JINX

EPISODE 24 [pt.3]

[Five minutes earlier]

Carlo is driving mad but also relieved that at this point, no police mobile is still behind his tail. Maybe it was luck? Perhaps a fate that God has made for him to get there on time. To save Miguel that he now calls his son.

It's just 9:45 in the evening, and he's getting more and more impatient to rush his way out of the city. He wanted to see Miguel, more excited than his own mother, who decided to give him up because he couldn't accept him.

But this is not an issue for Carlo. Why? Because he knew what it feels like to be in his position.

Just as he arrives at the intersection, his phone once again rings, indicating a call from the person he doesn't want to talk to. Luckily, the traffic lights turn red, as if it is a sign for him to answer.

He loves Lerissa. He loves her so much that he could do anything for her. But tonight, he seems to have to realize that she's an entirely different person. And her calling him for the hundredth time is irritating him and that answering the call would be the only way for his phone to stop ringing.

Seventy seconds. Carlo only has the remaining seventy seconds to accept the call. Carlo sighs in frustration as he grabs his phone and presses the green button.

[Carlo? Carlo! Thank goodness you answer—] Lerissa sighs in relief on the other line as she didn't hear the infuriating straight to voicemail voiceover. But then, Carlo didn't let her finish as he interrupts her by dishing out his anger.

"Can't you get a hint that I don't want to talk to you yet? Or are you just trying to annoy me so that you could stop me from getting your son!?" He asks as he grips tightly on his phone, his other band on the steering wheel.

[Carlo, I'm sorry if I didn't tell you anything sooner. . . I was just afraid, okay? But let me explain when Miguel gets home. For now, you have to listen to me.] She started, panic, worry, and sadness filling up her emotions. Carlo closes his eyes intently as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Is this some kind of an excuse again, Lerissa? Because at this point of my life, I don't know when you're telling me all honesty, or are you all just making these sh*ts up!" In a deep yet hurt voice, he manages to say the words without cracking his voice. He certainly wanted to cry because he's in pain. But if he wanted to be decisive, he believes that whimpering right now is not an option.

[Do you really despise me that much—]

"I don't loathe you, Lerissa, I F*CKING LOVE YOU! That's why I proposed to you, okay? Because I wanted to be with you and to your son! But. . ." he pauses as he takes a deep breath, stopping himself from saying the next words. But his anger seems to be betraying him, as he couldn't take it any longer. "I just don't know who you are anymore."

As soon as these words escape into his mouth, Lerissa, on the other line, felt broken. It was her first time hearing it from the man she truly loves, and it hurts her so much, it makes her want to revive her previous decisions. But then again, life seems to be unfair because we only have one shot at everything. [I'm—]

"I'm sorry, Lerissa. But I think I need to do this on my own. . .  No matter what happens, I WILL being your son home, even if it costs my life. I love you so much, but can I just don't think talking to you right now would help the brokenness I'm feeling right now."

[Carlo—]

With a heavy heart, he decided to end the call. He tosses his phone on the passenger's seat as he balls his fist and hits it on the helm four times, releasing his outrage. And if only he doesn't have any more reason to be sharp, he would have been hitting his head already into it. As if everything is on point, the traffic light blinks to orange for a few seconds before flashing into the green circle. He then takes an intense breath to calm his nerves.

"Don't lose yourself, Carlo. You've got a son to save." He says the only word ‘son’ that makes him feel motivated. But before he could even step on the accelerator, his phone chimes, now indicating a message. Carlo sighs as he slowly reaches for his phone and lifts it right at the level of his face.

To: My other half

From: My only one

        >Carlo, I am very sorry. I wanted to call you and tell you this, but because I know you wouldn't accept it any other way, I'll just message it to you.

I regret it now. I regret throwing my son into a sh*tty government experiment because I thought it would save him. And even if I told you earlier, you still wouldn't understand my intention. And I don't blame you for that. . .

Just please message Valentine? I want to see my son home pretty soon, and he's the only one we got to save Miguel right now. Estonia is a very distant place, it'll take you more than five hours to travel on land, and he'll be there to watch our son. Please, give him your trust one last time?

Look, I don't expect you to forgive me now, and I don't expect you to give me the love you've been giving me because I've made a huge mistake that's already irrevocable, but please. . .  Come back to me, and come back with Miguel, alive.

I love you, and I'm sorry.

Carlo felt his sincerity. He knew she's right.

"No matter what happens, I'll still love you the way I loved you before." He says as he retakes a deep breath before dialing a specific number. He steps on the accelerator, and he's back on the road again. It only took him a few rings before the person decided to answer.

[C-Carlo!]

