The lights of Mactan airport blinked in the distance.

My breath fogged the glass of the Bird as the deluge continued from the angry sky.

My hands restlessly wandered to caress the barrel of my Jericho. We've been silent the entire time we navigated through the rain.

I don't even want to think of the consequences right now. I'm itching to be out of this plane, land down, rest my tired bones on a soft queen-size, and later kill some assholes.

In that order.

***

"Stay here."

The door closed. Walang katapusang katahimikan na naman. Nabibingi na ako sa tuwinang naiiwang mag-isa. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nandito pa rin ako. Obvious naman na hindi na matutuloy ang kasal namin ni Brian dahil hindi papayag si Ahma na makonekta ang pangalan ng pamilya ngayong sumabog na ang pangit na reputasyon ng mga Tiu. Kung noon okay pa dahil hindi naman lantad ang mga shady deals nila. Puro rumours lang na may konekta sila sa Triad at kaya napakabilis ng pag-unlad nila dahil sa maanomalyang mga government projects.

Walang mga pamilyang perpekto. Lahat may itinatagong baho sa closet, lalo na ang mga makapangyarihan. Nag-iiba lang ang perspektibo kapag sumisiwalat ito.

Pinagmasdan ko ang kuwartong pinagdalhan sa akin. It's another one of those generic bare rooms. May isang maliit na kahoy na lamesa, bare white-washed walls, bakal ang frame ng mga nakasaradong bintana na natatakpan ng blinds, may isang mahabang, lumang leather na sofa sa corner. Clearly, we are not meant to stay here for long. 

Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok ang isa sa mga tagapagbantay na may dalang microwaveable container na may pagkain. Kinalag niya ang ziplock sa aking galang-galangan. Mahapdi na ang balat at nagsusugat-sugat sa isang buong araw na pagkakatali. Minasahe ko ang balat upang magbalik ang pakiramdam.

Tiningnan ko ang pagkain at doon lang nakaramdam ng gutom. Porkchop at fried rice. Walang tubig. May kutsarang plastic. Hindi tulad ng nakaraang gabi na walang kubyertos, ngunit mukhang mamamatay naman ako sa dehydration dahil halos buong araw na akong nakalimutang painumin.

"Kuya, wala po bang tubig?"

"Ay, oo nga pala," kakamot-kamot ang ulong batid nito. "Sige miss, kunin ko."

Lumabas na ang bantay at naupo ako sa sofa. Gusto ko nang kumain pero gusto ko ring uminom. Masakit na rin ang pantog ko. Gumala ako sa kuwarto at mayroong toilet doon na may bidet. I relieved myself at pagbalik ko ay naroon na ang isang bote ng 500ml na mineral water sa tabi ng pagkain ko. At least naaalala pa akong pakainin ni Brian.

I wonder how the rest of my family is coping? Kumusta na kasi si Cassie at Andi? Did they get rescued?

And I know deep in my gut that were moving soon again. Saan ba talaga ako dadalhin ni Brian?

***

The room is fucking luxurious.

The HQ booked us a boring deluxe room, but Jaguar put down his black credit card at the reception and got us both suites. Now this is more my style.

Jaguar got his own suite. Too bad, I wouldn't mind sharing, but I guess he needs to do his ritual shtick before the excitement tomorrow. I gotta have my beauty rest too. These last few days have been bad for my skin and a horror to my hair.

"Yellow," his voice on my transponder immediately alerted me. "Let's regroup."

I bounded out of the bed and went across the hall to Jaguar's suite. It had the same black and gold accent mirroring mine. Jaguar stood in the middle of the room with a towel around his shoulders. His longish hair is still wet from the shower. Tight black shirt stretched across his strong shoulders, while he donned comfortable graypants. His bare feet made no sound on the black carpeting. He looked almost normal if not for the fierce scowl darkening his face. He gestured for me to take the seat across him on the glass table with golden legs.

He airdropped the map to my I-pad as soon as we took our seats.

"We need to get in through here."

I surveyed the map and saw the part of the seawall that wasn't as heavily guarded according to the satellite images from Icen's surveillance drones. I tried to familiarize myself with the map and it's unique features.

"How do we neutralize the area? They're bound to have more guards that Tiu is in there."

"The perimeter walls don't have round the clock guards and there's only one CCTV."

"Maybe earlier they didn't have round the clock guards but now they definitely do. It's gonna be fortified like a fortress."

"What do you say about taking a literal drop?"

I rolled my eyes. Here we go again.

"I want a bonus."

***

The ground rushed at terrifying speed. I had to remind myself to extend my arms and legs as far as I could to break my fall. I could see Yellow's silhouette a few meters away hurtling like a rock before she tried to break her own fall without being caught in the searchlights from the enemy's lighthouse. Like a couple of cloud mice we descended on enemy ground at a roll.

