MISSING ROYALTY

Chapter 1 : The Prisoners' Island

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I kicked the pebble as hard as I can causing it to fly and hit the tree. Kasabay noon ang pagkaluskos ng paligid malapit sa kahoy na tinamaan ko. Cliché. I rolled my eyes. Kasabay noon ang pagsakit ng paa kong ginamit kong pangsipa.

"Ouch!" I cried as I reached for my toe and massage it. This is so damn annoying. And I just cursed in my mind. I blew the hairs covering my face and stood up straight. Nawala na rin ang sakit ng paa ko.

I roamed my eyes around the area. Walang katao tao. It's all trees in here. At hindi na ako dadagdag pa sa kaclichéhan kung matatakot pa ako. Yeah, trees everywhere, an isolated road, dry leaves on the sides and the dark sky, a very typical setting perfect for murder but so what? Walang magagawa kung matatakot pa ako. I have to keep walking.

Kahapon ay nasa bahay pa ako ngayon, I am here in an unknown forest at hindi ko man lang alam kung paano ako napunta dito in the first place. Look, I've lived all my life in the palace. I never went out of its borders. Well, I do get out sometimes during special occassions but hindi ganitong klaseng 'get out'. Hindi ko nga alam kung nasa Oregon pa ba ako but one thing's for sure. Nawawala ko. I was sleeping in a box and the moment I woke up, nasa kalagitnaan na ako ng dagat sakay ng isang barko. Can you believe that?

So why am I out of the palace? Well, turns out, this so-called rebels invaded the palace and ruled there. Ares, my twin brother, managed to let us escape. I was with my Mom and my brothers. Samantha, my younger sister remained there at the palace and that's actually a very long story kaya hindi na ako magsasalita. And because Your Highness, that's me by the way, is not used to getting out of the palace, I ended up getting lost. Hindi ko na mahanap ang mga kapatid ko. And now, here I am in the middle of the forest. God! Why am born with no sense of direction?

"Kung sana sinanay ko na ang sarili kong gumala gala para kahit papano magkasense of direction naman ako." I kicked another stone ngunit dahil sa katangahan ko, I did not notice nakalibing pala iyon sa lupa and now, I am currently kissing the soil.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong ginawa ko sa nagdaang taon ng buhay ko para maranasan 'to." Sambit ko nalang. I admit, gusto ko nang magmura but I realize that won't really do anything.

Tumayo nalang ako at pinagpagan ang mukha ko pati na rin ang suot ko. Kung iniisip niyong nakagown ako just like what princesses wear. No, I wasn't wearing a long gown or something. I am wearing denim jeans, combat boots, and a shirt that read 'Life can be a b***h'. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako. Correction. Life is always a b***h.

I walked further at napagtantong slope na pala ang nilalakaran ko. Good thing I'm wearing combat boots. I adjusted my eyesight nang may makita akong liwanag sa di kalayuan. Not the near-death type of light but it looked like it's coming from torches and campfires. Nabuhay ang kaluluwa ko not because of the possibility na may party doon which is actually my addiction, but because of the fact na posibleng may mga tao doon. God, I was so scared I won't be meeting any people for the rest of my life that I may forget how to speak and act human. Though that's not possible isn't it?

It is an island in the center of a lake and it was mesmerizing. The light from torches / campfires reflected in the water mixing with the light coming from the moon making a wonderful hue. Oh. That sounded almost poetic. I didn't know I could make descriptions like that.

Agad akong tumakbo down the road only to find out that I have no means to transport myself at that island. There are no boats either. Then how the hell did those people got there?

A memory popped into my mind. I remembered my father saying there is an isolated island that is meant for the prisoners/convicts / delinquents - criminals of Oregon. Maybe this is the island he's talking about. But the more I look at it, it looked more like a town rather than a prison. I can hear laughter both from drunk men and women and upbeat music to match the atmosphere. Mula sa kinaroroonan ko, I can see women dancing on the shore and the laughter of children. What a life they got here. A life I totally envy.

