Sui Caedere 2: Lucky Lies

Lucky Lies

"It has been so long, that I started growing on their graves." She strained the obviously corny joke. "Jenna?" but her stare was as steady and blank as space. She then let out a sigh, so silent, that only she could hear it. She stood up while dusting dirt off her pants. "Are you even listening Jenna?"

"Oh, I’m sorry. There’s something on my mind." Then she let out a cynical chuckle. "I got it, it was amusing. You’re growing on their graves since your name is-." She smiled.

Amusing? She thought she would have liked it more if she said funny instead. "That didn’t seem to help." She cut her off "Sorry, I still have the guts to joke around about this kind of stuff." She looked high in the sky, her hand arching at her forehead. "It’ll start to rain any moment Jenna." She looked at her "Let’s ditch this place."

"It’s ok to kid around, they would have liked it." Jenna placed one candle at each of their tombstones. Moss didn’t notice the drop of tear that fell from Jenna’s eye, the kind that didn’t touch her cheek. They left the five graves, together with the blood-filled past.

Their names were engraved on the tombs.

…Deck Marshall Fox…

…Peter Anderson…

…Ryder Fenwick…

…Trevor Jackson Matthews…

…Kurt Michael Crowe…

They were the only ones on the cemetery. The grass around the five graves is much greener for some reason, more peaceful, serene, more quiet.

"They just left us like that." Her voice sounded miserable "That idiot…" Jenna continued.

"It’s not him…" Moss added. "I mean, yeah he is. But so were we. And that made our group fun didn’t it?"

"You were always so cheerful. I wish I could be like you sometimes, strong, innocent and carefree."

"I guess it’s in the genes." She started fidgeting on her cell phone.

"Who are you texting?" Jenna asked.

"Reno."

"I envy you."

Moss could only sigh once more.

They were both silent. The noise in the streets pierced through the fog-blurred window of the taxi. She could see the driver staring at them from the rear view mirror, in the vein of asking them if they were okay, common city folk concern. She glared at Jenna, that she was sure won’t notice her. Jenna’s face was similar to what it was when she found out that Deck was dead. She wanted to break the tension, even just before they part ways.

"Jenna," she pulled a portion of her sleeve "you remembered right? I hope you don’t mind, I won’t be having dinner at our place. I’m meeting Reno."

Jenna quickly took her eyes off the window, then to Moss. "It’s cool Moss. I’ll have dinner with a friend then." She said, and then returning her sight at the window, only to look at Moss again. "Will you be…" she added "late?"

"Nah! I hate staying out and leaving you for so long."

"You don’t have to if you don’t want to."

"But I do."

"Ok then, thanks."

The little conversation they had seemed longer, after Moss realized she missed her stop. "I guess I’ll just walk then. Text me."

"Ok." Jenna didn’t take her eyes off the window, so Moss just got out from the other side.

***

After the cigarette-smoking, blood-spewing incident, Jenna and Moss were left alone. They decided that since that was the case, they should live together. One and a half years have already loitered, and they tried their best forgetting the horrific past. They tried to meet new sets of people, tried knitting, baking, cooking, and other feminine stuff that old single women do to forget that they are alone in their lives.

All of Deck’s works, articles and stories, were all stacked up in a box, swallowed by dust and even more boxes. She thought the publishing should be stopped, since the more they came, the more it is hard to forget. She wished she would have done it earlier, but it was Deck’s death wish.

In spite of everything that had happen, Jenna was still beautiful, pretty as rain. But the glow in her eyes was dim, like the sun in eclipse, glowing bright, but blocked by the moon of sorrow.

Moss on the other hand, became the woman Deck never thought she would be. Her hair have grown long, straight, the length was near her shoulders, bright blonde hair, the color of white gold. But she still dresses the same, like a fickle girl in her early teens attending a rave, shorts that looked like pants before it was murdered by a pair of incredibly dull scissors, Chuck Taylor sneakers and a razorback shirt, occasionally partnered with a fur jacket.

"Moss!" shouted a boy at the sidewalk with both his hands in his jacket’s pocket. "Over here!" then he waved.

"Reno! Did you wait long?"

"I didn’t. And I hope you’re hungry, I already got us a table at an all-you-can-eat buffet."

"Of course I am. Come on, I promised Jenna I won’t be late."

Reno was Moss’s block mate at college. He wasn’t part of the group until after their deaths. He was always stalking her, stealing gaze, in an admiring way. He was kind, thoughtful and soft with his words. Just his eyes could be reassuring. He was the kind of guy that talks his way out of trouble instead of charging head on. His hair was copper brown, almost as long as a girl’s hair, which is exactly the type Moss likes. He doesn’t garb too much, just the plain gray shirt and pants, matched with slip-on shoes. There was nothing special about him, nothing not-average. But he was there for Moss when the boys died. He was there even before, and he will always be. That is why Moss fell for him. That is when they started dating.

"We have a problem." Moss got hold of Reno’s wrist, firmly as if she didn’t want to enter the buffet. Not juts yet.

"What? I’m starving Moss. So-" Reno’s face gave a combination of irritation and care.

"Sorry sweetie, I forgot, I wore the jacket that had holes in the pockets."

"Why? You’re gonna sneak food out of the buffet?"

"Very clever." She gave an obvious sarcasm. "I put my phone in here after I text you, I must have dropped it somewhere."

"Where have you been before meeting me?"

"Me and Jenna went to the cemetery." Then she blew the hair in her face. "We have to get it."

"Now?"

"Yes!" she almost looked annoyed. "I told Jenna to text me, what if she’s calling right now? And besides, the longer we stay here, the more chances that somebody else might have found it."

"Seriously. Now?!" Reno grabbed his shirt, gesturing he was really hungry.

"Reno!"

"Ok! Ok. I got it. Sheesh." He has always spoiled her, he thought next time he should give her a new coat. He didn’t have a choice, he wailed a cab.

***

It didn’t rain at all. But it sure was dark when they arrived at the cemetery. This was her first time going there this time of night. "I hate going here after dark." She said.

"I told you so! And why do they call it after dark anyway? When it’s actually during the dark? If anything’s after dark, it would be morning already." Reno ragged her.

"I appreciate the humor, but it’s not helping at all. Just help me find it quick. I’m cold, scared and hungry."

Reno tried to apologize but Moss is already far away, she didn’t hear him. In the dark, she had a hard time tracing where their graves are, unlike in the morning when she’d run towards it as if the tombstones would hug her back. She looked at all the direction, like a child not knowing where she is, but Moss knew, she was at the cemetery. Reno caught her hand, he held her tightly, his fingers wrapping around hers.

"You haven’t found it yet?" Reno asked, and then pointed at something. "Hurry up, the man by that grave might think we’re delinquents trying to make out in front of the dead." He was pointing at a man visiting a grave.

Moss stared at what he was pointing at "So what? Leave him alone". There were candles in front of the shadowed figure. But they weren’t bright enough to make out a face. "Ok, I got it. I think it was near a mausoleum." She hauled Reno.

"Tell you what, didn’t you placed candles in their graves?" he tugged her back. "Let’s just go to the graves that have candles on them."

And so they did, but after a few, they realized they have already checked every lit tombstone. Moss realized even more, that the tomb in front of the shadowed figure they were spying at is indeed near a mausoleum. "I think somebody else visited Deck and the others." she quickly pointed at the figure once more.

"You mean all this time, the graves were there?!" It wasn’t his fault. He doesn’t go there as usual as Moss. "I mean how can we miss it? Theirs are the only graves that are lined up like soldiers ready for crossfire! Never mind, let’s just get your phone."

Both of them walked in a normal pace, they want to be sure that it was Deck and the other’s graves just to avoid any awkward conversation with whoever that man is. Closer and closer they get, the lights coming from the candles started to make a face out of the figure. It was a man, the same frame with Reno’s, only the figure was taller. It was intimidating. He was wearing a black coat; his hair was almost as dark as night. Reno’s teeth began to chatter.

"Moss. What if-" but pain shot through his arm, Moss gave him a blow.

"Shut up! Stop it! I’m already scared to my wits!" she thought Reno was about to say, he’s a ghost.

But as they argue, they didn’t realize that they didn’t stop walking, not even slowing down. Closer and closer they get to the figure, until he was fully visible. He was, but they didn’t look at him. "Hey! Quiet down!" the figure finally spoke.

Moss was startled so much that she clenched Reno’s arm hard, too hard that he almost let out a scream. "Geez man! For the sake of-"

"Pete?" the figure finished her sentence. It was awkward since they called Peter "Pete" once in a while, and there they were, all standing in front of his grave. "I’m sorry. It’s just that we both surprised each other." The stranger continued.

Moss's head slightly bowed down, feeling sorry. "Nice going man!" Reno said after giving a look of disgust. But Moss jerked his arm as to say stop it. "Asshole." He whispered to himself.

"I’m sorry. May I ask who you are?" Moss asked.

"You’re not as rude as your boyfriend here." His eyes piercing at Reno "But don’t you know that it’s impolite to ask somebody else’s name before even introducing yourself." It was a direct insult from the man.

Moss couldn’t believe what she heard. The nerve of that guy she thought. "Well excuse me mister! But you happen to be standing at my friends--"

"The name is Erik. I’m a friend of Deck and Peter." Right then, Moss thought that his constant interruption was a habit. "Don’t worry. I’ll go already so the two of you can make out."

"We are absolutely not going to make out!" Moss hands fashioned fists of anger, her nails dug to her palm. "Tell him Reno!"

"Well, I actually hoped we would so-" Reno tried to continue.

"You’re a jackass!" the beat this time was a lot heavier than before, Reno groaned. "Anyway, we don’t want to deal with you as much as you don’t want to deal with us. Do you happen to see a phone lying around here?" But Erik was already walking away.

"Huh?" he stopped. "No I didn’t." then continued walking, in a faster pace this time.

She released her fingers from being clenched. "The nerve of that guy." She looked at Reno. She already forgot that she called him a jackass. "Can you call my phone for me, it’ll light up when it rings, and we’ll be able to find it easier." She asked Reno.

"Ok." And his fingers stabbed the noisy keypads of his own phone as he dialed Moss’s number, and then placed it near his ear. He looked at Erik not so far away, half walking and half running. When the phone rang, Erik stopped.

"That bastard!" Moss was in her angry mode again. "Hey you!" she yelled at Erik as she saw pink and blue backlights blinking from his jacket, like Christmas lights only they were accompanied by a song by Coldplay instead of a Christmas carol. She was sure it was her phone, only hers would light up like that. "Give it back you asshole!" and she grabbed Reno’s arm tightly as she dragged him towards Erik.

Erik turned around.

"I thought I asked you if you saw a phone lying around the ground." Moss was in panic.

"Actually, you asked me if I found a phone lying around," Erik took a finger and pointed it out on the grass of Deck’s grave, "there." Then his moved it as if to point to the ground on his foot. "I found this phone HERE, when I came."

"You’re starting to piss me off!" she took the pleasure of digging through Erik’s pocket and retrieving her phone herself.

"My, my, what a rude girl." Erik said.

"Can it man!" Reno finally spoke. "You’ve done enough. You’re lucky I didn’t call the cops." Moss remembered that that’s just the kind of person Reno is, settling trouble through words, not fists. "Let’s go Moss."

In a moment, Erik was all alone, in the dark part of the cemetery. He took his own phone out, and checked the time. "I won’t make it." he said with disappointment, he then started typing a message.

***

Nightfall, they ended up not having any dinner at all. Reno sent Moss home after taking out some Chinese food. Reno hates Chinese food, Moss loves it. She said that the box itself makes the food taste great. It took a while to get to Moss and Jenna’s apartment, but they were not late. Moss got out of the cab after giving Reno a peck on the cheek. She just stood there as the cab drove off, waving goodbye at Reno, and Reno waving back like a child leaving for camp.

She took her keys out, but as she twists the door, it was already open, Jenna was already inside, watching TV with her sleeping clothes, extreme shorts and a white shirt. "You’re back already!" Jenna said "I thought I told you it’s ok for you to stay late?"

