Percy's POV
"Faster!" Felix shouted in my ear.
"Wait! I'm on it!" I shouted back.
If we weren't in such a rush right now, I would've lectured him already. He was starting to lose respect for me.
I'm still your older brother, man!
"There's Keifer!" Calix shouted from the backseat.
I finally spotted his car. He was driving ridiculously fast, as if there were no other cars on the road.
"Speed up, Percy!" Felix shouted again.
Percy?!
I frowned at what he just called me. "Hey! Where's the 'Kuya'?"
"Just like my concern for you... it's gone." He answered sarcastically.
Wow. He really had the nerve to piss me off.
"Burn." I heard Denzel mutter from the backseat.
Annoying! It felt like they were all ganging up on me. And I really hate this kind of thing.
"Keep that up… and it'll be just like your allowance—gone." I shot back, and that shut him up.
"Solid burn." Calix muttered.
I smirked a little—not because I won, but because I really don't like my brothers losing respect for me.
I couldn't blame Felix, though. A lot had happened while I was gone. Then one day, I just showed up again. He even thought I had lied to them.
I saw Yuri's car overtaking me. This bastard again! He was really testing my patience.
I turned my attention back to Keifer's car. He was still far ahead of us. Then, suddenly, he turned left without signaling. The car behind him panicked and came to a sudden stop. Other vehicles followed, causing a traffic jam.
"Why now?!" I shouted.
Even Yuri and David's cars had to stop. We lost sight of Keifer's car.
Damn it!
Jay-jay's POV
"Guess where we are?" one of them teased.
Damn it! This guy has been messing with me for a while now. If I get these ropes and this blindfold off, he'll be the first one I punch.
I couldn't clearly remember what happened. I was just walking away from Percy, and then everything went black. When I woke up, my hands and feet were tied, and everything was dark. Judging by my position, I was tied to a bench and blindfolded.
Who the hell are these people?!
"This is so boring... Don't you want to play with me?" the annoying guy asked, sounding like a child.
"Cut it out, A," another man said. His voice was much deeper than the one teasing me.
"It's just so boring," the one called A replied. "...AHA!"
I flinched at his sudden shout. He was so close to me, practically right next to me.
I almost went deaf! Damn it!
"Let me see what you have in your bag, okay?" he said.
I still didn't answer. He wouldn't find anything in my bag anyway. I had been trying to sense my surroundings, but with this blindfold on, I was getting anxious.
I hate the dark!
"Are you even really studying? You only have one notebook! And there are clothes and—oh! A cellphone!"
This guy acts like he's never seen a phone before. Good luck unlocking it, though. My password is solid, man!
"What's the password?" A asked me.
I could feel his presence right next to me. I stayed silent, but then I felt his hand caress my cheek. I quickly turned my face away, but his hand followed.
"Your skin is so smooth..." he said, and I could feel his breath on my neck.
Shoutout to beauty soap!
A shiver ran down my spine, and my heart started pounding.
I wasn't planning to speak until later, but I couldn't take it anymore.
"Get away from me!" I shouted.
"She finally spoke!" A said excitedly. "...K! I made her talk!"
"Cut it out," said the one with the deep voice—apparently K. "...Z is on his way back. He'll be mad if he sees you doing that."
What is this? The alphabet? A, K, and Z?
I heard the sound of a door opening. The hinges creaked like they hadn't been oiled in years—so loud, and it sounded heavy.
"What are you doing, A?" someone asked.
"He's groping her!" another voice answered.
I could tell a lot of people had just arrived. Even from their footsteps alone, it sounded like there were many of them. Add to that the way they were all talking.
"I was just asking for her phone's password," A replied.
Yeah! And you were feeling me up too, you pervert!
"Give it back," one of the men ordered.
A didn't say anything after that, so he must've returned my phone. The others continued talking amongst themselves.
I sensed someone else close to me again. I immediately became alert, worried they might try to touch me like A did.
"Z! Should I take off her blindfold?" asked a man who I assumed was the one standing near me.
"No," Z quickly replied.
"Z! If Keifer doesn't show up, can I go first?!" A suddenly said.
My whole body trembled with fear. I knew exactly what he meant. This was the end for me! Why do I always get dragged into Keifer's mess? Will this ever stop?
They took the wrong person. Keifer doesn't even care about me, so most likely… goodbye, V-card! I have to get out of here!
"W-what d-do you want f-from me?" I asked in a barely audible voice.
I heard footsteps approaching. Another person stood in front of me.
"Your boyfriend," the person in front of me—who I assumed was Z—answered. "...I haven't gotten my revenge on him yet."
"He's not my boyfriend," I quickly replied.
Some of them laughed slightly. They must've thought I was joking. Of course, these idiots wouldn't believe me.
"We're not stupid—"
"You're stupid!" I cut off whatever Z was about to say.
"What did you just say?!" he asked angrily.
