Tough Hunks Series 13 : Guiller The Avenger

Prologue

Eleven Months Ago

Matapos ang nakakabinging putukan, sumunod naman ang matinding katahimikan.

Captain Guiller Tatum ignored the ringing in his ears and swept his gaze across the village. It was like looking through a gray haze. The smoke filled his nostrils and stung his eyes, the odor of burned flesh making his stomach roil. Nagpatuloy pa rin ang pagliliyab ng apoy sa binomba na simbahan. Everything else had been reduced to ash - the ramshackle homes, the schools, the dusty village square...there's nothing left but ashes.

Napatakip na lang siya sa kanyang ilong at bibig gamit ang kanyang kamay. Iginala niya ang kanyang paningin sa paligid at nag conduct siya ng mabilisang head count sa kanyang mga tauhan. Sergeant Magtanggol was bending over the bullet-ridden body of a rebel. Second Lieutenant Paredes was wiping sweat and soot from his brows. First Lieutenant Cleopas, Roa, Diaz and Private First Class Borces are all present. Except Private First Class Tano. So nasaan si Tano? Hayun, papalapit na pala ito sa gawi nila habang dinadaanan nito ang mga sunog na bangkay.

Tatum released a ragged breath. Miraculously, all of his men were accounted for. Despite the thick smoke choking the air, despite the stifling heat from the flames, despite the shootout with the rebels, they'd managed to...wait.

Nasaan nga pala si Wilson?

His shoulders stiffened. "Magtanggol," sigaw niya. "Nasaan si Sergeant Wilson?"

Through the smoke, he made out the younger man's bewildered expression. "Hindi ko po siya nakita, Captain. Sa tingin ko--"

Tatum held up a hand to quiet his men. Tas nakinig siya sa paligid. The trees rustled and swayed. Flames crackled. Birds squawked. The wind hissed.

May naririnig naman siyang papalapit na yabag. Saka inangat niya ang hawak na rifle. He broke out in a run, nearly tripping over the body of a woman burned beyond recognition. Mukhang isa nga ito sa mga villagers.

Okay, mamaya na. Mamaya na lang muna niya iisipin ang mga villagers.

As his heart drummed in his chest, he slowed his pace and moved stealthily through the canopy of smoke toward the tree line. His ears perked. Narinig niya ulit 'yong papalapit na mga yabag. Namataan niya ang isang pamilyar na lalaki na bihag ngayon ng isang rebeldeng lalaki na may matulis na patalim.

"Wag kang kikilos," mando ni Tatum dito.

Nanigas naman ito.

Ipinuwesto niya ang daliri sa gatilyo, tas unti-unti siyang humakbang papalapit dito hanggang sa umikot 'yong rebeldeng lalaki at ang bihag nito paharap sa kanya.

Tatum's heart dropped to the pit of his stomach.

"Ibaba mo ang baril mo, amigo." Victor Ortez's voice was soft, soothing almost.

An uncharacteristic vise of terror clamped around his throat. Ni hindi nga niya kayang titigan 'yong matulis na patalim na idiniin ni Victor sa leeg ng tauhan niyang si Sergeant Wilson.

The rebel tightened his grip on Wilson, digging the blade deeper into his hostage's neck. "Ibaba mo na ang baril mo," sabi ulit sa kanya ni Ortez. "Ibaba mo na para pakakawalan ko itong bihag ko."

"Wag mong gawin ang sinasabi niya, Captain," Sergeant Wilson burst out. "Wag mong gawin, Captain. Wag."

"Tumahimik ka!" singhal ni Ortez sa bihag nito.

Napalunok si Tatum. He stared into the black eyes of the rebel, seeing nothing but dead calm reflected back at him. The knife sliced deeper into Wilson's throat.

Nanginginig naman ang mga kamay niya at saka unti-unti niyang ibinaba ang hawak na rifle.

"Ganyan nga," Ortez said in encouragement.

"Wag!" sigaw ni Wilson. "Papatayin niya pa rin ako."

The rifle dipped lower.

"Siya ang barilin mo sa halip, Captain." Agony rang from Wilson's voice.

Tuluyan na ring naibaba ni Tatum ang kanyang hawak na rifle sa lupa.

Triumph streaked across Ortez's harsh features. Followed by a grin that lifted his lips. "Wrong move," kalmadong saad nito. Hanggang sa walang awang linaslas nito ang leeg ni Sergeant Wilson.

*****