"Yeah I know, I dropped my phone on the cemetery, Reno and I had to get it so I could text you." she put her jacket down "but in the long run, I didn’t use it after all." The she heard the beeping noise of the microwave. "You still haven’t eaten yet?" she asked.

"No. My friend ran into something, so I decided to take something out and eat here while waiting for you instead." She was already in front of the oven. "I ordered some-"

"—Chinese Food!" Moss and Jenna said in synchronized unison.

"You and Reno didn’t eat out?" Janna asked.

"Some jerk cost us some time." she brushed her hair "I don’t want to talk about it." then she thought , everything worked out fine, having to eat with Jenna. "This is perfect; it’s like eating dinner with an older sister."

"I guess it is."

They sat back on the couch after Moss changed into her almost too sexy sleeping clothes, her hair tied in a pony. They sank in the soft cushion, each with a Chinese food box in their hands, watching TV. Neither of them liked Gossip Girls, they rather watch manly shows like Sports or CSI, a habit that grew on them as a result of hanging with the boys.

"Moss, a friend of mine will be here tomorrow." Then Jenna ate a noodle like a vacuum. "So it’s ok if you and Reno want to do something."

"The same friend you’re supposed to eat dinner with?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. But I don’t think Reno and I have plans to go out. He said he’ll join me in meeting someone." Then it was her turn to suck in a noodle, sauces flying in every direction as the noodle disappear in her lips. "That errand you asked me to do, I found someone that’s willing to buy Deck’s works."

"Really?"

"Yeah, he says he’s an old fan. I think his name was Patch. I haven’t met him before, but I’m sure he’s not a bad guy. Lexi’s coming with us too."

"Lexi! Oh I haven’t seen that darling in weeks!"

"Don’t call her darling Jenna, you sound like a grandma." Moss pinched Jenna’s cheek to prevent a frown. "She stayed at her mom’s place so we didn’t meet much."

"It’ll be great to have another girl in this apartment every now and then."

"Oh come on, you’re getting tired of my face?!" then she tried hard making a funny face.

She dropped her cup, freeing it from her grip unconsciously, her noodles drenched her thighs. Jenna laughed as her own food bursts out from her mouth and into Moss’s shirt. It was almost hot to her chest. They were silent, like one of them might say look what you’ve done! But they were mute for a little while longer.

Then earsplitting laughter quivered all over the room. Their thunderous voices beat the television to a battle of volumes. Their eyes started watering; both of them already grabbed their stomach, forming cramps from the hilarity of the situation. They have never laughed like that for so long; long enough that Deck, Peter, Trevor, Kurt, Nona and Ryder were still there, laughing with them.

At a snail's pace, Jenna’s laughter faded, and then was exchanged with a burst of tears.

***

Sunday has never been this cold. Moss and Reno just got out of the university. Sitting at the bus stop bench, they looked like strangers to each other. "What’s taking her so long?" Reno finally snapped. His feet is tapping like crazy, his hair was all busted up from scratching.

"You know her. She takes time fixing herself for no one in particular!" Moss argued. She found it strange that these past few days, Reno and her argue at the most ridiculous things. But they don’t get mad at each other. She finds it sweet, like a way to strengthen their relationship.

"I’m sorry! But I do fix myself for someone in particular!" a high pitch voice came from behind, a thin brunette girl, blocking Reno’s view of Moss. Then her face turned to him. "I see you’re as edgy as ever Reno!" She looked like a teen model. Her hair was long, shiny and straight. Her legs were long and have a very nice complexion.

"Lexi!" Moss cried, and then quickly kissed her cheeks. "And who that someone be?"

"My future boyfriend of course, whoever he is!"

"Then he really is no one in particular." Reno teased her. "Now let’s get moving girls. We’re 5 minutes late in meeting Patch." Reno stood up first.

"I can see you still have a taste for men that has the nerves!" Lexi rolled her eyes away from Reno.

"Come on, it’s not like you haven’t got used to him yet."

Lexi just shrugged as if saying alright, if you say so. She clutched her bag in one of her elbows, and strutted her way to the other side of the road, walking beside Moss, chatting and laughing. Reno was silent in a corner, playing text twist in his cell.

Lexi is the girl closest to being a best friend for Moss. She remembered saying "Best friends are so overrated!" while talking to her, sharing a smoothie and sitting on the grass at the park, watching dogs fetch Frisbees. She thought it would only make things sound like a commitment, and she won’t be comfortable with it if it is with Lexi. She’s fairly different from Moss, she’s loud and obnoxious, but as she say, "Opposite poles attract each others." She dresses sexy, not in a punk sexy way, but in a sexy sexy way. Mini skirt and high heels, like a skank but more sophisticated. She had her hair dyed, but she doesn’t wear make up.

They were supposed to meet Patch at the last corner near their apartment. None of them has seen him before, so they would assume that the only person standing in that corner would be him. And as they make a right, they saw the spot. There was a chubby man, around his early twenties, wearing a brown worn-out jacket, smoking a cigarette. He doesn’t look old but he acts old. He wore glasses, and had a bad haircut.

"Excuse me, you don’t happen to be Mr. Patch?" Reno asked, out of being gentle.

"Finally, I thought you guys will never come!" he threw the cigarette butt right at his feet, and then stepped on it. "And don’t call me mister; I’m the same age as Deck." He placed his hands on his waist. "So! Shall we go into business now?"

Moss brushed Reno out of the way. "Right Patch, the stuff is upstairs." She started to get the feeling that assholes are beginning to surround her. She rolled her eyes as soon as she turns around and put on her iPod.

They started walking for the next corner, right where their apartment is. Lexi’s talking with someone on the phone, and Reno’s having a manly chat with Patch. She was looking blankly onto space, watching dark clouds move, even faster than before. She remembered Jenna last night, when she cried after laughing so hard. It was bitter if what she felt was flavor.

Suddenly a slender figure of a man appeared in front of her out of nowhere. Knocked her left shoulders back. "Sorry-"they said to each other. The man was smiling. She didn’t find it strange; maybe he was just plain friendly. And nobody seemed to have notice the incident, not even Reno. There was something about the man, mystery does follow her usually after all. It was as if everything else went slow after bumping into him, he felt a slight vertigo. Then it went away. She thought that the city itself is getting ruder.

Late she realized, they’re already on the first set of stairs. She turned off her iPod.

She can hear Jenna talking, maybe with the friend she mentioned before. Her guest is still not speaking; she was not able to tell whether it’s a man or a woman. Making it more difficult is Patch’s loud noise as he laughs from Reno’s awfully corny jokes, also Lexi, still on the phone. But Moss thought, why not just open the door to find out, and she did.

"Moss you’re here! I want you to meet…" But Jenna stopped, seeing Moss’s mouth gaped open in disbelief.

"You!" Moss voiced came out unnoticing, together in synchronized unison with a voice of a man, saying the exact same thing.

"Well, actually I already knew you even before you knew me, so I don’t really get why I shouted ‘You!’." said the man eating half a donut.

"I’ll assume, but I’d really rather not that you already know Erik." Jenna said, while Erik waved the donut as if to say hello.

"HE"S your friend Jenna? That guy is a-"

"Jerk! What are YOU doing here?!" Reno butt in, what seems like another cut off in a series of unfinished dialogues.

"Hey, hey, relax Moss" said Erik, before a quick gaze at Moss, then to Reno "Reno. I just came to talk something about Jenna. Ok, we might have started in the wrong foot last night, so let me explain."

"Jenna!?" Moss still ignored him. "You know this douche?" while slamming her hand in the table, putting her iPod down. The plugs were still in her ear, making her wince as they pull themselves forcefully out of her.

"Actually Moss, he’s the friend I was supposed to meet last night, remember? That he ran into something so he couldn’t make it? Now I know what it actually was. Funny story, right?"

"Right. How did he know my name? And by the way, did you do know what he did?"

"He’s a an old pal of Deck and Peter, he just came from the states. So he heard from all of us." Jenna said. She sipped from a mug of what looks like hot chocolate. "I’m used to him, we go way back too. And about your phone, if ever you didn’t find out, he’d return it to me anyway."

Moss realized the reason of his visit at their graves, Erik must have been a wreck not seeing his buddies for so long, and only to find out they died of an unknown paranormal cause.

A scream, more like a screech from the background interrupted everybody. "So hey Jenna! How are you?!" nobody noticed that Lexi was off the phone, she broke the pressure as Moss and Reno went straight for the stock room with Patch.

"Lexi! How are you!" Jenna gave her a hug.

***

Reno was a gentle man to help Moss dig out dusty archives of Deck’s work from the pile of even dustier boxes. But then again he thought, he was obliged to do so. He kept on coughing from all the dirt clouds, he never thought it was that long since they touched this stuff.

"Are you sure you want me to have these?" Patch asked Moss pointing out all the articles Reno have put out.

"Well actually, you’re not gonna have them, you’re gonna buy them."

"Of course." Patch replied while clearing his throat.

"Well, that’s all of it I guess, these other boxes are just playboys Deck had." Reno dusted his hands. "And uh, can I have them?"

Moss just knocked his right arm, another heavy blow that made Reno grimace. "I can’t believe Jenna hid those in here! Put them back! Pervert!". But Moss couldn’t blame Reno; they haven’t done the ‘deed’ yet, actually she never done it with anybody yet. So Reno’s like a dog begging for a bone. In his case, a boner. "So, mister Patch." she remembered him saying don’t call him mister. "I mean, Patch. What do you plan to do with this stuff?"

"Nothing, I just think that they’re valuable articles that need caring." Giving a slight hint of insult to Moss. "I’ll keep them at my shack, preserve them and maybe someday I’ll make a fortune out of them." He was frank.

"Oh, I see then. Good luck with that." Moss placed her hands in her waist. "So I guess that’s that huh."

"Yeap. It was nice doing business with you people." With a box full of article, Patch walked out of the room after paying Moss.

"I don’t trust that guy." Reno said.

"What do you mean you don’t trust him? You’re the one that found him for me."

"Yeah I know, but he was just a referral. I don’t have real background about him. But I guess that’s just a harmless info." Reno grabbed Moss hips, pulled her closer and kissed her cheeks. "That’s my business here sweetie. I’ll have to go to my mom’s. I placed everything the way it was."

"Ok, I started feeling dizzy anyway, probably the stress, so I guess you’ll be alright going outside alone?" she rubbed her temples. "Just say good bye to Jenna and Lexi."

They walked from the storage room and into the den. They could only hear two voices now. They hoped that Erik was gone, but they still hear a man’s voice. Jenna wasn’t there.

"Where’s Jenna?" Moss asked.

"Oh, she said she’d take a look at what that mister Patch took. I don’t know, she probably wanted to see if there was nothing there that wasn’t supposed to be." Lexi said, waving her cell phone in the air.

"You think it’s those things Deck kept?" Reno took a bite from a donut. "Well anyway, I can’t wait for her. I have to go. I don’t want be yelled at again for being late."

"Lexi, is that a new phone?" Moss changed the topic. "I mean a newly bought phone but is obviously an old model phone?" Moss asked, taking notice at Lexi’s phone.

"Leave me alone girl. I needed some cash so I sold my old one. Besides, this one’s easier to use."

"Whatever." Moss replied.

"Anyway, I can’t stay long too. I don’t want to walk around alone in this neighborhood that late." She protested.

"Gee, company." Reno put out a sardonic face.

"I don’t feel good anyway, so go ahead. Just text me or whatever." She didn’t stop the rubbing on her head. Then Reno kissed her again as both Lexi and him walked out the door. She stayed in front of the door momentarily, and then twisted around only to find something else worse than her headache. "Great…"

"Well I guess you’re stuck with me huh?" Erik was still there, eating a donut. "Don’t get me wrong, I’m not enjoying this as much as you are."

"You’re flattering yourself. So why are you still here?"

"I’m waiting for Jenna, what else?! What, do you think I’m here for, you?"

"What happened to ‘we started on the wrong foot’?"

"Oh yeah, right. Sorry, why don’t you sit down for a minute?" This time he sipped coffee. Moss just found herself sitting in front of him. "I knew your brother and Pete."

"I know, you said it earlier."

"Are you always this grumpy?"

"To you I will always be, but to others, it’s just a migraine."

