Chapter 30: Darkness Over the Town, Light Within the Heart
The dawn in Plaridel rose slowly, its golden rays too feeble to dispel the fear cloaking the town. As Georgia and Erik walked toward the church, they noticed the people around them—eyes fixed on the ground, whispers laden with dread, and steps hurried yet cautious, as if danger lurked at every turn. Kastila police patrolled every corner, their boots clacking against the cobblestone streets, rifles slung over their shoulders, ready to be wielded at a moment's notice.
On a shop's wall, wanted posters of Hustisya were plastered, her piercing gaze captured in stark ink. "Hustisya: Wanted Dead or Alive," declared bold letters, accompanied by a grim warning of severe punishment for anyone who aided or defended her. A Kastila policeman stood near the poster, bellowing at passersby. "Whoever harbors that criminal woman will face the law's wrath! You will cooperate with us to capture Hustisya, for she brings peril to Plaridel!" His voice dripped with menace, and the townsfolk bowed their heads, too afraid to meet his gaze.
Georgia noticed an elderly woman, Aling Linda, trembling as she clutched her basket of vegetables. "Have mercy, señor, I know nothing about Hustisya," the old woman pleaded as a policeman approached.
"Don't lie, indyo!" the policeman barked, shoving Aling Linda. Her basket toppled, spilling vegetables across the dirt. "If you know something, speak, or I'll drag you to the precinct!"
Aling Linda wept, her hands shaking. "I swear, I know nothing, please!" she cried, but the policeman strode off as if nothing had happened, while the onlookers remained silent, too scared to intervene.
"They're heartless, Erik, did you see what they did to that poor woman?" Georgia whispered, her eyes blazing with fury. "How can they treat Plaridel's people like this?"
Erik didn't reply, but Georgia saw his fists clench. She knew he felt the same anguish, yet his silence stoked her anger. As they walked, they noticed the streets were nearly devoid of vendors.
"No selling outside the market," a vendor muttered, hastily packing his cart. "If we're caught, the Kastilas will lock us up."
"What now, Erik? We can't sell fish," Georgia said, her voice heavy with frustration. "What are these Kastilas doing? They're the real danger here, not Hustisya!"
"Georgia, keep your voice down," Erik murmured, glancing around nervously. "The police might hear you and drag you into trouble."
Georgia's eyes flared with indignation. "Why should I stay quiet? I'm speaking the truth! The Kastilas have tormented Filipinos for too long, Erik! Without Hustisya, who would fight for us? She's Plaridel's true hero!"
"Georgia, please, calm down," Erik urged, his tone laced with concern. "I agree Hustisya's cause is noble, but her methods… they're not right."
Georgia froze, her anger shifting to Erik. "What? Why are you siding with the Kastilas? Do you want Hustisya caught?" she shouted, her voice rising.
"That's not what I meant!" Erik protested, his expression clouding with sadness. "I know the situation, Georgia. I've seen how they abuse our people. But I've also heard Hustisya kills Kastilas,
... and ... that's not right."
"They deserve to die, those demonic Kastilas!" Georgia snapped, her fury uncontainable. Before she could say more, Erik grabbed her, covering her mouth, his eyes wide with fear.
"Georgia, hush! Someone might hear you!" he whispered, pulling her into an old building by the street. Georgia struggled, pushing against his grip, but he held firm.
"Let me go, Erik!" she shouted, her voice muffled but seething. "Why are you silencing me? I can't stand seeing Filipinos hunted in our own town like criminals! If no one fights like Hustisya, who will? How long must we endure this?"
Erik understood her rage and waited for her to calm before speaking. "I know, Georgia, I'm angry too. But we're powerless against the Kastilas. If they catch you, they'll punish you."
Georgia glared at him defiantly. "I don't care! I'm not afraid of those Kastilas!"
But Erik's next words stopped her cold, his voice thick with worry. "I'm the one who's afraid, Georgia. I don't want you hurt or tormented by the Kastilas."
Georgia fell silent, her cheeks flushing at his words. Yet, instead of gratitude, she bristled. "You're infuriating, Erik! You're stopping me from speaking my truth!"
"I know, and I'm sorry. You can be mad at me, but please, listen to me for now," Erik pleaded, taking her hand and leading her out of the building. "Let's go home before we get caught up in this."
Georgia had no choice but to follow, though her anger lingered. As they walked down the street, they stumbled upon a commotion. In the distance, a group of Kastila police were forcibly arresting men, their wives and children blocking the way, weeping and pleading.
"Have mercy, señor! My husband's done nothing!" a woman cried, clinging to her husband's arm, but a policeman shoved her, and she fell to the ground.
"Tatay!" a seven-year-old boy screamed, grabbing his father's leg, but a policeman kicked him, and the child crumpled, his lip bleeding.
Georgia's blood boiled at the sight. "Those shameless Kastilas!" she muttered, but her voice carried enough for a nearby policeman to hear.
"What was that, indyo?" the policeman roared, striding toward Georgia. "Repeat what you said!"
Unfazed, Georgia met his gaze boldly. "Don't touch me, you demon!" she shouted, swatting away his hand as he reached for her. Enraged, the policeman raised his hand to strike, but Erik stepped between them.
