Chapter 30

FINAL CHAPTER

Michael's POV

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

I handed her the water that I got from the kitchen. I, then, sat down beside her and leaned on the wall. She really looked so pale and tired. If only I can give her strength, I wouldn't hesitate to give all of it to her. She let out a deep sigh.

"We have no choice but to wait the sun to rise," she said softly.

After we put Matthew’s body next to Cristina, we went straight to where the exit located is. We cannot stay longer there because of the awful smell. We thought that we can now leave this place but Matthew closed it earlier until tomorrow morning. I knew it because of Ashley. We didn't know the password or any code of his account, that is why we can’t just open this and leave, especially that this is the only place we know the exit. This is the only exit that we discovered from what we have seen in CCTV.

"Anyways." I glanced at Ash who is currently looking at me.

I raised my left brow a little signing what's it.

"Where did you went? Why were you gone? What happened to you?" She asked continuously.

The questions I've been waiting for. So, she really cares for me, huh? I feel like my cheeks burned. Uh, uh. This is so gay.

"Hey, why are you smiling?" I then instantly forced my self not to smile.

I shrugged. "Nothing but to answer your question, I just woke up in a dark room." She narrowed her eyebrows.

Then, I remembered that day.

"Help!" I shouted.

"Can anyone hear me?! Please help!" I have been shouting for an hour now but no one hears me. What kind of place is this? This is so dark, I can’t even see a single shadow.

"Help! Someone please help me! I am not the one who killed my twin! Damn! That’s my twin brother for pete’s sake! I couldn’t do such thing that to him! I love him! He was my best friend since we were a kid’" I tried to break the chains on my hand, but it just left me bruises. Argh!

"Help! Damn it! Whoever sent me here downstairs, I'm gonna kill you for real! No joke!" Fuck.

I got tired from shouting so what I did was to stop and just sat down next to the wall. It is been an hour since I stayed silent, someone came indoors. The moment he entered the room. I knew who is it already. The one that I've been suspecting since then.

"Hello, my rival."

It's Matthew.

"Why are you doing this to me?!" I shouted in anger. I closed my fist and was about to punch him but he avoided it which made myself drop onto the floor.

"Nothing. The way you look at me— ahm, I just sense that you're suspecting me, so I'm starting to suspect you as well—"

"Hell yes! And you proved it just right now! That is why you don’t want Ashly to smell my scent, right?! Because you won’t let us have clues or signals to each one!" I felt like my veins in lungs will come out. The fuck!

The fact that he knows everything here sounded so suspicious. Yeah, I admit I'm not that kind of student that has flying colors, but I'm not that stupid to not suspect him. He is really obvious, the fact that he knew everything about the clues and ways in this house, that really pointed him that he is the mastermind of everything. I discovered it when he guessed the confession task. I don’t know but I felt that it was really him who started the game. How come that after one piece of revelation, he got it right away! Weird, isn't it?

"And why would you give her your perfume? Why? Because you know that this kind of situation will happen?" He hysterically laughedx

I laughed as well. "Actually, I just did that in two reason." I answered confidently. "First, is yes, you're right. I am just getting not just myself but for Ashley so that she can find me if I get lost. And second, to see your reaction,” I answered bravely and smirked.

"I thought you're playing smart? Did you forget how to act your goodie-side-role?" I see how his fist closed.

"Why did you let her sniff it? You forgot to hid your reaction, asshole. You scratched at it."

"I know, I am dully aware of that!” His face now was like a fuming mad lion. I triggered him.

“That's why I chained ya here. Now, tell me who's smarter? You— that you will catch me or me—- who made this move first so that you could not speak?" After that, I received a punch.

I felt like my head will separate from my body because of too much force. I became deaf for awhile. I have not gained my strength yet I received another punch. Shit, that hurts! Motherfucker! I wanted to hurt him so bad-as well! But I can’t! I can’t because my hands are still tied. It will just caused me to drop just like earlier.

"Do you known that your face is ruined now? Then I’ll smash it three times!" He yelled and gave me numerous punches after.

"Fight me fairly!" I shouted back. Argh! I felt my body will collapse.

He did not listen and beat me even more until his clock rang so he left me again with this state. That was the last thing I heard before I closed my eyes. I actually thought that that was the end of my time, but I'm lucky because after so many hours, I woke up.

I woke up with all covers over my body untied. In my conclusion, maybe he thought that I was dead so he just let me be there which he just covered me and left. But I think fate is faithful to me, I woke up to save the love of my life.

After what happened, I left the room and I went to his computer lab. Then there, I found out what he was doing. I was even angrier when I saw him killed my brother. I watched all of it. I watched how this house looked like from above. I also checked all of the rooms here by watching the CCTV. So I also knew where the way out is. So when I saw him chasing you, I immediately went outside to save you."

