DUMB FOUND 4

CHAPTER 4

        The mute opened the fridge. He sought for food. He saw milk, eggs, butter, cheese, strawberry jam, fruits, chocolates and many others. He then disclosed the freezer. There, he found frozen foods—meats and processed foods. He picked out the pack of hotdogs.

   

        As a poor one, he seldom ate hotdog. That was the sole reason he considered in selecting.

        Hurriedly, he left the mansion after closing the refrigerator. He has a foresight of the unexpected return of the two.

           

        Before going down the cliff, he dropped by to touch the chopper again. He went to the direction he never touched a while ago. On his amazement and curiosity, he felt some parts of the aircraft. Then, he saw his axle under the seat, beside the pilot’s seat. At last, you’re in my hands again, he said silently.

        He knew he might meet the two halfway, so he searched for the way out. He looked down the cliff. It was to sloping. He might fall and die. He sought again.

        Presto! Before Gabby and Mang Jack arrived, the mute man was able to hide himself. He then jumped down at the garbage site. He could have successfully made it, if only he has not accidentally stepped on the glass fragments. His left sole was bleeding due to a deep cut. Abruptly, he stopped. He torn little part of his shirt and tied it up around his bleeding wound. It would somehow clog the gash and stop the haemorrhage.

            

        “Mang Jack, will you please help me clean my room?” Gabby asked favor from his myrmidon. He was keeping his scuba in a room and padlocked it.

         His pilot followed his direction.

         The two silently and quickly accomplished everything, from closing the windows to unplugging the appliances. They were only keeping the refrigerator on.

         After more or less thirty minutes of preparation and other, Mang Jack started the chopper’s engine.

         “Huh, where’s my axle?!’ Gabby’s eye grew bigger.

          Mang Jack shrugged his shoulders.

          “I just put it here!” He was so amazed.

          “I dunno, Sir. We both leave, right?”

           “The trespasser’s here! He went here! “He has gone slightly mad. Then, he thought a while.

           “Sir, it’s his…”

  

           “I know!” exclaimed Gabby. “What I mean…he’s able to come along here without being noticed. He’s a pro! We must stay. Stop the engine! Stop the engine!” He touched his temple.

           Mang Jack’s silence, though he stopped the engine, entailed protest. He knew exactly that his boss has a problem to prioritize. However, he couldn’t do nothing but to follow his order.

   

           “Are you sure, Sir? Asked Mang Jack when he saw Gabby on a deep mind.

           Gabby took a short while to conceive. He balanced the safety of the mansion and his erectal dysfunction. Both are important and must be prioritized. He could not stand with impotency. Copulation is his life. However, his mansion is his solace. Every time he was down and lonely, the house is always there to comfort and console him. Yet, he must choose one.

           “Mang Jack, restart the engine!” commanded Gabby.

           The pilot immediately did the command.

            Gabby tossed the keys up and down his palm, while the helicopter was slowly rising up. And before it flew higher, he jumped out the aircraft.

             Mang Jack was startled.

            “Go! Go!” Gabby signalled his thumb. He said his okay.

           The loyal pilot just shrugged his shoulders. “You take care, Sir.  Just call me if you need help and back-up.” His voice was audible.

           Gabby ran home. He must not be seen by the intruder. The trespasser must perceive that the mansion is abandoned. He has plan on his mind.

           The haemorrhage ceased. In spite of that, he could still feel the pain. In addition, he walked very slowly, like a lame. He was just using his left toes to strengthen his walk, not to mention the danger of cutting into the unaltered forest.

           Gabby was starving. Thus, he went to the kitchen after locking the main door. He was determined not to eat rice. Instead, he checked the stocks in the cabinet. He then peeked on the freezer and found out the loss of something. He knew everything in the mansion-- every detail, even the actual count. 

   

           “He robbed my hotdogs!” He clenched his fists. “Shit!”

           The intruder heard the chopper’s ascending sound. It flew away. He said it on his mind. He tried to see if the owner was there but he failed. Yet he believed the owner came with the pilot. This assumption gave him comfort and peace. His life is out of danger now, he said.

           Though, got mad, Gabby pursued cooking. He prepared bacon-ham sandwich and cold chocolate meal. While munching, the thought of the mischiefs of the mute man were still on his mind. His rage grew as the clock ticks.

