JINX

EPISODE 23

"You use the shower first cause I'm still coped up with what I'm doing here." Carlo takes a moment to get himself busy, trying to trace where Miguel might have been right now.

'Is he okay? Are they treating him too well or undoubtedly cruel? Is he harmed in any way?' These we're the questions that didn't leave Carlo's mind but still leaves him wondering if how soon can he get his answers.

"Are you sure? Cause you were telling me earlier that you would use the bathroom first—"

"Baby, that was earlier. Now, I have to check up on something." He then turns his attention back to his phone. Even though he wanted to use his laptop, he can't, not after what happened a few days back. And when he's not looking, she tries to sneak a peek into his phone screen, but because of his fast reflexes, he managed to click another app and acted like he is busy playing.

"Hey!" He acted as if he's about to tilt his phone, but only to receive a glare from Lerissa.

"Seriously, Carlo? You're more concerned about playing Candy Crusher than going to shower?"

"What? It's just what I like to play, and I can't back out right now, now that I'm going against this guy with a weird username." He explains, but the glare didn't seem to change. "I mean, he's a hundred ahead of me! I think I can win it!" He acted out.

"Urgh, fine! Just be freaking sure to shower after I do because I might confiscate that phone of yours! And besides, aren't we going to go and look for Miguel?" She sounds so worried.

"Yeah, we will look for her, but first, you have to go get a shower so I could come next!"

"I mean, can't we go and shower together?" She suggested, with a hint of seduction. But then, Carlo refuses politely. "Okay, fine! Just be alert and come next when I'm done! Hope that game is worth it for you to choose over me!" She pouted before going inside the shower. When he is sure she is inside, Carlo shortly opens his google as he tries to locate every suspicious place he could see that might be using French as it's language. But just when he's about to open cities from what he searched, he hears something that produces sound. Carlo wasn't sure at first, but when he sees Lerissa's phone on top of the bedside table, he quickly approaches it to see if someone just texted her or someone is trying to reach her. When he is sure that it is a call, his eyes are glued on the bathroom door.

"Baby? Someone is calling you!" He calms out, but then, Lerissa didn't respond. "Baby?" And again, no response. The caller ends it by the moment he is about to receive it.

"She'll just have to deal with this—" he's about just to leave it alone when the phone rings again, indicating a call. The same person with the same caller ID pops up

Calling

UNKNOWN

Something inside him tells him that there is something more going on in that caller ID. Usually, if a new number and or an unlisted number calls a phone, it will instead come off as UNREGISTERED or the number itself.

And this is suspicious.

"Baby? Someone with the caller ID Unknown is trying to reach you. Should I accept it? It seems so urgent." He asks but received the same reply, silence.

'Should I take it instead?' He asks himself as the caller ends it again.

"Okay, if the person calls the third time, I will have to accept it—"

And he didn't get disappointed! The phone quickly chimes once more, as the same UNKNOWN as an ID pops up on the screen. He suddenly felt scared and hesitant, but the curiosity is kicking his guts to answer the phone.

"F*ck this!" He grabs the phone and slides the green button to the right and about to talk when the person on the other line started talking.

The voice is determined and panting as if he's short of breath.

[Lerissa, listen to me. This is madness but, I'll be pulling Miguel out. I know you won't agree to this, but I don't think Pastor Roman would even want to let go of the remaining kids.

As much as I want to save them all, I can't. Briar now is not the one handling the game; Pastor Roman found out about his past and locked him up away from everyone else. And soon, he will be playing Jinx like everyone else.

Luckily, one of the kids surrendered, and we will be sent home tonight; and I'll try my best to snatch the place to bring the poor kid home. And by that, I'm planning on getting Miguel, Kyle, and Briar with me.

Listen to me very carefully, remove all of our contact histories, and destroy this sim at once! Do not let Carlo found out about this because he might not take it the way we wanted it to be if he'll find out about Briar getting involved.

Like what you said, we will tell him when we get Miguel back safely. And we'll explain everything to him when everything is settled peacefully.]

Carlo couldn't believe what he has just earshot. His agape mouth is still; his eyes are wide open as he is stationary from where he is standing.

[Dont worry, Lerissa. Your son will be home before everything becomes more and more dangerous. Tomorrow, you might be able to see your son.]

He still couldn't sink everything in. First, he found out that Lerissa knew her son's abductor; second, his friend Valentine is also involved, and now, Briar is involved!?

His blood boils as his grip on Lerissa's phone tightens.

[Lerissa? Lerissa! Are you there? Please talk to me... Don't worry, okay? I'll do my best to get the position to drive this kid Joseff and being your son home, whole, unharmed and alive. Okay?]

He didn't respond. He didn't want to, and he doesn't want to prolong the conversation. Right now, he is angrier than ever.

'Is this what they call betrayal?'

[I understand you're probably sinking all the information in one go, but I don't have enough time. I have got to go now, okay? I'll call you when everything is OK. I'll get your son to safety, this I promise you.] Valentine then pauses from the other line as Carlo could hear his heavy breathing. A few seconds later, he talks again. [They're coming. I have to end the call now.]

