Saturday, June 11, 2011

The trio were after us, once Bryan knocked down the door of the control room. Hearing the background noises behind us gave me goosebumps. I gulped as the culprits stood by the doorway.

"GET 'EM!" Bryan shouted as he pointed towards us.

"HOW COULD YOU, YOU LITTLE WITCH!"

Gretel's voice echoed after her brother reacted, while Owen and I stepped forward to the ledge. I tried mouthing out words that I had to get away from the intruders, but my voice sounded faint. I assumed that I couldn't speak up due to the intense pressure I felt.

A haunting laugh followed to make me tremble inside as my fear worsened.

"THEY WON'T MAKE IT!"

I was afraid Bryan would say that, but my conscience prevented me from listening to those words. Like an angel inside me, it wanted to give my strength back. It kept telling me that the trio couldn't win this game of cat and mouse!

Yet a little voice inside told me to surrender. The devil inside wants to break free, but I didn't let it out. I knew if I listened to it, Owen and I would remain captive in a never-ending story of a dog eat dog pursuit.

What scared me the most was the remark that Chino made. Apparently, he made it out alive despite the damage we caused him.

"YOU GUYS WILL BE SORRY ONCE YOU MAKE THAT DAREDEVIL JUMP!"

I hated that word 'Daredevil' ... always made me think of the many stunt doubles actors had, who lost their lives due to their treacherous feats. There was no other choice, but to jump from the balcony. If there was, I ran out of ideas.

Take me away to a better place for all I care dear Lord! Holding on to the guy I despised was my only choice to keep me afloat.

I closed my eyes and took my partner's hand, mumbling the same three words I once stated before my sister drowned.

We will survive ... We will survive! That was my only hope.

My hands grew sweaty and could hear my heartbeat pound loudly.

But as I looked below the balcony's railings, I stepped backwards as I was reminded of my acrophobia.

I think I'm going to faint.

The ground from below appeared to be so far away as if my sight had grown worse through this ordeal. Thus, I knew there was no way I could land on the ground without getting hurt.

If we attempt that high jump it would be similar to a course that I took in boot camp, where I fell flat on the ground like a lifeless pancake.

But in that scenario, we were equipped with safety harnesses that kept us secure. So at that time I hung in the air like a frightened hang-glider that has never flown before, with all my classmates pointing fingers at me.

But this was no laughing matter now. My conscience told me to either do this now or I'll be 'complete toast'!

We have nothing but the ground and a few trees to save us from falling to our worst case scenario!

***************

Thus, I felt my eyes slightly drooping as if I were hypnotized ... until I felt a slap!

PSHH!

"WAKE UP! MAE, OPEN YOUR EYES NOW!"

Owen tightly grabbed my fragile hand pretending to be my knight in shining armor.

"YOU CAN COUNT ON ME! I'M NOT LETTING GO!"

In my mind, I wanted to shout out loud, "Don't make a promise, you don't intend to keep," but I couldn't blurt it out since we were running out of time.

Once Owen turned to face the ledge with me, I mouthed a little prayer to keep us safe from harm.

"ON THE COUNT OF THREE, MAE JUMP!"

Instead of counting with him, I thought of black sheep to keep my nerves from freaking out. The hopeless animal was the first thing came in my mind, as I couldn't think straight due to hunger.

1 black sheep

2 black sheep

3 black sheep

JUMP!!!

I screamed hysterically, holding on to the only thing I could - the handsome stranger next to me!

I was able to wrap my arms around his muscular body, as if he were going to become my parachute that would break my fall.

And it was exactly like the rope course episode all over again.

***************
D

aydream Over

I woke up after I felt a poke on my back. Thinking that I hallucinated, my eyes flinched. I assumed the person who tapped me was part of my imagination because the last thing I remembered was that I was about to jump, but apparently darkness took me back to reality.

"Miss, the building is about to close in thirty minutes, so I suggest you get a' packin," a man in a janitorial suit announced in a Southern brawl. He had a broom in his hand and suppose he used the end to wake me up. A bit of drool was upon my face, so I wiped it off with my sleeve.

After raising my hands to flex my muscles, I found myself sitting on a bench near the entrance instead of my car. I wondered how I got there for I assumed after talking to Ari, I swore I went directly to the parking lot.

Dozing off was not my intention. I was rather embarrassed for what I did, yet glad that the janitor woke me up in time. If not for him, I'd be locked up in this Wilmington building for the night.

"Um, thanks for waking me up. I'll be on my way shortly." I answered as the janitor was about to leave. He nodded to acknowledge that he heard me before he left to enter the entryway to the hallway.

I grabbed my shoulder bag that was sitting beside me. I wanted to make sure no one touched it while I was asleep. One must take precaution at all times.

