21 Days

IX: A Tragedy

                That evening was the first time Jake was able to lay down comfortably on a bed. Since it was king sized, three of them managed to fit in. That includes him, Ethan and Sunny.  On the sofa was Jay and Jean was lying down on the stool bench he put next to the wall.  

                Despite being in a comfortable place with soft mattress and linen fabrics, he cannot sleep. His mind was drifting to the what ifs and what was about to happen next. He was by the wall and his back leaning there, Sunny was next to him and sleeping on the edge was Ethan. Although Sunny was staying still, his eyes were visibly open under the dim. This goes for everyone. Each of that has their own worries that while they were sound asleep in a comfortable place, maybe a member of their family was struggling somewhere out there.  

                Jay knew for a fact that his Dad was gone and without him, he’s nothing. His eyes were staring to the whitely painted ceilings and was wondering how his mom was doing or what happened with his little sister. Jay’s mom passed away when he was still a kid and his new mom, although kind was not close with him. His little sister named Trixie is different though and despite having different moms, they were close. Jay heaved a deep sigh, shifting to side position. The sofa where he’s nestling was facing the glass door that leads to the balcony. He was looking outside then it started raining subtly.

                Morning came and it was obvious on each other’s faces how they were deprived of sleep. Jay looked at his wristwatch and saw that it was already 8 o’clock in the morning. They could hear from the outside about an argument occurring between Jing and Hiro whom they concluded was in some sort of a relationship.

                When a knock came from their door, Jean was the one who opened it since he was the nearest. It was Nicky and Seven, they were inviting them out to have breakfast.

                “How was your sleep?” Seven asked them.

                “Horrible.” Jean whined. “I can’t sleep at all. I feel safe and not at the same time.”

                “I was scared of the thunder.” Sunny said.

                “What about the others?” He asked and looked at the remaining three who refused talking. Seven only chuckled. He saw the bags under their eyes and he already knows.

                That’s what everyone felt the first day they fell asleep comfortably while worrying.

                They arrived at the kitchen and there were breads. Some would think it would be impossible to have bread that time but Nina knows how to bake them. They don’t look similar as the ones sold in bakeries but it was fine, it was a good alternative and it dwells really well with the eggs. She also made a soup with some carrots and potatoes. It tastes like preservatives maybe because it was the one that came from the can.

                After everyone ate to their fill, they headed to the backyard. That’s when Seven’s intercom sounded. It was Jing and she was calling so that they would open the gate for her. She sounds terrified with her shaky voice but the reason for that was yet to be found out. Seven invited Ethan and Jake to come with him while the others helped Nicky with the farming.

                Once inside the manor’s premises, the truck came into a halt and Jing remained seated on the driver’s seat. She was with Hiro when she went out. They were comfortable of their abilities yet for some reasons, Jing was the only one that remains in the truck. This alarmed Seven and he quickly looked at the back of the truck but there was no one aside Jing. Ethan and Jake exchanged looks but didn’t say anything as they watched the frustration crawl up of Seven’s face.

                When Jing hopped out of the truck, she quickly fell onto her knees and Jake came to catch her. She started sobbing. On the other hand, Seven was frustrated.

                Looks like they have lost another one.

                Jake and Ethan assisted Jing inside. They were greeted by Ava and Nina with gleeful smiles but it soon disappeared upon seeing Jing’s situation. They brought her to the living room and made her sit on the sofa while Nina quickly fetched some water and gave it to Jing who’s hands were still trembling. She has finally calmed down but she was staring into nothingness.

                “Leave it to us.” Nina assured them and together, Ethan and Jake went back outside to where the others were.

                “It’s her boyfriend right?” Ethan asked and Jake shrugged.

                “Perhaps.” Jake responded shortly.

                When they returned, Nicky looked at them. He was seated on a chair underneath an umbrella and eating some lollipops while the others were doing the hard work. Jay agitatedly tossed the seeds he was holding and glared at Nicky.

                “Is this vacation for you?” Jay cussed.

                “The heck? Why are you mad? Who do you think risked their lives saving your asses? Now come on. Just plant or I’ll shoot you.” Nicky said this while looking absurd with his rounded sunglasses. When he noticed that Jake and Ethan returned, he gleamed. “You’re back.”

