-Alexi-

NANINGKIT ang mga mata ko at hinintay ang kanyang sagot. Pinapakiramdaman kung may bahid ng kasinungalingan ang sasabihin niya. Yeah, I know, I lied earlier, but this one's different. He may not wear a full face mask like the Hunters we'd encountered, but who knows. I admit I'd been an idiot at Sonkan's school, reckless and naive. Now, it's a different stage. I need to be double cautious of every person I'm going to interact with. His silence was a ticking clock; each second was like a hammer blow against this deafening silence.

"May hinahanap ako..." he paused, "na gusto kong iligtas" he seemed reluctant to divulge more so I just nodded, offering a silent acknowledgement. I don't want to be pushy if it's personal.

"Malalim na ang gabi mga hija," Mister's voice cut through the silence, a gravelly statement that ended the conversation. "Magpahinga na tayo" Umayos ito ng pagkakasandal sa pader at pumikit doon. Sunod na lumipat ang tingin ko kay Fare. She's sleeping peacefully. Maybe I should too. I've had enough for this day.

Hinubad ko ang suot na coat at ginawa itong pansapin. The lady's punches still echoed in my battered body, which I didn't know how I survived. A phantom pain that throbbed every time I breathed. It wouldn't help if I slept sitting upright. I needed to lie down. Ginawa kong unan ang braso at tumingin sa kisameng maagiw. Bigla kong naalala si Coleen. Hindi siya ang kasama ko ngayon. I hope she's safe. I'm gonna miss her. I don't know if I will see her again. Probably not. She's tough and resilient. I know she would survive whatever hell they'd dragged her into.

Then there's Reigan's name sneaking through my mind. His face, which carved a quiet farewell, flashed before my eyes. I suddenly remember the last glance he'd given me before disappearing through that door. I might never see him again, as well. The thought hung heavy in my chest. Kahit papaano, naging mabuti din siyang kaibigan sa akin.

"Thank you, Ate Al" isang mahina at malamlam na boses ang bumasag sa katahimikan. "For saving me" my gaze shifted to Fare, sitting just a few feet away. Nakamulat ang mata nito at bahagyang umunat ang labi para kumurba ng isang ngiti. Her eyes sparked warmth in a chilling darkness.

I returned her smile with a warm one of my own. "Just call me, Alexi or Lex" I said. Keeping a low murmur in the oppressive silence. I've known Fare since purging at sa tingin ko'y di naman nagkakalayo ang edad namin sa isa't isa.

Tumango lamang ito at ngumiti. "I prefer Lex," she replied, letting out a long sigh that seemed to echo her weariness throughout the day. Muli itong pumikit. Marahil hinihintay ang sarili na antukin. "You saved me twice, now. I thought I was gonna die earlier." Her voice was raspy, exhausted. Recalling her near-death experience.

I offered a light chuckle, trying to ease the tension. "Don't count. I won't charge you. I wouldn't let that happen"

I still feel guilty for what I did to that lady. It weighs heavily on my conscience, but witnessing another death from a fellow would break me. May mga malalapit na tao sa akin ang bigo kong iligtas. And the pain of that failure is unbearable. Ayoko na ulit 'yon mangyari. I'll save someone, whether it's close to me or not when I have a chance. Not because I want to be a hero but that's the right thing to do.

Kinabukasan ay bigla na lamang akong nagising dahil siguro'y nakaramdam ang katawan ko na kailangan ko ng bumangon. My lips let out a grunt. My body ached, stiff and sore as if I'd been strung up and left to dry. The familiar pain settled in. I wonder if this body would be numb since I always get beaten up. Tiningnan ko si Fare sa pwesto nito. Doon ako naalarma nang makitang wala siya doon. Halos magkanda tumba tumba akong tumayo at lumabas ng construction site.

"Fare!" I shouted.

