08

I felt a sudden drop of disappointment when I heard another name.

Another name means a different person.

I thought he was somewhat connected to Creed. I was thinking of him saying Creed’s name.

My speculation was he, a Duncan, Creed, and Mr. Duncan are somehow associated with each other. I guess he meant a different person by what he called his brother.

Come to think of it, last week, he’s been bugging me. Said that his brother is in jail and he wanted my help.

I don’t know from where he got my number or why he chose to ask me for help. It just happened in a flash.

Then the next week after, the highest-ranked elite came to visit him which has the same as his surname. Then, there’s Creed.

“Perhaps, do you know Mr. Duncan?”I asked, uncertain of the information. “Uhm, the highest-ranked elite?”

Mayhap he knows him. They have the same surname anyway.

After that question, silence surrounded us. I waited for him to answer.

“Hello?” I uttered as no one responded.

A few seconds after, the line ended.

He ended the call without notice so I had to look at the phone to double-check.

I dialed it once more.

“The number you have dialed is temporarily not in service, please try again later.”

“Why do you want to know about me?” I heard a monotonous voice that made me jump in shock.

I turned around, only to be welcomed by Mr. Duncan’s blank expression.

What should I tell him? Should I ask him about Creed?

No, I can’t. He might keen upon me knowing Creed’s name.

I have to keep it private even though he knows a lot more than I do.

“Oh, sir. My apologies. I - Uhm,” I fumbled for words, not knowing what reason to use.

“You’re putting yourself in danger.” He stated.

I watched his steps as he was slowly walking towards the exit. He gave me a menacing smirk then left the gate without even letting me explain.

What just happened?

As soon as he left, I walked on my way back to the cell.

I stayed in the locker room for a while to freshen up.

“You’re putting yourself in danger.”

Mr. Duncan’s assertion echoed in my mind.

What is it that’s so peculiar about him?

It’s not as if he’s the first elite to be in jail. There are tons of others too but when it comes to Creed, everyone turns reticent.

Everyone becomes secretive.

I sighed at that.

Few hours after clearing my thoughts, I head to the kitchen.

“Oh, Nix,” says Sean when I entered the kitchen. “Want something?” He added.

“No, I just came by to check up on you. You goin’ home already?” I asked when I noticed him fixing his stuff.

“Yeh. Unfortunately, my parents were on their way home so I had to leave early.” Says he.

“Really? Send my regards to Mama and Papa, please? Tell Mama I’ll visit her soon.” I uttered and he hugged me before leaving the kitchen.

“Close the kitchen for me. Thank you, love ya!” Sean exclaimed as he was already out of the kitchen.

When he left, I did nothing but stare at the wall for a solid minute.

My body felt drained and exhausted.

I want to go home.

I shook my head and decided to go to the cell for the last time before I go home.

While walking, I heard a stifled voice coming from somewhere. I turned around to see where that voice is coming from.

“No, please... Don’t, please... Just shoot me!” It was a man, breathing heavily while saying those phrases.

I hurriedly went to Creed’s spot when the voices became clear.

There I saw him, eyes closed while struggling. Seems like he can’t breathe and he was whispering these phrases profusely.

I saw his head moving back and forth.

With a strained mindset, I immediately flew into my pocket to get the key and open the door.

“Hey! Wake up! Wake up!” I tapped Creed’s cheeks multiple times to wake him up.

It’s not working!

I looked around to see if someone’s there before calling his name. “Creed! Wake up! Creed, please!” I tried to lift him from lying on the bed.

“Creed!”

With the last strength I had, he finally woke up, catching his breath.

“Creed, you okay?” A puff of air escaped my lips. I was also catching my breath because of the struggle in waking him up.

“Nix,” he gasped for air when he called me. What happened next surprised me.

He embraced me.

Tightly.

I stiffened while he was still hugging me.

“W-What happened?” He stuttered as he regained his consciousness.

He must’ve noticed my discomfort so he broke the hug.

“I-I saw you talking in your sleep and you were struggling so I-I decided to wake you up,” I stammered, not finding the right words to fit.

“They’re going to kill my family, Nix! They’re going to kill my family!” He exclaimed so I held his cheeks to stop him from scuffling.

“Who?” I asked worriedly as I look straight into his eyes.

His eyes filled with fear and anger.

I saw him gulped and averted his gaze.

Just at that moment, his eyes turned inexpressive again. In one swift motion, he went back to the Creed I know.

He did not answer me though. Instead, he lies down on the bed and faced his back against me.

“You can go now. It’s late.” He uttered.

I frowned at that. “What about you? Will you be okay?” I asked, making sure of his condition.

“I told you not to pity me... " Says Creed. "I’ll be fine.” He’s back with his monotonous voice.

I didn’t say a thing but I stayed there. Beside him.

I’m stubborn, aren’t I?

I’ll just let him sleep then I’ll go.

I laid my back flat on the headboard without disturbing him.

I know Creed’s awake.

None of us dared to speak and I could only hear the sound of us, breathing.

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy when skies are gray.

You'll never know dear, how much I love you,

Please don't take my sunshine away.”

I started humming a song to at least loosen up the atmosphere.

“Why are you doing this?” He asked, still facing his back on me.

“Hm?” I thought of an answer. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean.”

I grinned at that. “Because I want to,” I said and he tossed around. He’s now facing me.

“Who exactly are you?” Says Creed with a frown.

I'm eager to ask the same question too. If only you knew.

“You don’t need to know me, just let me help you,” I replied.

This may be a better way for us not to be each other's danger.

I stood up and fixed myself before smiling at him. “I better go.”

I was about to leave when I felt his hand holding my wrist.

“Thank you."