THE

DI
ÃMÔNDS

Pr
ologue:

By
:Fai
thLucky
.

Thedi
amonds?
Whoar
etheDi
amonds?
Andwher
edoy
oubel
ong?

TheWhi
tedi
amonds?
Ort
heBl
ackDi
amonds?

Okay
..
.al
i
ttl
eint
roduct
ion.
Thedi amondsar eauni quesetofpeopl ei nthe
countrydiscov er
edt ohav especial
power s.
Oncet heirpower saredi scov er
ed,t
hey '
retaken
tothespeci alschool -THEDI AMONDS
INSTITUTE-wher ethey '
rebei ngtaughtto
controlandmakeuseoft hei
rpowers.Itsa
school att
endedbypeopl ef r
om all
overt he
world-asl ongast heypossesspeci alabili
ti
es,
ofcour se-andi tbecomesl i
kethei
rnewhome
becauset heygett olivet hereandsurvive.
Itsaschool fi
ll
edwi t
hspoil
tbratswhocando
theunthinkable,butI
tsbeensignedbythe
governmentt hatanyonediscoveredwit
h
specialabil
it
iesmustbet akentot heDi
amonds
Inst
it
ute.So, i
tsinevi
tabl
e.

MeetCal
iJenner
.
Ayoungprett
y,butst
ubbor
ngi r
lwho'salways
wantedtoexpl
oretheworl
dandhav efun.But
whathappenswhenshewakesuponemor ni
ng
anddiscov
ersshehasspecial
abil
i
ties?

Whathappenswhenshe'
sfor
cedtogot
othe
Di
amond'sinst
it
uteev
enthoshehat
edi
tsi
nce
i
t'
drest
ri
ctherli
fe?

Shefindsitannoy
ingcopi
ngwit
hhernewwor
ld
becausetheschool'
sfi
ll
edwi
thspoi
l
tbrat
swho
caredless
She'
ssoangryati
tandvowedtol
eav
e.But
whathappenswhenshemeet
sthemost
handsomeboyshe'
severmet
?

MeetMi
quel
Yeah.
..
justMi
quel
.Youdon'
tneedt
oknowhi
s
sur
namef
ornow.

He'sthemostpowerf
uli
nt heDi
amond'
s
I
nstit
uteandasaresul
t,hewasmadepresi
dent
overther
estofthest
udents.

He'
st hemostcharming,handsomeandcoolest
guyinthei
nsti
tute.Justastar
ef r
om hi
m can
meltyoutol
iquidandy eah-He'sani
ntrov
ert
.

Hehar dlyspeaks-evenduri
ngtr
aini
ng,hi
s
'
special guar
ds'dothetal
ki
ng.Heonlywatches
butnev erspeaks.

Youhar dl
yseehim ar
oundashe'
salwaysi
nhis
room andonlycomesoutduri
ngtr
aini
ngand
rareoccasi
ons.
Ther
eint
hei
nst
it
ute,
he'
sconsi
der
edagod.

He'
sthemostpowerfuly
et ,
nobackgr
ound.I
mean,nobodyknowsathingabouthi
m and
whyhe'sal
wayssoquiet
.

Yeah-he'
squiet
.Butnevermesswit
hhim
becauseheki
l
lswithi
nthebli
nkofaney
e.

He'
scal
m,y
etv
iol
ent
.

Justasli
ghtanger,hebleedsf
rom hisey
esand
nostri
l
sandany onearoundhim att
hatmoment
i
slikel
ytodie.

Whathappenswhenstubbor
nCal i
meet
sthe
god-
li
keMiquel
andpicksint
eresti
nhi
m?He
seemedtobetheonl yonetoreal
lyint
eresti
n
heri
ntheschool,butunfor
tunat
ely,
he'sweir
d
andwouldn'
tassociat
ewi t
hanyone.

Manyattimes,atnight,she'dtaketheri
skof
cl
imbinguptohiswi ndowj usttowatchhim
sl
eep.Andasshedi d,shef elti
t-ther
ewas
somethi
ngmy ster
iousabouthi m.

Themostpowerf
ul,
handsome,
char
ming,
yet
col
dandquiet
.

Cali'
swarnedtost
ayawayfr
om him butshe
turneddeafear
sandfi
nal
l
y,shefel
lint
ohis
trap.
..
*
*
Who'
sreadyf
orasweetr
oundofr
omance,
suspenseandmy
ster
y?

. THE

DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted)

Epi
sode1

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Thebl
ari
ngsoundoft
hemor
ningal
arm
penet
rat
eddeepi
ntomysl
eepandf
orcedme
awake.

Damni
t!

Icur
sedundermybreathasIreachedf
ort
he
cl
ockandturnedof
fthealar
m.

Myfacewassti
l
lburi
edinthebedandmaki
ng
sur
eI'
dshuti
tup,Idr
if
tedbacktosl
eep.
*
*
"Cal
i
!Cali!
"If
eltsomeannoy
inghandst
apme
andsluggi
shl
yopenedmyey es.
Whatt
heheck?
?

I
twasOwens-myy
oungerbr
other
.
"Hey!Why'
reyousti
l
lasl
eep?Doy ouknowwhat
theti
meis?You'r
egonnabel at
eforschool
"he
saidasIyawnedandstr
etchedonthebed.

"Damni t
!Owens,what'
swrongwithyou?How
dareyoubargeint
omyr oom anddisr
uptmy
sleep?
"Iaskedangri
l
yasIsatupandf acedhi
m.

"Well
,mum askedmet oi
nformyoubreakf
asti
s
ready
.So,soothey our
sel
f"herol
ledhi
seyes
andstar
tedwal ki
ngoutoftheroom.

"
Bighead"Ihear
dhi
m att
hedoorandgasp.
Whaat
?

I
mmedi
atel
y,It
ookapi
l
lowf
rom t
hebedand
t
hrewi
tathi
m.

"Howdar
eyoucal
lmethat?
"Ignashedmy
teet
hast
hepil
l
owsuccessful
l
ylandedonhi
s
head.

"Ouch!What'
rey
out
alki
ngabout?Ididn'
tsay
anythi
ng"hesai
dwi
thhishandatthebackof
hishead.

Igl
aredathi
m andhescof
fedandwal
kedout
.

Whatajer
k.Iguesshe'
salway
sfor
get
ti
ngt
he
f
actIwasfouryear
soldert
hanhi
m.

Isi
ghedandl
eanedont
hewal
lcl
oset
othebed.
Ouch!Myhead.

Whyam Ihav
ingt
hisannoy
ingheadacheso
ear
ly,
huh?

Isi
ghedandleftt
hebed,goi
ngi
ntot
he
bat
hroom t
ofreshenup.

Minut
eslater
,Iwasdoneandretur
nedtot
he
room t
oquickl
ydressup.Damn!Ir
eal
ly
over
slept
,huh?

Iworemyunifor
ms, stocki
ngsandshoesand
asIbrushedmyhairinfrontofthemi
rr
or,
I
smil
edathowgr own-upIl ooked.

Iwasj
ust17,
yetl
ooked20.
Peopl
esayIgrewfast
ert
hanmyageandIt
hink
Il
ikei
tthatway.

Imostespeci
all
yli
kedtheki
l
lershapeIhad.Bi
g
b**
bs,hi
psandbutts.

Ir
eall
yli
kedital
otasmostl
adi
esenv
yme
'
causeofit
.

AndIt
hinkI
'
m pr
ett
ytoo.

Yes.It
hinkso.

Mostpeopl
esayt
hatt
ome.
Aft
erbrushi
ngmyhai
r,If
oldedi
tint
otwo
becauseofhowl
engt
hyitwas.

Well
..
.Iact
uall
yhadalonghair
.Idon'
tknow-I
j
ustadmi r
elonghai
ralotanddeci
dedtokeep
onemy sel
f.

ButIt
hinki
tspr
ett
ycool
,any
way
.

Ismil
edandtookmybagf r
om thebedwheni
wasdonebutjusti
mmedi atel
y,Igr
oanedasa
resul
toft
heheavyheadachethathitme.

"Ouuuuchhh"Iy
elpedandhel
dont
othebedf
or
support
.

Whatt
hehel
li
sthi
s?Whyt
hesuddenache?
I
tsubsi
dedali
tt
leandIsi
ghedandpr
oceeded
outoft
heroom.

Iwalkedsl
owlydownthestai
rst
othesi
tti
ng
room andmetmum, dadandOwensalr
eady
havi
ngbreakf
ast.

"Mygoodness!Cal
iJenner
;Ican'
tbel
i
eveyou'
re
j
ustcomingdownf orbr
eakfast
"mum
excl
aimedasshedishedoutsomebeans.

"
Yeah..
.wasreal
lyti
red.Goodmorning,mum.
Goodmor ni
ng,dad"Igreet
eddol
efull
yandtook
aseatwhichwasnextt oOwens.

"
Goodmor ni
ng,
dear
.Ar
eyousur
eyou'
ref
ine?
"
Dadasked.
"Yeah.
..
justhav
ingasl
ightheadache"Ir
epl
i
ed
andpour edmysel
fsomet ea.

*
Hmph.I
'm pr
ett
ysur
eshewaswatching
mov
iest
hewholeni
ght*Ihear
dmum say.

"
Iwasn'
twatchi
ngmovi
es!"Ir
epl
i
ed
i
mmediatel
yandshel
ookedatme,st
art
led.

"
Who..
.ar
ey outal
ki
ngt
o?"Owensaskedwi
tha
r
idi
cul
edlook.

"ShutyourholeupcauseIwasn'
ttal
ki
ngtoyou,
okay?Orhav eyousuddenl
ytur
nedintomum?"I
snappedathim.
"
Huh?ButI
..
.di
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng"mom chi
pped
i
n.

"YousaidIwaswat chi
ngmoviestheenti
re
nightandthat
'saliecauseIactual
lywentto
bedpr et
tyear
ly"Irepli
edwi
thaney erol
land
reachedforaplateandspoon.

"I
..
.di
dn'
tsayt
hat
.Imean,
I.
..
didn'
tsayitout
"
shestut
ter
edandIgav
eheramuddl edstar
e.

What
'sshet
alki
ngabout
?

Shefi
nal
l
yshruggedi
toffandcont
inuedwi
th
themealshewasdi
shi
ngout.

Thehel
l
.
"Yourbi
rthday'
scomi
ngupsoon,
right
?
Where'r
ey outaki
ngme?
"OwensaskedandI
scoff
edathi m.

I
sthi
ski
dhuman?

"
Hol
don;
itsmybi
rt
hdayandyou'
reexpect
ing
met
obetheonet
otreaty
ouout?
"Iaskedhim.

"Well
..
.y
es,ofcourse.Orareyoureal
ly
expect
ingyouryoungerbrothert
otakeyouout
orwhat?"HeaskedbackandIshookmyhead
athim.

*
Whatshoul
dIgetherasabi
rt
hdaypr
esent
?
May
be.
..
acar?Or.
..
*
"Yes,
dad!Acarwi
llbeper
fect!
"Ii
nter
rupt
ed
dadwhoI*assumed*wastalki
ng.

Heli
ft
edhisheadandst
aredwei
rdl
yatme.Not
j
usthi
m -butmum andOwens.

O.
..
kay
.Whatdi
dIdot
hist
imear
ound?

"What'
swrongwi
thyou,Cal
i
?Who'
stal
king
aboutacar?
"Owensaskedwit
hascof
fandI
glar
edathi
m.

"Haveyougonedeaf
?Dadwast alki
ngabout
gett
ingmeacarorsomet hi
ngformybi rt
hday
andi wastr
ynal
ethi
m knowi prefer
redthecar
.
So,what'
syourpr
obl
em, huh?"Irepl
iedangr
il
y
athi
m.
"Cali
, y
ourfat
herdidn'
tsayaword.So,what
'r
e
yout alki
ngabout
?"Mum saidandIscoff
edin
disbeli
ef.

Idi
dn'tunderst
and.Aret
heytheoneswit
h
hear
ingissuesorI'
m act
ual
lytheone?

"Ar
eyousureyou'
ref
ine?"Mum askedagai
n
andIj
ustsi
ghedandstoodupwi t
hmybag.

"
Bye,mum.I'
l
leatinschool
"Isai
ddol
eful
l
yasI
wal
kedoutofthedini
ng.
Daddydi
dn'
tsayawor
dal
lthr
ough.

"Hey,
Cal
i!What
'swr
ong?"Mum andOwens
askedaf
terme,
butIdi
dn'
tst
opt ol
ookatt
hem.
Ij
ustneededt
obeaway-t
obeal
one.

Idon'
tknow-If
eltki
ndaodd.

Theheav
yheadacherushedi
nagai
nandIshut
myeyesti
ghtandhel
dont ot
hewal
lforsuppor
t.

ThankgoodnessIhadlef
tther
oom al
readyand
nobodywastheretoseeme.

Whatt
hehel
lcoul
dbet
hecauseoft
his?

Aft
erawhil
e,i
tsubsi
dedandIexhal
eddeepl
y
andpr
oceededonmyway .
*
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted)

Epi
sode2

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
AssoonasIgott
oschool
,Iheadedst
rai
ghtt
o
cl
assandtookaseat
.

Iwassocar ef
ul i
nwalking,hav
ingmyeyes
gluedtothefl
oort hewholeti
measaresul
tof
theheavyheadacheIf el
t.I
twassopai
nfuland
almostunbearable.
Ibur
iedmyfacei
nmypalmsasIsatonmy
l
ockerandsomehow,t
henoi
sesinthecl
ass
seemedtobedoubl
easIkepthear
ingal
otof
voi
ces.

Whyar
etheyt
alki
ngt
hismuchi
ncl
asst
oday
?

"Hey
,pumpkin"Iheardsomeonesayandtap
meandIsl owlyopenedmyeyestoseetheshe
-devi
lst
andinginfr
ontofmewithher
companion.

Oh!Pl
ease,don'
ttel
lme.I
'
m ser
iousl
ynoti
nthe
moodforthi
snow.

"Hey
,Cal
i
.Areyoualr
ight
?"Sheaskedwitha
smir
kwhil
etheLucyofacompanionlaughed.
"
Please,
Andrea.Notnow"Ir
epli
edti
redlyand
t
ri
edcov er
ingmyfaceagai
n,butshestopped
me.

"Woah!Areyouser
iousl
ytrynasnobmeorwhat
?
Doyouhav eadeat
hwi th,
huh?"Shesnar
led
andIsighedpat
het
icall
y.

Whatdot
hesel
adi
esgai
nfr
om bul
l
yingme,
huh?

Andunf
ort
unat
ely
,thi
sf*
*ki
ngheadachei
s
get
ti
ngi
nmyway .

Shewasaboutsaying/
doingsomethi
ngelse
whenthankf
ull
y,t
hebiologyt
eacherwal
kedin.
Ahh!Thankgoodness.

"Al
ri
ght,ev
eryone;set
tl
edown.Sett
ledown.
Haveyourseats"MrsAnnaannouncedasshe
keptherbi
gtextbooksonthet
ableinfr
ontof
theboard.

*
Bit
ch*Ihear
dAndr
easayasshewal
kedaway
.

Butsur
pri
singl
y,Idi
dn'
tseeherl
ipsmov e.ButI
wasprett
ysureshesai
dit.Imean,Iheardit
fr
om her
.

Gosh!What
'shappeni
ngt
ome?

It
ookinadeepbreathandbentmyheadas
di
ff
erentv
oiceskeptpl
ayi
nginmyheads.
Whyt
hehel
lar
etheyt
hisnoi
syt
oday
?

Il
if
tedmyheadt olookatt
hestudent
sand
sur
pri
singl
y,Icoul
dn'
tfi
ndanyofthem t
alki
ng.

Imean,t
heirli
pswer
en'tmoving.Butitwas
moreli
ke.
..
.Icoul
dhearthem speak.
..

Ort
hink.
..
?

Goodness!

What
'shappeni
ng?

*
Geez!Joshi
slooki
ngsocut
etoday
.Iwi
shhe'
d
l
ookatme*

*Ican'
tbel
i
evethatsheepal
mostdamagedmy
p##syyest
erday*

*Who'sv
ag#nai
ssmelli
ngthi
sbadar
oundher
e?
Gosh!Whatast
enchodour
*

Di
ff
erentvoi
ceskeptpl
ayi
ngi
nmyhead,
i
ncr
easingmyache.

Minut
esl
ater
,Icoul
dn'
ttakei
tany
mor
eand
deci
dedt
ogetsomeair.

Ist
oodupwit
hmybagandstart
edmarchi
ng
outoft
her
oom wi
thoutmi
ndi
ngthet
eacher.
"
Cali
?"Shecal
ledbackmyat
tent
ionj
ustwhenI
wasaboutwalki
ngpasst
hedoorandIst
opped
t
olookather.

Oh!Sh*
t!

"Wher
edoy outhinkyou'
regoi
ng?
"Sheasked,
herl
efthandatakimbo.

"Ium...
.Ineedtomakeuseoftherestr
oom,
please"Isaidti
redl
y,t
ryi
ngsohar
dt ostop
my sel
ff r
om fal
li
ng.
"
And.
..
youdidn'
tdeem i
tnecessar
yt oi
nfor
m
mebefor
eleavi
ng?"Sheaskedsarcast
ical
l
y.

"
I'
m sor
ry"Isai
dinamut
terandt
ookmyey
es
t
othefl
oor.
Oh,
God!Myhead.

Shesi
ghedandt
urnedbackt
otheboar
d.

"Youcanleave"shesaidwit
houtlooki
ngatme
andIquickl
yturnedaroundandleft
.

AsIwalkeddownt hequi
etcor
ri
dor
s,If
elt
mysel
fshiver
ing.

Ij
ustneededsomethi
ng.Idon'
tknow;
butIj
ust
neededsomethi
ng.

Iwalkedataveryf
astpaceandf
inal
lygott
o
therest
room wher
eImetaladyi
nf r
ontoft
he
mirr
or.
Ionlyspar
edherast
areandwenttomyown
standtowashmyhandsandface.

*Lani'
ssuchafooltothi
nkIli
keherasaf r
iend.
Ifonl
ysheknowst hereasonI'
m onlybeing
closetoher
.Hmph*Ihear dtheladybesideme
sayeventhoIdidn'
tseeherli
psmov e.

Oh!Cr
ap!

Ishutheranotherst
are,feel
i
ngsur
pri
sedand
i
mmedi atel
y,sheroundedupwhatshewas
doingandleft
,unpert
urbed.

I
tseemsshedoesn'
tev
enknowi
fIhear
dheror
not
.
Ishookmyheadandtur
nedbackt
ot he
washbasi
n,washi
ngmyhandsandface.

OhGod!

Thepai
nswer
ebecomi
ngunbear
abl
e.

What
'shappeni
ngt
ome?Thisisthef
ir
stt
ime
I
'
m havi
ngsuchdamnheadache.

Ibreat
hedheav
il
yasIhel
dont
othewashbasi
n
forsuppor
t.

"Hey,pumpkin"Iheardthatfami
l
iarv
oicei
nmy
headandl ookedthroughthemir
rort
osee
Andreastandingbehindme.
Whatt
hef
*"k?Di
dsher
eal
l
yfol
l
owme?

"I
'dseenyout
alki
ngwi
thJoshinthecafe
yester
day
.Whatwereyoutwotal
kingabout
?"
SheaskedasIbentmyhead.

"Pl
ease,
Andrea.Notnow"Ir
epl
i
edr
est
lessl
y
andshescof
fed.

"
DoIlookli
keI'
m her
eforj
okes,
Cal
i?Answer
myf*
*kingquest
ion!
"Shey
ell
edandtheache
mul
ti
pli
ed.

Damni
t!

Idi
dn'
tsayawor
dasIkeptmyheadbent
,tr
ying
t
oabsor
bthepai
ns.

"Hey,bit
ch!I
'
mt alki
ngtoyou!
"Sher
aspedand
touchedmyar m andassoonasshedi
d,If
elt
somet hi
ngstr
ange.

Acr
azyanger
.

Anuncannyur
get
oscr
eam.

Myentir
esyst
emscr umbledandmyey
es
f
lashedinr
eci
procal
t ot
heanger.

"
ISAI
DNOTNOW!
!!
"
Ifoundmysel
fscr
eami
ngatherandthenext
thi
ngIsawwasspeedandwall
scrumbli
ng.
Itwasmoreli
keaheavywi
ndshowedupand
sweptherof
fherf
eetasshescr
eamedandfel
l
alongsi
det
hewall
swhichcamecrashi
ngt
othe
floor
.

Ipantedheav
il
yasIreal
i
zedwhathad
happened-dest
roy
inghalfoft
her
est
room.

OhmyGod!

Andreahadpassedoutandwaslyi
ngonthe
fl
ooramidstthebrokenwal
l
s,bl
oodgushi
ng
outfrom herhead.

Conni
pti
ongr
ippedmeandIf
eltmyhear
tthud.

Andt
hatv
erymoment
,itbecamecl
eart
ome.
Iwasadi
ãmônd.
*
*
TheBl
âckDi
ãmônds
*
*
Hi
ddenPov
:
Isatquiet
lyi
nfr
ontofmydrawi
ngboard,a
paint
ingabeaut
if
uli
magejustl
i
keIpict
uredi
n
mymi nd.

I
twast
hatofanocean.

Iaddedt
henecessar
ycolor
sandt
ouchest
oit
andwhil
eati
t,t
heywalkedin.
Thr
eeoft
hem.

"
Yousentf
orus"Shesai
dinherst
ri
ctt
oneas
t
heyst
oodbesi
deme.

"
Yeah-aboutanhourago"Ir
epl
i
edcal
mly
,st
il
l
f
ocusedontheboard.

"
We'resor
ry.Wewer ehavi
nganimportant
meeti
ngwiththerestoft
hedir
ect
ors"she
r
epl
iedpoli
tel
yandIdidn'
tsayawordfora
whi
leasIpaintedthel
owerpar
toftheboard.

Yeah-theymightbewayolderthanme,
but
theyt
heygiv
emet her
espectIneed.
"
Anewdi amondhasbeendiscov
ered.She'
sa
mindr
eader;andal
soabanshee.Andthat
makesherspeci
al.

"So,weneedher.She'
sl i
vi
ngatCali
for
nia'
s
str
eet-resi
dencefour.HernameisCali
"I
enthusedwhil
efocusedont heboar
d.

Justi
ncaseyou'
rewonderi
ng,i
t'
spar
tofmy
speci
alpowerstosensewhenanewdiamond
hasbeendiscov
ered.

"
Okay
,si
r.We'
reoni
t"sher
epl
i
ed.

"Hur
ryup.
..
befor
ethewhitedi
amondsgether
"I
addedandtheynoddedandscur
ri
edoff
.
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted)

Epi
sode3

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Isatqui
etl
ywit
hmum i
nthepri
nci
pal'
soff
ice,
tear
sthr
eateni
ngt
odr
opfrom myeyes.
"I
..
.Ir
eall
yapologi
zeforthedamage,
ma'am.As
soonasIgethome, I'
ll
talkt
omyhusbandand
he'
llt
ransfert
hemoneyneeded",mum sai
dto
thechubbyprinci
palwhowasscri
bbl
ing
somethingdowni nabook.

"I
tsokay,
ma'am.Itwasn'
tyourf
aul
t.I
t'
s
actual
l
yagoodthingyoucamehereinti
me.
"
shepausedandrepl
iedmum.

"Um.
..t
hest
udentt
hatwasinjur
ed,how'
sshe
now?Wasthedamagesevere?"Sheasked,
worr
ied.

"
Well
,i
twasindeedsevere,butyoudon'
tneed
t
oworryaboutt
hat.She'
l
l befi
ne"thepr
inci
pal
r
epl
i
edandmum si ghed.
"Ij
ust
..
.Ihopey
ouknowwhattodowi
thher
?"
Sheaskedandpoi
ntedatme.

"
Yes,yes.Ofcourse.Thankyousomuch,
ma'am.
We'
ll
beonourwaynow"mum r epl
i
edandheld
myhandandIsl uggishl
ystoodupwit
hher
.

"Thankyouma'
am"shesai
dagai
ntot
he
pri
ncipal
.

"
Youwel
come.Takecar
eofherandy
our
sel
f"
.

"
Sur
e,Iwi
l
l.By
e"

Andwel
eftt
heof
fi
ce.
Shehel
dmyhandal
lthr
oughthewalkandthe
st
udent
swecameacrosskeptst
ari
ngand
movi
ngawayf
rom meli
keIwassomesor tof
pl
ague.

Somewer eev
ent aki
ngpictur
eswi
ththei
r
phonesbutweresuretostayatav
eryfar
di
stance.

Icouldcl
ear
lyheart
hei
rthought
sli
keIwas
l
isteni
ngtosomesortofmusic.

*
Ican'
tbel
i
eveshe'
saDi
ãmônd*

*Geez!Shedest
roy
edhal
foft
her
est
room j
ust
wit
hherv oi
ce*
*
Iwonderhowshemustbef
eel
i
ngnow.
..
*

OhGod!Whathashappenedt
ome?

Wefinal
l
ygoti
ntothecarandIfel
tali
ttl
e
r
eli
evedaswedrov
eoutoft heschool
buildi
ng.

Ij
ustwant
edt
obeawayf
rom t
hem.

Mum andIdidn'
tsayawor dtoeachother
thr
oughoutt
hedrivebutitdidn'
tmakeme
curi
ousasIcoul
dcl ear
lyreadherthought
s.

Ican'
tbel
i
eveI
'
m adi
amond.

OhGod!Howdi
dthi
sev
enhappen?
Aft
eralongwhi
le,
wearr
ivedhomeandIcame
outoft
hecari
mmediat
elyandrushedi
ntot
he
house.

"Cal
i
,weneedt
otal
k"mum sai
d,comi
ngi
n
behi
ndme.

"I
..
.Idon'
tknowhowi thappened,mum.Ididn'
t
doany t
hing.Ij
ust.
..
Ihadwokenupwi ththi
s
str
angeheadacheand. .
I.
..
Ididn'
t.
..
"Ibubbl
ed
andbustedi nt
otearsandshepul l
edmei na
quickhug.

"Hey;comeon.I
tsokay
.Sshh.I
tsokay"she
hushedandpatt
edmeont hebackbutIonl
y
weptmor e.
I
twasj
ustsopai
nful

"
Idon'
tknowwhathappened,
mum.Idon'
t"I
whi
mpered.

"
Iunder
stand,
baby .That
'showithappens.
Don'
tworry
,ever
ythingwil
lbefi
ne".

Afterawhil
e,shemademesitonthecouch
whileshesatfaci
ngmeandatthatt
ime,my
tearhadreduced.

"
Don'
twor
ry,
Cal
i
.You'
l
lbef
ine"sheassur
edme.

"How?Howwi llIbef
ine,
mum?Ihav
est
range
powers"Isni
ff
ed.
"
Yes.Andthatmakesyouuni
que,
darl
ing.Don'
t
wor
ry,assoonasyougettot
hediamond's
i
nst
it
ute,you'
l
lbe.
..
"

"
Thedi
amond'
swhat
?"Icutherof
fwi
thascof
f.

"
Iai
n'
tgoi
ngt
her
e,mom.Iwon'
t"
.

"
Cal
i
!"Sheexpr
essed.
"Youknowthat'
snotpossi
ble.Youneedtogo
ther
esoy oucanlear
nhowtocont r
olyour
powers"
.

"So,
you'
ll
justgi
vemeupeasil
y?Gi
vemeoutto
someGod-damni nst
it
utet
ospendther
estof
mylif
e?"
"
Ofcourse,
iti
sn'
tfort
herestofyourl
i
fe.I
tget
s
t
oapointwhereyougraduat
e".

"No,mom.Nomat terwhat,t
hisisn'
thappeni
ng.
I
'm notgoi
ngthere.I'
m not"Icri
edandsprang
onmyf eet
,scur
ryingoff.

"Cal
i
!"Shecal
l
ed,butIdi
dn'
tst
opt
olookather
asIranawaytomyroom.

OhGod!What'
shappeni
ngt
ome?Whydidthi
s
hav
etohappen,
huh?Whymeofal
lpeopl
e?
Ilockedthedoorandsatont
hebedandmore
tearsstr
eameddownmycheeksasIfiddl
ed
withthetipofmydress.

Ican'
tbel
ievethi
sishappening.Imean,
just
yest
erday
, ev
eryt
hingwasfine.
Butt
hismorni
ng,I
'
m someoneel
se-adi
amond.
Whydoesithavet
obeme?

Ican'
tf*
"ki
nggototheDiamond'
sinst
it
ute-not
aft
erwhatI'
vehear
daboutthem.

Alt
hough,i
tsapl
acef
orpeopl
elikeme-but
howcanIcopewhenthey
'r
eallspoi
l
tand
arr
ogant?

HowcanIcopeawayf r
om myf
ami
l
yandi
nthe
midstofst
ranger
s?How??

Ibust
edi
ntomor
eagoni
zi
ngt
ear
s.

I
'
veal
way
swant
edt
obeaf
reegi
rlandexpl
ore
theworld.Buti
fIgotothei
nsti
tut
e,al
lthati
s
suretostopbecauseIhear
dtheydon'
tleave
thebuil
ding.

Whatki
ndofal
i
fewoul
dthatbe?

"Cal
i
?"Ihear
dmum callandtr
iedopeni
ngt
he
door,
butofcour
se,
itwaslocked.

"Cali
,comeon.Weneedt otal
k.Opent
hedoor
,
please"shesai
dbutIdi
dn'tmove.

"Cal
i,pl
ease.Justopenup"shemadesever
al
att
empt s,
butIstil
ldi
dn'
tmov eandf
inal
l
y,I
heardherleave.

"
Mum"Iwhi
mper
edandst
oodonmyf
eetand
openedt
hedoor
,goi
ngaf
terher
.

Ij
ustneededsomeonet
otal
kto.

Irushedi
ntothesi
tt
ingr
oom andpausedwhen
Ifoundhert
alki
ngtosomestranger
satthe
door.

"Who'
reyou,please?
"Sheaskedwi
thsur
pri
se
andIsni
ffedandwatchedi
namusement.

"
We'ref
rom t
heDiãmônd'
sInstit
ute,ma'
am.
Andwe'
reheref
oryourdaughter"oneofthem
repl
i
edandshowedsomethingli
keanI .
Dt o
mum.

What
?
Mum t
urnedandl
ookedatme.

"
I'
m notgoi
ngwithyou"Istat
edbl
unt
lyandt
he
l
adyamongt hem si
ghed.

"Don'
tworr
y,pr
ett
y.We'
vegotnoti
mef ora
debat
e"shesai
dandstret
chedoutherhandt
o
meandIheardaloudsoundinmyhead.

"Ar
ghhhhhh"IscreamedasIhel
dmyheadti
ght
duetothepainsandimmediat
ely
,If
ell
ont
he
fl
oorandpassedout .
*
*
TBC.
Hm.Whatdoy
out
hink?
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode4

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Iopenedmyey
esbl
eari
l
yandf
oundmy
sel
f
l
yingonabedi
nastr
ange.

Igroanedandst
ruggl
edt
osi
tupasIsuddenl
y
fel
tdiff
erent
.
Ilookedanddiscov
eredIwasinwhatseemed
l
ikeahospi t
alr
oom andtheheadachesand
unusualnessiwasfeel
i
ngweren'
tthere
anymor e.

Whathappenedt
ome?

Wher
eam I
?

Justt
hen,t
hedooropenedandast
ri
ctl
ooki
ng
l
adywalkedin.

Hol
don!Ir
ecogni
zeher
.

Shewasamongthepeopl
ethat
'dcomet
othe
houseandmademepassout.
Wt
f!
!

Ispr
angonmyf
eeti
mmedi
atel
y.

"Hey;
wheream I?Whatam Idoingher
e?"I
askedimpat
ient
lybutshei
gnoredmeatf i
rst
.

"
I'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou!
"Isnapped.

"You'r
eattheDiãmônd'si
nsti
tut
e.Thewhit
e
Diãmônd's"sherepl
i
edsimplyasshegottoa
bigtablei
ntheroom andtookasyri
nge.

TheDi
ãmônd'
sinst
it
ute?Hol
yCr
ap!

"It
oldyouIdi
dn'
twannabeher
e!Whyt hehel
l
didyoutakemeawayfor
cef
ull
y?"Iasked
angr
il
ybutsheignoredmeandcameov ert
o
mewi t
htheloadedsyri
ngei
nherhand.

"What'
rey
oudoi
ng?Don'
ttouchme"Imov
ed
back.

"Doyouwanty
ourheadachestor
etur
n?"She
askedwi
thaneyer
ollandIst
oodsti
ll
.

Then,
shecamecl
oserandi
nject
edi
tthr
ough
myneck.

"
Ouch"Iwi
ncedali
tt
leandshepul
l
edi
tout
whenshewasdone.

OhGod!
*Stubborngi
rl
*,Ihear
dhersayi
nherheadand
scoffed.

"I
'
m notstubbor
n,okay
?AndIdon'
twannabe
here"Ibl
urt
edandshescof
fed.

"Youshoul
dbegladwewerethefi
rstt
ogety ou.
Else,
you'
dhavebeensomethi
ngelsebynow"
shesaidwit
hasternl
ookandstar
tedwalki
ng
outofther
oom.

Huh?Whatdoesshemeanbyt
hat
?

Iwat
chedinaweandassoonasshel
eft
,
someoneel
secamein.

OhmyGod!
!
"Mum!!
"Ical
ledandrant
oheri
mmedi
atel
y,
get
ti
nglosti
nherarms.

"
Oh!Mybaby
"shecooedandst
rokemyhai
r.

Ibreathedheav
il
yinherar
ms,
final
l
yfi
ndi
ng
rel
i
ef .

"How'r
eyouf eeli
ngnow, dear?Theytol
dme
theyweregonnamaket heheadachesstop"she
saidasweunl ockedfr
om t hehug,herhands
holdi
ngmyf ace.

"
Please,
takemeoutofhere,mum.Idon'
t
wannabehere"Isai
druef
ullyasshet
ookmet
o
t
hebedsowecoul dsitf
acingeachot
her.
"
Cal
i
"shecal
l
edsof
tl
y.
"Iknowyoudon'
twantthi
s.Nobodysawthis
comi ngi
nthef
ir
stpl
ace,but
..
.y
oujustneedto
goalongwithi
t"
.

"
Mum.
..
"

"I
tsbeensignedbyt hegov ernment,Cali
and
youknowi t
.Aslongasy ou'r
eadi ãmônd, y
ou
can'
tstayoutsi
dethiswal l
sunt i
lyou'v
e
completedyourtr
aining.Youwon' tbeableto
copeasamat t
eroff act
.

"Imean,di
dyouseehowt hestudent
swer e
star
ingatyoui
nschool ?Theywereavoiding
youlikeapl
aque.So,i
tsclear
lyimpossiblef
or
youtosurvi
veunlessyouwannast ayindoor
s
f
orther
estofyourl
i
fewhi
chI
'
m sur
eyou
woul
dn'
twannado.

"
Youdon'
thavecontr
olofyourpower
s,y
et.I
mean,
doesn'
ti
tbotheryou?
Youkeephear i
ngdifferentthoughtsandhav ing
theconstantheadaches.Youwon' tbeableto
copewi t
hitoutthere,Cali
.Butov erhere,you
standthechanceoft akingcontrol.You'
llbe
taughttocontr
olyourpower sanduset hem
properl
y.

"Besi
des,it
sniceoverhere.They'
vegot
comfortabl
ebuil
dings,r
ichfoodsandIhear d
theyeventhrowparti
esoncei nawhile.I
ts
goingtobejustli
keyournormal l
i
fe,CaliandI
betyougonnaenj oyi
t.
"Ther
earehundr
edsuponhundredsofst
udent
s
hereandnoneofthem ar
edead.So,
whywould
yourowncasebediff
erent
?"

Shepausedandcuppedmycheeksi
nher
hands.

"
Please,
baby
.Tr
yandunder
stand"
.

Iwhimperedascol
dtear
sst
reameddownmy
cheeks.

Iwhi
mper
edl
i
keababyandshepul
l
edmei
na
hug.

"
Cali
,pl
ease.Stopt
hisi
fyoudon'
twannahurt
me"shestokedmyhairi
nconsol
ati
on,butI
coul
dn'
tst
opcr
ying.

Ij
ustcouldn'
tst
omachi
teasi
l
y.Idi
dn'
twantt
o
behere.

Iweptinherar
msandaft
erawhil
e,we
disent
angl
edfr
om t
hehugandshedri
edof
fmy
tears.

"Comeonnow, ther
e'snoti
me.Weneedt
oget
youregist
ered"shesaidasshet
ookmyhand
andhelpedmeup.

Itr
iedt
ocontr
olmysnif
fl
esaswelef
ttheroom
andgotoutt
owhatseemedli
keapassage.

I
twasal
ongpassagef
il
ledwi
thdi
ff
erent
peopl
ewal
ki
ngbr
iskl
yar
ound.

Il
oweredmygazet
ot hefl
oorasIwal
ked
besi
demum andaf
teralongwalkwegottot
he
'
offi
ce'
.

Ther
eweretwopeopleintheoffi
ceal
ready
di
scussi
ngwit
hthemanager .So,mum andI
hadtosi
tandwaitout
side.

Iclaspedmypal mstogetherasIsatnexttoher
ont helongbenchcl
oset othewallandfedmy
eyeswi ththeumpt
eenpeopl ethatkeptpassi
ng
byliketheyweregoi
ngf orameet i
ngor
somet hing.

Whyt
heheckar
etheymov
ingabout
,huh?
Somewerematuredandhel
dfil
eswhil
esome
werepr
ett
yyoungboysandgir
ls-mostof
whi
chwerewalki
nginpai
rs.

Aparti
cularsetofboy
swalkedpassmeand
oneofthem winkedatme,
makingmewanna
puke.

Ir
olledmyey
esathi
m andhesmi
rkedand
walkedbywi
tht
heother
s.

Isawsomethingel
sethatamusedme-aboy
andagir
lwalkingwi
ththeboy'
shandov
ert
he
l
ady'
sass.

Wt
f!
!
Ar
etheyal
l
owedt
odot
hisar
oundher
e??
?

Hesqueezedt
heassastheywal
kedpassme
andt
heygiggl
edandki
ssed.

Hol
yMol
l
y!

Il
ookedatmum, hopingshewaswatchi
ngthe
wholet
hing.Butunf
ortunat
ely,
shewasbusy
wit
hherphoneandIjustsighedandl
ooked
away.

Suddenl
y,al
adywhowaswal ki
ngli
kea
mosquit
ostupi
dlyspi
l
ledherdr
inkonme.

Li
ke..
.t
hecupofdr
inksheheldf
ell
from her
handandspi
ll
edonmyl egs.
Whatt
hehel
l
???

"Hey!Whati
swrongwit
hy ou?
?",IsnappedasI
sprangonmyfeet
,seet
hingwithanger.

"
Oh!Itwasn'
ti
ntent
ional.Buty
oushoul
d'
ve
l
ear
nttositpr
operl
y,tho"sherepl
i
edand
movedherhai
rbackwar ds.

Ser
iousl
y??

"Haveyougonenut
s?Youspil
ledyourdamn
dri
nkonmeandt hebesty
oucoulddowasrun
yourst
inkymout
haround?"
.Iscof
fed.

"
Cal
lmest
inkyonemor
eti
meandI
'
llt
urny
ou
i
ntoamosquit
o"shef
aci
l
edandmum st
oodup
i
mmediat
ely
.

"Amosquito?That
'squi
tef
unny.CauseIthi
nk
you'
retheonewho'samosquit
oalready"I
chuckl
edandshefumedandt r
ieddoing
whateveri
twasshehadinmind,butmum held
herhand.

"Hey,hey
,what'
sgoi
ngonher e?Pl
ease,
that
'
s
enough"shesai
d,st
il
lholdi
ngthel
ady'
shand
andIchuckl
edandfoldedmine.

"You'r
ejustluckyIli
key ourmother
.Else,y
ou'd
havebeencr awlingont hefl
oorbynow.Any way,
we'resti
llst
uckher etogether
"shestatedi
cil
y,
rol
ledhereyesatmeandwal kedaway .
Arr
ogantbi
*ch,
ithoughtt
omy
sel
fandr
etur
ned
tomyseat.
*
*
TheBl
ackDi
ãmônds
*
*
Hi
ddenPov
:
Istood,
faci
ngt
hewindowwiththegl
assof
wineinmyhandandsuddenl
y,t
hedooropened.

Wit
houttur
ningtol
ookatt
hem,
Ial
readyknew
whytheyweref*
"ki
ngher
e!

"
Sir
"Ihear
dTri
shacal
lbutst
il
ldi
dn'
ttur
nto
l
ookatanyoft
hem.
"
We'r
esor r
y,but
..
.wecouldn'
tgether.The
Whi
teDiãmôndshadt akenheralr
eadybefore
wearr
ived.I
tseemsMi quelhadsensedher
f
ast
erthanus"shesaidandmybl oodboiledat
t
hement i
onofthatname.

"Andthat'
sbecauseyouwer
eanhourf
**ki
ng
l
ate!"Ir
oaredandhitt
hegl
assont
hefl
oor,
crashi
ngittopi
eces.

Theyf
li
nchedandkeptt
hei
rheadsbowed.

"
Ifonlyyou'
dcomeassoonasIcal
l
ed,
thi
s
wouldn'
tbeaprobl
em!
"

"We'
resor
ry.
..
"Dav
isr
epl
i
edandIgr
oanedand
cl
enchedmyhands
"
Gett
hehelloutofmysi
de!Now!
"Iraspedand
t
heyt
urnedaroundandl
efti
mmediatel
y.

Damni
t!
Mi
quel
!!

Ihat
eitwhenhe'
saheadofme!

Ihat
eitwhenheget
swhatI
'
m supposedt
oget
.

If
**ki
nghat
eit
!!

Now,
Imustt
ryt
ogetev
enwi
thhi
m.
*
*
TBC.
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode5

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
"Cal
i,what
'swrongwi
thyou?Whydidy ouhav
e
toexchangewordswi
thher?"Mum askedas
shesatnexttomeandihuffed.

"
Ser i
ously
,mum?What'r
ey out
alki
ngabout
?
Didn'
tyouseewhatshedidtome?Shewasso
rude"Isai
dinapi
ssedmanner.
"Cali
,please.You'
renewher
eandhavetobe
careful
.Justt r
yasmuchaspossi
blet
ostayout
oftrouble,okay?"
.

"
Whatever
"Imutt
eredwi
thaney
erol
land
f
oldedmyhands.

Justthen,
thetwopeopl
eintheoffi
cest
epped
outandIbreat
hedasighofrel
ief
,knowi
ngI'
d
soonbedonewi t
hallt
hese.

Mum andIst
oodupandwentint
otheof
fi
ce
andther
ewemetthechubbyl
ooki
ngmanbusy
wit
hsomefil
es.

"Goodday,si
r.I
'
m backwit
hher"mum sai
dand
Iwonderedwhenshe'smethi
m bef
ore.
"Oh!Pl
ease,
takeaseat
",t
hemanr epl
iedi
na
bri
skandmum andIsatinfr
ontofhim.

Then,hebroughtoutafor
m andst
art
ed
scr
ibbli
ngdownoni t.

"So,you'
re..
..
Cal
iJenner,17y earsol
d,li
ght
skinned,
longhair
,greyey es,mindreader,
banshee...
"Hemur muredal lt
heseashewr ot
e
them downont heform andIcr i
ngedin
amusementoft henecessi t
iesofallt
hose
detail
s.

Whenhewasdone,
hepassedt
hef
ormt
ome
wi
thapen.

"
Her
e;si
gni
t"hesai
dandIsl
owl
ywentt
hrough
t
hedet
ail
sbef
orei
nput
ti
ngmysi
gnat
ure.

Hol
ycr
ap!

"Good.Andwel comet ot
heWhi teDiãmônds
i
nst i
tute,gir
ly.You'l
lbetakentoy ourroom fr
om
hereandi nashor tti
me,anor i
ent ati
onwi l
lbe
heldf orallt
hef resher
s.Endeav ourtobei nitso
youcangett oknowt herul
esandr egulati
ons
guidingt hi
spl acetoavoidgetti
ngi ntotroubl
e.
Everythingyouneedt oknowaboutt hisinsti
tut
e
wil
l behi ghl
ightedattheorientati
on.So, li
keI
said,makesur ey oudon'
tmi ssit.

"Onceagain,
welcomet otheDi
ãmônd's
i
nstit
ute"
,heconcludedwithawarm smil
eand
str
etchedouthishandforahandshakeandI
hesit
atedbefor
etakingi
t.
"Thankyou"Isai
dinami
l
dvoi
ceandqui
ckl
y
coll
ectedmyhand.

"Thankyousomuch,si
r.Ij
usthopeshe'
l
lbe
safeher
e"mum sai
d.

"
Well,
ofcourse.Aslongasshekeepst ot
he
r
ulesandavoidstr
ouble"herepli
edandIr
oll
ed
myeyes,av
oidingmum' sglance.
.

"
She.
..
shewi
l
l.We'
l
lbeonourwaynow"
,

"Hol
don"t hechubbymansai
dandr
eachedf
or
hist
elephone.

Herequest
edthepresenceofsomeoneandi
n
l
essthan60seconds,theper
sonshowedup-a
y
oungboy
.

"Takehert
oherr
oom.Room 9-apar
tment4"
heinst
ruct
edt
heboy.

"
Yes,
sir"
,her
epl
i
edandst
art
edwal
ki
ngoutof
t
heoff
ice.

"Thanky
ousomuch,si
r.We'
l
lbeonourway
now"mum sai
dtot
hechubbyman.

"
Okay
,sur
e.Takecar
eofy
our
sel
f"
.

Andwef
inal
l
ylef
ttheGod-
damnof
fi
ce.

Whoops!
Theboyassignedtot
akemetomyr oom was
al
readyaheadofusandmum andIhadto
hastenourst
epsinor
dert
ocatchupwithhim.

Afterwal
ki
ngthroughthepassageforal
ong
ti
me, wefi
nal
lygotouttotheopenspaceandI
gaspedatthebuil
dingsi
nfrontofme.

Oh-
-my
--God!
!

Itwasmor el
ikei hadent
eredadi
ff
erentwor
ld
assoonaswest eppedoutoft
hepassage
becausethesightinfr
ontofmewas
undescr
ibabl
e.

Hol
yChr
ist
!
I
sthi
swhatt
hei
nst
it
utel
ooksl
i
ke?
?

I
twas.
..
par
adi
se.

Wow!
!

Theplacewassooobigandhadt all
buildings
al
lover.Ther
ewasabigfountai
nf al
linthe
cent
erofthebui
ldi
ng,
bri
ngingoutspar klesasit
fl
owed.

Alotofboy
sandgirl
scouldbespot
tedal
lov
er,
doi
ngonethingort
heother.

I
tlookedmor
eli
keapal
ace.
Woahh!

"Comeon,Cali
.Let'
sgetyourthingsfrom t
he
car"mum br
okei nt
omyfancyt houghtsandI
fol
lowedhertothecarwheresheopenedt he
boothandbroughtoutmybagofcl othes.

Mehn!Thi
ssh*
tisr
eal
.
Theboywhowasleadingusal
sohadtost
op
wal
kingwhenhenoti
cedwe'dst
oppedat
mum'scar
.
"You'l
lbef i
nehere, Cali
.Okay?Ipr omiseto
comev i
siti
ngatev erysli
ghtestoppor t
unityt
hey
give.Remembert obeagoodgi rlandst ayout
oftrouble.Okay?"Mum sai dasshet ouchedmy
cheeksaf fect
ionately
.

Isni
ff
edandsuddenl
ygotmoody
.
"Okay
,mum.Extendmyr egar
dstodadand
Owens"Imumbledandshesmi l
edandbrought
outaneckl
acef
rom herbag.

"Here.Alwayshavethi
swit
hyou.Itshoul
d
remindy ouofmesoy oudon'
tmissme
much, ,
okay?"Shesai
dasshelockedthepret
ty
necklacearoundmyneckandwehuggedaf t
er
that
.

"
Ilov
eyou,
Cal
i
"shewhi
sper
edi
ntomyear
s.

"Lov
eyout
oo,mum"Iwi
ncedandwepul
l
ed
awayfr
om t
hehug.

"
Okay.I
tst
ime.Don'
tkeeptheyoungman
wai
ti
ng"
,shechuckl
edbutIonl
yletoutar
uef
ul
smi
l
easi
sluggi
shl
ycar
ri
edmybags.

Iwav
edatheronel
astt
imeandshef
inal
l
ygot
i
ntot
hecarbef
oreIwal
kedaway
.

Oh,
God!

Thi
shasr
eal
l
yhappened.I
'
m nowal
one!

I
'
mf*
*ki
ngal
one.

"Hur
ryup,
mi ss.I
'v
egototherthingst
odo"the
boysai
dimpat i
entl
yandconti
nuedwal ki
ng
awayandIjustwatchedhi
m wi t
houtsayi
nga
word.

Ikeptmygazeont
hef
loor
,thi
nki
ngofwhatmy
l
i
fewoul
dbei
nthei
nst
it
ute.

HowdoIcope?

St
il
lwalki
ng,
Isawsomet
hingt
hatgr
ippedmy
at
tent
ion.

Woahhh

Agroupofgi
rl
sweregat
her
edandoneoft
hem
wasmakingl
ight
swit
hourhands.

Like.
..
thecrownofspar
kli
ngli
ghtjustkept
rotat
inginherhandwhi
letheothersgi
ggled.

Itwassobeauti
ful
,buttoobad,
Icouldn'
t
admirei
tforl
ongasar esul
toftheboywho
wasmov
ingl
i
keacar
.

Wewal kedforalongt
imeandfinal
l
ygottoa
part
icul
arapart
mentthatwasdazzl
ingl
y
beauti
ful
.

Wow!

Wehadt ot
akethestai
rs,
comingacrossalot
ofpeopl
eandfi
nall
y,wegott
ot he"
Roy al
"room.

Hah!
Atl
ast
.

"
That
'sy
ourr
oom"t
heboysi
mpl
ysai
dandl
eft
.
Hm.

Il
ookedatther
oom andconf
ir
medi
twas
i
ndeedroom 9.

Itooki
nadeepbreathandwasaboutopeni
ng
thedoorwhenIhear
dstrangev
oices.

Hol
don;
itdi
dn'
tev
enoccurt
ome.

Woul
dIbest
ayi
ngal
one?OrI
'
dact
ual
l
yhav
e
r
oom mat
es?

Ifl
inchedatthesoundIwasheari
ngbecause
theydidn'
tseem t
obenormal.I
tactual
l
y
seemedt obe..
.
Itur
nedtheknobandsl
owlypushedthedoor
openandmyey esdr
oopedatthesi
ghtinfr
ont
ofme.

Whaaaat
???

Twol
adi
es.
..
.Ont
hebed.
..
.

Maki
ngout
???

Hol
yMoll
y!Pl
ease,
don'
ttel
lmet
hesear
emy
r
oom mat
es.
*
*
TBC
Who'
sreadyt
owel
comet
heKi
ngoft
hest
ory
??
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode6

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
If
li
nchedi
nhor
ror
.

Whatt
heheck?
?

Theoneontopwasfi
nger
ingt
heotherwhil
e
sucki
ngherb*
*bsasshemoanedunderher
ar
ms.

Butassoonast
heysawme,
theygotsepar
ated
i
mmedi at
ely
.

"Whatt
hef**
k?Ar eyourhandsmissi
ngoryou
act
uall
ydon'
tknowhowt oknock?"Theone
whowasbeingfinger
edsaidbutIcoul
dn'
trepl
y
asIwastooshockedtodoso.

"I
sshedumborwhat ?"Sheaskedagai
nandthe
otherj
umpeddownfrom thebedandwrapped
atowelar
oundherbody.

Itwasabunkbedandt
hey
'dbeenusi
ngt
heone
atthet
op.
"Letmeguess?You'
rethenewrommie?"she
askedasshestoodi
nfrontofme,pl
aci
ngher
ri
ghthandonherwaist
.

"Wel
l.
..
thatdependsbecause.
..
Idon'tt
hinkI
wannabear oom mat eher
e"Irepl
i
edandt he
oneatthetopscoffed.

Shewasst
il
ll
yi
ngst
arknak*
dont
hebed.

"
What'
sy ourr
oom number
?"Theonei
nfr
ontof
measked.

"Well
..
.t
hemanhadsaidit'
sroom 9.ButI
wannabeli
evehe'
smistaken"Ir
epli
edandshe
chuckl
ed.
"You'r
enotmi staken,sweet
ie.Welcometothe
family.That
'syourbed.Andy oucankeepyour
clot
hesov erthere"sherepl
i
ed,pointi
ngoutto
thelocati
ons.

Woah!So.
..
thi
sisr
eal
l
ymyr
oom?

*Gosh!Lookatherbi
gb**
bs*
,ihear
dhersayi
n
herheadandIwidenedmyey
esather.

Shesmi
ledandbi
therl
owerlipandIscof
fed
andwal
kedaway,
goingtokeepmybags.

"Comeon,hon.Let
'sf
ini
shwhatwestart
ed"t
he
oneonthebedsaidandsheret
urnedt
othebed
tomeether.
AsIkeptmybags,myeyesr
ani
ntot
hem
ki
ssi
ngandIfel
tli
kepuki
ng.

Hol
yChr
ist
!!
!

Theykissedsor oughl
yandsoon, t
heoneon
toptookherfacet oherlegsandstar
ted
suckingfr
om it-herp**sy.

Mot
herOfGod!
!!

Ididn'
tcar
etocheckanyotherthi
nginthe
room asIqui
ckl
ymadef orthedoor,
unabl
eto
standthesi
ghtanymore.

"
Oh,
myGod!Cami
l
e..
.
"
Ah!Yes.
..
yes.
..

Ohmygee"theonebel
owmoaned,
obv
iousl
y
enj
oyi
ngi
t.

Isl
ammedthedoorasIgotoutandt
ooki
na
ver
ydeepbr
eat
h.

Whatt
heheck?
??

Idon'
tunder
stand.

Lesbi
ans?
??

Whythef
**kdoIhavet
obesounf
ort
unat
eto
hav
ethem asr
oom mates?
Ipl
acedmyhandonmychestandpant
ed.

It
houghtt
hey'recal
l
edtheWhi t
eDiãmônds?
Shoul
dn'
ttheybemor eli
kesai
ntsorsomethi
ng?
Whyam Iseeingsomethingdi
ff
erent
?

Itooki
naf i
nalbr
eathanddeci
dedtogost
ay
somewhereelsefort
hemeanti
me.Butcometo
thi
nkofit
,I'
m act
uall
yver
yhungry
.

Ihav
en'
teat
ensi
ncemor
ning.

It
urnedar
oundtowal
kawaywhenIsawa
st
artl
i
ngsi
ght.

What
???
"
M..
.Mum?
"Ist
utt
ered,
conf
used.

Iscoff
edandi
tchedmyey
est
obesur
eIwasn'
t
dreaming.

Shewaswal
ki
ngt
owar
dsme,
smi
l
ing.

"Baby
!"Shecal
l
edandi
mmedi
atel
y,Ir
ani
nto
herarms.

"OhmyGod!!Mum!!"Icall
edinexci
tementasi
huggedherandshelaughed.

"Wh..
.What'r
eyoudoi
nghere,mum?Imean. .
.I
thoughtyou'
velef
tal
ready
?And..howdi
dy ou
knowt heroadt
omyr oom?"Iaskedcur
iousl
y,
i
gnor
ingt
hef
ewst
udent
sthatwer
epassi
ngby
.

*Fool*Ihear
dhersayi
nherhearandIbecame
confused.

Huh?

"Iactual
lycamet ot
ell
yousomethingimport
ant
,
dear.Iactual
l
ycamet otel
lyouyou'r
every
stupi
d"shesai dandmyjawsdropped.

Imovedbackal i
tt
le,t
aki
ngaproperl
ookather
andsuddenl
y,Iheardherl
aughi
nherhead.

"You.
..y
ou'
renotmymum" ,Isai
d,shaki
ngmy
headandshelaughedout
.
"Ofcour
se,I
'm not.Icanneverbeamot hertoa
spoil
tbr
atli
key ou"sherepli
edandhitme
l
ightl
yontheheadandaf t
erwar
ds,t
ransformed
i
ntosomeoneel se.

Whaaaaat
???

Ir
ecoi
l
edi
nhor
ror
.

Sheactual
l
ychangedint
oay oungl
ady-t
he
sameladythat
'dspi
l
leddri
nkonmeawhi l
eago.

"
You?
??"Ical
l
edi
nshock.

"Yes-me.Ijustneededtogetbackatyouby
play
ingwithyouremotions"sher
epl
iedandmy
eyeswidenedmor e.
"
Holdon.
.howdidyoudot
hat??
?"If
ound
mysel
faskingi
nst
eadofbei
ngangry.

"Well.
.i
tsmyowngi f
t.AslongasI'v
ehad
contactwi t
hsomeone,Icantr
ansformint
o
his/herfaceany
timeIwant"sherepli
edwit
ha
shrugandIgasped.

"Woahhh!
!Li
keser
iousl
y??
?That
'si
ncr
edi
ble!
"I
excl
aimed.

"
Yeah.
..
thanks"sher
epl
i
edwi
thaney
erol
l
.

Now, Iremember
.Mum hadheldherhandwhil
e
tr
yingtosepar
ateus.So,
that
'showshe'dmade
contactwit
hher?
"Anyway,nextt
ime,besurenottoplaysuch
pranksonme, t
ho"Iwarnedwithlesseff
ectin
myv oiceandsheroll
edhereyesagain.

"Um..
.bytheway,doyouwhereIcanget
somethingtoeat
?"Iaskedandshegavemea
star
efrom headt
ot oe.

"
Hmm.Guessy ou'
rewort
hhel
ping.Comewit
h
me"sher
epli
edandstar
tedwal
kingawayandI
f
oll
owedbehi
nd.
*
*
Shet
ookmetotheamazingcaf
eter
iawhi
ch
wast
hreet
imesthesei
zeofmyroom.

Gosh!
I
twasclassicandwasfi
ll
edwithot
herst
udent
s
butl
ucki
ly
,itwasn'
tent
ir
elynoi
sy.

Thef l
oorsweregl
assyandsamewer ethewal
ls
thatIcouldact
ual
l
yseemyr ef
lect
ioninthem.

Ever
yonewasseatedneatl
yonat abl
e,
di
scussi
ngwithhi
s/herpart
ner(s)whi
leeat
ing
andgosh!Theywereal
ldressedsoneatl
yand
cl
assy.

Thel
adyl
eadi
ngmet ookmetotherecept
ion
wher
eImetaboutf
ourladi
esdr
essedunif
ormly
.

Therewer
eot
herst
udent
saswel
l
,pl
aci
ng
order
s.
"
Orderany
thi
ngyouwant.I
tsf
ree"t
hel
ady
l
eadi
ngmesaidandIgasped.

Whaaaat
?

"
F..
.Fr
ee?
"Iasked,
stunned.

"Yes,
doll
.Ever
ythi
ngi
sfr
ee-court
esyoft
he
government
"sherepl
i
edandIshookmyheadi
n
amusement.

Wow!
!!Thi
sisi
ncr
edi
ble.
Itookthemenufrom t
hetabl
eandscannedmy
eyesthroughi
tandfi
nall
yset
tl
edforsome
cheesefri
esandeggs.
"
Wei
rdcombi
nati
on"thel
adysai
daf
teri
'
dtol
dit
t
ooneoft
heatt
endants.

I
twasgi
vent
ometoget
herwi
thadr
inkandI
f
oundi
tamusi
ngt
heydi
dn'
taskf
oradime.

Areyoukiddingme?
?Thissh*tisr
eal
!So,
anyonecaneatasmuchashe/ shewant
s
wit
houtthinki
ngoft
hecost?

Wow!
!

Theladyal
soor
der
edhersandaf
terwhi
ch,
we
l
ookedforanempt
ytabl
etouse.

"So,
what'
syourname?"Sheaskedaswesat
down,f
aci
ngeachother.
"
Cal
i
.Andy
ou?
"Ir
epl
i
ed.

"
Well
...
I'
m Di
aneandI'
m alsoaf
resher
.So,
what
'syourgi
ft
?"Sheasked.

"Accor
dingtot
hem -I
'
m ami
ndr
eaderanda
banshee".

"Woah!You'
readoubl
edi
amond!
!"She
excl
aimed.
Huh?

"Adiamondwi
thdoubl
egi
ft
s.Wow!It
hinkI
envyyou"
.

What
ever
.
"Thatremi ndsme-whyi sthi
splacecal
l
edt he
whi t
eDi ãmôndswhenuni maginabl
eact
st akes
placeher e?Imean..
.shouldn'
tyoubemor eof
anangel andall
that
? "Iaskedandshebust ed
i
nt olaughter.

Okay
..
.what
'sf
unny
?

"
Oh,mygee!You'
resof
unny
,gi
rl
"shesai
dwi
th
ali
tt
lel
aught
er.

"Well..
.any
onewoul dt
hinkthesame,
but..
.simplybecauset
hey'r
ecall
edWhite
Diãmôndsdoesn' tmeanthey'
recomplet
ely
saint
s.Al t
hough..
.t
hey
'rebett
erthant
heBlack
Diãmônds" .
"
TheBl
ackDi
amonds?
"Ir
epeat
ed.

"Yes,t
heyalsohavet heBlackDiãmônds.
Accordi
ngtot hestor
yIhear d,
theyusedt obe
onebefore-justDiamonds.Butt heyhada
massiveproblem whichledtothem being
spli
tt
edandhence-Whi t
eandBl ackDi ãmônds.

"
TheWhit
eDi ãmôndsfocusesmor eonhel
ping
t
hegover
nmentandothercleanorgani
zati
ons,
whi
l
etheBlackDiãmônd'sfocusesonhel
ping
t
hebadguys.

"Forinstance,t
heremightbeashi pcontaining
goldsandsi lv
erwhichshoul dbeusefultothe
government .TheWhiteDiãmôndswoul dgot o
clai
mt hegol dtotheshi
pt odeli
verittothe
government ,whil
etheBlackDiãmôndswoul d
got oclaimtheshiptodeliveri
ttothebadguy s
andi
nthepr
ocess,
ther
e'dbeaf
ight
".

"
Hol
don"Icuti
n.
"
Dot
heysendt
hei
rst
udent
sonmi
ssi
ons?
"

"Yes-ofcourse.Assoonaswebegi nour
trai
ning,
we'll
besentonmi ssi
onsf r
om ti
met o
ti
mesowecanper fectourgif
ts"sherepl
ied
andIscof f
ed.

Li
ke.
..
ser
iousl
y??
?

"So,t
heBlackDiãmôndsar emor elikethebad
guysanditsbeenimpossibleforthe
governmenttobri
ngthem downbecauset hey
alsohaveheavysponsorsinthegov ernment-
yeah.They'
resomesecretpeoplei nthe
governmentwho'r
estronglysupportingthem
andt
hey
'r
epar
toft
hebadguy
stheywor
kfor
.

"I
nanut shel
l,theWhiteDiãmôndsandBl ack
Diãmôndsar eswornenemi es.TheWhite
Diãmôndshel psthegovernment,whil
ethe
BlackDiãmôndshel psthebadguy swhoar e
al
soi nthegov er
nment"sheconcludedand
gulpedfrom herdri
nkwhileIcogit
atedont he
story.

Wow!I
tjustl
eftmespeechl
ess.

"So.
..
thet
woDiãmôndsar
eenemies?
"Iasked
andshenoddedandat
efr
om hermeal.

Hm.Thestor
ywasindeedi
ncr
edi
ble,
dri
vi
ngmy
ver
yat
tent
ionar
oundit.
TheBl ackDi
ãmônds.Iwonderwhattheylook
l
ike.AndIhopeIdon'tgett
obeonanyst upid
missionthat
'dwar
rantmegetti
ngint
oaf ight
withthem.

Gosh!Imaybebad-
mout
hed,
butIhat
esuch
fi
ght
s.

"Comeon,Cal
i.Eatup.Theori
entat
ionmight
star
tany
timesoon"shesaidandIshruggedout
ofmythought
sandst art
edeati
ng.

Thestorykeptri
ngi
nginmyheadasIt
ri
edto
fi
cti
onit.Ican'
tbel
i
evethi
sist
hel
if
eI'
l
lbe
l
ivi
ngfrom nowon.

But
..
.dot
heyr
eal
l
ygr
aduat
e?
*
*
"Ohmygeeeee!"Aladysuddenl
yscr
eamedin
thecafet
eri
aandbeforeI
'dli
ftmyey
estoher
dir
ecti
on,Di
aneal
sogasped.

What
'shappeni
ng?
?

"He'
shere!
!!
"Shesai
dinali
ghtscr
eam,
cover
inghermouthwit
hherpal
msandI
noti
cedevery
onewasnowstari
ngatthedoor
.

Iturnedimmediatelyt
ohav ealookandsawa
boydr essedi
nwhi tewalki
ngint
othecafet
eri
a,
withtwoboy sbehindhim.

Igaspedasmyspoonf
ell
from myhand
i
mmedi at
ely
.
OhmyGod!
!

It
hinkI
'
m dr
eami
ng.
*
*
TBC
Awwn
Andf
inal
l
y,he'
sar
ri
ved.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )
Epi
sode8

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Myheartski
ppedandev
enDi
anebesi
deme
f
li
nched.

"
Cal
i
"shegr
owl
edmyname.
"
Whathav
eyoudone?
"

Il
ookedatherandshrugged,
compl
etel
yhav
ing
noideawhatwasgoingon.

Ther
estoft
hest
udent
swer
ewat
chi
ngi
n
amusementwi
thanexpr
essi
onof"
she'
sdead"
.

Whatt
heheck?

"
Arey
oudeaf?Comeov er
!"Theboysai
d
i
mpat
ient
lyandIf
inal
l
ywentov ert
omeett
hem.

TheMiquelguywasstar
ingatme-gi
vi
ngmea
ver
ydark,col
dlook.

"Thi
sisn'tamov
ie.Y'
al
lcanleave"t
hesecond
boyannouncedandtherestoft
hestudent
s
star
tedleavi
ngt
hehall
.

Okay
..
.what
'sgoi
ngon?
Whatdot
heywantwi
thme?
"You"t
hefi
rstboysai
dandcamet
ost
and
proper
lyi
nfrontofme.
"
Taket
hegum outofy
ourmout
h".

Huh?

Ifurr
owedmybr owsandr
emember
edi
was
actual
lychewi
ngagum.

Oh!I
sthi
sreal
l
yther
easonhe.
..

Gosh!

Iopenedmymout
handbr
oughtoutt
hegum.

"
Fixi
tint
oyourhai
r"
,hei
nst
ruct
edandIscof
fed.
Li
keser
iousl
y??
?

"Why?"Iaskedi
nari
dicul
edwayandt
he
secondboyscoff
ed.

"Askmeonemoreti
meandI'
ll
makesur
eyou
useyourt
onguei
nst
ead"t
heonei
nfr
ontofme
said.

Il
ookedatMi
quel
andhest
il
lhadt
hatdar
klook
st
ari
ngatme.

Ir
oll
edthegum andf
ixedi
tint
omyhai
r,f
eel
i
ng
soangr
y.

"
Good.Nextt
ime,
youdon'
tchewgum when
you'r
einf r
ontofhi
m.Itport
raysdisr
espect
.I'
m
onlylet
ti
ngy ougounpuni
shedbecausey ou
clear
lydidn'
tknowaboutit
.Butnexttime,a
secondmi stakewon'
tbeaccepted."

"Andyoudon'tl
ookathim di
rectl
yint
heey es"
thesecondboysaidandIsnortedandtookmy
gazetothefl
oor.

"
Youcanl
eav
e"t
heonei
nfrontofmesai
dandI
t
ooki
nadeepbr
eat
handturnedar
ound.

*whatanass*Ihear
dhim sayi
nhisheadand
qui
cklyt
urnedtoshoothi
m astar
e.

Whatt
heheck?
?
Ihuf
fedandconti
nuedwal ki
ngaway ,pray
ingI
don'
ttr
iporsomethi
ngandt hankful
l
y, Iwas
abl
etoleavethehal
lsuccessful
l
y.

Gosh!
Tomygr eat
estsurpr
ise,
Ifoundmostoft he
student
sli
nger
ingaroundtheentrance-l
i
ke
theywereal
lwait
ingforfeedbackorsomethi
ng.

Geez!

"
Cal
i
!"Di
anecal
l
edandr
ant
omei
mmedi
atel
y.

Thankgoodness.

"Hey
!Areyouokay?Whatt
hehell
happened?
"
Sheaskedcur
iousl
yasshehel
dmyhand.
"Hesaiditwasdisr
espect
ful
tochewagum in
frontoft
heking"Ir
epli
edwit
haney er
oll
and
dippedmyf i
ngersi
ntomyhair,
try
ingt
opull
out
thegum.

Gosh!Whatamesst
heymademedi
d.

"Aww!Sosor r
yaboutthat
.Itact
uall
yoccur
red
tome,y ouknow?I'mreal
lysorr
y"she
apol
ogizedrepeat
edly
.

'
Yeah..
it
sfine.Youdon'
tneedt
owor
ry"Ir
epl
i
ed
per
functor
ily

"Thankgoodnessitdi
dn'
tgobeyondt
hat
.Come
onnow, l
et'
sfi
nishupourmeal"
.
"
Yeah.
..
I'
m pr
ett
yhungr
y".

Andwewal kedawaytot
hecafeandal
ongthe
way,t
hathandsomefacekeptr
epl
ayi
nginmy
head.

Gosh!I
'
dnev
erf
orgett
hel
ookoft
hat
.
*
*
Naomi
'
sPov
"
Damnit
!Youwor
kli
keasnai
l
!"Iy
ell
edt
othe
l
adyi
nfr
ontofmewhowasfi
xi
ngmynail
s.

Gosh!
"I
'
m sor
ry,
ma'
am.Ij
ustwanti
ttobeper
fect
"
sheshi
ver
edi
nherr
eply
.

"Well
,j
ustshutupandwor
k!"Isnappedather
andshenoddedandconti
nuedwor ki
ngwit
h
ult
imatecar
eful
ness.

Well
,j
usti
ncasey
ou'
rewonder
ing,
I'
m Naomi
andI'
mthefemal
ebossar
oundhere.

Mydadispartofthegover
nmentandabi
g
st
akeholderi
ntheWhit
eDiãmôndsyst
em and
asaresult
,noonemesseswit
hme.

Youcancal
lmeallyouwant-r
ude,
grumpy
,
bi
tch-what
ever
.Idon'
tgi
veadamn.
Butj
ustnev
ermesswi
thme

Yes-unl
essy
ouwantt
obebur
iedt
henextday
.

Alt
hough,I
'mjustasingledi
amond-havi
ngthe
abi
li
tytofr
ysomeone' sbrai
n-I
'
m st
il
lokaywit
h
i
tandev er
yoneadoresme.
Theyknowbet
ternott
omesswi
thme.

Shortl
y,mysquadwal
kedi
n-y
es.Myt
hreebest
fr
iends.

Al
though,al
lthel
adi
eswantstobemyf r
iends,
I
'mverychoosyandcan'
tassoci
atewi
thno
l
owli
fe.

"
Hey
,pr
ett
y"Nat
ali
ecal
l
edandasmal
lsmi
l
e
t
ouchedmyl
i
ps.

Hm.Il
ovei
twhent
heypr
aiseme.

"
Hil
over
s",Ir
epl
i
edwi
thawi
nkandt
heycame
t
osi
tbesideme.

"
What
'sup?
"Iv
yasked.

"Gosh!I
'
m sot
ir
edalready
.Thislady
'sj
ust
pissi
ngmeoff
"Irepl
i
edgr umpil
y.

"Chil
l
axNaomi.She'
sdoingagr
eatwor
k"Bet
ty
saidandIr
oll
edmyey es.

What
ever
.
"Haveyouheardofthenewgir
lincamp?"She
askedimmediatel
yandIqui
cklytur
nedt
ol ook
ather.

"
Whatnewgi
rl
?"Ii
nqui
red.

"Wel
l,
she'sami ndr
eaderandabansheeandis
qui
tebeauti
ful
.She'
sgotakil
lershapeand.
..
"

"
Enough!
!!
"Ir
oar
edi
nanger
.
"Howdarey
ou,Bet
ty?Howdareyougive
someoneel
sesuchprai
seswhenI'
m here?
?"

"
Oh!I
'
m sorr
y,Naomi.Iwasjust
..
.t
ryi
ngt
ogi
ve
y
ouaperf
ectdescr
ipti
on".
"
No!I
sshepr
ett
iert
hanme?
??Huh?
??"

"
Of.
..
cour
se,
not
"sher
epl
i
edandscof
fed.

"Hey,
Naomi.I
t'
sokay.Bet
tydi
dn'
tmeanany
harm"Nat
ali
echippedi
nandIexhal
eddeepl
y
andsatpr
operl
y.

Whatever
!Ihat
eitwhensomeoneel
sei
sbei
ng
pr
aised.

"
Wel
l
...
"Iv
ysai
d.
"
Ihear
dMiquelhadbeenst
ari
ngatherdur
ing
t
oday'
sor
ient
ati
on"

Iheardal
oudthudinmyheadasmyey
es
widenedi
nshock.
Isl
owl
ytur
nedt
olookather
.

"
WHATDI
DYOUJUSTSAY?
?"

Ipi
ckedmywor
dsandsheshr
ugged.

"Oneofthel
adieswhohadattendedhad
test
if
iedtoi
t.Shesai
dshe'
dseenhi m st
areat
heronce-whenshefredherhair
".

"Noooooooo"Ispr
angonmyf
eetand
screamed.

"Noooo!
!Whothef"*
kisshe??
??Who? ?
?Iwant
herdeadoroutoft
hiscamp!I
'l
lfr
yherbrai
ns-I
swear!
!!
"
'
Naomi
!Comeon"Nat
ali
esai
dandst
oodup.
"Youdon'
tneedtopani
covert
his.Weal lknow
Miquel
.He'scol
d-hear
tedandcan'tfal
li
nl ov
e.
Imean..
.t
hat'
sal
mostimpossi
ble,r
ight?
"

"No,Nat al
ie.I
tspossible.I
tspossi
blebecause
I
'll
makehi mfalli
nlov ewithme.Miquelis
mine!!Nomat t
erwhat ,he'
smine!AndI'l
lki
llany
mot her
f* *
kerthatt
riest opl
aywithme"Isaidin
deepbr eathsandfistedmyhand.
*
*
Abel
'
sPov
:
Isatal
onei
nthesi
tt
ingroom,
keepi
ngmy
sel
f
busywit
hadri
nkandtheTVaswell
.
Miquelwasr
esti
ngorpr
obablypai
nti
nginhi
s
r
oom andthatwast
hereasonIhadalit
tl
eti
me
t
or est
.

Shor
tl
y,t
hel
adycameout
,adj
ust
ingherski
rt
.

Oops!

Shest
aredatthef
loorbashful
l
yandwalked
passmetothedoor,openi
ngitandl
eav
ing
i
mmediatel
y.

Geez!Icoul
dimagi
nethepai
nsshemustbe
feel
i
ngr i
ghtt
her
ebetweenherl
egs.

Wel
l
,Zacki
sn'
tthegent
let
ypei
nbed.
Afterawhi
l
e,heal
socameoutandj
oinedmein
thesit
ti
ngr
oom,hi
shandsworki
ngonhisbel
t.

"Hey,buddy
.What '
sup?Justsawt
hebi
tch
pass"Ismirked.

"Yeah.
..
andshewasdamnt i
ghtandsweet.
Goodthingwit
hallt
hesef
resher
s"herepl
i
ed
andwechuckled.

Well
,get
ti
ngladi
estof
*"ki
sneveraprobl
em to
us-notwhenwe'r
eMiquel
'
sspecial
guards.

BeingMiquel
'
sguar
dshasbroughtal
otof
respectt
ousandweseeitasanhonor
.

"
Hey
,di
dyousayt
hatcr
azyassl
adyatt
he
ori
entat
ion?TheoneMi quel
hadinstr
uct
edus
tomakeherpinhergum inherhair
.Didyou
noti
cehershape?"Iaskedexci
tedl
y.

"Yeah.
.ofcour
se,Idid.Whowouldn'
t?Herass
andb**bsweresobi gandwouldsurebounce
welli
nbed"her epl
i
edandwechuckl ed.

Justt
her
epl
yIneededt
omot
ivat
eme

"So,
Wat '
sup?Youwanther
?"Heaskedashe
pouredhi
mselfadr
ink.

"Yes,buddy.If*
*kj
ngneedher.Ineedto
squeezemybal lsi
ntot
hatbigassofherand
f**kherti
ll
shegaspsforai
r"Irepl
iedwit
h
desir
escloudingme.
"Woahhhh!That
'sharsh,
dude"hel
aughedwhil
e
Ij
ustsmirkedbecauseIwasdamnserious.

"Any
way,
whendoy ouwanther?Toni
ght
?Just
l
etmeknowandcountmei n"herepl
i
edandI
smil
edwi
thsat
isf
acti
on.

Icoul
dn'
twai
t.
*
*
TBC.
Hmm.Saucy
,ri
ght
?

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode9

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Aftereati
ngwithDiane,
,
sheshowedmeround
theinsti
tut
e,butofcour
se,wedidn'
tgoi
ntot
he
restr
ict
edplacestho.

Igottoseethegar
den, swimmingpool
s,
dif
fer
entapart
ments,recessi
onalar
easandj
n
theend,Igott
oconfesst hei
nsti
tut
ewasdamn
toomassive.
Hm.Bursomehow,
Ist
il
lmissedmyf
ami
l
yand
wi
shedIcoul
dgett
oseethem.

Di
aneandIspentalongtimetoget
her,t
alki
ng
most
lyaboutoursel
vesandIgottoknowshe's
ani
cepersonandhadactual
lybeeninthe
i
nst
it
uteforf
ivedaysnow.
Nowondersheseemst
oknowal
otal
ready
.

Aft
eralongwhil
eandithasgottendark,
we
deci
dedtogoourseparat
er oomsandhav e
somerest.Toobadwewer en'
troom mates.

Shef
oll
owedmet omydoorst
epsoshe'
dknow
wher
eIstayandatt
hatpoi
nt,
Iwi
shedshe
woul
dn'
tgo.

"
ByeCal
i
"shewav
edatme.
"By
ee.We'l
lseet
omorrow,t
hen"Ir
epl
i
edand
shesmil
edandwalkedaway.

Oops!
!IguessnowI
'
mlef
tal
one.

Isighedandopenedt
hedoor
,goi
ngi
ntomy
room.

Please,
justtel
lmet hosel
esbi
anani
mal
sar
e
backtotheirsensesbynow.

Igotint
otheroom andi
nhal
edt
hesweet
fr
agrancethatwel
comedme.

Hm.I
tbr
oughtasweetgl
owt
omycheeks.
Theli
ght
sweretur
nedonandIcoul
dseet
he
peopl
einther
oom.

Oh!Notpeopl
e-butj
ustoneper
son.Oneoft
he
l
esbi
ans.

Shewasl
yi
ngont
hebed,
readi
ngabook.

Hm.Wher
e'sherpar
tner
,huh?

"
Hey
"herey
essmi
l
edupatme.

Icoul
drecal
l-shewast
hesameladyt
hat'
s
beenadmiri
ngmyshapewhenInewl
yarr
ived.

"Wherehavey
oubeen,huh?Wedi
dn'
tgett
o
seeyouall
day"sheadded.
"Yeah..
.I
'
v ebeenbusy
"Irepl
iedsi
mplyandt
ri
ed
goingtomybedt osi
twhenshejumpeddown
from hersandstoodi
nfrontofme.

Huh?

"
Hi"shesmi
l
eduncanni
l
yandt
ouchedherhi
ps.

Shewasputt
ingonj
ustashi
rtandl
eftherp*
nt
exposed.

"You.
.di
dn'
ttel
lmewher
eyou'
vebeen"shesai
d
andtouchedmyhai
r.

"
Wow!Il
ovey
ourhai
r"
.
"Yeah.
..
thanks"ir
epl
i
edwithfur
rowedbr
ows
andtri
edwal ki
ngaway,
butsheheldmeback
bythearm.

"
Comeon,gir
ly.I
tsj
ustbot
hofusinthe
r
oooooom"shesaiddr
amatical
l
yandIscof
fed.

"
Yeah.
..
andso?
"Iasked.
"
Urgh!Comeon..
.don'
tactli
keyoudon'
tknow
whatImean"shegrumbledandli
ckedherl
ips,
t
hencamecloserme.

"Youknow..
.I
'
llt
ell
yout
het
rut
h"shesai
d
seduct
ivel
y.
"
You'v
egotar eall
yniceshapeandwill
dogr eat
i
nbed.Forgetthebit
chyou'dseenmewi t
ha
whi
leago.Shemeansnot hingtome.You'r
et he
r
ealdeal
,gir
l.AndIwannaeaty ouup"shesaid
wi
thsomuchobscur
it
ies,
amusi
ngmet
he
more.

Whatt
heheck?
?

Shebroughtherl
i
psver
yclosetomineandwas
aboutki
ssingmewhenIpushedheraway.

"St
ayawayfrom me.I
'
m notal
esbi
an,
okay
?"I
sai
dir
ri
tat
ingly
.

"Don'
tworryabouti
t,baby.Icanmakeyouone"
shesaidandtri
edcomi ngformeagai
nbutI
pushedher.
Kindl
yHiNovel
sRepubl
icon+2348055889183
onWhatsApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgroup
andgetPDFli
nks
"Wai
tforyourbi
tchandwhenshe'
sback,you
caneatherup"Ist
atedangr
il
yandj
ustthen,
the
dooropened.