The call ends shortly after that, making him slide his hand down, not loosening his grip on Lerissa's phone. Just at the right moment, the bathroom door swings open, as Lerissa is drying her hair using a towel.

"Hey babe, I hope you won against that person with a weird nickname, you say, because it's your turn now." She stops as her eyes landed on Carlo, who is glancing at the wall. She then furrows her brows as her eyes travel around him until her eyes settled on the phone that Carlo is gripping. She instantly recognizes it was her phone, making her gulp in nervousness.

"Carlo?" She calls his name, but he didn't flinch. "Baby, why do you have my phone?" She asks, but this time, she already predicted what might have happened. She tries her best to take a step forward to approach him.

"Carlo—"

"Where is he?" He straightforwardly asks, making her stop at her track. Carlo didn't remove his gape onto the empty wall.

"Wha— what are you talking about?" She hoped that he would buy her acting dumb about it, but instead, Carlo slowly turn to meet her eyes.

"Where is your son, Lerissa?"

"My son? Miguel?"

"Why? Do you have another son you didn't mention about?" He raises a question that shows a hint of his frustration, desperation, cockiness, and impatience.

"Of course, he's my only son! What are you trying to say here? That I have a hidden kid or something?"

"Don't change the topic, Lerissa. Where is he?"

"I don't know! That is why we are going to look for him right—"

"WHERE IS HE!?" He shouts that makes her cringe. He didn't expect this would come in a very unpleasant situation. "I ASKED YOU A D*MN QUESTION!"

"What the hell is wrong with you, Carlo!? Why are you like this!?"

"You're asking me that? Well, how about you ask yourself!? This is f*cked up, and you know it! And you still choose to hide it from me!? F*ck!" He slams the phone into the bed, as he firmly closes his eyes for a second before opening them. "You know what? I'll just have a goddamn shower and do things by myself." He walks past her, making her feel guilty. She then turns to see Carlo about to head for the door when she stops him.

"Carlo, wait! Please let me ex—"

"How could you do this, huh? How could you do this to your own f*cking son!?"

"Did Valentine called—"

"And you even knew the man who is behind this sh*t, and you prefer hiding things from me rather than trusting me!?"

"What did he told you." This time, Lerissa is the one to ask. Carlo didn't respond as he continues to scan to where he might have placed his towel.

"Carlo!"

"What!?"

"What did he tell you!?"

"Oh, the call was intended for you! I tried calling your name, asking if I could answer it instead, but you didn't respond! I answered the call, and he's like in a rush! He mentioned about everything and his plan on slipping your son out just to save him—"

"What?"

"And now, you don't even know if he'll be able to do it! Do you think precisely what might happen if tables have turned? And now, Briar has also had something to do with this!?" Just as Lerissa hears the name Briar, she is as well as surprised as Carlo.

"Carlo—" she is then about to explain when Carlo snaps out of it, having the concussion made up in his mind.

"Oh, wait... You're also an alliance, aren't you?"

"Carlo, I didn't know it was him—" she responds with teary eyes. Carlo just scoffed at her reaction and didn't let her finish.

"Oh, really? Because from what I'm thinking, you're just trying to lie to me again."

"Carlo—"

"You three planned all of this. You knew who Briar was before us, and you decided to hurt me this way, Lerissa. I didn't think you would stoop this low and bring too much effort just to tear me. And now, you have exposed your son to danger."

"Carlo, please. I didn't know it was him!" Lerissa starts sobbing, but at the same time, she manages to plead.

"Where is he." It should be a question but turned out to be a statement.

"Please—"

"WHERE IS HE!?" He shirts at her that made her cry out.

"If you don't want me to lose the remaining respect I have for you, tell me where your son is already."

"Don't go—"

"TELL ME WHERE HE IS!" She already knew that she wouldn't have a choice but to tell him where the location is.

"Rummu Prison."

"Where!?"

"Rummu Prison, Estonia."

Carlo quickly opens his browser to search for the location. He clicks visitestonia.com, and it quickly gives him the exact location.

[Sireli 11, Rummu, 76102 Harju maakond, Estonia]

He promptly made a few clicks before he stops, making Lerissa wonder.

"Baby?"

"I'm going to get him."

"What?"

"I'll be going to get him."

"Baby, you don't have—"

"I cannot trust Valentine anymore! He mentioned earlier that he would try to get the spot to drive the kid Joseff to safety, and if Valentine gets to be chosen, then he'll be there to save Miguel."

"Then shouldn't we wait?"

"What if he doesn't get the spot? Are we going to wait here for another week until your son is dead?"

"He won't die—"

"He won't... But what if someone will get him killed? Will you be able to handle your guilt? I don't know what has gotten into you, Lerissa, to sacrifice your son like this. I don't know how you could do such a thing as this to your one and only son! Why?" He demanded an answer, and Lerissa cannot hide it anymore.

"Because I cannot accept him!"

"W-what?" This time, Carlo stutters.

"He's my only son, but he is NOT A HE!"