Chapter 3: The Game FX Begins

I continued walking until I saw an apartment with a signboard hanging at the steel gate; it was written, "Apartment for Rent." I thought the best way to have a shelter while gaining insights about the Game FX and I could devote my spare time hanging with my worries. I brought the ATM card that I used to withdraw money for the payment and my daily undertaking.

I talked to the owner of the apartment, paid him, and was ready to organize the new place. I took off my camouflage, cleaned the apartment, and installed some decors and lighting. Whatever the result of this game, I'm sure that it'll surely excite me all along.

I lived by myself for a month in that area, and I trusted some neighbors to do the maintenance of the place. It was Wednesday morning, and Baclaran was full of vendors all over the place, especially at the front of the Church. I was inside the church praying when I saw Danielle pass by my side. I slowly stood up rearing to go out when Mike called on my new phone imported from Finland and he gave me the updates on Danielle and Roger.

"Marco, it's been a month since you left the house, and more news are circulating that you're hiding somewhere in the north of Luzon. So, give me the update always, so that I could relay some hint to Danielle and Roger, to make this feasible, okay?"

"Okay Mike....I'm in between of Paranaque and Pasay...a place to worship..."

"I see...for them...they're near...in your place...They have a mobile phone too, all of us are connected to each other...They can hear our conversation...okay Marco? Beware of the authorities....do not entangle with them...they're moving too because of this Game FX."

"Thank you Mike...bye!"

I switched off the mobile phone, put it in my pocket, and carry my backpack, and headed towards the back gate going to the narrow street full of vendors. I can hear the beating of my heart; my eyes were focused on where I saw the lone shadow of a man wearing a black jogging suit. I knew it. It's him...Roger. He's following me so that I hastily find my way up to Baclaran LRT station. I queued for my card where Roger was behind me. After handing her my train card, I quickly entered the train while I searched for him in the throng of passengers. I positioned myself standing in the aisle so that I could have time to run in case Roger appeared. But when I faced the other side, Roger whispered to me.

"Do not move Marco...you see this inside my jacket?" I looked at him squarely without saying a word. He whispered again, "We'll get off at the next station...Vito Cruz Station...do not make a scene...do as I told you."

We disembarked at the Vito Cruz Station, where Roger was behind me. He followed me up to the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. I saw a group of youngsters wearing basketball sports outfits, which I ran to the group, hide from Roger's view, and hurriedly ran fast as I can heading to Harrison Plaza Shopping Center.

Roger still followed me running but my energy was helping me. I hid at the Department Store where he passed by through the other business establishment. I went outside and continued to run but he saw me, and Roger fired his pistol chaos inside the mall ensued.

I continued running up to the front door going to another side of the road, the Central Bank of the Philippines side. I kept on running until the intersection of Roxas Boulevard and Vito Cruz, turned right heading to Luneta Park.

My actions triggered some passersby that I changed my way near the seawall. I watched my back while jogging where I could view my position of Roger. He was nowhere to be found so I slowly searched for him in the crowd. But I was wrong; he's following me all the way.

I felt my blood rushing all over my body and my energy has risen to the highest degree. I resumed my pace and at last, I went across the road to enter Luneta Park, still reeling to be chased for enjoyment.

I was heading towards the Luneta's Fountain when Danielle appeared from nowhere, while Roger still following me. I ran to the other side heading to Intramuros where the two of them are behind me now.

In the secluded area, Danielle fired his gun at me which hit my left arm. Blood oozed continuously that I tied with my handkerchief while running into the San Agustin Church. I entered the church and hid under the small altar. I saw a lady together with a man kneeling and praying. I managed to tie carefully the wound in my arm and observed them.

They entered the church searching for me and the man and the woman were disturbed with their prayers. Danielle and Roger passed by their side without noticing them. I grabbed the young woman to make her a shield, but the man started to jump at me, but I eluded him. I aimed the gun at him and hold the young woman tightly.

Danielle and Roger saw the incident but they're far from us. So, I hurriedly pushed the lady outside the church.

"You have a car!!" I shouted at her.

"Yes...over there..."

"Where's the key? Hurry!!"

