Chapter 145 - Psychological Etymology of Mob Mentality

"You! You're Liboo's man back then?!" Kingbo said in disbelief.

"No…" Tayaw then took off his ski mask.

"It's me, Tayaw. Remember me, uncle?" Tayaw revealed his identity. 

"T-Tayaw. I-t can't be..!" Kingbo's sanity took a hit.

While he tried to deny it, he can see clearly the features of Kilat, the woman he once l.u.s.ted over, in Tayaw's face. It is also apparent to Kingbo that Tayaw inherited Liboo's athletic figure.

"You should never have touched my family, uncle." Tayaw said as he started the car.

"Tayaw… nephew. For our blood's sake. C-can you let me go this once? I promise I won't tell anyone!" Kingbo said, fear now dawned on him realizing that the grudge is real and personal.

"You ignored our blood once you decided to appear in my father's life again, uncle. Not to mention how you intimidated grandpa to get his tractors, you still dare to mention blood?" Tayaw said through gritted teeth.

"So, what are you going to do? Kill me? It's not easy to kill a man, kid." Kingbo said. 

"I'm not going to kill you, uncle. No. Once you're dead, how can you suffer for your actions? But! I'll still take your life." Tayaw said cryptically.

"W-hat?... Whatever you're going to do, you're not going to get away with it! You should have never showed me your face!" While Kingbo is unsure of the meaning of Tayaw's words, he at least gained Tayaw's identity as a bargaining chip.

"Now, I'm sure you will tell everyone after I leave. But, would anyone believe you? Who after all, would believe the words of a broken man? 'He must have gone crazy after what happened to him' will definitely be what would be on the mind of the people you will tell." Tayaw said.

This sent chills down Kingbo's spine. 

"I also made sure that no one knows that I spent the past two weeks here in Nabla. Everyone who knows me even think that I'm overseas! Haha!" Tayaw started bragging about his planning.

Kingbo however found Tayaw's words useful.

"If you won't kill me, then I'm sure I can find out on the internet what you're up to. I can make a convincing story.  So, to avoid that trouble, why don't we stop here now?" 

"Hm.. So, what if you can concoct a story? Like I said, you'll sound crazy. 'How could that nice boy done something this terrible?' or maybe 'How could that nice boy beat your whole gang alone?' Sounds stupid right? AHAHAHAHA" Tayaw said, cackling in delight.

This stumped Kingbo and he remained silent, trying to come up with something. 

"And even if you say that I wasn't alone, why would they believe the words of a man like you? Hm?  What would you say? 'Because I extorted Liboo, the kid wanted revenge!'? You wouldn't say that, right? HAHAHAHAHA!" Tayaw rambled on. 

"If I can't touch you, I'll drag your father and your grandfather. Mark my words, Tayaw." Kingbo threatened.

"How? Your men have lost their spirit, and they are hurt to do anything in the near future. While I won't kill, I can cripple them. Where are you going to get new thugs? Huh? One of the things I learned about you is that you aren't smart enough to lead a gang as a cripple." Tayaw countered.

'Cripple' made Kingbo realize that he may never walk or even use his arms ever again without assistance. 

"So, here's what I want you to do. If our townsmen are kindhearted enough to get you to the hospital after everything you've done, and make it out alive today, I want you to get out of Nabla. My men who gathered information on you and your gang will stay here in Nacotu, watching you and your men. 

"And if you still do not do as I say, I'm going to have my men kill you and your friends for me. If you approach grandpa Cralo for help, I'm going to get him too. Mark my words, uncle." Tayaw bluffed. 

Kingbo could only swallow his spit at Tayaw's threat. He never considered that while Tayaw could not kill him, it does not mean Tayaw cannot make others do it. Even if Kingbo knows that Tayaw is working alone, he does not know that Tayaw is capable enough to play guardian angel to his family and his grandparents. Time is Tayaw's problem however, if he is to guard a whole town alone.

The two soon arrived at the village center. The villagers, being farmers, go to bed early so they are clueless about Tayaw' late night action.

"Open your mouth. Go on." Tayaw ordered Kingbo and stuffed a gag in Kingbo's mouth. Tayaw then wrapped Kingbo in rope and tied him up, and hung him on one of the electric posts where the villagers would easily be able to see. 

==========

"Phew. Easier than I thought." Despite Tayaw's words, he is still feeling the mental effects of the act he just committed. With his hands trembling, he forced himself to start the car and get away from the village center. 

A few minutes later, he recovered.

