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

Thirty Sixth Trial

Warning: Drug Use. R18. 

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 12

"Where do you want to go?" Candace asked Bryson while they're walking towards the exit of the cemetery. It's already 6 in the evening, right after the sunset. Makulimlim ang paligid, at wala nang kahit anong sinag ng araw. Tanging ang mga aninong naiwan ng tinta nito. The rain had stopped already. Tanging ang mga patak mula sa dahon ng puno ang pinaggagalingan ng mga patak.

Bryson didn't answer her. Mahigpit ang hawak sa kamay. Kung noong nakaraan ay parang nagliwanag kahit papaano ang mukha nito, ngayon ay parang bumalik. His dark, hopeless face on Bella's first night of death. Like his soul had left his body.

"Bryson." She called once again. Wala silang sundo dahil talagang nagpa-iwan sila ni Bryson. Maybe, Bryson wanted some alone time with his little sister... or he can't just let anyone see his tears of grief, except her who wanted her to stay.

Napakurap si Bryson bago tumingin sa kaniya. "Hmm?"

"Gusto mo na bang umuwi?" tanong niya rito. They stopped walking on the intersection lane. Tip of their shoes on the first while line of pedestrian lane, waiting for the red light to turn green.

Umiling si Bryson. She nodded her head, and didn't insist anymore. Kahit siya ay ayaw niyang umuwi. Paniguro, wala na ang mga bisita sa bahay ni Bryson. All was left there was silence, that was once filled with Bella's laughter, squeals, and cries...at sa pag-uwi nila sa pagtatapos ng araw ay alam niyang wala nang ganoon.

Maybe... what's left in Bryson's house was the silence and darkness she used to have in her own house.

Candace knows how that feels, and if letting Bryson skip it for few hours, she will. She will grant that Bryson's unvocal wish. Kaya niya namang gawin.

"May gusto ka bang puntahan?" tanong niyang muli.

"Hindi ko alam." Malalim na huminga si Bryson bago tumingin sa kalangitan na halos kainin na ng kadiliman dahil sa paglubog ng araw.

She nodded once again, and tightened their intertwined hands.

"Let's go somewhere... you could forget everything, for a while..." she whispered. Hindi niya alam kung narinig ni Bryson pero tumango ito at para bang sinasabi ng kilos nito, at tingin sa kawalan na bahala na siya kay Bryson. He seemed like a robot. Functioning, but not thinking.

PADIS POINT. Candace knew that she's already in legal age, the same as Bryson but being inside in this kind of place. A resto-bar. Never in her age like this imagine that she will be in this kind of place. Sa mga librong nababasa, at sa mga napapanood ay oo, alam niya ang lugar, pero hindi niya pinangarap na mapunta sa ganito.

Candace may grow up with men, Arrow, and Bryson but because of her and Macey, they always say no when it comes to alcohol. Kapag may celebration ay kasalanan nang magkaroon ng beer man lang sa lamesa nilang apat. Arrow and Bryson, even they are men, disciplined themselves to stay sober. For them.

And being in a place like this?

She felt like a sinner.

But she will endure for Bryson. For a fact, she knows that having alcohol, being drunk helps a person forget for the mean time. Alam niyang kailangan 'non ni Bryson. Hindi ito nagsasabi. Tahimik lang, at hindi na tulad noon. Alam niyang iniipon nito sa loob lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman, at kahit ang pag-iyak ay hindi sapat.