Background music playing ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ ♭
In the darkness, it's getting hard
getting hard to stand
if you hear me, if you see me
won't you come closer
- IN SILENCE BY JANET SUHH
SAYA'S POV:
I don't know what I was expecting, but I found myself quite disappointing. Something is wrong. I'm shaking but the ground is still. My body isn't the same, weaker. Pain radiates around my skull and there is instantly feeling that I am not familiar with.
I grabbed Patrick's arm without any hesitation earlier. I just need to clarify strange things with him however, the result was quite dissatisfying. I saw a strange vision.
That Grim reaper is following him. Nine has been stalking him. Something is definitely wrong.
I keep starring Patrick viciously. I can't see it. There's no written any single words on the top of his head. Why?
The vision that I saw earlier, it feels like it happened from the past. Am I right? or there's something I missed.
He is the one who triggers these unacceptable abilities of mine. Something is definitely wrong. I know that my visions are about deaths that will happen in the future. Strangely, I don't think what I saw earlier will happen in the future. It totally seems to happen from a few days ago and...
"Hey! Saya!" Yoona screams my name all of a sudden.
"What's wrong with you? Mr. Lopez is calling you" Yoona stated. Then as I turn my head to the front, all of our classmates were looking at me, strangely.
Mr. Lopez smiles at me "I know you are still experiencing some trauma due to the subway incident Saya. Let me know if you don't feel alright at all. Is it clear?"
Sometimes I wonder, no, often I wonder, why I always made a move without having second thoughts. I suddenly stand up "I'm sorry Mr. Lopez, but May I go out for 5mins?"
"Sure, Menesis,"
Blessed to have a kind of teacher like this. Mr. Lopez is our English teacher. He loves to emphasize wisdom and reads inspiring literature.
I immediately proceed to the nearest restroom. Wash my face, then stare in the facial mirror. I need to concentrate. If I fail to control my emotions, how am I going to face my mom in the afterlife? She will surely get disappointed. I bit my lip unknowingly. Yoona will kill herself in 2030. what should I do?
Furthermore, Nine has been following Patrick. But, he seems aware of it. In the vision, Patrick leaves a note for Nine. I can't recall anymore what's written in the yellow sticky note.
I have to ask Patrick then, what I need now is to figure out everything and tell the truth to Patrick. All of a sudden I hear some strange footsteps coming inside. Is it Yoona?
PATRICK'S POV:
I feel weird all of a sudden. Maybe I am used to having no seatmate. Today, a beautiful student named Saya Menesis which was originally my seatmate resumes to school. And here she is, looking viciously at me. Is there something on my face? I try to touch my face multiple times but it's none. Did I do something wrong? I feel nervous all of a sudden. What shall I do?
"Human thinks he owns the wind that hurls itself through the trees. Owns the stars in all of their vastness, that darkness murk which surrounds the soulful moon. Owns the entire universe, which they lock in their fists like the fish that has caught in the stream while watching it wriggle and gasp for air. Watching death itself. However, humans cannot wrap their arms around the galaxy and owned it. Humans cannot control the slowing beat of its heart, thickening of the blood, the fading of their thoughts, the incompetence, the suffering that comes with age. Humans cannot beat Death. Humans cannot beat Life. And of all, Human's deepest flaw, we cannot beat our own self" Mr. Lopez stated as he read what's written in our English literature book.
"Can anyone explain to me the meaning of this statement? hmm..."
everyone doesn't want to be called.
"Alright, the girl student in row #6 beside the windows, Saya Menesis" Mr. Lopez now calling her but she still keeps staring at me.
I can't turn my face to her and look as well. I feel uncomfortable. It's my first time experiencing such as this. I used to be alone, quietly staying in the classroom without having the attention of someone or anyone in the class. I'm not used to it. I feel so intimidated. What shall I do?
"Student #066, Saya Menesis!"
"Hey! Saya!" Yoona calls her name all of a sudden.
