Chapter 19 - Danger

Sabrina's POV

My mom went hysterical after talking to Doctor Gonzaga the next morning. The doctor explained the risks and series of surgeries that Dad will go through. Uncle Samuel who just arrived today went straight here to the hospital, only to be greeted by that bad news.

Dad is stable for now but still unconscious.

I wasn't reporting to school, not until I'm sure that Dad is okay. I will not be able to concentrate on my classes, knowing that Dad has not woken up yet.

Third day in the hospital. Mom convinced me to go home to have some rest and get some things. I was hesitant to give in to Mom's request, but Uncle Samuel insisted that I have to rest even just a few hours, so I went home.

It feels weird going home to our house after that tragic night. Years of our happy memories together were instantly replaced with pain and traumatic feeling. I came across to two police cars outside our house, probably still looking for any pieces of evidence and witnesses in our neighborhood. Inspector Corpuz already asked for my statement yesterday and promised to give me an update if they have one.

Manang Fe went to me and worriedly asked about Dad's condition, and I told her the truth. I excused myself and went upstairs. I don't think I can sleep peacefully in my room when the scenes from that awful night keeps playing on my mind.

I woke up by a loud shattering of glass. My room is completely dark, and the light from the lamp post outside says it's night already. I felt like I was brought back to that same night. I felt scared. I flinched when I heard an approaching footsteps followed by a knock on my door.

"Sabrina," I heard Manang Fe's voice, and it comforted me somehow. I felt relieved. "Your dinner is ready," Manang Fe added.

"Yes, Manang, I'll be out in a bit. Thank you," I replied and heard Manang said goodbye.

How many hours did I sleep? I checked the time, and it's 6:15 in the evening already. So I sleep the whole afternoon? I thought I can't sleep at all, but maybe the exhaustion ruled over. I quickly prepared the things and took a bath. I need to go to the hospital, and maybe I could ask Mom to go home to have some rest.

I felt refreshed after taking a good shower and sleep. I was walking in the busy hallway of the hospital when I saw Mom and Uncle Samuel. They talked just outside the ICU room where Dad was confined and was closely monitored by doctors and nurses.

They are so engrossed in their conversation because they didn't even notice my arrival. I stepped back and hide, enough to still hear them.

"I don't care if I sell all our property, Samuel. My husband's life is more important," Mommy said as if nothing could really change her mind. "The doctor recommended that the operation should be done there. It's more advanced in the US given the circumstances that Roman will undergo some series of risky surgeries. They're just waiting for my approval so they could start processing his transfer."

I heard a long, deep sigh from Uncle Samuel.

"Given my brother's controversy, people might think that you're running away from them, but do what you think is the right thing to do. Let me take care of the rest. One more thing, I already talked to a Detective, and they're eyeing an inside job based on Sabrina's statement Kuya Roman probably recognized his perpetrator."

"Who could it be? I bet it's the same person who's sending him death threats these past few days, " Mommy said.

"I'll hire more men while you're processing Kuya Roman's transfer. We can't take risks, especially that we don't have a lead yet. By the way, how about Sabrina? Her studies and her condi--"

Before Uncle Samuel could finish what he's about to say, a nurse came rushing out from Daddy's room.

"Doc, emergency!" and the nurse run to call for the doctor.

What emergency?? I hurriedly went out from where I'm hiding and saw Dad's room. It's already open, and a doctor just came in along with two nurses.

I felt numb.

Dad had seizures. I couldn't bear looking at Dad in that current state. It's felt like I've been stab many times, and that excruciating pain won't go away. Seeing Mom crying at the corner is already heartbreaking. I need to run away. I can't stay another minute, so I hurriedly went out. Uncle Samuel saw and called me, but I didn't bother looking back.

My tears fall just in time I went out of the room. No matter how I act tough, if I see my parents like that, then the wall I'm trying to build will collapse so easily. I continued walking with no direction. I just want to be away.

My tears kept falling like a rushing waterfall. The hospital is packed with people, nurses, and doctors tirelessly attending to its patients, but they are like stars in the sky slowly fading foreshadowing an impending storm.

As I wiped my tears, a man wearing a black cap with his all-black outfit went near me. Without a warning, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and ordered me to continue walking.

"W-Who are you? Wh--"

"If you dare try to shout, I'll shoot you, " the man coldly whispered that sent shiver down my spine. He hardly pressed the gun at my side to let me know that he's not playing around and would kill me in a heartbeat. I felt my blood run cold. Images of armed men in our house flashed in my mind.

Could it be them? Why are they here? Are they still going after Dad??

We walked casually like everything is normal. The gun is not visible to everyone. Every step I took means a lost chance for me to get away. I silently prayed for a miracle.

I suddenly thought about Mom. Dad is still fighting for his life, she can't take this all at once. I'm worried about my parent's safety. If these people can freely roam around in the hospital with a gun in their hands, then I would totally agree that Dad should be transferred to the US as soon as possible.

But how can I tell Mom about this? I must find a way. I need to get away from this man. I made a desperate quick glance on both sides, hoping that someone might know that I'm in danger and I badly need help.

"Yes boss, I got her!" I heard the man talked. He pressed something on his ear like it's their way of communication.

"Faster" the man commanded as he started to get impatient with our pace. As we get closer to the door exit, I'm slowly losing hope. It's like I'm already accepting my fate, and just hope that they will not do anything harm to me, but I know that I'm just fooling myself. These kinds of men were trained to kill without any remorse, and I am not an exemption.

"Sabrina?" I quickly shifted my gaze, and look for the familiar voice when his eyes caught mine.

Red? What is he doing here?

Before I can even open my mouth, the man in my side whispered to my right ear.

"Act normal. Introduced me as your relative. You know what can I do to you" the man threatened me as Red getting neared us. He talked to me smiling like we're talking about good things, but if only they knew that it's the other way around.

I saw how Red seriously looked at the man I'm with before he finally set his eyes on me.

"R-Red, y-you're here!" I stammered when I felt the gun pressing hard on my back. I tried to smile, but I do hope Red would read my true expression. "By the way, this is my U-uncle Samuel. Uncle, meet Red, my f-friend," I said without taking off my eyes to Red, afraid that he'll be gone when I blink even in a few seconds.

"Good evening. Nice to meet you, Sir! I heard about what happened and--"

"I'm afraid we have to go, can you just talk some other time?" my abductor butted in and smiled at me like he's saying I have to back him up on what he just said.

I looked at Red intently.

Please Red. Listen to me. Listen to my eyes. I'm begging you. Hear me out. Please save me.

"Let's go?" the man smiled widely and emphasized every word like it's his warning to me. The man wrapped his arm around my shoulders again.

"Y-yeah, w-we have to go," feeling helpless, I looked at Red one more time.

Red stared at me for a long time like his reading my thoughts. He looked at the man first before he returned his gaze to me and then slowly nodded.

"Let's go now," the man sounded like he's already running out of time, so he started walking and grasp me in my right arm when Red suddenly grab me in my left arm.

"I'm afraid you have to let her go, Sir," Red said coldly, and his eyes glimmered with anger.