PROLOGUE

Someone's POV

‘Death, an irreversible cessation of all vital functions a human body has. A permanent stoppage of the heart's beat. Sighing of last breath. Not being able to wake up the next morning. Unable to see how the sun rose. A reality humans fear to encounter; poor souls.’ Elle yawned as she thought to herself, tapping the table, boredly staring nowhere.

From time to time, her eyes would caught a glimpse of the doctor who was scrolling on her background profile.

“You're so pretty.” Elle uttered and smiled. The doctor ignored her compliment and continued reading the details on the file.

Ikinatawa niya iyon nang bahagya at dinilaan ang kanyang ibabang labi. “I wonder how you would look like...” Elle paused and rested her chin against her palm. “... bathing on your own blood.” Pagtatapos niya habang nakatitig sa magagandang mata ng babae. The doctor cleared her throat and faced her.

“Are you aware of the actions you committed 2 years ago?” Tanong ng doktora sa kaniya.

“Hm, which ones?” Mapaglarong ngumiti si Elle.

“I'm sorry, the question's all wrong. You killed 27 people 2 years ago, why?” The doctor asked again.

“I didn't kill anyone.”

“Right, because you murdered them.”

“I set them free from this hell.” Elle backfired.

“Therefore, you do not deny any accusation that has been put upon your name?”

“I need some coffee.”

“Miss Castleion!” Hinampas ng doktora ang mesa at tumayo. She threw glares at Elle but she just watched how the doctor lost her temper. The doctor cleared her throat before sitting down. “Let me repeat the question, do you or do you not deny any accusation that has been put upon your name?”

Ngayon ay mas kalmadong nagtanong ang doktora sa kaniya.

“Tss, you're so boring. And no, I don't deny any of it, if that's enough to satisfy you.” Sa wakas ay sumagot ang dalaga sa tanong sa kaniya.

“What is the first word that comes to your mind when you are in a dark room?” The doctor asked, ready to take down some notes.

Elle leaned her back on the backrest of the chair, crossed her arms over her chest and let out a deep sigh. “Peace.”

“That's how you view death." The doctor replied. Elle looked at her with amusement visible in her eyes and then laughed at the statement.

Her laughter grew louder and louder, it covered the whole interrogation room. The doctors outside the white room were watching them, observing how Elle acts.

“Who is she?” Tanong ng isang doktor. Ang iba sa kanila ay kinilabutan sa pagtawa ng dalaga habang ay iba ay nagbubulungan, hinuhusgahan siya.

“Patient 156.”

All their eyes turned to the guy in the black suit when he suddenly appeared, observing the insanity of the girl. They all bowed their heads to show some respect as the man walked towards the window glass to take a better view of Elle.

Tumitig ang binata sa pigura ng dalaga sa loob ng puting silid habang ito ay walang humpay sa pagtawa.

“I want her in my office. Now.” The guy commanded.

“But Director--”, napatigil ang doktora nang tumikhim ang lalaki. Nangangahulugan na hindi nito nais malaman ang kanyang sasabihin.

Sa halip ay ipinakita na lamang niya ang folder kung saan nakalakip ang impormasyon tungkol sa dalaga.

Name: Eliora Castleion

Age: 41

Police's statement: Natagpuan namin s'ya sa isang lumang kubo sa liblib na baryo. Matagal na namin tinutunton kung saan siya nagtatago. Naabutan namin s'ya ngunit hindi siya nanlaban. Pinaghihinalaan s'yang kumitil ng dalawampu't pito (27) o higit pa na katao. Natagpuan namin ang lugar na pinaghihinalaang lungga ng isang illegal na grupo. Hindi s'ya tumanggi at ikinuwento pa kung paano n'ya sila pinatay isa-isa. May ipinakita kami sa kaniyang litrato at agad s'yang sumunod upang ituro kung saan n'ya itinapon ang katawan ng dati niyang nobyo. Kinilabutan kami sa sunod na ginawa niya. Magkakaibang lugar ang kaniyang binilugan. Nang puntahan namin 'yong lokasyon na binilugan n'ya, halos bumaliktad na ang sikmura namin. 6 na lugar ang aming tinungo. Isa para sa ulo, dalawa para sa magkabilang braso, dalawa sa mga binti at isa para sa katawan. Hindi na namin alam kung paano s'ya papakisamahan. Hindi s'ya nananakit at hindi rin mahirap pagsabihan. Wala siyang ibang ginagawa kung hindi ang titigan ka, at ngingitian. Minsan ay itatanong kung ano ang pangalan mo sabay tatawa. Madalas blangko lang ang kaniyang mukha. Walang reaksyon. Nag-oobserba. Nag-aalala na rin ako dahil wala ni isa sa mga tauhan ko ang mapalapit sa kaniya. Sana makatulong kayo.

