The Unseen Trial [Ace Lucifer's Series Three] ON GOING

Twelfth Trial

BRYSON 12

J U N I O R  H I G H  S C H O O L

G R A D E  N I N E

Candace and Bryson followed Macey's grandparents. Candace can feel her hands sweating while they're inside the elevator. Hindi naman mainit but the uneasiness inside her—she can feel that something bad happened to her best friend.

Akala nila ay sa VIP ward lang sila pupunta, but when the elevator opened, nasa private ward sila kung saan walang kahit sinong pwedeng pumunta sa parting ito nghospital bukod sa mga doctors at mga authorized na bisita ng pasyente. The whole floor was only for a single patient...

So, it means...

"Mga apo, hintayin niyo muna kami rito ha. We'll go check Macey first..." Macey's grandmother smiled at them before stepping inside the room where Macey was probably inside. Walang bintana o kahit maliit na pwedeng silipan ang room kung nasa'n si Macey kaya hindi niya alam kung anong mayroon sa loob.

All of sudden, she felt a hand on her arms, squeezing it. "Ayos lang siya..." Bryson assured her.

Napatingin siya kay Bryson, and he smiled at her.

"You know she's not." She answered back.

"Matapang si Macey, Robot. Magiging maayos lang siya. Magrereklamo na ulit 'yon sa teacher natin sa Monday."

Hindi na lang siya sumagot. After a few minutes, the door opened and let them in. Kaagad niyang nakita si Macey sa kama. Her bestfriend was asleep but she can see the bruises and wounds on Macey's skin. Napayukom ang kamao niya sa nakita.

"Kumusta po siya?" Bryson asked, wrapping his arm on Candace's shoulder to calm her down, and assured her that Bryson was just there for her. Somehow, it calmed her.

"Maayos na ang lagay niya..." sagot ng lolo ni Macey at umupo malapit sa kama ni Macey. He caressed Macey's hair, and Macey's grandfather looks worried sick because of what happened to Macey. They sounded unsure.

"Ano bang...ano bang nakukuha ng pamilya ni Macey kapag nasa ganiyang kalagayan siya?" Candace can't help but to ask. She looked at the elderly in front of her with void of emotions.

"Robot..." pagpipigil ni Bryson sa kaniya.

"Tangina nila..." aniya. Bryson immediately covered her mouth but she shoved his hand away. "They can't even be a family to Macey once and foremost, at hindi pa sila nakuntento? They're...putting Macey in that kind of state whenever they pleased?"

"Apo..." Macey's grandmother started to shed tears because of what she said, obviously getting her point.

"Candace, tama na..." Bryson tried to stop her. Bryson can see different sparkle in Candace eyes—an anger that she's trying to suppress, and by the looks of it...it was the first time he saw something in Candace eyes like this.

Natahimik ang buong kwarto sa sinabi niya. She felt angry and hurt at the same time but she can't express it in anyway she can. Mahigpit lang na nakayukom ang kamao niya habang naghihintay ng sagot sa lola ni Macey. The old woman looked at her worriedly.

"W-why are they doing this to her?" she asked once again. "WHY?!" her voiced raised...and as if on cue, biglang tumayo ang lolo ni Macey kaya napatingin sila 'ron.

"Macey..." Macey's grandfather called.

"Macey..." She whispered. They didn't hear any response from Macey unlike the usual. Back then, even though Macey was beaten up and can't even walk, she would flash a smile for them not to worry, and would even act like nothing...but now...it's different.