Mud sluiced off the slick surface of our suits. The darkness helped to camouflage us from the roving guards and cameras. I saw Yellow on top of the seawall attaching a device that will momentarily freeze the cameras and change the feed. Overhead, the bird is but a blinking silver star being remote-controlled by Icen who is miles away in the HQ.

Upon Yellow's signal, I crossed the yard while keeping away from the enemy patrol. I waited for her to reach my position before we start the infiltration.

"We are on the wrong side of the building," Yellow informed me. "Tiu is on the next building."

"I know. I will go get our target."

"And?" Yellow raised a brow in question.

"Get 43 out."

Whatever objection she had didn't touch her lips. This is not an official operation. She slipped into the darkness to follow my instruction.

I slipped out of the gear and stuffed it away in an empty plantbox that I passed. I'll try to get it back if possible since it's part of the HQ inventory, but if not then I'll just write in a report that it's been used and disposed of in one of the trainings.

The faint sound of music can be heard from a radio in one of the numerous rooms of the complex. I circled around the guard before bringing a couple of them down. I had to make sure there was no sound of alarm. We need to be quick or else the other guards might discover their comrades are out of commission. Mahirap na, napakadulas pa naman nitong si Tiu at ilang beses na niya akong pinagmumukhang tanga sa kakahabol. I have a reputation to protect.

I could feel sweat forming on my brow as I kept to the shadows. My wet clothes stuck to my skin, the humid air inside the building, and the sleepless nights are giving me a headache. Kailangang matapos na ang mission na ito dahil habang tumatagal, mas nagiging malawak ang problema at nauubos ang aking pasensiya.

I do understand that Tiu is just one of the many obstacles that I have to clear. I've barely swatted the hornet's nest, and there are much bigger prey in higher positions that need to be eradicated to halt the spread of corruption.

I spied the door to the room where I know Tiu is staying in. There are two guards posted and a good number more just on standby in the adjacent rooms, and a couple of cameras that are independent of the perimeter security system. I took out my service weapons fitted with silencers and took careful aim. The lights flickered and I took the moment when both guards looked up to bring them down simultaneously. A quick roll to the corner and I took down both security cameras. I'm hoping it will take a few minutes for the security personnel to notice what's amiss.

An alarm sounded on the very corridor I am in. Well fuck. I just tripped a secondary alarm. This is bad. I've underestimated my enemy.

The door opened and six men who are twice my size came out with guns.

What unholy luck.

I wasted no time and just ran back to the shadows. Lights are being opened left and right, bullets fired and buried on walls, shouts were getting closer and gaining on me. A sharp pain on my side told me that one of the motherfuckers got lucky. I sucked in a breath while looking for a place to regroup.

"Yellow," I called out to my partner. "I have enemy in pursuit."

"Duck. There's an open room to your right."

I wasted no time and slipped inside the indicated room. I could hear a couple of gunshots and swearing before the sounds passed.

"Ali!"

I didn't expect to see her here. She was on her knees in the corner with a gun in her trembling hands.

"Stay put," I whispered to her. I felt for the wound on my side and concentrated. The particles of the Myght in my blood have started and the bullet fragment fell into my hands as they worked to knit the blood vessels and broken skin. When I felt good enough to stand, I approached her and crouched to better see her condition.

"Stay here. I still need to make sure Tiu does not get away." It took everything in me now to pull her into my arms. I have to focus on the target and stop my emotions from getting the better of me.

She nodded in understanding. Good girl. I'm pretty sure Yellow has lured the guards away. I have to get to Tiu soon or he'd be flying off to gods know where and the whole game of cat and mouse will start all over again.

I opened the door a fraction, and seeing no more guards, backtracked to my real target.

***

The remnants of the room looked like it was deserted in haste. A laptop lay open on the table, its display asking for a fingerprint or password. Papers were strewn all over the floors with the covers. I need to have Yellow comb this later for anything important that we may use against Tiu and his group.

I locked the room and started climbing up the stairs two at a time in pursuit. I could feel stitches on my side where the bullet wound is still healing. The skin felt hot to the touch as I know the Myght is working hard to fix the internal wound. I slowed down when I heard the sound of feet above. I spied men two levels above with their guns on the ready, scanning the bottom stairs for pursuit. I kept myself out of sight. I counted four of them. Not a lot, but still enough to buy time.

I can hear the sounds of a helicopter nearby.

"Icen," I called out to my comptroller. "Disable that helicopter."

"My pleasure," she replied. I counted three seconds before the booming sound of a missile shook the entire building and a deafening crash could be heard from the floors above. The roof caved in and a helicopter blade made a terrifying screech as it raked on the stairwell. Sparks and debris rained down.

"I said disable."

"Oops, sorry boss," she said in a not so-sorry tone. "Maling button ang napindot ko huehue."

I used the momentary diversion to catch up with my prey.

I took aim and brought two of the rear guards down. One was just caught on the shoulder and he fired back. I ducked against the railing as their bullets pierced the wall and steps inches from where I am.

I could hear Tiu shouting in his native language. His remaining bodyguards were still dazed, but they scrambled and fired at me. I fired back.

