JINX

EPISODE 24 [pt.2]

There's no perfect time to be ready, but the time has come for them to make a move. Mister Valentine has already prepared the car for export, and that he knew that everyone is now inside their cells, resting peacefully for the next day.

And he only has a few minutes to pull this plan out, or his life will be on the line.

Mister Valentine is in his A-game, but for some reason, he's not achieving the confidence that he should be possessing. He should be motivated to get out, or they will find his body nowhere, now that they could burn their bodies off to avoid trace. In short, he'll die as if he never existed.

Mister Valentine didn't even waste another second the moment he's given the cue to go and see if Joseff is all ready to go home.

On the other hand, Joseff has packed his bag early of the day, as he uses the rest of his time staring in the blank space of his specialized cell— newly painted cream walls, a big and fluffy bed that matches the pillows, a cleaner and own bathroom with the service of good food that you will surely enjoy. . . In short, a more comfortable space. But then, this is not the freedom that everyone would want. He's still living inside a cell. Yes, Joseff may have been living more decent than the others, but he still couldn't erase the tragic reality that he's still imprisoned unwillingly.

Three consecutive knocks were thrown into the air in a collision to the door that made him blink and turn to the door. It wasn't locked, a good reason for Mister Valentine to gain full access to it.

"It's time." The only word escapes into his mouth, but enough for Joseff to feel a mix of emotions— a sense of relief that he'll soon be arriving home, but sadness that he's going home alone, and leaving who he really is.

Mister Valentine comes inside as he carries his bag and is about to turn his back on him and take a step closer to the door when Joseff decided to talk to break the silence and tension.

"Can I ask you a question, Mister Valentine?" He asks as he managed to remember what The Man In A Half-mask Calls him. Mister Valentine is doubtful, but he knew that if this will make him feel safer and an assurance that he's going home, he needed to play along.

"Sure kiddo, what is it?" He asks, trying his best to ask in a very calm and natural way. Joseff then looks down at his hands as he starts moving them, a sign of anxiety. Mister Valentine is not certain of what is happening, but he wanted to make him feel safe.

"Kid, don't worry im going to get you home—"

"Did I choose the right decision, Mister?"

The question rings into his ears like a sharpened knife cutting all ends. The words seem so cut deep that he feels his ears numbing. Mister Valentine could already imagine his ears cut in half, as the invisible and unstoppable blood flows out of the cut. His heart? He has never felt more pain than hearing a man who's certain of his identity, has decided to betray himself just to get away with the torture.

But is it worth it?

Mister Valentine purses his lips as he tries his best not to cry. For the first time since he thought he is numb, he has never felt more dead of the situation.

"It's what you wanted kid. I am not the one who chose." He exhales the pain and decides to turn his back on him immediately to hide his teary eyes. As soon as he does, he is about to take another step when he decided to turn to his shoulder.

"Come out when you're ready. . . I'll be waiting by the car." He announces before walking away. And as soon as he steps out of the room, he immediately collapses as h rests his back on the wall as he feels his knees weaken. He gasps for air as his hand grips tightly on Joseff's bag. As his free hand caresses his chest and gives it two punches, he's wishing that the pain would stop. Because this is only a slap to his face that all this time, he's been betraying his feelings because he thought he IS numb.

Turns out that he's just too afraid to feel anything anymore.

*Ring. . . Ring. . .*

As Mister Valentine snaps back to reality, he then grabs his phone out to reveal the caller's ID.

And just by seeing the first letter of the caller made him have hope.

Because he needed hope.

•••

Miguel is having the most silence of his time. Yes, he's been dealing with the voices inside his head ever since he has been forced to be there, but being able to finally feel that everyone is on the same page as him, the voices in his head finally decided to take a break for him to have the silent sleep that he's been longing to have.

"Hey, Miguel. . . You're already asleep?" The dark cell should be creeping him out, but he's been used to it already. The coldness of the room and the creepy echoes of noises from the hall became music to his ears already.

"Nope," Miguel says as he sighs and opens his eyes slowly. He's already lying in his Bobby Sand Bed that's already too old for him to predict that soon enough, it'll give up on his weight. "And you?"

Miguel hears Blake sighs as he hears the creaking of the bed. "I just can't seem to sleep." He confesses. This made Miguel stare at the darkness, not shifting his weight in any direction, just frozen at his state.

"Well, maybe you should force yourself to sleep now because tomorrow is another day for what might come worse." He says, trying his best not to sound too sad.

"It's funny because ever since they took me here against my will, I already find it too hard to sleep. Like, I could be like a vampire because I can stay up all night. Maybe I sometimes get my sleep at God knows what time, but that's maybe like, enough for me to stay awake for the JINX F*CKED UP GAME."

"Like you're injected with adrenaline?" He asks that makes Blake nod into the vast darkness.

"Yep." He replies shortly. A small yet sad smile forms on Miguel's lips as he still didn't move on his bed.

"Then, I just wish I could be like you. . ."

