JINX

EPISODE 8

They start ripping their clothes brutally, leaving no fabric to cover Camilla and Roderick's tiny, shivering bodies. As soon as they were both naked in front of everyone else, Mr. Clock whispered something to Valentine before walking out. But before he could even step out if the area, he turns to them, meeting every scared pair of eyes he could see. But as soon as his eyes landed at Miguel's he could see something different.

Something that caught his attention. Something that he can call intimidating. But he decided not to prolong any more of the silence.

"The game starts tomorrow by lunch, our dear guests. Get enough rest for now because your reserved energy will be a hundred percent used for tomorrow. Have a good rest."

The door opens for Mr. Clock as Miguel's eyes landed on the guy he had felt wrong in the very first place.

Valentine.

Valentine meets the eyes of Miguel, with disbelief and rage.

"Take these two separated from the rest. You know where to put them."

"No! No where are you taking us this time!? No, you cannot do this to us!" Camillabstarted fighting back, not wanting to even move to just follow the guys pulling her. The rest didn't move an inch, eyes were glued to how they pull Camilla violently, not even caring to how the woman feels. Roderick followed the guys with such silence, obeying the command he is told to avoid any more complicated consequences. After they had taken the two out of their sight, they were made to fall in line. Miguel decided to be on last as each one of them was pushed to walk in the same hallway. As they got out, Miguel looks on the left wing where the two naked individuals were taken. He didn't know what room they're placing them but he knew that they're on a far separated room with them. As soon as they've reached the first steel door, three persons were pushed inside. After that, they continue walking.

The second door is for the next three persons, leaving the last door for him, another guy, and a woman.

The door swung open as they were forcefully pushed to get inside, hearing a loud thud of the door closing behind them. He chose to stay there for a minute as he tries to recall everything that has happened. After sinking it all in, someone's hand pops up into his vision. Looking up, he expected rose him in the same cell as his.

"I don't need your help," Miguel said bitterly as he stood up by himself, dusting off his already dirty clothes.

"Perhaps we need to change our clothes." The woman he had just met spoke up, showing three pairs of orange outfit from her hand. He threw one to him and the other to the guy.

Miguel walks away to the edge, removing his already stinking clothes. Trying to cover his body by himself, he felt a presence behind him.

"I said I don't—" he turns around to how close his face was to the guy. Feeling a bit something inside him and warm in his cheeks, he quickly turns around to cover his feelings.

"Miguel—"

"Just don't f*cking talk to me right now, Kyle."

None of them decided to talk after. Kyle still stood there holding his polo to cover Miguel. As soon as he's done with it, he was about to walk out when Kyle stops him.

"Hold this for me, will you?" He said, looking straight in his own eyes. As much as he wanted to push his hand and walk away from him, his hand suddenly makes its move to grab the soaking polo. A smile forms on Kyle's lips as he didn't turn around to change. Miguel looks away, not wanting the feeling that Kyle makes him feel.

As soon as he's done changing, Miguel immediately handed the cloth to him, walking to the empty bed beside the woman who is silenced in the meantime, staring at the empty ceiling. Miguel doesn't want to start the conversation with her as well because he doesn't want to trust anyone and to get in trouble with anyone else.

"You knew Kyle but you acted as if you don't know me." The woman spoke up, making him look at her who is already looking at him.

"What?" He asks, puzzled to what the woman just said to him.

"Can you cut the bullsh*t? I know you know me." The woman said, making Miguel furrow his brows.

"I'm sorry but—"

"How could Miguel recognize you? You have a profile that is as blur as possible, not even knowing if it was you?" Kyle asks casually to the woman.

"Yeah, that's my fault... Hey Miguel, let me introduce myself, again. I'm Melissa."

Melissa? He asks himself.

•••

Carlo wakes up, still feeling heavy and dizzy at the same time. As he blinks his eyes slowly, so is his vision getting clearer and clearer.

"Lerissa? Miguel?" He calls for their attention but no one responded. He tries standing in but failed on his first attempt, still feeling dizzy. He closes his eyes once again as he tries to calm himself before standing up once again.

"Lerissa! Miguel!" He started shouting for their names but no one seemed to answer.

"Ow, what the f*ck." He mumbles to himself as he finally stood up, looking around.

Broken window, table and vases, unorganized curtains, and fallen paint portraits from the walls, TV was left open. The food on the table wasn't moved, and not a single item was stolen.

"Lerissa? Miguel!? Sh*t!" He cursed as he started looking for them. He walks into the kitchen as he sees a presence. He walks there, surprised and relieved at the same time to see Lerissa lying on the cold tiled floor. He kneels beside the woman as he tries to check for a pulse.

She's still breathing!

He started nudging Lerissa until she woke up.

"Carlo..." she mumbles, making Carlo nod as tears start to roll from his eyes.

"Yes baby, it's me... I'm so glad you're okay–"

"Miguel..." she whispers.

