JINX

EPISODE 19 (pt.4)

Miguel could hear the gasps escaping from the other's mouths. Although it was too silent, they made sure it wasn't that obvious for them to react about it.

'He's been here right before he will reveal his secret to his mom?' Miguel asks himself in disbelief. He felt that it was too unfortunate, given the opportunity he had. 'Maybe, that's what love does to people; they made you forget about the time.'

"So, are you telling us that you somewhat, your reason to selfishness would be enough reason to quit? Well, f*ck you, man!" Chris shouts like an *ssh*le, making all of their heads turn in a direction they thought he is.

"What the f*ck, dude?" Blake disapproves, not expecting him to be concern about it anymore. "Are you being serious right now?" He continues.

"What!? Us he seriously is going to be more selfish right now, so he'd just quit and move on like nothing ever happened to him? So you will quit so that you would go back to your sugar daddy and secretly be a man like you have never been!?"

"That's enough, Chris!" Melissa shouts, recognizing the voice.

"Oh, what's the problem, Melissa? Are you as well afraid to admit everything that you have done so you won't do what this coward piece of sh*t Joseff has done today—"

"You don't know anything about me!"

"Oh, really!?"

"You're not so pure as you seem, Chris, so how about you shut the f*ck up because no one cares about your stupid opinions!" Ash couldn't take it any longer, responding to Chris with anger. Instead, Chris just gave him a laugh.

"Oh, look who's talking, smart pants! You're not so pure yourself, so how about you shut—"

"I wanted to quit because I wanted to talk to my mom and ask for her forgiveness! I wanted to talk to him because I wanted to say sorry for falling for him! And I wanted to talk to myself because I want to forgive myself! And to only accomplish that, I have to get out of here, quite my teal identity, to save a relationship I don't know if I'll be able to save at this time! It's hard for me to fight for my freedom, but it's my guilt that is killing me! And I am not as tough as you guys! I'm sorry, but we all have different versions of stories to tell, and mine is not about guilty tipping! I'd rather surrender me than die in this game without saying my sorry to the persons that I have wronged!"

There's dead silence after. Everyone didn't bother to steal the spotlight for their arguments. Even Miguel, who wanted to say something but respectfully silenced himself, not wanting to trust anymore with his inner feelings. Not that he wanted to be heartless, he doesn't want to reveal any more of him. He felt like he's stripping his clothes off slowly, every detail he unveils about himself to others.

They start to turn their heads either way as if they can see each other from the long fabric, making them stare towards blindness. They waited for anyone to talk, still hoping that this could be enough of a disturbance for the game to stop right now.

"Take off his blindfold, please." Mister Clock eventually talks to break off the silence as the person in white that has been standing from the back quickly strides towards him with no hesitancy. He helped him be free from the wire linking both of his hands and the blindfold after. After that, Joseff blinks continuously, adjusting his sight around him. A giant smile outlines on Mister Clock's lips as he stares down on the fragile man before him. "Now come to me, my child."

Joseff is a bit hesitant about it but agreed on following his command after all. He takes a step forward closer to him and far as ay from the person who is still on their knees. No one objects for him to do it, no one dared to stop him, no single person in the room dared even to make a noise that would distract the moment.

'Maybe this is his fate,' Miguel talks to himself, not wanting to feel bad for the person facing the same difficulty as him— insecurity as a gay. He gulps as he bites the inner flesh of his cheeks, not wanting to shout at Joseff and stop in his tracks.

He is undoubtedly right; we do have the same versions of stories to tell. And these stories hold our real identity. These histories we dearly hold who we are, and we can never rewrite these chronologies that have something to do with our identity, our personality, our gender, our strength.  But as he witnesses this kind of scenario in life, he only has one question now in mind: Who are we?

As Joseff welcomes the embrace of Mister Clock, they hear the continuous claps in unison, making them realize that he has fully embraced the decision of quitting. And they all dearly hoped he doesn't regret a bit. Mister Clock stares at Joseff for a second before patting him on his shoulder.

"You will be cleansed and be reborn, my son. You will soon embrace the commandment of God, and after that, you will see your mother soon."

