Ross
So I've been wandering this strange jungle for hours now and I still couldn't find any trace of my friends. It felt like I've been walking for miles; I needed a break. If things go the way the stories go, something interesting will happen if I take a rest, so I climbed the nearest tree with the biggest branch. I sat there for a while, placed both arms behind my head, relaxed, and pondered about my friends.
Noah would be alright given the fact that he has fought countless battles in his juvenile immortal life. Cass was probably fine; she had good battle skills and a keen instinct. Maura may not be able to de-soul but with her great tactician's mind, there wouldn't be any problem. Ms. Reina does not look like it, but with her vast knowledge of the dark, I believe she can manage on her own. Lowan. Hmmm. I have to admit I worry about him the most. He may have the power and all but he could be such a klutz at times. Don’t get me wrong
Ross "I refuse to believe it. There is no way Cass is Eris," said Maura who sounded agitated. I guess they figured out something for them to mention the name Eris. "You're completely right Ms. Calma," Ms. Reina replied. Maura, Noah, and Lowan turned to us as we emerged from the trees. She continued, "Cass is not Eris; I am." Maura’s jaw dropped and the boys’ eyes widened with shock. "What?!" exclaimed Noah in disbelief. "You’re lying. You’re just saying that to protect that pretentious Cass," he added. "How dare you?" scowled Cass lunging at Noah. Maura embraced the enraged Cass trying to hold her back
Wednesday I woke up all sweaty and warm with my hair almost strangling me. I reached for my phone to check my messages and the time; it was noon already. I’m not a sloth or anything; don’t get me wrong. I usually wake up early for school, but today was different because I’m suspended for talking back to a teacher. I DID wake up early today; it’s just that I have nothing to do but sulk and ended up falling asleep. I took a quick shower. My mind wandered as the cold water rinsed the soap and suds off my skin along with all my grogginess. I couldn’t help but think about all the schoolwork I missed because of my suspension. It’s part of the school rules that missed activities during suspensions automatically receive a failing score. It’s the last quarter of my junior high school life, and I got suspended. Way to close the school year, Cass. I guess th
“Stay calm, Cass. You got this,” I whispered to myself as I dragged myself home. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, it began raining hard. I wanted to run, but my body was too weak to even sprint. I can’t stop now; I had to get home. Every step felt heavier as the rain drenched me and the sheer cold pierce through my skin. Few steps later, I started to shiver; few more steps, and my eyes welled up. Right now, this weather is all I have; it concealed my tears with its rain and muffled my weeping and screams with its thunder. My chest felt heavy as my heart throbbed with overwhelming trauma. How I wish a lightning would just strike me down and end all the darkness choking me once and for all. I finally I got home. There’s one problem though; I told my parents I’m staying at a friend’s house, so I had no other choice but to sneak into my own
Wednesday There I was, locked up in my room, shuffling my tarot deck in the dimness of the night. This is the only way I could cope with all the crap that’s happening in my life. My brothers were arguing again, yelling, cursing, and mocking each other. I held back my tears as the idea sank into me: I was an orphan. Yes, I had my brothers, but they didn't feel like family anymore, not for a long time. "If only you have listened to mom when she was still alive, you wouldn't be as useless as you are today!" my brother Seth barked. "Well, if you weren't too obsessed with that whore you're seeing then you'll find more time to take care of this family!" replied my other brother Arthur. "Don't call Sarah a whore because she gave a damn about me more than you, and you call yourself family?" scowled Seth. "What about Lowan? I'd
DARK SHUFFLEThursday It was almost one A.M. The air was cool. The sky was dark. The street was quiet. I could imagine our neighbours sleeping in their cosy homes while there we were, walking and limping on the lonely street, brothers in arms, heading towards the nearest health centre. The scene reminded me of the time our whole family went to the beach and my brothers and I played by the shore all day long. My brothers were very good swimmers, yet they stayed by the shore just to stay with me and play with me. Our parents were watching us from the sands. I remember how happy we were. Happy – something we haven't felt for a long time. That beach trip was our last trip as a whole family. The memory gave me strength, a sense of completeness at the same time, a sense of longing. As we were walking, I felt Arthur get hea
