CHAPTER 376 - CRY BLOOD
JAY-JAY'S POV
Did they get in? What happened to my cousin and Sir Alvin? Did they fall? Maybe something bad happened to them?
Where are the Vipers?
Every breath I take feels heavy. I don't know what to do next. I should act, but my mind is blank.
"Quick! While they're busy outside!" shouted one of them.
I dropped my cellphone when I heard the doorknob turn. I forgot to lock it. I was supposed to lock the door.
My shunga! I was so confused I didn't realize I hadn't locked it, just like Kuya Angelo told me to.
The door burst open, and three men covered in tattoos on their arms and necks came in. They were tall like Snakes, but bulkier. Obvious thugs.
"She's here," one of them said, and the others grinned.
They stepped in slowly, scanning the room.
"Ram said we should paralyze her and break her arm so she can't fight. As long as we bring her in alive."
Tangina. Just kill me—I'd rather that than be tortured.
They laughed. One of them turned and pointed the baseball bat he was holding at me. I fought the urge to retreat. I quickly grabbed the nearest bench. I won't go down without a fight.
"So it's true. He is fighting."
I backed away with the bench in my hands as they crept closer. I can still fight... I just don't know if I can fight like them.
One of them charged first, but before he could grab me, I threw the bench at him and kicked him in the stomach with all my strength. He crashed into the study table. He groaned and looked furious.
The other two came at me in a rage.
They tried to hit me at the same time, but I dodged. I threw whatever I could get my hands on—I didn't even realize what it was.
Too bad I had to use those things. Maybe I'll replace or pay Sir and Ma'am for them later.
One of them got hit in the face, but I didn't see the other coming. Suddenly, I felt my back against the wall and his hand gripping my neck. I couldn't tell exactly where he was, so I just kicked wildly, hoping to land a hit. I wasn't disappointed—my foot hit his leg, and he let go.
Even though I was gasping for air, I quickly moved away. But I forgot—he still had friends. The one I hit in the face got back up and came at me, but I punched him hard, then grabbed a pipe from the floor and hit him with it before making a run for it.
I have to get to Kuya. I stopped in my tracks.
I can't go to him. If Ram's group already overpowered him, who will help him then? I need to get out and call for help. That's the best way I can help—there are no enemies outside for me to fight.
I ran to the back of the house. I climbed over the short fence to escape. I even saw another group entering from the back. They looked separate from the ones who came in earlier.
Luckily, they didn't see me.
I got down on the other side and ran. The grass was really thick and tall. I couldn't see the road properly, so I stumbled a few times and almost fell.
Why did Sir decide to build a house on the mountain?
I stopped when I heard Kuya Angelo's voice calling my name. I looked around, but I couldn't see him.
"JAY!"
I knew it was Kuya. I knew it was his voice—but where was he? Does that mean he wasn't hurt? What happened to Ram? I was confused, but it would be better if I could get to him.
I tried to follow the direction of his voice, but because of the grass and plants blocking the way, I tripped and kept falling.
You're so clumsy again!
I was about to get up and look for Kuya again, but I heard voices not far from me.
"FOOL! FIND IT!"
I covered my mouth. I couldn't just stand there—they'd spot me quickly. I couldn't shout to call Kuya because they might find me first. I needed to get out of there without being noticed.
Even though my knees and elbows hurt, I forced myself to crawl away. I slowly raised my head to check if anyone was close by. I saw a few of them, so I ducked back down and kept crawling.
"THEY'RE COMING, KEIFER! HURRY UP AND FIND HER!"
The Vipers are coming!
My prayer was heard. I felt a huge relief, like a thorn had been pulled from my chest—but I couldn't be complacent.
I crawled again, and when I saw a big tree, I stood up and hid behind it. I watched them for a moment before looking for another tree to move to.
I was so grateful they hadn't seen me. I was far enough away and was about to move to another tree when someone grabbed me and covered my mouth.
My eyes widened when I smelled fresh blood. I struggled, trying to get him to let go.
"Jay, it's me," whispered the one holding me.
Kuya's voice. I looked up, and our eyes met. He let me go, and my stomach churned from the smell of blood. I backed away, looking for the source of it in fear.
"W-Where did the blood come from?" I asked, and my question was quickly answered when I saw his side.
"It's just a scratch. That coward Ram didn't even dare to fight," he said, scanning the surroundings.
I couldn't take my eyes off his wound. I felt like I couldn't breathe. Why did it feel like someone was strangling me?
"I need to find a place to hide you. Then I'll go back to help Alvin."
I sat down, dizzy from the smell. Kuya was stunned, but when we heard a voice, he quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me along. I couldn't complain because of how I was feeling.
"Ram didn't just bring one group. He also escaped after trying to stab me."
I didn't know how far we were from home, but I could barely breathe. Add to that Kuya's fast pace—I couldn't think straight because of the sight of his bleeding.
I wanted to throw up.
He stopped suddenly. I thought we could rest, but we were both stunned when someone blocked our path. Ram stood in front of us, blood on his hands, holding a knife.
I was even more confused. Why was there so much blood? He smiled at me.
