Merchaiass is a normal student who only needs love and support from his family, which the latter can't give for reasons that Merchaiass has forgotten. He had selective amnesia, which meant he couldn't remember what happened months before the accident. With a heavy heart, he left home and went to the next town in the hope that it would be the start of his new life. Little did he know that he would unlock mysteries from the place where he's currently residing... the studio. In the midst of the danger, he meets a person, a mysterious one, who will save him from the upcoming peril. Will he come out safe from the studio, or will he become one of the kinds he loathes—a psychopath? Let's find out the journey of Merchaiass when he moved into the studio and meet different kinds of people.
View MoreIt’s been two days since I moved out and cut ties with my family. I don’t think I can bear their judgmental stares. It feels like I did something that made them hate me, even my presence. I think they were waiting for a chance that I would be the one to banish myself from them, and they succeeded. Well, I don’t want to talk about them now. I am no masochist.
My sister and I were close before, but not until her ex-boyfriend came into the picture. To be honest, our relationship stayed the same. From what I remember, I caught her ex boyfriend cheating on her. As a good brother, I punched that guy, and my sister sided with him. My papa doesn’t like me as much as his family. They were the complete opposite of Mama. I'm thinking of asking him why he didn't seem to like me. I mean, I’m not sure if I was, but being parents, they should accept their child for what he or she is to be.I was currently at the side of the road, sweating from a long walk just to find a cheap apartment near the school that I enrolled myself into. It’s a public school and there’s no tuition fee to be paid, but I’m sure my requirements would drown me. I didn’t bring an umbrella with me, and I still have my suitcase. Maybe some people thought that I was not in the right state of mind, as maybe they saw me walking back and forth from this area. I found a good place to rest. There's a bench under the big Acacia tree. I went there and it's actually comforting to sit in a comfortable place with a nice view. I loved to play with the rays of the sun in my hand, blocking them then unblocking them after. It’s a fun thing to do.I've been sitting for about ten minutes now when I felt that my throat began to be parched. That’s when I realized that I had not eaten anything since this morning. I was rummaging through my things to see if I had any food to eat when someone offered a water bottle. I politely declined by shaking my head when I saw it, but the person insisted. I said my thanks and accepted the bottle without looking at the person. I thought it had already left, but I felt a heat coming beside me. My eyes went there and I saw an old man with a cane in his hand.“Drink it before you get dehydrated,” the old man said while his eyes were focused in front of him.I slowly nodded and opened the bottle by twisting the cap, then chugged on it. I couldn’t hide my thirst and I heard the old man laugh.“Thank you for this, Uncle,” I said as a thank you.“No problem. Are you new here? I saw you two days ago. Are you looking for something?” he asked, and then he looked at me. I was taken aback by the sudden eye contact, yet I answered his question.“Yes, I was actually looking for a cheap apartment here.”“Oh! I know one. It’s cheap, and the people there are nice. Do you want me to show you?"“Yes, yes, that would be my pleasure!” My excitement is overflowing after hearing it. I helped him stand up and guided him when walking.“By the way, Uncle, what’s your name? We have been talking for minutes now and I still don’t know your name,” I exclaimed while we were in the middle of walking.“You can call me Grandpa J.” He stopped walking and answered me.“Oh, okay, Grandpa J, I’m Merchaiass. And thank you for being so nice.”He only showed his smile and continued walking. We arrived in front of an… abandoned building. I mean, it looked like one to be honest, but Grandpa J said that the inside was still good. He invited me to enter. The first thing you will see is the reception area. The whole place is spacious and clean. Despite the good ones, I feel bad about this. I was on the verge of turning when a man popped out from nowhere and greeted us.“Oh, Uncle J! What are you doing here?” asked by a man who’s currently wiping his hands full of grease.“Well, I brought you another tenant here. He's young, so make sure that you’ll give him a great discount, aye?”“You’re still a joker, Uncle J! We'll see if he deserves it. Come in, come in.”“What’s in your hand? Did the tank not work again?” Uncle J asked while following the man.“Just the grease. It’s nothing,” he stated.“So who do we have here?” He asked after looking at Grandpa J and then at me.“I saw him in the streets. He’s looking for an apartment for two days now,” Grandpa J answered.