"And why is that?" Intrigued, Blake wanted to know more. "But of course, it's okay if you don't like to answer me if you're not comfortable telling." He understanding considers. But then, Miguel wanted to. That made him then sit up as he still pulls the blanket to cover his body.

"Because every night, these noises made it so difficult for me to get some sleep. And I don't get some rest, then I would most likely feel my body shutting down."

"Well, are there any more voices tonight, a reason to you to not sleep well?" He asks which Miguel shakes his head even if Blake couldn't see it.

"That's the strange part because. . ." He pauses as he finds an answer to his own curiosity. "Because they're too silent and maybe I just got used to hearing them as night falls and it's so sudden and I want to prepare with these voices decided to go shut up. . . Like, I just don't know." He sighs once again with the disappointment that he couldn't seem to answer his own curiosity.

"You know, I've also experienced hearing voices in my head, that it almost made my sh*t go crazy. . . But because of him, when he came into my life, he helped me control it."

"He? Who? Your boyfriend?" He asks with a hint of jealousy. Miguel hasn't had a boyfriend of his own, someone he could brag to the guys who keep bullying him for being gay, and a representation that he also deserved to be loved.

But life's too bitter for his liking.

"Well, I—" but before Blake could even continue, they both hear almost faint steps fast approaching into their place. It made them worry until a single light illuminates their cell. They hear keys juggling that made them a bit alarmed, making the both of them stand up for their defense. Seconds later, the metal door silently opens, revealing the person that they weren't expecting to see.

"Mister Valentine? What are you doing here!?" Miguel asks as he hears Blake groan in a whisper.

"I can explain, but now is NOT the time, Miguel. Where's your backpack?" He says as he uses his phone's flashlight to locate the bag.

"What the hell is going on? Why are you looking for my bag!?" He asks as he runs to his bag before Mister Valentine could take his hands into it. Blake stands in the darkness as he watches carefully before making his move.

"Listen to me, Miguel. I may have found a way for you to escape. And if we don't leave now, they might get suspicious of us and have us killed before the sun rises." He warns. "Now, we have to go!" He says and without any pause, he grabs him by the wrist and starts to walk through the door. But before he could pull him out of the mir cell, Miguel stops him for his protest.

"How about the others!? Aren't we getting everyone out?" He asks but Valentine only shakes his head like it doesn't matter who leaves and who stays.

"The car wouldn't accommodate anyone. The car is just too big for one person, but definitely would be too small for all of us combined. Now, we must go—"

"No, I am NOT leaving without anyone." He demanded, but Mister Valentine only pulls him closer, his grip on his arm tightens.

"Kid, we CANNOT get anyone—"

"Then I am not leaving. There are only six of us here! Me, Kyle, Blake, Melissa, Ash, and Chris! If I leave without them, then it'll be better if I stay here with them."

"They're just strangers to you, Miguel. Why is it too hard for you to not leave them!?"

"Because they're not strangers anymore!" Miguel wanted to shout at him, but he couldn't, considering the consequences. "And if I can't convince you to get them out too, then you will not convince me to escape."

It was a statement. Miguel wanted what he wants and he wished to escape with them, the people who are also suffering for the same reason. He wanted to end anyone's suffering and escaping is the only way.

And Mister Valentine is running out of time.

"Kid, your stepdad messaged me." He decided fo bring it up. It made Miguel's eyes widen in surprise.

"What?"

"He's coming for you and I promise him to bring you to him as a whole."

"How did you know him?"

"Does that matter anymore?... Look, I'll tell you everything that you want to know, just come with me." He says, wishing that it will work. But then, disappointment paints in his face when Miguel shakes his head.

"I'm sorry, but I can't leave them."

He has made up his mind. HE WANTED TO BE FREE and that includes FREEING them as well. Mister Valentine then looks at his watch as he groans.

"Fine, we are getting them out. . ." He pauses as he looks around before grabbing his keys out. He hands it to Miguel as he furrows his brows.

"Free the others, and meet me in the parking space. Just follow this hallway, take a right if you see a brown door, open the rusty metal door on the far edge of the right, and follow the stairs. You will see another door that will lead into a wooden door. Open it using this key with a gold R.P Encryption, and you'll see me there. I'll meet you in ten minutes, can you do that?"

Miguel tries his best to remember everything that Mister Valentine mentioned on the directions and door. Snapping back, he nods with a spark in his eyes. This is hope.

"I know you're losing hope, but not today okay? I'll be waiting for you there. Just please, if you can't save anyone anymore, come alone—"

"I will save them, Mister Valentine. No matter what the cost."

"I'll trust you."

And with that, as he watches Mister Valentine hurries in a certain direction, he closes his eyes for five seconds to breathe and relax. As he opens his eyes, the flame of strength and a never-giving-up soul starts to burn up.

And now, he has to do anything to free everyone from anguish.

Because this is a sign.

A sigh that everyone could never be too permanent to be captivated.