Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 2) English

Jay-Jay's POV

"Isn't there anything we can do to speed this up?!" I asked in a panic.

"Even if I do, it won't matter if we don't know where to go... Nothing!" Percy replied, annoyed.

I had no idea where we were anymore. We had been walking around the school for a while. I was sure they hadn't gone far.

Where did they take Ci-N?

"Call your classmates! You'll find the child faster with their help!"

I shook my head. "My phone is gone! I left it in my bag."

I hadn't gone back to the classroom. I ran out of the school without thinking, and I hadn't even realized Percy was following me.

When I stopped him and explained that Ci-N was with Mykel and that I had a bad feeling about it, he immediately told me to get in his car so we could look for them. But even now, we still hadn't found them.

"Use my phone—" He didn't get to finish his sentence.

His phone slipped from his hand, and he let out a scream I couldn't understand. His reaction sent chills down my spine. To make things worse, he suddenly lost control of the steering wheel.

"P-Percy?! W-What's happening to you?!" I asked, my voice shaking.

The car was still moving. We were going to crash if he didn't stop! I grabbed the steering wheel and slammed on the brakes. The sudden stop nearly sent both of us flying.

"Aaaarrrrrggggghhhh…." He groaned in pain.

What the hell is going on?!

I was terrified. I couldn't understand what was happening to him. I looked him over—his entire body seemed frozen. His fingers were stiff, and his leg was stretched out, unmoving.

"P-Percy!"

His eyes were shut tight, sweat dripping down his face even though the car was air-conditioned. I felt completely helpless. I had no idea what to do.

"P-Percy…" I called his name, my voice trembling as tears welled in my eyes. "I-I'm going to get help."

I unbuckled my seatbelt and was about to open the door when he suddenly spoke.

"D-Don't…" His voice was strained, full of struggle. "G-Go… find… the boy…"

He wanted me to leave him and go after Ci-N. I shook my head repeatedly.

"I can't leave you like this!"

I was torn. I had no idea what to do!

I spotted his phone on the floor. I picked it up and unlocked it—I already knew his password, so I had no trouble opening it.

As I searched for a contact to call, he suddenly smacked my hand hard, making me drop the phone.

"Percy!" I looked at him in shock.

Despite the pain he was in, he glared at me.

"Leave… now! I can… h-handle this…"

Tears streamed down my face. I didn't want to leave him, but I also needed to find Ci-N.

"I'll call for help first… then I'll look for Ci-N."

I tried to grab his phone again, but I couldn't see where it had landed. Just then, I felt his hand grip my arm.

"Go!" he shouted, pushing me. "Find… the child!"

I clenched my fists, struggling to hold back my tears. I didn't want to leave him, but I had no choice. I opened the car door and stepped out. Before closing it, I looked at Percy one last time. He forced a smile, as if trying to reassure me that he'd be okay.

I nodded and shut the door.

Quickly wiping my tears away, I took a deep breath. I trusted Percy. If he said he would be okay—he would be okay!

I didn't waste another second. I started running, my mind racing as I tried to think of Mykel's usual hangouts. I stopped in front of a pedestrian crossing.

Think, Jay! Where does Mykel usually hang out?!

Just as I was about to cross, I noticed two students on the other side. They were also from HVIS—I could tell from their uniforms. I took a closer look and realized they were from Section D.

I crossed quickly and almost got run over. The driver honked his horn loudly, catching the attention of the two Section D members. They seemed to recognize me because they suddenly ran away.

Get ready for me when I catch up with you! Raaawwrrrr!

"You bastards!" I shouted after them.

The Gagos turned a corner, making people step aside to avoid them. I was starting to get tired of this chase. Slowing down, I watched as the two slipped into an alley, probably thinking I didn't see them. Before approaching, I grabbed an empty trash can. Even if it stank—I didn't care!

I saw them resting against a wall, trying to catch their breath. Without hesitation, I rudely hurled the trash can at them. One of them even fell to the floor, attempting to dodge it.

"You're done for! You tortured me!" I snapped, kicking the one on the ground.

The other one tried to run again, but I grabbed him by the neck and shoved him against the wall with all my strength.