“I can give you our lowest rate, but you need to decide now. Are you in or out?”It took me minutes to answer, and, remembering that I didn’t have a choice, I answered yes. And here I am now, inside a tiny room with thin walls.I was on my third day here and nothing strange happened until that one cold night when I remembered that one room I've been dying to visit, it was my first day here. I found out about it when I was touring myself around the building. It’s actually called a studio here based on Mr. Manore, the landlord. That room provided an eerie feeling which ignited my voraciousness to scrutinize and find out the depth of its history. My curiosity is starting to stir up and there’s something that pushes me to explore and explore.So I got up and started looking for things that I may have needed when time called. The blinding sight of the broken pieces of the mirror made me lose my control, and I started panicking as soon as I saw a reflection of someone behind me. It has a monstrous face and has mysterious and scary eyes that are staring at me like it’s ready to gobble me up if I flinch. The soles of my feet were glued together due to the different emotions invading my mind. I couldn’t move. I can’t shout. I rumble words that are eager to be free from my mouth. My throat is dry, and it’s even harder to breathe even though the fan is working perfectly fine. I tried to close my eyes, hoping that it would vanish and hoping that I could banish it. I sighed and uttered my thanks after I opened my eyes as the man behind me disappeared. That instance didn’t stop me from continuing looking for something worthy and capable of satisfying my desires and expectations. I pick up my phone to use it as my light throughout the adventure, and a device that’s used by a paranormal expert to talk to the creatures from another dimension. I grabbed the knob and opened the door. The hallway was so quiet to the point that it sent shivers down my spine. I’m reconsidering my plan, thinking if this will be a good idea. The other side tells me that it’s not, while the latter tells me that it will be. So, I decided to continue my plan. I went out of my room and turned on the flashlight on my phone. Then I heard some noise coming from the other side of the hallway. The sound of hitting and the small cries of someone had invaded my system. I followed the source of the sound, and I saw something horrible. A man with a bolo in his left hand started chopping that fresh meat that looked like human meat. The blood of the parts was so overflowing that even the floor of the room had it. My mouth went agape when the eyes of the man stared fiercely at me. I stepped back. . . but I couldn’t find my way to escape. I step on my other foot, which causes me to fall. I can’t stand up and my left foot brings me excruciating pain. Maybe I strained my foot. My anxiety began to rise as soon as I heard the sound of metal being dragged from the ground. It started with a faint sound and developed into a louder one. It’s coming. I can’t think of anything. I think this is the end of my life. So, I closed my eyes, waiting for that man to end my life when I felt a hand dragging me. An illuminated room enveloped my eyes. I couldn’t see anything, but I heard foot steps that were slowly coming towards me. Goosebumps are beginning to eat my whole system when someone says something.“This is your last, so be careful.”W-what? What does he mean by that? Why was this my last? It’s my first time doing this and I regret it big time. I wanted to punch myself for doing such things without a proper plan to begin with. I started crying and sobbing to let out my frustrations. And then, everything went black.I woke up in a strange room. The masculinity of the owner was shown in every single detail of it. One thing caught my attention; it’s a painting of a man holding a knife and something that I can’t see. So I walk over to it to get a better look at it when I notice—is that a heart?! I thought it was a beautiful painting, but I’m afraid to say that it’s not. I started to look around when I felt the presence of a person at my back.“Are you done searching my room?” says the person behind me.“Excuse me, I am n-,” I couldn’t find a way to finish my sentence when I decided to face him. The water is dripping down to his abs. He certainly has the nicest body that I have seen in my whole life. I bring my eyes up, and my world stops when his almond-shaped eyes meet my rounded ones. I felt something tingling, a sensation that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. He raised his eyebrows at me and said something that was completely inaudible.“I know that I’m hot; no need to say it again.” He said while smirking.My blood is starting to boil up and I am ready to let it out when he talks again.“How are your feeling? Are you good? If you are, get out.” While walking to a certain place to get some clothes.“Why am I here? What happened last night?” I have a lot of questions, but I managed to ask just two.“I brought you here, and nothing happened last night.” He said nonchalantly.