JINX

EPISODE 19 (pt.2)

Miguel wakes up, still feeling heavy. Not only his body that he thought it weighs more than a kilo of rice, but his eyelids are as heavy at the moment, making him not want to wake up just yet. He groans as he tries his best to switch his position to face the other way but failed in the attempt after feeling the pain once again.

"Ah!" He groans as he clenches his fist, hoping to make his body shift from left to facing the right side.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing!?" He immediately reacted when he heard someone talk, more eager to crawl away.

"S-s-stay away from me!" He managed to respond without even turning. He starts to move, desperate enough to change positions in an inch.

"Miguel, stop! You need to get some rest!" Hearing someone call him by his birth name flatters him, assuring him that he is safe. He looks around to familiarize the area, sighing in relief to see where he Is.

'I'm here.' Miguel mumbles to himself as he wanted to shout for joy. 'I'm already at my cell!' But before he could exactly snap out of reality, he felt a pinching pain distressing a specific part of his body. He winces in pain after that, causing him to flinch back into reality.

"Miguel! I told you to stop moving!" Although he can familiarize the voice, he waited for the person behind him to come and reveal himself so that he would clarify who the person is. With a touch of a hand on his shoulder, he suddenly recognizes the touch as it sends chills all over his body. Not the kind of cold that would scare him, but more on to electrify him as if the electricity from the hand quickly travels into his veins, striking it into his almost dead heart.

"Miguel," the man whispers but enough tor him to hear. His heart starts thumping irregularly; his hands start sweating, his body starts to shake lightly. Was he nervous? Or is it just the effect of his writing that made him scared of feeling safe? But no matter what, the reason lies beneath his body's reaction is something that he thought that no one could govern. At least, not for him.

"K-kyle?" He seems surprised and relieved at the same time to see the person he either wished to see or not. The feeling he's influencing him is something vital, and that he could either surrender to this feeling or continuously deny the existence of the sentiment.

"Hey... I know it's so absurd to ask this, but how are you feeling?" In an immediate reaction, he felt like his heart broke free from his ribcage to thump in a significant movement.  Hearing his concerned voice makes him answer with a small smile, although even smiling takes a lot of strength to do; Kyle nodded as he squeezes his shoulder lightly.

"I'm happy you're still alive, Miguel." He mumbles enough for him to feel butterflies in his stomach.

"I'm sorry..." He mumbled in response but failed in an attempt for him not to hear.

"What- what are you sorry for, Miguel?" He wants to know his reason, and at the same time, he has this feeling of wanting to talk to him longer, hoping that talking to him might actually help him gain back at least the faith for himself.

"Because I think I worried you and Ash. I just didn't know that someone would care for me after what I've been doing. I feel like I've been causing too much trouble and now, look what I've got? They did this to me to get me punished, and I don't want anyone of you to get involved—involved—"

"It's not your fault, Miguel. It was never your fault as to why we are here, to my you made your decisions and to why Mister Clock is doing this to us. His choices may be a part of the game, and the first ones probably had experienced worse! So don't blame yourself just because they did this to you —"

"And yet you're here! How did you manage to slip here into our cell when you're not supposed to be here!?" That question made him think for a couple of seconds. He never thought he'd notice after the beatings Miguel had received, and yet he did see. But lying to him now would be a bad idea because he is restarting to earn his trust. And he doesn't want to waste his second chance to Miguel, and into his heart.

"I had someone to help me." He smiles.

"Wait. So are you saying... Are you talking about the guy I saw from that f*cking cafe?" He asks without hesitation, remembering the encounter clearly, and predicting it already. All Kyle did is to nod. "But why?"

"I don't even know yet. But last night, he came to me and asked for my time to hear him out. I thought it's just so random for him to come to me at a late hour, but I was happy not to turn him down." He pauses as he tries to put up everything into words. Miguel waited for him patiently, still lying on the ground, feeling weak. Kyle sighs before he continues.

"He told me that we're going to talk about something that includes you. I was that desperate after knowing it has something to do with you, and he didn't hesitate a bit to tell me what happened. I was taken aback by his confession, but he said to me that I could trust him. And as this desperation to see you grow into my consciousness, I did trust him. That's why I also called for Ash, though she'd be looking for you all night." Kyle helps him sit as they both turn their heads into Ash, who is still sleeping peacefully. A small smile, once again, formed into his lips, just by imagining Ash worried about him. But then his smile turned upside down, also visualizing Ash having to deal with such an impossible image of him— bloody, helpless, weak. The Miguel she trusted and confided about her plans, the Miguel she advised to be strong, and last night, her eyes were wide open as she stares at the Miguel who Is weak, who Is helpless, who is almost dying.

"She's really a good kid, Miguel. And I am relieved that she's in good hands."

"What does that suppose to mean?"

"It means that of all people that she has to be with, maybe it was her destiny to fall beside you because if Ash would have been with someone else, then perhaps she won't even last a day here."

"You don't know Ash, Kyle. She's something else than what the eyes see. I see something in her that I don't see in myself, and she's the reason why I want to be tough. And yeah, it paid off because I got into Mister Clock's head, but everything is f*cked up after last night."

"Don't worry too much; I'll always be here for you. Just remember that, my Valentine."

•••

At the same hour, Miguel felt a bit more okay than yesterday. Although he doesn't want Kyle to leave just yet, he had no choice but to push him out for the sake of all of them. Ash woke up a minute later, curious as to why Miguel hugs him all of a sudden. But the silence didn't last long after they start checking every cell, demanding them to seep out of their rooms. Valentine stood there with a phone in his hand, staring at them silently. His blood starts to boil, but at the same time, he wanted to thank him. Making them face the wall, Valentine starts to talk.

