(Asher’s POV)
The first emotion after I regained my consciousness and stayed dormant for a few seconds was shame. The clips of scenes when Elaine was saying the words I have said to her inside The Flesh previously haunted my mind in a repetitive cycle that I slowly mustered the strength to one of my arms just so I could cover my face in embarrassment.
I was definitely shocked to hear those words. “We’re in this together.” Was the last words I said to her when we’re inside the poison region of The Flesh. If she remembers my words, doesn’t that mean she heard my confession?
“No way…” I croaked, ignoring my scratchy voice from just waking up.
Apparently my voice is loud enough for this deadly silent room, that Elaine was awoken even by the subtelity of my voice.
She blinked her eyes as her head tilted up. Seeing as I was lying down with my eyes open, she immediately shot up and exclaimed my name.<
(Asher’s POV)It was the day after I woke up from coma. The chill from the fall season is really been getting into me lately. In spite of me telling myself I’m cold, nature’s weather is better than the coldness coming from the air conditioner of my ward. Because of that, I have been wasting the hospital’s electric bills by opening the windows and basking my face in the evening air and sunlight.“It’s so cold…” I mumbled to myself.“Of course it would.” A voice appeared from behind me, followed by the sound of a door sliding.I turned around to see Ryan and Rufus entering the ward, each of them was was holding a bag of their own.“Whoa…” I snorted, trying to not cry because honestly, I missed them two even though it’s only about a week.Ryan sighed. “I might as well apply for membership in this hospital because of how frequent I’ve been visiting
(A few hour after Asher woke up)“Uncle Gary called me yesterday.”Elaine began, trying to break the awkward silence between her and Asher that came out of nowhere. Asher who was still in a daze flinched when she suddenly spoke, his eyes rolled to the exit door for a few minutes to register the fact that his mother just left to finish work and took the next few minutes to muster his courage to reply her.“…What?”Elaine heaved a sharp sigh. Given how he delayed his response, Elaine knew something was wrong with him, yet she refrained from asking. Despite Asher’s vital and his response is normal and all, he must have still be in shock after waking up from the coma.“My uncle called me yesterday. He asked to meet me for dinner.” Elaine stated while adjusting her knee length pleated grey skirt to cover a margin of her shin. Plus the air conditioning of this VIP ward room, the chilly weather outside didn
(Asher’s POV) “This place is…” Elaine gaped for a bit as she looked at the night sky in awe, the two of us were standing on the apartment building that acted as the witness to my first encounter with her that changed our entire life. “You remember this place, right?” I stepped beside her and glanced at every corner of the roof of the old apartment building. Now that I have seen my surroundings with clear eyes, the apartment block really looks brittle like it’s going to fall off anytime. Meanwhile, at the corner of my eyes, I saw Elaine nodded slowly, though her eyes still looking at the sky. It’s probably because of the clear sky that I am seeing Elaine’s eyes sparkled more than usual, but I couldn’t help myself from staring at her. Unwittingly, I let out a scoff. “If I didn’t jump to save you I don’t think the two of us wil be where we are right now.” Elaine turned to look at me and chuckled. “I know. I still wondered how we survived
(Asher’s POV) “I wish I were Heather…” Those sad, lonely lyric was the only thing that got registered in my mind, before I stood stiff on the top floor of one of an unknown apartment building, facing my fears. In front of me, just a few steps away, was a person soaked in the heavy rain—her eyes that were shielded with a thick pair of glasses wore a lifeless spark as if giving up life. My fist tightened, the sharp end of my nail clawed my palm while my mind spun for thoughts; for ways, for initiative to save this girl who looked like she could be blown away by the raging storm at any moment. Thunderstorms were never my favorite. If I should be honest they’re my worst nightmare. A thunderstorm also happened the moment I saw my father cross the river to the other side, the night where this young pair of eyes first saw blood, that came from none other than his beloved ones’ body. I shuddered when the thought of my father’s scrambl
(Asher’s POV) “…Well, apart from the upcoming exam, nothing interesting.” I answered, deciding to not tell her about the déjà vu whilst using the same answer I’ve told her yesterday. I guess it’s the truth because she’s not asking me what happened to ME, she’s asking what happened at SCHOOL. That alone saved me many explanations. Our call ended after I finished my breakfast. Then, slinging my backpack onto my shoulders, I checked the house for one last time before I closed the entrance door of the apartment. My walk to the school took no time at all. When many kids have to go to school by bus or any transportation, my house was located at about 15 minutes away from school by walking distance. I massaged my jaw several times before opening and closing my mouth repeatedly to loosen my face muscles. Afterall, the moment when I stepped past the school gate, people will know me as Asher E. Ildian, the most kindhearted and warm student in Maplewood High School.
(Asher’s POV) In my whole life, I never have thought that I could run so fast. I might even beat the fastest kid in my school if I were to race against them, but that wasn’t the point right now. “Me and Rufus, we just saw someone die…” Upon hearing those words, my heart sank to my stomach and I felt like vomiting. However, I swallowed back any feeling of turmoil and immediately ended the call and rushed outside the house to Chips and Charm. Fear and worry flood my thoughts as I dashed along the empty and drenched street, with me also getting drenched in the rain. While still running, gruesome images of the violet-eyed girl’s bleeding and lifeless body haunted my mind endlessly. I tried to shake it off and increased my speed as I ignored the excruciating pain from my burning lungs. I gasped and groaned for air when I reached the restaurant. To my surprise, I saw Ryan with Rufus and his group in front of Chips n Charm. They look
(Asher’s POV) I took a long cold shower while tuning a loud uplifting music—a routine I would always do when I’m down. My mother said that feeling depressed and anxious is okay, it was a sign that you’re thinking about your well-being, but the moment it passed the threshold where it’s supposed to be and started devouring your mentality, that was when you should put it to a stop. Because of that, cold shower and uplifting music are my muse to put a halt to these depressing feelings. And what’s a more efficient cure for negative feelings if it’s not food? I would also made myself a healthy and hearty breakfast to cheer myself. Refraining from eating can wait, or diet—although I’ve never done it—but one must eat to live and heal. So right now, I’m gobbling up a bowl of chicken salad with a bowl of oat with granolas and frozen fruit on top of it while chatting with my mother. Her rants were the same about Mister Stewart and his shenanigans, and also some
(Asher’s POV) I sucked my breath when I saw her; she’s all battered, with her bleeding nose that she tried to cover with the bloody red tissue, and her disheveled and dirty cloth, probably getting pushed down onto a dirty surface. She locked eyes with me for a moment—the look in her eyes tells me she’s surprised to see me—but that’s all there is to it. No life, no hope, not even embarrassment is reflected in her eyes when she saw me. After that, she quickly lowered her head and limped past me. I was frozen until she disappeared from my sight, and still frozen until that moment when I’m inside Chips n Charm with my friends. “Wha-?!” I jolted, which in turn, shocked all of them. “Whoa there. what’s wrong, dude?” Rufus narrowed his eyes in concern as he chewed on the french fries. “How can I get here?” I looked at him and Ryan. “What do you mean, how do you get here? It’s obvious that you come here with us.” Rufus replied, before