-Alexi-

WE CONTINUE walking as the eerie silence enveloped us. It's just quiet that only our few steps from uneven ground break it. My eyes cast to the unfinished structures as if they reflect the past of a once-thriving community. It's just a foundation and hollow blocks. Mukhang ilang taon na 'yong nakatayo doon at napabayaan dahil walang tumapos. The feeling of being an intruder in a place that had been abandoned for a long time shook me. I'm scared. Both of us do but I can't afford to let my guard down. I should just at least use the last ounce of braveness left in me so I can stay cautious.

Makapal ang hangin at mamasa masa ang lupa. Hindi samentado ang daan kaya may kaunting putik ang nagmamantsa sa mga sapatos namin. The dull gray sky from above that casting a somber light on everything around us, adds my uneasiness.

As we pressed on, the path became muddier. Bawat hakbang ay mas bumibigat dahil sa putik. I could feel my heart racing. I don't know if it's still the effect of the drug earlier, but the shadows cast by the unfinished buildings seemed to stretch and twist, creating shapes that danced on the edge of my vision. I looked around to check any signs of movement behind us. There's none so I turned my look back on the way.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Fare para patigilin ito sa paglalakad. A distant sound that broke the stillness of surroundings sends a primal instinct that there's another fellow, probably following us. "I'm hearing something" I whispered to her.

Fare's eyes flickered to me with a sense of terror as her breath caught in her throat. Mukhang naintindihan niya sa aking mga tingin na hindi dapat kami gumawa ng kahit anong ingay kaya nanatiling tikom ang bibig nito. We both stopped walking, straining to listen to that indistinct sound. Until my head slowly glance on the side. There I saw two people. Wearing a full face mask. They're hiding behind the close store or whatever shop it is that made of woods.

"I see them" Fare whispered back. Her hands were trembling in mine, but I squeezed them reassuringly while struggling to fight off the panic in me since one of us should stay steady.

"When I say run, run"

Ramdam ko ang pagtango ni Fare kahit hindi ako nakatingin sa kanya. My eyes were locked on those two black figures. Observing them keenly. Napasinghap ako nang mapansin ang mga hawak nilang matalim na bagay. Its edge glinted as the light passed through it.

"Run!"

We started running, but the chilling sight of another three people appeared in full face masks, causing us to halt. Mukhang kasamahan 'yon ng dalawang taong nakita namin kanina. One was carrying an axe, and the rest were knives. I took a deep breath while eyeing each one of them, thinking how it would be so convenient for them to catch and kill us, knowing we were outnumbered and weaponless. Fare whispered my name out of panic which jolted my senses back.

Hinigpitan ko ang paghawak sa kanya. Luminga ako sa likuran namin at 'yung dalawang taong kaninang nagtatago ay lumabas na din sa pinagtataguan nila. They're also taking their paces forward to us. Bago pa man nila kami macorner ay hinila ko na si Fare para kami'y tumakbo. The pounding of my heart rises that I could hear it, syncing to the faint sound of my breath. Ilang beses na akong napupunta sa ganitong sitwasyon kung saan lagi akong tumatakbo para takasan ang kamatayan ngunit ang takot na hinahatid nito sa akin ay hindi padin nagbabago.

We sprinted down the street, and an adrenaline rush coursed through my veins. We never let go of each other's hands. We continue running as we try to increase our speed than our knees can manage. I could feel their footsteps behind me, following us, but I didn't dare to look. We dashed around the corner, not minding where to go since our present priority was to escape them and stay alive.

Habang tumatakbo'y naging abala ang mga mata ko maghanap ng pagtataguan. We're just a stranger in this place and I feel that every alleyway is a trap. Then a sliver of hope appeared. I spotted a narrow alley, just wide enough for us to fit in. Hinila ko si Fare papunta doon at humalo sa dilim. Nang makarating sa makipot na eskinita'y siniksik namin ang mga sarili doon. I pressed my back on the rough wall and used the chance to catch my breath. I closed my eyes for a moment to savor the temporary respite this tunnel alley offers.

"Do you think they saw us?" sambit ni Fare matapos bumalik sa normal ang paghinga nito.

"I don't know" I answered. Uncertain but desperately hoping they hadn't. Then a sound, which was probably a few meters from our hiding place, piped in. A voice. Not a shout nor roar. It was just a low, menacing murmur that sent chills down my spine. Fare's eyes widened in the mixture of fear. I placed a finger on my lips, preventing her from producing any reaction.

"Nasa'n na sila?!" It was a woman's voice. Sharp. Displeased by impatience.

