Chapter 12: Procuratio Exi
The three just nod with annoyance and angry looks on their faces.
When they finally arrived at the truck we are now sitting in the back. While the troop is loading supplies from the store. After that, we went on our way. Carlo is following behind with the motorbike.
"You will not believe Erin to what happened to us..." I listen too well to all of their stories and felt more thankful that they are still alright until it got me caught in one's phrase. "If Lucas didn't send us a message. Then probably, I'm still sleeping on my bed."
I immediately check my phone to see if Lucas has replied but still there is no response. I put it back in my pocket after leaving a message stating that we are going to the plantation.
..........................
" This looks so familiar Erin," Liza said while we're on our way to arriving at our destinations.
"Yes, it is indeed familiar because this is the place where we been first all met and live"
"F*ck are you serious Erin? Why are we here and this guy? I'm not feeling well about this Erin" Liza's said while Fernando just gives a sad smile like he already understands every word coming from Liza's mouth. And I don't know why the heck did he still sit in front of us and not just stay in the driver's seat and just continue to drive. Is he trying to annoy to death these three?
The way becomes shallower, that only one vehicle could almost enter. The side roads become much denser with trees.
Until the truck finally halts to a certain huge old gate.
"Let's go inside now" Fernando shouted as he taps the truck three times.
It made me feel nostalgic and the past memories I got from here start to come up. But the most dominant one is Lucas' proposal but I just shook my head because I know that this is not the time for this.
'Just where are you right now Lucas?' I closed my eyes to relax my mind a little.
*Honk!*
*Honk!*
After the truck buzz two times, the huge old gate started to open. Then the truck started to roll its wheels and soon they are entering the gates of once the place they called hell before.
"I didn't imagine that we are going to be here again," Fred said as memories of a distant past of the place flashed in his mind.
"Are you sure we could trust this assh*le Erin? He is the reason that our childhood where hell!" Liza said out loud for everyone to hear.
"Hey! Watch your mouth with our boss!" One of his men tries to reprimand Liza but Fernando, their boss just held his subordinates.
"It's alright. I deserve it, Jason." Jason, a young man with dark hair, blue eyes, and tan skin and looks like the same age as Liza, and Carlo looks confused at first but seeing his boss dejected face, he takes back to his seat and just glared at Liza.
I slowly open my eyes again after hearing Liza's remarks. I also look at the others who have dark looks on their faces.
While Fernando just kept his head low. He knows too well, that he can't reason with these people, and whatever he will tell him, they would not listen to them.
"Erin?" Liza asked again after seeing that she got the whole attention of Erin now.
"I don't trust him." I spat coldly. All the man that is with Fernando look angrily at me. While Liza and the others nod their heads but their face becomes sour and confused after hearing my next words.
"But he is useful for now," I said as he meets the eyes of Fernando who is now looking at me intently.
"You! But we save your life and brought you here! Why are you talking like that? You don't know that you even own us for saving your asses back there!" the hot-blooded Jason enraged after hearing Erin's words.
"Your boss knows well, that I would never owe him anything. As long as you are useful to me. I will not mind you." I said.
"Very well. If that's where I need to start to pay the sins I committed then so be it." Fernando looks somewhat relieved. Liza and the others didn't say a word after hearing my words and their conversation. I didn't respond back as I grab my phone again to check if Lucas has already messaged her. But I still got no response.
"Fernando!"
"Papa!" As soon as they are nearing the main part of the plantation someone shouted at them sideways. It is a woman wearing a floral long dress. The truck stop on its tracks as Fernando and his men, immediately hop out from the car. The woman and three kids immediately hug Fernando. Erin and the others also got down from the truck.
"They are..." The woman was surprised to see our group as she covers her mouth with her two hands then her expression changes to sadness. She inch closer to them.
"I know all of you." She begins by saying.
"You know us?" Liza asked as she rolled her eyes but it changed to surprise when the woman drops on her knees as she prostrates in front of them.
"I know that my husband did horrible things to all of you. And I know that this is still not enough for forgiveness but, I still wanted to apologize for everything that you have been through." the woman said while crying.
"Mama!" Their three kids that are no longer than four years old and look identical to each other perhaps they are triplets hover around their mother then glared at Liza.
"Don't bully our mother!" They all said in sync.
"I'm not bullying anyone. Please stand up" Liza began to panic about what she will do. There are also other people there that already have their attention on them. In the end, she helps the woman stand.
I look at Fernando who is not saying anything. He is looking sideways. "I don't rely based on sympathy or words. I hold on actions. Words are nothing if you didn't manifest it into actions. Show it to us on how sorry you are." Erin said with a smile but not really a smile since her eyes are cold. Erin walked past Fernando before speaking again.
"Is the old building where we stay still empty?"
"Yes. It is still there, but I renovate it already, the old one receives too much destruction from the fire before ."
"I see. We will stay there." Erin continues to walk again leaving everyone behind. Just being in this place, brought her emotions that she thought she would never felt again before.
"Wait! Before you go may I talk about the deal we have before?" Fernando said which makes Erin halt on her steps.
"Speak."
"It's not appropriate to talk it here. If you don't mind follow me."
" Where will you take her?" Fred said.
"Don't worry Fred it's alright, please go to the building we live before" I said calmly.
"I will come with you," Carlo said and his face looks stern.
"It's fine he could come," Fernando said. The rest also want to retort but I just gave them a tired look which makes them adhere to my words.
Fernando took us to some of the underground tunnel with other men who are with him earlier before halting at some silver metal door.
" So I did save your friends, I hope you didn't break your promise, Erin"
" I know. I finally agree to join your group" I look directly into his eyes to confirm that I'm taking his offer. I raise my hand to stop Carlo from speaking.
As he opens the door I feel amused by everything I see. There's a lot of army equipment here and also some new equipment. There's also have tons bomb and expensive-looking guns.
"Sweet, how and where did you get all of this here?" I said still have amusement in my eyes but instead of answering me, he said.
"Welcome to our new group, the Procuratio Exi Erin," He said while he raises both his hands. The other people here look at me. There are also have women here. "Not bad," I said. I think this will going to be fun and might not be a bad idea after all. They smile and shake hands with me to introduce themselves. Carlo just coldly leans on the wall and ignores everyone who tried to talk to him.