[31st December]
"So, what happened in there? What did they require of you?" we stared attentively at the two. "Nothing much," Nick ran a fry over the sauce splattered on his plate. "They asked us about the specific time, how Jay was when we spotted him..." he dragged a sigh. "And multiple inquiries about Rikki." Nick turned to Johnny. "I hope you were able to answer the questions." Johnny shrugged. "I think I did moderately well. Don't fret,"
"They also revealed a collection of items they encountered in the park. Like the discarded knife, a volleyball, a bunch of dirtied clothes," Johnny shivered. "They stank of fresh dirt and blood." my mouth bittered and I didn't feel like eating anymore.
"They showed us something else too, didn't they?" Nick questioned; brows furrowed as he attempted to remember. "Right, it was..." Johnny tapped his feet while he tried to recall too. Suddenly, he gasped and pointed at me. "Remember that disturbing mask we discovered in the other world?"
"The other world?" Silas and Ethan questioned.
"The one that looked like a real face?" Johnny nodded. "Yeah, that one. It's mad how they found it in this dimension too!" he cast a chicken nugget into his mouth. "I remembered thinking it was astonishingly familiar," I rubbed my chin. The rest of them continued to eat while I chewed deliberately, struggling to recollect when I've heeded the mask before.
"Should we visit Jay?" Nick and Ethan were discussing ahead of the rest of us at the cashier. "Hm, we should bring some gifts over, not that Jay can appreciate them." Ethan sighed. "But still, it's the thought that counts." Nick hummed, sliding his debit card over the pay machine. "Where do you think we should go? To buy the gifts,"
Ethan suddenly strode to my side, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
"To his grandma's antique store!"
It was as if the universe intended for Ethan to announce that. I gasped aloud when I finally remembered. "The mask!!" I exclaimed. "The mask?" they arched a brow at me. I smacked Ethan's chest in excitement. "The mask Nick and Johnny were talking about! The one that was shown to them in the interrogation room!"
Ethan hummed, not sure where this was going. "That mask was from my grandma's store! Only we have seen it before!"
-
"The mask?" my grandma blinked. "Yeah, grandma! The one Johnny got creeped out at when we visited for a group project!" I pointed at Johnny who gawked at me in disbelief. The twins were busy roaming their eyes around the overly furnished space. It was most likely their first time being somewhere so confined and picturesque. I bit my lip as I watched my grandma reflect.
"Ah!" she finally smiled. "Someone purchased it not long ago! It was a wonderment but I was jovial something here attained its home," she chuckled. "S-sold?" I exchanged glances with Ethan. "By who?" she shrugged. "They were draped fully in black. How appalling it was! I didn't even get to look at their faces!" my shoulders dropped. Whoever that was, definitely knew this was bound to happen.
"Hm?" my grandma looked over us. "Where's the other lovely boy? J...Jake, was it?" we frowned, grasping who she was addressing. "It's Jay. He's not...feeling well," she shook her head. "Poor him. I'd wish to converse with him once again. He was a joy," we nodded in agreement. We missed his voice too.
We threw ourselves onto the ruby table. It brought back memories as I touched the red-gold corners. Jay's face flashed through my mind and I frowned, my hands falling onto my lap. "Thinking about Jay?" Ethan queried from beside me. I nodded with a sigh. "You know," I touched for the angel figurine in my jacket.
"A nurse found this at the scene," Ethan gasped when he noticed the mini statue. "Ever since she passed it to me, I've kept it by my side ever since. It was my lucky charm." he bit his lip as he glanced at Johnny, who was fidgeting with his fingers on the table. I hadn't seen him smile ever since he woke up.
"Are you going to keep it forever?" Ethan asked. I frowned, dropping my gaze onto the angel. "I'll give it to him when I'm able. After all, I acquired this with Jay." I peered at Johnny. At the same time, he turned to look at me, an indecipherable expression painted his face. I didn't face away as I held his stare. His gaze didn't possess any malice or hostility, but weariness. As if he needed a shoulder to lean on.
-
"Who do you think that person was?" Silas questioned as he hung the stringed lotuses on the ceiling. "Huh?" "The one who bought the mask from your grandma," he grunted, climbing down the ladder. "I'm not sure, not even she recognizes so I wouldn't know who to guess," I passed him another. We decided to fix the lotuses into strings so we could tape them above Jay's room after we discerned how it gleamed under the sunlight. We were exhilarated as we discussed what a refreshing sight Jay would wake up to. Silas and I chose to start from the far left corner and fill the room gradually.
"It's odd," I hummed in question, staring up at Silas. "The person must've known about the store to know they retailed masks. What if they're one of your relatives?" I raised a brow. "Most antique stores sell masks, Silas."
"Right, I wouldn't know. It's my first time being in a place like that." he firmly pressed the tape. "I'm just theorizing," "Moreover, why would one of my relatives go for Jay? None of them know of him." he gazed down at me. "What about D-"
"Refreshments!" Ethan announced as he and Nick burst open the doors with their hands filled. "Johnny? Why aren't you helping Silas and Ethel?" Nick questioned when he noticed Johnny seated next to Jay, fiddling with a paper lotus. "Sorry," he muttered before making his way towards us. "What can I help with?" he sighed heavily; his shoulders hung low.
"Replace me! I need a drink," Silas immediately rode down the steps, hopping off when he was a foot above the ground. He patted Johnny on his shoulder before hurrying to the other two who were preparing the beverages. "Here," Johnny grasped the paper flowers from me. We didn't converse the entire time as we concentrated on emptying the crate in my arms.
I sighed in contentment as I stared at a part of the ceiling that was decorated in wonder. It was an excellent idea. I hadn't noticed Johnny had escalated down the ladder until he abruptly lowered his head onto my shoulder. I gasped softly, dropping the basket in my hands to catch onto him. "Johnny?" I shook him. His hands gently grabbed onto my biceps to raise himself.
"Sorry," he muttered with a soft sigh before going to sit on the stool by Jay's bed. I stood frozen as I stared at him in puzzlement. Was he that tired?
I turned around to notice Nick glaring at Johnny, his hands clutching onto the hollow plastic bags used to carry the drinks beforehand. Silas who was beside his twin glanced at him worriedly. He then turned to me, producing a fearful appearance as he side-eyed Nick. Was it because of earlier?