"Nakalayo na yata boss" a male voice. The trace of nervousness was evident in his tone. Takot na sa kanya ibuntong ang inis ng boss niya.

"Anong nakalayo?! Hanapin nyo! Dalawa sila. Malaking pera ang makukuha natin pag napatay natin sila" the woman's voice rises, getting sharper. As if we're the lost gem she was desperately hunting to feed her greed.

The words send terror to my troubled heart, making it pound aggressively. It's like a cold slap to us, reminding the danger we are in. My alter ego wants to laugh. We're always in danger anyway so it shouldn't be new to me. I squeeze my mouth shut, pressing my lips together, not minding whether it ached. Stiffening my body, trying to blend in the shadows. Fare did the same. Mirroring my actions. Breath held captive in her lungs. We both stayed in that way for a few minutes until we secured they were out of our radius.

"I think they're gonna sell our body organs?" Mahinang bulong ni Fare nang makalabas kami sa pinagtataguan. Kahit papaano'y lumuwag ang hanging malalanghap namin ngunit hindi sapat 'yon upang mapanatag. That's probably the first thing popped in her head when they said, they'll earn tons of cash if they killed us.

"I don't think so" sagot ko. Nanatiling nagmamasid ang mga mata ko sa paligid habang para kaming mga magnanakaw na sumasalakay dahil sa pag-iingat na paglalakad namin. Each steps were measured and cautious. "Sonkan killed thousands of lives and none of them got skinned or had their body organs taken out"

Remember when they executed purging. They bomb the whole city and they considered that as sacrifice because their souls are filthy. Sonkan received millions of cash from the students they imprisoned. They kill them and replace them with a clone when needed. I don't think organ harvesting suggests their style of getting a profit. It felt inefficient compared to their established methods.

Ang maingat na paglakad ay naging takbo. Fare's scream stopped me dead in my tracks. Nang lumingon ako sa kanya'y laking gulat ko nang hinihila na siya ng taong naka maskara.

"Huli ka!" Bulalas ng itim na pigura. His voice got me shivered. Rejoicing as he finally caught her prey. Tumakbo ako palapit kay Fare ngunit bago ko pa man magawa 'yon ay isang kamay ang humila sa akin sa braso.

"Saan ka pupunta, huh?" A woman voice caught me up. Lumingon ako sa kanya at ang pagtatangka kong pagpupumiglas ay umatras nang makita ko ang hawak niyang patalim. The glint of its edge reflects on my orbs.

"Bitiwan nyo ko!" Despite of terror, my gaze shifted back to Fare. Tinulak siya ng humuli sa kanya at hinila sa buhok. My heart hammered against my chest when I saw what her captor carrying. It was an axe. "Ate, Al!" she screamed my name with a desperate plea. Her cries tears through the night.

Adrenaline surged. Though, terrified, my reflexes unconsciously took an action. I kicked the woman in her belly with my surprising strength. Nang mapadaing ito at mapaduko ay tinulak ko ito ng malakas. Natumba siya sa lupa at ginamit 'yong pagkakataon para agawin ang patalim. Wala akong inaksayang oras at lumapit kina Fare. Carrying a protective rage, I charge at the man pulling her. Tinulak ko ito gamit ang sariling bigat ng katawan.

We both fell on the ground. While groaning under my weight, I immediately raised my hand with a knife, ready to strike. The attempt was halted when he held my wrist, stopping me. Dahil lalaki siya at mas malakas sa akin ay para lang akong magaang bagay na binalibag paalis sa ibabaw nito. Napadaing ako sa pagbagsak ko sa lupa. On my peripheral vision was the axe, clattered on the ground.

Nasa kamay ko padin ang patalim. Clutching it, the grip is unwavering. The masked man rose; his movement was swift and lethal. Kinuha nito ang palakol. Raising it high above his head, preparing to bring its edge down on me. Bago pa man tumama sa akin 'yon ay gumulong ako pagilid. My breath hitched when I successfully dodged the attack. The wind of its passage sends goosebumps on my skin.

Meanwhile, my glance casted at Fare who is screaming because the woman I'd pushed on the ground was beating her. I need to deal with this man faster so I can save her. I heard the man groaned in annoyance as he failed to cut me in half. Hinugot niya ang palakol na bumaon sa lupa at umatake ulit. I don't know how to fight but I have survival instinct. Sa pagsugod niya'y tinaas ko ang patalim, handang salubungin ang atake niya. Using my right hand, I clamped down on his wrist which possessed an axe. Gamit ang isang kamay ay sinaksak ko ang patalim tagiliran nito. Close to his armpit. I shoved it deep on his flesh and pulled it out.