Napalingon ako sa paligid hoping to find something I could use to transport myself. The distance from the island to my position is near. At kung tutuusin, malalangoy ko lang ang distansyang iyon. The problem is that, hindi ako marunong lumangoy. Blame that to my paranoid dad. He doesn't even want me take swimming lessons because of what happened to me when I was an infant. I almost drowned.

I looked around and found wood. Well, I don't know how to build a raft but I'll give it a shot. After a few moments - hours of tying and trial and errors, I managed to create a wonderful raft. Good thing when I placed it in the water, hindi ito lumubog unlike what I expected.

"Pierce and Sam would be shocking to know I built a raft. All by myself." I muttered to myself proudly. Iniisip ko palang ang reaksyon nila, ahh. Encouraging.

I started to float above the water and was actually floating towards the island with the little help of my stick and a big help from the wind. Good thing it's very windy tonight. Maybe Life is sick of making poor decisions of not cooperating with me all the time.

My little raft is heading on the shore. Doon mismo sa pinagsasasayawan ng mga babae. One woman saw me and the rest turned their heads para makita ako. I don't know if I should be scared, proud, or scared. Maybe I'll take the latter. Habang papalapit ako, all their attention now is on me. Men were giving creepy smiles while women are giving me - what should I call it? - bitchy stares?

My raft landed on the shore and I proudly get down. I expected them to bow their heads but then realized, they're not citizens of Oregon and they're criminals and some probably don't recognize me. All they gave me are smirks and sharp stares.

"Good evening, people!" I shouted as hard as I can para marinig nilang lahat. I even spread my arms and gave them my most beautiful smile.

"I come for peace." Right now, I sounded like an alien who is invading their planet who would say they come for peace but actually has a bad motive behind it. I hope they don't watch alien movies.

The sound of crickets dominated the place and I can actually hear the beat of the music by the sound of crickets. The residents are glaring at me na para bang inubos ko lahat ng angkan nila. If the inhabitants are badasses, I'll expect insects here are badasses too. Kagaya nalang ng tatlong lamok ngayon sa dalawang nakabukang braso ko. Agad ko itong sinapak and smiled triumphantly when I managed to hit one mosquito out of three.

"That was disappointing." Tiningnan ko ulit ang mga taong naroon and they were looking at me weirdly. Wait, they're not mad at me 'cause I killed one of their mosquitoes, right?

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang may naglabas ng kutsilyo mula sa mga tao roon. It created such sharp sound I swallowed my saliva. Yes of course they'd recognize me. I am the eldest daughter of the King who placed them here. And what they want now is my life. To take my life. Pero dyahe naman! Why are they mad at me? Kung ako ang nasa posisyon nila, I'd be very happy. There are no limits here. I can wear whatever I want and date whoever I want.

"Woah!" I managed to dodge a knife thrown at me by an older lady. Nagpapasalamat nalang ako dahil hindi sila sabay sabay nagtatapon ng kutsilyo.

"Kalma lang tayo, okay? As I've said, I have come for peace. Not throw knives with you." I desperately hope they will listen to me. But of course! They're criminals. What do I expect? They'd welcome me here? The daughter of the one who placed them here? NO. WAG KA NANG UMASA, MURIEL.

I managed to build a raft and made it alive here on the shore only to be thrown with knives? Life is still not cooperating with me. I put my hands on the sides of my head. Susurrender nalang ako. At least, if I became their prisoner, they will feed me. Right?

"Hah! Ano ito? Isang Magnussen ang napadpad sa isla? Anong ibig sabihin nito? Pati ba naman saring anak ng hari pinapadala niya rito?"

"Nandito siya dahil pinadala siya ng kanyang ama para magmasid sa atin dito. Huwag nating siyang hayaang magtagumpay sa balak niyang gawin." Sigaw ng isang babae.

