Chapter TEN

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Evening. After playing my PS3, I was straightening up my room. Just when I was about to make my bed and get on it, my phone rang. Something told me it had to be Madeline. I'm proven correct when I see her name on the caller ID. I pick up the phone from my charger and answer it with my cell to my ear.

"Hello."

"Hey." She sounds down as if she's dying.

"How are you doing?" I say lying on my stomach with my elbows propped up facing the wall.

"I just feel so empty inside."

I sigh. "Everything is gonna be okay. What's going on?"

"Help me." Madeline said. Right there, it was those two words that hit me. Of course, I would help Madeline. I would do anything to help her, but my power is limited.

After a moment of silence, I spak. "How can I help you?"

"Help me forget about Martin." I could try, but I have to be careful.

"I'm gonna help you. I'm gonna try my best. But you gotta help me by helping yourself. You gotta work with me. OK?"

"Ok." There's some hope in her voice, but doesn't sound like enough.

"I am gonna help you." I repeat. "This is what I want you to do. I want you to collect yourself, eat something, and get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"

"Sure. That's okay."

"Alright. I'll call you tomorrow." And with that, we both said goodnight.

There was a reason why Madeline never forgotten me. A reason why she sent me that text that day in the gym. A reason why she asked me to help her. Everyone she knew wouldn't really do it. To her, I'm her only ally. She wants to forget. I need forgetfulness for myself too. We could help each other, work together. We both have a common goal of getting to peace. While I help Madeline, I must be vigilant and steadfast as a mountain. More, I must not forget where my loyalty lies. I am loyal to the game, to myself.

We all need help as much as we deny it. We all need somebody to lean on. A friend. That's what I must be for Madeline. So whatever lingering feelings I have for her must be shut off. All I can do is what I can and that is all. I know I'm being a fool putting myself at risk. But I have to help Madeline because I failed her. Hopeless as this may sound, I want to give her hope. I can show Madeline she has a chance.

January 14th, 2021. After doing immense food shopping for Brasilia and watching Mortal Kombat with her, I went to Madeline's place. I remember going with her at the time to get her mail from NYPD. That's when I saw Martin's belongings and the damaged peep hole caused by him.

I walked down to Avenue D on 10th Street and went inside the project building. A young chubby teenager holds the elevator door open for me. An older woman goes inside the elevator with me. The smell I know so well comes to my senses. When I make it to the fifth floor, I knock in a light rhythm three times each. When I don't get an answer, I call Madeline on my phone.

When she answers, I tell her "I'm at the door." The locks click out of place as the knob turns with the door opening.

Madeline looked like a mess; her was discombobulated. If there was an attire to wear when you're depressed, it be a a hoodie, sweatpants, and socks. Exactly what Madeline is wearing right now.

"Hey." I say to her.

"Hey." She said tired.

As I give her a hug, she clings tightly to me. Madline closes the door locking it behind me and I follow her. The living room looks tidied up with the table by the wall. I go into another room where I see Karla sitting down. We greet, hug, and she tells me I look nice. She does too compared to Madeline with her red lipstick and hair wrapped in a bun.

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