                “Where’s Seven?” he followed.

                “Inside.” Ethan said.

                “That prick. He’s already well rested and he wanted to rest more? How’s the truck? Did they get stuffs?” Nicky asked once again.

                “Yeah. They did. Seven was helping them unload them.” Jake lied.

                Ethan just went with it and they helped Jay and the others plant.  Sunny noticed the frown on their faces and asked them about it.

                “No. It’s just because of the heat.” Jake lied once again.

                Once Sunny was out of earshot, Ethan chuckled.

                “You like lying don’t you?” he said.

                “Then should we tell them that? It would just make the atmosphere depressing.” Jake pressed.

                “It is already depressing when you returned with that faces. Something happened right?” Jay appeared before them.

                Jean could care less about the situation. He was busy watering the plants and seems to be enjoying it. He was even humming together with the sound of birds. Sunny was radiating the same energy. Looks like he was able to recover from what happened with them just the other day. The phase was weirdly quick but Sunny was the only person who understands why.

                They stopped when it was nearing 11 o clock and Seven returned with some beverages and cookies on hand. When Nicky saw him appear, he quickly shot on his feet and pretended that he was helping with the planting. Jay was so irked by this action and he was inches from punching Nicky on the face.

                Just like Ethan and Jake when he returned, Seven carried the depressing aura around him but he was good at using his facial expressions that he just smiled and waved when he saw them. He called everyone for a break and gave them each with a piece of what was in the basket.

                “Damn this is tiring.” Nicky was pretending to wipe his sweat with a towel.

                “Yo chill.” Ethan held Jay’s arm as he was about to whack some s**t with Nicky.

                --

                Two days passed by and strange behavior was seen occurring on Jing’s part. Since she was always covered with her white doctor’s coat so nobody could see the wound she has been hiding on her arm. She was turning paler than usual and always eats her food in a rush. No one was paying that much attention thinking that it was only her depressive response upon Hiro’s loss. But for someone who has seen how the infections occur, Jay was suspicious.

                They were gathered on the living room, playing some uno cards and board games when Jay saw Jing return from the kitchen with a pitcher of cold water and headed to the study room. Sunny saw her and was about to call her but Jay covered his mouth.

                Sunny’s face scrunched up and he shoved Jay’s hand away from him.

                “The hell is wrong with you?” he asked.

                “Come with me.” Jay said and he forcefully dragged Sunny on the terrace.

                “That hurts.” Sunny complained as he rotates his wrist that has been dragged by Jay. He looked at him and Sunny wondered by Jay wore such a serious face.

                “You saw one so you should know.” He started.

                “What do you mean?” Sunny stood next to him.

                “She had the symptoms similar to..” Jay glanced. “..that Leo.”

                Upon the mention of Leo’s name, Sunny looked at Jay with interest. No one really has been talking about that topic thinking that it was really sensitive on Sunny’s part. He suddenly smiled, another bright smile and Jay was taken aback.

                “No one have really mentioned him till now.” He said sorrowfully. “To be honest, we’re not really a thing or so. I just like him because he’s nice to me.”

                Jay glanced at him.

                “You see I am the least many person in the class that’s why I always get teased for it. Some were verbal, some physical and because I don’t have the nerve to get back to them, I just let it happen. You see Leo is a nice guy, he’s a model student and everyone liked him. I know he’s just defending me so people would like him more but I could tell, like others, he’s just as disgusted

                I’m sorry if I get you guys involved with my delusion. I really thought at first that he’s not infected or whatnot that’s why I kept sneaking food I could give him. With that maybe he’ll start to return what I feel but he’s not as nice as everyone sees him. He said weird things to me and even cursed at me. Looks like whatever you do, when a person hates you, you can’t do anything about it.” Sunny have spilled what was in his mind. He then went and looked what Jay was doing.

                He was in an obvious discomfort listening to him. Sunny could totally understand that.

                “Why are you telling me this?” Jay asked him. He just wanted to confirm his suspicion about Jing’s symptoms but he was being told things far from that.

                “Nah.. I just feel like the five of us became closer and maybe I trust you that’s why.” Sunny said. “How about you? What is your relationship with Jake?”

                “J..Jake? What? My relationship?” Jay’s eyes turned wider by the mention of Jake’s name.