"I just realized who you are," he said to Kuya, pointing at him. "You're Angelo—a fucking legend."
"That's why our companions fell," one of his men said.
"Too bad we outsmarted you," Ram said arrogantly and laughed.
I was struggling to understand what was happening. I felt sweat on my face and neck. My eyes were still on Kuya's wound. My breathing grew heavier, and while they were busy, I quietly sat down.
I wanted to leave. I didn't want to see blood. I hated blood.
My heart beats so fast, my chest starts to ache.
"Jay, you need to hide," said Kuya.
I backed away, confused by what was happening. I couldn't move properly. I knew I should act, but my body wouldn't respond. I tried to breathe deeply.
What is happening to me?
"Jay! I said HIDE!" shouted my cousin.
I hadn't realized that Ram's group had already rushed in. I took the opportunity to get away. I tried to stand up and was about to run when someone suddenly grabbed my hair.
"Where do you think you're going?"
It became even harder to breathe, and my tears began to fall on their own. Ram pointed a knife at my face, laughing at how helpless I was.
Keifer.
He tried to drag me, but because I was struggling, he had a hard time pulling me. He yanked harder on my hair, making me scream.
"Follow me! We'll watch out for Keifer!"
I tried to find someone who could help, but my vision was too blurred to see anything clearly. My sprained knee gave out, and I fell again. Ram cursed over and over, but then he suddenly went quiet and let go.
When I looked up, Kuya Angelo was standing in front of me. He tried to cover me, extending his hand while keeping his back toward me.
"Get up, Jay," he whispered.
Instead of taking his hand, I screamed when I saw the blood flowing. I backed away, gasping for air.
Get me out of here!
My cousin turned to me, but that gave Ram's remaining companions a chance to charge. Kuya fought the four men single-handedly as they came at him with plates and wooden sticks. He was hit several times and fell to his knees, but he quickly got back up.
"STOP IT! DON'T TORTURE US!" I cried.
Ram took the chance to attack me again, but Kuya blocked him once more. In a rage, Ram swung the knife and struck my cousin. I screamed as blood splattered in front of me. I tried to crawl backward, away from them.
Help me! Keifer!
"That's it!" shouted one of them.
They began to show off what they were holding like it was a game. Ram continued going after my cousin. He missed a few times, but Kuya kept blocking them so they couldn't reach me.
"LOOK! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!" one of them shouted.
I leaned against a tree. My chest hurt from how tight it felt. It was getting harder to breathe, and I could barely move.
Keifer, where are you?
I wanted to scream. I wanted to let everything out that was building up inside me.
Only two were left in front of Kuya. Ram tried to approach me again, but my cousin blocked him. One of them aimed at Kuya's head, but he dodged. Unfortunately, Ram took the chance to stab him in the neck.
HE GOT HIT!
I covered my face in fear. They were going to kill Kuya Angelo. I tried to call his name, but only weak screams came out of my mouth.
HELP US! HELP MY COUSIN!
"Jay!" Kuya shouted.
When I looked up, he was kneeling in front of Ram, holding the side of his bleeding neck. One of the men who had been fighting him was already down.
"I'm still alive. We're not done yet," he told Ram.
Ram was clearly exhausted, breathing heavily. Blood was still dripping from his knife, but a slow smile formed on his lips. I couldn't tell if he was impressed that Kuya was still standing—or if he just wanted to finish him off.
"Damn it, you're even harder to knock down than Keifer," Ram said, a tone of annoyance creeping into his voice.
He looked at the knife in his hand and watched Kuya. I knew what he was going to do next, but because of my lack of energy, all I could do was scream.
He tried to stab my cousin in the head, but Kuya suddenly punched him in the side. It was a hard punch—his ribs seemed to break as he fell and writhed in pain.
"I just rested to give you that blow."
Ram could do nothing but scream and writhe in pain. My cousin stood up and approached him.
"You should have stayed at the hospital," he said, and kicked Ram in the stomach.
He also targeted his chest and sides several times before landing a strong punch to his face. Ram fainted. If you looked at him, you'd think he was dead, but I saw his fingers move.
My cousin paused to catch his breath. He took a deep breath and touched the wound on his neck for a moment. He also looked at his other arm and hand, which were wounded and bloody. Then he stood up and took another deep breath.
I was still struggling with my condition. The tightness in my chest worsened, and my vision blurred from dizziness. It felt like I was going deaf. With every beat of my heart, darkness crept into my vision. I tried to keep my eyes open, to see something—anything—but the light seemed to fight me.
"Let's go back to the house," said Kuya Angelo. "I know Alvin is done beating the others."
Little by little, Kuya faced me, but for reasons I couldn't understand, he began to look different in my eyes.
An angry face, blood running from his neck down his body, struggling to breathe, staring at me while slowly walking closer.
What was I seeing?
Fear consumed my whole body. I didn't know him, but somehow, every fiber of my being seemed to know who he was. I also heard a woman's voice, faint but familiar.
"W-Who are you?" I asked, terrified.
I stepped back as he moved closer.
"Who are you? D-Don't come closer!"
The situation felt all too familiar. I knew this had happened before, but why… Why couldn't I remember?
