Bulletchjelle's Point of View
Kahit nahihilo pa ay pilit akong umangkas sa motor. I have to get out of here. I can't stay here for too long or else I can't guarantee my safety anymore.
"Where do you think you're going?" Gin tried to walk straight towards me but he's still in pain.
I roared the engine to life. I don't know if I can drive in my state right now. I just want to be safe.
"Hear this, Gin or whoever you are. I would rather die than to be in your arms. Remember that." I said coldly before maneuvering the bigbike to leave.
"Damn you! After injecting you those drugs do you really think you can escape from me now!?" Gin shouted like a crap.
Dumbass! He's crazy. He needs a new set of mind. Nasira na ang kanyang utak sa kakadroga. Addict.
"Boss! Okay ka lang po? Ano pong nangyari!?"
"Mga gago!  Habulin niyo siya! Bilis! Habulin niyo! Mga bobo!"
Nataranta na ako ng makita ang mga tauhan ni Gin na dumating. Binilisan ko ang pagtakbo ng motor. I don't want to get caught. Specially that Gin. I won't be spare if he'll get me.
Mabilis ang  patakbo ko ng motor palabas ng parking area. I have to leave here or at least ang nakalayo man lang dito. Damn, he's desperate. Hindi ko man lang namalayan ang paglapit niya sa akin kanina. Masyado na yata akong kinain ng malalim na pag-iisip ko. Lumingon ako sa likod ko. Dalawang itim na sasakyan ang biglang sumulpot sa likod ko at hinahabol ako. Napamura nalang ako. Why is it happening again?
Mas lalo akong sunod sunod na napamura ng may humarang sa daraanan ko. A dark pink audi tt car. Biglaan akong napaapak sa break dahil kong hindi ay baka sumalpok na ako dito. Bumukas ang windshield at tumambad sa akin ang nakangiting mukha ni Barbie.
"Beauty, what's with the hurry? Uuwi ka na? Bakit ang bilis ng pagpatakbo mo para namang may naghahabol sayo-"
Hindi mapalagay na lumingon ako sa likuran. The two cars that after me are approaching. May naghahabol talaga. I have to go now.
"I don't have time now Barbie. I have to go!" Pinaugong ko ang motor but Barbie is blocking my way for fuck sake!
"Huh? What happened ba? Why are you in panick? You look pale and... and-"
"I have to go!" Sabi ko at niliko ang motor at nilagpasan siya.
"Hey, Beauty it's not safe riding your motorbike! It's raining heavily..." He yell bringing his head out on the windshield.
Hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagpaharurot nalang. Kaagad akong napa-apak sa break ng pagkalabas ko ng parking area ay umuulan. Just like Barbie said. It's raining heavily and it's already eleven in the evening. The highway is a bit flooded and rain drops is quiet harsh.
Can I go on? Can I make it? I can barely hold the break and even make my hand stayed still on the gear. Pinilig ko ang ulo ng makaramdam na naman ng pagkahilo.
I'm hesitating but after hearing the roaring of the cars behind me ay nawala ang pagdadalawang isip ko. I drive fast under the heavy rain nevertheless of my blur vision. The headlights dazzled me and it makes me even more dizzy. God.
Umahon ang kaba sa puso ko. I feel scared more than ever. What if they'll catch me? What will happen to me? Malakas na busina ng isang track at ang nakakasilaw na headlight nito ang nagpagulat at nagpagising sa akin. Para akong natauhan. I'm going in the wrong lane. Kamuntikan na ako doon.
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa manibela while trying hard to make myself stay awake. I feel like I'm losing my conscious state but my mind is still fighting over it. I have to force myself.
I can't keep driving on the high way. I might get myself killed. And... I want to get home safe and lay down on my bed.
I force my self to fought the drowsiness nevertheless my dizziness and blurry vision. I barely see everything clearly. Lumiko ako sa kaliwang kanto. The road to get me home.  In my current condition it's safer to drive away from many cars like city road.
Napamura ako ng mapansin na mali ang nilikuan ko. Huli na ng mapagtanto ko. Nakakapanghina lalo. This is not the way home. It's... It seems way to the other private subdivision.