"Where's Ci-N?!"

Silence. They both just groaned in pain. I didn't have time for their nonsense.

Still not talking? Fine…

I stomped on the one on the floor. "You won't talk?!"

"A-ouch! It hurts! It hurts!" he screamed.

I turned to the other one and shoved his face against the wall, keeping my foot pressed onto the first one's face.

"Ouch! Ouch! That hurts!" he cried out.

"WHO ARE YOU WORKING FOR?!"

"W-with Mykel!" the one on the floor answered.

Oh, I already knew that! Do you think I'd be after you if you weren't connected to Mykel?! I pressed my foot harder into his face. "Where is he?!"

"Aaaaaaahhh! It hurts!" he wailed.

I focused on the one pinned to the wall. Grabbing his face, I sneered.

"Kiss that wall!" I barked. "Where is Mykel hiding?!"

His face was so crushed against the wall that he could barely speak. I pulled him back slightly, just enough for him to answer.

"A-at their ancestral house… Two blocks from here," he stammered.

I let them go and turned to leave, but not before giving them a parting gift. I kicked the one on the floor in the stomach and landed a punch on the one standing. They both writhed in pain.

No time to waste. I ran until I reached a large gate with a high fence. From the outside, I saw Mykel smoking and laughing.

The gate was covered in rust and overgrown plants. Inside stood an old, grand house. I was about to open the gate and rush in when a hand suddenly clamped over my mouth and arms.

"We have a visitor!" the person holding me laughed.

Shit!

The gate creaked open as they dragged me inside, despite my struggles. I knew more than one person was holding me down. Mykel smirked as I was brought before him. Flicking his cigarette away, he stepped closer.

"Look who's here!" he sneered. His face got so close to mine that I could feel his breath. "...I knew you'd come."

I wanted to punch him right then and there, but their grip was too tight.

"In there… Our new toy," he ordered, gesturing toward the house behind him.

Damn it!

I thrashed, trying to break free, but they only tightened their hold as they dragged me inside. One of them released my mouth.

"You bastards! Where's Ci-N?!" I screamed.

They only responded with laughter. Go ahead, laugh now! I'll be the one laughing later!

As we entered the house—wow, a chandelier. Not too big, but enough for the high ceiling. Everything was covered in white sheets, the floor was wooden, and the curtains were drawn shut.

Then, I saw him.

Ci-N was lying on the floor, face down. A Section D member had his foot pressed against his head, but Ci-N's eyes were locked onto mine.

"Jay-Jay!" he screamed hoarsely.

When I got close enough, I saw his appearance—his nose was bleeding, and the edges of his eyes and forehead were beginning to turn black. He also had scars, and the uniform he was wearing was dirty.

"Ci-N!" I shouted and was about to run toward him, but they stopped me. "…Let me go!"

I heard the door close, its weight and size making the sound echo throughout the house.

"That's us," Mykel's voice came from behind me.

They forced Ci-N to stand, but he quickly fell to his knees, his body too weak to hold him up. I felt a deep sense of despair. It was obvious that they had worked together to make sure he couldn't fight back.

"Ci..." I called his name softly.

I bent down, trying to smile, though it was hard to see him like this. Suddenly, someone grabbed my jaw and forced my head up.

"Look at him," Mykel ordered as he walked closer to Ci-N.

"Look at him carefully—because this is what will happen to your classmates."

Ci-N suddenly tensed. His body nearly collapsed, but the grip on him kept him upright.

"You cowards! Fight me instead!" I shouted.

The crows laughed at me. Suddenly, someone kicked the back of my knee, and I fell forward. They wasted no time, pinning down my arms and legs.

"I won't fight you. A princess like you should be happy," Mykel said, sending shivers through my whole body.

You disgusting bastard! I have to get out of here! I felt three fingers touch my thigh. The men around us laughed.

"Stop it, you idiot!" I screamed, struggling to break free.

"Tell me..." Mykel whispered in my ear. "…Has Keifer tasted you yet?"

"Get away! Stay away from me!"

My heart pounded in terror. My chest hurt, and I could barely breathe. Tears streamed down my face.