Ah!Per
fect
.

It
urnedtohaveal ook,
expecti
ngitt
obeher
mateorsomet hi
ng.But.
..
itwassomeoneel
se-
adif
fer
entladyI'
dseen.

Oh!

Theladyi
nfr
ontofmefumedandr
oll
edher
eyesatmebefor
egoi
ngtosi
tonherbed.

Iwatchedtheot
herpret
tyl
adyasshewalkedi
n
qui
etlyandwenttost
rai
ghttoherbed,
mindi
ng
herbusi
ness.

Shereachedforherbag,
broughtoutabook
andstart
edreadi
ng.

Hm.Shel
ookedcal
m andqui
et.

Isatonmybedwhi
chwasf
aci
ngher
sand
star
edather
.

"Hi
"Ifoundmysel
fsayi
ngoutt
oher,butshe
onl
ygav emeastareandt
ookherey
esbackt o
herbook.

Huh?I
sshebei
ngsnobbi
shorqui
et?

Ir
oll
edmyey
esandl
aidonmybed,
nothav
ing
i
nter
esti
nreadi
ngordoi
ngsomet
hingel
se.

Ist
aredupattheceil
i
nganddecidedt
ojust
thi
nk-thi
nkaboutanythi
ngatal
l
.

Ithoughtaboutmyfami
ly-whati
twoul
d'v
e
beenlikehavi
ngdi
nnerwit
hthem t
oday
.

It
houghtaboutt
heoutsi
deworl
dandsomany
ot
herthi
ngsandkindawi
shedIwasn'
ther
e.

Butsuddenl
y,It
houghtofhi
m andmywi
shes
changed.

Yes-hi
m.Mi
quel
.

Wi
thhowqui
ethewas,
itwasi
mpossi
blef
or
someonetogetcloset
ohi
m andpr
obabl
y
becomefr
iends.

Butt
obesi
ncer
e,Ir
eal
l
ydol
i
kehi
m al
ot.

Imean.
..
he'
sjustt
oohandsomet
obet
rue.

Thoseey es,l
i
ps,stat
ure,
aur
a,
respect
..
.ever
ythi
ng!

Iwonderwhyhe'sal
way
sact
ingt
hatway
.Bei
ng
soquietandgr
umpy.

Gosh

Iwassti
llt
hinkingaboutt
hewhol
ethi
ngwhena
knocksuddenlycameuponthedoor.
"Who'sit
?"Thelesbi
anladyatt
het
opoft
hebed
asked,soundi
ngangered.

"I
sthi
sther
oom ofoneCal
iJenner
?"Sheasked
andmyeyesdi
mmed.
Huh?
?

"
Arey
ouCal
i?
"Shelookeddownatmef
rom t
he
t
opwher
eshesatandasked.

"Y.
..
yes"Idr
ewmyr
epl
yandst
oodupt
ogett
he
door.

Iopenedi
tandf
oundast
rangel
adyst
andi
ngi
n
fr
ontofme.
"Ar
ey outheonelooki
ngf
orme?
"Iasked,
sti
l
l
hol
dingthedoor.

"
Nope.They
'r
eout
side"sherepl
i
edandst
art
ed
wal
ki
ngawayandIscoffed.

They
??

Whoi
nthi
sGod-
damni
nst
it
utecoul
dbel
ooki
ng
f
ormenow?

Isighedanddeci
dedt
ochecki
tout
,fol
l
owi
ng
theladybehi
nd.

Iwalkedoutoftheapar
tmentandIf
oundt
he
boyswaiti
ngthere.
Iknewtheywer
etheonesbecauset
hel
ady
si
gnall
edmeso.

Hol
don;
isn'
ttheseMi
quel
guar
ds?
??

Huh?
?

Whyr
etheyl
ooki
ngf
orme?
*
*
TBC.
Forthoseofy oubeingconfusedaboutt he
bansheest uff,don'
tgetittwi
sted.Iknowwhat
abansheef ull
ymeansandIknowt heyalso
havet heabili
tiestosenddeath.ButIdon' twant
thestorytobet ooscaryandthat'
st hereasonI
omittedthe" death"partofi
tfr
om Cal i
'spowers,
l
eav
ingherwi
thj
ustt
hescr
eami
ngst
uff
.

So,
don'
tgeti
ttwi
sted.

Whet
herthedevi
ll
ikesi
tornot
,I'
l
lbedr
oppi
ng
t
henextepi
sodetoday

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe’
scol
d-hear
ted)

Epi
sode10

By
:Fai
thLucky
Cal
i
’sPov
:
Iscoff
edandl
ookedatt
hem.Whyt
heheckar
e
they…l
ooki
ngf
orme?

Imean…whathaveIdonewr
ongagai
n?Ar
eyou
sur
eI’
mt her
ightper
son?

“Comecloser”oneoft
hem commandedandI
sluggi
shl
ytrai
ledmystepst
othem.

Goodness!Whathav eIdoneagai
n?What
wouldmaket hem comeallthewayt
omy
apar
tmentjusttolookforme?

“You’
reCal
i
,ri
ght
?”HeaskedasIst
oodi
nfr
ont
ofhim.
Theotherwasj
ustl
eani
ngont
hewal
l
,st
ari
ng
atus.

“Y…Yes.Yousentforme?”Ir
epl
ied,curi
ousl
y
andstari
ngatthesecondoneatint
erval
s.

Therewereonlyaver
yfewstudent
sar
oundand
theykeptst
ari
ngatmelikeIwasamovieor
something.

“Okay,Cali
.Ideci
dedtocomegety oumyselfso
youwoul dn’
tgobeconf used.Ineedyouto
comewi thmet omyr oom”her epli
edbutI
couldn’
tevenreactasIstaredathiminafunny
way.

Okay
…what
’shet
alki
ngabout
??
Isear
chedforver
aci
tyi
nhi
sey
esandnot
iced
hewasn’tj
oki
ng.

“
Y…Yourr
oom?
”Ir
epeat
ed.

“
Yeah–youhear
dhimright
”theonel
eani
ngon
t
hewal
lrepl
i
edandIscoff
ed.

“Why…wouldIf
oll
owyoutoyourr
oom?I
mean…whatshoul
dIdother
e?”Iaskedandhe
chuckl
ed.

“I
tseemsy
ouwantmet
ospel
li
toutf
ory
ou,
huh?
Wel
l
, Ineedaonenightst
andwi
thy
ou.And
t
hat
’sthereasonI
’
m calli
ngf
ory
ou”herepl
i
ed
andmyey
esdi
l
atedi
nshock.

Whatt
he….

Ihuf
fed.

“
I…Idon’
tunder
stand”Isai
d.
“I
sitl
i
kemyr esponsibi
li
tybecauseIcan’
t
comprehendt
het onewithwhichyou’
restat
ing
i
t”Ist
utter
edandhegr oanedandclenchedhis
hand.

“List
entome, younglady
.I’
vegotnotimefor
j
okes, okay?Andyoushouldbef**
kinghappy
someonel i
kemei sheretodri
ll
you.So,make
useofy ourbrai
ns”,
hegrowledimpati
entl
yandI
fl
inched.
Woahh!Ser
iousl
y??

“You’
reaski
ngmef ors*
xandaski
ngmet ouse
mybr ai
nsatthesameti
me?Areyouforreal
?”I
blur
tedandsawangerbuil
dupi
nhiseyes.

Theonel
eani
ngont
hewal
lj
ustst
aredcol
dlyat
me.

“Sor
ry,
but…Ican’
teventhinkofi
magi
ningwhat
you’
reaski
ngfor.I
’
m out”Isaidi
nconcl
usi
on
andtur
nedaroundtoleave.

“Wal
kingawayfrom me”Ihear
dhi
m sayf
rom
behi
ndandturnedtolookathi
m.
“
That
’sv
erydi
srespect
ful
andI
’
llmakey
oupay
f
ori
t”
.

Isnort
edandconti
nuedwal
ki
ngaway
,butnot
unti
lIhear
daloudsoundi
nmyhead.

“Ahhhhh”Iscr
eamedandhel
dmyheadwi
th
bothhands.

OhmyGod!
!What
’shappeni
ng?
?

“Nobodysaysnotohim”Ihear
dtheothersay
andimmediatel
y,If
ell
onthefl
oorandpassed
out.
*
*
Myheadf
eltsomuzzyasIopenedmyey
es
bl
ear
il
yandf
oundmy
sel
fly
ingonabed.

Isqueezedmyeyesandal
i
ttl
egr
oanescaped
mylipsasIfel
tuneasy
.

Whathappenedt
ome?

Thenextsi
ghtIbehel
dassoonasIopenedmy
eyesagai
nwerethatofacei
l
ing–abeauti
ful
butst
rangecei
li
ng.

Then,Inot
icedmyhandwer ebeingspr
ead
apartandIlookedanddi
scover
edIwasbeing
ti
edup.

Hol
don;
Whaat
?

Myhandsweret
iedoneachsi
deofthebed,
maki
ngmeliefl
atandf
acethecei
l
ing.

What
’sgoi
ngon?

“Awwn!She’
sawake”Ihear
dav oi
ceand
qui
ckl
yrecogni
zedi
ttobethatofMiguel
’
s
guar
ds.

Il
ookedaheadandsawt
hem st
andi
ngi
nfr
ont
ofme.

Whaaat
??
Iwasi
nthei
rroom!

Whatt
heheck?

“Iwasbegi
nningt othi
nkyouweren’
tgonna
wakeup”theot hersai
dandsnigger
edandI
tri
edtoseeifIcouldfr
eemy sel
ffr
om t
heropes,
butitwaspoint
less.

“
Letmego!Whatdoyouwantwi
thme?
”Isai
d
i
nastr
ainedv
oice.

“Youknowwhatwewantgi rl
y.Actual
l
y,I’
dhave
beentheonlyonetoscr
ewy ou.Butaft
erbei
ng
sodisr
espectf
ul,
wedecidedtopunishyouin
ourownway .So,her
ewego…”
Her
epl
i
edandst
art
edcomi
ngt
owar
dsme.

Whaaaat
??

If
eltmyhear
tbeatsof
astasheappr
oached
me.

Andsuddenl
y,Iscr
eamed,
try
ingt
omakeuseof
mybansheepowers.

Iscreamedwi
thsomuchangerandf
ri
ght
,but
theonebehi
ndwasqui
ckenoughandhadused
hishandtowagei
t.

Iseri
ousl
ydon’
tknowhowhedi
dit
,but
…it
didn’
twork.
Iwi
ncedasInot
icedmyonl
ymeansofdef
ense
wasshat
ter
ed.

OhGod!WhatdoIdo?

“
Youthi
nkwe’
ref
ools,
huh?”Theonei
nfr
ontof
measkedwi
thasni
gger.

“Ther
e’snowayyou’r
egettingoutoft
his,
gir
ly.
Youshould’
veobli
gedrespectf
ull
ywhenyou
hadthechance.

“Youknow, I
’dwantedtodoitwhil
eyouwere
asleep.But,Ichangedmymi ndanddeci
dedto
waittil
lyou’reawakebecauseIneededt
ohear
thosemoansofy ours”hechuckl
edandmy
fearsincreased.
Hecl
i
mbedt
hebedandt
ouchedmyl
egs.

“
No,
please”Iwhi
mper
ed,
feel
i
ngsoscar
ed.
“I
’
m…I ’
m sorry.Sorr
yforbei
ngdisrespectf
ul.
Sorr
yforsayingnot oyou.Butdon’tdothi
s,
pl
ease.Please,Ibegofyou”.

“Yourpl
easareonlymotivati
onstomedoll,
becauseIl
ikei
twhenmyl adiesbeg”hest
ated
andtheonebehindlaughed.

Oh,
God!Whathav
eIgot
teni
nto?

Tearsst
art
edscr ol
l
ingdownmycheeksashe
spreadmylegsapartandi
mmediat
ely,
Itr
ied
ki
ckinghi
m, buthewassmart
erandcaughtmy
kneemi
dway
.

Hechuckledandlandedaheavysl@ponmy
cheekaf
terwards,l
eavi
ngacutthere.

“
Letmego!!
”Isai
dinapai
nful
smi
l
east
he
t
earsi
ncr
eased.

Thesl@pwassopainf
ulandIcoul
dn’
tev
en
touchmycheeks.

Hereachedf
ormyski
rtandpul
l
eddownt
he
zi
pper.

“Please,don’t
.I’
m sor
ry.Pl
ease,j
ustl
etmego!
Youcan’ tdothistome”Isaidpai
nful
lyashe
startedpull
ingthesk!
rtdownmywai st.
Oh,
goodness!

No,no,no.Ican’
tlosemydi
gni
tyt
hisway
.I
can’
t.

God,
pleasehel
pme.

Ist
artedst
ruggl
i
ngwithmylegs,shaki
ngi
t
vi
gorousl
yandhelandedanot
herslaponme

“Pr
ovi
ngst
ubbor
nisonl
ygonnagetyouhur
t”
hesai
dandIwhi
mperedandcr
iedout.

“Please,
Ibegy ou,don’tdot
his,please.I’
m not
readyforthis.I’
m…I ’
m newher e.Idon’twant
anyt r
ouble.Please,letmego”Icr iedprofusel
y
andjustthen,Ihear
dthedooropensl
owl
y–
wit
hacr eakingsound.

Theboywhowasabouttakingmysk!rtof
fmy
kneespausedandl
ookedatthedoorandacol
d
l
ookfil
ledhisey
es.

Iwhimperedandmanagedtohavealookatthe
door,thet
earsr
oll
i
ngdownt omyneckinthe
processandmyeyesbeamedatthesightofthe
personinfr
ontoft
hedoor.

Thatgent
lef
ace…st
ari
ngatme.

Theki
ngoft
hecamp?

Mi
quel
???
If
eltmyhear
tleap.
*
*

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode11:

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ther
ateofmyhear
tbeati
ncr
easedasIst
ared
athi
m,thesamewayhest
aredatme,
looki
ng
socal
m.

"
Boss"t
heboypul
li
ngmyski
rtcal
l
edand
movedawayf
rom me.

"
Is.
..
ist
her
eapr
obl
em?
"Thesecondoneasked.

Hesi
ghedandt
ouchedhi
sbr
ows.

"Ineedyoutodosomet hi
ngf orme.When
you'r
edone,youcanproceedwi t
hwhat everi
tis
you'r
edoing"hestat
edlevel
ly-inthemost
soothingvoi
ceI'
deverheard-andl ef
ttheroom.

OhmyGod!
I
..
.Ij
usthear
dhi
m speak!

Ihear
dhi
svoi
ce.

Idi
d!!
!

Ipant
edandwasoverj
oyedbyitt
hatI
'
dal
most
for
gott
enmycur
rentsi
tuat
ion.

But.
..
didhejustt
ellt
heboystheycoul
dproceed
wit
hwhat ev
ertheyweredoi
ng?Oh, God!Doesit
meanhe'dgiventhem ago-
aheadanddoesn't
car
e?

Oh!Goodness.

Theboyi
nfr
ontofmesmi
rkedandcompl
etel
y
t
ookof
fmyski
rtandIwhi
mper
ed.

"
Don'tworr
y,we'
llbebackforyou"hesaidashe
t
hrewtheskir
tont hef
loorandlef
ttheroom
wi
thhispart
ner.

Mybr
eat
hwav
eredasIst
aredupatt
hecei
l
ing.

Whyam Idoomed?Whathav
eIgot
teni
nto?
?

HowdoIgetoutofher
e?

Oh!God,pleasesaveme.Ican'
texper
iencet
his.
Iwouldn'
tbeabletosur
vivethet
raumaofbeing
raped.

DearGod,
please.
Atthatmoment,Iwasconfused,havi
ngamix
ed
exci
tementofheari
ngtheking'
svoiceand
gett
ingrapedaswell
.

Gosh!Hi
svoi
cewassoo

Idon'
tknow.Couldi
tbethereasonhebarel
y
speaks?Becausehi
svoi
ceisdamnsoni ce?

I
twasjustasperf
ectashi
slooks-cal
m,
mascul
ine,
enchanti
ng.

Suddenl
y,t
hedooropenedandIf
eltmyhear
t
j
umpoutofmychest .

Myf
ear
sincr
easedasIgott
oknowi
twasone
oft
heboy
s.

No,
no,
please!

Pl
ease!Icr
iedi
nmyhear
t.

Hecametomeont hebedandInoti
ced
somet
hingdi
ff
erent-hewaslooki
ngangry
.

Hecametomeandsur
pri
singl
y,st
art
ed
unt
iei
ngme.

Huh?
?

Hedi
ditwit
hsomuchbi t
ter
nessandfinal
ly
f
redmefrom al
lther
opesandroughl
y,heheld
mebythearm anddr
aggedmeoutoft hebed.
"Putony ourskir
tandleave"hegrowledatme
andIf l
inchedandqui cklyreachedf
ormyskir
t
ont hefloor,sl
ippingi
tthroughmylegsand
zippingupwhenIwasdone.

Itur
nedaroundt
oleav
etheroom wi
thouta
secondt
hought,
buthehel
dmebackbyt he
arm.

"Thi
sisn'tov
er.I
'l
ldef
ini
tel
ygety
ounextt
ime"
hesnarledbefor
elett
ingmego.

Holdon;what
'swrong?Why
'shesuddenly
angryandact
ingl
i
kehewasbeingforcedtol
et
megoorwhat ?

It
hought
..
..
Iscof
fedandnotwai
ti
ngt
othi
nkofanyot
her
thi
ng,Ir
anaway.

Myhandwasonmychestal
lthr
ough,f
eel
i
ng
sor
eli
evedI
'
dbeenabl
etoescapethat
.

God!I
'dbeensodamnscared.Whatwoul
dI'
ve
done,
huh?Howcouldtheyeventhi
nkofdoi
ng
suchathi
ngtomeinthefi
rstpl
ace?

GoodLor
d.

But
..
.whatmadet
hem changet
hei
rmi
nds?

IthoughtMi
quelhadgi
venthem t
hego-
ahead
andaskedthem t
oproceedassoonast
hey
weredonewiththei
rwor
kforhi
m?So,
whatt
he
hel
lhappened?

Ikeptthi
nkingabouti
tasIranbacktomy
apartmentandthankful
l
y,Iwasabl
etogett
o
myr oom successf
ull
y.

Iopenedthedoorwithsomuchrel
iefandwent
i
nandt hereIfoundmyroom mat
escomplete-
al
llyi
ngont hei
rbeds.

Thetwolesbi
answer eshari
ngthesamebed,
gi
ggli
ngandchattingi
ndiscer
nibl
ewhil
ethe
qui
etladyj
ustfocusedonabook.

Huh?Hasshebeenr
eadi
ngt
heent
ir
eti
meor
what?
Neit
herofthem pai
dattenti
ont
omeandqui et
ly,
Iwalkedtomybedandl aidoni
t,r
emi
nisci
ngon
theprevi
ousinci
dence.
*
*

*
*
Thenextmorni
ng,Iwokeup,
tookmybat
hand
gotr
eadyforcl
ass.

Hm.Ist
il
lhadn'tseent
heti
met ableandhadno
i
deawhatsubjectIwastohav
et hatmorni
ng.

Thel
esbianswer
eont
hebed,pl
ayi
ngand
maki
ngmewonderift
heydon'
tatt
endcl
asses
orwhat
?
It
ookmybagandwasaboutl eavi
ngtheroom
whenaknockcameont hedoor.Wel
l,
sinceI
wasal
readycl
osetothedoor,
Iopeneditand
di
scov
ereditwasDi
ane.

Ah!Thankgoodness.

"Hey,dol
l
.What
'sup?
"ShebeamedassoonasI
openedup.

"Hi
.Goodmor ni
ng.I
tsact
ual
lyagoodthi
ngyou
came"Irepl
i
edasIopenedthedoorandwal
ked
outful
l
y.

"
Yeah..
.we'
rer
unni
ngl
ateforcl
assal
ready
.
Comeon"sheheldmyhandandstar
ted
wal
kingawaywit
hme.
Oh!

"But
..
.hav
ey ougot
tent
het
imet
abl
e?Idon'
t
knowwhat .
..
"

"Yeah,
don'tworr
ybarbi
e.I
'
vegot
teni
tcov
ered
alr
eady"sheint
err
upt
edmeandIscoff
ed.

"
Why
'r
eyoucal
l
ingmebar
bie?
"Iasked.

"
Becauseyou'
readol
l
"sher
epl
i
edandI
l
aughed.

All
thr
oughthewal
k,shehel
dmyhandli
keaki
d
andfi
nal
ly
,wegottothebi
gclassr
oom.
Wow!
!!

Studentswer
ealreadyinwit
haman-whoI'
d
assumedwast heteacher-st
andi
ngi
nfr
ontof
theclass.

But
..
.i
sthi
sreal
l
yacl
assr
oom?

I
twassobi
gandbeaut
if
ul.

Therewasabi gplasmaTVatthetopofthe
frontrow,thef
loor
swereti
ed,l
ocker
swer e
neatlyarr
angedandther
eweretwoboardsin
theclass-onewaselect
roni
candtheother
whi t
eboard.

Ther
ewer
eabout2AC'
sandabi
groundbul
b
wasr
otat
ingi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
hecl
ass

Wow!

I
twasj
ust
..
.i
nef
fabl
e.

I
ndeed,
theDi
ãmôndi
nst
it
utei
soneofaki
nd.

"Comeon,Cali
"Dianewhisper
edandtookme
toavacantseatwherewesatcloset
oeach
other
,ourl
ockersbei
ngjustastonet
hrowaway
.

Iwassocur i
oustoknowwhattheywer
egonna
teachaboutandsoon,t
het
eachercommenced.

Ont
hewhi
teboar
dwascl
ear
lywr
it
ten:
*
Under
standi
ngTheGi
ft
*

"So,t
oday,
we'll
betal
kingaboutthef
ir
st
i
mpor t
antthi
ngaboutbeingaDiãmônd"he
began.

"Fi
rst
,youneedtounderstandthepoweryou
possessbefor
ey oucanthinkofcont
rol
l
ingi
t
andotherst
uff.

"Thef
ir
stquest
ionis-whatdoyoudo?What
canyoudowithyourpowers?

"
Ar eyouthet
ypethatcanlif
tobjectswit
ht he
mind?Areyouthetypethatcancr eat
eil
lusions?
Areyouthety
pethatcancont r
ol peopl
e'
s
thought
s?"
Hepausedandopenedabook.

"Whydon'twedoali
tt
lepract
ice?
"He
cont
inued,l
ooki
ngupatus.

"You-comeupanddi spl
ayy ourgi
ft
.Showus
whaty oucando",hepoi
ntedtoaladywho
stoodup-slowlyandwenttostandinfr
ontof
theclass.

"
Um.
..
"Shest
art
edner
vousl
y.
"
Thi
siswhatIcando"
.

Sheopenedherpalmsandlookedi
ntoi
tand
i
mmedi at
ely
,itbr
oughtoutf
ir
e.

Whaaat
??
Fewofthepeoplei
nthecl
assgaspedasthey
foundi
tamusing.Wel
l,
tome,If
ounditscary
.

"
Withthis,
Icanburnupanent
ir
ebui
l
ding"t
he
l
adysaid,l
ookingi
ntot
hepal
msandthe
t
eachersmi l
ed.

"Okay,dear.That'
sgood.Youcangobackt
o
yourseat"her epl
i
edandshestoppedt
hefi
re
andreturnedtoherseat.

"
Atl
east,nowyouknowyou'
reaf
ir
ecreator
"he
r
emarkedandpoint
edoutt
osomeoneelse.

"
You-comeoutandshowuswhaty
ouhav
e".
I
twasaboyandhisfri
endscheer
edathi
m as
heconf
ident
lywal
kedout.

"Well
..
.Thisi
smine"hesai
dashestoodi
nfront
oftheclassandwavedhishandi
ntheai
r.

Suddenly
,thepl
acechangedandmadeust
hink
wewer einfr
ontofanocean.

Whatt
he.
..
..
.hel
l
ll
???

Every
onewassti
ll
seat
edbutaheadofus,we
fel
tweweresi
tt
inginf
rontofanocean.

OhmyGod!
!

"
Ihav
ethepowerofi
l
lusi
on-makey
ousee
whati
sn'
treal
"theboysai
dexci
tedl
yandwaved
hi
shandintheairagai
nandimmedi
atel
y,t
he
pl
acewentbacktonormal.

OhmyGod!
!
Mychest
!!

Iwassodamnscar
ed.

"Wow! !
!That'
sanawesomegi f
t,boy!You'
re
real
lygift
ed"thet
eachercommendedandt he
studentsappl
audedhim asheretur
nedtohis
seat.

Wow!Buti
ndeed,
itwasanexcel
l
entgi
ft
.

"
Hmm.Thepowerofi
l
lusi
on"
,thet
eacher
r
emar
kedwi
thanod.

"Okay
;let
'staket
hel
astone.Youovert
here-
comeoutandshowuswhaty ougot
"hesaid
andIreal
izedhewasref
err
ingtome.

Huh?

Oh!

"Comeon, Cal
i
"Dianewhisper
edt
omeandI
shruggedandstoodup.

Gosh!DoIr
eal
l
yhav
etodot
his?

Iwal
kedsl
uggi
shl
yandst
oodi
nfr
ontoft
he
cl
ass.
"Showuswhaty
ougot"thet
eachersai
dtome
andIcl
ear
edmyt hr
oat
.

"
Wel
l
...
I'
m adoubl
eDi
ãmônd"i
began.
"I
'
dlovet
oshowcasemyfir
stgift
,butImight
endupbri
ngi
ngdowntheclassr
oom orhurti
ng
someonebecauseI
'
m abanshee".

"
Oh!
"Hemout
hedwi
thanod.

"And.
..f
ormysecondgift
"Ipausedandlooked
atthestudent
sandthei
rthoughtsst
art
ed
poppingintomyheadbutIfocusedontwo
l
adiesinfront
,st
ari
ngkeenl
yatme

"
Iknowshesl
eptwi
thy
ourboy
fri
endl
astni
ght
aft
erconv i
ncinghim herasswasbiggert
han
yours"Isai
d,pointi
ngouttothem r
especti
vel
y
andt heenti
reclassgasped.

"
What?"Thev
ict
imfli
nchedandt
urnedt
othe
l
adywhowasbesideher.

Obv
iousl
y,t
heywer
efr
iends.

"Michell
e??Didyou?
?"Sheasked,
alar
medand
theMi chel
lest
oodupandranoutofthecl
ass,
speechless.

Oops!Idi
dn'
taskf
ort
hat
.

Itur
nedbacktothet
eacherwhowashav
inga
shockedexpr
essi
onon.
"AndIknowy ouplanonst
eal
ingfr
om thenext
moneyt hegover
nmentwil
lbesendingi
ntoday"
Isaidonlyt
ohisheari
ngandtheshockonhis
faceincr
eased.

Hmph.

Ismi
rkedaf
ter
war
dsandr
etur
nedt
omyseat
.

"
Cal
i!Whatdidy
oudo??"Di
anewhisper
edt
o
measevery
bodyst
art
edstari
ngatme.

"
Showcasi
ngmygi
ft
"Ir
epl
i
edwi
thashr
ug.
*
*
Hour
sLat
er
*
*
Wewalkedint
othecaf
eteri
aandor deredwhat
wewantedandaft
erwhich,soughtforan
empt
ytabletomakeuseof.

Gosh!Thi
splaceisj
usttoogoodtobetrue.I
'
m
t
alki
ngaboutjustt
hefoodaspect
,tho.

Thefactt
heygiveoutf
reef
oodnomat
tert
he
quant
ityi
sreal
l
yamusingtome.

"
So,howwasy ourni
ght,
Cali
?"Di
aneaskedas
wesett
leddownnexttoeachother
.
"
Arey
ourr
oom mat
esni
ce?
"

"
Please,
Idon'
tev
enknowt
heanswert
ogi
vet
o
that.Twoladi
esther
ear
el esbi
ansandthe
otherisj
ustweir
dandquiet"Ir
epl
iedi
rr
itat
ingl
y.

"Lesbi
ans??"Sher
ecoi
l
edi
nhor
rorandal
i
ttl
e
bitofdi
sgust.

"
Yes.Andit
sjustsoannoy i
ng.Theyki ssand
l
ickeachot
herupany t
imet heypleasewithout
mindi
ngthepresenceofothers.Iseri
ouslywish
t
herewasawayIcoul dkickthem outoft hat
r
oom.

"
Woahh!That
's.
..
"Shepausedandl
aughed.
"
Idon'
tev
enknowwhattosay
.Ican'tbel
i
eve
y
ouhavelesbi
ansf
orr
oom mates"
.

Sheshookherheadandstar
tedeati
ngfrom her
mealandIdeci
dedtotel
lheraboutl
astnight
.
"
Diane"Ical
l
ed.

"
Hm? "Shehummedar
epl
y,herey
eswer
est
il
l
f
ixedonherfood.

"Miquel'
sguards...t
hosetwoboy sthatal
ways
foll
owshim ar ound..Theyal
mostr apedmelast
night"Ir
eleasedt hebombshellandshespli
tthe
pastashewasal readytaki
ngintohermouthin
shock.

"Wh...
Whatdidyoujustsay?"Shei
nquir
edandI
l
ookedar oundtomakesur enoneofthe
studentswerepay
ingattenti
ontous.
.

Anyway,I
'dmadesur
emyv
oicewasl
ow
enough.
"Theytr
iedtorapeme"Irepeat
edmy sel
fand
hereyesdroppedwideopeninshock.

Icoul
dtellshewasaboutscreami
ngbutqui
ckl
y
usedherhandt ocov
erherl
ipsandaf
terawhil
e,
shebroughtitdown.

"Whatdi
dyoujustsay
,Cal
i
?Howthehell
didi
t
happen?
?"Shedemanded,
awe-f
il
led.

"Well.
..
Iwasinmyr oom whenal adyshowedup
andinformedmesomepeopl ewer elooki
ngfor
me.If ol
lowedheroutanddiscoveredtheywere
actuall
ytheones.Theyaskedmet ofol
low
them tothei
rroom foraonenightstandbutof
course,Iref
usedandnext,t
heymademepass
out.
"I
'dwokenupandf oundmy selfl
yi
ngont hei
r
bedwi thmyhandst i
ed.I
..
.Itri
edtousemy
power sonthem,butcoul
dn' tand.
..
theystar
ted
stri
ppingme.Icri
edandpleaded, butthey
turneddeafears.

"Theywer eonthev
ergeofsucceedi
ng,
but
l
ucki l
y,Miguel
cameinandint
errupt
edt
hem"I
narrated.

"
Miquel
?"Shecuti
nwi
thacr
umpl
edl
ook.

"Yes.He..
.showedupandaskedt
hem t
of oll
ow
him,sayi
ngheneededt hem t
odosomething
forhim.Idon't
..
."

"
Hol
don;
hol
don:
Didy
ou.
..
act
ual
l
yhear
dhi
m
speak?"Shei
nter
rupt
edmeagai
nandInodded,
makinghergaspandcov
ermouthagai
n.

"
Cal
i
?!"Sheexcl
aimed.
"
You.
..
youhear
dhi
svoi
ce?
"

AndInoddedwi
thasmi
l
e.Gosh!If
oundmy
sel
f
bl
ushi
ng.

"Oh,mygee!Doyouknowhowi ncr
edibl
ethat
i
s??You'vej
ustbecomeoneofthefewlucky
peoplet
hat'
sheardhi
svoi
ce.That'
sincr
edibl
e,
Cali
!!
"

"Yeah.
..
thanky
ou"Ir
oll
edmyey
esandbl
ushed
again.
"Hol
don;Imean..
.cont
inue.So,
whathappened
aft
erthat
?"Sheasked.

"Well..
.t
heboyshadl eftwithhi
m, butaftera
while,oneofthem returnedanduntiedmeandI
reall
ycan'texpl
ainwhyt hehelli
thappened.I
didn'tcaret
oask, Ij
ustr anof
f"Iconcluded.

"
Woahh.Thi sismorelikeast or
yoft heyear
.
Areyoukiddingme? ?
?First,youwereinthe
room ofMiquel'
sspecialguardsandsecondly,
youheardhim speak.It
sincredibl
e,Cali
.Real
ly
i
ncredibl
e"sheremarked.

IguessZackist
hereasony oucouldn'
tuseyour
powers.He'
squi
tepower f
ulandhast heabi
li
ty
toshatt
ersomeone'
spower s,especi
all
yift
he
senderi
sweak"sheexplai
ned.
"
Weak?ButI
'
m notweak"

"Ofcour se,y
ouare.You'
resti
ll
newi ntot
he
sy stem anddon'thavecontr
olofyourpowers
yet .Don'tworry
,bytheti
mey ou'r
edeepinto
training,it
'donl
ygetbett
er"sheassuredmeand
Ijustsi ghedandconti
nuedeating.

Suddenl
y,myr
oom mat
ewal
kedi
n,gr
ippi
ngmy
att
enti
on.

I
twast
hequi
etonewhowasal
way
sreadi
ng.

Iwatchedherasshewal
kedi
nqui
etl
y,keepi
ng
hergazeonthefl
oor.
Shegott
othecount
er,or
deredhermeal
and
wentt
ositonanemptytabl
ealone.

Hm.Sheseemsov
erl
yqui
et.

"That
'smyroom mat
e"Isai
dtoDi
ane,
tit
li
ngmy
headtowar
dsherdir
ect
ion.

"
What
?"Di
anef
li
nched.
"
Ninai
syourr
oom mat
e??
?"

"
Y..
.es.Theoneisaidwasqui
etandal
l.She'
s
myroom mate"Irepli
ed,
wonder
ingwhyshe
wasactingt
hatweird.

*
Theconf
essor
!*Ihear
dhersayi
nherhead.
Huh?
?
"
She'
sawhat
?"Iaskedout
?

"
She'
saconf
essor,Call
andIreal
l
ydon'tl
i
ket
he
i
deaofy
oubeingclosetoher
"sherepl
i
edandI
f
urr
owedmybr owsinconf
usi
on.

"
What
'saconf
essor
?"Iasked.

"Damni t!Don'ttel
lmey oudon'tknowwhata
confessoris.They'r
easetofpeopl e-most l
y
females-t hatcanturnpeopl
ei ntothei
rslav
es
withjustonet ouch"sherepl
iedbutIstil
ll
ooked
confusedandshecont i
nued.

"
Theyhol
dt heperson'
sneck, f
orcingtheperson
t
olookatthem i
nt heeyes.Theireyeschanges
t
oblackforasecondandaf terthat,t
heperson
becomest heirsl
ave.They'
ddoany t
hingatany
costascommandedbyt heconf
essorandits
goingtolastforaslongastheyli
ve"shefur
ther
explai
nedandIf l
inchedasthemeaning
becamecl eartome.

Whaat
??Forr
eal
???

That
'st
heki
ndofpowershepossesses?

"Yes,Cali
.Andt hat'
st hereasonshedoesn't
haveasi nglefr
iendov erhere.Alt
hough,she'
s
beenher eformont hsnowandhasbeent aught
tocontrolthepower s,butpeoplearestil
l
scaredofher .I
tsjustsounf ort
unate"shesaid
andIpickedmor einteresti
nstarri
ngatthelady
assheat eherfood-br oodil
y.
Nowondersheact
squi
etandwei
rd.
Wow!

"But.
..
"Iwasaboutsayingsomethi
ngwhenthe
presenceoft
hreeladi
esi nt
err
upt
edmeasthey
stoodinfr
ontofourtable.

Huh?
?

Theylookedsohot ,
put
ti
ngonext
remel
yshot
dresses.Buttheyal
sol
ookedl
i
ketheywer
e
therefortr
ouble.

O.
..
kay.What
sgoingon?Ar
etheymi
ssi
ngt
hei
r
wayorsomethi
ng?

Il
ookedatDi
anewhol
ookedbackatme.
"
Doyouthi
nkwe'r
eher
et owatchy
ouli
ke
mor
ons?"Oneoft
hem askedandmyconf
usi
on
i
ncr
eased.

"Wel
l.
..
you'
reCal
i
,ri
ght
?"Anot
heraskedandal
lI
didwasnod.

*
Naomi
*Ihear
dthenamei
nherhead.
Who'
sNaomi
?

"Wewantyout
ocomewit
hus.Mi stressNaomi
woul
dwanttohav
eawordwi t
hy ou"thefi
rst
onesai
dandImadeadi
sgruntl
edlook.

"
I.
..
don'
tunder
stand.Who'
sNaomi
?"Iasked

"
Hey
;don'
taskdumbusquest
ions,
okay
?Come
wit
husandyou'
ll
knowwhoshei
s"thet
hir
d
onerepl
i
edandIwasfor
cedt
oscof
f.

"Sorr
y,but
..
.I
'
m goingnowherewi
thy ou.Not
until
Iknowwhoy ourmist
ressi
s"Istated
bluntl
yandsatpr
operl
ytofacemyf ood.
Whatt
heheck?

Suddenl
y,Isawmypl
ateoff
oodl
i
fti
ngoni
ts
own.

Whaaat
??

I
tlef
tthet
abl
e-sl
owl
y-andgotsuspendedi
n
midair
.

Igaspedandl
ookedatt
hel
adi
esandnot
iced
oneoft
hem wascont
rol
l
ingi
t.

"
Doy outhi
nkwe'r
eheref
orjokes,bi
tch?
"The
f
ir
stoneaskedandimmediatel
y,t
heplate
t
urneddownwardsandpouredonme.

thestudentswhower
eal
readywat
chi
ngi
nthe
cafet
eriagasped.

"
Hey!St
opit
"Ihear
dDianesayasIopenedmy
mouthi
nshock,
theent
ir
emeal pour
ingonme-
f
rom myhai
rdowntomydress.

OhmyGod!

Ipant
edandst
oodupandasmi
rkcr
ossedher
l
ips.
If
eltangerbui
l
dinme.

"Ar
ghhhhhhhhhhhhh"Iscreamedwithfi
sted
handsandwithimmedi at
ely,
thethr
eeofthem
weresweptoffthei
rfeetandthrownbackina
ful
lspeed.

"Cali
!!
"Di
anegaspedandst
oodupasthel
adi
es
crashedonthef
loor
,cl
osetot
hedoor
.

Theani
mal
s!!

Thecafet
eri
abecamenoi
syasev
ery
onef
ed
thei
rey
es.

Twooft
hel
adi
escoul
dn'
tl
eav
ethef
loorasa
resul
tofpai
ns,
butt
heothermanagedt
odoso,
standi
ngupwit
hagroan.

Herey
esragedasshestaredatmeand
i
mmediat
ely,It
ookDi
ane'sfoodandt
hrewi
tat
her
.

Yes-Ithrewitatherdir
ecti
on,butshesquat
ted
andmisseditanditlandedonsomeoneel se
i
nstead-someoneel sewalki
ngintothe
caf
eteri
a.

Igaspedandrecoi
l
edi
nfearast
her
estoft
he
student
sdidsame.
Ev
enDi
anemov
edawayf
rom me.

Hest
oppedrightt
hereatt
hedoorandl
ookedat
hi
swhit
edresswhichhadbecomestai
nedand
messy.Hi
sspecialguar
dswerer
ightbesi
de
hi
m andwerestunnedaswell
.

I
twasMi
quel
!!

Theki
ng!
!
*
*
TBC.
Cal
iwi
l
lnotki
l
lme

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )
Epi
sode12

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ifel
tli
kesl
appi
ngmy sel
fatt
hatmoment
,
knowingIwashal
fdead.

Oh!Cal
i
;whathav
eIdone?

How.
..
Howdi
ditev
enhappen?
??

Helookedathi
sst
aineddr
ess,t
henslowl
ytook
hi
seyestomeandIf el
tmyheartgi
veamighty
l
eap.
Allthest
udentswereal
readymovi
ngaway,
tr
yingtocreat
eabi gdi
stancel
i
keast
orm was
abouttotakeplace.

Theguardsbesidehimragedimmediat
elyand
tr
iedr
ushingatme, buthestoppedt
hem,
si
gnal
li
ngt hem wi
thhishand.

Huh?

Igul
pednerv
ousl
yandmyeyeswat
eredashe
star
tedcomi
ngtowar
dsme.

OhmyGod!

OhmyGod!
Ipani
ckedandtookafewst epsbackbut
suddenl
ystoppedmysel
f,knowingIcoul
dn'
tget
awayfrom i
t.

Hewalkedlev
ell
ywit
hhishandscr
ossed
behi
ndhisbackandfi
nal
lygott
owhereIwas.

"I
'
m. .
..
I'
m sorry
.Itwasn'
tintent
ional
"Ist
utter
ed
pathet
icall
y,st
ari
ngintohisdarkeyeswhich
werebor i
ngintomine.

Gosh!Imaybest ubbor
nandall
that
,butt
his
par
ti
cularguy
..
.he'sdi
ff
erent
.

Theai
raroundhim...
that
l
ook.
..
fr
agrance.
..
.aura.
..
theywer
ejust
somet
hingelse.
Real
l
y.

If
eltmyhear
tbeat
ingr
api
dlyandsl
owl
y,he
l
if
tedhi
shandtomychest
,makingmefl
inch.

Whaaaat
??
Whatt
hehel
li
shedoi
ng?

Iwasaboutthi
nki
ngot
her
wisewhenhe
suddenl
ytookhol
dofmyneckl
aceandpul
l
edi
t
offmyneck.

Whaaaat
??

Myey eswidenedi
nshockasIstar
edatthe
necklacei
nhishand.Whatdoeshethi
nkhe'
s
doing??
Mypr
eci
ousneckl
aceIusei
nremember
ing
mum.

"You'
renevergonnaseeitagai
n"hewhisper
ed
onlyt
omyhear ingandturnedar
ound,
wal ki
ng
outwiththeboys.

If
eltcol
dshiv
er srundownmyspi
neasI
watchedhi
ml eave.

OhmyGod!Whatt
hehel
lj
usthappened?
?

Myneckl
ace.Hecan'
ttakei
t.

If
oundmysel
frunni
ngaft
erhi
m buttheguar
ds
st
oppedmefr
om touchi
nghim whenIgott
o
wher
ehewas.

"
Please,I
'
m sorry.Thenecklacei
simportantt
o
me.Ineeditback"Ipleadedashisguardshel
d
meandsuddenl y
, hegavemeaccesst ohis
t
houghts.

*Iknowit
'si
mport
ant
.Andthat'
sther
easonI
'
m
taki
ngit
*Ihear
dhim sayi
nhisheadandI
becameweak.

Hewal
kedoutwiththeguar
dswhi
l
eIst
ood,
wat
chi
nghel
plessl
y.
*
*
Hour
sLat
er
*
*
Isatqui
etl
ywi t
hCali
atthefiel
dandwhil
eshe
kepther
selfbusywi
thapackofchocolat
e,I
j
ustsatquiet
lyanddidn'
tsayaword.

"Yousur
ey oudon'
twantsome?
"Sheasked,
holdi
ngoutthechocol
atetomebutIshookmy
head.

"Oh!Cali,youneedt ogetoveri
t,okay?
Seriously
,y oushouldbehappyheonl ysei
zed
yournecklaceanddi dn'
tdowor setoyou.Iwas
actuall
ykindascar edhewasgonnahur tyou
prettybad,y ouknow.Nobodymesseswi t
h
Miquel andgoesscot tfr
ee"shepreached.

"Youdon'
tunderst
and,
Diane.Thatnecklaceis
damnimportanttomeandIsimplycan'tloseit
.
It
sthelastgiftI'
dgottenfrom mymum befor
e
comingi nt
ot hi
sdamni nstit
uteandshewant
ed
met oalway sputiton.Shewant edmetoval
ue
i
t.So,Ican'tloseitsi
mplybecauseImadea
fl
imsymi stake"Iexpl
ainedwi t
hahuffand
Dianesighed.

"Well
,nobodyplanedforthi
s,okay
?So,wejust
havetogoalongwi t
hit.Theneckl
acei
sgone
andthat'
sit
!"
,sheconcludedandtookabit
e
fr
om herchocolate.

Geez!

Defi
nit
ely
,ther
e'snowayI
'
mlet
ti
nggooft
hat
neckl
ace.

Wedi
dn'
tsayawor
dtoeachot
herf
orawhi
l
e
andinthepr
ocess,
ani
deapoppedi
ntomy
head.

"
Diane"Ical
l
edanxi
ousl
y.
"Whatif
..
.Isneakint
ohisroom whenI'
m sur
ehe
i
sn'tar
oundandt akebacktheneckl
ace?"I
askedandherey eswidenedi
nshock.

"What
??Haveyougonemadorsomet hi
ng?
??"
Shegrowl
edandlookedar
ound,
try
ingtobe
sur
enobodyhadheardus.

"Ser
iousl
y,Cali
.Youbett
erfl
ushthati
deaof
yourheadifyoudon'
twannagetkill
ed.How
cany oueventhi
nkofsneakingi
ntoMiquel
'
s
room?Like..
.br
eaki
ngin.Areyouokay??
?"

"
But
..
.Iwon'
tbecaught
.I'
donl
ygoi
nwhenI
'
m
sur
ehei
sn'
tar
oundand.
..
"

"
Andhowar eyousur
ehewoul dn'
tcomei n
whenyou'r
ein?
?Doyoureal
lywannadi e?Goi
ng
i
ntothel
ion'
sdenwit
hyourcleareyes?
? ?

"I
'
m guessi nghedi dn'
treall
ypunishyouatt he
cafeteri
abecauseheknewi twasami stake.
Butgoi ngintohisroom, i
fyougetcaught ,he'
ll
knowy oudiditonpurposeandi sdefinit
ely
gonnapuni shy ouseverel
y.So,I'
m war ni
ngy ou
-barbie.Don'teventhi
nkabouti t
"sheent hused
andcont inuedeati
ngandIj ustsighedand
l
ookedaway .
*
*
DianeandIspentt
herestoft
heeveni
ng
toget
heranditwaslat
eenough,
wedecidedt
o
headtoourseparat
eroomsandonourway,I
spot
tedMiquelandhisguards-ar
oundt
he
managementdepartment.

Thet
houghtf
lungi
ntomyheadagai
n.

Thi
sonl
ymeans.
..
hewasn'
ti
nhi
sroom.

Hmm

"Goodnight
,Cali
.Makesur
eyou'
reupinti
me
tomorrow"Dianesai
daswegottotheentr
ance
ofmyapar t
ment .

"
Um...
okay
.Sur
e.Goodni
ght
"Ismiledand
wav
edatherandwewentourseparat
eways.
Isl
ackenedmyst
epsasIwal
kedal
ong.

Miquelwasn'
ti
nhi
sroom.Thet
houghtkept
ni
ggli
ngatme.

Mypr
eci
ousneckl
ace.

Suddenl
y,It
urnedar
oundandheadedf
ort
he
exi
t.
Gosh!Ij
ustcoul
dn'
tl
etgoofi
t.
.

Igotouttotheopenf l
oorandlookedl
eftand
ri
ghtforDiane,butt
hankful
l
y,shewasnowhere
i
nsi ghtandItookinadeepbreathand
proceededonmyway .

Di
anehadpoi
ntedouthi
sroom t
omey
est
erday
whi
leshewasshowi
ngmearoundandi
twas
act
ual
lycl
oset
othatofhi
sguar
ds.

Iwalkedforal
ongti
mebef or
egetti
ngtot
het
all
buil
dingandmyheartl
eaptasIspott
edhi
s
room.

Oh!Cal
i
;am Ir
eal
l
ydoi
ngt
his?
??

Iobser
vedanddi
scov
eredhi
swi
ndowwas
open.

Then,
,
Ilookedar
oundandt
hankf
ull
y,nost
udent
waspassingby.

Thear
eawassoqui
etl
i
kei
twasr
est
ri
ctedor
somet
hing.
Wit
houtasecondthought,
Ireachedf
ort
hewal
l,
cl
i
mbingitl
ikea*spider
-woman*Aslowspi
der
woman.

Iwassur
etobeverycar
eful
andaf
terawhi
l
e,I
fi
nal
l
ygottohi
swindow.

OhmyGod!
!!Imadei
t!

Ismi
ledhappi
l
yasIpassedt
hrought
hewi
ndow
andgoti
ntohi
sroom.

Yes!
!Yes!
!Idi
dit
.

Ichuckl
edandl
ookedar
oundt
her
oom.

Woaaah!
Oh,
boy
!Ist
hisr
eal
l
yar
oom?

Geez!
!

I
twassodamnbi
gandcl
assy
.

Thebedwasaki
ng-
sizedanddr
essedwi
tha
bl
uesheet
.

Thebul
bli
ghtwasbl
ue-gi
vi
ngasof
tgl
owt
o
ther
oom.

Thefloor
swereti
edblueaswel
landsower
e
thecolor
sofhi
scurt
ains.
Hol
don;i
tseemshisfav
ori
tecol
ori
sbl
ue.But
he'
sal
waysputt
ingonwhit
e.

Gosh!Theroom wassoocool
andl
ookedr
eal
l
y
i
nvit
ingtosl
eepin.

Isawadr awi
ngboardi
nther
oom,
hav
ingan
enchant
ingimageofacar
.

Hol
don;
didhedr
awt
his?
?

He.
..
.dr
aws?
?

Wow!
!

Ishookmyheadandt
ouchedt
heboar
d.
I
twassoamazi
ngandr
eal
.

Iwassolostadmir
ingitt
hatI'
dalmost
for
got
tenmymai nreasonforbei
ngther
e.

Comeon, Cal
i!Isnappedoutofmyt
hought
s
andsetouttowor k.

Iscouredmyey esaroundforapossi
blepl
ace
hecould'v
ehiddenthenecklaceandmyeyes
caughtthesi
ghtofadr awer.

Ir
ushedtoitandopenedi
t,butnot
hing.I
t
wasn'
tther
e.

Icheckedt
het
abl
esandwasaboutchecki
ng
hi
swar
drobewhenIsuddenl
yhear
dfoot
steps.

Whaaaat
??

Ipausedandli
stenedtobesureIwasn'
t
mistakenandt
hest epsbecamecl
earer
.

I
twascomi
ngt
owar
dst
hedoor
.

OhmyGod!
!!

I
noneswi
ftt
urn,Idi
vedundert
hebedasthat
wast
heonl
yplacethat
'dcometomymind.

Pl
ease,t
ellmethi
sisn'
treal
.Tel
lmeI
'
m
dr
eaming,pl
ease.
Fi
rst
,Iheardt
hesoundofkey
sandnext
,the
dooropened.

Hol
yChr
ist
!!
!

No!
!!

Icoveredmymout hwit
hmypalmstopr
ev ent
my sel
ffrom scr
eami
ngasconni
pti
ongr
ipped
me.

whathav
eIdone?
??

Myheartpoundedandsweatcov
eredt
het
opof
myfaceimmediatel
y.
Ihear
dhisgentl
efootst
epsandsoon,
hisfeet
showedupatthesideofthebedwher
eIlaid.

I
twashi
m!!

Iconf
ir
medi
t!
!Hewast
heone!Mi
quel
.

AssoonasIsawhi
swhi
tet
rouser
,Iknewhe
wastheone.

Oh,
Cal
i
!You'
redead.

Pl
ease,
justt
ell
mehe'
sgoi
ngout
.

Ibentmyheadandpray
ed.I
fonl
yI'
dknown,
I'
d
haveli
stenedt
oDi
ane.
I
'
dhav
eli
stenedt
oher
.

Now,
whathav
eIgot
tenmy
sel
fint
o?

WhatdoIdo?
?

Forthefi
rstti
meinalongt
ime,
Ifel
tthi
sscar
ed.
Icouldn'
texpl
aini
t.

Ihear
dt hesoundofabott
leandnext
,a
spl
ashingsoundandIfi
guredhewaspour
ing
hi
mselfadr i
nk.

Iwi
ncedandwi
shedt
her
ewasawayIcoul
d
j
ustvani
sh.

Andsuddenl
y,Ihear
dthatcol
dvoi
ceofhi
s:
"
Youhav
e3secondst
ocomeoutoft
hebed"
.
*
*
TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode13

By
:Fai
thLucky
 Cal
i
'sPov
:
Beli
evemeornot
,If
eltmyhear
tst
opbeat
ingat
thatmoment
.

If
eltmybloodst
opf
lowi
ngandmyl
ungsdr
yup
i
mmediately
.

Iswear-Idi
d.

Ther at
eofmyhear
tbeatincr
easedasthatcol
d
voiceofhi
sandpi
ercedintomyears,
touching
theverydept
hofmysoul.

Ididn'
tev
enr
eal
i
zehewaskeepi
ngcountoft
he
seconds.
"Ti
meup"hesai
dagai
nandimmedi
atel
y,Igota
burni
ngf
eel
ingonmyski
n.

Whaaaat
??

"Ar
ghhhhh"Ishri
ekedandcrawl
edoutofthe
bedimmediatel
yasIf ear
edmyenti
rebody
mightgetcaughti
nflamessoonenough.

AssoonasIwasoutoft
hebed,
thebur
ning
st
opped.

Andnow.
..
Iwasst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontoft
heKi
ng.

Oh!Cal
i
,whathav
eIdone?
?

Ipani
ckedasIst
oodi
nfr
ontofhi
m whi
l
ehe
wentt
osi
tont
hebed,
sti
l
lhol
dinghi
sgl
assof
wi
ne.

Hesi
ppedgent
lyf
rom t
hewi
neandl
ookedat
me.

Gosh!Howcaney
est
hisdar
kbesoki
l
li
ng,
huh?

"Lookdi
rectl
yint
omyey esagai
nandI'
llmake
yougoblind"hesai
dici
l
yandIquickl
ytookmy
gazetothefloor
.

Hol
yChr
ist
!

Oh,mum!Wher
ear
eyou?Yourdaught
erneeds
younow.
Wher
edoIev
enst
artf
rom?

"
Now.
."Hesai
d,st
ari
ngi
ntohi
sgl
ass
"
I'
m onl
ygonnaasky
ouonce.What
'r
eyoudoi
ng
i
nmyr oom?"

MybreathwaveredasIfi
xedmygazeonthe
f
loorandsoughtforanappeal
i
nganswer
.

Atthatmoment,Ifel
tI'
dfor
gott
enthe
Alphabeti
cal
let
ter
sandcouldn'
tcomposea
sentence.

"I
fIhavetorepeatmyself
,you'
ll
besorr
yfori
t"
hesaidinhi
susualcoldtoneandIdeci
dedto
saysomethi
ng-any t
hingatall
.
Gosh!I
'
m sodead.

"I
'
m. .
.I
'
m sorr
y,please.I
..
.di
dn'
tmeanto"I
stut
teredandhegav emeahar dst
arewhichI
wasabl et
odecipherthemeaningatonce.

Hewasn'
tconcer
nedaboutmyapol
ogy
,butt
he
r
easoniwasther
e.

"I
..
..
I'
dcometogetmyneckl
ace.It
oldyouit
wasimport
antt
ome"Irepli
ednerv
ously,
try
ing
asmuchaspossibl
etoavoi
dhiseyes.

Forawhile,
hedi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ngbutj
ustkept
star
ingathi
sgl
ass.

"
Yousneakedi
ntomyr
oom"hescof
fed
"Doyouknowwhati
tmeansf
ort
hatt
o
happen?
"

"I
'
m sor r
y.I.
..
I..
.Ipromise,ify
ouj ustletmego
now, you'll
nev erseemeagai n.Please.
You..
.y oucankeept heneckl
acef ornow.I '
m
sorr
y, please".Ipleadedandt ri
edr unningtothe
door,buti mmedi ately,If
eltaheav yforce
sweepmyf eetof fthegroundandIscr eamed
asIflewi ntheai randl andedont hewal l,
gett
ingpi nnedt oi t
.

OhmyGod!

Myback!

Mywai
st!
Igr
oanedasIf
eltsl
i
ghtpai
nsal
lov
er.

Iwaspinnedt
ot hewal
lwi
thmyhandsspr
ead
apar
tandIcouldn'
tmove.

Oh,
God!What
'shedoi
ngt
ome?

Hestoodupfr
om t
hebedandcamet
ost
andi
n
f
rontofme.

"
I'
m sor
ry,please"Iwhimperedbuthedi
dn'
tsay
awordasheempt iedhisdr
inki
ntohismout
h,
whi
lekeepinghisey esonme.

Hekeptt
heempt yglassonthetabl
eandgi
vi
ng
meonelastst
are,heleftt
heroom.
*
*
Naomi
'
sPov
:
Ismokedangri
l
yfr
om myci
gar
ett
easIpaced
aroundt
heroom,f
eel
i
ngsoangry
.

Gosh!If
eltl
i
kest
rangl
i
ngsomeone!Any
one!

If
eltl
i
kef
ryi
ngsomeone'
sbr
ains.

"
Howdar
eshe?
"Isnar
led.
"Howcouldshet
hinkofdefi
li
ngmyorder
s??I
sentf
orherandthebestshecoul
ddowas
att
ackyou??Howdareshe?"

"
Likeser
iousl
y,Iwasshocked"I
vysai
d.
"
Fir
st,
she'
drebuf
fedourrequestofcomi
ng
wi
thus.Andnext
,sheusedherbanshee
power
sonus,
maki
ngmehur
tmyar
m".

"Thatlady'
sreall
yabi t
ch.She'
sjustanewbi
e
yet,she'
salreadyacti
ngbossy"Nathal
ieal
so
saidandmyangeri ncr
eased.

"
I'
ll
kil
lher
"Icl
enchedmyt
eet
handsai
d.
"Tomor
rowbyt hi
stime,
she'
l
lbedead.Nobody
messeswit
hmeandgoesscot tf
ree.Nobody
defi
l
esthequeen".
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ist
ayedpi
nnedtot
hewallf
oralongt
ime,
my
wai
standj
oint
shurt
ingr
eal
lybad.

Myhandswer
eal
readyhur
ti
ngaswel
lasa
resul
tofthewayt heywer
ef or
cef
ull
yspr
ead
apartandIjustf
eltli
kecr
ying.

Whathav
eIdonet
omy
sel
f?Ishoul
d'
vel
i
stened
t
oDiane.

Now,seewhatI
'v
edonetomysel
f.Ican'
t
bel
i
eveI'
m goi
ngtol
ear
nthehardway .

Gosh!

IneverthoughtI'
dbet hisscaredofsomeone.
Justhismer egazealonewasmel t
ingmyheart
;
nottoment i
onhisicyv oicethatpl
ayeda
rhyt
hmicalbeatinmyhear t.

Wher
ethehel
lwashebyt
heway
?Doeshe
wanttokeepmet
hiswayf
orev
er?I
sthi
s
puni
shment??

Isi
ghedandl
ookedupatt
hecei
l
ing.

Gosh!I
fonl
yI'
dli
stened.

Suddenl
y,thedoorwentopenandther
hy t
hm i
n
myheartresumedasInarrowedmyeyest ot
he
si
deofthedooranddiscoveredhewastheone.

Oh,
God!

Imadeashor tpr
ayeri
nmyhear tashewalked
passmeandwentt ositonthebedand
i
mmedi at
ely
,Ifel
lfr
om thewall
anddropped
hardonthefl
oor.
OhGod!
!

Ibemoanedasi
hur
tmyar
m al
i
ttl
e.

Whywashebei
ngsohar
donme?

Now,
whatnext
?

"Comecloser
"hesai
dcal
mlywi
thhi
sgazei
nto
space.

Gosh!Hespeakssocalmlyli
kehecouldnever
hurtafly
.Butatt
hesame, t
heresoundi
ngcold
thatechoedi
nhistonecoul
dmakeadeadman
shiver
.
Seri
ously
,merewor
dscannotdescr
ibethi
sguy.
There'
ssimpl
ynosui
tabl
edescri
pti
onforhim.

Isl
ackenedmyst
epstohi
m,wonder
ingwhat
el
sehehadinmind.
May
bemynextpuni
shmentwoul
dbetohang
meont
hecei
li
ngandmakemer ot
atel
i
keafan.

God!I
'
m sodead.

Ist
oodi
nfr
ontofhi
m andf
eltt
hegr
oundshake.

Icouldn'
ttel
li
fitwasreal
,butduet
ohow
nervousIwas,Ifel
tthegr
oundwasshaki
ng.
God!

"
Handmet
hewi
neont
het
abl
e"hesai
dint
hat
unr
uff
ledt
oneandi
fli
nched.

Huh?
??

Di
dhej
ust
..
..

Hol
don;
Di
dhej
ust
..
.

Iwassur pr
isedbutdi
dn'twaitf
orhimt or
epeat
himselfandimmediatel
y,It
urnedtothetabl
e,
tookthebottleofwi
neandhandedi ttohim.

Hol
yMol
l
y!

Heuncappedi
tandgul
pedar
easonabl
e
quant
it
yfr
om itandIj
ustwat
chedi
n
amusement.

Butassoonashebroughti
tdownf
rom t
hose
pi
nkli
ps,Iqui
ckl
ytookmyeyestot
hefl
oor
agai
n.

Ial
readyhadahugeof
fencei
nfr
ontofmeand
wouldn'
twantt
odoubl
eit.

Hewassilentf
orawhi
le,
maki ngmewonder
whatheprobabl
yhadi
nmi nd.Ifonl
yIcoul
d
r
eadhisthoughts.

"
Takeof
fyourcl
othes"If
inal
l
yhear
dhi
m say
.
*
*
TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode14

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Myhear
tjumpedoutofmychest
.
Whaaaaat
???

No!I
..
.Ipr
obabl
ydi
dn'
thearhi
m cl
ear
ly.
Hecan'
tpossi
blyaskmet
odosuchat
hing.

Geez!Ican'tbel
iev
emyner
vousnessi
smaki
ng
mehearst upidl
y.

Iwat
chedhi
m dr
inkf
rom hi
sbot
tl
eagai
n

"Cali
,takeoffyourcl
othes.Ihat
eitwhenI
repeatmy sel
f"hesaidsaidmyey esnear
ly
poppedoutofi tsockets.

OhmyGod!
Ihadn'
tmi
shear
dhi
m.I
twasr
eal
.

He.
..
.hewant
smet
ost
ri
pinf
rontofhi
m or
what
? ?

Myhear
tpoundedasIst
aredathi
m.

OhGod!I
'
m dead.I
'
m sodead.
"
Wh..
.Why
?"Ist
utt
eredandhescof
fedbutdi
dn'
t
r
epl
y

Icl
aspedmypalmstoget
heri
nfear
.Gosh!How
doItal
ktohi
m??Iwishsomethi
nginhi
shead
wouldj
ustmakehi
m havepit
yonmeandl et
mego.

Oh!God,
please.
Whatwoul
dbehi
sreasonsf
orwant
ingmet
o
st
ri
p?

Suddenl
y,Ifel
tsomethi
ngmov
ingi
nmybody-
l
ikeabigrunningi
nsect
.

Whaaaat
???

I
twasmov
ingf
rom myl
egsupwar
ds.

If
li
nchedandl
etoutashar
pcryasIhel
dmy
l
egandwonderedwhati
twas.

Itouchedi
tbutcoul
dn'
tfeel
anyi
nsectout
side.
Itwasmoreli
keitwasmov i
ngdi
rect
lyi
nsi
de
mybody .
"Youhave10secondsbeforei
treachesyour
heart
"hesai
dcoldlyanddrankf
rom hisglass
agai
n.

Whaaaat
?What
'shet
alki
ngabout
??

Myey
esdi
l
atedi
nshockasIst
aredathi
m.

How'
sheabl
etomakeani
nsectmov
edi
rect
ly
i
nsi
demybody?
???
?

Itwassoscar
yandirri
tat
ingt
hatIf
eltl
i
ke
screami
ngoutloud.

"Pl
ease,I'
m beggi
ngy
ou.I
'
m sor
ry.I
'
mtheonly
daughterofmymum"Iwhimper
edbuthedi
dn't
sayawor
danddr
ankf
rom hi
sbot
tl
e.

Ifel
ttheinsectcr
awli
ngupt omywai st
,mov i
ng
withsomuchspeedandi r
ri
tabi
li
tyandIdidn'
t
real
izewhenIgr i
ppedthehem ofmyshirtand
pull
editoffmyhead.

OhGod!

Ihy
pervent
il
atedasIstoodi
nfr
ontofhi
m wit
h
abra-mybigb* bscur
vedandhal
fl
ypopped
out
.

Isawasmi r
kt ouchhispi
nkli
psashest
aredat
i
tforasecondandt ookhiseyest
ohi
sbottl
e,
gulpi
ngf
rom itagain.
Theinsectwhichhadal r
eadybeencl
osetomy
chestsuddenl
yst oppedmov i
ngandstar
ted
fr
om myl egagain.

Butt
hist
imear
ound,
itwasmov
ingsl
ower
.

Iwhi
mper
edasIf
eltcol
dwi
ndbl
owar
oundme.

'
Please.
..
I'
m sti
ll
av *
rgi
n"i
sai
dinawaveri
ng
t
one, t
earsstr
eamingdownmycheeks.

"Iknow"hehushedanddr
ankf
rom hi
sbot
tl
e
again.

Myt hroatbecamesodryandsor
eas
connipti
ongrippedme.
Howcanhedot
hist
ome?
?

IknowwhatIdi
dwaswr
ong,
buti
sthi
sreal
l
y
necessar
y??

For
cinghi
msel
fonme?

Imanagedt
oescapehi
sguar
ds.Butnow,
thi
s??
?

I
'
m doomed.

I
'
m sodoomed.

Ifonl
ymum hadlist
enedtomeandt akenme
awayfrom her
eli
keI'
drequest
ed.Thiswoul
dn'
t
behappeni
ng.
Ifel
tashar
ppainonmyl eg-l
i
ket
heinsecthad
causedi
tandIshi
rkedandhel
dmyleg.

Icr
iedandl
ookedathi
mint
hef
ace.

Howcanhebet
hishear
tl
ess?
?

Isl
owl
yreachedfort
hezi
pperofmyt
rouser
anddr
aggeditdown.

AndasIpushedt
het
rouseri
tsel
fdown,
my
handsshook.

Thetear
sroll
eddownt omyneckast
het r
ouser
gott
omyhi psanddown-tomyknees,then
fi
nal
l
ymyf eetandtheywer
ecomplet
elyoff.
I
'
dtakeni
tof
f!
!

Idi
d!!

OhGod!

Imovedmyhandsfrom mychestandp*
nt,
conf
usedofwhatexact
lyt
ocover.

Thei
nvi
sibl
emov
ingi
nsecthadst
oppedbut
Idi
dn'
tev
enknowwhatt
odo.

Myb**bswereexposed-andsoweremyhips.I
f
eltsoshyandscaredst
andi
ngthatwayi
n
f
rontofaguy.
Isawhisgleamingey esst
areatmeandIwept .
God!Please,don'
tlethi
m askmet otakeof
fthe
p*ntandb*aaswel l.El
se,
I'
ll
justhav
et o
commi tsui
cideri
ghtaway.

Hestar
edatmeuncanni
l
yanddr
ankf
rom hi
s
bot
tl
eagai
n.

"Youcanleav
e"hef
inal
l
ysai
dici
l
yandmyhear
t
skipped.

Oh!Goodl
ord.Thanky
ou.

Isnif
fedandpickedthecl
othesfr
om thef
loor
withimmediat
eef f
ect,
buthestoppedme
"Dropt
hecl
othesandl
eav
e"hest
atedandmy
eyesdi
mmed.

Whaaaaaat
???

Doesheexpectmet
owal
kbackt
omyr
oom
hal
fna*
ed??

Whatt
he.
..
??

Ist
aredathi
mi nshockashedi
dn'
tpor
trayany
si
gnofremorseorpit
y.

Immediat
ely,If
eltmyhandstwit
chandt
he
clot
hesdroppedtothefl
ooratonce.

Whatt
he.
..
..
???
?
I
'
mreal
l
ydead.

"
Please"
,Isai
dpi
ti
ful
l
y.

"I
fyou'r
ehereint
henextt
enseconds,
you'l
lbe
sorr
y"hesaidandIgul
pedheav
il
yandturned
towardsthedoor
.

Oh!Cal
i
!

Ican'
tbel
i
eveI
'
llbewal
ki
ngar
oundt
hisway
..
Ihadafeel
i
nghewasact ual
l
yst
aringatmy
bounci
ngassf
rom behi
ndasIwalkedalong.

"
Youdidn'
tcomeint
hroughthedoor
,di
dyou?
"
HeaskedandIst
oppedtolookatme.
Whatagai
n??

Ishookmyheadpat
het
ical
l
y,wi
pingt
het
ear
s
offmyface.

"You'
regoi
ngt
hroughthewindow,t
hesame
wayyoucamein"hesaidandIfel
tmyhead
spin.

Whaaaat
??

GoodLor
d!GoodLor
d!

Whydi
dIhavet
oencountert
hisguy
???Why
???
I
'
m somessedupr
ightnow.
It
urnedaroundandheadedt
othewi
ndow,
l
ookingoutfr
om it
.

Gosh!Thegroundwasabi
tfarandi
tmademe
scaredandwonderhowI
'
dgottenupint
hef
ir
st
place.

Gosh!

It
urnedt
olookathi
m andf
oundhi
m st
ari
ngat
me.

Then,Iremember edhis10secondsand
withouthesi
tat
ion,Iputmylegsacrossthe
windowandpr eventedmyselff
rom star
ing
downwar dsbecauseIwasscaredofheights.
Hestoodupfr
om thebedandcamet
ostandi
n
fr
ontofthewi
ndow,st
ari
ngatmeasIcl
i
mbed
down.

Ikeptmyey esfi
xedint
ohisasIcrawled
caref
ull
y,pr
ayingfer
ventl
yIdon'
ttr
ip.

I
tsuddenl
yseemedthecour
ageI
'dpossessed
whenIwascli
mbingatf
ir
stwasnolongerther
e.

Iwhi
mperedasIcl
imbeddownt
hewal
l
sand
fi
nal
l
y,Igott
otheground.

OhmyGod!
!!Idi
dit
!

Ibreat
hedi
nheavil
yasIlookedupatt
he
windowandfoundhim st
il
lst
ari
ngatme.
Then,It
ookmyey
esaroundandwonderedhow
I
'dgetbackt
omyapar
tment-hal
fna*ed.

Fi
nall
y,Cal
iJennerhasl
ear
ntal
essonshe'
l
l
neverf
orget
.
*
*
Abel
'
sPov
:
"
Yeah.
..
comeon!

"
F**
k!F"
*k!

"
Scream l
ouder
!"Zackgroanedandspankedt
he
l
ady'
sassaswedr il
ledi
ntoheratthesame
t
ime.
Hehadhisd*cki
nherp**
sy,whii
eIhadminei
n
herass-
hol
e,hav
ingaper
fectt
hreesome.

Shemoanedandcr
iedsol
oudaswedamaged
her
.

Damn!Havingathreesomewasdamngood
becausei
tmadehersot ightandwel
comedmy
d*ckwit
hstret
ches.

Icoul
dfeelZack'
sd*
ckf
rom herasshol
eandi
t
fel
tsoogood.

Shewassit
ti
ngont opofhi
m whi
l
eIent
ered
i
ntoherf
rom behi
nd.

"
Oh,
myGod.
..
"
Oh,
yeah.
..
.

"
Oh.
..

"
Oh.
..
"

Shegaspedi
nmoansandIi
ncr
easedmypace.

Fi
nal
l
y,wepul
ledoutofherandshef
ell
ont
he
bedi
mmediat
ely,
gaspi
ngforair
.

"Thatwassogood,
baby
"Zacksmi
rkedandbi
t
herlef
tni
ppl
eandshesmil
ed.

"
Putony
ourcl
othesandl
eav
e"Isai
dtoherand
shedi
dn'
thesi
tat
etodoso.

Shelef
tthebed,wor
eonhercl
othesandl
eft
ther
oom atonce.

"Geez!Ineverknewlif
ecouldt
ast
esogood"
ZacklaughedasIr eachedf
ormytrouseront
he
fl
oor.

"You'
resuchabadass,Zack.Icoul
dfeely
our
d*ckalmostt
eari
ngherup"Ismirkedandhe
l
aughedagain.

"Well
,youwoul
dn'tbl
ameme, youknow?I '
ve
gottogivet
hem whattheywant"herepl
i
edand
Ishookmyheadandsatnexttohi m ont
hebed.
"
Abel
"hecal
l
ed.
"
Hav en'
tyoubeencur
iousr
egardi
ngMiqueland
whyhe'daskedustol
etgoofthatbi
gasslady
yest
erday?"

Oh!That
..
.

Ir
eflect
edmymindtoitandfel
tali
tt
leangr
yI'
d
missedsuchgol
denopport
unit
y.

Act
uall
y,Miquel
hadbeent
heonet
hataskedus
tol
ethergo.

Whenhe' drequestedourpresenceout si
de,
he
didn'
thaveany t
hingtosayorassi gntous.He
onlyaskedust olethergoandIguesshe' d
usedthattacti
cbecausehedi dn'twantherto
knowhewast heoneset t
ingherf ree.
"
Yeah..
.I
'
mr eal
l
ycur
ious"Ir
epl
i
ed,
myt
humbon
mylowerli
p.

"Miquelhasnevercaredaboutusscrewing
anyoneatall-nomat terwhothepersonis.
So..
I'
mr eal
lysurpr
isedheacteddif
ferent
ly
towardsthatl
ady "
.

"
Hmm.Andi t
salmosti
mpossibleforsomeone
l
i
keMi quelt
odev el
opf
eel
i
ngsf orsomeone,
r
ight
?So, whatcoul
dbehi
sreason? "

"Anddidyounoti
cehisreactionatt
hecafet
eri
a
towardsherwhenshe'dspil
ledfoodonhim?If
i
twer etobesomeoneel se,
webot hknow
Miquelwould'
vechoppedoffherhead.Butt
his
part
icul
arlady
,hesimplytookherneckl
aceand
l
eft
.Whatcoul
dbegoi
ngon?
"

Ashor
tsi
l
encest
eppedi
n.

"
Wel l
..
.Idon'
tknow.Butonet hi
ngisforsur
e-
I
'm defi
nitel
ygoingtodril
lthatl
adysomeday .I
wil
l
"Isai dwithenthusi
asm andl i
ckedmylips.
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )
Epi
sode15

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ir
emainedst
andi
ngf
oral
ongt
ime,
thi
nki
ngof
whatt
odo.

Howwill
Iwalkbacktomyroom hal
fnak*
ed?
WhathaveIdonetomysel
f?

Il
ookedar oundanddi
scoveredt
heareawas
sti
l
ldarkandquietandther
edidn'
tseem t
obe
anyonearound.

Wel
l
,IguessI
'
vel
ear
ntmyl
esson.
Sl
owl
y,Ist
art
edwal
ki
ngaway
.

It
urnedtolookatt
hewi
ndowandIf
oundhi
m
st
il
lstar
ingatme.
Gosh!

Whydoeshekeepst
ari
nghuh?
?
I
'
m pr
ett
ysur
ehe'
senj
oyi
ngt
hev
iew.

Ican'
tbel
i
evet
hisguyhumi
l
iat
edmet
hisway
.

Ii
ncr
easedmypaceandtri
edwal
ki
ngfast
er.I
wassoscar
edoftur
ningar
oundt
olookathim.

Iwal
kedandt
ookat
urn,
goi
ngoutt
oapl
ace
wher
ether
ewer
efewst
udent
sar
ound.

OhGod!

Ist
oppedwalki
ngandtookal
ookatmybody
.
CanIwalkt
hisway??

It
ooki
nadeepbr
eat
handt
houghtf
orawhi
l
e.

Seri
ously,
Idon'tt
hinkt
her
e'sanescapef
rom
thi
s.IguessI'
m doomed.

Iconti
nuedwalki
ng,
try
ingasmuchaspossi
ble
toavoi
dey econt
act
swi t
hany
one.

Well
..
..
isn'
tthi
swhatmostl
adi
esweart
oswi
m?
AndevenFashionPar
ade?
Hmph.

Iscur
ri
edpasst
hest
udent
swhower
etur
nedt
o
l
ookatme.

"Woah!!Whatanass!
"Iheardoneofthem say
anditgott
oapointIstar
tedrunni
ng.

Iranandignor
edallthesi
det
alksand
forget
ti
ngthefactt
hatmyasswereprobabl
y
bouncing.

OhGod!
I
'
llnev
erf
orgett
hisdayi
nmyl
i
fe.

Thankgoodnessonl
yaf
ewpeopl
esawme.
Andt
hey
'r
epeopl
eIdi
dn'
tev
enknow.

Ifi
nal
lygottotheent
ranceofmyapart
ment
andstoppedrunni
ng.Gosh!Iwasbr
eathi
ngso
heavi
l
y .

Ikeptmyey esgluedt othefl

oorasIscur
riedi
n.
Atleast,
evenifany onegetstoseeme,it
'l
lbe
l
adiesand..
.Idon'thavetobeshyaroundthem.
Right?
??

Thef
ewIcameacrosskeptst
ari
ngatmel
i
keI
waswei
rdorsomet
hing.

*Woah!Ibetshejustf
ini
shedar ound.Buti
s
thatt
hereasonshedidn'
tmakeuseofher
clot
hes?*Ihear
doneoft hem sayinherhead
andfeltl
ikebi
ti
ngher.
Ii
ncreasedmypace,
wal
kedandr
anandf
inal
l
y,
Igottomyroom.

Oh.Thanky
ou,
dearLor
d.

AssoonasIopenedt
hedoorandgoti
n,I
heav
edahugesighofrel
i
efandl
eanedonthe
door
.

Thankgoodnesst hel
esbianswer en'
ti
nthe
room -justt
hequietr
oom mat e.Shewas
readi
ngabookasusual andshotmea
surpr
isedstareasIwalkedin.
.

Ileftt
hedoorandwenttomyluggage,
rif
li
ng
throughi
tandbringi
ngoutsomet
hingni
ceand
simpletowear.
AshotandT-
shi
rt
.

Fi
nal
l
y,I
'
m humanagai
n.

Oh!Miquel
.Now, Igetwhyev
ery
oneisscar
ed
ofhi
m.Idon'tt
hinkhehasaheartatal
l
.

No;
Idon'
tthi
nkso.

Geez!

Irecal
l
edthatcoldlookinhiseyeswhenhe'
d
askedmet ostr
ip.Irecal
l
edhowhe' dsmi
rked
whenI'dt
akenof fmyshirt,
exposi
ngmyhalfl
y
poppedoutb**bs.
Despi
temypl
eadi
ngs.
..

Andwor
stofi
tal
l-He'sst
il
lgotmyneckl
ace.
Cani
tev
ergetwor
st??Huh?

Thequietl
adyhadt
akenherey
esbacktoher
bookandIdeci
dedtospeakwi
thher
.She'
sthe
conf
essorri
ght?

Iwenttoherbedandsatnextt
oherandshe
di
splay
edast ar
tl
edl
ook.

"
Hi"Ismi
l
ed,
looki
ngather
.

"H-
h-hi
"shest
utt
ered,al
mostmaki
ngmel
augh,
butIst
oppedmyself
.
"
Um.
..
doy
ouneedsomet
hing?
",sheasked.

"Nope.Just
..
.want
edt
osayhi
"Irepl
i
edwi
tha
shrugandherbrowsf
urr
owedherbr
owsi
n
surpr
ise.

"
Re.
..
Real
l
y?"Sheasked.
"
You.
..
aren'
tscar
edofme?
"

"
Andwhywoul
dIbescar
edofy
ou?
"Ichuckl
ed.
"
Youar
en'
tamonst
er,
arey
ou?
"

Shesmiledandl
ookeddownatherbookf
ora
second.

"
Well
..
.sinceIcametothei
nst
it
ute,
you'
ret
he
f
ir
stpersoncomingcloset
ome.Every
body
despi
sesme-t hey'r
eallscar
edofmebecause
theyt
hinkjustatouchfrom mecantur
nthem
i
ntomysl avesforever
"sherepli
edandIf
inal
l
y
gotagripofwhatshewassay i
ng.

Oh!

"
Alt
hough,
"shecont
inued.
"I
'
vebeent r
ainedandtaughtonhowt ocontr
ol
i
t,butther
earesti
lll
ookingatmelikethesame
personIwaswhenI '
dnewl yar
ri
ved.

"Atfir
st,
Idi dn'
thavecontrolofmypower s.As
we'reseatedher etoget
her,justamereskin
touchandy ou'
dbeconf essed.Backthen,I'
d
accident
allyconfessedfourpeople-twodi ed
try
ingtopr otectme.AndIor deredt
heot her
twot ogof arawaybecauseofhowcr azythey
wer
eact
ingov
erme.

"Asaresult
,everyonebecamescaredofme
andav oi
dedmel ikeaplaque.So.
..
youwoul
dn'
t
blamemei fI'
m surpri
sedyou'r
ecomingcl
ose
tome"sheconcl uded,l
eavingmespeechl
ess
forafewseconds.

Wow!Ican'
tbel
i
eveshe'
sbeengoi
ngt
hrough
t
his.

Whatagi
ft-gi
ftt
hatscar
espeopl
eaway

"
Wel
l
...
"Isai
daf
tert
hesi
l
ence.
"Idon'
tthi
nkI'
m scar
edofy ou.Andyoudon'
t
havetowor r
y.Soonenough,ever
yonewil
ll
earn
toacceptyou.Okay?
"Isaidwithasmil
e,my
handonher sandshenodded.
"So..
.I
'
venoticedyou'
real
waysreadi
ng.Car
eto
explai
n?"Iaskedandshechuckl
edandstared
atthebook.