Humina ang pagmaneho ko ng motor. Umiidlip na ako. I don't think I can go on any longer.  Where am I taking myself to? What was that shot earlier? Bakit parang kinakain non ang lakas ko? I just want to stop and rest. I badly want to lay down.
I shook my head trying to get a hold of my consciousness but I don't know what happened next...
Naramdaman ko nalang bumangga ako sa kong saan. I feel my head bump into something that it hurts so bad. Then, I found myself lying on the cold street. Weak and helpless.
The rain still pouring heavily. I tried to open my eyes and damn I find it hard to even do it! What's happening to me? Water... I want water.
Despite of the pouring rain I felt thirsty. I open my mouth to take a taste of the rain drops to filled my thirstiness. It tastes a little bitter
I tried to stand up. Those men are after me. I don't know what they'll do to me. What they're capable of doing to me however I fell on my own arms. I don't have the strength to even lift a finger. My hand is shaking everytime I do. That's why I give up. I stayed there lying... neverminding everything. Pumikit ako at dinamdam nalang ang patak ng ulan sa mukha ko.
What have I done wrong to experience this? Suddenly, I want to cry. The world is so unfair. Why am I suffering like this? Why me?
Despite the rain drops, it's so quiet around here. No vehicles passed by. The lamp post not far from me seemed losing its lights. Umiidlap-idlap na iyon at parang di na magtatagal and a moment after I was right. Like a human being, it went dead making the place darker. Maybe... maybe I'm next.
Not so long, I heard a loud screetch of tires and the sudden hard break. Fear consumed me. I badly want to get up and run away but who I am fooling. I know I can't anymore. 
They're here. They can finally get me this time. If that Gin guy gets me mabubuhay pa ba ako?
The heaven is thick dark at mukhang galit. Lightning right after the thunder. Despite the raindrops I heard heavy footsteps coming towards me. Kasabay ng patak ng malakas na ulan sa aking mukha ay ang pagpatak ng luha ko.
I see the back of a woman who always appears on my dreams but never her face. I want to take a look at her face. But before I could naghari na ang kadiliman sa sistema ko.
Neal's Point of View
A group of standees are lining up 30 meters away from where I stand. This place is made for this. A friend of mine made this place actually. I parted my legs in twenty degrees. I stretched my arm forward fifty degrees west kong saan hawak ko ang baril. I aim at standee on the center. Ang silaw ng araw ay masakit sa mata but isn't it more interesting?
Not to get a clear sight of your target means you have to rely on your ability and instinct. Instinct? Tsk. It works sometimes but its not that reliable. Women often believe on their instinct and over think things then ended everything messed up.
I aim at my target. Steady... fucos. Nang masigurado ay pinitik ko ang gatilyo. I aim each of them and shoot. Sunod-sunod hanggang sa tinamaan ko lahat ng target.
Binaba ko ang kamay. I smirked. I want to see where I hit it. Nagpasilong ako sa ilalim ng gemelina. Kinuha ko ang telescope sa putol na puno. It was made a table-like. My friend really is good for this thing.
Napangisi ako ng makita na headshot lahat 'yon. Isn't bad. There are eight of the standees and I didn't miss even a single one dude. Kumuha ako ng sigarilyo sa bulsa at sinindihan gamit ang lighter. I'm thinking if it's okay for me to use it on my real target.
Hapon na at nag-iingayan ang iba't-ibang klase ng mga ibon sa mga puno. Matatayog ang mga puno and the ray of the afternoon sunlight is shining through the leaves and thin grasses. Naglilikha ng ingay ang mga tuyong dahon sa bawat paghakbang ko.
Magkakahel na ang langit ng maisipan kong umuwi. May mga halaman at may natumbang mga puno ng kahoy. Yumuko ako para makasuong sa ilalim ng natumba at nakaharang na puno sa dadaanan ko. Nakailang punta na rin ako dito kaya gamay ko na ang pasikot-sikot pero hindi ko pa napuntahan ang ibang parte ng kagubatan na 'to. A friend of mine created a shooting range and chooses a good spot in this forest. This is my favorite leisure place and to kill some time.
"Isang pagnanakaw ang naganap sa China bank kaninang ala una ng hapon! Nakita sa cctv footage ang grupo ng limang lalaki na bumaba sa isang itim na van..."
