Chapter 45: Drown
DS8Uncovered #LuMa #BearCouple #DaggerSeries
CHAPTER 45: DROWN
LUNA'S POV
He looks like a lion that was about to pounce on his prey. Only it didn't last long, and he stopped on his tracks, looking at me in a way that was close to bewilderment.
I know what he was seeing, and I know why it's confusing him. Not even a moment ago, I was nearly shaking in fear.
The thing is... he's not the only one good at pretending.
"A part of me wants to pity you, but I'm not that generous."
The way I said it was barely above a whisper, but I know he heard it from the way his eyes flashed with anger.
"I really didn't want to believe it. That someone I trusted, someone I treated as a friend, someone I cared about, will do something like this. My brothers were right, though. This wasn't a typical stalking case. It wasn't really about me because you were not obsessed with me. I'm just one of the many."
"You—"
"You were obsessed with justifying your crimes. The truth is, you're just a sad little boy who's blaming himself for his mother's death. A boy who was abandoned by his father at the time he needed him most."
"Shut up," he whispered through gritted teeth.
"You stayed true to your mother. You have never forgotten her. But you forgot the boy she loves so generously."
"Shut your mouth!" he bellowed.
Dumadagundong ang boses niya sa paligid. It felt like the house was vibrating, pulsing with his anger. But I stayed unmoving. Unlike awhile ago, I didn't struggle. There was no reason for it.
"You're just like her! Just like them." Nanginginig na kinuyom niya ang mga kamay niya. "You think you know everything. You think you have everything. But you don't! I'm going to take that all away because, compared to me, you're nothing!"
I stared at him straight in the eyes. "I am a lot of things, Zach. What I'm not is nothing."
He looks like a rabid animal slowly losing his identity. That's what makes him unfamiliar. The Zachary I know is far different from the man I'm seeing right now. The one I know is calm, but the one in front of me is not. The other is always smiling brightly, while the other has a sinister one. But most of all, it's the eyes. I wouldn't have thought that he was capable of having such a stare. His gaze was filled with anger and devoid of humanity.
"I'll tell you a story," I said, repeating the same words he used to me awhile ago. "This might be the last chance you'll have to hear a good one."
"What—"
"It started with you involving me in your mess. You shouldn't have. You underestimated my family too much. But I guess it was for the best. Kasi kung hindi ay hindi rin makukuha ng mga pamilyang sinaktan mo ang hustisya na dapat nilang makuha."
It's hard to explain how Dagger does things. They just do their job and give it their all. And if there's one thing I really commend them for, it's that they have unlimited patience. They don't care if they go through a haystack just to find one tiny needle. It doesn't matter if they need to separate salt from pepper grain by grain. They will do everything for a single case, no matter how small it may be.
"My family was ready to turn the case into a different angle, but they couldn't let go. So after a lengthy process, they managed to get approval to examine what's left of your victims. Hindi naging madali iyon. Some of your victims were found, but only mutilated parts of them. While there were others who were found whole but drained of their blood and organs. There wasn't any DNA on them. There weren't any except for the one you left in my car. But that's bound to be useless. It's not like they can't collect DNA samples from you and the others without possibly spooking the person who'll prove to be a match. It will give you time to hide and run away the moment they ask for it."
He shook his head as if he wanted to deny where this was going. To where I'm currently leading him to.
"They found substances on the victims, though. Probably because they lost their lives in a place that exposed them to those. Substances that didn't make sense that most people will just ignore. Iyong iba meron at iba ay wala. Iba't iba rin ang nakikita sa kanila. On some, there were traces of pigments, on others solvents, drying agents, additives, binders, and so much more. Dagger has put them all together, and they're pointing to one thing. They are all substances that are present in painting."
He was white as a sheet and there was terror that could be seen in him. Something that he probably witnessed in his victims, something he watched in enjoyment, but now he's going to see being reflected in his very own eyes.
"You became a suspect, but you weren't the only one. Darius Benitez was one too. Because when Dagger decided to examine all the paintings that came from Obscura, it was only the painting that you told me Darius created that showed a match to one of the victims."
Dagger was ready to take him, but they didn't. Not immediately. If they acted on impulse, it would have signaled Zachary to act fast. They would have followed a trail that was dead-end because Darius wasn't the real perpetrator. He was the scapegoat.
