Chapter 13

"S-sorry..." I was about to leave but I was stopped when I saw who was being scolded in court. He was kneeling in front, his hands tied behind his back and a sword pointed at his neck held by a general.

"What is your purpose here?" seriously asked the chief judge, who if I'm not mistaken is Judge Unotario Hobillo. He is over sixty years old, and is known as a brave judge who gives strong judgments.

My eyes darted back and forth between the chief judge, the people, the general standing in the middle with a sword in his hand, and Sebastian kneeling with his hands bound.

We are now in the fifteenth chapter where the rebels defeated the army and seized the weapons, equipment, and food from the barracks.

And because of that incident, the rebels' forces grew stronger. Roberto, Don Severino's son, also used this opportunity to reveal that Sebastian was involved, so the rebels got all the equipment in the barracks. I looked again at the general who was standing and holding a sword against Sebastian's neck, was that Roberto?

"Take that woman to jail," the chief judge ordered, causing me to come to my senses. It was only then that I realized that I hadn't answered his question because I was trying to think about the whole incident.

"Ah, wait a minute! I'm really lost, I don't know which way out---" I couldn't finish what I was going to say because they were all looking at me in shock. The women immediately covered their husbands' eyes.

The soldiers, Judge Unotario, and General Roberto looked away. Even Sebastian bowed. The women began to whisper, as if they wanted to bury me in the ground from their gazes.

I slowly looked down at what I was wearing. I blinked twice because what I was wearing was a red off-shoulder long fitted gown with a long slit on the side. My shoulders and legs were now clearly visible!

"¡ sal de aquí!"(Get her out of here!) shouted Chief Judge Unotario, and the guards immediately grabbed me. "Wait! I'm not guilty! I don't know the way out! Trust me!" I shouted as two guards pulled me out and the large door of the courthouse was closed.

"OUCH!" they pushed me hard into a cell. Compared to my previous prison, it was bigger and had thick iron bars. There were about six cells inside the court. It was a good thing they didn't take me to Fort Santiago, they definitely had a room there for punishment.

The four guards left, I immediately crawled over and grabbed the railing. It seemed like there were no other prisoners here besides me. Why do I always end up locked up in this story?

I looked out the small window inside the cell, it was getting dark. My suspicion was correct, when I'm here inside the story, I remember everything. But when I get out of this novel, I forget everything that happened.

 I've changed and added a lot to the new version of Salamisim. I did some major editing here. I'm sure I'll be more on the side of the rebels and Sebastian's wishes.

If we're already in chapter 15, it's already November. Almost two months have passed. What should I tell them? Why was I gone for so long?

A few moments later, the guards arrived again, but this time they had Sebastian in their hands. They opened the empty cell across from me and let Sebastian inside.

I held on tightly to the bars, it's unfair! They pushed me into this cell earlier. But when it came to Sebastian, they just let him in on his own.

The guards marched out again, Sebastian sat down and leaned against the rough wall. Our cells were now opposite each other so we could see each other clearly. There were two torches of fire on the sides that provided light.

When I was sure that the guards had left, I peeked my head between the two bars. "Sebastian!" I called to him, but he didn't look at me. "Pssst! Sebastian!" I called again but he still didn't move.

I took a deep breath, "General Sebastian!" I repeated, he turned to me but he didn't react. He seemed to be sinking into sadness and despair. I was about to speak but a man was now walking slowly towards our cells. I didn't notice that he was so close because of his careful walking.

He stopped in the middle, first looking at me with a smile, then looking at Sebastian in the other cell. That man was the general who had pointed his sword at Sebastian's neck earlier in court. "Do you know this lady?" the general asked Sebastian. Sebastian didn't look at him, he just remained leaning against the wall, stunned by the emptiness.

"I heard this woman calling you earlier," he continued, then looked at me. "Sebastian, don't be stubborn, everyone is waiting for your verdict," the man grinned. He had just finished laughing, but Sebastian still didn't speak.

The man walked towards me and grinned, "If you don't talk, I'll just ask this woman. I'm sure---" he couldn't finish what he was saying because Sebastian had already spoken.

