To Be One

Chapter 8: Scorpion's Sting

Janine’s POV

“Are you sure this is all we needed?” I asked Pearl looking at the paper bag that is resting on my ŀȧp, checking all of the vegetables and spices that we bought, she immediately checked her phone and scrolled it.

“Okay let’s check it again, carrots, potatoes, peppers and of course the star of our dish, curry powder. Did we have everything?” She asked.

“I think it’s fine, everything’s here, I’m just thankful we’ve got potatoes,” I smiled back as a reply. She stretched her arms upwards and let out a small relief.

“I thought we’re going back to the market,” she laugh and looked at me grinning.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked weirdly.

“Nothing it’s just that I remembered you love potatoes… D-do you remember it?” Pearl said warily, giving me that worried look.

I shook my head. “I’m afraid not, some of my memories are still vague and I couldn’t remember some of it from the past, but I guess my liking for potatoes is forever etched in my heart.” I said smiling faintly.

“Well even you can’t remember the past, what’s important is that you’re creating new memories with us, I believe you will remember it bit by bit!” She said putting her thumbs up at me. I nodded at her and then she looked out at the window, with her face painted with a faint smile and eyes that are searching for something.

Honestly I don’t want to force myself to remember everything back then…

We’re actually inside of our family car and we’re on our way to Jade’s residence. We made this plan just today to relax and have some bonding since yesterday wasn’t a pleasant day for all of us. The rampage, and Asher’s confession to us is something that is hard to absorb.

The car turn left, the sight of tall infrastructure and restless city has disappeared, it changed into small houses with more trees. The road has become narrowed and it only means we’re near to our destination. One more turn and Jade’s house appeared to our sight.

“Miss Janine, Miss Pearl we’re here,” I took a glance from the window to the house that is in front of us. Eustace’s residence, is not that small and not too big, it’s enough for a small family like them and what I meant by Eustace is Jade’s surname, but what I like in their place is the different kind of plants, orchids and flowers that they’re keeping.

“Thank you so much Harvey for today,” I replied to our family driver. Within he’s mid-sixties, wrinkled face, and some of his hair turned white, Harvey never failed to accomplish his duties. He considered himself as my guardian and I laugh of the thought that he looks like exactly as what a butler would look like, well he’s wearing a tailcoat that added to that particular requirement to look like one. I shook my head, enough of my playful thoughts. Sir Harvey has been a part of our family since I was a kid and since my parents is in abroad and doing our business there, Harvey stood up to be my father figure.

“You don’t have to be that polite Harvey, it’s just me and Pearl you know,” Pearl and I laughed a little. Harvey blushed in front of us. “You know it’s my habit Miss Janine, now I feel embarrassed in front of two beautiful young ladies.” His words made us to laugh more.

“Aww! You don’t have to say that Harvey! Heaven knows what they are thinking when I was born!” Pearl said while waving her fingers, trying to be humble.

“It’s fun to see you like this Harvey,” I giggled that makes him to look down with such a shy face. “I’ll just send you a text later okay?”

Harvey nodded to us. “Understood, with that I hope the two of you to have a nice day.”

“We will!” We stepped out of the car, after that, I leaned onto the window, “And please take care on your way back.” He gave a faint smile, a smile that always made me feel secured. And with that, he started the engine and drive. I waved my hand until I lose the sight of the car. I turned back seeing Pearl already ringing the doorbell.

“Is she still not coming down?” I asked. Pearl pout at me and gave a defeated sigh.

“I guess so! But guess what I already have a plan for that!” she winked at me and gave a mischievous smile. She pressed again the doorbell but this time she’s not holding it off and before we knew it we heard a scream at the upper part of the house.

“Told ‘ya” she gave a smug face and we both laugh.

*****

“What if Yujin saw you like that?”

And that’s how ladies and gentlemen Jade brought back to her senses. Funny isn’t it?

“I bet he will be turned off. Oh my! Jade you look like a monster! What an unpleasant sight! I can’t stand it!” I laughed at that ‘cause she acted like the red hair that we always making laugh of. Jade just looked at her. “Ugh shall we change the topic? Did you bring the ingredients?”

“It’s all complete!” Pearl proudly opened the paper bag on the table and bring out what we bought earlier one by one. While she is busy I managed to take a look at my phone, checking if Glory has already replied but no, there’s no sign of her.

