-Alexi-

RED.

Naalala ko ang daang tinahak namin ni Raye nang dalhin niya ako sa arena na parang Mortal Combat din ang setting. Ang daan na 'yon ay parang isang portal kung saan dadaaan kayo sa madilim at makipot na lugar, maglalakad hanggang sa mahanap ang liwanag. I remember how blatant the noise is from the crowd, the six fighters inside the ring with their brutal clash of steel, the terrified faces of the six hostage women sitting at the balcony, the chilling laughter of the Joker-like host – the experience is still fresh on my mind. But now, it's all red. The pathway is still narrow except for the red lights that stained the surroundings along with the thick air.

Night has fallen. We're one of the fortunate people who successfully passed through the gates. Ang mga naiwan naman sa labas kanina ay mananatiling prey sa mga Hunter. Pagkapasok namin dito sa Capitol ay dito naman ako sinamahan ni Raye. Mukhang kabisado niya ang lugar na ito. Her steps were confident and assured as she navigate the labyrinth-like corridors. I stay behind, keeping myself close with her as much as possible since I'm not familiar with the place. Napansin kong sanay na siya sa ambiance ng paligid. May ilang mga tao kaming nakasalubong na bumabati kay Raye. It gives me impression she's always here.

Parang nawalan ng ibang kulay ang paligid dahil ang tanging nakikita ko lang ay pula. Raye's white fleeting smoke mingled with the crimson surroundings. The cigarette is like a candy to her. It's a constant companion of her lips. I pushed aside my uneasiness, remaining silent as I had been since we started walking. Hinayaan ko lang si Raye na ituro sa akin ang daan papunta sa pinagtatrabahuhan ni Fare.

"You ready?" Raye asked, glancing at me. We turned a corner and a door greeted us. She held the doorknob, poised to open it but paused for a moment. "Are you ready to see your sister?"

Curiosity gnawed at me as to why we're not hearing any loud music from the inside or the kind of noise you'd expect from a party. The pathway we walked through towards this door, and the red lights made me prepare for what kind of place we were going to visit. Perhaps the door was thick enough to muffle the sound of whatever was going on inside. But one thing for certain, this isn't where I should expect to see Fare.

I nodded. Not uttering any word, bracing myself for disappointment.

Binuksan ni Raye ang pinto. Gaya dito sa labas ay pulang ilaw ulit ang bumungad sa amin. The air was thicker here inside, muntik na akong mapaubo dahil sa tapang ng sigarilyong humalo sa amoy ng alak. Parang sasakit ang mata ko dahil sa tingkad ng pulang ilaw. There's a red neon light drawing of a lady sitting in the martini glass, kissing a cherry displayed on the wall. The room was filled with lounge music. Slow and chill. Suitable to the people who's having their intimate moment. There are only few people I'm seeing sitting in the side couches. And the scene is not greeting at all. They're making out that makes me want to vomit.

Sa gilid ay nakapirmi ang bartending area. Nakahilera ang mga stool doon at sa bandang dulo'y may dalawang couple na nakaupo. I couldn't tell if they were kissing but they're proximity spoke volumes. Ang mga tao dito ay tila naligaw sa sarili nilang mundo.

"Most of the people here are Hunters, soldiers or others that can afford to go here" biglang sumulpot ang bulong na boses ni Raye sa tabi ko. When she said Hunters, shivered automatically crawled on my skin. Kung sabagay, ang mga Hunter ay malaki ang kinikita. They can afford everything inside the Capitol.

May mga babaeng maikli ang suot na halos kaluluwa nalang ang natatakpan ang naglalakad, may hawak silang alak sa magkabilang kamay at lalapit sa lalaking naghihintay sa kanila sa couch. The ambiance isn't new to me. Ganito din ang napuntahan kong bar sa Mobsters. Ang kaibahan nga lang ay maingay doon at hindi red ang ilaw kundi malikot na neon lights.