I scanned the area, my eyes darting from shadow to shadow. Then, I saw them huddled in a corner. May gatong at apoy sa gitna nila. Relief washed over me as I confirmed that Fare was safe. Kasama niya parin ang ginoo. They were cooking something over the fire. I approached them. Umangat ang tingin sa akin ni Fare.

"Lex, gising ka na pala. Heto at kumain muna tayo"

Tiningnan ko ang inaalok nitong karne na nakatusok sa stick. The flickering firelight danced across it. My forehead creased. "What's that?"

Fare smiled tightly with strain, hesitant to tell what's the strange food she was holding. "There's no available food but this"

Napakurap ako at muntik nang maduwal nang mapagtanto kung anong pagkain 'yon. "Daga?" The words tastes like ash in my mouth.

"Lutong daga" pagtatama ng ginoo. Lumipat ang tingin ko sa kanya. The uneasiness from the food they're offering is still visible on my face. Gaya ni Fare ay tinatapat niya din sa apoy ang dagang nakatusok sa stick. Medyo wakwak ang tiyan nito. Marahil tinanggal nila ng lamang loob bago ihawin. I gulped when Fare took a bite on the rat's neck, chewing with disconcerting lack of expression.

I'm not picky about food, but I'd never imagine myself eating a grilled rat. Is this how far we've sunk just to survive?

"Isn't it dirty?" Tanong ko. Umupo ako sa kapirasong hollow block na inuupuan nila. Funny how we're being surrounding with broken plywoods, cracked tiles, and rusting iron, served as our temporary haven. Isama mo pa ang ang makakapal na alikabok na naging second layer na ng tuyong lupa.

"Ito ang madalas na kinakain dito ng mga taong walang perang pambili ng pagkain" my gaze rose to meet the gentleman's. He was casually chewing the grilled rat meat, coated in with sauce. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa maliit na platito na may lamang sauce. Mukhang doon nila sinasawsaw 'yon. "Basta linisan mo lang ng maayos at tanggalin ang lamang loob, pwede na din pantawid gutom" he added, a shrug accompanying the words.

I wonder how anyone could earn a living if they weren't a Hunter.

Bagaman may pag-aalinlangan ay kinuha ko na lamang ang inaalok ni Fare na pagkain na pinatong niya sa malapad na dahon. I slowly leaned it to my mouth despite of the disgust. I'd experienced similar situations during the purging season in the Artificial City, but we never resorted to such exotic food. I took a bite from the grilled rat. Nginuya ko ito at sinubukang lunukin. It was sweet because of sauce but the meat itself is bitter. Ilang segundo palang matapos ko itong malunok ay agad akong napatayo para sumuka.

Back at Sonkan School, our safety may not guaranteed there, but at least we had access to normal, delicious food. I returned to my seat after vomiting, briefly setting the rat meat aside on the leaf serving as a makeshift plate.

"Simula ngayon kailangan mo ng matutong kumain ng ganyang pagkain" the gentleman advised. His tone firm but not unkind. I nodded silently, acknowledging the harsh reality of my situation.

I stared at the grilled rat, forcing myself to try again. Closing my eyes, I swallowed it quickly, refusing to let my tongue register the taste. Dali dali ko itong nilunok. Inisip ko na lamang na isa itong masarap na karne. Muli akong naduwal ngunit tinakpan ko ang bibig ko para hindi tuluyang masuka. Okay, Alexi, sambit ko sa sarili ko, you need to adapt; this is your world now. Tiningnan ko si Fare na natapos ng kumain. Inalok nito sa akin ang bote ng natirang tubig na hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha. Offering a simple kindness in this desolate place.

"Nag-aaral ba kayo sa laboratoryo at ganyan ang mga suot nyo?" I looked up at the gentleman, startled. His eyes narrowed in suspicion, and his gaze lingered on my clothes. Mukhang hindi na nito napigilan ang kuryusidad. I get alarmed.

Trying to remain calm, I dipped the grilled rat into the sauce, hoping to mask its bitterness. "Yes, I'm a third-year biology student. 3rd course," I replied.