"You're stupid!" I repeated.
Suddenly, someone yanked my hair. My head snapped back from the force, pain shooting through my scalp.
"Don't push me too far, girl! If you think your boyfriend is scary, I'm worse." Z spat in my face.
I could feel his hot breath against my skin.
If I could just get out of here, I wouldn't hesitate to fight back. If I had been in my right mind earlier, I might have fought back against the ones who took me.
I could've been at an amusement park right now!
"If Keifer is an idiot, then you're an even bigger one," I replied. "...You just don't get it. He's not my boyfriend."
They let go of my hair, and Z burst into laughter. He sounded like he was genuinely entertained by what I said.
"Don't tell me you two broke up?" he asked, still laughing.
"No," I answered in almost a whisper. "...We were never even together."
Z laughed even louder this time, and now the others joined in. Oh wow, they're really enjoying this! What a party!
"Girl..." someone called out to me. "...Every group around here already knows that you're Keifer's girlfriend. So why would we believe you?"
Oh, these idiots!
If I could slap my own face right now, I would. If they could see my eyes, they'd be getting stabbed by my death glare.
I didn't want to bring this up again. I didn't want to repeat it. I didn't want to say it. But—ugh! I have to!
"We were never together..." I took a deep breath. "...Because he only used me."
They stopped laughing. I could feel all their eyes on me now.
Looks like I have to tell the whole story just so they'll get it.
I'm ready! I'm ready! I'm ready!
"He just used me to get revenge on my brother." The heaviness in my chest returned. "...What can I say? I was the fool who fell right into his trap."
"Ouch," someone commented.
"What did Keifer do to you?" A asked.
I shook my head and lowered it. I didn't want to cry. I just told myself I wouldn't cry over him again. I took a deep breath, forcing back the tears.
Go back, tears! Go back!
"Well, he made me fall for him! The bastard was the ultimate player, and when I finally fell, he just went—joke's on you!" I said angrily. "...Good thing my skull didn't crack from the fall. Almost lost everything there!"
"Damn, what an asshole! What a jerk!" someone from the group said.
I heard several of them sigh deeply. Someone even cursed. Everyone had their own comments about the King of the Demonic Dimwits—
"Nice story."
I suddenly froze.
I knew that voice. I knew it very well.
He heard everything. Great! Just great! I don't even know if I should be happy or furious. Might as well throw a party!
Suddenly, the place erupted with noise—like people moving away or rushing toward the speaker. I also heard things crashing to the floor.
"Son of a—" Z muttered under his breath.
"That was a heartwarming story. But, there's something missing." Keifer said, and then—bam!
The next thing I heard was chaos.
Shouting.
Loud crashes.
I couldn't see a thing because of my blindfold, but I knew they were fighting. I just hoped nothing hit me—or worse, that I didn't get caught in the crossfire.
"You bastard!"
"Take this!"
"A!"
"B!"
"C—oh, I mean Z!"
After a few more moments of shouting and fighting, everything went eerily silent—like an angel had just passed through.
I listened carefully. I could still hear deep breathing, so I knew people were still around.
"You bastard!" Z shouted.
"You never learn," Keifer said. "...I took you down before, and here you are again."
"So what?!"
"And you dragged this girl into this!"
That's what he called me now.
I felt a lump forming in my throat. It's starting again—I'm about to cry again. If only tears were as valuable as pearls, I'd be rich by now.
"Shut up!" someone yelled.
What the hell is happening?!
The only thing I could rely on to understand what was happening was the sound of their movements.
I still had no idea what they were doing. I had been trying to pull my hands free from the ropes since earlier, but nothing was working. My wrists were already sore from all the struggling.
"Now, A!" Z shouted.
I heard several crashes. I hadn't realized there were more than two people standing around. Then, suddenly, everything went silent again, just like before. I tried to sense my surroundings, but it felt like everyone was gone.
Until I heard footsteps approaching me.
"W-who's there?" I asked. "...W-what's h-happening? Where is K-Keifer?"
No response.
The footsteps continued moving toward me.
Why did I have this terrible feeling that something bad had happened to Keifer? What if they had taken him down? But then—who was coming toward me?
Please, no!
"W-who are you?" I asked fearfully. "...I-is that y-you, Keifer? Say something."
Tears welled up in my eyes. Whoever it was refused to speak. Maybe it wasn't Keifer.
Then who was it?
Damn it! Just say something!
The footsteps stopped right in front of me. Their breathing was deep—like they were exhausted.
Whoever you are… don't try anything stupid.
I could feel them staring at me. I almost shook the chair violently just to break free from the restraints. My breaths came out heavy, and I probably looked like an idiot, just waiting for them to make a move.
Then I froze. A chill ran down my spine as I felt a hand gently stroke my cheek.
Shit! Who are you?!
I turned my head away, trying to escape the touch, but—just like earlier—their hand followed.
