Hunter's POV
Napatingin ulit ako kay Yin, nakita ko ang Lacrima na nakakabit sakanya, nasa likod ito nang kaliwang palad n'ya. Tinignan ko din sa dalawang bata, ang kay Morgi nasa dibdib n'ya habang kay Willy nasa kaliwang braso. Dahil sa Lacrima na nasa katawa nila ay parang lumalabas tuloy ang mga maliliit nilang ugat. Sigurado akong masakit ang pakiramdam na yan, hindi lang nila nararamdaman.
Tumayo ako at hinawakan ang kamay ng dalawang bata, lumapit din ako kay Yin.
“Umalis na tayo dito.” Sabi ko na may ngiti sa labi.
Ilalabas ko sila sa impyernong to, kahit anong mangyare.
“Gagawin ko ang lahat para makalabas kayo dito, pangako yan.” Napatingala sakin si Morgi.
“Diba ate, promise are meant to be broken?” tanong n'ya sakin. Agad akong umiling.
Sino namang nag sabi n'ya sakanya? Napalingon ako sa gawi ni Yin, umiwas s'ya ng tingin. Napailing ako ulit at tinuon ang atensyon kay Morgi.
“May mga pangakong natutupad, katulad nang gagawin ko. Kung may pangako mang hindi natupad, yon ay dahil nag iba ang takbo ng tadhana, at diba hindi natin alam ang tadhana natin. Kaya ang bawat pangako na napako ay may kanya-kanyang dahilan, hindi yon basta dahil lang sa gusto ng taong hindi tumupad ng pangako.” Mahaba kong paliwanag.
“Pinangakuan kami ni Professor Malcolm ng magandang buhay nung inampon n'ya kami, pero ang magandang buhay na sinabi n'ya ay isang masamang bangungot.” Malamig na sinabi ni Yin.
“Hindi n'ya natupad ang pangako n'ya, eto pala ang tadhana namin.” Natahimik ako.
“Professor? You mean Mayor Malcolm is a scientist?” sabat bigla ni Biker na may onting gulat.
“Oo, ayoko na muna pag-usapan ang tungkol dyan.” Malamig n'yang tugon at lumakad na.
Pina-una ko si Yin sa paglalakad, sumabay sakanya si Biker. Ako naman sumunod habang hawak-hawak ang dalawang bata. Tahimik lang silang naglakad kasama namin. Hindi na umimik tungkol sa Mayor na isa din palang Scientist, wala din alam si Biker tungkol doon.
Ibig sabihin tago ang pagiging scientist ng Mayor?
Bumalik kami sa elevator dahil yun lang ang tanging daan palabas ng underground. Patay na ang lahat ng bantay, naabutan naming naghihintay sina Silencer sa may elevator.
“Ayan na ba sila?” tanong ni Silencer. Tumango kami.
Umupo naman si Swordsman para pantayan ang dalawang batang kasama ko. Hindi naman natinag ang dalawa at nakipag-titigan pa kay Swordsman.
“Ibang-iba sila sa mga batang nakikita ko.” komento ni Swordsman.
Yon din ang nasa isip ko.
“Naapektohan ang bawat parte ng katawan namin, lalong-lalo na ang utak.” sabi ni Yin.
“Naging matalino kami, nawalan ng emosyon at hindi nakakaramdam ng kahit anong sakit.” Lumingon s'ya sakin.
“Maraming salamat pala, you look like someone who is true to your words. I'm sorry for comparing you to that scientist.” Sabi n'ya sakin na hindi parin nagbabago ang ekspresyon kahit nahingi ng tawad.
Ngumiti ako.
“Wala yon,” sabi ko.
“Scientist?” sabi ni Silencer.
“We'll tell you later,” sabi ni Biker. Napatango si Silencer.
“Ano pala ang kakayahan n'yo?” tanong nalang n'ya.
Nagkatinginan naman ang tatlong bata, hindi ko alam pero mukang ayaw nilang ipaalam ang kakayahan nila.
“For our safety, I can not tell you.” Napaiwas ng tingin si Yin samin.
“I think they are not comfortable about that topic.” sabat ni Biker.
Nilagay n'ya ang kamay n'ya sa balikat ng bata.