"Wel
l.
..
Idon'
tanyfri
endoranyonetot
alkt
o.So,
Ij
ustpref
erreadi
ngwhenI'
m chancedand
bor
ed"sherepli
edandIfel
tsomuchpityf
orher
.

Gosh!

"I
'
mr eal
lysor
ryaboutt
hat-t
her
eject
ion"I
hushed.

"
Yeah.
..
it
snot
hing.Thanks"
.

Ist
aredi
ntoherbookandst
art
edr
eadi
ngwi
th
herandaf
terawhi
l
e,Iwentov
ert
omybedand
sl
ept.
*
*
#Next
_mor
ning.
*
*
"Owennnn!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!"If
oundmysel
f
scr
eaminginthedream andwokeupwit
hthat
sameshock.
Ipant
edasIsatupwi
thaf
ull
for
ceandmy
room mat
esl
ookedatmei
nastart
edmanner
.

OhmyGod!I
twasadr
eam.

Justadr
eam!
!
Geez!

Ibreat
hedi
nheavi
l
yandt
ouchedmyf
orehead.
Itwasdamnsoscary
.

Idr
eamtofmybr
other-Owen.

He'
dgonef
orapar
tyandendedupdead.

What'sthatsupposedtomean,
huh?Whywoul
d
Isuddenlydream ofhi
m??

"
Cal
i
,ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?"Ni
nacameaski
ng.

"Yeah..
.I
'
mfine.I
t.
..
itwasj
ustani
ght
mare"I
repl
iedandshenoddedandlef
t,goi
ngi
ntothe
bathroom.
Gosh!Thatwaster
ribl
e.Whydi
dIhav
eto
dr
eam somethi
nglikethat
?

"Didyoudream y ourasswascutoutorwhat?
"
Oneoft helesbiansaskedandIj
ustshothera
stareanddidn'trepl
y.

Cr
ap.

Il
eftt
hebedandwentaheadt
obrushmyteet
h
andassoonasNi
nawasoutofthebat
hroom,I
wenti
nandtookmybath.
*
WhenIret
urnedfr
om t
hebathr
oom,If
oundt
he
l
esbi
anskissi
ngandl
aughi
ngonthebed.
Idri
edmybody
,putonsomecl
othesandgot
settol
eav
e.

Ni
nawassi
tt
ingont
hebed.

"
Don'
tyouhav
ecl
assest
oday
?"Iaskedher
.

"
Uh.
..
ofcourse,Ido.Iact
uall
yhav
eonet
his
mor
ning.I
ntel
lectualst
udy"sher
epl
i
ed.

"Oh!That'
swher
eI'
m headed.Comeon;
wecan
gotogether"
.

Shemouthedan"okay
"andst
oodupandwe
l
eftr
oom toget
her
.

Assoonaswegotout
,ImetDi
anewal
ki
ng
t
owar
dsus.

"Ah!Thankgoodnessyou'
redoneal
ready
"she
saidwit
hreli
efbutst
oppedwhenshesawNi na
besideme.

"Hi
Diane"Igr
eet
edbutshekeptherey
esf
ixed
onNina

"
Yeah.
..
.goodmor
ning"shesai
d.

"
Goodmorni
ng"Ni
naal
sosai
dandIf
igur
edI
'
d
t
ostepi
n.

"Um..
.she'
sheadedfort
hesamecl
assaswe.
So,It
houghtit
'dbebesti
fwewentt
oget
her
"I
expl
ainedtoDiane.
"Oh!Isee.Wel
l
,comeon.We'r
erunninglat
efor
now"shesaidandwecont
inuedwalking
toget
her.

Wewal kedf oral ongti

meandgottothecl
ass
butsur
pr i
singly,allt
hestudent
swer
estandi
ng
i
nsteadofsi tt
ing.

What
'sgoi
ngon?

Wewal
kedi
nandj
oinedt
hem.

"Why'
sev
eryonestandi
ng?"IaskedDiane
besi
deme,butshecouldn'
tevengiv
emea
repl
y.
Thefemal
eteacherwasinfr
ontoftheclass
andshor
tl
y,Miquelandhi
sguardswalkedin.

Ooops!
!

Hol
yMol
l
y!!
!

Thestudent
sexpressedt
hei
rsur
pri
seand
exci
tementashesaunter
edi
nandstoodi
n
fr
ontoftheclass.

"Okay
;y'
al
lcansitnow"thet
eacherannounced
andever
yonetookthei
rseat
s.

Oh!
!

So,
wecoul
dn'
tseatwhi
l
etheki
ngwaswal
ki
ng
i
n??

Myhear
tski
ppedasIr
emember
edt
hepr
evi
ous
ni
ght
'si
nci
dence.

God!Pl
ease,
Ijusthopehedoesn'
tseeme.I
don'
twanthi
mt o.

Istaredathimfrom t
hebackwhereIsatand
couldn'
thelpbutadmirehi
m -despi
tehi
s
cruelt
y.

Gosh!Hi
slookswer
eki
l
li
ng.

Hai
r,ey
es,
li
ps,
char
ms.
..
ever
ythi
ng!

Howcansomeonet
hiscut
ebesocol
dhear
ted,
huh?

But
..
.why
'sheev
enher
e?
What
'swr
ong?

"Ev
eryonel
i
stenup"
,oneofhisguar
dsstart
ed
andimmediat
ely
,myeyesranint
ohis-Miquel
.

Oh,
God!
!

If
oundhi
m st
ari
ngatme!
!!

Itwi
tchedandl
oweredmyhead,
feel
i
ngso
scar
edt ol
ookathi
m..

"
Ihav
eani
mpor
tantannouncementt
o
announcetoy"
all-comi
ngf
rom t
hepr
esi
dent
"
theguardcont
inued.

"
Today
,you'
l
lbegoi
ngonami
ssi
on"
.

What
?
*
*
TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe’
scol
d-hear
ted)
Epi
sode16

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
’sPov
:
Il
i
stenedat
tent
ivel
yashecont
inuedspeaki
ng.

We’
l
lbegoi
ngonami
ssi
on?
?Sosoon?

Whatmi
ssi
on?

“Wej ustgotsomei
nformati
onfr
om areli
able
sourcethatsomevit
aldocumentsj
ustarr
ived
butar ei
npossessi
onofthewronghands.

“
So,
weneedy
out
other
e,gett
hedocument
s
andbr
ingt
hem homet
ous.

“
Now,
thi
sist
hepl
an:

“I
tsinamuseum andy
ou’r
etogother
eli
ke
normalst
udent
swhojustcamet
olearn.

“Wheny ougettother
ecepti
on,you’l
laskfor
thedirectorandassoonashear ri
ves,themind
readerwoul dsear
chthroughhisthoughtsand
knowwher ethedocumentsare”.

Hol
don;
didIj
usthearmi
ndr
eader
?

“
You’
llpayyourfeestot
hedir
ectorandst
art
wal
ki
ngar oundthemuseum,pret
enti
ousl
y
f
eedi
ngy oureyes.Andwhenyou’
resurey
ou’r
e
outofsightandnoone’swatchi
ng,t
hreeofyou
wouldleaveinsear
chforthedocument,t
aki
ng
thedi
recti
onofthemind–r eader
.

“You’
regonnamakei
tassnappyandsi
mpl
eas
possi
ble.

“Yougett
otheof
fi
ce,taket
hedocument
sand
headouti
mmediat
ely
.

“Now,incasey ougetcaught,you’
refr
eeto
makeuseofy ourpowersindefense.Butt
her
e
mustbenol ossofl
if
e.Irepeat:t
heremustbe
nolossoflif
e.So,becarefulnottokil
lany
one
i
nt heprocess.

“
Youhavethr
eehourstoeat,
dowhateveryou
wannadoandrepor
tbacktotheemergency
hallwhereyou’l
lbegr oomedproperl
yand
select
ed.Ifther
ear eanyquesti
ons,ther
e’dbe
answer edoverthere.I
sthatunder
stood?”He
concludedauthorit
ativel
yandsomeoft he
studentsechoed“ yes,si
r”.
“
Good”hemutt
eredandl
eftwi
th“
theKi
ng”and
t
hesecondboy
.

Assoonast heylef
t,theclassbecamenoisyas
ever
yonestart
edmov i
ngout ,
probablygoi
ngto
eatandgetreadyinlessthan3hour s.

Di
anecamet
omei
mmedi
atel
y.

“Comeon,Cal
i.Let
’sgetgoi
ng”shesai
dasshe
heldmyhandandstoodmeup.

Oh!
“
But…areyousurewe’rer
eadyt
ogofora
missi
on,Di
ane?”Iaskedher
,al
it
tl
eworr
ied.

“Wel
l…feelfr
eetoaskthem wheny
ougett
othe
emergencyhall
,okay
?”Shesaidwi
thaney
erol
l
andIglaredather
.

Annoy
ingcr
eat
ure.

WemetNi naandleftfort
hecafet
eriatogether
andal
lthewhil
e,Itr
iednottotel
lDianeabout
myencounterwi
thMi quelt
heprevi
ousni ght.
*
*
Naomi
’
sPov
:
It
wir
ledi
nfr
ontoft
hemi
rr
or,
admi
ri
ngmyshor
t
pr
ett
ydr
ess.

“Tel
lme,
gir
ls.HowdoIl
ook?”Iaskedmy
compani
onsastheywat
chedmef rom behi
nd.

“Well
…youj
ustgetpr ett
ierandpr
ett
ierast
he
daysgoesby”Iv
yr epli
edandIgiggl
edandfel
t
mycheeksturnred.

“Well
,wishmel uck.I
’m sureMiquel
wouldbe
unabl
etor esi
stme”Isai dwit
hachar mi
ngwink
andtheynoddedaf fi
rmativ
ely
.
Ismil
edandtookt
heappet
izi
ngcupcakesI
per
sonal
lymadeforhi
m.

“
But
..Naomi
”Nat
ali
ecal
l
edbackmyat
tent
ion.
“
Arey
ousur
eaboutt
his?YouknowhowMi
quel
i
s,ri
ght
?Arey
ousur
eyoushoul
dbegoi
ngt
o
hi
sroom?”

“Oh!Please,don’
twor r
yabouti
t,dol
l.I
’
vegoti
t
covered”Isaidconfi
dentl
yandwalkedaway,
headedf orMiguel
’sroom.
*
*
TheBl
åckDi
ãmônds

Hi
ddenPov
:
Isati
nfrontofthedr
awingboar
d,pai
nti
ng
somethi
ngdiffer
entt
histi
mearound.

Iwassoengrossedi
nit
,butnotunt
ilt
hedoor
opened,
dist
ract
ingme.
Iexhal
eddeepl
yandwai
tedf
ort
hem t
ocomei
n.

“
We’r
esorryf
orthedist
urbance,
sir
.Butwej
ust
r
ecei
vedsomeimportanti
nformati
on”t
he
f
emaleamongthem said.

“Oneofourspiesfr
om thewhi
teDi
ãmôndsj
ust
gaveusahint.They’
regoi
ngaft
ert
he
documents”
.

Hmmm

“Wil
lshebegoi
ngwi
tht
hem?Thebanshee?
”I
asked

“
Yes.Accor
dingt
oourspy
,she’
sact
ual
l
y
pl
ayi
ngamaj
orrolei
nthemissi
on”sher
epl
i
ed
andasmi
l
etouchedmylips.

“
Youknowwhattodo.Makesur
eyougether
t
hist
imear
ound”Ii
nstr
uct
ed.

“
Yes,
sir
”.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode17
By
:Fai
thLucky

Naomi
'
sPov
:
Iwalkedi
ntot
heapar
tmentwi
ththecupcakes
i
nmyhandandmetAbel andZackatthe
ent
rance.

Oh!Pl
ease,
don'
ttel
lme.

Irol
l
edmyey esandt
ri
edwal
ki
ngpasst
hem,
buttheyst
oppedme

"
Hey,hey
,wher
edoyouthi
nkyou'
regoi
ng?
"
Abel
asked,
hol
dingmeBack.

"Gosh!Comeon,guys.I
'
m nost
rangertoyou,
am I?Ij
ustwannasayhitoMi
quel"Isai
d
pl
eadi
ngl
y,hopi
ngt
hey
'dbeconv
inced.

"Doyouthi
nki
t'
sgonnabethateasygett
ingt
o
seehim?Hedoesn'
twantt
obedi st
urbedand
youknowhowhecanbeatt i
mes"Zacksaid.

"Yes.Anddon'tworr
y,I
'mr eadyt
of acethe
consequences,okay
?Comeon"Ir oll
edmyeyes
andletoutacharmingsmi lei
ntheend,
knowingthey'
redefi
nit
elygonnafallfori
t.

Theylookedateachot
herandfi
nall
ygaveme
thegoaheadandIsmiledandwalkedpass
them.

Igottothedoor,knockedonitbutdi
dn'
tget
anyresponseandslowly,Ipushedt
hedoor
openandwal kedin.
Gosh!

Thesweet
estf
ragr
anceandsoft
estgl
ow
wel
comedmeasIst eppedi
n.

Damn!Whataki
ng'
sroom.

Itt
ookmesomet i
mebef oremyey escoul
d
adj
usttothedimnessoft her
oom andspothi m
i
nf r
ontofthedrawingboard,pai
ntingasusual
.

Hewasbacki ngthedooranddi
dn'tbot
hert
o
haveal ook,
li
kehe'
dbeenexpecti
ngmy
presenceorsomethi
ng.

"
Hi,
Miquel
"Ical
l
edi
naser
enet
one,
hopi
ng
he'
dtur
ntol
ookatme.

Alt
hough,I
'v
ebeenclosetohim onsever
al
occasi
ons-duri
ngmeetingsandallt
hat,
we'v
e
j
ustneverhadtheti
met otal
kmuch.And
consi
deri
ngthefacthe'
ssnobbi
sh.

"Whatdoyouwant,Naomi?
"Heaskedcol
dly
,
sti
l
lconcent
rat
ingonhisdr
awi
ngboard.

Fi
nal
l
y,He'
sspokenout
.

"Act
ually.
..
.Ij
ustdroppedbyt ogi
vethis
cupcaketoy ou.Imadet hem myself
" Irepl
ied
ecstat
ical
lyandafterawhi l
e,hedroppedhis
sti
ckandst oodupt ofaceme.
Oh!Geez,

Thoseey
es!
!

Ifel
tbut
ter
fl
iesdanceinmytummyashe
star
tedwal
kingtowardsme,
hisf
oot
stepsso
daresome.

EvenifIwastheQueenofthecamp,
Icoul
dn'
t
helpbutfeel
nerv
ousaroundhim.

Hewasmor
eofagod.

Hegott
owher
eIwasandst
oppedwal
ki
ng.

Then,heopenedt
heboxandbroughtouta
cakeandmyheartgl
addenedasheatefrom i
t.
Ohmygee!
!!

Mi
quel
atef
rom i
t!
!

Hesmi
ledatfi
rstashechewed,
thensuddenl
y
t
hrewt
hehalfatme.

"
It
sasuglyasyoulook"hest
atedcol
dlyand
t
urnedar
ound,
returni
ngtohi
sboard.

Whatt
he.
..

"Youwouldn'
twantmet ofindyouherei
nthe
60seconds"hefur
thersaidandItur
nedaround
andscurr
iedoutoftheroom.
Ar
ghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Whenthethr
eehourshadelapsed,weal
l
gat
heredatt
heemergencyhallwherepr
oper
gui
dancewastaken.

Theluckyf
ewwereselect
edandunf
ort
unat
ely
,
Dianewasn'
tamong.

Shoul
dIsayunf
ort
unat
ely
?

Wel
l,
shewasn'
tchosen,butNi
naandIwer
e
wi
thl
esst
han12ot herst
udent
s.
Wewer egi
vengui
del
inesandinst
ruct
ionson
whattodoandfi
nal
ly
, wesetoutonthe
missi
on,maki
nguseofalongbus.

NinaandIweresit
ti
ngnextt
oeachot her.And
alt
hough,shewasquiett
hewhol
et i
me, Isti
l
l
fel
thappyIwaswithsomeoneIknew.

Aft
eralongri
de,
wegott ot
hemuseum andI
becameextr
anervous.

Oh!Boy
,

I
sthi
swhati
tmeanst
obeaDi
ãmônd?

Fir
stmi
ssi
onandI
'
m al
readyhy
per
vent
il
ati
ng
thi
sway.
Wecameoutoft hebusandwalkedint
othe
museum,taki
ngthegradual
stepsl
ikewe'
d
beeni
nst
ructed.

Wemett herecept
ionistandafterexchangi
ng
pleasant
ries,
askedfort hedi
rectorwhoshe
call
edoutandwet urnedtohim.
"Goodday
,st
udent
s"hebeamedi
nanugl
y
smile.

Wel
l
,I'
dcal
li
tugl
ywi
thhi
sbaddent
it
ion.

"Wow!Whatcol
legear
eyouf
rom?AndImust
sayi
t'
sanhonortohavey
ouher
eattheci
ty'
s
museum"
"
Goodday,si
r"t
heonewhowasassi
gned
l
eaderamongussai
d.
"We'
refr
om GlamourCol
l
egeandwe'
reher
eon
animport
antassi
gnment
..
..
"

Whi
let
heydi
dthet
alki
ng,Isetoutonmyown
wor
k,t
ryi
ngt
osear
chthroughhi
sthought
s.

Gosh!

I
twasdamnst ressf
ulandcompl
icat
edbecause
di
ffer
entt
houghtskeptfl
ashi
ngt
hroughmy
headazwell
.

ButIt
ri
edt
ofocus.

Tr
yingt
ogodeep.
..
.
*
Susan*

*
Themanager
s..
.*

*
Ihopet
hef
il
esar
est
il
lsaf
e..
.*

Iwasbegi
nningtogetasl
ightheadache,
scour
ingt
hroughhi
sthoughts.

Andsuddenl
y,al
oudcr
ashi
ngsound
i
nter
rupt
edme.

Wet urnedinoneswifttur
ntot hedoorand
foundagr oupofpeople-youngboy sandgirl
s
l
ikeus-st andi
ngattheentrance,al
ldressedi
n
black.
What
??

"TheBl
ackDi
ãmônds!
"Oneofthestudent
s
amongusexcl
aimedandIf
li
nched.

TheBl
ackwhat
???
??
*
*

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode18
By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Myhear
tgav
eami
ght
yleapatt
hement
ionof
t
hat
.

TheBl
ackwhat
???
?

Hol
yChr
ist
!!
!

Myey esdimmedasIstar
edatthem andindeed,
theylookeddar
k-dr
essedinshor
tblack
dresses.

Allt
heladi
esamongt
hem wer
eput
ti
ngonbum
shots.
Theystoodattheentr
ancef
orawhil
eand
fi
nal
lywalkedin.Ev
enthedi
rect
orwasal
ready
l
ookingconfused.

Theyhadthi
sdarkshadear
oundt
hei
rey
es-
makingt
hem lookki
ndaweir
d.

"
Well
,well
,wel
l.I
t.
..
itseemswe'r
ehav i
ngsome
r
eal
lygr
eatcompanyt oday
"thedi
rectorsai
d
wi
thner
vousnessresoundi
nginhisvoice.

"
Pret
tyl
adiesandgentl
emen,towhatdoIowe
t
hispl
easure?Ourmuseum i
s..
."

"We'
renother
eforf
un"oneoft
hel
adi
escuti
n
shar
ply
.
"We'
reher
eforthedocumentsandfory
ourown
good,I
'
dsuggestyoubri
ngitouti
mmediat
ely
".

Whaaaat
???

It
urnedandl
ookedatmymember
s.

Howdi
dt heyknowaboutt
hedocument
sint
he
f
ir
stpl
ace???

Andt
heycan'
tj
ustsei
zei
tfr
om us?
?

Il
ookedatt
hedi
rectorandhewasal
ready
l
ooki
ngli
kehewantedtopuke.
"
I.
..
.Idon'
tknowwhaty
ou'
ret
alki
ngabout
..
..
"

Bef
orehecoul
dfini
shuphisst
atement
,he
st
art
edchoki
ng,spi
tt
ingoutbl
ood.

OhmyGod!
!

"Ruuuuuuuunnnnn"oneofourmembers
shoutedandtheentir
eplacetur
nedi
ntochaos.

Every
bodysetouti
ndif
fer
entdi
recti
ons,some
forpr
otect
ion,
whil
esomeinsearchofthe
documents.

Well
,Iwasamongthosegoi
nginsear
chofthe
document
sbecauseIknewexact
lywher
eit
was.
I
'
dmanagedt
osqueezeoutf
rom hi
sthought
s.

Exchangeofpowerswast aki
ngplace
dangerousl
yint
heroom butItri
ednottobe
fri
ghtenedbyi
tasItookthestai
rs,r
unni
ngas
fastasIcoul
d.

Screamsandthudscoul
dbeclear
lyhear
dall
overandIt
hankedmystarsnomissil
ehad
l
andedonme.

Ireachedtheendofthelongstai
rsand
continuedrunni
ng,
checkingf
ortheri
ghtof
fi
ce.

Icheckedr
oom byr
oom andf
inal
l
yfoundi
t.
Hah!Thankgoodness!

Yes,
ithast
obei
t.

Hesai
droom 4.

It
ri
edopeni
ngi
t,butdi
scov
eredi
twasl
ocked.

Oh!Damn!

Whatdoi
do?
?Howdoi
getakey
?

Il
ookedbehi
ndandthel
oudsoundscoming
fr
om downst
air
smademef earsomeonemight
showupanyti
mesoonandcatchupwithme.
Ineededt
oactf
ast
.

Suddenl
y,It
houghtofmygi
ft
.

Mybansheepower
s.

Imovedbackabitandf
acingt
hedoorpr
oper
ly,
Iscr
eamedontopofmylungs.

Therateatwhichthedoorhadopenedreal
l
y
gotmescar edasitj
ustupr
ootedthewoodand
fl
ungitbackwards.

Thankgoodnesst
heent
ir
eroom di
dn'
tcr
ash.
Ir
ani
ntoi
ntor
oom andey
e-sear
chedf
ori
t.
Wher
ecoul
ditbe?Wher
ecoul
ditbe?

Isawpil
esofdocumentsont
het
abl
eand
star
tedr
if
li
ngthr
oughthem.

Gosh!HowdoIknowt
heor
igi
nal
one?
?What
doIdo?

Ist
art
edfl
i
ppingthr
ought
hem,
notknowi
ng
whi
chtochose.

Andsuddenl
y,Ihear
dloudf
oot
stepsandtur
ned
i
nfeartoseethreel
adi
esfr
om t
heBlack
Di
ãmônds.

OhmyGod!
No,
no.

Il
eftt
hedocument
sandmov
edbackabi
t.

"Seemssomeonefoundi
t"oneoft
hel
adi
es
saidwi
thanevi
lgr
in.

"
Stayaway
..
."If
alt
eredasImov
edback.

Theyambledt
owardsmeandi mmediat
ely,I
scr
eamedatthem,wi pi
ngthem of
fthei
rfeet
andswingi
ngthem backwards.

Theyyel
pedandl
andedr
oughl
yont
hef
loorand
passedout
.

Oh,
God!
Ipant
edheav il
yasIr ant
othedocumentsagai
n
andstart
edsear chi
ngthr
oughthem and
i
mmedi atel
y,Iheardnewfootst
eps.

Pl
ease,
don'
ttel
lme.

It
urnedt
oswif
tl
ytothedoorandt
hist
ime
ar
ound,i
twasboys.

Twoboy
s.

Fr
om t
heBl
ackDi
amonds.

Ir
ecoi
l
edi
nfear
.
Wel l
,youwoul
dn'tbl
amemeforact
ingt
hisway.
Fewday sago,Iwaswit
hmyparent
sandnever
thoughtadaywouldcomewhenI'
dhavetoget
i
nv ol
vedinacombat.

Befor
eIcouldthi
nkofscr
eaming,oneofthem
wavedhishandatmeandIcouldn'texpl
aint
he
windthatsweptmeoffmyfeetandmademe
hi
tthewall.

Icri
edinpai
nsasmybackandbutthi
troughl
y
againstt
hewal
ldownt
othefl
oor.

OhmyGod!
!

What
'st
hat
??
Ilookedupatthem pai
nful
l
yandsawoneof
them taki
ngal
lthedocumentsf
rom t
het
abl
e.

No,
no.

Hepackedal
lofi
tandr
anoutoft
her
oom andI
wastooweaktocr
yout
.

"
You'
rethebanshee,
right
?"Theboyl
efti
nthe
r
oom sai
d.
"
Mymast
erwi
l
lbev
eryhappyt
oseey
ou"
.

What
'shet
alki
ngabout
???

Hewasaboutdoingwhat*Heav
enKnows*but
suddenl
y,Ni
nar
ushedin.
Sher
ani
nandhel
dhi
sneckf
rom behi
ndwi
tha
fullf
orceandi
mmedi
atel
y,Isawhi
sey
est
urn
black.

OhmyGod!

Hol
yChr
ist
!

Notj
usthi
sey
es,
buther
saswel
l
.

Theybot
htur
nedbl
ack.

Icoveredmymout hwit
hmypal mt oprev
ent
my sel
ffrom screami
ngasi tscaredthehell
outtame.Andt hatwaswhenIr eal
izedwhat
hadhappened; she'
dconfessedhi m!

Shel
etgoofhi
sneckast
hei
rey
est
urnedback
t
onor
mal
andhef
ell
onhi
skneesi
mmedi
atel
y.

"HowcanIpl
easeyou,mist
ress?"Heaskedher
andIf
eltmyhear
tbeatrapi
dly.

Hol
yMol
l
y!

"
Justleav
e...
.anddosomethi
ngusef
ulwit
hyour
l
i
fe"shecommandedhi m andhenoddedand
r
anoutoft heroom.

Whaaaaaaaat
???
?

Shel
ookedal
it
tl
eweakasshescur
ri
edt
ome
andhel
pedmeup.

"
T..
.Thanky
ou"Isai
dwi
thal
i
ttl
equi
veri
nmy
v
oice.

"
They'
ve.
..
.They
'vet
akent
hedocument
saway
"I
f
urt
hersai
d.

"
Yeah.
..
it
sover
.Comeon.Thepol
i
ceareon
t
hei
rwayalr
eady"sher
epl
i
edandledmeoutof
t
heroom.

Bytheti
mewe'dgottendownstai
rs,
theBlack
Diãmôndswereal
readygone.Theytookt
he
documentsaway!
!
*
*
Ever
yonewasqui
etandmoodyt
hroughoutt
he
ri
dehome.
Wel
osti
t!

Idi
dn'tknowoftheother
s,butt
hiswasmyfi
rst
missionandIl
ostitwhenIwassocloset
o
gett
ingit
.I'
dal
mostgot t
enthedocument
s!

Gosh!Thet
houghtofi
tal
onepi
ercedmyhear
t.

Wearr
ivedatt
hei
nst
it
uteaft
eral
ongri
deand
weweresummonedi
ntotheemer
gencyhal
l
.

Iguessthel
eaderamongushadgi v
enthem
feedbackal
readyasMiquel'
sguardswere
l
ookingangryastheywalkedint
othehall
.

Mi
quel
wasn'
tev
enwi
tht
hem t
hist
imear
ound.
Theysummonedev eryonefrom t
hemor ni
ng
secti
on-includi
ngDi aneandt herestwho
weren'
tselectedforthemi ssionl
aterandweal
l
metintheemer gencyhal l
.

AsMi quel
'
sguar
dsstoodinfr
ontofus,I
noti
cedmostofthest
udentswereshaki
ngi
n
fear
.

"Youfai
l
edt
hemissi
on!
"Thef
irstonespoke
angri
l
yashewal
kedthoandf
ro.

"TheBl
ackDi
ãmôndsweren'
tsupposedt
o
knowabouti
t.I
twasasecr
etandconfi
dent
ial
.

"I
ftheBl
ackDi
ãmôndsshowedup,
itonl
y
meansonethi
ng:
theywer
einf
ormedby
someone.
"Oneofyouher
eisatrai
tor
".Hesai
dandawi
l
d
gaspranacr
ossthehall
.
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe’
scol
d-hear
ted)

Epi
sode19

By
:Fai
thLucky
Cal
i
’sPov
:
Awi
l
dgaspr
anacr
osst
her
oom.

Whaaat
?

A….
Atr
ait
or?
?

Myey
esdi
mmedi
mmedi
atel
y.

What
’r
etheyt
alki
ngabout
??

“
Thisi
sn’
tthef
ir
stt
imei
tshappeni
ng”he
f
urt
hersai
d.
“TheBlackDiãmôndsal
way stakeoutt
imeto
plantspi
esinourmidst
,buteachti
me,we’v
e
sor
tedt
hem outandwast
edt
hem.

“Youknowy oursel
f.I
fyou’r
et hetrai
tor
, I
’
d
suggesty
oul eavenowbef oreit’
stoolate.
Becausetr
ustme, we’redefi
nitel
ygonnaf ind
youandoncewedo, we’l
lfeedy ourcorpseto
thedogs.

“You’
redi
smissed”heconcludedandlef
twit
h
hiscompani
onsbutthesil
enceinthehall
conti
nuedasthe*tr
ait
or*gotatever
yone.

Diane,
,
NinaandIdidn’
tsayawor
dtoeachother
unti
lwe’dgot
tenoutsi
deandDi
anehuggedme.

“Oh!Thankgoodnessyoucamebacki none
piece.Iwassod@mnscar edandwishedIwas
sentalong”shespokewi
thoutapause.
“Yeah…I’
mf i
nenow.Al t
hough,
I’mjustal
it
tl
e
angryIdidn’
tgetthedocuments.Iwassoclose
toit
”Irepli
eddoleful
l
y.

“
Aww!Howdi
dithappen?
”Sheasked.

“Ial
mostgotcaptur
ed,
butNinaher
esavedme”
Ismil
edandlookedatNinawho’
dbeenqui
et
thewhol
etime.

“
Oh!I
tsnot
hing,
please”sher
epl
i
edbashf
ull
y.

Wegoti ntot
hecafeandorder
edf orf
oodsand
dri
nksandwhi l
eweate,It
oldDianeallabout
themissionandhowitwent.
“
G0sh!IguessMiquel
mustbeangryangr
ywe
l
osttot
heBlackDiãmônd’
s”Shecommented
whenIwasdone.

“
Iguesst
hat’
sthereasonhedi
dn’
tshowupi
n
t
heemergencyhal
l
.

“G0sh!Ireal
lydon’twantt
ofacethatangerof
his.I
t’
sterri
ble”shesai
dwitharepugnantl
ook
andIposed.

“What’
swithhi
sanger?
”Iasked,
li
cki
ngt
he
cream of
fmyfi
nger.

“Geez!Haven’tyouhear dofit
?Whenev erhe
getsangry
, hest art
sbleedi
ngfrom hi
sey esand
nostr
il
sandatt hatmoment ,hecanki
llwithi
na
second”sher epliedandIfel
talit
tl
econnipti
on
gr
ipme.

“
Huh?Ar
eyouser
ious?
”Iasked.

“
Well
,yes.Andthat
’sthereasonIwarnyounot
t
ogetint
ot r
oublewit
hhim”sher epl
i
edand
i
mmediatel
y,Ir
ecall
edtheprevi
ousnight
.

Geez!There’
snowayI’mtel
li
ngherthat
.Ifshe
getstoknowIstubbor
nlywentt
ohisroom, she
mightgetmad.

Wecontinuedeat
ingandt
alki
ngaboutother
t
hingsandgosh!Ninawasreal
lyt
hequietty
pe.
Shebar
elysai
dawor
d.

Whenwewer
edoneeat
ing,
itwasal
readydar
k
andNinalef
tfort
heroom t
ogetsomer est
whil
eDianeandIwentovert
otherecr
eational
spottof
eedoureyes.
Alotofact
ivi
ti
esweregoi
ngont
her
e–games,
swimming,spor
ts,
lov
ers-
ti
me.

I
tdi
dn’
tlookl
i
kei
twasni
ghtatal
l
.
Kindl
yHiNovel
sRepubl
icon+2348055889183
onWhatsApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgroup
andgetPDFli
nks
Theywerehavi
ngsomuchf
unbutDi
aneandI
onl
ywatched.

“
Doy ouevermissy
ourfami
l
y?”Iaskedaf
tera
l
i
ttl
ewhileandsheshotmeastar
e.

“
Well
…ofcour
se,Ido.Especi
all
ymydad”she
r
epl
i
edalit
tl
esoberly
.
“Yourdad?Ar
en’
tyoucl
osert
oyourmum?”I
askedandshesmil
edandshookmyhead.

“Mymum hasal waysbeenapaini

nthea$$.
Somet i
mes,wonderifshe’
sact
ual
l
ytheone
thatgavebi
rt
htome.

“Shegetsangrywitheveryt
hingIdo,
shout sat
memostoft heti
me.Mydadi sr
heonlyfri
endi
haveoverthere”sheenthusedandIli
stenedin
amusement .

Wow!I’
veal
wayst
houghtal
lfemal
eswer
e
cl
osert
othei
rmums.
Aft
erawhil
e,shegotadr
inkandst
art
ed
danci
ng.

“Comeon,
Cali
…dancewit
hme”shelaughed
andhel
doutherhandt
omebutItur
nedher
down.

G0sh!Iwasn’
tadancer
,wasI
?

Shewentdeeperint
othecr
owdandgotmi
xed
wit
hthem,l
eavingmeallal
one.

Real
l
y?Whatacompani
on.

Iwat
chedherandshookmyhead,
goi
ngt
otake
somenewair.
Iwalkedawayfrom t
hesceneandgott
oapoi
nt
whichlookedf
amili
artome

OhmyGod!
!

HowcanIev
erf
orget
???

I
twast
hepat
htoMi
quel
’
sapar
tment
!

Geez!HowcanIev
erf
orgetmyunf
orget
tabl
e
l
esson?

Ismi
l
edandst
art
edwal
ki
ngal
ong.

Somehow,
remember
ingt
hei
nci
denceki
nda
mademebl
ush.

Whati
swr
ongwi
thme?
??

Hav
eIf
orgot
tenIwasact
ual
l
ycr
yingi
nther
e??

G0sh!Butt
hatguy
’ssocr
uel.Ican’
tbeli
evehe
st
r!
ppedmedespitemycri
esandpl eas.

Iwonderwhyhe’
ssocol
dhear
ted.

Ikeptwal
ki
ngandremi
nisci
ngov
eri
tandf
inal
l
y,
Igottot
hebui
ldi
ng.

Hi
swindowwasopenasusual
andasof
t
gl
owi
nglightwason.
Coul
dhebei
n?

Seriously,
y oucancall
mest upidorwhat
ever
becauseIdon’ tknowwhatt hehell
cameov er
me.Ij ustfoundmy sel
fcli
mbingthewall
s,
repeatingthespidergi
rlst
yle.

Butnomatt
erhowst
upi
dIam,
ther
e’snowayI
’
d
begoi
ngint
ohisr
oom.

Def
ini
tel
y,noway
.
Notev
eni
fI’
m mad.

Ij
ustwant
edt
ohav
eapeepf
rom t
hewi
ndow.

Yes,
that
’sal
l
.Ther
e’snowayI
’
m goi
ngi
ntot
he
Li
on’
sdenagai
n.

Icrawledontothewall
,
makinguseofthe
cracksandpoles,cr
awli
ngpassotherr
ooms
andwi ndows.

Fi
nall
y,Igott
ohi
swi
ndowandst
oodont
hef
lat
sur
face.

Slowl
yandgraduall
y,Il
i
ftedmyheadt
ohavea
peepandmyhear tj
umpedi nt
omymouthwhen
Isawthati
mage.

Igaspedandl
ower
edmyheadi
nshock.

Then,Ir
epl
ayeditandr
ecal
l
edhe’
dbeen
backi
ngthewindow.
Yes!Hewasbacki
ngme.

Sl
owly,
Ili
ft
edmyheadagai
nandcaughtt
he
si
ghtofhi
m andi
ndeed,
hewasbacki
ngthe
wi
ndow.

Hest
ood,f
aci
nghisdr
awi
ngboar
dwi
thagl
ass
ofwi
nei
nhishand.

Hmm.

Howsweet
.

Mylipscur
vedi
nasmil
easIwatchedhim.
G0sh!Hewasreal
l
ysohandsome,wasn’
the?
?
Justhi
sbackv
iewwaski
l
li
ngaswel
l
.

Muscularbui
l
d,longhairl
ikeKor
eans,crazy
post
ure.Iwonderwhomust ’v
egivenbirt
hto
hi
m.Shemustbesol uckytohavehim asason.

Suddenl
y,hetur
nedaroundandIalmostt
ri
pped
duetothespeedI’
dusedinlower
ingmyhead.

Whaaaaat
??

Whydi
dhet
urnar
ound?
?

Myhear
tbeatr
api
dlyasIst
oodundert
he
wi
ndow.

Okay
;It
hinkI
’
veov
erst
ayedmywel
come.I
ts
hi
ght
imeIl
eav
e.

Iwasaboutmaki
ngamovewhenali
qui
d
rusheddownf
rom t
hewi
ndowandpour
edon
me.

OhmyGod!
!!
!!
!

Ali
tt
leofi
tpour
edonmyl
i
psandIdi
scov
ered
i
twassweetand….

I
twaswi
ne!
!

Hi
swi
ne!
!!

He’
spour
inghi
swi
neonme!
!?
Hol
yChr
ist
!!
!

DoesheknowI
’
m her
e??
?
*
*

TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode20
By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Myhear
tracedf
ast
ert
hanacarast
hewine
r
usheddownonmeandfi
nal
lyst
opped.

Oh!Pl
ease,don'
ttel
lmeheknowsI
'
m her
e.
Whatwil
lIdo?

I
twasj
ustami
stake.

Oh!God,pl
easehel
pmeescapei
tthi
sonce.
Pl
ease.

Hotsweatf
ormedonmyf
oreheadasIbr
eat
hed
heav
il
y.
Hedidn'
tpourthewi
neagainandIbecame
morecuri
ous.Coul
ditbepossi
blehedoesn'
t
knowI'
m here?

May
behe'
sjust
..
..

Gosh!Idi
dn'
tev
enknowwhatt
othi
nk.

It
ookinadeepbr
eat
handslowl
y,st
art
ed
cl
i
mbingdownthewal
lsagai
n.

Itr
iednottolookathiswindowasIcr
awl
ed
andfinal
l
y,Igottotheground.

Yes!Idi
dit
!
Oh!Thankgoodness;
Idi
dit
.

Ifel
tbutt
erf
li
esinmyt
ummyasIsucceededi
n
reachi
ngthefl
oor.

Yourl
uckyday
,Cal
i
.

Yes!
!!

Il
aughedandlookedupathi
swindowandmy
smil
esfadedwhenIfoundhi
m st
ari
ngatme.

OhmyGod!

Ifel
tal
oudt
hudinmyhear tasIplacedmybot
h
handsonmychestandpanicked.
Don'
ttel
lmehe'
sst
ari
ngatme.Pl
ease.

What'
swrongwithy
ou,
Cal
i
??Who'
elsewoul
d
hebestar
ingat
?

Igulpednerv
ouslyanddryl
yashest ar
edquiet
ly
andwi t
houtfur
therhesi
tat
ion,
Itur
nedaround
torunaway.

Iranbutfel
tsomet
hingsuddenl
ypushmeandI
tr
ippedandfel
l.

"
Ugh!
"Igr
oanedal
i
ttl
easIl
andedont
hef
loor
.

OhmyGod!Whatt
hehel
li
sthat
??
Istoodupandtur
nedtot
hedir
ecti
onofhi
s
windowandfoundhi
m st
il
lst
ari
ngatme.

WhydoIact
ual
l
yhav
eaf
eel
i
nghe'
sbehi
nd
i
t??
???

Ishothim agl
areandfinal
lyr
anawayand
thankf
ull
y,Idi
dn'
tfal
lthist
imear
ound.

Il
eftofthevi
cini
tyandst
oppedt
otakei
na
deepbreathwhenIwasfaraway
.

Gosh!Thatwasadamnl uckyescape.Iguess
I
'm nevergonnar
epeatsuch.

Itr
iedcal
mingmyheavybreat
handj ustwhenI
tur
nedaroundt
oleav
e,Isawal adycoming
t
owar
dsme.

Idon'
tknow,
butIj
ustf
eltshewascomi
ngf
or
me.

Shest
oppedwhenshesawmeandpul
l
eda
sur
pri
sedface.

"
You?
"Shecal
l
edwi
thaqui
zzi
cal
look.

Ireadhert
hought
sandnoticedshewas
actual
l
ysayingmeant
hingsaboutme.

Shehadapendantonwi
thal
ett
eredwor
d:
*
Naomi
*
Wast
hathername?

Naomi
.
Hol
don;
itsoundsf
ami
l
iar
.

"
Aren'
tyouthesocal
ledbanshee?
"Sheasked
wi
tharepugnantl
ook,comi
ngclosert
ome.

"
What
'r
eyoudoi
ngher
e??
"

Ij
ustst
aredatherspeechl
essl
y.

Thatmeansshe'
stheonethat
'dsentsomegi
rl
s
aft
ermewhichresul
tedi
nmespi l
li
ngfoodon
Miquel
.
Def
ini
tel
y!
!

"
Areyoudumb?What '
rey
oudoingaroundt
his
v
ici
nit
y??
"ShesnappedandIshrugged.

"
Wel
l
...
.I
..
..
Ijustcamet
ohav
eal
ookat
..
."

"
Hav
eal
ookatwhat
?"Shecutmeof
f.

'
Holdon;Idon'tt
hinki
tshoul
dbeanyofyour
busi
ness"Iscoff
edandhereyeswi
denedin
shock.

"Woah!Iguessmygi r
lsweren'tl
yi
ngafteral
l
.
Youreall
yareanarrogantbit
ch.Fir
st,
you
disr
espectedmebysendi ngthem awaywhen
I
'dcall
edforyou.Andnowt his?
"ThankgoodnessIranintoy
ou.Atleast
,it
st he
perfectt
imetocar
ryoutmypl ans"shesmirked
andherthoughtsr
ev eal
edherint
enti
ons.

Whaaaaat
??Shewant
stof
rymybr
ains?
??

Iwat
chedherast
onishmentbutj
ustt
hen,
someoneshowedup.

Wai
t.
..
..

I
twasme.
..
..

Li
ke.
..
.t
heper
sonshoweduphav
ingmyf
ace
andbody.
Whatt
he.
..
.

"Don'
tli
stentoher,Naomi.She'sjustan
i
mpost er
.AndI'm sor
ryforbeingr udetoyour
gir
lstheothert
ime.Ipromiseitwon' tr
epeat
i
tself
"myl ook-
ali
kesaidandIf l
inched.

Ev
ent
heNaomi
lookedconf
used.

What
'sgoi
ngon?
?

"
What'
rey
ou.
..
.?
"Naomi
tri
edspeaki
ng,
butgot
l
ost
.

Shel
ookedatme,
thenbackatt
hel
ook-
ali
ke.

"
Comeon"shewhi
sper
edandhel
dmyhand
andr
anawaywi
thme.

Shekeptrunni
ngunt
ilwewerefarawaybef
ore
shestoppedandi
mmediatel
y,shetr
ansf
ormed
toDi
ane.

Hol
yMol
l
y!?
!

I
twasDi
aneal
lal
ong!
!!

"
Hey
!!
",
Iexcl
aimedandshehi
tmyhead.

"What'
swrongwit
hyou,Cal
i
?Doy our
eal
ly
wannadieear
lyher
e??
?Wher edi
dyougo,
huh??
"
Shequer
iedmel
i
keshewasmymum.
"Hey
!Iwasjustgoi
ngtofeedmyey
es,
okay
?
Youdon'
thavetoyel
latme.

"Besi
des,i
t'
sallyourf
aultf
orl
eavingmeal
l
alonetodance.Whatdidyou.
..
."

"You'
vereal
lygotsomener
ves,huh?Isav
ed
yourassandthisi
swhatIget
??"Sheaskedand
hitmeagain.

"Ouch!Fi
ne,t
hankyou,okay
!Thanky
ou.Are
youhappynow?"Ir
olledmyeyesandshe
shookherheadatme.

Butser
iousl
y,i
twasamazi
ng.
Get
ti
ngt
oimper
sonat
eme.Hmmm.
"
Comeon, l
et'
sgetouttaherebef
oreyouget
i
ntomoretr
ouble"shesaidandpull
edmeaway
whil
eIgr
umbledafterher
.

Butt
hankgoodnessIwasabl
etoescapet
hat
.

West
art
edheadi
ngf
ormyapar
tment
.

"Buthol
don, Cal
i.I
'
veal
way swantedtoask-
why'r
eyousuddenlycl
oset othatNi
naofagir
l?
I
ssomet hingwrongwit
hy ou?Didn'
tIt
elly
ou
howdanger ousshewas?"Sheaskedaswe
walkedalong.

"Yes-dangerousbecauseshewasabor
na
confessor
?"Iaskedandscoff
ed.
"Shedidn'
tmakeherself
,Di
ane.Besides,
she
cancontrolherpower
snow.So, Idon'
tseeany
reasonwhysheshouldbeavoidedlikea
plaque"
.

"Cali
!!
!YouspeaklikeI'
mt hebadegghere.I
didn'
tbri
ngitup,okay?Ev er
yonehasbeen
avoidi
ngherandIj ustf
eltit
'sr
ightf
orwetodo
same"shedef ended.

"Well
,shehasn'
thurtus,hasshe?Sheeven
savedmet odaydur
ingthemi ssi
on.She.
..
"

"Fi
ne!Fi
ne!Getat
ieandsootheyour
sel
f"
,she
cutmeoffwithahuf
fandIroll
edmyeyes.

Fi
nal
ly
,wegott
otheent
ranceoft
heapar
tment
andwest
oppedwal
ki
ng.
"
Alr
ight
.Goodni
ght
.Sl
eept
ight
"shehuggedme.

"Yeah..
.goodni
ght
",Ir
epl
i
edandwepar
tedway
s
after
war ds.

Iwenti
ntomyr
oom andmetNi
naal
ready
sl
eepi
ng.

Oh!

Ismi
l
edandst
aredi
ntoherf
ace-sopr
ett
y.

Iki
ndaf
eltbadf
orher
.

Thankgoodnesst
hel
esbi
answer
en'
tar
ound.
Iwentovert
omybagsofclothesandtookof
f
myshirtsoIcoul
dchangei
ntomynighti
e

Itookof
fmyshi r
tandski
rt-l
eftwi
thmyp*nt
andb*a.Andjustt
hen,
thedooropenedand
oneofthelesbi
answal
kedin.

Oh!Cr
ap.

Anditwasact
uall
ytheonethathadmadean
at
temptonmet helastt
ime.

Asmil
efl
ashedonherl
i
pswhenshemetme
hal
fn*
ked.

"
Hi"shebeamedandmov
edt
owar
dsme
seduct
ivel
y.

Whatt
hehel
l
??

Il
i
ftedmyni
ghti
eandwasaboutput
ti
ngiton
whenshest
oppedme,hol
dingmyhand.

"
Comeon,cut
ie.There'
snoneedf
orthat
"she
l
i
ckedherl
i
psandt ouchedmywai
st.

'
Yourbody
'sj
ustper
fectf
ort
heshow"

"Getthehel
lawayfrom me"Iraspedand
shovedherwit
hmyshoul derandimmediat
ely
,
someoneelsewalkedin.

Herpar
tner
.
Yeah-per
fect
.

Shest
oppedbythedoorandshutusa
sur
pri
sedst
areandtheoneinfr
ontofme
movedaway.

"You'
reback"shesmil
edper
funct
ori
l
yatt
he
otherandwalkedtot
hebed.

"Comei n,Chel
sea.Don'tjustst
andtheredoi
ng
nothing"shesaidandthegi r
lbythedoor
sluggishl
ywalkedinwithoutsayingaword.

ButInot
icedshewast
hrowi
nganev
ilgl
areat
me.
What
ever
.

Iputonmyni
ght
ieandWentov
ert
omybedt
o
sl
eep.

Andi
nashor
twhi
l
e,Iwasof
f.
*
*
*
#Deep

Mi
dni
ght
*
*
*
"
Oweeeeeeeeeeennnnn!
!!
!"Icr
iedoutasI
j
umpedoutofsl
eep,
pant
ingheav
il
y

Myeyesi
tchedandmyl
ungsbecamedr
yand
t
hir
sty
.

OhmyGod!
!

Agai
n??

Anot
herni
ght
mar
e??
?

Ihadthesamedream ofhi
m dyi
ngatapart
y.
Butthi
sti
mearound,t
hepartywastaki
ngpl
ace
today.

Meani
nghemi
ghtdi
etodayi
fhegoest
oany
par
ty.
Ineededt
owar
nhi
m.
*
*
TBC

THE

DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted)

Epi
sode21
By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Iwokeupthenextmorni
ng,f
eel
i
ngl
i
ghtheaded
andal
l.Ij
ustf
eltsoweak.

Probably
,it
'sbecauseoft
hedream Ihad.I
real
lyneededtowar nOwen.

Ibr
ushedmyt
eet
h,t
ookmybat
handgotr
eady
tol
eave.

"
Cal
i
"Ni
nacal
l
edandcamet
ome.
Shewasal
sodonedr
essi
ngup.

"Areyoual
ri
ght
?Ihear
dyouscr
eam i
nthe
night
".
Isi
gheddespondent
lyandt
ookmybagbef
ore
tur
ningt
olookather.

"I
'vejustbeenhavingsomecr azyni
ght
mar es,
Nina.aboutmybr other
.Idreamthe'
sgonnadi e
tonightifheat
tendsaparty.Ineedtowarnhim".
Irepli
edandherbr owsarchedinsurpr
ise.

"Huh???That'
s.
..
..
terri
ble.AndIthinki
tsli
kel
yto
takeplacei
fiti
sn'
tpr eventedbecauseit
'spar
t
ofyourbansheegifttoforeseedeath"she
repl
iedandmywor r
iesincreased.

"But
,whatdoy oudo?Wear en'
tal
l
owedto
l
eavetheinst
it
ute"shest
atedmyf ear
sandI
exhal
eddeeply.
"It
hinkIknowwhatt
odo.Comeon"Isai
dand
shefoll
owedmeoutoft
heroom.

Wegotouttot
hepassageandst
art
edwalki
ng
outandcl
oset
otheexit
,webumpedint
oDiane.

Per
fect
.

"Hey
!Don'
ttel
lmeyouwerel
eav
ingwi
thoutme"
shesai
dwit
hbeadyeyes.

"
Sor
ry.Ij
ustneededt
odosomet
hingf
ast
"I
r
epl
i
edt i
redl
y.

"
Huh?What
'st
hat
?"

Shej
oinedusandIt
oldheral
laboutt
hedr
eam
onr
heway
.

Then,
myi
ntent
ions.

Iactual
lywantedt
ogot
othedir
ector
sandask
them tocont
actmymum onphonesoIcant
ell
herofthedream.

"Woahh.Ar
eyousur
ethat
'sgonnawor
k?"Di
ane
asked.

"Wel
l,i
thast
obecauseIneedt
owar
nOwenby
ever
ymeanspossi
ble"
.

Wewal kedforalongti
mebef oregett
ingtothe
dir
ect
or'sbuil
dingandthankf
ull
y,wewer eable
towheedlethegrumpysecurit
iesint
ogivingus
pass.

Wegott otherecept
ion,madeuseoft
he
el
evatorandgottothefif
thfl
oorwher
ewe
coul
daddr essoneofthem.

"Ar
ey ousureaboutthi
s?"Ni
naaskedaswe
approachedtheoff
ice.

"I
tsmybr ot
herwe'retal
ki
ngabout,gir
ls.My
onlysi
bli
ng.So,Ihavetodoevery
thingIcan"I
repl
iedaswef i
nall
ystoodinf
rontoftheoffi
ce
andknockedoni t
.

Thedoorwasglassyandtr
anspar
entandI
coul
dclear
lyseethei
nnervi
ew.
I
twasj ustachubbymansit
ti
ngi
nfr
ontofabi
g
desk,
wor ki
ngonhissyst
em.

"
Comein"hi
svoiceechoedandsl
owl
y,Ipushed
t
hedoorandwentIn.

Di
aneandNi
nahadagr
eedt
owai
tout
sidef
or
me.

Themanrosehisgl
assesal
i
ttl
etol
ookatme
asIwal
kedin.

"Youngl
ady
.Isther
eaprobl
em?
"Heasked,
soundi
ngali
tt
lestr
ict
.

Al
though,
hiscal
mfacebel
i
edhi
sst
ri
ctt
one.
"Um..
..
good.
..
goodmor
ning,
si
r"Igr
eet
edal
i
ttl
e
anxi
ously
.

Hedi
dn'
trepl
ybutj
ustkeptst
ari
ngatme.

"
I.
..
.act
ual
l
yhav
ear
equestt
omake"Iadded.

"Okay
..goahead.Whati
sit
?"Heaskedandt
ook
hiseyesandhandsbacktohi
ssystem.

"
Act
ual
l
y"Ist
art
ed.
"I
tsaboutmyy oungerbrot
herathome.I '
ve
beenhavingsomeni ghtmaresofhim dyi
ngata
part
y.AndthelastoneIhadl astni
ght,If
igur
ed
i
twast aki
ngplacetonight
.

"
So.
.pl
ease,
Ineedt
owar
nthem abouti
t.I
ts
partofmybansheepower stosensedeathand
i
fhegoesf oranypartyt
onight,
He'sli
kel
ytodi
e.
Please,
help"Iconcl
udedpatheti
cal
lyandhe
stoppedtolookatmeagain.

"So,
whatexact
lyar
eyouaski
ngf
or?
"Heasked
andIgul
pedhard.

"
I.
..
.Iknowi t
'sagainstt
herulest
oleav et
he
i
nsti
tute.So,Iwantedtopleadwithyoutogiv
e
meaccesst oy ourphonesoIcanr eachmy
mum, please"Isai
d.

"I
tisn'
tjustagainstther ul
estol eavethe
buil
ding,it
salsoagai nsttherulestohav e
contactoranymeansofcommuni cat
ionwith
anymemberofy ourfami l
y,f
riend,whatever.
..
as
l
ongast hey'
reoutsidethewal lsoftheinsti
tut
e"
hesaidandmyhear tskipped.
OhmyGod!

No,
no.Pl
ease.

"
So,I
'm sorr
y,y
oucan'
tl
eav
e"headdedand
r
etur
nedt ohi
ssyst
em.

"
But
..
."Igotl
osti
nwor
ds.
"
Please,si
r.It
sreal
l
yimport
ant
.It
'smybrother
's
l
i
fewe' r
etalki
ngabouther
e.Hemightdi
e".

"
AndI'
ll
besincer
elysorryf
orthat.Theser
ules
wer
en'
tjustcr
eat
edf ornot
hing.Theyhavea
r
easonandwemustst andbyt hem.

"
Wehav
easpeci
aldayf
orf
ami
l
yvi
sit
ing.But
t
il
lthen,
nocommuni
cat
ionandt
hat
'sf
inal
!

"I
fthat
'sall
,youcanl
eavenow"hesai
dcol
dly
andIfeltt
earsandangerbui
l
dupinme.

Igr
it
tedmyt
eet
handst
ormedoutoft
heof
fi
ce
i
nanger.

"
Cal
i!
"Di
aneandNi
nacal
l
edasIwal
kedpass
t
hem.

Theyr
anaf
termeandcaughtupwi
thme.

"
Hey,Wat'
sup?Whattheheckhappened?
?"
Di
aneaskedandIst
oppedwalki
ng.

"
Damnt
hei
nst
it
ute!Inev
eraskedt
obeher
e.I
j
ustwokeuponef *
*kingmor ni
ng,discoveredI
wasaDi ãmôndandtheyf**ki
ngabduct edme.
Theytookmeawayf orcef
ull
yandnow, Ican'
t
evenreachmyfamil
yany more.I
'm supposedt o
j
uststayinher
eandwat chmybr ot
herdi e???
"I
spokewithsomuchangerandt heywat ched
si
lent
ly.

At
earcamescr
oll
i
ngdownandDi
anepul
l
ed
meinahug.

"
Hey
,it
sokay
.Comeon"shehushed.

Isni
ff
edanddr
iedmyf
ace.

"
Let
'sgo"Imumbl
edandwewal
kedout
t
ogether
.
Wetooktheel
evator,wal
kedpasst
her
ecept
ion
andf
inal
l
ygotoutside.

"So,
whatwil
lyoudonow? "Ni
naaskedaswe
ambledal
ong,butIdi
dn'
tsayaword.

Shestar
teddi
scussi
ngi
twi
thDi
aneandIj
ust
l
ist
ened.

Suddenl
y,Isawsomet
hingt
hatgr
ippedmy
att
enti
on.

At
ruck,
packi
ngupsomet
hings.

Istoppedwal
ki
ngasIst
aredati
tandDi
aneand
Ninadidsame.
"
What
'swi
tht
hatt
ruck?
"Iasked.

"Oh!Theyusual
lycomeonceinawhi
l
etotake
careofthetr
ash"Dianer
epl
i
edandmyeyes
beamed.

Thatmeanst
hey'dl
eav
ingt
hei
nst
it
ute-goi
ng
outwi
ththet
rash.

"Don'
tevengot
here-Cal
i
"Dianesai
dli
keshe
alr
eadyknewwhatIwasthi
nki
ng.

Ishookmyheadandl
ookedather
.

"Ser
iously
,Diane.It
hinkthi
sist
heonl
y
opportuni
tyIhave"Isai
d.
"Whaaaaat
???Areyouthi
nki
ngofleavi
ngthe
bui
ldi
ngony ourown?
???Cal
i!
!"Sheexcl
aimed

"
Hey
,It
hinki
tsdanger
ous"Ni
naal
sosai
d.
"
Ify
ougetCaught
,you'
l
l.
..
."

"Idon'tcare,
okay ?Sav
ingmybrother'
sli
feis
farimpor t
antthananyofthef**
kingrul
es.So,I
don'tcare"Irepl
iedrat
heri
rasci
blyandhanded
mybagt oDiane.

"Pl
ease,youshoul
dunder
standhowimportant
thi
sistome.I'l
lj
ustr
ushhome, war
nthem and
ret
urnassoonaspossibl
e.Noonewould
noti
ce"Isai
dandshescoffed.

"Whatdoyoumeannoonewouldnot
ice?It
's
almosti
mpossi
blef
orast
udenttol
eavethe
i
nst
it
utewi
thoutbei
ngcaught
.Cal
i
,I'
m scar
ed
f
oryou"
.

Il
ookedatthet
ruckandnot
icedt
hemenwer
e
done.They'
dcl
osedi
tupandgott
eni
ntot
he
fr
ontseat.

Thi
swasmychance.

"Ihav
eto.Don'
twor
ry,
I'
ll
bef i
ne"Isai
dhur r
iedl
y
andranawayfr
om t
hem, goi
ngtothetruck.

Thankf
ull
y,t
heareawasqui
etandIcoul
dn'
t
fi
ndanystudentar
ound.

Ilookedaroundt
obesureDi
anaandNinawere
theonlyoneswatchi
ngandwi
thoutasecond
t
hought,
Ijumpedi
ntothebackoft
ruck,
get
ti
ng
mixedupwitht
het
rash.

Geez!

Theodorwassobadandi
rr
it
ati
ng,
butwhatt
o
do?Ineededt
osavemybr
other
.

Ishutmyeyesandprayedever
ythinggoeson
wellandi
mmediat
ely,If
eltt
hetruckgettur
ned
onandstart
edmoving.
*
*
TheBl
åckDi
ãmônds
*
*
Hi
ddenPov
:
Ifacedthewi ndowwi t
haglassofwineinmy
handwhensuddenl y,
thedooropenedandev
en
withouttur
ning,Iknewitwasher.

Shewast
heonl
yfemal
eoppor
tunedt
ocomet
o
myroom.

"
Sir
"shecal
l
edhumbl
y.
"We'
vej
ustrecei
vedanext
remelyi
mpor t
ant
newsfr
om oneofourspi
es.Thebansheejust
l
eftt
heinst
it
uteonherown".

It
wit
chedandt ur
nedt
olookatherandshe
l
oweredherheadimmedi
atel
y.

Hm.Itdoesn'
tmat
teri
fshe'
sol
dert
hanme.No
bodyl
ooksmei nt
heeyes.
"
Whendi
dthi
shappen?
"Iasked.

"Justfewminutesago.Shouldwesendthe
boysaf t
erher
?"SheaskedandIsmi l
edand
empt i
edthewineinmygl ass.

"
Don'
twor
ry"Isai
d.
"
Thi
sti
mear
ound,
I'
ll
begoi
ngaf
terhermy
sel
f"
.
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
 buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode22

By
:Fai
thLucky

Abel
'
sPov
:
Iknockedonthedoor-Mi
quel'
sdoorand
await
edhisrepl
yandsoon,hi
sthi
ckvoice
answered.

"
Comei
n".

Ipushedthedooropenandwalkedinandmet
himinfrontoft
hewardrobe,
probabl
ysearchi
ng
forwhattowearbecausehewasshirt
less.
Gosh!
!Ifnotf
ort
hefactIwasn'
tagay
,I'
dhav
e
fal
l
enforthi
sguy.

"Boss,
I'
vegotsomei mportantinfor
mat i
on.One
ofthestudentshadspott
edsomeonel eavi
ng
thebui
ldingthroughat
ruck.It
st hebanshee"I
saidwit
hdef er
encetoavoidi
nghi sgazeashe
tur
nedtol ookatme.

"
Thebanshee?
"Heasked,
seemi
ngsur
pri
sed.

"Thestudentsaidhe'
dhadonlyseenher
j
umpi ngint
ot hetr
uckanddoesn'
tknowwhy
sheleft
"Irepli
edandheturnedbacktohi
s
wardrobeafterasil
entl
ook.

"Lethergo.Whenshe'
sback,
bri
nghert
ome"
heinstr
ucted.
"
Yesboss"Ibowedandl
eft
.
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Itr
iedbeari
ngtheacri
dsmel lf
rom t
hetrash
andaf t
eralongr
ide,
Ifelti
twasfarenoughand
decidedtoj
umpdownf r
om thetr
uck.

Itwasshaki
ngandsowasn'teasy,butI
managedtostand,
gothol
doft heedgesand
smartl
y,j
umpeddownfrom thetr
uck.

ButI
'
dtof
all
roughl
yandr
oll
ont
hef
loor
.

Ouch!Igr
oanedasIsust
ainedal
i
ttl
escr
atch
onmyar m.
Thetr
uckdr ov
eawayl i
kenothinghappened
andIthankedGodtheydidn'
thav eazi
lchof
whathappened.Iguessever
ythingi
sfine,t
hen.

Il
ookedaroundandwai
tedf
oracaband
shor
tl
y,onearr
ived.

Though,Ididn'
thavecashonme,butIboar
ded
I
twiththeintentofpayi
ngwhenIgethome.

Thankgoodnesst
hereweren'
tmuchpeople
aroundandaft
eralongsmoothr
ide,If
inal
l
ygot
homeandaskedthecabbytowaitsoIcould
gethismoney.

Ij
usthopeIdon'
tgetcaughtonmywayt
othe
i
nsti
tut
e.
Iknockedonthegateandthegatemanopened
up.Hisbrowsfur
rowedinsurpr
isewhenhesaw
me.

"
Ma'
am Cal
i
??"Hecal
l
edl
i
kehe'
dseenaghost
.

"Hi
.doy ouhav esomecashony ousoIcould
sett
lethecabby ?
"Iaskedandhedippedhis
handintohispocketandbroughtoutafew
curr
ency,butthankgoodnessitwasenough.

Icoll
ectedi
tfr
om hi
m andpai
dthecabbyand
heleft
.

"
M..
.Ma'am Cal
i
,ist
hereaprobl
em?
"Thegat
e
manaskedasIwalkedin.
"Ofcourse,
not.Ijustneedtoseemymum"I
repl
iedandfastenedmyst epstowar
dst
he
house.

Oh!HowI'
vemissedthi
spl
ace.HowI
'
vemi
ssed
bei
ngthebosshere.

Ij
ustf
eel
li
kecr
ying.
Thecrocusesoft
hefl
ower
scouldclear
lybe
seen,
accompaniedwi
thi
tssweetscent.

I
tsbl
ossomedi
nthesunl
i
ght
.

Thegermanfl
oorswereneatandthegarage
remindedmeofhowI'dnormal
lygonethere
from t
imetot
imetorelax.
"
Cali
?"Ihear
dmynameinafai
ntvoi
ceand
t
urnedtoseemum comi
ngf
rom t
hebacky
ard.

Myhear
tski
ppedatt
hesi
ghtoft
hat
.

"
Mum!
!!
"Ical
l
edhappi
l
yandr
ani
ntoherar
ms.

OhmyGod!
!

IchuckledasIhuggedher
,butsheonl
yact
ed
surpr
ise.

"
Cali
?"Shecal
l
edandpul
l
edmef
rom t
hehug,
l
ooki
ngintomyface.
"What '
swrong?Wh...
Why '
reyouher
e?Whatthe
hellhappened?"Sheasked,pani
cbol
dlywr
it
ten
all
ov erherface.

"Don'
twor r
y,mum.Iwasn' tkickedoutor
something.Iact
uall
ysnuckoutbecauseIhad
animpor t
antmessaget opasson"Ir epl
i
edand
thecur
iosityonherfaceincreased.

"I
'
vemissedyou,mum"Ipoutedandhuggedher
agai
nandthi
stimearound,
shewelcomedme
more.

Then,
wedi
sent
angl
ed.

"B.
..
Butwhat
'swrong,Cal
i
?I'
mreal
lyworri
ed.
Why'r
eyouhere?
"SheaskedandIsighedand
deci
dedtogostr
aighttot
hepoi
nt.
"
Wher
e'sOwen?I
shei
n?"
.Iasked.

"
No.He'slef
tforschoolal
ready.Andyourdad
i
sn'
thomeei t
her.Pl
ease,t
alktome, Cal
i.
What'
stheprobl
em? "

Inot
icedherwor
ri
eswer
ebegi
nni
ngt
oincr
ease.

"
Ihadadr
eam, mom.AndIt hi
nkit'
sonet
hat
'
s
l
i
kelyt
ohappenifi
tisn'
tpr
evented.

"
DoesOwenhav eanypl
ansofgoi
ngt
oapar
ty
t
oni
ght
?"Iasked.

"
Yes.
.Yes.Hesai
dit'
shisfr
iend'
sbir
thdaypart
y.
Acl
assmateandit'
staki
ngplacetoni
ght"she
r
epl
i
edandawai
tedf
urt
heranswer
sfr
om me.

Geez!Thatmeanst
hedr
eam wasn'
tal
i
e.

"Pleasemum, nomat terwhat,

hemusn' tgofor
thatpart
ybecausei fhedoes,He'sgoingtodie.
Please,mum.Makesur ehedoesn'tgoforit
.He
diedinmydr eam andI '
vehadthesamedr eam
twice.And.
..
youknowmybansheegi f
t.I
..
."

"OhmyGod!Cal
i
,ar
eyouki
ddi
ngme?
"She
excl
aimed.

"Youdon'thavetoworryaboutathing.I
promisehe'snevergoi
ngforthatparty.I
'l
lmake
sureofthat.Oh!Goodheavens.Thanky ousoo
much".
Shepull
edmei nahugandfort
hefi
rstt
ime
si
nceIarri
ved,
Icoul
dfeel
thewarmthofher
embrace.

"
Thankyousomuch,Cal
i
.Hewon'tbegoi
ngf
or
t
hepart
yanymor
e".Sher
eassur
edme.

"Al
ri
ghtthen.I.
..
Ineedtoheadback
i
mmedi atel
y.Wear en'
tsupposedt ol
eavethe
i
nsti
tut
ef oranythi
ng,butIj
ustdidandifIget
caught
,I'
ml i
kelytogetpunished.So,
Ineedto
gonow"Isaid.

"O..
.okay.Butwhynotspar
eaf
ewmi
nut
esf
or
breakfast?
"

"
Ican'
t,
mom.Itsdanger
ous.Please,
Ineedto
l
eavenow.I
'
m havi
ngabadf eeli
ngalr
eady"
.
"
Oh!Cal
i
"
Shehuggedmeagai
n.

"
I'
vereal
lymissedyou,
baby
.How'
sli
featt
he
i
nsti
tut
e?"Sheasked.

"
It
'sum.
..
it
scool
,Iguess"Ishr
ugged.

"Hol
don..
.l
etmegetthecarkey
ssoIcandrop
youoff
"shesai
dandt r
iedr
unni
ngi
ntothe
house,
butIst
oppedher.

"No,no,mum.Someonef rom theinst

it
ute
mightbeout si
de.Whoknows?Ij ustwannago
i
nwi thoutsuspi
cions.So,
don'twor r
yaboutit
.
Please"Itol
dherandshel ookedatmewi t
hso
muchpi
tyandst
rokemyhai
r.

"Okay,dear
.Takecar
eofyour
sel
f,okay
?"She
saidandInoddedli
keababy

"
Iwill
,mum",Ismi
ledandsheki
ssedmy
f
oreheadandgavemesomecashf orcabf
are.

Wehuggedonemor
eti
mebef
oreIf
inal
l
yran
away
.
*
Igotoutoft
hegateandst
art
edwalki
ngtothe
mainroadsi
ncether
ewerenocabsinthe
str
eet.

Iwal
kedandwi t
hmyeyesonthef
loor
,I
remi
niscedov
ermyti
mewi t
hmum andasmi
l
e
crossedmyli
ps.ThankgoodnessIwasabl
eto
getthemessagetoher.

And.
..
Oh!I
'
ver
eal
l
ymi
ssedher
.I'
vemi
ssed
home.

"Thi
nki
ngaboutsomethi
ng?"Isuddenlyhear
da
soothi
ngv
oiceandstoppedwalki
ngt ohavea
l
ook.

Itur
nedandsawayoungboystandi
ngbesi
dea
tr
ee,hav
ingasmal
lsmil
eonhisface.

Huh?

Washet
alki
ngt
ome?
Istar
edathim andwasaboutwal
kingaway
whenheleftt
het r
eeandstar
tedwalki
ng
towardsme

Ohmy
!!

If
eltal
oudthudi
nmyhear
tasIhadacl
ear
l
ookathisf
ace.

Hewasdamn.
..
handsome!
!

Hi
shai
r,ki
l
lerl
ooks,
wal
ki
ngst
eps,
char
ms.

Theywer
esoper
fectandki
l
li
ngl
i
ket
hatofa
boss,
ButIt
hinkIwasst
il
lgoi
ngt
ovouchf
orMi
quel
.
Hol
don;
whyam Icompar
ingbot
hoft
hem?

Suddenl
y,Isnappedoutofmythoughtsand
deci
dedtowal kawaysinceIdi
dn'
tknowhim.
Buthecal
l
edmeback

"
Ineedy
ourat
tent
ion,
please"
.

Istoppedagai
nandtur
nedt
olookathi
m.What
couldbetheprobl
em?

"Y.
..
yes?
"Ianswer
edandhef
inal
l
ygott
owher
e
Iwas.

Asweetf
ragr
ancel
i
nger
edar
oundhi
m.
"You'
reCali
..
..
ri
ght
?"Heaskedandl
lookedat
himinsurpri
se.
Howdidheknowthat
?Coul
dhebesomeone
f
rom t
henei
ghbor
hood?

ButIhav
en'
tseenhi
m bef
ore.

"
Nicename"hesmi
l
edsweet
ly.
Hi
sey
escr
inkl
edashedi
d.

"Act
uall
y,myfi
rsti
ntent
ionshadbeentotake
youhomewi t
hme, butnow,Ij
ustneedyouto
deli
veramessageforme".

What
'shet
alki
ngabout
??

Whathome?
Inot
icedIcoul
dn'
treadhi
sthought
s.

Iwasaboutaski
nghi
m aquest
ionwhenhe
suddenl
ytookhol
dofmylef
tarm.

"
Hey!What'swrongwithyou?
?"Ifl
i
nchedand
t
ri
edfreei
ngmy sel
f,buthi
sholdar
oundme
wasfi
rm andIcouldn'
t.

AndInot
icedIcoul
dn'
tscr
eam aswel
l
.

What
'shappeni
ng?
?

"Letmego!
"Ispat
tedandst
ruggl
edwithhi
m,
butheseemedtobesomuchst r
onger
.
"Rel
ax..
."Hehushedandpi
ercedmyski
nwi
th
hisf
inger.

Whaaaaaat
???

"
Argh!
!!
"Iy
elpedi
npai
nsasi
thur
tli
kehel
l
.

Heusedt
hefi
ngeronthebackofmywr
istand
dr
ewanimageonit.

OhmyGod!
!

I
tglowedashedr ewt
hel
inesandIf
eltahot
bur
ningsensat
iononmyskin.

"
What'
rey
oudoi
ng??
"Icr
iedoutandt
ri
edt
o
f
reemyarm,
butt
onoavail
.
"Wheny ougett otheinst
it
ute,
del i
vert
his
messaget oMi quel.Showhimy ourarm and
onlythenwillt
hebur nyoufeelstop"hesaid
calmlyandfinall
yletgoofmyar m whenhewas
probablydone.

Butt
hepai
nswer
esti
llther
e,maki
ngmef
eel
l
ikemyski
nwasbur
ning.

Iwhi
mper
edandl
ookedati
t.

I
twasaver
ysmal
ldr
awingofabr
idgeand
l
ookedmor
eli
keat
att
oo.

OhmyGod!Whydoeshewantmet
oshowi
tto
Miquel
?
"Tel
lhi
mit'
sfrom Mykel
"hesmil
edandwal
ked
away,goi
ngintoacarnear
by.

If
eltmywholesyst
emsvibr
ateasIwatched
hi
m dri
veaway.Whathav
eIgotteni
nto??

Whathav
eIdonet
odeser
vet
his?

Thepainswer
ebecomingunbear
ableandI
foundmysel
frunni
ngt
otheroadsi
desoIcoul
d
getacab.

IneededtoshowittoMiquel
sothepai
nscan
stopsincehesai
dtheywereonl
ygoi
ngtostop
whenheseesi t
.
Atthatmoment ,Iwasf oggedandcouldn'
tthi
nk
str
aight.Icoul
dn'tt
hinkabouthisr
easonsand
whyhewant edmet oshowi tt
oMiquel.I
couldn'
tthinkaboutwhohewasei ther
.AllI
couldthinkaboutwasget t
ingri
dofthepains.

Icont
inuedr
unni
ngandboar
dedt
hef
ir
stcabI
'
d
seen.

Igav
ehim mylocat
ionandalt
houghhel
ooked
atmewithbeadyeyesasaresul
tofmyarm,he
j
ustcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.

Hedroveforaverylongti
meandf inal
lygotto
theareaofthei
nsti
tuteandIpaidhim of
fand
conti
nuedrunni
ng.Carscouldn'
tgoanyf ur
ther
.
So,Ihadtodotherestofthejob.
Iranf
oralongti
me,hol
dingmyar
m andf
inal
l
y,
Igott
othebiggate.

HowdoIgoi
n??

OhGod!

Withthelookoft hi
ngs,t
here'snowayI'
m
sneakingin.IguessI'
m bustedalr
eady
.

Itr
iedknocki
ngonthegateandalmostfel
lon
thefl
oorasaresul
toftheel
ectr
icshock.

Whaaaat
??

I
twasel
ect
ri
fi
ed?
??
So,
howcansomeonegeti
n??
i
lookedandnot
icedsomet
hingl
i
kecamer
as.

Oh.
..
.secur
it
ycameras?
?Coul
ditbepossi
ble
t
hey'
veseenmealready?

Damni
t!Ineededtogoinal
ready.Iwasal
ready
whi
mperi
ngasar esul
toft
hepains.

Iwasst i
l
lponder
ingwhenthegat
esuddenl
y
sl
idopenandmyhear tl
eapti
nfearand
surpr
ise.

Itopened,
rev
eali
ngthei
nst
it
utesandguar
ds
cameouti mmedi
atel
y.
"She'
sback.Gether
"oneoft
hem sai
dandt
wo
other
sgri
ppedme.

OhGod!

TheydraggedmeinevenifIwasn'
tst
ruggl
ing
wit
hthem andassoonaswepassedt hegate,I
metMiquel'
sguar
dsstandingbesi
dei
t.

Thankgoodness.

"Pl
ease,IneedtoseeMiquel
"It
oldt
hem
qui
cklyandpatheti
cal
l
yandthemenholdi
ng
mestoppedwal ki
ng.

OneofMi
quel
'
sguar
dsscof
fed.
"
Don'
tworry
,we'
l
ltakei
tfr
om her
e"het
oldt
he
menhol
dingmeandtheyl
etmego
i
mmediat
ely"

Theytookov
erandhel
dmei
nst
eadandst
art
ed
taki
ngmeaway.

"Pl
ease,wher
eareyoutaki
ngme?Ineedt
osee
Miquel
"Itol
dthem bot
hastheyhel
dmeon
eacharm.

Theyl
ookedatmyarm andl
ookedsur
pri
sed
butdi
dn'
tcar
etoask.

"You'
resoeagert oreceiv
ey ourpuni
shment,
huh?Don'tworry,you'
llbegetti
ngitsoon"t
he
oneonmyl eftsaidandIj usthopedtheywere
taki
ngmet oMi quel.
Theyprobabl
yhavenoi
deawhatpai
nsI
'
m
passi
ngthrough.

Thestudentskeptlooki
ngatusaswewal ked
passthem andafteralongwhil
e,wegottoa
bui
ldi
ng,butIcouldtell
itwasn'
tMiquel
'
s
apart
ment.

"
Please,whereareyout
aki
ngme?Ineedt
osee
Miquel
,please.Ihav
eamessagef
or.
..
"

"Shutup!
"Theycutmeoffandcont
inued
draggi
ngmeandf inal
l
y,west
oppedwalki
ng.

Wai
t!
Mi
quel
!

Theybr
oughtmet
ohi
m!

Hewasst andi
ngi
nfr
ontofawi
ndowi
nabi
g
passage.

Atablewasbesi
dehi
m wi
thbooks,
fil
es,
dr
inks..
.

I
tlookedmor
eli
kehewashav
ingsomequi
et
t
imehere.

"She'
sback,boss"t
heboy ssai
dast
heyl
etgo
ofmyarm, buthedidn'
ttur
nawayfr
om t
he
window.
"Sheclai
msshehasamessageforyou"t
he
othersai
dandthatwaswhenhetur
nedtolook
atus.

Hiscol
deyesbor
edi
ntomi
neandIf
eltmy
hear
tskip.

OhGod!
!Ij
ustpr
ayt
hisi
sn'
tabadmessage.

"Whatmessage?
"Heaskedunruff
ledl
y,hi
s
handscr
ossedbehi
ndhisback.

Irantohi
mi mmediat
elyandhel
doutthehand
tohim.MylegsshookasIstoodcl
osetohim.

"S.
..
Someoneaskedmet
o..
.t
oshowt
hist
oyou"
Ist
utter
edfear
ful
l
y.
"
He.
..
he.
..
hesai
dhi
snamei
sMy
kel
".

Inot
icedaspar
kinhi
sey
esasIment
ionedt
he
name.

Hetouchedmyhandslowl
yandst
aredatthe
i
mageandi mmedi
atel
y-li
kei
nst
antl
y-the
pai
nsseized.

Thebur
nandal
l
...
theywer
eal
lgone.

Igaspedinrel
i
ef,
butnotunt
ilIsawadotof
blooddroponmyhand.

If
li
nchedandl
ookedatMi
quelandsawhi
m
bl
eedi
ng,hi
seyeswer
esti
l
lfi
xedonthei
mage.
OhmyGod!
!

Ir
ecoi
ledinhor
rorasthebl
oodrusheddown
hi
snostr
il
sandstainedonmyhand.

Inot
icedhi
sguar
dswer
eal
somov
ingaway
.

Myeyesdr
oopedandIt
ri
edmovi
ngawayas
wel
l,
buthehel
dmyhandfir
mlyt
othepoi
nthe
washur
ti
ngme.

OhmyGod!
!

No;
thi
sisadr
eam.
Isawali
tt
lest
reamlineofbl
oodonhisey
es
whichwer
esti
llf
ixedontheimageonmyarm.

Andinthemosti
cyv
oiceI
'
dev
erhear
d,he
asked:

"
Whydi
dyoul
eav
ethei
nst
it
ute?
"
*
*
TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe’
scol
d-hear
ted)
Epi
sode23

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
’sPov
:
Hesni
ffedi
nthebl
oodbutmor
ecamer
oll
i
ng
down.

“I
….I
…Ihadto…I’
m sor
ry”Iwhi
mper
edandthe
nextt
hingIf
eltwasaslaponmycheek.

He’
dsl
appedmewi t
hthebackofhi
spal
m andI
f
oundmysel
frol
l
ingonthefl
oor.

Iwhi
mperedandhel
dmyf
aceashi
sangr
yey
es
gl
int
edatme.
OhmyGod!

“
Ihadtosavemybrother
,please.I’
m sor
ry”I
weptandcr
awledbackwardsont hefl
oor.

Theli
neofbloodkeptroll
i
ngonhiseyesand
noseandimmediatel
y,thefi
l
esandbookson
thedeskcaughtf
ir
e.

Het
riedcomingt
omeagai nbutsuddenl
y
r
est
ri
ctedhimsel
fandt
urnedaround.

Icoul
dnot
icehewasi
tchi
nghi
sey
es.

“Lockherup”hesai
dtot
heguar
dsandr
an
away.
*
*
Ikeptcryi
ngastheguar
dstookmeawaytoa
darkplaceandt
hrewmei nt
osomet
hingt
hat
l
ookedl i
keacel
l.