Ibinalik ng binata ang file sa doktora at muling tumitig sa dalaga. “I want her in my office, no more buts, no more questions asked.” With that, he left and proceeded to his office.

The doctors were hesitant, worry filled their faces. The mere thought of a psychopath inside your office is disturbing enough. So why would he?

Why would he spend his time on a patient whose head is filled with nothing but killing?

In their eyes, Elle was nothing but a killer. A murderer. But in his eyes, she's special. And he will do anything to cure her. To bring her back. The love of his life.

A room filled with screams. Shouting, yelling on top of their lungs. Confessing their sins. Begging for forgiveness. Begging for their life. Asking for salvation. They only remember Him, once they are in the brink of death. Pathetic... they really are... just bodies filled with sinful souls. So what's wrong if we take away their life? Do them a favor, since they are complaining how burdensome life is for them. But...

What does it mean to take someone's life?

“Ano bang kasalanan ko sa'yo?! I owe you nothing!”

How does it feel to kill someone?

“I love it... I love your warmth...”

Blood spilling from their body.

“Oh, now look what you've done. You're a mess. You filthy slut.”

The room filled with their cries and screams.

“Ayoko na! Tulungan n'yo ako!”

Begging for mercy.

“No! No! Please no more! Ahhh! t-tangina!”

Begging for their life to be spared.

“I wanna live, p-please let me go...”

The feeling of betrayal...

“You promised not to leave my side but you did! I cried out your name, hoping you'll come because that's what you promised me! I needed you... and you weren't there.”

Satisfaction...

“Ah! Yes, this feeling is what I sought to find! Finally I've found it.”

Lust...

“O-Ohh.. f*ck! Harder babe... ahh~”

Pain...

“Gusto ko rin maramdaman kung anong pakiramdam ng minamahal kasi nakakapagod. Nakakapagod din pala kapag mag-isa.”

Obsession...

“I'd do anything! I'll prove myself worthy of your love. Claim me, make me yours. Do anything you want with my body. I would risk my own life just to call you mine. And for you to call me yours. Take my life away. Own me.”

Love...

“No matter how many times you push me away, I will stay. No matter how hurt I am to see you with him, I will stay. Because that's the promise I gave you. And I won't break it. I already broke you, but please, give me a chance to love you again.”

... and rejection.

“You don't have to do anything because even if so, I still won't love you! There is no more room for love in this hell. If you expect me to fall just because you once saved my life, no, you're dead wrong. Because I saved me, when I was waiting for you.”

Would you kill for money? Would you kill for love? What is the price of the safety of your loved ones? Handa ka bang pumatay? Handa ka bang kumitil ng isang buhay? What if you didn't want it, but the urge was too strong, you lost control?

In a game, there are rules to be followed. Consequences to be faced. And prizes to claim. But what if, your life is on the line? You have no more cards to play up your sleeve. You have no choice but to... bet your own life. Are you still willing to continue? Are you brave enough to find out the truth? Are you hungry enough to ask for more?

Kailangan matapang ka. Kung mahina ka, ikaw ang mauuna. Matibay ang sikmura, kung hindi bibigay ka agad. Wala kang awa na dapat ipakita. Dahil sa laro na 'to, kapag inuna mo ang puso mo, ikaw ang kawawa. Kailangan mautak ka, kung hindi, baka maunahan ka.

You have to fight in order to win. If you don't, you'll die, as simple as that. That is the game of life, and we are the players. We hold our fate. And in this game, make one wrong move. Even make that slightest mistake, and you are out. Pop, like a bursting bubble.

“Sit down and play wise gentlemen. I hope you brought luck with you because you are gonna need it. Get ready to draw your cards. Let the games, begin!”

⚘ little ⊹ lies ··································································································································