The Majestic

One -The Majestic

EAST TEXAS, USA.

NASA Piney Woods ang mag-aamang Austin, isang gubat kung saan may pinakamatatayog, pinakamalalaki, at pinakamatatandang mga puno sa buong lugar ng estadong Texas para mangaso. Hindi basta anong hayop lamang ang hinahanap ni Gregory Austin, may partikular na hayop silang hinuhuli, at iyon ay walang iba kung hindi ang mga puting lobo.

Brianna was high up to the clouds. She was ecstatic about what is going to happen today-her first hunt! She was finally going to join with her father, Gregory and her two older brothers- Bradley and Alfred. She just turned eighteen this morning at exactly six a.m. 

Katulad ng mga kapatid ay hangad din niyang sumunod sa yapak ng kanilang ama, maging hunter at manaliksik ng isa sa pinakadelikadong hayop sa buong mundo: LOBO. Pero may isang patakaran sa grupong pinamumunuan ng ama; hunting is exclusively for men, ONLY.

Purong dugong Pilipina ang ina ni Brianna at tutol ito sa pagsunod niya sa yapak ng kanyang Amerikanong ama. Ilang ulit na siyang pinagsabihan na huwag sumama sa hunting activities ng ama at mga kapatid. Pakiramdam niya ay ang unfair ng ina dahil pinayagan nito ang mga kuya niya pero siya ay hindi.

Bradley is the oldest who was twenty-six. He started going out with their father hunting at a young age of seven. He was followed by Alfred who was now twenty-two, when he turned eight. Nagpakita naman ng interes si Brianna sa pagha-hunting sa gulang na lima, pero agad siyang pinagbawalan ng ina hindi pa man siya nakapagsisimula. 

And as Brianna grew up into a tall, slender, fair, and strong willful beautiful lady, her feelings grew intense as well to become one-a wild hunter just like her father. At dumating nga ang araw na iyon. She was holding a rifle specifically use for wolf hunting with a rim fire cartridge use for medium range distance of two hundred to four hundred yards; she was excited as hell.

"BREE!" Siniko siya ni Bradley. "Shouldn't you be using the lesser caliber for a beginner? Don't be such a cock." Mas pagalit kaysa pabiro ang tinig ng kanyang kuya.

"Shut up! I have practiced every day more than you imagined. This is just a piece of cake." Ngumisi lang si Brianna.

"Heck yeah, Bree! Practice is different when you are in real ground. It will get intense you might pee in your pants. Don't say we didn't warn you." Kinindatan naman siya ni Alfred.

Matapang si Brianna, pero sa narinig niya sa mga kuya niya, nakaramdam siya ng tensiyon sa buong katawan. Biglang nanginig ang kanyang mga kamay. Nainis na ibinaba niya ang rifle at nag-inat-inat para pakalmahin ang sarili.

The rifle looked heavy, and it was even heavier when you hold it. That was why she secretly watched her brothers in their training and learned while hidden from her mother's eyes. Naniniwala siyang kaya niyang makipagkumpetensiya sa mga kuya niya at patutunayan niya iyon ngayon. Though today was her first time, she knew she was ready. She was born ready!

"BRIANNA." Tumabi ang ama sa kanya.

"Dad!" Excited siyang kumapit sa braso nito.

Though Brianna is tall at the height of five feet and seven inches, she felt smaller compared to her brothers who were even taller than their father who is six feet and two inches tall. It annoyed her that they seemed to be getting taller without stopping.

Jeez! Umiling si Brianna sa sarili. Minsan naiinis siya sa mga kuya niya. Nagagawa ng mga ito ang ginagawa ng kanilang ama, pero siya ay palaging patago dahil na rin sa bilin ng kanyang ina.

"Are you ready?" Agaw ng ama ni Brianna sa kanyang pag-iinarte.

"Very! I am so excited! Thank you for giving me this chance Dad, I won't let you down."

