Chapter 2: End of Bargain

Isa-isa kaming binilang at pinagbukod. Mangiyak-ngiyak na ako sa takot dahil sa anuman ang maaring mangyari sa akin. Magi is nowhere to see at kung nandito man siya, alam kong gaya ko ay natatakot din siya sa maaring kahinatnan naming dalawa. I cannot even insist that I am just a guest here dahil una, bawal ng tumanggap ng bisita ang Zone Z. Pangalawa, nagpumilit lamang akong pumasok. It would be hard to claim I am not from here dahil pinagpalit ako ng damit, so I would not stand out much when I slipped to see the kids. Wala na rin ang visitor's pass na binibigay sa mga bisita dati. Sa madaling salita, this is the kind of mess I put myself into.

I needed to take responsibility for this. I was the one who insisted on entering Zone Z, so it was my duty to find a way out for both Magi and I.

Pero paano ko gagawin iyon? This place is dead-end.

"Three hundred forty five!" malakas ang boses na sabi ng isang sundalo at tinulak ako sa gilid kung saan may mga nakatayo rin na halos kaedad ko lamang.

I felt an uncomfortable gaze from somewhere at nang inilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid ay nakakunot ang noo ng isang lalaking nakatayo hindi kalayuan sa akin. Kayumanggi ang kanyang balat, an obvious sign of too much exposure from the sun due to hard labor.

Nang magtagpo ang aming mga mata ay hindi siya nag-iwas ng tingin. Mas lalo lamang kumunot ang noo niya at hindi kalaunan ay lumapit siya sa direksyon ko.

"You're not from here," walang pag-aalinlangang sabi niya.

Mabilis na napatingin ako sa paligid, silently hoping no one heard his statement. Hindi ko alam bakit siguradong-sigurado siya sa sinabi niyang iyon. Kahit pa sabihing halos kakilala na nila ang lahat ng nandito, pwede naman niyang isipin na bagong salta ako na itinapon sa Zone Z.

But no, he sounded so sure about it.

"Hindi ko alam iyang sinasabi mo," pagmamaang-maangan ko. 

He smirked, and I know for sure I cannot pretend anymore. "Try harder."

Huminga ako nang malalim at bahagyang lumapit. "P-paano mo nalaman?" mahinang tanong ko.

"I've seen you one time teaching the kids," sagot niya.

It was impressive how he remembers me despite his claim that it only happened once. Alam kong hindi ako kakilala ng mga tao rito— maliban na lamang sa mga bata. Whenever I visited, the adults are busy with labor kaya hindi ko sila nakikita at hindi nila ako nakikita.

Huminga lamang ako nang malalim at mahinang tumango. "I got caught up in this situation. Hindi ko alam na ganito ang mangyayari," pag-amin ko. Kahit na hindi ko siya kilala ay mukha naman siyang walang balak na ipahamak ako. 

Or I was hoping so.

I hope he's kind though he doesn't look like it. His pointed nose makes him distinguish from other inmates inside Zone Z. Kung hindi lamang sa kulay ng kanyang balat at kupasing damit na suot ay malamang magmumukha siyang estranghero sa lugar na ito.

His eyes were dark like coals, complimented by his dark long lashes. Alam kong hindi tamang punahin ang hitsura niya sa mga sandaling ito but he really looks like he don't belong here. His lack of expression and the coolness in his demeanor made me hesitant, but at the same time, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was trustworthy.

"What's your name?" tanong ko.

Walang emosyon ang kanyang mata nang napatingin siya sa akin. "Why?"

Pakiramdam ko ay napahiya ako sa pagtatanong ngunit hindi ko lamang iyon pinahalata. "Formality, I guess?"

"Seven," sabi niya.

"Seven, like the number?" paninigurado ko.

"It is a number," sagot niya.

Pilit na napangiti ako. "Cool. Y-your parents must be a big fan of numbers," biro ko. At bakit ba nakuha ko pang magbiro sa ganitong pagkakataon?

Ni hindi man lamang siya ngumiti. "It's the name given to me by the people here. Kung hindi mo alam, our identity is removed after being thrown here."

Hindi na lamang ako nagsalita pa at ibinaling ang tingin sa mga sundalo na patuloy pa rin sa pagbibilang. Bigla na lamang may nabangga sa akin dahil napalakas yata ang pagkakatulak sa kanya.

"P-pasensya na," nakayukong sabi nito at bahagyang lumayo na tila ba natatakot sa mga tao. It was a thin awkward guy na may suot na beannie. Bahagya ulit itong nakabangga at naiinis na tinulak ito ng kanyang nabangga.

"Ano ba, Bean!" sigaw ng lalaki na lalong nagpatakot sa lalaking nakasuot ng beannie kaya lumayo ito mula sa kumpol ng mga tao.