Ito kaagad ang bumungad sa akin pagkabukas ko ng tv sa sala. Hinubad ko ang damit at pinatong sa backrest ng sofa. I'm sweating. I focus watching on the tv. Five men, wearing bonets at mga armado. Nasasakop ng bonet ang kanilang buong mukha maliban sa mata pero mukhang kilala ko sila.
The video on the cctv paused and a certain picture has zoomed in. They zoom in the face of the leader kahit hindi makilala dahil sa bonet nito and compared to the person who robbed a jewelry shop last week to see if they are the same person. The tattoo on their wrist is the same.
A video replayed. Kinuha nila ang pera ng banko at pinatay ang manager and other staff member. These men. Tinuko ko ang mga kamay sa likod ng sofa at napailing nalang. Robbing is already much but killing is beyond that. I sighed. What can I do this is how the world works.
Kinuha ko ang remote sa tabi at pinatay ang tv. Nagtungo ako sa kusina para kumuha ng maiinom pagkatapos. Dumiretso ako sa ref at kinuha ang pitsel. Lumapit ako sa lamesa at doon nagsalin ng tubig sa baso at uminom.
Hinilot ko ang sintido. Bumaling ako sa ref na iniwan kong nakabukas. It's almost empty. Maybe, I'll have some time for groceries tommorow.
Binalik ko ang pitsel sa ref and I look for something. I run out of beers, only hard liquor left. The ready to cook foods ay ubos na rin. Napailing-iling nalang ako. Natigil ang tingin ko sa chocolate bars na binili ko. Hanggang ngayon konti pa lang ang bawas. Kumuha nalang ako ng apple at energy drink tsaka ito sinarado ulit. But then, I open the refrigerator again at kumuha na rin ng chocolate bar.
Kagat-kagat ang apple na bumalik ako sa sala ng bahay. Malayo palang ako ay naririnig ko ng tumutunog ang cellphone ko. Kinagatan ko ang apple at nilakihan ang paghakbang.  Nilagay ko sa lamesa ang mga dala bago inabot ang cellphone. Kumunot ang noo ko ng makita ang pangalan ni Sorin. Why is she calling me? Namatay ang tawag and it shows two missed call from her. Binalewala ko na lang at binalik ang cellphone sa lamesa tsaka umupo.
Aabutin ko sana ang energy drink para mabuksan pero natuon ang tingin ko sa chocolate. Imbes na ang energy drink ang kukunin ay kinuha ko ang chocolate at binuksan. Kumagat ako ng konti. It's chewy and too sweet. Dumidikit pa sa ngipin ko. Tsk. Paano niya ba nagustuhan ang ganitong pagkain... pero masarap. Napailing nalang ako.
Umiinom ako ng tumunog ulit ang cellphone ko. It's Sorin again. Binitiwan ko ang kinakain at kinuha ang cellphone para sagutin.
"Neal," Bungad niya sa akin.
"Bakit?" Kumagat ako sa mansanas.
An apple a day can keep the doctor away. They said. I played the apple on my hand habang ngumunguya.
"Where are you?" Her voice was so soft.
"Nasa bahay. Bakit?"
"Ganun ba?" She sounds disappointed this time. "Pumunta kasi ako dito sa hideout and you're not here. Only Russel and Fen are here. I cook food for you and I brought it with me pero wala ka pala dito," she paused fow a while. "Will you come here?"
"Hindi ako makakapunta diyan ngayon. May gagawin ako.
"Then, I'll come there instead, I'll take a taxi." She suddenly becomes excited. "Right now, pwede ba?"
Halos mabilaukan ako sa kinakaing mansanas.
"Saan ka ba nakatira? Give me your address. I'm going there instead sayang naman ang food kong hindi makain." She said determined.
Mariin akong napapikit. Tama ba na sinabi kong nasa bahay ako? Bigla yatang sumakit ang ulo ko. Headache.
"No. I'm fine. No need to come he-"
"But Neal I'm worried. I heard from Russel you're drunk from our club last night..."
"I'm okay just a little hang over."
"I'm going there. I want to see you." It's a statement from her.
I sighed. "I'm going now, you're father ordered me to do something."