Wednesday The evening was dark and I was on my way home. School was once again wearying. At times, I want to give up and say, "To hell with all this." Expectations can be a huge burden to carry. Being the only child, I had to be perfect, I had to excel, I had to be the best, and I had no right to complain. Being the supreme student council president, I had to be the person everyone can rely on, I had to be responsible, I had to be diligent, and again, I had no right to complain. I love my parents and I know that they love me too, but most of the time, I feel like they only love me because of my achievements; they love the person who I'll become or rather who they want me to be. My teachers are no different. They only like me because they rely on me, because they benefit from my hard work. “Little miss, we're home," said Pietro, the most compassionate person I know, also our chauffeu
It was almost midnight when we went in. It started to rain outside. Ruby rushed to get a first aid kit, Hugo made chamomile tea, Erika sliced the cake, and Pietro pretended to do something. Not long after, we settled down in the drawing room and while Ruby treated my wounds, Hugo and Erika served tea and cake. It was silent in the manor. A lot of questions have started invading my mind; everything is just too surreal to absorb. "Please explain everything," I said politely as I warmed up my palms with my cup of tea. Hugo took his seat and said, "Let me tell you a story, our story; however, before I start telling you the tale. Tell me, do you know Pandora?" "Are you pertaining to the jewelry brand or the first woman in greek mythology?" I asked. "What do you know about Pandora's box?" Hugo asked. "Well
Monday Before I tell you my name, I'd like to inform you that my grandparents were the ones who named me and they named me after a flower; yes, they were hippies. My name is Rose Lalic. Maybe you're wondering why I'm complaining about having such a nice name for a girl. Yeah, if only I were a girl. When I'm at school, I go by Ross so people won't make fun of me. It's difficult being a normal skinny teenager let alone being called Rose. It's Monday and it's sunny; it was the first day of 12th grade, and I was really excited because aside from the fact this is the first day of my last year in high school, Ms. Reina said there'll be some students transferring to our class today. Some students; plural. Not a lot of kids get into our special section. I don’t want to brag, but I’m some kind of a whiz. We’ve retained the special class since 11th grade without reshuffling with the oth
Ross "I refuse to believe it. There is no way Cass is Eris," said Maura who sounded agitated. I guess they figured out something for them to mention the name Eris. "You're completely right Ms. Calma," Ms. Reina replied. Maura, Noah, and Lowan turned to us as we emerged from the trees. She continued, "Cass is not Eris; I am." Maura’s jaw dropped and the boys’ eyes widened with shock. "What?!" exclaimed Noah in disbelief. "You’re lying. You’re just saying that to protect that pretentious Cass," he added. "How dare you?" scowled Cass lunging at Noah. Maura embraced the enraged Cass trying to hold her back
Ross So I've been wandering this strange jungle for hours now and I still couldn't find any trace of my friends. It felt like I've been walking for miles; I needed a break. If things go the way the stories go, something interesting will happen if I take a rest, so I climbed the nearest tree with the biggest branch. I sat there for a while, placed both arms behind my head, relaxed, and pondered about my friends. Noah would be alright given the fact that he has fought countless battles in his juvenile immortal life. Cass was probably fine; she had good battle skills and a keen instinct. Maura may not be able to de-soul but with her great tactician's mind, there wouldn't be any problem. Ms. Reina does not look like it, but with her vast knowledge of the dark, I believe she can manage on her own. Lowan. Hmmm. I have to admit I worry about him the most. He may have the power and all but he could be such a klutz at times. Don’t get me wrong
Maura I opened my eyes and saw a face just inches from mine; I sat up straight from the shock and accidentally hit the person on the nose. It was still dark but I could tell that someone was holding a torch. "Ow. Ow. Ow. Maura, what was that for? You just broke my nose," said the annoyingly familiar voice as he fell to the ground grabbing his nose. "I told you it was a bad idea," replied another familiar voice holding the source of light. "What were you trying to do, Noah?!" I asked as I stood up straightening my skirt. Lowan helped brush off the dirt from my uniform and hair. I noticed that Lowan was not actually holding a torch; he had a rotating card floating over his shoulder producing a flame. "Haven't you heard of CPR?" answered the bleeding Noah. This guy really gets into my nerves like nobody else. "What made you think that I needed CPR? I was only unc
