*Sebastian*
I was hiding under the old truck on the field, there's no way to hide but here.
My heart is pumping my blood twice faster than usual. I trembled in fear as I heard footsteps around the corner.
That's Ady for sure. I know I should be better than Ady because she's a girl. She's a girl possessed by a man inside.
She can't shoot my sensor anyway, thanks to Troy's bright idea. I need to fight her, whether she's a girl or possessed by a man. I need to defeat her! Hiding here will cause me so much humiliation!
I began to observe the surroundings, I saw Ady's feet resting on the ground maybe one meter away from me.
I carefully crawl from behind, I have a bright idea though this can hurt Ady and can be the cause of my death later on.
When I was about an inch away from her I grabbed her feet with my own bare hands and pulled her which caused her to fall on the ground.
"YEEESSS!" I exclaimed as I watched her fall. I'm really sorry Ady! I don't want to do this but I have to. If I die here Troy would probably kill me with his words.
"Urgh!" I heard Ady whined as she fell down. She lifted her weight through her hands. Gasgas ang palad nito for sure.
Hihilain ko na sana siya sa ilalim ng truck kaya lang bigla siyang umupo paharap at sinipa ang mukha ko.
"AWWW that hurts!" Reklamo ko habang sapo ko pa ang noo ko na natamaan niya.
"At tingin mo hindi masakit yung ginawa mo huh?" Reklamo niya rin.
Naglakad siya palapit sakin at hinawakan ang kwelyo ng damit ko.
The next thing she did is she pulled me out of the truck.
She's down with her left knee while I was kneeling. She pointed the gun in my forehead. I know it's just a Toy gun but I felt fear covering my whole body. This is a familiar situation for me.
"Mommy I'm scared!"
Some things flashed in my head. Things I don't want to remember. I closed my eyes as I kept on hearing that little guy telling his mother how scared he was.
"Don't hurt me please!" I said as I trembled.
"Seb okay ka lang?" tanong sakin ni Ady na mukhang nag-aalala.
I took a deep breath before I opened my eyes and saw her face full of worries.
No Seb! Don't be vulnerable! You're not a weakling anymore.
"I'm sorry Ady." I said as I pulled her towards me, I may look like hugging her but my ulterior motive is the sensor on her ponytail. I pointed my gun on her hair and shot the sensor.
*tuuuuutttttt*
We both heard a beep coming from her sensor. It's a signal that Ady was already dead.
A sigh of relief came out from me. Ady pushed me and stood up. She sharply looked at me. Her eyes were saying she hates me for what I did.
I have no other choice, I need to betray her and act normally than being a coward and fragile kid in front of her.
"Adyyyyyyy..." I called her (pabebe boy) but she didn't take a glance.
I followed her and tried to be importunate but she didn't make a heed.
I said sorry many times before we reached the campsite where Captain Benitez was supposed to be waiting but she acted like she didn't hear a thing.
We waited for minutes before I saw Troy holding a white flag on his hand, a meter apart from him was Allen and our captain.
I realized that we won when I took a second glance at Troy's hand.
"YES WE WON!!" I shouted. Ady looked at me to give me another sharp gaze.
I raised my hand with a peace sign but then she snobs at me.
Nilingon ko na lang ulit sila Troy na malapit na samin. I pointed out Ady in her back and drew a line on my neck. I'm telling Troy that I killed Ady in the game para naman maging proud siya sakin.
Nahalata ata ni Ady na may sinesenyas ako sa mga parating kaya nilingon niya ulit ako at bigla akong hinampas sa balikat.
"Ahhh" I said while I'm acting cute in front of her.
"Traitor..." She whispered as she walked away to go and meet Allen.
Lumapit sakin si Troy, he tapped me on my shoulder like he's telling me it was a job well done.
"Okay team! That's only for the first round, may time pa kayo para makabawi." Captain Benitez said to cheer up the other team.
He then again explained the second round mechanics. It was easier than the first round. He said this will serve as warm up for the final round!
We entered the function hall to do the second mission. It was an individual test for everyone. It was an Indoor shooting range.
We were lined up horizontally and distanced by walls. We are holding our 45 caliber pistol while facing the dim lighted room with a lot of targets hanging.
"Okay guys, paki-lagay na ang earmuff and also your shooting glasses." Our captain commanded.
Headphone earmuffs and eye wear are needed for protection.
"At the count of three, you need to start loading your guns with bullets, and wait for my cue to start shooting. Shoot as many as you can and we'll see the result later."
Okay, here we go Seb! You can do this! Enough for being a coward!
"One-two-three."
I heard countings in my head. I've heard that voice before!
"Row row row your boat..."
And again, I heard that song whispering in my ears!
"No! You're dead! You're already dead." I murmured to myself, I'm trying to be calm.
I pick up the gun in front of me. I'm trying to be as normal as possible. I've overcome this before, I can do this.