"You were wrong, Don Gonzalo. I now feel light as a feather." Tayaw chuckled as he leaned back in the driver's seat while handling the steering wheel with only one hand.

- - - - - - - - - 

Two weeks ago

"I like it. This is the third of what you've written so far?" Gonzalo said as he handed back Tayaw's manuscript.

"Yeah. I'm glad you liked it." Tayaw said.

"If you want, you can use my childhood home in Queens to film these. I've preserved the building as much as I can." Gonzalo offered.

"That would be great, Don Gonzalo. This makes things easier." Tayaw is happy to hear it.

"Now. Why would you show me an unfinished work? This visit is not really about the script, yes?" Gonzalo asked, noticing something is up. 

"Well, I just want to make sure that I'm going the right way with it. I don't want to finish a script only for you to reject it." Tayaw replied.

"Hm. That makes sense. But my gut says bull. Even if you're here for the script, something's on your mind. Out with it, child." Gonzalo insisted.

Tayaw thought for a moment and decided to come clean. "… You got me... My father was recently in trouble from…" Tayaw started to talk about Liboo's problem with Kingbo.

"And so, I'm thinking of going home. Maybe take the man's ability of extorting people away." Tayaw concluded with his plan. Gonzalo rose his eyebrows as he did not expect Tayaw to be violent.

"Ah. If I were you, maybe I'd do the same. But let me warn you, child, it's not going to be easy. Whatever you're going to do, you will carry the weight for the rest of your life." Gonzalo advised, assuming the worst.

"Even if you're right, Don Gonzalo, I have to do it." Tayaw politely disagreed. 

"Alright. Want some help? I could send some men from my friends in Landopil." Gonzalo said.

"I have to see first if I can handle it. However, if you can smuggle me back to Teungeb, that would be great, Don Gonzalo." 

"Hm? Looks like you have a plan?... Alright. When do you plan to leave?" Gonzalo asked.

"Tomorrow if possible." Tayaw replied.

"Good. I'll contact Landopil, you'll have news tomorrow." Gonzalo said as he started planning Tayaw's transportation in accordance to what he can figure from Tayaw's plan.

"Thank you, Don Gonzalo." Tayaw says in gratitude.

"This is nothing. I just hope you would not regret this. God bless your soul, my boy."

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

Nacotu Village – 6am

"Hey. What's going on?"

"Someone took out Kingbo's gang. It's written in there."

"Is he dead?"

"I f*cking hope so."

The villagers are gathered around the electric post where Tayaw hung Kingbo.

"*GASP*" Kingbo suddenly gained consciousness to the surprise of the people present. "HELP! HELP ME! Whoever brings me to the hospital, I'll give them money." Kingbo ordered to the villagers. 

Even with the promise of money, the villagers are still hesitating whether to help Kingbo or not.

"What are you all standing there for? Once I get down from here, I swear I'll get you." Kingbo now resorted to threats after no one stepped forward to help him. 

"No, you won't. Your gang is gone! Your arms and legs look broken too! You can't do anything to us anymore!" A young man, whose hand is in a cast, stepped forward and with indignation, picked up a stone with his good hand and threw it hard at Kingbo.

The stone did not hit Kingbo squarely but was accurate enough to graze Kingbo's knee; and a graze was enough to agitate Kingbo's injury.

"AH! I'll kill you! I'll f.u.c.kin kill you! It won't be your hand this time that I'll destroy!" Kingbo was hysterical. 

"Before you do that, I'll cut your balls first, you monster!" A young lady arrived and threw stones at Kingbo too.

Some of the villagers tried to stop the two, but Kingbo offended too many people. The young man and the young lady's actions incited the others who Kingbo wronged to also throw whatever is on their reach at Kingbo. 

"STOP! EVERYONE! SON?! WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!" An old man broke through the crowd and approached Kingbo.

Before Kingbo could answer. "Cralo! You know what your son has done to us! Whoever did this did us a favor! This much is what your son deserves." The villagers cannot be stopped by a lone old man. 

"C-can we talk about this?!" Cralo tried to reason.

"We tried to talk to you before, and you know exactly what you did! So, step aside, or you'll meet your maker a few years early!" The villagers also expressed their indignation on Cralo who indulged Kingbo and let him do what he wanted. 

"Keep this up and I'll call the cops on you all!" Cralo could only resort to the legal way.

"Do it! F*ckin do it! So, we can show them every evidence we gathered!" The villagers however are prepared.

"I have enough evidence, Cralo. I just could not submit it because Kingbo would know exactly it was me who blabbed. Now that he has no men, it's over." 

Cralo could only watch his son receive the wrath of their village.