Chapter 7: Lie
Max, after finally managing to get back to the orphanage, was laying on his bed, pressing a bag of ice against his head due to a terrible headache he had, while Jessy had a really horrified expression, after Max told her what had happened after she managed to escape. Or, at least, a part of what happened.
Jessy: What?! You mean, that after they tried to get us both, they all beat you up?!
Max: Twice. Yes.
Jessy: Twice?! Max! How can you be so calm after being beaten up twice in a day? Are you alright? What did they do to you?
Max: *Sighs* well... They all got up on me and started to beat me up, punching, kicking, and even throwing me down the stairs. After that I...
Max stopped talking for a few seconds, as he remembered the how he wanted to commit suicide after Markus and his followers knocked him out. Then, he decided to not tell her any of that, or what happened after they cornered him in the alley. He knew he was lying to her, but he was doing it to prevent her from getting more worried for him.
Max: ... I... Uhm... After they knocked me out, I just woke up, stood up, and then I decided to rest my back for a little bit in my room. Then, I decided to go for a walk and I ended up finding them in the streets... And guess what? The went near me and beat me up again. I don't remember much of what happened after though... I only remember that I woke up in that same alley, feeling like shit, and then I decided to run to get here since it was already dark. And that is basically how wonderful my birthday was...
Jessy: Oh wow... Max... I... I'm so fucking sorry... I ran away while you were in trouble... What kind of friend am I if I'm not there to help you out? God... I'm so sorry...
Max: Its not your fault Jess. I told you to run away, didn't I? Besides, you would have end up getting hurt, and I can't allow that to happen. There's nothing to be sorry for.
Jessy: *Sighs* Ok... But.. If they threw you down the stairs after beating you up, and then they beat you up again... How is it that you were able to come back here running? And where are they? You said that you woke up on that same alley, but they weren't there. I haven't seen then either... Where are those fuckers at?
Max didn't know what to answer. He stood silent for a few moments, trying to think on what to say. He could not tell her what he saw on the camera, because not even he knew or understood entirely what had happened, and because he thought that she could probably freak out and believe that he was somehow a murderer, or worse... A monster.
Max: Uh... Well... The moment I woke up I didn't feel any pain at all. I guess my body can recover fast. As for where they are at... I have no idea. Probably a cop saw them drinking and smoking, or even raping or mugging someone and took them to the police station, not noticing at all the fact that I was on the floor and unconscious. With my luck, thats probably what happened...
Jessy: well... Wherever they are at, I hope that they are getting beaten up by a cop or by one of the gangs they probably buy drugs from and that they don't come back ever again. *Sigh* But... At least you're ok... So... You say your bones are not broken?
Max: Well... Not that I know. Why?
Jessy: Oh, for no reason. I just wanted to know if I could do this without hurting you.
Max: Do what?
Then, Jessy got closer to Max and hugged him tight. Max began blushing a lot, shocked and taken by surprise since he was not expecting that sudden hug, and began feeling that weird sensation on his stomach he always felt whenever he was near Jessy. Then, he closed his eyes and began hugging Jessy back, smiling a bit and still blushing. Jessy was also blushing, and trying to not sigh due to that sensation he had on her stomach just like Max. Then, she gently whispered in his ear:
Jessy: Max... You're not unlucky. Everyone has a bad day, even if its their birthday. And I know your life hasn't been so good, but hey, you make mine at least bearable. And... Whenever you have a bad day, don't forget that I'm always here for you. I-I mean... We're friends, right? And also... I just wanted to say... You may think you are surrounded by bad luck and nothing but bad luck, but, you make me lucky. I'm lucky to have you at my side. Thanks Max. Thanks for existing, and for being you. I love-... I... I love to have you as my friend.
Max: *Stays speechless for a few seconds, blushing, and then he whispers* T-Thanks Jessy... I-I... I feel lucky to have you at my side as well... Y-you're... You're a really awesome friend. And I love y-... I mean, uhm, I... I love having you as a friend too, hehe... Yea... I...
Suddenly, they both heard the sound of the bells of a church not so far away from there, indicating that it was 10:00 pm already. The orphanage's rules dictated that no one was allowed to be in other people's room after 9:00 pm, and the principal always sent teachers to check if everyone was in their rooms and if no one else was there. Max and Jessy sighed and slowly pulled away, not hugging anymore. Max and Jessy were still blushing, their hearts beating fast and that sensation in their stomachs was still there. Jessy looked into Max's eyes, smiled a bit and sighed, knowing she had to go, or else, she'd be in trouble.
Jessy: I guess I gotta go before a teacher finds me here and thinks we're doing other things... I mean, not that I want or think that you and I would, or should do... I... Uh... No, I didn't mean... Ugh... Y-you know...
Max: N-no... Its ok... I understand... I-I'll see you later, ok? P-please stay safe... Good night Jess.
Jessy: Y-yea... I'll see ya later... Good night Maxy. Oh, and also, happy birthday! Well, whats left of it, haha.
Jessy waved happily at Max and so did he, as she began walking backwards and slowly getting out of Max's room, trying not to trip with the fallen and broken door. Then, she quickly walked over to the staircase and went to her bedroom, keeping her back against the door, and began to talk to herself like she used to do when she was alone. "Fuck!" she yelled in her mind. "Why wasn't I brave enough to tell him?! Its always the same with me... 'I love you as a friend', how fucking nice of you. He's going to think you just friendzoned him! Damn it..."
Max saw Jessy walking quickly to her bedroom, and he didn't stop looking at her until she disappeared of his sight. Then, he sighed and began talking to himself as well. "God..." he whispered to himself. "Why do I have to be such an idiot? She's never going to consider me more than a friend. Why would she? I'm just a guy who only gets beat up by a gang of neanderthals... And well... It hurts but... I had to lie to her... I mean, its not like I know what happened there, because I have no idea what the fuck happened, but still, that was all too horrible for her to know... This is not good... I shoved a bullet right in my throat and I didn't die, nor did I bleed, and then, there's what happened at the alley and what I saw on the video... I don't even know what the hell was that thing... And their heads... God... I don't even want to remember that..."
Max kept thinking and thinking to try and find some sense to all that, but he could not find any logical explanations. Maybe that never happened. Maybe his mind was tricking him, or maybe that was a fake tape, and the heads were part of a sick joke from Markus and his gang to mess with his mind. Maybe it did happen... Maybe what happened was real, and they all died. But what, or who, did it? Max didn't know why, but he somehow felt that whatever happened to them had something to do with him.
His mind was clouded with a lot of questions and thoughts. But there was a single thing that he could not stop thinking about... It was the thing that he saw on the video. Whatever it was, it had to be the most terrifying thing he has ever seen in his entire life. Then, he just sighed and tried to sleep for a while, hoping that tomorrow he would forget everything.
