Journey to Sanity

Chapter V: The Stories

After the awkward hugging session that we had, we settled in the dining room. It turns out that Knight was also a family friend and an assassin. That explains how he doesn’t ignore me like other guys in school. Dad was telling us about their last mission while Mom was preparing for our dinner. I didn’t even notice that it was that late already and to know that this Mom is the one who cooks around here was a real shock.

“Our mission was on the other side of the planet; to kill a group of terrorists.” My dad isn’t much of a storyteller but I really appreciate it when he tells us about their mission. After a while, Mom finished preparing dinner and went upstairs to call on Starr and Silver. Moments later, the twins came rushing down and we began eating. We were all seated at our dining table and talked about how the last week has been, of course I just listened to what they said because there may be a clue in there somewhere. Starr was telling us that she finally joined the school’s cheering squad when Knight, who is only beside me, squeezed my hand. I looked at him with a questioning look but he only gave me a reassuring smile in return. That’s when I remembered what he mentioned to me earlier, that Nina was also part of the cheering squad and the captain at that. Knight really seems like a sweet and caring guy, it such a shame that he isn’t real. But I am happy to know that our fight, Starr and mine’s, is just an illusion as well.

I noticed Starr glancing at us every once in a while but I couldn’t just ask her since I already know why. I wanted to comfort her but I stayed strong. I kept saying to myself that this isn’t real. After dinner, I went to the balcony alone; I needed some fresh air and needed to thoroughly examine every event that happened today. I was about to reach into my bag and finally write into my journal when Knight suddenly appeared in front of me, hanging from above just like Spiderman. I didn’t even sense his presence so he must really be a good assassin. All I could respond was a wide-eyed, open-mouthed face. “You should’ve seen your face! Ha ha! That surprise trick never gets old,” he said in between laughs. It took him a minute or so to finally calm himself down and properly land on our balcony.

“What the hell?” I shouted at him after I finished composing myself. He made a soft giggle and said, “Calm down, babe. I just wanted to see your genuine smile. You’ve been acting rather odd today,” then smiled warmly. I could tell that my face went from being pinkish-white to red because I felt my face heat up. I thought all those corny lines were over but he didn’t stop there. “I never want to see you frown, especially when you’re the reason I smile. Remember the time when you confessed that you also like me? That day was the first of so many that I never stopped smiling. The day that the love of my life, my childhood best friend, said the words I have been longing for all of my life. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there beside you and wasn’t able to protect you from Nina and her friends earlier today,” he said sincerely. He looked me in the eyes with so much intensity and took hold of my chin gently. I didn’t know what to say or do. I froze at my position; I couldn’t even move an inch. His face is slowly getting closer to mine, inch by inch. I could already smell his mint mouthwash. I closed my eyes when our noses touched, getting carried away by the moment. “S-Stop! W-what is your problem?!” I managed to utter, a split-second before we kissed. “What’s wrong, babe? Have I done something wrong?” I could see in his eyes that he’s full of worries. I just shook my head and said, “I just need some time alone.” And with that, I ran upstairs and locked myself in my room.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Skye? You are not supposed to get carried away by this makeshift place. They are not real so stop this nonsense and focus on how to get out.” I was frantically slapping and hitting myself with a book. Being so frustrated, I let myself fall down to my bed but the moment I fell, something also fell on my head. My face went sour when I saw what it was that dared fall on my head. It was a small, sparkling pink notebook with something written on it that read, “Allina’s Privacy.” I hated pink ever since I could even remember and I hate it more when it’s sparkling. It just looks so… girly. Being the boyish nerd that I am, it would be natural to hate such color. But even so, the title itself got me intrigued. It had a weird title and had the name that was being called to me. I opened the book and the moment I started reading, I realized that it was a diary. The page I opened was dated last 4 years ago on my birthday as well. I couldn’t stop myself and read on.