"I don't know that girl," he said, I looked at Sebastian in surprise. I realized that Sebastian had done the right thing. He shouldn't have admitted that we knew each other because I would definitely be implicated.

"My father considers your family as friends. But I'm different, I will never consider your family as friends" Roberto smiled then walked out, his laughter still echoing inside the prison as he left.

I looked at Sebastian, he didn't even move from where he was sitting. He was now bowed and his eyes were closed. I remembered Salamisim again, Don Severino was an ally of Don Antonio and Sebastian but not his son Roberto.

Because Roberto has a deep hatred for Sebastian. Roberto secretly sided with the rebels and used them to overthrow the Guerrero family. Roberto and Lorenzo were also the last people Sebastian saw before he was taken away from his life in the cell.

But that won't be the end of the story because I've changed it. The villains in Bagumbayan will die by garrote. I felt guilty again, I made Sebastian's death even more complicated without knowing it. I had no idea what he was feeling and knew when I edited it because I don't remember anything when I came out of this novel.

A few hours passed, it was already night. He barely moved from his seat. He seemed to be deep in thought. Our food arrived, a bowl of thin porridge. It had almost no ingredients. I tasted it but it felt like I was just eating rice with watery broth.

In the end, I had no choice but to eat it because I was already hungry. I had only wine ready for the museum opening I attended and I hadn't eaten lunch before I went there. I put down the bowl and spoon after I finished eating. I also drank the water that was in the dirty glass, the water tasted like dirt. It seemed like it hadn't been boiled to kill the bacteria.

I looked at Sebastian, he didn't touch his food and water. I poked my head again between the bars to look left and right in case someone was there. When I was sure there wasn't anyone there, I called Sebastian again.

"Sebastian... I know you're sad right now. But don't worry, you'll be able to leave here soon. Don Florencio will help you," I said, he didn't move. I wasn't sure if he heard what I said.

I want him to know that he won't be locked up here for long because Don Florencio will find a way to exonerate him. Everything will just be pressured by the rebels. Roberto will fail to involve Sebastian with the rebels.

"Sorry---I'm sorry if I suddenly disappeared again without saying goodbye. I won't tell you the reason why I didn't show up for two months because you might think I was just making excuses," I continued, feeling heavy. It's all my fault that he's acting like this.

I sighed again, "Eat now so you don't get weak. You need strength to look down on Roberto. Even me get's angry to that character---Ah! tothat guy" I shook my head to myself, remembering Roberto's annoying grins. He was almost ten years older than Sebastian but Sebastian was more successful than him. That was one of the reasons why Roberto harbored a deep jealousy.

I looked at Sebastian again, he was barely moving. Suddenly I was holding on tightly to the railing, "Sebastian! Are you still alive?" I called, he moved his head a little.

I breathed a sigh of relief, "I know you're upset with me, who wouldn't be angry with someone who ghosted. So I understand you, I'm not really ghosting. There's just no other way for me to send you a message."

"But I'm here again, I don't know for how long. I'll still try to say goodbye to you, if not, I'll leave a message so you don't think I've joined the rebels" I continued, stretching my leg because it was going numb. I was annoyed by the long slit on the side, this dress was too vulgar for them.

I looked at him again, he was still bowed and his eyes closed. "If I suddenly disappear again and you can't find me. Can you please not hurt the Aling Pacing family? I really have no connection with them. I'm the only one who is a member of the rebels" I added, he slowly raised his head then looked at me.

I crawled back to the railing and grabbed it. "I'm so sorry, can you give me one more chance?" I said, then gestured with my finger. I smiled too, hoping to make him feel better.

"Dubidubidiwapwap?" hoping I could hear him say that iconic line at least once.

"Can you shut your mouth for a moment?" he said, his face unresponsive. I took a deep breath from what he said, he seemed to be angry with me. I just nodded, "Okay, I told you, I'll be quiet" I said, he turned his gaze back to the floor.

Anyone would be really angry and upset if someone suddenly ghosted you. Maybe I was too important to Sebastian for him to feel that way about me. I didn't realize that I was smiling to myself because of that idea, in other words, he just said that he must have missed me.

I stopped laughing when he looked at me, as if we were in a quiet class right now and were taking an exam, then suddenly a student like me laughed behind him, causing the professor to look over. "N-nothing sir, I just remembered something funny" I said, he didn't say anything.

