Chapter 28: Poisoned Truth

"You're all sick in the head!" bulalas ni Bean at hinarap ako. "Hope, snap out of it! Bakit ka ba nagpapaimpluwensya sa kanila?"

I tried to reason out why I was willing to risk playing this dangerous game of defiance.

Was it for survival?

Maybe.

Am I not afraid?

I fear death, pero kung ganitong bulag ako sa mga tunay na nangyayari, what good is being alive?

Hindi ako katulad nila na matalino. I have nothing to bargain with for my freedom. Wala akong sapat na kakayahan para makaisip ng paraan para makatakas. In fact, I was given an almost perfect plan, but I still messed it up.

Kruger tapped Bean on the shoulder, but he quickly shrugged it off. "I understand where you're coming from, Bean. Pero tama si Seven. Either way, we're as good as dead, so what difference does a little defiance make? We'll find out soon enough."

Bean slumped in his seat, fear etched across his face, just like the first time I saw him in such a state— noong nagmakaawa siya sa amin ni Seven na isama siya sa pagtakas. Somehow, I felt pity for him. He tries to act mature, but deep down, he craves freedom more than anyone.

But what if freedom isn't what awaits him if we escape Zone Z?

What if Wolff Glass Bane has something planned for him—something that might make him wish he never left Zone Z?

I can't let that happen. I have to save Bean from Wolff.

"Kabaliwan ang planong naisip nila, Hope!" Bean exclaimed in frustration. He was visibly distressed, but I understood him. We're talking about life and death here, and Bean is someone who believes we can make it out without risking our lives. "Wala tayong kasiguraduhan na tama ang iniisip ninyo! What if we're really just secluded because of what happened? What if we're really just high-profile criminals that they see as a threat?!"

Hearing him refer to us as criminals stung, but I knew it hurt him even more.

I glanced at Seven and Kruger, and I could tell they felt the weight of Bean's words. Paano nga kung tama siya?

"Wala na bang ibang paraan?" I asked softly. "Can we defy the system without sacrificing a life?"

I knew how easily I could be swayed. I quickly agreed to Seven's plan, but with Bean's plea, I was ready to switch sides. There was no clear reason for me to survive, but isn't wanting to live reason enough?

"Please, Seven. Can't we think of another way?" I pleaded.

He looked at me, but I couldn't read the expression in his eyes.

Was it sadness?

Anger?

I had no idea.

My chest tightened from all the thinking. I was afraid of so many things, but realizing I could still feel fear made me certain that I wanted to survive.

Seven sighed deeply before grabbing another Belladonna. "Then I'll take two. One for me, and one for Hope."

We all stared at him in shock, unable to believe what he just said.

"Dude, you could die! Even if it's not the deadly Belladonna, you could still die by taking two!" Kruger hissed at him, ngunit hindi man lamang natinag si Seven.

Seven handed him a belladonna. "If you're that worried for me, will you take mine?"

Kruger made a face. "Just go die."

Seven shrugged and faced us. "But Hope, just so you know, my death would be meaningless. Hindi ako katulad ninyo na 'high-profile criminals.' I was not meant to be here, kaya kahit mamatay ako, it doesn't mean their plan failed. In fact, tinulungan ko lang sila—by eliminating the defector, which is me."

Tama si Seven. He wasn't supposed to be here—he was an unplanned variable na napadpad dito. His death would be a huge advantage for them.

Nagulat kami nang kinuha ni Kruger ang natitirang Belladonna. "Then I'll take two as well. Kung ayaw ni Bean at ni Hope, I will do it."

I know Bean felt burdened sa ginawa ni Kruger, but he was firm in his stance. He thought this sacrificing idea was ridiculous, and honestly, I agreed. Bean looked away, marahil ay upang hindi magbago ang isip niya.

Bumaling si Seven kay Kruger. "Are you sure? You'll be dead if you take the deadly Belladonna. You might survive, but there's also the risk na pwede kang maging paralisado, for the rest of your life."

Kruger sighed and secured the Belladonna in his hand. "If we never try, we'll never know."

I tried to talk them out of it, baka may iba pang paraan. Can't they just think of another way? Defiance doesn't have to end in death; it can be peaceful! Pero mukhang buo na ang loob nila. I guess they were too fed up with what's happening in Sanip.