Seven stood by my side, his gaze fixed on the other people. "Do you know why they're doing this?"

"Sabi ng doktor kanina, it has something to do with annual picking. What does that even mean?" tanong ko.

He dusted off some soil from his clothes. "Wala kang ideya sa kilabot na maaring kahinatnan mo sa lugar na 'to."

Asking about the annual picking seemed to leave me a bit anxious. Was it really as ominous as the doctor implied? Hindi ko na siya nasagot dahil dinala kami ng mga sundalo sa isa sa mga shelter na nasa loob ng Zone Z. Kahit na may mga inaakala na akong itsura ng lugar, it was a different experience to see it in person.

The place was dimly lit, devoid of any modern technology, not a single monitor in sight. Rows of mats were neatly arranged on the floor. Each mat had an old-looking pillow and a piece of cloth that could serve as a blanket.

Tila ba alam na ng lahat ang kanilang gagawin. No one seemed to be panicking, but there was no joy either. Everyone found a place to settle down. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang aking gagawin kaya't sumunod na lamang ako kay Seven, papalapit sa dulo ng mga nakahilerang mga banig.

He chose one at the far end, sat down, and gently tapped the pillow as he leaned against the wall. I settled on the mat next to him, quietly watching.

He must have sensed my desire to ask questions, as he was the one to break the silence. "You want to ask something?"

Mabilis akong tumango. "Bakit... Bakit wala man lang sa inyo ang tila natataranta?"

He shrugged slightly, brushing off a speck of dust from his clothes with his fingers. "Sanay na ang lahat. This happens every year."

"This what?"

"Annual picking," sagot niya.

"I really have no idea about it," pag-amin ko.

"Ah, marahil hindi ito ipinapaalam sa inyo," sabi niya. "Annual picking could be a dream or a nightmare for everyone here. Those doctors earlier? They will check all your vital signs, and if you pass, you will be picked. Ibig sabihin, you can leave this place."

That sparked hope in me! Ibig sabihin ay hindi ko na kailangan mag-isip ng paraan para makatakas dito o isakripisyo si Magi. All I needed to do was to get picked!

"Then that could be my ticket to get out of here," mahinang sabi ko, moving closer to him so as not to be overheard by others nearby.

"Or your pass to hell," sabi niya. "Getting out of this place after being picked doesn't guarantee freedom."

"Ano?" naguguluhang tanong ko. That must be related to what the doctor mentioned earlier. He said something about "NEW."

"You will be subjected to genetic modifications and other processes," he explained. "Sanip has trained doctors and genetic engineers to make it possible. They can change your appearance if they want, turn you into a new human, but your brain functions are controlled by a centralized system."

My brows furrowed as I tried to grasp the concept. "Hindi ko maiintindihan..."

"Sa madaling salita, wala kang sariling pag-iisip. Since Sanip made you as someone new, you will be utilized and you must serve the country." He shrugged off a dry and short laugh. "You have to dedicate your life to Sanip as high-functioning human with artificial intelligence coming from the centralized command and control system."

Bahagyang napaawang ang labi ko dahil sa narinig. "Pero... Wala bang hindi sumang-ayon diyan?"

"What, resist the command?" tanong niya. "Once those doctors made some alterations in your brain, there's no way you can think on your own."

I wasn't sure if I could believe him or not. If his words held any truth, then my only way out was to devise an escape plan that I hadn't even begun to formulate.

"Kung ganoon, tulungan mo akong makalabas sa lugar na 'to!" pahayag ko.

Hindi man lamang iyon nagpabago sa emosyon na mababakas sa mukha niya. "What's in it for me?"

Ah, he wanted to negotiate.

Hindi ko pa alam kung mapagkakatiwalaan siya o totoo ba ang kanyang mga sinasabi. Pero sandali, kung kaya niyang palayain ako, bakit siya nandito pa rin? Maybe he's just playing with me.

He is definitely just clowning me.

Ang tanga ko dahil may bahagi sa akin na naniwala sa kanya. I scowled at him before looking away.

"How stupid of me to ask you. Hindi mo nga nagawang itakas ang sarili mo rito eh," mahinang sabi ko.

"Dahil ayaw ko."

Mabilis akong napaangat ng tingin sa kanya. Ayaw niya? Who doesn't want freedom? Mahirap yatang paniwalaan ang sinasabi niya. "Ayaw mo?"

"I don't have to tell you the reason," sabi niya nang walang emosyon. "Now, tell me what do I get in return if I get you out of this place?"

Mukhang hindi siya nagbibiro base sa tono ng pananalita niya, but I couldn't let my guard down. Con-men knew how to lie and deceive people without batting an eyelash.

