-Morie-
“I still don’t know how to explain to all of you what human aura is.” We finished our lunch so we’re just killing time here at the roof deck. Baldo scratched his head when Tadeo forced him to spill out what he wants to say.
“We know that. It’s like the color enveloping each person, right? Then that enables you to know what’s that person’s mood?” Aya asked. She seems interested in this topic.
“Yes. It’s like that. Not all humans have the ability to perceive the colors that his kinds have. In my case, I couldn’t remember when I started seeing those auras since it just became a normal thing for me even now.”
“Don’t tell me you have psychic powers, men?”
“Addict! I don’t have psychic powers. From what I learned, this is part of what people called as ‘sixth sense’. Let’s say, all of us are psychics, but not everyone’s sixth sense is available for use. However, I still believe that everyone have their own hidden abilities which are not normal.”
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Baldo’s face soured when Aya and Tadeo burst into laughter due to what he revealed. I only smiled. Baldo is open-minded when it comes to this kind of topic but would he believe it if I told him about my eyes?
“Hey, I knew it! You just wanted to laugh at me. Yeah… No more!” He’s almost walking out but Tadeo in the midst of laughing obstructed him.
“We’re just kidding, men! Hey, chill! It’s just that look funny while saying those things in serious mode.”
“Yeah, Baldo! You really looked like a monkey! HAHAHAHA!” Aya and Tadeo did a hi-five. It seems the first time they are in sync. “It’s just a joke, okay. Mwahahaha. By the way, what’s with Papa Caleb?”
“I don’t like his aura.” He’s being serious again while trying to recall what kind of aura Caleb Perez produced. “Most of the times, a person could be read depending on the aura, but that Caleb Perez… it’s vague.”
“Vague?”
“His aura frequently changes. From yellow to red to violet to black and then white. It’s confusing, right?” How cool was that?
“Which means… it’s not good? Is that so?”
“Yeah. Moreover… You have seen earlier that Tadeo and I were almost staggering just to run and enter the room, right? It’s because we saw something.”
“What? Ghost?”
“Idiot, Chicken Lady! Let me explain this men. Baldy and I were roaming the campus since it was not yet cla.s.s time. When we’re near the Princ.i.p.al’s Office, we saw Caleb Perez and Mr. Melencio and it looked as if they were in the middle of an argument, men. After that, Perez lowered his gla.s.ses and stared at Mr. Melencio. Then, Voila! Like a zombie, the princ.i.p.al walked towards our room.”Tadeo explained. Baldo hurriedly added, “The true reason why we ran is…” They even exchanged glances before facing Aya and I, “When Caleb Perez lowered his shades, something glimmered from his eyes.”
For five seconds or so, none from the four of us spoke. Aya had her mouth opened widely, her jaws almost dropping while I remained silent. “Maybe he’s wearing contact lenses?” Aya mumbled.
“Crazy! He’s wearing gla.s.ses and with contact lenses, too? Use your brain!”
“Ouch, Baldo huh! Ouch!”
“Hep! Hep! I therefore conclude that Caleb Perez used hypnotism powers to control the princ.i.p.al. Right?”
“You’re so abnormal, Tadeo. Who would believe that conclusion? Hypnotism? I therefore conclude that you’re mongoloid!”
“Guys, hey. Stop that.” I stopped them from bickering and I got their attention since I’m the one who has yet to say anything. “I know it’s hard to believe that Caleb Perez used hypnotism.” He’s a Peculiar. He’s like me who has an unbelievable trait. I believe Tadeo’s conclusion but it’s not something easy to fathom. All will just appear like an absurdity. “Baldo, are you sure about what you witnessed?”
“Of course, Jill. Cross my heart.”
I breathe a sigh of relief after I confirmed my doubt. “The moment they entered the room, I know that something was off. I am glad I was not the only one who noted it. Even Morris, and you guys and Baldo. If Tadeo’s conclusion is true, we don’t have a proof, we can’t fight Caleb Perez.”
