JINX

EPISODE 18

|Thursday, 14th of February

Valentine's day was made to celebrate the day of hearts as an individual expresses his or her affection towards someone with either plain greetings or sometimes they give this 'secret admirer' letters to communicate with the person they admire without blowing their cover or most of the time, we see them addressing their feelings in a form of material things such as chocolates or expensive golden necklaces or roses from those "cheesy" movies that everyone loves.

Well, not for me.

And if everyone is so coped up with this cycle of STUPID CUPID, I remember that most of those times on the same date which is February fourteen, I always consume my time inside my room, watching every horror movie that contained my DVD collection. I know it sounds bitter, but maybe because I was already used to not receiving the kind of love I've been wanting for so long.

The love of the person I like.

Well, I truly value my parents' love but when dad decided to not come up anymore, so is the sparkling love in our family starts to evaporate into his knows where. And if I'm being honest? I had this feeling of wanting to feel that same spark once again with someone else.

Am I searching for a father? Yes. But the love my dad gave me was irreplaceable. And Carlo popping up so suddenly into our lives is not an exemption. My mom used to date guys after my dad, and I admit, she's also longing for the love, for the touch, for the present. But when Carlo happened, I see the same spark being able to resurrect into my mom's soul and I thought I'd be the same since we were broken at the same time for the same reason... But, no, nothing, nada.

But this Valentines, I know it won't only be revolving around me. Because I know that this day would not be like the past few Valentine's Day that I disregarded because today, I have just witnessed something I have never imagined.

And yet here I thought that we were the only sinners who wore these dirty clothes... Maybe looks can be deceiving? Because even the man who was feared by everyone, that an wearing that expensive-looking tux, is now just the rest of us. Just what I have predicted.

because the world is messy, and cruelty can be masked.

I just hope there's still justice.

Cheers to a bloody Valentine's Day to you too!

Sincerely,

Miguel.

•••

MIGUEL

As my body hits the cold floor, that's the only time I've come to realize how my body's heat is so important. I have been feeling cold inside but my bruises and cuts were the only ones releasing heat, but also comes with a punch of pain. But no matter how painful it gets, I am still relieved that I manage to survive, despite acknowledging all the pain in different types of weapons used against me.

I start to cough faintly as my eyelids start to feel heavier than usual. I could taste the metallic flavor of my blood as it slowly flows out of my mouth. I wanted to cry but I guess my eyes already ran out of liquid to put out. I could also feel my stomach churning, my hands were warm as it puts pressure on my wound. My lip is swollen, my heart is broken, my skin is bruised, my body is bleeding... And my soul?

I don't know.

The darkness lingers around as I try to get up once more, but failed miserably as my knees weren't cooperating. My thighs felt like they weigh too much for me to carry, like an anchor that makes me fall back into the cold floor.

I wasn't bleeding fast, nor as I am not bleeding because my blood starts to build a small pond, soaking my clothes wet, imprinting a bloodstain. Lucky for me, I wasn't afraid of blood.

I tried so hard to get up but all I can do is lift my upper body with the use of my hands. But my sore 

muscles don't stand a f*cking chance to even hold me up just for a couple of seconds.

The door was never closed since Mister Clock left. Maybe they left it on purpose? I guess, they're... I mean, HE IS expecting me to walk out of the room by myself. Well, that's what I also thought.

Me thinking I could still stand up on my feet? Maybe I could do that for five seconds. But considering walking from here to that door? I guess I'll just have to wait until we play the game again tomorrow.

And maybe I won't be able to breathe until tomorrow. I guess I'll just have to lie down, cry with no tears, ache for the love, and the pain at the same time.

If only I had managed to say sorry to my mom for being bitter? Or at least, pretend that I'm happy when Carlo is around? Then maybe, I'm not feeling more shattered right now. Maybe I am just okay with dying since I've shown my mom's boyfriend a small fraction of kindness.

And f*ck me because I'm allergic to pretending. I'm not a pretentious person. Absolutely not a 'plastic person' as they call it.

Before I could even try to stand up for the nth time, I can no longer lift my body even just three inches away from the ground. Like there's a ton of cement being laid into my back. I tried so hard to scream but the more I move, the more I could feel myself getting weaker. More blood is spitting out from the upper left of my diaphragm where my big cage is hidden. Even if I already gave pressure, the cut doesn't even want to stop vomiting blood. And it is draining me.

But then, I manage to stand up on my feet, trying to locate a possible hideout. Although it would be useless, it would be enough to keep me warm for the next couple of minutes or so.

I manage to walk, but only a few seconds before I got myself back on the floor. And that made me decide to crawl instead. Even if my vision is blue, like everything is stretching or sinking, it even switches to fading black and goes again. Maybe because I'm so tired?

Can someone just save me? Carry me? Anything?

Luckily, I manage to hit into something. Maybe this could help me?

With enough strength I could give in, I manage to stand up on my knees, trying to picture out to where I am facing. And with no other choice, I had to hide fast. Pushing myself to go knows where I could feel the sense of security already. And maybe, this is a sign that I can be safe... Just in the meantime. And all it takes for me is just to sit there and close my eyes intently, trying to clear off my head and think of the happy thoughts. But thinking is also tiring, I must say.

