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

Twentieth Trial

I had a hard time writing this one. This is just too... emotional. Charot! 

Head's up sa pighati. I, thank you!

Enjoy Reading! 

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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 11

HE DIDN'T WIN.

The crowd went wild, all supporting the champion. The banners are everywhere, habang ang mga banner na para kay Venom ay nawala—at ang tanging naiwan lang ay ang hawak ni Macey, na ngayon ay katulong na si Arrow. They're still cheering for him kahit tapos na, at talo na siya.

He lost.

Wala man lang place.

The hosts, and the faculties motioned the contestants to exit the stage for the awarding of the winner—Hulk, but Bryson can't seem to move his feet. His eyes locked on Candace. Nanatili ang walang emosyong mukha nito, kahit si Macey at Arrow sa likod ay nagkaka-gulo, at nagtatawanan, na para bang wala lang ang pagkatalo niya.

He felt his heart slowly sinking, and guilt is eating his whole being.

He felt like he disappointed Candace.

Wala sa kaniya ang Manalo o matalo...but his guilt for Candace's efforts that turned into waste was enough for him to think that he didn't do enough. Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi niya matanggap na talo siya. Hindi para sa sarili niya. It was all for Candace, and he disappointed her, bigtime.

"Venom." Napakurap si Bryson nang kinalabit siya ng isang faculty assistant. Hindi man niya gustuhin putulin ang tingin kay Candace ay wala siyang choice—but before he can avoid his gaze, Candace already turned her back, cutting their staring contest, and mixed herself in the middle of the wild crowd.

Tinanguan na lang ni Bryson ang faculty assistant, at kusa na siyang umalis sa stage.

Nang makarating sa back stage ay nandoon na sila Arrow, at Macey. May hawak ang mga ito na eco bag. They're not with Candace as he hoped. Hind niya alam kung masama ang loob ni Candace, o ano pa man. Nonetheless, he doesn't have to base his guilt in Candace's reaction just because he lost the contest.

Hindi siya manhid, at hind siya magmamalinis. That whatever Candace feels, he's responsible. He should be responsible.

"Si Robot?" tanong niya nang makalapit siya kina Macey at Arrow.

Mukha lang na 'ron natauhan si Macey at napalingon sa likod nito. "Ay, nasa'n si Candace?" tumingin pa ito kay Arrow.

Arrow shrugged before smacking his arm. Inabutan siya ni Macey ng shirt dahil half naked siya dahil sa costume. "Congrats! Kahit hindi ka panalo, crowd's favorite ka naman!"

"Congrats, 'tol! Ayos lang 'yan. Ikain natin, ano? Libre ko na!" Alok ni Arrow.

Hindi siya sumagot, at basta na lang isinuot ang t-shirt na bigay ni Macey. Luminga-linga siya sa paligid para hanapin si Candace kung sakali. He's still hoping that she would still be here, even he lost. Alam niyang hindi mababaw si Candace, at alam niyang maiintindihan nito ang pagkatalo niya, but he can't still ignore Candace's efforts from the very beginning, the reason why Candace isn't here with his friends.

"Baka nag-CR lang si Candace! I-chat ko na lang—"

"Hanapin ko siya." He said. Wala ang tingin niya kina Macey.