I grew even more frightened as he stepped closer. I tried to retreat, but a tree behind me blocked the way. I stomped the ground, clutching my chest tightly.
I couldn't move. I even hit the dog with the chain around its neck. I felt like my whole body was tied down, making it harder to breathe.
"Get away!" I screamed through tears.
Slowly, the woman's voice became clearer. Familiar.
So familiar. I turned my eyes, trying to find her. Every time my vision darkened, the scenery changed—only to return to the same place.
What's happening to me?
I looked behind the man. A bloody and wounded woman was kneeling and reaching out to me. I knew her. I knew I knew her.
MAMA!
"RUN…"
She was trying to say something, but I was struggling to understand her. I knew it was Mama. I'd seen this happen before.
"…YES… BECAUSE!"
When I finally understood what she was trying to say, I looked up—and was shocked to see the man's furious face right in front of me. He looked ready to kill.
"I'LL KILL YOU AND YOUR MOTHER!"
I screamed loudly as he stepped on me. I screamed with everything left in me. I tried to fight back, throwing punches, but I couldn't see if they landed.
Whoever you are—leave!
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" I shouted, tears flowing down my cheeks.
I didn't know how to defend myself. All I knew was—he shouldn't hurt me. I mustn't die by his hands. He shouldn't even touch me.
I must not let him.
I don't know how long I've been fighting him, but it feels like it's been too long. It seems like it's been a while, but he's not immune. If I stop, he'll surely kill me.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!"
Suddenly, someone hugged me and wrapped both of my arms, making me unable to move. I was more confused—and terrified.
He caught me!
"Jay-Jay!"
I screamed and screamed as I struggled to get away from the person holding me.
"Jay-Jay!"
Someone called my name again and again until I realized the voice was familiar —Keifer?
"Jasper Jean, open your eyes!"
"Listen to me—open your eyes!"
"Jay, please, listen!"
I opened my eyes, like a plea answering what I heard—and Keifer's face appeared before me. It felt strange to see him. I wanted to cry out loud in his arms, but I couldn't.
Not yet.
Why only now?
"GET ME OUT OF HERE! HE'S GOING TO KILL ME!" I screamed and tried to break free from him.
"Calm down! No one is going to hurt you!"
But I didn't listen. I kept crying and struggling to escape his arms.
"What's going on with Jay-Jay?"
"Should we pour water on her? Maybe it'll calm her down."
"Idiot! Are you seriously thinking of pouring water on her in a panic?"
Slowly, I started to understand—they were here. Keifer and my friends.
Am I… safe?
"Calm down, Jay. I'm here. We're here," Keifer said.
I was still crying, but I gradually stopped struggling. Like a lullaby, Keifer kept reassuring me. Telling me to calm down. That they were here. My chest ached. I was still afraid, still trembling—but I knew he was beside me.
"No one will hurt you."
Not anymore.
It took a while before I completely calmed down, so he held me for a long time. I cried and clung tightly to the King of Snakes. I wanted to report everything. I wanted to tell them what happened. I wanted to be angry at them—for taking so long.
But instead, I just wanted to cry because… they're finally here.
Why did it take so long?
"Sshhh… You don't have to be afraid anymore."
"Why only now?"
He kissed the side of my head. "I'm so sorry. We helped Sir Alvin first. We thought you were inside the house."
"Please… don't leave me again," I begged.
He hugged me tighter. "I won't."
I was still shaking with fear, and breathing was hard, but somehow… I was slowly calming down.
Because he was here.
"I need help—we need to move Angelo into the house," I heard Yuri say, so we turned to look at him.
Worry filled me when I saw Kuya unconscious. He was still covered in blood—just like before… before me? Before… I…
I saw a man I didn't recognize.
Who did I see earlier? Why did I see Mama too?
"I think we should take him to the hospital," David said, positioning himself to help Yuri lift Kuya.
The other Ulupong who came with them—Felix, Rory, and Edrix—also helped.
"W-What happened to Kuya? Did I do that?" I asked, terrified.
Keifer stood up, and I was shocked when he carried me. I held onto him tightly.
"Him, Keifer, he hit your cousin from behind," Rory reported, and I heard soft laughs from Felix and Edrix.
Why?
"Sometimes you're so reckless," Yuri scolded.
"Tss. Was I even conscious? I thought he was the enemy and that he was doing something inappropriate to Jay-Jay," the King said with a frown.
He beat Kuya because he thought he was someone else. I think it's my fault because I screamed and lost control. I was very scared because of the man I saw.
I feel weak and fragile. My chest is still tight, and I'm crying softly. The dizziness I felt earlier has turned into drowsiness.
I just want to close my eyes.
"Jay?" Keifer called out to me, but I couldn't answer. "Hey, hey, don't close your eyes."
Even if I wanted to follow him, I couldn't. My body was extremely tired, and on top of that, I felt like I was coming down with a cold.
"Hurry up! Take him home!" David shouted to Keifer, who quickly obeyed.
I could feel Keifer running, but I couldn't tell if we made it to the house—because I completely lost consciousness.
I just really want to sleep.