JINX

Episode 13

|Saturday, 9th of February

They say it was never too late to repent. It was never too late to, you know, say that you've mistaken? That you are not perfect? That you are as sinful as the others?

But when you're in the middle of something, something so strange and something that drains your hope that you will someday, tell yourself that you made some things that are worth regretting and that you would pay for it?

And here I am, not knowing what to feel at all. I am not numb, but I am not that showy at all. Yes, I like to keep my feelings for myself. But, every time I attempt to push this feeling aside, the more I feel like a hand is choking me tighter. I couldn't free myself from the thought that I've been lying to myself the whole time... That I am tough. That I can do it all. That I can stand for the others... But at this moment, I just want to be real to myself.

I am not tough. I cannot move mountains, I don't hold the world in my hand. In fact, my hands are too sore to even carry the power to make a change... I guess I am just making a full of myself thinking that I will be the change. Well, how can I be the change? It is not like change has been put into a stop for the past decade and here I am, your superhero who tries to save the world from the destruction. How can I even save the world when I'm a mess myself? Pretty ironic, right?

But despite the thought of me wanting to be a hero like I said, I want to be true to myself... And that is I want to say that dad, wherever you are right now, I just want to say sorry. I've never been the son a father wished for but, you make me feel so, so special. And to you mom, I just want to say that I am fine? Well, at least I hope it will make you at ease. And if you were able to read this, I just want to say that no matter what happens, please don't blame yourself. It would make me feel bad when that happens.

I don't want to see you sad.

I love you mom, I really do. I'm sorry if I didn't spend hours telling you how much I really care for you.

Be tough for me okay?

Sincerely,

Miguel

•

•

•

MIGUEL

The torture doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon. All of it is like on repeat on my brain and I can't shake it off, not even a single second.

After Mister Clock said what he has to say, all the rest of us just stood there, still sinking in what has just happened. And maybe it won't be as easy to sink it all in because there is a lot to gather before packing all the information in one go. And maybe, my mind is in the process of getting a repair for the moment.

I am drawn to the two dead bodies into the floor and the slowly moving and expanding pool of blood is like an art into my eyes. But this art is a terrifying art. It was as if I am living in a time where everything is mute and that even I can't seem to voice out a single word. But just when everything becomes calm as possible, I snap out of the blue, a bit shocked to hear a man shout.

"Let's go!"

Turning my attention to another corner of the room, my eyes landed on a guy with curly hair, also looking at me.

'Why are you looking at me?'

Not having the time to analyze what the look means, a guy clutches his hand into my arm, pulling me out of the place that I stand, away from the dead bodies, out of that room where I have just witnessed how death comes in the way.

I did let myself be pulled out. In fact, I don't want to fight back anymore. I just had this feeling that I need to save my energy for an unknown reason. My backpack being on my side, as I pull it close, I could feel a bit of security...

'Can this day get any better?'

•

•

•

After they pull them all out of the room, Miguel and the others were placed in their Same old 'cell', leaving them the moment to process all that has happened. When the three of them were locked up once again, they decided to enjoy the silence. Miguel's mind runs through the moment where Mister Clock demanded him to continue at writing his letters, Emilia's thought is all about the escape plan which it can be seen on their wall while all did Kyle do is stare at Miguel, as he has no more things to worry about. When Miguel notices him staring at him, he gave Kyle a questioning look.

"What are you looking at, Kyle?" He asks the fact of kicking him in the gut.

"I just... I just want to talk-" Miguel raise up his point finger upward, not wanting to even talk to him.

"Now is not the time to talk." He says as he moves through his bed, sitting and leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees. Melissa, on the other hand, got intrigued and turn her attention to them secretly. Kyle sits on the opposite bed, sitting right in front of Miguel.

"Miguel can you at least hear me out? I just want to tell you-"

"Tell me what!?" He pauses as their eyes meet. There is rage, sadness, and guilt all over the eyes of each other. Miguel took a deep breath, continuing his sentence. "Tell me that you don't know that Valentine has something to do with this?"

"Yes! I didn't know he is!"

"And you really think I would believe you!? Huh!" He asks as he stood up, walking back and forth. Kyle remained seated as Melissa decided to slowly approach her bed like she is invincible.

"Miguel, you have got to trust me that I don't know!" He tries to explain himself but it wasn't enough to convince him at the moment.

"How do I suppose to know when I am not really sure what actually happened that day?" His voice seems to tone down, a cue for Kyle to talk.

"What do you... That day, Miguel?"