"Yan din ba ang eksplanasyon sa mga mantsa ng dugo sa inyong damit?" he pressed.

"It's Friday night," Fare interjected, smoothly rescuing me. "The day before they arrested us was Friday. There's a rule—they allow killings on Fridays."

"Alam ko 'yan" sambit ng ginoo. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "Naging estudyante din ako sa Sonkan"

Kung gano'n tama nga si Coleen. Sonkan discards those who reach thirty, dumping them in the Zones because they can no longer be a student. That's exactly what I was worried about. This man's questions were getting too pointed; we needed to be cautious. I glanced at Fare, simply thanking her for her quick intervention. Nagpatuloy na lamang ako sa pagkain. Hunger drove me forward. I need strength for this day. Who knew what the day might bring? Enduring the taste of this rat meat was the least I could do to prepare myself.

Maya maya'y tumayo ang ginoo. "Mahaba haba pa ang araw. Mabuti pa't samahan ko na kayong maglibot dahil hindi nyo alam ang lugar na ito" aniya "Hindi na ako makakasama sa inyo sa susunod"

Under the extreme heat of the sun was us, walking. I haven't seen anyone yet. Maybe this place is the desolate area of the town. There are no people around to escape the destroyed place we're surrounded by. Buildings stood like hollowed-out teeth, their windows dark, empty. I feel like we're in a post-apocalyptic town setting, and we're the only people who survived. Makalat ang daan at ang mga building ay tabingi. Its wall has cracked lines. Tila kaunting sanggi lang ng malakas na hangin ay matutumba na ito. I even saw a computer buried in the sea of bricks.

"Uh, ganito ba talaga sa Zone 12?" I asked the man who was leading us on the way. May tungkod ito at nakabalot ng bandana ang ulo, proteksyon sa init. Kami naman ni Fare ay ginawang pantakip ang coat namin. Para kaming nasa tuyot na lugar na tila ni isang beses ay hindi dinalaw ng ulan.

"Kung naghahanap ka ng maayos na lugar sa buong Zone 12, sa Capitol mo lang 'yon makikita. Kahit sa bayan ay ganito din ang paligid"

"Why is that?" Tanong ni Fare. Joining the conversation. Now I get it. This is the other side of Sonkan. Malayong malayo sa Sonkan school na puro matataas at nag gagandahang building.

"Hindi nila ito pinapaganda dahil para sa Sonkan, ang pagtanda ay isang sumpa. Dito nila tinatapon ang mga taong may gano'ng sumpa" sagot ng ginoo. "Ito ang ikalawang mundo kung saan pinapahirapan nila kami hanggang sa mamatay"

That explains why Sonkan experimented with immortality. They don't want to get old. As I picture it, when you reach 30, your purpose will be gone. You'll get thrown here in a desolate wasteland. Dreams and ambitions are buried alive. Imprison for life as a punishment, the crime you only did is because you age. Perhaps people see aging as a curse, as their hope is lost.

"If this is Zone 12, then is there another Zone? Like Zone 10, 8 or zone 7?" muli kong tanong. Hermione had mentioned twelve zones, and we were in the last one, supposedly.

"Oo" the man answered. "Maraming taong kinukulong ang Sonkan sa loob ng limampung taon at patuloy pa 'yon nadadagdan. Hinati hati nila 'yon sa labin dalawang Zone"

"Ganito din ba kagulo sa kanila?" I followed up, gesturing my hand to the ruined buildings around us. "As chaotic, as... destroyed?"

"Bawat Zones ay mayroong Capitol. Gaya dito sa Zone 12 ay 'yon lang din ang maayos na lugar sa kanila. Ang pagkakaiba lang ay ang zone 12 ang pinaka mapanganib"

I couldn't argue with that. We've witnessed it. Yesterday's harrowing chase still sent shivers down my spine. Their morality seemed to have vanished and just been replaced by hunger to kill.

