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Prologue
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2024-10-29 19:42:56I putted down my tablet and watched Arissa instead, banging her head to the beat of the music. She's going crazy over that new released song. I just laughed when she began humping on her seat as the chorus entered.
"So I put my hands up! They're playing my song, and the butterflies fly away! Noddin' my head like yeah! Movin' my hips like, yeah!" She sings out of her lungs. She even held my hand and rose it for me to sing along with her.
I giggled and sang the chorus along with her. "Yeahhh! It's a party in the USA!"
Maingay na itong kotse dahil sa malakas na tugtog, samahan pa ng malakas naming mga boses. We were cheerfully swaying our upper bodies here at the backseat while hands together, letting the music eat our systems up.
Mom sitting beside dad turned to face us. Tumawa siya, "Oh sweethearts, you really are breaking my eardrums!" She shook her head with a smile on her face.
"Don't complain, honey. They inherited it from you," Dad teased.
"Honey! I'm not that loud!" Mom playfully slapped Dad's shoulder.
We all laughed at that. It's a beautiful morning and they are sending us to school. I'm in third grade while Ate Arrisa is in fourth. It's always like this, enjoying the 40 minutes ride with them everyday.
Dad looked us through the rare-view mirror. "Wanna stop by to the donut shop, sweeties?" he asked.
Agad natuwa si Arissa nang marinig iyon. Everyone knows how much her love for the donuts. Para inisin siya ng kaunti, sasabihin ko sana kay Daddy na 'wag na siyang ibili nang nagulat kami sa biglaang pagpreno ng sasakyan. We groaned at that. Hindi kami nakasuot ng seatbelt ni Arissa kaya medyo tumilapon kami paharap. Buti na lang hindi kami nasaktan.
Now, I realize how important seatbelts are.
"Sweethearts? Are you okay?!" nag-aalalang boses ni Mommy.
Nakalingon siya sa amin. Dahil nasa likuran lang niya ako nakaupo, madali niyang naabot ang pisngi ko. Pilit niya ring inabot si Ate Arissa.
Out of curiosity, I looked in front to see what's going on. There's a black car blocking our way. I even saw Dad getting something in the storage compartment and it's a gun! Lalo pang nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang lumabas ang mga nakaitim na lalaki mula sa kotseng nasa harapan namin, may mga hawak na baril.
Hinarangan ng mukha ni Mommy ang mga nakikita ko. She's holding my face with both of her hands. "Lean down," she told me. Inabot niya rin si Arissa. "I want you both to stay here and lean down. No matter what happens, don't get out in this car," she emphasized.
Nagtanong pa si Arissa kung anong nangyayari pero hindi siya sinagot ni Mommy. Hinalikan niya kaming pareho sa noo bago kami payukuin. Lumakas ang tugtog sa radio player na malamang ay nilakasan niya bago lumabas ng sasakyan. Sobra akong kinakabahan at nag-aalala. I just saw guns! I saw one of it from my classmate and he told me that his was just a toy gun, but his father has a real one that can kill people!
I glanced at Arissa who's leaning down, politely obeying what mom instructed. Hindi ako mapakali! Adults aren't playing with toy guns anymore, they use real guns!
Sa sobrang pag-aalala, dahan-dahan akong sumilip mula sa likod ng passenger seat. My heart is trobbing more faster than the beat of the music playing. Napatakip ako ng bibig. Nanlalaki ang mga mata nang nakatutok ang mga baril nila kay Mom and Dad. May hawak ding baril sina Mommy. I wasn't able to hear them because of the loud music playing here inside.
Napakislot ako nang magulat sa sunod-sunod na pagputok. The next thing I saw was blood dripping down on Mom and Dad's back. Suddenly, I felt deaf. I can't hear anything around me. Tears fell down on my cheek as I saw their body slowly falling down onto the ground.
They were shot!
"Alora what are you doing?! Don't get out!" Arissa shouted. She pulled my hand to stop me from going out.
The door was already open. Mom and Dad were shot and I need to check if they are still breathing!
Kumawala ako sa hawak niya kaya agad akong tumakbo papunta kina Mommy. Hindi ko napansin na lumabas din pala siya para habulin ako.
"Alora!" she called.
Bago pa man ako makalapit sa nakabulagtang katawan nina Mom and Dad, nagsipaglapitan na sa akin ang mga nakaitim na lalaki.
"Get the kid!" one of them ordered.
My feet stopped from moving forward as I heard that. Nanginginig na ako sa takot lalo na nang itutok nila sa akin ang mga baril habang lumalapit. I have never been afraid like this before. My hands and knees are trembling. This is scarier than spiders and spooky movies I have watched!
Bago pa man sila tuluyang makalapit sa akin, nahila na ako sa likod ni Arissa. She's taller than me so it's just easy for her to lift me up and drag me back inside the car. Nang ipasok niya ako sa loob, nakalapit na sa amin ang mga lalaki kaya ang nahila nila ay si Arissa.
"Ate!" I shouted, calling her. I'm crying nonstop and it feels like I'm about to faint.
