Live, Alena (Luctus Academy)

Chapter 11

It's midnight. Nakatitig ako sa kisame habang nakahiga at pinapakinggan ang mga sigaw nina Mr. Stark. Dito ko muna sila pinatuloy dahil hindi sila makakapagfocus magmaneho kung ganoong nasasaktan sila internally. Yes, the seal punishes people internally. And with demon's fire? It's a torture.

"Can't come home. Fuck your seal." rinig ko ang boses ni Ali. Hanggang sa nexus ay halatang nahihirapan siya. May sarili naman siyang kwarto sa academy.

I felt so guilty. I was the reason why Mozart and Mr. Stark were dealing with the seal now. It's not a crime to help, is it?

I went to Mr. Stark's room first. His hands were placed on the wall, shouting in pain.

"Numb." I whispered. Unti-unting humina ang sigaw niya hanggang sa nawala. Napalingon siya sa direksyon ko. Marahil ay ngayon niya lang ako napansin dahil hindi siya makapag-isip nang maayos kanina.

Tumingin naman siya sa seal niya. Ganoon pa rin, kulay pulang apoy pa rin kaya labis siyang nagtataka.

"What's happening, Queen Alena?" he said.

"You'll be numb until tomorrow morning so you can sleep, Mr. Stark. The punishment will last for 24 hours. You did all this for me, and that's the least that I can do. You can sleep now, Mr. Stark." I smiled.

Hindi na raw kailangan dahil para naman daw sa akin lahat ng ito pero wala na siyang nagawa kaya nagpasalamat na lang din.

"I'm glad to see you're happy, Mr. Stark." he smiled and pulled me into a hug.

"Went to the human world to heal. Met Ali and Colt, and some warm humans, too. Malaking tulong sila sa akin. Although I still feel bitter, at least now I'm better than the Stark you last saw. And I hope you are, too, kid." I felt him kiss my forehead. I was happy for him. He was telling the truth, and he was sincere.

Nagpaalam na ako para makatulog na siya. I missed Mom and Dad. Mr. Stark always reminds me of them. Malaking parte siya sa buhay namin noong nabubuhay pa ang mga magulang ko.

Pumasok ako sa kwarto ni Mozart. Unlike Mr. Stark, his eyes welcomed me. Nagtataka siya kung bakit ako nandito. Hindi na siya sumisigaw ngayon pero mabigat pa rin ang paghinga niya habang umiinom ng alak. Marahil ay hiningi niya ito sa mga katulong na nag-asikaso sa kanila kanina.

Bakit nagagawa niya pa ring maging kalmado? Nagdadalawang isip tuloy ako kung tutulungan ko siya, pero hindi, unfair namang si Mr. Stark lang. Alam kong unfair 'to kina Ali pero ibang iba ang mga kasalanan nila.

"You should be resting by now, Your Majesty." sambit niya habang seryosong umiinom ng alak.

"How do you stay calm right now, Mr. Mozart?" tanong ko kaya napatingin ulit siya sa akin.

"I survived hell countless times. Calm is the best medicine, Your Majesty. The seal attacks you internally. It feels like burning underneath your skin. Especially your brain. Your mind. That's why it's torture. Mental torture." he said.

"Can you sleep?"

"Can you?" pagbalik niya ng tanong ko. Huh?

"I can't until you fall asleep." I said, which was true. Hindi ako papatulugin ng paghihirap niya. I didn't want to feel indebted to someone. Kaya ngayon ay gusto kong bumawi nang maging panatag na ang loob ko.

"I'll try." he replied and continued drinking.

Silence. I was standing beside the door for seconds. Nag-iisip ako kung gagawin ko rin ba sa kanya ang ginawa ko kay Mr. Stark, nang lumingon siya sa akin. Again, he was confused. Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo at lumakad palapit sa akin.