                “I’ve heard you used to bully him. Now I could see the concern in your eyes.” Sunny chuckled. “Have you asked for forgiveness?”

                Jay was left in silence.

                Just then, Jake appeared before them. He was worried that Jay was picking on Sunny and he was ready to fight. But seeing how the air between them was calm, Jake was a bit relieved. He went to their direction and Jay was a bit taken aback. They were just talking about Jake and now he was there.

                “S..Sup.” Jay said trying to hide the redness on his face.

                “I thought you’re threatening him that’s why I came.” Jake said, ruffling Sunny’s hair.

                “You’re becoming more like Ethan each day you hang out with him.” Sunny said in a pout.

                “I’m better than Ethan.” Jake said, this time locking Sunny with his right arm. “Now, what are you talking about?” he was looking at Jay.

                “Stuffs.” Jay shrugged.

                Just then, continuous screams broke everyone’s silence. The three of them was taken aback while Nicky and Seven was quick on their feet heading to the direction where the screams came from.

                Apparently, the screams belong to Nina and she was inside Jing’s study.

                Curious about what the commotion was all about, they headed to the study room and there, they’ve seen things happening. It was a bloody mess and on top of Nina was Jing, forcefully biting on Nina’s neck and causing blood to spill on the carpeted floor.

                “Nina! Nina!” Nicky panicked. He wanted to go in to deal with the situation. Seven was pointing a gun at their direction.

                “Grab him!” Seven said as he pushed Nicky away from the room.

                Ethan and Jean grabbed his arms as he struggled to go and save his twin. But what he was about to do was too reckless and they can’t risk any life more than that. Sky and Aiki appeared later after Sunny nervously radioed them. They brought their automated guns and without hesitating fired the bullets on the direction of the two women.

                After firing the shots, dead silence lurked the air. Jing was dead so does Nina. Ava just arrived; she was in the bathroom when she noticed the noise and gasped the time her eyes landed on where Nina and Jing were. They finally let Nicky go as he started sobbing, touching his twin’s face when suddenly, her eyes shot open. Seven noticed this and grabbed Nicky’s arm once again, firing his gun straight on Nina’s forehead.

                “Get away.” Seven said towards Nicky angrily.

                He went inside and was with Aiki and Sky and he closed the door before them. Seven did this because he doesn’t want Nicky to see any more of it. Nicky was just staring at the closed door. He was crying yet his expression was that of nothingness. Everyone was calling out to him but he couldn’t hear anything.

                Nina was dead and Nicky saw it happen.

--

                “You sure you guys are okay?” Ava asked after bring them inside their rooms.

                “Look. Can I help those guys with something?” Ethan asked and Ava just nodded. Ethan left and headed to the room where Seven was.

                Ava looked sorrowfully at Nicky who still cannot find the proper way to execute his expression. He was staring into emptiness and aside from the tears coming out of his lids, there was nothing. Ava was distraught and felt heavy as well, she and Nina were pretty close and now she’s gone. Jing was also close with her but there were walls between them because of some argument that occurred just a week ago and now, she too was gone.

                Jake decided to follow where Ethan was. Seeing this, Jay also followed. The door of the study was now open and in front was Sky and Seven doing a confrontation.

                “I told you that her wound is not a mere wound.” Sky chuckled, Seven was looking down.

                “I’m sorry.”

                “What can your sorry do? It cost two lives for freaking sake Seven!” Sky said angrily.

                “Then what do you want me to do? Get rid of Jing? Isn’t that too heartless? Even you can’t do i—“ a slap came in contact with Seven’s face even before he could finish what he was saying. He glared at Sky and watched him return inside, checking on the scene with Aiki and Ethan.

                Seven heaved a deep sigh, his fists were clenched. He looked left of him and saw Jay and Jake looking. He just shook his head and walked down the stairs out of anger.

                “What do we do now?” Jay asked in a hush.

                “Why are you asking me? And why are you following me?” Jake sounded pissed. Jay just shrugged and still followed Jake to the study room where Aiki and Sky was cleaning the bodies.

                The moment Jay smelt the stench of blood; he quickly took a step back while covering his nose.

                “I still can’t do it.” He admitted and Jake rolled his eyes.