“Isn’t it romantic?” I almost jumped from the chair! I looked back at Pearl who’s behind me and staring holes at my phone. “Oh please stop doing that!” I said pushing her off.

“I wish everyone could have a picture with their ‘boyfie’ and make it a wallpaper," she whispered to herself, she is referring to my wallpaper which is me and Edward. I just shook my head and was about to speak but Jade interrupted me.

“Oh shush Pearl, just confess to Noctis already, you have a crush on him for almost four years!” Jade said wearing her eye glass.

“Talking like a secretary from crush and love development…” Pearl whispered. “How about your progress with Yujin? I bet I have more percentage of getting close to Noctis than you with Yujin!” She confidently said those words which make Jade’s face turned to red.

“W-Well at least I’m doing it slowly but surely,” Jade replied while fixing her glasses, so much flustered from of their topic.

“JANINE!” They both lean closer to me, which almost made me to lean back.

“W-What?”

“Tell us the forbidden!”

“Secret!”

“Sacred!”

“And the powerful technique to win a man’s heart!”

I just stared at them in disbelief and laugh. “Come on guys, you should stop that, it’s not the ladies job. It’s for the man to win a lady’s heart, you know…” I said secretly smiling while remembering when Edward confessed to me.

“What you two should be concerned at this time is Glory.”

*****

“You’re ready to have a husband now,” I said seriously, holding ourselves not to laugh but ended up laughing after all. “I’m really glad we’re able to have fun like this, we needed this since you know.” Jade just agreed and we turned into silence again.

“It’s not normal to hear a mage tower, portals and great conjunction in one day,” Pearl bring the sliced potatoes and gives it to Jade.

“Yeah we all feel the same,” I replied wearing off my apron and put it on the back of the chair.

“Are you feeling good now?” Jade took a glance at Pearl’s direction, which make the golden brown head girl look back.

“Me? Yes? I guess…What do you mean?” Pearl replied placing some plates and spoon on the table.

“You know yesterday? Noctis?” I continued asking and that changed Pearl’s expression.

“W-Well, it’s just that I’m still not used to see him being in so much anger,” she answered giving a deep sigh. “But I guess let’s just expect for more since everything has changed since that day. If we’re feeling so bad about the things that are happening what more it is for Noctis and the others? With that, let’s be strong for them! Right?” The wariness on her face disappeared and turned into a bright smile. Jade and I nodded back to her.

“After lunch maybe we can go to Glory’s house, what do you think?” Jade spoke.

“Actually I’m thinking about it since she has no response to our messages. I’m really worried,” I scrolled my phone to check any messages from Glory but still, there isn’t a single one.

“Of all the people, we knew how much Glory is feeling right now. So let’s go to her place after we eat okay?” Jade cheered us on.

“But first you should take a bath!” Pearl screamed and we laugh together.

*****

Surprisingly it’s not that hot outside, I’m looking at the clouds above hinting that it might rain, we’re already in front of Glory’s house and we’re keep calling.

“Could it be that no one’s home?” Pearl asked. “The curry is quite heavy you know?”

“Let’s just wait for a little bit more, I’m sure someone’s home-“

“Oh it’s you three!” A familiar face greeted us. It’s Glory’s older sister. She opened their small gate. “What brings the three of you hear?” She beamed.

“Good afternoon! Sorry if we came here suddenly, is Glory there?” Jade asked.

“Oh she’s not. She went out earlier but she didn’t tell me where she is going to. Is there any problem? She’s acting weird these days,” the three of us looked at each other.

“I get it, so thoughtful of you three. Don’t worry I’ll give this to her later when she come back, want to come inside instead and wait for her?”

“I-It’s okay! We’re just going to head back and maybe look for her,” good thing Pearl is an expert when it comes to this situation, if I’m the only one being here, surely no doubt, I’m doomed.

“Is that so? Okay I understand, please do take care on your way back, it looks like it’s going to rain,” she looked above. We said goodbye to her sister and we immediately think of where should Glory is.

“Okay so she’s not answering our calls and texts but she went somewhere? What’s happening to her?” Pearl blurted out.

“I have good hunch,” Jade whisper to herself. I looked at the sad sky. Don’t tell me it’s happening again.