"Here." Erik handed her a tall glass of water. "Drink lots of it. Migraine is usually cause by dehydration. Your brain cells are shrinking, compressing the nerves. Feed them."

"Oh so now you’re an expert?!" but she drank all of it anyway.

"So, you and Jenna live together now huh. That’s great."

"I don’t know why are you being nice all of a sudden, but your lucky I have a headache, so I’m not in the mood to argue."

"It’s good that you live together now." He ignored what she said. "She really needs it. Try to keep her company alright? As much as you can."

Moss felt sorry for every time she left Jenna alone after hearing what Erik said. "I know…" she felt sad when she said it.

"You see that incident that had happened a year and a half ago." He was pertaining to the blood spewing incident. "Jenna was there every time someone dies. At Ryder’s death she was there, at Trevor’s, Kurt’s, even Nona’s suicide, she was all there to witness. Not to mention her own brother."

"Pete…" Moss said… and then Erik saw the saddest face he ever saw.

"I’m sorry…"

"It’s ok. So I’m guessing you’ve read Deck’s book?"

"Yeah, I got a copy, since asking both of you will bring bad memories."

"Are you, and Deck close friends?" asked Moss.

"We sure are. Back then, even before you got here in the city. I was part of the group. But I had to leave. We were the originals, without Trevor, Kurt and Ryder."

"The originals?"

"Yeah, Deck, Peter, Jenna, me--"

"Oh! It’s a good thing I caught up with that Patch guy!" Jenna stormed inside. "Moss! You accidentally put this in the box!" she was holding a playboy magazine, it was miss April on the cover, wearing tiny black bikinis. Erik whistled a sexy tone.

"Knock it off Erik!" Moss saw the energy in Jenna’s eyes, she was back to her normal self whenever Erik’s around.

"Deck still buys those things? You’re not tending to his needs Jenna!" He laughed as he finish his coffee, "Well, you’re here now. So I better leave. I just gave Moss some company here."

"I don’t need company! Especially if you’re keeping it!" Moss was back to her old annoying self too.

"Whatever!" Erik stood up; they were both rude to each other again, swearing and cursing each other. "Drink a lot of water like I told you!" then Erik left the door, not saying goodbye to Jenna, he just smiled.

***

Moss taps her cup of coffee, noisily, like she was agitated, wanting to ask something. "Jenna…" she stops. And then she continued tapping her cup.

"Come on, let it out Moss." She looked into her eyes. She slouched into the wooden chair, and let out a sigh. "Erik and I are not dating." she took initiative; she knew that Moss is giving out a sign.

"Whew!" Moss finally stopped tapping and sipped her coffee empty. "For a second I thought you-"

"Replaced Deck? I’d never do that Moss. I loved him more than anything else, he and my brother. The two of them, are the closest any man could ever be to my heart." Jenna smiled.

"I know Jenna. I just wanna hear it from you. Actually, it’s really ok if you start dating some other guys, just please don’t let it be that Erik! That’s guy’s a complete idiot!"

"That’s totally impossible Moss."

"And why is that?"

"He’s just like a brother to me."

"Like a brother huh. You must miss him?"

She knew Moss was talking about Peter. She was silent at first. Almost let out a sob. "You know I do. I miss him so much, each other is what we had left in this world."

"But now you have me." Moss smiled.

Then Jenna put on a happy face again. "How about you?"

"How about me what?"

"Do you miss Peter?"

"Peter? Why him? - Not that I don’t miss him - I mean sure, I do. But I expect you would say Deck."

"Oh, nothing, I just thought you know-"

"Ow shut up Jenna." Moss puffed her cheeks, then rolled her eyes off of Jenna, then blew the hair in front of her face. Both of them started laughing.

"Peter had a crush on you Moss. Did you know that?"

"W-what? He does!?" her eyes widen. "I mean, he does?" now with a more curious, eye-not-widen expression.

"What do you think?"

"Stop teasing me Jenna." Again she puffed her cheeks. And then she started scrambling into the stuff on top of the table, searching for something.

"What is it?"

"My iPod. It’s not here. I placed it in this table right after we entered." And after a few moments of thinking, she thought of something. "Damn it! He took it again!"

"Who? Erik?"

"Yes! Who else?! Don’t try to stop me Jenna, I’m just going to give him a piece of my mind!" Then Moss stormed out of the door. Jenna didn’t even have a chance to say a word.

Her footsteps on the wooden stairs were like hammer pounding solid, like every step weighs a ton. Each piece of wood got a taste of her anger. She thought that maybe that short conversation she had with Erik, could actually change the way she thinks about him. She pushed the main door of the apartment, and stepped down on the porch. She looked sideways, left and right, looking for a man, even a figure of what may look like Erik. She spotted it. "Hey!"

The figure stopped walking. He was indeed a man, but not Erik. He turned as he looked at Moss. Street lamps were lighting the streets, but his face was still a blur. With a half smile, he showed his face that had a sinister look, like a villain in movies, except he wasn’t twisting a moustache. He was thin; his cheek bones protrude, almost forming a skull shaped head. His eyes have the look of interest. He was tall, almost as tall as Reno. He was pale. You might say that the cruel-evil-laugh might blurt out of him any moment. "Me?" his tone was provocative, with a husky voice, suited for his deviant look.

Moss didn’t answer quickly, she didn’t know if it was horror or if the man just looked strange. She took time to study him, finally she answered. "Oh. I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else." But the figure drew even closer to her. That was when Moss realized, he knew the man. He was the one that bumped her earlier, after they meet Patch and before entering the apartment. He was the man that knocked her off.

"Have you felt it already?" The man asked, in an even suspense-filled manner. Shrouded in mystery, he gazed at her eyes, intense, like he’s trying to bend a spoon through his mind.

"Excuse me?"

"The sentence I gave you? Have you felt it already?"

"Look, I’m sorry that I mistook you for another, but I really don’t know what you’re yapping about." She was about to turn around, but the feeling of wanting to listen stopped her.

"I’m trying to make this easier for you. Little Moss." With those words, he stunned her.

"How did you-"

"My name is Jack." He introduced himself "and I’m asking, if you already felt the sentence I gave you?" He slid both of his hands in the pockets of his black sweater. "Like something changed in your body? A slight ounce of uneasiness maybe?"

Moss remembered her migraine.

"Do you know what I am Moss?" His smile grew even larger "I’m a Malice. I’m a product of angst!"

Moss wanted to speak, wanted to scream, wanted to call for help that some weird guy, probably under the influence of drugs is harassing her. She wanted to push him. Maybe he’s in a cult of some kind. Is this an initiation for some group fraternity? Who is he? What is he? How did he know her name? What Malice is he talking about? What sentence does he speak of? Moss thought of every single meaning she could give to the word "sentence".

"Get away from me creep." Finally she said it. Finally her feet moved. Walking backwards, not caring if she would trip on something. She turned and dashed towards their front door.

"Moss!" he called out, confident that she will look back. And she did. "Don’t you want to know how my sentence works?"

Moss didn’t say a word; she continued dashing upstairs to Jenna. And though what happened freaked her out, she didn’t tell her anything. She just told herself another thing.

…not this crap again.

***

It was late when she got herself to sleep. She kept tossing and turning, thinking of Jack, the man in the shadows. His every word was like a large fist pounding her chest, causing every heartbeat to be felt. In the long run she just thought of it as a prank.

But in what little sleep she had. Images popped out of her mind, like images from televisions.

In her dream she was in a room, sitting in the corner, feeling extremely hot. She was sweating, making a fan out of her hand to ease the heat. The room had no door, no windows; it was like a very huge box with white walls inside. It was bright, but no clue of the source of light, not a lamp, not a light bulb or fluorescent, no windows for the sun to shine in. She stood up, feeling enclosed for a long time in this burning casket, and took a walk to explore the room. She walks, feeling the burn, her flapping hand doesn’t create the slightest amount of wind, not enough even to blow a candle. In one of the four walls stood a four layered drawer, it was made of fine wood and elegant metal carvings. She opened the top drawer; in it were Deck’s old articles, the ones Patch took. On the second drawer was her iPod. On the third is what looks like an extremely expensive watch. And on the fourth was a black cotton jacket. After seeing all the items in the drawer, the light disappeared. She was just alone in the black box, with no windows, no doors, no exit, no escape.

She woke up feeling heavy. With half closed eyes and messy hair, she traced her way to the kitchen. One strap of her small white sleeveless shirt fell off of her shoulder. She took a mug with hot choco. She looked around, like checking the scene if anyone could see as she scratches her butt only through her green panties. She walked around the room looking for her bunny slippers. Just as she found them, someone knocked on the door.

"This early?" she remembered maybe Jenna forgot her keys to her office again.

Still sipping on her mug, she walked in a slow pace towards the door. She peeked into the viewing hole to see who it was. "Ugh. Gimme a break." She rolled her eyes.

She took out the double locks of the door, "Perfect!" Moss cried as she opened the door. Her eyebrows immediately meet each other in anger. She could see the guest, in a white shirt with a cartoon of a dog, licking itself. With both her palms she pushed his chest with full forces making him stumble even farther from the door. With that she was outside too, with what little clothes she has. "Give it back you bastard!"

"Woah! Woah! I thought I already knew how grumpy you can get, but I never thought I’ll see you THIS angry in your just-woke-up-craze. Not to mention I haven’t done anything yet." It was Erik. But after saying that, he suddenly lost his focus. He still needs to ask her Return What? But staring at Moss, with those clothes, outside the door. "…And you might want to step back and go inside."

Moss didn’t took her eyes off of his, she took one huge step backwards enough to cross the door’s frames. She was awfully comfortable about not caring that anyone might see her in her morning clothes. "My iPod asshole! Give it back!"

"Well I don’t have it." Erik protested.

"Give it back!"

Erik stood closer. The only thing between them now is the arc of the door’s wooden frame. They stood in front of each other, like they were in front of a portal of different dimensions, like looking at a different reflection in a mirror. Erik leaned and spoke. "Listen to me. I don’t have it." every word counted.

With that Moss didn’t even argued. It was as if Erik had the power of persuasion.

Erik continued, "If it’s because of your phone before, I hid it, I didn’t steal it. When we met at the cemetery, I knew you Moss, why would I steal from you, my friend’s cousin?"

"Fine." She could only say. Maybe it was Reno, or Lexi that took her iPod. Maybe even Patch.

"Hey. Is Jenna here?" Erik asked.

"NO!" Moss screamed. "Don’t you know that she leaves early for work?!"

"Actually I do. But I’m not here for that, I got some news. For either of you, so it’ll be good too if you hear it."

"Fine. But I got some things to do. Ok? I don’t have much time." she turned around and walked away with her mug. "Go sit in there." pointing at the red comfy couch. "And if you think I’m offering you coffee, think again."

Erik didn’t enter at once, and from what he saw made him stood there for a moment, Moss in her sexy morning clothes. She acted like she has no care, and maybe she really doesn’t. She was sexy, the kind of girl that is pretty even after bed. She smelled nice as her hair tossed itself near his face. He has to snap out of it.

He took the pleasure in sitting in the red comfy couch. "And would you please put something on! You’re barely wearing anything! Your sleeve’s not even on!"

Then Moss stopped on her way to the kitchen, slowly she turned her head around. And with those half closed eyes and messy blonde hair that she just brushed up, she said "Why? Am I turning you on?!"

"Oh man! Now you REALLY have to offer me coffee!" he could feel his face turning hot as he looked away. "Don’t flatter yourself flatty!" but he knew very well that she isn’t flat at all.

Completely, Moss turned around. "You callin’ THESE babies flatties?" she leaned her back on the kitchen table while protruding her gifts.

"Oh please! I still hadn’t had breakfast yet, got nothing to puke yet." But nobody knows any more than himself, that he’s flushing. "I’m telling Reno."

"Ugh, enough. You find me sexy, period. I’m gonna go change, so wait here." She finished her choco and went straight back to her room. "So what’s the news?!" she shouted from inside.

Erik could hear sounds of clothes hitting the floor, like whoosh sounds of sexiness. He coughed, cleared his throat, "That man that came here yesterday, the fat one."

