Street Signs

Chapter 5

BRIELLE

Days had passed since I found out the meaning of the sign. Since that, I didn't find anymore another existing one on the street. It was the first and last.

"Sis? SIS!"

My heart jumped when my friend, Czar, shouted in front of my face. "What's your damn problem, Queen?" I asked in irritation. I used to call him that way since he was gay, and his name was meant king or was the term for the title of the emperor of Russia.

"I should be the one asking you that, b***h! Since we're in the classroom until now that we're here at the cafeteria, you're gawking! What's bothering you? Is it still about Zayden?"

"Sort of."

"What do you mean?"

I sighed. "I'm still thinking of the sign I saw at Abbey Street."

"Sign? What sign?"

I took my phone and let him see the picture of it.

He puckered his eyebrows as he looked at it. "What's that? That's so strange, huh? It's my first time to see a sign like that and I can't figure out its meaning."

"My reaction goes with you the moment I saw this."

"So, what's that?" he asked again. "Oh my gosh, like oh my gosh. For how many times did I ask you what's that?"

"A couple of times I think."

"But seriously, what's that?"

To answer his question, I let him see as well the jumbled words and the fixed sentence I just formed. Still, he was confused, so I told him everything from the beginning— before Zayden's death, up to the current.

"Oh my f*****g god," he whispered as he covered his mouth with his hands. "So do you mean that the sign you saw was created by magic and was telling you about Zayden's death?"

"Exactly."

"Then who the hell created that sign?"

"That's the question, Queen. I still don't know, that's why I'm always bothered," I sighed. "But, I have a hint."

"Tell me."

"If the sign was created by magic, therefore, the one who created it is an immortal."

He nodded. "Wild guess. Now I'm starting to believe in miracles, magic, damn gods, and in every immortal."

"But there's still a hanging question," I said. "If the sign and its message is all about Zay's death, then what did he or she mean by: 'Those who seek to harm me and my loved ones have their intent turned back upon themselves?'"

He expressed hesitations.

Since that day, he was also thinking with me. He was always giving his opinion about things. There was a time that he volunteered to go with me to the street so that he could know even more. As my dearest friend whom I trust so much, I let him investigate things with me.

Before we went to Abbey, we were expecting to see another sign or just even the same one, but nothing had appeared. The ground was no trace of carves, nor a simple ink on it.

"Are you sure this is the spot where you saw that sign?" he asked.

I nodded.

"You told me there's a magic in it, so it's not impossible for the sign to disappear. I believe in you, Sis. We'll just have to strive more."

I thanked him before we decided to wander all throughout the specific spot only, hoping we would discover more. But it was dark already and we still didn't find anything.

"I think we should go home now, Queen," I said. "I'm nervous Tita and Tita will scold you if you go home late, as well as Dad to me."

"Are you sure, Sis?"

I nodded. "There's still next days. Besides, we have an exam tomorrow, remember?"

"Oh, s**t," he whispered. "I didn't think of that. Though I had my review the other day, I'm not sure if I'm still going to recall things."

"Don't worry, I got your back."

We went home then. The next morning, we had an examination of our major subjects, they were difficult, but we passed them all, fortunately.

"I thank God I have a genius friend," Queen grinned as we walked through the hallway. "I have the best b***h ever!" he shouted. The other students looked at him, but he never minded of them.

I laughed. "I don't thank God I have an embarrassing friend, you bitch."

"b***h, stop it! You're hurting me."

"Oh, do I?" I chuckled.

He nodded as he pouted.

"Stop acting cute, you aren't cute."

He stopped walking, which caused me as well to pause. "I'm not cute because I'm the most beautiful b***h in the world," he said as he waved his blonde, shoulder-length hair.

I laughed. I was grateful I had him, I was able to forget my problems for a short time.

We continued walking until we reached the terminal. We took already our seats when my phone vibrated.

