Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 1) English

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Jay-Jay's POV

"Are you okay?" Ci-N asked me.

"I'm fine... Is that the tenth time you've asked that question?" I replied.

"It's because you've been restless and constantly checking the time."

It is because I couldn't relax. I kept checking my phone, unable to focus. Something inside me wanted to go home, and a mix of nervousness and excitement made time feel unbearably slow.

I glanced at David, who was rubbing his head and massaging his arm.

"David..." I called out to him. "...I'm sorry. They were talking about you, weren't they?"

"It's fine," he said with a small smile. "My body just aches a little."

"I'll make it up to you next time."

Ci-N suddenly appeared at my table.

"What are you two talking about? Stop talking!" he ordered.

I shot him a glare. They were acting like children. When they returned to the classroom earlier, they had forced David away from his seat. He refused to move, though, standing his ground.

Thankfully, he didn't seem upset with me. I always felt guilty about these things.

"Jay! Come with us later," Kit said, appearing beside me. "We're going to get ice cream."

Ice cream!

Yes I like it! But I can' come, I wanted to go, but I had something more important to do.

"I-I can't," I replied.

"Why? Are you going somewhere?" Ci-N asked, then shot a suspicious glance at David. "...Do you two have some secret plans?"

"Nothing like that," David answered, sounding bored.

"I have something important to do," I explained.

"Where? Can I come?" Ci-N pouted.

I shook my head, causing his puppy-dog eyes to appear. I couldn't tell them yet.

"No... I need to go alone."

"Isn't it dangerous?" David asked.

"Not really... I'm just meeting someone I know."

He nodded in acceptance, but Ci-N and Kit didn't move. I had a strong feeling they were thinking of something silly.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. I quickly packed my things.

"I'll go ahead! Bye!" I shouted as I hurried out of the classroom.

I didn't wait to hear their replies. I walked as fast as I could toward the school gate. As soon as I reached it, I hopped into a taxi.

"To the mall, please," I told the driver.

I couldn't contain my excitement, but at the same time, something felt off. The roads were packed—it was rush hour.

That's it! Traffic.

Argh! What?!

Frustrated, I kept checking my phone, hoping for another text. My heart pounded faster with each passing minute.

When I finally arrived at the mall, I rushed to the fountain where we had agreed to meet. There were many people sitting around it.

I circled the fountain, scanning every face, but I couldn't find him. I quickly pulled out my phone and sent a message.

📩

To: +639********

Message: I'm here. Where are you?

I waited for his reply, still scanning my surroundings. Moments later, my phone vibrated.

📩

From: +639********

Message: New location. Quantum Garden at the end of the mall.

I didn't waste any time. I ran toward the garden. It was almost outside the mall, a bit far, but I didn't care.

When I arrived, I saw a Closed sign.

Shit!

I tried peeking inside, hoping he was nearby. My phone rang. Without hesitation, I answered.

"Hello?"

["Jay..."]

It was Percy. I knew it.

"Where are you? I'm at the entrance of the garden!" My voice cracked. I was desperate to see him.

I really want to talk to him, I want to know who is he.

["I'm sorry... We can't meet again."]

His words made my heart sink. Why now?

["Your friends followed you. It wouldn't be good for them to see me."]

I immediately glanced around. There weren't many people in this part of the mall. I don't see anyone from HIVS, but then I spotted him—Ci-N—trying to hide behind a pole.

"I'm moving somewhere else! Somewhere they can't follow!" I pleaded, my voice shaking.

Tears welled up in my eyes. I had to meet him.

["My time is limited. But let me answer some of your questions."]

I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions.

"Who... who are you, really?"

["I knew you'd ask that. I wanted to tell you in person. Are you familiar with Percy, Felix's stepbrother?"]

Wait!

"O-Oh... B-But he's dead," I stammered.

["He's not dead... and you're talking to him right now."]

Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't believe it. The person everyone thought was dead—I was speaking to him.

So many questions ran through my mind, but one mattered most.