"That day! The day when we got to a coffee shop and then suddenly, this Valentine guy pops out of the picture and all I have seen is you and, and, and... And him! He's already comfortably seated like you've been there talking with something that is too serious that you even made the perfect timing to be out of the discussion... Or maybe, you were talking there because you are also part of this..."

"Miguel, that is an accusation that I cannot take. I am not that kind of person!"

"Then make me believe you are not! Because every time I see you and Valentine, this curiosity grows bigger and bigger. And as it expands continuously, the more that I doubt..." He pauses as Kyle decided to stand up, finally facing Miguel completely.

"Doubt what?" He asks, trying to realize what Miguel is talking about. Miguel didn't control himself, mouthing only one word.

"You." He responded, no hint of regretting it after.

"Miguel-"

"I'm sorry Kyle. Maybe I just don't know who you really are. Maybe... Maybe I was wrong the very first time we met. I thought you were different." He backs out, facing the other wall from the other side of their provided room. Kyle decided to just go back to his bed, resting his elbows on his thighs, hands we're used to covering his whole face. Melissa knew she needs to say something because she knows that it would be very bad for the team fo plan on an escape when there is an argument.

"Alright, guys... I know I am not supposed to tell shits about what is happening between you two but as a part of this trio, I guess we should at least set aside personal lives for now if we truly want to live. I want to get out of this f*****g place and I know you are too. So, in order to escape, we must trust ourselves. And if you two won't cooperate even for the sake of this plan, then I guess I'll have to plan it all for myself, or better yet find myself another group to join in because we all know that we are not the only one desperate fo escape, right?" Melissa asks, not happy to see the two of them involving personal problems.

"I'm... Okay fine, I'm sorry." Kyle says as he turns to Melissa and back to Miguel. "Can we um, work together for now? Just in case we get out of here alive, then let us talk."

Miguel doesn't want to agree but doesn't want the argument to be a hindrance for them towards escape plan. He then turns his attention to Melissa for a second only to receive a serious look. He sighs as he gazes to Kyle, not having a choice once again.

"Okay fine. But if we get out here alive, don't even expect me to believe all of your excuses because I don't know what to believe anymore when it comes to you." He said in one breath, making Kyle nod.

"But at least, hear me out... After all of this is over."

•••

It was already seven o'clock when dinner was served. They silently eat their food, savoring the taste down into their throat. It was a divine feeling to eat as if they will never have to taste food when morning comes.

It is because they are not certain if they'll ever get to live another day.

After dinner, it was announced to ever cell that the game will start for all of them tomorrow. They don't know the exact time to when will this happen, but they are all seems to be scared.

But that is not the only reason why Miguel is bothered...

"Miguel, the boss wants to see you right now." The masculine guy in a white sando speaks before going out, not explaining further why the "boss" wanted his presence.

'What for?' He asks himself as he stood up from his seat, walking past Melissa and Kyle who has this questioning look plastered on their face.

"Miguel?" Melissa asks, making him turn his attention to the girl. He was about to ask why but words seem to be stuck in his throat, forbidding him to say another word.

"Be careful."

"I will."

Those two words said made Melissa and Kyle get the assurance they have. They nodded at him before he could even turn his back on them. As soon as he did, the hidden upside-down smile forms, his heart beating faster than the usual, hands start to shake now. He knows why he will see him... Not just any type of conversation...

'He is drawn to my letters!'

As soon as he's out of their cell, the metal door slides, separating what's inside and what is out. He then turns to the man who waited for him.

"Took you long." The guy says, making him gulp.

"I just grabbed my notebook."

"Then let's go."

The guy held his arm as they walk right next to each other, taking the same old path, leading to Mister Clock's office.

And thinking of that makes him realize why he is called to be Mister Clock. But he couldn't seem to guess why he only wears half of the mask.

'What does that suppose to mean? Could it be that he is in a collaboration with someone and I am to meet him soon?' He asks himself but shaking his head immediately.

'No, it doesn't make any sense! All I could think of is that the government is behind this bullshit and that to still protect their identity, they hired someone to do the job!... But, why do I feel like it actually doesn't stop there? What is this still bugging me?'

His thoughts were cut off short when three knocks came echoing into his ears. That instant feeling of getting back to what actually is happening quickly sends chills into his nerves.

Clenching his notebook, the metal door in front of him opens, revealing the man he least wished to see at all. But when the moment his eyes landed on his, he had felt something weird that he himself cannot identify... At least, for now.

"Mister Miguel..." He greeted as the guy pushes him inside. He turns around to see the door automatically closing. And he could've wished he doesn't need to turn around anymore.

But he is not the man who was gifted with a lot of choices.

When he turns around, the same, evil grin has formed in his lips. He clenches his notebook tighter.

"I guess you have something I wanted?"