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

Thirteenth Trial

Chapter theme song: Fix you by Cold Play

BRYSON 13

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

SOMEONE ARRIVED.

That was the text of Arrow when they're on the way home, after pulling Bryson's hair, and him, screaming his lungs out as if it was his end already. Ipapakita niya sana ang text kay Bryson pero nang saktong lilingon na siya ay siya namang pagbagsak ng ulo nito sa balikat niya. Bryson's already asleep, and softly snoring.

Gusto niyang mainis dahil hindi siya makagalaw nang maayos, but the thought of her, making Bryson her pillow every time, her irritation subsided. Pilit niyang sinisilip ang binata, at tanging ang pisngi lang nito at ang tainga niya ang nakita niya. She heaved a breath before moving Bryson's head in a more comfortable position in her shoulder, but she almost flinched when Bryson moved and hugged her waist, at the same time, he buried his face on her neck.

Sarap ng tulog ah.

Napahinga na lang siya ulit nang malalim, at hindi na lang gumalaw. Nang malapit na sila sa village nila ay tsaka niya ginising si Bryson.

"Aray ko!" Bryson sat up when she slapped his face enough for him to wake up.

"Malapit na tayo." Aniya at tumingin sa labas ng bintana. It wasn't that long when the car stopped in front of their house. Bumaba siya kaagad at akmang papasok siya nang matigilan siya sa nakita. It was his parent's car—which mean her parents are inside.

At hindi pa siya nakakaapak sa main door nila nang makarinig na siya ng sigaw ng mommy niya.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO GO HOME UNTIL YOU CHOSE THIS FAMILY OVER YOUR GODDAMN JOB!" her mom's voice roared.

"Candrix, listen to me..." her father is trying to calm her mother down. "P-para sa inyo 'yon, Candrixia...it's for you and Candace so please..." her father begged.

"Is this all about money, Bailey?" her mom cried. "HINDI KO KAILANGAN NG MARAMING PERA! ALL I NEED IS A WHOLE FAMILY! YOU PROMISED THAT TO ME, DIDN'T YOU!?"

Nakatingin lang si Candace sa mga magulang niya habang nakatago sa isang gilid, para lang h'wag mapansin ng mga magulang niya. It's not that she doesn't want to disturb them, but this was the first time she had the urge to listen to them...so she would know where their family gone wrong. So, she would know... where they fell apart.

Her father tried to hug her mom, and she can feel every pain that her parents are suffering. Na kahit siya, kahit pilit niyang itanggi ay nasasaktan na rin siya. She just doesn't know how to release it that's why it was bottled up inside her—and she knows that time would come that she will explode.

"Y-you...chose you job...you chose your money over us..." she heard her mom's voice, muffled on his father's chest. "How could you, Bailey?"

"Candrixia... I will fix this... I will fix this...I promise. For Candace and you..."

Tahimik na umalis si Candace para dumaan sa back door ng bahay nila. She doesn't want her parents know that she witnessed his father's promise. Aasa lang siya.

Nang makarating siya sa kwarto niya ay pabagsak siyang humiga sa kama at niyakap ang isang unan. Questions filled her head.

If I will do good on my studies, would they be proud of me, and make time for us?

If I will finish my studies and work, would my daddy stop working...and choose us because I can provide money already?

And if my daddy would choose us, would my mommy stay at home because there's no reason for her to distract herself?