Napakahirap maging mamamayan ng Sanip. The rule of law is a joke dahil ang mga nasa gobyerno lang ang masusunod. Due process is an illusion, and human rights are always violated. Harap-harapan ang korupsiyon, at lahat ng ginagawa ng mga may kapangyarihan ay para sa pansariling interes.

Pero kung may buhay ngang isasakripisyo, will it be worth it?

Who knows.

"There's not much time left," wika ni Seven. Lahat kami ay nagulat nang bigla niyang sinubo ang dalawang Belladonna.

"S-Seven!" I watched him clutch his neck, habang unti-unting lumalabas ang mga ugat sa leeg at noo niya. The berries were only half-chewed when he dropped the rest. Naramdaman ko ang panunubig ng mga mata ko, and I realized I was crying so hard.

Ilang kamatayan at paghihirap ba ang makikita ko?

Bean was frozen in shock, unable to move. We all watched as Seven struggled before collapsing on the ground, groaning in pain.

I turned to Kruger who was ready to take his belladonna. "Kruger, no—"

"Too late, Hope," he said, then followed suit, eating the two Belladonna berries.

I screamed in terror. I couldn't bear to watch them suffer. What did these people do to deserve this kind of sacrifice? Bakit kailangan nilang gawin ito, in hopes of dismantling a twisted system, in an attempt to destroy a wicked plan?

Kruger struggled to breathe, clutching his throat. His face turned bright red until he, too, fell to the ground.

Kahit hintayin ko pa ang 12 na oras, there was no guarantee that they will survive after taking two belladonnas. Kahit na magiging okay lang sila paglipas ng 12 na oras, what will the people behind all this would do to us?

My knees gave away, and I sank to the floor, sobbing. Bakit naging ganito ang buhay ko?

Had I been better to my grandmother, would I have ended up like this?

If I had just been a good kid and kissed the asses of the Glass family, where would I be now?

Probably sitting comfortably—at ang tanging problema ko lang ay kung paano maging kapaki-pakinabang sa gobyerno.

I cried my heart out, thinking of how things could've been different if my fate had changed. Walang saysay na sisihin ko si Wolff sa lahat ng ito, in the end, it was my choice. Kung sana ay tumanggi ako. If only I hadn't crossed paths with Wolff Glass Bane.

Lahat ng mga nangyari ay tila alaala na lang. I am no longer Dana Nina Lopez. I am a prisoner of Zone Z. I don't have human rights; I don't have an identity.

Naramdaman kong umupo si Bean sa tabi ko. He tapped my shoulder but said nothing. It was better that way—better than hearing false comforting words.

"B-bean..." I looked up and wiped my tears. "I... I want to die."

Shock registered on his face. "Hope!"

"I feel so helpless, Bean. What is there for me to live for?" Duwag na kung duwag, pero ayaw ko nang pahabain pa ang lahat. I can't change a rotten system. Anong magagawa ng katulad ko? I don't have what it takes to be that change. Hindi ako bida-bida para akuin ang pagbabago sa Sanip.

There was nothing to run for.

And it's not like I have the strength to run for this country.

"Hope..." Bean tapped my shoulder again, trying to comfort me. "There will always be a reason."

"Dana Nina," I softly said.

Bean looked confused. "Huh?"

"Dana Nina Lopez. I'm Dana Nina Lopez," I smiled sadly. I had never felt so happy saying my name, but knowing this would be my last, felt oddly freeing. "Lumaki ako sa lola kong si Emily Lopez, ang governess ng mga Glass. Nakakatawa nga eh, naturuan ni Lola si Catherine Glass ng magandang asal pero hindi ang anak at apo niya."

Bean stared at me intently. "Emily Lopez? Ibig sabihin, anak ka ni Mona Lopez?"

I smiled bitterly. "That's my mom. Hindi ko na siya nakita, matagal na. Not that I missed her, kasi ni minsan, hindi ko naman naramdamang naging ina ko siya. Nang mamatay si Lola, ni anino niya hindi man lang nagpakita."

He grinned and reached out to tap my head. "Interesting."

I didn't know why, but suddenly it didn't feel like I was talking to Bean anymore. When he grinned, there was something off—something different than the calm and collected Bean I knew. Not a hint of the scared Bean from earlier.