Hindi pa naman naisasara ang pinto kaya lalabas sana ako para hilain siya papasok.
"Lock the door!" she yelled angrily.
Sinipa niya ang pintuan pasara bago pa man siya buhatin ng lalaki. Some of the guys rushed to open the door but I quickly locked it before they can open. I crawled backwards away from the door while weeping so loud. Tiningnan ko si Arissa na pilit kumakawala sa hawak ng mga lalaki. Isinampay siya sa balikat kaya nakikita ko ang pagtanaw niya sa akin habang umiiyak. I know she can't see me from there outside but she keeps on shouting that I shouldn't open the door while continuously shaking her head.
"Ate! Mom! Dad!" I cried.
Nagsialisan ang mga bad guys. Naiwan ako rito sa loob, umiiyak at naghihintay ng tutulong sa akin. The music already stops. Katahimikan na ang pumalit. Ilang saglit pa, may mga dumating na sasakyan. Mabilis akong bumaba sa upuan para magtago kaya ganoon na lang ang kaba ko nang may kumatok.
"Open the door!"
Nabuhayan ako ng makita kung sino ang nasa pinto. Agad akong tumayo at inabot ang lock para buksan. Pumasok si Uncle at hinigit ako para yakapin.
"Uncle Greg!" I cried on his shoulder.
Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko habang niyayakap. Kinarga niya ako palabas ng sasakyan.
"Are you okay?"
"T-There's a lot of bad guys! T-They killed M-Mom and Dad! They also took Ate!"
Gumalaw ang panga ni Uncle Greg at idiniin na ako sa balikat niya para patahanin. Habang naglalakad siya papunta sa kotse niya, narinig ko pang mag inutos siya sa kaniyang mga tauhan.
"Send a letter to Robert Spencer! Tell him we will take a revenge! I will kill his son and wife as an exchange of killing my brother and kidnapping my niece!"
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"You already turned 18, Alora. You should pack you things now. You're going back to the Philippines by tomorrow," Uncle Greg said. I puffed when I heard him but still continue running while he's driving the car and I am following his speed. Tomorrow is the execution of what we have planned. Lahat ng hirap ko para sa paghahanda ay masusuklian na. Hindi ako makapaghintay na mahanap ang pamilyang Spencer na suspek sa pagkamatay ng pamilya ko. They will pay for what they have done to us!"Run faster, Alora! You're getting behind!" Uncle shouted as he ran the car faster at the speed of almost 30 kph.I ran faster as what he ordered me to do. I'm bathing with my own sweat right now. "Remember all the things I've taught you. Start with Robert Spencer! Next is his wife and last will be his son! Put that in mind, Alora! Don't disappoint me!" I gritted my teeth and forced myself to run faster. The road became blurry and later did I realize that I'm about to cry. Yes, Uncle. I'll keep that i
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All this time, akala ko hindi niya alam. I thought he wasn't aware that I was really the person he was talking with at the Halloween Party. Hindi na ako pinatulog kakaisip noon kagabi. I was asking myself, like how did he found it out? Tulog siya nang pumasok ako sa van nang mahuli siya ng organisasyon. He's asleep for the whole time until he was locked in the empty room. Nahalata niya ba ako sa naging costume ko? Covered ng make up ang mukha ko noon! Heavy make up! Hindi kaya'y nakilala niya ako sa boses? So he intentionally made a confession because he knows that he's literally talking to me? Nagkunwari lang siyang hindi niya ako kilala. Bakit pa? Para hindi masyadong nakakahiya sa part niya? Sa pag-amin pa lang, bawas na ang angas niya. Pero bakit naman siya magsasabi ng sekreto niya sa hindi niya kilala? Bakit ngayon ko lang na-realize ito? Alam ng buong Herism kung gaano siya kailap. He sticks with his circle of friends and never did talked to anyone else. Hindi ko pa siya nakit
Her Final Bullet Chapter 39
Parang kailan lang nang una akong tumapak sa Herism Academy. I remember how full of wrath I was. I was eaten by my vengeful demon that all I felt was resentment towards my biological parents. I've even created a fantasizing scene in my head that I am washing my hands with their fresh blood like a total psychopath. It's been 2 years and those memories are still vivid as if it's just a day passed by. Wala akong nakitang butas sa relasyon ko sa mga Steppingstone noon na makakapagsabi sa akin na ampon lang ako. Kahit si Uncle na lang ang nandyan para sa akin noon, I never felt neglected. He may seem like a prison guard on how strict he is but there are still times when he is calm and loose. The last time we got apart was during the battle we had against the assassins in Manila Port. He got shot by Calter that time and I don't know if he's still alive. Robert Spencer got shot as well and I had never picked up rumor about them again since I ran away. "Can I kiss you good night?" pansin ko a
Her Final Bullet Chapter 38