            The wounded man was still on the forest. He had a hard time penetrating the great, sturdy ‘talahib’. His recaptured axle has been his helper and saviour.

             He was looking for the area where he had been a while ago, so that he would make an easy exit.

             After having meal, Gabby took a bath. He tried to make a hard-on. He stimulated his penis by soaping it. He also thought back his past sexual intercourses with his girlfriends and other women. It failed him, however. Then, he reminisced Regina, the only girlfriend he has not taken sexually. He made a phantasm, hoping it would enliven his libido. His dick stayed soft. It did not even show any sign of life and agreement.

             He gave up. He wanted to punish his schlong..

             At last, he found the way out. He almost ran in excitement. That’s the only time he felt hunger. He remembered the pack of hotdogs on his hand, which was freezing already.

            He rushed out the forest when he felt no pain.

            For the first time, Gabby wore shirt. Oftentimes, he’s just naked all day long. Robe is the only concealment. But now, he put on his clothes. He was expecting a visitor, a mischievous guest, tonight. Thus, he must be dressed.

            It was already three-thirty PM. Every minute seemed so long for Gabby. He was anxious for their meeting and possible fight. He knew that the intruder has what it takes to beat him but he’s confident that his virility is enough to outfight the mute intruder. Moreover, he was in his home. He has the right to use deadly weapon if it is needed. He would not double-mind to shoot him to death. Yet, he’s not that cruel one, who would not give any chance for an individual to explain and prove himself. Compassion is still dwelling in his heart. He’s like his father.

            Gabby’s father is a nabob. He’s prominent in the world of architecture and engineering. The latter is the founder and president of one of the multi-awarded construction and development firms in the country. He owned multifarious, pricey tangible assets.

           However, Gabby’s father is still a person of dignity, with fear of God. He is outreaching to the poor and needy. He has time for his subordinates, son and wife.

           Gabby has inherited some of his father’s traits except his being cruel –sexually.

  

           Gabby and his father are both pro-life. They give life a full importance. Though the former has a collection of ammunition, he is afraid to kill someone.

            However, he’s willing to do so..

           The wounded trespasser untied his bandage on his right hand. The wounds were still unhealed but he has to take the shabby cloth off his comfort. He also checked the wound on his sole.

           While roasting hotdogs, he was thinking of the next steps to be done later. Idea of discovering what inside the façade was considered. He believed it’s a cave and caves offer variety of valuables and thrills. He’s safer there – from rain or from unexpected enemies.

           He was so full after munching almost one pack of hotdogs which was about 500 grams in weight. He just left two pieces.

           For the very first time, he has eaten hotdogs in indulgence.

           With his axle, he went in the forest to improvise torches for his entry to the cave. When he came back, he has three torches, made of dried coconut leaves, tied around with vines. The three would give him enough light and would last long for one hour.

           He was about to leave when he felt that he could not make it today. His body carved for rest. He could fell high bodily temperature. He knew he has fever. Thus, he lied down and covered his body with dried vines. Minutes later, he was agitating. He exactly knew that it was due to the aftermath of wound on his sole, a deep and long incision on his sole.

             The sun started to set.

            The sharing was not that harsh but he was feeling a strange kind of coldness. He wanted to get up, yet couldn’t do it. In lieu, he covered his whole body with some other lines with leaves. His shirt was already torn it does not even help warm his body.

            He remembered his mother. When he was a kid, she used to take care of him. She would wipe his entire body with warm, damp cloth. She would feed him till he felt okay. However, she couldn’t do these anymore to him. No one can replace his mother’s place. No one can do what she does to him. Her love was unconditional.

                       

            It was so murky inside the mansion. Gabby was sitting and waiting in a sofa. He did not turn on the lights. He decided to wait till midnight. He has found merely a company with cigarettes. His ennui was somehow lessened by smoking on few intervals.

            The bonfire never helped him. He wanted to dump it with another pieces of woods or timbers but he could not even rise up. The cold breeze started to penetrate his body and it weakened him much.

            He tried to catch sleep but he failed. Thoughts were piercing on his mind, form his father’s scary eyes to the brutal death of his brother and from the cruelty of his neighbors to the very last day he was humiliated in the ocean. Then, he thought of revenge. However he did not finalize it. It’s impossible for him. No one would give him chance to understand what he would say. He was nugatory, though he has the so-called free will. No one would ever love him, except himself. Aye! He will love himself fully. He proposed it on his mind.