He stood up and walked over to Seven and Kruger's bodies. "It's such a waste to let these brains go, but intelligence is a dangerous weapon, so they're better off dead."

"B-bean...?" What was he saying?

"I'm tired of playing tag with your consciousness, Hope. Now I understand why you keep resisting command. You were never listed in the system because you're not supposed to exist."

My stomach churned, and I felt a pit of discomfort. Ibang-iba si Bean— even the things he was saying were different.

"A-anong ibig mong sabihin?"

Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawi ang buhok ko. "Do you know who your father is?"

Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko habang umiiling. Whatever revelation he's about to say, hindi ako handa roon.

"Have you heard of the rumors about Catherine Glass? It was said that she had an affair with Daniel Marave. It was the talk of the century dahil baka sila ang magiging dahilan kung bakit magkakaayos ang dalawang pamilya. But it wasn't Catherine Glass," sabi ni Bean, hindi inaalis ang tingin sa akin.

"Ano?" My lips quivered. Hindi ako makapag-isip ng maayos. It's too much for me to handle.

"It was Mona Lopez. Akala ng lahat si Catherine Glass ang karelasyon ni Daniel Marave. The misconception happened because she came out from the same car kung saan lulan si Catherine Glass at governess Emily. At ikaw, ikaw ang bunga ng relasyong iyon. That means you're my sister because of my father's infidelity," wika niya. "No wonder no matter what I do, we can't establish a neural command."

"I-ikaw?" Tila sasabog na ang isip ko. I haven't moved on from the paralyzed Seven and Kruger, only to learn that Bean was behind it all. "B-bean... ano...bakit?" I can't find the words to say. Napakumplikado ng lahat.

"Sorry for all the mess," iyon lamang ang sagot niya.

Tila wala na akong luhang mailuluha. I felt so betrayed— a betrayal that was too much for me to handle. Sabagay, betrayal doesn't come from people you don't know. Betrayal comes from people you trusted.

"I... I trusted you," malungkot na sambit ko.

Huminga siya nang malalim at tumango. "Exactly how I wanted it to happen."

"B-binalikan kita rito, in hopes of saving you from the people in power..." Napailing ako, halos hindi makapaniwala sa lahat ng bagay. "But you were one of the people in power."

Yumuko siya. "If you came back here for me, then it's your fault."

Tila binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig. May punto siya, ngunit hindi ko pa rin maintindihan ang mga bagay-bagay. Bean or Mint Marave was a victim. Or so I thought.

"P-pero biktima ka lang din ng bulok na sistema," I tried to reason out. Hindi pa rin nagsi-sink in sa isip ko ang lahat. My mind refused to believe that it was Bean all along.

"My purpose is to correct that rotten system," simpleng sagot niya.

"Hindi ko maintindihan," mahinang sambit ko.

"I'll make it easier for you, Hope. The Glass family rules Sanip, but once you've become an outcast and convicted, you're thrown out and stripped of your identity. The Glass family refuses to take responsibility for you. They are the Supreme Authority, and no second chances are given to those who sin. Tinatapon na lamang sila dito sa Zone Z, and just like that, it's like you never existed. So a system was created inside here. Zone Z has become a political symbol, a revolt against a rotten system."

Mas lalo lamang akong naguluhan sa mga sinabi niya. My mind couldn't process everything he said.

"Ang dating bilangguan ay naging simbolo ng kapangyarihan. Sa madaling salita, Zone Z has become an act of mutiny, a revolt against the corrupt and selfish system established by the people of Zone Z. People who sinned and were stripped of their rights and identity, we make them great again sa pamamagitan ng mga alterations na ginagawa namin—"

"You mean stomping on their rights?" Walang gatol na wika ko.

He looked down ngunit walang kahit katiting na pagsisisi sa kanyang hitsura. "I used to think like you, Hope. Naive and kind-hearted, pero maiintindihan mo rin ako balang araw."

I looked at him with disgust as I shook my head. "What happened to the Bean that I knew? The one who thought the worst-case scenario was being genetically engineered, exploited, and discarded once deemed useless?"

He sighed. "Again, balang araw ay maiintindihan mo rin ako."