"Always remember the training you learned. Be alert. Be aggressive, but calm at the same time. Do not get intimidated in their growls. Wolves are quick and extremely fast, so don't ever, and I'll say it again though you already know but never, ever close the distance between you and the wolf you are hunting."

"Ahuh, got that in check!" Balewalang ikinaway ni Brianna ang kamay sa hangin. Nagpapasalamat siyang kahit paano ay pinayagan siya ng ina na sumali sa mga training for self-defense raw ayon dito. Pero iyon lang, no hunting.

"This is not a game so focus. Once you are in an encounter with a wolf, no one can help you. That is why you were taught to defend yourself in every possible ways of dangers. And Bree, look at me," her father commanded.

So, she did and saw his deep hazel brown eyes buried under those thick yellow colored eyebrows, same color as his hair which she did not inherit from his genes; looked deeply into her very soul. This big man was really intimidating. Even her brothers would not say no to this old man.

"Some wolves are...special. They can dig into your soul. They can read your mind. They can manipulate your feelings." He furrowed his brows while coaching her.

Jeez! I have heard of that a hundred of times. That is wolf hunting 101; it's the golden rule, the number one rule, the most important rule, etc., etc. Aren't they just exaggerating? Just aim for the target and shoot, done. Bulong ni Brianna sa sarili, walang interes na makinig pero nagkunwaring interesado pa rin.

"Do you understand?" tanong uli ng ama.

"Yes, of course. I always do." Pagyayabang niya.

"Good. Get ready. It's almost time for them to come out." His voice toned down.

NAGSIMULA silang kumilos at nagtago. The tree in Piney woods were way taller than she had imagined. Each trunk could probably hide three people all at once without ever being seen. Sinundan siya ni Bradley na para bang isinisigaw sa mukha niya na isa siyang batang uhugin na dapat alagaan.

She rolled her eyes at him but let it go. It was her first-time hunting, so it would only make sense. She gets pampered given she is the only girl, though how she wished they would not sometimes.

They saw faint movements by the leaves coming from the big bushy plants in front of them; about two hundred yards afar. Brianna tightened her grip at the rifle making sure her finger was correctly placed for proper aim.

Ramdam ni Brianna ang malakas na pagkabog ng dibdib. Kitang-kita niya ang mga kamay na muling nanginig. She must be so nervous; her palms were getting sweaty. She was tensing up bad. She could feel cold sweat dripping from her forehead. Her breathing was getting wilder. The rifle she was holding began to shake. She was in panic.

"Easy, Bree. Breath...just breath." paalala ni Bradley na nasa kanyang tabi.

Saka lang siya nakahinga, na tila ba kailangan pa niya ng permiso sa kanyang kuya para gawin iyon. Ngayon ay naipagpasalamat niya na narito nga ito. She let out a heavy-slow breathing till she found her nerves relaxing again. This was one of the moments where she was thankful for being the little sister of her brothers.

As soon as she positioned her finger back to the trigger, a figure slowly came out from the bushes. Her eyes followed thoroughly to that; watching alertly and already for any action that was going to happen.

Napag-usapan na ng ama't mga kuya niya na siya ang unang magpapaputok at titira sa lobo dahil nga kaarawan niya ngayon at ito ang kanyang regalo. Brianna fixed herself, body facing the warm but a little soft grassy ground. Her right elbow was pressed hard on the ground; finger was stilled at the trigger; and her left arm was supporting the weight of the rifle. She closed her right eye to have her opened left eye get a good look from the scope.

Wow! This gun scope is awesome! It has the power zoom! Namamanghang tili sa isip ni Brianna. She adjusted that to get an even closer look of the beast they were watching. Now all her excitement was starting to come back. She was grinning from ear-to-ear, anticipating and feeling ecstatic. This is so fun! Tila batang pagsasaya niya.

Napasinghap si Brianna nang matutukan ang lobo. Oh my...it is beautiful! Lalo pa siyang namangha. Pinanood niya iyon habang lumalabas sa makapal na mga d**o.