             Gabby made another plan.

             He glanced at the wall clock. He could read it due to the luminous hands of it. It was only 10 o’clock. He was anxious for the trespasser’s rest-back. He couldn’t wait for another two hours sitting there. He must find him bravely. His weapon is more fatal than axle, like a caveman’s.

             He laughed at it a bit. Then he acted decisively. He knew exactly what to do in a systematic way. He prepared his gun and flashlight, making sure they were fully loaded with bullets and batteries.

            Gabby took off his white shirt and came inside the fireplace.

            The bonfire was dying. Ashes started to outnumber the embers. But before it completely passed away, the feverish man forced himself to get up. Withal, he was so sleepy already. He must keep the fire burning for his cooking purposes. Thus, he made it possible. He dumped it with sufficient woods that would last till morning.

            He crawled back to his bed of leaves.

            From the fire place, Gabby was ejected to the underground where the generator and containers of gasoline were settling.

           In the left side, a door was located. He opened it and the darkness greeted him. It’s the cave that would lead him to the shore. There’s another exit but it would bring him in the midst part of the forest.

          Gabby began his first step. It was not his first time in that place but it’s his first time to do it like he’s an undercover. It thrilled him.

          The bonfire was glowing lively. The moon showed up too. And, the poor mute man was on the depth of unconsciousness.

          Though, he’s familiar enough, Gabby became watchful. Every strange figure and sound would make him stop for a while. He would flash his flashlight directly to the uncanny object. The trespasser might attack him.

          The cave is ten meter wide. The height is height feet high. And it’s seven to ten minute walk from the door to the shore.

          Gabby successfully passed through the dark underground surface. He was now in the shore. He turned off the flashlight and made his first glide, with panic. In his five years stay in the isle, it was the foremost he would chase someone.

            He made sure that he would not step on objects that would create sounds and noises.

            Few steps, he made, when he saw a glowing fire afar. Confirmed! He said on his mind. He’s indeed still here. He doubled his steps and gripped his gun tightly.

           While approaching to the subject, his heart was beating so hard. He calmed down himself. He must not give chance the enemy to defeat him.

           Gabby was now standing in front of the makeshift dwelling. He clicked on the flashlight and beamed it to the mute man’s direction. He noticed that the intruder was shaking. He has also seen the bandaged foot. He concluded that the sleeping man is harmless.

            His presence was unnoticed. The mute was still on a sound, shaky sleep.

           Gabby stepped back. He pitied him. He kept the revolver. He has now confirmed who stole the hotdogs on the fridge, but it did not matter to him anymore, he’s so pathetic, he said silently. The anger was gone already.

           Carefully and silently, he dumped two timbers on the bonfire. Then, he left away with a sympathetic heart. He decided to come back tomorrow, after feeling that the man has a reason of staying in their isle.

          “Damn! He’s not a pirate!” He said when he got home. That made him sleepless and restless. His mind was occupied by the thought of the wounded survivor. He never even thought of his penile problem.

          It was past two o’clock in the morning when he has fallen asleep, while the wounded man was also in the deep sleep. The latter was not shivering at that time.

           The sun shone up and Gabby was toasting breads and boiling water for coffee. He’s doing these with promptness. He has to visit the pathetic survivor.

           Meanwhile, the survivor was roasting bananas as well as the two hotdogs left. He just washed it with saltwater before roasting them.

           His next agendum today: food searching. Bananas were about to run out. He also missed the taste of tap water. Thus, he would seek source of water this day. Besides, he never had a bath for two days already. If only he could enter freely in the mansion, where he could drink water, have a bath, eat as well. However, it was not in his plan. It’s risky and it’s ingratitude. Being in the aisle is big enough to thank the owner.

           Gabby soaped his entire body in a hurry. He must not miss the mute man.

           With a lame foot, he started to walk into the forest. He was holding his axle on the left hand. The mineral water gallon that saved his life was tied on his waist. He never hastened his move, however he has full of vitality and determination to live.