"Where's Fare?" Wala akong oras para pansinin ang atmosphere ng lugar kaya agad kong tinanong ang sadya ko kay Raye. Lumapit ito sa bartender area. Saktong may lalaking nakaupo doon. They seemed knew each other. I saw the man's hand slowly crawling at Raye's waist when she approached him. Tinuro ni Raye ang madilim na parte ng silid na sa tingin ko'y pasilyo.

"Pumasok ka doon at diretsuhin mo lang. Open the third door. It's not locked." Raye faked a smile to me before she shifted her attention to the man who was almost edging his head on her neck. Soft giggles escaped from her lips. I rolled my eyes. Such a flirt.

Pumasok ako sa madilim na parte na 'yon at tama nga ako. Isa itong mahabang hallway. There's a small red light from above, but not enough to completely illuminate the darkness. My steps were cautious, alerting myself from possible attacks. Who knows? I'm a stranger in this place, and my clothing doesn't belong compared to the women I saw earlier in their tiny dresses. Besides, there are Hunters here and Raye didn't usher me on this way. Hinanap ko ang pangatlong pinto hanggang sa nakarating ako doon.

Luminga linga ako sa paligid. No one's around. Binuksan ko ang pinto at hinanda ang sarili sa kung ano man ang babati sa akin. I was greeted by a reddish light. It's not totally red. May malilit na golden bulb ang nakasabit sa paligid. The room was spacious and big enough for these girls to fit in. Yes, madaming mga babae ang nandito. Mas magaan sa mata ang ilaw dito kumpara sa labas. Abala sila sa kanila kanilang pinagkakaabalahan. My presence didn't bother them.

Sa gilid ay may rectangular na salamin at doon nakaharap ang iilang babae. They're busy putting make up on their faces, painting their lips with reddest shade of lipstick. Ang iba naman ay nagbibihis. Some were trying to fit the small red dress on their body. All of them are matured fine ladies. Mukhang kasing edaran sila ni Raye.

"Bilisan nyo. Isang oras nalang magsisimula na ang big show natin. Maraming mga sundalong manonood" isang boses ng babae ang nangibabaw sa kanila. Gaya ng ibang babae ay nakasuot din siya ng maikling damit. Her black long hair cascading down her back. Her height increased by her high heels.

I swept my gaze across the surroundings to find Fare. I started to walk, cautiously circling the room. I couldn't tell if it was the dim light that masked my presence or if they simply didn't care that a stranger had intruded on their space.

"No! I don't want to volunteer!"

Isang malakas na sigaw ng babae ang bumulabog sa aking atensyon. Ang mga babae'y parang walang pakialam. None of them reacted from that screaming woman. Agad akong naglakad patungo sa pinanggalingan ng boses na 'yon.

"Ayusan nyo na 'yan. Gusto siyang makita ng isa sa mga VIP"

A few meters away, I saw a woman who's older among the rest of the girls here. Gray hairs escaping on her neatly tied bun. Nakasuot ito ng itim at mahabang dress. Nakalambitin ang malalaki niyang hikaw sa magkabilang tenga. Ang nagsisilbing harang nila sa paningin ko ay ang manipis na kurtinang gawa sa pearls. I could still see them from the gaps of delicate pearl threads. Nakaharap siya sa babaeng maputla, gulo gulo ang buhok at madaming pasa sa braso. She's wearing a tiny blue dress. Ang tanging natatakpan lang no'n ay ang kanyang hita.

Her lips were pale and her eyes were red. Her face looks exhausted and miserable. From her curly hair loose down, my heart almost jumped in recognition. It was Fare.

Sa tabi niya'y may dalawang babae. Ang isa ay naninigarilyo.

"Baka naman pwede nyo pong pakiusapan, madam Elektra" Fare begged to the older woman whom she called Elektra. Lumapit ito sa kanya at halos lumuhod para magmakaawa. "Maayos naman po ang ipinapasok kong pera dito. Ayokong maging volunteer para sa laban nila bukas" she repeatedly shook her head, lips were trembling as her tears streaming down her face. She looks scared.

What was happening?