I loaded the gun with bullets. I straighten my right arms together with my left pointing on the target. I was touching the trigger with both of my index fingers.
"Come let's hide and seek (gently down the stream...)"
I closed my eyes to stop those whispers in my head.
I took a deep breath, I'm ready. I open my eyes again.
I saw him grinning at me. He's standing in the middle of my target!
How did he get here? He's gone! This is impossible! I'm looking straight to him and he's looking at me too. He waved his hand acting like a friendly guy.
My sweat starts to shower my face and my whole body. My hands are shaking.
I'll shoot you! I'll never let you win again! I will kill you!
*Prrrttttt*
I heard a whistle coming from Captain Benitez. That's his cue. I started shooting the moment I've heard it.
I was looking at him, intently shooting him to die. He's walking towards me. Lahat ng bala ay nakikita kong tumatagos lang sa kanyang katawan. Ni wala man lang siyang tinamong galos mula dito. Naubos ang laman ng magazine, I hurriedly change the magazine as fast as I could. Malapit na siya, malapit na malapit na. Konti na lang at mahahawakan niya na ko.
I shoot him nonstop!
"Die!" I said to his face.
His smile remains telling me that he's not in pain even when I see his blood showering his body.
"Die!" I shouted! I'll never let him hurt anyone again! Not me! Not my team! Nobody!!
I continued shooting, I want him to disappear!!
"Arrgghh!!!" I shouted while bullets continued to escape from the pistol.
"Seb!" I heard someone called me.
"Sebie!" I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Sebastian! Enough!" I heard our captain's loud voice telling me to stop.
And that's when I realized that I over think again. I've imagined him appearing in front of me.
I put the gun down and removed the protections. I saw them staring at me. They're shocked from what they've seen.
Napakamot ako sa ulo ko.
"Sorry guys! Nadala lang ng emosyon." I said as I forced a smile on my face.
I still see them staring like they didn't believe what I've said.
"I'll just wash my hands. Excuse me." I said and walked away from them.
Now Sebie, calm yourself down please.
I went to the restroom to wash my hands. The gunpowder stained it. I don't really like the smell of it. After washing my hands I let the water touch my face. Kailangan ko sigurong mahimasmasan.
"Hey are you okay?" Allen asked me, he entered the room followed by Troy.
"Ah Oo naman, kayo okay lang ba kayo?" I asked them back wearing another forced smile on my face.
"We're fine, don't worry about us." Allen answered.
I looked at their reflections in the big mirror in front of everybody.
They're washing their hands too. Troy looked at me through the reflections.
"Quit doing that kind of face Sebastian, you look ugly." Troy said as he shakes his hands to drip off the remaining water on it. He stepped forward to get a tissue on the holder beside me.
I was just staring at him the whole time. I don't know if he's trying to cheer me up or just trying to insult me.
He wiped his hands with the tissue. And then he turned his head on me.
"Do you have a crush on me?" he irritatingly said and threw the tissue on the trashcan.
"Creep." he again said as he walked out of the room.
"Did he just think that I'm a gay?" I asked Allen who was still here.
He laughed before he answered me.
"He's trying hard to spill some jokes to make you laugh but it ended sounding like an insult to you." he said while still trying to stop himself from laughing. And because of what he had said I started laughing so hard.
"Poor Troy." he said as we both laughed so hard.
After the laughing incident we decided to go back from the campsite.
I saw our captain together with Troy and Ady. He clapped as he saw me approaching the area.
"And here comes the winner." he said while looking at me.
"Ako ba?" tanong ni Allen which made Ady rolled her eyes. What a cute girl.
"It's none other than, Sebastian."
"Totoo ba? Baka pinagtitripan niyo ko ah?" I said while everybody is smiling at me.
"Uy Ady bati na ba tayo?" Tanong ko kay Ady na pumapalakpak din katulad ng captain namin.
Tinanguan niya lang naman ako.
"Yeheeeeyy" I cheerfully said as I went straight to her para sana i-hug siya pero bigla siyang tumakbo palayo at nagtago sa likod ni Troy.
"Pagbati, bati lang walang akap akap!" sabi naman ni Allen, teka nagseselos ba to?
"Tuloy si Ady nagpapa-rescue sa future boy---" natigil si Allen nung mapansin niyang sinamaan na siya ng tingin nila Ady at Troy.
Di pala siya nagseselos, inaasar niya pala yung dalawa.
"Itigil niyo na nga yan." natahimik kami nung magsalita ulit ang team captain namin.
"Let's proceed to the final round!" he commanded.
We were back on the field. The only difference is, there's a woman waiting for us.
Kumaway siya ng makita niya kaming paparating. Kaagad namang lumapit si Ady sa kanya, sa tingin ko magkakilala sila?
