-Alexi-

Red Lady leaned backward after she gave us a death yet mocking stare. Her eyes seem telling us we should celebrate our remaining moments of being alive because we're on the edge of death. Her smug smile on her crimson lips never erased as if she could keep it stretched like that for hours. A villain that is excited to see how all of us will die. Bumalik ito sa harap at pinagkrus ang mga braso. "I won't deny that I am amazed at how you planned it all. First, the experiment. They've been working on it for 13 years, and you just destroyed it like that? Now they have to start from scratch again. Thanks to y'all. Even the tower had to be burned. You don't know how much hundreds of people you guys killed there" nawala ang pagkakaunat ng labi nito. May diin ang salitang binitawan niya sa dulo.

"So are you?" I backfired. Sinalubong ko ang matalim nitong tingin. "Don't you questioned yourselves when you killed thousands of people at purging?" Naramdaman ko ang pagpisil ni Coleen sa braso ko. Indikasyon na dapat kong pigilin ang mga susunod na salitang lalabas sa aking bibig.

Red Lady's playful face switched into an amused one. One of her eyebrows arched. "You" tumaas ang gilid ng labi nito. "You seem a brave woman. But look at your friends? You brought them to death" mula sa loob ng kanyang pulang coat ay nilabas niya ang isang notebook. I hid my surprised reaction by maintaining a blank face. They found it. Another crime that would make our punishment heavier. "You owned this, right? I wonder how you convinced Doc Sigmund to support your crazy delusion on bringing Sonkan down"

She laughed derisively while wiggling the notebook on her hand "Do you really think, destroying the experiment would bring the Sonkan down?" Diretsong nakatingin sa akin si Hermione na may panunuya sa kanyang mukha. Muli itong lumapit sa amin at sinampal sa mukha ko ang kwaderno. "Do you think you can stand a chance on going against Sonkan, Ms. Ferrer?"

The way she said my name brought chills down my spine. I could feel how the hair on my nape rose. It sounds like she knew me from the start. She pointed her chest where her heart located "You're filled with fire on this" sunod ay nilipat nito ang daliri sa kanyang sintido "but don't use this"

She straightened up and went back to the center. "Second, Mr. Barri. Pinatay nyo din siya. You don't know how important Mr. Barri is to Sonkan, yet he just got killed by some lowly people like you. Kung ako lang ang masusunod ay marahil isa nalang kayong malamig na bangkay mula nang mahuli namin kayo. You should be thankful because you guys are still breathing until now." She tried to remain composed, but it wouldn't escape my notice of how the sound of her voice was when she mentioned Mr. Barri. I could see a glimpse of grief in her eyes despite her anger. It gave me the impression that Mr. Barri is important to her in some personal way.

"Then why haven't us killed yet? What's the point of prolonging it" dumako ang aming atensyon kay Felicity na siyang sumabat. I almost forgot we have another companion tagged with us disguised as a ghost. Among us, she's the most composed one.

"That's not my role to decide, young lady" she smiled fakely at her. Binalik nito ang tingin sa aming lahat. "You'll be divided into three zones out of twelve zones. Consider that as your prison. You'll gonna stay there for the rest of your life. You're banned from school, and you'll no longer be a student but an ordinary citizen there..." She paused for a while to let out a soft laugh "Or I must say a player since your lives will be played there"

12 Zones? What is that?

Sa apat na sundalong nandito sa loob ay isa Ang lumapit kay Hermione para bigyan ito ng sigarilyo. The soldier put the cigarette in her mouth and lit it. After serving her, he went back to his post. Hermione blew a cigar and puffed it before she went on. "I know none of you have heard of that place, but soon you'll find out. We will send you there in a few minutes. Use your remaining time to say goodbye to each other"

Pagkasabi niya no'n ay kusang bumukas ang pinto at lumabas si Hermione. Nagsisunuran sa kanya ang mga sundalong nandito sa kanya. Bago pa sila tuluyang makalabas ay tumayo ako at may pahabol na tinanong. "Where's Reigan?"

Hermione halted and turned back to me. Her lips stretched into a mischievous smile "You'll see him later"

A sigh of relief released from my mouth as I confirmed he was still alive. I wouldn't deny to myself that I'm worried about him and he's one of the reasons why I'm having hard time to sleep at night knowing he's not with us. Umangat ang tingin ko sa mga sundalong papaalis. May isa sa kanila ang nag-iwan ng susi. Nilapag niya ito sa ibabaw ng mesa bago sila tuluyang nawala sa paningin naming lahat. The door produced a 'thud' sound as soon as it was closed, indicating they locked it.