I could feel my every level into a fast decreasing phase, unable for me to hold it any longer. And that again, I was back on the ground. And before I know it, there's a rustle coming from somewhere... Maybe from behind? I don't know. But then, I could feel my eyelid closing. I am so tired.

And all I want is to just sleep. All I want is to drown myself into a deep sleep and if it is granted, how about I don't wake up in this place anymore? Where I just open my eyes and see paradise?

'As I close my eyes in a wish for deep sleep,

You're the only one who came crossing into my mind.

As the pain envelopes my whole being,

All I want is your rescue

But I guess, I'm dreaming of an imaginable wish.'

•••

Kyle was bothered in his sleep when he hears a rustling sound coming from the door. His eyes quickly open wide, readying himself for whatever may come behind the door. He immediately stands up on his feet, clenching his fist as he positions himself a few steps away from the door. Luckily, the person he is with is sleeping well, not awaken by the noise. As the door swung open, his eyes widen to see—

"Mister Valentine?" He sounded like an exclamation point but it came out as a question. Valentine lifts his pointer finger and presses it vertically into his lips as he pouted his lips, as a signal for him to be silent. When Kyle already got what he meant, Valentine gestures him to walk outside. Kyle turned his gaze to the person sleeping from the other side of the room, his back facing them as he is comfortably sleeping from the bed. Kyle steps out immediately, not wanting to wake him up completely. Closing the door behind, he throws Valentine a questioning look.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He asks as he crosses his hands on his chest with a hint of anger and disbelief.

"I know you don't want to talk to me, Kyle but I have no other else to talk right now."

"And what? Your 'boss' doesn't want totally to you anymore?" He air quoted. Valentine sighed as he massages his temples, controlling his senses.

"It's about Miguel." Just by mentioning his name sent an alarm to Kyle's senses. His ears felt like they were alive in an instant, ready to hear what he's about to say next.

"What did you do to him!?" His words came in an angry tone.

"Mister Clock punished—"

"You son of a b*tch!" He moves forward, grabbing him by both of his collars, pinning him into the wall. "What. Did. You. Do. To. Him!" He growls, eyes showing signs of animosity. Valentine raises both of his hands as a sign of surrender.

"I'm... I'm sorry Kyle."

"Where is he?" He breaths out, not wanting to hear anymore dreadful. But fate seems to like hurting them.

"That is why I'm here talking to you."

"Where is he, Valentine!?"

"He's at 'The Corners of Jinx.' I don't know if he's unconscious or something and..."

"I thought you're nice! Is this the reason why you decided to meet me at that cafe? To act like an angel well, in fact, you already knew the plans—"

"I didn't know about who and where the targets are! I was just there as a concerned friend! And you seem to have been careless... Both of you." His expression softens, making him lose grip on his collar.

"I know you won't tell him what we've talked about there, Kyle. But I warned you about it. And now, you're not only at stake, but you also brought him here. Do you think this is easy for me? Seeing all of your kids suffer because of a stupid God Law!? I didn't know this is what the job I'm getting! And it hurts for me to watch you all fight for your lives when all your parents have done for me is good and I cannot seem to repay them!" He whispers, but veins were popping out of his neck, wanting to scream. Kyle brushes his hand on his hair, realizing the things from the start.

"Now if you want to save him, then I guess you should come with me and sneak him out. Because every time could be too late and he'll end up freezing to death!"

"Did you put—"

"No. Mister Clock didn't want to simply put him in a freezer. I already told you that he's capable of turning everyone's head at a 360-degree angle. Including mine. Now it's either we discuss this with feelings or with critical thinking. Your choice,"

Kyle's eyes roam around the place, gaze landing on a particular cell door that's obviously locked.

"Do you know where the kid is?"

"What kid?"

"I don't know her name but she's kind of this height?"

"Oh you mean, Ash?"

"That's her name?"

"Yeah... Of course, I know where she is right now. Why?"

"We have to get her as well,"

In a walk-run phase, they both start to take their steps forward,  heading to Ash's cell. When they're already standing in front, they sneakily open it, revealing Ash who is already asleep. Kyle marches forward to move toward the unconscious kid. When he's standing beside the bed, he guiltily shakes her lightly.

"Ash?" He whispers, but his voice echoed, clear enough to be heard by the two of them. He calls her name once again, jerking her again but this time, putting a bit of pressure on his fingers. Finally, Ash wakes up. When the kid realizes the person standing is not Miguel, she quickly sits up straight from the bed, defensively positioning her hand. Her once-sleepy eyes were shortly replaced by surprise and a doubting gaze.

"Who are you? Where's Mister Miguel?" She asks directly, her eyes moving back and forth to him and Valentine.

"I'm a friend of Miguel, Ash. You can trust me," He assures her by raising both his hand at a shoulder level as a sign of surrender. Her eyes then trail to Valentine who is standing by the door frame.

"How about him? Is he a friend too? Because it was clear to me that he hadn't made any friends yet." She responds straightforwardly. Kyle turns to go his shoulder for an estimated three seconds before looking back at Ash.

"He's... He's not a friend of Miguel but, we can trust him too."

From the moonlight rays from the small rectangular window shaped with metal pipes blocking an escape, she still manages to picture Valentine's face in an HD imagination as he wears a black suit. She furrows her be brows after she completely realizes who is the man standing by the doorframe.

"How—"