"Actually, I got lost--"

"At nagsasalita siya nang inglis para hindi natin maintindihan!"

"What? I mean, ano? Hindi ako narito para sakupin ang isla ninyo. Tatlong lamok nga 'di ko maubos. Kayo pa kaya?" Ibinulong ko nalang ang huling sinabi ko dahil baka ako'y pagbintangan nila ng attempted murder. The way they looked at me ay para kong ako ang kasalanan ng lahat ng kamalasang naranasan nila.

"Anong ginagawa ng isang Magnussen dito?" Natahimik ang lahat nang may magsalita. It sounded like an old woman. I roamed my eyes around to see who just spoke. The men and women and even the kids made way para padaanin ang isang matandang may dalang tungkod. Her cane is taller than her. Her steps are minute that even the snail - no, that was too much- the turtle could catch up with her. Dahil na rin siguro sa katandaan. I let my arms down dahil kanina pa ito nakataas. Sayang lang effort ko di naman nila ako winelcome.

"A-ano po kasi, nawawala po ako. Nakita ko po itong isla at napagpasyahang pumunta rito." I saw the old lady nod repeatedly as if she understood me.

"Ano bang nangyari at narito ka?" The old lady asked me once again.

"You may not know-- malamang po ay hindi niyo po alam ang kaganapan ngayon sa Oregon. Ang Dark Monarch po. Balak nilang sakupin ang Oregon."

Tumango tango na naman ito sa sagot ko. Ba't wala silang reaksyon? Well, I am expecting them to shout 'hurray!' after what I said. When the Dark Monarch wins, it will be freedom for them too.

"I could sense confusion in you. You may wonder why we are not aware of the things happening around Oregon. Well, that is because first, we have no means of communication here to contact anyone outside the island. And second, the people here are living happily. We may be ex-criminals but we're happy living in this island. Ironic, but this island - the island of criminals is the most peaceful island I've ever been. Kung anong nangyayari ngayon sa Oregon, we do not care. If that Dark Monarch is rebelling against Oregon, then be it. As long as this island is safe, hindi kami nangingialam."

I watched her with her mouth open. Nag eenglish naman pala itong si Lola nageffort pa akong magtagalog kanina. Gosh.

"Ah. Ganoon po ba? Have you ever been to other islands before you went here?"

"Hindi pa. Ito ang pinakaunang islang napuntahan ko." Napaubo naman ako. Pero I have to understand her. Matanda na siya. Right Muriel. This is an old woman. 'Wag na 'wag kang mambabara ng matatanda.

"Ganoon po ba? Ang tagal niyo na po siguro dito ano?" Tanong ko. The other islanders ay palipat lipat ang tingin sa amin ni Lola. Because damn, we're having a conversation like we're in some sort of café and chillin' with our lives.

"I was just here last month." Kung pwede lang sana, malamang kanina pa humiwalay ang panga ko sa kakanganga. She's here just last month! Last month! Ano bang ginawa ng isang matandang ito - a frail and weak old woman to be sent here in the island of criminals?

"At isa kang outsider na mula pa sa palasyo. Having you here is a sin." Dagdag ni Lola. Damn. Mukhang mapapadalas pagmumura ko nito ah.

But I think I have no choice. Gustuhin ko mang manatili sa islang ito ay hindi pupwede. Hindi ko alam kung anong magiging kahihinatnan ko dito. They are criminals. I know I judged them but kung kayo ang nasa sitwasyon ko malamang aalis nalang kayo. Pero kasi, ang saya sana dito. Party every night. Damn opportunity, paasa. I sighed heavily and slightly bowed to the old woman and to the residents.

"Naiintidihan ko po kayo. Kailangan ko na pong umalis." I said in the most polite tone I could ever mutter. I bowed again and turn my back at them. Looks like I'll be dealing with my raft again. Oh, God. The wind is blowing opposite of me. Aabutan ako ng bukas sa balsang ito.