There are two remaining guards with Tiu and they took defensive positions. I pulled the pin off a smoke bomb before throwing it to their position. Green smoke exploded and I took the time to pull up my mask before scrambling into position. The guards were blind as I took them down one by one with a bullet to the chest. Tiu made his way up in a blind dash to escape.

I followed him up the stairs and found him in front of the locked door of the rooftop. He cursed non-stop as his shaking hands pulled at the door. He yelped when I shot the space between his legs.

"Get away from the door with your hands up."

He stood frozen.

"What do you want?" he demanded. The bag he was holding fell to the floor.

"You with your hands where I can see them."

"I'm not stupid," he muttered before he turned around and shot at me. I barely had time to move away and the bullet grazed my arm.

"Tch." I fired back and hit the hand that held his gun. It clattered to the floor as he crumpled down cradling the stump where his trigger finger used to be. He squealed like a pig while the blood spurted between his remaining fingers.My arm stung as I walked the remaining space between us. I grabbed his hair to make me look up into my eyes.

"I changed my mind. The HQ doesn't need to know I caught you alive."

His bloodshot eyes looked surprised, before he started laughing. "Ah, and here I thought you were different. Name your price."

I smiled back at him. Yeah, that's more like it. "The name of your employer, his minions, and your minions."

His expression faltered. "What? I... I thought... you said you will not let your bosses know I'm alive?"

"You have such little imagination." I tapped my gun against his cheek.

"Everyone has a price. What do you need? Money? Information? I can give you both just let me go."

"You'll give me more than that before this day ends, but first..."

I slammed my fist on his face.

"That one is for Aidan." Blood gushed out of his broken nose.

"No please!" I picked him up and punched the other side of his face.

"And this one if for Aya."

***

We bundled up Tiu and managed to sneak him away on board the Bird before the police and NBI arrived. I kept a straight face  while Jaguar did the talking. Inaantok na ako at kailangan ko na ring maligo. Kadiri talaga yung amoy ng pinaghalong pawis at tubig ulan na natuyo sa balat. I hope Jaguar will make good on his promise of a bonus. I need spa, spa, spa.

Ang daming tanong at bored na talaga ako kaya umupo na lang ako sa monobloc na naroon katabi ni 43. Mabuti na lang at hindi ito umiiyak at nag-iinarte. Chinika pa naman ako nila Jem at Trixie na sobrang arte daw ng mga pinsan nito, gusto na lang nilang ibalik sa kidnappers para tumahimik na lang.

Matapos ang mahabang usapan at nakita kong naglalakad si Jaguar papunta sa amin. Hay salamat.

I rolled my eyes when he pulled 43 up in a hug. Ah, my eyes! Hindi ko ma-take yung Jaguar na nag-P-PDA. Except na lang kung ako ang ka-PDA niya. Shems.

I dropped my Jericho loudly on the floor.

"Oops."

Naghiwalay sila sa wakas. Boss turned to me. "Yellow, I'll give you your summer getaway."

I beamed like a good girl. Yaaas!

"You're coming with me."

Wait, what? WHAT?

Pero bago pa ako nakahuma e inakbayan na niya si 43 at naglakad na sila palayo.

Ugh.

***

"Let's go."

I can't breathe.

Parang hindi pa rin nakakahabol yung utak ko sa lahat ng nangyari. Mula sa pag-house- arrest sa akin nila Tita sa condo ni Brian, hanggang sa nangyaring engkwentro, ang paglipad namin patungong resthouse, at yung pagligtas sa akin ni Ali.

I can feel his arms around me na parang ayaw niya akong pakawalan. May malaking gasgas sa kaniyang braso at may dugo sa kaniyang tagiliran pero hindi ito hadlang para maitago ang kaniyang guwapong mukha. I don't know if the day will come when I'm not mesmerized by how beautiful he is. Kahit na siguro pagulungin pa siya sa putikan, siya ang pinakaguwapong taong-putik para sa akin.

"Is something wrong?" He asked and I averted my eyes from his intense ones. Kumakalabog yung puso ko tuwing tinitingnan niya ako nang ganyan ka-intense. Umiling ako. I can't seem to find my voice. "Maria?" the sound of my name on his lips is my undoing. Hindi ko maintindihan kung gusto ko bang sumiksik sa dibdib niya o itulak siya palayo. Parang nababaliw na ako.

He's supposed to be my savior, but why does it feel like I'm still a captive?

"Um, saan ba talaga tayo pupunta?" I fiddled with my fingers.

"Di ba sabi ko nga sa paradise?" I looked up at him. Nababaliw na talaga ito.

"H-hindi mo talaga ako iuuwi sa amin?" He shook his head no, and I swallowed hard. "Seryoso?"

"Yes, I am serious."

Before I could protest further he was on his phone talking to his family.

What have I gotten myself into?

A/N: Hello, hello. I'm still alive. :D I'll see you guys in the next chapters.