Isatonthefl
oorandweptmor eandIcoul
dn’
t
tel
lifIwascr
yingbecauseofthesl
apI’
d
receiv
edorbecauseMiquelwasmadatme.

Buti
twasn’
tmyf
aul
t.

Il
ookedatmyar
m butcoul
dn’
tfi
ndt
hemar
k
anymore.

I
twasgone–probabl
ybecauset
hemessage
hadbeendel
i
ver
edalr
eady.
Butwhatdi
ditmean?Andwhyhadi
tgot
tent
o
hi
mt hatmuch?

Whathav
eIgot
tenmy
sel
fint
o?

Ihuddl
edmyar
msandl
egsandwept
.
*
*
Naomi
’
sPov
:
Ipacedrestl
esslyt
hoandf
ro,
wai
ti
ngf
or
posit
iveanswers.

Shor
tly
,thegi
rl
swal
kedi
nandIt
urnedt
othem
shar
ply.

“Yes.What’
stheupdat
e?”Iaskedi
mmedi
atel
y,
socurious.
“
Theyst
il
ldon’
tknowwher
ehe’sr
anofft
o.But
t
hey’
ret
ryi
ngtofi
ndhi
m”Bett
yanswer
ed,al
so
l
ooki
ngworri
ed.

Wel
l,asf
arasI
’
m wor
ri
ed,
theyshoul
dal
sobe
wor
ri
ed.

“Whatthehel
lhappenedI
nthefir
stpl
ace?Who
gothi
m angry
?”Iasked,r
ecal
li
nghowanenti
re
bui
ldi
nghadalmostcaughtfi
re.

“Accordingt
otheguards,Cal
ihadshowedhim
amar k,sayi
ngsomeonesenthertohim.We
sti
llhaven’
tgott
hefullnewsandhavenoidea
whatt hemarkmeant”Natali
erepl
i
edandI
fi
stedmyhand.
“
Thatb*
**h!
”Igr
owl
ed.
“Howdareshe?Al
lshe’
sher
etodoiscause
conf
usi
on.HowdareshemakesMiquelt
hat
angr
y??

“
Wher
e’sshenow?
”

“
Ihear
dshe’sbeenlockedup”I
vyr
epl
i
edandI
f
eltmyangeri
ncrease.

Iwi
shther
ewasawayIcoul
djustsqueezeher
al
iv
e.
*
*
Lat
eratni
ght
*
*
TheLongAwai
ted
.
.
Mi
quel
’
sPov
“
Boss!”Abel
andZackr
ushedt
omeasI
r
etur
ned.

Ist
il
lhadapal
elookonandj
usti
gnor
edt
hem,
wal
kingtomyroom.

“We’
vebeenlooki
ngallov
erf
oryou,boss”t
hey
sai
dastheysti
llf
oll
owedmebehindbutidi
dn’
t
sayaword.

Igoti
ntomyroom andsatqui
etl
yont
hebed.At
l
east,
nowIcanthi
nk.
“
Wher
e’st
hebanshee?
”Iasked,
notl
ooki
ngat
t
hem.

“She’
ssti
lll
ockedup.Doyouneedsomet
hing,
boss?”AbelaskedandIst
ooduptogetadri
nk.

“
Bri
nghert
ome”Imumbl
ed.
*
*

TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode24

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
I'
dbeensit
ti
ngonthefloor,
weakandf r
ust
rat
ed
andwasalmostdozingoffwhenIheard
foot
stepst
hatj
erkedmebackt oreal
it
y.

Isqueezedmyey
esandawait
edt
heownersof
theslappi
ngf
oot
stepst
oshowupandsoon,
theydid.

I
twasMi
quel
'
sguar
ds!
!!
Istaredatt
hem, shockedandwonderi
ngwhy
theywerether
e.Whatel sewoul
dtheywantt
o
dot omeagain,huh?

Theyopenedthecel
l
,wal
kedi
nanddr
aggedme
upfrom t
hefl
oor.

'
Comeon"oneofthem sai
dhuski
l
ywhenhe
not
icedIwant
edt
or est
rai
nmysel
f.

Wel
l
,Iwastooweakalr
eadyandjustfol
lowed
t
hem t
owherev
eritwastheywer
et aki
ngme.

Af
teral
ongwalk,
Inot
icedt
her
ewer
etaki
ng
metoafami
li
ar.
Mi
quel
'
sbl
ock!
!!

What
'r
etheydoi
ng?

"Wh..
.Wher
ear eyout
aki
ngme? "Iasked
perpl
exedbuttheydi
dn'
trepl
yunti
lwe'dgot
ten
tohisdoor
step.

Theywer
ereal
l
ybr
ingi
ngmet
ohi
sroom!
??

Myheartracedsoheavil
yastheyknockedon
thedoorandaft
ergett
ingareply
,theyopenedi
t
andtookmei n.

OhGod!

Icoul
dn'
tfaceMi
quel
!
Pl
ease,
Idon'
twantt
o.

Tear
sbuil
tupinmyey
esast
heymademe
st
andbehindhi
m.

Hewasf
aci
ngt
het
abl
e,dr
inki
ng.

"She'
sher
e,boss"oneoft
heboy
ssai
d,st
il
l
holdi
ngme.

Foramoment,hedidn'
tsayawor
dormakea
movebutkeptdr
inki
ng.

MyheartbeatsofastasIt
houghtofwhathe
wasgoingtodotome.Whydi dhesendforme?
Haven'
tIrecei
vedenoughpuni
shmental
ready?
"
Youcanleav
e"hi
scol
dvoicef
inal
l
ysai
dand
t
heguar
dsbowedandlef
t.

Oh,
my!Theyl
eftmewi
thhi
m!!

Ifel
tmyl egsbecomecoldandwobbl
easI
thoughtofwhatwouldhappen.

Recal
l
inghispr
evi
ousanger,IIfel
tsoscared
bei
ngalonewit
hhim andhi
ssilenceri
ghtnow
waskil
li
ngme.

Suddenly,
hedroppedthebot
tl
eofwi
nehehel
d
andturnedar
ound,faci
ngme.

Myhear
tski
ppedt
hatIal
mostf
eltl
i
ket
hrowi
ng
up.

Imov
edbackal
i
ttl
e.

"
Please.
..
.I
'
m sor
ry"Iwhi
mper
edashest
art
ed
walki
ngtowar
dsme.

Ist
oppedwalki
ngwhenIcoul
dn'
tmove
anymoreandhest
oppedinfr
ontofme.

Asweetf
ragr
ancecamef
rom hi
sdr
ess.

Itr
iedavoi
dinghi
scol
dgazeashel
i
ftedhi
s
handstothebutt
onsonmyshi
rt
.

Whaaaat
??
What
'shedoi
ng?
??

Igaspedandf
li
nchedashest
art
edunbot
tenng
myshirt
.

"
S..
.S.
..
Sir
?",
Ist
utt
eredwi
thbeadyey
es.

What
'shedoi
ng?

Iwant
edtomoveawaybutcoul
dn'
tandj
ust
st
oodli
keast
ickasheworkedonmybutt
ons.

Sweatsr
andownmyheadt omychestand
fi
nal
ly
,myshir
twasspl
i
ttedapar
t,r
eveal
ingmy
bi
gb**bsinab*a.
Wast
hismypuni
shment
?

Hereachedforthet
ipofmytrouserandwas
aboutt
akingitdownwhenIsuddenlyst
opped
hi
m.Icouldn'
ttakei
tanymore.

"
Takei
tof
f"hesi
ghedandsai
dandIwi
nced.

Why
'shedoi
ngt
hist
omeagai
n?

*Iwon'thur
tyou*Isuddenl
yhear
dhi
m sayi
n
hisheadandmyey esbeamed.

Hegav
emeaccesst
ohi
sthought
s!!
!
Icaughtt
hesightofhiseyesbutqui
cklyst
ared
awayandslowlypull
edoffthetr
ouser.
Nowwhat
?

Iwasl
eftwi
thj
ustap*
nandb*
a.

Well
,Iguesst
hisi
sn'
tthef
ir
stt
imehe'
sdoi
ng
t
histome.

"There'
ssomewat eri
nthebatht
ubalready
.Go
washy oursel
f"hest
atedandwalkedaway,
goingtofacethewindow.

Hol
don.
What
?

Di
dIj
usthearhi
m cor
rect
lyornot
?
Ther
e'sawat
eri
nthebat
htub?
??

He.
..
Hewant
smet
otakemybat
horwhat
?

'
DoIneedtorepeatmy
sel
f?"Hi
sicyv
oicecame
agai
nandIfel
tmyheadspi
n.

OhGod!

I
mmedi at
ely,Itur
nedaroundandheadedfort
he
bat
hroom,takingslowandsteadyst
eps.

Igott
othedoor
,tur
nedt
hehi
ngesandpushed
i
topen.

Itur
nedbacktolookatMiquelwhowassti
ll
faci
ngthewindowandtakingaweakbreat
h,I
wal
kedi
nandshutt
hedoor
.

Istoodfi
xatedbythedoorf
oral
ongt
ime,
eye-
searchi
ngtheplace.

So,
thi
swashi
sbat
hroom?

I
twassobi
gandpr
ett
y.

Thefl
oorswer
etiedwi
thbl
ue,t
hewal l
swer
e
spar
kli
ngaswell
andasweetscentcamefr
om
i
t.

Dif
ferentcol
orsoft owel
swerehungonone
partofthewallandIsawt hewar
mf oamy
waterinthebathtub.
Wow!

Itur
nedbacktothedoortomakesur
eitwas
proper
lyl
ocked.ThenIt
ookoffmyp*ntandb*
a
andenter
edthetub.

Hmmmmmmm

I
'
dal
mostf
orgot
tenwhatt
hisf
eltl
i
ke.

Icl
osedmyey esinecst
asyast hewar
m soapy
watersoakedme.Gosh!Itgav
emean
overwhel
mingrel
i
ef.

IguessIr
eal
l
yneededt
his.

Myheadbecamecool
andt
heheav
ybur
denI
f
eltwasbegi
nni
ngt
ogetof
fmyshoul
der
s.

Isuddenl
yfel
tatease.

Gosh!Ateasei
nsomeoneel
se'
sbat
hroom!
!

What
'swr
ongwi
thme?

Ii
ntent
ional
l
ystayedint
hebatht
ubforalong
whil
ebecauseIenjoy
edthewarmthIfel
t.

ButwhenIfel
titwasenough,
Icameoutofi
t
andtookoneofthetowel
sI'
dseen,
dry
ingmy
bodywit
hit.

Idr
iedof
fthewat
erandt
iedt
het
owel
around
me.
But.
..
.whatdoIwear?Ican'
tret
urnt
other
oom
wit
hjustatowel
,ri
ght?

Ipi
ckedupmyundi esfr
om t
hef
loorand
decidedtoputonmyb*asi
ncet
hatwast he
onlythi
ngIcouldr
epeat
.

Butmyp* nt.
..
hel
lno.Ther
e'snowayI
'
m
repeat
ingthat
.

Iti
edthetowelbackonandret
urnedtot
he
room af
ter
wards,hi
dingt
hep*ntint
hetowel
.

Theplanwast oputonmyclot
hesassoonasI
gott
ot heroom,butwhenIdi
d,Icoul
dn'
tfi
nd
myclothesanymore!
Whaaaat
??

Mytrouserandshi
rt
!Theywer
eont
hef
loor
,
r
ight
?

IbecamemoreconfusedwhenIsawatrayof
foodonasmallt
ableinfr
ontoft
hebed.And
Miquelwasal
soin.

But
..
.wher
ear
emycl
othes?

"Goonandeat.Whenyou'
redone,I
'l
lgiv
ey ou
somethi
ngtowear"hesai
dwithoutl
ookingat
meashef ocusedonhi
sdrawingboard.

Hewaspai
nti
ng!
Igul
pednervousl
yandwenttothebedtosi
t,
makingsur
emyp* ntwaswel
lhi
dden.

Gosh!If
eltsouncomfortabl
ewit
hthef
actIwas
al
mostna* kedi
nfrontofhim.

Isatont
hebedanduncov
eredt
hemeal
sont
he
tabl
e.

But
..
..
hol
don.

What'
switht
hesuddenat
ti
tude?Why
'she
act
ingthi
swayt
owardsme?

Whatdoeshehav
einmi
nd?
Mymi ndwonder
edaboutasIgr
adual
l
yst
art
ed
eat
ing.

Gosh!!Iwassohungr
y.Ihadn'
teat
ent
hewhol
e
day!

Wor
stpuni
shmentev
er!

ThankgoodnessMiquel
wasbackingmeand
asaresul
t,Ir
ushedthefoodwi
thease.

Iatesofastli
keIwasacr i
minal,
li
cki
ngmy
handsatint
erval.Andatsomepoint,
Miquel
tur
nedandl ookedatmeandIf el
tmyheartski
p.

Ist
oppedeat
ingashi
sdar
key
esgazedi
nto
mine.
Then,het
urnedar
oundandr
esumedwi
thhi
s
work.

Oh!Cal
i.
..
whydoIhav
eaf
eel
i
ngI
'
m st
il
li
n
t
roubl
e?
Woul
dhej
ustl
etmegowhenI
'
m doneeat
ingor
what
?

Aft
eralongwhi
le,Iempt
iedthepl
atesandt
ook
i
nal ar
gequant
it
yofwater.

Oh!Goodness,
Ifel
tsof
ull
.
Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his.

Justasi
fMiquelwasmoni
tor
ingme,hestood
upandwentovertohi
swardr
obe.Heopenedit
andbroughtoutsomecl
othesandcamet
ome
aft
erwards.

"Here-youcanputtheseon"hesai
dashe
str
etchedoutt
heclothestomeandmyheart
ski
ppedagain.

Icoul
dn'
texpl
aini
t,buteverysi
ngl
ethi
nghe
doesmademesoner vous.
Icoll
ect
edthecl
othesfr
om hi
m andqui
ckl
y
tookmyeyestothefl
oor.

"
T...
Thankyou"Imut
ter
edi
nat
inyv
oiceand
f
elthim wal
kaway.

Ist
oodupwi t
hthei
ntent
ionofgoi
ngi
ntothe
bat
hroom t
ochange,
buthestoppedme.
"There'snoneedforthat
.Youcanchangeher
e"
hesai dandIfel
tcoldshi
versr
undownmy
spine.

Hol
yCr
ap!

Hewasstil
lfacinghi
sdr
awingboar
dandI
concl
udedtherewasNowayhe'
dhaveapeep.

So,Ir
etur
nedt
othebedandwor
eont
he
cl
othes.

Thankgoodnesshedi
dn'tmakeanat
temptof
st
eali
ngaglancethewholet
ime.

It
ooki
nadeepbr
eat
hwhenIwasf
inal
l
ydone.
"I
'
m. .
.I
'
m done"Isai
dandt
ooki
nahar
dgul
p
aft
erwards.

Hedidn'
tsayawordort
urnedt
olookatmebut
j
ustcont
inuedwi
thhi
sart.

O.
..
kay
.Am It
oleav
enoworwhat
?

Ist
aredathi
mf r
om behi
ndandwonder
edwhy
hewaskeepingmequiet
.

Coul
dhehav
esomet
hingi
nmi
nd?

"Youcommi t
tedagravemist
akebyl
eav
ingt
he
i
nst i
tut
e"hesuddenl
ysai
dandmyheart
skipped.
Ohmy
!

Don'
ttel
lmewe'
rest
il
lont
hat
.

God?Pl
ease

Ifel
tmyhearttear
ingup.Thepr
evi
ouspai
nsI
'
d
experi
encedcamedrivi
ngback.

I
shegoi
ngt
opuni
shmeagai
n?

"Andfort
herestofy
ourpuni
shment
"he
conti
nuedcal
mly.
"
Fort
henextt
woday
s,y
ou'
l
lbemyper
sonal
mai
d".
*
*
TBC.

THEDI
AMONDS

(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe’
scol
d-hear
ted)

Epi
sode25

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
’sPov
:
I
’
dbeensi
tt
ingont
hef
loor
,weakandf
rust
rat
ed
andwasalmostdozingof
fwhenIheard
foot
stepst
hatj
erkedmebacktoreal
it
y.

Isqueezedmyey
esandawait
edt
heownersof
theslappi
ngf
oot
stepst
oshowupandsoon,
theydid.

I
twasMi
quel
’
sguar
ds!
!!

Istaredatt
hem, shockedandwonderi
ngwhy
theywerether
e.Whatel sewoul
dtheywantt
o
dot omeagain,huh?

Theyopenedthecel
l
,wal
kedi
nanddr
aggedme
upfrom t
hefl
oor.

‘
Comeon”oneoft
hem sai
dhuski
l
ywhenhe
not
icedIwant
edt
orest
rai
nmy
sel
f.

Wel
l
,Iwastooweakalr
eadyandjustfol
lowed
t
hem t
owherev
eritwastheywer
et aki
ngme.

Af
teral
ongwalk,
Inot
icedt
her
ewer
etaki
ng
metoafami
li
ar.

Mi
quel
’
sbl
ock!
!!

What
’r
etheydoi
ng?

“Wh…Wherear eyout
aki
ngme? ”Iasked
perpl
exedbuttheydi
dn’
trepl
yunti
lwe’dgot
ten
tohisdoor
step.

Theywer
ereal
l
ybr
ingi
ngmet
ohi
sroom!
??
Myheartracedsoheavil
yastheyknockedon
thedoorandaft
ergett
ingareply
,theyopenedi
t
andtookmei n.

OhGod!

Icoul
dn’
tfaceMi
quel
!

Pl
ease,
Idon’
twantt
o.

Tear
sbuil
tupinmyey
esast
heymademe
st
andbehindhi
m.

Hewasf
aci
ngt
het
abl
e,dr
inki
ng.
“She’
sher
e,boss”oneoft
heboy
ssai
d,st
il
l
holdi
ngme.

Foramoment,hedidn’
tsayawor
dormakea
movebutkeptdr
inki
ng.

MyheartbeatsofastasIt
houghtofwhathe
wasgoingtodotome.Whydi dhesendforme?
Haven’
tIrecei
vedenoughpuni
shmentalr
eady?

“
Youcanleav
e”hi
scol
dvoicef
inal
l
ysai
dand
t
heguar
dsbowedandlef
t.

Oh,
my!Theyl
eftmewi
thhi
m!!

Ifel
tmyl egsbecomecoldandwobbl
easI
thoughtofwhatwouldhappen.
Recal
l
inghispr
evi
ousanger,IIfel
tsoscared
bei
ngalonewit
hhim andhi
ssilenceri
ghtnow
waskil
li
ngme.

Suddenly,
hedroppedthebot
tl
eofwi
nehehel
d
andturnedar
ound,faci
ngme.

Myhear
tski
ppedt
hatIal
mostf
eltl
i
ket
hrowi
ng
up.

Imov
edbackal
i
ttl
e.

“
Please….I
’
m sorr
y”Iwhi
mper
edashest
art
ed
walki
ngtowardsme.

Ist
oppedwal
ki
ngwhenIcoul
dn’
tmov
e
any
mor
eandhest
oppedi
nfr
ontofme.

Asweetf
ragr
ancecamef
rom hi
sdr
ess.

Itr
iedavoi
dinghi
scol
dgazeashel
i
ftedhi
s
handstothebutt
onsonmyshi
rt
.

Whaaaat
??

What
’shedoi
ng?
??

Igaspedandf
li
nchedashest
art
edunbot
tenng
myshirt
.

“
S…S…Si
r?”
,Ist
utt
eredwi
thbeadyey
es.
What
’shedoi
ng?

Iwant
edtomoveawaybutcoul
dn’
tandj
ust
st
oodli
keast
ickasheworkedonmybut
tons.

Sweatsr
andownmyheadt omychestand
fi
nal
ly
,myshir
twasspl
i
ttedapar
t,r
eveal
ingmy
bi
gb**bsinab*a.

Wast
hismypuni
shment
?

Hereachedforthet
ipofmytrouserandwas
aboutt
akingitdownwhenIsuddenlyst
opped
hi
m.Icouldn’
ttakei
tanymore.
“
Takei
tof
f”hesi
ghedandsai
dandIwi
nced.

Why
’shedoi
ngt
hist
omeagai
n?

*Iwon’thur
tyou*Isuddenl
yhear
dhi
m sayi
n
hisheadandmyey esbeamed.

Hegav
emeaccesst
ohi
sthought
s!!
!
Icaughtt
hesightofhiseyesbutqui
cklyst
ared
awayandslowlypull
edoffthetr
ouser.

Nowwhat
?

Iwasl
eftwi
thj
ustap*
nandb*
a.

Wel
l
,Iguesst
hisi
sn’
tthef
ir
stt
imehe’
sdoi
ng
t
hist
ome.

“There’
ssomewat erint
hebatht
ubalready
.Go
washy oursel
f”hest
atedandwalkedaway,
goingtofacethewindow.

Hol
don.
What
?

Di
dIj
usthearhi
m cor
rect
lyornot
?

Ther
e’sawat
eri
nthebat
htub?
??

He…Hewant
smet
otakemybat
horwhat
?

‘
DoIneedt
orepeatmy
sel
f?”Hi
sicyv
oicecame
agai
nandIf
eltmyheadspi
n.

OhGod!

I
mmedi at
ely,Itur
nedaroundandheadedfort
he
bat
hroom,takingslowandsteadyst
eps.

Igott
othedoor
,tur
nedt
hehi
ngesandpushed
i
topen.

Itur
nedbacktolookatMiquelwhowassti
ll
faci
ngthewindowandtakingaweakbreat
h,I
walkedinandshutt
hedoor .

Istoodfi
xatedbythedoorf
oral
ongt
ime,
eye-
searchi
ngtheplace.
So,
thi
swashi
sbat
hroom?

I
twassobi
gandpr
ett
y.

Thefl
oorswer
etiedwi
thbl
ue,t
hewal l
swer
e
spar
kli
ngaswell
andasweetscentcamefr
om
i
t.

Dif
ferentcol
orsoft owel
swerehungonone
partofthewallandIsawt hewar
mf oamy
waterinthebathtub.

Wow!

Itur
nedbacktothedoortomakesur
eitwas
proper
lyl
ocked.ThenIt
ookoffmyp*ntandb*
a
andenter
edthetub.
Hmmmmmmm

I
’
dal
mostf
orgot
tenwhatt
hisf
eltl
i
ke.

Icl
osedmyey esinecst
asyast hewar
m soapy
watersoakedme.Gosh!Itgav
emean
overwhel
mingrel
i
ef.

IguessIr
eal
l
yneededt
his.

Myheadbecamecoolandt
heheav
yburdenI
f
eltwasbegi
nni
ngtogetof
fmyshoul
ders.

Isuddenl
yfel
tatease.
Gosh!Ateasei
nsomeoneel
se’
sbat
hroom!
!

What
’swr
ongwi
thme?

Ii
ntent
ional
l
ystayedint
hebatht
ubforalong
whil
ebecauseIenjoy
edthewarmthIfel
t.

ButwhenIfel
titwasenough,Icameoutofi
t
andtookoneofthetowel
sI’dseen,
dry
ingmy
bodywit
hit.

Idr
iedof
fthewat
erandt
iedt
het
owel
around
me.

But….
whatdoIwear?Ican’
tret
urnt
other
oom
wit
hjustatowel
,ri
ght
?
Ipi
ckedupmyundi esfr
om t
hef
loorand
decidedtoputonmyb*asi
ncet
hatwast he
onlythi
ngIcouldr
epeat
.

Butmyp* nt…hell
no.Ther
e’snowayI
’
m
repeat
ingthat.

Iti
edthetowelbackonandret
urnedtot
he
room af
ter
wards,hi
dingt
hep*ntint
hetowel
.

Theplanwast oputonmyclot
hesassoonasI
gott
ot heroom,butwhenIdi
d,Icoul
dn’
tfi
nd
myclothesanymore!

Whaaaat
??

Myt
rouserandshi
rt
!Theywer
eont
hef
loor
,
r
ight
?

IbecamemoreconfusedwhenIsawatrayof
foodonasmallt
ableinfr
ontoft
hebed.And
Miquelwasal
soin.

But
…wher
ear
emycl
othes?

“Goonandeat.Whenyou’
redone,I’
l
l giv
ey ou
somethi
ngtowear”hesai
dwithoutlookingat
meashef ocusedonhi
sdrawi
ngboar d.

Hewaspai
nti
ng!

Igul
pednervousl
yandwenttothebedtosi
t,
makingsur
emyp* ntwaswel
lhi
dden.
Gosh!If
eltsouncomfortabl
ewit
hthef
actIwas
al
mostna* kedi
nfrontofhim.

Isatont
hebedanduncov
eredt
hemeal
sont
he
tabl
e.

But
….hol
don.

What’
switht
hesuddenat
ti
tude?Why
’she
act
ingthi
swayt
owardsme?

Whatdoeshehav
einmi
nd?

Mymi ndwonder
edaboutasIgr
adual
l
yst
art
ed
eat
ing.

Gosh!
!Iwassohungr
y.Ihadn’
teat
ent
hewhol
e
day
!

Wor
stpuni
shmentev
er!

ThankgoodnessMiquel
wasbackingmeand
asaresul
t,Ir
ushedthefoodwi
thease.

Iatesofastli
keIwasacr i
minal,
li
cki
ngmy
handsatint
erval.Andatsomepoint,
Miquel
tur
nedandl ookedatmeandIf el
tmyheartski
p.

Ist
oppedeat
ingashi
sdar
key
esgazedi
nto
mine.

Then,het
urnedar
oundandr
esumedwi
thhi
s
work.
Oh!Cal
i…whydoIhav
eaf
eel
i
ngI
’
m st
il
li
n
t
roubl
e?
Woul
dhej
ustl
etmegowhenI
’
m doneeat
ingor
what
?

Aft
eralongwhi
le,Iempt
iedthepl
atesandt
ook
i
nal ar
gequant
it
yofwater.

Oh!Goodness,
Ifel
tsof
ull
.
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.

JustasifMiquelwasmonit
oringme,hestood
upandwentov ertohi
swardrobe.Heopenedit
andbroughtoutsomeclot
hesandcamet ome
aft
erwards.

“
Her
e–y
oucanputt
heseon”hesai
dashe
str
etchedoutt
hecl
othest
omeandmyhear
t
ski
ppedagain.

Icoul
dn’
texpl
aini
t,butev
erysi
ngl
ethi
nghe
doesmademesoner v
ous.
Icoll
ect
edthecl
othesfr
om hi
m andqui
ckl
y
tookmyeyestothefl
oor.

“T…Thanky
ou”Imut
ter
edi
nat
inyv
oiceandf
elt
him wal
kaway
.

Ist
oodupwi t
hthei
ntent
ionofgoi
ngi
ntothe
bat
hroom t
ochange,
buthestoppedme.

“There’
snoneedforthat
.Youcanchangeher
e”
hesaidandIfel
tcoldshi
versr
undownmy
spine.
Hol
yCr
ap!

Hewasstil
lfacinghi
sdr
awingboar
dandI
concl
udedtherewasNowayhe’
dhaveapeep.

So,Ir
etur
nedt
othebedandwor
eont
he
cl
othes.

Thankgoodnesshedi
dn’tmakeanat
temptof
st
eali
ngaglancethewholet
ime.

It
ooki
nadeepbr
eat
hwhenIwasf
inal
l
ydone.

“I
’
m…I ’
m done”Isai
dandt
ooki
nahar
dgul
p
aft
erwards.
Hedidn’
tsayawordort
urnedt
olookatmebut
j
ustcont
inuedwi
thhi
sart.

O…kay
.Am It
oleav
enoworwhat
?

Ist
aredathi
mf r
om behi
ndandwonder
edwhy
hewaskeepingmequiet
.

Coul
dhehav
esomet
hingi
nmi
nd?

“Youcommi t
tedagravemist
akebyl
eav
ingt
he
i
nst i
tut
e”hesuddenl
ysai
dandmyheart
skipped.

Ohmy
!

Don’
ttel
lmewe’
rest
il
lont
hat
.
God?Pl
ease

Ifel
tmyhearttear
ingup.Thepr
evi
ouspai
nsI
’
d
experi
encedcamedrivi
ngback.

I
shegoi
ngt
opuni
shmeagai
n?

“Andfort
herestofy
ourpuni
shment
”he
conti
nuedcal
mly.
“
Fort
henextt
woday
s,y
ou’
l
lbemyper
sonal
mai
d”.
*
*

TBC
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode26

By
:Fai
thLucky

Naomi
'
sPov
:
Iwalkedangr
il
ywiththegi
rl
sinf
rontofmeas
theyledmetothebit
ch'sr
oom.Ij
ustcoul
dn'
t
waittolaymyhandsonher.

Af
terawhi
l
e,t
heyst
oppedwal
ki
ng.
"Thi
sisherbl
ock"Nat
ali
esai
dandagr
in
showeduponmyf ace.

"Well
,goi
nandgether
"Ii
nst
ruct
edandt
hey
noddedandl
eft
.

Therestofthestudentsaroundkeptstaringat
melikewasamov ieorsomet hi
ng.Butthey
werewi seenoughnottocomecl ose.Else,I
wasr eadytofr
ytheirbr
ains.

Thebanshee.
..
.i
t'
shi
ght
imeshel
eftt
he
i
nsti
tut
e.

Eversi
nceshearr
ived,she'
sbeent heonl
ylady
withadif
fer
ence,
alway sbr
eakingtherul
es,
goingagai
nstme,makingMi quelangr
y.Who
thehel
ldoesShethinksheis?
I
'mtheonlyonewhocanbr eakt
herul
eifIwant.
I
'mtheonlyonewhoshouldbeclosetoMiquel
.
Nobodyatallst
andsagai
nstmeordefil
esmy
or
ders.So,whothehel
ldoesshethi
nksheis?

Today
..
.I
'
m def
ini
tel
ygoi
ngt
ofi
xheri
nher
pl
ace.

Isawt hel
adi
eswal ki
ngoutnotl
ongaft
er,
but
theywasnoincreaseint
heirnumber
.She
wasn'twit
hthem!

'
Wher
e'sshe?
"Iaskedhuski
l
y.
I'
dcomeear
lybecausel
ect
ureswer
eyett
o
commence.
"Wecouldn'
tfi
ndher,
Naomi.Herr
oomiessai
d
she'
dlef
tsomemi nut
esago"Iv
yrepl
i
edandI
fumed.

Whaaaat
???
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Iranhast
il
yt owar
dsthebui
l
ding,
ignor
ingt
he
l
ookf r
om student
swhowerestari
ngatmelike
Istol
eorsomet hi
ng.

What
ever
..
Theyweren'
tev
ent
hel
eastofmyconcer
ns
ri
ghtnow.

Myonl
ypr
obl
em att
hismomentwasf
aci
ng
Mi
quel
.

Ir
ememberhe'dwarnedmestr
ict
lynott
obe
l
ate.Buther
eIam -al
mostt
wohourslat
e.

I'
mt r
yingt
oserv
emypunishment
,yetI
'
m st
il
l
creat
ingmoreoff
ence.

Ar
en'
tIj
ustdoomed?

Iranasfastasmylegscouldcarr
ymeand
fi
nall
ygottotheent
rance-hisdoorst
ep.

OhCal
i
!What
'sgonnahappennow?

Ican'
tbel
iev
eIcoul
dn'
teventakemybath.I
onlybr
ushedmyteet
h,washedmyfaceandran
outoft
her
oom.

Whatam Iev
endoi
ng?
?I'
m onl
ywast
ingmor
e
t
ime.

Itooki
nav er
ydeepbreathandfi
nal
l
yknocked
onthedoorbutgotnorepl
y.Coul
dhebeangry
huh?

Iknockedagai
nandt
hedooropenedoni
t'
s
own.

Huh?
?

Itopenedwi
de-r
eveal
ingthespar
kli
ngroom
andIspott
edhi
minfrontofhi
swardrobe.
Hedi
dn'
tevenbot
hertol
ookatthedoorand
t
henIfi
gur
edthedoorwasopenedbyhim.

Iclear
edmyt
hroatbef
orewalki
nginbutImade
suretost
opal
itt
ledi
stancef
rom wher
ehe
stood.

"Um.
..
.goodmorni
ng,
sir
"Isai
dwi
thabowbut
hedi
dn'tmakeamove.

Gosh!Iwi
shIcoul
dreadhi
sthought
stoknowi
f
hewasmadatmeornot .

Hejustcont
inuedsear
chingf
orwhatev
eri
twas
hewasSearchingfori
nthewardr
obe.

"
I'
m..
..
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ry,
sir-f
orcomi
ngl
ate.You
know..
..
therestofmyroom matesusual
lyset
themorningalarmto7a.m.so,Ihadnoideait
was6al r
eady.I'
mreal
lysorr
y"Isai
dpoli
tel
y,
keepi
ngmyey esgl
uedtothefl
oor.

Inevert
houghtany
onecoul
dmakeCal i
Jenner
thi
shumble.Evenmydaddoesn'
tputsomuch
feari
nme.

Gosh!

Hesti
lldi
dn'
tsayawordandIli
ft
edmyey es
fr
om thefl
oort
olookathi
m andthatwaswhen
hetur
nedaround.

Hol
yCr
ap!
Iqui
ckl
ytr
ansportedmyey estothef
loort
o
avoi
danyfur
therconsequences.

"You'v
ejustaddedanextr
adaytoyour
punishment"hesaidashewal
kedtowardsme
withaclothandplacedi
tonmychest.

"Washthi
s..
..
I'
l
lbemakinguseofi
tlat
er"he
addedandsatonthebed.

Whaaaat
??
Whaaaat
???
Li
ke.
..
doubl
ewhat
.

Thefi
rstwhaaatwasfort
hefactheaddedan
ext
radaytomypunishment.
Andt
hesecondwhaaat
..
..
idbewashi
nghi
s
cl
othes?
??

Gosh!
??

Ican'
tevenrecal
lthelastti
meIwashedasl
i
ttl
e
asanapkin!
!!Thel aundert
akescar
eof
every
thi
ngathome.

It
urnedt
ofacehi
m ashesatonthebed,tr
ying
sohardt
otaket
hegrumpylookoffmyface.

"Iassumeyoucancook,
right
?"HeaskedandI
heardaloudbangi
nmyhead.

Gosh!
!!

Cook?
??
"Um.
..
.yes.I
t.
..
it
..
.i
tdepends, si
r"Ir
epl
iedand
qui
ckl
yt ookmyey est
ot hefloor,r
ememberi
ng
youdon'tl
ookhimi nt
hef ace.

"Good.Iwanty outomakeabr eadtoastforme.

Andf oryourowngood, i
tshoul
dbeper fect
.
Cause...
ift
here'
sanerror,y
ou'r
egonnast ay
pinnedtotheceil
ingf
or24hour s"hesaidand
myj awsdropped.

I
shebei
ngser
iousorwhaaat
??

"
Thekit
cheni
sthatway"headdedandpoi
nted
t
oadoorandIjustgul
pedner
vousl
yand
wal
kedtowar
dsit.

Oh!Damni
t!You'
resodoomed,
Cal
i
.
Ishutthedoorbehi
ndmeassoonasIgotinto
thekit
chenandmyey esspar
kledatt
hest
ocks
offoodinfr
ontofme.

Hol
don. .
..
Arey ousuret
hisguy'
spartofthe
i
nsti
tut
eatal l
?Becausehedoesn'tactl
ikea
nor
mal studentatal
l.Ori
sitbecausehe'st
he
l
eader?
?

Imean.
..
thespeci
alt
reat
menti
sjustt
oomuch.

Cl
assi
chouse,ov
erwhel
mingr
espect
.Now,
l
ookathi
skit
chen!!

Gosh!

Ev
ery
thi
ngwasi
nbul
k-snacks,
bev
erages,
f
oodst
uffandt
her
ewer
etwor
efr
iger
ator
sas
wel
l
.

Thefl
oorsandwall
sweretiedandglit
ter
ed.
Theenti
reneatwassospar
kli
nglyneat.

Li
ke.
..
ser
iousl
y??
?

Hmph.

Idroppedtheshi
rtIhel
dont
hef
loorandset
outtowork.

HeavenknowsIdon'
tknowhowt ocook.ButI
t
hinkbreadt
oasti
sn'
tthatdi
ff
icul
t.

Ir
eachedf
ort
hecr
atesofeggsandt
ookf
our
bi
gonesf
rom i
t.

Ibrokethem i
ntoaplateandreachedforakni
fe
andsomeoni ons,pepper,
carr
otsandgreen
peas.Atleast
,I'
vealwaysseenthem i
nmyeggs
athome.

Ichoppedt
hem andpouredthem i
ntot
heegg
andatsomepoint,
thoughtofOwen.

Howwashe?Wasmum abl
etost
ophi
mfr
om
goi
ngt
othepar
tyl
astni
ght
?

Iwassowor
ri
ed.

OhGod!Iwi
shther
ewasawayIcoul
dreach
t
hem t
obesurehe'
sfi
ne.
IsighedandcontinuedwithwhatIwasdoi
ng-
prepari
ngtheKing'sbreakf
ast
.
*
*
30mi
nut
esLat
er.
*
*
Ist
oodi
ntheki
tchen,
cry
ingi
nfr
ust
rat
ion.

Oh!Cal
i
...
.I
'
mfi
nal
l
ydead.

Iruff
ledmyhairasIst
aredatt
hebur
ntbr
ead
toastinf
rontofme.

Whathav
eIdone?
??Howcoul
dIbeso
car
eless?
??Whydi
dithav
etobur
nhuh?

Gosh!I
'
m sodead.

Whyam Isounf
ortunat
e,huh?Whati
shegoi
ng
t
odotomet hi
stime??

Themeal
wasamess!
!Ibur
ntt
hewhol
ethi
ng.

Whywasn'
tIcar
eful
?

Ibi
tmynailsast
earspouredf
rom myeyesand
suddenl
y,t
hedooropenedandIt
urnedt
osee
hewastheone.

OhGod!
*
*
TBC.
Cal
ioo

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe’
scol
d-hear
ted)

Epi
sode27

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
’sPov
:
Ifel
tsoshywal
ki
ngbehi
ndhi
m wi
thhi
sbi
gbag
hungonmyarm.

G0sh!Thest
udentswer
ejustl
ooki
ngatus–
l
ikesomethi
ngstr
angewasgoingon.

Well,
ofcour
seitwasst
range.Who’
dimagine
walki
ngcomfor
tabl
ybehi
ndsomeonelike
Miquel?

Someonethatbleedswhenhe’
sangr
yand
coul
deasi
l
yki l
lme?

Yes….Il
i
kedhi
m alot
.ButIwoul
dn’
tdenyt
he
factt
hathemakesmesoscared.

Wekeptwal
ki
ngandwal
ki
ng,
maki
ngme
wonderwherewewereheadedandfi
nal
l
y ,
we
gott
oabuildi
ngInev
erknewexist
edInthe
i
nsti
tut
e.

Agy
m.

Huh?
??

So,
ther
e’sagy
m ov
erher
e??

Thereweresecur
it
iesattheentr
anceandas
soonastheysawMi quel
,theycomposed
themsel
vesandledusintothegym.

Myj
awsdr
oppedopenwhenIsawt
hei
nsi
de.

Hol
don….
.Naomi
wast
her
e!Ther
udebr
atand
herfr
iends.Theywer
eal
lther
etoget
herand
thei
rfacesfumedwhent
heysawmeand
Miquel.

*
Whatisshedoi
ngwi t
hMiquel
?*Ihear
doneof
t
hem sayi
nthei
rheads.

*
Miquel
isher
e!*

*
itsMi
quel
*

Ther
estoft
hest
udent
snat
ter
ed.

Miquel
whisperedsomethi
ngtotheguar
dsand
i
mmedi at
ely
,theyusher
edever
yoneout.

“
Please,
wewantt
hehal
lcl
ear
ed.Ev
ery
oneout
”
t
heguar
dannouncedandgr
umbl
i
ngoccupi
ed
t
heatmospher
e.

Obv
iousl
y,t
heywer
eangr
y.

Somekeptwi shinghe’dletthem sharethegym

withthem sotheycouldadmi rehisface.Some
wishedhewoul dn’
tsendt hem out.Icouldhear
al
l t
hesefrom thei
rthoughts.

Naomi andhergirl
slookedpat
ient
lybi
tt
ered,
butacquiescedanyway.

Andfi
nal
ly
,Miquel
andIwer
etheonl
yonesl
eft
i
nthemightyr
oom.

Butwhywoul
dsomeonecomet
othegy
m af
ter
eat
ing?

Wel
l,Iwoul
dn’
tbesur
pri
sed.Theguy
’sr
eal
l
y
wei
rd.

“
Youcankeepthebagoverther
e”hepoi
ntedt
o
aspaceont
heneatfl
oorandInoddedand
wal
kedli
keagoodgir
ltokeepthebag.

Gosh!If
eel
soner
vouseacht
imeI
’
m ar
ound
hi
m.

Hestart
edunbutt
oninghi
sshir
tandmyhear t
ski
pped.Icoul
dn’
ttel
lwhy–justf
eltner
vous.
Hiusonpl ustwothreefourei
ghtzer
ofiv
efi
ve
ei
ghteightnineoneeightthr
eeonwatsappt
o
getaddedt oourgr
oup.
Ifol
dedmylipsandkeptmyeyesgluedt
othe
fl
oorashereachedt
helastbut
tonandfi
nal
ly
took0f
ftheshir
t.

Ohmygeeeeeeeeeeeee

NowIunder st
andwhyhe’ dtodresscompletel
y
beforecomi ngtothegy m.Ifhe’
dwal kedwith
j
ustasi ngletl
ikeothersdo, t
henhalfofthe
studentsinthehalfinsti
tutewould’
vebeen
hospital
izedbynow.
OhmyG0sh!
!?

Thel
ookwasmor
ethanki
l
li
ng!
!!

Si
xpacks….
Smoot
hfai
rski
n….
Ti
nypi
nknppl
es…g0sh!If
eltl
i
kebi
ti
ngt
hem.

Hehadsomanytatt
oosaswel
lwhi
chmade
hi
m ext
remel
ycut
eands*xy
.

Idr
ool
edhel
plessl
yandcoul
dn’
tbel
i
evei
t.

Whotheh*el
lgavebir
tht
othi
sboy??Hashe
ev
erhadagirl
fr
iend?Hasany
onebeenabl
eto
wi
nhisheart
??

I
fyes,
thenshe’
sdamnl
ucky
.

Sosol
ucky
.
G0sh!
!!

Het
hrewtheshirtatmeandIcaughti
twi
th
i
mmediat
eeffect–l i
keagoal
keeper.

Ihungi
tneat
lyonast
andandr
etur
nedmyey
es
tohim.

Hedi
ppedhishandi
ntohi
str
ouserpocketand
br
oughtouta….

Whaaaaat
???
??

Aphone!
!!
!
Aphoneandaear
piece!
!!

Whatt
he….
.

Hol
don;hehasaphone?
??It
houghtphones
wer
en’
tall
owed?
??

Iwatchedinsur
pri
seasheconnect
edthe
phonetotheearpi
eceandfi
xediti
ntohi
sear
s.

Hesl
idedthephonebacktohi
spocketandi
t
wasobvi
oushewasl i
steni
ngt
osongs.

Hecl
i
mbedt
hepel
otonandst
art
edr
idi
ngi
t.

Hmmmmm
Cr
ap!
!

Lookatt
hemuscl
es!
!!Geez.Thi
sguyi
ssonot
fr
om ear
th.

IbitmycheekasIbl ushedandwat chedhim.

Suddenly,
I’
dforgotIwasonpuni shment .I
’d
forgot
tenever
ythi
nganddeci dedtodr oolon
him.

Ashi shandsandlegsmovedonthepel
oton,
theshapeandse*inessofhi
smuscleskepton
reveali
ng.Hi
stat
tooedchestwassofi
tti
ng.

Il
ickedmylipssomanyti
mesandi
magi
ned
havingsomeoneli
kehi
m asa……
A….
.
Abr
other
.

Yes,
abr
other
.

Thankgoodnesshewasbacki
ngme.So,
Ihad
enoughtodrool
onhim.

Soon,Ibecamesot
ir
edandf
oundapl
acecl
ose
bytosit
.

ItookinadeepbreathasIfeltsoreli
eved
resti
ngmywaist.Geez!Ihaven’tev
ent akenmy
bath.

Ir
estedmychi
ninmyhandandcont
inued
st
ari
ngathi
m andaf
terawhi
l
e,t
heentir
eplace
st
art
edgoi
ngr
oundi
nci
rcl
es.
Myl
i
dsbecamet
ooheav
y.

Sl
owl
yandsl
owl
y,Idr
if
tedof
ftosl
eep.
*
*
*
Iwasawokenbyapi nchonmykneeand
quicklyf
orcedmyey esopentoseeMi
quel
starr
ingdir
ectl
yint
omyf ace.

Ohmy
!Don’
ttel
lmeI
’
dfal
l
enasl
eep.

Atfi
rst
,myvisi
onwasblur
.Buti
tlat
erbecame
cl
earandIconfi
rmedhewasreal
l
ytheone.
Hewassquatt
inginf
rontofmeandwas
put
ti
ngonhisshir
tal
ready.

“
S…S…Si
r?”Isai
ddi
zzi
l
yandi
tchedmycheek.

“
Let
’sgo”hest
atedandst
art
edwal
ki
ngaway
.

Huh?I
shedone?

Ohmy
!ItseemsI
’
dreal
l
ysl
eptof
f.

Well
,youwoul
dn’
tbl
ameme.I
’
m d@mnsot
ir
ed
anddizzy
.

Il
ift
edtheheavybagfrom t
hefl
oorandst
art
ed
tr
ail
ingaf
terhi
m.Ijustpr
ayIdon’
tfal
l.
Myey esweregl
uedt
othefl
oorasusual
asI
st
ruggledsohar
dwit
hthebag.

Myf
eetwer
esoweak.

Atsomepoint
,Miqueltur
nedandl ookedatme
andIfear
edImightgethim angr
ywi t
hmyweak
mood.

So,
Ijustbr
ight
enedupandt
ri
edt
oactst
rong.

Thi
sti
mearound,
thest
aresf
rom t
hest
udent
s
di
dn’
tmat
tertomeanymore.

Afteralongwalk,
wegott
ohi
sapart
mentandI
exhaleddeepl
yasIdr
oppedt
hebi
gbagonthe
f
loor
.

Now….
whatnext
?
Won’
thej
ustl
etmego?

“
Cali
”hecall
edashepour
edhi
msel
fsomewi
ne
f
rom t
hetabl
e.

If
eltner
vousanswer
inghi
m andj
ustst
aredat
hi
mf rom behi
nd.

Whydi
dhecal
lmyname?

“
Getont
hebed”hemut
ter
ed.
*
*
Tobecont
inued…

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode28

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ifel
tsoshywal
ki
ngbehi
ndhi
m wi
thhi
sbi
gbag
hungonmyarm.
Gosh!Thest
udent
swerejustl
ooki
ngatus-l
i
ke
somethi
ngstr
angewasgoingon.

Well,
ofcour
seitwasst
range.Who'
dimagine
walki
ngcomfor
tabl
ybehi
ndsomeonelike
Miquel?

Someonethatbleedswhenhe'
sangr
yand
coul
deasi
l
yki l
lme?

Yes..
..
Ili
kedhi
m al
ot.ButIwoul
dn'
tdenyt
he
factt
hathemakesmesoscar ed.

Wekeptwalkingandwalki
ng,
makingme
wonderwherewewereheadedandfinal
l
y ,
we
gott
oabuildi
ngIneverknewexi
stedInthe
i
nsti
tut
e.
Agy
m.

Huh?
??

So,
ther
e'sagy
m ov
erher
e??

Thereweresecur
it
iesattheentr
anceandas
soonastheysawMi quel
,theycomposed
themsel
vesandledusintothegym.

Myj
awsdr
oppedopenwhenIsawt
hei
nsi
de.

Holdon...
..
Naomiwasther
e!Therudebratand
herfr
iends.Theywer
eallt
her
etogetherand
thei
rfacesfumedwhentheysawmeand
Miquel.
*
Whatisshedoi
ngwi t
hMiquel
?*Ihear
doneof
t
hem sayi
nthei
rheads.

*
Miquel
isher
e!*

*
itsMi
quel
*

Ther
estoft
hest
udent
snat
ter
ed.

Miquel
whisperedsomethi
ngtotheguar
dsand
i
mmedi at
ely
,theyusher
edever
yoneout.

"
Please,wewantthehal
lcl
ear
ed.Ever
yoneout
"
t
heguardannouncedandgrumbl
ingoccupi
ed
t
heat mospher
e.
Obv
iousl
y,t
heywer
eangr
y.

Somekeptwi shinghe'dletthem sharethegym

withthem sotheycouldadmi rehisface.Some
wishedhewoul dn'
tsendt hem out.Icouldhear
al
l t
hesefrom thei
rthoughts.

Naomi andhergirl
slookedpat
ient
lybi
tt
ered,
butacquiescedanyway.

Andfi
nal
ly
,Miquel
andIwer
etheonl
yonesl
eft
i
nthemightyr
oom.

Butwhywoul
dsomeonecomet
othegy
m af
ter
eat
ing?

Wel
l
,Iwoul
dn'
tbesur
pri
sed.Theguy
'sr
eal
l
y
wei
rd.

"
Youcankeepthebagoverther
e"hepoi
ntedt
o
aspaceont
heneatfl
oorandInoddedand
wal
kedli
keagoodgir
ltokeepthebag.

Gosh!If
eel
soner
vouseacht
imeI
'
m ar
ound
hi
m.

Hestart
edunbott
eninghi
sshi
rtandmyheart
ski
pped.Icoul
dn'
ttel
lwhy-j
ustfel
tner
vous.

Ifol
dedmylipsandkeptmyeyesgluedt
othe
fl
oorashereachedt
helastbut
tonandfi
nal
ly
tookof
ftheshir
t.

Ohmygeeeeeeeeeeeee
NowIunder st
andwhyhe' dtodresscompletel
y
beforecomi ngtothegy m.Ifhe'
dwal kedwith
j
ustasi ngletl
ikeothersdo, t
henhalfofthe
studentsinthehalfinsti
tutewould'
vebeen
hospital
izedbynow.
OhmyGosh!
!?

Thel
ookwasmor
ethanki
l
li
ng!
!!

Si
xpacks.
..
.
Smoot
hfai
rski
n..
..
Ti
nypi
nkni
ppl
es.
..
gosh!If
eltl
i
kebi
ti
ngt
hem.

Hehadsomanytatt
oosaswel
lwhi
chmade
hi
m ext
remel
ycut
eands*xy
.
Idr
ool
edhel
plessl
yandcoul
dn'
tbel
i
evei
t.

Whothehel
lgavebirt
htothi
sboy??Hashe
ev
erhadagir
lf
riend?Hasanyonebeenabl
eto
wi
nhishear
t??

I
fyes,
thenshe'
sdamnl
ucky
.

Sosol
ucky
.

Gosh!
!!

Het
hrewtheshirtatmeandIcaughtitwi
th
i
mmediat
eeffect-li
keagoalkeeper
.

Ihungi
tneat
lyonast
andandr
etur
nedmyey
es
tohim.
Hedi
ppedhishandi
ntohi
str
ouserpocketand
br
oughtouta.
..
.

Whaaaaat
???
??

Aphone!
!!
!

Aphoneandaear
piece!
!!

Whatt
he.
..
..

Hol
don;hehasaphone?
??It
houghtphones
wer
en'
tall
owed?
??

Iwat
chedi
nsur
pri
seasheconnect
edt
he
phonet
otheearpi
eceandf
ixedi
tint
ohi
sear
s.

Hesl
idedthephonebacktohi
spocketandi
t
wasobvi
oushewasl i
steni
ngt
osongs.

Hecl
i
mbedt
hepel
otonandst
art
edr
idi
ngi
t.

Hmmmmm

Hol
yCr
ap!
!

Lookatt
hemuscl
es!
!!Geez.Thi
sguyi
ssonot
fr
om ear
th.

Ibi
tmycheekasIbl ushedandwat chedhim.
Suddenl
y,I
'
dforgotIwasonpuni shment .I
'd
for
gott
enever
ythi
nganddeci dedtodr oolon
hi
m.

Ashi shandsandlegsmovedonthepel
oton,
theshapeandse*inessofhi
smuscleskepton
reveali
ng.Hi
stat
tooedchestwassofi
tti
ng.

Il
ickedmylipssomanyti
mesandimagi
ned
havingsomeoneli
kehi
m asa.
..
..
.
A.
..
..
Abr
other
.

Yes,
abr
other
.

Thankgoodnesshewasbacki
ngme.So,
Ihad
enoughtodrool
onhim.

Soon,
Ibecamesot
ir
edandf
oundapl
acecl
ose
byt
osi
t.

ItookinadeepbreathasIfeltsoreli
eved
resti
ngmywaist.Geez!Ihaven'tev
ent akenmy
bath.

Ir
estedmychininmyhandandconti
nued
st
ari
ngathim andaf
terawhil
e,t
heent
ir
eplace
st
art
edgoingroundi
ncircl
es.
Myl
i
dsbecamet
ooheav
y.

Sl
owl
yandsl
owl
y,Idr
if
tedof
ftosl
eep.
*
*
*
Iwasawokenbyapi
nchonmykneeand
qui
ckl
yfor
cedmyeyesopent
oseeMiquel
st
arr
ingdi
rect
lyi
ntomyf
ace.

Ohmy
!Don'
ttel
lmeI
'
dfal
l
enasl
eep.

Atfi
rst
,myvisi
onwasblur
.Buti
tlat
erbecame
cl
earandIconfi
rmedhewasreal
l
ytheone.

Hewassquatt
inginf
rontofmeandwas
put
ti
ngonhisshir
tal
ready.

"
S..
.S.
..
Sir
?"Isai
ddi
zzi
l
yandi
tchedmycheek.

"
Let
'sgo"hest
atedandst
art
edwal
ki
ngaway
.

Huh?I
shedone?
Ohmy
!ItseemsI
'
dreal
l
ysl
eptof
f.

Well
,youwoul
dn'
tbl
ameme.I
'
m damnsot
ir
ed
anddizzy
.

Il
ift
edtheheavybagfrom t
hefl
oorandst
art
ed
tr
ail
ingaf
terhi
m.Ijustpr
ayIdon'
tfal
l.

Myey esweregl
uedt
othefl
oorasusual
asI
st
ruggledsohar
dwit
hthebag.

Myf
eetwer
esoweak.

Atsomepoint
,Miqueltur
nedandl ookedatme
andIfear
edImightgethim angr
ywi t
hmyweak
mood.
So,
Ijustbr
ight
enedupandt
ri
edt
oactst
rong.

Thi
sti
mearound,
thest
aresf
rom t
hest
udent
s
di
dn'
tmat
tertomeanymore.

Afteralongwalk,
wegott
ohi
sapart
mentandI
exhaleddeepl
yasIdr
oppedt
hebi
gbagonthe
fl
oor.

Now.
..
.whatnext
?
Won'
thej
ustl
etmego?

"
Cal
i"hecal
ledashepour
edhi
msel
fsomewi
ne
f
rom t
hetable.

If
eltner
vousanswer
inghi
m andj
ustst
aredat
hi
mf rom behi
nd.
Whydi
dhecal
lmyname?

"
Getont
hebed"hemut
ter
ed.
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode29
By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ist
aredathi
m speechl
essl
y.Whatdi
dhej
ust
say
?

Whatdoeshemeanbygetont
hebed?

"
S..
.si
r?"Ist
utt
eredashedr
ankf
rom hi
swi
ne.

"
Youhear
dme, r
ight
?Getonthebed"he
r
epeat
edcol
dlybutIst
il
lcoul
dn'
tmove.

Imean.
..
wherewoul
dImov eto?Whydoeshe
wantmetogetonthebed?Isitpar
toft
he
puni
shmentorwhat
?
Suddenl
y,het
urnedandl
ookedatmeandmy
feetwobbl
ed.

Hol
yCr
ap!Thatst
are.

Il
oweredmygazetothefl
oorandfoundmy
sel
f
saunt
eri
ngtowar
dsthebed.What'
rehi
s
i
ntent
ions,
huh?

No;nomatt
erwhat,he'
l
lnev
erhur
tme,Ri
ght
?
He'
l
l nev
ert
hinkofusi
ngfor
ceonme.

Igott
othebi
gKi ng-sizedbedandcar
efull
y
cli
mbedonit
.Ther oyalsheet
sweresparkl
ing
andmademef eelIwast oodir
tyt
oevenl i
eon
them.
Icl
osedmylegsproper
lyandpr
ayedthesound
ofmyheav
yheartbeatcoul
dn'
tbeheard.

"Hav
esomesl eep",
hesai
d,sti
ll
star
ingatme
andIfel
tthatski
pinmyheartagai
n.

Hewant
smet
osl
eeponhi
sbed?
???
??

Despi
tehowtir
edIwas,Icoul
dn'
tthi
nkofi
tas
ner
vousnessgri
ppedme.

Howcanheaskmet
osl
eeponhi
sbed?Ov
er
whatr
eason?

Ipanickedbutsuddenl
y,astrongwaveof
dizzi
nessblewatmet hatIcouldn'
tcont
rol
it.
What
'shappeni
ng?
?

Il
ookedatMi
quel
andnot i
cedhewassti
ll
st
ari
ngatme,t
heglassofwinei
nhishand.

Couldheberesponsi
blef
ort
his?WhywasI
suddenl
yfeel
ingdi
zzy?

Myli
dsbecametooheav
yandunabl
etocont
rol
i
tanymor
e,Isl
eptof
f.
*
*
Naomi
'
sPov
:
Isatti
redl
yinmyroom asthegi
rl
sfedmewit
h
theannoyingst
ori
eswhichonl
ydebi
li
tat
edme
themor e.
"
Ican'
tbel
i
evehe'
spuni
shi
ngherbyaski
ngher
t
oworkashismai
d"Bet
tysai
dwithahuff
.

"
Whatsor
tofpuni
shmenti
sthat
?"

"Shegoestohi
sroom, movesaroundwithhim
eveninpl
aceswherehesendsot herst
udents
out.Whatsor
tofpunishmenti
sthat,huh?"
.
Natal
ieal
sogrouse.

"Whatthatladydid,
ifitweretobedoneby
someoneel seintheinsti
tut
e,onlyGodknows
whatwould'vehappenedt othatperson.
Probabl
y,thepersonwoul d'
vebeenki l
l
edwit
h
hisanger.

"Butt
hisCal
iofalady,evenaft
err
emi
ndinghi
m
ofapainf
ulpast
,allhecoulddowasmakeher
hispersonal
maid.Ican'
tbel
ieveheactual
ly
askedtheauthor
iti
esnottopunishher
.What
couldthatmean,huh?"I
vycont
ribut
ed,butI
remainedsil
entf
orawhi l
e.

"
Ithi
nkt
hisi
sthehei
ghtofi
t"Nat
ali
esai
d.
"Thestudentsareal
readybeginni
ngtotalk
aboutCaliwithsomuchr espectandI'
m surei
n
notime,ally
ourrespectwouldgot oher,
Naomi".

"
Nev
er!
!!
"Isai
dwi
thagl
i
ntofangeri
nmyey
es.
"I
'
m neverlet
ti
ngt hatsnai
ltakemypl
ace.She
needst
ol eavet
hei nsti
tut
eassoonaspossibl
e.
Ineedt
omakei thappen".

Foramoment
,theywer
eal
lsi
l
ent
.
"
Act
ual
l
y..
."Bet
tyf
inal
l
yspokeoutwi
thagr
in.
"It
hinkIhaveaplan-aper
fectwayt
oki
ckCal
i
outoftheinst
it
ute"
.
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Iopenedmyeyessl
owl
yandf
oundmy
sel
fst
il
l
l
yingontheKi
ng'
sbed.

Themeret
houghtofi
tal
onewashedawaythe
di
zzi
nesst
hatwassti
l
ltr
yingt
oover
whelm me.

Hmm.ButIt
hinkIf
eltal
otbet
ternow.

Il
if
tedmyheadf r
om thepi
ll
owandspottedhi
m
i
nfrontofhi
sdrawingboar
d-paint
ingasusual
.
Whydoeshel i
kepaint
ingt
hismuch?
Hewasbackingmeandsl
owl
y,Il
eftt
hebed.I
l
ookedoutthewi
ndowanddi
scov
ereditwas
al
readydar
k.

Huh?
??Forhowl
onghav
eIbeensl
eepi
ng?
??

"
Youcanleav
e"Isuddenl
yhear
dhi
m sayand
t
urnedbackt
olookathim.

Hmm.So,heknowsI
'
m awar
e?Hedi
dn'
tev
en
t
urnt
olookatme.

Icoul
dn'
ttel
lwhy
,,
butIj
ustf
eltmussed.

"
T..
.Thankyou"Ihushedandwasaboutheadi
ng
f
orthedoorwhenIspot t
edhi
sphoneont he
t
abl
e.

Thatphone!
!!

Ipausedandst
aredati
tandt
hei
deani
ggl
edat
me

"I
sthereaprobl
em?"Heasked,
sti
l
l
concentr
ati
ngontheboar
d.

"
Um.
..
.si
r"
,Ipausedandl
i
ckedmyl
i
ps.
Gosh!Am Idoi
ngt
her
ightt
hing?

Whatifheget
sangr
yandi
ncr
easesmy
puni
shment?
Shoul
dn'
tIj
ust
..
..
for
getabouti
tandwal
kaway
?

Hestoppedwhathewasdoingandt
urnedt
o
l
ookatmeandt hatwaswhenIfi
gur
edIhadto
makeaquickdecisi
on.

"Um..
..
act
ual
ly
"Iconti
nued,
maki
ngsur
emy
eyeswereonthef
loor
.

"Ij
ust..
..
Ijustwantedtoaskforsomet hing.
Alt
hough, Iknowit'
sagainsttherulesandI '
l
lbe
okayifyoudon'tgrantmyr equest.Butplease,
don'tpunishmef orit
"

Ipausedt
ogi
ver
iset
oanewbr
eat
h.

"
Youknow.
..
..
Yest
erday
,ther
easonI
'
dlef
tthe
i
nstit
ut ewasbecauseIhadt owar nmybr ot
her
.
I'
dbeenhav ingst r
angedr eamsofhim dyingat
apartyand...
..
Ihadt ogohomeandwar nhim.
So..
..
I'vebeenreallyworri
edcausehewas
supposedt oattendaf ri
end'spart
ylastni
ght
and..
..Ij
ustwant edtomakesur ehedi dn'
tgo
forit
.Please,Idon'tknowi fi
tstoomucht o
ask"Iconcludedandcl aspedmypal ms
together.

Forasecond,
hewassi
l
ent
,butscof
fed.

"So,
whatexact
lyar
eyouaskingfor
?"Heasked
andIbi
tmylowerli
pinanxi
ety.
DoIr
eal
l
yhav
etospel
li
tout
?

"
Ium.
..
Iwant
edtoknowif
..
.i
f.
..
ifi
t'
dbepossibl
e
t
omakeuseofy
ourphoneforasecond"Isai
d
andgul
pedner
vousl
y.

Atthatmoment,
Isuddenlybegantowishhe'd
j
ustsendmeout.Because..
.Icoul
dn'
texpl
ainit
,
butifel
tImadeamistakebyaskingfori
t.

"Youcanmakeuseofi t.Makesur
ethecall
'son
speakeranditshoul
dn'
texceed60seconds"he
repl
iedandturnedbacktohi
sboardandmy
eyesbeamed.

Huh?
???
??

Di
d..
.di
dhej
ustgi
vemeeasyaccess?

Hol
yChr
ist
!!
Iheldmybreat
hinsuspensi
onasIslowl
y
walkedt
othetabl
eandpickedupthephone.

Ohmygee!
!!Hedi
dgav
eitt
ome!Hedi
d.

Oh!
!Thankgoodness.

It
urnedonthephoneanddi
scover
edtherewas
nopasswor
dorfinger
pri
ntr
equi
red.Butwhat
's
hedoingwi
thaphoneanyway?

Iwentst
rai
ghttothecal
lappandi
nputmum' s
di
git
s.ThankgoodnessIhadi
tmemorized.

Idialedi
tandaf
terr
ingi
ngf
orsomet
ime,
she
pickedup.
"
Hel
l
o?"Herv
oicecamecl
ear
lyont
hephone.

I
twasher
!!

Ohmygee!Iwasabl
etor
eachherwi
thi
nfew
seconds.

"
Mum?"Ical
l
edebul
l
ient
ly,
smi
l
esdanci
ngon
myl
i
ps.

Il
ookedatMi
quelwhowasst i
l
l pai
nti
ngbutI
hadafeel
i
nghewasl i
steni
ngtousbecausethe
cal
lwasonspeaker
.

"
Cal
i
?"Mum cal
l
edi
nasur
pri
sedt
one.

"
Cal
i
,ist
haty
ou?
?"
"Yes,mum.I
tsme"Isai
drueful
lyandwishedi
t
wasaf acet
ofaceconv
ersat
ionsoIcouldhug
her.

"OhmyGod!Cal
ibaby!It
syou.How'
rey ou
doing?Wher
ear
ey ou?What'
swrong?"She
askedsomanyquesti
onsatati
met hatIhadt
o
chuckle

"Don'tworry,mum.Ev eryt
hingi sfi
ne.I'
mjust
usingaf ri
end'
s..
..
a..
.astudent's..
..
no,I
mean. .
.someone'sphone.I'mj ustusing
someone' sphonetor eachy ou...
"

Inot
icedMi
quel
pausedabi
t.

OhGod!Di
dIsaysomet
hingwr
ong?
"Mum"Ical
l
edandit
chedmyhead,
recal
l
ing
he'
donl
ygivenme60seconds.

"Idon'
thavemuchti
meandjustwant
edtoask-
how'sOwen?Ishefi
ne?Wereyouabl
etost
op
himf r
om goi
ngtot
hepart
y?"
.

"Yes,
dear.Youdon'tneedt
oworryabouti
t.
He'sfi
ne"sherepl
i
edandIt ooki
nadeep
breat
h.

Atl
east
,myr
iskwasnoti
nvai
n.

"Okay,mom.Myregar
dstohi
m anddad.I'
m
sorr
y,butIneedt
ogonow.We'l
ltal
klat
er"
.
"
Cal
i
!"Shest
oppedmef
rom endi
ngt
hecal
l
.

"Happybi
rthday"shehushedandIr
osemy
browsinsurpri
se.

OhmyGod!

Tomor
rowwasmybi
rt
hday
!!
!

Aruef
ulsmil
etouchedmyli
psasitdawnedon
me.Icoul
dn'
tbel
ieveI
'dal
mostf
orgott
en.

"
Thanky
ou,
mum"Ir
epl
i
edandendedt
hecal
l
.
Gosh!I
twasgoi
ngtobemyf
ir
stbi
rt
hday
wit
houtmyfami
ly.
Isigheddeepl
yanddr
oppedt
hephoneont
he
table.

"
I'
m donesir
.Thanks"Ispokewi
thequani
mit
y
t
oMi quel
.

Thethoughtofmybi
rt
hdaywast
ryi
ngt
o
changemymood.

"
You'r
ewelcome"hesimplysai
dwit
hout
l
ooki
ngatmeandsl owly
,Itur
nedar
oundand
l
eftt
heroom.
*
*
TBC.
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode30

By
:Fai
thLucky

#Next
_mor
ning

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ibrushedmyhairi
nfrontoft
hemirror
,tryi
ng
nottomakeasoundsi ncei
twasjust5.46a.m.
andtherestofmyroom matesweresti
llasleep.
ThankgoodnessI
'
dbegoi
ngt
o*wor
k*ont
ime
today
.

Idroppedt
hehairbrushwhenIwasdoneand
wasaboutleav
ingtheroom whenInot
icedNi
na
tur
n.

"
Hey"shecal
l
edi
nawhi
sperandIst
oppedt
o
l
ookather
.

So,
she'
sbeenawake?

"
Happybi
rt
hday
"shesmi
l
ed.

Ohhh.

I
t'
smybi
rt
hday
..
..
Hmm.I
'
dact
ual
l
ytol
dthem abouti
tyest
erday
.

"
Thanks"Isai
dhappi
l
yandl
eftt
her
oom.

Andof
fi
cial
l
y,I
'
m 18.

AsIwalkeddownt hequi
ethall
way,
Ifel
tso
happywithmysel
f.Iwas18y ear
sold-y
et
l
ookedli
ke20.Ugh!

ToobadIwon'tbecel
ebrati
ngitwithmyfamily.
Iwon'
tbecelebr
ati
ngitwit
hany oneatall
.Gosh!
I'
mjustst
uckinthi
sGod-damni nst
it
ute-
worki
ngassomeone'spersonalmaid.

Somanythought
skeptfl
yi
ngthr
oughmymi
nd
asIt
houghtofi
tandfi
nal
ly,
Igotther
e.
Icheckedmysel
ftobesureIwasstil
lokayand
taki
nginadeepbreat
h,Iknockedonthedoor.

Idi
dn'
thearanyrepl
yandIsl
owl
ypushedi
t
openandwalkedin.

Geez!Hewasstandi
nginfr
ontoft
hetabl
e.
Di
dn'thehearmeknocki
ngorwhat??
?

"Goodmor ning,
sir
"Igreet
edwi
thabowand
glancedatthewallcl
ock.

5:
59.Iwasdamnear
ly!

ThankGod.
"Goinandmakemesomecof fee"hesaid
coldlywit
houtl
ookingatmeandIfeltl
i
ke
askingifhedoesn'
thavemanners.

Fi
rst
,hedi
dn'tanswert
hedoor .Andnow, he
di
dn'
trepl
ytomygr eet
ing.Thefir
stthinghe
coul
dsaywas: makemesomecof fee.Geez!Do
Il
ookli
keacoffeemakert ohi
m, huh?

Iwi
shIcoul
dsayal
ltheset
hought
stohi
m.

"Okay,si
r"Ir
epl
i
edhumbl
yandwentf
ort
he
kit
chen.

Atl
east
,I'
m sur
eofmaki
ngcof
fee.

Iheat
edsomewat
er,
tookt
hecocoa,
putsome
mi
l
kandst
ir
red.

Then,Ipour
edi
nthewat
eraf
ter
war
dsand
tast
edit.

Hmm.Cr
eamyandper
fect
.

Ismil
edasIputitonasmal
ltr
ayandr
etur
ned
tot
heroom wit
hit.

Huh?I
shegoi
ngout
?Hel
ookedf
ull
ydr
essed
up.

"I
'
m done"Isai
dcalml
yasIhel
doutt
het
rayt
o
hi
m andhecoll
ectedi
tfr
om me.

Het
ookasi
pandt
heexpr
essi
ononhi
sface
meanti
twasokay
.

Hegul
pedi
tdownwithoutsay
ingawor
d-ev
en
asi
twasst
eaminghot.

"I
'
m offforameeti
ng.AndIneedyout oclean
uptheroom bef
oreI'
m back.Makesurey ou
stayher
eanddon'tgoanywhereti
ll
I'm back"he
stat
edcoldl
yandstoodupandIcollectedthe
tr
ayfrom hi
m.

Hmph
Iwatchedhi
m ashewalkedtot hedoorwhich
openedonit
sownwhenhe' dgot tencl
ose.As
soonasthedoorwasopened, Ispott
edhis
grumpyguardsst
andi
ngoutside.

Theyshutmeagl
arebef
oret
hedoorf
inal
l
y
cl
osedup.

Hmm.Whatmeet
ingaretheyhavi
ngany way
?
I
t'
spr
obabl
ywi
ththerestofthedi
rect
ors.

Isi
ghedandsetoutt
owor
kimmedi
atel
y.
*
*
Idressedthebed,
moppedthef
loor
,washed
thedishesandmadeever
ywher
esparkl
ingl
y
neat.

Gosh!Somet
hingIcoul
dn'
tdof
ormum.

WhenIwasdone,Il
ookedt
hroughthewindow
toseeifhewasonhi
swayback,butther
ewas
nothi
ng.
So,
whatam Itodonow?Justsi
tandwai
t?
Waitf
ort
heking??

Gr
rrr
r

Irol
ledmyey esandsatonthebedandthesoft
feel
i
ngonmyassr emindedmeofhowI '
dslept
onityest
erday.Thef
eeli
ngwaspricel
ess.

Ismi
l
edandspr
eadmyar
msoni
t.

Hmm.SeemsI
'
m hungr
y.

Gosh!Whatwoul
dIeat
,huh?
Mrgr
umpyhasaskedme
nottoleavether
oom.AndIdon'tknowifhe'd
beangryifImakesomethi
ngformy sel
finthe
ki
tchen.ButIwasdamnhungry.

Iy
awnedandmyey
escaughtt
hesi
ghtoft
he
dr
awi
ngboard.

Hmm.Therewasadrawi
ngofacaronitandit
wassobeaut
if
ul.Her
eal
l
ylov
espaint
ing,huh?

Ifel
tli
keexpl
ori
ngther
oom butsuddenl
y
rest
ri
ctedmysel
f.

Howam Isur
ether
eisn'
tacameraar
ound?
Whati
fheaddstomypunishment
??
Geez!IguessIjusthav
etobecaref
ul.Iwoul
dn'
t
wanttoangerthegodsanyfur
ther.

Aft
ersi
tt
ingforalongt
ime,Ideci
dedtorestmy
backabitandIl
aidonthebedandsleptoff
*
*
*
*
*
*
Iyawnedandt
urnedont
hebedandf
inal
l
y
openedmyeyes.

Hmm.Thatwasani
cer
est
,Iguess.
Gosh!I
tseemsmyhunger'
sjusti
ncr
eased.I
wonderhowlongI
'
vebeensleepi
ng.

Ihear
dastr
angesoundint
her
oom andl
i
fted
myheadtohavealook.

Whaaaaaat
???

He'
sback!
!!

Mi
quel
isback!
!

Igaspedandj
umpedoutoft
hebedl
i
keaf
ly.

Whendi
dher
etur
n??
?
Oh!Cal
i
.

Hewasfaci
ngthetabl
e,pour
inghi
msel
fadri
nk
andonl
ytur
nedsli
ghtl
ytosparemeast
are.

"S..
.s..
.si
r.Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouwereback"
,I
stutter
edandl i
ckedmyl
ips.

Hedidn'
tsayawor
dashegulpedf
rom hi
swi
ne
andIcheckedt
hewal
lcl
ock.

Huh?
???
??

2p.
m??
?

HowlonghaveIbeensl
eepi
ng?
??What
t
he.
..
.hel
l
???
"Today'
syourbi
rt
hday,
right
?"HeaskedandI
dri
ftedmyeyestohi
mi mmediat
ely.
Huh?Di
dhej
ust
..
..

"
Y..
..
Yes,si
r"Ir
epl
i
edandl
ower
edmygazet
o
t
hefloor
.

Why
'sher
eal
l
yaski
ngt
hat
?

Hegul
pedalloft
hewineanddr
oppedt
he
empt
yglassonthet
able.

"
Comealongwi
ththebag"hesaidandstart
ed
wal
ki
ngawayandIlookedathi
m, conf
used.

Whatbag?
Ilookedar
oundandsawt
hebaghewas
refer
ri
ngto.

Oh!Ar
ewegoi
ngt
othegy
m agai
n?

Ipi
ckedi
tupandt
ri
aledbehi
ndhi
m aswe
wal
kedoutoft
her
oom.

Welef
tthebuil
dingandcont
inuedwal
ki
ngt
il
l
wegottothegarage.

Huh?

Surpr
isi
ngl
y,heappr
oachedar
edf
lashycarand
openedthedoor
.
"
Geti
n"hest
atedcol
dlyandIf
li
nched.

Huh?
??What
'shet
alki
ngabout
??

"
S..
.s.
.si
r?"If
alt
eredhel
plessl
y.

"
Arewegoi
ngout
?"

"Ofcourse.Whatel
sedoesi
tseem l
i
ke? "He
askedwi t
hhisarmsapar
tandmycuriosit
y
i
ncreased.

Wher
ethehel
lar
ewegoi
ng?
??

"
B..
.butt
her
ules.
..
Ithoughtwewer
en'
t.
..
."
"
Geti
ntothecar
,Cali
"hecutmeoffandt
ook
t
hedr
iver
'sseat
,shut
ti
ngthedoor
.

OhmyGod!
!Wher
ethehel
lar
ewegoi
ng?
??

It
houghtwewer
en'
tsupposedt
oleav
ethe
i
nsti
tut
e??

Ifel
tsoscared-rememberi
ngwhathad
happenedthelastt
imeIl
eft
.

Hestar
edatmefrom t
hedri
ver'
sseatand
t
aki
nganer v
ousgul
p,Iwentaheadtoj
oinhi
m
i
nthecar.
*
*
TBC.
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode31

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
If
eltsoner
vousasIsatnextt
ohi
mint
he
movingcar
.

Wherecoul
dhepossi
blybetakingme?I
t
houghtweweren'
tmeanttoleavethei
nst
it
ute?
?
So,
peopl
eli
kehi
m canbr
eakt
her
ules,
right
?

Iwat
chedhi
m ashetur
nedt
hest
erl
i
ng.Gosh!
Thi
sguy'
sdamncute!
!

Aft
eraveryl
ongwhil
e,thecarcametoahal
t
andIl
ookedoutthewindowtodiscov
erwe
werei
nwhatlookedl
ikeafiel
d.

Hmm.Agr
eeni
shf
iel
d.

"Comeout"Miquelsai
dasheopenedhi
sown
doorandsteppedoutoft
hecarandIal
sodi
d
same.

Oh!
!!NowIcanhaveacl
ear
erv
iew.I
tsact
ual
l
y
agolff
iel
d-around.
Hol
don.
..
.

I
sheher
etopl
aygol
f??
?

Thef i
eldwasemptyli
kehe'
dorder
edev
ery
one
toleavebefor
ecoming.Wow!Buti
twas
beauti
ful.

I
'
donl
ybeent
oagol
ffi
eldonce-whenIwas10.

Dadhadt
akenOwenandIoutf
orf
unandwe
pl
ayedal
it
tl
egol
f.

"Openthebag"Miquel
instruct
edandIqui
ckl
y
placedthebagonmyf eetandopenedi
tb
Oh!
!Now,
Igetwhat
'si
nthebag.

Gol
fequi
pment
s,bot
tl
edwat
er,
shi
rt
..
.
Hmph.

Hewalkedt
omeandt
ookt
het
hingsheneeded
f
rom t
hebag.

Istoodbyandwatchedhi
m ashesett
owor
k,
playi
ngwit
hthegolf
.

He'
dst
ri
keitwi
ththest
ickandaskmet
oget
t
hebal
lwhenit
'sr
oll
edint
oahole.

Ser
iousl
y??
??
Isthi
sthereasonhebroughtmeher e?
?SoI
couldbesomegolfgir
lforhim orsomethi
ng?
?

Gosh!
!!Iwassohungr
y.
*
*
I
twentonforal
ongtimeandwhenhewas
done,
hetookaseatwhi
leIpant
edheav
il
y.

"Getmet hewaterfr
om thebag"her
equest
ed
andIquicklyr
eachedforthebagandbr
ought
outthewater.

Iwasst
il
lbr
eat
hingandsweat
ingpr
ofusel
y.

He'
sactual
l
ytheonewhocameoutf
orf
un.Yet
,
I
'mtheonebreat
hingl
i
keali
zar
d.
Igavehimt hewaterandheopenedi
tand
gulpeditdown.Andashispinkl
ipsr
oundedon
i
t,Ifel
tmyt hr
oatbecomingdryandt
hir
sty.

Hmm.

Mywaistwashurti
ng,butIdi
dn'
tknowifhe'
d
f
indi
toffensi
vesi
tti
ngnexttohi
m.So,Ijust
r
emainedstandi
ng.

Hesighedaf
terdr
inki
ngfrom t
hebot
tl
eand
whenhewasdone, hest
oodup.

"Let
'sgo"hesaidgruf
fl
yandheadedf
ort
hecar
andofcourse,Ifol
l
owed.
Webot
hent
eredt
hecarandzoom!Het
ookof
f.

Well
,Iguesswe'
reheadedbackt
othei
nst
it
ute.
Gosh!Iwassohungry.
Ir
estedmyheadonmypal m ast
hesmooth
dr
iveconti
nuedandInoti
cedsomethi
ng.Thi
s
wasn'tt
herout
etotheinst
it
ute.

Hewast
aki
ngadi
ff
erentr
out
e.

Huh?
??Wher
e'shegoi
ngagai
n??

Il
ookedathi
m andfeltl
ikequest
ioni
nghi
m,but
suddenl
yhel
dmyt ongue.

Gosh!I
'
m sodoomed.
Hefi
nal
l
ypull
edoveri
nfr
ontofar
est
aur
ant
andmyeyesbeamed.

Ohmygeee!
!!Tel
lmewe'
reeat
ing,
please.

Igaspedinexci
tementasIfol
l
owedhim outof
thecar.Seei
ngther
estaur
antact
ual
l
y
i
ncreasedmyhunger.

Hewalkedintotherest
aur
antwhil
eIfol
lowed
hi
m behind,
runningmyeyesroundthe
spar
kli
ngplace.

Gosh!I
twassobeaut
if
ulandcl
assi
c.

Hetookthel
eadandfoundat
ablewherewe
satf
aci
ngeachother
.Andimmediat
ely
,a
wai
tr
essr
ushedt
ous.

"Goodeveni
ng,
sir
.Goodev eningma'am.
What'
reyouror
ders,
please?"Sheaskedpol
i
tel
y,
herbookandpensettowr i
te.

