Mhorfell Academy and the Night Stealer (A Spin-Off) [Book 3]

Chapter 6: Whiskeys and Cigarettes

Chapter Six: Whiskeys and Cigarettes

I WAS pushed.

Kung hindi ko pa nararamdaman ang karurukan ng lamig ng ulang tubig at ang mararahas nitong pagdapo sa balat ko, puwes ngayo'y ramdam na ramdam ko na. Parang hindi lang ulan ang bumubuhos mula sa ulunan ko kundi ilang timba ng yelo sa pagkakatanto sa katangahang muntik ko nang mapalampas.

'What the fuck, Sean?' Hindi ko maiwasan ang mapasabunot sa buhok ko. There's no denying it. My pent-up emotions momentarily swayed me. I actually believed a literal hand pushing me was a sign from the heavens that it was my time to die. I almost surrendered to my long-hidden insecurities. I can't believe I succumbed to it for a moment!

"Geez. That whiskey is something... I never lost control even for a second before..." I mumbled, showering myself with some disappointment other than the beads of water still flowing over my face. "I shouldn't have taken Sed's offer. Talk about bad influence... ha..."

"Hey," untag sa 'kin ng isang kamay na siyang nagpaalala sa presensya ng nagligtas sa 'kin. "Ayos ka lang ba? Napalakas ba 'yong hampas ko? Tumama ba ang ulo mo no'ng pagbagsak mo?"

Dumausdos ang mga kamay ko, at tanging naaaninuhan ng dilim na wangis lamang ang nasilayan ko. Maging sa pagkalma ng mga kidlat, tanging linya ng kabuuan lamang niya ang nadiskubre ko.

"Oh, I'm fine. By the way, what's your—" My own question got cut off when I realized that the mask cradling my cursed identity was not where it was supposed to be. I have no time for this.

"I have to go." I stood up, disregarding any possible sprain or injury this might bring me.

"Wait!" Maagap na dinakip ng babae ang kamay ko. "Where do you think you're going in that state?!"

"No matter what state I'm in, It's mine to resolve, miss," I told her rather coldly as I stare at the endless darkness of Selene's field. At this point, there's nothing more important than to remove myself from somewhere I am openly defenseless. "Kaya kung ako sa 'yo, babalik na lang din ako sa loob at kakalimutang may nangyari rito. It would be for the best." Marahas kong binawi ang kamay ko mula sa kaniya at saka nagmartsa pabalik sa rutang ginamit ko kanina papunta.

"At least, let me help you!" suhestiyon nito at sa pagkakataon na 'to, ibinalik niya ang rahas ko, dahilan para mapalingon akong muli sa kaniya. How is this woman so strong?

"Kung ipagpapatuloy mo na maglakad sa ganiyang lagay nang mag-isa, tiyak na aabutan ka lang ng kung sino na nakabulagta sa daan. Kailangan mo ng tulong ko, itanggi mo man o hindi."

Hindi ko man nakikita ang ekspresyon niya o kahit hapyaw ng anumang kilos ng katawan niya, pansin ko ang pagdiriin nito sa mungkahi niya na animo'y ito lang ang kaisa-isang paraan. Her tone is as brusque as her body that caught me from falling to my pathetic demise, but it's also particularly gentle and understanding that it baffles me about what she really wants with me. Voice alone could not speak sincerity. A kind offer given once does not equate to genuinity.