21 Days

X: Red Shoes

                It was sorrowful for everyone but the effect on Nicky was different. Out of all the people there, he was the closest with Nina. They’ve been together through ups and downs and watching Sky and Seven bury her and Jing’s body torn him.

                He was mad at Jing for putting everyone’s lives at risk. She was the one supposed to inform them because she knows well how the virus spreads yet she preferred hiding it from everyone and causing trouble. He was agitated but the person responsible was already dead. Now, they were lost on what to do next. They just lost their doctor and one of the most competent individual who could kill off the undead without remorse, Nina.

                “You good?” Jay handed Nicky a bottle of water as he sat next to him.

                They buried both Jing and Nina’s ashes on the backyard. Sky said that they had to do it just to make sure, the corpses should be burned because they thought that the capability of the virus was endless. They put the ashes in jars and buried it on the backyard. That’s where Nicky has been spending his days just looking where Nina lie. It has been three days and he still cannot believe that she was gone.

                Jay sat next to him. Although he was never good at comforting, he understands what Nicky felt. He was not good with words since he hasn’t experienced what comfort is but for Nicky, just his presence was enough. He knows that Jay was with him.

                “Maybe she’s happy since you always watch over her.” Jay said. “I saw my dad got devoured by these things yet I wasn’t able to do anything. Although we’re not close, up until now, I still can’t believe that I won’t be able to call someone when I am in trouble.”

                Jay smiled, recalling the happiest moments of his life.

                “What are you before this thing happened?” Nicky found himself asking.

                “Well, I am the captain of the basketball club.” Jay responded proudly. Nicky looked at him and just nodded. “How about you?”

                “Just a bored student. Troublemaker most of the time. I feel like the world doesn’t understand me so I have to do something like attention seeking. To be honest I hated Nina for being the opposite of me yet here I am, reminiscing and regretting stuffs I haven’t said to her.” Nicky said.

                As Jay listens to him, somewhat he relates to what Nicky has been saying. He wanted attention as well because at home, it’s always Trixie. He was often ignored even with his greatest achievements that are why he have lost the remaining of his motivation and just kept on doing nasty things. No one can kick him out of the basketball club because everyone fears him and his father’s influence.

                “Do we have a future?” Nicky asked.

                “I am not sure either.” Jay responded while frowning.

                Jake appeared after a few minutes, tapping Nicky’s shoulder and sitting together with him and Jay. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw that it was Jay sitting with Nicky but for some reasons, the more he spends time with Jay and try to understand him, the guy started to grow on him. Sure he still hates half of him but being in a situation of the unsure, best he could do is get along with him, with everyone else.

                “Why are you here?” Jay asked sounding mean.

                “Just checking out on Nicky.” Jake admitted. He was the one who notices how Nicky has been going restless watching the graveyard they made for Nina.

                “You should have brought some food over.” Jay demanded.

                “Sure I have some but none’s for you.” Jake said tossing a cookie towards Nicky.

                Jay just snorted and pushed himself to stand and started heading back inside the house. Nicky just held on the cookie wrapped up in plastic and took a deep breath, once again staring at Nina’s grave.

                “If you feel like crying, you should. Keeping things inside will just make it worse.” Jake patted Nicky on the back before he too left him.

                Once Jake was gone, Nicky’s sobs could be heard. He was crying as he was munching on the cookie Jake gave him and drinking some water Jay handed him.

                “Nina, I think we met some really good people..” He sniffed and wiped his tears with his hand.

--

                Evening came and Nicky made it back inside. It surprised everyone because he has been spending those three days mourning over his twin’s death. They didn’t exactly understand what he feels that’s why they let them be but the moment Ethan saw him return, he quickly went for a big and tight hug just for Nicky.

                “You’ve done well.” He whispered before pulling away, smiling at him.

                Jean and Sunny approached next, rubbing him on the back as once again, he started crying. He doesn’t understand where all those happiness were coming from seeing these people share their smiles and touch for him. He was still at the door yet he was crying like the baby he is.

                Seven on the other hand remained stagnant. He was not paying attention to however they were treating Nicky as he was busy reading a book. Despite the times he shared with Nicky and Nina, he doesn’t know how he should express his feeling for these people who were mere strangers and was just sticking up for the sake of survival. Yet for some reason, the others were treating Nicky as one of them, it was as if they have a connection with each other that he cannot explain.

                Although he was on the gesture of reading, his attention was with Nicky.

---

                That evening was rainy and the generator failed so they have to do with the reserve candles to light up the darkness. The continuous thunder and lightning making things worse and for Sunny, it was a nightmare.