Well
,ofcourse,
Idi
dn'tsayawor dbutawai
ted
Miquelt
omaket hedecisi
on.Idon'
tthi
nkIhave
asay,doI?

"Tel
lherwhaty
ouwant"Mi
quel
suddenl
ysai
d
andIfel
tmyheartski
p.

Huh?
??Di
dhej
ust
..
..
?

Ohmygeee!
!!
Ifel
tmycheeksheatupi
nst
ant
lyasIl
ookedat
thewai
tr
ess.

"Um..
..
Ithi
nkI'
dgowithsomeri
ceandbeef
stew"Ir
epli
edandl
ickedmyli
ps.

Thewai
tr
essscr
ibbl
edi
tdowni
nherj
ott
er.

"
Okay.Andyou,
sir?
"Shetur
nedtoMiquel
who
j
ustsi
ghedandbrushedhi
sfi
nger
sintohi
shai
r.

"
Samethi
ngsheorder
ed"her
epl
i
edandt
he
wai
tr
essnoddedandl
eft
.

Hol
don.
..

Whaaat
??
Di
dhej
ustsay*
samet
hingsheor
der
ed?
*

No.Ipr
obabl
ydi
dn'
thearhi
m cl
ear
ly

Afterawhi
le,
thewai t
ressr
eturnedwi
thour
ordersi
ntr
aysandt hatwaswhenIconfi
rmedi
t
-he'dor
der
edf ort
hesamet hingidi
d!

Huh?

"Wedon'thavemucht i
me.Eatup"hesaid
col
dlyandtry
ingtotakeinthesur
pri
se,It
ook
myspoonandst art
edeating.
*
*
Wel
l
,li
key
ou'
veal
readyknown,
Miquel
isn'
tthe
t
alki
ngt
ype.So,
webot
hat
esi
l
ent
ly.

Hejustkeptpi
ckingathi
sfoodwhi
leIrushed
mine.Trustme,Ichompedanddev
ouredmi ne.
Iwas100%hungr y.
*
*
Bytheti
mewewer
edone,
Ifel
tal
i
ttl
eful
land
rel
i
eved.

Hah!Thankgoodness.

t
hewait
resscamef orherbi
l
landaf
terpay
ing,
wel
eftt
herestaur
ant.

Ohmy !I
twasal
readydar
kout
side!Sodar
k
al
ready.
Whatani
cewayofcel
ebr
ati
ngmybi
rt
hday
,
huh?
?

Cr
ap!

Justonourwaytothecar,
alit
tl
eboyranupto
us,hol
dingsomedangl
ingthi
ngsinhi
shands.

"Hey,mister.Goodevening.Um. .
.sosorryt
o
dist
urbyou.Butwoul dyoul ovetoget
somethingf oryourgi
rl
fri
end?I '
m sureoneof
thesewoul dfitheral
otbecauseshe' sso
beauti
ful"thelit
tl
eboysaidf anat
ical
ly,
making
mycheeksheatupagai n.

Huh???Wherethehel
ldi
dhecomefr
om?
?Oh
God!Thesepeopl
ewantstoki
l
lme.
WhatifMi
quel
get
sangr
yandi
ncr
easesmy
puni
shment
?

Hewasjustsi
lentandst
aredatt
het
hingst
he
boywasholdi
ng.

"Miss,ify
ouconvincehimt
obuyf
rom me,
I'
ll
tel
lyouasecret"hesaidwi
thawi
nkandI
scoffed.

"
I'
m nothi
s..
..
"

"
I'
ll
getthi
s"Miquelcuti
ncuti
ncol
dlywhenI
wasaboutspeaki
ngup.

Ser
iousl
y?
Hol
don...
didhej
ustsayhewasbuyi
ng
somet
hing?Oh!He'
sprobabl
ybuy
ing
somet
hingforhi
mself
.

Heselect
edsomethi
ngfr
om t
heboy-apr
ett
y
neckl
aceandtur
nedtome.

Okay
..
..
No,
no.Thi
sispr
obabl
yaj
oke.

Hecamecloseandlockedt
heneckl
acear
ound
myneckandmyey esbeamed.

Whaaaat
???

Hol
yMol
l
y!!
!
I
trender
edmespeechlessandgobsmacked
t
hatIcouldn'
tev
enbl
ink.

Hedippedhishandint
ohistr
ouserpocketand
broughtoutahugesum,handi
ngitovertothe
boy.

"What
????Mister!
!!Thankyousomuch! !Thank
yousomuch,mi ster!
!"Theboyexcl
aimed
happi
l
y,hiseyesbeami ngwithexci
tement.

"Thi
swill
goav er
ylongway.Mymom wi
l
lbeso
happy,
mi st
er.You'
regod-
sent"
.

Hmm.God-
senti
ndeed

Theboy
'shappi
nessbr
oughtsmi
l
est
omyf
ace.
"Fort
his,shewon'
tbet
heonlyoneI'
l
lbet
elli
ng
asecret,
butyouaswell
!So.
..
.y
ou'
ll
beget
ting
doubl
esecr et
sfr
om me!

"I
'
llt
ellyouasecretabouther,andI
'
llt
ellhera
secretabouty
ou"heent husedandIarchedmy
browsinsurpri
se.
I
shebei
ngser
ious?
??

HesmiledandwentclosertoMiquel
,beckoni
ng
onhimtobendal i
tt
lebecauseofhishei
ghtand
Miquel
complied.

Hewhi
speredsomethingi
ntohi
sear
sandt
o
mygr
eatestsur
pri
se,hecr
acked.
Whaaaaat
??

Mi
quel
cracked!
!!

Hol
y.
..
.Mol
l
y!!Hecr
ackedandal
mostl
aughed.

Myey eswidenedi
nshockascur
iosi
tygott
he
bet
tersideofme.

Holdon..
..
whatexact
lydi
dhetell
him?What
secr
etofminecouldhepossi
blyt
ell
Miquel
??

Itr
iedreadi
nghi
sthought
s,butdi
scov
eredI
couldn'
t.

Who'
she?
?
"
Yourt
urn,
miss"hebeamedandbeckonedon
metobendali
tt
leandIdi
d.

Andsof
tl
y,hewhi
sper
edi
ntomyear
s:

"
Hemayactgr
umpy
,
Buthehat
esbei
ngal
one"
.

Ifel
tacol
dandenigmat
icfeel
ingst
ruckmeas
soonasIhear
dthosewords.

Whaaaat
??

Whatdi
dhe.
..
Whatdi
dhej
ustsay
???
Il
i
ftedmyheadtolookatMi
quel
andcaught
hi
m star
ingatme.

Then,
Iqui
ckl
ylower
edmygaze.

"Goodnight,mister
.Goodnightmiss.Iknowy ou
aren'
tdatingyet.But.
..
.y
out wowillmakeaf i
ne
couple.Oh!!Anddon'tworry,I
'
m notadi amond.
It
sjustaspeci algi
ftt
hatrunsinourfami l
y"he
chir
pedandr anaway .

Forawhile,Miquel
andIstoodsil
ent
ly,
just
star
ingatthekidashegotlosti
nthedark.

*
Hehat
esbei
ngal
one*
Thosewordsrepl
ayedi
nmyhead.Mi
quel
hat
es
bei
ngalone?
?

Forr
eal?
??Whenhe'
sal
way
spushi
ngev
ery
one
away?

But
..
..

"Let
'sgo"hei
nter
rupt
edmyt
hought
sand
proceededt
othecarwhi
l
eIsl
owlyf
oll
owed.

Hetur
nedont
hei
gni
ti
onandi
nagi
ff
y,wewer
e
onourway
.

Somanyt houghtskeptcloudi
ngmymindthatI
didn'
tevenreal
i
zehewast aki
ngadi
ff
erent
routefr
om thei
nsti
tute.
Thesil
encethatensuedbet weenbothofusthi
s
ti
mearoundwasdi fferentandIcoul
dfeeli
t.
Thist
imearound,Ifeltnervous.

Af
teral
ongr
ide,
hepar
kedthecarandasked
metost
epoutwit
hhi
m andIdi
d.

Wher
e'shegoi
ngagai
n?

I
tssodarkalr
eadyand..
.t
hesky
.Itl
ookedl
i
kei
t
wasgonnarainsoon.

Heinser
tedhishandsi
ntohist
rouserpocket
s
anddidthegent
lemanstyl
e.

Hmm.
Ifel
thonor
edwalki
ngbesi
dehi
m.Butt
hen
agai
n,Iwonder
ed:
"
Wher
e'shet
aki
ngme?
"

Wher
e'shegoi
ng?

Wewal kedf
oral ongt
imet
hatmyl
egswer
e
al
readyhurt
ing.

Butfinal
l
y,wegottoourdesti
nati
on-whereI
presumewashi sdest
inat
ionbecausehe
st
oppedwal ki
ng.

Huh?
?Itwasact
ual
l
yabr
idge.

Hol
don.
..
..
..
..
..
.
Abr
idge!
!!
!
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode32

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ir
eleasedali
ghtgaspast
hethoughtni
ggl
edat
me.Couldthi
sbeacoinci
dence?I
twasactual
l
y
abridge.

Andfewdaysago,t
hatst
rangeguy-My
kel-
haddrawnabri
dgeonmyar m whi
chmade
Miquelr
eal
l
yangry
.

Fi
rstt
imeaguysl
appedme.

Whydi
dhecomeher
e?

Thebr
idgewasdark,
butgl
oom l
i
ght
sf r
om t
he
l
amppostshel
pedbri
ght
enitupabi
t.

Ther
eweren'
tmuchpeopl
ear
ound-j
ustf
ew
l
over
sji
tt
eri
ng.
Iwasstil
lcuri
ousbutcouldn'
taskany
quest
ionsaswef acedthebri
dgeandIlooked
atMiqueltoseehim st
ari
ngintent
lyatt
he
water
s.

Hmm.

Whatcouldbegoi
ngt
hroughhi
smi
nd?I
t
hought.

Whydidhecomeov
erher
e?What
'r
ehi
s
r
easons?

coul
dt hi
sbri
dgeber el
atedt
othesamebr
idge
that
'dgott
enhim angry
?
Hedidn'
tsayawordbutonl
ykeptst
ari
ng.And
suddenl
y,If
eltar
aindr
oponmyhead.

Huh?
?

Il
ookedatt
heskyandf
oundi
treal
l
ycl
oudy
.

Oh-
oh.IknewI
twasgonnar
ainsoon.

Il
ookedatMiquel anddidn'
tknowhowtotel
l
hi
m abouti
t.Ididn'twanttodoany
thi
ngthat
'd
gethi
m upset.

Thedropsbegantoincreaseandtherestoft
he
peopl
eonthebridgestarteddi
spersi
ng.

Okay
..
..
Ithi
nki
t'
shi
ght
imewel
eftaswel
l
.
Consi
deri
ngt
hef actwe'
dhavet
owal
kal
ong
waybefor
egett
ingtothecar
.

"Si
r.
..
.Ithi
nkwehav etoleavenow.It
s..
..
it
s
abouttorain"Itur
nedtohim andsai
dbutas
expected,hedidn'
tsayawor d.

Therewassomethingel
seonhi
sface-ast
reak
ofpainonhi
sface.Pai
nandangui
sh.

Ibecamecal
m andst
udi
edhi
m.

Now,Iknow.I
ndeed,
ther
ewassomet
hing
aboutt
hebri
dge.

Ther
aindr
opsstar
tedincr
easi
ngr
apidl
yunt
ili
t
mademefeelIwastaki
ngashower.
Miquel
tookinadeepbreat
hbef
oret
urni
ng
awayfr
om thewater
s.

"Let
'sgo"hemumbl
edandst
art
edwal
ki
ng
away ,
whil
eIfol
l
owed.

Iwassowor
ri
ed.
Hewalkedsl
owl
y,hi
sbot
hhandsi
nhi
str
ouser
pocket
s.

Gosh;
ther
ainwasr
eal
l
ytel
l
ingonme.

Hewalkedatsuchasl ackenedpaceli
kehe
wasn'
tbotheredbytherain.Andunf
ortunat
ely
,I
coul
dn'
tleavehim ei
ther.
Suddenl
y,hest
oppedwal
ki
ng.

Huh?
?

Ial
sostoppedwal
kingtol
ookathi
m andfound
astr
eakofbloodr
ushingdownhi
snostr
il
s.

Whaaaaat
???
?

I
sheangr
y??
?

"S..
.si
r"Ical
l
edinshockandhequi
ckl
ytur
ned
around,backi
ngme.

OhGod!
Att
hatmoment
,If
eltscar
ed.
What
'sgoi
ngon?

"Youshoul
dgot
othecar
"hesai
dgr
uff
ly,
sti
l
l
backi
ngme.

Ishoul
d'
vebeenhappy,
right
?Ishould'v
ebeen
happyhe'
dgivenmethegoaheadt ostayinthe
carsoIcoul
dbeawayfrom him andtherai
n.

Butatthatmoment ,Icoul
dn't
.Icouldn'
texplai
n
i
t,
,butIcouldn'
tl
eavehim -despi
tethef acthe
wasangr yandbeingclosetohim atthat
momentwasdanger ous.

Ist
oodbehindhi
m andt
houghtofsomet
hing
soot
hingt
osay.
"S.
..
.Si
r"i
stut
ter
ed,
,
maki
ngsur
emyv
oicewas
cal
m enough.

Isawhi
shandsgooverhi
sface,
probabl
y
cl
eani
ngof
fthebl
ood.

why
'sheangr
y?

Hel
if
tedhi
sheadupt
otheskybef
oret
urni
ngt
o
l
ookatme.

Thebl
oodst
ainwasnolongert
her
e,butgosh!
Hisey
eswer
ef i
erce.

Hedidn'
tsayawor
d,butst
art
edwal
ki
ngaway
andIfol
l
owedhim.
Gosh!Whatcoul
dbewr
ong?

Wewereal
readydr
enchedbyther
ainbutat
t
hatmoment,i
tdi
dn'
tmattert
omeany more.

AllIcar
edaboutwasMiquel
.Icoul
dtel
lhewas
goingthr
oughalotofpai
nsandthemere
thoughtofi
tal
onewasdrivi
ngmenuts.Itgav
e
mesomuchconcer n.

Iwal
kedbehi
ndhimforal
ongt
imeunt
ilwe
fi
nal
l
ygottothecar
.

Sit
ti
ngnextt
ohim, Icoul
dseehowr oughl
yhe
handl
edever
ythi
ng.Hewassodamnangr yand
wasprobabl
ytry
ingcontrol
himsel
f.
Het
urnedont
hei
gni
ti
onandst
art
eddr
ivi
ng.
*
*
Ther
idewasl
ongandbr
oodi
l
ysi
l
ent

Miquelkepthy
perv
entil
ati
nginthecarandI
conti
nuedprayi
nghisangerdoesn'
tgobeyond
thi
sstage.

Aft
erawhile,
wearr
ivedatthei
nsti
tut
eand
noneoftheguar
dsatthegatedar
edto
quest
ionus.

Gosh!So,Miquelcanbreakt
her
ulesand
wit
houtbeingquesti
oned?
Hedidn'tdri
vetot
hegarage,butpar
kedinf
ront
ofhi
sbl ockandwit
houtsayi
ngawor d,
hecame
outofthecar.
Andwithoutbei
ngtol
d,Ist
eppedoutaswel
l
,
car
ryi
ngthebigbagalong.

Itwassti
ll
rai
ningandwehurr
iedi
ntothe
buil
dingwher
eheopenedthedoortohis
apart
mentandwegotin.

Fi
nal
l
y.Shel
ter
edf
rom t
her
ain.

Idr
oppedthebagonthef
loorandt
urnedto
l
ookathim ashest
art
edunbutt
oni
nghisshi
rt
.

"
Youcanl
eav
e"hesai
dici
l
ywi
thoutl
ooki
ngat
me.
Hmmmm

Hewasfaci
ngt
het
abl
e,whi
l
eheunbut
toned
t
heshi
rt
.

"
Sir
"Ical
l
edcal
mly
,cl
aspi
ngmypal
mst
oget
her
.

"
Is.
..
.i
sther
esomethingbot
heri
ngyou?I
sther
e
aprobl
em?"Iaskedbuthedi
dn'
trepl
y.

Okay
..
..
anot
hert
ry.

"Youcantal
ktome,
sir
.I.
..
..
Icanbeofhel
p"I
saidagai
nandsl
owl
y,heturnedar
oundtol
ook
atme.
Oh!GoodLor
d!!
!

Hi
sshi
rtwashal
fl
yopened,
exposi
ngabi
tof
hi
ski
ll
ert
att
ooedchest
.

Hol
yMol
l
y!!Iwasn'
texpect
ingt
his.

"
Youwanttobeofhel
p?"Heaskedandst
art
ed
wal
ki
ngtowardsme.

Huh?
?

Igulpednervousl
yandmovedback,buthe
continuedwalki
ngtowar
dsmeandatsome
point,If
eltt
hetoneofmyhear
tbeatchange.

"
IfIt
ell
youwhatIneed"hesai
d.
"
Woul
dyoudoi
t?"

Ipani
ckedasIf
inal
l
ygotst
uckt
othewal
l
,
unabl
etomoveagain.

OhGod!

"I
f.
..
.i
fit
'ssomethi
ngIcando.
..
..
Iwi
l
l"Ist
utt
ered
andswal l
owedhard.

Heal
sostoppedwalki
ngwhenstoodv
erycl
ose
t
omeandpi nnedhi
slefthandont
hewal
lover
myhead.

Ourfaceswer
ealmostt
ouchi
ngashebor
edhi
s
eyesint
omine.
"
It
'ssomethi
ngyoucando.Wouldyoudoi
t?"
Heaskedcol
dlyandIf
eltcol
dshi
versr
undown
myspine.

Oh!Cal
i
,maybeIshoul
d'
vekeptshutandl
eft
whenheaskedme.

May
beIshoul
d'
vemi
ndedmyownbusi
ness.

"I
'
ll
..
..
I'
l
l.
..
.I
'
llt
rymybest
"If
alt
eredandt
ooki
n
anot
hernervousgul
p.

Heusedhi
sot
herhandtot
ouchthet
ipofmy
hai
randsl
owl
y,hewhi
sper
edint
omyear:

"
Whati
fIt
ell
youIneededs*
x?"
*
*
TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode33

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Amuscl
einmyj awstickedassoonasIhear
d
t
hosewords.What.
..
..
what'shet
alki
ngabout
??
"Wil
lyoudoit?
"Heaskedagai
n,hi
svoice
comingoutsosoftl
ikeI
'
dneverhear
dhim
speaksinceImethi
m.

Hi
sey eswer
ebegi
nni
ngt
odev
elopl
i
ttl
e
cr
inkl
es.

Hepl
ayedwitht
het
ipofmyhai
r,maki
ngi
tcoi
l
r
oundhisf
inger
.

"
S..
..
S..
.si
r"Ist
utt
eredandgul
pedner
vousl
y.

HowdoIgetawayf
rom t
his?

OhGod!
"
I.
..
canmakeyouexper
iencethi
ngs.
..
younev
er
t
houghty
ou'
dexperi
ence"hewhisper
edand
movedhi
shandfr
om myhai rdowntomyneck.

OhmyGod!I
'
m dead.

Fi
nall
y,I
'
vemetsomeonewho'
dki
l
lme.I
'
m
dead.

HowdoIgetoutoft
his?

Mybreat
hwaver
edasIfel
thi
mtrai
lhi
shandt
o
mytummyandteasedt
heti
pofmyshir
t.

"
Sir
,I.
..
.Iwantt
ogonow"Isai
dwit
hanxiet
y,my
f
oreheadoccupi
edwi
thsweatsal
ready
.
"
Why
?"Hemut
ter
ed.
"
Ithoughty
ousai
dyoucoul
dbeofhel
p?"

Ial
readyhadacrazyurgetopeeonmyp*nt
.I
fel
tli
keburst
ingi
ntotear
s.WhatdoIdo?

Hesl
idedhishandi
ntomyshi
rtandt
ouched
mybaretummy .

OhmyGod!

Whati
fIpushhi
m away
?
Wouldi
tbeoff
ensi
ve?Whathav
eIgot
ten
mysel
fint
o?

Hebroughthi
shandf
rom myt
ummyand
movedthem t
omylegs.
Hol
yChr
ist
!

Isthi
sreal
lywhathewants?Has.
..
.Hashe
alwaysbeenthi
slust
ful
?

Myeyesgotlockedi
ntohi
sasIfeltall
the
musclesi
nmybodyshake.Ifel
tmyl ungs
becomedryandmyv ei
nsached.

Havi
ngtheKi
ngOft heI
nst
it
utestandi
ngso
cl
osetomewassomet hi
ngIneverexpect
ed
andcoul
dn'
texpl
ain.

Hi
smerebreat
honmyf acemademeshi
ver
t
hatIf
eltl
i
kemelt
ing.
"Si
r.
..
."Iwav
eredashemovedhi
shandi
ntomy
ski
rt,
touchi
ngmybareski
n.

OhGod!

I
'
m dead.

I
sthi
sreal
l
ywanthewant
s?Tohav
es*
x?

ButIcan'
t.

Ican'
tdoi
t.

"
Don'
tyouwantt
oknowhowitfeel
s?"He
whi
sper
edint
omyearsandt
ouchedmyp* nt
.
Igaspedandt
ri
edmov
ingawaybuthedi
dn'
tl
et
me.

Oh,
God!

Heblockedmywayanddi
dn'
tl
etmel
eav
ethe
wal
l
.

"
Areyousureyoudon'
twanttoknowhowit
f
eel
s?"Heaskedandtouchedmyhoneyput
f
rom out
side.

"
No...
"Ishookmyheadandt r
iedmov
inghi
m
wi
thmyhandbutinstead,hemademehughim,
wrappi
ngmyhandsar oundhi
m.

"
Please.
..
.Idon'
twantt
o"Ishi
ver
edashe
teasedt
hepar
tofmyp*
ntcov
eri
ngt
hespeci
al
area.

Bef
oreIknewwhatwasgoi
ngon,hepushedi
t
asi
desl
ightl
yandgai
nedal
it
tl
eaccesstomyv.

Iwhimperedonhisshoul
der
sashet
easedi
t,
rubbi
ngitgent
ly.

OhGod!

Aguywast
ouchi
ngme!
!!
!!

Thet houghtdawnedonmebutIcouldn'
tdo
anything.Butwhyhaven'
tImadeanyser
ious
eff
ortt opushhim away?
"Youcanhelpme,
Cali"hemut
ter
edint
omy
earsandsl
idedaf
ingerint
omyp***
y.

Whaaaaat
???

What
'st
hat
??

If
li
nchedandt
ri
edpul
l
ingaway
,buti
twas
i
mpossibl
e.

"Uh.
..
."Irel
easedalit
tl
emoanasIf
elt
somethingstrange.

What
'shappeni
ngt
ome?

What
'shedoi
ng?
Hemov edt
hefingeri
ntomeandIgr
ippedhi
s
shoul
derst
ight
.

"Si
r.
..
"Isai
dindeepbr
eat
hs,
myhear
traci
ng
heavi
ly.

Hebreathedonmyearandbi
tmyear
lobeandI
f
eltacrazysensat
ion.

Iclosedmyeyesandt
hrewmyheadbackon
thewall,
ephemer
alpl
easur
est
aki
ngoverme.

I
twasbi
tt
er-sweet
.

Then,
hesl
ippedt
hef
ingeroutandmov
edaway
fr
om me.
I
Myey
eswer
eal
readyhotandmyl
egsweak.

"
Happybi
rt
hday"hef
inal
l
ymut
ter
edandwal
ked
i
ntot
hebathr
oom.
*
*
Throughouttheni
ght
,If
oundi
t99%i
mpossi
ble
fal
l
ingasleep.

Ilai
dquiet
lyonthebed,myey
esgluedtothe
ceil
i
ngandt hewhol
etime,Mi
quel
'
si magekept
repl
ayi
nginmyhead.

Rememberingwhathedidt
ome-t ouchmei n
waysnooneel sehadev
erdone.
..
..justadded
tomyrest
lessnessandmademer emi ni
sceon
i
tall
night
.
Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evehet
ouchedmyspeci
alar
ea
andIcoul
dn'
tev
enst
ophim.

Hi
scol
dvoi
cest
il
lrepl
ayedi
nmyhead:
"
Icanmakeyouexper
iencethi
ngsy
ounev
er
t
houghty
ou'
dexperi
ence".

Gosh!He'
dsoundedl
i
kear
eal
fli
rt
.Li
keabad
ass.

Wel
l,whatdoIexpect
?Forsomeonel
ikehi
m,I
waspret
tysur
ehewasamast erati
t.

Gosh!Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evehefingeredme.He
madememoan! !Miquel
ofallpeopl
etouched
methatway.Whatwouldhethinkofmenow?
Oh!Cal
i.I
fI'
dknown,
Iwoul
dn'thav
elef
thi
m.I
'
d
havest
ruggl
edmoresohe'
dletmego.

Whathav
eIdone?
*
*
Iwokeupt
henextmor
ningt
oNi
nat
appi
ngme.

"
HeyCali
.Wakeup"shetappedmyl egs
r
epeat
edl
yti
llI
'
dforcedmyey esopen.

"Awwww!Whati
sit
?"Igr
umbl
edandt
urned
angr
il
yather
.

"
Doyouknowwhatthet
imeis?You'
real
ready
l
atef
orMiquel
'
sroom.I
sn'
tthi
syourl
astday
worki
ngashi
smaid?
"SheaskedandIhuf
fed
andthr
ewmyfaceaway
.

"I
'
m notgoi
ng"Isai
dgr
uff
lyandcov
eredmy
sel
f
upwit
htheduvet.

Iwasn'
treadyt
ofacet
heshame.
*
*
Mi
quel
'
sPov
:
Thet
imer
ead7a.
m.

Ist
oodinf
rontoft
het
abl
easIst
ir
redt
hecup
ofcof
feei
nmyhand.

Isi
ppedal
i
ttl
efr
om i
tandst
ir
redagai
n.
Short
ly,
Iheardaknockonthedoorand
usher
edt hem i
n,knowi
ngi
twasmyguar ds.

"
Boss"Zackcal
l
ed.
"
Yousentf
orus"
.

Idi
dn'
tbot
herl
ooki
ngatt
hem asIsi
ppedf
rom
mycoff
eeagai
n.

"Doy ouknowwherethebansheest
ays?
"I
askedandev enwit
houtl
ookingatt
hem,Icoul
d
tel
lthesurpr
iset
heyfel
t.

"Y..
.Yes.Weactual
l
yknowherbl
ock"Abel
repl
iedandItookanot
hersi
pbefor
epassi
ng
outt hei
nst
ruct
ion:
"
Gogether
".
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode34

By
:Fai
thLucky
 Cal
i
'sPov
:
Il
aidonthebedwit
hmyey eswideopened,
unabl
etofal
lasl
eepagai
n.Ij
ustkeptt
hinki
ng
aboutMi
quel.

Howwouldhereactt
omeskippi
ngwor
ktoday
agai
n?Whati
fhegetsmad?

Wel
l,
Iwoul dn'
tbl
amemy sel
f.Ij
ustcoul
dn'
t
f
acehim -notaft
erwhathedidtome.

HowwouldIst
andbef
orehi
m?Howwoul dI
t
alkwi
thhi
m?Whatwouldhethi
nkaboutme?

Igav
ehi
m accesst
omy
..
..
..
..

Gosh!
!
If
eel
li
kesl
appi
ngmy
sel
fov
erandov
eragai
n.

"
Cal
i
"Ihear
dNi
nacal
landt
urnedt
olookather
.
Thetwolesbi
answer
enol
ongeri
nther
oom -
per
fect
.

"
Why '
rey oust
il
linbed?Shoul
dn'
tyoubegoing
f
orlecturessi
nceyou'v
estoppedworki
ngfor
Miquel
? "SheaskedandIit
chedmyhair.

"
Idon'
tfeel
li
kegoi
ngany
where,Ni
na.Don'
t
wor
ryaboutme"Ir
epl
i
edfeebl
y.

"Huh?Whatexactl
yisthepr
obl
em?Youcan
talktome.Whathappened?
"SheaskedandI
sighed.
Iwasaboutsayingsomet
hingwhenaknockon
thedoori
nter
ruptedme.

Ni
nal
eftt
ocheckitoutandIcov
eredmy
sel
fup
wi
tht
heduvetagai
n.

"
Cal
i
?"Shecal
l
edandIl
ookedather
.

"
Ithi
nkt
hey
'r
eher
efory
ou"
.

Huh?

Isl
uggi
shl
ylef
tthebedandmyeyesdi
mmed
whenIsawthefi
guresi
nfr
ontofme.
ZackandAbel
???
?

Mi
quel
'
sguar
ds?
???

Whatt
he.
..
..

What
'r
etheydoi
ngher
e??

"
Hey
,you!
"Abel
Cal
l
edr
oughl
y.

"Comewithusi
mmedi
atel
y.Thebosswant
sto
seeyou"
.

OhmyGod!
!

If
eltmyhear
tski
passoonasIhear
dthat
.
Mi
quel
want
stoseeme?
??OhGod!

I
'
m dead.I
'
m of
fi
cial
l
ydead.

"
Uh.
..
.wh.
..
.why
?"Ist
utt
ered,
myey
esi
tchi
ng.

"
You'r
einnopositi
ontoquesti
onus.Don'
t
makeuscomei noursel
ves"Zackr
epli
edi
na
moregrumpyvoice.

Goodl
ord!
!

Ipl
acedmyhandataki
mboandi
tchedmyhead.

I
'
m of
fi
cial
l
ydead.
Offi
cial
lydead.WhatdoIdo?
?Ican'
tbel
i
evehe
sentforme.

"
Um. .
..
.I
'
llj
ust
..
..
brushmyt
eet
h"Isai
dand
t
urnedtothedir
ecti
onoft
hebat
hroom.

"
Youhave30seconds"Ihear
dthem saybehind
mebutdi
dn'
ttur
ntolookatthem asIwalkedin.

Oh!Cal
i
.

Iqui
cklybr
ushedmyteet
handwashedmyf
ace,
anxi
etyeati
ngmeup.Whathav
eIgott
enmysel
f
i
nto,huh?

Wel
l
,whatwasIexpect
ing?Di
dIr
eal
l
ythi
nkhe
wasgoi
ngt
oactqui
ett
owar
dsmeski
ppi
ng
wor
k?

Gosh!

"
Cali
!"Ihear
dmynamefr
om out
sideand
r
ushedoutofther
oom.

"
Getyourassouther
e"ZacksnappedandIbent
myheadandwalkedtothedoor.

"Bye"Ninawhisper
edtomeinapat
het
ict
one
butIignoredherandwal
kedout
.

Iwassodev
ast
ated.
*
*
Ikeptfi
ddli
ngwi
thmynail
sasIwal
kedbehi
nd
thegrumpyguar
dswholedmetohi
sroom.
Miquel'
sroom.

Theyknockedont
hedoorandt
ookmeinandI
foundhi
mf aci
ngt
hewindowwi
thadr
inki
nhis
hand.

"
She'
sher
e,boss"t
heyannouncedandwi
thout
t
urni
ngt
olookatus,her
epli
edcoldl
y:

"
Youcanl
eav
e"

Theygav
emeacr
ankyst
arebef
orel
eav
ing.

Andnow..
..
.I
'
mlef
twiththeki
ng.Thesameki
ng
whofi
ngeredmeyest
erday.
Goodness!
Ineededawayoutoft
his.

"
S..
..
sir
"ical
l
edandgul
pedner
vousl
y.

"
Ium.
..
.Sor
ry,
goodmor
ning"
.

Heloweredhi
sheadandsippedf
rom hi
sgl
ass.
Then,t
ookhisey
esbacktothewindow.

'
Act
ual
l
y..
..
"Icont
inued.
"
I'
m...
I'
mr eal
lysorr
yfornotshowi
ngupear
li
er.
I
t'
sjustthat.
..
..
Idon'
tthi
nkI'
l
lbeablet
omakeit
t
oday.
"Yousee.
..
..
myum...
..
mymont hl
yst uf
fjust
showedupallofasuddenand..
..
."

"Yourwhat?"Hei
nter
pol
atedandsi
ppedf
rom
hisglassagai
n.

OhGod!

Goosebumps.

"My.
..
.Mymont
hly
..
.f
low"Ir
epl
i
edandhear
dhi
m
scof
f.

Gosh!

If
eltl
i
kepeei
ngonmyp*
nt.
"
So.
..
"Icont
inuedandl
i
ckedmyl
i
ps.
"I
..
..
Can'tworktodaybecause.
..
.y
ouknow?I
ts
usuall
y.
..pai
nfuland.
..
."

Ipausedandsi
ghed.

Whatam Iev
ensay
ing?

"Ij
ustneedabreakfort
odaysi
r.Ihopey
oucan
underst
and"Iconcl
udedandsi
ghedagai
n.

Isawasmir
konthesi
deofhi
sli
psashedr
ank
fr
om hi
sgl
ass.

Pl
ease,
tel
lmeIwasconv
inci
ngenough.
.
"
Areyoudone?
"HeaskedandIf
eltmyl
egs
wobbl
e.
What
'shet
alki
ngabout
?

Hebel
i
evedme,
right
?

"
S..
.si
r?"Ical
l
ed.

"I
fyou'
redone.
..
.pickupthebagandcomewi
th
me"hesaidashedr oppedthegl
assofwi
ne
andstar
tedtowardsthedoor.

Hol
y.
..
..
..
Mol
l
y!

Di
dn'
thehearwhatIsai
d??
OhGod!

Itur
nedaroundandspot
tedt
hebagont
hef
loor
.
Ishebei
ngserious?
??

Ifel
tli
kecr
yingasIpickedupthebagand
foll
owedhi
m outofther oom.
*
*
Ifoll
owedhim withthebigbagandt hi
sti
me
around,wefoll
owedar out
ewhichdidn'
thave
muchst udent
sar ound.Webarelycameacross
studentsanditseemedt omelikeitwasa
restr
ict
edarea.

If
eltsogl
adIwasbehi
ndhi
m becauseI
woul
dn'
tknowwhatt
odoi
fhewasact
ual
l
ythe
onest
ari
ngatme.

Seei
nghimr emindedmeofhowhetouchedme
l
astnight-touchedmylegs,
myp*ntandmy
gol
denar ea.
Geeez!
!

Themer
ethoughtofi
tmademyl
egssoweak.

Af
teral
ongwalk,wef
inall
ystoppedatafi
eld-
af
iel
dwhichIcoul
dn'
treal
lyunderst
and.

"Opent
hebag"heinst
ruct
edandIkeptt
hebag
onalongbencht
hatwasclosebyandopened
i
t.
Ohhh

Hecamecloseandbr
oughtoutt
het
hingshe
neededf
rom t
hebag-abowandsomear r
ows

So,
nowhe'
sint
oar
cher
y?Gosh

Ifel
tsonervousasIastoodnextt
ohi
m.I
coul
dn'tbel
i
ev ehi
shandswentint
ome.

Hegavet
hebunchofar
rowst
omeaf
terf
ixi
ng
onei
ntot
hebow.

Huh???Don'
ttell
mehewant
smet
opl
ayt
he
er
randgir
lagain.

Hest
oodandf
acedt
het
argetwhi
chwasv
ery
f
arf
rom usandi
tmademewonderi
fhewas
r
eal
l
ygonnageti
t.
I
twasact
ual
l
yani
mageofahal
fl
yst
ruct
ured
man.

Hesetthebowandar r
ow,poi
ntedi
ttowards
t
hedi r
ect
ion,st
rai
nedhi
seyesandfi
nall
y
r
eleasedthearr
ow.

Woahhhh

Iwatchedwit
hkeeninter
estasi
tfl
ewt
hrough
theairandl
andedontheimage.

Oops!Notatt
hei
mage,
butont
hef
loor
.

"
Giv
emeanar
row"hest
ret
chedouthi
shand
wi
thoutl
ooki
ngatmeandIhandedanar
rowt
o
hi
m.

Oh,
boy
.

Hef
ixedi
tint
othebowagai
nandaimeditat
t
hei
mageandt hi
sti
mearound,
ithi
tit
.

Butwi
ththelookonhi
sface,
itseemedhe
di
dn'
treal
lygett
hetar
get.

Hestretchedouthi
shandf
oranot
herar
rowand
Iqui
cklyhandeditt
ohim.

I
twentonandonandonsomanyoccasi
ons,
I
f
elthe'
dreachedhi
star
get
.
"Doyouwannatry?"Hetur
nedt
omeandasked
andIfel
tthedev
ilhit
ti
ngmybutt
s.

OhGod!
!!Why
'sheaski
ngmenow?

"
Um.
..
."Ist
utt
ered.
"
Idon'
tthi
nkso.I
'
v e.
..
.I
'
veneverdonei
tbef
ore"I
r
epl
iedandheheldoutthebowtome.

Huh?Isi
tthathe'
shear
ingt
heopposi
teofwhat
Isay
?

"Gi
veitat
ry"hesai
dwhenhenot
icedIwas
conf
used.

Igul
pednerv
ousl
yandcol
lectedthebowf r
om
hi
m andfi
xedanarr
owli
keI'dseenhim do.
So.
..
.whatnext
?

Therestoft
hear
rowswereal
readyont
he
benchandhecametost
andbehindme.

"Hol
ditthi
sway"hecooedandtouchedmy
hands,
positi
oni
ngthem i
nther
ightdi
rect
ion.

Oh!Cal
i
...
.Iwannapee.

Hewasstandingsocl
oset
omet hatIcoul
d
f
eelhi
slegstouchi
ngmybutt
s.

"Fi
xyoureyesont
het
arget
"hetouchedmy
cheeksandli
ft
edt
hem t
othedi
recti
onhe
wanted.
Muuuummmy
yyy

Hewast
ouchi
ngmycheeks!
!!

Myf
ace!
!!

Hi
shandswer
esocol
dand.
..
sof
t.

Itookinahar
dgul
pandi
twassol
oud,
Ifear
ed
he'dhear
dme.

"Ai
mf orthehear
t"hesai
dashemov
edhis
handsfrom myface-downt
omywaist
.

Mywai
st!
!!
!
Itwi
tchedalit
tl
eandal
mostl
ostbal
anceasI
fel
thishandsther
e.

OhGod!Cal
i
...
.hol
dit
..
hol
dit

"
Andt
aket
heshot
"hewhi
sper
ed
AndIdi
dn'
treal
i
zewhenIr
eleasedt
hear
row.

Oops?
?

I
tlandedont
hei
mage,
butnotont
hehear
t.
Thatwascl
ose.

"
Nottoobadforast
art
"Ihear
dhi
m sayand
t
urnedt
olookathi
m.
Ir
eal
l
ydi
dtaket
heshot
!

Hesignal
l
edmetopackupandasIdi
d,asmi
l
e
l
inger
edonmyli
ps.

If
ixedt
hebowandr
emaini
ngarr
owsi
ntot
he
bi
gbagandfol
l
owedhi
m behi
nd.

Oh!Cali
.Icouldsti
l
lfeel
histouchonmy
waist
..
.hi
svoiceinmyears..
..
andhisbr
eat
hon
myneck.

Ir
emember
edt
hem andf
eltmycheekst
urnr
ed.

Oh!Mi
quel
..
..
.what
'r
eyoudoi
ngt
ome?
Iwalkedbehindhim,holdi
ngthebagov ermy
shouldersandaft
erawhi l
e,wearri
vedatoneof
thetallbui
l
dings-whereonlytheof
fici
als
stay
ed.

Hmm.What
'sMi
quel
doi
ngher
e?

Ifol
l
owedhimi n,i
gnor
ingthesecuri
ti
eswho
gavemesuspiciousst
aresbecausethey
coul
dn'
tcheckme.

What
ever
.

Ikeptmygazelowthewhol
eti
meunt
ilhe
askedmetostop.

"
Youcanwai
tov
ert
her
e"hepoi
ntedt
oaseat
andInoddedandwentt
osi
tov
ert
her
ewhi
l
ehe
walkedaway.

Theywerepr
obabl
yhav
ingameet
ingor
somethi
ng.

Itookinadeepbreat
hasIleanedmyback
againstt
hewall
besideme.Final
l
y,Icanr
est
mywai st
.

Gosh!Iwassohungr
y.
Thankgoodnesst
odaywast
hel
astday
worki
ngashismaid.

Alt
hough.
..
..
Iwouldn'
tdenyt hefactt
hatits
beenfunst
ayingaroundhim -beingcloseto
hi
m andallt
hat.But.
..
.gosh!Itsowasn'teasy
.
Whenhet
alks,
star
es,
wal
ks.
..
.t
heaur
awasj
ust
t
oomuch.

Il
ookedaroundandadmi
redthepl
ace.I
twas
sobeaut
if
ul andev
ery
oneini
tseemedbusy.

Peopl
edressedinsui
tswer
emov i
ngaround
wit
hfi
les,somewereondeskswal
kingwith
computer
s...
etc.
Somanyacti
vi
ti
eswer
ejustgoi
ngonthere-
maki
ngmewonderwhatexactl
ytheywer
e
wor
kingon.

Af
termuchwonder
ing,Ir
est
edmyheadont
he
wal
landwenti
ntoali
ghtnap.
*
*
*
*
Icoul
dn'
ttel
lhowl
ongI'
dfal
lenasl
eepbutI
wasawokenbyanalar
mingnoiseandoutbur
st
thatmademepani
c.What'
shappening?
??

Iquickl
ytri
edtoadj
ustmyey estoseeclear
ly
andIwasshockedt oseepeoplerunni
ng
around,l
ikehel
lwasgett
ingl
oose.

"Ever
ybody!
!!Getout!
!!
"Amany ell
edas
every
onekeptrunningnoi
sil
y,f
ilessl
i
ppingand
fal
li
ngallar
ound.

Isprangonmyf eetandl
ookedar
oundinf
ear
,
tr
yingtounder
standwhatwashappeni
ng.
Wher
e'sMi
quel
?

*Oh!Damni
t!Hemightsett
hispl
aceonfi
re!
!!
*I
heardamancloset
omesayi nhi
shead.
"Getthefir
eext
ingui
sher
sready
!!
"Someone
elsescreamed.

Il
ookedar
oundi
nconfusi
on.What
'sgoi
ngon?
Whatcoul
dbehappeni
ng?

"Theyshoul
dn'
thavet
oldhimthenews.What
dowdo?Howdowecal m hi
m down? "Aman
andwomanbesi demesaidastheyscutt
led
away.

"
Arghhhhhhhhhhh"
,Ihear
daf
ami
l
iarv
oice
scr
eam andj
erkedi
nfear
.

Mi
quel
!!

Thatwashi
svoi
ce!
!!

Ist
art
edrunni
ngtowar
dsthedir
ect
ionofi
tbut
somebodygri
ppedmyhandalongt
heway.

"Hey!What'
reyoudoing?Doyouwannadie?Get
outofhere!
"Hewar nedbutIf
redmyhandfrom
hisandconti
nuedrunningwhi
lehepr
oceeded
aswell.

Irantowardsthedir
ect
ionandfoundhi
mina
hall-whatlookedl
i
keaconferencer
oom.
OhmyGod!

If
rozeandwasbl
enchedatt
hesi
ghti
saw.

Bloodwasal
loverhi
sface.Hewasbl
eedi
ng
fr
om hi
seyesandnose.

Isawamanr
unni
ngoutwi
thabr
okenhead.

What '
rey
oudoinghere?
?Getout
!!
"Theman
yell
edatmeasher anoutoft
heoff
ice,
butI
stoodatthespot
.

Icoul
dn'
tmov
e.

Mi
quel
..
..
I
'
dnev
erseenhi
mthi
sway
..

Whogothi
mthi
sangr
y??

"Mi
ss!!Getout!
!We'r
eshutt
ingt
hedoor!
!"
Someoney el
ledfr
om behi
ndbutIdi
dn'
tl
isten
andtheyshotthedoor.
*
*
TBC.
Cal
ial
onewi
thMi
quel
int
hatcondi
ti
on

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
 buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode35

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
If
eltmyhear
traci
ngsof
astasIst
aredati
t.

Hewasbacki
ngt
hewal
l
,butsuddenl
ytur
nedt
o
l
ookatme.

OhmyGod!Hi
sfacewascompl
etel
yst
reaked
wi
thbl
ood.

"
Cal
i
"hecal
l
edi
nadi
sgr
unt
ledt
one.
"
Getout
".

Oh,
myGod!

Myl
egswer
ebecomi
ngt
ooweakt
ost
and.

Hecoveredhisfacewit
hhispal
msand
i
mmedi atel
y,t
hesidesoft
heoff
icest
art
ed
bur
ning.

Okay
;may
be.
..
Ireal
l
yshoul
dn'
tbeher
e.

It
urnedtot
hedoorandtr
iedopeni
ngitbut
di
scover
editwasj
am l
ockedfrom out
side.
Goodness!May
beIshoul
dscr
eam

Thef
ir
ebegant
oincr
easeandsodi
dmyf
ear
s.

It
urnedbackt
oMi
quelandhewascomi
ng
cl
osetome-wear
ingadeadl
ylook.

Whathav
eIdone?

"
What
'r
eyoust
il
ldoi
ngher
e,Cal
i
?"Her
oar
ed.

"
ITHOUGHTIASKEDYOUTOLEAVE!
!!
!"

Hi
svoi
cewassot
hunder
oust
hatIf
eltt
he
of
fi
ceshake.
"Ar
ghhhh"Ishutmyey
esandscreamed
unconsci
ousl
yandinf
earanddi
dn'tr
eal
ize
whenIjumperonhim.

Atthatmoment
,Ifel
tIwasj
umpingon
somethi
ngel
se-forcomfor
tandrescue.

"
Please,
stopi
t!
!"Icr
iedandhuggedhi
mti
ght
,
myhandsandlegswr appedar
oundhi
m.

"
You'
rescar
ingme"
.

Tear
sdri
ppedfr
om myey estohi
sshirtasI
sni
ff
edandwept.Idi
dn'
tmindthefactIwas
al
soget
ti
ngstai
nedbyhisblood.

Thef
lamesandev
ery
thi
ngmademer
eal
l
y
scar
edthatIdidn'
treali
zehowdangerousit
washugginghim atthatmoment.Idi
dn'tknow
whatel
set odo.

Ishutmyey
esandwhi
mper
ed,
feel
i
ngso
ter
ri
fi
ed.

Whywashet hi
sway?Whatsor
tofangerwas
t
his?Coul
ditbenor
mal?

Ihel
dhi
mti
ght
,squeezi
nghi
sshi
rtal
ong.

IwasbeginningtolosebalanceandfeltImi
ght
fal
lofff
rom hisbody.Butslowly
,Ifel
tahand
holdmebyt hewaist,pul
l
ingmecl oseand
stoppi
ngmef r
om fal
li
ngof f
.
Iopenedmyeyessli
ght
lyanddi
scov
eredhe
wastheoneholdi
ngme.

Hewashuggi
ngmeback!

Ifl
inchedwhenIalsonoti
cedthef
ir
ewas
reducingdr
ast
ical
l
y .Thef
lamesweregoi
ng
down!

Myeyesdil
atedi
nshockandIf
elti
twasbest
nott
oleav
ehi m.

Wer emainedt
hatwayf
oral
ongt
ime,
huggi
ng
eachother.

Andsl
owly,hewal
kedmetoawal
landdr
opped
mecaref
ull
yonmyf eet
.
Wewerestil
lst
andingver
ycl
oset
oeachot
her
andIst
aredint
ohisface.

"
I'
m sor
ry"hemumbl
edandIf
eltmyhear
tski
p.
I
sher
eal
l
yapol
ogi
zi
ngt
ome?
Igul
pedner
vousl
yast hewordspi
ercedi
ntomy
hear
tandqui
ckly
, Il
i
ftedmypalmstomyface
anddri
edmytears.

Hesatonthef l
oornextt
othewal landshuthi
s
eyes,
squeezingoutmoreblood.Thank
goodnessthefi
rehadreal
lygonedownal ot.

I
nnot
ime,
itdbecompl
etel
yof
f.

Ideci
dedt
ojoi
nhi
m andsatnextt
ohi
m ont
he
f
loor
.

"
Thankyou"Isai
dwhi
sper
ingl
y,buthedi
dn'
t
l
ookatme.

WhydoIhav
eafeel
ingt
hisangerofhi
sisn'
t
nor
mal
?Orcoul
ditbepar
tofhispowers?

Howcansomeonebl
eedwhenhe'sangr
y?And
canbur
ndownanent
irebui
l
dinghuh?How?

Heremai
nedqui
etf
oral
ongt i
me,
hishead
l
oweredt
otowar
dsthef
loor
.

Suddenl
y,ani
deast
ruckatmeandIt
ookof
f
myshirt
.
Hesnappedhisneckt ol
ookatmeinsur
pri
se,
buthi
ssurpri
selessenedwhenhedi
scover
edI
hadaninnervest
.

Itookofftheshi
rt
,foldeditandt
ookitcl
osert
o
hisface.Hethr
ewhi sfacebackwar
ds,tr
yingt
o
resi
st.

"I
ts.
...
it
'sf
ine.Ij
ustwantt
o..
."Ipausedand
gesturedtheragandhegavemeaccess.

Ibroughti
ttohisfaceandst
art
edwi
pingof
f
thebloodstai
ns.

Gosh!Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evethi
swasmyhandsome
face.Iwi
shhecoul
dgetri
doft
hisangerofhi
s.
Iwipedofft
hebl
oodf
rom hi
sey
es,
nost
ri
ls,
l
ips..
..
awwn!

Thel
i
ps!

Idi
dmybest,butcoul
dn'
twipei
tof
fcomplet
ely
astr
acesofbl
oodstil
lst
ayedonhi
sface.

"Um...
sir
,It
hinkyou'l
lneedt
otakeabat
h"It
old
him buthedidn'
trepl
y.

Wel
l
,thatwasexpect
ed.

Ikeptthebl
ood-soakedshi
rtbesi
demeand
fi
ddledwit
hmyfingers.

"
Let
'sgo"hesuddenl
ysai
dandst
oodonhi
s
f
eet
.

Oh!

Myheartl
eaptf
orj
oyasIalsost
oodupwi
th
hi
m,taki
ngtheshi
rtal
ong.

Westart
edtowar
dsthedoorandbef
orewegot
i
t,i
twentopenonit
sown.

Hmm

Wewalkedoutoft
heoff
iceanddi
scov
eredt
he
ent
ir
eplacewasempt
y.

Li
ke.
..
.empt
y.Ev
erysi
ngl
eper
sonhadr
anout
.
Andcometothi
nkofi
t.
..
..
Iwast
heonl
yone
whostay
edbehi
nd.

Wegott
owherehisbagwas,Ipi
ckedi
tupand
wepr
oceededoutoft
hebui
ldi
ngtoget
her
.
*
*
Somewher
einKor
ea

Aut
hor
essChi
'
sPov
:
I
nthedar
k,

Twowomencoul
dbeseendi
scussi
ngsecr
etl
y.

"
Doy
out
hinkt
hedeci
sionsoft
hecounci
lar
e
wi
seenough?
"Oneoft
hem asked.

"Idon'
tthi
nkso.It
'stotal
lyuncall
edforand
sensel
ess.Thethronehasbeenempt yforyear
s
now.Itneedsaking"theotherrepl
iedangri
l
y.

"Butwhatdowedonow?Eit
herofthem ar
e
home.Andwhowouldfi
tthethr
one?"

"Don'tt
alkli
key oudon'tknowwhat 'sri
ght,
Miranda.That'sthethroneofdar kness.And
onlytheonewi ththedar kestheartcanascend
i
t.Thedar knessinMi quel'
sheartisincreasi
ng
bythedayandhe' st
her ightonef orit
".

"Yes,
you'
reri
ght
.Mi quel
'stheri
ghtonefori
t.
Thebeasti
nhim keepsgr owi
ngandI'm sur
e
he'df
itt
hethr
one.But..
.whatifsomethi
ng
ov
ercomest
hedar
kness?
"

"
Oh!Please,
youknowthatsnotpossibl
e.Only
t
ruel
ov ecanover
comethedarkness.Andas
weal
lknow, i
tsi
mpossi
bleforMiqueltofal
li
n
l
ove"
.

"Buthowar
ewesur
eheisn'
tinl
ovey
et?He
hasn'
tcomehomei
nyear
s".

"No.Can'tyouseethecycl
e?Thedarknessi
n
himisincreasi
ng.Andsoon,he'
l
lbehomet o
ascendthet hr
one"
.
*
*
TBC.
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode36

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Withhisbaghungaroundmyar m,wewalked
outofthebui
ldi
ngtogetherandIbecameabit
nervouswhenIsawthecr owdwait
ingout
side.

Thei
reyesdil
atedi
nshockwhent
heysaw
Miquel
-looki
ngnormal
.
Weclimbeddownthelongstai
rsandgottothe
fl
oorandthreemenandonewomandr essedin
sui
tsrushedtousi
mmediately
.

"
Miquel
,ar
eyou.
..
..
"

"
I'
mf i
ne"heint
err
upt
edoneoft
hemenwho
werespeaki
ng.

Therewer esomanyquesti
onswr i
tt
enont hei
r
faces,butheignoredt
hem andcont
inued
walkingawaywi t
hme.

OhGosh!
!!

If
eltgoosebumpsal
l
over
!!Iwast
heonl
yone
wal
kingbesi
dehi
m andal
ley
eskeptr
otat
ing
ar
oundme.

Icoul
dcl
ear
lyheart
hei
rthought
s.

*
Whatt
hehel
lhappenedi
nther
e?*

*
Ithoughti
dseenaf
ir
eout
break?
*

*
What'
shedoingwit
hthebanshee?Howcome
t
hey
'r
etoget
her?*

*
Whyi
sn'
tshehur
t?*

*
Whathappenedi
nther
e?He'
ssuddenl
ycal
m*
Thethought
skeptfl
yi
ngintomyheadandIf
elt
soshyasMi quel
andIwalkedaway
.

Yeah-shyandpr
oud.
*
*
Wegottohisapar
tmentwherehewentst
rai
ght
t
othebathr
oom totakeashower
.
Hmm.

Isatont
hesof
tbedandcogi
tat
ed.

Thi
nki
ngofit
..
..
Iwasabl
etocal
m Mi
quel
down?
Iwasabl
etostophi
sanger
.

Whowoul
d'
vebel
i
eved?
Alt
hough..
..
Isti
l
lfel
tscaredrecal
l
ingwhathad
happenedattheoff
ice.Helookedsodangerous
andscarywhenhewasangr yandbleedi
ng.

Gosh?Whywasheli
kethat
,huh?Whydoeshe
actsov
iol
ent
lywhenhe'
sangry?

Irest
edmycheekonmypal m andthoughtf
ora
l
ongwhileunt
ilt
hedoorofthebathroom
openedandIt
urnedtoseehim walki
ngout.

Oh.
..
..
..
My
..
..
..
Goddddddd

If
eltmyendocr
inesy
stem r
esetasIst
aredat
hi
m -l
i
psopen,
eyesdi
l
ated.

Hewasdri
ppi
ngwetandhadj
ustat
owel
ar
oundhi
swaist
.

Cut
eMol
l
ly!
!!
!

Hi
scur
lyhai
rwaswet
,hi
sface,
pinkl
i
ps.
..
Andt
hechest
!!
!
Thet
att
ooal
lov
er!
!!

Thenhi
swai
st!
!!
!

Thetowel
waspr
obabl
ytheonl
ythi
ngcov
eri
ng
hi
s..
..
.
OhmyGod!
!!
!!

Thiswasthecut
estpi
ctur
eI'
dev
erseeni
nmy
enti
rel
if
e.Idi
dn'
treal
i
zeIwasst
ari
ngathi
m
l
ikeabloat
edgoat.

Hewalkedovertot
hewar dr
obeandpull
edout
t
heclotheshewantedandmyeyesdimmed
whenheheldtheti
pofhistowel
,aboutt
olose
i
t.

Whaaaaaat
???

Igaspedandquickl
ytookmyey esaway
,
tur
ningtheopposi
tedir
ect
ion.

Whatt
hehel
lwast
hat
???Whatwashet
ryi
ngt
o
do?
??

Itookindeepnervousbr eat
hs,
try
ingt
ogul
pin
thekil
l
ingsightI
'
dj ustseen.

"
Comewi t
hme"Isuddenl
yheardhi
m sayand
t
urnedsl
owly
,ver
yslowl
y,t
olookathi
m.

Ohh!
!Hewasal
readydr
essedup.

Phew!Thankgoodness.

Hewalkedtowar
dst
heki
tchenandIst
oodup
andf
ollowedhi
m.

Comet
othi
nkofi
t.
..
.Iwashungr
y!
*
*
Ifol
lowedhimtothekit
chenandbecame
nerv
ousagain.Don'
ttel
lmehewantsmet o
cookagain?Iwassuchabadcook?

"Evereat
enstewedpotatoes?
"Heaskedashe
broughtoutsomepotatoesandpl
acedthem i
n
atray.

"
Um.
..
.nope"Ishookmyhead.

Hm.Ican'
tbeli
evet
hiswast
hesameguyt
hat
wasl
ookingl
ikeabeastawhi
leago.

"Her
e.Youcanwor
konthis"hepushedthet
ray
ofpotat
oestomeandIf
iguredhewantedme
t
opeel
them.

Itookaknif
eandstar
tedwor ki
ngonthem,
tr
y i
ngasmuchaspossi bl
etobecar
efulcause
I'
dneverdonesuchbefore.
Iwasn'
ttheki
tchent
ype.

Hetooksometomat
oesfrom t
hefr
idgeand
st
art
edworki
ngonthem aswell
.

Hol
don.
..
.

Howcanaguybesof
ami
l
iarwi
thki
tchenst
uff
,
huh?

"Youdoreal
i
zeitwasqui
test
upi
dand
danger
ousstay
ingwit
hmeintheof
fi
ce,
right
?"
HeaskedandIl
ookedathi
m.

Huh?

"WhenI'minthet hatmood,Il
ov etobelef
t
alonebecauseitsdangerousstayi
ngaroundme.
YoujustgotluckyIwasabl et
or est
ri
ctmysel
f"
.

Ibi
tmyl
owerl
i
pandcoul
dn'
tsayawor
d.

"
Whydi
dyoudoi
t?"Heaskedagai
n.

"Whil
eev
eryoneel
sewasl
eav
ing,
whydi
dyou
stay
?"

Gosh!I
sthi
sreal
l
ynecessar
y?I
tsmaki
ngmeso
ner
vous.
"
Wel
l
...
."Ichewedmywor
ds.

"
Ium.
..
.Ij
ust
..
fel
tli
kest
ayi
ng"
.

Heshotmeastar
eandtookhi
seyestothe
t
omatoesandf
orawhil
e,weweresi
lent
.

"
Ouch!
"Ishr
iekedwhenIcutmyf
inger
.

Oh!Cal
i
...
Iknewi
t.

Iqui
ckl
ymovedawayfrom t
hetr
aytoprevent
thebl
oodf
rom dr
ippi
ngonthepotat
oes.

"
Ist
her
eat
hingy
oucando,
huh?
"Mi
quel
asked
wit
haney
erol
lashecamet
omeandhel
dthe
f
inger
.

"
I'
m sor
ry"Imut
ter
edandpaused.

Hol
don;
WhywasIev
enapol
ogi
zi
ng?

Iwastheonewho'
shur
t,y
ett
heone
apol
ogizi
ng.

Gosh!

Suddenl
y,If
eltt
hepai
nsei
ze.Andsodi
dthe
bl
ood.
Huh?
?

Miquel
letgooft
hef
ingerandt
ookt
het
ray
f
rom me.

Hol
don.
..
didhe.
..
.

Di
dhemakei
tst
op?

HolyMol
l
y!Howmanygi
ft
sdoesheposses,
huh?

"Youcanblendthepepperandoni
ons"he
stat
edwithoutl
ooki
ngatmeandIf el
tmy
cheeksbecomehot.

"
Thanky
ou"Isai
dandr
eachedf
orwhathe
or
der
ed.
*
Inagi
ffy
,everyt
hingwassetandhebegant
he
cooki
ngprocess.

Fir
st,
heboiledt
hepot
atoesandaddedt
he
tomatoes.

"Sir
,I.
..
.It
houghtt
omatoeswouldtastesoari
f
theyaren'
tsteamed?
"Iasked,
lookingatthe
boil
ingpot.

"Yeah.
..
.butIpr
eferminet
hatway
"her
epl
i
edas
hestir
redthecontent
.

Hm.Iwonderhowt
hiswoul
dtast
e.
"Iwasthecl
osestt
omymot
her
"hesuddenl
y
said.

"shewast hetypethatprefer
redhandli
ngthe
kit
chenstuffhersel
fevenwi t
hthemai ds
around.Andeacht i
me, ImadesureIwas
besideher.Ipi
ckedinteresti
ncooking".

Hmmmm

So.
..
..
Mrgr
umpywasmommy
'sboy
?

"
Ihat
elazyl
adi
es"hesai
dandmyhear
tski
pped.

WhydoIhav
eaf
eel
i
nghe'
sref
err
ingt
ome?

"
Eveni
fyourpar
ent
sar
eweal
thy
,itdoesn'
tst
op
youf
rom bei
ngacook-i
t'
sessent
ial
fory
ouas
awoman".

Gosh!

Ibi
tmyl
i
pandst
areddownatt
het
abl
e.

"
Wel
l
...
.t
het
hingi
s"Ir
epl
i
ed.
"Mymom nev ercar
edaboutsuch.Andshe
nevercaut
ionedmeaswell.
"Shedi
dn'tcar
eifIstayedint
hekitchenwit
h
herornotand.
...
ifel
titwasn'
tnecessar
y".

Hel
ookedatmeandscof
fed.

'
So..
.whenyougetr
eadymarr
ied,
whatdoyou
i
ntenddoing?Woul
dyourmom comeovert
odo
thecooki
ngfory
ou? "Heaskedand.
..
oops!The
goosebumpsagain.

"
Wel
l
...
.t
hemai
dscandot
hej
ob"Ishr
ugged.
.

"Andwhathappenswhenyourhusbandf
all
sin
l
ov ewi
ththecooksi
nceshe'
sthekeytohis
stomach?
"

"
Um.
..
..
..
"

Ibi
tmyl
i
pandr
eal
i
zedIwasoutofwor
ds.

"I
'
llgof orcooki
ngcl
asseswhenI'
m donef
rom
here"Irepli
edinasur
render-l
i
ketoneandhe
chuckled.
Hol
don.
..
..
..

Hechuckl
ed!
!!

Laughed!
!!
?

Hah!

Igasped,
buthedi
dn'
tpayat
tenti
ont
omy
exci
tementashef
ocusedonthepot
.

Ipl
acedmybot
hhandsonmycheeksand
smil
ed.

Gosh!Thi
swasi
ncr
edi
ble.
Headdedt
hespi
cesandcov
eredt
hepot
.

"I
'
vegotsomet
hingforyou"hesai
danddipped
hi
shandint
ohispocketwhil
eIwatchedkeenl
y.

HewassohandsomeandIalwaysmadesur
e
t
ostar
eatever
yli
tt
leoppor
tuni
ty.

Hi
shandcameoutf
rom hi
spocket
,toget
her
wi
th.
..
.

Myneckl
ace!
!

Myspeci
alneckl
acegi
vent
omebymum.The
onehesei
zedandtol
dmeIwasnev
ergonna
seei
tagai
n.
Myeyesbeamedinsurpr
iseashecamebehi
nd
meandlockedi
troundmyneck,hi
scol
d,sof
t
handf
eeli
ngsogoodonmyski n

Hedressedmyhai
raft
erlocki
ngtheneckl
ace
andItur
nedar
oundtolookathim.

Myheartski
ppedaswest
aredi
ntoeachot
her
's
ey
esfornoreason.

Nor
easonatal
l
.

Justsi
l
ent
ly.
*
*
TBC.
THEDI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,hi
buthe’
scol
d-hear
ted)

Epi
sode37

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
’sPov
:
“
T….Thankyou”If
orcedmysel
ftosayandhe
j
ustnoddedandtur
nedbacktothefood.

Heopenedt
hepotandmyey esbeamedatt
he
sumpt
uoussi
ghti
nfrontofme.
Wow!

Ev
ery
thi
ngwassost
eamyandappet
izi
ng.
“Seemsourmealisready
”hesai
dasheturned
offthegasandi
feltmymouthwaterf
rom t
he
sight.

Hereachedforabi
gplateandpouredinsome
oft
hemeal ,
makingsureitf
il
ledt
heplate.

Wow!Itwasst
eami
nghotandl
ookedd@mn
del
i
cious.

Hecover
edthepotaf
ter
war
dsandpl
acedt
hem
pl
ateonatr
ay.

Hol
don…why’
sitj
ustonepl
ate?Doeshewant
metost
arv
e,huh?Iwassohungry
.
Sur
prisi
ngly
,het
ookt
wospoonsandf
ixedt
hem
i
ntothetray.

Huh?
?Twospoonsont
hesamet
ray
?

“
Comeon”hesai
dandst
art
edwalki
ngoutof
t
heki
tchenwi
tht
hetr
aywhi
leIf
oll
owed.

Weretur
nedtot
hebedroom andheplacedt
he
t
rayonthesmal
ldi
ningintheroom -
asmall
t
ablewit
htwoopposi
techair
s.

“Si
t”hesai
dmor el
i
kei
nanor
derandIsl
owl
y
satopposi
tehi
m.
Hewassi
tt
ingont
heot
herendoft
het
abl
e.

Hef
ixedt
hespooni
ntot
hehotmeal
and
st
art
edeat
ing.

O…kay
.
so,
whatam It
odo?
?

“Don’
tjustst
areatme,Cali
.Goonandeat
”‘he
saidwi
t haneyerol
landIcri
nged.

Whaaaaat
???
Di
dhej
ust
….

Hol
don;
hewant
smet
oeatwi
thhi
m??
?

Istartedathi
mf orawhi l
e,most
lyasheat
eso
neat l
yandperfect
ly.Andnotwanti
nghi
mto
repeathimsel
f,Itookupmyspoonandbegan
eating.
Iwaseat
ingwi
tht
heKi
ng!
!!

Itookinaspoonf
ulandwasabackedbyi
ts
taste.

Geez!
!!

Di
daboyr
eal
l
ycookt
his?
???
Hiusonpl ustwothreefourei
ghtzer
ofiv
efi
ve
ei
ghteightnineoneeightthr
eeonwatsappt
o
getaddedt oourgr
oup.
I
fnotfort
hefactIwast
her
eint
heki
tchenwi
th
hi
m,I’
dhavedoubtedi
t.

“
Tast
esgood,
huh?
”Heaskedwi
thasmi
rk.
“Um….yes.Real
l
ygoodsi
r”Ir
epl
i
edwi
thf
lushed
cheeks.

“St
ayaroundmeandyou’
ll
beaper
fectcook”
hesai
dandmyey esbeamed.

st
ayar
oundhi
m??
??

Forr
eal
??

But
….

Thatr
emi
ndsme.
.
Thi
swasgoi
ngt
obemyl
astdaywor
kingashi
s
per
sonal
mai
d.
“
Sir
”Ical
l
edaf
terawhi
l
e.
“Af
tert
oday
,Iwon’
tbecomingoveragai
n,Ri
ght
?
Imean…mypuni
shmentisover
,ri
ght
?”

Hewassi
l
entandt
ooki
nsomegul
psofwat
er.

Heconti
nuedeat
ingl
ikeIhadn’
tsayawordand
j
ustwhenIwasaboutrepeat
ingmysel
f,he
answer
ed.

“
Yeah”
.
Washi
ssi
mpl
erepl
y.
*
*
Mi
quel
’
sPov
:
I
thur
t.

I
thur
twhenshement
ionedi
t.

Fort
hepastthr
eeday
s,I’
dal
mostf
orgot
ten
whati
tfel
tli
ketobel
onel
y.

I
’dfi
nall
yfoundsomeonet
otal
kto,
someoney
o
bearoundme.

Butt
oobad,
todaymi
ghtbet
hel
astdayIgett
o
seeher
.

Although,
itwasn’
tdif
fi
cultgett
ingsomeoneto
staywithme.Itwasn’
tdif
ficul
tgett
ingabi
*ch
tokeepmecompanyf oraslongasIwant.Asa
mat
teroff
act,98%9oft hel
adi
esintheinst
it
ute
wer
ereadytodieforsuchoppor
tuni
ty.

ButIdi
dn’
twantanyoft
hem.Ihat
edbei
ng
ar
oundcheappeopl
ewhodidn’
twort
hmytime.

Butt
hisl
ady
…..
Cal
i
.

WhydoIfeeldi
ff
erentabouther
?Inev
erget
t
ir
edofhercompany .
Andatsomepoi
nt,
Iaskedmy
sel
f;

Wasshewor ki
ngasmymai dbecauseIwas
tr
ynapunishher
?OrbecauseIr
eall
yneededher
around?
*
*
Cal
i
’sPov
:
Aft
ereat
ing,Icl
ear
edupthepl
ace,washedthe
di
shesandretur
nedtot
heroom t
of i
ndMiquel
att
hebalcony.

Whatelsewoul
dhewantmetodof
orhi
m,huh?
Ihadn’
tevent
akenmybat
h.

Al
though….
Ireal
lyenjoyedstayi
ngwi t
hhim and
wi
shedIcouldstaylonger.Justthat
….hi
scold
at
ti
tudecoul
df r
eezesomeonet odeath.

Iwentoutt
ot hebal
conyandst
oodbesi
dehi
m
ashegazedintospace.

Wow!Whatal
ovel
ysi
ght
.
Icoul
dseetheothertal
lbuil
dingsint
he
i
nsti
tut
e.Andcomet othinkofit,
thei
nst
it
ute
wasquit
ebeauti
ful.

“
Sir
…”Ical
l
edaf
terawhi
l
e.
Why
’sheact
ingqui
et,
huh?

“
Ist
heresomet
hingel
sey
ouwantmet
odof
or
y
ou?”

Hedi
dn’
tsayawor
dimmedi
atel
yandsi
ghed.

“
Cany ouqui
tthef
ormal
i
ties?Youcancal
lme
Miquel
”hesai
dandmyjawsdr opped.

Huh?
???
Ishoul
dcal
lhi
m byhi
sname?

Ist
aredathi
m speechl
essl
y,unabl
etout
tera
word.

“Youreal
lywannaleav
e,huh?
”Heaskedaf
tera
bri
efsil
enceandInodded.

Oh….
hol
don;
DoIr
eal
l
ywantt
oleav
e?

Go0sh!

I
tsjustt
hat
….If
eel
soner
vouswhenI
’
m ar
ound
hi
m.
But
….Ir
eall
yreal
lydol
ikehi
m alot.And….
I
al
waysfeell
uckybei
ngaroundhim.

Justthat
…hemakesmesooonervous.So
nerv
ousi wannapeeonmyp*
nt.

Isti
l
lcoul
dn’
tbel
i
evehef
!nger
edmet
he
previ
ousday
.
“Whati
fIaskyoutost
ay….
.l
onger
?”Heasked
andcameclosert
ome.

Huh?
?

Imovedbackandfoundmy
sel
fleani
ngont
he
bar
ri
ersofthebal
cony.

If
ear
edImi
ghtf
all
off
.
“
Whati
fIdon’
twanty
out
oleav
e,Cal
i
?”
Hisvoicewassocol
dbutsoftandhestood
verycloset
omethatIcoul
dfeelhi
sbreat
hon
myf ace.

Hepl
acedhisbothhandsont
hebar
ri
erbesi
de
mywaistandIf
li
nched.

What
’shedoi
ng?

“
S..
sir
….Mi
quel
”ist
utt
eredandgul
pedner
vousl
y.

Hebroughthisf
acecl
oseli
kehewantedt
okss
me,butcurv
edandleanedonmyear.

“
Iknowy
oul
i
keme”hewhi
sper
ed,
sendi
ng
shi
ver
sdownmyspi
ne.

“
Ili
key
outoo.AndIwanty
ou,
Cal
i
.Iwanty
ou
t
obemine”
.
*
*

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
Shel
i
keshi
m,
buthe'
scol
d-hear
ted )

Epi
sode38
(
Final
)

By
:Fai
thLucky
 Cal
i
'sPov
:
Myl
i
dsbecamet
ooheav
ytoev
enbl
i
nk.

Di
d..
..
DidIj
ust
..
..

No;
what
'sgoi
ngon?Idon'
tthi
nkIunder
stand.

What
'shesay
ing?

Hi
slipspushedt
othesi
deal
i
ttl
e,f
ormi
nga
l
it
tl
esmirk.

Hiswor
dsr
esoundedi
nmyheadl
i
ket
heywer
e
new:
*
Iwanty
ou,
Cal
i
.Iwanty
out
obemi
ne*

Di
dIj
ustheart
hatf
rom hi
m?

Ist
aredathi
m speechl
essl
yli
keabl
oat
edgoat
.

"Whatdoyout
hink?
"Hissof
twhisper
ssenthot
shi
versdownmyspineashi
sbreatht
ouched
myface.

Forawhi
l
e,Iwasdumbst
ruck.

"
S..
..
S..
..
Sir
"wasal
licoul
dst
utt
er.
Noot
herwor
dscoul
dcomeoutf
rom mymout
h.

If
eltmyp*
ntbecomewet
.Don'
ttel
lmeIwas
peei
ngal
ready
.

Final
l
y,hesai
dthemostr
eli
evi
ngt
hingIneeded
tohearatt
hemoment:

"
I'
ll
giv
eyousomet
imet
othi
nkabout
".

Gosh!Thatwasthehei
ghtofi
t.Themost
r
eli
evi
ng.Ij
ustneededt
obeawayatthe
moment.

Itooki
nabi
gloudgul
pandl
ower
edmyey
est
o
thefl
oor
.
Gosh!Icoul
dfeel
myhear
traci
ngheav
il
y.

Hemovedawayfrom me,giv
ingmepassaget
o
t
heexi
t.AndIbowedbeforewalki
ngout
.
*
*
Beli
ev ei
tornot,Idi
dn'
tsleept
hroughoutt
he
ni
ght .Mybreat
h, t
hought
sandev er
ythi
ngkept
ri
ngingMiquel;

Mi
quel
.

Eachti
meItri
edtoclosemyeyes,hi
sface
wouldpopupandinter
ruptmeandI'
dstar
t
thi
nki
ngofhi
m again.

Eacht
imeItr
iedt
osl
eep,
hiswor
dswoul
d
comedri
vi
ngin:

"
Iknowy
oul
i
keme,
AndIl
i
key
out
oo.
"
Iwanty
ou,
Cal
i
.
Iwanty
out
obemi
ne"
.

Wer
ethosef
orr
eal
?

Hel
i
kesme?
?andwant
smet
ost
aywi
thhi
m?

Coul
ditbeadr
eam?

If
inger
edmy
sel
ftobesur
eitwasr
eal
i
ty.

ComeonCali
;ther
e'snowayadr
eam woul
d
l
astt
hisl
ong.

Ikeptt
urni
ngandt
urni
ngont
hebedandj
ust
whent
hesl
eept
ri
edt
aki
ngov
er,
boom!

I
twasmor
ningal
ready
.

"Comeon,Cal
i.You'vemissedcl
assesforfour
daysnow.Anditsreall
ynotgoodforastar
ter
l
ikeyou"Ni
nasaidaf t
erfor
cingmeawake.

Iy
awneddr
owsi
l
yandsatup.

Gosh!Myeyeswer
esoheav y
.Icoul
dn'tbel
i
eve
Miquelmademestayawakethr
oughoutthe
ni
ght.

"
Iwanty
ou,
Cal
i
.
Iwanty
out
obemi
ne"
.
Hol
yMol
l
y!!
!Thosewor
dswer
esomet
hingel
se.

Itst
il
lfeltl
ikeadream t
ome-theleaderoft
he
WhiteDiãmônds,theKingoft
heinsti
tut
e,
sayi
ngt hosewordstome.

Howdi
dthi
sev enhappeni
nthef
ir
stplace?
Howdi
dallt
hesehappen?HowdidIgetso
cl
oset
ohim,huh?

"
Comeon,Cal
i.I
'
m notl
eavingwit
houty
ou"
Ni
nar
emindedasshewalkedint
othebathr
oom.

Gosh!Butatsomepoi
nt,
Ithi
nkshe'
sri
ght
.
I
'vemi
ssedclassesforday
snowandi
tssonot
goodf
orastarterl
ikeme.
IguessI'
djusthav
etogoal
ongwi
thher
,no
matterwhat.

Istoodupf r
om thebedandwasaboutgoi
ngt
o
brushmyt eethwhenoneofthel
esbi
ans
walkedin.

Oops!
It
hinki
twast
heonenamedChel
sea.

Sheshutmeadeadl
ystar
ebutIt
ri
edi
gnor
ing
herbywal
ki
ngawaybutshest
oppedme.

"You"shecal
l
edspi
tef
ull
yandIt
urnedt
olook
ather.

"
Iwannat
alkt
oyou"
.
"
O..
.kay
.I'
mli
steni
ng"Ir
epl
i
edcur
iousl
y.

"
Areyouatt
ract
edtomygirl
fr
iend?"Sheasked,
f
oldi
ngherhandsandIwasforcedtoscoff
.

"
Youmean. .
..
yourl
esbi
anpar
tner
?"Iaskedwi
th
ari
dicul
ouslook.

"Don'tmesswi t
hme, gir
l.YouknowwhatI '
m
tal
kingabout.I'
veseenthewayy oustar
eather ,
I
'veseeny outwot oget
herandall
.ButIj
ust
wannawar ny ou;she'
smi neandminealone.So,
backof f
".

Ist
aredather
,speechl
essl
y,t
henbust
edi
nto
l
aughter
.
Il
aughedsohar
d,l
i
keI
'
dnev
erl
aughedi
nday
s.

"
Ser
iousl
y??
"Iasked.
"DoIlookl i
keapathet
iclesbi
antoyou?
Like.
..
.I
'dleaveal
lthehandsomeboysinthe
wor l
djusttogetfi
ngeredbyalady?Gosh!I
fyou
onlyknewhowy outwodisgustme".

Irol
ledmyey
esandtr
iedwal
ki
ngaway
,butshe
pull
edmebackbyt
hehair
.

Whaaaat
??

"Howdareyou?"ShesnappedandIt
urnedand
pull
edherhai
raswell
.
Ipul
ledhercl
oseandpushedherbackwi
tha
ful
lfor
ce,maki
ngherhi
tthewall
.

Immediat
ely
,thedooropenedandherpar
tner
camein.

"
Chelsea!"Shecal
ledi
nanalarmi
ngtoneand
r
ushedt ohelphergi
rl
fr
iendf
rom t
hefl
oor.

"
Nexttime,youpicksomeoneyoursi
ze".I
warnedherbefor
egoingint
othebathr
oom to
j
oinNina.
*
*
Naomi
'
sPov
:
Ist
oodinf
rontoft
hedoorandcr
osschecked
mylookst
obesureIwasgoodenough.
Ohmygee!
!Mi
quel
wascal
l
ingf
orme!
Hesentf
orme.

It
ouchedmyhair
,myshir
t,myshoes.
Ever
ythi
ngwasperf
ect
,
Yes.

Andtaki
ngi
nadeepbr
eat
h,Iknockedont
he
door
.

"Comein"hissweetmascul
inevoi
ceanswered
andItookinadeepbreat
h,pushedthedoor
openandwal kedi
n.
Hmm.

Asweetf
ragr
ancewel
comedme.
Wel
l
,hi
sroom wast
hebesti
nthei
nst
it
ute.

If
oundhimi
nfr
ontofhi
sboar
d,wor
kingona
dr
awing.

"
Miquel
"Ical
l
ed,
bri
mful
ofsmi
l
es.
"
Goodmor
ning"

Hedidn'
tsayany
thi
ngandact
edl
i
keIwasn'
ti
n
t
heroom.

Gosh!Thisguywassomethi
ngel
seandI
wishedIcoul
dhavehim.

Iwouldn'tmi
ndtaki
ngoffmycl
othest
hisv
ery
i
nstantifheaskedmeto.
"Um..
.y
ousentforme"It
ri
edget
ti
nghis
att
enti
onandthatwaswhenhet
urnedtol
ook
atme.

Hi
sey
eswer
esopr
ett
yast
heyst
aredatme.

"
Iknowwhaty
ou'
reupt
o"hebegan.
"Iknowyou'r
emappi ngoutpl
anstoki
ckCali
outoftheinst
it
ute.ButIj
ustwannawarny
ou;
getitof
fyourmind.

"Fr
om nowon, ifanyt
hinghappenstoher
,you'
l
l
behel
dr esponsibl
e.Andtrustme,youwoul
dn'
t
wannabef oundonmywat chli
st"
.

Hesi
ghedandt
urnedbackt
otheboar
d.
No;
no.Thi
sisadr
eam.Ther
e'snowayi
tsr
eal
.

Icoul
dn'
tev
enf
eel
myl
egsany
mor
e.

"
Usethedoor,
Naomi"hestat
edcol
dlyandIf
elt
t
ear
sthreat
eni
ngtodropfr
om myeyes.

It
unedar
oundandl
eft
.

Howdi dhegett
oknowofmyplans?
?
Ever
ythingwasr
eadyandt
obeexecutedt
oday
.
Howdi dhegett
oknowabouti
t?

No;
someonebet
ray
edme.
It
sonlypossi
bleoneofmyfr
iendshadt
oldhi
m
abouti
t.Oneofthem wasat
rait
or.

Noooooooooooooo!
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
"Comeon, Cali
.Whatiswrongwithy
ou?Why
wouldn'
tyouwannaat tendt
hemeeting?
"'Diane
queri
edasi satinfr
ontofherandNi
naatt he
cafet
eri
aduringlunch.