"Thank you, Mister Clock!" He sniffs, a big smile crawling up into his lips.

"But before everything of that, you will have to face the last challenge before going pure and going home."

'Is this a scam!?'

"W-what w-would it is, Mister Clock? I am happy to accept every challenge that I have to face so that you promise that I'll get to go home tonight."

"Demanding but, of course, my son. I promise you that you won't be sleeping at your cell tonight. Ill assure your safe travel to your home immediately after you pledge your loyalty to our God."

"I will. Thank you, Mister Clock."

"Oh, don't thank me yet."

"But what should I do here yet?"

"About that? Hmm, let's see. How about you stand here right next to me so that we could watch together."

"W-what?" He was taken aback the moment he says those words. His eyes trail onto the six individuals who are on their knees, gulping his saliva in an exact moment. His heart thumps faster and faster, not wanting to watch them fight through fire to be free, neither hear their screams of pain but a pleasure for Mister Clock and the rest of his allies. Imagining that he's doing it and imagining watching them live as he stands there and has nothing to do to help them will only make him feel worse.

"Now, anyone else who would want to be brave as Mister Joseff and join our league of only believing with one truth?" He asks as he waited for anyone to follow Joseff's lead, but none of them were too tough to betray their individuality and character. Mister Clock chuckles as he pulls Joseff close to him, unable for him to consider escaping. He gulps once more, feeling the cold sweat starting to build upon his forehead as some of it is already piled in one place, beginning to roll down as it was already too heavy to stay in that place.

"Shall we begin?" He looks on his watch as he waited for the sweep second hand to move and point at 12 before signaling the game to begin. When the red hand point at twelve, a grin is set on his lips. "Let the Jinx begins!"

With no waste of time, Valentine opens the pocket ignitor, stretching his hand on a shoulder level in front of him as he applies friction in it. He doubted at first, but he knew he has no choice, leaving the lighter opened as Valentine drops it with his eyes close, not wanting to watch the horror he's about to witness. As he feels the heat around the room, he quickly turns on his heel, not wanting to extend his stay there. Without asking permission for him to leave, nor excuse himself, he silently and undoubtedly walks out of the room. Mister Clock notices what Valentine did, and he starts to predict what's happening. Shrugging it off for the meantime, he washes them as they start fighting under the flames. And just then, he felt the feeling he had felt before.

On the other hand, Miguel starts to stand up as he feels the rising heat temperature around him, and the evaporating warmness scorching his skin by the second. He tries his best not to scream, but his voice is opposing his decision.

It would be too inconceivable for everyone not to hear anyone scream when they're fighting the fire to be alive. Maybe only a man who has the endurance to heat can withstand the existing temperature. And that is not the ability of every one of them.

They all start screaming with the hopes of finding a box that would cut their hands free from the tight wire wrapped at their wrist. When they free themselves, they will have the potential also to separate their eyes from darkness. And when they have a hundred percent access to their site, they will be able to run away from the fire and save themselves. But take note, not all objects will keep you too fast; it also depends on the eagerness to smash the boundary towards freedom.

Miguel runs around, only to trip off with an object. His heart races even more as excitement fills his heart, knowing he's already a step ahead towards liberty. Miguel then starts to study the item using his sense of touch only, until his hand felt the opening cap. He opens it as he slowly put his hand inside to feel the object. Miguel exhales deep when his fingers touch the sharp and cold metal inside. He tries to figure out what he had, surprised that he had just hit the jackpot.

'The knife!' He hurries to take out the knife as he positioned it in the wire. Due to him trembling, he accidentally slices his flesh vertically, causing him to wince in pain.

The uproar of fervor didn't stop, but the willingness to still stand remains. Miguel soon cuts off the wire from his hand, immediately loosening the blindfold, pulling is down into his neck. The heat didn't matter to him at all, as the adrenaline kicks in. His eyes glide around him, seeing that they have made a fence for them not to escape the flames without removing their blindfolds. His eyes immediately search dor Ash, who is on the other side to where he stands. Rushing through her, he clenches the knife on his hand, not thinking of letting it go.