"Ano ba yan. Bakit ikaw na naman? Sina Russel pala?" I can hear the annoyance on her voice.
"I'm free kaya ako na ang gagawa."
"But I want to go to your house..."
"Aalis din ako hindi mo na ako maabutan dito..." Hinilot ko ang sintido at humilig sa headrest.
"I said I want to go there! In your house Neal, right now!"
"Sorin," I sighed. "I have some errands to do later. I can't-"
"Humph!"
Now she's angry. What a spoiled brat she is. Don't never ever forget that Neal.
"I'll ask permission to Dad I'm sure he'll let me go to you. He trusts you, you know that, right?"
I sighed, defeated.  What a spoiled brat indeed.
"Okay, I'll send you my address." I said blankly.
"Oum, okay. I'll wait for it."
Pinatay ko agad ang tawag. She'll just gonna nag and whin on me tungkol sa hindi ko pagsama sa mga lakad niya. I'm a busy man. When would she know that? Tsk.
I open my convo with Bulletchjelle. My last reply is... 'Yeah, I'll definitely come.'
Kumunot ang noo ko. What did I promise to her? I re-read her last messaged to me.
Bulletchjelle:
I'll be singing again at Doll's bar. You might wanna come and watch me sing?
Kagabi lang 'to. I was with Russel and the others in the bar. They were very busy with their businesses, alcohol, cigarettes, women while I stall time to text with her. Well, she texted me first. I played my fingers on my mouth and pursed my lips.
Umakyat ako sa kwarto para maligo. Lumabas ako ng shower room na nakatuwalya lang at tumutulo pa ang tubig mula sa buhok ko. Tinuko ko ang mga kamay sa sink at tumigtig sa repleksiyon ko sa salamin. My hair is a bit longer than my usual hair. Umaabot na sa batok ko. It's a golden brown in color but I chose to color it with chocolate brown. My stubbles on my jaw are showing off. Medyo pumayat na rin yata ako. Tinagilid ko ang ulo at tiningnan ang panga.
I shaved a little at sinuklay ang buhok bago lumabas ng banyo. Nagbihis ako ng puting t-shirt at maong pants. Nilabas ko ang stainless steel na kwintas na naitago sa loob ng t-shirt ko. Pinasadahan ko din ng daliri ang buhok bago tinungo ang vault sa cabinet ng kwarto ko. I press the pin. Zero. Nine. Two. Five. Three. Zero.
Password unlocked and it opens. Bumungad sa akin ang kumikinang pa sa linis na baril. A Ruger GP100 pistols can make up to ten shots and good for 50 to 101 m range target. Too bad I can't use it often. I'm afraid, they'll ask where I get it. If that's the case maybe my trigger can answer that for them. I smirked.
Kinuha ko ang baril. It has an automatic silencer installed. It's very convenience to used anywhere. I close the vault at kumuha ng bagong relo sa shelf at sinuot. Tiningnan ko ulit ang sarili sa salamin bago tuluyang lumabas ng kwarto.
Pagkababa ko sa sala ay malapit ng mag seven ng makita ko sa relo. Saktong pagdating ko sa baba ay tumunog ang cellphone ko na iniwan ko sa mini table.
"Boss." I said as I answered the call.
"Neal, any details?" Mataman niyang bungad sa akin.
"Barker has always been out of town lately and Joebert they locked him up and tortured him. Hanggang ngayon hawak pa rin nila ito." I stated.
I heard his deep sighs. "It's been days since they got Joebert back. It's very impossible if until now they still got nothing from him."
I put the call on loudspeaker at nilagay ang cellphone sa lamesa.  Ang baril ang pinagkaabalahan ko. I checked the revolver and put one bullet.
"Joebert was once of Barker men's, he'll definitely bark to his master but it's strange that they still keeping him now na pwedeng pwede na naman nilang itong patayin."
Inayos ko ang revolver at nilapag ang baril sa lamesa. One bullet is enough. Pinagsiklop ko ang palad at tinuko ang mga siko sa tuhod.
"What do you think Neal?"
I chuckled. "Joebert has the answer boss." I said and smirked.
