Chapter 5
1140 Words
"Sila ang mga taong kumidnap sa akin para magtrabaho sa kanila kahit ayaw ko. Mayroon akong sariling buhay at asawang nagmamahal sa akin. They are the people who kidnapped me and made me labor for them. I have my own sweet life with my husband back home." The doctor lowered his head. "I missed him so much!" His voice came out softly. It took him a while before he started to talk again and at that moment Lot520 just waited for him. She could see that Doctor Lacsamana was in pain.
"Bata ka pa, Lot520. May magandang buhay na naghihintay sa 'yo sa labas ng kulungang ito. Kapag nagkaroon ka ng pagkakataong tumakas, sana ay tumakas ka. You are still young, 520. There is a better life waiting for you outside of this shithole. I hope you will think about escaping if you have the chance." The doctor's voice was soft and hushed while talking to her. He doesn't want anyone to overhear what they are talking about. That's why she was talking to him in the same tone...
Lot 520 still couldn't understand why Dr. Lacsamana was talking to her in a low voice but she copied him. She has a warm feeling for him. She doesn't know why, but she always feels happy every time she sees him. So, even when he was telling her to escape, Lot 520 didn't feel bad. When others tell her to escape, she always feels upset. Mostly, those newcomers in the prison were telling her to find a way to escape far away and leave that demonic place.
But these newcomers taught Lot 520 new words she didn't know. They are always enthusiastic because she was a fast learner and she could pick up everything that they taught her for the first time. They are telling her that she was a clever person and she can't help but grin about that.
The kidnapped girl also explained to her about a place called the school, where students go, to study and learn properly. Her smile didn't leave while listening to the stories the newcomer told her. It looks like, outside this underground prison, life is really beautiful, but she can't bring herself to escape even if it is fun like what they've said.
Lot 520 was not alone in her prison cell. She has someone called Tesla. Sometimes Tesla taught her how to write and read secretly because they would be dead if they were discovered. And the word dead was the last thing on her mind. She still wanted to explore the world, to see what beauty this life of hers had.
"Hindi ka ba natatakot na baka sa susunod ay turno mo na?" Are you not afraid that someday it will be your turn next?"
Lot 520 jolted her lazy body and retracted her gaze from gazing outside the corridor when she heard Tesla's voice.
When she looked back, she saw her sitting on her bed. She was looking at Lot 520 with eyes filled with concern.
The noisy wailing of the girls while the guards forced them out of their cells can still be heard. Lot 520 walked back to her bed and sat beside Tesla.
"Hindi! Mas nananabik ako. Kahit gusto kong tumira rito, gusto ko rin naman na maranasang tumira sa lugar na tinatawag na bahay. Kung saan ay tinatawag ako na master." Nope! I am actually excited. Even though I wanted to stay here as this was my comfort zone, I also wanted to live in a place called a house. Where there is someone whom I call master." Lot 520 grinned before glancing at Tesla. "Gusto ko rin mamuhay tulad ng sinasabi mo." I also want to live a life like what you had told me before."
Tesla was always telling Lot 520 how her life was before she got kidnapped. That gave Lot520 the excitement of trying to live like a normal person.
"My life outside is different from the life that you will take, 520. And worse, you know that your mission will be activated once someone buys you, right?"
Lot 520 shrugged her shoulders and leaned her head on Tesla's shoulders. Tesla raised her hand to comb Lot 520's hair like she always does. The latter felt ecstatic just by the way Tesla's hand moved to smoothen her hair.
"Oo, papatayin ko sila. Iyan ang mahigpit na bilin sa akin ni Boss at parurusahan ako kapag hindi ko iyon nagawa." Yes, I will kill them. That's the rule our bosses keep reminding us of. I cannot bend that rule no matter what or else a heavy punishment will be imposed on me."
The crying voices of the girls subsided and the corridor returned to its stillness. But Lot 520 and Tesla still talk as softly as they can. The walls have eyes and the wind has ears. She couldn't risk Tesla's life just because of her curiosity.
"What if the master that bought you is kind? Would you still kill them?"
"Oo, hindi naman siguro sila mahirap patayin. Yes! It's not hard to kill them, right?" Lot 520 turned to Tesla and smiled innocently. "As long as my mission succeeds, my boss will be happy and they will compliment me."
"It is not easy to kill someone, 520. What if they are kind and not bad people?" Tesla insisted. She kept on combing her fingers on Lot 520's hair and Lot 520 felt soothing and relaxed.
Lot 520 couldn't understand her. Why does Tesla not want her to kill her master when that is the mission of the bosses? Does she want Lot520 to go against the bosses?!
Lot 520 felt scared of that thought. She felt silent all of a sudden and she closed her eyes to control her emotions. Her hands are curled into a fist. Tesla is good and threatens her better, so she doesn't want to argue with her.
"Your turn is coming, 520. Based on the bracelet tag on your arms, you are turning twenty-one. It will be soon that they will take you out and auction you. You are one of the prettiest, smartest, and the best among your peers. I am sure they will also give you the best master. But let me remind you, 520. We are handled by syndicates. They are bad guys and I am sure the people attending the auction were rich and powerful, but they belong to black society."
Lot 520 smiled softly but she could feel the excitement boiling inside her like a raging inferno. That's how excited she was about the upcoming auction.
It's not even a week yet and Tesla's prediction came true. It was time for Lot 520 to be auctioned. Whether she will get an amazing owner or not, time can only tell.
- Writer