The white wolf was HUGE just like a polar bear. Its shiny white fur was just so mesmerizing. The beast opened its mouth to yawn. It had a set of white, sharp and beautiful fangs. The wolf stuck out its tongue and started licking its body, grooming itself in a slow, graceful and beautiful manner.

God, it is so beautiful! Brianna could not help but admire the beauty that was in front of her.

"Bree, it's time. Aim for the head, right in the middle, and shoot." Bradley whispered. Only then she was awakened from watching the beast.

She almost forgot the reason why they came here. So, she got ready and fixed the scope's view right in the middle of the beast's head. It was easy, the power zoom really helped. Pero katulad nga ng sinabi ng kanilang ama, matalas ang pandinig at pakiramdam ng lobo. Tila narinig nga sila nito kaya natutok ang paningin nito sa punong pinagtataguan nila ni Bradley.

The wolf’s ears pointed upward. It also raised its head and looks right up through her scope, and as if looking back to her... right to her very eyes...looking through her very soul... as if reading her mind.

Brianna jerked up. Her pulse begun to palpitate faster. No! Kinakabahan na naman siya. She must be steady. Kaya niya ito. Matagal na niya itong pinaghandaan.

"Bree, now!" Bradley said between his teeth.

Brianna pulled the trigger in a rush. The rifle jerked but she was able to hold its weight; she was trained to do that. Napamura si Brianna dahil naiiwas ng lobo ang ulo at sa katawan nito tumama ang bala.

"Not bad, Bree! Not bad at all for a newbie like you." Bradley grinned.

Bradley hardly says good things about her so this compliment coming from him right now, Brianna will take it. She grinned back and followed him to where the beast might be.

"THE wolf ran!" Alfred yelled who was already at the scene. "But you hit it Bree, good job!" he complimented.

Nakita ni Brianna ang mumunting patak ng mga dugo sa damuhan. Sinundan niya ng tingin ang mga iyon hanggang sa maaabot ng mga mata. Buhay pa ang lobo at nakatakas. Pero hindi maitatangging proud siya sa sarili. Nagawa niya iyong tamaan.

"AS I have thought that beast was not an easy target. We have been watching it for years, but it was quick and smart to avoid us. You're lucky, Brianna, you were lucky to have that wolf as your first target." Her father was smiling; and she was overjoyed to see the proud smile on his face. 

"Let’s go. Let us follow the trails and see where the wolf ended up to." Alfred suggested.

It is a rule that they must be together after the first shot. You never know if there is a pack of wolf waiting to ambush you to get back to those who shot one of their pack. If they are together, the pack will hesitate to attack.

"Stay close, Bree." Bradley nudged her elbow.

"What do you mean by that wolf, Dad?" Brianna could not help but noticed the way they talked about the wolf she shot.

They were going deeper into the woods. The trees were getting taller and bigger. The grass was greener, and the air was cooler. They could hear their voice trailing in echoes.

"Because of its grand beauty and it is the only one, the very first silky white beautiful wolf in the century. It is a once in a lifetime chance to have seen a beauty like that, as if a real Majestic wolf. You're lucky." Gregory explained.

"Yes, indeed a beauty." Alfred seconded.

The blood drops stopped. It just disappeared right where they were standing; in the middle of nowhere- green, moist, cool and eerie middle of the forest, which was impossible. It could not just have disappeared like that.

They looked at each other, as if they already understood what was going on.

"I'll look on the other side." Bradley suggested.

"No, stay here, stay together." Gregory answered.

"I'll take Alfy with me." Bradley insisted.

"No, Brad. You know the rules." Gregory looked at Bradley firmly.

"But-"

"No buts, Bradley...we'll stay together." Gregory finished.

Wala nang nagawa pa si Bradley. Alam naman nitong ang ama nila ang palaging masusunod kahit ano pa ang sabihin nito. Ganoon katigas ang mga salita nito, hindi nila kailanman mababali iyon.