Glory's POV

I don't know where to begin with, words couldn't explain how I am completely destroyed from the inside. My heart is shattered, my eyes couldn't see anything, I couldn't move my body, it seems that I turned into an empty vessel. How does a scorpion's sting would feel like? What is the feeling of poison flowing along with my blood inside me? How can it destroy everything when all it does is to move around?

I don't know, but what I am feeling right now is the extreme pain, one that it doesn't need any explanation.

One thing that I know is... It hurts!

With that thought, I crumpled myself, laying on the bed and hugging my pillow tight, my teeth are chattering from the intense sober, preventing my tears not to fall.

Weeks passed since Andrew disappear and there are still no news about him. I never felt this kind of fear before, one that will break my heart into pieces, knowing that I don't know nothing.

What he's condition?

Where is he?

Is he still alive?

Those questions are all circling inside my mind. Not to mention, the truth behind our friends. Noctis, Yujin, and Edward. All of them came from a faraway planet, which is we never thought that would be a possibility. What happened that day will forever change our lives, it will never bring back the peace that I once had. But, how come Jade and the others can laugh and smile after all of these? They're spending the days like nothing happened, no one bothered to find Andrew, everyone was pretending...

And that Asher guy… He came like a letter addressed to all of us filling us all of those information which we couldn’t understand, making questions to rise more than the answers we need.

'RINGG!'

My thoughts were cut off when the telephone rang.

"Hello Glory! It's Jade are you free for today? Dad and mom are out of town, so Janine and Pearl came here so we could have spent the day together. We are cooking some curry, this is your favorite right? It's much better to eat this if you're here. W-We're really worried because you are not answering our texts and calls, we thought leaving this voice message is our only option. Please... Glory I hope you could come."

The voice message ended, I'm just staring at the ceiling while listening to it. I felt madness rushed into my whole body after hearing all of it, I raise the upper half of my body. I’m shaking, I bit my lower lip and intently throw the nearest pillow at the wall hitting some of my things and fall over the floor. It made a loud bang and echoes all over the room. I breathe heavily and throw all of the other pillows as well, putting all of the anger I’m feeling, wanted to scream, but I couldn't.

The image of them smiling while all of this is happening is making me to hate them! I hate them, I hate myself, and I hate everything of this! It makes me to feel unwanted, like I’m all alone in this fight.

Being alone is like an open wound that refuses to heal. The moment when “scar us for life” doesn’t suit because again, it never heals. Akin to be left dusty, alone in a glass cabinet, trapped in this unrequited thoughts of “what should I do?” and “what are the things that I could do?” How could I move on from this? I couldn’t find the answers to every question, instead of being answered, questions are being stocked up.

I stopped when I couldn’t have anything to throw, breathing heavily as I hold my pillow onto my ċhėst tighter, embracing all this madness.

I averted my eyes and looked at the glass window to get away of this intense desperation and stare as the dark clouds and cold breeze greeted me like an old friend. I clenched my fist, as I stare at the sky. This is not the time to go back.

I walk towards my small desk and searched for the thing Andrew left me. I’m sweating droplets as I couldn’t see it. Thinking that I may lose it.

“It should’ve been here,” I whispered to myself and kept looking at it, tossing all of the random things that is keeping me from finding it.

After minutes of searching, I sighed in relief as I locked my eyes into it, “Finally!” I picked up a silver key. It’s the key to Andrew’s apartment. One time he gave me this duplicate for emergency since he’s always has a poor habit of losing his stuff. ‘Glad I didn’t lose it.’ I quickly put it inside my pocket. I rushed to my cabinet and looked for clothes that I could wear, I grab a grey jacket and quickly wear it, picked up my purple bonnet and head straight out of the room.

“Where are you going?” My elder sister asked me while watching the television on the sofa, holding a large white mug, drinking coffee.

“Out to take a breath,” I simply answered and rushed outside.

Upon opening the door, I felt the loneliness of the gloomy weather, I looked around and start walking. Every step I’m taking is the sound of my heart pounding heavily, thinking if this is the right thing to do. Alvarez is a big city and walking to Andrew’s place is not the ideal thing to do but here I am, doing it. I made my way like through everywhere, until I reached a quiet community with less trees and more of like a sad and gray painting from a museum, filled with small houses. Kids are playing with such a flush, laughing passing by through me. I decided to take another step.