"He has landscape paintings, but that was years ago. His focus is on patterns and abstract elements." Looking back, Darius made it obvious. Sa pananamit pa lang ay kita na kung ano ang hilig niya. "Most of all, not one of his paintings has red in it." I let out a bitter chuckle with a shake of my head. "You implicated yourself, but I guess it doesn't matter, right? You never fully intended to hide it. You're ready to throw away your life for a kill. You did that years ago when you ended your half-sister's life, and you ran away from your life as Harris Miller."
Maparaan si Zachary. He's good at pretending and creating stories. He's very creative when it comes to getting what he wants. Sa paraan na siya lang ang nakakaalam ay nagawa niyang makahanap ng aampon sa kaniya na hindi dadaan sa legal na paraan.
His father was looking for him. But Zachary is like a master at camouflaging himself. I've seen his photos when he was with his new family, and he looked so different from Harris Miller. Zachary looks gangly and unkept. He even looks smaller than his height because he's always hunching over. He didn't just adopt a new name and life, he also adopted a new version of himself.
His knuckles whitened because of how hard he was clenching them. "That's not me."
"You said I was nothing. But you're wrong. You're the one who is not anything. You're not Zachary, and you're also not Harris Miller. You're not anyone because you made sure of that. You didn't just kill those innocent people. You also killed the son of your mother. The Zachary that she treasured until her last breath."
He made a sound at the back of his throat that was almost animalistic. He launched to attack, but he barely made a step, and he was already crumbling to the ground. Blood is pooling from his knee, painting the floor with red, mixing with those of his victims.
Di kalayuan sa amin ay nagbagsakan ang piraso ng salaming bintana kung saan pumasok ang bala na nagmumula sa labas.
Hinayaan kong bumagsak ang tali na nakapalibot sa mga kamay ko na kanina ay hinahawakan ko lang. Pagkatapos niyon ay hinila ko paangat ang nakatali sa dibdib ko at nakaikot sa upuan.
Zachary watched my every move, his face laced with pain.
"I was never in any danger," I explained to him as I untied my feet. "I'm wearing a dress made of fabric that disrupts electrical current. The taser you used so that I would lose consciousness never worked. I know you throw all the jewelry I'm wearing because you're paranoid that they have a listening device on them, camera, or trackers. Even though they didn't have any because Dagger already anticipated it. I was awake the whole time. So the moment you put me in your car, I was already freeing myself."
"No, no, no!"
"Umm... yes," I said sarcastically before getting up. "Do you really think with all my brothers in that event that you will manage to take me without them noticing? Hindi lang sila ang nandoon kundi maging iba pang empleyado ng Dagger. But you thought they were so focused on Darius and my other exes that we intentionally invited." Pinalungkot ko ang mukha ko. "I hate to say this, but it was all for a show."
"No!" he screamed.
"Even before the painting proved to be a match, Dagger was already trying to trap you. Iyong pumunta ka sa Dagger? It wasn't about crossing your names out. It was for making sure that even if the real perpetrator was you or Darius, a plan was already in progress. It wasn't an interview, and it wasn't an interrogation either. It was just a plain old trap to make you lower your guard."
Inignora ko ang patuloy niya na pagsigaw at tumayo ako. Bahagyang bumuway ang tayo ko pero mabuti na lang ay nakakapit ako sa likod ng upuan. I shake my head, trying to stay focused. I still have something to say to him. Something I want to make clear.
Imbis na lumayo sa kinaroroonan ng lalaki ay naglakad ako palapit sa kaniya. Huminto ako sa tapat niya. He was close, but not close enough to do anything. Even if he was closer, he wouldn't be able to do anything without being shot at again.
"I admit, you made an impact. Hindi ko masasabing hindi ako natakot kahit isang beses. But there was never a time that you terrified me enough to send me cowering and hiding. You just creeped me out, you annoyed the hell out of me, and you're one fucking major inconvenience." I crouched low so that our eyes were on the same level. "But let's be clear here, I am not your victim. You chose the wrong person, and I'm glad you did."
"I'm going to kill you! You're going to die just like the rest of them!"