The urge to step forward and interrupt their conservation seized me, but I held back. What are they doing to Fare?

Hindi sumagot si madam Elektra kaya hinawakan siya sa balikat ni Fare, puno ng pagsusumamo ang boses nito. "Madam Elektra pakiusap--"

Isang malakas na sampal ang dumapo sa pisngi ni Fare. Her head snapped through the side. I get alarm causing me to gasp. "Sa tingin mo ba may magagawa ako? Papatayin ako ng mga sundalo kapag hindi kita napapayag. Mismong VIP ang nag request para pasalihin ka" mahigpit na hinawakan ni Madam Elektra si Fare sa panga para paharapin ito sa kanya. "Malaking pera ang kikitain mo doon. Siguradong hindi ka mamamatay dahil magaling ang fighter na magiging partner mo. Ilang beses na siyang nanalo sa arena"

"Ayoko po maging hostage. Ayoko pong mamatay"

Hostage. VIP. Arena. Fighter. Lumakas ang tibok ng puso ko dahil pamilyar ang mga bagay na 'yon sa akin. Suspicion grew in my chest, getting a hint of what they are talking about. Hindi kaya...

"Ayusan nyo na 'yan. Naghihintay na ang mga susundo sa kanya sa labas" inutusan ni madam Elektra ang dalawang babae at hinawakan sa magkabilang braso si Fare para kaladkarin ito sa kung saan.

Lumabas na ako sa aking pinagtataguan at hinawi ang kurtina kung saan ko sila sinisilip para magpakita sa kanila. I faced the woman wearing a stern expression.

"I volunteer"

The woman's smug look turned into an amused one, speechless by my sudden appearance. Nagulat din ang ilang mga babaeng nandito. I heard Fare's faint voice behind me. "L-lex.. "

Humarap ako sa kanya. Pwersahan kong inalis ang kamay ng dalawang babaeng nakahawak sa kanya. I cupped her cheeks, tears sprung at the corner of her eyes. I brushed my thumb at the skin of her cheek, offering her a reassuring smile. "I'm here now. You'll be safe"

Marahan itong umiling, nanginginig padin ang labi nito. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Her voice is weak, almost a whisper. Binigyan ko lamang ito ng isang banayad na ngiti bago humarap sa babaeng tinatawag niyang Elektra.

"Pakawalan nyo na ang kapatid ko. I volunteer myself" determinado kong sambit. Naramdaman kong hinawakan ni Fare ang braso ko.

"Ano bang sinasabi mo? Hindi maaari. Delikado ang gagawin nila sa'yo, Lex" she whispered, her voice laced with worry but I ignored her. Mas lalong hindi ko hahayaan kung si Fare ang isasali nila.

My gaze was meeting the woman's amused eyes. She scanned me from head to toe, assessing if I was fit enough to replace Fare. Seconds later before curving her lips into smirk. "Hm, pwede na din ang isang to'. Mas maganda kaysa kay Fare at matangkad. Mukhang meztisa. Mukhang mas magugustuhan ka pa ng VIP natin" bumaling siya sa dalawang babae. "Ayusan nyo ang babaeng ito at pauwiin nyo na 'yan" she looked at Fare.

Saglit na nilagay ng isang babae ang sigarilyo sa ashtray bago lumapit sa akin at gano'n din ang kasama niya. Hinawakan nila ako sa magkabilang braso para dalhin sa kung saan nila ako dapat dalhin. Nilagpasan namin si Madam Elektra at nakakailang hakbang pa lamang kami nang magsalita si Fare.

"Kapag sumali ka doon, Lex, maaari kang mamatay" her voice cracked at the last sentence. Saglit akong natigilan. Alam ko. I turned my head to give her one last glance, but I didn't say anything. I just put a warm smile on my face, hoping it would lessen her worry. 'It's okay as long as it's not you'

I found myself sitting in front of the vanity mirror where LED lights was glued on the side. Pumasok kami sa ibang silid at kasama ko ang dalawang nagdala sa akin dito. Habang nakatitig sa sariling repleksyon ay hindi ko maiwasang manibago sa aking itsura. Ang laki ng aking ipinayat. Halos lumubog na ang malamlam kong mga mata at kitang kita ang aking collarbone. Hindi nalalayo ang itsura ko sa butot't balat na tao. My mom always love my facial features and skin. I wonder how will she react if I'm look like this. The thought of my mom makes me miss her more.