"Patch."

"Right, Patch. Did you know that uh…" Erik took time to say it, "That he’s dead?"

Erik almost sank in his seat completely when Moss peered through her bedroom door with only a bra on saying "WHAT?!". One of her eye brows was raised. Then her hair fell gracefully.

"Holy-!" Erik whispered to himself. For the second time he cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah. He is. Died right after he left here. At his apartment."

"How did he die?" Her voice came from her room again. She felt bad about accusing Patch.

"He fired up."

"Fired up? Like psyched or something? He was so energized that he stopped breathing?"

"No, literally he fired up. Burst into flames, no gas leaked, no source of fire. He was even standing in the middle of his living room. Neighbors smelled something burning, they thought he’s cooking, well technically he really is ‘cooking’."

"SHC?"

"No. That stuff is myth."

"How did you know this?"

"Police saw Deck’s works in his place. He was famous so they contact his publisher, then his publisher called me."

"Deck works…" For a moment, a glimpse of her dream she remembered. But then she thought she’s being paranoid. "I feel sorry for him." She got out of the room. She decided not to talk about it anymore. "I’m done, you can tag along if you want, though Reno’s not going to be cool with it if he sees you."

"Oh, you’re seeing him. That’s ok, we became buddies last night. We met at a bar after I left here."

"A bar?" she didn’t know anything about that. "Being friendly huh?"

"Well unlike you, he thinks I’m nice."

"That’s Reno all right." She took some keys and her bag, and then her hand gestured to Erik as if saying he should stand up. He did. He followed her to the door, just before she turned around. "By the way, do you even know what SHC means?"

"Spontaneous human combustion." He replied with a smart-ass look in his face.

"And how did a guy like you knew that?"

"Duh, internet."

"Figures."

"And how did YOU know that?" he asked in return.

"What do you think of me? Some dumb blonde? Peter told me once."

"Right, I heard he became a doctor." He didn’t realize they were already going down the stairs. "So are you two close?"

"Kinda, but not as close as the others. He’s cute and I sort of look up to him."

"Poor Peter, having a fan like you."

"Shut up. Yesterday, Jenna told me he used to have a crush on me."

"Still flattering yourself I see."

"Jerk!"

"The four of us were tight." He had a serious look in his face. For a second, Moss saw the grief in his eyes. She was silent, like it would ruin the mood if she says something awful. He is their friend too after all, maybe even more than Kurt, Trevor and Ryder. "Look, I may look and act like a jerk sometimes, but that’s just the way we are. I miss those two as much as you miss them."

"I know you do. Jenna talks a lot about the four of you after yesterday, so I guess you’re not a stranger after all."

"Don’t hit on me please."

"What the- you’ve got some nerves mister!" Moss was insulted, she even stopped at one step of the stair out of frustration.

"I only regret having to leave and miss the good times. If I stayed here, maybe we could have been friends."

"Then you’d be one hell of a pain! I have had my share of Ryder, so I don’t need another guy tailing me everywhere I go."

"Wow, I never thought there would be a person in this world that could flatter herself as much as you do."

Moss just laughed after hearing that.

***

"I know! Maybe Reno or Lexi took your iPod." He thought of what Moss did earlier.

"Ok, I love you too." Moss dropped the phone, she was talking to Reno. "What? Are you saying something?" she asked.

"Nothing." Then Erik sighed.

"Reno doesn’t have my iPod, he told me. He’s at the café, we’ll meet him there, or better yet, I’ll meet him there."

"You don’t have to tell me. I’m gonna meet with Jenna anyway."

"Wow." Moss thought he’ll bitch out on her, but he took it nicely.

"Wow what?" Erik asked.

"Nothing."

Then a voice called out to Moss from the other side of the street. "Over here sweetie!" it was Reno.

Erik could see the smile in her face, that she was extremely happy to see Reno. "I better go. Thanks for…" he thinks for a second "…actually nothing." Then he laughed in a mocking manner. He waved an OK sign to Reno, and Reno replied with the same gesture.

"What was that? A buddy signal? Just go asshole." Moss said, still looking at Reno, smiling, and not caring about Erik.

"So you were with him?" Reno asked, Moss seemed to have crossed the street faster than he thought.

"Yeah, he dropped by for Jenna but she wasn’t there." Then she remembered what Erik told her. "He told me you and him are buddies now. At this bar you might want to tell me about?"

Reno scratched his head. "Oh about that. Well actually it’s my mom’s office party. I was planning to tell you."

"Yeah right." Her smile didn’t even fade. "Don’t worry sweetie, I love you, and hiding is part of a healthy relationship!" she was serious.

"Aww, I love you too sweetie." The Reno gave her a smack on the lips.

"What I don’t understand is what’s he doing there?"

"Who? Erik? He knows someone there, they talked for a while then we had drinks and that’s all." He was slowly standing up. "I’ll grab us some coffee." then he went as he pushed the double door of the café, scents of different kinds of coffee mixed with the air outside.

It was a café with more tables outside than inside. She looked at her skin, colored green because of the light that pierces the green umbrella.

She called Lexi. Three rings and she answered her.

"Hey girl!" Lexi’s still loud.

"Hey Lexi. Did you grab my iPod last night? And who’s that on the background?" as she spoke with Lexi, she dug in her bag, searching for her iPod just in case she was mistaken. But with all those stuff unorganized inside, it’s even impossible to see the bottom of her bag. But she didn’t stop digging.

"I’m with Zack. And no, I didn’t even see it yesterday. Why, is it missing?" she was with her boyfriend, Zack, a tall, handsome, and cool guy that Lexi’s flirting with for a very long time. Moss was surprised to find out that they were already a couple for a half year now. He looks like a male model with no brain. He’s the sort of guy that is always in a suit, always busy, but Lexi’s always a leech, always clinging in his arms.

"I see. Well, that’s all I wanted to ask. Thanks girl. Catch you later." Then she folded her phone, still digging in her bag.

She found her notebook three times, her extra pair of socks twice, her calculator four times, and some other random stuff. But she didn’t found any iPod. She gave up and closed her bag, as soon as her bag is out of her vision she saw that someone is already sitting in front of her.

It’s not Reno, but a girl. Her chin rested on top of the knuckles of her fingers wrapping each other, her elbows on the table. She was smiling. Moss was about to expect a well, well, well greeting from her. But she just smiled. Her hair had a touch of red, but they weren’t natural. Her thick cotton jacket was red; its sleeves covered half of her hands. It was strange, that she just sits there, looking at Moss, smiling. She thought she had to say something.

"Can I help you miss?" Moss asked.

The red-haired girl didn’t speak, she just continued smiling.

"Um, do I know you?" She asked again. But silence was constant.

The girl tucked a lock of red hair behind her right ear, and then rested her chin on top of one palm.

"O-key. Do you know me then?" Moss asked, almost about to lose patience. But she saw her lips about to move.

"Nope." The red-haired finally spoke. But that is all she said as she stood up immediately, and then walked away. Moss’s gaze followed her until she disappeared after she took a right turn. Moss was dazzled.

"What are you looking at?" Reno was stared at what she’s gazing, he didn’t see anything. He put the two waxed paper cups of coffee down in front of Moss. The steamed warmed her face.

"Nothing. Which one is mine?" she asked.

Reno sat down. "Either, because I bought the same kind." Reno spent so much time with her, he began to like what she likes, mocha rather than coffee. She said that coffee slows down growth. It would make sense coming from her since she’s so short.

"Thanks sweetie. I missed you."

"Stop being sweet or I’ll eat you up!" Reno laughed then blushed a little. They know they are the sweetest couple ever. Full of romance and smiles.

"Oh. I love you, you bastard. You’re MY bastard!" She smiled, unconsciously she copied the red-haired girl and placed her chin on top of her knuckles. "Anyway, did you know that guy Patch is dead?"

Reno almost spewed his coffee. "What? Really?".

Moss filled him up with the news Erik told him.

"Wow, that’s tragic. How did you react? Do you think we can still have Deck’s works?" Reno asked.

"Nothing, I was just like ‘Say what now?’" she took a sip from her cup. "I don’t think we can have those though, most of them were burned."

"Really? What a waste." It was his turn to take a sip, but something stopped him. "Oh yeah sweetie, I wanted to show you something. " He took out a black paper bag and placed it on the table. From the bag he took out piece of apparel, black and made out of cotton, like a jacket. He was about to take it all out, but suddenly Moss’s phone rang.

"Oh, hold that thought Sweetie. This might be Lexi, she might have found my iPod." She answered the phone. "Hello?"

But nobody’s on the other line. She could only hear breathing.

"Hello?" she repeated.

"I see you knew about the fat guy already. Patch was it?" a dark voice spoke from the other line.

"W-what? Who’s this?"

"I can’t believe you don’t recognize me. It’s me…" actually, Moss had an idea to who it was, she just wasn’t sure why he called, and how he had her number. "…Jack."

"How did you get this number? How did you know about Patch? What did you do? I’m calling the cops!"

"Oh the cops can’t do anything. Believe me." He paused "Patch lied to you. He didn’t buy Deck’s works to preserve them; he’s just another cheat, who’s planning to make fortune out of those old copies. He’s a liar Moss."

"That’s none of your business asshole!"

"You sure have an attitude. And by the way," he paused for the second time "Lexi has your iPod." After that, Moss could only hear beeping sounds. He has already hung up. She was frozen for a few seconds. What exactly does he mean by all that?

"Who was that?!" Reno asked.

"Nothing, nothing." Moss’s stare has no direction.

"Are you ok sweetie?" Reno asked as he move his chair close to Moss, wrapped his arm at her shoulder.

"Yeah. Listen, did you bring your laptop?" Moss asked, she remembered they were in a café, WiFi must be available.

"Yeah I did." He was already pulling it out of his bag. "What are we looking for?"

"I just need to confirm something." The laptop turned on slowly, and as it completely did, she went to Google something. She remembers, a line in Deck’s story, he used the power of internet, to define a Latin word.

Do you know what I am, she recalled. She tried to remembered the conversation she had with the stranger, Jack. His pale lips moving, his eyes full of something, full of mystery, full of evil, full of "Malice."

"What?"

"It’s a thing called Malice."

"What is called a what?"

"Here, look at this." She turned the laptop towards Reno. They were at the urban legend section of a mystery phenomenon site. Reno read what Moss highlighted.

"…Inner Demons, Malice, Phantoms, are some of the many names people use to describe this evil figure. It is known to take the shape of a human. As their host harnesses uncontrollable darkened desires and feelings, they are created. Some say it came from extreme anger, deceit, treachery, fear, angst, and other negative vibes…"

Moss stopped Reno from reading, and then she showed him another line.

"…They can cast curses through the power of will…

...Some inner demons remain silent, only having the purpose to exist, only to watch. But some inner demons cast curse that kills. The curses are often subtle, vague and inevitable."

"Come on sweetie, curses? For real? So a ghost killed Patch now?" Reno threw his head a little back.

"Reno, I expect you to support me. You’ve read Deck’s work right?"

"Yeah. So…" he took a while to think what he’s about to say next. "You think a thing like the one that killed Deck and the others, is similar to the one who killed Patch? Moss, he’s just one guy, he has no connection to us. Besides, they didn’t prove that it was something like that killed Deck and his friends."

"And also, they didn’t prove that it wasn’t. Besides, they’re OUR friends, not only Deck’s."

"I’m sorry sweetie." Reno kissed her cheek.

"I know. But…" she thought whether she should say something about Jack to Reno. "That guy who called, he said something about Patch, he knew he was dead. And last night he told me about these sentences he gave me. That’s the curse!"

"You mean you talked to him personally?! And what sentences? Like death sentences?! Ok, that’s it, we better call the cops!"

"That’s what I said, but he said the cops won’t do any good. What I’m more worried about is Lexi."

"Why?"

"He said Lexi has my iPod. I don’t know how the hell did he knew that, or even if it’s true or not. But something is not right."

"Why didn’t you tell me about Lexi? Call her! Come on, we’ll go to where she is." Reno packed his laptop and drank his mocha straight. She pulled Moss to stand up. "If your right about this, then we can’t take any chances." Moss could feel Reno’s support, usually men won’t believe a thing she said. But Reno tried his best.