"What's wrong with you? Mr. Lopez is calling you" Yoona murmurs. I feel relieved somehow, she manage to take Saya's gaze away from me. Thank, goodness.
Surprisingly, Saya stands up and excuses herself to go out. Seriously, what's wrong with her? Wait, hold up. I suddenly recall what Mr. Lopez stated.
"I know you are still experiencing trauma due to the subway incident Menesis. Let me know if you don't feel alright at all. Is it clear?"
The subway incident? I remember Yoona mentioned it to me before. Is this the reason why she's acting weird? Staring at me strangely, why?
I unexpectedly remember everything. I was there in the subway incident. Luckily, I manage to escape death from that horrible day. All thanks to that Girl.
A flashback starts where I can see a clear image of the girl who saves us from dying.
It was her.
It was her.
It was Saya.
I stand up without any hesitation and excuse myself. I have to confirm everything with Saya. Probably the major reason why she's acting weird all of sudden is because she realizes it was me. The male student who bumped at her in the subway before the incident happens. And somehow, I feel like she's extraordinary like me.
WRITER'S POV:
Patrick decided to follow Saya, to verify something with her.
Back to the class, Mr. Lopez asks once again the students to explain the statement that he has read earlier. Derrick volunteers.
"Humans are uncanny creatures. They hunt for perfection in others, although there's no perfection in them. We sit around judging people simply because of one poor judgment. The point is, Earth is not our place to judge. But we always do. Humanity does. When you point at a person, five fingers are pointing back at you. There will always be something shameful in the eyes of society. We judge to feel superior, to feel good about ourselves. Unfortunately, no matter how good you might be, you will never feel content about it. Aiming to be perfect that you cannot and will not going to be."
While Derrick stating those wonderful and inspiring words, without any hesitation Patrick enters the ladies' room. He looks obviously overwhelmed and desperate to validate everything with Saya. He has mixed emotions, don't know which one should be his feeling right now. Thankful? Terrified? Nervous? Anxious? Blissful? Excitement?
Chaos playing in his mind until the right answer appears.
"Tell me, is anything justly perfect in this world? Is there such a thing as the perfect body? The perfect face? The perfect family? Or even perfect love? As humans, we try to produce and work for perfection. Something appealing or successful to show off the world. We can do evil things to attain our goals if we want it bad enough. It is just instinct. In all truth, perfection does not exist in the world. We may reach for perfection, but we will always fail. Because we are humans. We are flawed and whatever we create will be flawed also." Derrick continues...
Saya is now speechless after seeing Patrick all of a sudden.
"Hey Patrick, wh-why are you here," Saya said after having a mental breakdown in a few seconds. She turns her head left and right just in case there are other women inside since it's a ladies' restroom by the way.
"I'm sorry Saya but I need to clarify something with you. I can't wait any longer since I feel like it's insane and-"
"Hold on Patrick, let's go outside first you might get penalized if someone caught you inside here," She said while smiling. She realizes that Patrick remembers her. This is why he looks desperate to verify it with him. Also, she can see now his name on the top of his head but there's no expiration date written yet. Maybe the creator hasn't been able to plan his death yet.
She needs to focus and manage to control her emotions. There's no other option but to accept these extraordinary abilities of her.
"Just like mom, I'll cherish this and treasure every little thing that I will encounter in the future even though, it's about Grim reapers" In her mind right now while going outside of the ladies' room with Patrick.
They decided to talk in the rooftop.
"When we get back in the class just tell them you saw me fainted and brought me in the nursery," Saya said while smiling.
Patrick is confused, why she's smiling all of a sudden after looking viciously at him in the class.
"Now ask me anything, you mentioned earlier that there's something you want to validate with me"
"I'm sorry. I've heard earlier from Mr. Lopez that you were traumatized about the subway incident that happened last week. I know I shouldn't be asking this. But-"
"Yes, I'm the girl. The girl who you bumped in the train and the girl who just shouted on you about the bomber. The girl who just turned insane all of sudden just because you accidentally bumped inside of the train. It was me" She said seriously.