“W-what? I mean, why am I still alive? That man was ready to kill me when he saw me outside his room.”He doesn’t say anything and just continues dressing up. He told me to go home and rest, to forget everything that happened last night, because it was doing me no good. I asked how he saved me, and just like my other question, it stayed hung up.“Okay last, what’s your name? Are you new? This is my first time seeing you here in the studio.” I wanted to know his name, I don’t know why I’m doing this. I’ve never been like this before, and he’s a completely stranger! What happened to you, Merchaiass?!“I’m Taddeio, and no, I’m not.”“But how come I didn’t see you?” I certainly didn’t see him in my first weeks here.“It’s only your first week here. I rarely go out.” Oh! That explains why, an introvert but still attractive. Wait, I didn’t say that. What am I doing— argh!“I should go. Thank you for helping me out! I should try to remember what happened last night. I totally forgot about it.” I bade my good-bye and started walking to the door when he said something fishy.“From now on, be careful. Don’t go home late and don’t go outside alone when the night comes. They might hunt you.”Knowing all of this was holding my consciousness from waking up. Even though I already knew the issue about my father's buying Mama from the group, I still wasn't expecting that Papa would say that. He's not the type that will admit everything that he's done in the past. He's more than that.Right now, we're here sitting around the table while Mama is preparing everything. She hasn't changed that much; she's still the woman that I left months ago. I smiled at the thought that Papa wouldn't hurt Mama again because he promised me earlier."Is there something wrong, baby?" A hand was placed above mine when my gaze focused on my mother, who was taking care of Papa's food."Nothing... I'm happy, Tads. That everything is in its proper place. I know that... Nevermind, my heart is full of joy now, and I don't want that to change." I smiled after saying it. I don't want to start a conversation about what happened before we went here. My conscience won't be happy if I ruin the mood right now.
After a lot of debating between me and Taddeio, we came to the decision to go to my hometown and talk to my parents. I need to do it for me to live without doubt, fear, and misery."Are you okay?" I looked at the man in front of the steering wheel. He's one of those who stayed in my darkest times. I held his hand above mine and smiled before answering, "I'm okay because you're here with me. Thank you.""What's with you today? Where's my baby? Is this really you, Cai?" I rolled my eyes at him and threw his hand back to him. I know I'm starting to become softer, but I don't think it's a bad idea, right? I mean, we're boyfriends now, and we should do what boyfriends do."Forget about it. Jerk," I said, lowering my voice when saying he's a jerk. There's something in me that doesn't want to call him like that. I mean, I'm quite shy by just thinking that he's my boyfriend and I'm new to this thing."I'm also happy, baby," was blurted out by Taddeio.I didn't mind him and watched the trees
"I clothed you when your father threw you out! You can't do this to me!" I was still in my seat, tied. While Taddeio was threatening Mr. Manore, he's not holding anything now. Maybe he threw it somewhere. "You didn't. I worked hard, Pops. You only helped, and you're not an exemption to the rule. You made it with me, and yet you, yourself, did it. Now, deal with the consequences." The old man was shocked to death when Taddeio aimed to hit him with a hammer. I didn't know where he'd got that, but it stopped in mid air as if Taddeio was controlling his hand not to hit Mr. Manore."I know that you couldn't do it, young man. Our lives have been interconnected ever since you got close to me. I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen to me. Believe me, Taddeio, it wasn't my intention to go against your back," Mr. Manore pleaded, his hands clasped and attempting to kneel on one leg. I saw how Taddeio started to bring down the hammer while the landlord was assisting him. "Right, you d
"Are you okay?" I asked Polius when he hadn't moved from his place for quite some time now. Maybe what Celine had said had made a big impact on him. I thought they were okay and saw happiness in his eyes when my half-sister, Celine, confirmed their relationship. "I don't know," he answered and shook his head. "Are you okay with this? All of what's happening now. Are you really a part of the group? Or are you just doing this because of her?" My hand formed a fist and tried to have the rope loosen."Don't ask me like that, Merchaiass. I am doing this because I want to." He's swayed. I'm certain that he is. He doesn't want to do this and was forced to due to my sister's request."Okay, if you say so. But remember this, Polius, regrets come after what you thought would be the best. If your mind tells you that it's wrong, then it is. Our mind serves as the protector and the doer, while the heart is only for pumping, producing, and delivering blood. Nothing more." I remained silent after