Lumapit pa ako sa kaniya para masigurong walang makakarinig o makakabasa ng sasabihin ko. "You're right, but it wouldn't be you who's going to do that." Malawak na nginitian ko siya nang manlaki ang mga mata niya. "I told you, you picked the wrong victim. I have nothing to lose."
Dumiretso na ako ng tayo at sa pangalawang pagkakataon ay nakaramdam ako ng pagkahilo. I ignored it, just as I ignored Zachary's calling out to me. I felt a movement behind me, but without looking, I heard another blast, followed by Zachary's loud screaming.
Tuloy-tuloy akong lumabas ng bahay. There was a flurry of activities as the Dagger man appeared from where they were hiding while the others were already approaching the house, but I just walked straight, not minding everyone of them.
Kasabay ng tuluyang panlalambot ng mga tuhod ko ay naramdaman ko ang pagyakap sa akin ng pamilyar na mga braso.
"You're not going to do this again," Magnus whispered in my ear, his arms tightening around me. "Promise me."
My voice came out hush as well when I answered him. "I promise."
"I know what was about to happen, but you still scared the hell out of me, LA."
I wanted to tell him he's being silly and that there was nothing to be scared of, but my chest suddenly felt heavy, like a weight was leaning on me. I held on to him tight when black spots appeared in my vision. Pakiramdam ko rin ay palayo nang palayo ang boses niya sa akin.
"Luna?" Magnus' warm hands cupped my cheek, and when I blinked, I found him looking at me worriedly. "What's wrong?"
My lips parted, but I couldn't breathe. I feel like I'm drowning. That's the closest thing that I could use to describe what I'm feeling.
Narinig ko ang boses ni Kuya Coal na nagtanong. "Anong problema?"
"Is she hurt?" I heard Kuya Domino ask.
Hindi sila sinagot ni Magnus na nananatiling nakatingin lang sa akin. He tried to loosen his hold, probably so that he could look me over, but he pulled me back tightly again when he realized that the only thing keeping me upright was him.
He lowered himself to the ground without letting me go. I let most of my weight lean on him as he cradled me in his arms.
Sinibukan kong humugot ng hininga pero para bang may nakabara sa lalamunan ko. I feel like liquid is filling me from the inside, and my body spasms to expel it out. I put a hand on my mouth and coughed hard, instantly tasting a metallic bitterness.
I don't think I could ever forget the look on Magnus' face when I pulled my hand away and we both saw the blood coating my palm.
I wish he didn't have to see it. I wish I could have said something—anything—to put him at ease. But I couldn't. Not when the darkness eagerly pulled me into its embrace, pulling me into the cold nothingness, away from where the people I love are calling out my name.
MAGNUS' POV
I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't see anything, either. All I'm hearing is the sound of Luna struggling to breathe, drowning in her own blood. All I could see was how her eyes glossed over, as if she couldn't see me anymore.
This was one of the worst nights of my life. I didn't want her to be a part of it, but I know it was something she needed to do. Luna didn't want to be a victim, so I understand why she made the decision she did.
But the fear I felt seeing her like that and feeling her go limp in my arms was greater than the fear I felt seeing her in front of that monster.
"Mr. Aquillan?"
I could feel the eyes of Luna's family on me when a doctor approached me. I could hear them moving and getting close.
As if I'm starting to unfreeze after being submerged in deep ice, I found myself voicing out, "How is she?"
"She's stable. We localized the bleeding and controlled it. She needs rest, and she will need respiratory support for awhile." Her eyes flickered at Luna's family. "Her other doctors can discuss the other things with you."
"What other things?" I heard Axel ask, approaching where we're standing. "What other doctors?"
Tumingin sa akin ang doktor na para bang humihingi ng permiso. I shook my head, and he nodded with understanding.
"We'll transfer her into a room."
Nagmamadaling umalis ang doktor na hindi tumitinging muli sa pamilya ni Luna na nandito.
"Aquillan, what did he mean by that?" Coal asked this time.
Humarap ako sa kanila at kita kong nasa akin na lahat ang atensyon nila. Maging ng mga hipag ni Luna. There's a mixture of fear and worry on their faces. I could see anger forming on the men's faces, blending with their other emotions.
Nananatili akong walang imik. There was nothing I could say to them. Nothing that wouldn't break my promise to Luna.