She looked at me unbelievably.

“I'm speechless. How are you feeling? How are you feeling now? You experienced worse than mine, but you took care of me like something terrible never happened to you. Why didn't you say it to? You should have told me!" Aw, my girl is concern. I just gave her my genuine smile.

“You're never a burden, okay? You matter to me. I'm willing to do everything just to see you okay. And seeing you right now alive? That's more than enough." She looked away. "But,at least ... you should have told me."

I held her hand and squeezed it.

“It's fine."

I focused my attention to her. I can see that she is really tired now. She is wearing white plain t-shirt that has lots of stains of bloods paired with ripped shorts. Her face was full of dirt and blood, even her hair was as messy as my life. Though, despite her looks, I cannot still hide the fact that she's really pretty and astonishing. She really has this innocent face that when you look at it, you can't hurt her because you'll feel guilt after. I don't know, but the very first time I saw her, there's in me that I want to protect her at all costs. Crush? Maybe. I've been silently loving her since day 1, especially after knowing the fact that she is a hardworking woman.

"Stop staring at me like that. Sorry. I know that I haven’t washed myself yet so I apologize if I smell bad" she whispered.

I chuckled a little. "We’re the same. I actually didn’t shower for how many days now." She glanced at me and tried to stop her laugh.

"Just laugh, it’s okay. Don't stop it,” I said and laughed as well.

I was right. She laughed so hard. Ahhh, she’s so cute that I wanna kiss her so badly!

"And you don’t smell bad, don't worry." I smiled.

"Great. Likewise."

"Anyway, how are you feeling right now?" I asked then looked at her tummy. It was full of blood, but I guess what I did really worked out. Because until now, she still have her strength. "Can you stay up until morning?" I added.

She smiled slightly.

"I'm tired. But I'm still lucky that I'm still breathing. I am actually losing my strength but it's okay. I can stay up until tomorrow morning..." I nodded. "And I will be strong no matter what happens."

"Ahm.." she looked at me.

I was shocked when she suddenly hugged me. And it really feels so great to be hugged by the person you like the most, so without any doubts, I hugged her back. My heart fluttered. I hope this happen always. I hope I can hug her anytime I want, because I wouldn't get tired hugging her.

She loosened her hug and smiled at me sweetly again.

"Thank you.. thank you for saving me, for not leaving me behind, for always coming back. Thank you, thank you. Thank you," my heart wrecked when she started crying. "I didn't know what to do anymore if you were not here. Maybe if you’re not here, maybe I’m dead now. I can’t go home, I cannot see my mom and sister, my family. So thank you so much!I couldn't thank you enough." She she tears. I wiped it all using my hands and hugged her so tight.

“I won’t leave you, okay? That will never happen because I love you, Ash. I love you. You are my life. Without you by my side, I cannot live.”

She went silent for a minute so I got panicked. "Sorry for making you feel awkward. You don't need to react—"

"No, it's fine. Don't be sorry. It's okay."

"Okay, sorry."

She laughs a little. "Don't be sorry nga."

"Okay okay." Sorry.

"Okay."

Then we never speak again.

Damn, ugh! Now, I made the situation awkward.

I almost jumped when she rest her head on my shoulder. Then slowly, closing her eyes.

"Hey," I called her.

"Hmm?"

"Can I sleep?" She added.

I was taken aback by what she said. Should I let her? What if... I shrugged. "Yes, just.. just be strong please." I said, almost begging.

Even though she is not saying about what she is feeling right now, I know that she is losing her energy now. I feel it. She's slowly giving up but I just hide the face of being scared because I don’t want her to see it from me.

Yes, I'm so scared.

I'm really scared that I might lose her.

I can’t lose her. I just can’t.

"Yes. I will."

"Promise?" I assured.

"Promise."

I cupped her face and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Sleepwell, my Ash. I will just wake you up, okay? Two hours left, and we’ll get out of this place.”

The loud noise wake up me from asleep. As I opened my eyes, the metal door that is opening welcomed me. My heart pounded so fast because of happiness when I see the sunlight from outside. I couldn’t help but shout my excitement.

We can get out now!

Yes, finally!

I glanced at Ashley who's currently resting on my arms. I smiled as I tapped her gently.

"Ash? Hey, the sun is rising. We can go out now," I happily said while tapping her face again and smiled widely.

"Hey, we can now go home. We won, we won! We can now leave this place. Wake up, my Ashley."

My smile was slowly fading when she was not answering my call. I got scared of what I am thinking right now. So I checked her pulse, and I stiffened. Now way, this cannot be!

"Ash! Ash! Wake up! Ash!"

I started crying while still trying to wake her up.

"Ashley, please. Please, wake up.."

I stood up and ran outside while carrying her in my arms.

"Ashley, you promised. Why?"