My shoulders, which had been deprived by force, went numb when I took all the words that came from my sister's mouth right through my soul. I didn't even realize that I was already tearing up when Celine hadn't wiped my tears. I looked at her and she was doing it too. It's hurting me... It's like a spear that went straight to my heart. The sensation wasn't new, but it was heightened and I couldn't contain it. I need to let it out, scream, and divert my attention for me to be okay. Right now, I am not thinking straight and I could hurt someone that'll block my way. My momma was my life. I remembered everything about my accident, and she's the one I contacted and told everything about it. We were talking like prisoners, as my father wouldn't stay put if he discovered that mom and I still had communication. When I called him that night to ask about my accident, I assumed we were already fine, but we weren't.never be. My mother told me that she was physically abused by my father every ti
The wind is hustling, yet the sun can burn your skin. The mild sound of the waves hitting each other relaxes my brain. The ocean is clear, as is the sky. The clouds were smiling and making sure that the weather would be fine. The sand touching my legs gives me comfort that I never knew would be there. It's been what? Six years? Yes, it's been six years since what happened to me, to Dos, and Taddeio. He helped to move on from things that happened in the past. It's not easy, but Taddeio didn't give up. He made sure that I was alright all the time. He put me first before himself. When we first came here, I was distant—to everyone. I don't know, maybe I needed to take a break from them. Or from myself. Celine and Polius were here for the first two months, and they went back when Polius had to report to his station. And to answer the question, yes, Polius came back as a police officer after taking a year's break because of my sister. For the past years, I hadn't had a normal conversation w
"Stop what you are doing now, Triplets." The coldness in the voice of Taddeio can make a person gasp for air. "And why would we, Taddeio? Please give us a reason." Josef said, while his hands that were keeping my fingers up seemed to be restless. He was afraid and tried to cover it up with his normal voice. He's not stuttering, but his body reacted otherwise. He's afraid of Taddeio."Because I said so." Taddeio answered shortly. He looked at me with his sympathetic eyes and asked if I was okay. I gently nodded and smiled at him. He averted his gaze and stopped at Josef. The whole room was silent and no one dared to speak. It was broken when Hector stepped in and said something to Taddeio."You're afraid... that we'll do something to your lover.""I wasn't, Hector. Because I know he's not a softy just like you've known him. My baby has been a fighter since he was born." I don't know why my eyes are starting to be teary, but I stopped them from falling."Oh, is he? Are you?" Hector sa
We were here for how much longer we'd known. There's no sort of time indicator located in this room, and we don't have any phones to check, nor can we check it. We were tied and we looked like sinners that were awaiting their punishments. We spent minutes, maybe hours, trying to get the rope out of our bodies, but it was tied impermeable. We lose hope after doing our all just to break free. My eyes had incidentally gone to Dos, the real Dos or Paula, who was sitting next to me. She seemed to be having deep thoughts. Our eyes met when she turned to me. The difference was that her face had lit up. "Dos..." I called her. "Hmm?" She hummed and smiled at me. How can she smile at a time like this?"Is... is Violet your real mother? And Sarah is your real grandmother?" I don't know if I asked something right, but I want a clarification even though I've already heard it when they had their confrontation."Sadly, yes, Merch. I thought she was a hostage of Raphael, and I confirmed it to him.
I thought everything would be fine when Dos and I successfully went out of the room, but what was awaiting us was worse than I expected. Life is truly a series of unexpected events; everything has a reason, and you can't stop it from happening. What is meant to happen will happen, and everything that you'll do to not let it occur will be merely a tiny waste when destiny is involved. Playing our lives is what makes her happy. Seeing our pain intrigues her desire to continue doing what she's currently doing. She loves to torture us with her different schemes. She lets us be happy for a moment, then it will all vanish and be replaced by sadness. I don't want it to happen anymore. I am tired and wrongly used by destiny's power to overrule our lives. We are the creators of our destiny and are not controlled by it. Unless you change and nurture your beliefs, change won't come and your life will forever be ruined. We are stuck on the first floor, and even though we are on our fifth attempt
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