"What
'ssodif
fi
cultt
ounder
stand,
huh?Idon'
t
wannaatt
endthemeeti
ng.Peri
od!
"Isai
dwith
aneyerol
landatefr
om mycheese.

"
Ser
iousl
y??
"Shescof
fed.
"
Themeetingi
sdamnimpor
tantandt
her
e'sno
wayanyofuscanmi
ssout"
.

"I
sitbecause.
..
.Mi
quelwoul
dbether
ewithhi
s
guards?"Ni
naaskedandIal
mostchoked.

Gosh!Thement
ionoft
hatname.

Dianestar
edatme,
beadyey
ed-wi
tht
hel
ook
l
ike"now,Iget
".

"
Hol
don"shescof
fed.
"
Ist
hisbecauseofMi
quel
?"

Gr
rrr
Ii
tchedmyneckandl
ookedaway
.

"
Arey
ouav
oidi
nghi
m?"

"
Geez"Imumbl
ed.

"Ser
iousl
y?You'
reavoi
dinghi
m? ?
?Whatt
he
heckhappenedbetweenyoutwo??"

"Nothing,
okay?Will
youtwojustl
eavemealone?
Gof orthemeeti
ng,whenyou'
reback,y
oucan
giv
emedet ai
l
s"Irol
ledmyeyesasIstoodup
withmymeal andleft.

Tal
kingaboutMi
quel
mademesodamn
ner
vous.
*
*
Somewher
einKor
ea

Aut
hor
essChi
'
sPov✍

Theyal
lst
oodinthethroneroom,befor
ethe
hi
ghpri
est
,await
inghisfinal
judgment.

Thehal
lwassoqui
et,
thedr
opofapi
ncoul
dbe
hear
d.

Well,
itwasasacr
edmomentandnoonedar
ed
speak.Nooneatal
l,
asi
det
hehighpr
iest
.

"Thethr
onehasbeenempt yforwayt oolong
alr
eady"hebegan,hi
scroakyvoiceputt
ingfear
i
nsomeoft hemi ndsofthegatheredcounci
l.
"
It
sti
met
ocr
ownt
heKi
ng,
theki
ngofdar
kness.

"Latel
y,t
hecycl
e'sbeenshaking.Something'
s
tryi
ngtotamperwiththedarknessinhishear
t.
So,weneedt ogri
phim beforewelosehim
causehe'stheperf
ectoneforthethrone.

"Send10coor
dinat
estogoinsear
chofhim.
Tellt
hem t
obri
nghim home"heconcl
udedand
every
onebowedinuni
son.
*
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Isati
nthemiddl
eofDianeandNi
naast
hey
keptt
alki
ngandtal
ki
ng,notmi
ndi
ngi
fI
cont
ri
but
edornot
..

I
twaslat
eatnightandwejustsatinf
rontof
t
hepool,
taki
ngsomeairandfeedingoureyes.

Mychinwascuppedinmypal
m asIal
most
t
houghtoutmybrai
ns.

Gosh!Ipr
ayMi
quel
doesn'
tki
l
lme.

Af
terawhi
l
e,Ist
oodup.

"
Hey
;wher
e'r
eyougoi
ng?
"Di
aneasked.

"I
..
..
Ijustneedtotakesomeai
r,okay
?Don't
fol
lowme, please"Ir
oll
edmyeyesandscut
tled
away.
Well
,readi
ngthei
rthoughts,
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hey
hadanyplansoffol
lowingme.

Iscamper
edawayandtookinadeepbr
eat
h
whenIwasver
yfarf
rom them

Then,
Icont
inuedont
heusual
rout
e.

Iwal
kedandswungmyarmsunti
lIar
ri
vedat
hi
splace-i
nfr
ontofhi
sbui
l
ding.

Hmmmm

Ist
oodandst
aredupati
tforawhi
l
e?Coul
dhe
bein?
Itooki
nadeepbr eat
handr
eachedfort
hewal
l
,
doingwhatIknewhowtodobest.

Icrawl
edcaref
ull
yunt
ilI
'
dgott
entot
het
opand
Ipeepedsl
owlyfr
om t
hewindow.

Sweetr
oom -I
'
vemi
ssedbei
ngi
nit
.

Il
ookedlef
tandr
ightbutcoul
dn'
tfi
ndhi
m.
Where'
she?

Maybehe'
sintheki
tchen,ori
nthebat
hroom?
Ormaybehe'
snotintheroom atal
l
.

Oh!Cal
i
;whatam Iev
endoi
ng?

Isi
ghedandwasaboutmaki
ngamov
ewhen
somet
hinggr
ippedmyat
tent
ionf
rom t
hef
loor
.

Whaaaaat
???

If
oundhi
mther
e!!
!

Imean.
..
hewast
her
e!!
St
andi
ngr
ightt
her
eont
hef
loor
,st
ari
ngatme.

Ohmygeeeee!
!

Cal
i
;whathav
eyoudone?
???
?

Igaspedinfr
ightasIalsost
aredathi
m.And
sl
owly,Ist
art
edclimbingdownthewall
.
Cal
i
!!!HowdoIf
acehi
m now?
?

OhGod!

Ifel
tsoner
vousasIcl
imbeddownt
hewall
.
Andcloset
othefl
oor,
Isuddenl
ymi
ssedastep
andfel
l.

"
Ouch!
!!
"Iy
elpedi
npai
nasIbr
okemyl
eg.

OhmyGod!
!!
!!
!

"
Argh"Ishi
rkedandhel
dthel
eg.

Oh!Cal
i
.I'
m doomed.
Miquelshookhi
sheadandcamet
omeont
he
f
loor.

"St
rangespi
derwoman,huh?
"Hemut
ter
edand
car
riedmefrom t
hef
loor.

Whaaaat
???

Li
ke.
..
.hecar
ri
edmei nhi
sarmsandmademe
si
tonanearbyspacewhi
lehesquat
tedi
nfr
ont
ofme.

"
Whatthehel
lwereyoudoingonmywi
ndow?
"
Heaskedashehel
dtheleg.

If
eltmyl
ungsbecomedr
yashet
ouchedme.
"
I.
..
."Ipani
cked.
"
Ium.
..
.Ij
ust
..
..
"

Ishutmyl
i
pswhenIdi
scov
eredIwasoutof
words.

Icompl
etel
yhadnoexcuse.

"Whyhaveyoubeenav
oidi
ngme? "Het
hrew
anot
herquest
ion,
ashegradual
l
ymassagedthe
l
eg.

Huh?
??

"
S..
.Si
r?"It
ri
edt
opossum.
Howdi
dheknowIwasav
oidi
nghi
m?
Hescof
fedandl
ookedatt
hel
eg.

Hehel
ditf
orawhi
l
eandl
etgoofi
t.
AndforHol
yMol
l
y'ssake.
..
..
..
.t
hepai
nswer
e
gone!
!!
!!

Li
kecompl
etel
ygone!
!!

Geez!
!!
!

Il
ookedandtouchedt
hel
egl
i
keami
racl
ehad
j
usttakenpl
ace.
Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evet
his.

Wher
ethehel
ldi
dthi
sguycomef
rom?
?
Il
ookedathi
m andf
oundhi
m st
ari
ngatme.

"T.
..
Thankyou"Isai
dandt ooki
naner
vousgul
p
aft
erwardsandhejustnodded.

"Haveyout
houghtaboutmyproposal
?"He
askedandIfel
tji
ngl
ebell
sri
ngi
nginmyt ummy
.

Gosh!Hi
spr
oposal
.

Iwannapeeeee

Ibi
tmylowerl
ipandstar
eddownatt
hef
loor
.
Andsl
owly,
Inodded.
"Youhave?Andwhati
syourr
epl
y?"Heasked,
speaki
ngsocalml
y.
Hewasst
il
lsquat
ti
ngi
nfr
ontofme.

If
eltmyhear
tbecomi
ngt
wo.Thi
sisn'
tadr
eam,
i
sit?

Mi
quel
'
sreal
l
yaski
ngmet
ost
aywi
thhi
m??

Ibi
tmyi
nnerchi
ntokeepmef
rom shaki
ng.

"
Um.
..
."Ist
utt
ered.

"I
..
..
I..
.act
ual
ly,
I.
..
I'
dlovet
ostaywi
thyou,
Sir
..
..Miquel
"Icor
rectedt
henameandhe
smiled.
Hef
reaki
ngsmi
l
ed!
!!
!

I
mmedi
atel
y,hi
sguar
dsshowedupf
rom behi
nd.

"Boss"t
heycal
l
edandhet
urnedsl
i
ght
lyt
olook
atthem.

"Thedir
ector
sarewait
ing"Abelsai
dandIcoul
d
divul
gethesurpr
isedl
ookfrom t
hei
rfaces.

Oh!Seemst
hey
'r
ehav
ingameet
ing.

Mi
queltur
nedbackt
omeandpl
ant
edaki
sson
mycheek.

"
Youshoul
dgogety
ourt
hings"hecooed.
"
Thedoori
sopen.I
'
llbebacksoon"
.

Andhest
oodupandl
eftwi
tht
heguar
ds.

Ili
ft
edmyhandst
omycheekwhi
chhi
sli
pshad
touched.

AndIscr
eamed.
*
*
TBC.

Andt
hat
'si
tforSeason1

Who'
sreadyf
orRomance?
Br
oughtt
oyoubyFai
thLucky✍
Lov
eyoual
l

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode1

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
"What'
reyoutalki
ngaboutCali
?Whatdoy ou
meany ou'l
lbestayi
ngwit
hMi quelf
rom nowon?
Who'reyoutryi
ngtotri
ck?
"Dianeaskedasshe
stoodintheroom wit
hNinawhileIpackedmy
thi
ngs.

"Thi
sisn'tajoke,
okay?Andit'
sa.
..
..
it
sal
ong
stor
y"Irepli
edtir
edl
yasIzippedupmybag.

"Whatlongstor
y?Whywouldyoubeli
vingwi
th
him?Isitpar
tofthepuni
shmentorwhat?
"She
grouse.

Geez!HowdoIexpl
aini
ttothem?Iact
ual
l
y
di
dn'twantt
otal
kabouti
t.

"I
t'
salongst
ory,
okay
?And..
.Imi
ghttel
lyoual
l
abouti
ttomor
row.Butf
ornow,Ineedtogo"I
sai
dasIli
ft
edmybagandstart
edwalki
ngout
oft
heroom.Andofcour
se,
theyfol
l
owed.

"Cali
,areyousureaboutt
his?I
fther
e'sa
problem,youshouldl
etusknow"Ninaalsosai
d
from behi
nd.

Gosh!
Idi
dn'
tsayawor
dbutkeptwal
ki
ngwi
thmybag.

Theykeptt
alki
ngandtal
ki
ng,aski
ngquest
ions
uponquest
ionsbuti
didn'
tsayaword.

Ihadact
ual
lyexpect
edt hemi
l
li
onquest
ions.
So,t
heycankeepasking.

Af
teral
ongwal
k,Igott
othef
acadeoft
he
apar
tmentandst
oppedt
olookatt
hem.

"It
hinkyouneedt
ost
ophere.Youcan'tgoin
wit
hme"Isaidandbi
tmylowerli
p,feeli
ng
bashful
.

"
Ser
iousl
y??
"Di
anescof
fed.

"
Areyoubeingser
iousaboutt
his,
,
Cal
i
?You'
re
r
eal
lymovinginwi
thhim?"

Inoddedwi
thaney
erol
l
.

"Look,
I'
ll
explai
neveryt
hingtoyoutomorr
ow,
okay?Butfornow,Ineedtogo.Don'twor
ry
aboutme, I
'
mf i
ne.Goodnight
"Iwavedatthem
andscuttl
edoff.
Gosh!Atl
ast
.

Itooki
nadeepbr
eat
hasIf
inal
l
ygotf
reef
rom
them.

Itookt
hest
air
sandreachedhisdoorpostand
taki
ngi
nadeepbreat
h,Iknockedonit
.

Ther
ewasnor
epl
y.

Oh!It
spossi
blehei
sn'
tbackf
rom t
hemeet
ing
yet
.

Iopenedt
hedoorandwalkedi
nsl
owl
y,
scouri
ngmyeyesroundt
heroom.
Her
eal
l
ywasn'
tbackf
rom t
hemeet
ingy
et.

Hmm.Ismi
l
edanddr
oppedmybagont
hef
loor
.

Oops!GuessI
'
dbeneedingt
okeepitel
sewher
e
si
ncethi
swouldbecomemypermanentroom.

Butthi
nkingofi
t.
..
I'
l
lreal
l
ybeshar
ingt
her
oom
wit
hMi guel

Wi
tht
heki
ng!
!

Geez!

Isatont
hebedandcuppedmyhandsi
nmy
chin.
I
twassimplyunbeli
evable.Iwasget
ti
ngcl
oser
t
ohim andIf*
*kinglovedit!

Il
ookedroundtheprett
yroom andimagi
ned
seei
ngsuchamazi ngsi
ghtal
ltheti
me.
Mehn..
..
theroom wasoneinabill
i
on.

Ikeptthi
nki
ngandi
magini
ngandf
eel
i
nghot
,I
decidedtot
akeashower
.

Yeah.
..
thi
swasprobabl
ythebestt
imef
ori
t
si
ncehewasn'
tintheroom.

Butseri
ousl
y.
..
.howdoIcopel
i
vingal
onewi
tha
guy??
?
*
*
Mi
quel
'
sPov
:
Ist
eppedoutt
othebal
conywi
tht
her
ingi
ng
phonei
nmyhand.
If
eltmycheeksbecomehotandittookmea
l
ottost
opmy sel
ffrom smashi
ngthephone.

Icoul
dn'
tbeli
evehehadthener
vest
ocal
lme.
Alt
hough.
..
I'
dbeenexpect
inghi
scal
l
.

Ipi
ckedupandpl
acedi
tonmyear
.

"
Final
l
y"hesai
dwi
thasi
gh.
"
Youdeci
dedt
opi
ckt
hecal
l
".

Il
i
stenedwi
thoutsay
ingawor
d.
"Hey,
don'
ttel
lmey oudi
dn'
tmi
ssme?
"He
askedandchuckl
ed.

"Wel l
,evenifyoudidn'
t,Idi
d.Andtoprovet
hat
toy ou,Iact
uallysentyouamessagef ewdays
ago.Hol don...
didyougetmymessage?Di dthe
bansheedel iv
erittoyou?Please,t
ell
meshe
did"hespokesar casti
call
y,makingmemore
i
nf uri
ated.

"
Whatdoyouwant?"If
inal
l
yspokeup,
try
ingas
muchaspossi
blet
ocalm mysel
f.

"Hmph!Iwasbeginni
ngtothinkIwasspeaking
toaghost.Fi
nal
l
y,theKingfoundhistongue"
hesai
dandchuckled,butIdi
dn'tsayawor d.
Well,Ihatedbei
ngatal
kat
ive.Theonlyt
hingI
wishedf oratt
hemoment-Iwi shedhewas
actuall
yclosetome.

Ipr
efer
redact
ionst
owor
ds.

"Tel
lme,Miquel
.How'sthebansheedoing?
Haveyoutwobeenabletohookup?Wel l
,you
bett
erhavehernowbecause..
..
I'
l
lbetakingover
soon"hesai
dandItight
enedmygr aspar ound
thephone.

Ineededt
ohi
tsomet
hing.

"
You'
renev
ergett
ingher"Isai
dwi
thgr
it
ted
t
eet
handhesniggered.
"Real
l
y?Stopbei
ngself
ish,
Miquel
.Weboth
needher
.Anditsonl
yri
ghtforust
oshar
eher.

"Iact
uallyhadachancetoabducther,
remember ?Fewday sago.Butbei
ng
considerat
e,Ideci
dedtolethergosoyoucoul
d
haveat asteofher
..
..
"

"Soshecoulddel
iv
ert
hemessage"Icuthi
m of
f
andhelaughed.

"Yeah..
..
what
ever.Any
way ,
Isi
ncerelyhope
you'r
edonewi t
hherbecauseyou'
llbehandi
ng
heroversoon.Ineedt
odril
lheraswel l
".

"Thedayyoutouchher,
Mykel
-isthedayy
ou
die"It
oldhi
m andforamoment,hewassi
lent
.
"Youknowme, Miquel
.Ial
way
skeept
omy
promise"hesai
d.

"
Andy ouknowme;Ial
wayskeeptomine"I
r
epli
edandendedt
hecall
,sl
ippi
ngthephone
i
ntomypocket.

Damni
t!
!

Isni
ff
edandnot
icedt
hebl
oodal
readyscr
oll
i
ng
downmynostr
il
s.

MyhandsshookasIhel
dthebar
ri
ersoft
he
bal
cony
.

Ineededtohi
tsomet
hing-justany
thi
ng.I
neededtogetr
idoft
hisanger.
*
*
TheUnknown
(
Mykel
)
Ismil
edasIendedt
hecal
landdr
oppedt
he
phonebesi
deme.

Then,
Ili
ft
edmygl
assofwi
neandsi
ppedf
orm
i
t.

"
Hopeyoust
il
lrememberwhatt
odo
t
omorr
ow?"Iaskedt
heboybehi
ndme.

"
Yes,
sir
"her
epl
i
edandIsmi
l
ed.

DearMi
quel
..
..
Getr
eadyf
ormygi
ftt
omor
row.

Iwonderwhathe'
ddowhent
hebanshee'
s
takenawayf
rom hi
m.
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
#I
n_t
he_
shower

Iappl
iedmoresoaponmybodyast
hecol
d
waterpour
edonme.

Gosh!I
twasdamngood

Ismi
l
edandshutmyey
esasIl
i
ftedmyf
ace
di
rect
lyt
othewat
er,
maki
ngi
tbeatmeheav
il
y.

Wedi
dn'
thav
esuchshoweri
nourdor
m.

Ther
ewasactual
lyathub,
butIdeci
dedt
o
makeuseoftheshowersoit
'dmakemefeel
I
wasundert
herai
n.

Suddenl
y,It
houghtofMiquel
.Whatwoul
dhe
dowhenher et
urnsandfi
ndsmei nt
heroom?I
mean..
..
howdoweshar etheroom??

Bat
h,sl
eep,
dress.
..
.

Gosh!

IguessI
'
dreal
l
yhav
etol
ear
n.
Ismil
edsheepishl
yandincr
easedt
heshower
andjustthen,
Ihear
dthesoundofsomet
hing
opening.

Hol
don.
..
.i
sn'
tthatt
hedoor
??

Iquickl
ywashedthesoapof
fmyfaceandmy
eyesnearl
ylef
tit
ssocket
swhenIsawMiquel
walkingi
n.

Ar
ghhhhhhhhhhhhh
*
*
TBC
Ahh
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode2

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Myeyeswidenedt
hemoreinshockwhenI
di
scover
edhewasshi
rt
less.

OhmyGod!
!
whatt
he.
..
..

Irant
ohi
mimmediat
elyandjumpedonhi
m,i
n
anatt
emptt
opr
eventhimfr
om seei
ngmyful
l
body.

"Si
r!!
!"IscreamedasIwr
appedmyhandst
ight
ly
aroundhi sneck.

Goodl
ord!
!

Mybo*bswerepr
essi
ngagai
nsthi
scol
dchest
asIhuggedhi
mti
ght.

"Don'tl
ookatme-pl
ease"Ipl
eadedandhear
d
him chuckl
e.
Ifel
thi
shandswr
aparoundmywai
standf
elt
goosebumpsi
nst
ant
ly.

OhmyGoddddd

Whatdoeshet
hinkhe'
sdoi
ng?
???

"
Ther
e'snoneedtobeshy"hewhi
sper
edinto
myearsandstar
tedmovi
ngwithme-taki
ng
mebackint
otheshower.

Ifel
tmylegsshakeasmyb**bssti
llt
ouched
hischest
,hishandshel
dmywaist
,rest
ingcl
ose
tomybut t
s.

Gosh!I
tmademesosoner
vous.Di
dher
eal
l
y
comeinonpur
pose?
Wefi
nall
yreachedtheshowerandhemov ed
mesl
ightl
yawayf r
om himsel
f,soIcoul
dstand
onmyownwi thouthol
dinghi
m.

Iquickl
yli
ft
edmyhandst omychest,t
ryi
ngt
o
covermyb* *bs.Ididn'
tevenknowwhatt
o
coverandfeltmyl ungsbecomedry
.

Igul
pedhardasIst
aredi
ntohi
sdar
key
eswhi
l
e
theshowerpour
edonus.

HishairhadbecomewetandGodknowshow
handsomehe'dbecome-especial
l
ywi
thhi
s
pi
nklipsbecomingwetaswell
.

Hel
if
tedhi
shandst
omi
ne,
bri
ngi
ngt
hem down
f
rom mychest
.
Ishi
veredashemademyb*
*bscompl et
ely
exposed-nott
omenti
onmy.
..
.speci
alar
ea.

"Si
r"thenamer anginmyheadandIt
ri
ed
cal
lingitout
,butcouldn'
t.

Iwasmut
eandspeechl
ess.

Afterbri
ngi
ngdownmyhandssuccessf
ull
y,he
staredatmeforawhi
lewit
houtsay
ingaword,
l
ikehewast hi
nki
ngorsomethi
ng.

Asusual
,Ial
socouldn'
tbr
ingmy
selft
osaya
wordandimmediat
ely,
wit
hastr
angefor
ce,
he
gr
abbedmyhairandsmashedhi
sli
psonmine.
OhmyGod!

Heki
ssedmesor oughl
yashepushedmeto
t
hewallandIf
oundmy sel
fpeei
ngonmylegs.

Goodl
ord!

I
twasonlyadrop,t
hough.ButIcoul
dn'
ttel
li
f
henot
icedornot
.

Hepi
nnedmet othewall,
dippi
nghi
shandsi
nto
mywaistasheti
ghtenedtheki
ss.

If
oundi
tsodif
fi
cultbr
eat
hingashedi
dn'
tev
en
gi
vemespaceorletmegof oramoment
.

Heki
ssedmesot
empest
uousl
y,i
fel
t
but
ter
fl
iesi
nmyt
ummy
.

Mi
quel
waski
ssi
ngme!
!!

Hi
sli
pswer
einmi
ne!
!

Forawhi l
e,heunl
ockedandpl
acedhi
s
for
eheadonmi ne,maki
ngmefeelhi
sbreat
hon
myf ace.

Ipant
edheavil
yduet
otheshockofwhathad
j
usthappened.

Heli
ft
edhishandt
omyl
eftbr
e*standf
ondl
ed
i
tli
ghtl
y.

OhGod!
Ishutmyey esandleanedmyheadonthewal
l
ashetickl
edmyni ppleswi
thhi
sfi
nger
s.

"Miquel
..
."Ical
l
edi
nagaspandhemov
edt
he
handdownwar dst
omywaist
.

No;
notagai
n.

If
elthi
m mov
etomyt
highs,
thenhoneypot
.

"Wai
t!
"Igaspedandt
ri
edholdi
nghishandbut
hesmoochedmei mmedi
atel
y,di
str
act
ingme.

Heki
ssedmesor
oughl
yandIf
elthi
m bi
tmy
t
ongue.
Gosh!I
sthi
sreal
l
yhappeni
ng?
?

I
sMi
quel
real
l
ydoi
ngt
hist
ome?
??

Ashesmoochedme,
Ifel
thi
mtouchmyhoney
potandt
easedi
t.

Hedi
dn'
tpenet
rat
ehisfi
nger
,butj
ustt
easedi
t,
maki
ngmywholesystemsshake.

If
orcedmysel
ffr
om theki
sssoIcoul
dcat
ch
mybreat
handIleanedmyheadonthewal
l.

"Si
r.
..
..
"Ical
l
edindeepbr
eat
hsandhesmi
l
ed
andleftmyv.

"
Wheny
ou'
rer
eady
,Cal
i
.I'
l
lbewai
ti
ng"he
whi
sper
edi
ntomyearandbi
tmyear
lobe.

Istar
edathi
m,sti
l
linshock.Andhet
urned
aroundandl
eft
.
*
*
Iremainedst
andi
ngi
nthebat
hroom f
oral
ong
ti
me,feeli
ngsoshyt
oleav
e.

Di
dMi
quel
real
l
yki
ssme?
?And.
..
.Andt
ouchme?

Andwhatdi
dhemeanby"
wheny
ou'
rer
eady
,
Cal
i?
"

Washer
efer
ri
ngt
o..
..
bei
ngr
eadyf
ors*
x??
Ohmygawd!

Andtothi
nkIwasnowst
uckwi
thhi
m -l
i
ving
wit
hhim.

Goodness!
!

Itouchedmyb**
bsandr
emember
edhowhe
fondledt
hem.

Then,
myv
.Ir
emember
edhowhet
ouchedi
t.

OhGod!

If
eltl
i
kepeei
ngagai
n.
Thatwast
hef
ir
stt
imeaguywasdoi
ngsucht
o
me.

Oh!Cal
i
...
..
*
*
Aft
ermuchthi
nki
ngandremini
sci
ng,Idri
edmy
bodywit
hmytowelandputonmyclothes
aft
erwar
ds.
ThankgoodnessI
'
dcomei
nwi
thmycl
othes.
El
se..
..
.

Ileftthebathroom af
terdr
essi
ngupand
returningt
ot heroom,Imethimther
e-pai
nti
ng
onhi sboard.

It
ooki
naner
vousgul
pasIwal
kedi
nandsat
ont
hebedbehi
ndhi
m.

Hedi
dn'
ttur
ntol
ookatme-notatal
l
.

Istar
edathi
mf r
om behi
ndforal
ongti
meand
fi
nall
ycr
awleddeeperi
ntot
hebed,
,l
ayi
ngoni
t.

"Goodni
ght
,si
r"Isai
dsof
tl
yandt
hatwaswhen
hesparedmeast ar
e.

"
Goodni
ght"heut
ter
edsi
l
ent
lyandt
urnedback
t
ohisboar
d.
*
*
Hour
sLat
er
*
*
Mi
quel
'
sPov
:
Ist
oodupf
rom t
heboar
dandwentt
ojoi
nher
i
nbed.

IwassuretobequietenoughasIl
aidbesi
de
herandstar
edint
oherf ace.

Imovedacar
elesshai
rthatt
amper
edwi
thher
eyes.

Hmm.Shewassopr
ett
y-ev
eni
nsl
eep.

Justl
i
ke.
..
..

Isi
ghedandst
rokeherhai
r.
Whydoessheal
way
smakemef
eel
awkwar
d?
Makemef
eel
str
ange?

Undoubt
edl
y,Iwasat
tract
edt
oher
.

Iwant
edher
.

She'
sthef
ir
stl
adyi
nthei
nst
it
utet
omakeme
feel
thi
sway.

From t
hefir
stdayIgott
oknowshewasa
banshee.
..
..
..

DearCal
i
...
..
IhopeIdon'
thur
tyou.

I
fIgiv
eyoumyhear
t,woul
dyoubeabl
eto
handl
eit
?

Woul
dyoubeabl
etost
andt
hedar
knessi
nit
?

Woul
dyoubeabl
etof
ighti
t?

Iexhal
eddeepl
yandr
est
edmyhandonherhai
r.

Wel
l
,onet
hingwasf
orsur
e-Iwant
edher
.

Butthequest
ionwas-woul
dshebeabl
eto
handlemydarkhear
t?
Ileanedf
orwar
dandpeckedherhai
rbef
ore
turni
ngofft
heli
ght
s.
*
*
TBC
Awwn

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode3
By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Iy
awnedoutofsl
eepandf
oundmy
sel
fst
il
l
l
yi
ngonthebed.

Hmm.Ist r
etchedandt
hatwaswheni
t
occurr
edtome-Iwasactual
lyt
heonl
yoneon
thebed.

Wher
e'sMi
quel
?Wher
edi
dhesl
eepl
astni
ght
?
Hmph.Icoul
dn'
tev
enr
ememberany
thi
ng.

Isatuponthebedandthoughtf
orawhi
l
e.I
neededtogoforcl
asses,
huh?

Butwher
e'sMi
quel
?
Ist
oodupandwentint
othebat
hroom t
obr
ush
myteet
h.WhatdoIeveneat
?

Ideci
dedtosor
tsomethi
ngoutintheki
tchen
andgett
ingt
her
e,Iwasshockedtofi
ndMi quel
.

Whaaaat
???

He'
sbeenher
eal
lal
ong?
??

Het
urnedt
ogi
vem ast
are.

"hey
"hehushedandt
urnedbackt
owhathe
wasdoi
ng.
Icl
osedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n.

"
Goodmor
ning"
,Isai
dwithashysmi
leasIgot
t
owher
ehewasandst oodbesi
dehi
m.

Hewasmaki
ngscr
ambl
edeggs.

"
Goodmor ni
ng,
beaut
y.Howwasy ourni
ght
?"
HeaskedandIfel
tmycheekst
urnred.

Di
dhej
ust
..
..

Di
dhej
ustcal
lmebeaut
y??
?

"
Areyouser
iousl
ybl
ushi
ngbecauseofthat
?"
Heaskedwi
thascoff
,bemusi
ngmet hemor e.
Howdi
dheknowIwasbl
ushi
ng?
Kindl
yHiNovel
sRepubl
icon+2348055889183
onWhatsApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgroup
andgetPDFli
nks
Het
urnedt
olookatmeandIt
wit
ched.

"I
sthatt
hefirstt
imey ou'
reheari
ngt
hatf
rom a
guy?"Heasked,star
ingdi
rectl
yatme.

"What??Of.
..
.Ofcourse,not.Ihadalotofboys
that
'sbeencrushi
ngonmebackt heninschool
.
Iwasaqueen, youknow? "Iroll
edmyey esand
l
eanedont hecounter.

"
Real
l
y?"Het
urnedbackt
otheeggs.
"
So,
youdat
edal
otofboy
s,t
hen?
"

"Huh??Ofcourse, Idi
dn'
t.Actual
ly,Iusual
lygot
angrywhenboy schaseaf t
ermeandmaj ori
ty
ofthem backthent endt
oav oidmei nschool.
Onlythedeter
mi nedonesper si
sted"Irepli
ed.

"So.
..
..
you'
ret
ryi
ngt
osayy
ouscar
eboy
s?"He
asked.

"Wel
l,
yes.I
'
m actual
lyast
ubbor
nlady,you
know?AndI'
m notscar
edofanyone.Ij
ust
..
..
"

"Butyou'
rescaredofme?"Helookedatmeand
askedandIfeltmyheartski
p.

Gosh!Doesher
eal
l
yhav
etopoi
ntoutt
hef
act
t
hathe'
smyweakness?
??

Ibi
tmyl i
psandst
areddownatthetabl
eandhe
chuckl
edandcont
inuedwi
ththeeggs.

"Gogett
hebreadf
rom t
hef
ri
dge"hesai
dandI
qui
ckl
ylef
ttogeti
t.

Hmm.Abi
gcol
dloaf
.

Heturnedoffthegas,
pouredthescr
ambled
eggsintoaplateandweleftf
orther
oom toeat
aft
erwards.
*
*
Naomi
'
sPov
:
"
Ser
iousl
yNaomi
?Yout
hinkwe'
rebet
ray
ers?
"
Natal
i
easkedasi
stoodi
nther
oom wi
thal
l
t
hreeoft
hem.

"
Thehel
l
, y
es.Oneorallofyoubetrayedme.
Howel
sedidMiquelgettoknowaboutt hepl
an?
Washetol
dbyaghostorwhat ??"Isnappedat
t
hem.
"I
'm..
.I
'mreall
ysorryaboutt
hat
,Naomi.Butone
thi
ng'sforsur
e-Ihadnot hi
ngt
odowi t
hit.I
'd
neverbetrayyou,
Naomi "I
vyal
sosai
dandI
rol
ledmyey es.

"Samehere,
Naomi.I
'
dnev
erbet
rayy
ou"-
chippedi
nBett
y.

If
ist
edmyhandandmov
edcl
osert
othem.

"
Onet
hing'
sforsur
e"i
sai
d.
"
Thetrai
tor
'sri
ghthere-star
ingatme.AndI
wantyoutoknowt hi
s.I
'l
ldefi
nitel
yfi
shyouout.
AndonceIdo,you'r
edead.Iswearwi t
hmyl i
fe,
I
'l
lki
ll
you"Ithr
eatenedandwal kedoutonthem.
*
*
Der
ek'
sPov
:
Idr
ovethr
oughthemagi
cport
alandfound
mysel
finasecl
udedar
eaint
heinst
it
ute.

Thewhi
teDi
ãmôndsi
nst
it
ute!
!

Yes.Imadei
t.

Ist
oodupfr
om thef
loorwher
eI'
dlandedand
l
ookedar
ound.
Justi
ncaseyou'
rewonder
ing,
I'
m Der
ek,
theguy
sentbyMykelt
ogetCali
.

Travel
ingthr
oughmagicpor
talsi
sarar
egif
tI
posses.Andasamatteroffact
,Iwast
heonly
onewithsuchgif
tint
heBlackDiãmônd
i
nsti
tute.

Icouldmakeport
alst
otakemeany wherei
nt he
worldwit
houthav
ingtopasst
hroughthegate.

Ihel
dmybagpr
oper
lyandst
art
edwal
ki
ng.

Ineededtoacqui
remytar
get
.Thebosshad
onlygi
venmeashortti
me.Where'
sthe
banshee?
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Aft
ereat
ingwi
thMiquel,It
ookmybat hand
whil
eint
heshower,Ikeptpray
inghedoesn'
t
comeinli
kehedi
dlastnight.

Imean,it
'swei
rdstay
ingwithaguywhocould
openl
ockeddoorsevenwithoutt
ouchingt
hem.
Ij
ustfeell
ikeI
'
m complet
elyvul
nerabl
etohim.

Isuccessful
lytookmybathwit
houtany
i
nterr
uptions,dri
edmybodywithatoweland
putonmycl ot
hesri
ghtt
here.

Per
fect
.

Then,
Iret
urnedt
other
oom andf
oundhi
m
wor
kingonsomepaper
s.

Iwal
kedcl
oser
,buthedi
dn'
tl
if
thi
sheadt
olook
atme.

"
Um..
..
I'
ll
beleav
ingnow"It
oldhi
m andheshot
meaglance.

"
Okay,t
hen.Haveani
ceti
me"hesai
dand
f
ocusedonthepaper
s.

Whatwashedoi
ngany
way
?

Ipi
ckedupmybagandl
eft
.
*
*
Igotoutoft
heapar
tmentandst
art
edt
owar
ds
thel
ectur
ehall
.

HowwouldIbeabl
et omeetNi
naandDi ane?
Coul
dtheybei
nthelect
urehal
lal
ready
?

Isighedandcontinuedwalki
ngany
wayand
decidedtobeguil
et hemomentwit
hbl
issf
ul
thoughtsofMiquelandI.

Ir
ememberedhowheki
ssedandt
ouchedme
l
astni
ght
.
Gosh!
!Thatguywasr
eal
l
yal
overboy
.

Icoul
dimagi
nehowhe'
dbei
n..
.bed.

Oh!Cal
i
!!!Whatam Iev
ent
hinki
ng?
Geez?
!!

Ismi
ledandj
ustthen,
gotst
oppedbyaguy
whostoodi
nfrontofme.

Huh?Who'
she?

Il
ookedathi
shandanddi
scov
eredhehadso
manytat
toosoni
t.

ButIwasabl
etof
igur
eoutanamef
rom t
he
tat
toos:

"
Der
ek"
"
Doyouneedsomet
hing?
"Iaskedhi
m si
ncehe
wasst
andi
ngonmyway .
*
*
TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode4

By
:Fai
thLucky
 Cal
i
'sPov
:
"
Doyouneedsomet
hing?
"Iaskedhim si
ncehe
wasst
andi
ngonmywayandhej ustsmil
ed.

"
You'
reCal
i
,ri
ght
?"HeaskedbutIdi
dn'
trepl
y.

Then,It
riedtoseei
fIcoul
dreadhi
sthoughts
whichwer eki
ndahar
d,butj
ustt
hen,someone
di
stract
edme.

"Cal
i
!!"Iheardmynameandt
urnedt
oseeNi
na
andDi anerunni
ngt
owar
dsme.

Ah!Per
fect
.

"
Sorr
yfort
heinconv
eni
ence,miss.Iactual
l
y
want
edtoaskyouaquest
ion,butdon'tbot
her
.
I
'l
lj
ustfi
ndmyway"hesaidandlef
tinahur
ry
befor
eNinaandDi
anecoul
darri
ve.

"
Hey,Wat
'sup?
"Theyaskedwhent
heygott
o
wher
eIwas.

"Whowasthat
?"Di
aneasked,st
ari
ngatt
he
dir
ect
iont
heboyhadtaken.

"Uh..
.Ihav
enoi dea.Hejustbumpedi ntome
andaskedsomesi l
lyquesti
ons"Ir
epliedwi
tha
shrugandf oramoment ,wewer esi
lent.

"So,youreal
lysl
epti
nMiquel
'sr
oom?"Di
ane
asked,herri
ghthandonherwai
st.

Gosh!Notagai
n.
"
Wel
l
..y
es"Ir
oll
edmyey
es.

"Whatthehell
happened,
Cal
i?How'
reyou
suddenlycl
osetoMiquel
?Comeon,tel
lus
aboutit
".

"
Notnow,okay?Wehavecl
assestoatt
end"I
r
epl
iedandtr
iedwal
ki
ngaway,butshepull
ed
meback.

"
Hel
l
,no!We'
regoi
ngnowhereunti
lyoutel
lus
t
het
rut
h"sheper
sist
edandNinachuckl
ed.

"Okay;
fine!Fine!Heaskedmet
ostaywithhi
m,
okay?Hej ustneedssomecompany"Ir
oll
edmy
eyesandf oldedmyhands.
Wel
l
, Miquel
wasonespeci
alper
sonandIknew
i
tmightbeawkwar
dtel
li
ngsomeoneheli
kes
me.

"Heaskedyoutost
aywi
thhi
m?"Ni
naaskedi
n
hert
inyvoi
ce.

"Whatdi
dy oudotohim,Cali
?Imean.
..
.why
wouldMiquelwanty
out ostaywi
thhi
m?Mi quel
ofall
people?Doyouevenknowwhatyou'r
e
tal
ki
ngabout?"Di
aneinqui
red.

Gosh!Howthenwoul
dshereacti
fsheget
sto
knowhekissedandt
ouchedmelastni
ght
??

"Wel
l.
..
let
'sj
ustsaywegr ewfondofeachot
her
andbecamef r
iends.Af
teral
l
,miracl
es
happens"Ishruggedandstar
tedwalkingaway
andthankful
ly
, t
heydidn'
tst
opmet histi
me
around.

Theyfol
l
owedmebehi
ndandwegott
othe
l
ectur
ehall
aft
eral
ongwal
k.

"
Yousti
l
lhavealott
otel
lus,
,
Cali
"Diane
whi
sper
edtomeaswet ookourseatsandIj
ust
r
oll
edmyeyes.

What
ever
.

Everyoneset
tl
edi
ncl
assandsoon,
thel
ect
urer
walkedin.

"
Goodmor
ning,
Diãmônds"hegr
eet
edi
nthe
usual
language.

"
Goodmor
ning,
sir
"fewoft
hem mumbl
eda
r
epl
y.

Wel
l
,Iwasamongt
hel
ot.

"So,befor
ewecommencet oday'
scl
asses,I
'd
l
iketopassani mport
antannouncement,
just
l
ikeev er
yotherl
ect
urerwoulddotothei
r
studentsaswell
.

"
There'
sanimportantmi
ssi
ononground-and
i
t'
sactual
l
ygoingtobethebi
ggestmissi
on
we'
vehadinyears.

"
We'
l
lbef
aci
ngourenemi
es-TheBl
ack
Di
ãmônds-andthere'
l
l beaphysi
calcombat.
Aswespeak,
they'
realsomakingprepar
ati
ons
aswel
l
.

"Befor
etheendoft heday ,alistwil
lbeout-a
l
istofthepeoplerequiredforthemi ssion.The
gif
tswe'l
l needi
ngwi l
lbelist
edoutandi fyou
knowy oupossessanyoft hegift
s,y ou'r
et o
presentyoursel
ftothedirectorsimmedi atel
yso
youcancommencey ourtrai
ningtomor row.

"Wehopef orthebestandi
fwewor ktoget
her
,
we'r
edefini
tel
ygoingtowin.Ar
ethereany
questi
ons?"Heconcluded,
butthecl
ass
remainedsil
ent.

"Okay.I
ftherear
enoquest
ions,
wecan
proceed.
..
..
"
Hm.So,
we'
l
lbegoi
ngf
oranot
hermi
ssi
on?

Andwit
hthewayhesounds,
itseemst
obea
real
l
ybi
gmissi
on.

Whatcoul
ditbeal
labout
?
*
*
Aft
erthest
renuousclasses,
Diane,Ni
naandI
deci
dedtohavelunchinthecafe.

"IwishIgetchosenfort
henextmi
ssi
on"Di
ane
saidasweset t
leddownwit
hourmeals.

"Huh?Youwishtobechosenf
orsomet
hing
danger
ous?
"Irecoi
led.
"Well
,
,yes.Iact
ual
lyl
ovetasks-especi
all
y
dangerousones.Il
ovemakinguseofmy
powers"shesaidhappi
l
yandcl appedherhands.

Hm.

Ni
nadi
dn'
tsayawor
dandweal
lbeganeat
ing.

Af
terawhi
le,
Ibecamepressedandexcused
mysel
ftot
herest
room.
*
Iexhal
eddeeplyasIsatonthet
oil
etseatand
rel
easedt
heliqui
dcontentf
rom myhoneypot.

Iplacedmyhandonmychi
nandsuddenl
y
thoughtofMi
quel
.
Atsomeextent
,If
eltl
uckybei
ngcl
oset
ohi
m-
real
l
ylucky
.

Irecal
lhowev er
yonef
earedhi
m.Howhe'
s
beingrespect
edandworshi
ppedl
i
keagod.

AndIcouldn'
tbel
iev
et hatwast
hesameguy
thatki
ssedmelastnight.

Atsomepoi
nt,
Ifel
tit
'dbeanhonorgi
vi
nghi
m
my..
..
..
..

Gosh!Cal
i
!Whati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?

Isl
appedmyheadandl
aughed.
Buttobesi
ncere,Ireal
lyenj
oyedhowhe'
d
touchedmelastnight.
I
twasso.
..
..
..
Icoul
dn'
texpl
aini
t.

Aft
erawhile,
Ist
oodup, f
ixedmydr
essand
cameoutoftheroom t
omakeuseofthe
washbasi
n.

AsIstoodinf
rontoft
hemir
ror,washi
ngmy
handsundert
herunni
ngwater
,Isuddenl
ysaw
animagebehi
ndme.

Huh?

Ifl
inchedandtur
nedt
odiscoveri
twastheboy
fr
om earli
er-t
heonewit
hat at
tooed*
Derek*on
hi
shand.

"
You?
?"Ical
l
edout
.
What'
shedoi
ngher
e??
?Int
hef
emal
e
r
estr
oom??

Andt
hinki
ngofi
t,Idon'
tthi
nkt
her
ewasany
one
el
sear
ound.

"What'
reyoudoi
ngher
e?"Iasked,
sur
pri
sedand
hestar
tedcomingt
owardsme.

Okay
..
..
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hisi
snor
mal
.

"
Idon'
twannahur
tyou"hesai
dhuski
l
y.
"
So,
justcomplyandgivemey ourhandandi
na
f
ewseconds,we'
llbeoutofhere"
.
What
???

Hest
ret
chedouthi
spal
mtome.

"Wh.
..
What'
reyoutal
ki
ngabout
?Whyshoul
dI
gowit
hyou?"Iaskedwi
thanal
armedl
ook.

"Whenwegett her
e,y
ou'l
lknow.Butfornow,
we
needtoleav
e"heinsi
stedandstr
etchedoutt
he
handthemor e.

Ist
aredathi
mforawhi
l
ewi
thoutsay
ingawor
d.

"I
'
m noti
nter
ested"Ist
atedblunt
lyandtr
ied
walki
ngaway,
,butj
ustli
keI'
dexpected,
he
gri
ppedmyhand.
Andusi
ngmysurvi
vali
nst
inct
s,Iki
ckedhi
m
har
dinthel
egassoonasItur
ned.

Hol
yMol
l
y!Hedi
dn'
tev
enmov
eorf
reak.

Theki
ckdi
dn'
thav
eanyef
fectonhi
m.

Myey eswidenedi
nshockasitoccurr
edtome
andItri
edscreami
ngathimimmedi at
ely
,but
heslappedmehardonthecheek,makingme
rol
lonthefloor
.

Whaaaaat
???
?

Igaspedandcr
awledbackwar
dswhenI
regai
nedmysel
f.
"
Stayawayf
rom me!
!!
"Iy
ell
edout
.

Butmyvoicewasali
tt
leweakandhejust
movedbackabitandwasuponhisfeetagai
n
wit
hinaf
ewseconds.

Hewasi
nthedi
recti
onoft
hedoorandIknew
t
her
ewasnowayI '
dbeabl
etorunout
.

If
eltsoscar
ed.Whowashe?Andwhywashe
sobentontaki
ngmeaway?

It
ri
edscr
eamingagai
n,buthenot
icedand
ki
ckedmeacr
osstheface.

OhmyGod!
!!
Ispatoutbl
ood.

Ahh!
!

If
eltashar
ppai
nonmycheekast
ear
sfi
l
led
myeyes.

What
'sgoi
ngon?

"Don'
tl
etusdot hi
sthehar
dway,
,Cal
i
"hesai
d
ashebroughtoutaknif
efr
om hi
spocket
.

OhmyGod!
!!

"You'
v ealr
eadychosenthehar
dway "Isuddenl
y
heardacol dvoi
ce-av oi
cewhichwasdiffer
ent
from his.
I
tdi
dn'
tcomef
rom hi
m;
I
tcamefrom someoneelse-someoneI
'
dnev
er
f
orgett
hesoundofhisvoice!

Wher
e'she?
!?

Heshowedupatt
hedoori
mmedi
atel
yandmy
hear
tski
pped.

Mi
quel
!!
!!
!
*
*
TBC
Awwn
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode5

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ifel
tmyhear
tbeatr
api
dlyasMi
quel
stoodby
thedoor
.

TheDer
ekguyinfr
ontofmehadalr
eadytur
ned
tol
ookathi
m andInot
icedal
i
ttl
efl
inchi
nhis
ey
es.

What
'sMi
quel
doi
ngher
e?

Imean.
.howdi
dhef
indme?
Howdi
dheknowIwasher
eandi
ndanger
?

Icoul
dseet
hedarkshadeofangerall
around
hisey
esashest
aredatme,thenattheDerek.

TheDerekguychargedathim wi
ththekni
fe
andtr
iedtoat
tack,buthe'
dbarel
ygottencl
ose
whenhesuddenlystoppedandfel
lonhisknees.

Withtheknif
estil
li
nhishands,hest
art
ed
coughing,
whileMiquel
justst
oodatthedoor
andstaredathim.
OhmyGod!
Thesightwassohor
ri
bleandIwasst
il
lsi
tt
ing
onthefloor
.

TheDerekguycoughedprof
usel
yandinno
ti
me,thefl
oori
nfrontofhi
m wasal
ready
cover
edinhisbl
ood.

Hewascoughi
ngoutbl
oodandev
enhi
snose
wasbl
eedi
ngaswell
.

Geez!What
'sMi
quel
doi
ngt
ohi
m?

Miquel
lef
tthedoorandst
art
edgoi
ngcl
osert
o
hi
m.
"Youmadeahugemist
akecominghere"he
stat
edcalml
yandt
ookthekni
feeff
ort
lessl
y
from hi
m.

"Worstmist
akeofy
ourli
fe"headdedand
stabbedhimint
hechestwit
htheknif
e.

"
Ahhhhh"Iscr
eamedi
nfr
ightandshock.

OhmyGod!

No;
no.

Myhandsandlegswer
ehuddl
edt
oget
heras
pi
nnedmysel
ftothewal
l.

TheDer
ekguygr
oanedi
npai
nsbutcoul
dn'
tfal
l
andst
il
lremai
nedonhi
sknees.

Miquelr
emovedthekni
feandstabbedhim
agai
nandthi
stimearound,
hefellf
latonthe
fl
oor.

Myeyesdil
atedi
nshockasitdawnedonme-I
wasabouttowit
nessdeat
h.

Miquel
droppedtoacrouchi
nfrontofhi
shalf-
deadbodyandli
ft
edtheknif
etostabhim agai
n.

"Miquel,
don'
t"Isai
dinashakyvoi
ceandhe
suspendedhi
shandi nmi
dairandl
ookedatme.

Butatt
hatmoment,Icoul
dseesomethi
ngel
se
i
nhiseyes-at
err
if
yinglookI
'
dneverseen
bef
ore.

Heloweredhi
sgazetot
heDer ekonthef
loor
andlandedt
hekni
feonhischestagai
n.

Iwincedi
nfearashecont
inuedst
abbi
nghi
m
repeat
edl
y.

I
tmademyhandsandl
egsshi
ver
.

"Mi
quel
..
..
Miquel
"Ical
l
edi
nashakyv
oice,
but
hedi
dn'
tli
sten.

Hegavehim somanyst
abs,
evenwhenhewas
al
readydead.

Igotupweakl
yandmanagedt
owal
ktowher
e
hewas.

"Mi
quel.
..
.Mi
quel.
..
stopit
.Pl
ease"Iwhi
mper
ed
andtr
iedhol
dinghishand.

Whywashedoi
ngt
his?I
'
dnev
erseenhi
min
t
hisst
ate.

"Miquel
..
"Ical
l
edoutandhel
dhi
shandbuthe
pushedmeaway .

"
Don'tt
ouchme,Cal
i!
"Heroaredwit
hsomuch
r
ancourinhi
svoi
ceandIgasped.

OhmyGod!

Then,
justasi
fsomet
hinghadl
andedonhi
m,
hesuddenl
ybecamecal
m.

Hi
shandsandfacehadal
readybeencov
ered
wi
thbloodandIf
oundmyentir
esystems
t
urni
ng.
Mylegsbecametooheav
ythatIf
eltImi
ghtf
all
atanymoment.

Mi
quel
..
..
.whathappenedt
ohi
m?

Thekni
fef
ellf
rom hi
shandsashest
oodup
sl
owlyf
rom onfeet
.Hecoul
dseehowter
ri
fi
edi
was.

Andwit
houtsay
ingawor
d,her
anoutoft
he
room.
*
*
IweptasIsatwi
thNinaandDi
anewhower
e
tr
yingsohar
dtoconsoleme.

"Comeon, Cal
i.Ther
e'snoneedforthi
s.You'r
e
safenow,ri
ght?Andthat'
sthemostI mport
ant
thi
ng"DianesaidbutIdi
dn'
tli
stenand
conti
nuedcryi
ng.

Atthatmoment
,Idi
dn'
texact
lyknowwhyIwas
cr
ying.

WasitbecauseIwasbeatenupandalmostgot
ki
dnapped?OrbecauseIwit
nesseddeat
h?

Orbecauseofthedar
knessI'dseeninMi
quel
whenhestabbedDerekrepeatedl
y?
Gosh!Mi
quel
..
.

Thelookwassot
err
if
yingandIcouldn'
tbeli
eve
hepushedmeawayevenwhenItriedtostop
hi
m.

"Buthowdidsomeonefr
om theBlack
Diãmôndsgetinher
e?Howpossible?"Ni
na
asked,r
efer
ri
ngtonooneinpart
icular

"
Hehasthegi
ftoft
ravel
i
ngthr
oughpor
tal
s"
Di
aner
epli
edandheldmyhand.

"Comeon,Cal
i.Enoughoft
het
ear
s
alr
eady
"".
shecooed.
Thenewswasal
lov
ert
hei
nst
it
uteal
ready
.

*Miquelki
l
ledaBl
ackDi
ãmônd,
def
endi
ngt
he
banshee*

I
twast
het
alkoft
heent
ir
ebui
l
ding.

ButwhatIhadseeninthere,i
twasn'
tj
ust
murder
.Therewassomet hingel
sewhenhe
st
abbedhimrepeatedl
y.

Thevisi
onpl
ayedrepeat
edlyinmyheadandl
eft
meinshockandtears.I
tsuddenl
ymademeso
scar
edofhim.

Justt
hen,
wesawhi
sguar
dscomi
ngt
owar
ds
us.
Wewereact
ual
lyi
naquietar
eaandIwonder
ed
howt
heywereabl
etof
indus.

Orper
haps.
..
.t
heywer
en'
tcomi
ngf
orme.

Butsur
pri
singl
y,t
heyst
oppedi
nfr
ontofus.

"
Hey
,you'
theycal
l
edhuski
l
y.
"
Miquel
want
syoui
nther
oom"
.
*
*
TBC.

THE
 DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode6

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
OhmyGod!
No.

Di
d..
..
DidIj
ustheart
hem cor
rect
ly?

Hewant
stoseeme?
Il
ookedatNinaandDi
anewhower estar
ing
backatmeandsuddenl
ywishedther
ewasa
waytheycoul
dhelpmeoutofthi
s.

Irecal
ledthepr
evi
ousinci
denceandf
eltsoso
scared.I
twasterr
ibl
e.

"Hey!What'
rey
ousti
lldoingther
e?Comeon;
l
et'
sgo"theguardsr
emi ndedandIgul
ped
nerv
ously.

"I
..
..
.Ican't
.Pl
ease.Um..
.Imean,
I'
m busy
"Isai
d
nervouslyandtheyscof
fed.

"
Doesitl
ookli
kewecant akenoforananswer
?
Huh?Comeon,ther
e'snotime"t
heysai
d
i
mpati
entl
yandIfel
tmylegsshake.
Istoodupner
vousl
yandwav
edatNi
naand
Diane.

"We'
llcat
chuplat
er"Dianewhi
sper
edandI
noddedandlef
twiththeguar
ds.
*
*
Ikeptfiddl
ingwit
htheti
pofmyshirtasI
foll
owedt hem t
otheapart
mentandstoodi
n
frontofthedoor.

Theyknockedandhi
scol
dvoi
ceusher
edt
hem
i
n.

I
tsentshi
ver
sdownmyspi
neast
heyopened
t
hedoorandtookmei
n.
OhmyGod!Hewasshi
rt
less.

"
She'
sher
e,boss"t
heyannounced.

Hewasfaci
ngthewar
drobe,
bri
ngi
ngouta
cl
othf
rom i
t.

"Youcanl
eave"hesai
dasusualandtheyl
eft
,
notwit
houtgi
vingmeasuspi
ciousst
are,t
ho.

Il
oweredmygazet
ot hefl
oorasIbecamet
he
onl
yoneint
heroom wit
hhim.

Sti
l
lbacki
ngme,
het
ookoutashi
rtandwor
eit
on.
Oh!NowInot
iced.

Ther
ewasat
rayofcov
eredmeal
ont
hedi
ning.

"Comeon,l
et'
seat
"hesai
dashewal
kedt
othe
dini
ngandt
ookaseat.

What
?
Hel
lno.

"
I'
m..
..
I'
m nothungry
"Irepl
i
edf
eebl
y,keepi
ng
mygazeont hefl
oor.

Then,
itoccur
redt
ome.
Thi
swashowscaredIwast
hef
ir
stt
imeIwas
i
ntheposi
ti
onwi
thhim.
Hesi
ghedanduncov
eredt
hepl
ates.
Themeal
act
ual
l
ylookedpal
atabl
e.

"
Comeon, Cali
.Let
'seat
"hespokecal
mly
,but
wi
thoutl
ookingatme.

Hesoundedsocal
m anddi
ff
erentf
rom t
heguy
I
'dseenawhil
eago.

"I
..
..
Ijustneedsomeair
.Pl
ease,Iwantt
oleave"
Isai
ddr yl
yandturnedt
othedir
ecti
onofthe
door.

"
Cal
i!
!!
"Isuddenl
yhear
dhi
mroarandt
urnedt
o
l
ookathi
m.
OhmyGod!

Hespr
angonhi
sfeetandmat
chedt
owar
dsme.

"
Doy oureal
l
yhavet
odisobeyme??"Heasked
wi
thsomuchangerinhi
sv oi
ceandIfel
t
myselfmovi
ngaway
.

Ishi
ver
edandkeptmov
ingunt
ilIf
eltnyback
hitt
hewal
l.

OhGod!

"
IthoughtIt
oldyoutosit
!!
"Heyel
l
edi
ntomy
f
aceashest oodver
yclosetome.

Icoul
dseehi
sey
esbecomi
ngsor
eredanda
t
earst
rol
l
eddownmycheeks.

What
'shappeni
ngt
ohi
m?

Myl
i
psshookandcoul
dn'
tev
ensayawor
d.

"Pl
ease.
..
.j
ustl
etmego"Ifi
nall
ywhimperedi
na
waveri
ngtoneandr
ighti
nfrontofme,Isawhi
s
eyessoft
ened.

Yes,
Iwi
tnessedi
t.

Hi
sbr
eat
hbecamecal
m andhel
i
ftedhi
shand
t
omyhai
r.

Isawhi
sey
esdr
ooped.
"
I'
m sor
ry"I
tcamei
nawhi
sper-ar
egr
ett
abl
e
v
oice

"
I'
m sor
ry,
Cal
i
.I.
..
Idi
dn'
tmeant
o".

Heclosedhi
sey
esandr
est
edhi
sfor
eheadon
mine.

"
Ican'
tcont
rol
it"hemut
ter
ed.
"
Ican'
t"
.

What
'shet
alki
ngabout
?

Isawhi
m sni
ffandli
fthi
sheadfr
om mi
neandI
sawastr
eamlineofbl
oodfr
om hi
snost
ri
ls.
OhGod!
WhydoIhaveaf
eel
i
ngt
her
e'ssomet
hing
bey
ondthi
s?

"Youcanleav
e"hemumbledandst
art
ed
towardst
hedini
ngbutIf
oundmysel
fgri
ppi
ng
hishand.

"
No"Ishookmyheadnegat
ivel
y.
"
I.
..
.Iwantt
oeat
.I'
m sor
ry"
.

Hestar
edatt
hehandsj
oinedt
oget
herand
si
ghed.

Hedidn'
tsayawordbutproceededtothe
di
ningandIfol
l
owed,al
thoughthefearwasst
il
l
t
her
e.

Buticoul
dnot
icei
t-hedi
dn'
twantt
obel
eft
al
one.
Hecl
ear
lyneededsomeone

Hesatonthedini
ngandIdi
dsame.Andsl
owl
y,
webeganeati
ng..
..
*
Well
,themomentwastotal
l
ysil
entbecausewe
coul
dn'tsayawor
dtoeachother
.

Atapoint
,Inot
icedabl
ooddropf
rom hi
snose
tohi
sfood,makingmefl
inch.

Whywasheupset
?What
'sr
eal
l
ywr
ongwi
th
hi
m?
ThankgoodnessIdi
dn'
tl
eav
e.El
se.
..
.

Onl
yGodknowswhatwoul
d'
vehappened.
*
Af
tereat
ing,Icl
earedt
hetabl
eandr
etur
nedt
o
meethimfacingthewi
ndow.

"Miquel
"Ical
l
edfr
ail
yasist
oodbehindhi
m and
alt
houghhehear
dme, hedi
dn'
ttur
ntolookat
me

"
Are.
..
.Ar
eyouokay
?"Iaskedandsawhi
m si
gh.

"
I'
ll
befi
ne"hemutt
eredandtur
nedar
oundt
o
l
ookatmeandIfel
tmyheartski
p.
Gosh!Thatst
are.

Wewer
enowst
andi
ngv
erycl
oset
oeachot
her
.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
Cal
i
.I'
m sor
ryi
fIscar
edy
ou.Ij
ust
..
..
"
Hepausedandt
ookinadeepbreat
handadr
op
ofbl
oodcamefr
om hisnost
ri
ls.

Ohmy
!

"I
fther
e'ssomethi
ngwrong,
youcantel
lme"
,I
stat
edcalmlybuthedi
dn'
tsayaword.

Then,Isl
owlyli
ft
edmyhandandplacedonhis
cheek.Gosh!I
ttookmealotofner
vestodo
that
.
"
Miquel
"iwhi
sper
ed.
"
I.
..
.Iwantt
ohel
p"

Hesmi
l
edandt
ouchedmyhandonhi
scheek.

"
Thanky
ou"hesai
d.
Andatt
hatmoment
,If
eltmyhear
tbecame
cal
m.
Thef
eari
nmedecr
eased.

Hetr
iedwal
kingawaybutsuddenl
yst
opped
andl
ookedatme.

Andsl
owl
y,her
eachedf
ormyl
i
psandki
ssed
me.
Ohboy
!
Thatenchant
ingki
ss.
Aki
sst
hatcoul
dn'
tbeexpl
ained.

Hepul
ledmecloseashesmoochedt
hel
i
ps
andIf
elthi
m bi
tmytongue.

Weunl
ockedfr
om t
hekissbutIcoul
dseeso
muchdesi
resi
nhi
m -somuchdesperati
on.

Hecuppedmycheeksi
nhi
shandsandt
ookme
gent
lyt
othewal
l.

If
eltmyhear
tbeat
ingr
api
dly
.

"
Iwantyou,
Cali
"hesai
dindeepbr
eat
hswhi
ch
t
ouchedmyface.
"
Iwannagetti
ghtwi
thy
ou.Pl
ease.
..
tel
lme
y
ou'
reready
".

Hereachedformyli
psandki ssedmeso
t
enderl
y-li
kehe'sneverdonebefor
e.

Hedippedhi
shandsi
ntomywai
st,
maki
ngme
shi
ver.

Then,suddenl
yheunl
ockedandstar
edatmei
n
theface,pr
obabl
ywai
ti
ngforananswer
.

Icoul
dn'
tsayawor
dandhel
eftmeandst
art
ed
walki
ngaway.

"
Miquel
"If
oundmy
sel
fcal
l
ingoutt
ome.
Hestoppedandl
ookedatme,
hisey
es
dr
ooping.

Igul
peddr
ylyandf
eltsoner
vous.

Hiseyesbor
edi
ntomi
ne,
sear
chi
ngf
or
answers.

Andi
nashakyt
one,
Irepl
i
ed:

"
I'
mready
".
*
*
TBC.
Ahhh
I
thashappened.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode7

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Icouldseeadif
fer
entl
ooki
nhisey
esashe
star
edatmet hi
sti
mearound.
Heturnedpr
oper
lytofacemeandIf
eltmyl
egs
becomeweakagain.

OhGod!Di
dIr
eal
l
ysayt
hat
?

Hemovedcl
osert
omeandt
ouchedt
het
ipof
myhai
r.

"
Areyousureaboutt
hat
?"HeaskedandIf
ound
mysel
fnoddi
ng.

OrwasIdoi
ngt
hewr
ongt
hing?

Hemov edmeslowl
ytothewallandhel
dmy
cheeks.Icoul
dseethehungr
inessi
nhisey
es
astheyboredint
omine.
Hestaredatmewit
houtsay
ingawordand
slowl
y,pl
acedhi
sli
psonmine-l
iket
hatwas
thefi
rstt
imehewasdoingi
t.

Itr
iedtouchinghim,buthegothol
dofmy
handsandpi nnedthem tot
hewall
,st
il
lki
ssi
ng
mebr eathl
essly
.

Ourtongueswaggl
edandbytheti
mewe
unl
ocked,Iwasgaspi
ngforai
r.

"Miquel
..
"Ical
l
edf
aint
lyasIt
ri
edt
ocat
chmy
breath.

Hel i
ft
edmyhandsandmademewr apthen
aroundhi
sshoul
der
s.Whyhasn'
thetaki
ngme
tothebedyet
?
Hepl
acedhisfor
eheadonmi neasheri
pped
myshi
rtof
f,soeff
ort
lessl
yli
keitwasapieceof
r
ag.
Ir
eleasedal
i
ghtgasp.

Ist
aredi
ntohi
scutef
aceashesenthi
shands
tomybareback,
maki
ngmeshiver
.

Her
eleasedsof
tbr
eathsonmyfaceasreached
f
ort
hehookofmyb* aandunhookedi
t.

Iwav
eredandhenot
iced.

"Ar
ey ouscar
ed?"Heaskedi
nawhi
sperandI
noddedli
ghtl
y.
Hepul
ledtheb*
aoffandtookoneofmyfull
si
zedbre*
stsi
ntohi
shand,fondl
i
ngitabi
t.

Hel
ower
edhi
sfacet
her
eandbi
tmyni
ppl
e.

"Ah"Igaspedl
i
ght
lyasi
tgav
emev
ibr
ati
onsof
shock.

Het
easedt
henippl
ewithhist
onguebefor
e
t
aki
ngthef
ull
sizei
n,sucki
ngandti
ngl
ingit
.

"
Miquel
..
..
."Imoanedhi
snameasIfound
mysel
fgri
ppinghi
sheadtomychest
.

Isentmyfi
ngersi
ntohishai
randt
hrewmy
headbackonthewall
.
What
'shedoi
ng?

OhmyGod!

Heusedhisfr
eehandtoholdt
heotherbre*
st,
r
oll
i
ngthenippl
ewithhi
sthumb,st
il
lfeedi
ngon
t
heother
.

"
Wai
t.
..
."Imumbl
edwhenthepl
easur
ebecame
t
oomuchformetohandl
e.

Itwasdri
vi
ngmecrazyandIdi
dn'
treal
i
zewhen
Iaskedhi
mt owai
t.

Al
though,
Iwasn'
tsur
eImeanti
t.

Het
ookhi
sli
psf
rom myni
ppl
esandl
ookedat
atme.

"ShouldI?"Heaskedwithasmi
rk,
butof
course,Icoul
dn'
trepl
y.
Kindl
yHiNovel
sRepubl
icon+2348055889183
onWhatsApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgroup
andgetPDFli
nks
Her
est
edhisfor
eheadonmi
neagai
nand
mov
edhishandstomywai
st.

OhGod!
Iwassoscar
edoft
hatpar
t.

Heunzi
ppedmytrouserandIgul
pednervousl
y
asIst
aredi
ntohi
sfacewhileheworkedwith
hi
shands.
Heunzi
ppeditandstar
tedpul
l
ingi
tdownandI
f
oundmy sel
fholdi
nghi
mt i
ght.

Thi
swasn'
tthefi
rstti
meIwasgoi
ngt
obe
na*
kedi
nfrontofhim,ri
ght
?
Butst
il
l,
Ifel
tner
vous

Hol
don.
Wewerest
il
lstandi
ng.Whyhasn'
thet
akenme
t
othebedyet
?

Af
tert
akingofft
het
rouser
,hegr
abbedmyas*
wi
thbothhands.

"
Cal
i
"hewhi
sper
edmynamef
ornor
eason.

Hehel
dthet
ipofmyp*
ntandst
art
eddr
aggi
ng
i
tdownaswel
l
.

Asitgott
omyhi
ps,
hesnappedi
tof
f,r
ippi
ngi
t
i
ntotwo.

What
?

Andnow.
..
.Iwasst
arkna*
kedi
nfr
ontofhi
m.

OhGod!

Myhandswerest
il
lwr
appedaroundhim andI
f
oundmy sel
fwi
shi
nghewouldn'
tstar
edownat
mylegs.

Hekissedmetender
lyandIhadnoideahewas
unhooki
nghi
sbeltatthatmoment
.Iwas
engr
ossedi
ntheki
ssanddi
dn'
tnot
ice.

Heonlybroket
heki
sswhenit
'dgot
tentohi
s
l
egsandmyey eswi
denedi
nshock,seei
nghe
wastaki
ngitof
f.

OhmyGod!

Cal
i
.

Myey
esgl
ancedathi
s..
..
AndIf
li
nchedwhenIsawsomet
hingl
i
kear
od,
bei
ngpoi
ntedatme.

Icr
ingedandt
ookmyey
esawayi
mmedi
atel
y.
"Doyouwantmetost
op?
",heaskedashelif
ted
myr i
ghtl
egsl
owl
yandwrappedthem ar
ound
his.

Hol
don.
..
don'
ttel
lmehewant
sust
o..
..

"
Idon'
tknow"Isai
dsi
l
ent
ly.
Yes,
sil
ent
lycauseIcoul
dbar
elyhearmy
sel
f.

Hescof
fedandmadesur
emyl
egwaspr
oper
ly
wr
appedaroundhi
s.

"
Why '
rey
oust
il
lav*r
gin?"Heaskedashe
t
easedmyvwithhi
sc*ck.
OhmyGod!
Icoul
dfeelhi
m pr
essi
ngi
thar
dagai
nstmy
entr
ance.
"Di
dn'
tyouhaveaboy
fri
end?
"HeaddedandI
shookmyhead.

"
Idi
d"Ir
epl
i
edwhi
sper
ingl
y.
Wel
l
,sowashe.

"Andhewastoobor
ingt
ohaves*xwithy
ou?"
Heaskedandthi
sti
mearound,
Ifel
tthet
ipof
hisc*
ckgoint
omeabi t
.
If
li
nchedandhepul
l
edout

"Thatwast
hereasonwe..
..
webrokeup"I
stut
ter
edandgulpedner
vousl
y.
Mybrowswer
eal
readybegi
nni
ngt
oar
chi
n
pai
ns.
Hemov edtheti
pofhi
sc* cki
ntomeagai
nand
pul
ledoutandIhadnoideawhathewasdoi
ng,
butitwashur
ti
ngli
kehell
.

"
What'
syoursur
name? "Heaskedanddespi
te
t
hefacti
twasri
dicul
ous,Ist
il
lanswer
edhim at
t
hatmoment.

"Jenner
"Isai
dinawaver
edvoi
ceandhe
pushedthed*cki
ntomeagai
n.

Thi
sti
mearound,i
twasn'
tj
ustt
het
ipandhe
di
dn'
tpul
loutasusual
.

"
Hah!
"Iwi
ncedashef
orcedi
tint
ome.

"
OhmyGod!
Nooo!
"

Wi
thhishandonmyhair,
heleanedhisheadon
myshoul
derandpushedhimsel
fint
ome.

Mylegsshookandbecameext
remel
yweakbut
Idi
scover
edIcoul
dn'
tbri
ngi
tdown.

"
You'r
ehurt
ingme"Icri
edandpi
ercedmy
f
inger
sint
ohisshoul
ders.

Ij
ustneededsomet
hingt
ocl
enchont
o.

"
Please.
..
"Iwhi
mper
ed.
Whywasn'
thel
i
steni
ngt
ome?
Hedippedhishandsintomywai standgrunt
ed
ali
tt
leashef i
nal
lysucceededinpushing
ev
erythi
ngintomytighthurt
ingp**sy.
"
Argh!
"Iy
elpedast
hepai
nsdr
ovemewi
l
d.

Myf
inger
spi
erceddeepi
ntohi
sski
nasIwept
.

"
Please.
..
.st
op"Iwhi
mper
ed.
I
twashur
ti
ngl
i
kehel
l
.

If
eltmyvexpandashi
ssi
zer
est
edi
nme.
I
twassodeepandpai
nful
.

"Doyouremembert hefi
rstt
imeyousawme? "
Heli
ftedhisheadfr
om myshoulderandasked
andIjustnoddedpainf
ull
y.
Hewasn'
tmov
ing,
butj
ustl
efthi
sd*
ckst
ucki
n
me.

"Real
ly?Wher
ewasi
t?"Heaskedashehel
dmy
cheeks.

"
Atthe.
..
..
caf
eter
ia"Ist
ruggl
edt
osay
,tear
s
r
oll
i
ngdownmycheeks.

Het
ouchedmyl
i
psandki
ssedt
hem.

OhGod!
Myl
egswer
ehur
ti
ng.
Myl
egs,
wai
st.
..
ever
ythi
ng.

"Whatdoy oul
i
keaboutme?
"HeaskedbutI
didn'
trepl
y.
"
Huh?
"Her
epeat
edandIwhi
mper
ed.
Ifoundi
tsodi
ff
icul
tbr
eat
hing.Iwasext
remel
y
hurt.

"Your.
..
.ey
es,
l.
..
li
ps,
ta.
..
tt
oo"i
shi
ver
edandhe
smiled.

Heplacedhishandsonthewall
besi
demeand
madeasl i
ghtmov ementwi
thhi
sd*ckandI
scr
eamed.

"
Arghh"Il
i
ftedmyheadandcr
iedout
.
"
You'
rehur
ti
ngme"
.

"I
'
m sorr
y"hewhi
sper
edi
ntomyear
sand
pouncedint
ome.
"
Nooo"Ishr
iekedandsuddenl
ywishedt
her
e
wasawayIcouldmoveawayf r
om him.
Butunf
ort
unat
ely
,ther
ewasn'
t.

Myri
ghtl
egwasstil
lwrappedaroundhi
m andI
f
ounditi
mpossi
blebri
ngingi
tdown.

Mywai
stwashur
ti
ngl
i
kehel
l
.
Whati
shedoi
ngt
ome?

Hemovedhi
sd*ckbackandpouncedint
ome
agai
nandt
hist
imearound,
Ifel
tthehy
mencut
.

"Arghhhhhhhhhhhh"Iletoutasharpscr
eam
thatcouldprobablybeheardifsomeonewas
aroundthear ea.
I
twascr
azy-t
hepai
ns.

Iopenedmymout
hinshockandcoul
dn'
tcl
ose
them.

Myf i
nger
sboreddeeperi
ntohi
sskint
hathe
star
tedbl
eedi
ng.Atthatmoment,
Ifel
tIwas
gonnapassout.

Ihuggedhim sot
ight
,If
ear
edImightsqueeze
theli
feoutofhi
m.Andhedidn'
tmove.

"Letmego!!
!"Icr
iedoutasIhuggedhimtight
,
tryi
ngsohar
dt obeartheexcr
uciat
ingpai
ns,
butcoul
dn'
t.
Mytoeswereshaki
ngandsoon,
Ifel
tdr
opl
ets
ofacol
dli
quidonmyleg.

Il
ookedandsawthebloodrunni
ngdownmy
l
egs,ontohi
saswell
-likeIwashav
inga
miscar
ri
ageorsomethi
ng.

"
OhmyGod!Ithur
ts.
..
..
Please.
..
.No"I
whi
mper
edfordearl
if
e.

Hejustr
estedhi
sheadonmyshoulder
sand
di
dn'tmoveandIwonder
edifhewasawar
e
howbadlyIwashur
ti
nghisski
n.

"
Please"Icont
inuedcr
ying,
myt
ear
sdr
oppi
ng
f
reelyonhisback.
OhmyGod!Ishoul
dn'
thav
eagr
eedt
othi
sin
t
hefi
rstpl
ace.

No.
..
..

"I
'
m sorr
y"Ihear
dhi
m whi
spersof
tl
yint
omy
ears.
"
It
sgonnabeal
lov
ersoon.Ipr
omi
se"

Ishutmyey
esasIf
elthi
m mov
einmyV.

"Justt
akeinadeepbr
eat
h,okay
?Takei
na
deepbreat
h"hehel
dmycheeksandsai
d.

"
Ican'
t"Ishookmyheadv
igor
ousl
y.
"
Ican'
tbr
eat
he"
.
"Yes,y
oucan,
Cali
.Youcan"heassur
edmeand
Igri
ppedhi
mt i
ght
.

It
ri
eddoingwhathesai
dtoseeifi
tcoul
d
l
essent
hepain,buti
tdi
dn'
twork.

If
eltl
i
kepassi
ngoutaf
teraheav
ycr
y.

"
Please,
ithur
ts"Isni
ff
led.

Hehel
dmywaistandpouncedi
ntomeand
scr
eamedagai
n.

"
Ahh"
.
Ishutmyeyesandl
eanedont
hewal
lashe
heldmyhi
psandf**
kedme-taki
ngi
tsl
owand
gentl
e.
Butnomatt
erhowgent
lehewas,
Ist
il
lfel
tli
ke
runni
ngmadduetot
hepains.

"
Oh.
..
.!Pl
ease.
..
..
Hah.
..
.!
"

Imoanedpai
nful
l
yashedr
il
ledi
ntome.

Hesuddenl
yst
opped,
butdi
dn'
tpul
lout
.

Justhel
dmyhai
randr
emai
nedst
ucki
nme.

Gosh!I
fonl
yhecouldpermitmetogoonmy
knees,
I'
dhavedoneso,beggi
nghi
mt ost
op
Inev
erexpect
edi
ttobet
hispai
nful
.

"
I'
mt hef
ir
stguytocauseyousuchpai
n,huh?
"
Heaskedsoft
ly,
butal
lIcoul
ddowaswhi mper
whi
lehol
dinghimti
ght.

"
From t
hisday
,Cal
iJenner
..
..
You'
remi
ne"
.

Myeyeswidenedatthelastst
atementandf
ora
whi
l
e,Idi
dn'tpayat
tenti
ont ot
hepains.

Buthemov edi
ntomeandsnappedmeoutof
wonder
land,maki
ngmemoanmor ethanev
er.

"
Miquel.
..
.Pl
ease!
"Icr
iedasIf
elthi
sbi
gd*
ck
t
rustt
hoandf roi
nmyt i
ghtar
ea.
I
twassohur
tful
,If
eltIwasi
nlabor
.

"
Argh.
..
.!

"
Ohpl
ease.
..
.!

"
Justwai
t.
..
.

"
Please.
..
.st
opi
t

"
Oh.
..
.!
"

Mymoansfil
l
edtheent
ir
eroom andaf
tera
whi
l
e,If
ell
intohi
sarmsandpassedout.
*
*
TBC.
Awwn
PoorCal
i
.

Thi
sMi
quel
'
stact
ics
Pl
ease,
whi
chst
atei
shef
rom?

.
THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
 Epi
sode8

By
:Fai
thLucky

Naomi
'
sPov
:
Ismil
edasIwalkedi
ntot
her
oom andmethi
m
onthebed-Zack.

Hesatwi
thhi
slegscr
ossedanddr
ankf
rom hi
s
bot
tl
e

"
Naomi
"hebeamed
"
Whatapl
easantsur
pri
se.
Alt
hough,I
'
dal
readyi
nfor
medhi
m ofmy
coming.
"Yes,
yes,
yes.Doyouwantmetoleave?
"I
askedaswalkedcl
osert
ohi
m -st
y l
i
shly
.

"Ofcourse,
not
.Youknowy ou'
real
ways
welcomed,Naomi"hechuckl
edanddr
ankf
rom
hisbott
le.

Hmm.

Igott
owherehewasandt
ookt
hebot
tl
efr
om
hi
m -sl
owl
y.

HewatchedmeasIteasedtheheadwi
thmy
t
onguebefor
edr
inki
ngfrom it
.

Hmm
Hegul
pedhar
d.

"So.
.t
owhatdoIowet hispleasur
e,Naomi
?
Why '
reyouhere?
"HeaskedandIchuckledand
keptthebot
tleonthef
loor.

"
Act
ual
l
y..
."Ismi
l
ed.
"
Ijustwant
edust
oseal
ali
tt
ledeal
".

Il
i
ftedmyhandtothet
ipofmyl
i
ghtt
opand
st
artedpul
l
ingi
tdown.
.

"Whatdeal
?"Heaskedcur
iouslyandIsmi
led
becauseIwasget
ti
nghim exactl
ywhereI
wanted.

"
Hey
,rel
axokay
?Fi
rstt
hingsf
ir
st"Ir
epl
i
edasI
pul
l
eddownt
heshi
rt
,exposi
ngmyb*
a

"Andthefi
rstt
hingf
ornowi
sgi
vi
ngy
oual
i
ttl
e
pleasur
e".
Igrabbedhi
sfaceandki
ssedhi
m andalr
eady
becominghard,
hetur
nedmeov eront
hebed.
*
*
*
Mi
quel
'
sPov
:
Il
eanedonthechai
rasIwatchedhersleep
peacef
ull
yonthebed,
looki
ngsoinnocentand
pret
ty.

Apartofherl
onghairf
loppedoverherf
aceand
Il
efti
tthatwaycauseIl
ikedi
t.
Recall
i
nghowshehadheldontomefordear
l
if
ef ewhoursagostr
uckmysyst
em andmade
mehav ethi
scrazyur
getol
oveherwit
hmy
wholebei
ng.

Shewassoscar
edandi
nnocentasshewept
andmoanedmyname.Neverhav
eIf *
*keda
l
adythatgav
emesomuchv i
brat
ions-maki
ng
melongformor
e.

Ifel
tli
keturningherov erandfixi
ngmyd* ck
i
ntoheragai n.Butthi
nkingofthepai nsshe
mightprobablybegoi ngthrough,IguessIjust
neededtobepat ient.

Yes,
pat
ience.Sheneedst
oheal
.

Wel
l
,thi
swast
hepr
obl
em.IknewIwoul
dn'
tbe
abl
etost
opi
fIst
art
edi
t.

That'
sthef*
* ki
ngreasonIabstai
nedf
rom s*
x
foryear
snow.Butnotunt i
lshecameint
othe
pict
ureandresurr
ectedtheurge.

Andnow.
..
.al
lIcanf
eel
ishunger
.
*
*
Myphonevi
brat
edonthet
abl
e,snappi
ngme
outofmyt
houghts.

Ir
eachedf
ori
tanddi
scov
eredi
twashi
m.

Wel
l
,I'
dact
ual
l
ybeenexpect
ingt
hat
.
Asmi
rkt
ouchedmyl
i
psasIpi
ckedi
tup.

"Got
tenmypackageal
ready
?"Iaskedandhe
scof
fed.

"
Youhadt
hener
ves,
Miquel
"hegr
owl
ed.
"Youhadt
hener
vest
oki
l
loneofmygems,
huh?"
Hm.Il
ovedt
heangerIhear
dinhi
svoi
ce.