“Wait, wait, wait, Jill.” Aya b.u.t.ted in. “Let’s say all of your a.s.sumptions are correct, but what’s his reason for coming here?”
That’s what I’m figuring out, too. What does he need? Is he part of Memoire and is looking for me? I can’t voice this out to them. They won’t be able to understand.
“That’s what we have to discover before something unpleasant take place.” I said.“We have to be careful to be sure. For safety purpose, we must not look at his eyes.”
“If we don’t want to become zombies, men!”
“You’re a crazy idiot! Those conclusions of yours!”
“Are we not going to inform the rest?”
I shook my head. “No, Baldo. They will only think that we’re nuts. For now, let’s keep among the four of us.”
“What if we seek help from Miss Karen?” I don’t approve Baldo’s suggestion.“Probably she could help us. I’m sure you noticed how she reacted after she saw Caleb Perez.”
“I’m sorry, Baldo… But, my trust in her is not that big.” What I said surprised the three.
“Hah? Why Jill? My trust in her grew after the Recollection, eh.” Reacted Tadeo which Aya fueled.
“Right! Even though she almost killed me by nervousness! Hey, did something happen, Jill?”
“Nothing… As long as her ident.i.ty remains mysterious, I won’t trust her. Maybe we’re just not aware but she’s actually colluding with Caleb Perez.” I reasoned which made them nod.
“Does it mean… we’re going to investigate?” Tadeo excitedly asked.
“Yes. But not only the two of them?”
“What do you mean?”
“The other one is Stephen.”
Exactly when I said his name, Penelope arrived. She’s panting and gasping for breath which hinted that she had just ran.
“Penpen!”
“T-there’s a b-bad news…” She said in between her gasps. We all stood up. “It’s because Stephen… He’s dropping out of school.”
We were all dumbfounded.
Why?
“Anyone here?!” We shouted in front of Yue’s house for numerous times but no one answered or even glimpsed at us from inside. When we heard the news from Penelope, we didn’t hesitate to go here after cla.s.s.
“Tsk, I’ll strangle Yue if I learn that he’s tripping on us.” Baldo complained in boredom. We’ve been standing here for almost an hour but no one is coming out.
“He’s not kidding, Baldo. He texted me himself.” Penelope voiced out in worry.
“What’s real, men? I thought things will all be fine after that recollection but now so many incomprehensible things are happening.” I also thought that, Tadeo. I imagined that it’s all okay now but I discovered that I’m now facing worse problems. Stephen didn’t meet us anymore after the recollection. Now, it’s shocking to hear he’s dropping out of White Knights. So, what cause this?
Our hopes reignited when a woman older than us probably by seven years came out. She’s maybe Yue’s older sister. She went out of their gate and greeted us.
“Are you all Stephen’s friends?”
“Yes.”
“I’m very sorry but Stephen wanted me to relay this message… He said never come back here. Our family is in a difficult situation, especially my brother, so please…”
“Wait…” We couldn’t chase after her anymore after she hurriedly entered inside.
“Hey, Stephen!” Meet us out here!” Baldo shouted and kicked the trash bin due to annoyance.
We failed in calling him out so we didn’t have a choice but leave. I couldn’t believe it. We were all quiet while walking, pondering something for ourselves. No one spoke. But I paused walking when my cellphone vibrated. Probably due to their wandering thoughts, they didn’t notice I was left behind.
*calling…Stephen*
I immediately pressed the answer the b.u.t.ton.
“Stephen!”
“Jill. Sorry. I can’t do anything anymore. I don’t want to involve you guys. I don’t want to involve my family. I’m very afraid of them, Jill. I want to protect all of you. Please take care.”
“Wait Stephen! Who? Who are they?”
“M-memoire…*toooooot*”
My phone suddenly slipped from my hand.
TL note: Aya called Caleb Perez ‘Papa Caleb’ which is usually said by girls when addressing boys or males not related to them by blood but they like or idolize.