Was it A?!
"Damn it! Get away from me! Don't touch me!" I screamed, desperately pulling my face away.
What if it was A?!
Shit!
What if Keifer was already down? If that was true, then A was about to go through with whatever he planned for me.
No! Tears started forming in my eyes from fear.
"Keifer!" I called out. "...Help me!"
I never intended to ask for his help. But what else could I do? He was the only one here!
Another violent shudder ran through my body when I felt his hot breath on my neck. I struggled even harder against my restraints.
No!
Whatever he was planning, I wouldn't let it happen.
I was losing it—panic, frustration, fear—they all crashed into me at once. I was so angry, I wanted to cry. But there was nothing I could do. My hands and feet were tied, leaving me completely powerless.
Then, suddenly—
My heart stopped. My soul left my body. Because the next thing he did—
H-he… kissed me.
My entire system short-circuited. It hit me so hard, I couldn't move. I couldn't even turn my head away.
Why was this happening?!
It felt… familiar. The sensation, the warmth, even the lips pressed against mine—it was familiar. I didn't understand why.
It felt like Kei—NO!
It wasn't Keifer!
He wouldn't do this. He had no reason to.
I wanted to believe it was him. I wanted to hope it was. But I knew it was impossible. I knew it wasn't him—because there was no way he would ever kiss me again.
"Don't... Please," I begged as soon as his lips left mine. "...Have mercy on me."
Silence.
I heard nothing from him. A thick, suffocating silence enveloped us both. That made me even more anxious. I couldn't read his intentions at all. This silence terrified me more than when there were so many people around. This kind of silence could drive me insane. A loud thud was all I heard.
"JAY-JAY!" someone screamed.
I let out a breath of relief. That voice was familiar. I knew that voice, and I knew I could rely on it.
"P-Percy," I called out, and someone removed the blindfold from my eyes.
My vision took a moment to adjust to the overwhelming brightness. When everything became clear, I saw all of Section E.
Ci-N, looking worried, with David standing beside him. Felix, Rory, and Edrix, staring down at the bodies on the floor. Denzel, Mayo, and Drew, unlocking the closed doors to make sure no one else was left inside. Eman, Blaster, and Kit, working to untie the ropes binding me.
But my eyes stopped on Yuri and Josh. They were standing in front of Eren and… Keifer. He was on the ground, with Eren trying to lift him up. Blood was seeping from his side.
W-what happened?!
The moment I was freed, Percy helped me stand. I wanted to rush to Keifer and check on him, but he was faster. He shot me a cold, piercing stare.
"Hang in there... We'll take you to the hospital," Yuri said before looking me up and down.
He was probably checking if I was okay. When he saw no visible injuries, he turned and walked out first.
"Are you okay, Jay?" Ci asked me.
I gave him a small nod. My eyes remained fixed on Keifer and the others until they disappeared through the door.
And at that moment, it became crystal clear to me—he wasn't the one who kissed me. Given his distance from me and the injury he sustained, it would have been impossible for him to move back and forth between where I was and where he collapsed.
So it wasn't him!
"We should get out of here," Percy said, supporting me as I walked.
Nothing hurt. They hadn't physically harmed me. But I felt paralyzed. Not because of injuries—but because of my thoughts.
Outside, they placed Keifer into a car. Some of the others immediately got in with him. As their car drove away, it felt like I had just woken up from a dream.
Reality slapped me hard. This was all because of Keifer. If it weren't for his enemies, the ones who came after me to get back at him, none of this would have happened!
How many times had this happened already?! Was this just going to keep happening?!
"Let's go," I whispered to Percy.
He nodded and helped me into another car. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ci-N's shoulders drop as he watched me. I quickly looked away. I was grateful they came for me. But it still hurt.
After everything we went through, I felt like I was just a pawn in their game. Like none of it had ever really mattered to them.
"Should I take you home?" Percy asked as he started the car. "...So you can rest?"
"I-it's still too early." I took a deep breath. "...Maybe later."
He didn't press further and just kept driving. Even if he didn't say anything, I knew he could feel everything I was feeling.
I was tired. Tired of being dragged into their mess. Tired of this.
Of hoping.
I didn't even know who kidnapped me, but deep down, I knew those idiots would come for me.
And they did. But why did it feel like they only did it because they had to? The way Keifer and Yuri looked at me made me feel like they didn't really want to come for me.
Was it just guilt?
"Don't cry."
I turned to Percy when he said that. He was focused on the road, but I could tell—his attention was on me.
"You said you wouldn't cry for him anymore."
I lowered my head. I just said that! I shouldn't cry for him anymore. No matter what happens to him—to them! I won't shed another tear.
The next time I get caught up in their fights, I won't wait for them to come save me. I'll find a way out myself.
After all, I wasn't called a troublemaker in my old school for nothing.
I won't rely on you anymore.
I won't rely on any of you.