                He has been hiding under the thick blankets, covering his ears up with a pillow. Jay thought that it was funny and that Sunny was just scared of the darkness. After all, two people just died there the other day and before the lights went out, they were discussing about how the soul would stay with its body for a few days before descending.

                “I believe in reincarnation.” Jean said seriously. “I’ve been reading and watching stuffs about reincarnation and there were actual people that remembered their past lives but it was mere memories they have as children and disappears when they turn adults.”

                “You’re making stories up.” Jay threw him a piece of popcorn.

                “Why would I? All the available resources are on the internet.” Jean debated.

                “How about we discuss the speed of the arrow when it is released from the bow?” Ethan interrupted.

                “You’re boring.” Jay scowled.

                “Oh.. What about something bright like your favorite movie?” Sunny said, he was sitting with Nicky who was finally associating with them. They conducted this discussion for him to participate if he’s interested but he was just quiet all the time they talk with nonsense stuff. Seven was in the room just judging all these people saying nonsense as to stray Nicky away from his depressing thoughts.

                “What about ghosts?” Seven started.

                “Ohhh… That is interesting.” Jean chirped.

                “Let me tell you this story back at my high school. So I used to go to Richmond High School—“ Seven said.

                “Richmond? That school? For the rich?” Ethan gasped.

                “I think I have heard about the Richmond students and they were rumored to be really intelligent.” Jean’s mouth was agape.

                “Their basketball team is also known in the whole state. We never won a game with that dang school.” Jay cursed under his breath.

                “You go to such an amazing school Seven! I have a friend who studies there and he said that there are a lot of pretty girls and cool guys at that school.” Sunny excitedly said.

                “So you’re one of the cool people Seven. I could tell.” Nicky commented.

                Seven scratched the back of his head. He already knows that if he mentioned that place, people would know because that school was pretty popular. Of course he doesn’t need to mention his pathetic student life and cause a pity party at that interesting moment so he set the depressing though aside and just nodded with what everyone said.

                “So do I have to continue—“

                “I almost transferred there.” Jake said and all eyes looked at him. He was busy with his phone, looking at old photos and seems to be uninterested but he was listening as well. When he looked up at everyone because of the dead air, he could see both surprise and disbelief.

                ‘Why are you all staring at me like that?” Jake frowned. He then looked at Seven who was starting to get frustrated for continuously being interrupted while he was speaking. “Bro, you should continue. What are you about to say?”

                Seven heaved a sigh.

                “Are you still interested?” Seven c****d a brow.

                “Of course.” The others responded while Jay was staring intently at Jake’s direction.

                Seven finally told them the story of the woman with the red shoes. It was an urban legend circulating at their school that if you stay pass 7 o’clock in the school building, you’d hear humming and stiletto sound echoing the corridors. They said that it belongs to the red shoes lady and she was haunting the school to seek revenge.

                It was rumored that she was once a school teacher who fell in love with the director’s son but their love was forbidden and when the director figured out the relationship between her and his son, they forced her out and proceed with marrying off the son with the red shoes’ lady best friend which was a favorite by the director because of the family background. The said teacher was enraged upon hearing about it and went murdering spree at the school, first attacking the director and the son and his wife and then killing him. She was popular for always wearing red shoes. She was also rumored to be a music teacher that’s why she was often heard humming.

                “That’s a lie.” Jay scowled once again.

                “I just told you about an urban legend no one knows if it is a lie or not.” Seven said rolling his eyes.

                “Are you today’s antagonist? You’re ruining people’s fun?” Jake said this to Jay.  

                “I mean his story is absurd. Jean was more absurd but his too.” Jay said with disgust.

                “Then… What happens when you hear the red shoes lady?” Sunny asked, he was already hiding behind a blanket this time. He was seated on the bed with Jean and Nicky, they were in their room and gathered there because they were supposed to comfort Nicky but it turned out to scary story telling.

                Seven looked at Sunny’s cowered form.

                “What would she do?” Seven smirked, Sunny’s eyes growing larger. “She’d haunt you of course. She would stay beside you and make your life horrible.”

                “T…That’s scary!” Sunny gasped.

                “Guess what?” Seven said looking suspicious. “I have seen the lady once. I can’t clearly see her face but I saw her bright red shoes. Her hymn was eerie and the sound of her shoes was scary—“

                “T…Then? She’s with you?” Sunny asked.

                “Always.” Seven whispered. As Seven said this, a thundering sound erupted from outside followed by series of lightning and then the power finally turning off.

                Sunny yelped and hid behind the covers while Seven was chuckling. He just told him a lie and he believes it but of course he won’t tell anyone about it being a lie.