Ang isa ay kasalukuyang sinusuklay ang aking buhok. Whoever I was about to meet tonight demanded my presentable look, perhaps even beautiful. "Ano ba to'ng buhok mo? Buhok ba to ng tao o nabuhol na wig? Ang tigas at ang dry pa" naiinis nitong sambit. My face winced at the harshness of her strokes. Kulang nalang ay hilahin niya lahat ng anit ko. Hindi na lamang ako nagsalita.

"Hayaan mo na. Natural namang bagsak ang buhok niya" sambit ng isang babae. Siya yung naninigarilyo kanina. "Plantsahin mo lang at lalambot din 'yan" lumapit siya sa akin, may dala siyang bag ng mga kolorete at isa isa niya 'yong nilabas. She placed it beside the vanity mirror.

She first started to put liquid product on my face —something I wasn't familiar with. Wala akong gaanong alam sa make up pero malagkit 'yon sa mukha. Next, she dabbed a water-drop shaped sponge across my face, blending the sticky substance. I remained stiff on my seat as these two ladies fixing my appearance. Pakiramdam ko'y kapag gumalaw ako, sasaktan nila ako. Ngumisi ang babaeng nagmemake up sa akin. Makapal ang kolorete nito at mukhang ilang patong ng produkto ang nilagay niya sa mukha.

"Mabuti nalang maganda ka, kahit mukha kang bangkay" she commented in flat tone. I don't know if that supposed to be a compliment or insult.

Natapos akong ayusan ng dalawang babae. Halos hindi ko nakilala ang sarili ko. The fluffy dark under my eyes was concealed. My lashes gets long and cheeks gets rosy. Mapula din ang aking labi na tila hindi nalalayo sa kulay ng dugo. My make up is heavy and I'm not comfortable with it. This wasn't me. It's just a stranger who borrowed my body. Pinasuot nila ako ng itim na dress na napakaikli. Gaya ng mga suot nila ay hita ko lang ang natatakpan nito. I didn't complain nor said anything. I simply obeyed like a child.

Sa ganito kong ayos ay alam ko naman ang patutunguhan nito. Kamatayan.

Maya maya'y bumukas ang pintuan. Lahat kami'y napatingin doon. Iniluwa no'n ang babaeng may hawak na sigarilyo sa isang kamay. I wondered if she was slowly killing herself. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya nakapasok dito. Marahil kilala niya din si madam Elektra.

"Kayong dalawa," she addresses the two women, her gaze sharp and commanding. The kind of authority she's pulling off whenever she wants something to be in her favor. "Iwan nyo muna kami. We'll have a private talk."

Sumunod naman ang dalawang babae at lumabas ng pinto. Umupo si Raye sa couch at saka nagbuga ng usok sa silid na ito. "Nakausap ko si Madam Elektra. Mukhang nasisiraan ka na talaga ng bait"

I heaved a deep sigh, settling my gaze on the blank wall. "I had no choice. They will force Fare to join if I don't step up"

Raye shook her head in disbelief as a scoff escaped her lips. "Bukas ng gabi ang laban sa arena. Once the VIP see you, there's no turning back. Ikaw na ang isasalang nila sa upuang 'yon"

I don't understand why she went here, spouting these warnings. As if she's concerned anyway. Raye may have an ounce of kindness in her body, but that doesn't mean she cares about someone else's life. Ang mahalaga lang sa kanya ay mga bagay ng magbibigay sa kanya ng pakinabang. I met her gaze with empty eyes. "I know. That's why I volunteer"

A playful grin stretched across her lips. "What a noble sister" biglang sumeryoso ang mukha nito. "Minsan ka ng nanood doon. Alam mo kung ano ang takbo ng laban sa loob ng ring. Only one fighter will live, and the rest will be killed," she emphasized in the last sentence, attempting to instill fear. "Same with the women sitting above the ring"

Hindi man direktang sinabi ni Raye ngunit alam kong gusto niyang iparating na maliit lamang ang tsansang mabuhay ako sa arena na 'yon. Ang pagbukas ng pinto ang pumutol sa aming pag-uusap. Lumitaw doon ang babaeng isa sa nag-ayos sa akin kanina. Tumingin siya sa akin.