"Stay away from me, you son of a—"

"Ash, it's me, Miguel!" He responds, making her froze a but. But just then, she pulls him into a hug.

"Thank goodness you're still okay." She whispers as Miguel helps her to stop the flames from spreading more on her shirt.

"I'm here to help you!" He assures her as he takes her hand, about to cut it loose when Ash stops her.

"Don't!"

"Why not? They didn't tell us that helping is a violation!" He doesn't want to take 'no' for an answer. Miguel helps her with the ties and blindfold. When their eyes meet together, they nodded.

"Grab something useful and help others. I'll go there and help them as well."

"Got it."

They both run into separate ways as they start helping the rest. Ash finds Chris already lying on the floor who had just collapsed. The flames already made its way to his bare skin, burning half of his face with no second thoughts. "Mister!" She rushes through him, trying to see if he can still save him. He cut him loose as well. He slowly removes the burnt blindfold the stickers up with his flesh. Chriss groans in pain, not wanting to feel the pain he's currently enduring.

"Hang on right there, sir. Just don't give up yet."

"What happened to him?" Kylee came to secure Ash, as he uses his strength to carry him away from the flame. They lean his back on the fence.

"Did Mister Miguel helped you with the wires?"

"No, but he was there to help me finish the ties. He told me I should come to find you just in case someone wants to take advantage of you again."

"Thanks!"

As they were all busy, Joseff couldn't keep his eyes close. He is a bit fascinated to see determination and a bit guilty to quit. Mister Clock notices the expression, as he is feeling the same way. But feelings don't matter when you're in the game of survival. But unlike every other player, he is intrigued by how Miguel could still be as selfless clearly; the others didn't care about him dying in the first game. It's not an act; it is bravery. And it makes him feel madder for him.

"Est-ce même envisagé? Il aide simplement ses co-joueurs!" ("Is that even considered? He's just helping his co-players!")

"Mais nous n'avons pas mentionné une règle qui leur interdit d'aider les autres." ("But we didn't mention about a rule that forbids them to help others.")

He is right; they didn't forbid them to help anyone if they finished the challenge first. He nodded in silence, knowing that theye forgot about that rule to implement. And now, Miguel made him think of better rules for the next game.

The game ended when everyone got themselves free, with the help of Miguel and Ash. They all stood an inch away from the circle of flames as an announcement of their victories. Mister Clock signals his hand for them to put out the fire, to avoid any more harm.

"Congratulation, dear players. It looks like someone decided to play as the hero. But don't worry, all bruises shall be treated accordingly. I'll be sending every person in your cell to cure every cut and burn so that before the day ends, you'll be able to meet new cellmates. That would be all, Jinx players. Jinx is so proud of you." He turns his gaze to Joseff, who Is still silent beside him. He gestures him to follow them.

"Wait!" Miguel stops them before they could ever take a step away from them. Mister Clock turns on his shoulder; his eyes show seriousness.

"What about him? He needed more than just an aid treatment! He needs to go to a hospital!" He pertains to Chris, who has irregular breathing already. Mister Clock chuckles.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot do anything about that. It's his fault to be stupid and late, and now, look what it got him—"

"But he's still breathing—"

"I DON'T CARE!" He shouts as he completely turns a hundred and eight degrees to face them. "If he cannot save himself, then he doesn't deserve the life he's borrowing right now." Not waiting for any response, he turns his heel and walks away, with Joseff beside him. But before they could even take their tenth step, the metal door slides open, revealing a man wearing Clerical clothing. All of their eyes were wide open as Joseff and Mister Clock halts completely.

"I guess the Jinx has stopped?" He asked, giving him a formal gesture. His hand clenches a book with a maroon cover as the person behind him lunches the shoulder bag strap as he is facing the floor. He wears eyeglasses that Miguel guesses that the person is nearsighted or has blurry vision.

With a shocked expression and forced voice, he manages to say the words that completely shattered their faith.

"Pa-pa-pastor Roman!"

'Pastor Roman!?'