"Then get Joebert now. I want to retrieve my drugs and he's the only one who knows where it is. After all, he's the only one who survive from that explosion." Bigla siyang natahimik. "But I'm afraid..."
"What is it boss?"
"If I am right Sargo is after him too. Dapat mo siyang maunahan Neal."
"Sargo? How is he related to this?" Kumunot ang noo ko sa pagtataka.
It's cleared that Sargo is out of the picture of what happened months ago. Why is he going after Joebert then?
"Sargo is the real owner of Grandville's, it's one of his businesses." He paused for awhile like he's very troubled. "Sargo is into human trafficking and slavery and Grandville's is one of his big asset and big secret. Malaki ang nawala sa kanya dahil sa pagkawasak nito and he didn't just lose the Grandville's but also Niana, his adopted daughter..."
So Grandville's wasn't just a restaurant. But it's rebuilt now pero iba na ang pangalan.
"Losing Niana is a great loss to him. It's like losing one of his arm. She's good in combat, very good at it. So, it's very unlikely to her that she didn't make it out there alive." He paused and think for an idea. "Maybe, something happened that day. Narinig ko Sargo has been investigating it until now."
Niana? Ngayon ko lang narinig ang pangalang yan.
"Wait, I just got an info na magkikita si Sargo at Barker mamaya." He said after talking to someone on the other line. Maybe from another phone call.
"I'm sure it will be about Joebert. Sargo's only want to know what happened at the last minute of explosion that supposedly makakalabas ng buhay ang mga tauhan niya pero hindi nangyari. The chopper he sent crashed and exploded. Who did that? Joebert only has the answer for that."
"It's possible that the police did it." I commented.
"No, I hardly believe that. Kahit ang mga police ay nahirapan pumasok. That building was trappy at sasabog na ang bomba and a police won't kill them because they need them alive."
"What do you want me to do boss?"
Silent envelop my ears. I played my finger on my lower lip. This won't be a good bargain.
"I just want to retrieve my drugs. As for the other matters I don't care. Deal with Barker, get Joebert and find out where the drugs is. If anything happens don't hesitate to kill."
Joebert is the only one survive from that explosion and he knows where the money and the drugs are kept... or maybe he's the one who hid it.
"Boss, what do you think why Barker is still keeping Joebert?" I asked.
"It's either he wants both of the money and drugs for himself or he knows that we will be definitely go after Joebert if news come out about him."
"He wants both money and drugs? The money owned by his boss, do you mean he wants it by himself?"
If he wants both for himself Joebert has been long dead if that's the case. But he didn't. Joebert is still alive.
"Precisely. If it's the money he can be spared and his boss won't know about it, after all he can handle his men for that, but the latter, he can't be so sure of that. I won't spare him. I won't settle a score with him and he knows me best. We've been in this business for years so he must know that." I can sense the threat in his voice. "Neal..."
"Boss?"
"I have sent the bargaining chip. As for how you'll get Joebert, it's all up to you. Kong magmatigas si Barker I won't stop you from harming him just be careful. Sargo and Barker will meet later at Doll's bar. I don't know the exact time but you should be there."
"Copy that boss."
"Good. I want a good result for this Neal. That's all for now." The line went off after that.
Did he just said harming him? Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga. What does he mean by that?
Hinalungkat ko ang ref para sa hapunan ko. I only have tuna and egg. I guess this will do for now. I cooked it and eat my early dinner. It was seven thirty when I decided to go.
"Sige. Okay lang. I'll meet you there." I talked with Russel on the other line while on my garage.
I deactivate the lock of my Isuzu D-MAX at pumasok. Tinapos ko muna ang tawag kay Russel bago nagmaneho paalis. The car run smoothly on the city road. Tumingin ako sa fly over. It's not that traffic. This is a province yet it's very advance to be called like it. Very questionable, right? Grandville's isn't the only one I'm sure marami pang iba.
Humarurot ako palabas city gate. Hininto ko ang kotse sa kalagitnaan ng high way ng makita ko ang kotseng naghihintay sa akin. An Isuzu MU-X. 
Pinarada ko ang kotse sa kabilang kalsada at lumabas. Sumalubong sa akin ang malamig na hangin ng kabukiran. This place is rich with mountains and water, food and water supply isn't a problem here. Sinarado ko ang pinto ng kotse at tumawid sa kabilang daan.