"Ok." She dialed. "Lexi! Good God! You answered! Where are you?!" Moss sounded panicked.

"Of course I will! What are you bitchin’ about?! I’m at Zack’s, why?" Moss can imagine Lexi flicking her fingers, snapping like some crazy black woman.

"Has somebody approached you? I mean, a creepy guy, thin, and strange?"

"No Moss, and by the way, you are the one who’s creeping me out. So ok, drop by if you need anything, you know where to find me. I have to go, I think I’m having heartburn or something from eating all those stuff Zack game me."

"Lexi! Wait-" but she was too late, Lexi hang up.

***

Inside the taxi Moss redialed Lexi’s number, but after many tries, there is still no answer. She bites her lips and stared at the window. Her palms were cold, the back of her neck is sweating, and her foot was nervously tapping the dirty carpet on the taxi’s floor. She showed panic and worry.

"Why would you think that Lexi might be killed?" Reno asked, he thought this is better than the dreadful silence.

"I don’t know." Her eyes started to water. "Reno, honestly, I haven’t read Deck’s last work. I just heard of it. I’m too scared to even peek at the first page." There were pauses and sobs in Moss’s sentences. ‘But I know one thing, that whatever killed our friends is not human. Call me crazy, but when they died, they had a pattern." Her voice was trembling.

"Come one sweetie, I’m here." He hugged her tightly. "That pattern, it was more like a trigger right? That same black lighter." Reno narrated.

Moss just nodded, she couldn’t utter a word. But she tried hard. "It was too late when Deck figured it out. What if I am too."

"Non sense! Don’t talk like that sweetie. You are not alone, you have me to figure this out. When we see Lexi, she’ll still be fine! And well have a good laugh about it. I promise." in a moment they were already in front of Zack’s house.

Zack’s place was nice, he own his own country style house that is surrounded with white fences and green grass. In the parking lot they could see newly polished sports car, or rather newly bought sports car. For a man like him, it’s not questionable if he is this fortunate. From the gates they could see his living room’s curtains, it looked organized. Maybe he has a maid.

They called for Zack and Lexi’s names, but there was no answer. Reno tried throwing a small stone in the window, still no response. Moss kept pulling Reno’s jacket, as if saying hurry up. But Reno’s already jamming Zack’s metal gate. They screamed even louder, neighbors started coming out of their houses,but still, no answer from Zack.

The kept staring at the window. Moss thought that if something happened, she’d hear something. She tried to ease her nerve by thinking that maybe Lexi and Zack are having sex. But it didn’t work.

Suddenly, it was incredibly bright inside the house, red light illuminated Zack’s living room.

"Reno!" Moss’s voice was dreadful, like a child about to cry.

"Oh fuck!" Reno swore. He didn’t have a choice but to open the gate himself. He kicked it with all his force. Screws and hinges started to fall off, swiftly the gate fell down. Moss raced inside the house, the front door wasn’t locked. They swung the door opened, Zack was inside, and so was Lexi.

Screams echoed inside "H-Help! Zack!" it was Lexi who was screaming. "Moss!" then she called her name.

Moss ran towards her, wanting to hold her tightly, ease the pain at least. But Reno tugged her arm. "Are you crazy?!" Reno told her. "Zack! Do something!". Zack was just sitting in a corner, in disbelief. He tried hard to get on his feet and into the bathroom.

"It hurts! It’s too hot!" Lexi kept screaming.

Moss just covered her mouth, afraid that she’ll just shout out Lexi’s name but that’s all she could do. Her skin was burning. She was on fire.

"Moss! Get a grip! You’ll catch the flames if you go near her!" Moss was struggling hard out of Reno’s grip. "Zack!" he cried.

Zack returned with the bathroom hose, spewing pressurized water, she pointed it at Lexi. She was rolling on the floor, skin discolored, her skin started boiling, little by little her arms sizzled, she was hugging herself, tried desperately to relieve the pain.

"Lexi!" Moss finally got the courage to call her. "No!!!" The tone of her voice was desperate as well, wishing she could do something. Her tears ran down her face, non stop.

"It’s not working!" Zack cried. "I can’t even put the flames in her arms out!". The fire quickly engulfs Lexi’s body. It was weird that she herself was only on fire. The carpet, the sofa, the center table, not one of those even charred.

Lexi stopped struggling, with her clothes gone; they could see her body completely. She looked like the human anatomy’s model, muscles and veins showing, her eyelids are gone, her eyes are wide open, and so was her mouth. Her long hair was gone, her jewelries melted, and her enamels are brown. It was horror; she was still looking at Moss.

"Don’t look." Reno covered Moss’s eyes.

"Lexi…Lexi…Lexi, Lexi, Lexi!" Moss repeatedly screamed her name while pounding Reno’s chest. Hoping that she’ll feel better as she does it.

Let’s go outside. She’s dead.

***

The place was glowing with red and blue lights, police and paramedics arrived, one of the neighbors called them. Moss saw the same yellow tapes that surrounded Deck’s kitchen and Trevor’s house. Her trauma was twice as big this time. The closes she had from having a best friend was Lexi. She cried and cried, alone in the sidewalk with a brown blanket the firemen provided. She remembered moments when Lexi brings her mocha even if she didn’t tell her she wants one, and she’ll say "Your crave for mocha is like a crave for men, you don’t show it but I know you have it!". She was hugging her knees, she felt unsecured, and she wished she had someone to cry on, she wished Deck was there. She saw Lexi’s face, she was begging for help. She wiped her eyes, and hugged her knees even tighter and told herself "I wish I could save you Lexi…" she sobbed "…you’re my bestfriend."

"Moss!"

Quickly she got on her feet and ran towards the voice. She hugged her tightly, Jenna was there.

"Sssh darling." Jenna stroked Moss’s blonde hair that smelled of smoke. "Don’t talk. I’m here." Her scent and warm body comforted Moss, slowly she stopped crying.

"Hey." A man’s voice greeted her. She didn’t noticed that Erik tagged along.

Moss wiped her face, now all dirtied from the sidewalk’s dirt. "Hey Erik." She greeted him.

"I thought you were with Reno?" Jenna asked.

"He was questioned by the cops. Before you came, I can’t forget Lexi’s face. I couldn’t speak. Zack’s with him." She freed herself from Jenna’s arms.

"Erik, I’ll be back." She turned her face to Moss "I’m gonna leave you for a moment okey, Moss? I’m just gonna talk to Reno, I don’t want you to remember anything else, so I’ll ask him instead. Be brave ok?" She always acted like a big sister to her, her words alone made her feel secure.

"Are you ok?" Erik asked, now that they are left alone.

"Yeah. I am now. Just don’t remind me of anything about fire."

"I know what you’re thinking."

"That it’s happening again? About Deck? About Peter and the others? This curse?! That they won’t leave me alone?! That after all this I will lose everything I love once again?! Jenna too? Reno? You?" She was furious, tired of what is happening. Moss didn’t have a chance to choose her words.

"No." Erik said in a caring tone. "That you think this is your fault."

"Well maybe it is."

"It’s not."

"How do you know?!"

"It’s not."

"Who are you to say that?!"

He held her "It’s not, believe me." Erik looked into her eyes. For the first time, Moss felt like she was being understood. That somebody is out there saying that it is not her fault for not saving the one she cared about. Erik’s look was filled with emotions "My shoulders are free…" he said.

"Why us…" the Moss bursts into tears once more. This time her tears seemed endless. The feelings were mixed. The guilt, the longing, the sadness, the fear. She let it all out in Erik’s chest, gripping her shirt tightly that it hurts him. But Erik didn’t care, he knew that Moss suffered the most.

"They lied to you." Erik spoke.

Moss backed off a little. "What?"

"I know this is not the perfect time, but it think you should know." Erik continued. "I read Deck’s work, and I believe you. I know too, that this is some twisted shit no normal human can cause."

"You do?!" Moss whispered.

"I’m sorry to say this, but Lexi lied to you. Just like Patch."

Moss wiped her tears, but they continued flowing. She was about to say something back at him but somebody called. She looked behind her, hoping to see Jenna. But instead, an officer was coming. In his hand was a zip lock plastic bag, the same thing they use for gathering evidence.

"Excuse me ma’am, I don’t want to sound demanding, but I need to ask you a very important question. Can you identify this item?" Then he held the zip lock up.

It took a while before she could answer. "Yes. That’s my iPod sir."

"Thank you ma’am. This was found near the body, it was the only item that was burned." Then he walked away.

"She did…lie to me. She told me she didn’t have it!" Moss turned her attention back to Erik. "Wait. Deck’s works were burned a little, along with Patch."

"That’s natural don’t you think?"

"But back there, nothing else burned but Lexi, not even the couch or the carpet. But my iPod which is obviously less flammable that the carpet, was toast."

"You’re saying?"

"It’s a dream! I-I dreamt about this!"

"I’m not sure I follow you."

"I’m saying, the next one will be having an extremely expensive watch when he dies! Before he burns!"

"Huh? Why?!"

"I dreamt of it. I don’t know, but in my dream I saw my iPod and Deck’s works, next is a very expensive watch. Don’t you see, those things in my dreams! They are clues! I don’t know why, so don’t ask me!"

"I’m not! I’m not!" Erik raised his hands. "But you know that who ever gets burned next, will definitely lie to you beforehand. Then liars DO have their pants on fire." He couldn’t help using the pun.

"You’re terrible." Moss said as she wipes her tears and showed a glint of smile. "I know what to do."

"Then it looks like you have your answer Moss." Erik slightly pushed her away, Reno’s approaching.

She turned around and saw him, half sprinting towards her. Behind him were Zack and Jenna. He still have the look of disbelief; he brushed his long hair back, and let out a huge sigh. "They already took her." He said "You’re tired?" he asked Moss.

"A little." But she was exhausted. She turned her attention to the pale Zack. "What happened back there, Zack?"

"I don’t know." She can see his fingers trembling, "After you called her, she said her chest is feeling extremely tight and burning. After 10 minutes or so, she suddenly started coughing. Then she…" he tried hard to say what happened next. "…she caught on fire."

"Why didn’t she tell me she had my iPod?"

"I don’t know, she said she needs it. What does it have to do with it anyway?"

"But she has her own!"

"She doesn’t anymore, she sold it. She’s not telling me anything anymore." Zack breathing was heavy, they could hear it. "I’m going to stay at a hotel. You know how to find me." He said.

Moss remembered Deck, when Ryder died, he couldn’t stand being in the same room, just like how Zack is now. "Zack. Are you going to be alright? She died in your house, in front of you, and you loved her."

"I do Moss…" Zack’s eyes are red, like tears wanted to burst.

"I’m going." Zack took his leave.

"I’ll take you home." Reno said to Moss.

And that night they all left Zack’s house. Moss couldn’t erase Lexi’s charred body in her mind. She was black, and masked with a face of pain. She forgave her for lying, but she didn’t forgive herself that she didn’t save her best friend.

***

Tuesday morning was cold. Moss couldn’t sleep, she was afraid that if she did, she’d have nightmares of Lexi. She didn’t have the strength to go to class, not even enough to have breakfast. She got out of bed, late afternoon. Unlike before, she was still wearing her clothes that night, she decided to just crash on her bed, without taking any shower. But she knew she needed one. So this morning she did.

"Are you OK Moss?" Jenna was dressed, she’s going out.

Moss still has a towel in her head, sullying her hair. "I’m fine. Well, I will be, eventually. Come on, it’s not like we never dealt with this kind of things before." She was being ironic. "You’re going out?"

"Yes. I’m going with Erik. I’m sorry Moss, Erik said he had an idea about what’s happening, we’re trying to -you know- figure it out. I know it would piss you off, but I’d better much like it if you stay here." For a moment, Moss envied Jenna, she’s stronger now, even than her.

"I understand."

"I won’t be late. Text me if you need something." Jenna said as she twists the doorknob.

"Jenna!"

"Yes?"

"That’s the truth right?"

She smiled at first. "Of course. Erik told me what to do, I’d never lie to you." Then she was gone.