I caught my breath because of the strength I released and watched how he ached from pain. Napatingin ako sa nanginginig kong kamay na hawak ang patalim na may dugo. The man's attention was drawn from his stab, causing him to loosen the axe on its grip. He raised his head to me. He's wearing a mask but I know his gaze is blazing. It was the opening I needed. I used his distraction to my advantage. Leaving him stabbed, I paced forward to the woman attacking Fare.

Nakapaibabaw sa kanya ang babaeng nakamaskara at paulit ulit siyang sinusuntok. Her nose was bleeding that it scattered around her face. Fueled by adrenaline and Fare's suffering, I kicked her with my all might. She fell from Fare's top. Agad kong tinulungan si Fare na makatayo ngunit mabilis ding naka recover ang babaeng sinipa ko. Nabitawan ko si Fare nang hilahin niya ako. She made me turned to her and the strike from her fist slapped straight to my face. I tasted a metallic liquid from my lips, realizing it was my blood.

Underneath the initial shock, I got stiffened. Hindi pa ito nakuntento at bumwelo pa ng suntok sa kabila kong pisngi hanggang sa sunod sunod na ang natanggap kong atake sa kanya. She kicked my stomach hard like I was hit by a stone. My body throbbed from the brutal blows she'd rained down on me. Until I felt the motion of my back falling on the ground. Compared to the man earlier, this woman seems skilled.

"Katapusan mo ng bruha ka" gigil nitong bulong. Nilagay nito ang dalawang palad sa leeg ko at sinakal. My lips parted, lungs desperately screamed for air. I tried to feel the knife but it's out of my possession. Now I'm close to die. Until my peripheral vision caught a glint of steel. Sa sandaling 'yon ay nagkaroon ako ng pag-asa.

Batid kong ilang segundo lamang ang lilipas ay malalagutan na ako ng hininga kaya gamit ang natitirang lakas ay iniunat ko ang isa kong kamay. Scrabbling it blindly across the ground to reach for the knife. The masked woman grunted, her grip tightening as her intention is vivid to kill me. I hastened, lunged my fingers, closing around the cold familiar weight of the blade. Nang mahawakan ang patalim ay agad ko itong dinampot. While struggling to breath, I twisted the knife. Making its edge, arced through the air until it plunged on the side of her neck.

A choked gasp escaped from her lips. She stumbled as she instinctively grasped the wound. Her blood was dripping on my face. I pushed her, scrambling backward. Agad akong bumangon kahit nanginginig pa ang aking mga tuhod. I held my neck. My throat is burning, my lungs heaving. Bago pa man ako matumba ay sinalo ako ni Fare. I coughed raggedly. "Ate, Al..." Her voice was a shaky whisper, laced with concern and something else...fear.

Tiningnan ko ang babaeng ngayo'y nakaluhod sa lupa. She tried to get up, a futile desperate struggle but she just collapsed. The blood around her scattered. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa nanginginig kong mga kamay. Guilt and horror surged in, realizing I just killed a person.

Adrenaline had faded, leaving me a chilling emptiness. Saglit pa akong natulala habang pinoproseso ang nangyari.

I snapped out my conscience. There's no time for self-recrimination. Survival demanded action. I pulled Fare's hand. "Tara na. May iba pa silang mga kasama na naghahanap sa atin" I urged.

As the words left on my lips, I heard murmurs from distance. A low hum, indistinct conversation which gives me impression someone's coming. It could be the remaining people chasing us. Wala kaming inaksayang oras at muling tumakbo. Ilang hakbang palang ang nagagawa namin nang may estrangherong sumulpot sa aming harapan. He looked to be in his mid-forties, his face partially obscured by the gloom. Nakasuot ito ng asul na damit na kupas na ang kulay gaya ng suot nitong pantalon na sira pa ang bulsa. He looked like a poor man struggling to survive.

"Dito ang daan" tinuro nito ang direksyon sa harapan niya. Fare and I exchanged glances. My hesitation warred with instinct but I momentarily dismissed it. He shows no aggression, his posture relaxed, if not slightly weary. His hands were empty. After a quick assessment, I gave a nod to Fare, permitting ourselves to follow him. I trust my gut that he's harmless since he's not carrying any weapon or sharp object.