"The girl who saved me from the bombing incident. Nope. Not only me. You saved a lot of people from that day Saya"
She gets closer and taps Patrick's shoulder.
There's no vision at all, anything. Strangely, She somehow feels relieved about it. He seems like a shelter. How could this happen? Since that incident, every single day is like hell. Vision about someone's death is hellish. But, Patrick became a secret shelter that she can hide from those painful death visions.
"But let me ask you one more thing, Saya" Patrick abruptly grabs her right hand away from his shoulder and holds it tightly.
"Can you see what I can see right now?" turns his head to the right side and point out the spirit roaming on the roof deck, the girl student who loves staying beside the vending machine. she's quietly looking at the sky.
Saya surprisingly let go of her hands away from Patrick as soon as she saw the spirit as well. However, when she let go of her hands away from him she no longer able to see the ghost.
"What was that? a Ghost?" She murmurs. It was the moment she notices that Patrick has a third eye like her mom. He wasn't a good shelter to hide then after all. There's no vision but, He made her see ghost surprisingly.
"So, you can also see them," Patrick said with reassurance. It was heartening knowing that he is not alone having strange eyes. There's someone already who can see what others cannot, It was a sense of relief. He has been waiting for this moment. A person like him who can also see spirits or Grim reapers and talk about them. Helping each other if it frightens them.
But Saya's face doesn't show any signs of satisfaction.
He notices it, "What's wrong?"
"Everything started because of you. I started to have death visions since the day I met you. It was because you got the same abilities as my Mom" She then grabs Patrick's right hand and turns her head to see the ghost again. The girl student still looking at the sky with a wide smile this time. Saya notices it and suddenly feel pity towards her. She then remembers what toby and Aunt Eva stated before.
"Sara is the coolest person I've ever met"
"She's a Shaman. Saya, your Mother is a great person, who helps a lot of people using her abilities."
She tries again letting go of Patrick's hands and check if the ghost were still visible.
"I can see them unless I hold your hand," She said seriously.
"But, I can see Grim reapers without touching you. What does it mean?"
"I'm not sure but probably because your third eye has not fully open yet"
"Not fully open? What does it mean? So yours is open? Where is it?" Patrick hesitated to answer first because He is not used to it. It's uncomfortable to get closer to a beautiful girl.
"My mom wrote in her journal that it was located in the forehead. So yours as well right? may I see it?" Then She gets more attached to him without any hesitation at all. She stares at Patrick and touches his forehead. "I can't see it" She added.
Patrick feels really awkward. His heart starts to beat faster than normal.
"It's actually not visible, only Grim Reapers can see it. My mom told me," he says. Beginning to make eye contact again with her but fail.
A heavy silence settled over them. Until the school's bell rang.
"It's lunchtime, lets go!" Saya said while smiling widely. Then she quickly runs to the fire exit. Patrick carefully looks at her without moving an inch, courage drips his skin like dewdrops on spring grass. He feels it scorching in to calm his blood. It formulates such impeccable circles, each one like a tiny world of its own. He's not sure that today will be better than yesterday, but meeting Saya made him realize that He's not alone all this time. There's already a person who can now truly fathom him. For the first time, He has this kind of feeling.
On the other side, Saya feels the same way as Patrick. She didn't get frightened earlier, because He was beside her. Also, The ghost earlier looks sad. "I wish I could help her" She mumble while going down.
Back in the classroom, Patrick made it on time to catch Mr. Lopez and explains the reason why he failed to go back to class. He stated what he and Saya discussed earlier.
"I understand Mr. May, Is Ms. Menesis staying in the Clinic now?"
Some of their classmates going in and out in the classroom. It's lunchtime and they are craving for some foods already except Derrick and Yoona, obviously waiting for Saya and Patrick.