"Mister Clock authorized me to change groups today, and I already made the list of your groups, so please remember the names and faces of your groupmates because you might need it soon." He starts as he scrolls something into his phone. Seconds later, he places his attention back on them.

"The names I'll be calling will be in pairs, but since there's only seven of you, one group will have three members." Valentine's eyes travel to each one of them as if he's making an intense momentum, but all he got is a disappointment. None of them shows fear of who they might be staying in one cell with, but that's because his eyes are already fooling him. As a matter of fact, Miguel knew to himself more than anyone, and because of his condition right now, he's more than afraid for his life.

"Okay, group one... Mister Chris and Miss Melissa." Chris adjusts his position as he gentlemanly goes beside Melissa, who freezes on her feet. Even if it's awkward, they both share small smiles and a nod.

"Okay, group two... Mister Blake—" Miguel's eyes immediately landed on Blake when he smirks, feeling too confident about himself. "Mister Miguel..." But then his eyes switched to Valentine who's eyesight is already focused on him. He gulps, feeling his heart racing once again. Of all people he had to be with, why does he have to share a room with Blake, who he despises and fear the most?"

"The rest would be—"

"No!" Kyle interjects, obviously disapproving. Valentine raises his eyebrow.

"Excuse me!?"

"The groupings is not fair!" It took him enough courage to complain. Valentine crosses his hand onto his chest; his eyebrow still raised.

"Are you questioning my decision!?"

"So what if I am!?" All eyes were already on Kyle. Kyle's gaze finds its place to meet Miguel's, giving him a look he understands. And at that moment, he already knew what he is trying to imply. His eyes went back to meeting Valentine's eyes.

"I want you to change the groupings!"

"Then, give me a reason to reconsider." He responds calmly. Miguel was a bit surprised for him to quickly reconsider when what he expected was for Valentine not to listen. Kyle heaves a breath as he takes a step forward, having a three-step gap between them.

"Miguel is not in his good condition. He should have at least have a friend by his side to check on his bruise."

"Well, what happened to him, anyway?" Joseff asks with such curiosity. Instead of answering his question, they treat him like a wind instead. "What the—"

"And who are you suggesting as his friend? For all I know, these types of challenges, you don't find time to look for Amigas—"

"And yet we were able to. And I'm suggesting anyone but Blake!"

"What!? Why me? I can take care of him if he wants to—"

"Oh, really? Because as far as I'm concerned, you can even lay a finger on a kid. What more can you do with an injured man? You could have used his weakness as an advantage to fight him inside your cell—"

"Oh, come on, Kyle! Do you really care for this sh*t—"

"Don't you f*cking dare—"

"ENOUGH!" Valentine clears his throat after stretching his clothes as he also fixes his tie. "Are you foolish? You're fighting over something I don't really understand why!" He sighs as he clears his throat once more. "Fine, Kyle, you go to group two. That leaves Ash and Joseff to group three. Anything else!?"

They all shake their head. Valentine nodded, wanting the silence as a response.

"Good. Now go back to your cells because Mister Clock will be calling for the next game later."

'Next game?' Kyle asks himself. He then turns to face Miguel, who is already looking at him.

"Earn the energy you can all collect because the next game is much more intense."

With that, they were sent back into their new cells.

"Here, wrap your hand around my neck." Kyle gestures.

"What?"

"Let me help you." Not waiting for his response, Kyle grabs his hand as he guides it around his neck as he gentlemanly wraps his hand onto his torso, pulling Miguel close to him. His eyes widen as he could feel his cheeks burning. He turns the other way, relieved that the others were already inside their rooms.

"Miguel, is everything alright?" He asks, but it only made him nod. "I'll take that as a yes, then?" They went together inside as Blake is already lying on top of the double-deck bed. Luckily, there's enough bedspace for the three of them to sleep in: One double deck and one solo.

"Just to be clear with you guys, I don't care if you're a couple or anything but, I'll just have to remind you that I can kill when there's no other choice I could choose from, okay? But if we're not in the game, then I can be your friend. So, how about we be just friends, and let's grab this opportunity to sleep since Mister I DON'T CARE WHAT HIS NAME IS warned us to save energy? Especially to Miguel, who needed sleep more than anyone of us?"

Kyle and Miguel look at each other, not expecting Blake to speak up.

"That'll be great, man—"

"Just promise not to kill us in our sleep!" Miguel quickly added, showing signs of being afraid. Blake eyed them for a second before laughing.

"What!? Oh no! Do you really think I took advantage of someone at their weakest link? Hell no! It won't be a fun game, and it wouldn't be a fair competition! Do you really think I would go that low? Oh please. I always choose my battles."

After that, he stares at Miguel for almost five seconds before speaking up again.

"You're Miguel, am I correct? Gosh, you look so different from the online world."

"It's because I hate building trust through social media only."

"Then why are you trusting him? Haven't you two just met online as well?" The question raised made them go blank, not knowing how to react and what to say. An awkward silence fills the room after he submits his query. But before anything could go worse, she groans.

"Argh, I'm so tired! You two get some sleep for now. We should be thankful they're letting us sleep in the meantime while the creepy man they so praise is MIA... See you later at JINX, okay?"

Blake goes back to hugging sleep as Kyle and Miguel were still awake. They stare for a couple of seconds before Kyle gestures for him to place him on his bed. After that, he sits for a couple of seconds beside him.

"What?" He asks.

"N-nothing..." And without asking any permission, Kyle kisses his forehead. It quickly electrifies his veins, hitting his beating heart. As his lips separated from his forehead, he smiled at him.

"See you later, My Valentine."