They continued as a group, looking for possible blood drops on the grassy ground, but nada, not even a single tiny drop. Natigilan silang magkakapatid nang marinig ang mahinang tawa ng ama, lumakas pa, pumalahaw sa maluwang na kagubatan. Nagtinginan silang magkakapatid, may pagtataka sa mga mukha.

"What's so funny, Dad?" Bradley asked first.

"That wolf isn't just a wolf. It is the one I have been looking for. I have searched it for years and I think I have found it. But I must see it for myself. We must catch it. I have to have it!" Gregory's eyes glowed maniacally, as if he found a precious treasure.

"But how? It just disappeared. There is no trail of blood anywhere" Alfred explained.

"Everybody get back to the jeep. Bradley and Alfred, get the heavy weapons, we have a beast to catch. Brianna, stay in the jeep and do not come out. The hunting is over for you." Utos ng ama.

Ngayon lang nakita ni Brianna ang ganitong reaksiyon ng ama, nakakailag; nakakakilabot; matigas; matapang; parang...baliw. Para itong isang mandirigma na handang pumatay. Kinilabutan siya. "But Dad!"

"Go! Do not make me repeat myself. This is not for you to join in. This is the most dangerous wolf, so stay inside and lock the doors. You will be safe inside. You know that the jeep is not just an ordinary one; it is t armored and especially customized for a situation like this, so you will be safe while we're away. Do you understand Brianna?" mataginting nitong sabi na alam niyang hindi kayang suwayin.

Hindi niya kayang hindian ang utos ng ama. Batas ang bawat salita nito. Kaya naman sumunod na lang siya para hindi siya mapagalitan.

"Brianna." Habol ng ama. Lumingon siya rito.

"Take care of yourself." Matiim ang mga tinging ibinigay nito sa kanya.

Tumango lamang si Brianna at pumunta sa sasakyan. Pumasok siya sa loob, naupo sa passenger side. Ni-lock nga niya ang mga pinto matapos makuha ng mga kuya niya ang mga armas sa likuran ng sasakyan. Heavy weapons ang mga iyon, para lamang sa mga importante at delikadong hayop na tinitira ng mga ito.

Kahit naiinis, wala namang magawa si Brianna. This was supposed to be her special day and yet... Kainis! Pagdadabog niya. Sinipa pa niya ang dashboard. She could only watch as the three men went back to the deeper woods to look for the wolf she shot. Nagpatuloy siya sa pagdadabog at naiinis na hinalungkat ang backpack.

Hinugot ni Brianna ang headphone, isinaksak sa mp3 pod niya at nakinig na lang sa music ng Maroon 5. Kinalmado niya ang sarili. Hindi pa rin makapaniwalang naunsiyami ang araw na sabik niyang pinaghandaan ng ilang taon.

Napapitlag si Brianna nang mapansin ang bulto ng puting hayop na tumalon sa harapan ng sasakyan. Tila bumagal ang patak ng bawat segundo habang matalim na nakatitig ang hayop sa kanyang mga mata. Hindi niya magawang kumurap. Ni hindi niya maiiwas ang paningin. Para siyang nahipnotismo at hindi nagawang alisin ang mga mata sa hayop.

Malakas na kumabog ang kanyang dibdib. Nagsimulang manginig ang kanyang katawan. Mabilis na sumanib ang takot sa kanyang buong sistema. Sumisigaw ang pagtanggi sa kanyang isip, hindi magawang bumuka ng kanyang bibig para humingi ng saklolo. Nakasunod pa rin ang mga mata niya nang lumapag ang hayop sa lupa.

Kusang kumilos ang mga kamay ni Brianna, tila may sariling isip na pumatong sa kandado ng pinto para buksan iyon. No! No! Dad! Hiyaw niya sa isip. Hindi niya mailihis ang mga titig sa puting lobo na tila ba hawak nito ang kanyang katawan at puwersahang pinapasunod siya.

Am I gonna die here? No! MOMMY! Tili ni Brianna sa isip.