"Let go of me!"

"Child!" Mykel called out to Ci-N, taunting him. "Watch what we do to your friend!"

Aaaagh! No!

The hand that had been touching my thigh now started rubbing it. I felt like a fish out of water, helpless and gasping for air. That hand moved upward, lifting my skirt.

"She's wearing shorts!" someone said in disappointment.

"Next time, make sure she wears briefs so she won't have anything to hide!"

"It's okay—" Mykel started, but he didn't get to finish.

He was suddenly thrown backward, crashing into the one holding me. One of my arms was freed. I turned to see who had done it—Ci-N! He was on his knees in front of me, clearly having forced himself to fight back just to help me.

I didn't waste the opportunity. I struggled to break free from their grip. Maybe it was the shock of seeing Mykel fall, but they loosened their hold on me. I jumped up and kicked the closest one in the face. The others quickly snapped out of their daze and rushed at me, but I was ready.

I threw a punch at one of them, but he dodged. Taking the chance, I grabbed his neck and swiftly kicked him in the stomach. More of them came at me—I punched and kicked them, refusing to let them overpower me again.

Before the others could reach me, I rushed toward Mykel, who was just getting back on his feet, wiping blood from his lips. I punched him, then followed with a kick to his chest. He collapsed, coughing violently.

That's for everything you did to me!

I turned to Ci-N and saw him leaning against a pole. He smiled and gave me a thumbs-up. But then I saw the man behind him, ready to charge at me. Before I could react, something hard slammed into my head.

A sharp pain shot through my skull, and I gasped. My surroundings blurred, and everything seemed to slow down. I felt dizzy, the ground beneath me uneven.

I closed my eyes, my head throbbing. A warm, wet sensation spread across my scalp. What is this liquid? Is it… mine?

"Jay-Jay!" Ci-N's voice rang out, full of desperation.

My head hurt.

For several minutes, I didn't move from where I had collapsed. My body felt heavy, as if something was pressing down on me, keeping me from getting up.

"Should I finish her off?" a man asked.

"Don't," another voice replied. "She might still be useful."

I tried to open my eyes. The first thing I saw was Ci-N, the one they were kicking.

Stand up, Jay! Ci-N needs you!

I tried to get up. They were focused on Ci-N, so almost no one noticed me. My body felt unbearably heavy, but if I didn't move now, we might both die here. I felt liquid dripping from my head.

I knew what it was, but I didn't want to look. I'm not done yet. Besides, Ci needs me more. If I let my fear of blood take over again, the same thing might happen as before—when Rory Kiddnaped me.

"Strength! The chicks are still alive!" someone shouted.

They turned to look at Ci-N and me. Some seemed amazed, while Mykel was furious. We have to get out of here! Why are you getting weaker, Jay?!

I'm not weak. Is it all over now? Could I have made it this far if I were weak? I won't let someone like you weaken me.

One of them approached and reached for me, but I kicked him in the chest with all my strength. The others jumped back in alarm.

"Shit! She still has strength?! That hit to the head wasn't enough!" Mykel yelled at the guy holding the pipe.

Let's go! You talk too much.

I raised my arm, preparing myself for their next move—but it was a mistake. My entire arm was covered in blood, dripping down from my head. Even my uniform had turned red.

My breathing grew heavy. My knees buckled from the pain. The pounding in my chest wouldn't stop. My vision blurred.

Not now! I thought it would be fine… but it's not?!

I shut my eyes, trying to block out the sight of my bloody hand. I clenched my fist tightly. Why now? Why wasn't I like this when Rory's blood was spilled?

Then, the voices in my head returned. Echoes from the past, creeping into my mind, making me question who I really was. Am I going insane?

"You're worthless!"

"Swallow it!"

"What are you doing?! Move!" Mykel shouted.

I opened my eyes. For the first time, I was grateful for what I could do—for these people. I stared at my blood-soaked palm. If this is the only way we can survive…

Blood tastes good.

I placed my finger in my mouth, like a vampire craving its taste. I counted the seconds. My body reacted as if I had become someone else.

Then, everything went dark.