Author's Note: This has nothing to do with pasko at all. Just finished it and decided to post it. Enjoy!

Lobsters were running into each other and spilling whatever they were holding onto the ground. My ears were ringing, because somebody had set off an explosion fifteen feet away from me. Fog seemed to cover my eyes, making it hard to see two feet in front of me.

I heard voices –penguin voices near me. My throat was dry, and I could only manage a little madami than a croak. “What are you doing here?” I yelled the best I could.

One of the penguins –a flat-headed one- turned and stared at me. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

He had nerve talking to me like that when it was my mission. I played it cool. “I asked you first.”

The tallest of the ibong dagat turned to the flat-headed one. “He caught you there, Skipper,” he said.

The ibong dagat –supposedly Skipper- thought for a while. “This is our mission,” he finally stated.

I gaped at him. “Your mission? I was sent!”    
Before he could answer, a short, chubby ibong dagat came to us. “Skipper! It’s about to blow!”

Skipper immediately took command. “Private! Go get Rico. We’re leaving.”

The chubby ibong dagat waddled off. Skipper turned to the tall one. “Kowalski?”
Kowalski shook his head. “Negative. He’s gone, sir.”

Skipper cursed. “How much time do we have?”

“About-”
At that moment, the sound speakers began stating the news. “This place will self-destruct in one minute.”

“Does that answer your question?” I sinabi sarcastically.

He glanced at me. “Save your sarcasm, kid. It won’t help you here.”

With that, he slid away; Kowalski followed him. After a segundo of thought, I slid towards the exit. Through the dust, I could see the shadows of four penguins; it seemed like they were all there. As I was still watching, I saw the small one –Private- hit sa pamamagitan ng a block.

Without stopping to think, I braked. He was unconscious. I picked him up and slung him over my shoulder. The ibong dagat was heavier than I expected him to be. Ignoring the pain from my leg, I began waddling toward the exit again.

The alarms ringing in my ears, reminding myself that I only had little time. I have to admit that at one point, I was tempted to leave the boy there. I was horrified with myself. Instead, I sustained myself with the thought that few penguins are left behind.

Just when I was sure I was not going to make it, I saw a light ahead of me. Energy filled my body, and I picked up my speed. The cold night air blasted me full on. I could see a ibong dagat –possibly Rico- watching anxiously at the entrance. The other two were arguing.

Rico saw me first. He hurried over and blabbered something that I did not quite catch. I smiled weakly at him; my energy was long gone. Private slid down just as the other penguins arrived. Then, the lair exploded.