Two

I gently pushed aside the curtain veiling the glass window of my room near my bed. I looked outside the window where I can vividly see the picturesque view of the sea. I can also sight the view of the ship sailing from a not-so-far-away distance.

The view was so breathing taking and I can’t keep my gaze away from it. Natural beauty. White sands. Blue sea. Cloudy sky. What more can I say?

I heaved a sigh countless times and plastered a wide smile on my lips reaching the depths of my heart.

Yet it all vanished when I remembered that text last night. In just a snap, the lightness and tranquillity I felt inside my bosom faded away.

My mind was bombarded by the question continuously running in my mind. What file did that sender mean? And who on earth is he?

I mellow scratched the itchiness I felt on my arm and it leaves a red mark. I let out a sigh and turned around to take a shower.

Perhaps, it was just a prank or a wrong-sent message. It’s nothing.

I tried my hardest to forget and get rid of that matter in my mind as I let my body get wet by the coldness of the water that the shower releases.

Queenie, stop overthinking, I screamed inside my head.

I hate how I want answers to everything. But I know that I can have those answers I yearn to know in every query that I have in my pocket.

I washed my face using my bare palms. The coldness of the water couldn’t remove the mixed emotion that was clouding my system.

I’ve never been this lonely before when they’re not gone. Even though I made friends, still the best couldn’t replace them. They’re my family. I always dream and dream of that day, and I can’t let go, I can’t move on.

Am I fine? I’d like to say yes but I’m tired of lying. I can no longer say I am just fine when in fact, deep inside, I am perfectly not.

They left me with the things that were stopping me from moving forward—leaving me here alone, stagnant.

I got myself dressed up after taking a quick bath. I’ll head to the room where the location of Matthew’s phone was found.

Secrets. I tried to get rid of that word floating in my mind. Was that certain secret the reason that made them take their last breath which perfectly left me all alone? I’m afraid but I believed it was.

I shut the door when I got out of the room, wearing a flowery blue dress and a flip-top while my sling bag was on my shoulder.

Room 407. I wonder who’s the person staying in that room and how come Matthew’s phone is on his hands?

Geez, am I putting myself in danger here? But I need to...

As soon as I reached the room, I continuously knock on the door without hesitation. Yet I got no response.

There’s no one inside? My brows creased and I just decided to leave. I looked at the location on my phone once again. It is pointed out here. I turned around and roamed my eyes in every corner of the area.

I better get going. I sense something wrong here.

I was about to take a step when someone suddenly grabbed me and covered my mouth using its gloved hands. And I’m now inside the room.

Shock. The only things that I feel for seconds before fear crept inside me. Everything happened in a flash and was as fast as the pounding beat of my heart.

“Give me the file.” A warm breath touched the back of my ear. That sound gave me goosebumps.

I tried to shout but how am I supposed to? He clasped my mouth. I need to fight or I’m gonna die. I tried to get out of his grasp but he just tightened his grip on me. The pain was crushing me.

He once again told me to give him a certain thing that even I don’t know.

My goodness. How can I even mutter a single word when my mouth was tightly covered? It made me even more furious.

How dumb! I want to say those words right through his face.

Using my foot, I hardly kicked his knee, giving a force enough that was enough for him to release me. I pushed him strength which made him stumbled on the ground. But he quickly got up, grabbing my arms before I could run through the door.

“The file you’re talking about is not with me! Are you dumb? I don’t even know anything, let go of me!” I screamed with exasperation and fear. I’m shaking and I can’t help it.

I don’t know this guy.

I squealed in pain when he sternly gripped my arm. I loudly cried for help but I know that won’t do anything. No one could hear me.

“Give me the file or I’ll kill you,” he firmly stated.

That made me stop for a second. He’ll kill me. But I know he got surprised when I suddenly laughed. He was about to say a word when I turned and faced him with a curve on my lips.

“I won’t beg for my life and cry, idiot!” I mumbled and kicked his groin without a second thought. A rush of pain exploded on his face.

I quickly got out of that place and ran downstairs heading to the third floor where I can find my room. I caught my breath as I weakly sat on the floor when I got inside.

My blood and breath suddenly left my body when I saw the man sitting on my bed. He’s right there, waiting for me—for my demise.

“You...” I whispered. My world stopped in front of me.

I didn’t notice my door being opened by the man earlier and forcefully lift me up on my seat.

“Do you think that I won’t know that you’re following me, Ms. Lauran?” Jackson firmly stated in front of me.

He got up from his seat. He raised his hand and showed me the tracker I put on him before.

“I’m gonna be dumb if I didn’t know about this. You don’t know me,” he mumbled and smirked which made me creep in fear.

My body stiffened due to the grudge I felt inside me. I want him to die right now. I want to kill him.

“How dare you, you piece of a scoundrel! Why did you kill my friends? Just what the fuck is your reason for killing them!” I shouted filled with hatred and hostility. If only words were bullets, I would be pleased that he die now.

My face and ears heated up due to the angriness I feel. A lump was formed inside me. Blurring my vision with tears that any minute from now will fall, shatter me with my weakness.

“What are you talking about? Are you accusing me, Ms. Lauran?” he said in a mocking tone, which made my blood boil in excessive wrath.

