JINX

EPISODE 15

|Monday, 11th of February

I never wanted this to happen... Any of this. But maybe because everything happens for a reason, right?

But I still don't get it... Why me? All of these sh*ts that are happening right now in society, this mess? I can even understand why do I have to get involved in such a thing that I thought won't even exist in the first place?

Oh right, I almost forgot... The devil is always good at involving bad things that made this world a messy place... A messy place that I don't think I never belonged.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that I am an alien, I am just... Just not that person like everyone else. I lack social skills, I hate school, and everyone in our neighborhood hates me. What more reason could I have to make me believe I, actually exist here?

But you know what? I am just a human.

I am in deep pain right now,

My mother hates me because I hate his boyfriend who is now her fiancee that made me hate him more,

Me being one of the abducted, not ready to play with fire

And yet, here I am... Trying to deal with the fire that has grown bigger, a couple of days ago. I don't even know how many days I've been here but it already felt like an eternity.

I already feel like it has been so many years since they captured me and I can't even seem to feel from a distance if they're looking for me or are they even happier when I was commandeered.

But despite all that, I just want to say that the game had just begun, and there's still a lot more to come.

Cheers to the coming agonies and extra pain from other aspects!

And to you too, Mister Clock,

F*CK YOU! Got that?

Sincerely,

Miguel.

•••

MIGUEL

"But you know, Mister Miguel, I just found out something so interesting tonight." Him stating that one sentence made my heart race even more. And the faster it gets, the tighter my heart becomes. I can feel my air support squeezing, making me choke myself slowly. And I can't do anything to stop it.

I try opening my mouth and I succeed, but when I attempt on speaking any word, I couldn't seem to find my voice.

Like I was forced to say anything.

"And you know what? I have something going on with my mind..." His grin and those pair of eyes already tell ms that something is about to happen. I don't know what it is because I cannot read his mind. And if I can, I would have known what he's gonna do next and that I would have destroyed his stupid face right now.

He turns his attention to his built-in, glowing keyboard, like a f*cking sheet of technology on his table. I watch him as he is like typing in the air, and in a matter of seconds, I could hear the machine is being activated. Soon after, a big square-shaped screen opens, revealing a video I wasn't expecting to see.

My heart raced times faster than earlier, I could feel the sensation of fear hugging me, my hands trembling uncontrollably. I couldn't breathe as normal as possible.

The video encompassed three persons; me, Kyle, and Melissa. What made the video worst is that it was pretty clear that we are doing something to that wall. And I can still remember everything that has happened at that time.

We were making a hole.

I know for the moment that Mister Clock is already looking at me. I know he's happy because he already expected what my reaction will be.

The video kept on rolling until it was evident that we were making a hole. But before things could lengthen, Mister Clock press the pause button, making me froze in my position.

'What the heck!? I thought there weren't any cameras there!'

"So Mister Miguel, how about we play a game tonight, hmm?" His grin seems to grow, a sign of his victory of obtaining my expected reaction. And I know now that something might happen to both of them.

"What do you want." Was the only option of words I could say. I cannot fight back his cockiness. Well, I think I could but right now? He's not only talking between me and him. Melissa and Kyle are already involved in here.

Mister Clock leans back into his comfortable seat, while I am stiffened here in this wooden chair.

"Oh, I don't have anything in mind, if that's what you're asking me. Why don't you tell me?"  

"Melissa and Kyle—"

"Oh don't worry about them. I'm sure they're on their way here already—"

"f**k you! You cannot just do this!"

"And why can't I?" He sounds so calm yet here I am, yelling at him.

"Because... Because it was—"

Before I could even say my whole sentence, I could already hear some beeping sound, making me turn to the metal door. The res light is flickering already and after that, it switched to a steady free...

'No!'

Before I could even protest, he then stated the words "bring them in."

In a matter of seconds, the door swings open, revealing my friends with two guys behind them as well. They made themselves in as I didn't flinch. My eyes were now glued into both of them, asking me the same question because of the look they're giving me — 'what is happening?'

"Kyle... Melissa..." I mumble, trying to talk to them but I was scared of voicing out. I atead, both of their attention landed on the bug screen behind Mister Clock. A soft chuckle release from his mouth after, breaking the intense silence from us.

