Damn you, Jeric!

I was waiting for a jeep to hop on, I ended up chillin' where the Divisoria-Malanday jeeps usually turn. I spot this jeep, but it didn't have a sign, so I figured it was probably heading to the garage. My eyes popped when I saw who was driving—Kate's dad, Mang Cris.

"Hey, hop in! Is that you? C'mon, I'm heading to the garage!"

I jumped in front without hesitating.

"Yeah, I'm done for the day. Traffic's crazy..."

Mang Cris kicked off the convo right away.

"Uh, it doesn't look that bad, and it's still kinda early, right?"

"Yeah, but over on 4th Avenue, there's a trailer that's busted, tipped over even. It's not meant for trucks, but there it is, blocking the road. No one's getting through. All the Divisoria-Recto routes are stuck. I had to detour at 8th Avenue and told my passengers I'd loop around. Took the Recto-Gasak route. I'm done for the day; if I do another round, I'll be out here forever. That trailer's not moving anytime soon."

Mang Cris kept chatting all the way past Tondo Hospital and into Yuseco.

"So, how's your mom, Ma'am Belen?"

"She's okay, getting better... Oh, and they caught Jeric! Dadoy just texted me; he's at the detachment on Pampanga Street."

"Ah, fuck, they finally nabbed that bastard! He deserves to be dealt with. He's a fucking menace!"

That really fueled my fire to get back at Jeric. I had no idea how, but screw it, I'd figure it out.

"Let's swing by there."

The jeep turned onto New Antipolo Street, then out to Bulacan Street, and finally, we hit Juan Luna. I felt restless and nervous. My face was burning, and my ears were ringing. Thoughts of my mom flashed through my mind like a movie. She'd been in bad shape, and if that scumbag had aimed differently, he could've killed her.

Mang Cris kept talking, but I couldn't hear him anymore. I just stared at the slow crawl of the jeep. I was getting antsy.

Finally, we reached Pampanga Street. There was a spot just big enough for the jeep right in front of the detachment. A patrol car was there. I got out first while Mang Cris sorted his cash into his belt bag before stashing it back in the jeep.

"Better be safe, lots of troublemakers around here."

"Beep beep!"

"Beep beep!"

"Beep beep!"

I ignored the incoming texts. I didn't want to reach into my left pocket. My right hand was itching for action!