"Is it because of the Hunters?" Fare's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Hindi lamang dahil sa mga Hunters" the man's tone turned grave. "Karamihan sa paraan ng pagkita dito ng pera ay kaakibat ang kamatayan. Ikaw ang papatay o ikaw ang mamamatay"

Sa sandaling 'yon ay nanaig ang katahimikan. I remember how I strived to fight the terrors I'd already endured, only to be thrown into another nightmare. When will I go home? I was longing to hug my cousin and parents. I failed to get ourselves out of here. I hope someone out there knows that we're trapped here. I hope one day, a miracle happens, and we'll get rescued. I don't want to die here. Not in this damn place.

We'd walked for what felt like forever. Mukhang nakarating na kami sa bayan na sinasabi ng ginoong ito. Mula sa di kalayuan ay may mga tao na akong nakikita.

"Alisin nyo ang mga coat nyo" the man instructed. "Maaari kayong mapagkamalang trabahador sa laboratoryo ng Sonkan. Galit sila sa mga taong 'yon"

We tossed Fare's and my dirty coat aside. Kumapit na doon ang alikabok at tuyong dugo. I wore jeans and a gray shirt—an outfit I hoped would help us blend in, as did Fare's faded jeans and red shirt. We continued walking until we entered the town square. Everyone seemed busy, yet as we roamed the downtown area, couple pair of eyes turned our way. They probably distinct we're new here. Halos ang mga taong nadadaanan namin ay kasing edad ng ginoong ito. Kung hindi naman, ay ginang na sa tingin ko'y nasa mid 30's na. Mukhang isa din 'yon sa dahilan kung bakit nila kami pinagtitinginan. Fare and I looked young.

Humawak sa braso ko si Fare upang makasigurong hindi ako mawawala sa tabi niya. "Eyes straight on the way" I whispered to her.

"What are the ways to earn money here that doesn't involve killing?" Tanong ko sa ginoo na kasabay naming naglalakad.

"Sa mga lalaki, construction ang madalas nilang nagiging trabaho kung gusto nila kumita ng sapat na pera na hindi nadudungisan ang kamay. Maraming ipinapatayong imprasktaktura ang Sonkan. Ang mga kalalakihan sa bawat Zones ang ginagawa nilang trabahador" he paused, his gaze distant and gloomy "Karamihan sa nagtatrabaho sa construction site ay hindi na nakakabalik ng buhay. Isa sa dahilan kung bakit 'yon nangyayari ay napaglalaruan sila ng mga sundalo. Binubugbog hanggang sa mamatay"

I gasped at the last words. A raw expression of disbelief and outrage. How unfair it is.

"How about women?" I pressed further.

His answer had been even more horrifying. "Wala masyadong oportuninad na trabaho para sa mga kababaihan maliban sa maging taga silbi ng mga sundalo, magbigay aliw o magbenta ng laman para sa kanila. Sa gano'ng paraan ay kahit papaano'y kikita ka ng pera na walang sinasaktang ibang tao"

My eyes widened in disbelief. What kind of world was this?

"How about the people who have no job? Paano sila nabubuhay?" Si Fare naman ang nagtanong.

Tumingin sa aming dalawa ang ginoo. "Kung kaya nilang magtiis na kumain ng patay na daga araw araw o kumain ng tira tirang pagkain ng mga sundalo, maaari silang mabuhay kahit walang trabaho"

The taste of the grilled rat I'd eaten earlier rose in my throat, making me want to vomit. I don't think I can eat food like that every day. I looked around, my gaze sweeping over the faces of the people around me, wondering how many of them relied on such desperate measures to stay alive.