"Miguel, what's... What is this? Why... Why are we seeing this? Why... Why are you watching this?" Melissa continues to stutter,  not that excited to hear what she has to say.

"Look, Melissa, Kyle, I also don't know how... How that freaking camera was there! We-we... We inspected the area before we have planned it and—"

"Calm down, Melissa. Did they do something to you that might cause you pain, Miguel?"

Hearing him ask that gives me a bit of hope and also, I am flattered. But, I don't know if I should be... If I should have felt this?

Our conversation ended shortly after a soft and slow clap escapes envelopes the room. The two big guys who were holding Kyle and Melissa steps back to guard the door.

"Wow... I am jealous right now. What a lovely scene to see this... Wait,  is this friendship already? Wow! I never imagined that you'll form any sort of conversation with anyone because, in this game, I've never seen anyone who's more desperate of making allies than winning." The guy in a half-mask said, not breaking the smirk on his lips, as his eyes travel from me to Kyle, Kyle to Melissa, and back to me. I then decided to look at both of my 'friends', wanting to assure them.

"We'll get out of here—" but I was cut off the moment Mister Clock decided to interrupt.

"Oh no, you're not..." He made his tone too intimidating, enough for one to be scared. And that is what happened to Melissa. She starts to sob softly. Even if it kind of irritates me to see her like that, I cannot blame her. I look at Kyle who is frozen in his position, but at the same time, I could really read him for the first time— he wanted to just pull Melissa close and tell her that everything will just be fine. But maybe he's also scared to even move a muscle.

Instead of stiffening there, he then turns his gaze to Mister Clock. With those eyes filled with rage, I could tell that he wanted to tackle him. He wanted to hit him, punch him right in the face.

And I wanted to just kill him.

Kyle heaves a breath before deciding to match forward, gripping picking him by the collar. I can not react, I cannot say a single word... "What do you want!"

"Kyle! Stop!" Melissa shouts, making me turn to him. She didn't stop crying, rather, it just got worsen.

"I know you want to hit me, Mister Kyle. But how about you think about the consequences of your incoming actions? Maybe you might want to have considerations with me—"

"Do you really think I am scared of you, you punk!?" Veins start to pop out into the side of his neck, making me realize how hungry he is to put his strength to a test... But rather than replying to his anger with anger, Mister Clock decided to grin.

"Oh no, Mister Kyle. You've got everything wrong... I don't care if you're not scared of me, I don't even have a plan of scaring you at all... But consider that your actions will reflect to not only you..." He pauses as his eyes landed on me.

'What the heck is he talking about?'

"You both asked me what I want right?" His eyes then came back to Kyle. "How about you let go of me, step back because I want to f*****g play a game! And if you're not gonna follow me, I might as well plan on bringing the others into the room and we play tonight?"

I gulp again as I feel my heart thumping so fast. Kyle took a second to process everything before pushing him, stepping back, stopping at his original position. I was about to run and hug them when something in my mind tells me not to.

My feet are still not moving, my muscle is fixed as well. And I cannot fight the urge of approaching them anymore.

"Now, I'm gonna repeat what I've just said earlier... How about we play a game?" He asks and we start to scan each other. He then approaches his table after gently fixing his coat. He opens the drawer but not revealing what he is about to get. A grin forms on his lips as he didn't lift the object inside, but his face turns to me, our eyes intensely meeting. "The game goes this way: I give you, Miguel, the opportunity to tell me..." He pauses, making me took a deep breath. At that moment I come to realize that I have been holding my breath.

"Who is in charge of this plan?"

I was taken aback by what he just ask. And not being able to still come up with words, he lifts his hand from the drawer, revealing the object that made him grin.

'A gun!'

"Wha—"

"That's bullish*t!" Kyle interrupts.

"Oh is it, Mister Kyle?" He then turns his attention back on me.

"I did it! I was the one who told them about the plan." Melissa speaks up. I was surprised at what she said.

"No! I- I did! You know how capable am I of doing stupid things you won't even imagine." I protested.

"No! I did it! It was me who told them about it." Kyle also steps up. We then start to argue but stopped when Mister Clock speaks up.