"W-what?"

"Where is he?" Lerissa sounded like she's fainting but she's not. Carlo on the other hand tries to stay strong for her.

Miguel.

Just by realizing it, he slowly helps Lerissa to sit straight. After that, he held both of the woman's shoulder.

"You stay here. Stay quiet. I'll go upstairs to look for him." He's about to go when Lerissa grabs his hand. Carlo turns to him with concern.

"Be careful."

He nodded, making his way upstairs, slowly as possible. He took a silent step at a time, just making sure that nothing harmful is coming in his way. As soon as he reached the second floor, he found the door to Miguel's room is already busted.

Sh*t!

•••

"Melissa? From the—"

"Yes. That's me."

"Well, where are the others?"

"You mean, Blake and the others?"

"Yes! From the group chat? Are they okay?"

"Of course not!"

"Where are they? Do you know—"

"Miguel..." Kyle interrupts as he pauses, making Miguel turn to him.

"What?"

"They're here as well. We are all here."

"What—"

"All of the members of that GC is here. Me, Kyle, Blake, Joseff, Chris, Tyler, You. We are all here."

"But, what about Camilla and Roderick and the other one? As far as I can remember, they weren't in the GC."

"They're not," Melissa said.

"Hold on... I still don't get it. Isn't this a coincidence?"

"We don't know yet but—"

"This is all your fault!" Miguel started blaming them. Melissa and Kyle were surprised by what he just said.

"How come this is our fault, Miguel?" Melissa asked, still not getting what he meant.

"You just happen to add me to your stupid GC and now, I AM HERE! If you didn't even add me on that GC, then maybe I was sound asleep on m bed!"

Hold on right there, Miguel. This. This is our fault? Then, how about you posting about your bullsh*ts about being so proud of yourself that you're gay!?" She stood up, hands on her waist. "I am proud of who I am? Then f*ck you because all we did is try and help you out! Blake got mad at us because you didn't even believe us—"

"I NEVER ASKED YOU ALL TO F*CKING BE CONCERNED ABOUT ME OKAY!?" He shouted, making Melissa shut. Miguel stood up as he took a few steps away from them, massaging his nape then pulling a strand of his hair.

"I didn't even ask you to add me on that freaking GC, I didn't ask about your concern because I don't give a f*ck—"

"Miguel, that's enough! None of us wanted to be in this situation." Kyle didn't hesitate to speak up, not wanting everything that has come out of Miguel's mouth. Miguel then throws a look at Kyle. Miguel then soon scoffs, releasing a chuckle.

"Says the guy who trusted an enemy." He said, remembering what happened at the cafe store before. Melissa furrows her brows as she turns the gaze on Kyle and back on Miguel.

"What are you talking about?" She asks him. Miguel then turns the gaze on Melissa who seems to be dumbfounded.

"Oh, you didn't know?" He asked. Melissa turns to face Kyle again, trying to read his eyes. But she cannot interpret anything.

"He knew someone who works for that man they call Mr. Clock."

"What?"

"Yes. His name is Valentine—"

"How would I know if you're lying, Miguel? You know that telling lies is bad."

"Then ask him, Melissa... Remember the day we went to that coffee shop? Tell her."

Kyle kept silent for the meantime, making Miguel impatient. "TELL HIM!"

"I will!" He shouts back, left with no choice. He then turns to face Melissa, gulping before answering.

"It's true."

"F*ck you, Kyle—"

"Hear me out okay?... Valentine is my father's close friend. But then, my father went missing and as time flies by, the police started to get bored in searching for my father that made my mom go crazy. Because of it, mom had done a lot of stuff that I never imagined she'd do to herself and... myself."

Both of them went silent after his confession. But that is not the end of the story.

"One day, my mom almost killed me. Valentine was there to rescue me. From that day forward, mom was out of my sight, said that she's in rehab. I thought she'd come back but six months later, things got worse. That is why they have to take her away... more miles away from me. And Valentine was there for me. But I thought he's the good guy but now, I saw him standing beside Mr. Clock... Miguel, I was surprised as you are—"

"What did he tell you at the coffee shop?"

"What?"

"What did he tell you?"

Kyle took a deep breath before answering. "He told me that I should be careful and think smart. I asked him why but he didn't answer the question... maybe this is the reason why."

"And why should I believe you?" Miguel ask.

"Because I thought I can trust him too. And now, we're on the same page... and we need to help each other escape this sh*thole."

"And how would we do that?" Melissa asked, doubting Kyle as well. He looks at Melissa then back at Miguel.

"We play his game... but, without dying."

After the conversation they had, the three of them decided to get some sleep even if it is indeed impossible to get asleep in a very scary place in a very traumatic situation.

They never gave them any food or just a spare of water to keep them dehydrated overnight. Miguel could feel his head thumping fast and his tummy rumbling uncontrollably.

