formula to beat

chapter 23

Full bloom.

I groan as I feel myself coming back to life. With a heavy head, I open my eyes and hit the ceiling of the tent then blinked several times to clear my vision.

It feels like it happened before?...

With one elbow, I pushed myself up and sat upon the bed. I held my head as I feel the dizziness. Gosh. Ansakit ng ulo ko. Para akong may hang over.

“ a-ouch” daing ko nang makaupo ako dahil sumakit ang ulo ko.

Napatulala na lang ako nang parang may nakalimutan ako? Dalawang kamay na ang nakahawak sa ulo ko at binaon sa tuhod ang mukha ko.

Shit angsakit! Ang sakit sakit! Parang binibiyak ulo ko sa sakit!

“ hey, Hera...” dinig kong boses ni Olivia sa garalgal na boses pero hindi ko pinansin dahil sa sobrang sakit!

Ang sakit!

“ Hera, argh..” I heard her groan, indicating that she pushed her self to sit.

As if on cue, my headache subsided. Inangat ko ang ulo ko at hinilot ang sentido bago tumingin sa kanya.

She's sitting on the bed next to me while a blanket was on her lap. Her face is a little bit pale but better from the last time I saw her.

“ are you fine?” nag-aalalang tanong niya kaya naman tumango ako.

“ yes. Just a little bit of headache ” pagsisinungaling ko.

I looked around and saw that it was only me, Olivia and Kholeen inside the tent. The two mhousa that had transfusion has gone.

“ where's Geoff and Gary?"

She shook her head and said; “ they was released yesterday.”

Wait, what?

“ released?” she nod. “ you've been asleep for three days while me, I've been asleep for two days. And I'm waiting for him to wake up since then”

My lips formed an o as I saw her look at Kholeen. Realizing that she has special feelings for him. Or are they in a relationship?

“ still mad at Casein?” natahimik ako sa tanong niya.“you know what? He told me that he understands you...”

Napatingin ako sa kanya nang sabihin nya iyon. Si Casein?...

“ he said that what you feel must be guilt. That maybe, you remember an important memory with Vladrick that made you feel guilty with his death....”

I diverted my look as she nailed the reason why I hated Casein. I mean HE NAILED the reason. Napabuntong hibinga na lang ako dahil simula nang naalala ko yung pagmamaka-awa sa akin bi Vladrick, I felt that I should died that night in the hands of his wife.

I am the reason why she became infected which made Vladrick lost himself. I blame myself at everything. It's all my fault....

Parang nagsisisi tuloy ako na nagalit ako Kay Casein. Hindi ko dapat binunton sa kanya yung galit na nararamdaman ko sa sarili ko...

“ But the truth is, my brother never leaded the mhousa. It was always Vladrick”

What?

My eyes abruptly hit her as I gave her a confused look. How could a fallen lape that abhorred by all, lead the tribe when he's already dead? Gusto ko mang matawa sa tinuran nya ay pinili ko na lang manahimik.

“ before you arrived, my brother was accused with a crime he never committed. I felt anger towards our lape that I collected people who are against him.... But after the transfusion that I had.... I feel pitty to myself that I let my emotions took over my intellect...” then she cried.

Teka.... Ano ba 'tong sinasabi niya?

“ what are you talking about?” Tumingin sya sa akin na umiiyak.

“ it was all Vladrick's plan...” Lalo syang naiyak. “ my brother being imprisoned, The lape being killed. All Vladrick's plan.”

I froze.

“ what?”

“ I heard Casein and my brother talking here when they thought I was asleep. My brother said that the lape wants to be remembered as a tyrant, but the truth is; he isn't one. He's a good lape that wanted to die.... And his death was a play to make his people believe that he's a gruesome leader by killing you. But he has no intention of killing you at all..” she paused.“ he was dying and he wanted a great way to die.... And that was.... By forcing my brother, his best friend.... To kill him... And all the beliefs my brother has twisted? It was all Vladrick's will...”

Napasinghap ako sa mga sinasabi niya sa akin habang naiiyak. Until I saw a  notebook on a table the  realize something.

Something that would lead our way. Something that we could use as a step on saving the human race.

I held my mouth.

Oh God.

I was controlling my breathing as I process all he information that Olivia had told me and the realization that the formula we are looking for was can be found at my journal..

I have to find my journal! But where would I—

“ I wish I can see the full bloom of the moon right now, and pray for forgiveness for my sins...” my mind was cut off by Olivia's words.

She sob.

“Tonight is full moon” Wala sa sarili kong tanong na nakapukaw ng atensyon kay Olivia.

“ yes” 

I gulp.

As if on cue, I heard people's screams, heavy foot running on different direction and different sounds of agony.

“ what was that?” tanong ni Oliva.

Shit she's clueless that tonight will be the revenge night of Vladrick's people! That it wasn't the moon who's on it's full bloom! Because it was also the full bloom of there plan as well! I told Keyouse about a better plan and yet she still pursue the gruesome one?!

Agad akong tumayo kahit pa nahihilo ako. Muntikan pa akong matumba. Samantalang si Olivia naman ay hindi alam ang gagawin kaya pinanood Nita na lang akong lumabas ng tent.

Then I froze.

I froze at the sight of a child being killed using an arrow.

He looked at me with teary eyes as he cough blood and kneeled in front of me.

Weak.

Until he fell on the ground with hands trying to reach me.

~sol~