"Oh okay... Now, this is interesting... Since I am allowing Miguel to confess yet he failed... How about we change the topic but this time, I am gonna ask you, Melissa." His attention turns to poor Melissa who is curled like a ball. When she hears her name, she then looks up to meet the gaze of Mister Clock.

"Who do you think is more deserving to continue with our Jinx game?"

"No!"

"You son of a—"

"No! Both of them are deserving. All of us are deserving to give your stupid game a shot!"

"The one lives, the other is a sacrifice..." He said and Melissa starts to tremble more. I am nervous and I know Kyle also is, he just doesn't want to show it completely.

"No. Please." Melissa pleased. But Mister Clock acted like he didn't even hear her.

"But, you'll be able to spare both of their lives if you tell me the truth." He then gestures the gun in front of them. "Tick, tock."

"What truth do you wanna hear!?"

"The truth, of course. Who do you think is more deserving to still live? Unless you want me to kill you first before it's already too late for you to choose?"

"What do you-"

"No! You're not gonna kill anyone of us, you got that, son of a b*tch!?" I shouted.

"You are right... I am not killing anyone because..." He stands up, approaching Melissa. Still trembling, Mister Clock manages to hand her the gun.

"Because she will."

'No!'

"So, Miss Melissa...You choose.

A. You tell me who's more deserving for my game or

B. You tell me who's the mastermind of you destroying my previous wall from your f*****g cell?

"But both of them are!"

"No!"

"Please don't!" I and Kyle start yelling as I start to feel my eyes burning. Tears start to form and in just a blink, it fell from my eyes.

"You don't need to die or suffer the consequences, Miss Melissa. As long as you answer my question."

"Please, sir..... I don't... I don't know. I can't choose! I- I can't!" Mister Clock points the gun right into her head.

"Then I guess you suffer the consequences."

"Melissa just f*****g choose!" Kyle shouted once more. I don't know why he's pushing her to choose, but I am sure she's definitely going to choose me.

Instead of answering, she then just eyed both of us before closing her eyes, like she is ready to face death. And if I am in her situation, I'd do the same.

'Yes, I am still not ready to die, but if me telling the truth will lead me here, then I guess I have to die.'

He was ready to pull the trigger when we both gasp in unison, making Melissa open her eyes. From that moment, Mister Clock brings down the gun, looking at me. His grin then appears, slowly approaching me. When he's a step away from me he talks.

"As I said, I am not going to kill anyone, my dear... And I think this opportunity is for you... So, it is up to you now...Kill one, spare one." I start to feel myself quivering, my knees weakening, my heart dropping.

"Pleesaasse," I pleaded as I stare at the gun, not really knowing what to do. I don't even know how to use it. And it will be my first time to hold one.

"I'm sorry Mister Clock. I don't want to kill anyone of them. I don't want to be a murderer. Please, Mister Clock I am begging you."

"KILL. ONE. SPARE. ONE."

"Or I'll kill them both-"

"No! Please don't-"

"THEN TELL ME WHO IS!"

"Please, please spare us."

He pulls my hand brutally, as he forced me to grip the gun, one finger positioned to the trigger. "Do you want me to kill them both? Or are you going to spare one?"

"Please, sir..."

"Your choice."

He made me face both Melissa and  Kyle again as we all start trembling. My tears were then decided to fall as Melissa's unstoppable. I just wipe them with the back of my palm, heaving a breath.

"If I'd be killing one of them and carry the guilt until the end, then—"

With no hesitation, I point the gun right in my head as I give them a slime before closing my eyes.

"No!"

"Miguel don't!"

"I'm sorry guys!" With no second thoughts, I pulled the trigger as I was expecting to hear a loud bang, any pain, or anything but, nothing..

.

I open my eyes once more as my heart atarts palpitating. I look around as the guy in a mask starts clapping his hands.

"Bravo!!! Bravo!!!" He said and all of us look at him with confusion. "You'll die just for your friends." He said and I can't explain my emotion.

"You are tough, Miguel... But, how long will that strength of yours hold on?"

He gets back his gun as he went back on his swivel chair, turning it all around. The door soon opens, as I could feel the scary presence of three guys standing behind us.

With the heavy but steady breathing, I know that something really bad is about to happen next.

"Rip off their clothes."