Biglang bumaba ang tingin niya sa dibdib ko at matagal na pumatitig doon.

Teka?!

Mabilis kong niyakap ang mga tuhod upang takpan ang kung anuman ang tinitingnan niya. This guy!

"Give me that necklace in return," aniya.

Necklace?

Automatikong napahawak ako sa pendant ng suot kong kwentas. It's the one with a clover pendant. Luma na iyon dahil galing pa iyon sa lola ng lola ko. So why would he take interest in it?

"H-hindi ito mamahalin. Think of any other—"

"Aside from that one, you don't have any valuables on you," sabi niya. Right. He was right about that. Pero mapagkakatiwalaan ko nga ba talaga siya?

Marahil napansin niya na tila nagdududa pa ako sa kanyang intensyon. "Hindi ka pa rin naniniwala sa akin." It was a statement. He was so sure that I don't believe him. Tama rin naman iyon. 

Huminga ako nang malalim. "Ewan ko, hindi lang talaga ako makapaniwala na tutulungan mo ako, if there's really a way out, you could have taken that and left this place."

Tumango siya, ngunit ang tanong ay para sa kanya. "Tama ka, who would want to be here, doing labor to death? But people have their reasons. It could be something important, gaya ng rason mo sa pagpasok dito ngayon, kahit na kahapon ay ang huling araw na may bisita dito sa Zone Z."

Bahagya akong napatango. My reasons were the children. Like he said, he could have a reason too, at mas mabuting huwag ko na lamang alamin. Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa pendant ng kwentas at pilit na inalisa ang sitwasyon. Anong mapapala niya kapag niloloko lamang niya ako? We will both be punished.

"If you're here for a reason, then maari ka pa ring makalabas?"

He shrugged a bit. "That's the plan, but if I'm not lucky enough, dito na rin ako mamamatay."

It's saddening to talk about death in this place. Pero kung may posibilidad na maari pa siyang makalabas... Then I'll take the risk.

"May halaga sa akin ang kwentas na 'to. Can you hold on to it hanggang sa makalabas ka? If so, can I take this back kahit pa magbayad ako?"

Napatingin siya sa akin. I wish I could read his thoughts right now. He doesn't look hostile, but there's something about a guy who doesn't show emotions on their faces. Parang ang hirap nilang i-predict at hindi mo alam kung ano ang mga posibleng tumatakbo sa isipan nila.

"If I make it out of here alive, I will find you and give you your necklace," sinserong sagot niya.

I gripped my necklace. "Anong oras mo ako ilalabas dito?"

Tumingin muna siya sa paligid, watching the people settled on their mats, habang ang iba ay nagkukwentuhan pa. Maybe most people already got used to this place at tanggap na nila ito.

"Let's wait until all the lights are off at tulog na halos lahat ng nandito sa Hall A," mahinang sagot niya.

***

"Are you sure ito ang tamang daan?" kinakabahan na tanong ko habang sinusundan si Seven. My heart is racing due to the excessive nervousness I'm feeling right now.

Nang masiguro namin na tulog na ang lahat, mabilis kaming lumabas sa Hall A. The meal wasn't near decent, but it somehow soothed our hunger. Hindi na namin kailangang maghintay nang matagal dahil mula nang pinatay ang lahat ng ilaw sa Zone Z, kaagad na natulog ang mga tao. It's easy to make them sleep dahil malamang pagod silang lahat sa buong araw na pagtatrabaho.

Ang buwan lamang ang tanging tanglaw sa daan namin, at hindi pa nagsasalita si Seven. Malamig ang paligid, plus the fact that I'm about to do something that may cause me my death, just added to the chill.

"Seven," tawag ko sa kanya.

Hindi siya huminto at hindi rin niya ako nilingon. Patuloy lamang siya sa pagpunta sa kahit saan sa Zone Z.

"Seven... I don't think I can do this. Baka mamatay ako sa kaba!" sabi ko at napaupo sa lupa. Iyon ang nagpatigil sa kanya, at binalikan ako.

"Get up, malapit na tayo."

"Pero—"

"We've come this far, ngayon ka pa susuko? Bakit hindi kaninang kinakausap pa lamang kita? Ah, maybe you want to become NEW."

Mahinang tinapik ko ang dibdib upang kahit papaano ay tumatag ang loob ko. I have to think of something that makes me want to leave this place.

The books. The books at home. Hindi ko pa nababasa lahat ng libro na naroon. I haven't been to so many worlds I've been by simply reading. Huminga ako nang malalim at tumayo.

Nagpatuloy naman sa paglalakad si Seven hanggang sa marating namin ang mataas na pader na nakapalibot sa Zone Z.

Dead end?