After a thorough check that everything I came with such as my wallet and car keys was there, I left my seat with my purse and headed towards the parking lot.

Thank heavens for not parking my vehicle near the meters or else I would have been cited big time. I also anticipate a long lecture from my brother, so parking fees would add more to the story.

As I went outside, the lampposts were on. It was getting dark and only a few cars were left on the site. It gave me goosebumps when I'm the only one left, so I was thankful that Ophelia was not alone. After hearing so many stories about abductions or other crimes done in parking lots or garages, I don't want to be the next victim.

I ran to my vehicle as quickly as possible. Luckily, I'm glad I wore sneakers instead of high heels. Therefore, it was easier for me to jog in them.

Now, all I could think of was what happened to me earlier in the day.

With Ari still in my mind, I knew there was something about him. Just like his cousin, he was mysterious as if he planned leaving me in the building all alone. Thanks to the janitor; it ruined his plan. But why? Why would Ari do that?

The only thing that came to my mind, was that he wanted me to tell him what exactly happened during that abduction ordeal, but I rather keep it to myself. Ari said he was there at his cousin's trial, so doesn't he know what those nitwits did to me and Owen? I suspect Ari is another nosy person, just trying to pry in someone's business.

Deciding to forget about it for a while, I placed my car keys in the ignition slot and drove home. I needed to relax and forget today's catastrophe, for it surely has been a long day!

***************

I nearly got my foot in the door, when my brother started lecturing me like a parent. My eyes scrunched tightly in anticipation for something worse.

"Marlene Marisol Brennan, where have you been? You had me worried sick! I tried calling you on your cell phone several times, but you never answered it."

My brother stood by the doorway with his arms folded at his rib cage area.

Things could get pretty rough when we were at our worst, but what he said sounded a bit odd as if I were gone for hours. I picked up my cell phone from my purse, and just realized that I had it on mute the whole time.

My bad!

I face-palmed myself.

I could now understand why he was panicking, but I'm here and that should count!

I satirically teased Joshua a bit, in hopes that his temper would simmer down. I pressed my lips together to form a straight line causing my cheeks to sag and hoped my apologetic smile would ease him down a bit.

"My dear brother, Joshua Jun Brennan, I dozed off inside the Wilmington building. I'm sorry, but I was reminded of the court case and ..."

He cut me off by telling me that was not a valid excuse by sternly looking at me.

"Not gonna work this time Marlene." He got my joke, as his middle name meant good-looking and truthful in Filipino.

Our parents named Joshua that because they thought he was a handsome baby, but instead of calling him words like Guapo or Pogi, they chose Jun. So my late sister and I would make fun of him once we learned about it, as it would make him blush all the time.

Deciding not to argue with him, I kept silent. Figured it would be better to let him do the talking than waste my precious time continuing this argument with him.

Joshua paused and patted his forehead as if he were trying to figure out what to say next.

I know I can be a pain in the butt at times, but I can't help it. I have been driving him nuts all this time, that I'm sure he no longer knew what to do anymore.

I waited for his response, but I couldn't take it anymore. Joshua knew how our past experiences took a burden on me.

"Look Josh, I'm telling the truth." I looked at him eye to eye and continued talking.

"I dozed off after talking to Ari, the man I told you about. I asked him how he was related to the bartender who spiked me and learned that they are cousins. They kind of look the same based on facial appearance, so that's why I previously thought he was Chino."

Surprisingly, Joshua hugged me tight as if I just discovered something new and exciting. His whimpers from crying were also heard.

That's weird, a grown man crying. For Pete's sake Josh, I'm right here. Don't cry, I didn't mean to upset you.

"Why didn't you call? I left you several messages. I thought something might have happened to you."

Joshua was acting like our dear mother. I'd expect the lecture, but now he's driving me cuckoo! Repetitive man!

After our quarrels back then, I recall mom would shake her head and tell us that we'd be each other's best friend someday, and we would obviously balk at that thought as Joshua and I believed that would be impossible. But she was right all along! It's like we survived a war together that it paved our way to having an uncanny sibling relationship. We have our ocassional fights, but what normal family doesn't go through that?

I gently pushed him.

"Okay, hands off Mister. Who are you and what did you do to my brother? You are now acting like mom!" I stated satirically.

"Very funny Marlene, can't a brother miss his sister? I can't help it if my feminine side of my personality showed. Besides it's only the two of us now-like peas in a pod. You have to tell me where you are."

He stopped laughing after that remark.

"AND THAT MEANS AT ALL TIMES, SIS !"

I was rather astonished at his remark. But I nodded, in agreement.

I was mad, as a child would stomp her feet. Storming off, I went upstairs to my room. After opening my diary to the page where I left my bookmark in, I tried to forget my troubles and remembered what happened during my high school's Spring Break.