"Brielle, go home now I have something for u," a text from Dad's number, but I assumed it was Akie who texted it.

I didn't reply, but I was so happy deep inside. He was such a caring little brother to me. When I got home, I was moved he waited for me at the gate, still wearing his school uniform.

"Finally you're home now, Big Sis!" he said as he hugged me.

"Yeah, I've read your message, so I went home quickly as I can. You missed me that much, huh?"

"Not really. I've prepared something for you, that's why I'm excited. I wanna hear some compliments coming from you," he giggled.

I didn't ask him anymore what was he prepared for me because he pulled me already going inside until we reached the dining area. Daddy was there, sitting and facing the table that was filled with different cooks of eggs: there's was a scrambled egg, boiled one, and fried. There were also some pieces of bread stuffed with the fried one, as well as milk.

"Come and taste them," Dad said as I sat down, "Akie made them for you."

I turned my gaze to my little brother who was grinning at me. I grabbed a sandwich egg and tasted it. I couldn't almost swallow it because it was too salty. "Nice, delicious," I said to Akie, controlling my face to show my real reaction.

"Really?" his eyes widened. "Well, I'm grateful! Eat more, Brielle! All of them are really for you!"

I swallowed my saliva as I looked at the food. They were so many for me to eat up. But with respect to Akie who just took his first time to cook, I would be willing to consume them all, even though I might get a kidney stone disease.

I was finishing up the food when Akie moved a little closer his chair to me.

"You're not eating that much these days," he said, "so I asked Daddy to teach me how to cook, hoping you'll eat if it's me who make foods for you."

I looked at him with my eyes so teary. "Thank you, Akie. Big sis really appreciates your efforts. Don't worry, I'll eat a lot now."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Since that day, Akie was always cooking food for me with the help of Daddy. Whenever I'd go home from a tiring day in school, he was always waiting for me at the gate. Though I was able to forget for some time the pain, I didn't move on, I still didn't give up on finding justice.

I went to Abbey Street all by myself after school, hoping I would see some sign again. There were not so many people around; even the dance groups who used to practice there were nowhere to be seen since the accident. As I was wandering my eyes on the ground and posts, my phone rang; I took it and answered the call when I knew it was Tita Yadora who was calling.

"Hello, Brielle?" said on the other line.

"Hi, Tita? What's up?"

"Your dad told me you're not answering his calls, that's why I called you. Where are you? They're waiting for you, it's going late."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Tita, I didn't notice his calls. I'm still here at a coffee shop with Queen, just taking some time to unwind," I lied.

"Is that so? Well okay, I'll just tell Sy about it. Just please go home after, so that they'll not be worried about you."

I agreed with her before she ended up the call. I could sense the pain in her while we were talking. I was always checking up on her because I was worried too. She was still seeking the help of the polices, with Tito Hernan. I was going sometimes with her if I wasn't having my class, just to show my support to her, but I no longer trust the cops. They were just saying the same things, why would I take even a little time to believe?

My eyes were burning thinking that the killer was still nowhere to be found. Or should I say, there was still no killer to be found?

I continued looking for signs again, but it was turning dark and I still couldn't see any, that was why I decided to go home already.

Dad was at the door, crossing his arms while sharply looking at me as I headed to him. "Do you know what time is it now?"

"S-sorry, Dad, Queen invited me to a coffee shop."

"Give me reasons to believe in you."

"Dad? Really, he invited me."

"I called Queen and he said you're not with him. Tell me the truth, where have you been? I didn't raise you to tell lies."

I gasped. I was disappointed about myself for forgetting to inform Queen. Now, what would I say?

"Go to your bed now, or eat if you didn't eat yet. Tomorrow, you'll be going to discuss everything with me." He left.

I proceeded to my room because I couldn't feel the hunger. I lay down on my bed without changing my clothes. I planned to call Queen, but I was still bothered. There were so many questions running in my head, but they remained hanging questions. When the hell would I get proper answers?