Or gusto niyang akyatin ko ang pader na 'yan? It's too high to climb, at kapag narating ko ang tuktok, matutosta lamang ako dahil sa taas ng voltage ng electric wires doon.

"Seriously? I can't make my way up," sabi ko.

"Who says you're going up?" tanong niya at binuhat ang mga flowerbed na nasa lupa. My mouth gaped open as I watched him dig the ground with bare hands. Kumpara sa ibang bahagi ng Zone Z, the soil seemed moist kaya mabilis niyang nagawa iyon. Or it could be because he dug it before at ibinalik lamang ang lupa. Sunod niyang inalis ang mga malalaking bato.

What?

Zone Z is literally a dead end. If you can't make a way up, you cannot even make a way down, no matter how deep you dig. May mines na nakakalat sa mga area na malapit sa pader. If you're lucky, you will be blown up in a second!

Kung maiiwasan mo ang nakakalat na mga mines, sa dagat ka naman pupulutin! Zone Z is an isolated island city, at napapaligiran ito ng tubig! Hindi man ako mamamatay sa bomba, mamamatay ako dahil sa pagkalunod. If I survived drowning, I definitely won't survive a gunshot na maaring mangyari! There were a few lighthouses around Zone Z, and in case they see anything moving within the danger radius of Zone Z, they will be shot to death!

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita sa labis na kaba, hanggang sa pawisang napatingin sa akin si Seven pagkatapos ilapag ang malaking bato.

"It's low tide now, so it won't be hard to find the raft I hid among the rocks," sabi niya. "Bumaba ka rito."

"Nababaliw ka na ba?" maluha-luhang tanong ko. "Paano kung namali ka ng hukay at natamaan mo ang isa sa mga mines—"

"I didn't, okay? Now get down here; we don't have all day."

Nanginginig na sumunod ako sa sinabi niya. "Pero..."

"The raft is between the largest rocks you will see there," sabi niya. "Mabilis mo na iyong makikita. At this hour, the water is at its lowest point—"

"At this hour?! Paano mo alam kung anong oras ngayon?" mas lalo lamang natakot na sabi ko. Why does he sound so sure in everything he says? Ni wala siyang kahit anong magsasabi ng oras sa kanya!

"I had it calculated carefully," sagot niya. "Once you find the raft, may itim na tila lubid doon. All you have to do is pull it to inflate the raft."

Malamig ang kabi ngunit labis ang pagpapawis ko. "Pero—"

"Do you know basic Math?" biglang tanong niya.

"Ha?!"

"Nevermind," biglang sabi niya. "There were a few lighthouses from the shoreline. Pito but one was under maintenance, so you only have to deal with six. It's one kilometer from where you will set. All six move in the same direction, making four revolutions in a minute—"

Hindi ko alam, pero tila mas lalo lamang akong kinabahan. Mukhang mas ligtas pa yata na manatili ako sa loob kaysa makipagsapalaran ako sa daan na tinuturo sa akin ni Seven. "Pero..."

"If my calculations were right, then the beam moves at a speed of approximately 83.7 meters per minute, kaya kailangan mong mag-ingat. Once you reach the shore, get off and hide on the east side of the red lighthouse. Sa bandang iyon ay hindi gaanong sakop ng bird's eye view. From there, count from one to seven hundred ninety-six—"

How could that be basic math?!

Hindi ko na alam kung napasok ba sa utak ko lahat ng sinabi niya. It's just impossible to do! How could I do it all so fine despite the overwhelming pressure?! "I don't think I can do it," pag-amin ko.

"Just focus!"

"How could I? Sa tingin mo makakapag-focus ako sa sitwasyong ito? Do you think I can count from one to seven hundred ninety-six without skipping or repeating a number? Sa tingin ko alam ko kung ilang metro na ang nilakbay ng ilaw sa lighthouse sa ilang segundo? D-don't you have an easier... way out?"

He massaged his temple due to frustration. "Sa bawat segundong lumilipas ay mas lumiliit ang tsansa mong makaalis sa lugar na'to," he said, gritting his teeth. "Now go, but you have to keep the end of your bargain."

Inilahad niya ang palad sa harap ko. Napahawak ako sa kwentas at ilang beses na napalunok, throwing away all hesitations. Mabilis na hinubad ko ang kwentas at inilagay iyon sa palad niya. He gripped it tightly on his palm.

"Now go."

Bago ako makababa sa mabatong bahagi ng kanyang hinukay, sabay kaming napalingon sa taas ng hukay nang may nagsalita.

"Uhmm.. Gusto ko ring makaalis sa lugar na ito. Tulungan n'yo ako," sabi ng boses.

Hindi ko masyadong naaninag ang mukha niya dahil medyo madilim, but there's something that made us recognize him.

The guy wearing a beanie.

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