigaw na nagmumula sa tumaob na sasakyan. Mukang sinusubukan nung Croce na buksan ang nabarang pinto.

Despite my doubts, I found the will to approach the wrecked car. I gathered my strength and struggled with the door, pulling until it eventually gave way.

The driver's distress spurred my eyes but I didn't bother to help. Nakagapang naman ito palabas kaya walang problema, kaso agad itong sumigaw habang nakahiga sa lupa.

"Tangina!" he said and I can really sense that extreme frustration, bursting out with madness.

I bent down for a moment and quickly studied every reaction on his face until our eyes suddenly met.

Ack, hide Ruby!

He froze for a while but before he could get from his senses, I swiftly stepped back walking away from him and from the scene while I slightly lowered my ball cap when the responders passed by. Tumungo na ako sa labas kung saan naka-park ang big bike ko.

That was close.

He probably saw me, Rubianna.

Saglit ko pang sinipat ang paligid bago sumakay sa big bike. Sinuot ko narin ang helmet ko bago humarurot papaalis sa den. This night was unexpected and somehow strange.

                  
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