312 Inside the Control Tower, A Very Unexpected Turnaround (1/2)
Day 47 – 1:40 PM – Highway 2000, Barangay San Juan, Taytay, Rizal
Amidst the long stretch of Highway 2000, in the Barangay of San Juan in the first class municipality of Taytay in the province of Rizal, a huge figure of a lizard could be seem traversing the road with fast speed and loud steps.
It was Chaflar, the dragon Mark created. The dragon was running after it used up its regenerated gas inside the gas bag in its body. Although it was very inefficient for it to move around while it regenerated the low density but highly flammable gas, it needed to continue running in order to catch up.
BAM!
In the speed that it was running, it could not help that it hit or stomp on the vehicles and infected blocking the road. Of course, the ones riding behind it was already feeling uncomfortable.
TSST! TSST! TSST!
”Ugh! That guy really left us alone here!”
Karlene grumbled as shot the infected chasing behind while minding her aching bottom.
”Boss really seemed to be in a hurry.”
Edzel replied while also doing the same.
Fortunately, the population of the infected in this area seemed to be not that large and Edzel was able to practice shooting with ease. Of course, the majority of the infected behind was dealt by Karlene as Edzel's shots hitting the infected was still at the lower ratio than the misses.
”Mu… You two are noisy!”
Amihan complained as she was doing a bit of sightseeing here. It was the first time she had gone to a place like this with large and tall buildings, lots of cars and highly populated. This barangay was close to the cities of Metro Manila after all and she could see the tall buildings from the distance.
Although she grumbled about the two being noisy, that was not the reason that she looked upset.
Right now, there was only the three of them atop Chaflar's back. As for Mark, he already ran off after Chaflar ran out of gas for the second time. That had been six hours ago. Although Chaflar could run like this, it was way slower than its flying speed. Since time was running out, Mark decided to head off first. With him, he took the [Blood Children], Miracle and Aephelia. Amihan wanted to come with him but since she needed to assist with the air pressure during the flight of Chaflar, she had to stay back. Since then, she was upset while glaring at Karlene and Edzel from time to time.
Of course, the two noticed her glares and could only let out troubled expressions.
”I wonder where that guy is now already. Why did Mark say that we should meet him in NAIA, aren't we going to Bay City? And just how are we going there?”
Karlene asked the thing that had been confusing her.
”Miss, don't ask me. It's the first time I've been out of my province, really. I don't even where that place is or where we are right now.”
Edzel replied. Actually, he was also interested with the sceneries he had never seen before but the desire to practice overwhelmed that desire.
”Hah…” Karlene sighed, a little lost. ”I just wish we find our way correctly, I only know the general direction. I will complain a lot if he scolded us for getting lost. I also want to sleep.”
”Yawn… Me too.”
Edzel agreed.
Since Mark had woken up, they left after they finished preparing. The two managed to get a little nap but it was far from enough.
***
Day 47 – 1:49 PM – Control Tower, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Parañaque, Metro Manila
'How long will it take?'
Mei thought as she tried to endure her nervousness.
She knew that nothing would happen to her but the nervousness was creeping unto her heart. Nevertheless, it was instinctual nervousness instead of fear. It was because after the time she was taken by the female hooded figure into the shadow, she could see nothing but darkness. She could not even feel that she was being grasped by someone at all. It was just as if she was just standing there unable to move.
The feeling was suffocating.
In truth, she was really afraid. If not for the fact that the whisper she heard ensured her of her safety even before the enemies arrived, she would have rather commit suicide than being caught like this. She knew that he should be nearby waiting for the right timing. In any case, she should follow what he said first and follow the plan.
Seconds? Minutes? It felt very long…
Finally, she felt her body being pulled out and her vision cleared. She saw her body rising up from the floor as if there was a hole on it.
When she saw the scene in front of her, she could not help but feel uneasy.
There were lines made up of flames forming a strange pattern. Nine hooded figures stood surrounding the lines of flames. Three bodies of lifeless girls lay inside that pattern. At the center of the pattern, a hole made up of smoke could be seen and inside the hole, it felt like she was staring at a bottomless abyss.
It was then the two glowing eyes stared back at her. She could not help but remember the line that said ”If you stare into the abyss, the abyss is staring back at you”. The feeling she had was very surreal.
From those eyes however, she started to feel afraid. The expression in those eyes…
It made her remember the terrifying experience she had in the past.
”Oh Great One, we brought the lady.”
The hooded figures kneeled and lowered their heads to the floor as if they were worshipers worshiping their god.
Despite those words however, the eyes never lay its sight on them as if they were air. The eyes stared at Mei as if the owner of those stripping her off of her clothes.
”W-who are you and why did you all bring me here?”
Mei asked. She was already afraid and uncomfortable but she still needed to ask. What she wanted was information.
”You should not be afraid, mortal woman. This one had taken a liking to you, as a mere mortal, you should feel honored.”
An eerie voice echoed in her head. The voice was filled with arrogance and looked down on everything.
”Why? I'm just a mortal you said. And what are you?”