Bumukas ang pintuan ng driver seat at lumabas mula roon si Russel on his jacket and a printed black tshirt inside and a boardshort. Sumandal siya sa sasakyan habang hinihintay akong makalapit.
"Hey," binati ko siya ng makalapit ako. "Kanina ka pa?" Tanong ko at tumigil sa harapan niya.
Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. "Still looking good huh as usual." He showed me his irritable smirk.
"Where is it?" I asked pertaining to the bargaining chip.
"Sa compartment."
Bumaba ang windshield sa likod ni Russel at sumilip si Fen sa amin mula sa loob.
"Neal, sasama ka?"
Kumunot ang noo ko. I didn't get his point. Nagtataka akong tumingin kay Russel.
"Marvels..." Sabi niya na nasagot kaagad ang tanong ko.
"Magsa-sideline kamin ngayon. Extra money ganun lang. Sama ka?" Sabi pa ni Fen. Nakapatong ang kanyang baba sa bintana at may ngisi sa kanyang labi. "Linggo diba ngayon?"
"Linggo nga. Bakit? Naka-appointment ka na naman ba sa isa sa mga babae mo?"
"Hindi. Wala ano ka ba. Makakapaghintay naman iyong mga yun eh. Natanong ko lang at kong tama ako may drag racing ngayon." Bumaling sa akin si Fen matapos bigyan ng naiinis na tingin si Russel. "Ano Neal? Ang laki ng panalo ko dahil sayo last week ah. Kapag sasali ka ulit sabihin mo sa akin, sayo lang ulit ako pupusta at dodoblehen ko na para mas malaki."
"Gago!" Sinapol siya ni Russel sa batok. "Sige, lubusin mo ng lubusin ka rin ng mga tauhan ni Victor."
"Takot sa akin ang mga 'yon. Hindi ako gagalawin ng mga 'yon."
"Gago talaga." Napamura nalang si Russel.
"Sa boxing sino lalaban sa inyo?"
Umiling si Russel. "Wala. Pupusta lang kami."
Tumango ako. "Hindi ako pwede ngayon. May pinapagawa si boss eh." Sabi ko.
"Bakit ba mag-isa ka lang na gagawa? Nandito naman kami ah. Wala bang tiwala si boss sa amin?" Komento ni Fen.
"Kaya pinagawa ni boss ng mag-isa sa kanya kasi kaya ni Neal. Eh ikaw? Kailan ba may pinagawa si boss sayo ng mag-isa lang. Iyon lang yata yong pinapabantay niya sayo iyong bata-"
"Pinagkatiwala niya sa akin ang anak ng kapatid niya. Ibig sabihin may tiwala siya sa akin diba?"
"Ganun ba? Kaya ba malapit ng malunod-"
"Psh! Sige Neal, ingat!" Sinarado na ulit ni Fen Ang windshield.
Umiling-iling si Russel pero may malaking ngisi.
"Nasa compartment kunin mo nalang doon."
Tumango ako at tinungo ang likod ng kanyang sasakyan. Nang makuha ko Ang utim na briefcase ay bumalik ako sa tapat niya. He's hand is on his one pocket at may yosi na sa kamay at hinihithit.
"I've got it-" nakuha ang atensiyon namin ng dalawang paparating na police patrol sakay sa police motorcycle. They are from in the city. Tinapik ako ni Russel sa balikat at sinenyasan na umalis na. "Sige na. Ingat ka. Ako ng bahala sa kanila."
Tumango ako at paatras na umalis. Bumalik ako sa sasakyan at nagmaneho pabalik sa city gate. Nakasalubong ko pa ang police patrol na sinundan ng tingin ang kotse ko.
Dumiretso lang ako at ng makapasok sa city gate ay huminto ako. Pinarada ko ang kotse ko sa tabi at tiningnan ang laman ng briefcase.
Nag buntong hininga ako ng makakita ng kumpol ng pera sa loob. Marlon is spending a money to retrieve the drugs. I doubt it. Something is going on and he didn't telling us anything.
Nilaro ko ang isang bungkos sa kamay habang nag-iisip ng gagawin. It will be a long and perilous fight.