"Pinapatawag kana ni Madam Elektra. Nariyan na ang sundo mo"

I stood up from my seat and started walking to the door but halted when Raye said something. "Are you sure about that, Alexi? I can convince the old lady to find a swap for you"

"I'm fine" I said, not giving her a glance. Narinig ko ang malalim nitong pagbuntong hininga.

I walked out the door and the lady ushered me. I hid my nervousness by maintaining a blank face. These people shouldn't see I'm scared or weak. Ilang beses na akong nakikipaglaro sa kamatayan. Hindi na bago ang bagay na ito sa akin.

Tahimik akong sumunod sa kanila. Ibang daan ang tinahak namin ngunit may red lights padin. Lumabas kami ng bar o kung anumang tawag sa lugar na 'yon na puno ng pulang ilaw. Paglabas ay bumungad sa akin ang itim na sasakyan. The windows are tinted and it gets blacker because of the night. I wondered where they were taking me that they needed a car. Sa tabi ng pinto ng sasakyan ay lalaking nakaformal suit at shades. He opened the door with a gesture of gentlemanly courtesy. I silently slid into the backseat.

Nakapirmi ang dalawa kong kamay sa aking hita at maya't maya hinihila ang laylayan ng suot ko. Napaikli nito at manipis lang na strap ang nagdudugtong sa dress at sa balikat ko. I don't know why they had to make me wear like this. It's just offered little concealment of my soul. Umandar ang sasakyan at biglang may lumabas na kung anong amoy na nakakahilo. The smell filled the car, my head spinning until I lost my consciousness.

Nagising na lamang ako dahil sa marahang pagyugyog ng kung sino. Minulat ko ang aking mata at napagtanto kong ang naka formal suit 'yon na bantay. Inalalayan ako nitong lumabas ng sasakyan. Nilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. Nasa labas kami ng Capitol. Even at night this town looks a mess. It's easy to distinguish if you're outside the Capitol, you can feel it by the thickness of the air, the dust, the damp moist of the ground and the buildings around. It's all destructed. Ang ipinagtataka ko'y bakit kailangang lumabas pa kami ng Capitol.

Isinantabi ko na lamang ang katanungang iyon at bumaling sa pintong nasa harap namin. I was accompanied by two men in formal suit. One was probably the driver. Binuksan ng isang kasama ko ang pinto at pinapasok ako doon. They turned the switch on and the golden light lits up the whole room. It was a house. This was the first structure I'd seen outside the Capitol that wasn't falling apart. It's cozy. May maaayos na couch dito sa living room, may iilang painting na nakasabit sa ding ding at gawa sa tiles ang sahig.

Mukhang walang nakatira dito. Kahit pangit ang labas ng bahay ay presentable naman ang loob. Sa harap ay may maliit na TV. Luma. May dalawang antena sa ibabaw. Ito yung klase ng TV na kadalasang makikita sa panahon ng 90's. They motioned me to sit at the couch across the TV. I pursed my lips, guessing what will happen next as I struggle to fight off my nervousness.

The TV opened. The man in a black mask appeared, but only half of his body was shown. He's wearing a formal suit as well. Ganito din ang itsura ng mga VIP na nakita ko sa malaking TV screen sa arena. His face was fully covered as if masking his whole face would lessen his evilness.

"Siya po ang ipinadala ni Madam Elektra" one of the guards said. "Siya po ang huling contestant na isasali bukas"

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Thanks for reading!