Moss was left alone, she wanted some music, but her iPod was gone. She sits a whole full hour in the couch thinking what she could have done, what she can still do. She thought of what she and Erik talked about last night. That whoever is next, a very expensive watch is involved. So far, she knew no one had lied to her yet. But then again, she wouldn’t know, it was a lie after all.

She popped Deck’s old laptop open, which she now uses as her own. She forgot that she put a picture of her with Lexi’s arm wrapped around her while they both hold a cup of mocha with their names on it. In her was "sexy" and on Lexi was her name "Lexi". They thought it would be funny if the bartender cried "Two mochas for sexy and Lexi!". In the photo, Lexi was winking, like telling Moss Never give up! Moss can still her voice, calling her "Girl!". She smiled with watery eyes. Not a day have passed and she missed her already.

She took more time looking at their pictures, in folders with names of places they’ve been too. The beach, hiking, sleepover, salon, she thought, they really are best friends.

She kept scrolling into the collection of old photos; she was smiling as tears fall on the keyboard one by one. Her heart was beating fast. And it did even faster as she saw something, in a group photo with her, Lexi, Reno, Jenna and Zack. She leaned closer to take a better view. She clasped her hand to her mouth.

The expensive watch, Zack was wearing.

"Oh no."

Then her phone rang. It took a while before she answered it. Hoping it would be Reno, or Jenna, or even Erik, anyone that could help her.

"H-Hello?" she answered.

"Looks like you’ve figured it out. You better hurry then." She could recognize that sinister voice anywhere, it was Jack. "Not that it’ll do any good." He continued.

"You bastard! You bastard! How could you do that?!" Moss never cried so hard before. Listening to the voice of her best friend’s killer, she just couldn’t bear it,

"Oh, about last night, I’m sorry…"

"You disgust me!"

"Don’t get me wrong Moss. It wasn’t your best friend that I’m sorry about." Moss didn’t understand. "It was what’s inside her."

Moss felt terror. She bit her lip hard that it almost bled. Her finger nails dug through her palms, she was angry. Jack could only hear heavy breathes, sobs and cries. "She…has a baby?" Moss tried to ask.

"You see Moss, us Malice can be very complicated. We know everything."

"You heartless…" she couldn’t continue.

"It was a baby girl Moss. And too bad, her father had to lie to you too…"

"No! Get away from Zack! He never lied!" She dropped the phone, thinking that if she listens to anymore of what Jack wants to say, she might not be able to contain it.

She took a long time to think, who should she call for help? But more importantly, what can they do? She thought about the very first man to call, Zack.

Zack’s phone rang in a 3 sets of twenties. In her fourth call, Moss finally got in.

"Hey." Zack spoke.

"Zack! For crying out loud! I’ve been trying to reach you! where are you staying?!"

"Moss?! I’m sorry, I just got out of the shower."

"Where are you staying!" it’s the only information Moss wanted.

"Chill. I’m at my Maxwell’s."

"What room?! Stay there! Go back to the showers! Fill the tub and stay-!"

"Fuck Moss! Don’t screw with me!" Zack’s panic was obvious from the ear piece.

"I know Zack! And I’m not! Please, just listen to me! If you want us to find you, stay there!" Moss already grabbed her jacket from the hanger, and went straight outside. "Stay there!"

Maxwell was not far away, and she knew very well how to get there. It was the hotel they used to stay in when Deck was still alive, all those punch drunk moments where they forgot how to go home but never how to get to Maxwell. It looks old, but Deck never failed to waste his money on the cheapest room they got. No wonder Zack stayed there.

Moss was already in a cab, dialing her phone, calling Reno. But there’s not a single ring at all, she tried so many times until she realizes she was wasting time. She called the others, it was the same story. Then her phone rang.

"It’s no fun if they tag along…" It was Jack again.

"Fuck you!" Moss ignored him. She didn’t give up, her keypads are murdered, she kept stabbing them with her fingers, trying to reach someone for help.

She told the driver to go even faster. She was worried, even though she couldn’t do anything to save Lexi, it’s her duty to try her best to save the father of her child. She did what she did before, her feet didn’t stop tapping, her nails are almost gone from all the biting.

"Miss! I said we’re here!" She didn’t grasp the driver’s message, he’s been telling her that they have arrived for almost a minute. Moss just threw in random amount of cash.

"You can keep the change." She said, running across the arc of Maxwell’s. she looked back, the taxi’s still there, picking the money Moss threw at him, one by one he counts them as he picks them up.

"Excuse me ma’am, are you a guest?" the usher told her. She remembered that Maxwell was a high class hotel, even if you are staying there, you’d still have to tell them.

"I’m not but-" she thought it’ll be useless. "My friend’s life is in danger! Zack! Zack Gibson! You have a guest named Zack Gibson in here! I have to see-"

But the usher wasn’t looking at her anymore, his gaze pasts her eyes. Temporarily deprive of sight by a large banging sound that came from outside, the usher ignored Moss and went straight to it. Moss turned only to see a yellow chunk of metal, smashed like a can pounded by a hammer, shards of glasses flying in all directions, and the top was bright.

A man came out of the crushed vehicle. It was the cab she got out of, and the man was the driver, bleeding through his forehead. The usher quickly ran to aid him, and pulled him out of the vehicle. Moss couldn’t get out of her place, she wanted to see what happened, but the usher’s face told it all. His eyes grew large, surprised of what he saw. He pulled the driver to safety and went back inside the hotel. He pushed Moss, blocking the way. When he returned, he had a red can, a fire extinguisher.

"In the end, I didn’t do anything…"

A man fell 17 stories above the ground. Moss didn’t saw his face, but she knew who it was. Because she saw his arms dangling from the taxi’s roof, his wrist wrapped in melted steel with diamonds still sparkling, it used to be a watch, a very expensive watch. It was Zack’s.

***

People started crowding the cab. Moss can see the driver, gasping for his breathe, wiping the blood on his forehead. The scene stank of burning meat and metal. Noises from people asking the same thing, what happened.

She squats, tired from all those running and worrying. "I’m sorry Lexi..." Moss cried once more "I couldn’t save him…". She thought about many things, like why did she even come here. Or who will be next. What was Zack thinking?

"He got scared of burning that he decided to jump off of his window…" the hair on the back of Moss’s neck stood up "…to prevent the excruciating pain. Too bad for him I set him on fire just as he got out, he was falling and burning. And what’s worst…he didn’t die on impact. He still spent –I don’t know- 2 whole minutes, lying on top of that cab, paralyze, unable to move, unable to scream." Then he moved closer to Moss. "And actually, you did Lexi a favor and sent him to hell…he makes me sick, the worse type."

"H-how did you get here?!"

"I’m just a guest…" he had a grin in his face. Just like before, he has a black shirt with long sleeves, it’s hood covered half of his face, his hands still on his pocket. From this close, Moss could tell, his age didn’t go as far as hers.

"Zack never lied to me!" Moss gathered her strength and confronted her fear that is Jack.

"Didn’t he? Think Moss…"

I do Moss… Zack’s voice rang into her head, it was his answer when she asked him if he loved Lexi. It was a lie. "He…he didn’t love Lexi."

"Ugh! Finally!" Jack popped his hood so she could see his face. It was pale, dark, his eyes almost looked like it didn’t have any pupils.

Moss was smacked by reality: that Lexi took her iPod so she can sell it like what she did with the rest of her stuff. For money. So she can get rid of her baby. Because Zack didn’t want it, because he didn’t love her.

"Why?" Moss whispered.

"Excuse me?"

"Why?! Why are you doing this?! Exactly who are you and why are you doing this?! My cousin is dead! My friends are dead! My best friend is also dead! Every one around me keeps dying! Why won’t you leave me alone?" Moss’s screams echoed through the hotel’s wide lobby.

"I’m trying to save you of course. You didn’t think I’ll stop here didn’t you?" Jack tried to remind her, and he did. Moss understood that there is still one item she saw from the drawer in her dream. A black jacket.

"I’ll give you an awfully obvious clue."

"Stop it!"

"Oh, but I won’t. What made you think I’d listen to you?"

"Please…stop it. Just stop."

"I’m a Malice Moss. I don’t have to agree with you." Jack’s face was blunt. "You better hurry. Remember what I told you? That the likes of me, a Malice, knows everything? What you think, where you go, what you eat…" he paused "…and to whom your heart is closest?"

She first thought of Jenna. But Jack can read her mind.

"Oh, it’s not her. Even if I wished it was her, she remained very truthful to you, not even a single lie after I cast your sentence."

She could only think of one person now. It was like everything turned black and white for Moss. "No…" she shook her head so many times, hoping that she won’t care about anything anymore once she’s done. "No, no, no, no, no!!! Don’t do this please, not him. Don’t take him away from me. Please. I’m begging you." Moss pleaded. But as she raised her head, she was alone.

She remembered back at the coffee shop, when Reno told her he’d show her something. Then he took out a paper bag, it was the black jacket inside. How could she have missed it? She took the moment to think for a while. Reno was the fourth one to die. Moss rubbed her temples, she knew that even thought she went to Reno, she won’t be able to do anything anyway. Right now all she wanted was to save him, she didn’t even care that he lied.

"That’s right…" she thought "He lied about his mom’s office party."

She dashed out of the hotel and quickly dug her phone out of her pocket. She’s pacing back and forth on the sidewalk, waiting for Reno to answer. A little while longer, he did,

"Sweetie. Are you ok?" She heard the sound of the door closing from Reno’s background. Moss thought maybe he just got home.

"Reno. Thank God. I’m coming over ok? Stay there." Moss thought that if she says anything bad, Reno might snap and suffer the same fate as Zack did.

***

She stormed her way in the closest cab. She didn’t even mind if she still has money left to pay the driver. But it doesn’t matter anymore. All she wanted to do is to get to Reno. She didn’t want it but she wished that she won’t have to see Reno burning, in pain and tremendous agony. Of all people to be taken away from her, her loving cousin, her closest friends, or friends she wished she was even closer with, her best friend, and now his boyfriend. She thought she must have a very strong spirit to continue on like this, and maybe, even stronger to stop losing everyone close to her to disappear.

It was traffic on the 24th street, and Reno’s house was just around the corner.

"I’ll get off here. Thanks." She told the driver, this time counting meticulously the fare she’d give him. Then she clicked the door open and ran for her boyfriend’s life. She always knew where to find his spare keys but she didn’t take it. Instead she barged in from the gate and knocked hysterically on his front door, screaming.

"Reno! Reno! Sweetie open up! Please!" She looked miserable, kncking desperately with no one answering her. Not even a voice. "Reno!" She kept trying. "Please Reno…Don’t go. Please." She didn’t lose hope.

She knelt at his front door. She couldn’t get it open. With the spare key lying underneath the doormat, she still didn’t. She didn’t know how she will react once she saw Reno’s dead body. She knew very well it was all over, when suddenly the door creaked open.

"Sweetie! Have you been there the whole time." Reno was there. "Why?"

"Reno!" She jumped into his arms in joy. She was pounding his chest. "I thought you will never come out of that door ever again!"

"I’m sorry. Did I took that long? I’m in the shower, I thought we were going out so…"

"Zack is dead! And I thought you’re next!"

"What? He’s…He’s dead? How?"

"Just like Lexi! Zack jumped off of his window, with his body still on fire!"

"What? How did-." But he noticed something is more important. "Why did you think that I’m next?"

"I had a dream Reno!" Her voice was trembling, because of joy that Reno was still alive, because of fear that he might be in a few while. "First was Deck’s works that burned together with Patch. Then my iPod with Lexi. In my dream I saw an expensive watch! When Zack died I saw him wearing it!"

"I still don’t get it. Then how will I be next?"

"All of them lied to me! Patch about the articles, Lexi about my iPod, Zack didn’t really love Lexi, he lied to me about that too!"

"But I never lied to you! honest!"

"But I know that you’re not telling me the truth about your mom’s office party at the bar! And the fourth item was your jacket Reno! The one you took out from that bag back at the café! You’re next!"

Reno’s eyes grew larger, he took his time trying to find the words to say to Moss. "Sweetie…" Moss’s mouth was gaped open, anticipating. "…That wasn’t mine."

