SEVEN: Cursed Souls

CHAPTER 2: TWILIGHT

A few hours earlier, at Lazaro's house.

"Hey Lazaro?! Aren't you going to clean your room? Did a storm come by?" Logan jokingly asked.

"Let the maids do that for me. Just go to the gaming room and bring those snacks in."

Lazaro's room is huge. He has a separate room for gaming and another for his clothes, which are all spacious. Even his bathroom is double the size of my room. These are reflections of his family's wealth. They are one of the wealthiest in town. 

Sometimes, I even get confused on how I am friends with Lazy because we are far from equals—I give all blood and sweat to get my needs while he could just sit all day and get what he wants, he is lucky.

"LOGAN! I bet that you've snuck those foods out of your store," I said when I saw him opening a bag of chips.

"Grandma is aware. I need these."

Logan, who is always called Mr. Fatty by his bullies, copes with his stress by eating and has been obese since his parents and grandfather died when he was still a child. His grandmother always warns him to get on a diet, but he ignores her and even eats more from the stress. Food gives him peace.

The three of us may be of different social status, but we relate to each other. They are the only people who understand me the most, so I, in return, support them in their endeavors. I support even Logan's dream of becoming a professional gamer. These games are like friends that we've been trying to get to know. Although Logan has the dream of becoming a professional gamer, out of the three of us, Lazy has the most potential. Unfortunately, he he had always been a slacker.

We finally grew tired after a few more hours of playing.

"Have you heard of that old church at Talong Busilak? Some of my classmates went there last weekend. I just want some breath of fresh air, and it is just the right place. They even told me that the sunset is beautiful when seen from its bell tower. Wanna go?!" Lazy asked, smiling.

I and Logan looked at each other in confusion because Lazy seldom goes out. I thought that this may be a crucial step for him to get the fire in his heart burning again, back to being the once adventurous kid that I first met. "Sure! It had been so long since I went out of town. It is just an hour ride, right?" I stood and responded.

Logan may have also felt the same thing. "Hey! I'm in! But let's grab some food while we are on the way, okay?! You should never let the mighty Logan starve, or you'll face the wrath of the monstrous Fatty!" Logan bluffed. His bullies had hurt him badly, and he lost his self-esteem, feeling disgusted in himself when he shouldn't.

***

Afternoon of April 7, 2018, at the belltower.

I looked ahead of me. The orange sky, green leaves, and the setting sun was a breath taking view. The sun rays touching my skin felt like a warm embrace that comforts me. The lush trees that we passed through can be seen here, even the river that stretches far, as the church is built on a mountaintop. The fresh air is calming my mind, but why is there a sudden worry in my heart?

I looked at Lazy and Logan, who were also enjoying the view, and the worry in my heart returned to joy.

"You two, do you know how thankful I am to have you?" I asked after I felt a sudden urge to tell them.

Both laughed. "Please stop! We don't want to be emotional," Logan complains while trying not to let his giggle out.

"Why are you suddenly telling this?" Lazaro added.