Coal opened his mouth again, but it was the moment that Luna's eldest brother appeared, trailed by the others who weren't here. Hindi lahat ng mga kapatid ni Luna ay kasama sa bahay ni Zachary Carter. The call from Finnegan Carpio required them to split up. At least there's that. She wouldn't need to worry about that anymore.
"What's going on?" Thorn asked.
"Luna's stable, but there's something else they're not telling us," Axel explained.
"Something else?"
Gun's sharp eyes went to me. "Why don't you tell us, Aquillan? What's going on with Luna? What are you hiding from us?"
I didn't answer any of his questions. "I need to be with my wife."
Sinubukan kong maglakad palayo pero kaagad humarang sa akin si Gun. He grabbed me by the collar, and I didn't make a move to stop him. The others hurriedly went forward, some of them trying to put themselves in the middle, while the others were also trying to get to me.
They have every right to be angry. I'm keeping something from them, and that much is obvious. They care for their sister, and I can't fault them for that. But I'm not going to tell them anything.
Nararamdaman ko na noon pa ay may palagay na silang may tinatago si Luna sa kanila. They could easily find out about it. But I also know how much they respect their sister. They wouldn't do anything that will violate her privacy and trust, because they acknowledge her decision and that they believe that when she's ready... she will tell them.
But I also know that their suspicions didn't go as far as this. That she could be going through something that hits close to home. Knowing their story, it wouldn't be something that they would easily think of. In fact, they might deny its possibility.
While I know how much they love Luna and I also know that they deserve to know, I have a promise to keep, and that's more important to me. She is more important to me. So I don't care if they get angry, I don't care if they lash at me, I don't care what's right or wrong at this moment.
Some might look at my decision as selfishness, but so be it. Because the moment I fell for her, nothing else mattered anymore.
I scanned their faces, my eyes stopping directly at Thorn. "I'll face all of your anger a thousand times, I'll accept your disapproval a million times, and I will choose to hurt each and every one of you a billion times over by keeping silent. But my priority is Luna. My priority is my wife. And until she decides to speak, you're not going to hear anything from me." I pulled Gun's hand away from my collar. "You're not going to upset her, you're not going to drown her in questions the moment she opens her eyes. Everyone of you needs to give her the time she needs."
Anyone can cut the tension in the air, but I continued. "If you want someone to shout at, shout at me. If you want to lash out, do it to me. If you can't do that, I suggest that you leave until you're calm—"
There was a ringing in my ears, and I could taste blood. I didn't try to fight back, even though I could. I might not win against all of them, but that doesn't mean I couldn't do anything. But they are all Luna's family, and I understand where they are coming from. I also know that I deserve it.
If I were in their shoes, if they're the ones hiding something about Luna from me, I'd probably act the same way.
"Gunter Dawson!" Lia managed to wiggle her way between us, and she smacked her husband's chest. "He didn't tell you to punch him just because you want to punch someone out of anger!"
"It's fine," I said, wiping blood from my mouth.
"No, it's not, though you're very punchable at the moment." Pumagitna rin si Trace sa amin. "Magtago ka na, Kuya. Lagot ka kay Luna kapag nalaman niya ang ginawa mo sa hubby bear niya."
Gun let out a curse, but I know it's out of frustration rather than anything else. Nagtama ang mga mata namin at may kung anong nagdaan sa amin.
He didn't mean it, and I understand. He kind of did, which I also understand.
I felt someone standing beside me, and when I looked down, I found Lucienne handing me a handkerchief. "Trace was right. You're very punchable at the moment, Sir Magnus. So much that I'm willing to risk losing my job pero ayokong masaktan ang hands ko. Masyadong maganda ang mga sinabi mo kaya sayang kapag hindi ko naisulat." Nilingon niya si Gun. "Thank you for taking one for the team. Kaya lang tama ulit si Trace, lagot ka talaga kay Luna."
"Ang dami ko naman palang tama today," sabi ni Trace.
Hindi pa rin inaalis ang tingin kay Gun na muling nagsalita si Lucienne. "Dapat kay Trace mo na lang binunton ang galit mo. Eh di sana happey ang everybadey."
__________________________End of Chapter 45.
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