"What do you mean?"

"I didn’t lie to you, it really WAS an office party. That jacket was left at the coat stand. I wanted to show it to you so I can ask you to return it to him for me."

"…Him?"

"The jacket was Erik’s."

I know everything…even to whom your heart is closest. She remembered Jack was saying.

"I better go." Moss freed herself from Reno’s arms and ran straight for the gates. "Reno I need you to call for help, Jenna. Call for Jenna! She’s with Erik!" She didn’t know why she left Reno.

***

Reno couldn’t chase her, he just got out of the shower, still not wearing any shirt. He can’t go saving another person’s life topless. He went back inside to grab a shirt but Moss was gone when he returned.

She was running along random streets, having no idea where to start. It will be her fourth distress call this day as she took out her phone to call Erik. She forgot she didn’t have his number, didn’t even know if he had a phone. She has no idea why she’s panicking more than she ever did. She was worried even more before Lexi died, or when she thought that Reno was next. She remembered herself crying freely at Erik’s shoulders. She felt understood, but more importantly, now she doesn’t know where to begin.

"Why did you left me! I should have gone with you!" Reno was already on the other line.

"I don’t know!" Moss defended. "Reno, I-"

"I understand." He was silent for a bit. "I called Jenna. She panicked when I told her everything. She said you should call her quick. I’m going too, we’ll meet at Erik’s place."

"You mean she’s not with him?"

"No. They parted ways earlier."

"Reno."

"We can talk later. Just call Jenna quickly!" Reno hang up.

Moss felt a slight feeling of guilt. She didn’t actually told Reno about everything, not about Jack, or what he said. She’s losing precious time, she called Jenna.

"Moss where are you?!"

"Jenna! Erik’s gonna-"

"I know, but I need you to stay calm. Wait for me or Reno."

"Where am I supposed to go?"

"I don’t wanna have to tell you this early but..." she sounded hesitant. "Go to your old apartment, that’s where Erik is!"

"Deck’s apartment?"

"We don’t have time! I’ll meet you downstairs!"

The way to Deck’s old apartment was like the back of her palm, she never forgets it, though she wasn’t quite sure if she ever wanted to return to that place, and never thought this will be the day when she will. She was already in front of the porch, but neither Jenna nor Reno was there. Will she wait for them? Or will she rush in and save the guy who she thought was nothing to her?

"I’m sorry Jenna." She almost destroyed the door as it flung open, shouting Erik’s name. She gripped the handle bars on the stairs tightly as she coursed through each step going up stairs. Her heart was killing her, in exhaustion and nervousness. Can she face the situation if she finds Erik already dead? She wasn’t aware of it, but she feels like she has to see Erik, whether she could save him or not, she just feels like she has too.

She opened Deck’s old room. It was empty. No one ever rented it since that day, no one ever dared. All of those memories created a vintage flashback on Moss’s mind. The party that night, his kitchen where Ryder laid dead, his balcony, his living room, everything. But she knew nothing will change, even make things better if she doesn’t finish this. Her eyes wandered.

"I thought you’ll never make it." His black hood was down, revealing his pitch black hair. Looking behind his shoulders, she looked at Moss, panting. "Are you tired?" Jack was already there.

"Where’s Erik?!"

"What are you doing here Moss…" she heard a weak voice, as weak as a man right about to die. "Get out of here." Face down on the floor, Erik spilt blood from his mouth, and into the tiled floor. He was lying in a corner, looking ragged. What he wore, was the black jacket, the exact same thing in her dreams.

"Erik!" Moss wanted to run for him, but Jack is blocking her way. She was scared, at what Jack is capable of. "What did you do to him you devil!"

"Devil? Please, I still prefer Malice. And I didn’t do anything to him…" He took out his hands from his pocket and shrugged his shoulders. "…yet. Don’t worry, I won’t let him burn that quick. Not until this whole game is finished."

"Game?! This is all a game for you?!"

"Why yes. And now that everything I need is here. Why don’t you tell her… Erik?" Jack’s eyes were like those of a demon’s, staring down on its prey which is Erik.

"Tell me what?" Moss was confused.

"Tell him Erik." Jack was smiling like the God of death. "Tell him who killed Ryder!"

"What?" Moss thought, why Ryder? What does he have to do with anything that’s happening now? "I don’t understand. Erik, what is he talking about?"

"Just kill me you piece of Malice!" Erik wanted to get up and smack Jack, but he doesn’t have the strength.

"Malice? Erik…how? How did you know about Malice?" Things began to get more and more confusing.

"Fine." Jack rested on a piece of wooden chair. "If you’re going to be like that, then I’ll tell her myself." He clutched his fingers, like a man about to enlighten. "You see little Moss. Erik is not what you thought he is."

"Stop it!" Erik tried hard, but couldn’t even raise his body.

"Haven’t you wondered, why he knew everything about Deck, but you never saw or heard of him from anyone?"

"Jenna told me! The four of them are close friends! I don’t have to listen to you!" Moss cried.

"Oh no! So Jenna DID lie to you?" Moss heart was racing. "But don’t worry, she’ll be fine. You see Moss, the one that killed Deck, Trevor, Kurt and Peter were all one guy. But Ryder, oh no, it was definitely a different guy."

"I said stop it you bastard!" Erik was still struggling.

"It was him!" pointing at Erik.

"No. you’re the one who’s lying! How could it be him, he wasn’t there!"

"Erik didn’t read the book Deck wrote, he lived it. He doesn’t have to be there, cause he has always been there. Why? Because he’s just like me…" Jack leaned his face even closer "…a Malice."

Moss tried her best not to believe. But something tells her that he wasn’t lying. She looked at Erik, beaten on the ground, moving his lips. He was saying her name. Moss took a step backwards, to her surprise, the door behind her opened. It was Jenna, she was alone.

"Moss! Don’t believe a word that man is saying!" Jenna called for her from the doorway.

"Jenna, glad you can join us. Too bad, cause I already told her." Jack said.

"Moss!" Jenna ignored Jack.

"Jenna…" Moss turned her back to Jack and Erik and looked at Jenna. "What is he talking about? How did Jack know you?"

"His name is not Jack, Moss." Moss couldn’t find the words to say, not even the face to wear.

"Oh no Jenna. Now you have to tell her everything." Jack was annoyed.

"Moss, I know I lied to you. I know everything! I know about Jack, about Erik." Jenna chose her words properly. "That man is simply a ghost of the past. He is created from another person’s rage, anger, negativity. As long as that person lives, his Malice will remain only a spirit, haunting, like a ghost. But when he dies, his inner demon takes his place, the Malice becomes human, a mortal."

"Jenna…" Moss tried to speak.

"He can’t kill me." Jenna took a breathe. "Because he’s Deck’s Malice, his name is Jeth."

Jeth, the thing that killed all her friends, including Deck. Moss thought for a while, was she dreaming?

Jenna continued. "And Erik…is Peter’s."

"Bravo! Bravo! I never thought it could turn out even better!" Jack was clapping his hands, smiling like a man ready to kill.

Moss searched it inside of her, the voice that wanted to scream, wanted to give up. She remembered it all, how it all fits together. It’s impossible for Erik and me, She recalled Jenna saying, because Erik and she were technically siblings. And how Erik knew everything about Patch and Lexi, he really is a Malice, he knew everything. She never thought about involving Peter. He was always far from her, but she always chased him; he was quiet when she’s around, he was the guy that she fell for, he was Peter, and Erik was his Malice.

"When you said the four of you were close…" She finally spoke, talking to Erik. "You didn’t mean Jenna did you? The four of you: were You, Deck, Peter and him." She looked at Jack, who revealed himself as Jeth.

"I’m sorry Moss…I didn’t plan for this to happen. I thought it would be best if you didn’t know."

"But you knew…" Moss replied. "…You know everything about me. You knew…that I loved Peter."

"And I loved you back." Erik answered, Moss looked at him, and it was as if the one she was staring at was Peter. The avoidant Peter, the one that didn’t show her how he felt. "…But I’m Peter’s Malice, I was made of guilt, insecurity, and jealousy. It was my nature." While Jeth works with hatred, Erik worked with jealousy.

"Your nature? So it’s true then, that you killed Ryder…" Moss’s eyes have no life in them. "…because you were jealous."

Erik was just silent.

"Moss." Jenna interrupted. "Erik’s different, he saved you." Moss wasn’t sure what Jenna meant. "Back then, you were supposed to die as well, remember. When you lit a cigarette, you were sentenced to die."

"No I wasn’t!" Moss screamed, she didn’t want to believe anymore.

"Yes, you were. And Peter sacrificed himself for you, he died in exchange for your life. Erik knew about this, he knew the risks."

Jack cleared his throat. "I hate to say this Moss, but they are telling the truth. The only difference between Erik and myself, is that Peter knew about him, but Deck was clueless about me. We’ve been trying to kill each other since day one! And when he told me about Peter’s offer, I couldn’t resist. You weren’t part of my killing spree after all."

"He killed them both Moss! Peter and Deck!" Jenna cried.

"I did…well, actually Deck killed himself."

"Stop!" Moss screamed. "I don’t want to hear anything else! Just stop it please! I want this nightmare to end!" She begged.

"It will be my pleasure then!" From where he stood, black smoke surrounded Jeth. Everything he needed to see had happened; he has no use for anyone in that room anymore. Slowly he walked to Erik’s direction. His left hand was on his pocket, the other was blazing with thin fire, Moss can see Erik’s face distorted in the heat waves.

Moss took time to think. But clearly she knew she doesn’t have much left. She thought about everything, that it was not the time to be confused. She just had to do whatever will make her happy, whatever will make her heart at ease.

"Stop this." Moss stood between Jeth and Erik. "Please. No more."

"Moss. He tricked you! He Killed one of your friends!"

"I know." Her sobs constantly stop her from saying the next word. "I don’t know what’s going on inside head, but he understood me." Moss didn’t even know what she was saying. "I’m furious, believe me I am. But somehow we found a way to be together with our friends. And I know Jenna wouldn’t like it if Erik disappeared. I don’t to see her sad again, she was happy when Erik’s around. If you kill him. he’ll be just another friend that died, not another Malice." Moss raised her eyes and looked straight at Jeth’s. "honestly, I don’t want you to go either."

Jeth was surprised about what he heard, he felt a pinch feeling of regret . "But I killed your friends! I gave you a curse!"

"But you are still a part of Deck. You became the new him!" she thought she was talking crazy. "I know you always say that a Malice like you always know everything, but I doubt that, because you fail to notice how much I miss you."

"Actually I do know." Jeth brought his hand down. "You are still the Moss I knew. The cousin I always wanted to protect. I wished I wasn’t created with anger, but nothing can stop me Moss. Even Deck couldn’t escape my curse. I’m sorry." Jeth sounded true. Maybe even a Malice like him can still feel pity.

"No please!" Moss screamed.

"I don’t have a choice." Jeth raised his hands one more time and pointed his finger past Moss and to Erik.

Erik started feeling a burning pain in his chest. He twisted in pain and agony. His screams were silent, he gasped for air. He clenched his chest with his fist. Moss embraced him

"Erik no!" She wasn’t able to do anything at the end after all. She pleaded towards Jeth. "Deck please stop!"

Suddenly Erik’s struggling stopped. But he was not dead.

"Moss…you called me Deck." Jeth was surprised. He gave a sigh and said "Ok, you win."

"Deck…" Moss saw Deck’s image for a split second at Jeth’s face. He was smiling at her. Her heart ached, and so as Jenna’s. She summon up memories about him, the way she annoys him, the way he covers up for her when she gets in trouble. She didn’t lie to herself when she called him Deck.

And a second more later, he closed his eyes and dropped on his knees, then on his chest. Moss’s tears fell on the wooden floor. She came closer to Jeth’s unmoving body, he was dead.

"It's about time." Erik whispered to himself, no one heard him.

"What happened?" Moss asked, she didn’t know who.

"He let himself go." Erik said, who is now getting on his feet.

"What?"

"He killed himself."

***

The curtains inside Deck’s old apartment made it darker inside. They got out of the building and saw the sun, still shining bright.

