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

Twenty Sixth Trial

BRYSON 26

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 11

SHE FELL ASLEEP CRYING.

Candace cried inside Bryson's arms for she doesn't know how long. She didn't let him see her face, that's why even she had stopped crying already, her face remained buried on his chest. Scared to have a look on his eyes. On what they both found out just in a split of minutes... even from a single person, Candace has no strength to face it all.

She's not that strong to face it in an instant. Ito nga lang na nalaman ni Bryson, at sa natuklasan niya ay hindi niya alam kung paano panghahawakan. She just wanted to stay close to him. She missed him. Mas lalong lumakas angpakiramdam na 'yon dahil sa napagtanto niya nitong mga nakaraang araw.

She wanted to savor him, and the feelings he's making her feel...and maybe, even she hasn't done anything that was tiresome, she felt tired...so damn tired that she ended up sleeping in his arms, even she knows to herself that she's just pacifying herself, and constantly reminding herself that she shouldn't do this.

AT nang magising siya ay komportable na siyang naka-upo sa shot gun seat. May naka-palibot na jacket sa kaniya, at neck pillow sa leeg. She didn't feel Bryson doing it. Masyadong malalim ang naging tulog niya. She's too comfortable...she's at ease... even at their situation. Siguro ay dahil alam na ni Bryson ang totoo, at sa mahigit isang buwang pag-iwas sa kaniya, she felt him closer to her...like it's back to normal.

Madilim na ang paligid nang tumingin siya sa labas. Napalingon si Bryson sa kaniya. Hindi ito nagsalita. Tahimik lang itong nagmamaneho, na paniguradong ipinagkatiwala at ipinaki-usap kay kuya Liam. Iyon ang huling natatandaan niya. She glanced at Bryson, and his expression looked the same...

Worried, sad, and betrayed.

Iniwas niya ang tingin kay Bryson, at ibinalik ang tingin sa labas. All she can see was the city lights around the place that she rarely sees during day light. The continuous horns of the car within the jammed traffic. She opened the window on her side. Kaagad na humampas sa pisngi niya ang malamig na simoy ng hangin. It's already days before Christmas, and she can actually feel it because of the weather. Her hair being swayed by the wind.

She closed her eyes.

She felt at ease... relaxed but not free.

Ilang minuto siyang ganoon. Bryson remained silent. Panaka-naka ang pagtingin kay Candace pero hinayaan niya lang ito. She looked like the burden in her was slightly taken off her. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa manibela nang kusa na namang pumasok sa isip niya ang narinig.

He's puzzled. He's confused... he doesn't know why or where to believe after everything he heard. Hindi niya magawang tanungin si Candace kaagad dahil nakita niya kung paano ito nabigla. Ayaw niya itong puwersahin para lang masagot ang mga tanong niya...yet one thing is for sure.

Candace doesn't want what she'd been doing, but she has reasons that Diane made her believe that she has to do it. Narinig niya. Buong-buo. Kumpleto. Mula umpisa ng sinabi ni Diane, hanggang sa matapos ito.

Come to think of it. Ever since they were called in the faculty room, Candace changed in an instant. Inisip niya noon ay dahil sa contest, pero hindi na sumagi sa isip niya si Diane.

Why is she doing this anyway? Why did she say it to Candace?

Nonetheless, that woman will pay.

Bryson maneuvered the car when they reached their destination. Naghanap siya ng map-parkingan bago siya tahimik na pinatay ang sasakyan. Both of them, side by side remained silent. Sa totoo lang, nasusuya na siya sa katahimikan na meron sa kanila ni Candace. For their entire life, being with each other ever since they were kids, he never let Candace have silence, pero siguro, iba ngayong malalaki na sila. Sometimes, silence is the best solution. Best escape... and space.