"Listen to me, Valentine. You're a piece of sh*t, and if there's anything to happen to Miguel, I will make sure to flay you alive as I enjoy your scream of pain until you die to it. Do you understand!?" He straightforwardly asks that makes Valentine raise his head in defeat, even if he doesn't see it. But then, a grin forms on Valentine's lips, and about to make a joke when he immediately got interrupted.

"And don't even think about me forgiving you already because you f*cking have a LOT to do, and that includes EXPLAINING EVERYTHING to me."

•••

Kyle is dead asleep that he didn't even notice Mister Valentine talking to Miguel. As they step out of the cell, Blake immediately goes to his side as he shakes him, disturbing his sleep.

"What the f*ck, man? Are you trying to mess with me!?" Kyle complains as she squeezes his eyes to wake himself up. His eyes are tired that he almost got back to falling asleep, but not until Blake insisted on him waking up.

"Do you f*cking think I would joke around because I just want to have fun? Dude, it's just too dark to make fun of you. . . And besides, if I want to mess with you, you won't be even sleeping cozily on this sh*tty bed." He says in on breath, no sign of him backing out on the argument.

"Fine! Jeez. If this is not worth it, I would probably—" but before he could continue his threat on the man, he noticed that their cell gate is open and that he hears the faint conversation outside their cell. He quickly turns his attention to Blake, who is already standing there in position, as if he's about to face a horde of zombies.

"Where is Miguel!? Why is our door open? What the hell is—"

"Can you just tone down your voice? I'm trying to listen to their conversation." He says as Blake makes a small effort, but you can tell that he's not a gossiper like others would. Kyle stands up after waking his nerves out. He stands beside Blake as he tries to figure out by himself what is happening. But then, he failed.

"Who is he talking to?" Kyle asks Blake as he fixes his shirt. Blake throws a glance at him for a few seconds before talking.

"Mister Valentine." He replies with no interest, but at the same time, there's a hint of interest in what might happen next. Kyle's eyes widen as the thought of them talking makes him more anxious.

"What are they talking about? Why are they talking?" He asks continuously, which makes Blake scratch the back of his neck.

"Do I look like I know the answer? Because if I do, I would have probably been standing beside Miguel and not you." He replies in a bit sarcastic way to hide his nervousness. He's not showy when it comes to being fragile because the attitude he already embodies is just being brutal.

"Well, did he say anything in particular when he got inside our cell? I mean, it can't be possible for him just to barge in and pull Miguel out of the cell and talk like there's no one watching. THIS COULD GET US IN DANGER if they didn't do any precaution." Kyle raises his thought as it alarms him. He even emphasizes his last few words to tell Blake what he's getting at.

"I know. . . That's what I'm trying to figure out too because I don't also know what the hell is going on. I know that today's a messy one since a new evil decided to pop up, but then, is this a sign that Muster Valentine is helping us?" Blake asks as the theory of his unrelated thoughts evaporates. But before they could even continue the conversation, they hear rushing footsteps approaching their cell. They both prepare themselves for what worst thing is coming, but only to find out Miguel with multiple keys in his hand.

"Miguel, can you explain to us what the f*ck us happening?" Kyle asks as he tries to take a step forward, but Miguel shakes his hand as he pulls his bag over his shoulder.

"I can do the explaining, but not right now because we have to get out of here, RIGHT NOW. So, let's go and save the others." He says before Blake and Kyle look at each other and nod.

"Okay, let's end this misery then once and for all," Blake says as he stretches in preparation. Miguel nods in Blake's direction before looking at Kyle, who is not budging.

"Kyle? Is there something wrong?" Miguel raises the question as he approaches him.

"I don't know if trusting him is the best choice, Miguel. We both know how things work here— YOU DON'T TRUST ANYONE. You got that, right?"

"Yeah. . . But don't worry, Kyle. Mister Valentine assured me that we are all going home, and as the sun rises, we will be traveling back into our houses to get the comfort we've been looking for. We will be feeling warm hugs and eat those delicious waffles for breakfast—"

"I'm sorry, but I don't trust him. . ." Kyle directly says that makes Miguel pout in sadness. But then, Kyle decided to continue talking.

"But if you trust him, then I would trust your decision because I trust you. . . So much." He follows up to cheer Miguel up. He doesn't want to see him getting sad because it would hurt him to see him in pain.

Maybe that's what love is.

And this is the world that they're living on.

A different concept of the traditional world they're dealing with now. And if there's a mad scientist, then it won't be foggy for the truth that machines would take over the world pretty soon, like a child being manipulated by the elderly to do things opposing what they want to.

"Here is the key to Ash's room. Please make sure that she comes with us tonight. . . I wanted you to please take care of her because I couldn't. . . Not until she stops hating me. . . Can you do that?"

"O-of course I can! Just trust me on this one; we will walk away like assassins. They won't even notice we are gone." He says before gripping into the keys. They all then get out of the room to save the others.