"Youmessedwit
hthewrongper
son,Mykel
.I'
m
sureIwar
nedyou"Isai
dasIwentt
ofacethe
window.

"F*
*kyou,Miquel
!What
'r
eyout
ryi
ngt
opr
ove,
huh?"Hesnapped.
"Youknowme, Mykel.Idon'
tjokewithwhat'
s
mine.Yout ouchherandy oudie.There'
sno
opti
on".Ianswered,calmly.

Hegruntedanddi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ngf
oraf
ew
seconds.

"Whydon'
twehav
eaphy
sical
combat
?"He
asked.
"
Ify
ouhavetheguts,
Miquel
,faceme.Let
's
meetatt
hebri
dge.30minut
est i
me"
.

"
Miquel
"Ihear
dmynamef r
om behindand
t
urnedt
oseeCali
tur
ningonthebed.

Shewasawake!
*
*
TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode9

By
:Fai
thLucky

Mi
quel
'
sPov
:
Ist
aredatherasshet
urneddr
owsi
l
yont
hebed.
"
Saysomet
hingy
oua*shole!"Mykel
voi
cej
olted
mebackt
othecall
andIturnedawayfr
om Cali
.

"Youdon'tor
dermearound.Imakemyown
deci
sions"It
oldhi
m andhechuckl
ed-angr
il
y
tho.

"Don'
ttel
lmeyou'
ret
ooscar
edt
ofaceme,
huh?"Hesai
d.

"Youknowme, Mykel.You'
renomat chforme.I
cankil
lyouevenbeforeyoublink.I
'
v egot
someoneimportanttoatt
endt o.Andshei sn'
t
someoneIcandumpf orapieceofl oser
"I
answeredandendedt hecal
l,t
hent unedback
tothebedtofaceCali.
*
*
Cal
i
'spov
:
I
'
dwokenuptoseehi
m oncal
l.And.
..
.di
dhe
j
ustment
iont
henameMykel
?

Hedroppedthecal
landturnedbacktomeandI
f
eltmyheartski
pagain-thatner
vousfeel
i
ng.

Il
oweredmygazeandhel
dt heduv
etti
ghtt
o
mychest.Iwasact
ual
l
yna*kedunderi
t.

"You'
reawake"hecooedandcamet
osi
tont
he
bedcloset
ome.

Igl
ancedthroughthewi
ndowanddiscover
edit
wasdark.Oh!Itwasobv
iousl
yni
ghtalr
eady.
HowlongdidIsleep?
Ibi
tmylowerl
ipasIgluedmyey
est
othebed,
unabl
etost
areint
ohisface.

Remember
ingal
lhedidtomefewhoursago
mademefeelr
eal
lyshyandnerv
ous.Icoul
dn'
t
bel
i
evehemademepassout .

Gosh!

"How'rey
oufeel
ing?
"Heaskedcal
mlyand
dressedmyhair
.

"
Um.
..
..
I'
mfi
ne.Thanks"Isai
dandgul
pedhar
d.

Forawhi
l
e,hedi
dn'
tsayawor
dunt
ilhest
ood
up.
"I
'
vepreparedyourbathwat
eral
ready
.Come
on"hesaidandstret
chedouthi
shandtome,
butIcoul
dn'tcol
l
ectit
.

Thenhecamecl
oserandcar
ri
edmeupf
rom
thebedl
i
keababy.

Goodt
hingt
heduv
etwasst
il
lwr
appedar
ound
me.

If
eltmycheeksbecomehotashehel
dmeand
walkedi
ntot
hebathroom wi
thme.

Therewasawateri
nthebatht
ubalreadyand
taki
ngofft
heduvet
,hecar
eful
lyl
aidmei nit
.

Aww
I
twasn'
twar
m enough.

"T..
..
Thanky
ou"It
oldhim wi
thabashf
ulsmi
l
e
butinst
eadofl
eavi
ng,hesatont
heedgeofthe
tub.

Huh?
Thankgoodnessthef
oamywat
ercov
eredup
myna*kedstate.
Ri
ght
?

"
Isitsti
l
l war
m?"Hraskedanddi
ppedhi
s
f
ingersintot
hewater
.

"Oh!Seemsit
snot
.Shoul
dImakei twar
m?"Hi
s
askedgri
mlyandi
mmediatel
y,If
eltt
hewat
er
becomehot.
"I
ts..
..
it
sokay
"It
oldhi
m bef
orehe'
dpeel
my
skin.

Holdon..
..
howmanygift
sdoeshepossess?He
canactual
lyheatupawater
?

Henoddedandwatchedmedeepmysel
fint
o
t
hewater.Whydoeshekeepst
ari
ngatme,huh?

"Whatwoul
dyouli
kefordi
nner
?"Heaskedand
Ifl
ushedi
nexci
tement.
Gosh!I
sheser
iousl
yaski
ngmet
ochoose?

"
Um.
..
.any
thi
ngi
sfi
nebyme"Ir
epl
i
ed.

"
Any
thi
ng?So,
youcaneatt
hewal
l
s?"Heasked
andIf
oundmy
sel
fchuckl
i
ng.

"Um..
.okay.I'
l
lgowithsomenoodlesand
plant
ains"Ianswer
ednervousl
yandhenodded.
Geez!I
tmademef
eel
li
keIwasor
der
inghi
m or
somethi
ng.

"I
'
llpl
acet
heor
deri
mmedi
atel
y"hesai
d,st
ood
upandlef
t.

Phew!
Thankgoodness.

Irel
easedthebreathI
'dbeenholdi
ngand
l
eanedmyheadatt heedgeofthetub.The
warm watertouchi
ngmyvgav emesomuch
comfort.
OhGod!Iwasnolongerav*r
gin.I
'dlosti
ttot
he
l
eastguyI
'
deverexpected-t
oMi quel.

But
tthi
nki
ngofit
,he'
sreal
l
yabadasswheni
t
comestoS*x.

Imean....
I'
dwatcheditinmov i
esandr eaditi
n
stori
es,butneverli
kethi
s.Icouldn'
tbeli
evehe
actual
lydisv*
rginedmewhi l
estanding.

Andthi
nki
ngoft
heri
diculousquest
ionshe'd
beenaski
ngme,
yetIstupidl
yansweredthem.

Gr
rr!

Wel
l
,thepai
nswer
eunbear
abl
eandatt
hat
moment,Idi
dn'
treal
i
zewhatIwasdoi
ngor
somet
hing.

Butsomehow,
Ifel
texci
tedabouti
t.

Remember i
nghishugs,wor
ds,
kisses,
penet
rat
ion.
..
.ev
eryt
hing!
Hewasdamnsoper
fectandmademegl
adi
t
washi
m.

Yeah.
..
.y
oumightthi
nkI'
m st
upi
dbut,
for
someoneli
keMiquel
,hecanmelty
oursoul
.

Ismil
edasIclosedmyey
esandl
aidpr
oper
lyi
n
thewarm wat
er.
*
*
 Naomi
'
sPov
:
Af
teralongti
me, webothfel
lonthebed,
br
eathi
ngheavil
ylikewe'
dactual
l
yfall
enfr
om a
might
ytree.

"
Geez!Thatwasgood"hesai
dandIl
aughed.

"
You'
reaki
l
ler
,Noami
".

Il
aughedagai
nandt
urnedt
opl
acemyhandon
hi
schest.

"Youenj
oyedi
t,huh?
"Iaskedandbi
thi
sti
ny
nippl
eandhenodded.

"Wel
l.
..
..
youcanbesur
eofget
ti
ngmoreofi
tif
onl
yyoumeetmydemands"Iassur
edhi
m and
hel
ookedatme.

"Real
l
y,Naomi?I'
vebeenr
eall
ycuri
ous.What
exact
lydoyouwant?"HeaskedandIsmil
ed
andtouchedhi
sli
ps.

"I
..
..
wantyou..
..
.t
ohelpmeoutwiththebanshee.
Iwanthereli
minatedandoutoft
hisinst
it
ute"
.

I
mmedi
atel
y,hescof
fedandsatup.

"
Ser
iousl
y??
"Heasked.
"The.
..
.Thebanshee?Youmean..
..
thesame
bansheeMiquelhadkil
ledsomeonefor
,ear
li
er
today?
"

Geez!
"
Well,
yes.Shei
sn'
tagod,i
sshe?
"Iaskedwi
th
agr
in.

"Arey oukiddi
ngme, Naomi ?Justincaseyou
aren'taware,Miquelandthatladyarehavi
nga
strongrelati
onshi
p.She'spresentl
ystayi
ngwit
h
him andthismor ni
ng,hekill
edabl ackDi
ãmônd
becauseofher-st abbedhimr epeatedl
y.

"Ori
ginall
y, Ihadeyesonherandhadpl anned
onscr ewingt hata*sofhers.Butnotunt
ilshe
becamecl oset oMiquelwhichIsti
l
ldon'
tknow
howt hehel lithappened.

"
Buthowev
erithappened,
thefacei
s-they'
re
t
oget
hernoonemesseswi tht
hem -i
ncludi
ng
y
ou,Naomi.I
fyouwanttohaveapeacefull
if
e
hereatt
heinst
it
ute,I
'dadvi
seyout
ostayaway
fr
om her
".Heenthused,l
eavi
ngmestunned.

Ser
iousl
y,i
twasunbel
i
evabl
e.

"
So.
..
."Iscof
fed.
"
You'
ret
rynat
ell
mey
oucan'
thel
p?"

"
I'
mt r
ynat
ell
y ouIcan'
tgeti
ntomess"he
r
epli
edandstoodup.

"Whenyou'
redonethi
nki
ng,
youcanleav
e"he
addedandwalkedaway,
goi
ngint
othe
bathr
oom.
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Aft
erspendingenoughtimeinthebatht
ub,I
cameoutofi tandwrappedtheduvetar
ound
mebeforereturni
ngtotheroom.

ImetMi
quel
-pai
nti
ng.

"Iwasbeginningtothi
nkyouhadpl ansof
sleepi
nginthere"hesai
daftershootingmea
stareandIjustsmil
ed.

Iwasaboutgoi
ngtot
hewar dr
obewhenI
not
icedmyclot
hesonthebed.

"Ial
readysel
ect
edsomet hi
ngforyout
owear"
hesaidashestoodupfrom thebedandwent
tothebedtogetthecl
othes.
Oh!

"Comeon"hesi
gnal
l
edonmet
ocomecl
oser
andIdi
d.

Hemademesi tonthebed,butIst
il
lmadesur
e
Ihel
dtheduv
ettightt
omychest-liket
her
e
wassomethi
nghehadn'tseen.
Hmph.

Hereachedformybodyl
oti
onandknel
tonone
kneei
nf r
ontofme.

OhmyGod!

"
Um. .
..
ther
e'snoneedforthi
s.Icandoi
t,
Miquel
"Itr
iedcol
lect
ingthel
otionfr
om hi
m,but
hedi
dn'
tl
etme.

"Youdon'
tunderst
and,doy
ou?"Hechuckl
ed
andappli
editgent
lyonmylegs.

Under
standwhat
?

"
Thenoodleswi
l
lbeher
esoon"hesai
dandI
j
ustnodded.

"Areyousti
l
lfeel
i
ngt hepai
ns?
"HeaskedandI
didn'
tneedasoothsayert
otel
lmewhathewas
refer
ri
ngto.
Al
though,
itmademer
eal
l
yreal
l
yner
vous.

"
Uh.
..
..
justal
i
ttl
e"Il
i
ed.
Thepai
nswer
eact
ual
l
yext
remeonmyv
.Good
t
hingt
heydi
dn'
tst
opmef
rom wal
ki
ng.

Heconcent
rat
edonmyl egswhichhe
massagedwhi
leappl
yi
ngt hecr
eam andsl
owly
,
hest
artedmovi
nghishandsint
omyt hi
ghs.

"
Cal
i
...
"Hecal
l
edi
nwhatseemedl
i
keawhi
sper
.

Hiseyeswerest
il
lonmylegsl
egshi
shandwas
begi
nningt
ogodeeper.

"Idon'
tknowwhaty
ourt
hought
sar
eaboutme"
hesaid.
"Idon'tknowifyouthi
nkIjustusedformy
satisf
actionl
astni
ght.AndIdon'tknowify
ou'
d
giveny ourdi
gni
tytomebecausey oufel
tI
neededi t.
"
Butnow.
..
.Iwantt
omakei tcl
eart
oy ou.Iwant
t
omakeyouunderstandy
ourposit
ioninmy
l
i
fe"
.

Hepausedandl
ookedi
ntomyey
es.

Myhear
twasr
aci
ngsof
ast
.

"
Cal
iJenner
"hecal
l
ed

Icoul
dfeel
myl
ungsdr
yingup.

"
Iwanty
out
obemygi
rl
fr
iend"
.
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He’
sCol
d–hear
ted,
buthe’
smi
ne )

Season_
2
Epi
sode10

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
’sPov
:
If
eltvibr
ati
onsi
nmylegsashehel
ditwhi
l
e
st
aringint
omyface.
OhmyGod!

Did….
DidIj
usthearhi
m corr
ect
ly?Di
dhej ust
saysomethi
ngabout….
beinghi
sgirl
fr
iend?

OhmyGod!

Myeyesdi
mmedandIst
aredathi
m,unabl
eto
ut
terawor
d.

Wel
l
,her
ender
edmespeechl
ess.

“Whatdoyouhavetosay,Cal
i
?”Heaskedand
movedhishanddeeperi
ntomylegsunt
ilI
coul
dfeelhi
m cl
osetomyv .

OhmyGod!
“
Miquel
…”Ical
l
edbr
eat
hlessl
y.

Butishebei
ngseri
ous?Heactual
l
ywant
sme
tobecomehisl
over?Tobecomehis?

Hol
yMol
l
y!

Howdidthi
sevenhappen?Howdi
dIgett
othi
s
l
evel
withMiquel
?

Themerethoughtofi
tal
onebr
oughtt
ear
sto
myeyes.

Suddenl
y,weheardaknockonthedoorandI
guessedthosewer
ethecater
ers.
Helookedatmeandsi
ghed,
thenst
oodupand
wentfort
hedoor
.

Irubbedmypal mstoget
her
,tr
yingt
owor
kon
thenervousness.

OhGod!Thi
sisn’
tadr
eam, i
sit
?Mi
quel
’
sreal
l
y
aski
ngmetobehisgi
rl
fr
iend?

For
…..
Forr
eal
?

Her
etur
nedwithabi
gtr
ayaf
ter
war
dsandseti
t
ont
hedini
ng.

“Di
nner
’sr
eady
.Let
’seat
”hebeckonedonme
andIst
oodupandwenttoj
oinhi
m.
Oops!Mycl
othes….
.Iwasy
ett
oweart
hem on.

Iwentt
othedi
ningwi
tht
heduv
etandweat
e
themealt
oget
her.
*
*
Li
keIsai
d,t
hedinnerwasreal
l
yreal
lysi
l
ent
causewehadnothi
ngtotal
kabout.

Well
,Iwasactual
lyshy.Andhi
m….Ihadnoi
dea
whatwasgoingthroughhismi
nd.

Aftereat
ing,
Iputonmycl
othesandwenttolay
ont hebedcauseIwasst
il
lver
ydizzyandhe
j
oinedme.

“
Wast
hemeal
enough?
”Heasked,
wrappi
ng
hi
shandar
oundmywai
st.

Wewer
ebot
hundert
heduv
et.

“
Yeah…t
hanky
ou”Ianswer
edandgul
pedhar
d.

Hishandar
oundmywai
stsentcol
dshi
ver
s
downmyspine.

“Ar
eyouawarether
e’samissi
oncomingupina
fewdaysfr
om now?’Heaskedandt
hatgotmy
att
ent
ion.

“
Y..
yes”Ir
epl
i
ed.

Andspeaki
ngofwhich….
thel
istwasmeantt
o
beoutbytoday
,ri
ght?Whoknowsifmyname
wasamong.

“
I’
ll
actual
l
ybegoi
ngf
ori
t”hesai
dandI
f
li
nched.

Huh?
??

“
Y….
Y….
youwi
l
l?”Ist
ammer
ed.
Thatwasactual
l
ythefi
rstti
meIwasgett
ingt
o
heart
hat.Hegoesformissi
onsaswel
l
??

“
Yeah.Thi
sisactual
l
yabigt
askandMy
kel
wil
l
t
her
easwel l
”.Headded.

“
Mykel
?”Iasked.
“
Yes.Thel
eaderofTheBl
ackDiãmônds”he
r
epl
iedandmyey eswi
denedi
nshock.

Whaaaat
???

Hol
don.
.

I
sn’ tt
hatthesameguywhodrewthat
frustr
ati
ngbridgeonmyhand?Andthesame
guyIhear dhi
mt al
ki
ngonphonewit
h?Isn’
tit
thesameper son??

“
He’
sthel
eaderoft
heBl
ackdi
amonds?
”
i
askedandhej
ustsi
mpl
ynodded.
.

Wow!
So….doest
hatmeant
hey
’l
lbemeet
ingf
acet
o
face??

If
eltl
i
keaskinghim mor
equestionsbutdi
dn’
t
wanttodoanythi
ngthat
’dupsethim.

“
Cal
i
”hecal
l
edaf
terabr
iefsi
l
ence.
“
Youhav
en’
tsai
dany
thi
ngaboutmypr
oposal
y
et”

OhGod!

Hebr
eat
hedonmyneckandbi
tmyear
lobe.

“
Whatdoy
out
hink,
sugarpl
um?
”Hecooed.
Huh?Whatdoeshemeanbysugarpl
um?
Atsomepoi
nt,
Ifoundmy
sel
fbl
ushi
ng.

But
….whowoul
dsaynot
osuchanof
fer
?

Thefi
rstdayIst
eppedint
ot hi
sinst
it
ute,hewas
thef
ir
stguytogri
pmyat tenti
on–thef i
rstguy
tomakemef eelmyheartstoppedbeati
ng.

Ever
ythingabouthi
m wassor
oyal
and
char
mi ng.

Hi
svoi
ce,
footst
eps,mannerofspeaki
ng.And
mosti
mport
antl
y,hi
smultidi
amondsgift
.

Ev
ery
thi
ngabouthi
m dr
ovemecr
@zy
.
“St
il
lthi
nking?
”Hewhi
sper
edandnuzzl
edme
andIsighed.

“I
….Iaccept
.Imean….
I’
l
lbeyourgi
rl
fr
iend”Isai
d
bashful
lyandcov
eredmyfacewit
hmypal ms.

Awwn!
!!

Ihear
dhim chuckl
eandbr
oughtmyhands
downfrom myface.

“Ar
ey ousur
e?”Heasked,
leani
ngcl
oserandI
noddedshyl
y.

OhG0sh!
!Ineededt
ocov
ermyf
ace!
!!

IwasMi
quel
’
sgi
rl
fr
iend!
!
TheKi
ngoft
hei
nst
it
ute.

Hesmi
l
edandkssedmyl
i
ps.

Ohboy
!!

Br
eat
hless.

Hemassagedhi
shandsonmywaistashe
i
ntensi
fi
edt
hekssandfi
nal
l
y,heunl
ocked.

“CanI……goforj
ust60seconds?
”Heasked
soft
ly,
makingmeconfused.
Ormaybe,Iactual
l
ywantedtobeconfused
causeIdi
dn’twanttobel
i
evethatwaswhathe
wasrefer
ri
ngto.
“F….
Forwhat
?”Ist
utt
ered,
myey
esdr
ippi
ngi
n
anxi
ety
.

“I
’
llbequi
ckandgentl
e”hewhisper
edand
di
ppedhishandsi
ntomysk!r
t,ri
ppi
ngmypnt
s
off
.

Whaaaat
???

Heroll
edmysk!
rtupandgotont
opofmeaf
ter
unhooki
nghi
sbelt
.

“Miquel
….”Imumbledhi
snamewhenIf
elthi
m
bri
ngouthis‘t
hing’
.

OhGod!I
sn’
tital
i
ttl
etooear
lyf
ort
his?
Ist
il
lfel
tsl
i
ghtpai
ns.

Heteasedmyent
rancewi t
hhi
sal
readyhar
d
andwetdckandIgr0aned.

“
Justcountt
o60,
Cali
andI’
ll
bedone”hesai
d
i
ntomyearsandi
nser
tedt
hedckaft
erwar
ds.

“Ahhhhh!
”Ishr
iekedandhel
dont
ight
lyt
ohi
s
shir
t.

Ohmygawwwd!

Heheldthesheetsbesidemeandf orcedhi
s
f
ullsi
zeint
ome.Hegr untedashedidsoand
l
uckil
y,i
tdi
dn’tt
akemucht i
melikethefi
rst
exper
ience.

“
Oh…
“
Miquel
…..
”Im0anedashest
art
edt
hru$t
ing
i
ntome.
*
*
Mi
quel
”sPov
:
Shewasst
il
ld@mnt
ight
Sof
cki
ngt
ght
!

Igroanedl
ight
lyasherwar
mti
ghtar
ea
sheathedme.

Therewasnod@mnspacet ooccupymysi ze
anditj
ustgav
emet heper
fectwarmthIneeded.
Thatti
ghtmoistembr
acecomingfr
om herh0le.
Oh!Cal
i
…IknowIshoul
dn’
tbedoi
ngt
his…

IknowIshoul
d’v
egivenyouenoughti
met or
est
.
ButIsi
mplycan’
t.Ij
ustcoul
dn’
tcont
roli
t.

If
eltl
i
ket
ear
ingup

Shekeptgr
0aningandmumbl
ingmynameand
hercr
ieswereonl
yli
kemusi
ctomyears.

OhCal
iJenner
.

Youhav
enoi
deawhaty
ou’
vedonet
ome.

Byaccept
ingt
obemi
ne,
youj
ustbecameapar
t
ofme–secondt i
meI’
dbet aki
ng
responsi
bil
i
tiesf
orsomeone.

Alt
hough,Imessedupt
hefi
rstt
ime,
butwit
h
you,I
’
llt
rymybesttogi
vey
ouallIwort
h.

I
’l
lpr
otectyouwit
hmyli
feandany
onewho
want
st otouchy
ouwoul
dhavetokil
lme.

You’
vej
ustbecomemypr
oper
ty.
*
If
inall
yreachedcl!
m@xandpull
edout
taher
,
l
eavinghertocatchherbr
eat
h.
*
*

*
***
***
***
***
***
**
TOBECONTI
NUED

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode11

By
:Fai
thLucky

My
kel
'
sPov
:
Iwalkedi
ntothefi
eldandmett
hest
udent
s
tr
aini
ngperf
ectl
y.
Someweretraini
ngwit
hguns,
somest
icks,and
other
spar
tners.I
tseemedt
obegoi
ngonf i
ne.

"
Sir
"Tabi
thacal
l
edandcamet
ost
andbesi
de
me.

Shewast
heonei
nchar
geoft
het
rai
ning.

"How'si
tgoi
ng?Ar
ethereanycompl
icat
ions?
"I
askedwit
hmybothhandsinmypocket.

"No,sir
.Ever
ythi
ng'
sgoi
ngonfine.Asyoucan
see,thest
udentsar
egett
ingpr
epared"she
repl
i
edandInodded.

"
Um.
..
.hav
eyoumappedoutapl
anonget
ti
ng
t
hebanshee?
"SheaskedandIf
eltmyj
awst
ick.

"
Wel
l
.."Isi
ghed.
"
Twot
hingsar
einv
olv
ed;

"I
t'
seitherMiquel wouldlethergof ort
he
missionandbeov erpr
otecti
vear oundher,
Or.
.he'daskhert ostaybackatt heinsti
tut
e
causehedoesn' twanthert ogethur t
.

"Ei
therways,Ialr
eadyhaveaperfectplanon
abductingher
.Idon'tcar
eifshegoesf orthe
missionorshestaysbackattheinsti
tute.I'
l
l
defi
nitel
ygetherthatdayandmakeherpayf or
thesinsofherlover
.

"
I'
ll
ripherlegsapartandf
**khert
il
lshebegs
f
ormer cy
.Justaf ewdaysfr
om now"Isai
d
wi
thsomuchangeranddesper
ati
on.
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Thesunray
sgl i
ntedont
hewindowandrest
ed
onmyface,causingmeali
tt
ledi
scomf
ort.

Ismil
edoutofsl
eepandt
urnedt
heopposi
te
dir
ect
ion.

Hol
don.
..
WhywasIev
ensmi
l
ing?
Hmph.

"St
il
lsl
eeping?
"Ihear
dafami
l
iarv
oiceasked
andmov edmyl i
dssl
owl
y.
I
twashi
m -my
..
..
..
.

Gosh!
Ihadaboy
fri
end

"Goodmorni
ng"Ibl
ushedasIst
aredi
ntohi
s
supercut
eface.

Hol
yMol l
y!Howonear
thcanaguybet
his
pr
ett
y,huh?

Lookatthehai
r,t
heey
es,
thel
i
ps,
hiswor
ds
andacti
ons.
..
Geez!Ij
ustf
eltl
i
kegr
abbi
nghi
m andki
ssi
ng
hi
m.

Ist
il
lcoul
dn'
tbel
i
evehewasmi
ne.
"Yousl
eptwel
l
,huh?
"HeaskedandInodded
bashf
ull
y.

"
Howdoy ouf
eel
?"Heaskedagai
nandt
ouched
myl
egs.

Oops!

"Um...
.Ithi
nk..
..
I'
mfeel
ingbet
ter
.Itj
ust
..
.hur
tsa
l
itt
le"Irepl
iedandtookinanerv
ousgulpandhe
smiled.

Fr
eaki
ngsmi
l
ed!
!!

Geez!
"Br
eakf
asti
sready
.Youshoul
dfreshenupf
ir
st"
hetol
dmeandInoddedandstoodup.

"
Doyouwantmetobathyou?
"Heaskedand
myeyeswi
denedi
nshock.
What
?

"
Uh..
.No;no;no;Icant
akecareofmy sel
f,
t
hanks"Iansweredquickl
yandskedaddlei
nto
t
hebathroom andIheardhim chuckl
ebehi
nd
me.

Geez!Icoul
dn'
taf
for
dgoi
ngf
oranot
herr
ound.
*
Ibr
ushedmyteeth,
washedmyf
aceandt
ook
mybathatonce.
Icouldn'tr
epeatthecl
othesIwasput
ti
ngon.So,
Itookoneofhi ssweettowel
sandwrappedi
t
on,al
t houghi
twasal i
tt
leshort
.

Sodamnshor
t.

Ir
eturnedt
otheroom andf
oundhi
m al
ready
wait
ingatt
hedini
ng.
I
'
llj
ustdr
essupf
ir
st.

Iwal
kedov ert
othewardr
obeandgot
somethi
ngniceandcutet
owear-ashor
tbl
ue
gown.Then,ap*ntandb*
a.

But
..
..
.howdoIputt
hem oni
nfr
ontofhi
m??
Gr
rrr
!
May
beIshoul
djustdr
essupi
nthebat
hroom.
Itur
nedandfacedt
hedi
rect
ionoft
hebat
hroom
buthest
oppedme.

"Whatexact
lyar
eyouhidi
ngfr
om me,Cali
'he
askedandIbitmyl
ipsasIst
oppedwalki
ng.

Gosh!

Sl
owly
,It
urnedar
oundandcaughthi
m st
ari
ng
atme.

"Um...
.Ij
ust
..
..
.want
edt
opee"Il
i
edandf
eltl
i
ke
slappi
ngmy sel
f.

Whatsor
tofgodf
orsakenl
i
eist
hat
??
Hechuckl
edandt
ooki
nachi
pfr
om t
het
abl
e.

Okay
!IguessI
'
mjustbei
ngpoi
ntl
ess.

Isighedanddroppedtheclot
hesonthebed,
thenstar
tedputti
ngthem on,oneaf
tert
he
other.

It
ri
eddoingi
twi
tht
het
owel
on,
butal
ongt
he
way,i
tfai
l
ed.

Well
,Iguessi
tsnotanewt
hingbei
ngna*
kedi
n
f
rontofhim,r
ight
?

Aft
erdressi
ngup,Iwentt
ojoi
nhi
m andwe
beganeati
ngtoget
her.
"Will
youbegoingf
orcl
asses?
"Heaskedme
alongtheway
.

"Yes.Aft
ereati
ng,I'
l
lbeleavi
ng.I
'
vemissed
classesalotal
ready"Ianswer
edandt
ookina
gulpoftea.

"
Aret
hereanyneedforcl
asses?Icoul
dtr
ain
y
oumy sel
f"hesai
dandmyey esbeamed.

Huh?
Forr
eal
?

Suddenl
y,hesmi
l
ed.

"
Justkiddi
ng.Icanonlyteachyousomebasi
c
t
hings,
butnotev er
ythi
ng.So,t
herear
esti
l
l
needforcl
asses"hecl
ear
edt
heconf
usi
onon
myfaceandImout hedan
"
Oh!
"
*
Wecont
inuedeati
ngandwhenwewer edone,
I
cl
ear
edthetabl
e,i
gnor
inghi
sper
sist
ence.

Iwashedtheplat
esint
hekit
chenandwhenI
ret
urnedtothebedr
oom,If
oundhim st
andi
ng
bythewindow.

"
Aren'
tthoseyourf
ri
ends?"HeaskedandI
r
ushedov ert
ohavealook.

Hol
yMol
l
y!

Ni
naandDi
ane.
What
'r
etheydoi
ngher
e?

"
Uh.
..
yes"Ir
epl
i
edandr
ubbedmyneck.

I
tseemst
heywer
ewai
ti
ngf
ormet
ocomeout
.

Theyjustkeptl
ookingar
oundandpr
obablyhad
noideawewer estari
ngatt
hem f
rom up.

"
I'
ll
beonmywaynow"It
oldhi
m andqui
ckl
y
r
ant ogr
abmybag.

Iar
rangedmythi
ngsandwhenItur
nedaround
tol
eave,If
oundhi
m st
andi
ngri
ghtinf
rontof
me.

Huh?It
houghthewasbywi
ndowj
ustnow?
"I
s..
..
Ist
hereaprobl
em?
"Iaskedashekept
star
ingdi
rect
lyi
ntomyface.

Gosh!Goosebumps!

"
Asmygi
rl
fr
iend,
Cal
i
"hebegan.
"Ther
earecer
tai
nthi
ngsyouneedt
oadaptt
o-
cert
ainr
ulesy
ouneedtokeep'
.

Huh?
What
'shet
alki
ngabout
?

Rul
es?
?

"
Fir
st,
"het
ouchedt
het
ipofmyhai
r.
"Youneedt
ost
opbei
ngshyandner
vous
aroundme"
.

Hol
yCr
ap!
!!

"
Youshoul
dfeelf
reetohol
dme,ki
ssme,
hug
meanddocrazyt
hingswit
hme"
.

Hewhi
sper
edt
hel
astpar
t.

Huh?
??Cr
azyt
hingsl
i
kewhat
???
Whati
shey
ett
odot
ome?

"Trustme,Cal
i.Ther
ear
esomanyt hi
ngst
obe
done"hemut t
ered,l
i
kehewasansweri
ngt
omy
thoughts.
Icoul
dfeel
mylungsdr
yingupbecauseact
ual
l
y,
hewasmakingmemorenervous.

Hecoll
ectedmybagf
rom me,
kepti
tonthe
fl
oorandmademewrapmyhandsaroundhis
shoul
ders.

Ohgawwwwd!
!

"
Kissme"hesaidsof
tl
yashi
shandshel
dmy
waisti
nret
urn.

"H.
..
.huh?
"Ist
utt
ered,
myey
esdr
ippi
ngi
n
ner
vousness.

"
I.
..
.Idon'
tknowhowt
oki
ss,
Miquel
".
"Lear
n".
hesai
dwithasmi
l
eandIf
eltmy
cheeksbecomehot.

OhGosh!
!
Cal
i
!!!

I
sthi
sguyt
ryi
ngt
ospoi
lmeorwhat
?

Ifel
tsoshyasIimaginedmysel
fpl
aci
ngmy
l
ipsonhis,
thenkissi
nghim.

I'
veonl
ybeenkissed,
butI
'
venev
erdonei
tto
anyonebef
ore.

Iclosedmyeyesandtooki
nar eal
lydeep
breathandsl
owly
,Ir
eachedforhislowerl
ip,
t
aki
ngi
tint
omymout
h.

Imovedmyhandfrom hi
sshoul
derstothe
backofhi
sheadasIki
ssedhisupperl
ipaswel
l
.

Gosh!I
ttast
edsogood.

Hepushedmeslowl
ytot
hewallandpi
nnedme
toitandact
edl
i
kehewantedt
otakeovert
he
kiss.

ButIdi
dn'
tleti
thappenasIqui
ckl
yunl
ocked,
myheartr
acingsofast
.

"
Hmm"hesmi
l
ed.
"
Thatwasn'
tsobad"
.
Itookmylipsi
ntomymout
handst
areddown
athisshi
rt
.

Gosh!Di
dIr
eal
l
ydoi
t?

If
eltsoooo

"Woul
dyoubechancedtogooutonadatewith
me?Wheny ou'
rebackf
rom cl
asses?
"Heasked
andIl
ookedupathim.

Adat
e?

"Y.
..
.y
es.Imean.
.Idon'
thav
eanyot
hert
hingt
o
do"Irepl
i
ed.

"
Okayt
hen.Adat
eiti
s.Seey
ouwheny
ou'
re
back"hepeckedmyhairbef
orerel
easi
ngme
fr
om thewallandIqui
ckl
ypickedupmybag
andleftt
heroom.
*
*
Hey
,hey
.
Cal
ihasn'
tseenany
thi
ng

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode12
By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Irushedoutoft
hehouseandmetNinaand
Dianeandthei
reyeswi
denedassoonasthey
sawme.

"
Final
l
y,she'
sher
e!"Di
aneexcl
aimed.

"
Hi"Isai
dinaudi
blyasIgott
owher
etheywer
e.

"
Goodmor
ning,
Cal
i
"Ni
nabeamed.

"
OhmyGod!Cali,soyouwerebeingseri
ous
whenyousai
dyouwer el
ivi
ngwi t
hhim?I
t
houghtyouwer
ej oki
ng!
!!
"Dianesqueal
edand
gr
ippedmyhand.

Gosh!Iwasexpect
ingi
t.

"What'
reyouhidi
ngf r
om us,Cal
i?What '
sthe
secret
??How...
.Howar eyousuddenlysoclose
totheAlmight
yMi quel
?What shappening??
?"

Isi
ghedandwi
thdr
ewmyhandf
rom her
s.
MaybeIshoul
djustt
ell
them t
rut
honceandf
or
al
l
.

"
Wel
l
...
."Ibegan
"Justsoyouknow,MiquelandIar
edating"I
spil
ledthedr
inkandgiv
ingthei
reyesenough
ti
met opopout,Il
aughedandstar
tedrunning
away .
"Cal
i!
!!
"IheardDianey
ell
behi
ndme,
butdi
dn'
t
stoptolookatthem.
*
*
Icheckedformynameontheli
stofpeopl
e
goingfort
henextmissi
onandgoodenough,
mynamewasamong.

Wel
l
,yeah.Iguessedt
hatwasagoodt
hing.

Di
ane'
snamewasamong,
butNi
na'
sname
wasn'
t.
*
Therestoftheday,
theykeptaskingand
i
nterv
iewingmeaboutmyr el
ati
onshi
pwith
Miquel,
especial
l
yDiane.Shewassucha
t
alkat
ive.

Ianswer
edthel
i
ttl
eIcoul
dandt
ri
edasmuch
aspossi
blet
oavoi
dtherest
.

Weattendedcl
assesandf
inal
l
y,i
tcamet
oan
end.

Themissionwasjustt
woday sfr
om nowand
wit
hthelookofthi
ngs,It
hinki
tsgonnabe
massi
ve.

"So,y
ou'regoi
ngoutwi
thhim?"Di
aneaskedas
theyaccompaniedmebacktoMiquel
'
s
apart
ment .

Inoddedhappi
l
y.
Well
,Ij
ustcouldn'
thi
demyexci
tement
.Ihadt
o
t
ell
them aboutthedat
e.

"Haveyout
wohadS*x?"SheaskedandI
gaspedwhi
leNi
nachuckl
ed.

"Huh???Whatthehell
arey ousaying?
??Of
course,not
.We'r
ejust
..
..normalcoupl
es"I
excl
aimedwi t
houtl
ookingather.

"
Seri
ously
???Normalcouples??Andwhatdo
y
out hi
nknormal
couplesdo? "SheaskedandI
r
oll
edmyey eswi
thoutgivi
ngherananswer .

"
Thet
rut
his,
you'
resol
ucky
,Cal
i
"Ni
nasai
d.
"
Howdoy
ouf
eel
bei
ngar
oundsomeonel
i
ke
hi
m?Doesn'
ti
tfr
eaky
ouout
?"

Ismi
l
edandbi
tmyi
nnercheeks.

"
Well
..
..
itdi
dfr
eakmeout
.Butnotany
mor
e.
He'
saniceper
son"
Ir
epl
i
edandNi
nal
aughed.

"
Nicewhaaaat
???
"Di
aneshr
ieked.
"Ican'
tbeli
evethi
siscomi
ngf
rom y
ou,
Cal
i
!
Likeseri
ously
?"

"
Yeah.
.what
ever
.He'sni
cetome,
okay
?'Ir
oll
ed
myeyesandshescoff
ed.

Theykeptt
alki
ngandtalki
ngandf
inal
l
y,wegot
tothef
acadeofthebui
lding.
"
Okay;
you'l
lneedtostophere.Youcan'
tgoany
f
urt
her
"Iturnedtothem andsaid.

"Ser
iousl
y??So..
..
wil
lyourboyf
ri
endbeatusf
or
payi
ngourf r
iendavi
sit?
"Dianeaskedwit
ha
scoff.

"Reall
y?I
fyoucanst andhim,t
hencomein"I
roll
edmyey esandst ar
tedwal
kingaway
,but
didn'
theart
hem fol
lowme.

Huh?

Ist
oppedandl
ookedatt
hem.

"
Whati
sit
?Ar
en'
tyoucomi
ngal
ong?
"Iasked
wi
thasmi
rk.

"Um..
..
shecangoalong.Butnotme"Ni
na
shookherheaddr
amat i
cal
ly,
taki
ngsomest
eps
back.

"Um..
..
.I
'dhav
elovedtocomealongaswell
,
but.
..
..
I'
l
lcomewhenhei sn'
tar
ound"Di
anealso
shookherheadandtooksomestepsback.

Gosh!Li
keser
iousl
y??

Il
ookedatt
hem andf
eltl
i
kel
aughi
ngsohar
d.

"Butwhy'
rey
ousoscaredofhi
m?He'
sani
ce
guy"Isai
dwit
hachuckle.
"Yeah..
..
niceguyindeed.How'
rewesurehe
doesn'tbeatyouupi nther
oom?"Dianesai
d,
sti
ckinghertongueoutandNinalaughed.

Ialsolaughedbutact
ual
l
y..
..
Iwasl
aughi
ngf
ora
dif
ferentreason.

"Whoknows?May beyou'reactuallylookingfor
someonet osaveyouf r
om him.I fy ouhav ea
probl
em Cali
,j
usttell
usandwe' l
l help.Iknow
Miqueli
sthemosthandsomeandhot testguy
i
ncamp, buthe'sscaryandev eryonedr eads
him.So,howcany outellusyou'redat ing?"She
conti
nuedtal
kingandpl acedherhandonher
waist
.

Geez!
"
Isheusi
ngy
ouas.as*
xtoy
?"Ni
naaskedl
owl
y.

Whaaaat
??
Hol
ycr
ap!
Ibustedi
ntoamoreser
iousl
aught
erandthey
star
edatme,wonder
ingwhyiwaslaughi
ng.

"
List
ent
ome,
Cal
i
"Di
anesai
d.
"Guyscanneverbetr
usted,especi
all
yguysli
ke
Miquel
.So,don'
tfal
lforhiswords.He'
sonly
goingtouseanddumpy ou.Itsobvi
oushe's
onlyat
tract
edtoyourkil
l
ershape".

Sheconcludedwi
thaney
erol
landmyl
aught
er
i
ncreased.

I
fonl
ytheyknew.
..
..
.
"Guysli
keMiquel
?"Heaskedf
rom behi
ndandI
placedmyhandonmyl i
pstoprev
entmefrom
l
aughingout
.

Thelookont
hei
rfaceswerepr
icel
essast
hey
hear
dhisvoi
cef
rom behi
ndthem.

Wel
l,
he'sbeenst
andi
ngandl
i
steni
ngthewhole
t
ime,butIwast
heonl
yonewhocouldseehi
m.

Diane'
sey
eswereal
mostbulgi
ngoutasshe
andNinatur
nedt
olookathi
m.

Heworealongr
obeandhadhi
shandscr
ossed
behi
ndhi
sback.
"
S..
..
..
S..
..
sir
"Di
anechuckl
edandmov
edback
wi
thNina.

"
We. .
..
wewer eactual
l
ytal
ki
ngaboutadi
ff
erent
Mi.
..Miquel
.He'
s..
..
he'
ssomeonefr
om myarea.
I
'm sorry
".

Andwithi
nthet
winkl
eofaney
e,t
heyr
anof
f
l
ikebr
eeze.

Ohmygeee!
!

If
inal
l
yr el
easedmyli
psandbust
edi
ntoser
ious
l
aughterwhil
eMiquel
justsmi
l
ed.

"Speci
alf
riendsy
ou'
vegot
,huh?
"Hechuckl
ed
andtouchedmyhair
.
"
Um...
.hi
"Isai
dwi
thashr
ugwhenIwasdone
l
aughi
ng.

"Yeah.
.hi
.Howwasclassestoday?
"Herepl
i
ed
casual
ly,
tucki
ngmyhairbehindmyear
.
"
Itwas.
..
.f
ine.Iguess"Isai
dwi
thasi
gh.

"Youreadyf
ort
hedat
e?"HeaskedandI
nodded.

HeproddedmetocomewithmeandIdi
dand
f
oll
owedhimint
othehouse.
*
*
Ideci
dedt
otakeashowerInthebathr
oom and
whenIwasdone,
Iret
urnedtothebedroom
wit
hjustashor
ttowelandmywethai
rpacked
andwrappedaswell
.

Ahhh

ThankgoodnessMi
quel
isn'
ti
nther
oom.

El
se.
..
.

Idi
dn'tevenwannai
maginewhatwouldhav
e
happened.Butwher
edi
dhego, huh?

Oh!May
behe'
satt
hebal
cony
.

Ishruggedandwasaboutheadi
ngf
orthe
wardrobewhenInot
icedhi
sphonebuzzedon
thetable.
Hi
sphone!
!

Thet
abl
ewasact
ual
lycl
osetomeandal
lIdi
d
wast
akeaf
ewstepsandgl
ancei
ntot
hephone.

Whati
fIcal
lmom wi
thi
t,huh?I
'
vemi
ssedher
.

Thephonebuzzedagai
nandIdi
scov
eredi
twas
amessage.

Wit
houtt
ouchingi
t,Iglancedatt
hescr
eenand
sawthemessageoni t
.

Thenumberofthesenderwasn'
tsav
ed,
but
somehow,If
elti
twasfrom Mykel
.
If
li
nchedasIr
eadt
hemessage:

Getreadyforme,Miquel
.CauseI'
m gonna
makey oupayforal
lthehumil
iat
ionsyou'
ve
causedme.

Youfeelyou'
reinl
oveagain,huh?Youfeel
youcanescapefrom i
t?ButisyourdearCal
i
awareyou'
retheKingOfdarkness?

Issheawar
ethedar
knessiny
ourheartki
ll
ed
yourpar
ent
sandisdef
ini
tel
ygoi
ngtokil
lheras
well
?

I
ssheawar
eshe'
sonlywast
inghert
imeby
f
all
i
nginl
ovewit
hyou?
 Wel
l
,IguessI
'
llhel
pherendi
t.

If
eltmyl
egsbecomecol
dasIwentt
hroughi
t.

What
?

What
'st
hemeani
ngoft
his?
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He’
sCol
d–hear
ted,
buthe’
smi
ne )
#Season_
2
Epi
sode13
By
:Fai
thLucky
Cal
i
’sPov
:
Themessagel
eftmespeechl
essasIgawped
ati
t.
Whatdoesthi
smean?Whatdar
knessi
she
t
alki
ngabout?
Justthen,
Ihear
dfootst
epsandqui
cklyst
epped
awayf r
om thet
abl
e,makingsur
eIbackedthe
entr
ance.
Ifel
thi
m wal
kinfrom t
hebalconyandasI
backedhi
m,Ifel
tmyheartbeati
ngrapi
dly
.
“You’r
edone?”Heaskedfrom behi
ndandcame
closertomeandIjustnodded.
Soon,hewasst
andi
ngver
ycl
osetomeand
wrappedhi
shandar
oundmywaist
.
It
wit
ched.
“Why’r
ey oujustst
anding,
huh?Shouldn’
tyou
getdressed?”Heaskedwhi sper
ingl
y,maki
ng
mef eelhiscol
dbreathonmyneck.
“I
….Ijustcameoutoft heshower.I
’
ll
….I
’l
lget
dressedrightaway”Igulpedner
vousl
yand
said,
thentri
edwalkingaway .
Hegr
ippedmebackbyt
hewr
istandmademe
f
acehim.
“Ist
hereaprobl
em?
”Heasked,t
ouchi
ngmy
faceandmakingmehav
eaglimpseofhi
s
supercut
eface.
May
beIshoul
dtel
lhi
m abouti
t.Ri
ght
?
No;
Whatifheget
smadatmef
orr
eadi
ngt
he
message?
“I
’
m…I ’
mfi
ne.Ofcour
se”Ir
epl
iedandaddeda
smil
etosoundmoreconvi
nci
ng.
“
Okayt
hen.Hur
ryupandgetdr
essed”he
peckedmyhairbeforerel
easi
ngmeandIwent
str
aightt
othewardrobe.
*
Itookoutsomethi
ngniceandthankf
ull
y,he
facedthewindowasIdressedup.
*
Ipackedmyhairi
nafi
neponyt
ailandwhenI
wasdone,If
oll
owedhi
m outoftheroom,down
tothegar
agewherehi
scarwasparked.
Wegoti
nandhez
oomedof
faf
ter
war
ds.
*
Thedr
ivewaski
ndasi
l
entaswedi
dn’
ttal
k
muchtoeachot
her
.
Well,
y ouknowhim.Hewasthequi
ett
ypeand
consideri
ngmycondit
ionatt
hatmoment
,Ial
so
coul
dn’ tt
alkmuch.
Aft
eral
ongr
ide,
wear
ri
vedataneat
eryandhe
hel
dmyhandaswewal
kedin.
“What’r
eyourorder
s,pl
ease?
”Awai
tr
ess
walkeduptousandaskedassoonaswewer
e
seatedcomfort
ably
.
Il
ookedatMiquel
,l
ikeIwasawai
tinghi
srepl
y,
buthesi
gnal
l
edmet ogoonfi
rst
.
“Um…..
Ithi
nkI’
dgowitht
hebeefstew”Irepl
i
ed
andshescri
bbl
editdowninhernot
ebook.
“
Andyou,si
r?”Shet
urnedpoli
tel
ytoMi
quel
whosi
ghedandwentthroughthemenuonthe
t
abl
e.
“Justgetmesomef
ish”her
epl
i
edandshe
noddedandlef
t.
*
“Di
dyournamepopupont hel
i
stofpeople
goi
ngonthenextmissi
on?
”Heaskedaftera
whil
eandInodded,
whil
echewingonameat .
“
Mygiftwasamong.Theyneededabanshee”I
f
urt
herexpl
ained.
Themi
ssi
onwasact
ual
l
yadayaf
tert
omor
row.
Lesst
han48hour
s.
“Youwon’tbegoi
ng”Isuddenl
yhear
dhi
m say
andfl
inched.
Huh?What
’shet
alki
ngabout
?
“
I….
.Idon’
tunderstand.Iwon’tbegoi
ng?How?I
mean,why?”Iasked,confusedandhesighed.
“It
sf ory
ourownbenef
it
,Cali
.Ihav
emy
reasons”heanswer
edcasual
lyandcont
inued
eating.
But
….whywouldhewantmetostayback?I
mean,whatwoul
dhetel
lthedi
rect
ors,
then?
What
’r
ehi
sreasons?
*
*
Wedidn’
tsayanyothert
hingunt
ilwewere
doneeat
ingandaft
ersett
li
ngthebil
l
s,welef
t.
Hehel
dmyhandandaskedforali
tt
lewalk
downt
hest
reetandofcour
se,i
obli
ged.
“Needsomei
cecr
eam? ”Heaskedwhenwe’ d
gott
entoani
cecr
eam kioskandInodded.
Heboughtonef
ormeandonef
orhi
msel
fand
weconti
nuedwal
ki
ng.
“
Ify
ouhaveapr
oblem,Cal
i;
you’
ref
reetol
et
meknow”hement
ionedandIbi
tmyli
p.
Shoul
dIaskhi
m abouti
t?
Isuddenlyfel
tscared,knowi
ngthedarknessi
n
hisheartcoul
dkillmeorsomething.What
darknesscouldthatbe?
“
I….
.I
…Ireall
ydon’thaveanythi
ngtosay
,Mi
quel
.
I
’
mj ust
…..”Ipausedandsighed.
“
I’
mfi
ne”
.
Hest
oppedwal
ki
ngandIdi
dsame.
Then,
hestood,
faci
ngmeandst
rokemyhai
r
wit
hhispal
m.
Hedidn’tsayawordbutj
uststaredintomy
eyesforalongti
meandfinal
lyreleasedan
uncannysmi l
e.
*
*
Mi
quel
’
sPov
:
Thatsi
l
ence….
Icoul
dtel
l
.
She’
dgonet
hrought
hemessage.
Thatani
mal
–My
kel
.
Howdar
ehe?Iwasdef
ini
tel
ygonnamakehi
m
payf
ori
t.
Per
haps,
it’
sti
meIexpl
ainedev
ery
thi
ngt
oCal
i
.
It
urnedawayfr
om herandwasaboutwal
ki
ng
awaywhenIspott
edthem acr
osst
heroad.
Apart
icul
arsetofpeopl
e–clusteredli
kethey
werewait
ingforacaborsomething.Butt
heir
ey
eswer efi
xedonme–
Yes,
onme.
Icoul
drecogni
zet
hem f
rom any
wher
e.
Anypar
toft
hewor
ld.
Thecoor
dinat
es….
.
Theyf
oundme!
*
*
TBC.

Season_
2
Epi
sode14
By
:Fai
thLucky
Cal
i
’sPov
:
Isuddenl
ynot
icedsomethi
ngdi
ffer
enti
nhi
s
eyesasheact
edstrangeandst
aredina
par
ti
cul
ardi
rect
ion.
What
’swr
ong?
If
oll
owedthedir
ect
ionofhi
seyesandnot
iced
agroupofpeopl
est
andingacr
ossther
oad.
Huh?Whoar
ethey
?
Andwhywer
etheyst
ari
ngatus?
“
Comeon,Cal
i”hestat
edici
lyandst
art
ed
wal
ki
ngaway,
ev enwit
houtwait
ingf
orme.
Huh?
Istut
tered,l
ookedatthest
rangepeopl
eacr
oss
theroad,thenbackathim.
“
Miquel
?”Ical
ledundermybr
eat
handst
art
ed
wal
ki
ngafterhim.
Hedidn’tsayawordorturntolookatmeand
onsev eral
occasi
ons,It
urnedtoseeifthe
peoplewer ef
oll
owingusbehindbutthey
weren’t.
Wefinal
lygott
othecarandheopenedt
he
f
rontdoorandwentinandIdi
dsame.Andi
na
f
ewseconds, t
hecarwasmoving.
Inoti
cedadropofbloodf
rom hi
snoseduri
ng
thedri
veanditbecamemoreobvious–hewas
angry
.
Butwhatcouldbewrong?Whocouldthose
peoplebe?WhydoIhaveafeeli
ngthere’
sa
connecti
onandhe’
sactingt
hiswaybecauseof
them?
OhGod!Thi
swhol
ethi
ngwasbegi
nni
ngt
o
fr
eakmeout.
*
Hedidn’
tsayasi
ngl
ewor
dthr
oughoutt
hedr
ive
unt
ilwegothome
Hepar
kedthecari
nthegar
ageandwewenti
n
t
oget
her.
“
Um….
arey
ouhungr
y?Shoul
dImakesome
t
ea?
”Iaskedhi
m,t
ryi
ngt
ogetr
idoft
hesi
l
ence.
I
twasj
ustbegi
nni
ngt
ofr
eakmeout
.
“No;I
’mfi
ne”her
epl
i
edcol
dlyandwenti
ntot
he
bathr
oom.
Iplonkedmysel
font
hebedandwenti
ntodeep
thoughts.
Gosh!Whydoesevery
thi
ngseem t
obeget
ti
ng
outofhandl
atel
y??
Fi
rst
,thet
extmessage,
nowt
his?
Whocouldthosepeoplebe?Andwhydi
dthei
r
pr
esenceseem toaff
ecthimthi
smuch?
Ipl
acedmyhandonmychi nf
oral
ongti
meand
conti
nuedthi
nki
ng.Ther
eweresomanythi
ngsI
neededtoknowaboutMiquel
.Somanyt
hings.
Li
ke….what
’stheconnect
ionbet
weenhi
mself
andthebri
dge?Who’sMy kel
tohim?Wher
e
doeshecomef rom?
Gosh!Ir
eal
l
yneededt
ohav
eani
nter
viewwi
th
hi
m.
Hespentsomuchti
meinthebathr
oom t
hatI
wasbeginni
ngt
othi
nksomethi
ngwaswr ong.
Butfi
nall
y,hesteppedout,
hishai
randfaceso
w€t.Justhishairandf
ace.It
houghthewas
taki
ngaf ul
lbath??
Hedri
edhi
shairandwalkedpassme,
goi
ngt
o
st
andinf
rontoft
hewindow.
Iremainedsit
ti
ngont
hebedandstar
edathi
m,
wishingther
ewasawayIcoul
dreadhis
thoughts.
Comeon,Cal
i!May
be….
.Ishoul
dn’
tev
enbe
si
tt
ingher
e.
Imean….i
twascl
earenoughhewasupset
.
Whatcoul
dIpossi
blydotocal
m hi
m down?
Istoodupfr
om thebedandwentt
ost
and
behindhi
m att
hewindow.
“
Miquel
…”Ical
l
edcal
mlyandhel
dhi
mfr
om
behi
nd–pl
aci
ngmyhandonhischestand
l
eani
ngmyheadonhi
sback.
Gosh!Inev
erthoughtI
’
dbesobr
avet
odo
somethi
ngliket
his.
Het
it
ledhi
sheadasIhel
dhi
m.
“
What
’st
hepr
obl
em?
”Iasked,
per
tur
bed.
“
Iaskedyouthatquest
ionfewhoursagobut
y
out ol
dmet her
ewasnot hi
ngwrong.So,
I’
m
f
ine”hesai
dwi t
hascoff.
Gosh!Ser
iousl
y??
“Comeon,Miquel
.Lookatme”Isai
d,buthe
didn’
tmakeamov e.
“I
….wanttotelly
ousomethi
ng”Iaddedand
sl
owly,heturnedar
ound.
Ohboy
!Thoseey
es….
Theycoul
dmel
tami
l
li
onhear
t.
“
Whati
sit
?”Heasked,
hisv
oicecomi
ngout
wi
thsomuchchi
l
ly.
“Youlooksougl
ywheny
ou’
reangr
y”Il
i
edand
hecracked.
Yes….
!
Hecr
acked.
Pr
ogr
essi
ng……
“YouandIbot
hknowthat
’sali
e”hesaidand
tri
edt
urni
ngbackt
othewindow,butIst
opped
him.
“Whydon’tweplayagame?”IaskedasIhel
d
hishandandhestaredatmeforawhil
ewithout
sayi
ngawor d.
t
hen,
hesi
ghed.
“
Whatgame?
”Heasked,
feebl
y.
“
Um……TOrD?
”Ishr
ugged.
“
Trut
h…….
Ordar
e?”HeaskedandInodded.
Hel
ookedatme,
asi
fcont
empl
ati
ngor
somet
hing.
“Okay;I
’min”herepl
i
edandIbeamedwi
th
smilesandtookhimtoaseat
.
Wesatatt
hedi
ning,
faci
ngeachot
her
.
Atl
ast
,Icoul
dseesomebeamsonhi
sface.
“
So….
.what
’snext
?”HeaskedandIchuckl
ed.
“Well…..
therulesofthegamear e,y
oumustt el
l
thetruth,ordot hedarewhenasked.I t’sa
taboonott odoi t.And…..
Truthcan’tbechosen
mor ethant wiceinarow.Meani ng,ifIchose
trut
handy ouchoset rut
h,thenextper son
wouldhav et ochoseadar e.Areyour eady?”I
askedandher ol
ledhiseyesli
keIwasj i
tt
eri
ng.
“
Arey
ou?
”Iaskedagai
n.
“
Ofcourse”hemumbl
edanddi
ppedhi
sfi
nger
s
i
ntohi
shair.
“Okay
.So,you’
l
lgofi
rst
.Trut
hordar
e?”Iasked
andheti
ckedhist
ongueforawhi
le.
“
Dar
e”her
epl
i
edandmyey
esbeamed.
Hm.He’sgotsomener
vest
ochoosedar
efor
t
hefi
rstti
me.
“
Idar
eyout
osmi
l
e–av
erybi
gsmi
l
e”Ist
ated.
“
Ser
iousl
y??
”Hescof
fedandr
oll
edhi
sey
es.
“Comeon,Miquel
.It
’sadar
e.Youhavetodoi
t”
Itol
dhi
m andheitchedhi
shairandl
ooked
away.
Whydoesheact
ual
l
yfi
ndi
tsodi
ff
icul
tto
smi
le?
?
Hef
ixedhisey
esel
sewher
eandf
inal
l
yrel
eased
t
hesmile.
Awwww
Ki
l
lersmi
l
e.
If
oundmy
sel
fsmi
l
ingaswel
l
.
“Ar
ewedone?
?”Hesuddenl
ychi
nnedupand
huf
fed.
Gosh!Ser
iousl
y??
“Okay
;it
smyt urn.Dare”
Irepl
i
edbefor
ehe’dask.
Andsurpri
singly
, agri
ncrepti
ntohi
sface.
Hol
don;
why
’shegr
inni
ng?
“Takeoffy
ourp*ntandhandi
ttome”hesai
d
sardoni
cal
lyandl
eanedbackonhi
schai
r.
Whaaaaat
???
??
Okay
…..
Maybei
twasabadi
deapl
ayi
ngt
hisgamewi
th
hi
m.
Gosh!
!!
Iscoff
edanddippedmyhandsi
ntomygown,
holdi
ngthet
ipofmyp*ntanddr
aggi
ngitdown.
Myhipsgotexposedi
nthepr
ocess,
butt
hank
goodnessi
tdidn’
tgobey
ondthat
.
Itooki
toffandplacedi
tint
ohispal
mswhi
ch
he’dal
readyst
ret
chedoutforme.
whatdoeshepl
anondoi
ng,
huh?
?
“
Goodjob”
,hewinkedatmeandshuthi
spal
ms
wi
tht
hep*ntini
t.
Gosh!
Then,het
ooki
tcl
osert
ohi
snoseandmyey
es
di
lat
ed.
Whaaaaaat
???
Whatt
hehel
li
shedoi
ng?
??
Hesni
ff
editandsmil
edbef
orei
nser
ti
ngi
tint
o
hi
str
ouserpocket
.
“
Ser
iousl
y??
”Imut
ter
edandhescof
fed.
“
So…I’
m next
,Right
?”HeaskedandInodded
wi
thaneyeroll
.
“
Trut
hor
….”
“
Trut
h”hecutmeof
fbef
oreI
’
dfi
nish.
Hol
don;
Ithi
nkI
’
vegotar
eal
l
yni
cei
dea.
Yes!
“
Mm-mhh”i
clear
edmyt
hroatandadj
ust
edon
myseat
.
“Rememberthatni
ght…y
ou’
dtakenmeouton
bir
thday
?”Ibeganandhenodded.
“Remember …t
hel
it
tl
eboyyou’
dgot
tena
necklacefrom?Andhetol
dussomethi
ngabout
ourselves?
”
Thi
sti
mear
ound,hedi
dn’
tnod,
butj
ustst
ared
atme,
acr
ankysmil
ecominguphi
sli
ps.
Hmph.Iguessheal
readyknowswhatIwantt
o
ask.
“
Whatdidhetel
lyouaboutme?
”Iaskedand
f
oldedmyhands.
*
*
TBC
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode15

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
If
oldedmyhandsAndawai
tedhi
sanswer
.

Well.
..
.I'
dbeensocur
ioustoknowallabouti
t
forsomet i
menow.So,thi
sistheper
fect
opportunit
y.
"
Wel
l
...
."Hest
art
edandl
eanedf
orwar
d.
"
Het ol
dmey ourbiggestfeari
sf i
rstt
imeS* x.
Hesaidyou'
dpeedony ourundi
est hefi
rstday
yourboyf
ri
endtouchedy ourwaist"
.

Myey
esdi
l
atedi
nshockasIgawpedathi
m.

Whaaaaaaat
???
?
Whatt
he.
..
..
?

Thatl
i
ttl
ebr
at!
!Howdar
ehe?

Ist
areatMi
quel
bashf
ull
yandhebust
edi
nto
l
aughter
.
Gosh!

"That
's.
..
..
That'
sal
ie.It
..
..
itnev
erhappened"I
tri
edtodefendmyself
,butitcl
ear
lydi
dn'twor
k
out.

Helaughedsohar
dandIf
eltmyi
ntest
ines
t
urning.

Howcouldthatl
it
tl
eboysaysuchat
hingabout
me,huh?I
'v
ebeent r
yingsohar
dtof
orgett
hat
awf
ulmemor y.

"Fi
ne!I'
m notplay
inganymore.Youcan
conti
nuethegamey our
sel
f"Ir
oll
edmyeyes
andstoodup, goi
ngt ot
hebed.
"Hey!Whatdi dIdo?Itisn'
tmyf aul
tyoupeedon
yourp* nt!
"Hesaidandl aughedmoreandit
onlyincreasedmyshy ness.

If
eltl
i
keent
eri
ngi
ntot
hegr
ound.

Il
aidnosi
l
yont hebedandcoveredmy sel
fup
wi
ththeduvetandshor
tl
y,If
elthim besi
deme.

"Hey
;don'
ttell
mey ou'
reangr
yatme"hecooed
ashesnuggledhi
mselfnextt
ome.

"
Don'
ttouchme"Ipoutedli
keababyandt
ri
ed
movi
ngawayfrom hi
m, buthepul
l
edmeclose.

"
Comeon, hon.Idon'
tcar
eify
oupeeonmy
f
ace.I
tsnevergoingt
ochangemyfeel
i
ngs"he
sai
dandIbust
edi
ntouncont
rol
l
abl
elaught
er.

Hol
yMol
l
y
Peeonhi
sface!
!!

Hechuckl
edasIl
aughedandhewr
appedhi
s
handsar
oundmywaist.

"Letmetell
youastor
y"hesai
daf
teracool
and
Iturnedt
ofacehi
m.

"
Int
erest
ed"Ibeamedandst
aredi
ntohi
scute
f
aceaswel ai
dsnuggl
edupnextt
oeachother
.

Hestrokemyhai randdidn'
tsayawordf
ora
whil
eandj ustwhenIwasaboutaskingi
f
somethingwaswr ong,hespokeup.
"
Alongt
imeago"hebegan.
"Ther
eli
vedahappyf
amil
y-afather
,mot
her
andtwosons.I
twasact
ual
lyaroyalf
ami
ly.

"Ev
eryt
hingwasgoi
ngonwell
intheKingdom,
,
butasyouknow,t
here'
l
lal
waysbeenemies.

"Awizardcastedaspel l onthet hr
oneandi tgot
changedintothet hroneofdar kness,
meaning...
anyKi ngwhooccupi esthethrone,
musthav ethedar kestheart.Nomat t
erhow
goody outhinky ouare,aslongasy ousi
tont he
thr
one, t
hedar knesswoul dcloudy ouandt ake
over.

"
Thehappyfamil
ybecamedisorgani
zedast
he
f
athert
urnedi
ntoabeast-arut
hlessKi
ngwit
h
t
hedarkesthear
t.Heki
ll
edwithoutmercyand
t
ookdecisi
onsthathur
talotofli
ves.

"Butonefat
efulday,
theQueenwasabl eto
tamehisheart,
withtheonlycure-t
hepowerof
TrueLove.Al
though,itwasn'
teasy,
butshedi
d
i
t.

"
TheKingdeci
dedtorunaway-abandonthe
t
hroneandl
eavewit
hhisfamil
y.Butt
herewas
ali
tt
lepr
obl
em bet
weenhissons.

"Bothofthem hadfal
leni
nlovewit
honegirl
.
Thegirlwasmor eatt
ract
edtotheel
destson
andthisbroughtupsomuchangerintheheart
oftheyoungerson.

"
Wheni
twast
imet
oleav
ewi
tht
hei
rfat
her
,the
el
destsonr ej
ectedtheideabecausehedi dn'
t
wannal eavewit
houthislove.Buttheyounger
sonwashappywi ththeideabecausehe
wantedbot hofthem tolosethegi
rlsi
nceshe
wasn'tattr
act
edt ohim.

"
Theeldestsonst
il
lstoodhisgr oundand
i
nsi
stedonstayi
ng.Buthisfatherhavi
ngno
t
ime,tookhi
m awayforceful
ly
.

"Hewassedat
edandt
henextt
imehewas
awake,hef
oundhi
msel
finamovi
ngcar
..
.ona
bri
dge"
.

Hepausedandsi
ghed.

OhmyGod!
Don'
ttel
lme.
..
..
"Theeldestsonhadast
upidangerhecoul
dn'
t
controlandri
ghtt
her
einthecar
,hestar
ted
screaming.

Thecarcaughtfi
reandfl
ewovert
hebridgeand
thatwastheendofit
.Thebot
hparent
sdi ed
andthetwosonswer et
heonl
yoneswho
survi
ved.

"
Til
ldat
e,thet
hronei
sempty"heconcl
uded
wi
thawr ysmi
leandIst
aredathi
m,speechl
ess.

OhmyGod!

"Miquel.
..
..
"It
ri
edtocal
l
,butheshutmewi
th
hisindexfi
ngeronmyli
ps.
Isawal
i
neofbl
oodf
rom hi
snose.

"
Don'
ttal
kabouti
t,pl
ease"hewav
eredandIf
elt
t
ear
sbuil
dupinmyey es.

OhmyGod!
Thewhol
ethi
ngl
eftmegobsmacked.

Hesni
ff
edandwi
pedt
hebl
oodof
fwi
thhi
s
pal
m.

"
It
'sl
ate,huh?Maybeit
sti
met osl
eep"hesai
d
wi
thaf akesmi
lebutIdi
dn'
trepl
y.

Yes,
Icoul
dtel
li
t'
sfake.
"Goodni
ght
,candy
"hewhi
sper
edandki
ssedmy
hair
,
Thenr
eachedf
ort
hel
i
ghtswi
tchont
hewal
l
.

Het
urnedof
fthel
i
ght
sandr
esumedl
yi
ngnext
t
ome.

Isnif
fedandwr appedmyhandsar
oundhi
s
waist,hol
dinghimtight
.

"Il
ovey
ou,
Miquel"Iwhi
mper
ed,
atearr
oll
i
ng
downmycheek.

If
elthi
m smi
l
eandpl
acehi
sli
psonmyhai
r.

"
Ilov
eyout
oo"her
epl
i
edandt
hatwasal
lfor
t
heni
ght
.
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode16

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
#Next
_mor
ning

Iopenedmyeyesbl
ear
il
yandt
heymetwit
hthe
ray
sf r
om t
hemorni
ngsunont
hewindow.

Ii
tchedmyeyesandl
aidf
latsoIcoul
dst
areup
atthecei
l
ing.

Myhandswer
espreadapar
tont
hebedandI
wonder
ed;
wherewasMiquel
?

Isighedfeebl
yandlef
tthebedsoIcoul
dget
readyforschool
.Butf
irst
,Ideci
dedt
ocheckup
onMi quel.

Icheckedt
hebal
cony
,hewasn'
tther
e.
Icheckedt
heki
tchen,
sti
l
lwasn'
tther
e.
t
hebat
hroom,
not
hing.
Huh?Wher
etheheckdi
dhegosoear
ly?

Iwentint
ot hebathroom t
obr ushmyt eet
hand
asIfacedthemi rr
or,mymi ndkeptref
lect
ingon
thestor
yMi quelhadtol
dmet heprevi
ousnight
.
WhydoIhaveafeel
i
ngitwasn'
tj
ustast
ory
?
Buti
twasactual
l
yabouthi
m?
Huh?Why
?

Imean.
..
.Icoul
dreadt
heemotionsinhi
seyes
ashenarrat
ed.Andhement
ionedthebri
dge.
..

Doesn'
titexpl
ainwhyheal
way sget
ssoangr
y
wheneverthebri
dgei
smentioned?
Becauset
hatwast
hepl
acehe'
dlosthi
s
par
ent
s?

AndMy kel
'smessagethepr
evi
ousday-*
Your
angerki
ll
edyourparent
s*
And

*
You'
ret
heKi
ngofdar
keness*

OhGod!

Whati
f.
..
..

No;Idi
dn'twanttothi
nkabouti
t.I
twasn'
t
possi
ble.Ther
e'snowayMiquelcan.
..
.

No.
Iwashedmymouthandwenti
ntot
hebat
htub
af
terwar
dst
otakemybath.
*
WhenIwasdone, Idecidedtofrysomeeggsi
n
t
hekitchenf
orbreakfastandtomyamusement ,
Miqueldi
dn'
tshowupt illIwasdone.
Wher
etheheckwashe,
huh?

Iat
etheeggswi
thbread,dressedupandf
inal
l
y
l
eftwi
thmybagforclasses.
*
Onmyway,
Ikeptl
ooki
ngar
oundi
fI'
dsee
Miquel
.

Iwassoworr
ied,huh.Wher
ecouldhebe?Why
woul
dheleav
et hehousesoear
lywit
hout
dr
oppi
nganot
eornot
?

Coul
dhehav egoneforameeti
ng?Butwhydo
ear
ly?I
sthatevenpossi
ble?

Gosh!

Ibumpedint
oNinaandDianewhowereonthei
r
waytomeetmeandf el
tali
ttl
erel
i
eved.I
neededsomeonet
otalkto.

"
Hey
,bar
bie"Di
anet
easedwi
thasmi
l
e.

"Hi
.Goodmorni
ng"Isai
dundermybr
eat
hand
adj
ust
edthebooksIhel
dinmyarms.

"
Aww.Why
'sy
ourf
acel
i
kear
ott
enbeans?
What'
swrong?
"Sheaskedandt
ouchedmyhai
r
andIr
oll
edmyeyes.

"I
'
mf ine,
okay
?Andst
opcal
l
ingmenames"I
snapped.

"
Goodmor
ning,
Cal
i
"Ni
nasai
dwi
thal
i
ghtsmi
l
e.

"
Yeah.
..
goodmor
ning"
.

"Comeon,Cali
.We'r
erunni
ngl
atefort
rai
ning"
Dianasai
dandtri
edwalki
ngaway,
butIcalled
backheratt
ent
ion.

"
Trai
ning?Whatt
rai
ning?
"Iasked.

"
What
'r
eyout
alki
ngabout
,Cal
i
?Themi
ssi
oni
s
t
omor r
owandtoday'
sthef
inal
daywe'v
egotfor
t
rai
ning"Di
aner
epli
edandImouthedan*Oh!
*

Themi
ssi
on.

"Wel
l.
..
..
Iwon'
tbegoi
ng"It
oldherandshe
scof
fed.

"Andwhat'r
ey out
alki
ngabout
?Abansheei
s
needed,
right?
"Sheasked.

"
Yeah.
...
.butMiqueldoesn'
twantmetogo"I
r
epl
iedwi t
hashr ugandwatchedthesur
pri
se
t
hatcreptint
oherface.

"
And.
..
..
whywouldMiquel
beagai
nsty
ougoi
ng?
What
'r
ehisr
easons?
"
"
Well
..
..
I'
vegotnoi
dea.ButIhav
etoobeyhi
m"I
r
epl
i
ed.

Sher
oll
edherey
esandsi
ghed.

"
Ican'
tbel
i
eveI'
l
lbelef
tal
one.Ni
nai
sn'
tgoi
ng.
Andsamewit
hyou.Gosh"shemumbl
ed.

"
Any
way
,seey
oul
ater
.Ineedt
ogo"
.

"
Bye"Iwav
edatherandshescur
ri
edof
f.

Ni
naandIweret
heonl
yonesl
eftandwel
eft
f
orcl
assest
oget
her
.
*
*
Coor
dinat
esFr
om Kor
ea
*
*
"Weneedtosendthemessaget
othe
pri
est
",
oneofthem sai
d.

"
Lethi
m knowwe'
vef
oundMi
quel
".

"Yes.I
'
llsendthemessager ightaway.But,how
dowegethi mt ocomewi thus?You'dseent he
wayhei gnor
eduswhenhe' dseenus.Heact ed
l
ikewewer eghosts.I'
m notsosur ehe'dwant
tocomewi thuswill
ingl
y"thesecondr epl
ied.

"
Ofcour
se,hewouldn'
twantt
ocomewil
li
ngl
y.
He'
sdef
ini
tel
yrunni
ngawayfr
om t
het
hronethe
samewayhisfatherdi
d.Butasl
ongashe'
s
al
iv
e,hecan'
trunforev
er.

"Wealr
eadyknowwher ehe'sst
aying.So,we'
l
l
keeptr
ackofhim.Assoonashel eavest
he
i
nsti
tut
e,we'
llgoaf
terhim andgrabhi m"
.
*
*

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Theclasswasdamnbor ingt
ome, pr
obabl
y
becauseIkeptthi
nki
ngaboutMiquel
.Where
everhewas,Ijustpr
ayedhewasfine

Fi
nall
y,i
twasti
meforlunchandNinaandI
deci
dedtoeati
nthecafeter
iat
ogether
.
Onourwayt
her
e,wegoti
nter
rupt
edbyNaomi
.

"Iwantt
ohaveawordwit
hyou"
,shedemanded
asshestoodi
nfr
ontofus.
Shewasact
ual
l
yref
err
ingt
ome.

Huh?

"
Why
?"Iaskedandshegl
ared.

"WhenIaskf
orsomething,
Cal
i
,youdon'
t
quest
ionme"shesnapped.

Woah!Real
l
y?

Themanyst
udent
sar
oundwer
eal
ready
st
eal
i
nggl
ancesatus.

"Well,y
oudon' townme, Naomi.So,i
fyouwant
tospeakwi t
hme, Ihavet
heri
ghttodecide"I
repli
edandt r
iedwal ki
ngaway,
butshegr i
pped
mebyt hehandandpushedmei ntot
hepool
closeby.

Whaaaat
???
?

Ishri
ekedasIfel
tmysel
ffl
yingint
ot he
water,
mybag,books,
ever
ythinggoingalong
withme.

Ohmygawwwwd!
!!

Thest
udent
sar
oundandi
ntheswi
mmi
ngpool
al
soscreamedandIgaspedf
orai
rasIf
inal
l
y
l
andedinthewat
erandtri
edt
okeepmyhead
outofi
t.

Ipantedandslappedmyhandagainstt
hewall
,
thenlookedatNaomi,onl
ytoseeasmirkon
herface.

But
..
..
Isawsomet
hingel
se-someonebehi
nd
her
.

OhmyGod!

Wai
t.
..
.

I
sn'
tthatMi
quel
???
*
*
TBC.
Andt
hatwashowNaomi
"deaded"

IwonderhowMi
quel
woul
dtr
eatCal
ii
nfr
ontof
thest
udents

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode17
By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Thest
udentsr
eact
edwil
dlyt
ohispr
esenceand
Naomitur
nedtol
ookathi
m duetot
heovati
on.

Hewastherewithhisguards,
hishands
cr
ossedbehindhisback.

Heturnedtohi
sguardsandwhisper
ed
somethingt
othem andtheyst
art
edmarchi
ng
towar
dsNaomi .

Oh!If
orgot-hedoesn'
tspeaki
npubl
i
c.

"No,no.St
ayawayfrom me"shepani
ckedand
star
tedret
reat
ingbackwar
ds.
Shegottotheedgeofthepoolandwasabout
fal
l
inginwhentheguardsgothol
dofherand
gri
ppedherbybotharms.

"
No!Letmego!
"Sheyel
ledandt
ri
edst
ruggl
i
ng
wi
ththem,
buti
twasuseless

Theygri
ppedherf
ir
mlyandt
ookhercl
osert
o
Miquel
.

Hestar
edatherf
orawhil
ewit
houtsayi
nga
wordandgi
vingt
heboysaney
esignal
,they
st
art
edtaki
ngheraway
.

Okay
..
..
.wher
ear
etheyt
aki
ngher
??
Aft
erwatchi
ngthewhol
escenar
io,
itdawnedon
Iwassti
lli
nthewat
ersandi
mmediately
,It
ri
ed
comingoutofi
t.

But
,Miquelwal
kedupt
othepool
andsquat
ted
i
nfrontofme.

"Andwheredoy
out hi
nkyou'
regoi
ng?"He
askedwit
hasmile,
onlyt
omyhear i
ngtho.

Ohmygee!
!Thest
udent
swer
ewat
chi
ng!
!

Idi
dn'
tsayawor
dasIr
emai
nedi
nthewat
ers.

"
Wouldy
ouwantmet oj
oiny
ou?
"Heaskedand
mov
edaf ootcl
oser
.
"
Uh.
..
..
no.Whywoul
dyou.
..
."

Befor
eIcouldfi
nishupmystat
ement,
hehel
d
theedgeandjumpedint
othewater
.

"Hahhhh!
"Theumpt
eennumberofst
udent
s
excl
aimed

OhmyGod!Hi
sdr
ess!
!!

"What
'reyoudoi
ng?
?"Ifoundmyselfaskingand
hechuckl
edasheexhaleddeepl
yandswam up
ver
yclosetome-hisheadupinthewat er.

Thenoi
sesfr
om t
hestudentscoul
dclear
lybe
hear
dandtheymademer eal
lyner
vous.Buthe
di
dn'
tseem t
ocar
eashepul ledmecloseand
wr
appedhi
shandsar
oundmywai
st.

"
Feel
i
ngbet
ternow?
"HeaskedandInodded.

"I
..
..
waslooki
ngf
ory
ou.Idi
dn'
tseey
ou
befor
e..
..
."

"
Yeah.Neededtoat
tendt
osomet hi
ng
i
mportant
"hecutmeoffandInoddedagai
n.

Wedidn'
tsayawordandsl
owl
y,her
eachedf
or
myl
ipsandkissedme.

"Ar
ghhh!!
"Ihear
dthest
udent
sscream andi
t
sentcol
dchil
li
esdownmyspine.

Hesenthi
sfi
nger
sdeeperi
ntomywai
stashe
t
ight
enedt
heki
ssandf
inal
l
y,heunl
ocked.

"Don'
tyouthinkweshoul
dgoinsi
de,huh?"He
askedwhisperi
ngl
yandInoddedbashful
l
y.

Iwasprett
ysur
emyf
acehadcompl
etel
ytur
ned
redal
ready.

"Comeon"hehushedandst
art
edl
eav
ingme
outoft
hewater
.

Ibi
tmylowerli
pasIfol
lowedhi
m outand
cl
imbedoutofthepool
.

Ohmygee!
Theent
ir
est
udent
swer
est
ari
ngatus!
!
Atme!
EvenNinawasst
andi
ngatadi
stance,
gob
smacked.

"Canyouwalk?
"Hetur
nedtomeandaskedand
Ishookmyhead,t
hennoddedal
most
i
mmedi at
ely
.

Sur
pri
singl
y,het
urnedt
obackme.

"
Comeon,geton"hepr
oddedandmyey
es
wi
denedi
nshock.

Whaaat
??

"
Ishoul
dgetony
ourback?
"Iasked,
sur
pri
sed
"Whatel
secoul
ditmean,
Cali
?Geton"her
oll
ed
hisey
esandIbl
ushedgotonhisback.
Hehel
dmeper
fect
lyandst
art
edwal
ki
ngaway
wi
thme.

"You'r
esoheav
y"hegr
umbl
edandIsl
apped
him onhi
sarm.

"I
'
m notheav
y,okay
?'Isnappedathi
m wi
th
pout
edli
psandhechuckled.

*
Didy
ouseet
hat
??Di
dshej
ustsl
aphi
m?*

*
He'
shol
dingher
!!
*

Iheardsomanyoft
hest
udent
smut
teraswe
walkedaway
.
OhGod!
Goosebumps.
*
*
My
kel
'
sPov
:
Ist
oodatt
hef
iel
d,pr
act
ici
ngwi
thmybowand
arr
ow.

Itr
iedmanytimest
ohi
tthet
arget
,butcoul
d
onlygeti
tonce.

Whatt
hef
**ki
swr
ongwi
thmet
oday
?

Suddenl
y,Ihear
dfootst
epsandtur
nedt
osee
oneoftheboyscomingtowardsme.
"
Sir
"hecal
l
ed.

"Whati
sit
?"Igr
owl
edangr
il
yandt
urnedt
olook
athi
m.

Ij
ustf
eltal
i
ttl
eangr
yfornor
eason.