                “Yo bro are you crying?” Jean asked Sunny. He too was scared and despite trying to repress the fear he was feeling, when Ethan touched his shoulder, he yelled as loud, followed by another sound of lightning.

                “Yo….” Ethan said both his hands in the air, he was startled by Jean’s yell that he almost slapped him.  

                “O.. Open the lights!!” Sunny pleaded.

                “What happened?” Jake asked.

                “Not sure, maybe the generator failed or out of gas. It happens sometimes.” Seven informed.

                “I’ll go see it.” Nicky volunteered but even before he left, Seven stopped him.

                “No no… Just take a rest. I’ll ask Sky what happen.” Seven said.

                “Sure. Thanks.” Nicky said and watched Seven, Jake and Jay leave.

                ‘Should I head out?” Nicky asked Ethan as he was the only one not hiding under the covers.

                “No. Seven’s right, you should take a rest. You could stay here with us. I mean even I think red shoes lady is pretty scary.” Ethan said.

                “I’m not scared. I know Seven’s lying.” Nicky shrugged. “Then, I’ll take your spot on the bed and hide with them.” Nicky said and he too lied down on the bed, joining Jean and Sunny in hiding.

                Ethan chuckled silently as he walked to the windows and looked outside. There was only darkness out there. It was both terrifying and depressing.

--

                “Isn’t it absurd? I mean why would you go and seek revenge when you just can find another guy to marry?” Jay was complaining about Seven’s story from earlier. He has been nagging him since they went out and Seven’s ear was getting tired of it.

                “Why do I have to explain? I just shared you my story.” Seven sighed.

                “Why did you even bother coming out.” Jake was asking Jay.

                “Of course I have to because his story has a plot hole in it.” Jay said eagerly.

                “Why don’t you admit that you’re just scared?” Jake said and Jay stopped from walking. Jake flashed his flashlight on Jay’s face that now wears a horrifying scowl more than usual.

                Seven saw it and stopped from walking, him and Jake were giggling because it was obvious on Jay’s face that he was scared. They were still in the corridor and a few steps away from them was the study lab that was now shut off and accessible only to Sky and Aiki.

                As they were giggling in the middle of the dark, a thundering sound of stiletto could be heard erupting from the darkness.

                “Did you hear that?” Jake frowned. He glanced at Seven who was now quiet and Jay who was alerted.

                There was only Jake’s phone flashlight lighting them. Seven forgot his flashlight from his room and Jay have none. The three of them stood stiffly in the middle of the dark wondering what the hell they just heard. Jay was even holding his breath as the continuous sound of the stiletto started to sound louder and nearer. Jake tensed up, his mouth slightly agape while Seven’s eyes were trying to distinguish something out of the darkness.

                The stiletto stopped and Jake’s flashlight flickered. Just then, a dark figure with red shoes  appeared from the darkness. Even before seeing it, Jake quickly closed his eyes.

                “J..Jay it’s behind you.” Jake muttered, his voice cracking.

                “What are you guys doing?” a voice came from Jay’s back and the three of them screamed.

                Jay looked behind him and even fell on the ground as the three of them looked at a woman’s form. Her face was covered with mask sheet and she was wearing a pink puffy and frilly dress with beads that seems to glow from the light that was being reflected from Jake’s flash.

                Seven started thumping his fist on his chest, catching his breath as he too was shocked upon seeing Ava’s form come out of the darkness. Jake finally opened his eyes and heaved deeply while Jay was on the floor, staring at Ava with shocked eyes.

                “The hell are you doing down there?” She pointed out as she watched Jay stood up.

                He wanted to yell at her for scaring the s**t out of him but Ava was older and they were not that close. Jay just walked away from her tugging his hair with both hands and even stomped on the floor out of frustration. He realized he has lost his cool right there and it was truly embarrassing.

                 “Yo… It’s Ava.” Jake heaved a sigh.

                “Why do you have to appear looking like that out of darkness? I almost pissed myself.” Seven said, still clutching on his chest.

                “Of course I have to get out. My room is dark and scary and I just heard a scream from your room so I was about to check out and saw you guys. I was kinda relieved though. Where are you going by the way?” She asked finally pulling the mask out of her face.

                “Basement, checking things out with Sky.” Seven has finally collected himself and was able to answer her question as blankly.

                “Sure. Let me come with you.” Ava declared and they headed to where the basement was.

                But even before they made it to the basement, their jaws fell when Jake’s flashlight came in contact with those two making out. Jake quickly pulled it away from them, covering his mouth while Jay whistled. Ava released an audible oh my god while Seven groaned painfully.

                “Holy hell.” Sky cursed, embarrassed that they were just caught.

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