“It's okay if you don't want to talk about it, but I tell you this, Hacker knows everything, he tell something to us and that can't be stop because we're a group.” Paliwanag ni Biker. Tumango si Yin.
“We don't mind, I know we can't hide an important information from that hacker.” pag-amin ni Yin.
Lumapit ako sakanila, hinila ko na si Yin palapit sakin.
“Wala kayong dapat ipag-alala. Maayos humawak ng mahahalagang inpormasyon si Hacker,” paninigurado ko. Tumango s'ya sakin.
“Mabuti." Simple n'yang sabi at nauna ng pumasok sa elevator.
Habang nag mumuni-muni sa loob ng elevator ay biglang nag si-tunugan ang mga earpiece namin. Isa-isa namin nilagay sa tenga ang kanya-kanya naming mga earpiece.
“I saw some people approaching in each of our locations, they most be after us. Change plan, split up, don't let them catch you.” Yon agad ang bungad n'ya samin. Napalunok ako sa sinabi ni Hacker.
“They are not cops, run and hide! I'll call back again, I need to escape, someone is already near my location.” Pagtapos n'ya sabihin yun ay nawala na sya.
Napatingin ako kela Biker, seryoso ang mga mukha nila.
Bumukas ang pinto ng elevator, nakabalik na kami sa taas. Agad tumakbo si Silencer at Swordsman sa magkaibang direksyon. Tinignan ako ni Biker, tumango s'ya sakin bago tumakbo din sa direksyon na hindi dinaanan nina Silencer.
Naiwan ako na naka tulala sa bilis nang pangyayare, walang sabi-sabi silang umalis, ganon kaseryoso ang babala ni Hacker.
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa dalawang bata at napatingin kay Yin. Kailangan namin kumilos agad.
“Sumunod kayo sakin.” Sabi ko at tumakbo na din sa ibang daan.
Ophelia's POV
The night is really fascinating. I love how the cold breeze of the wind touches my skin.
Seeing the blinking lights of the city street at this hour, it's so magnificent. Ah! What a wonderful city, I would bet my life just to protect it.
And that is my job… to protect and make this city free from hindrance. People must obey, it is the only thing they have to do and nothing more. If they don't, there are consequences.
I smiled and walked away from the window.
I am Executioner Ophelia, I work for the government. An Executioners job here is to catch or kill criminals, in either way we can do what we want. We can catch or kill them. A job that is different from being a ordinary police.
What I do if I saw a criminal?
I kill them, I don't want a criminal breathing in the same air as we do. They must be gone from this world, they have no place here.
A scum like them don't deserve to live.
I caressed the sword sitting on the side of the table. This is the kind of sword we Executioners use. This a special sword… use for taking the life of a criminal. I smiled sweetly, remembering the time I used this sword.
I miss chasing criminals.
Right now, there are not much around here in North Herlanion, naubos na siguro namin. The government didn't gave us a list of targets since last week.
I sighed. I wonder when will I can get back in action? Isang linggo na kaming nagmumukmok.
While I was busy looking at my sword, I heard a knock on the door. I went to see who it was.
When I opened the door I saw my acquaintances. My co-executioners.
“We have work tonight Ophelia.” Nolan said while two other Executioners stood behind him. The head of the Executioners, Executioner Nolan.
He's a tall man, he always take things seriously, he's also a perfectionist. Like everything needs to be according to the plan.
I blinked, processing what he said.
“Work? Tonight?” My eyes widdened.
Totoo ba'to? Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko. At last!
“I am excited!" Hadley peeked to see me because Nolan is blocking the door. I was about to say that tho.
Her eyes looks like it's twinkling from excitement. She's the most cheerful Executioner and the noisiest, Hadley is always excited when she hears that we're gonna chase a criminal.
“Who are we dealing with this time?” I asked to them and also looked at Kipton who rarely speaks.
I received a shrug from him. I chuckled, I never expected an answer from this guy.
“Midnight Hunters.” The familiar group that he mentioned made me stop.
My heart started beating fast, craving from bloodlust. Napaangat ang ulo ko, how I desire to chase those powerful criminals. I didn't know that we'll be having this kind of blessing.
I am so grateful!
“Let's go.” I said almost a whisper.