I looked at him again, now a fly was trying to land on his food and water. "Eat that," I said, he looked back at me then at his food that was just sitting near the railing. "The food isn't delicious but it's better than nothing," I pointed to the bowl.

"The taste of the water is also a bit weird, my stomach is so sensitive. I feel like I might poop but I can't stop drinking, I don't want to die of thirst. So, I was thinking earlier what would be better, dying of diarrhea? Or dying of thirst?" I weighed it up with my hand.

I covered my mouth, "Halá! It seems like it's not okay for me to die of diarrhea!" I just shook my head to myself and leaned against the wall again. "We might even have amoebiasis. Medical practice is not yet advanced in this era" I looked at him, he was just looking at me now but his face had no reaction.

His character won't finish in the story just because of diarrhea. It seems like I'm the one at a disadvantage here. "But don't worry, it depends on the human body. You have strong stamina because you're a soldier. I don't know about me, I don't like to exercise. It's lazy to wake up early to jog. I still have work to do and then I have to go home at night so the ending is, I just go to sleep right away. I'm also picky about food but when I have no choice, I still eat. I just take vitamins and food supplements" I smile, it's boring here and somehow it makes me feel better when you talk to someone, that's all, I'm the only one talking.

He was looking at the floor again, looking like he was deep in thought. "Excuse me for talking like this. it's just that my brain cells get too tired traveling through my brain to where they'll pull out those words. It's also making my brain bleed," I continued, he looked at me when I said that.

I smiled and raised my hand, he must have been alerted when he heard the bleeding brain. "Ah, what I mean by bleeding brain is like... It's like it's too tiring to think of something to say. It's not like the brain is literally bleeding, huh?"

I sighed again, "I understand that you're still mad at me, but I hope you can forgive me. You'll be able to return to your place, so don't worry too much. Let's just wait for Don Florencio" I looked at him then grabbed the railing again.

"Once Don Florencio helps you, please help me get out of here too" I begged him, he just looked at me. "I want to sleep. Be quiet if you can" was all he said and then lay down on the floor.

"Huh? Wait a minute, I have a lot more to tell you so you don't get upset," I said but he just turned his back on me and fell asleep solemnly with his back to me. "Okay, good night" I said then leaned back against the rough wall. It was dusty inside and there were still a few fish spines on the floor. Why is this cell so dirty?

I wanted to lie down on the floor like he did, but there was so much clutter and there were still ants. In the end, I just leaned against the railing and closed my eyes.

I was startled when I heard a series of footsteps. I was surprised when the guards suddenly opened Sebastian's cell and took him out. "Hey! Where are you taking him?" I called to them but they didn't look at me, Sebastian looks calm either and he quietly joined them.

But before they finally got out of prison, Sebastian turned to me one last time.

It's already late at night, I can't sleep. It's even scarier here inside the prison, I'm the only one. Sebastian must have returned home because Don Florencio helped him. He just has to work hard again to get his position as general back. Roberto is now the new general.

I stood up and looked over the railing when I heard the guards arrive. Was that Sebastian? Was he going to take me out of prison? But my smile faded when I saw Don Severino, his belly bulging, his beard closed and he looked me over from head to toe.

"What is your name, young lady?" he began while taking a puff of tobacco, he grinned at me causing me to shiver in disgust. I held the long slit on the side to keep my leg from sticking out.

"I won't even try to figure out how you got into the court. You could also be a prostitute who is entertaining the chief justice or the other judges present here," he said, my eyes widened at what he said. What? They think I'm a prostitute?

"Don't worry, your service to him is over. I've paid him what you deserve," he continued. I looked at myself, the clothes I was wearing were too revealing, but this Don was very judgmental.

"If you don't want to tell me your name, I'll just give you" he grinned then walked closer to the railing causing me to step back. I also covered my nose because I couldn't breathe in the smoke he was blowing out.

"Felistancia" he smiled, making my eyebrows rise.

"Are you serious? Why would you decide my name?" I was really annoyed with this character.