"I don't think that day will come," sagot ko sa kanya. I felt so betrayed ngunit hindi ko magawang maiyak. My chest hurt, pero mas nanaig ang galit na nararamdaman ko.

"Let me study your mind, Hope. A mind so beautiful that it resists command. Gusto kong maintindihan iyon, but mainly for the reason of preventing a new uprising before it happens," sabi niya, akmang hahawakan ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko ngunit agad akong napaatras.

"Y-you... Hindi ko akalain na masasabi ko 'to sa'yo, Bean, but you disgust me. Hindi ako kasing talino ninyo, but I'm smart enough to know that this— all this is evil and mostly done for your unethical gain!"

Sumeryoso ang kanyang mukha. "Ethics is just a myth, Hope. It's nothing more than a fragile illusion built by the weak to control the strong."

Tinignan ko siya, ang tinuring kong kaibigan sa loob ng Zone ngunit parang hindi ko na siya kilala. His face was cold and unreadable, no hint of the Bean I once knew.

"You think you can justify all of this by saying that?" I asked, my voice trembling with both fear and anger. "That everything you've done—lahat ng kasamaan mo—ay tama dahil walang moralidad?"

He didn't answer. IInilapat ni Bean ang kanyang palad sa ere, displaying a holographic displays and pulsing lights. Isang pindot niya lamang ay tila dumilim ang paligid na tila ba nakikisabay sa nararamdaman ko.

"You'll understand soon," he said quietly, habang lumalapit. "I'll make sure of that."

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. "Anong gagawin mo?" I stepped back, pero mabilis siyang lumapit, his grip on my wrist firm. "Let go of me!" Pilit kong inaalis ang kamay niya, pero masyadong malakas si Bean. My body tensed, panic seizing me. "Bean, no!"

Tiningnan niya ang nakabulagtang katawan nina Kruger at Seven, "Dead bodies will only disrupt the perfect system dito sa Prism." He pushed more keys on the holographic display at ang mga salaming dingding ay lumiwanag. The soft hum of machinery filled the air as I watched the glass walls filled with array of trees and plants shifted into an empty glass room filled with familiar machines na tiyak kong nakita ko na.

Yup, the one I've seen in my dreams.

"Welcome to the Prism," the artificial intelligence voice announced. "Stabilizing in progress."

Ang mga pwesto kung saan namin inaalagaan ang mga halaman ay naroon pa rin, except that it was clear what this place is.

A facility perfect for all experiments and a laboratory for developing drugs. Kung paano man naitago ang mga makinarya at kung anu-ano pang aparato na naroon, my mediocre mind couldn't quite comprehend.

"B-bean..." Hindi ko pa rin lubos maisip kung ano ang kinalaman ni Bean sa lahat ng ito.

"Welcome to my lab," mahinang sabi niya kasabay ng pagbukas ng lahat ng ilaw at boses sa ere na nagsasabing, "Environment stabilized."

He pulled out white gloves from who-knows-where at sinuot iyon. “It's good to know na magkadugo pala tayo—magkapatid sa ama. But just so you know, the Maraves were sentenced to death for bioterrorism. Now, it’s just us.”

Wala akong matatakasan, kahit anong gawin ko. It’s too much to process, and learning who my father is doesn’t even shock me anymore. Ni minsan, hindi ko hinangad na makilala siya. Kung totoo man ang lahat ng sinasabi ni Bean, I feel nothing but disgust about being a Marave.

Being related to him doesn’t feel right.

"Bean, tigilan mo na 'to! Science is destroying you!" I shouted.

He laughed, as if what I said was absurd. "No, it’s not. I’m wielding science like it’s the ultimate power. With it, I can bend the laws of nature to my will, create new worlds, and eliminate the weak. It’s the relentless pursuit of knowledge, and I’ll stop at nothing to claim it."

"Knowledge is a double-edged sword. Every time you use it, it can cut you, leaving you to bleed from your own mistakes.”

We both turned when a voice from behind answered. It was Seven, sitting casually on one of the machines, chewing on a belladonna leaf. He hopped off and nudged Kruger, who was slumped on the floor.

“This is no time to sleep, Kruger.”

Kruger rolled over and slowly got up. “It’s not? Man, this floor is way too comfy.”

We both stared at them in disbelief.

What the hell is going on?

#

ShinichiLaaaabs