At 3:41 a.m., Ezekiel finally stood in front of their house.
He raised his hand and knocked softly.
"Angel… it's me. Open up."
Inside, Angel stirred at the sound of his voice. She sat up, still sleepy, then quickly lit a candle. The small flame flickered, pushing back the darkness as she stepped out of the room and opened the door.
"Welcome back, brother," she said.
"I'm okay," Ezekiel replied, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Before Angel could say anything else, Ezekiel stepped inside, took three slow steps away from the door, and collapsed onto the floor. Exhaustion claimed him instantly. He was asleep before his body fully settled.
Angel stood there for a moment, watching him.
Quietly, she returned to the room, took his pillow and blanket, and laid them gently over her older brother. It was Saturday. There was no school. But there was still worry.
Ezekiel woke up at 8:22 a.m., gasping.
His chest tightened as the dream faded—the debt, the numbers, the threats echoing in his head.
Forty-two hours, he thought.
How am I supposed to find six thousand six hundred pesos in that time?
Panic crawled through him.
Then he noticed the dining spot.
A pot sat there, lid closed. Freshly cooked rice. Beside it, a single boiled egg.
He checked the clock.
8:45 a.m.
Ezekiel didn't waste time. He ate quickly, barely tasting the food, his mind already racing ahead. When he finished, he stood up, wiped his mouth, and headed out—returning to his usual routine, carrying the weight of the countdown with him.
As Ezekiel pedaled the trisikad through the narrow streets,the sun already high and merciless, his legs moved on instinct.
His mind did not.
Should I sell my kidney?
The thought struck him so suddenly he almost lost balance.
People survive with one, right?
At least Angel and Nathaniel would be safe.
He swallowed hard and kept pedaling.
Or should we run?
Disappear. Leave everything behind.
But another thought followed, colder and heavier.
What if they're already watching us?
He scanned the street without turning his head—faces, shadows, men leaning against walls, trisikads passing by.
Every stranger felt like a threat.
What if they're making sure we don't escape?
What if they already know where we live?
His chest tightened.
What the hell should I do?
The wheels turned. The road stretched on. The noise of the city pressed in around him.
Ezekiel lowered his head and pedaled harder, as if speed alone could outrun the thoughts clawing at his mind.