Tulad ni Ady, nagmadali ring lumapit si Captain Benitez para salubungin siya. Nagkamayan sila at nag ngitian. Noong una mukha naman silang close pero napansin ko na parang act of being professional lang ang meron silang dalawa.
"Nga pala, this is Troy and Sebastian, they're also part of my winning team." Pakilala samin ni captain Benitez pagkatapos ay lumingon samin ang babaeng kausap niya, so kilala rin ng babaeng to si Allen?
"Winning Team my foot..." The woman said while smirking.
Ang yabang naman ng isang to?
"Guys this is Miranda Alvarez from the House of Prosecution." halos napalunok ako sa sinabi niya. Prosecutor ang babaeng to? Kaya naman pala ang yabang niya umasta.
"She and her team will be joining us for the Final round." Benitez explained
"So we need to defy against their team?" Allen queried.
"Yeah, and you need to defeat them. That's your final mission." Captain Benitez answered.
"Where's your team anyway?" Ady asked the woman named Miranda.
"Speaking of the devils." She said as she looked on the field.
Napalingon kaming lahat sa likuran namin kung saan siya nakatingin.
We saw a bunch of people approaching. Three of them were men and there were two ladies. They're five in total, five versus four? That's absurd!
"Parang sobra ata sila ng isa?" Tanong ko.
"Why? Are you not confident enough to beat them?" Miranda said while she waves her right hand on the approaching team. She's like an irritating substance. She mocks anyone on our team.
At nang makalapit na silang lahat sa amin, isa-isa din silang pinakilala samin ni Miranda.
"This is Detective Khalil Guevarra, one of my most valuable persons. He's the leader of your opponent team." Miranda introduced the man in front of me.
Bago siya magpatuloy sa pagpapakilala ay tiningnan niya muna ako. Tingin na parang sinasabi niyang wala akong laban sa Khalil na yan.
"This is Cohen Benitez." Natigilan kaming lahat nung marinig namin ang pangalan ng lalaking sunod niyang ipinakilala, nakatayo ito malapit kay Khalil.
Benitez... Same surname with our captain?
"Yes, he is your captain's brother. And believe it or not he's a lot better than him." She said as she undoubtedly pointed at our captain. Naiinis na talaga ako sa babaeng to.
Lumapit siya sa isa pang lalaki at inakbayan ito.
"This is Dimitri Ortega, one of the best agents we have and also my favorite." Pakilala niya kay Dimitri, twin brother ni Demeter Ortega na kasama sa special team but as of now she's still not here.
"And the two beautiful ladies over here are Loren Costalles and Aerin Valdez. Maganda sila pero hindi weak, so don't underestimate them."
Nginitian ko ang dalawang babaeng pinakilala niya pero hindi nila ako pinansin at di man lang nginitian pabalik, manang-mana sila kay Miranda.
"I'm Sebastian, ang sharp shooter ng team." pakilala ko sa kanila. Sa sobrang inis ko siguro sa Miranda na yan hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong agawin ang atensyon nila. Napalingon silang lahat sakin.
I saw Ady's face, she's sending a big question mark on me. Nginitian ko lang siya at silang lahat na din. Napalingon ako kay Allen na katabi ko lang.
"This is Allen, the most competitive guy on our team." napalingon sakin si Allen na kasalukuyang nakakunot ang noo.
"Hey? Are you insane? What are you talking abou---" tinakpan ko ang bibig niya gamit ang palad ko just to shut him up.
"Masyado siyang humble di ba?" I said. Some of them laughed. It's Khalil and Cohen I guess.
I raised my hand to point out Troy.
"And that's our leader Troy. He's the brain of the group." pagmamayabang ko. Napanganga lalo ang mga kasama ko. Iniwasan ko ng tingin si Troy feeling ko kasi papatayin niya ko sa tingin niya.
"And of course this is Ady, the most beautiful girl in the group." Pakilala ko kay Ady. Halos mag takip na siya ng mukha sa sinabi ko.
Siniko ako ni Allen na kanina pa ata nagpipigil sa tawa.
"What?" iritado kong tanong sa kanya.
"What are you saying?" he whispered while blushing.
"Bakit maganda naman talaga si Ady ah?" bulong ko rin sa kanya.
"She's beautiful, but she's the only girl in the group!" bulong niya ulit sakin.
Patay tayo diyan! Bakit kasi wala pa si Demeter eh!
"Are you ready for the game?" said Captain Benitez.
We're lined up facing our enemies.
"So much ready." Sagot ko habang nakatingin sa kaharap kong si Cohen. Kahit kapatid to ng Captain namin hindi ko siya palalampasin.
Seryoso lang ang mukha niyang nakatingin sakin. Feeling ko dapat si Troy ang katapat nito eh, baka sakaling magkasundo sila?
Nagshakehands na kami pagkatapos ay nakinig sa mechanics ng game.
Final Round Mechanics: Save the hostage!