Natagpuan ko ang sarili ko na nakasandal sa magaspang na hollowblock habang naghahabol ng hininga. We'd taken refuge in this unfinished construction site. Sandaling pamamahinga matapos ang mahaba haba naming tinakbo palayo sa mga naghahanap sa amin. Now we're here, huddling in the shadows, catching our breath. Fare was against the opposite wall, mirroring my posture. Kasalukuyan nitong pinupunasan ang dugo sa mukha gamit ang tela na pinunit niya mula sa laylayan ng damit. I was bone-tired, utterly exhausted. The recent days of my life hasn't been good to me. And the stench...I was longing for a bath. I hadn't showered since they captured us and brought here. The grime clung to me like a second skin.

Our unlikely companion stood guard at the entrance. Nagbabantay sa maaaring sumalakay. I don't trust him, not one bit, but as long as he doesn't harm us, I'd tolerate his presence. Nang masigurong walang panganib na nag-aabang ay pumasok na ito. He joined us, settling on the floor a few feet away. Tiningnan niya kaming dalawa ni Fare. My eyes remained vigilant. Tracking his every move.

"Sila ang mga Hunter" the man stated. Not intending to start a conversation but more like a remark. Good thing he answered the unspoken question in my mind before I could even voice it. Bumaling ito sa amin. Mukhang nangingilala kung taga-rito kami. "Iba ang mga suot nyo..." His gaze becomes instinctive "Ilang taon na kayo?"

I got a little cautious as to why he had to ask our age. Then Coleen's words flashed through my mind. The Zones must be a dumping ground for the people who reach 30. And this man… he’d probably been here for a decade, maybe longer.

"I'm 30" pagsisinungaling ko saka tumingin kay Fare. "The same goes for her. She just turned 30 yesterday." Her face showed a slight surprise, but my look urged her to play along. We don't know this man. Lying about our ages can somehow save us from intriguing questions.

His lips stretched slightly, not fully convinced, but bought it anyway. "Kaya pala. Mukhang bata ang mga itsura nyo para sa edad nyo"

"It's just good skincare, sir" I shrugged. Deflecting the scrutiny. I shifted the conversation back to our captors. "What about them? The Hunters? Narinig kong kikita sila ng malaking pera kapag napatay nila kami"

Tinaas nito ang isang hita at ginawang patungan ng kamay. "Tama. Isa 'yon sa paraan para kumita ng malaki. Ang manghunting ng mapapatay. Pagpatak ng ala sais at may nakita silang wala sa Capitol, papatayin ng mga Hunter" he paused, drifting his gaze outside.. "Sarado na ang Capitol ngayon kaya mukhang dito muna tayo magpapalipas ng gabi"

"Capitol?" I echoed. Unfamiliar to the place.

"Shelter" paglilinaw nito. "Ang kaisa isang lugar na maituturing mong ligtas"

The questions emerged in my head. I hadn't seen the facility he described since we'd wandered around; it must be farther off. His words hooked me so I pressed further. "What's in the Capitol?"

He began to explain about it. Capitol is like a big shelter and refuge for everyone at night. It guarantees safety but only until dawn. Sa pagpatak ng umaga ay dapat na silang umalis doon. Sa gabi lamang sila maaaring manatili sa Capitol. Ang umaga ay para sa pagtatrabaho. Money is everything here. To survive, you must work. Anyone seen in the Capitol during daylight is killed. The same goes for night -- if you don't want to die, stay inside. 'Yon lamang ang tanging tirahan ng mga tao dito kapag gabi. You can't kill someone inside the Capitol. The guards are everywhere, watching.

"Napunta kayo sa Zone 12 kaya asahan nyong magiging mahirap ang buhay nyo dito. Ito ang lugar kung saan maraming nagiging Hunters. Karamihan sa mga nandito mas gugustuhin nalang pumatay para kumita ng pera" he added after a pause, letting the weight of his words sink in to us.

My ears just attentively listened. I wanted to ask further, but I was afraid any question could trigger a counter-question that might push me to lie. He doesn't know about our real age and I'm not planning to reveal it to anyone. So I just absorbed the piece of information he shared. I'd uncover the rest myself. I'd face danger a lot of times, and I still do, but a chill snaked down my spine. Hindi nagkakalayo ang patakaran ng Capitol sa school regulations ng Sonkan. The dorm, the sanctioned killing that only applied on Fridays. Hindi kagaya dito na araw araw.

The silence pressed down, and it was suffocating. I wanted to hold my mouth from saying anything and let the silence rule out, but curiosity gnawed at me. "Why you're not in the Capitol at this night? Why lurking around?"

**********

Thanks for reading!