SEVEN: Cursed Souls

CHAPTER 39: THE RABBIT HOLE (SLOTH)

RYDER

"I thought that you'd keep my loved ones away from this mess, so long that I do as you wish. But it's already the second time that you betrayed your own words!"

"Ryder, it isn't me who wrote their fates. Lazaro did far worse than to simply stay locked in. Do you know what else he did? It is what he did NOT do that made him despicable. When one of their maids asked for helped, he neglected their cries. The next day when his parents arrived, the maid was found at the stairs, broken bones and clearly, dead! If he only went outside then the maid could've had the chance to live!" Anonymous explained.

Ryder didn't know how to react. He knew that whatever Anonymous told him is true, proven by his experience in the past sinners. He knew that Lazy, as they call him, is indeed lazy but he also knows that the Lazy he knew could never ignore someone's weep for help.

The Anonymous then went outside so Ryder rushed to get the radio hidden in his bed.

"James! It's my friend who is going to be the victim today! I can't tell much detail but please find a way to save him. He is Lazaro Fuente!"

He heard footsteps behind his door so he immediately hid the radio.

Ryder and members of the Anonymous followed their plans and stayed nearby Lazy's house after Ryder delivered the letter.

LAZARO

A few weeks ago...

"Fire engulfs three houses at Bukang-liwayway. Family of six found dead with one still missing..."
Lazaro turned off the television.

"Logan, why must you die in such a way?" He thought.

Someone knocked at his door. "Laz, I and your mom need to go to an urgent meeting. Just call Yaya Mel if you need any help, okay?"

Lazaro didn't respond. After some time, he heard his father's footsteps as he went away
It's been two days since he heard of Logan's demise and it's been two days since he felt his world to fully stop.

Both of them blamed each other for Ryder's death. Now that Logan is also reported to have died, Lazaro's entire world collapsed.

A knock is once again heard at Lazaro's door.

"Sir, I know how it hurts to lose someone. I lost my daughter some time ago, but Sir, there are still people who care for you. You must continue living for those who are left. I'll be leaving your food at your door Sir. Please do eat!" their maid, Mel said.

As usual, Lazaro pretended not to hear anyone. He covered his head with a pillow then heard some noise. Shouts then followed.

Lazaro thought that it may just be one of their neighbors who usually fight at night. Oblivious of what might have happened, Lazaro went on to sleep.

He was then awakened by screams the next day. A very familiar scream, his mother's. 

Lazaro might have been oblivious, but he was not able to ignore his own mother's screams. He went downstairs only to find his mother holding the lifeless body of their maid.

"The screams last night, I could have saved her if I checked . No...no! It's my fault again!" Lazaro thought.

Days then passed and Lazaro fell deeper into the void. "I already caused three deaths? What is there to live for anyway? I deserve to suffer."