Coleen was the first one who stood up and got the key. She gave it to Kaiden, instructing him to uncuff her. "Here"

He uncuffed Coleen and that's what the rest did to each other. Coleen uncuffed me last and I gave her a tight hug when both of my hands freed.

"Relax, I'm still alive and well" mahinang bulong ni Coleen. Gumanti din ito ng yakap sa akin. "We will be all fine"

Some stretch their hands, checking if they still have complete fingers or if they can still move them freely. I released from my embrace, and we both looked at Shane, who was banging on the door and shouting, "Get us out!"

Pinanood lang namin siyang kalampagin ang pinto dahil alam naming hindi ito magbubukas. The door is made of metal. Even if she slam her head there, it won't open. Nang mapagod ay tumigil na ito sa pag-iingay at sumandal sa pinto saka pinausdos ang likod doon upang umupo. She looked hopeless. We all are.

"Do you know what's that place?" Fare broke the silence after Shane stopped making a noise. "Doon din ba nila dadalhin si Chad?"

"Can you stop thinking about that guy? I know he found a way to save his ass and abandoned us all" naiinis na sambit ni Shane.

Fare fired back "Stop saying that. We still don't know if he's alive or dead"

"12 Zones." We all looked at Coleen, who interrupted the two ladies. "I think they will pick two people to randomly send on each zone"

"12 Zones?" Pag-uulit ko. "Do you know about that place?"

"I once heard that before but was not familiar with the place" sagot ni Coleen. "The Red Lady said we will be no longer a student so my guess is, that is where they send people who reached 30 of age"

"But we're not 30 yet" sabat ni Kaiden na kasalukuyang minamasahe ang palapulsuhan dahil sa pagbakat ng posas doon.

Coleen shrugged. "I don't know. That's just my hunch"

"Considering they have 12 Zones, there must be a lot of people there" Felicity piped in.

"Any news from Caleb?" Coleen sat back on the chair and crossed her arms. Isa pa pala si Caleb. Hindi namin siya kasamang naaresto. Posible kayang nakatakas siya?

"Maybe he's dead" Felicity blabbed out. Sinamaan ito ng tingin ni Coleen.

"I guess he escaped" sambit ko.

I lifted my gaze on them. All of us looked weary. We've been through a lot. We survived the purging together. But now our ways will be parted. "Hope all of us will stay alive until we see each other again" tumingin ako kay Coleen. If they pick up two people to go to one of the zones they're talking about, I hope I'll be with her. She's my closest friend after all.

Tumayo si Shane sa pagkakaupo niya sa harap ng pinto at umupo sa bakanteng monobloc. "So that's it? We will never leave this place forever?" Nakatulala ito sa kawalan. "I will be sent to the place I've never been and die there?"

"You're a bad grass. Bad grass don't die easily" napalingon ako kay Felicity nang marinig ang pamilyar na litanyang 'yon. Sadness rushed into my heart as I remember someone who also once said that. She said she's a badass; she doesn't die easily but still ends up dead. My eyes got watered, so I wiped it off immediately. I just miss Joan.

Maya maya'y bumukas ang pinto at bumalik ang mga sundalong nagbabantay sa amin kanina. Some made an aggressive gesture when they grab their arm. Felicity only remained no reaction and let herself be ushered by the soldiers. Humawak ako sa kamay ni Coleen nang hawakan siya ng dalawang sundalo ngunit pwersahan nilang pinaghiwalay ang kamay namin. I called her name and tried to grab her back from the soldier's grip. Nagtaka ako dahil ako lang ang hindi nila dinadakip. Ang iba kong mga kasama ay kanya kanyang kinakaladkad palabas. Nang humabol ako kay Coleen ay humarang ang isang sundalo at tinulak ako. I fell on the floor. The door closed with my comrades being taken.

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa pinto. Saka ito paulit ulit na kinalampag. "What are you gonna do to them?! Palabasin nyo ako dito!"

Ngunit ang mga sigaw na 'yon ay nahulog lang sa hangin. No one heard me. I sighed frustratedly and brushed my hair up. Ilang minuto ang lumipas at umangat ang tingin ko sa pinto dahil bumukas ito. I thought a soldier would come in to take me but to my surprise, it was a familiar person. My mouth left hung while staring at him.

"R-Reigan?"