"Señor, please, don't hurt her!" Erik begged, his voice trembling with desperation. "She didn't mean it, please let this pass!"
The policeman slapped Erik, the sound echoing through the street. "Stay out of this, indyo!" he snarled.
Georgia's fury surged, and she yelled, "You have no right to hurt us! You're all abusers, only good for drinking and bullying!" Her eyes burned with defiance.
"You insolent indyo, you need discipline!" the policeman bellowed, raising his hand again, but Erik grabbed his arm. "Señor, no! I'll pay for her mistake!" Erik said, fumbling for his wallet and pulling out money.
Before he could hand it over, Georgia yanked his shirt. "Erik, don't! I won't let you pay those crocodile Kastilas!" she shouted, her anger uncontainable.
The policeman, insulted, snatched the money from Erik's hand. "Your woman's mouth is filthy," he sneered at Erik. "You should teach your girlfriend some manners!"
"She's not my girlfriend," Erik said quickly. "She's just a friend."
The policeman laughed, surprised. "Just a friend? You're awfully kind to defend her like that!"
"She's like a younger sister to me," Erik said calmly. "I have to look out for her."
Georgia's face froze, her anger dissolving into shock and pain. Sister? The word stabbed her heart like a dagger. She stared at Erik, her eyes brimming with hurt and resentment.
The policeman agreed to let the incident slide, counting the money. "Your sister's lucky to have someone to pay for her," he said, walking off as if nothing had happened.
Erik sighed in relief, turning to Georgia with a smile. "Let's go home," he said, but he caught her piercing glare.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, suddenly uneasy.
Georgia didn't answer, her eyes heavy with betrayal. She turned and walked away, her heart aching. Sister? The word echoed in her mind. Erik called after her, "Georgia, wait for me!"
End of Georgia's POV
Erik's POV
Hours later, I sat in a hammock behind the house, trying to rest from the day's turmoil. The fear in the townsfolk's eyes, Georgia's fiery anger, the clash with the policeman—thoughts swirled in my mind, leaving me restless.
I didn't know what I could do anymore. Lost in thought, I was startled by a sharp whack to my head. I yelped, turning to see Hiyas standing before me, her eyes stern.
"What are you doing here, Hiyas?" I asked, rubbing my head.
She hit me again with her stick. "You're resting at a time like this, Erik?" she said, her voice laced with mockery.
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"The situation in Plaridel is worsening, Erik. You need to act!" Hiyas said, her tone urgent.
"I know that, Hiyas," I replied, sighing. "They're hunting Hustisya, arresting anyone suspected of helping her. But what can I do? I'm powerless in this town."
Hiyas softened, but her gaze remained sharp. "If you do nothing, Hustisya will strike again—and she'll keep killing Kastilas."
"I know," I said, but doubt crept in. "Hiyas, is it right to stop Hustisya? What if she's right, and I'm wrong? I've seen how the Kastilas brutalize our people. I'm furious at them too!"
Hiyas looked at me, her expression tinged with sorrow. "Because you share Hustisya's anger, do you also want to kill Kastilas to save Filipinos?"
I shook my head vehemently. "No! I don't want anyone to die, no matter who they are!"
"But you're still doubting, aren't you?" Hiyas asked. She stepped closer, gently cupping my cheeks with both hands. She locked her eyes with mine, and a warm energy flowed from her to me, like a current from nature merging with my being.
"It's normal to doubt, Erik. It's normal to falter. Humans are frail, and you must embrace those weaknesses."
Suddenly, she leaned in, her forehead touching mine. Our noses nearly brushed, and I felt her energy coursing through me, light and soothing, calming my turmoil. Her words echoed in my ears with each syllable.
"In this moment, Erik, we connect. We'll know if our hearts are true, if we understand each other's resolve," she said, her voice deep and unwavering. "I trust you, because I know you can change what's happening."
I fell silent, her words piercing my heart. "Being a hero is a heavy burden," Hiyas continued. "Sometimes, it's not about right or wrong. If Hustisya keeps killing Kastilas, the government's wrath will grow, and they'll harm innocent people. You're not just saving Hustisya, Erik. You must protect all of Plaridel."
End of Erik's POV
Georgia's POV
Unbeknownst to them, someone watched from the house's window. It was me, Georgia, and I was stunned by what I saw. Erik, with a woman I didn't recognize, their faces so close in front of the hammock. I couldn't believe my eyes. My world seemed to stop, and a sharp pain stabbed my chest.
I stumbled back, tripping in my shock. I couldn't comprehend why, but it felt like a blade had pierced my heart. I wanted to believe I was seeing things, but it was clear—Erik was there, seemingly intimate with another woman. I turned away, my mind racing through the day's events.
After Erik showed me care, invited me to eat out, and defended me from the police, he called me a sister? And now, I find him with another woman? Confusion overwhelmed me, and the pain in my chest gave way to jealousy.
I didn't know if Erik was toying with my feelings. Anger surged, and I peeked out the window again, but they were gone. I rushed outside, running to the hammock, but found no one.
Bewildered, I stood there, my heart heavy with hurt and resentment. Who was that woman? And why did this pain cut so deep?
End