VIII

                                    

                                          
"It hurts, mi cielo." 

"Everything hurts. Don't you feel it too? I thought what I feel, you can also feel it?" 

"What we feel for each other is forced. My programme made us like this. This is not real, Casimir."

"That's why it hurts."

"I know you're hurting, Cas. You were only here because you want to help Callan but you did more than you have to and you don't deserve it."

"Aren't you also hurting? If it hurts you too then that's enough of a punishment for me so don't push me away."

"Casimir, this is not real! Everything is not real! We've been facing that reality for three years so can you not please just follow me blindly? Runaway from me. Fucking resist me with all your might. Resist the feelings, damn it." 

Going back to checkpoint...
Your goal: Leave Xintara

"...Casimir."

Bumungad sa akin ang anim na mukha ni lord Aerom pero hindi pa nila napapansin na gising ako. Naririnig ko ang ilang beses nilang pagbuntong hininga at ang ilang machine na tumutunog. Sinubukan kong gumalaw pero kahit daliri ko ay hindi ko maitaas, tanging ang ulo ko lang na inangat ko at pinanuod kung ano ang ginagawa nila sa katawan ko.

Ginagamot nila ang mga sugat na natamo ko at mukhang wala silang idea na nakatingin na ako sa kanila. Lumingon na lang ako sa paligid at natigil nang makita ko si 3-09 na nakatingin din sa akin, nanlaki ang mga mata niya na parang nakakita siya ng dapat hindi niya makita. 

Nang tumayo siya ay naglakad palapit sa akin na nagpakaba sa akin. The memory of him stabbing my chest came to mind I repeatedly shook my head as I watched him come closer. Another memory came to mind. Me, holding out my hand and him watching as I fall.

"No, don't. Stop, please," I pleaded but he didn't stop. Sinubukan kong tumayo para makalayo sa kanya pero hindi ko maigalaw ang katawan ko, parang nakadikit lang ako sa kung ano mang hinihigaan ko. 

"Lord Aerom, stop him. Please, don't come near me," I felt like my heart was coming out of my chest when he was finally near me and looked at me like he didn't do anything. I screamed but no voice came out of my mouth, I could only feel fear for the man standing near me.

"Did you just say Casimir?" Ilang beses akong umiling para lang umalis na siya pero nandoon pa rin siya na mas nagpabillis ng tibok ng puso ko.

"3-09, leave. She'll die at this rate." I heard lord Aerom said. Tumingin ulit sa akin si 3-09 bago sinunod si lord Aerom. Unti-unti kong binawi ang paghinga ko habang si lord Aerom ay pilit na pinapakalma ako.

"Stay calm, Irya. We couldn't find someone compatible with your blood type, you nearly died if it wasn't for 3-09."