"Are you... my big brother?"

Silence. I checked the call to make sure it hadn't disconnected. It hadn't.

["Jay... You've been facing your big brother for a long time."]

What does he mean? He words are just messing my mind!

"I-I don't understand!"

["Jay! The people around you are deceiving you!"] His voice was filled with frustration. ["...I'm not in a position to say—"]

Beep. Beep.

Come on! Not now!

The call ended. Right now, of all times?

I tried calling back, but the number was unavailable. Still, I didn't lose hope. He was still here.

He had to be!

I looked around. I was walking and running and even though I could hardly see anything because of my tears, I didn't stop. Some of the people who saw me are looking at me. I don't care about them. I need to find Percy.

Until someone suddenly grabbed my arm.

Keifer.

"Let go of me!" I struggle.

He didn't release me. Ci-N approached as well.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Keifer asked seriously.

My tears wouldn't stop. It was their fault Percy didn't show up. Because they followed me.

"You! You! You're the problem! Why did you come here? Why did you follow me?" I yelled, my voice filled with frustration.

"Jay… calm down. What happened?" Yuri asked gently.

I collapsed to the ground, exhausted from crying. I hated showing weakness, but I was too upset to care.

"He didn't show up because you followed me!"

"Who?" Yuri pressed.

I try to calm down but my annoyance with what they are doing only increases.

"Percy! He didn't meet me because of you!"

They kept quiet and even though they didn't say anything I knew they were wondering.

"W-Who's Percy?" Felix asked.

"Your stepbrother!"

I hadn't meant to say it, but my emotions took over.

"Jay… he's already dead...." Keifer said carefully.

I cut him off "No! He's alive! He's the one I've been talking to! He has blue eyes!" I insisted.

Keifer turned to the others. "Edrix, Rory—get the mall's CCTV footage. The rest of you, search every exit!"

The others hurried away, leaving me with Felix, Yuri, and Keifer.

"Come on, Jay. Let's go somewhere else," Yuri said, helping me to my feet.

Too drained to resist, I followed them. I didn't realize we had reached a parking lot. They put me in Keifer's car. I stared out the window, lost in thought, until the car stopped.

We stepped out onto a highway surrounded by trees. Yellow police tape lined the area.

"Babe," Keifer said.

I turned to look. The area was steep—a known accident-prone zone. Keifer, Felix, and Yuri crossed the police line. I followed hesitantly.

"W-Why are we here?" I asked.

They kept walking. The road was going down, that's why I moved slowly. We stopped by the cliff.

They led me to a cliff.

"D-This..." Felix said. "...This is where Percy died."

I was surprised by what he said. I looked around and how steep the cliff was. Whoever falls into it will fall into the river. But the water is too deep, so I'm sure the dead will fall here.

"July 26... Four years ago," Yuri added. "...One week after Aries got out of the hospital. He hasn't been himself since then—always distant, always lost."

"...He was driving that night. It was raining, and the road was slippery. Percy insisted several times that he should be the one to drive, but Aries refused. And then... it happened," Yuri continued.

"The two of them were inside when the car skidded toward the river. Instead of helping Percy, Aries got out and let the car fall," Keifer said, staring into the distance.

"Percy's body was never found. They say the river's current was too strong—he might have been swept away," Felix added. "...None of us ever thought he could still be alive."

I don't know what to say. Percy—the one they claim died because of Aries. But something doesn't make sense.

"H-how did you find out what happened?" I asked Yuri and Keifer.

They turned to me, their expressions serious.

"Because we were there," Yuri replied. "We were in the car with them. We were just lucky enough to jump out in time."

"That was the day our friendship fell apart," Keifer added.

Friendship?

Did he just say they used to be friends?

Everything feels even more tangled. My head throbs, and something about the date they mentioned stirs a memory.

July 26... One week after Aries got out of the hospital. That means July 19.

A few days after Aries' birthday. A few days after that incident with his father. A few days after I first realized something strange was happening to me.