Roving Guards

Meanwhile in the granite mountain, a mindblowing situation came across unexpectedly . It's where when Damian got outside the two-way secret door and played at the receiving area along with Budekdek, his pet. Just as a pet does, it flew above the bar counter and went straight to reach the little opening of the daylight optic hole.

" Budekdek! come back..." Damian followed the chick but it was gone.

In spur of a moment, there were enemies below the mountain - marching. Sadly, one of them looked up and found Budekdek slowly gliding down on a tree's roots as it fell like a snowball into one of the soldier's rifle. They were all cheering and charged it like a domestic pet since it's so tame. Someone had an insight that it may be one of the pets from their comrades inside the mountain, then they're all laughing while the chick laid at rest on the soldier's shoulder. Without them knowing, Damian has heard their laughter and tried to crawl nearby the mountain and eavesdropped. Accidentally, one of the fist-sized rock that he'd leaned on rolled down and hit to one of the soldier's bag pack. Quickly, they all stood up, ran and climbed on the mountain wall. When they reached above the surface like going to a combat, the place was pristine along with the rustling of leaves of the bonsai trees; mostly decorated on the surface were scattered and piled up of granite rocks. When they moved forward and were tightly holding their guns, there was a loud gunfire below the cliff next to the mountain. That sound diverted their attention and prompted them to return below and even traversed to the boundary between the granite mountain alley and the cliff.

When they left, Damian's tension was a bit pacified as he crept below the daylight optic hole and silently praying.

Meanwhile, by the cliff where the group of Elmar and Henry who was assigned to get some rice to Makasido while the other team was with George, Magee and Sr. Sibal who was actually heading to the granite house. It was George who summoned the enemies with a gunfire so to let them get rid out of Damian's 'location.

" They're going down at us." Sr. Sibal whispered.

" Sir..." Henry curled up his hat and waited for the Lieutenant's signal.

" No...if we fight with those armed men, their comrades are just few meters away and can quickly reinforce them any time, then we'll be trapped, we can't just go down for minutes. It's already twilight. I'll do it alone."

" What are you going to do, George?" Magee moved closer while holding her handgun.

" I have to go down alone so they'll follow me. All of you must stay, together. When no one from them stays around, all of you need to run to the granite house and use the entrance door. Henry, just bear with their number. Okay, I'm heading down." Then George brought with him the rope and suddenly, when he successfully created a commotion by the cliff, the soldiers followed him. Magee was clasping her hands and tensed at the moment but she closed her eyes and solemnly prayed as Sr. Sibal slowly tapped her shoulder and prayed the same. When Henry signaled them that its clear, they all ran and used the entrance door of the granite house. It was a perfect timing because when they have just closed the secret granite door, they've heard a gunfire coming from the cliff. it was enough for Magee to return but Sr. Sibal covered himself on the door.

" You cannot go back I know what you're thinking, stay." The old man looked at her so sharply.

" No, Ama...my husband's all alone." Magee was teary eyed.

" He's a combatant and was raised that way. Go up, the boy's a little shock right now and he needs you. See how that boy protected this place despite his age, thank him." Sr. Sibal instructed her.

It was enough for Magee to climb the stairs as fast as she can and hurriedly proceeded to room number 7 and found the boy beside his toys, covering his ears with both hands.

" Damian! how have you been...thank God you're fine." Then she embraced the lil boy who then wrapped his arms on her shoulders.

" Mama, I was so scared. They've almost found me, I was so scared."

" No, its okay now Damian...you're alright now. Papa went down the cliff to send them away. It's alright now. But...why you didn't call them and just...leave us." Magee whispered.

" This is my home now so I have to stay. But I'm sorry Mama, I've lost the chick, the pet's gone. The soldiers got them." Then Damian wept on her shoulder.

" Shh...it's alright, if something is lost and the situation is not under your control anymore, then free it. You did a good job today Damian, thank you. The chick is so tame and friendly, they're going to love it, I know." She smiled at him while Sr. Sibal went closer and nestled his calloused hand over his head.

" Grandpa..." The boy shed a tear as he looked at the old man.

" You're such a brave little boy. I hope to see you getting stronger each day, hmm..."

" Grandpa..." Damian smiled and hugged the old man.

Meanwhile, below the cliff and just approximately three hundred meters away from the lieutenant, the soldiers were like hungry beasts and still hunting him. But George sent the soldiers to the place of no return, through Isagani's account. It was the opposite direction of northeast and is heading straight north. While running, he applied so much wild dogs' oil on his skin, hair uniform and all over him. Till they reached the wild dogs' den and almost welcomed George but sniffed him like their comrade. Suddenly, the wild dogs attacked the soldiers as they fired on them but the animals were outnumbered and slurped them like their roasted dinner.

" My...God!" George had witnessed how gut-wrenching the scenario was. After half an hour, he passed by on the bloody place and walked quietly towards the granite house. At almost 2200 hours, he entered the granite door filled with sweat and lifeless then Magee hugged him tight as he grasped her hair, put down his handgun and kissed her unceasingly.