Sa di malamang dahilan ay biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I was worried. I kept thinking about him. Wondering if he's safe or if they already killed him. But now that he's here standing in flesh, my mind can be at peace. Malayong malayo ang itsura nito ngayon kumpara sa mga nakalipas na araw kung saan puno ng tuyong dugo at sugat ang mukha nito. His face in the last few days looked tired and exhausted but now he's cleaned up. His hair was brushed upward, fixed in shiny wax, leaving a small portion of his hair served as a curtain bangs on both side of his forehead. May nakadikit lang na band aid sa mukha nito ngunit malinis paring tingnan. He's wearing their traditional Mobster jacket. I wonder if he met some of his members already.

Out of impulsiveness, I paced forward and hugged him. Only to express how relieved I am to see him. "You're alive." I immediately let go of him to hide the embarrassment when I felt he just stood still and had no reaction. I hesitantly eyed him from head to toe, checking if he was injured or something. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Anong ginawa nila sa'yo noong dakpin ka nila?"

He didn't reply to any of those questions. Instead, he lifted his hand gently to touch my head where the blood dried up. I got it when I fell down the stairs while we were dealing with Mr. Barri. Napangiwi ako nang hawakan niya 'yon. "We should treat it first," he said.

Marahan kong inalis ang kamay niya at umiling. "No. I'm fine"

I know I looked a mess but luckily, wala naman akong natamong malalang sugat. Tumango lamang ito at tumitig sa akin. He looked directly at my eyes. Making me feel like I'm getting pulled by his dark orbs. But something was wrong with it that I easily sensed. There's no emotion reflected there. It's blank. Lifeless and dark.

"Will you understand if I joined hands with them?" Malamig nitong tanong.

That got me. I was caught off guard by his question. My forehead creased, trying to process it. "A-anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"Going against them will only get me killed and the rest of the Mobs"

My eyes blinked as his statement hadn't fully sunk into me even though I got a glimpse of where this conversation would go. "Enlighten me"

He spat the remaining words that he knew would disappoint me "I won't let that happen. Sooner or later, the Mobster empire will arise, and we can defeat the Ghettos. I'll gain the Dean's trust till I can get any favor I want. Being on his side will bring me power"

Nanatili lang akong nakatitig sa kanya habang sinasalungat ng utak ko ang mga salitang naririnig. I don't wanna believe in any of his words because I know that's not him. Ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay mapailing. "No. That's not true. You don't wanna be his puppet. You don't want someone controlling you"

He took a few steps closer, causing me to tilt my head so I could meet directly his serious, cold gaze, which was colder than any winter. His presence feels like a suffocating weight. "I have decided. This is the only way we could survive"

Hanggang sa hindi ko na napigilan ang butil ng luha na tumulo mula sa mata ko. "What about our plan? Ang sabi mo'y sasamahan mo akong pabagsakin ang Sonkan at aalis tayo dito"

"Forget it. The best advice I could give to you is just give up. Let things be as it is"

"Is it because of your sister?" Matapang kong sambit. "Do you blame me for her death?"

"No" diretso nitong sagot. "I don't blame anyone. She's resting in peace so don't bring her up on this"

"Why are you suddenly being like this?" My voice cracked as my tears sequentially fell. Until now I'm still emotional. I hate it. "Did they brainwash you? What did they say to buy your side?"

Imbes na sagutin ang tanong ko ay umunat lamang ng bahagya ang labi nito upang kumurba ng isang ngisi. "Sometimes it's better to keep our heads low. Our bravery won't bring us any good. I hope you keep that in mind, Alexi"

"You're such a coward" I spat at him. "Wala kang pinagkaiba kay Ardizonne. You'll just be an underdog like him"

I moved my head sideward to avoid his gaze while trying to wipe my tears. I don't even know why I'm crying but I'll admit it hurts. Something was clutching my heart tightly. Maybe because we're friends and I feel betrayed. Isa siya sa naniniwala sa akin. Sumusuporta. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi masaktan sa desisyon niya. I looked at him again, not minding if he saw my watered eyes. "You said you want to escape this place and be with me in the outside world. Is that a lie?"

After he confessed his feelings to me, he never looked at me like that. There's always a sparkle in his eyes. Now, it has changed. I see nothing but lifeless orbs. He didn't even smile. His face remained blank as if I was just a stranger to him.