Akmang sasakay na ako sa balsa nang may maramdaman akong malamig na bagay sa likuran ng ulo ko. At hindi ako tanga para hindi malaman kung ano iyon.

"No one gets off this island alive." Halos manindig lahat ng balahibo ko sa boses na iyon. It was chilly than a night at a desert. And I don't know if I should be happy or not if I recognize this voice.

I touched the cold thing inside my shirt. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Pierce for letting me hold this gun before ako nawala. I can at least point this gun at this guy and threaten him to spare me out of this island. I know some moves. Other people may see me as a demure princess but no. I can be badass too.

I swiftly faced the guy at binunot ang baril ko mula sa loob ng tshirt ko. But I didn't know this guy moves so swiftly too. I felt my back ached dahil sa pagkakatumba ko. But what is shocking is that the guy is above me. Nakatukod ang isa niyang tuhod sa lupa. Nakatukod din ang isa niyang kamay sa gilid ng ulo ko while the other hand is holding the gun and is pointing on my forehead. But hey, I managed to point my gun at his head too.

"Oh. What a surprise." Nag init ang ulo ko with his side smirk. This guy is dangerously handsome and I hate it.

"Don't act all too surprised, devil."

"Still the sharp - tongued princess, eh?"

"Let me off this island." Nakita ko na naman ang smirk niya. God! Why do his facial muscles cooperate everytime he smirks?

"Of course. After I blow your brains out. One move princess and you're dead."

"Nakalimutan mo yatang my gun is pointed towards you too."

"The let's see who's faster." Ikinasa niya ang kanyang baril. s**t. Totohanin niya? God, Muriel. He's Cross Silvestre Strauss! I don't even know kung may bala ba itong baril ko. Damn. But no. I can't lose without putting up a fight. We stared at each other or rather glared at each other. None of us wants to give up in this contest. Kung staring contest ang gusto niya, okay fine! But heck. His eyes are piercing.

Naramdaman ko ang simoy ng hangin sa mga braso ko. It sent chills down my spine. Ngunit hindi ko inaasahan ang buhangin na napunta sa mata ko.

"Aaah! Damn it." I cursed as I touched my closed eyes. Naramdaman kong kinuha niya ang baril mula sa kamay ko.

"You have to stay here Princess whether you like it or not." Naramdaman ko ang paghawak niya sa kamay ko kaya napatayo ako.

Naramdaman ko rin ang pag gapos ng ilang kamay sa akin.

"Aww. Dahan dahan naman."

"She's fine without that." Narinig kong sabi ni Cross. Naramdaman ko ang paghila niya sa kamay ko. Now saan niya ako dadalhin?

Medyo nawala wala na ang puwing ko kaya I was able to see clearly. I looked back and saw the residents looking at us. I looked ahead at nakitang papunta kami sa isang bahay. A very big one.

"You live--"

"Shut up." Napairap nalang ako. I forgot. Ubod ng sungit nga pala itong kumag na 'to. Hindi pa ako tapos magsalita.

We stopped in front of the door of the big mansion. Binuksan niya iyon at hinila ako papasok. Makakalakad naman ako nang hindi hinihila. Ang sarap niyang ibalibag. Pero hindi ko yata kaya 'yon.

He locked the door and faced me. Masama ang tingin niya sa'kin.

"Makatingin ka sa'kin parang ang laki ng utang ko sa'yo ah."

"Yes. Because back there, they were about to kill you the moment you turned your back. You owe me your life."

"Ganun?"

"You are free to escape but I'll warn you. No one gets out of here alive."

"Anak ng tinapa naman o."

"And you can't get out of this house without my permission." He said at umakyat na sa hagdan na naroon. Napanganga nalang ako. How dare he command me like that! Me? A princess? Unbelievable.

I glared at him until he disappeared from my sight. But then I remembered something very essential.

Saan ako matutulog?

And one more thing. Why is Cross Silvestre Strauss here anyway?

***

xo