right. And I have to be alert.
“Sorry, just got lost in my own world again,” I lied again, forcing a chuckle. How many times wil I lie today?
We got in the car and I was very relieved when Carley started pulling away from the garage, out
from the gate, to the main road. At least my nightmare didn’t exactly come true. But I still have
to be alert.
The trip to the mall was quiet. My habit of ‘getting lost in my own world’ must have hit them too.
Jammed with shoppers, the mall seemed to be in the peek of business when we arrived. Carley
entered almost every stall we passed. At the second stall, I opted not to enter and Anthony
stayed outside too.
“What were you thinking about a while ago? I know it’s not nothing.”
I gazed at him, noting the serious expression he had on. I had to choose my words carefully.
“My nightmare, it had something to do with Carley and Ze---“
“Drei!”
The voice gave me a start, making me turn about face abruptly. “Mom?”
She pul ed me into a bear hug. “What are you doing here?”
“Just tagging along with Carley and Anthony,” I gestured toward his direction behind me. Then
my words suddenly felt weird. Tagging along? When someone was out to hunt me down, I still
have time to go malling?
My mom nodded understandingly, smiling at Anthony in acknowledgement. “May I have a word
with you in private?”
I stiffened. This whole situation really makes me anxious.
Glancing at Anthony, I started toward the direction my mom was pulling me. Anthony gave me a
nod.
“There’s stil something I have to tell you,” her face was expressionless it scared me.
“What?”
“Anthony’s uncle… He’s not. He’s not part of the syndicate I’ve been telling you.”
I stared at her wide-eyed. “Why are you telling me this now? It’s so unlike you to tell me
something this important at such an inappropriate time.”
“It’s because… I may not have time---just listen first so you‘d understand.”
I swallowed my nervousness away.
“His uncle, he was the witness to your Dad’s murder.”
WHAT?
“I don’t understand.”
“Your Dad was the one who tried to withdraw from the syndicate.”
“So what you told me, that was the---“
“Exact opposite.”
I blinked. How could this be happening? So Dad was part of the syndicate? Fury suddenly filled
my head, making me want to kill those bastards myself.
“But that’s not the important thing now.”
Trying my best to concentrate to her words again, I sighed. “What?”
“The syndicate found me. After your Dad died, I talked to them, convincing them that they
should take me as replacement for your Dad. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past
months…”
I reached out to hold her hand.
She smiled faintly before continuing. “I’ve been doing good for the past months, until the
syndicate found Anthony.”
“Why is Anthony involved here?”
“The syndicate found out that Anthony’s grandfather was also member of the syndicate. And as
tradition, his son should also be a member. But it seemed that Anthony’s uncle got away with it
until he died. So that makes Anthony an automatic member too. And, I have to hand him in or
else they’l kil me.”
My head swirled with all these new information I’ve been receiving.
“So whatever happens to me, just stay strong Drei.”
“Can’t we say no?”
She gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “No. Once you’re in, no way out.”
I felt my eyes beginning to water. “No, mom. No.”
“Just stay strong Drei.”
I stayed silent, fighting off the tears. I didn’t want Anthony and Carley to notice.
“Does he know?” I gestured toward Anthony.
She shook her head.
I reviewed what she told me in my head. Then something popped up. “You told me they found
Anthony. How?”
“They have members in your school.”
I furrowed my eyebrows in thought. “Who?”
“The Wong twins and a certain Brown.”
“The twins too?” I didn’t know why Carl’s membership didn’t surprise me.
She nodded.
“So… Where does this leave me now, Mom?” I suddenly felt helpless.
She didn’t answer my question. “Another reason they want me dead is that I’m ruining the
tradition, and I wasn’t doing well because of that. I wasn’t doing good since I couldn’t hand
Anthony in. But after I saw you too together, how could I hand him in?” she sighed.
I waited for her to continue but when she didn’t I asked, “And?”
“They would only let me live if you take my place, since you’re next in line to your Dad.”
My mouth went dry. “Why can’t Drew take my place?” It’s not that I real y wanted him to be
there, but I also remembered Anthony’s Dad. Why can’t he be the replacement?
“Siblings can’t be replacements.”
What kind of rules did they have? They were useless!
“What about the twins? They’re siblings!”
“According to tradition, those born on the same day of the next generation must be members.”
I struggled with all these new developments.
“Drei?”
Carley and Anthony were suddenly walking toward us. I stil had my mom’s hand and I felt her
tighten her grip at the sight of the two. Maybe it was because of Anthony.
“Uhh Carley, this is my mom. Mom, this is Carley.”
I think I saw my mom hesitate before taking Carley’s outstretched hand.
“I should get going. Nice meeting you. Take care Drei,” my mom suddenly acted weird, but she
hugged me nonetheless. I didn’t want to let her go, but things were much complicated than I
thought.
We started toward the opposite direction my mom took. I was processing what she just told me
when my phone vibrated.
A message from my Mom.
I opened it hastily, curiosity getting the best of me.
She too.
I didn’t understand what she was talking about.
What?
Luckily Anthony and Carley entered a new stall and were now busy looking at the items. I trailed
after them. It took about five agonizing minutes before my phone vibrated.
One word made my jaw drop and my knees weaken.
Member.
Carley was a member too.
~
Chapter 25
“So we’re not going to the dance after all.”
I stared at Anthony as Carley entered another stall.
My expression must’ve given me away since he asked, “The dance. The one I invited you to.
Semis. Interschool.”
I blinked, taking in his words. Dance. Dance. OH THAT