When I was a kid, I never had any bad memories with Mom and Dad. They never hurt me when they had to discipline me. They were supportive. They always make sure I'm okay, happy. I never felt out of their blood, that I am adopted because they never treat me differently. They showered me with all their love that's why it's hard for me to distinguish the truth behind all of these. Tanggap ko na sa sarili ko na ampon nga ako... pero ang hirap! Tinanim ni Uncle Greg sa isipan ko na ang mga Spencer ang masama. Sila ang pumatay sa kinalakihan kong magulang. Oo't sila nga... but is it worth it to hate them? Sabi nga ni Mrs. Veniva, kinuha nila ako noong sanggol pa. Hindi sarado ang utak ko para hindi maintindihan ang pakiramdam ng isang ina na mawalan ng anak. I just can't believe that the real monsters in this story are the Steppingstones, the family I grew up with. "Get the brown envelope in the drawer, Calter," she ordered him. Sumunod naman si Calter at pumunta doon sa desk hindi kalayua
Her Final Bullet Chapter 37
I lived my life as a teenage girl running in the track like a horse trained to race. I ran away when the table turned and found out, in the end, I was the one who got fooled by those people around me. Now, I am coming back. Faces I'd wish I will never get to see again are all plastered in front of me. I guess, running away from the reality of my life is a race I will never win. Alice's face flashed on my mind. Her eyes. The way she gaze at me feels like she saw a long lost bestfriend. I don't know. The emotions of her eyes are sometimes misleading. However, I wonder why she was stunned at that moment. She should've called for backup to catch me but she chose to remain standing while staring at me. Is she with Jinx that time? "Hija!" Napatingin ako kay Veniva Herism. She rushed towards us with open arms. Emotional siyang nakatingin sa akin at kinulong ako ng yakap pagkalapit. Kumunot ang noo ko at hindi nakagalaw sa kinatatayuan. Ang mga braso ko kasi, nakapaloob sa yakap niya. Hindi
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Bumagabag sa akin ang huling sinabi niya sa gabing iyon. Criella Herism Spencer. Tinawag niya ako sa ganoong pangalan. Anong ibig sabihin noon? 'Yon ba talaga ang tunay kong pangalan... bago pa ako mapunta sa kamay ng Steppingstone at pinangalanang Alora? My mind was filled with questions I hardly seek for an answer. I was just holding to my what ifs, insticts and theories. There's no definite answers. Maybe Calter was right. I really need to talk to Veniva Herism. Ako na ang umalis sa sarili kong kwarto para lumipat sa kuwarto ni Calter. Sakanya na iyong basang kama. Kaya naman na siguro niyang asikasuhin ang sarili dahil hindi naman siya mukhang nasaktan noong biglaan siyang umupo para makalapit sa akin. Naalala ko ang hitsura niya noong ipinirmi niya ako sa kinatatayuan. Madilim, maingay ang lagaslas ng ulan at maya't maya ang pangingidlat pero sa gabing iyon, mas nangibabaw ang ingay ng tibok ng puso ko. It may sound romantic and a bit corny but that's what I really felt during
Her Final Bullet Chapter 35
Calter kept refusing to stand up and go to his room. He didn't want me to call for help neither. Nangingiti pa siya habang ako halos malagutan na ng hininga. His blood literally flows down onto the floor and he's still acting cool! Naihilamos ko na lang ang palad habang tinitingnan siya. Gising siya pero nakapikit lang. Nakangiti kasi ang gago. "Please.... put a pressure on my wounds before... I completely lost my blood," he said in a hoarse voice. Napairap ako. Sinarado ko ang pinto. Pumwesto ako sa kaniyang uluhan. Pinailalim ang mga kamay sa likod ng balikat niya at buong lakas na hinila siya papunta sa gilid ng kama. Nasa sahig pa rin siya dahil nga basa. I don't want him to wet my bed. Napalunok ako saka lumuhod sa gilid niya. Hinawi ko ang kaniyang itim na t-shirt pataas. He slowly lifted his hand so I saw a large cut on his left kidney part. Mukhang daplis lang pero mahaba at medyo malalim. Rinig ko ang mabigat na hininga niya. Halatang nasasaktan pero sinusubukang itago. A
Her Final Bullet Chapter 34
Calter really had the nerves to rent a room here. Hindi naman talaga nagpapaupa sina Tita pero nang sabihin ni Calter na mag-a-advance payment na siya ng tatlong buwan, sumang-ayon na kaagad ang matanda. Alam ko kung anong dahilan ng pagpayag niya. Delay na kasi ang sweldo ng mga trabahador kaya ang ibabayad ni Calter ang siyang ipapasweldo niya. Gusto ko pang hilain si Calter noon paalis sa hapagkainan para sana kausapin. 3 months, really? Parang naglalaro lang siya ng bahay-bahayan! "Ayan! Look! Ang pretty mo talaga! Wagi na tayo!" tili ni Jade matapos niya akong ma-make up-an. Nakadikit ang pisngi niya sa pisngi ko habang nakaharap kami sa salamin. Ilang beses ko nang naisip na umatras na lang sa pagsali. Hindi ko naman kasi talaga gusto 'to. However, the situation really pushes me to continue it. Deven is still out of reach. Tito's maintenance are running out and he needs a wheelchair so he can go out of the house. Suot ang dress para sa unang round ng contest, lumabas na kami