I am in front of a big old building, I opened the gate and headed to Andrew’s room. As I made my way upstairs, I heard a married couple fighting, screeching all their curses to one another. I pretend I didn’t saw them and slipped through. This is not my first time here and it’s nothing new, there was a time when I and some of my friends from the music club came by to visit Andrew and we’re all surprised by how the people living in here are unruly, when Andrew is not that much of a person. Now that’s a good memory I can reminisce from an old film.

Room 36.

This is Andrew’s room, the creamy white door is asking me to open it as I stare upon it, I pulled out the key from my pocket and was about to put it in the keyhole. Cold breeze run through me and made me to shiver, my hands are shaking thinking twice if this is what I’ve been doing? But maybe I could find something… The sound of the door clicking whispered, and it open.

I entered the room and just as what I’m expecting, no one’s inside. I took a step and looked around, the smell of the whole room just reminded me of him. I turned around and saw some books on the floor, I picked some of it, and it’s already covered in dust. Andrew love to read science and historical books, reasons I thought how he ended up joining the music club and even become the president. I close the book and just sit on the floor.

The heavy pain in my ċhėst started to bloom like a flower and I ended up crying. Just crying alone, echoing the pain and sadness that I’m feeling. Even though I knew, he’s not here, why am I still doing this to myself?

Isn’t it a human weakness to look for evidence even it’s already standing in front of us? I think so. It’s hard to be happy when all I want is him and I’ve been having a hard time adjusting but this is me… Still trying.

*****

I’ve heard some steps behind me. I turned around and it’s Jade and the others. She immediately hug me.

“Glory! I knew you were here! We’re so worried!” She’s just hugging me, but I can’t say anything, instead I bit my lip and pushed her back.

“GET OFF ME!” Jade, being surprised of what I did, stood up and looked at me straight with hurt eyes.

“What is your problem?!” Pearl was about to walk towards me but Jade signaled her to stop. I just looked at the hazel brown orbs of hers.

“I know you have something to say! Why don’t you spout it now?!” My whole body’s shaking.

“S-Stop acting like all of you care when the truth is not!” I screamed. “All of you are smiling while Andrew… He is nowhere to be found! How could you be so happy at times like these?!” I cried out, glaring at the three of them.

“Happy? Gloryjane did you just thought that we were happy?” Jade answered back, removing her eye glass as tears started to come out. “We’re just trying to cheer everyone up because everything since that day has never been happy. We, of all the people truly understands what have you been going through. Do you realized how painful for us to see Yujin and the others almost being killed in front of us? It’s the same for Andrew disappearing in an instant!” Jade’s voice is banging to my ears making me to answer back.

“But you didn’t care about him! You didn’t bother to go and look for him-“ I shouted back, screaming while crying.

“G-Glory you have to understand that we are being crazy looking and thinking about him, just like you, but what could we do? We’re planning to report it to the police but would they believe if we say he just disappeared? We couldn’t just do anything right now!” Jade is being exhausted from shouting and crying.

I slammed the floor. “Damn it!”

“I-In times like this, shouldn’t we work together to solve our problems?” Pearl spoke who is already crying too. “We’re your friends! And what friends supposed to do when the other one is falling apart is to help her right? So please stop it…” I looked into them, what have I done? I hurt the feelings of the people who’s just caring for me. I’m such a mess!

Janine is holding off her tears too, taking some steps backwards but then she bump into something and made a loud bang, some stuffs like books fell apart and that caught our attention.

“Are you okay?!” Jade asked shifting her gaze.

“Y-Yes…” Janine replied but then her expression changed into something weird and knelt down on the floor, slowly picking something up. With obvious curiousness on her face, she stood up and couldn’t take her eyes off from a badge she’s holding.

“Janine what’s the problem?” Pearl asked and glanced to the direction of the badge.

“The symbol in this badge… It’s the same with the armor that Daniel guy is wearing…” I almost froze in shock when she said it.

“A-Are you serious?!” Jade stuttered couldn’t believe in what Janine discovered.

“T-There’s no doubt this is the same symbol that resembles a turtle or tortoise that I saw from Daniel back then.” She gulped and immediately bring out her phone. “Everyone let’s stop fighting.. I’m going to tell this to Edward and the others.