I'm craving for them. I've been waiting for this day. I licked my lowerlips.
“I want their heads as a souvenir.” I said with a big smile.
“Hey! Saved one for me.” Hadley yelled.
“Stop it you two.” Nolan said with full authority. Just like he said we stopped.
“You two can do that but we need the Hacker alive.” I gasped. Hearing that name makes my knees melt.
How I want the Hacker so much. I felt my cheeks turned red, I been hearing that name from the government. I am so addicted on chasing that criminal, he is a legend. They had trouble on catching him, well how the hell would they catch him? He's everywhere, he'll be popping in and out of our screens if he wanted to, or make a hologram of himself.
In my case I haven't seen the Hacker, even in a screen I haven't got a glimpse of his silhouette. I can't wait to see him get caught.
It's an honor to see him die by the hands of the law.
“Are you saying we're gonna let the Hacker lived?” Hadley confusingly asked. Nolan shook his head.
“The government has a plan for him once we catch him.” Nolan said.
“What is that?” Kipton asked.
He sometimes speaks when the topic is about the criminal that we are after.
“You'll know once we catch them.” Nolan turned and lead the way outside the building.
I took my sword first before following them. We are now going to the palace, they said the group is trying to steal a most valuable thing and we can't let them get away with it.
I hummed while me walked calmly outside the busy street. We're not in a hurry, we take things slowly but surely.
“There are seven of them and they took the three kids outside the volt.” The tall man said, I'm pertaining to Executioner Nolan.
He's just so tall.
“Let's split up, I go find the Hacker. Hadley you go after the Boss and the Biker. Kipton deal with the Silencer, the Bullet and the Swordsman. Ophelia go find the Hunter with the three kids, kill the Hunter and take the kids to safety.” I frowned when I heard who is assign to me.
Why do he gets the chance to catch the Hacker? This is so unfair. I sighed, and who is this Hunter? I never heard of him.
He must be new, oh well fine with me. We nodded to him in response.
“Roger!” We said and then split up individually.
We are now arrived at the palace so all we need to do is look for our target. I ran to the direction of the elevator to get to the underground laboratory. I can sense four people in a far distance. Ang isa ay hindi pamilyar sakin, pero sa tatlong tao ay pamillyar. Those must be the kids with the Hunter.
I ran in full speed, I can sense that they're near and going to the right corner of this hall. I will approach them in surprise.
A smile formed on my lips again.
I put all my strength in my knees and jumped high. My timing is just right, I landed perfectly infront of them. Liliko sana sila pero hindi na nila nagawa.
I thought I was the one who will surprise them but I was surprise as well. Hunter is actually a girl? I saw a little glimpse of fear in her eyes when our eyes met. She's wearing a mask, I can only see her eyes. I stood still and processed her figure, I took out the tablet that has the list of all the criminal in the city and each town. I looked for her face and name.
Weird, I can't find anything that's related to her here in the list and her sentenced record is unknown. I seriously stared at her in daggers.
“A new criminal.” I said.
Yes, she must be new. Hindi matunog ang pangalan n'ya hindi katulad sa the Hacker and the other members.
Or maybe she's a hidden member?
I clenched my fist. I pointed my sword at her showing her the sharp tip that can kill her.
“Criminals must die. I am Executioner Ophelia, I work for the city government in the hands of Executioner Nolan, the head of all executioners. I'm now taking those three with me and then execute you!” I showed her my gold badge, a sign of proof.
I didn't let her speak and made a move.
“Die for the sins that you commit!” I gather some strength.
I swung my sword and aimed to slice her head, but surprisingly she managed to dodge it. My attacked missed, it only went to the floor and made a huge crack.
When I turned around they are now running away, those kids can also run fast because of their power, they won't be a hindrance to her. I hurried up and went after them.
They're heading outside the palace, I can not let that happen. Hunter stopped and I was surprise she let out a bow and shot arrows at my direction.
The arrow was to many for me to dodge, they must be over a hundred. I got hit on my right leg causing me to kneel down.
I guess she used up all her strength for that attack just to buy some time for them to escape.
And they did got away. They're no longer inside the palace.
I grinned.
“You got skills Hunter, but you're no match for me.” I giggled.