Saglit kaming napahinto nang may makitang mga sundalong naka full suit. All eyes turned to them, making the people frozen as they emerged from the shadows. The guns they're carrying on their hands sent a jolt of alarm through me. They were five. Ang dalawang sundalo ay hawak ang isang ginang sa magkabilang braso. Paulit ulit itong sumisigaw ng "bitiwan nyo ako!" Her struggles were useless against their unwavering grip. Ang isang lalaki naman na mas matanda sa ginang ay hawak din ng dalawang sundalo. Both were being dragged away, their feet scraping against the uneven cobblestones.

"Saan nyo kami dadalhin!"

Fare and I retreated, hiding behind the other people's backs, making sure we were out of sight of the soldiers. I got traumatized by them. I feared they would drag us away, too. Humakbang din paurong ang ginoong kasama namin upang bigyan sila ng espasyo. I asked him. "What was that? Where were they taking them?"

"May sakit sila" sagot ng ginoo. Sinundan ng mata nito ang mga sundalo pati ang dalawang kinakaladkad. "At dahil may sakit sila'y gagawin silang guinea pig para sa eksperimento. Kapag nadala na sila sa laboratoryo ay wala ng pagkakaiba 'yon sa kamatayan"

"Is getting sick forbidden here?" I nervously asked.

"Depende kung hahayaan mo ang sarili mong magkasakit at mamatay sa laboratoryo"

I wonder if they resumed their experiment about mixing a human gene with an animal's. But the whole tower was burned. There's no way they can retrieve the tests, samples, data, or whatever formulas they're doing to fuel their research. Mr. Arrellano said once we destroy it, it will delay the progress of their experiment. That explains their hatred towards lab personnel.

We watched them vanished on our sight. People started murmuring. Karamihan ay bakas ang takot sa mukha. Saglit na naantala ang kanilang ginagawa dahil sa takot na 'yon. Nang humupa ang tensyon ay umalis na din kami sa pinagtataguan at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. The stares followed us, clinging to our backs even as we moved away. Hindi nalang namin pinansin 'yon. Sinundan lang namin ang ginoo kung saan niya kami dalhin. I assessed his route, hoping he was not leading us to a less crowded area. If he trick us, bringing us to the Hunters, we'd be ready to run.

Huminto kami sa tapat ng establisyemento na wasak ang kalahating pader. Dinugtungan lang 'yon ng kahoy para maging functional. I questioned his choice of destination with a look.

"Maaari kayong mag-apply dyan sa loob. Sa lugar na ito, kailangan nyo ng trabaho o kahit anong pagkakaabalahan sa umaga dahil wala kayong tirahan" I glanced inside. There's a woman in mid 30's, writing on a small notebook, counting large plastic bags overflowed with clothes. Her hair was piled into messy bun. Her face, etched with weariness and visible lines from hard work. She looked exhausted.Tumingin ako sa karatula sa taas at napagtantong laundry shop pala ito.

"Maiwan ko na kayo. Hanggang sa susunod nating pagkikita" paalam ng ginoo. He turned to leave, his figure already started to blend with the chaotic tapestry of this downtown. But something held me back so I called him.

"Teka sandali." He turned, flashing a question in his eyes. "What is your name?"

Bahagya itong ngumiti. "Tawaging nyo nalang akong Mang Fredo"

I smiled warmly. "Salamat po Mang Fredo." I feel like we need to thank him for accompanying us all night and for the information he shared so we wouldn't be ignorant in this place. Tumango lamang ito at bahagyang ngumiti. I waved my hand to bid goodbye.

He disappeared quickly, swallowed by the crowd, leaving no trace. Fare and I exchanged a hesitant glance, unsure whether we would inquire to apply inside. Sa huli'y lumapit kami sa shop. Sinalubong kami ng ginang na nagbibilang kanina ng mga damit na nakabundol sa plastic.

"Anong kailangan nyo?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over us from head to toe. Her eyebrow arched. I couldn't tell if she was suspicious of us or ayaw niya lang ng may bisitang biglang nasulpot.

"Mag-apply po" I said, pausing to look at Fare. "Mag-aapply po kami ng kapatid ko"

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Thanks for reading!