He laughed out loud, the guards even looked at each other because they didn't know if Don Severino was going crazy, there was nothing funny but if he laughed, 

"Because from now on I own you," he laughed, my brow furrowed. "You will be free from this prison. I will take you to my mansion. There you will live as if you hold all the jewelry, money and luxury in the world," he continued, laughing loudly again.

I was stunned, unable to help but feel disgusted by his words. "I saved you from danger, so it's only right that you repay me with kindness, isn't it, binibini?" he continued, then looked me over again from head to toe.

I just closed my eyes in annoyance then pointed at him, "Hey! You old, decrepit man who smells like dirt! Let me tell you, you owe all that wealth and power to me! Why? Tell me why!..." I shouted, they were all shocked, Don Severino even dropped the tobacco he was holding in shock.

"Because I'm the only one who gave you and your greedy son wealth! Get ready for me, I'll make you experience a life that's harder than a rat's! You're really scaring me. Your maniacism is back on. I'm the one you're going to victimize! You're really scaring me!" Don Severino blinked twice, even the guards were stunned by the things I said.

I held my chest, my blood was rising. Don Severino was shocked, a guard immediately picked up the fallen tobacco and handed it to the Don.

"I guess I was wrong, behind your pretty face there's a demon hiding. I feel like you're a witch" he said seriously, he didn't seem happy with my blabbering on. He shouldn't have had the right to turn me into a prostitute!

"Tie up that woman and kill her!" Don Severino angrily ordered, he threw the tobacco he was holding at me and looked at me sharply. "If you won't be mine, I'll just kill you. I'm sure you'll get your revenge on me with black magic," he said then turned around and left.

I screamed and struggled as the guards dragged me out of the cell. "Be quiet!" the guard shouted, if earlier he had seen me as a prostitute, now he saw me as a witch who had lost her mind.

My hand is tied tightly. A thick rope is also wrapped around my arm, they also tied my feet and covered my mouth. I am now lying on a long cart pulled by two horses. I am covered with grass which is the food of the horses.

After about ten minutes of travel, two carriages were still following behind, carrying Don Severino's men. When they released me from the courthouse earlier, Don Severino's men were waiting behind the courthouse. They had blindfolded me so I didn't know where they were taking me.

I'm trying to break free from the tight rope. I don't know what will happen if I die in this story. Will I wake up in my room? Will I think it's all a dream again? And like before, will I remember nothing again?

A moment later, the vehicle I was riding in stopped. Don Severino's dirty men removed the grass from above me and then pulled me out. I tried to scream despite the tight cloth tied around my mouth.

I could feel the wet ground and grass as they pushed me hard. They laughed, it seemed like we were far from a place where there were many people because they could laugh so loudly. I was surprised when suddenly someone pulled my hair and dragged me far away.

My back hit small rocks and pieces of wood on the ground. I could feel the muddy ground, a sign that we were close to a river or lake. "If you had only agreed to comfort Don Severino, you could have experienced a luxurious life," a man whispered in my ear, then pulled me upright and pushed me again. "But you're just a witch. We hate witches even more."

My elbow and knee hit the hard wood. They removed the blindfold from my eyes. We were now in a boat, navigating a dark and dense river. It was deep night and there was no one around. One man in the boat was holding a torch, the other was rowing. The bald-headed man they were leading was standing at the front of the boat.

The rest of their companions remained on the bank. They guarded the cart and the chariots. The bald leader stood up and approached me, spitting the chewed leaf into the river.

"This is the last good thing we can do for you," he said, then they pulled me upright. My whole body was shaking with fear, I couldn't move and I couldn't breathe properly. "See the world before you face death. Adios!" he continued, then pushed me hard into the river.

I struggle with all my strength to free myself from the rope as the water slowly pulls me under. I can't move my arms and legs to swim up because of the tightness of my binding. I slowly see the light receding from the boat. It's blurry to my vision but clear in my mind that they are far away.

Until I lost all strength. I could no longer move my arms and legs. For the last time, I looked at the remaining speck of light from above. I was too far away to reach it. I could no longer move and the cold water completely took over my entire body.

But before I could close my eyes completely, I saw a man jump into the river, causing the water to shake again. He was now swimming towards me, swimming with all his strength down to grab the tip of my hand.

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