"Here," as she gave it to me.

I hastily opened the door, "Get inside...hurry!!!"

I drove the car, speeding as fast as I can go back to Luneta Park at Roxas Boulevard, where I instantly thought to bring her to my apartment in Baclaran. She started to cry inside the car. I looked at her without any feeling at all. Sorry, I thought to myself.

When we arrived, I parked the car in front of the gate. I held the lady's arm pretending to be my lover. I opened the door, seated her on the sofa, and tied her wrists and mouth.

"Now, can you answer my question please? Cooperate with me, do what I told you to do...then you're safe. Do not make any move that makes me angry, understood?"

She nodded with fear in her eyes....full of tears.

It was the evening time that I went into the bathroom to cool myself from the tiring chasing incidents. It gives me the liberty to release the tension from being chased by the two-hungry people. My wound was deep when I checked, so I hastily dried myself, and went outside the house to buy medical items from the nearest pharmacy.

She's still there looking at me while I'm busy tending my wound, and taking off my mask, maybe she's amazed by my facial feature; different from what she thought to be.

I've got the bullet inside my flesh, applied for medicines, and wrapped it with a bandage. I prepared our food, and gave her a plate which she eluded at first, but I insisted that she had to eat the food. I helped her when my mobile phone rang, "Marco, it's me, Mike Luna. You heard the news about the chaos that you've made?"

"Not yet Mike, I'm not reading the newspaper."

"Be careful with the police and other government authorities...they're following you."

"Of course I will Mike."

"Marco...Roger's dead and Danielle left for this job."

"Ohhh I see....what happened to him?"

"He was shot by the police yesterday in San Agustin Church in Intramuros. And, I heard that you captured a lady with you?"

"Yes Mike, I'm feeding her now."

"So, where's Danielle now?"

"She already knew your apartment and the girl..."

"The girl why?"

"She's together with a man, right?"

"Yes."

"Danielle knows the identity of that man...that she wanted to help him."

"Well...tell her to find me...and beat me...and kill me!"

"Where's your next destination, so that I can give a hint to Danielle?"

"Where I studied...my college years...."

"Okay Marco...don't worry at all...I'm here for you...bye!"

"Okay."

I kept wondering why Mike Luna said that, but I observed the girl, she was beautiful like Danielle's beauty. I sat beside her carrying my canned beer because I intended to ask about her identity. And, I'm curious about her; I had to know so that I could talk to her when I needed something.

"What's your name?"

"Aira..."

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen going to eighteen..."

"Not a girl anymore but a lady....a woman.....right?"

"Yes sir...."

Still looking at her I remember my daughter but I persuaded myself to other things to talk about.

"When you need something or going to the bathroom, kindly tell me okay?"

She nodded and looked at me. I checked the house and the surrounding for our security. Any moment Danielle will shower us with bullets from her machine gun.

I switched on the TV; Saan Ka Man Naroroon was aired at that time. I watched the drama episode for twenty minutes which Aira's watching too.

"You want to clean yourself first before sleeping? Tomorrow...I'll buy you some of your personal items...I mean personal hygiene stuff..."

"Sir...not now...tomorrow after you buy me..."

"Buy me what?"

"I mean sir....personal...things...tomorrow..."

"Okay...go to sleep now...tomorrow we'll travel."

I handed in one of the throw pillows to her which she accepted and hugged instantly. She has the charisma that pulled my being into her, to know her fully and why. I kept my distance from her, and I swore to myself before sleeping near her.

I dreamed of something scary I suddenly woke up, looked at the wall clock and it was two in the early morning. I tried to decipher my dream but in vain. The stillness gave me the feeling of remoteness inside my heart. I observed Aira on the other side; she was sleeping tightly. I sat down to clear my mind for a minute, went to the kitchen, and drank a bottle of orange juice.

I heard a faint sound coming from the front door which I quickly went to the door and observed. I am sure somebody's outside near the car where parked. I peeped in the curtain that I saw a shadow near the car and another one at the far end of the road. I squatted for a while, went to Aira in a crouching position, and woke her up.

XXX

Note: (Continuation at Chapter 43)