           He was like a stray animal who was trying to adapt the foreign land. And as a waif, he would rather stay at his new-found habitat than to go back in his old settlement. Where he was now is much better than his cruel lineage, where he was humiliated, mortified, condemned, cursed, disrespected, blamed and harmed. He would rather live alone than to be with mass of people. For him, people are more merciless compared to the untamed animals in the forest.

           His lost in the barrio is for sure not a big deal to his neighbors and relatives there. They would not bother to look for him. For them, he was a jerkwater, with a schlocky role in their community.

           These thought did not hinder him to pursue his goal. Instead it stimulated him even more. Courage, hope and inspiration were what he gained from reminiscing his early life and suffering.

            In pursuant to his aim, he went on, looking left-to-right for the fountainhead of water and food.

            He saw a papaya tree with unripe fruits. It’s a source, he exclaimed mutely. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, he would have ripe papaya fruit.

            He went on and on..

            Gabby rushed to the temporal ensconce of the mute man. However, he was just disappointed of seeing the unoccupied dwelling.

           “Hello! Where are you?” It’s is in a loud voice. He moved his eyes. He searched for the presence of the wounded man, from the back of the makeshift tent to the vastness of the sea. “Hey, man!? I’m not gonna hurt you. I’m here to help you!” He’s shouting audibly through the direction of the forest.

            Later, he notice the absence of the gallon, he saw last night. “He’s in the forest! He’s looking for water!” He ran abruptly in the forest. He decided not to shout or call him no more. It might frighten merely the mute person, he was chasing for.

            In the midst of the forest, Gabby found the mute man, who was so surprised by his presence.

           “No!” Gabby was so quick. He was not intimidating. “Don’t be afraid. I want to help you. Come with me.”

           The mute man took his silence. He scrutinized Gabby’s eyes and his honesty. Yet, he stood still and his axle was on attacking position.

            “Believe me. I’m not gonna hurt you. You see, I have no weapon.” He turned around, his hands were on the air. “I’m harmless. Follow me.” Then he started to go on foot.\

           The mute man was still dumbfounded. He stayed in that position for many seconds, till he followed Gabby.

            They were the meters away from each other. They were both silent.

            Gabby was waiting in the shore. He beamed at the mute man while the latter was blank.

            He stopped five steps away from Gabby.

            “Calm yourself.” said Gabby. “I’m your friend.” He softened his voice even more. “I’m just here to ask few questions.”

             His eyes signed that Gabby must go on.

            “Why did they hurt you through that?” pointing at his wounded hand. “Tell me.”

            The mute man made sign language. Then he repeated it.

             “Aah. They’re ruthless!”

             Their eyes met. Gabby could see approaching tears on the mute’s eyes.

             “I can put them to jail, if you want.” offered Gabby.

             He crossed his head blatantly. He was worried.

             “Why?’ He anticipated for reply. “They must pay you. They must be jailed in.” Truthful, he was.

             Again, he shook his head. His tears fell at last.

             “Where do you live? Do you want to go home now?”

             He said he was living in a neighboring island. The, he started to make a blurred language, which made Gabby’s forehead curled. He did it again, clearly.

             “It’s dangerous here. You might be attacked by wild animals, when you’re sleeping. Your makeshift house is not safe for you.”

              He insisted with plead.

   

              Gabby weighed it on his mind. The mute looked harmless and benignant. His wounds were the obvious proofs. If he would permit him to stay, his property would be guarded. Entry of bad elements will be avoided. Besides, he needed company. A friend.

              OK! You can stay here as long as you want!” Gabby saw the joy he brought to the wounded fellow. “I’ll pay you monthly wage.”

              The mute’s eyes were asking why.

              “I’ll pay you… if you want to be my island watcher.” He clarified.

              He nodded gladly.

              “I have a security guard in the mansion but I preferred him not to serve me and since you’re hired now, all you have to do is secure the place. There must be no trespassers. That'

s it! I could safeguard myself. But I couldn’t protect the isle on my own might. I need your presence and your guardianship here.”

              The mute man was listening intently.

              You will receive a monthly salary of P500 and 20 kilograms of rice and you will have a privilege to use anything in the house, especially the water. If you prefer to stay in this place, it is up to you. But, you are more welcome in my house. There’s a vacant room there. You’re also not obliged to watch the island in midnight. You can sleep as long as you want.”