MauraFor a few seconds, I forgot how to breathe. My mind was conscious, but my body isn't responding to my will. I felt trapped in my own body; like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from. Please, somebody wake me up. Hugo. Ruby. Pietro. Erika. Someone please. Anyone...Memories of my childhood flashed. A little girl in a nice, expensive dress playing alone in a grand garden while her parents were somewhere else doing business. She sat alone on the grass with her dolls and tea set as tears rolled down her cheeks. She was lonely and sad until a pair of fraternal twins sat next to her and played with her. A handsome butler served her real tea and a stern-looking woman with a pony tail handed her a slice of cake. Since that day on, that girl wan never lonely again; she gained friends, she gained a family.Seeing my staff's faces gave me strength. My soul struggled to break free from the prison of my own body. In a quick gas
Lowan - the same dayMs. Reina and I caught up with the others. I finally got rid of the discomfort I was feeling a while ago and I was able to smile again. Without hesitation, I emerged from the trees to meet up with my friends along with Ms. Reina. Friends. I can't believe I have them. I deserve them; I deserve to be happy. With these people, I have a purpose and that's what makes me feel belonged."There you are! I was about to go back to look for you. Got me a little worried there," spoke Ross. It feels nostalgic to have someone feel worried for me. I was used to have two brothers doing that for me, now I have these people; not exactly siblings, but family. In the corner of my eye I noticed Cass with a palpable smirk on her face. I realize she was smirking at Ross and me. She's probably shipping the both of us together with that deluded mind hers!"What do you have there, Lowan? Is that food?? If that's food, That'
Lowan - the following day...Living with complete strangers is really awkward. Since my brothers were erased, history rewrote itself in which I was an only child who ended up being adopted by a couple after I lost my parents from a car accident. There was no evidence of my brothers' existence; no records, no pictures, and the people that I knew because of my brothers don't even know me because in this new reality, we’ve never even met. All I had left are the memories we built together; however, every passing day was difficult because I feel like the memories get vaguer and vaguer. At times, I can't even recall how they look like and it hurts thinking about what I did to them. It hurts even more that both of them were corrupted in my behalf. I was just barely getting over the death of my parents and now I mourn for more people; two more people who never existed in my new reality.All these thoughts keep invading my mind as I lay on
Cass Classes were over. I spent the whole day with Maura; going to school together, eating lunch together, and not to mention teasing Noah together. Apparently, Maura is annoyed with Noah since the day she met him. She told me that before she even knew his name, there was a sensation in her heart that makes her agitated whenever Noah is around. I'm guessing because the two of them are worlds apart. One is a lady and the other is a delinquent; I can see why Maura feels enraged with Noah. I, on the other hand, don't exactly know how I feel toward that numbskull. I do, however, enjoy Maura's company. If it weren't for the club meeting, Maura and I wouldn't have parted ways. She's in the school musicians club while I'm in the debate team. Speaking of debate team, I didn't expect the team to have promising members considering it was just founded recently. After the club meeting, I texted Maura to ask her if she had any plans
Cass He plans to raise hell. The thought echoes in my head. I just got home from our little trip from the mystic brook and I couldn’t sleep. The idea of Tartarus surfacing to earth is devastating. Last year, I was just a normal preppy debate team president; now, I'm still a preppy debate team member only with a longer job description: an evil-fighting darkling in search of a way to stop hell from rising, saving humanity in the process while keeping a secret from my teammates. Everyone would have hated me if they knew the truth. That keen butler had to be curious. Before we all parted ways, he realized something. Yes, there are seven deadly sins, but why are there eight darklings? (Excluding Maura of course; she can't de-soul) Everyone panicked and became suspicious of the eighth sin, thinking he or she must be an impostor and working for Moros. I got really nervous. What if they find out I was the eighth? Noah unknowingly saved my sassy butt fro
Ms. Reina led us to the garden behind the school. It must have been her favorite spot because I always see her sit here from the classroom window. We all followed her like ducklings following a mother duck; however, Ms. Reina was more like a swan: majestic and exuding with grace. We kept on walking in silence following Ms. Reina's every step. I looked behind me and I noticed that we walked a great distance from the school. We kept on walking farther away from the campus until we found ourselves in a grove full of Narra trees covered with bright yellow blossoms that complemented the sunset. The air smelled fragrantly sweet and felt refreshingly cool. Ms. Reina finally stopped walking. Thank goodness because I can hear Lowan catching his breath almost gasping for air. We arrived by a brook glistening with clear water and reflections of the sunset’s fading golden rays. It was finally dusk. I don't know what the goal i