I just hope we'll be able to open our eyes again tomorrow.

.

.

.

.

MIGUEL

I could hear the chattering of something that caused me to wake up. I rub my hands onto my shoulder as I could feel the cold.

My eyes immediately landed on my Kyle who is half-naked, doing pushups. I don't know why he can manage to do this when I can't even seem to breathe comfortably. As if I'm inhaling death by the second.

As I see no Melissa into that area, I turn around to see her walking close into the wall and knocking on it, probably trying to find a passageway to escape.

"Melissa, what the hell are you doing? Someone might come in and caught you with it! It could get us in trouble!" I whisper, making her stop.

"What else can I do? I don't want to stay here. I want to go home. I missed my family..." She said, giving me a straight face. I was about to stand up when I noticed Kyle is already beside me, wiping his sweat all over. I didn't bother turning to face him because I know it will make me blush again.

"We all miss our loved ones, Melissa." He said, wearing his orange outfit again.

"Can you just not disturb me and let me do this? Gosh, you people are such good at meddling no?"

I didn't answer instead, I stand up to look at the small-sized window with bars as covers in it. I then felt a presence beside me. "You like standing beside me, huh."

"Yes, I do."

"Like a stalker?"

"Not like that."

"Whatever, weirdo." I didn't want to talk to him because it still hurts to feel betrayed even just for a small reason. I know he's sincere last night about what he said but he decided to not tell me anything!"

"Hey, Miguel?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think we'll get out of here? Alive?" That question was the only question that I cannot ask as of now because I don't know to myself if I will. Maybe they will get out of here alive but me? I'm not sure.

I look at Kyle and gave him a forced smile before answering. "Yes, I do."

"Well if that's the case, I will believe you."

"We are not sure about anything that has not happened yet, Kyle."

"But I want to believe you."

I want to believe me too.

"Believe?" I ask and throw him a look. "What do you believe in, Kyle? Because I can't seem to read you."

"Well... I guess I believe in you."

I believe in you.

"Just... stop what you're planning Kyle. It won't work—"

"What do you mean—"

"Hey, guys!"

Saved by the bell!

We both look at Melissa who has a big smile on her face. Maybe the smile of hope?

"Come here!" She said making us approach her.

"What is it?"

She knocks at the wall. "Did you hear that?" She asks us, making us nod.

"What about it?"

"That's the sound of the concrete wall... while here..." she paused again, knocking a specific area. My eyes widen and so is Kyle after hearing the differences. We smile at each other as a new hope suddenly grows into my heart. I sigh in relief as I realize that there's a possibility of a way out.

"All we need now is a sharp thing to destroy this, hoping we could find an exit or something," Melissa said. We started looking for things on the floor, under the bed, on the foams, pillows.

"I found something!" Kyle said, raising a pencil. Melissa nodded.

"Give me that. This should help."

After Kyle had given her the item, she was about to destroy the wall when I stop her.

"Melissa... maybe we should work on the wall after we face the game?"

"Why?"

"Because the game will start by lunch and we don't want to blow up our plan," I suggested.

"Yeah, Miguel is right. We should wait until later."

"But I can't wait any longer! I want to escape now."

"We will escape... we just have to be very careful," I said.

"If there's a pencil, there has to be a paper as well... there! The newspaper! We could use it to cover the hole we're about to make!"

We had no choice but to follow Melissa. She's so desperate to escape as much as I am desperate to escape as well. But if this plan won't work, then it might be the end of us all.

"Let's be very careful okay?" They both nodded as Melissa started doing the job while we wait for the door.

After a couple of minutes, we could hear footsteps approaching. I signaled Melissa to stop. Kyle helped him to cover the small hole as I waited for the door to swing open. But to our surprise the small door only opens, giving us a tray for food. As soon as I get the tray, the small door closes. I called for them as they approach me immediately, starting to eat, sharing enough amount of food for us.

A cup of rice, two fried chicken, and salad was placed on our plate, with some gravy and a bottle of water. But before we could dig into it, I remember something.

"We have to save the rice."

"What? Won't it get musty?"

"I'm not talking about eating it."

"Then what are you trying to say?"

"We use rice for glue."

"But how? Will it work?" Kyle ask.

"I hope so because rice is sticky and it is an effective alternative solution for arts if you don't have glue. Maybe it'll work."

Melissa and Kyle look at each other, maybe having doubts about what I'm telling them.

"Are you that hungry?"

They nodded.

"Then I guess we'll just eat it then?"

"No... we need to trust each other from now on, that is why we trust you, Miguel." Melissa stood up as she picks up one of the torn papers scattered... she picks a handful of the rice as place it there, rolling it in a ball.

"We need to trust every instinct, okay? No more secrets, no more doubts... just pure trust."

I nodded, Kyle nodded. I just hope it will work... I hope this thought won't make me regret anything after.