"I meant everything I said to you. I enjoyed our bond together, but it has to be end. Whatever thing has built between us, if there is, forget it all. Let's move forward and forget each other's existence"

Tumalikod na ito at lumabas ng pinto. I watched how he vanished from my sight as his words left a mark on my head. I knew from that moment that he would not be the same anymore. He will not be the Reigan I used to know when he still has affection for me. If that's even real. Part of me wanted to understand his side, but disappointment was blocking it. I never hate him even when he's being Al Capone but now I think I do. I hate him for abandoning his promise. I hate this disappointing pill he instilled in me.

When he walks out of that door, I know this is a goodbye for us.

Natagpuan ko ang sarili ko na tinatangay ng mga sundalong nakahawak sa akin habang nakaposas ang dalawa kong kamay. Parang kriminal na inaresto at sinasamahang pumunta sa kulungan. I suddenly remember my conversation with Reigan. That must be the last time I will see him. Once I got throwed somewhere, our path might not be crossed again.

Huminto kami sa harap ng itim na sasakyan. Binuksan 'yon ng sundalo at patulak akong sinakay doon. Sa pagsakay ay nakita ko si Fare. Wala itong malay. My hands were cuffed in the front so I shake her shoulder, trying to wake her up. "Fare. Wake up"

Sa pagyugyog ko sa kanya'y naramdaman kong may manipis at matulis na bagay ang tumurok sa balikat ko. Biglang bumigat ang aking paghinga kasabay ng pagkahilo ko. My sight get blurred until it became dark as I lose my consciousness.

Nagising lang ako nang maramdaman kong may humila sakin. Malakas ang pagkakahatak niya sa kamay ko na halos mapiga na ang palapulsuhan ko. It's just a fast motion, I haven't gain my full consciousness when that hand which pulling me pushed me outside. Napangiwi ako nang tumama ang likod ko sa lupa. Doon na ako tuluyang nagmulat ng mata dahil sa sakit. Napaupo ako habang sapo sapo ang aking ulo. I still feel dizzy. Maybe this is the effect of whatever drug they injected me. I moved my gaze and saw the girl in white coat like mine.

My eyes widened upon realizing that it was Fare. Siya ang nadatnan ko sa sasakyan na katabi ko bago ako mawalan ng malay. Gumapang ako palapit sa kanya at ginising ito. She's groaning as her face contorted maybe because of the impact when they pushed her like what they did to me. "Wake up, Fare" niyugyog ko ito.

Habang ginigising siya'y nilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. Nasa gitna kami ng kalsada. There were nothing but trees on the side. It was night as well. Mabuti't may lamp post sa gilid na tumatanglaw sa amin. Nagising si Fare at napaupo din ito habang sapo sapo ang ulo. Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin at kumunot ang noo nang makilala ako. "Ate, Al?"

Tumayo ako at pinagpagan ang suot ko. I offered my hand to her so she could stand. "Let's go. We don't know this place. We shouldn't stay here" tumango naman ito at tinanggap ang kamay ko saka binuhat ang sarili para tumayo.

We started walking, observing the place. It's strange because there were no people around. Para lang kaming naliligaw na estranghero sa isang lugar. Mahigpit na kumapit sa braso ko si Fare at umusog palapit sa tabi ko "Ito na ba 'yung zone na sinasabi nila?"

"I guess so" mahina kong sagot habang alerto ang mga mata sa paligid. I learned not to trust the quietness of the surroundings especially when they give a vibe like this. Para kaming nasa kawalan. Sa gilid ng kalsadang ito ay talahiban. Hanggang sa may nakita kaming karatula. Nakasulat doon ang..

'Zone 12'

May bakas pa ng pulang tinta doon na alam naman naming natuyong dugo. It's just creepy. Sa paglalakad ay hindi ko na alam kung saan kami nakarating. May iilan lang akong nakikitang bahay o establisyemento na gawa sa kahoy. Sarado silang lahat. I suddenly remember the imitated city at purging. Could this be the setting of this place is the same as Artificial City? Ang pagkakaiba lang ay mukha itong napinsala. Parang may kung anong sakuna ang dumaan sa lugar na ito at itong mga nakatayong struktura ang nakatira. It's so quiet. This place is like a ghost town. Iilan lang ang lamp post sa paligid na mukhang pundido na.

"Natatakot ako ate, Al" nanginginig na sambit ni Fare. Hinawakan ko ng mahigpit ang kamay nito.

"I'm here. Calm yourself. Let's find a place to stay in. It's dangerous to walk around at this hour"

**********

Thanks for reading!