"Ah... Yes Sir" (Yoona notices Patrick talking to Mr. Lopez and decided to check it out. )
"Much better if you and Ms. Kim buy her some fruits or food packs in the canteen then. She needs to regain energy by consuming healthy foods. I feel pity actually. She's our top student for the past 4 years here in manila high. I'm afraid her absences might affect her school's curricular and besides your graduating students already. Anyway, thank you, Mr. May. See you tomorrow!"
When Mr. Lopez is done talking with Patrick, Yoona abruptly lays her left arm to Patrick's shoulder. "Hey, newbie! Its lunchtime. Let's go!" Derrick follows them.
While eating in the canteen. Saya suddenly appears.
"I hate you!" Yoona said then gave her some egg rolls. "I love you!" Saya said looking charming while sitting beside Yoona and in front of Patrick.
"Are you sure that you feel good now? You should have stayed longer in the clinic." Derrick asks Saya. He looks worried about her.
"Mr. class President, Saya Menesis is now stronger than ever. Don't worry!" Yoona gave her oranges. "I hate you!" she murmurs then continue eating. Derrick and Saya both giggle, Yoona looks cute while getting sulking.
Patrick and Saya were unsettled eyes glanced unceremoniously around and tried to avoid catching other glances that passed by.
----
On the other hand, After Toby finding out the truth regarding Nick. He didn't go back to school and decided to directly proceed at her Mom's Fashion store.
Eva owns a Fashion Boutique, named 4x4ever. She has a lot of VIP clients such as Lisa Soberano and the Korean superstar Song Hye Kyo. Sometimes She gets invited to Paris to witness a fashion show or gatherings. No wonder why they still have a luxurious life even though Eva's Father stops communicated with her since Sara died.
"Hey Toby, What are you doing here?" Eva said as soon as she sees Toby enters. She was actually busy talking with her staff. "Sorry guys, Mother's duty!" Then gets closer with Toby. She's wearing by the way a pink cravat.
"Mom" Toby suddenly starts sobbing. "Mom, Ni-Nick is, Nick, is..." Eva hugs him tightly.
"He is comatose. He's been comatose for a week. I have no idea that he was suffering for a week already. I'm such a bad friend!" He cries as if his heart would break into pieces because of the pain deep inside.
EPILOGUE:
Four and Nine grabbed some sandwiches in Subway. They were busy talking about the next steps they need to accomplish in order to fetch Saya's soul without any mistakes. After a few minutes, Zero called both of them. "There's an emergency mission from hades. I need the two of you here in the office. Quickly!"
Four and Nine arrived after 30 minutes. The same office that Nine visited in Chapter 4, "Archangels of the Arts and Sciences" Both of them burst out, and a small brown door shows up. Nine opens it w/out touching any.
Upon entering, Zero welcomes them with a disappointed face.
"What took you so long?" crossing his arms. This time there's no long table, only a plain white background covers the whole room.
"Sorry gramps, we have to finish our food first" Four get closer to Zero and start massaging his shoulders. "Anyway, What's with the emergency mission? Abruptly disturbing our lunchtime" He added.
Zero smirks before he snaps his fingers. A red envelope suddenly appeared in front of Nine.
He grabs it quickly. "A bomber" Nine utters.
"There will be a bomber in 5 days from today. We have no choice but to kill him right after he commits murder" Zero explains while walking towards Nine. "Hades wanted you to postpone your mission. This bomber has not yet been identified. I need you and Four to look for him as soon as possible."
"What do you mean kill him after committing the murder? So Hades will not give him a chance to live then? We will let him commit the murder? Why?" Four interrupts.
"Because the bomber will commit suicide after the murder" Nine murmurs.
"OH MY GOD" Four overreacts.
REMARKS; THE BOMBER IS A TERM USED FOR HUMAN WHO WILL COMMIT EUTHANASIA. (The practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering.)