“Don’t make yourself clean because I know you’re the one who killed them. And I am willing to kill you just like what you did to them!” I explained exasperatedly. I struggled to free myself from the guy that was holding me.

“She won’t speak, Jack. It seems she didn’t know,” the man from behind stated.

“Don’t deceive of how good she acts, Lem. She knows it. Kaira gave her the file or rather the flash drive. “ He then seriously stared at me and smiled as if he was enjoying what was happening. I badly want to remove that hateful smile on his face.

Flash drive. The flash drive that Kaira gave me will be obtained by the court for tomorrow’s trial before she died. I can’t remember any more about where I put that file.

“Why can’t you speak, Ms. Lauran? Now you know what I am talking about. Good, then give that to us. You can’t do anything. If you can’t give it, still we could have it from you. I know how to play your game.” He walked near my traveling bag and opened it. He lift it up until everything that was inside my bag scattered on the carpet. He kicked all of it one by one until he didn’t find any trace of the flash drive.

“Where is it, Ms. Lauran? Don’t make me mad, you won’t like it. I won’t spare anyone’s life,” he spat out and gave me a sharp look.

I can’t breathe for seconds. I don’t know what to do. If only I could escape here.

He then drew near me, stealing my breath away with every step he took, sending me fear that greq larger and larger.

He stopped from his track when he got a few steps close to me. I can’t keep my eyes away from him. I want to kill him with my stares.

He suddenly grabbed my sling bag from my shoulder which made its sling cut, giving me pain from what he did. It felt like my shoulder got fractured because of what he did.

He looked for the drive inside but failed to do so.

“Tell me about where the fuck you hide that flash drive!” he shouted and his voice echoed in every corner of the room that made me startled.

I couldn’t find a word to say. If I talk, I’ll be shattered into a million pieces. But I won’t let him see the fear raging inside me that he had caused. I won’t let him.

I let out a deep breath. If it's his game, I’ll play it cool. “I’ll give it to you, but your comrades should let go of me first,” I acted up with a bluff seriousness on my face.

“Let her go, Lem,” he ordered to the man who was tightly holding me.

I roamed my eyes around. I don’t have any choice. I know that they will kill me whether I hand them the thing they want or not. I won’t be that stupid.

When the man let go of me, I quickly grabbed the gun on his patch-wise and kicked his groin once again.

I faced Jackson who was perfectly surprised by what I did. I’ll play his game. “Do you think you can fool me, dumbass? Why would I give you that thing, you’re underestimating me.” Then I smiled at him clankingly.

He tried reaching for his gun in his side pocket. “Don’t you dare try to get that thing? Bet you don’t know anything about me, I am good at aiming, just so you know.” I then pointed the gun at him.

I tried my best for my hands to not tremble. “Move or I’ll kill you instantly,” I seriously warned.

I took a glance at his comrade that was about to touch me. I immediately took my sling bag and shoot his side which made him stopped from what he was doing. The bullet hit the floor.

“Don’t move!” I shouted and pointed the gun back at both of them as I stepped back near the door.

When I finally reached the door, I immediately run away from them while Jackson was shooting me with his gun.

I noticed a couple coming back inside their room as they heard the multiple sounds of gunshots. I sped up and headed toward the exit door. I opened it and quickly ran downstairs, I looked down for a second when someone shot me with a bullet.

Despite the trembling I was feeling, I continued to run and run away from them. Until I reached the end of the area and jumped.

I needed to go to the police. But where the heck can I find the police station here?

I turned into a path heading to the beach. I looked at my back for a second and saw five men chasing after me. I need to get out of here.

I wish I didn’t go here. Only if I know this was just a trap.

I tightly gripped my sling bag and the gun I am holding. I want to throw it away but I can’t. If only I know how to use it.

I am running out of breath and I am already tired. I am now at the beachside and some of the people looked at the gun I am holding.

“It’s just a toy,” I said while waving the gun. I quickly walk while looking at my back. I mixed with some group of people where a wedding was currently taking place.

I fixed myself and sat on a chair. I stoop to avoid the five men from seeing me. Thank goodness. I didn’t know that there was a beach wedding here. They’re already at the part of exchanging their wedding vows.

I breathe in and out. I placed the gun in my bag and tied my bag before placing it on my shoulder. I just felt the pain on my shoulder after that caused by that shameless jerk.

I tied my hair in a bun style. I stopped for a moment when I saw Arthur El Devar in front of me.

I gripped my bag while feeling the tremble in me. Is this his plan? How dare he!

I chose not to walk near him and stop myself from shooting him. Of course, I do not know how to shoot. And who the hell in their right mind will shoot someone in front of people and worst, in a wedding?

I slowly got up and left that area when there was no one chasing me anymore. My feet brought me into a reception area of a hotel. I was about to turn when I saw two of the five men earlier heading in my direction.

I returned from the direction I walked in earlier and one of them was right there and was a few meters away from me.

I quickly ran inside the hall of the hotel and saw no one. I quickly ran while panicking and got shocked when someone else’s hand grabbed me and covered my mouth. I am now inside the men’s comfort room. How did it happen?

And there, I couldn’t help but tremble in fear, and can't help but feel my tears in my eyes. I’m doomed.