Chapter 4 PART 1 OF 4: Trouble Meets Trouble

I wiped away the sweat running down my face. I've been walking forever yet I still have no idea where I am. I turned around for the fifth time. I have been sensing someone following me but whenever I turned around, I see no one. Not even a shadow or an animal. Waking up in a freak hospital must have made me paranoid and jumpy.

I thought escaping that place will make things better but being trapped in this isolated cold place is not good either. I almost lose hope when I saw a group of people not far from where I was standing. Finally! I walked hastily to them with hopes finally restored. I eavesdrop among them and learned they were speaking in a different language... is that Tagalog?

"Excuse me?" I politely greeted them.

They faced me in unison and I looked around to check their faces. I scanned them from head to toe they have piercing in their faces, tattoos all over their bodies, cigarettes in their hands, weapons in their waists, motorbikes beside them, and most importantly ugly faces. Their looks literally scream trouble. One you'll see mostly in prisons.

All I can say is; I just encountered a group of goons! Luck is definitely not on my side today but I've worked long enough in the business industry to know not to judge even the filthiest person. I can use them to my advantage.

"Pare! May englisherang palaka dito!" One of them shouted, did he just call me an English-speaking frog?

Unbelievable but I expect nothing less from the way they dressed. What do you expect from a goon like them? They really have an undignified sense of humor and lame insults. I'm already in an extremely sour mood but I need patience.

Patience, Elena. Although they seem uneducated, let's talk business to get this over with. I've never spoken to thugs before so how do I speak their language?

"I just want to-"

"Boss, where do we go now?" I was cut off by one of the thugs with a piercing in his nose still speaking in their dialect.

I tried to call out their attention once again but they weren't even listening. It's as if I didn't even exist! I let out a sigh as I massaged my temple. They're giving me a migraine. How unlucky am I going to be? With these barbarians, proving I'm Elena Perez will be difficult.

Someone unexpectedly bumped into my shoulder, causing me to fall to the ground. He has a large scar on his face as well as thick lips. The thug glanced down at me with a darkened expression, as if he was implying that I should just scram and die. I stood up and faced him.

"I just need to borrow your phone. I need to talk to Dad. I'll pay you if you want," I fearlessly faced him speaking in Tagalog as fast as I can.

This is all or nothing. I need to contact my family first even if I have to face these thugs. I need this to survive. Grandma trained me in martial arts; I can defend myself but I want this to be diplomatic as much as possible. I want to avoid violence.

"You're not in a position to demand anything from us, nene!" He uttered with a stoic expression. "And shouldn't you apologize to me first?"

Apologies? He was the one who bumped into me! Why should I apologize? I mentally rolled my eyes. Patience, Elena.

"Just do what I said while I'm being nice. I'll wire you the money once I talk to Dad," I answered him unapologetically.

I am no hypocrite, why should I bow down to these low lives? He just stared at me and his gang laughed loud at my statement. I really don't understand their humor.

"You already have an ugly face and you also have an ugly attitude. Aren't you such a gifted young girl!" he sarcastically exclaimed to me, as his colleagues laughed heartily. "You talk too much. You talk big for someone who appears to be poor."

These guys... they're making fun of me with their cheap insults. I won't let anyone look down at me. I won't let anyone bring Elena Perez down. If it weren't for that hospital I could really bring them down in a minute. Tsk!

"How about this, can you tell me this place instead," I asked in frustration, still trying to come into terms with them.

There's no talking with these thugs. I should give up trying to borrow their phones. They gave me a scary look. I felt my knee tremble but Elena Perez doesn't back down. I matched their glares and didn't back down. They should know where they position themselves and who they are talking to!

"Stop playing games," suddenly exclaimed a man with a well-built muscle in the middle of the crowd. His neck has a scorpion tattooed on it and his lips have an old cut on them. His aura stands out from the gang, it was intimidating and sends pressure to you just with his glare.

The guy who had a scar on his face gave me a sly smile then suddenly gave me a punch in the stomach with no hesitation. I was thrown away and coughed out blood. I can't believe I became this weak, this is all that freak hospital's fault.

"Oh? You seem to quite down, eh?" The guy walked towards me and laughed.

"A rabbit who voluntarily enters a lion's den," I heard someone shout from the crowd.

My vision is becoming fuzzy, and I'm still coughing up blood. My mind is blank and not processing information adequately. I'm almost unconscious; I felt a pain in my stomach and back and didn't realize they were kicking me.

"Stop-" I can't even utter a word!

They continued kicking me like I'm some sack of garbage in front of them. I felt so weak. This must be a bad dream, this must be a nightmare! There's no way this is happening to me! I am a Perez.

"So what now? Did you learn your lesson now?" Someone asked me while I turn numb from all the pain.

I can't let anyone see me like this... well not like they can tell that it's me though. I glared at them and spit at their feet. You can physically hurt me all you want but I will never-

"Woah, matapang ah," I heard one laugh out mocking my bravery.

I won't ever bow down to these thugs. Not in this lifetime. Every kick they gave me is slowly devouring my consciousness. Their voices are getting further. Feels like I'm... It feels like I'm floating!

A low voice uttered, "Tsk. If you can't handle yourself, you shouldn't run away! You really are a big trouble."