~

       It’s my birthday today and I just received a gigantic, gorgeous bouquet of red roses from him, my caring and lovable childhood best friend. How could anyone even ignore his sweetness? Any girl would be lucky to have him. If only I could confess to him the way I feel about him. It’s been weeks since Starr had discovered that little secret of mine and ever since then, we’ve been arguing non-stop, she even gave me the silent treatment. I know she’s my sister and I’m older so I should give way for her but seriously? That’s old times. “Love is fair and all is war,” they always say.

       Well, I won’t get anywhere if I just mope around the house especially on my birthday. I got prepared for school and met up with Knight at our gate. He would always wait for me at the front our house every morning that it seems like a daily routine. “Good morning, Knight! Thanks for the bouquet of flowers you sent me…” I was disappointed to no one at our gate. I looked around to check if he was just hiding but I couldn’t find any trace of him. “Aaaaaaah! Get away f-from…hmmm…!” Before I could even finish my sentence, everything went blank. The next thing I knew was that I was tied on a chair and blindfolded. “Already awake, I see.” Something about his voice sounds familiar but I couldn’t really pinpoint as to whom that voice belongs to. It’s a bit vague, like he was covering his mouth. “Who the hell are you? What do you want with me?” I kept on struggling to get the knot to loosen but it was just too tight. “Don’t panic, I won’t kill you.” He whispered to my ear. That was when I realized where I heard that voice before. I couldn’t believe it; why would he do this to me? “What are you planning?” I felt his arm around my shoulder and down to my hands where the rope was tightly bound. He then gently untied the knot but kept his hands firmly holding mine. “Don’t even try to escape. We both know I’m stronger than you.” I conceded and let him pull me, guiding me to wherever he plans to take me.

It didn’t take us long to reach our destination. He let go of my hand and went somewhere, or so I thought. I was about to remove the blanket when he suddenly said, “Wait for a minute. Don’t remove the blindfold yet.” It sounded like he’s nervous and in a hurry. This was my chance to get away; I smiled at the thought but something was telling me, urging me to stay. “What are you really planning? I’m taking these off!” but when I did, my jaw dropped. I was in a room with blood splattered all-over. “I told you not to remove it yet, didn’t I?” I didn’t notice he was already behind me. I was right all along; it was Knight. Did he do this? Why show it to me? Why now? I just stared at him with a blank expression, expecting he would explain.

       Some minutes passed, he heaved a sigh and finally said, “Why can’t you just do what you’re told to do?” while shaking his head in disappointment. “Where are we? Why did you bring me here?” I uttered. “There’s no point in making this look like a murder now, huh?” he said surrendering. Knight went in front of me and held both of my arms firmly but gentle. He said something like, “It’s time,” but I wasn’t sure it was for me. Moments after, the whole place lit up. The blood on walls were glowing and moving; that’s when realization hit me. Those weren’t bloodstains. We were in some kind of room with lava lamp as walls. Then something caught my eye, shimmering beneath me. I looked down to see Knight kneeling and holding a jewelry box. A box that contains an incredible and stunning diamond and red beryl necklace. His and my favorite colors. My eyes went watery and I almost did cry but he suddenly spoke. “Don’t cry yet; I haven’t even said my monologue,” he said, as if he’s almost into tears as well. “Happiest birthday to the girl the completes my world. We have known each other since God knows when but every time I try imagining you out of my life, I just bring myself to tears. I know everything about you; the way you laugh, the way you cry, the way you get frustrated, or even the way you sneeze. I know that this is a long shot and it might be just another failure but I’m willing to take that risk because every time I see you with another guy, it just pains me. Allina Claud, will you make me more than just another man in your world and be mine?” He said without pausing. I was crying my eyes out. I took a deep breath and thought of the right words to say. “Knight Carter, you may have known almost everything about me but there is one thing that I have kept secret from you. I feared that one day, when you finally discover this secret of mine, you would just leave me. But now, I couldn’t be happier to admit that I have always thought of you more than just a friend. I would gladly be yours if you will be mine.” I said in between tears. He looked stunned as he slowly stands up. “I… I just…” He didn’t complete what he was trying to say and just embraced me so tight.