It was as if everything that had happened after that was erased from her head. Slowly her eyes closed, uncontrollably they became heavy. She just let the rest of the day take all her grieves away, and let her fall asleep. As she did, she saw Erik’s face in front of hers, fading, until it was gone.

She woke up the next morning with a fever.

"You ran too much yesterday and you stressed yourself out. I can’t believe you. You figured everything out." Jenna was sitting at the foot of the bed.

Moss was silent.

"I’m sorry Moss. About everything. Not that I didn’t think everything would have been easier if I told you."

"It would have been."

"I know."

"I could have spent more time with them. Not that I could have stopped it, but Lexi. She was my best friend." Moss wasn’t all right Jenna could tell, that in her eyes there was no life. She was like in a coma.

"Get some rest Moss."

"Erik?"

"He decided to leave. I didn’t want him to, not until you see him. But-"

"Reno? Reno hasn’t called me yet. He wasn’t with you when you came to Deck’s old apartment yesterday."

"Reno. He had something to do." But Moss thought, what could be more important than what happened yesterday.

"Jenna. I know you are lying. I had enough of these, so please just tell me."

"Reno…"

"So that’s why Erik left."

***

A week later, they attended Lexi, Zack and she never thought she would, but also Reno’s funerals. After Jenna filled Moss about what happened to Reno, she spent the rest of the day crying. He died.

Jenna said that on their way to Deck’s old apartment, Reno started having a headache. He couldn’t walk afterwards. After that he was deprived of speech. "With what strength he had left, he told me to tell you he loved you." Moss recalled Jenna narrating. He died not like Lexi and Zack, he still looked handsome, without a scratch on his body. His hair was still graceful, still beautiful. But similar to them, nobody could figure out how. At first Jenna thought of not leaving him, but he would want Moss to be saved. Tears fell from Reno’s lifeless body.

From Reno’s grave, Moss spent her time crying in Jenna’s shoulders. In the end, the only person that’s with her was Jenna. Not Deck, not Reno, not even Erik. As Reno’s coffin was slowly lowered six feet into the ground, Moss tears flowed even stronger.

They stayed there until everybody left. Surrounding the newly dug hole in which Reno lies are green grasses that danced with the wind. Moss asked Jenna to leave her alone for a moment.

"I’m sorry sweetie…" Moss cried herself out, talking to the ground. "I wish I could have done something. You’ve been a very good boyfriend, I just wish we could talk about what happened more. At least you died beautiful right?" Moss chuckled "I saw my cousin again, and Peter too. Say hello to them for me, you and them are neighbors now. I took you for granted, I never even got the chance to explain. But believe me, I loved you, I never wished for any more than you. I loved you! You were the first to make me feel like this." But she knew herself she was lying. Lies, what brought them together, is also what brought them apart.

Moss stood for as long as her feet could carry her. She looked at the ground, she didn’t even care if Reno would pop out of his grave, just so he could get back in her arms.

From where Reno lies, she could see Deck and the other’s graves. There was a man in black standing in front of the second tombstone, in front of Peter’s. He was looking at Moss. She didn’t have to come close to see his face, she knew that it was Erik. But there was another figure beside him, shorter, with a more slender figure, it was a girl. That, she couldn’t figure out, she can’t seem to tell who she was. But she didn’t gave an ounce of care.

"Reno. Erik’s here to visit." Moss’s eyes became lifeless once more. "He’s the one who killed you, you know?"

"…Because he was jealous of you."

***

From where they stood, they could see Moss as bright as day, as dark as sorrow. Erik can hear her heart, weeping. He didn’t have a choice, he thought it would be best, no, only better this way.

"Why not tell her that you didn’t kill Reno?" a voice asked him.

"What made you think that I won’t eventually?" Erik sounded serious.

"You mean, I just beat you to him?"

"Maybe. Just like what I am made of, it is my nature, even if I try to stop it, Jealousy will always take over, just as Anger took over Jeth."

"But-" the girl wanted to say something back.

"It won’t make a difference anyway. For her I’m a killer. No matter what I do." The cold air created white smoke as Erik breathed out. "Besides, this is an opportunity to be taken, so she wouldn’t have to bear being with me."

"But you loved her! And she loved you!"

"Listen to you, ‘loved’ is past tensed." Erik was talking, with out looking at her.

"She still does, believe me. I know!"

"I’m not sure about that." Erik said.

"Why don’t you tell her about me then?" The girl walked and stood in front of Erik. "Introduce me to her!"

"It’s not part of the plan."

"Erik…How am I supposed to know that Jack was going to cast a sentence on you?! That was trouble! I had to bounce it off to some other guy! And Reno was my only option!"

"That’s why I said its better off this way! And if I tell her now, she’ll go after you! We both know she’s capable! And she knows how to do it!"

The girl didn’t say anything else.

***

Another year that passed, Moss learned to get over from everything bad that happened to her. Her hair grew even longer, and her face became more mature. She doesn’t wear those punk clothes anymore, just jeans and a shirt, with a hooded jacket on occasions. She spent most of her time with Jenna, she graduated and Jenna took her to the ceremony. The life on her eyes returned, sparkling and livelier as ever. She knew that it was what everyone would have wanted for her. She worked as a bartender at the café she and Reno last spent time at. She was called Mocha Moss.

With her job, she began meeting brand new sets of people, a little kid who always buy mocha shake, named Tammy, befriended her and talks to her in her free time. On a daily basis, she gets many guys drooling over her, sometimes she even have old classmates visiting her in her work.

One fine day, she got to work as usual, Tammy eating cake with her mom, other regular customers chatting, drinking coffee or surfing the net with the café’s free WiFi. She was serving a regular Mocha Frap on a new customer. Her co-worker, Barry, received the order.

"Barry! There’s no name on this cup!" She cried.

"There’s none?" Barry replied. "Well, just give it to him yourself. He’s the only guy outside, just shout it out!"

"For crying out loud!" Moss knew it wasn’t part of her job. "Fine!"

She took a brown recycled tissue paper and wrapped it around the waxed paper cup. She never wore her apron, but seeing that other customers might see her, she put it on anyway. It was dark green and made out of fine material. She got out of the counter and peered through the window to look for the guy that ordered it. She saw him at once. He was sitting at the very same table where Reno and she used to sit.

"Mocha Frap!" she shouted, even though she didn’t have to.

"Over hear!" Its voice was familiar.

Moss got closer to him, he was reading the paper, and as he turned around, Moss almost spilled the order.

"Long time no see?" the man said "I hate saying that, too cliché."

"Erik!" Moss didn’t know what to react. Is she going to be furious or is she going to be happy?

"I know it’s a terrible thing to do to show myself."

"Where have you been?"

"You’re not mad?" he asked.

"Of course I am! Do you realize what you’ve done?"

Erik became mute.

"But I forgave you now." Moss was calmer "You’re a Malice, like you said, it was in your nature. You couldn’t have stopped it even if you wanted to, and I know you didn’t. Jack, I mean Jeth, said he couldn’t do anything, and he didn’t have a choice, I figured, that it might be the same in your case."

"I’m sorry. But-"

"SHC." Moss blurted it out.

"What?"

"SHC, that’s how you knew what it meant, you don’t need to read my mind to know it, you just know it from the start. Because you’re Peter, and Peter is a doctor."

"You wanted to tell me that for a very long time didn’t you?"

"Yeah, I waited for you to show up again." Moss said. "And I’ve been drinking a lot of water every time I get a migraine too." Then Erik laughed.

After a year, Moss has become more cheerful, Erik never knew that Moss could be so strong. "You’ve change Moss, your hair. It’s longer." Erik added "You’re so much prettier."

"You won’t get off the hook that easy." Moss anger still has a trace. "Just give me one straight answer. You were about to get burned back then, the curse worked on you. You lied to me. Mind telling me when?"

"Are you sure? Cause I’m not comfortable about saying it."

"Erik!"

"Ok! You might have become prettier, but you’re still as grumpy as ever!" Erik threw his head back a little. "Remember last year, when I came to your apartment, and looked for Jenna but she wasn’t there."

"What of it?"

"You were wearing these tiny morning clothes, and acting sexy." Erik gulped. "Then you asked me if you were turning me on, I said no right…" Sweat dripped from the side of his forehead. "…well, actually I lied."

"You rascal!" Moss was smiling really big, which she never thought she could still do, she was right for flattering herself. And now she was ridiculously happy. "So I did turn you on! Uh huh!" She was ecstatic.

"Yeah, yeah, rub it in."

Suddenly her laughter broke. She remembered she used to laugh like that with Reno.

"You’re thinking about him aren’t you?"

"Stop reading my mind."

"I’m sorry…"

"Why did you do that?" Moss’s sorrow was back, she still carry the grief of losing Reno.

A shrieking voice broke the tension "He didn’t do anything!", Moss was startled and looked for the voice’s owner. Behind Erik came a girl, wearing a cotton jacket with very long sleeves that covered half of her hands. Her hair was unnaturally red, but at its roots, she could tell that they used to be blonde. Moss tried to remember who she was, the extreme feeling of familiarity strikes her. "I’m sorry Erik, the line at the bakery was awful." The girl continued as she sat beside Erik, and in front of Moss.

"What do you mean he didn’t? And who are you?" Moss asked.

"You don’t remember me?" then the girl placed her elbows on the table, clasped her fingers together and placed her chin on her knuckles.

"You!" Moss finally recalled. "You were that strange bit- I mean woman that stared at me for nothing last year!"

"Hey!" The red-haired girl acted insulted." You call me that and you’re calling-"

"Stop it Sam, I told you to let me handle this." Erik interrupted.

"Fine" the red-haired girl’s name was Sam.

"Sam?" Moss asked "Is she your girlfriend?"

"Well technically…" Sam gestured a hand of explanation.

"Sam!" Erik cut her off. "Remember when I told you Reno and I met at the bar?"

"Yeah." Moss answered. "What were you doing there? He told me you met with someone."

"I was asking for help." Erik continued. "…from Sam. I have to confess, Jeth didn’t kill himself. A sentence was cast upon him, actually, a sentence he gave to someone else was bounced right back at him. It was Sam who did that. She passed the curse Jeth gave me, back to him. That’s why he died instead of me."

"That means. You’re a-" Moss’s finger slowly pointed towards Sam.

"Yup!" Sam’s smile was like a clever mouse’s "I’m a Malice too."

Moss wanted to swore, in as much swearing words she knew.

"And in order to cast a curse on Jeth, Jeth has to cast his own curse to someone else first! And that was my job! I took a sentence on purpose, so I can bounce it right back at him!" She added. "But we never thought it will still give him a chance to cast one on Erik. That means he cast a curse on both of us. I bounce Erik’s back to Jeth. Unfortunately, I still have the sentence on me."

"So…" Moss wanted to continue her explanation, knowing what it was.

"I had no choice, I have to pass it on, or I will die. I’m sorry Moss, I had no choice, I couldn’t give it to Jenna, and Reno’s the only guy I know. I tried to make as peaceful as possible when he died. The same when Jeth did."

"I…" Moss tried to smile. "I think I understand. I mean. If you’re a Malice too, then that’s your nature."

"I hope you do. I’m a Malice made out of fear. So my sentences worked that way." Sam explained.

"I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier." Erik was back on the conversation, his Mocha was almost half empty. "I thought about this for a very long time. I figured, this would be the best time to tell you."

"But something still is unclear to me." Moss’s face looked restless. "How did you get yourself the curse?"

"Remember when you asked me if you know me, and I didn’t answer? And then you changed the question and asked me if I knew you?"

"You said ‘no’, which means, you do know me." Moss exclaimed. "Because you’re a Malice! You knew everything!"

"Err…Sort of. Yeah, that and, I’m no ordinary Malice." Sam continued.

"Come to think of it, whose Malice are you?" Moss finally found the question she’s looking for.

"When you first saw me, we were talking head on in this very same table. Clearly, anyone inside can see me, but Reno didn’t. That’s because I’m a Malice with a host that is still alive."

Erik finished his Mocha Frap and slammed the empty cup into the table. "Moss, meet Sam…" And Sam offered a hand shake.

"…Your own Malice."