"Sorr
ytodist
urbyou,butoneofthespi
esjust
call
edandgav eussomei nf
ormati
onaboutthe
banshee"
.hesaid.

F*
*k!Thatwast
hepar
tIl
i
ked.

"Whatisit
?"IAskedi
mpati
ent
ly,
wishi
ngIcoul
d
dri
veintohist
hought
sal
ready
.
"
Shesai d.
..t
hebansheewon' tbegoingf ort
he
missiontomorrow, becauseMiqueldoesn't
wanthert o.Hewant shertostaybehind"he
r
epliedandmyf acecrinkl
edupinasmi le.

Per
fect
.That
'dmaket
hej
obeasi
er.

"Youknowwhatt
odo,t
hen"It
oldhi
m asIf
ixed
anarrowi
ntomybow.

"
Yes,
boss"hebowedandl
eft
.
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Hecarr
iedmeal
lthewayt
other
oom andt
rust
me,i
twasadamnsweetri
de.
Geez!

"Okay;
youcandropmenow.I'm okay
"I
announcedassoonaswesteppedintot
he
houseandhechuckl
edanddroppedmeonmy
feet
.

"Thanky
ou"Ishr
uggedandt
ri
edwal
ki
ngaway
,
buthegri
ppedmeback.

"Thatwasn'tf
orf
ree,
youknow?Doyour
eal
l
y
thi
nkitseasycar
ryi
ngaroundladyl
i
key
ou?"He
askedandIgasped.

"
Howdareyoucal
lmethat
??Ser
iousl
y?I
'
m
r
ound?
"Iaskedwi
thascof
f.
"Well
,yes.Haveyoutakenalookaty
our
shape?"Herepli
edandIrol
ledmyeyes.

"
Any
way ,howexactlydoyouexpectmetopay
y
ou,huh?Wedon' tspendcashher
e,
r
emember ?"Isai
dandf ol
dedmyhands.

Hesmi
l
ed.

"Idon'
tneedcash,miss"hecloseandbr
ought
hisfacever
yclosetomi ne.
Huh?

Heactedli
kehewantedtoki
ssme,but
unex
pectedl
y,hepushedmedownonmyknees
-i
nfrontofhi
m.
"
Ouch!
"Iwi
ncedal
i
ttl
easmykneeshur
t.

Whatwast
hatf
or?

"Ev
erhear
dofblow-j
ob?"Heaskedwi
thasmi
rk
andmyeyeswidenedinshock.

Whaaaaaat
??
*
*
TBC.

Season_
2
Epi
sode18

Cal
i
’sPov
:
Myey
eswi
denedi
nshock.

Whaaaat
???

Bl
owwhat
???
?

Iscof
fedandl
ookedathi
mindi
sbel
i
ef.

“
I……Ican’
t”Ist
utt
eredner
vousl
y.
“
Imean….Idon’
tthi
nkIknowwhatI
tis”Ishook
myheadandt r
iedst
andi
ngup,
buthepinned
medown.

“
Comeon,
Cal
i.Ser
iousl
y?”Hescof
fedandIf
elt
myt
ummybecomehot .
Oh!Geez.

WhatdoIdo?
Why
’st
hisguyt
ryi
ngt
ocor
ruptmebyal
lmeans?

Although….
I’
dseenpeopledobl 0wj0bonTV.
Yeah….I’
vewatchedi
t.ButIseri
ouslynev
er
thoughtIwoulddoit
.Imean, notanyt
imesoon.

Il
ookedi
ntohi
sfaceandcaughthi
m st
ari
ngat
mewithpl
eadi
ngeyes.
G0sh!

“Stopbei
ngsuchadol
l,
will
you?
”Her
oll
edhi
s
eyesandIfel
tmyjawsti
ck.

What
???Di
dhej
ustcal
lme….
.
H*
ell
no.Noway
.

It
ooki
nadeepbr
eat
handsetoutt
owor
k.
OkayCali
.Youcandot
his.Af
teral
l
,he’
smy
boyf
ri
end.

Ireachedforhi
sbel
tandsl
owl
y,st
art
ed
unh0okingit
.

OhGod!
!I’
m sodead!

Myhandsshookali
tt
leasIsepar
atedi
tand
z!
ppeddownthet
r0user
.

G0sh!
!!
Myl ungsfel
tsodryandmytummyrumbl
edasI
graduall
ybroughtt
hetr
0user
,rev
eal
i
nghi
s
b0xer.

Ohgawwwd!
!
Theshapeofhi
ssh@ftcoul
dcl
ear
lybeseen,
rest
ingi
ntheb0xer
.

Ipausedandlookedi
ntohisfacebef
ore
proceedi
ng.Idr
aggedtheb0xerdownal i
tt
lebi
t
andhisr0dcamebouncingouttomyf ace.

Hol
yMol
l
y!!

It
hinkIwannapee!
!!
Iswal
lowedaheav yl
umpasIwrappedmy
handaroundi
t.Inoti
cedhej
*er
kedali
tt
le.

Pract
ical
isi
ngwhatI’
dwatchedfr
om t
hemovi
es,
Istr
0keitgent
lybef
oresl
i
dingiti
ntomym0ut
h.

Ohmygee!
!!Ihadaguy
’sdcki
nmymout
h!!
!

Inoti
cedhemoanedsil
ent
lyasIstr
okeand
suckedfr
om i
t.Tho,
Iwasonlybutalear
ner
.

Hiss*menspi
ll
edint
omym0ut handIqui
ckl
y
gulpedi
tdowntoavoi
dchoki
ng.

“
Comeon,
Cal
i
”hegr
oanedandhel
dmyhead.
Hepushedmecl
oser
,for
cingmet
otakehi
sful
l
s!
ze.
Atsomepoint
,Ial
mostch0kedasaresultof
hi
sdckreachi
ngthedepthofmythr
0at.He
mademegmay speci
alforai
r.

Hefi
nal
lypul
ledoutandIcoughedvigor
ousl
y.
Butt
hankgoodnessitwasacleancough.

Imean,
unl
iket
heot
hermoviesIwat
ched,t
her
e
wasnos*mencomi
ngoutofmymout h.

“It
houghtyousaidyou’
venev
erdonethi
s
befor
e,huh?”Heaskedwit
hasmirkandmade
mehol dthedckagai
n.

If
ixediti
ntomym0ut hagai
nandstarted
st
r0ki
ngandscking.Andthi
sti
mear ound,Idi
d
i
tbetter
.Yes,
Icouldtel
lIwasbet
ter
.
Wel
l
,tobesi
ncer
e,Iki
ndaenj
oyedi
t.

Imean…t
hef
ragr
ance,hav
ingat
asteofhi
m
i
nsi
demymouth-whatmadehim aman.
I
ttast
edgr
eat
.

Atapoint
,hebroughtmyhandsdownf
rom hi
s
dckandstar
tedthroat–f
cki
ngmehimsel
f.

Whaaaat
??

Ihel
dmybr eathashedi
dhiswor
kandfi
nal
l
y,
herel
easedinsi
demyfcki
ngm0uth!
!!

Ohmygee!
!!
Idi
dn’
twantt
of i
l
lthefl
oorwit
hs*mengushi
ng
fr
om mymouth.So,Ij
ustswal
lowedi
tdown.

Yes,
Idi
d

“
Comeon”hehushedandl
i
ftedmef
rom t
he
f
loor
.

Hetookmet othebedandmademel i
e
upwards.Hesprej
oeadmi
nmyl*egssowide,
t0r
eoffmypNTADAandbenttowardsit!
My
…..

OhGod!

Ishutmyeyesandf
oldedmyl
i
psasI
anti
cipat
edt
hemoment .
Sl
owl
y,If
elthi
stonguet
her
e.

“
Hah!
”Igaspedast
hesensat
iondr
ovemewi
l
d.

Ohmygeeeee

“Miquel
”Igroanedhi
snameandgr
abbedt
he
sheetsbesi
deme.

D@mni
t!Whatwashedoi
ngt
ome?
?

Herummagedtheent
ir
eplacewi
thhi
st0ngue,
bi
ti
ngmyclt
or!
satint
erval
s.

Ohmygawwwwd!
!If
eltmyp0tbecome
compl
etel
ywet
.

Hefixedhi
st0nguei
ntooneoft
hel
i
nesoft
hev
and….OhmyGod!

“
What
’r
ey oudoi
ng?
”If
oundmy
sel
faski
ngi
n
mym0ans.

Hedidn’
tst
opandalmosti
mmedi
atel
y,pushed
f
ngerint
omyh0le.

“
Ah!
”Iwi
ncedasi
thur
tabi
t.

Whatt
heh*
ell
???

Heincr
easeditt
otwof
ngersandthewhole
t
ime,hi
st0nguewasst
il
lswimmingther
e.
“Mi
quel
…..
”Ishutmyeyesandm0anedoutas
hef
ngeredandsckedmeatthesameti
me.

Thef
eel
i
ng….
Icoul
dn’
texpl
ain.
I
twasbi
tt
ersweet
.

Heconti
nuedthatwayforsomet
imeandbythe
ti
mehepulledouttame,Iwaswishi
nghedi
dn’
t
stop.

Hetookof
fhi
scl
othescompl
etel
yandnobody
t
oldmetodosame.

It
ri
edl
ayingbackont hebed,
buthest
opped
meandlaidi
nstead.
Huh?

“
Geton”hesai
dandmyey
esdi
mmed.

What
??

Doeshe……

Ohmygawd!
I
’
venev
erdonet
hisbef
ore!

Iswal
l
owedhar
dandgent
lygotonhi
slegs.

Isquatt
edabovehi
m andgothol
dofhi
s
er*
ecteddck.
MyhandsitchedasIl
i
ftedi
ttomyh0neyp0t
andpusheditin.

“OhmyGod..
”Im0anedwhi
sper
ingl
yast
het
ip
goti
nfr
om bel
ow.

Slowlyandcaref
ull
y,Ist
art
edadj
ust
ingtothe
full
sizeandsoon,hewascomplet
elyi
nsideof
me.

“
Comehere”hehushedandpul
l
edmecloseby
t
hewai
st,
makingmel eant
owar
dshi
schest.

Imadeal
it
tl
esoundasIf
eltsof
ull
wit
hhi
sdck
i
nsi
deofme.

“
Knowhowt
ori
de?
”HeaskedandIshookmy
headnegat
ivel
y.

Hechuckl
edandmovedhi
shandsfrom my
wDenni
stoomydowntomya$$,gr
abbingbot
h
si
des.

Hesqueezedthem al
i
ttl
eandsl
owly,st
art
ed
movi
ngthem upanddowninhishands.
Hemademer
idehi
m.

“
Awn…”Im0aneddeepl
ywi
thmyey
esshut
.
I
’
dnev
erf
eltt
hisway
.

Hemov edmya$$upanddownandmademe
ri
dehisshaftwhi
chwasst
il
lst
ucki
ntomy
h0neyp0t.
“
Miquel
,you……

“
OhmyGod…”
Igroanedwithal
it
tl
epleasureandpainand
i
mmedi ately
,hel
etgoofmya$$andI
understoodhewantedmet odoitmysel
f.

Ipl
acedmyhandsonbot hsi
desofhisheadf
or
suppor
tasIstar
tedmovingupanddown,
rhyt
hmical
ly
,gi
vi
nghim whatseemedli
kea
perf
ectri
detome.

“Yeah.Comeon,Cal
i.Comeon”hegrunt
edand
grabbedmyb*0obswhichhadbeenb0unci
ng
helpl
essl
ythewhol
et i
me.

Hecuppedandsqueezedt
hem i
nhi
shandsasI
bouncedonhi
m.
“
Ah…

“
Aoh….

“
Uh….
Miquel
.

“
OhmyGod….
”

Imoanedingr
eatecst
MissyEmxpl
ora,
unabl
e
toexpl
aint
hefeel
i
ng.

Af
teraf
ewminut
es,het
urnedmeoverand
mademepl
acemylegonhisshoul
der
s.

Hol
yMol
l
y!!
Hecamei nt
omefrom t
hatposi
ti
onand
cont
inueddri
ll
i
ngme.

Mym0ansal mosti
ncr
easedtoscreamswhen
heincr
easedhi
space,act
ingl
ikehewant
edto
damagemyv .

Hepantedandsweatsf
ell
from hi
sheadt
omy
f
ace,butIdi
dn’
tcar
e.

If
eltmyvexpandi
ngashi
sful
lsi
zewast
aki
ng
over
.

G0sh!I
twasso…

“
Miquel
…”Ical
l
edbr
eat
hlessl
yandpant
ed.
Hegri
ppedmyhairandgotali
tt
leworst
,but
t
hankf
ull
y,mysemi–screamspulledhi
m back
t
ohissensesashesuddenl
ypull
edoutofme.

“Hah”Igaspedf
orai
rashef
ell
tir
edl
yont
he
bedbesideme.

Hol
yMar
y!

Webot hstar
edupattheceil
i
ngandpanted
heavi
l
y,breathi
ngli
kel
izar
dsthat
’dj
ustf
all
en
offa*t
omat oestr
ee*

“Thatwasdamngood,
wasn’ti
t?”Hetur
nedto
meandaskedandIfel
tli
kepunchinghi
scut
e
nose.
“Yeah,
itwas”Ir
oll
edmyey
esandt
urnedt
o
backhim.

G0sh!Thi
sguy’
sdef
ini
tel
ygonnaki
l
lmewi
th
t
hisoneday.

Ihear
dhi
m chuckl
ebehi
ndme.
Ser
iousl
y?

Hepull
edtheduv
ett
ocov
ermepr
oper
ly.Then,
hekssedme.

“Sl
eepti
ght
”hewhi
sper
edi
ntomyear
sand
kssedme.
*
Season_
2
Epi
sode19

Cal
i
’sPov
:
Ir
ushedoutoftheki
tchenwi t
hthetwocupsof
st
eami ngcof
feei
ntraysandmetMi quel
br
ushinghishai
rinf
rontofthemirr
or.

“
Itol
dyounottobotheraboutthecoff
ee,Cal
i
.
I
’mleav
ingal
ready
”hesaidwi t
houtlooki
ngat
me.

“Comeon, Miquel.Youcan’tgoonami ssi

on
withanempt ystomach.Justspareafew
seconds,pl
eeeeease”ienthusedasIsetthe
tr
ayont hetabl
eandt ur
nedt olookathim.
“I
’m al
readyrunni
nglate.Every
oneshoul
dbe
wait
ingbynow.Ineedt ogo,okay
”herepl
ied
andstartedbutt
oninghisshir
t.

“So…..
areyoutry
ingtosay….
they
’dl
eaveyou
behindbecauseyoudidn’
tmeetupwit
htime?”
,
Iaskedwithasarcast
icsmil
eandhelookedat
meandscof fed.

“Youknowt hat
’snotpossi
ble,Mi
quel.They
can’
tgowi t
houtyou.So,stopbei
ngsucha
dckheadandcomeov ert
ot hedi
ning”Iadded
andscurr
iedofftothekit
chentogett hebread.

Itookthebreadf
rom t
hekit
chenandf
oundhim
atthedini
ngwhenIretur
ned.Ismi
l
edtomysel
f.

“
Youknowy
ou’
real
i
ttl
ew!
tch,
huh?
”He
mumbl
edasIgott
her
eandIl
aughed.

“
Yeah…I
’
my ourl
it
tl
ew!tch”Ir
oll
edmyey
esand
t
ookaseatcl
osetohi
m.

Iopenedt
hebreadandwest
artedeat
ing,
al
thoughhef
ocusedmoreonthecoff
ee.

“
Howi
sit
?”Iaskedwi
thscr
uti
ny.

“Well
….i
tswhacked.Tast
eless”her
epl
i
edandI
gasped.

Whaaaaat
??

“Howdareyou?
”Ishir
kedandsl
appedhi
sar
m
onthet
ableandhelaughed.
“
You’r
esoannoy i
ng,,
Miquel
.Givet
hecof
feet
o
me.Letmehav ei
t.Now!”Ir
aspedandst
oodup
t
ocoll
ecti
t,buthejol
tedback.

“Hey !Iwasjustkidding,
okay ?Whomakes
coffeebet t
erthany ou?You’rethebestcof
fee
makeri nthewor l
d.Factly,
y oushouldbe
crownedt heQueenofCof fee”hesaidandI
foundmy sel
flaughing.

Hol
yMol
l
y.

“You’
resuchaj*
erk,
youknow?
”Ir
oll
edmyey
es
andretur
nedtomyseat.

“Yeah.
.I
’my
ourj
*er
k”her
epl
i
edandIl
aughed
again.
Aknockcameont
hedoori
mmedi
atel
y.

“Boss.Thedir
ector
sarewait
ing”avoi
cesai
d
andIcouldtel
litwasoneofhisguar
ds.

Oh!D@mni
t.

Hel
ookedatmeandIputonaf
rown.

“Tol
dya”heshr
uggedandgul
pedal
lthe
cont
enti
nhisgl
ass.

“Ihavet
ogonow,okay?I
’
m sor
ry”hemutt
ered
andstoodupandIdi
dsameaswel l
–sti
l
lwith
afrown.
Iwentt
ohi
m andhuggedhi
m.

“Takecareofyoursel
f,okay
?I’
ll
makepasta
befor
ey ouret
urn”IpoutedasIhuggedhi
m and
helaughed.

“Ser
iousl
y??Youwannabur ndownthewhol
e
i
nsti
tute?
”Het easedandIunl
ockedfr
om t
he
hugtolookhimi nthef
ace.

“Whattheheckareyoutal
ki
ngabout?
?Ican
makepasta,okay
? ’
Isai
dwithaneyerol
land
backedhim.

“Hey…Iwasj
ustkiddi
ng,
huh?
”Hecooedand
huggedmefrom behi
nd.
Heheldmywaistandt
rai
l
edsof
tkssesonmy
neckandIbl
ushed.

“
Justmakesur
eit
sdel
i
cious”hewhi
sper
ed.
“
Andnotj
ustt
hepast
a,buty
ouaswel
l
”.

Whaaat
?

Itur
nedtol
ookathim wi
thdi
l
atedeyesandhe
chuckl
edandst
aredwalki
ngtowar
dsthedoor
.

“You’
resuchaspoi
l
tj*
erk,
youknow?
”Isai
d
aft
erhim.

“
Yeah.Andy
ou’
real
i
ttl
ew!
tch”her
epl
i
ed.
“
Miquel
!”

“
What
?!”

Ihi
thi
m onhisbackbuti
tdi
dn’
tev
enaf
fecthi
m
asi
ngl
ebit.

Oh,
crap!

Ir
ushedtohim andhel
dhishandandwef
inal
l
y
walkedoutoft
heroom t
ogether
.

Twostr
angeboy swer
eposi
ti
onedatt
he
door
post,
alongsi
dehi
sguar
ds.

“Goodmor ni
ng,boss”hi
sguar
dsgr
eet
ed,
but
hedidn’
trespond.
“Ther
e’dbetheonestoguardyouti
ll
I’
m back.
Makesur eyoust
ayindoors,
okay?
”Miquel
stat
edandInodded,taki
ngaproperl
ookatthe
newboy s.

Hm.So,hebr
oughtsomeguar
dsf
orme.But
what
’st
heneed?

“Okay.ButI
’
llseeyouofffi
rst”It
oldhi
m andhe
noddedandwel ef
ttogether.
Wewal kedoutoft
heapart
ment,wal
kedsome
di
stanceandspott
edthecrowdwit
htwolong
buses.

Wow!Theywer
eal
lready
.
“
Ithinky oushoul
dstopher
e,Cal
i
.Ineedyout
o
r
eturnt otheroom”hesai
dashestopped
walking.

OhGod!Isuddenl
yfel
tlonel
y.

“Okay,Miquel.Justbecar
eful
,okay
?Pl
ease”I
saidpathet
icall
yandhesmi l
ed.

“
Youdon’thav
et oworryaboutme.I’
l
lbe
f
ine”
heanswered,butIst
il
llookeddi
spl
eased.

Heheldmycheeksandkssedme.Asnoggi
ng
kss.

OhGod!
Ial
soheldhi
scheeksasIr
eci
procat
edt
he
act
ion.
Hewassuchag0d-
d@mnksser
.

“Il
oveyou,
okay
?”Hesai
dwhenwef
inal
l
y
unl
ocked.

“Loveyout
oo”Ifl
ushedi
nasmil
eandhe
peckedmyhairandfi
nal
l
ywal
kedawaywit
hhi
s
guards.

Ohmygeeee!
!

Ist
oodlikeastat
uef
oral
ongt
imeand
watchedhim.
G0sh!Howdi
dIf
ell
sodeepl
yinl
ovewi
tht
his
guy??
Ibi
tmynai
l
sandaf
terawhi
l
e,het
urnedt
olook
atme.

Webothsmi
l
edatnot
hingandhecont
inued
wal
ki
ng.

Hmm.Ij
usthopet
heydon’
tst
ayl
ong.

Isi
ghedanddeci
dedt
oret
urnt
other
oom.

Epi
sode20

By
:Fai
thLucky

Aut
hor
essChi
Pov
:
Themi
ssi
onwast
aki
ngpl
acei
nabank.
Theywer
en’
tther
efort
hemoney–no.They
weret
her
eforsomeimpor
tantcr
edent
ial
s.

Thetwolongbusesparkedsomedistance
awayfr
om thebank.Andthefi
rstpar
tofthe
pl
anensued.

Notallofthem st
eppedoutatonce.Thefi
rst
sevensteppedoutandtherestwerether
efor
backupj usti
ncaseitget
stootough–when
theBlackDiãmôndsarri
ve.
*
*
Miquelwasamongt hoseseat
edinthecar
,
await
ingthesecondphaseofthepl
an.
Butt
herewassomet
hingelsehedesir
ed–
somethi
ngmorei
mportantonhi
smi nd.

TopunchMy
kel
int
hef
acet
hemomenthesees
hi
m.
*
*
Mi
nut
esLat
er…….
*
*
“
Fir
eeeeeeeee!
!”Thev
oicecamel
i
kear
oar
ing
l
i
on.

I
twaspr
obabl
yfr
om abov
e.

“Ar
ghhhhhhhhh”
,thescreamsofthebanker
s
andcl
ient
scouldclear
lybehear
dasgunshot s
f
il
ledt
heai
r.

Screams,pani
ckedbreat
hsandrunni
ng
footst
epscoul
dbenot i
cedever
ywher
east
he
planchangedtowar.

TheBl
ackDi
ãmôndshadar
ri
ved.
*
*
*
Mi
quel
’
sPov
:
Istoodont heroofofthebusandsurv
eyedt
he
area,try
ingtoseeifIcoul
dgetagli
mpseofhim
–My kel
.

I
’dbeenwait
ingfort
hesl
ight
estoppor
tuni
ty
whereI
’dspothi
m.But,
Iwasy ett
oseehim.
Forsur
e,hewoul
dn’
tmi
sscomi
ngt
othe
missi
on.

Therestofthest
udentswerealr
eadyi
nthe
bank,butIr
emainedoutsi
de,t
ryi
ngtospothi
m.

“Miquel”
,Isuddenlyhear
dmynamebeing
cal
ledinadi st
ortedvoi
ceandIt
unedt
osee
famil
iarfacesstari
ngatme.

What
?
Thecoor
dinat
esf
rom Kor
ea?
*
*
Cal
i
’sPov
:
Theki
tchenwasf
il
ledwi
thaki
l
li
ngar
omaasI
pr
epar
edt
hepast
a.

OhGod!Ireall
yhopethi
st astesbet
tert
hanit
smell
s.IhopeIcanimpressMi quel
withit
.And
Ihopeheretur
nshomesaf e.

Short
ly,Iheardaknockonthedoorandr
ushed
outofthekitchent
othebedroom.

“
Who’sit
?”Iasked,
asIcl
eanedmyhandsand
f
acedthedoor.

Idi
dn’
tgetarepl
ybutsuddenl
y,t
hedoorbur
st
openandIf
li
nchedabit.

Huh?
I
twasact
ual
l
ytheguar
dsassi
gnedatmydoor
post
.

“Hey;what’
swrong?Whatdoyouwant ?
”I
asked,al
armedatthei
rst
rangeent
rance.

Theystar
edatmewithoutsay
ingawor
dand
j
ustthen,Ni
nashowedup.

Huh?

“
Nina?
”Ical
l
ed,
sur
pri
sed.

I
mmediatel
y,oneoft
hem st
ret
chedoutthei
r
handst
omeandIgr i
ppedmyheadtight
.

Ther
ewasal
oudsoundasmyl
egsbecame
weakandIf
ell
weakl
yont
hef
loor
.

OhmyGod!What
’shappeni
ng?

Myheadached.If
eltsodizzyast
heent
ir
e
pl
acewentroundi
ncircl
es.

“Whatelsedoy
ouwant,
conf
essor
?”Ihear
d
oneoftheguar
dssayi
nmydrowsystat
e.

She….
conf
essedt
hem?

Myheavyeyeswer
eonthecei
li
ngandsoon,
sheshowedupandst
aredi
ntomyface.

“
Nina?
”Ical
l
edweakl
yandshesmi
rked.
Andf
inal
l
y,myey
escl
osedupi
nsl
eep.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode21

By
:Fai
thLucky

Mi
quel
'
sPov
:
Ther
ewast
otal
dar
kness;
not
hingbutdar
kness.
Igroanedandfel
tsoheav
yasIf
orcedmy
heavyeyesopen.

Ther
ewasnosound,
onl
yfai
ntechoes.

Wher
ewasI ?Andwhycouldn'
tIseeat
hing?
Whywastherenothi
ngbutdar
knessev
enwith
myeyesopened?

Hol
don;
thecoor
dinat
es.

Icoul
drememberseeingthem.Andnext
,ther
e
wasbleedi
ngandthen,ablackout
.

Whathappened?Di
dtheyr
eal
l
ysucceed?

"
He'
sawake"Isuddenl
yhear
daf
aintv
oicesay
andnext
,somethi
ngwast akenof
fmyeyesand
Ireal
i
zedI'
dbeenbli
ndf
oldedthewhol
eti
me.

Icouldfi
nal
lyseethethi
ngsaroundme
and..
..
goodf**k;Iwaschai
nedtoabedwi
tht
he
coordi
natesaroundme.

Themi
ssi
on.
..
.whathappenedwi
thi
t?

"
Miquel
"oneoft
hem cal
l
edandcamecl
ose.
Icoul
drecogni
zeherf
rom t
hepal
ace.

"
How'
rey
ouf
eel
i
ng,
son?
"

"I
'm notyourson.Whatam Idoi
ngher
e?Get
thesechainsoffme"Igri
tt
edangri
l
yandtr
ied
standingup.
Butt
her
ewassomet
hingst
range.Icoul
dn'
tfeel
mypowers.

"Don'tst
ressyoursel
f,Miquel
.Thechai
nsare
suppressingyourpowerssoy oudon'
tusei
t
againstus"anothersai
d.

"We'
reyourpeopl
e,Miquel
.We'
reone.And
we'
reheretotakeyouhome.Yourt
hrone
awai
tsyou".

Mot
herf
**ker
.

"I
'
m notinter
estedi
nthet
hrone.Ihaveno
deal
i
ngwi thit
.So,l
etmego",
Irasped
i
mpatientl
y.
Damni t
!Iwishther
ewasawayIcoul
dget
thesechai
nsoffmybody.

"St
oply
ingtoyour
self
,Miquel
.You'
ret
heeldest
sonandthehei
rapparentt
othethr
one.Andit
's
onl
yri
ghtyou.
..
"

"Fi
ndanot herKi
ngf ort
het hrone.I
'm not
i
nterestedinthesamet hronethatledtothe
deathofmypar ents.Justletmego.I '
vegot
i
mpor tantthi
ngstodo".Iinterr
uptedrashl
y,
andal i
ttl
eweakly.

Thechai
nswer
ehav
ingi
tsownef
fectonme.

"We'
resorr
y,Miquel
.Butwe'
renev
erl
ett
ingyou
go"t
heeldestamongthem sai
dandsi
gnall
ed
ont
heot
hert
obl
i
ndf
oldmeagai
n.

"
You'
remaki
ngami
stake"Isai
dfeebl
y,shaki
ng
myhead.

Theyli
ft
edt
hebli
ndf
oldt
omyf
aceandf
inal
l
y
cover
edmyeyes.

No;

Cal
i
.

Wher
e'sshe?Ineededt
oseeher
.

Ineededt
obewi
thher
.
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
I
'
dwokenuponacol
dti
edf
loor
,myhead
f
eel
i
ngsomuzzy
.

Ouch!Whydoesi
thur
tsomuch?

Istr
uggledt
osi
tupsl
owl
yandr
ecal
lwhat
'd
happened.

Ni
na!

Shewasinmyr
oom.And.
..
.madet
hoseguar
ds
att
ackme.

Whatcoul
dthi
smean?Li
ke.
..
.whywoul
dshe
maketheguar
dsat
tackme?
Andwher
ewasI
?

Suddenl
y,thedooropenedandt
wost
range
boyswalkedin.

Ipi
nnedmysel
fcl
osert
othewal
landnext
,
someoneel
seshowedup.

Wai
t.
..
..

I
sn'
tthi
s..
..
.

I
sn'
tthi
sMy
kel
??

Thesameguyt
hat
'ddr
awnabr
idgeonmy
hand?
??

Ofcour
se!He'
stheone.

I
she.
..
.
Hol
don;

Wher
ewasI
?

No;
itcan'
tbe.I
tsnotpossi
ble.

"CaliJenner
"hecal
ledcal
mlyashecame
closerandsquat
tedinfr
ontofme.

Ist
aredathi
minshock.
"How'rey
oufeel
i
ng?Rememberme? "Heasked
andtouchedt
hesideofmyf
ace.ButIcoul
dn't
respond.

Whatam Idoi
ngher
e?AndNi
na.
..
Coul
ditbepossi
bleshe'
dhel
pedt
hem?

OhGod!Thisisn'
tpossi
ble.Ni
na.
..
.she'
dnev
er
dosuchathing.
She.
..
..
shewasmyf
ri
end.

"Hey"t
heguyi
nfr
ontofmecooedandl
i
ftedmy
cheek.

Ther
ewasastr
iki
ngr
esembl
ancebet
weenhi
m
andMiquel
.
"
Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
"Iaskedi
na
wav
eri
ngt
one.
Iwasdamnscar
ed.

"
Oh,
Cal
i
"hesmi
l
ed.
"
Ther
ear
esomanyt
hingsIwantf
rom y
ou"
.

Hetouchedmycheeksandstoodup,
then
t
urnedtotheboy
sbesidehi
m.

"
Bri
nghert
omyr
oom"heor
der
edt
hem and
wal
kedout
.

Whaaat
??
*
*
TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode22

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Theboysgri
ppedmeimmediat
elyandst
art
ed
wal
kingoutofther
oom wi
thme.
"No.Letmego"Isai
dfeeblyandtr
ied
str
uggli
ngwitht
hem,butthei
rgri
paroundme
wast oost
rongandf
irm.

Then,
Itr
iedusi
ngmypower
s,but
..
..
.

No;whatj
usthappened?Whycoul
dn'
tIf
eel
my
power
sanymor e?

Ipanicked,buttheboysdi
dn'
tseem t
ocareas
theycontinuedwalki
ngawaywithme,taki
ng
thesamer out
eMy kel
wastaki
ng.

Fi
nal
l
y ,wegottoaroom andt
heypushedmein.
I
twasacompl etedazzl
i
ngbedroom andMy
kel
wasthereaswell
.
Theboysl
eftaf
terar
ri
vi
ngwi
thmeandIwas
l
eftal
onewit
hMy kel
.

Gosh!If
eltsoscar
ed.
HowdoIgetoutofher
e?Andwher
ecoul
d
Miquel
be?

Mykel
tur
nedt ol
ookatme,t
henwalkedov
ert
o
t
hesmalldi
ningt
herei
ntheroom.

"
Comeon,Cal
i
.Hav
easeat
"hesai
d,butIdi
dn'
t
makeamove.

Heuncov
eredthepl
atesont
het
abl
eandt
ook
uphi
scutl
eri
es.

"
Whyar
eyoukeepi
ngmeher
e?"If
orcedmy
sel
f
t
oask.

"
Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
"

Heact
edmut
eandstart
edeat
ingf
rom oneof
t
henumer
ousdi
shes.

"Mi
quelwil
lcomeformesoon.Youshouldl
et
megowhi l
eyousti
llcan"Isai
dandgul
ped
ner
vousl
yandhelaughed.

"
PoorCal
i
"hesi
ghed.
"
Ihatetobethebeareroft
hisnewsbut,
Miquel
'
snevercomingback,lov
e.He'
sgone"
.

MybrowsarchedasIstar
edathi
minconf
usi
on.
What
'shetal
kingabout
?
Hechuckl
edandl
ookeddownathi
smeal
.

"Comeon,Cal
i.Yourmeal
'
sget
ti
ngcol
d"he
stat
edcasual
l
y.

"Wh.
..
.What'
reyoutalki
ngabout
?Whatdoy ou
meanhe'sgone?"Iaskedinul
ti
mateconf
usion
andi
mmedi atel
y,hethrewhi
sforkatme,
ina
wayi
tlandedstrai
ghtintomyarm.

"Ar
ghhh"Iyel
pedinpai
nsandhel
dmybl
eedi
ng
arm wi
ththeother
.

OhmyGod!

"
Stopmaki
ngmer
epeatmy
sel
f,Cal
i
.Now,
for
thel
asttime,comeandhav
easeat"hesaid
i
cil
y,butIdi
dn'tmov
eashurtf
ult
ear
sstreamed
downmycheeks.

Ihel
dthefor
kandgoi
ngt
hroughsomuchpai
ns,
Ipul
ledi
toutofmyar
m.

Iwincedandthr
ewt
hest
ainedf
orkont
hef
loor
,
thenstar
edathi
m.
Hehadanev
ilgr
inonhi
sface.

Whathav
eIgot
teni
nto?
I
mmediat
ely
,It
urnedar
oundandr
anf
ort
he
door
.
Hol
yChr
ist
.Pl
ease,
hel
pme.

Igott
othedoorandt
ri
edopeni
ngi
t,but
di
sappoi
ntedl
y,i
twoul
dn'
topenup.

Itur
nedt
heknobt
ir
edl
essl
y,buti
tdi
dn'
topen
up.

Then,It
urnedt
olookathi
m andhewasal
ready
onhisfeet
.
*
*
Di
ane'
sPov
:
Theenti
reci
tywaschaoti
casstudentswere
bei
ngrushedtot
hecli
nic.Manymov edaround
wit
hbiginj
uri
esononepartofthem -j
ustli
ke
me.

Ihadabi
gcutonmyleftar
m.ButIdeci
dednot
togotot
hecl
ini
cfori
t.Themi
ssi
onwasa
f
ail
ure.

Rumor sweregoingaroundthatMiquelwas
missing.Imean.
.wecouldn'
tfindhim dur
ingt
he
courseofthemission.Wher
ecoul dhebe?

Imanagedt
odragmyf
eetal
ongandt
hankf
ull
y,
Ispot
tedNi
na.

"Hey!Ni
na!Ni
na!"Ical
l
edoutt
oherandt
hank
goodnesssheheardmeandtur
nedtomy
dir
ecti
on.

Sheseemedt
obei
nhast
e.

"
Di.
..
.Di
ane"shest
utt
eredandr
ushedov
er.
Shehadabagwi
thher
.
"Hey;
Wat'sup?You...
.y
ou'r
einjured?
"She
askedandIjustnodded,br
eathingheav
il
y.

"
Please,hel
pme.Takemetomyr oom"Isai
d
weakly
,butthel
ookonherf
ace.
..
.sheseemed
r
eluct
ant.

"Um..
..
act
uall
y,Iwasonmywayt o.
..
.Iwas
act
uall
yinahurry,
Diane.Ihav
etodo
somethi
ng"shebubbled,maki
ngmeamused.

"Ar
ey oukiddi
ngme,Nina?I'
minpainsand
you'
rethinki
ngofsomethingel
se?
"Iaskedand
shesigheduncomfort
ably.

"
O..
..
.okay
.Comeon"
.
Shewrappedherhandaroundmyshoul
derand
st
art
edaidingmetowalk.

Ah!Atl
east
,thi
sisbet
ter
.

Gosh!Mywai
st.
..

Mylegs.
..
ever
ywher
ef*
"ki
ngpl
acewashur
ti
ng
l
ikehel
l.

"
Sorryaboutthewounds"Ninasai
daswe
t
rudgedalongandImurdereda* t
hanky
ou*

If
eltsoweak.
Suddenl
y,Ihear
dastrangesound.
..
li
ket
he
soundofsomethingv
ibrat
ing.

Andi
twascomi
ngf
rom Ni
na'
sbag.

Hol
don.
..
..
..

I
sn'
tthataphone?
??"
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )
#Season_
2
Epi
sode23

By
:Fai
thLucky

Di
ane'
sPov
:
I
sn'
tthataphone?

IlookedatNi
naint
hefaceandwi
tht
helookof
things,
shehadnoi
deaIwasawar
eofit
.

I
twasjustvi
brat
inglowlyandsincethebag
wastouchi
ngmyl egs,IguessedIwastheonl
y
onewhocouldfeelit
.
But
..
..
whatwoul
dNi
nabedoi
ngwi
thaphone?

Perhaps.
..
I'
mf eeli
ngthewrongt
hing.But
,it
s
real
lyvi
brat
inglikeaphone!

Ikeptwonder
ingasshedraggedmealongand
fi
nall
y,wegottot
heent
ranceofmyroom.

"
Uh..
.t
hankyousomuch,Nina.I
'
llj
ustgoinand
r
estnow"It
oldher
,soundi
ngreall
yti
red.

"Okay,sur
e.Takecareofy oursel
f,okay?I
'
ll
comecheckupony oulater"sherepli
edand
scurr
iedoffwit
houthesit
ance.

Ist
oodbyt
hedoorandwat
chedherv
ani
sh.
Why'
ssheact
ingcranky
,huh?Andcoul
dther
e
r
eal
l
ybeaphonei nherbag?
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
"Pl
ease.
..
.j
ustl
etmego.Idon'
twannabehere"I
sai
dfearf
ull
yasIpr
essedmybackagainstt
he
door.

Het
ickedhi
stongueandst
art
edcomi
ng
t
owardsme.

"
You'rereall
ysostubborn,
huh?Howwas
Miquelabletocopewithyou?"Heasked.

Mypowers.
..
.whycoul
dn'
tIf
eel
them?What
hav
etheydonetome?
Hegotsocl
osetomeandItr
iedrunni
ngaway
f
rom t
hedoor,
buthewasf
astenoughtogri
p
myhandandpull
meback.

"
Wherecoul
dyoupossi
blygo,
Cal
i
?Ther
e'sno
wayy
ou'r
eleav
ingt
hispl
ace.

"Andnow...
.t
alki
ngaboutwhatIwantfr
om y
ou;
Ithi
nkit
'sti
me"hesmi r
kedandstart
edpul
li
ng
met owardsthebed.

"No!No!Please,l
etmego.Letmego!!"Iy
ell
ed
andtriedf
ighti
ngwit
hhishand,buti
twas
frui
tl
ess.

Wegottot
hepoi
ntwheret
hefor
khehad
i
njur
edmewit
hwaslyi
ngonthefl
oorand
quickl
y,Igr
abbedi
tfr
om t
hef
looranddr
ovei
t
ri
ghtintohi
sback.

"
Urgh!
"Hegav
eabr i
efgr
untandIwasabl
eto
f
reemyhandfr
om hi
s.

Ir
antothedooragai
nandt
ri
edopeni
ngi
t,buti
t
wasdamnuseless.

"Hel
pme!"Icr
iedandsl
appedmyhands
agai
nstt
hedoor.

Idi
dn'
tevenknowwhatIwasdoing.HowdoI
thi
nksomeonewoul
dreal
lyshowupt osav
eme?

Ei
therways,Iconti
nuedhit
ti
ngthedoor
desper
atel
yandi ntear
s,butnotf
orl
ongas
Mykel
caughtupwit
hmeandt
urnedmeaway
f
rom t
hedoortof
aceme.

Bef
oreIcoul
dsayaword,hel
andedaheav
y
sl
aponmycheekthatbr
oughtmetomyknees.

"
Ahh"
,Iwi
ncedandhel
dthecheek.

"Youreal
l
ythinky
oucanplaybr
ave,huh?"He
askedangri
l
yandgrabbedmyhair
,li
ft
ingmeup
withi
t.

"No!Please"Icr
iedandt
riedstr
uggl
i
ngwit
hhim,
butitdidn'
tworkashedraggedmeroughl
yto
thebedandpushedmeoni t.

OhmyGod!
Hecan'
tdot
hist
ome.

No;
hecan'
t.

Heknel
tinfrontofmeonthebedandmade
sur
eIcouldn'
trunawayf
rom hi
sgrasp.

"
Please,
don'tdothi
s.Pl
ease"Ibeggedbutthey
f
ellondeafearsashestar
tedundressi
ng.
Het ookoffhi
sshir
tandmyeyesdi
mmedwhen
Idi
scov er
edhewashav i
ngal
mostt
hesame
tat
tooasMi quel
'
s

Heunbuckl
edhisbel
tandi
ntheprocess,It
ri
ed
smuggl
ingmywayoutofhim,buthepinnedme
downandslappedmeagai
n.
"
Ahh"

"You'
reonlycausi
ngmorepai
nstoyour
self,
Cali
",hesaidi
nanimpati
entv
oiceandsl
ided
hisfi
ngersint
omyskir
t.

"No!Please.I
'm beggi
ngy
ou.Don'
tdot
his.I
can'
ttakeit.Pl
ease"Iwhi
mperedwi
thmyhead
mov i
ngsideway s.

"I
'
m sor
ry,
,
Cal
i.ButImadeapromisetoMiquel
.
AndIal
wayskeepmypr omi
ses"herepl
i
edand
gothol
dofmyp* nt
.

'
No!!
"Ishr
iekedandt
ri
edf
ight
inghi
m wi
thmy
nai
l
s.
Iwasabl
et ogivehim ascr
atchonhischest
,
buti
tdi
dn'tseem tohavemuchef f
ectonhim
ashesuccessful
lyri
ppedmyp* ntoff
.

"
No!!St
opit
, pl
ease.Pl
ease,
I'
m beggi
ngyou!
"I
weptasIf
eltmywhol eworl
dshatt
eri
ng.

"
What
'ssospeci
alabouti
t,huh?
"Hemocked.
"
Hasn'
tMi
quel
beendownt
her
ebef
ore?
"

Heusedhislef
thandtopinmybothhands
abov
emyhead, whil
eheusedtheothert
oli
ft
myskir
t,gi
vi
nghim accesst
omyexposedarea.
Howcoul
dhebet
hispower
ful
,huh?

"
Please..
..
"Wasall
Icoul
dsayasIdi
dn'
tknow
whatelsetodo.
Hej
ustr
ender
edmev
ulner
abl
e.

"St
aycalm..andit
'l
lal
lbeoversoon"hest
ated
andspreadmyl egsapart
,comingful
lyi
n
betweenthem.

"
I'
m beggingy
ou,pl
ease.Don'
tdot
his.Don'
tdo
t
histome"Icri
edweakly,
shaki
ngmyhead
v
igorousl
y.

Icoul
dn'tseewhatwasgoingondownther
e,
butsoon,Ifel
thi
sharder
ecti
onagai
nstmy
honeypot.

"No?!
!"Iscr
eamedwi
thsomuchfr
ight
,buthi
s
gri
paroundmewasfir
m,Icoul
dn'
tgofreef
rom
i
t.
"
Letmego!
!"Iy
ell
edmor
eandst
ruggl
ed.

Hott
ear
swer
eal
readyr
oll
i
ngdownt
omyneck.

Howcant
hishappent
ome,
huh?
How?
?

"
Relax,Cal
i.I
'
llbegentl
e"hesai
dgr
iml
yand
f
inal
lypushedhisd*ckint
ome.

OhmyGod!

"No!
!!
!!Pl
ease!Justst
opi
t.Pl
ease"Icr
ied
prof
usely
.
Myv
oicewasbegi
nni
ngt
ogetweak.
Sincehewasalr
eadyi
nsi
deofme,hisbot
h
handswerefr
eeandheusedthem t
opinmy
ownhandsabovemyheadsoIdon'tmove.
"
Mykel
please.
..
..
"Iwhi
mper
ed.

Hegroanedali
tt
leashepushedhi
msel
fdeeper
andstar
tedt
hrust
ingsl
owly
.

OhmyGod!
Thi
sisr
eal
l
yhappeni
ngt
ome.

Itappedmyheadonthebedasexcr
uci
ati
ng
painsoccupi
edmyenti
resy
stem.

Theyweren'
tj
ustpai
nsf
rom S*
x,butpai
nsf
rom
bei
ngrapedandhurt
.
Howcoul
dhedot
hist
ome?

Heincreasedhispacegradual
lyandIcoul
dn'
t
bel
ievesomeoneel sewasdril
l
ingmet hi
sway;
someoneasi deMiquel
.SomeoneIknew
not
hingabout .

Thatwast
hewor
stpai
n.

"
Ihateyou"Imumbl
edweakl
yasmyey
esshut
i
ntears.

Ihadstoppedst
ruggl
i
ngcauseIknewt
hedeed
hadalr
eadybeendone.
I
'
djustbeenusedbyawor
thl
essguy
.
*
*
 Mi
quel
'
sPov
:
If
eltsor
est
less.

Myent
ir
ebei
ngwascr
umbl
i
ngandget
ti
ng
mor
eweak.

Ineededtogetoutofhere.Ineededt
oseeCal
i
byallmeans.Ineededt
oknowwhatwas
happeni
ng.

Icoul
dn'
tj
ustst
ayi
nher
e.

"
Son"
,Ihear
doneoft
hecoor
dinat
escal
l
.

Yeah,Icoul
donl
yhearcauset
her
ewasst
il
la
bl
indf
oldovermyeyes.
Ipant
edheav
il
yanddi
dn'
tsayawor
d.
Ionl
ywi
sht
hechai
nswer
en'
tpoi
soned.

"Don'
tworry,Mi
quel
.We'l
lbehomesoon
enough,okay?Andassoonasyousi
tonthe
thr
one,allt
hesewoul
dbeov er
".
Sher
ubbedmyhai
rgent
lyasshespoke.

"
I'
ll
nev
ergov
olunt
ari
l
ywi
thy
out
oKor
ea"Isai
d.
"Andyouknowit'
sgonnabeimpossi
blet
aki
ng
meal lt
heway,
forcef
ull
y.I
tsonl
ygoi
ngtobea
disast
er"
.

Shekeptmut
eforaf
ewseconds.

"Don'
tworr
y,son.Theshi
pwil
lbeheresoon
andwe'l
ldefi
nit
elyl
eavet
oget
her.I
tmightbe
di
ffi
cult
,yes.Butwe'l
lcr
ossthebr
idge"
.shesai
d
hopeful
lyandstoppedtouchi
ngmyhair.

Next,
Ihear
dfoot
stepsandf
igur
edshewas
walki
ngaway.

"
Wecanmakeadeal "Isai
doutl
oudandt
he
f
oot
stepsst
opped.

Damni
t!Iwasn'
tthi
nki
ngst
rai
ght
.Ij
ustneeded
awayt
ogetoutofhere.
Ineededawayt
oseeCal
i
.

"Whatdeal
arey
outal
ki
ngabout
?"Sheasked
andItooki
nadeepbr
eath.
Av
erydeepbr
eat
h.
"
I'
ll
gowi
thy
out
oKor
ea-wi
l
li
ngl
y"Ibegan.
"
Butonl
yononecondi
ti
on"
.
*
*
TBC

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He’
sCol
d–hear
ted,
buthe’
smi
ne )
#Season_
2
Epi
sode24
By
:Fai
thLucky
Ni
na’
sPov
:
ThankgoodnessIwasablet
ogetawayfr
om
Diane.Ican’
tbel
i
evesheal
mostdel
ayedme.
Igotoutt
othegar
bagesi
te,
butcoul
dn’
tfi
nd
thetr
uckyet
.
Damnit!Don’ttel
lmethey
’vel
eftal
ready
.Or
theywereyettoarri
ve?
Imovedt
oanemptyandquietcor
nerand
br
oughtmyphoneoutofmybag.
Oh!Ther
ewasact
ual
l
yami
ssedcal
lfr
om hi
m.
Iqui
cklydi
aledi
tandt
hankf
ull
y,hepi
ckedat
thesecondbeep.
“
Hey!Wherethehel
ldi
dyoukeepy
ourphone?
”
Heaskedgrumpi
ly.
“
Itwasonsil
ent
,okay
?Wher earey
ou?I
’
m on
t
rackal
ready
”Isai
dimpat
ientl
y.
“Yeah,st
ayput.Thetrucki
salr
eadyonit
sway.
Assoonasi t
sput t
ingthedi
rti
n,y
oujumpinas
well”
“Okay.But
…howcl
osearethey
?Ireall
yneedto
getoutofher
eal
ready
.Itwon’
tbelongbefor
e
theydiscoverCali
’
smi ssingandt heymight
traceinvest
igat
eanddi scoverIhadahandi ni
t.
Ireall
yneedt ogetoutofhere,please”Isai
d
desper at
ely
.
Iwasdamnsoscar
edandner
vous.
“Don’
tworry,
okay?They’
ll
bet
her
esoon”he
saidandendedthecal
l.
Gosh!
Iqui
ckl
yfi
xedt
hephonei
ntomybagandt
ook
i
nadeepbreat
h.
Oh!Pl
ease,
Ireall
yhopet
hiswor
ks.Ij
ustwanna
l
eavethi
splace.
“
Nina?
”Isuddenl
yhear
dmynameandf
rozeat
t
hespot.
Hiusonpl ustwothreefourei
ghtzer
ofiv
efi
ve
ei
ghteightnineoneeightthr
eeonwatsappt
o
getaddedt oourgr
oup.
It
urnedandcaughtDi
anest
andi
ngandst
ari
ng
atmewi
thaconf
usedl
ook.
OhmyGod!
“
You?
”Sheshi
rked.
*
*
Aut
hor
essChi
Pov
✍
Therewaschaosi
nthebighal
last
heboar
dof
di
rector
shel
dthemeeti
ng.
“Howthehel
ldi
dt hi
ngsgowrong???Miquel
wasourbackupplan.Whathappenedtohim?”
Themanageraskedaft
erhi
tti
ngthetabl
e
angr
il
y.
“Nei
therofushav eanyidea,sir
.Hejust
seemedt ovanishandhasn’tretur
nedtothe
i
nsti
tuteeit
her”oneofthef emaledir
ect
ors
repl
i
ed.
Thet
ensi
oni
nther
oom wasj
ustexcess.
“
Couldhebeindanger?I
tssounusual
for
Miquel
toabandonthemissi
on.He’
dneverdo
t
hat”
“Yeah….So, wher
ethefucki
she??Wel ost
anothermi ssi
ontothoseani
mals.What’
s
happening? ??
”Themanageryel
l
edandki cked
thetabl
et histi
mearound.
Suddenl
y,ast
affcamer
unni
ngi
n.
“
Sir
!Si
r!
”Shepantedheav
il
yandal
ley
esdar
ted
t
oherdi
rect
ion.
Shepant
edl
i
keal
i
zar
dbei
ngchased.
“Whati
sit
,Mona?
”Oneoft
hef
emal
edi
rect
ors
asked.
“I
ts…..
it
sMi
quel
.He’
sback!Hej
ustar
ri
ved”she
stat
edheav
il
yandal
ley
esbeamed.
“
Whaat
?”
*
*
Wit
houthesit
ati
on,theyr
anouttohi
m–
i
ncl
udingtheoveral
lmanager
.Itwasmor
eli
ke
t
heretur
nofChr i
st.
Theyrushedaft
erthest
affwhoweretaki
ng
them t
othelocati
onandfi
nall
y,t
heygott
here
andfoundhim besi
deacar,hi
shandoverhi
s
tummy .
Hel
ookedweak.
“Mi
quel!
!”Oneoft
hefemal
edi
rect
orscal
l
ed
andrantohol
dhim.
Studentshadgat her
edalloverl
ikeacr
usade
wast akingplace.Al
though,
theymaint
aineda
gooddi stance.
“Miquel!Mi
quel
!Hey;ar
eyoualr
ight?What
happenedtoyou?”Thefemal
edirectorhol
ding
him asked.
Theot
her
shadgot
tencl
oseaswel
l
.
“
I’
mfi
ne”hesai
dindeepbr
eat
hs.
‘
Ineedt
ogot
omyr
oom f
ir
st’
.
Hetri
edwal
ki
ngaway
,butwashel
dbackbyt
he
di
rect
or.
“Areyouaf
tert
hebanshee?
”Sheaskedandhe
stoppedt
olookandnod.
“She’
snowher
eintheinsti
tut
e”t
hemanager
saidandhi
seyesdroppedopeninshock.
*
*
Cal
i
’sPov
:
Iweptonthebedwi thmyhandsandlegs
huddledt
ogether
; t
hebedhseetwasdrawnto
covermylegs,al
thoughIst
il
lhadmyskirton.
Mykel
stoodemot
ionl
essl
yinf
rontoft
hemi
rr
or
ashefi
xedhi
sbut
tons.
Heactedli
kenothi
nghadhappenedandt
her
e
wasn’
taladycry
ingonhi
sbed.
Whenhewasdonewit
hthebut
tons,
hebr
ushed
hi
shai
r,t
hent
urnedt
olookatme.
“
Willy
oust
opquiver
ingal
ready?It
snotl
i
ke
y
ou’r
edeadorsomethi
ng”hesaidwit
haneye
r
oll
ashestar
tedcomingclosert
ome.
Ikeptsniv
elingasthepai
nswer
eunbear
abl
e.I
sti
ll
couldn’tbel
iev
eherapedme.
Hegott
othebedandl
eanedi
nfr
ontofme.
“
You’
reamonst
er”Iwhi
mpered,t
ear
sdri
pping
f
rom myey
eswhichwer
estari
ngatthef
loor.
Hescof
fed.
“Il
ovei
twhenI’
m amonst
er,
youknow?”He
sai
dwit
hpride,
maki
ngmyangerincr
ease.
Heli
ftedhi
shandtomyf aceandwav
edt
he
st
randsofhai
rthatr
est
edoni t
.
“
Ther
eal
fun’
syett
obegi
n”hemut
ter
ed.
Imov
edmyf
aceawayf
rom hi
shand.
“You’
ll
payforthi
s”Isai
dloat
hef
ull
yandhe
chuckl
edandleftt
hebed.
“
SeeyouwhenI’
m back”hewi
nkedatmeand
wal
kedoutoft
heroom.
Iburi
edmyf
aceonmyl
egsandweptmor
e
bit
ter
lyv
Howcouldt
hishappentome?How?Whathav
e
Idonet
odeserv
ethis?
Mor eagoni
zingt
earsst
reakedmyf ace,
recall
i
nghowheusedme.If el
tli
keri
ppi
ngmy
ownbodyof ftogetr
idofhistouch.
Shor
tl
y,Ihear
dthedooropenandpani
cked,
wonder
ingwhyhewasbacksosoon.
Il
if
tedmyheadtohav
eal ookandmyhear
t
ski
ppedwhenIdi
scov
ereditwasNi
na.
Ni
na?
??
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode25

By
:Fai
thLucky

Mi
quel
'
sPov
:
Myjawsdroppedi
nshockasIl
i
stenedt
owhat
shesai
d.
Cali
?Nowher
eint
hei
nst
it
ute?Then,
wher
e
coul
dshebe?

"
Wh..
..
What '
rey outal
ki
ngabout?Didy
oul
ook
f
orher
? "Iasked,conf
used.Ref
err
ingt
onoone
i
npart
icular
.

"Well,
weknowhowcl oseyouar etoher.And
wheny ouwentmi ssing,wedeci dedtosendfor
herifshecould,perhaps,haveanyi deaofyour
whereabouts.Weaskedt heguar dstogether,
butnoneoft hem could.She'snowher ei
nthe
i
nstit
ute"Li
sar epl
iedandIf eltasharppainImy
chest.

No;
Cal
i
.

Iaskedhert
ost
ayi
ndoor
s.Wher
ecoul
dshebe?
Shewoul
dn'
tl
eav
eforanyr
eason,
right
?

Andst
ayoutt
othi
sti
me.

"Iassi
gnedsomeguar
dsatherdoor
post
.They
should.
..
"

"Wedidn'
tfi
ndanyguard.Ther
ewasnot
raceat
all
"oneofdirect
orsr
epli
ed.

No;
no.My
kel
.

I
mmediatel
y,If
redf
rom t
hei
rgr
aspandt
urned
t
oopenthecar.

"Miquel.Hey;wherear
ey ougoi
ng?"Li
saasked,
butIdidn'tr
eplyherasIgoti
ntothecarand
i
gni
tedt
heengi
nes.

I
tst
artedwithoutst
ressandt
ookof
f,dr
ivi
ngon
t
hehighestspeed.
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ij
umpedoutoft
hebedi
mmedi
atel
y,r
age
eat
ingmeup.

Thebi
tch!Howdar
esheshowherf
acet
ome.

"
Youani
mal
!"Ignashedmyt
eet
h.
"
Howdar
eyou?Howdar
eyoushowy
ourugl
y
f
acet
ome?"
Imadetogr
abherhai
r,butshemov
edaway
fr
om me.

"
Calm down,Cali
.It
sme.I
tsDiane.Thi
sisn'
t
Ni
na,okay?"Shesaidi
nawhisperi
ngtoneandI
f
li
nched.
Huh?

Shecl
osedherey
esandi
nst
ant
ly,
transf
ormed
toDi
ane.

"
D..
..
Diane?
"Ical
l
ed.

"Yes,,
Cal
i.It
smeandwedon' thavemucht i
me.
IjustgottoknowaboutNi nabeingthespyless
thananhourago.Iov er
heardhermaki nga
phonecal l
andgottoknowsheai dedtheBl
ack
Diãmôndsi nyourabduct
ion.
"Shetri
edtoconfessme, butIdi
dn'
tmakeit
easyforheraswegoti nvol
vedinaheavyfi
ght
.
Luckil
y,Iwasabletoknockherout,
leav
ingher
real
lyunconsci
ous.

"Atruckforpi
cki
nguptrashwasmeantt
ocarr
y
heralongwhentheyar
ri
v e,
andknowi
ngall
these,Ideci
dedt
ouseitandcomeheresoI
couldsaveyou.

"I
'
dl eftherphonewi t
hherso,justincase
someonef i
ndsher ,
she'dbeimplicatedwithit
andbehel dprisoner.Wedon'thav emucht i
me,
Cali
.Weneedt oleave.Now.Looki ntomyey es
andy ou'l
lseeI'
mt ell
ingthet
ruth"shenar rat
ed
enthusiasti
cal
lyandi nahurr
y,andal lIcoulddo
wasst areli
keabl oatedgoat
.
Theshockwasj
ustexcessf
ormeal
ready
.
Butsomehow,
Ibel
i
evedher
.

"I
'm notsosur eifI
'm agoodactr
ess,but
..
I
real
lyhopet heguardsbeliev
edmewhenIact ed
l
ikeNi na.How'reyouCali
?Wer eyousever
ely
hurt
? "SheaskedandIf eltashar
ppaininmy
chest.

Il
ower
edmyheadandr
eleasedat
ear
.

"
OhmyGod!Cal
i
...
"Shehushed.
"
Whathappenedt
oyou?
"

Icoul
dn'
tsayawor
dasIj
ustweptsi
l
ent
ly.
Thepai
nscamedr
ivi
ngi
nagai
n
"Pl
ease,Diane.Justgetmeoutofherei
fit
s
possi
ble"Isaidtear
full
yandshepul
ledmeina
ver
ybriefhug.

Weunlockedf
rom t
hehugandheadedf
ort
he
door
.

"
Wai
t"shehal
ted.
"
Ineedt
ochanget
oNi
na.Forsaf
etypur
pose".

Inoddedandshecl
osedherey
esand
tr
ansfor
medtoNinaagai
n.
Cr
eepy
.

"Makesureyoustaybehindme,okay
?And
movewhenIt ell
youto"shesai
dandIjust
noddedinagreement
.
I
twasn'
tl
ikeIhadachoi
ce.

Sheopenedthedoorslowl
yandcr
eepi
l
y,l
ooked
l
eftandri
ght
,thentur
nedbacktome.

"Comeon"shewhi
sper
edandIf
oll
owedherout
ofther
oom.

IgaspedwhenIf oundt
woboy
sly
ingont
he
fl
oor,unconsci
ous.
Huh?Di
dsher
eal
l
yknockt
hem out
?

Asidethem, t
hepassagewascleanandempty
andwebot hstar
tedscut
tl
ingaway,
taki
ngf
ast
shortsteps.

OhGod!I
sitr
eal
l
ypossi
blet
ogetoutofher
e?
I
tgott
oaplacewher
eweheardf
oot
stepsand
wequi
ckl
yranandhi
dbehi
ndsomecart
oons.

Icoul
dfeel
myhear
tbeat
ingr
api
dly
.

Thef
ootsoundsdi
edof
fandwepr
oceeded.

"
Doyouevenknowt
hewayoutofher
e?"I
whi
sper
ed.

"
Wel
l,It
hinkso.Oneoftheboyshadledmet
o
t
her
oom"sher epl
iedandIkeptmute.

Wecont
inuedr
unni
ngbutf
inal
l
y,gotbust
ed.
"Ni
na?
"Weheardhernamef
rom behi
ndand
bot
hstopwal
ki
ng.

OhmyGod!

"
Don'
tturnar
ound,
Cali
"shewhisper
edonl
yto
myheari
ngasthefoot
stepscamecl
oser

Ibreathedheavi
l
yandshet
urnedar
oundt
o
facetheperson.

"
Nina?
"Hecal
l
edagai
n.
"
Whendi
dyouar
ri
ve?
"

"
Uh..
..
justawhi
l
eago.What
'sup?
"Sher
epl
i
ed,
t
ryi
ngsohardtobecal
m.
"Yeah.
.I
'
m cool
.Who'
sthatwit
hyou,huh?
"He
askedandIfel
tmyent
iresyst
em t
urn.

Hol
yMol
l
y!Iwi
sht
hiswasadr
eam.
Thewholet
ime,
mybackwast
urnedagai
nst
theboy
.

"She..
..
she'
soneofthemai
ds.Comeon,mai
ds.
Wedon' thavemuchti
me"shesai
dqui
ckl
yand
signal
ledmet of
oll
owher
.

"
Nina!
"Hi
scol
dvoi
cest
oppedusagai
n.

Webothst
oppedwal
ki
ngbutdi
dn'
ttur
ntol
ook
athi
m.

"
Ireal
l
ywantt
oseet
hemai
d".
Cr
ap!

Ihy
per
vent
il
atedasIf
elthi
m comi
ngcl
oser
.

Hewalkedandfi
nal
lygott
owher
eIwasand
r
ightt
here,
Ifel
thi
shandonmyshoul
der
.

I
mmediatel
y,It
urnedt
olookathi
m wi
tha
heav
ypunchlandi
ngonhisnose.

"Ur
gh!!
"Igr
oanedasIf
eltt
heef
fectoft
he
punchonmyfist
.

Hemoanedandheldhi
snoseandIki
ckedhi
m
r
ightt
her
e-bet
wixthi
sthi
ghs.
"
Comeon,Cal
i
!"Di
aney
ell
edandwest
art
ed
r
unni
ng.

Yeah-t
hist
imear
ound,
wer
an.
"
Thebansheehasescaped!
!"Theani
malyel
led
f
rom behi
ndandDianeandIfast
enedourpace.

Wer anpasssomanypassages,t
akingdif
ferent
cornersandbef
oreyouknewit
,uncount
able
guardsstar
tedchasi
ngaft
erusfr
om dif
ferent
angles.

"
Hur
ry,
Cal
i
!"Di
anesai
dassher
anaheadofme.

AndIt
ri
edmybestt
odosame.

Suddenl
y,t
her
ewasagunshotandIf
rozewhen
IsawDi
anet
ri
ppi
ngt
othef
loor
.

OhmyGod!

Myeyesdi
l
atedi
nshockandl
ookedli
ket
hey
wer
egonnapopoutoft
hei
rsocket
s.

MymouthdroppedopenandIrantoher
i
mmediat
ely
,justbef
oreshe'
dreacht
hefloor
.

"
Diane?
?"Ical
l
ed,
placi
ngherheadonmyl
egs.

Moregunshot
sfi
ll
edtheai
randIfel
tan
uncont
rol
l
abl
epil
eoccupymychest.

Wit
hanangryf
orce,
Ilookedupatt
hecei
l
ing
andscr
eamed.
"
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
!!
!"

Icouldn'
tdi
ff
erent
iat
ethesounds,
buti
nst
ant
ly,
Ifel
tthewall
sandceili
ngscr
umble.

Theyal
lcol
l
apsed.
*
*
TBC.
Cal
i
'spower
sar
ebacki
nadi
ff
erentway
Pr
ayf
orDi
ane Di
ane

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
 buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode26

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Lucki
ly,
theceili
ngsandwal
l
sdidn'
tfal
lon
DianeandI,butitdi
dtot
heguar
dscomi ng
fr
om alldi
rect
ions.

Theycol
l
apsedt
oget
herwi
tht
hem.

Mypower
s..
..
Icoul
dfeel
them.They
'r
eback.
"
Cal
i.
..
."Di
anecall
edweakl
yandIlookedather
t
oseeshe'
dtransfor
medtoherr
ealself
.

Icheckedt
heinj
uryanddi
scov
eredshewas
shotonthesi
deofhertummy.

OhGod!

"Hey;y
ou'l
lbef
ine,okay
?You'
ll
bef
ine.Come
on"Isaidandl
i
ftedherupal
ongwi
thme.

Shegr
oanedandhel
dthebl
eedi
ngpar
tandi
t
hur
tmesomuch.

Ithr
ewmyhandov erhershoul
dersand
suppor
tedherandwestart
edtrudgi
ngtoget
her
.
Wewal
kedasf
astaswecoul
d
Di
anepoi
nti
ngoutdi
rect
ionst
ome.
Gosh!Ij
ustpr
ayedshewassur
e.

Thei
nst
it
utewasqui
tebi
g.

Suddenl
y,wehear
dmor
egunshot
sandr
oll
ed
tothefl
oor.

"Urgh!"Di
anegr
oanedandhel
dhert
ummyandI
crawledtowher
eshewas.

Lucki
l
y,Ispot
tedanel
evat
orr
ighti
nfr
ontofus.

"
Diane;
Diane;
"It
appedher
.
"Youneedtohol
dont i
ght
,okay?Ther
e'san
elev
atorandI
'mreachi
ngfori
t"
.

Shej
ustnoddedandIlookedbackatt
heguar
ds
whowerefastappr
oaching.

Wit
haf ul
lfor
ce,IdraggedDianeonherf
eet
andrantowardstheelevat
or.

Thegunshotscamewi t
hamight
yforce,butI
di
dn'
tletitst
opmeasIscreamedandfinal
ly
j
umpedi nwithDi
ane.

Ipressedt
hebutt
onfort
hesecondf l
oorand
thedoorcl
osedupimmediat
ely
,justatt
heri
ght
ti
me.
"OhmyGod!"IheardDianegr
umbleandtur
ned
toseeherl
eaningbackagai
nstt
hewallwit
hher
eyesonthefl
oor.

Ir
anandknel
tinf
rontofheri
mmedi
atel
y.

"Justhol
don, Di
ane.We'l
lbeoutofherebefor
e
youknowi t
"Isai
dreassur
ingl
yasIstrokeher
hair
.

God!Pl
ease,
hel
pusgetoutofher
e.

Myhear
tbeatrapi
dlyastheelev
atorkept
movi
ngandIwonder edwhowewer egonna
f
aceoutther
eonceitlanded.

Suddenl
y,aquest
ionf
lashedt
hroughmymi
nd
andIl
ookedatDi
ane.

"Di
ane"Ical
l
ed,
myv
oicecomi
ngoutmor
ecol
d
now.
"
How'
sMi
quel
?Is.
..
.I
shesaf
e?"

Alt
hough,she'
dbeenweak,butIcouldt
ell
she
gotweakerwhenIaskedthatquest
ion.

Shedi
dn'
tsayawor
dbutj
ustl
ookedatme.

"
Diane?
"Ical
l
edagai
n
"
Wh.
..
.What
'swr
ong?Wher
e'sMi
quel
?"

Shet
ooki
nadeepbr
eat
h.
"
Idon'
tknow, Cali
.Wecouldn'
tfi
ndhim dur
ing
t
hecourseoft hemissi
on.Wehav enoi
dea
whathappenedtohim"sherepli
edandIhearda
l
oudbanginmyhead

Abl
ari
ngsoundcanedr
ivi
ngi
nthati
taf
fect
ed
myhear
t.

Mi
quel
?Whathappenedt
ohi
m?

No.

Theel
evat
ordooropenedi
mmediatel
yand
Mykel
'
swordscamedr i
vi
nginatt
hesamet i
me:

*
He'
snev
ercomi
ngback.He'
sgone*
No!
No!
!

That
'sal
i
e.

Tear
sbui
ltupi
nmyeyes,
I'
dfor
got
tent
he
el
evat
orwasopen.

"Cal
i
"Dianejol
tedmeoutofmyr
uef
ult
hought
s
andIlookedather
.

"
Youshoul
dleav
ewit
houtme.I
'
m onlysl
owi
ng
y
oudown.Goon"shesai
dandIscof
fedout
t
ear
s.

"
What
'r
eyousay
ing?
"Iasked,
hol
dingherhai
r.
Weheardr
unni
ngfoot
stepsandItur
nedt
osee
someguar
dsrunni
ngt
owar dsus.

"
Cal
i
...
"Shecal
l
edandIl
ookedather
.

"Youcameher etosaveme,Di
ane.Andifwe'r
e
l
eaving,weleavetoget
her
"It
oldherandstood
onmyf eetafter
wards.

Ifacedthedi
rect
ionofthear
medguardsand
pointi
ngmyhandst owardst
hem,
Iletouta
l
oudscr eam.

Theyt r
iedaimingtheirgunsatme,butthe
effectofmyscr eam gottothem f
ir
standswept
them offthei
rfeet.
Iranbackt
oDi
aneandhel
pedherf
rom t
he
fl
oor.

"
Comeon"Imumbl
edandst
art
edwal
ki
ngout
wi
thher
.

Wegotoutoft
heel
evat
or,
usedanexi
tthatwe
sawandcameoutt
oanopenfi
eld.

OhGod!

Howdoweleave?Thewall
swer esootal
land
l
ookedel
ect
ri
fi
edandclear
ly,
therewasnoway
onecoul
dcl
imboutofi
t.

Andt
hegat
es.
..
.t
hatwast
otal
l
youtofpoi
nt.
Theareal
ookeddar
kandquietandIbetnot
ever
yonehadbeenal
ert
edofmyabsence.

Suddenl
y,ani
deapoppedi
ntomyhead.

Iqui
ckl
ymadeDi
anesi
tont
hef
loor
,thenf
aced
thewal
l.
OhGod!Thi
smi
ghtbet
hehei
ghtofi
t.
CanIbr
eaksuchwal
l
s?

Itookinadeepbreat
handpoi
ntedmyhands
towardsthewal
landimmedi
atel
y,l
etouta
mightyscream.

"
Arghggghhhhhhhh!
"
I
twassol
oud,
Icoul
dfeel
myl
ungsache.
Butal
lofi
tdi
dn'
tmatt
erasIf
oundthewal
l
s
cr
umbleri
ghti
nfr
ontofmyver
yeyes.

I
tfel
lapar
t!
!!

Andt
her
ewasanopenspacet
otheot
hersi
de.

OhmyGod!
!Itwor
ked!
!!

Igaspedandl
ookedatDi
aneandshehada
weaksmileonherf
ace.

Thi
swasmor
ethanv
ict
ori
ous.

"Wedidit,
Diane.We'
l
lbeoutofhere"Ismil
ed
happil
ytoherandqui
ckl
yhelpedherfrom t
he
fl
oor..
Sheheldont omeasusual forsuppor
tand
withoutfur
therhesi
tat
ion,
wer anoutthr
ough
thebrokenspace.

OhGod!Ij
usthopet
heydon'
tcomeaf
terus.

Iconti
nuedrunni
ngwithher,st
rugglingwi
ththe
darkbushesandgrasses.Idi
dn'tevenknow
whereIwasheaded.Theent i
replacewasjust
dark.

"Hol
dontome, Diane.Pl
ease"Ipl
eadedas
coul
dfeelhergri
pbecomi ngtooweak.

"
We'
real
mostt
her
e"Ipant
ed.
Howdoweev engetoutofher
e?Wher
ecoul
d
wegetacab?Orsomeone?

Weconti
nuedrunni
ng,butsuddenly
,shef
ell
off
myshoul
dersandlandedonthefloor.

"
Diane!
"Ical
l
edoutandr
ushedt
oher
.
OhmyGod!

"I
'
m sor
ry,
Cali
.ButIcan'
tmakeit
.Ican'twal
k
anymor
e.You'
llj
usthavetogoonwithoutme"
shesai
dweaklyandinfai
ntbr
eaths.

"
No,Diane.I
'
m notl
eavi
ngyou.I
'
m notleav
ing
y
ou,okay?We'r
einthi
stoget
her
"Ist
ated
r
uef
ull
y ,
tear
sstr
eamingdownmycheeks.
"
PleaseDi
ane.Justhol
donal
i
ttl
ebi
tlonger
'.

Sheshookherheadanddi
dn'
tsayawor
dandI
bust
edint
omor etear
s.

"
I.
..
.Iknowwhatt
odo"Isuddenl
ysai
d.
"
Just
..
..
stayher
e,okay
?I'
l
lgogetsomehel
p.

"Pl
ease,Di
ane.St
ayhere,
Ibegyou.Keepy
our
eyesopen.I
'l
lbeback,
okay?
"It
oldherandshe
nodded.

Isnif
fedandstoodupandi
mmedi
atel
y,began
runni
ngasfastasIcoul
d.
Myhear
twasachi
ngsobad.

Fi
rst
,My
kel
'
sbr
utal
treat
mentt
owar
dsme.And
Di
anebeingshot
.Andget
ti
ngt
oknowMi
quel
wasmissing.

OhGod!What
'shappeni
ngt
ome?

Iweptpr
ofusel
yandf
inal
l
y,Ispot
tedt
her
oad.

"
Ohmy
!"Ipant
edheav
il
y.

If
oundi
t!
If
oundt
her
oad!

OhmyGod!

Isawacarcomi ngatacr
azyspeedand
withouthesi
tat
ion,Ir
antothesi
deofther
oad
andst
art
edj
umpi
ngandwav
ingati
ttost
op.

God!Pl
ease,
please.Justmakehi
m st
op.

Tearsrol
l
eddowntomyneckandforChr
ist
sake,t
hecarst
oppedr
ighti
nfr
ontofme.

Yes!

Iwhimperedandrantowar
dsi tbutmyeyes
dimmedwhenIsawt hedr
iver-afami
li
arface
thatst
eppedoutofthecar
.

OhmyGod!

"
Miquel
?"Ical
l
edi
nshock,
myey
esbeami
ng.
"
Cal
i
?"Heal
socal
l
edi
ndeepbr
eat
hs.

No;
Pl
ease,
don'
ttel
lmeI
'
m dr
eami
ng.
*
*
TBC.
Awwn
Ourt
wol
over
shav
ereuni
ted

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )
#Season_
2
Epi
sode27

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
No;
Iwasn'
tdr
eami
ng.Ther
e'snowayIcoul
dbe
dreami
ng.

I
twas.
..
I
twashi
m;
MyMi
quel
.

Hewasst
andi
ngr
ighti
nfr
ontofme.St
ari
ngat
me.

"
Miquel
?"Ical
l
edagai
n,al
i
ttl
equi
veri
nmy
v
oice.

Ateardr
oppedf
rom myey
eandi
mmedi
atel
y,I
r
anintohi
sarms.

"
Mi quel!
"Isqueal
edasIhuggedhi
mt i
ght
,
wrappingmyhandsandlegsaroundhi
m.

Gosh!Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evet
his.

"
Cal
i"hecooedashewr
appedhi
shandar
ound
mywaist
.
Ij
ustcoul
dn'
tbeli
evet
his.I
twasmor
ethana
dr
eam cometrue.
Whathappenedt
ohi
m?Theysai
dhewasgone,
r
ight
?
It
houghtIwasnev
ergonnaseehi
m agai
n.

"Cali
;hey,
Cal
i
.Areyoualri
ght
?Wh...
..
What
happenedtoyou?Wereyouhurt
?"Heaskedas
hepulledmeawayfrom t
hehugtolooki
ntomy
face.

Ihel
dthet
ipofhi
sshi
rtandwept
.
Thepai
nscamedr
ivi
ngi
nreal
bad.

"Di
ane.
."
,Iwhimper
ed,
try
ingt
otal
kabout
somethi
ngelse.

"
She'
shur
t,Mi
quel
.She.
..
.Shewasshot
.We
needt
osav
eher
,pl
ease"
.

Hest
aredatmeandpr obabl
ythoughtDuane
wast
heonlyreasonIwascryi
ng.

Ibentmyheadbuthecuppedmycheeksand
l
ift
editup.

"
Cal
i
"hecal
l
edsof
tl
y.
"Werey
oukidnapped.
..
byMykel
?"Heaskedand
Ifel
tmyheartski
pasInoddedt
earf
ull
y.

Hedi
dn'
tsayawor
dandIl
ookedi
ntohi
sey
es.

"
PleaseMiquel
.Justgetmeoutofher e.
Di
ane..
..
weneedt osaveher,
please"I
whimperedbuthesti
ll
didn'
tsayawor d.
OhGod!Please,don'
ttel
lmehe'
sget
ti
ngangr
y
al
ready
.Thisisn'
ttheri
ghtt
imet
ogetangr
y.

"
Miquel
..
."

"
Comeon"hesignal
l
edonmef
oll
owhi
mint
o
t
hecarandIdi
d.
*
*
Isati
nfr
ontofDi
anewhol
aidqui
etl
yont
he
bed.
Wewerebackatthei
nst
itut
eandshewas
bei
ngt
reat
edatthecl
ini
c.

"
Youfeel
bet
ter
,huh?
"Iaskedher
,myhandon
t
heedgeoft
hebed.
"
Yeah"shesmi
l
edf
aint
ly.
Anur
sewasf
ixi
ngdr
iponher
.

"AnynewsonNi
na?Wasshecapt
ured?
"She
asked.

"Yeah,shewas.Ihear
dshe'
scur
rentl
ylocked
up"Itoldherandnoti
cedal
ookofrel
iefonher
face.

"
Diane"Ical
l
edaf
terapauseandshel
ookedat
me.
"
Whydi
dyoudoi
t?
Whydi
dyour
isky
ourl
i
fet
osav
eme?
"

Shesmi
l
edandst
aredupatt
hecei
l
ing.
"
Well
..
.maybebecauseIwantedt
oturnyout oa
mosqui
to"shesai
dandlaughedandIlaughed
wi
thher.

"
Thanky
ou,
Diane"Isai
daf
tert
hel
aught
er.
"
Itmeansal
ott
ome"

Shedidn'
tsayawordbutj
ustsmil
edandI
coul
dt el
lshewasf
eel
ingdi
zzy.

"
I'
ll
leav
ey outogetsomesl
eep.Takecar
eof
y
oursel
f,okay
?"Itol
dher
.

"Yeah.
.sur
e.Thanks"It
appedherhandbef
ore
standi
ngup.
Iwal
kedoutt
othedoorandfoundMi
quel
'
s
guar
d-Zack-st
il
lwai
ti
ngforme.

Wel
l
,Mi
quel
hadassi
gnedhi
mtost
aywi
thme.

"
Goingbacktotheroom?
"HeaskedandI
t
houghtforawhil
e.
Mi
quel
wasn'
tther
e.

"TakemetoMiquel"It
oldhi
m andhenodded
andstar
tedwal
kingawaywhileIf
oll
owed.

Itwassodarkal
readyandonl
yfewst
udent
s
couldbespot
tedaround.

Weconti
nuedwal
ki
ngforalongt
imeandf i
nal
l
y,
hest
oppedatt
heentr
anceofabuil
ding.
"He'
sint
her
e-wit
hthespy
"Hesai
dandI
peepedi
nsi
de.

Oh!Ni
nawast
her
e?Thebi
tch?

Isi
ghedanddeci
dedt
ogoi
nforal
ook.

AndasIwalkedin,
Ifoundherr
ightt
her
eint
he
middl
e,t
iedl
ikeananimal.

Herhandswer
eti
edonbot
hsi
desandherl
egs
di
dn'
ttoucht
hefl
oor
.
Shepr
obabl
yhear
dfoot
stepsandl
i
ftedher
headt
olookatme.

"
Cal
i
...
"Shecal
l
edf
rai
l
y.
Shel
ookedsoweakandpat
het
ic.

Istar
edatherandfel
tangerr
isei
nme,
recal
li
ngwhatIwentthr
oughbecauseofher
.
Mi
quel
wasn'
ti
nther
oom.

Ikeptwal
ki
ngbutst
oppedwhenI
'
dgotten
cl
oseenough-cl
oseenought
osl
apher-_
causeIdi
d.

Igav
eherar
esoundi
ngsl
ap.

"
Howdar
eyou,
Nina?
"Iaskedt
ear
ful
l
y.
"
Howdar
eyou?
"It
houghty ouwer eafri
end?It r
ustedy ouwhen
nooneel sedid.Il
ovedy ouwheny oufeltthe
wholewor l
dwasagai nstyou.It ookyoul i
kea
fri
end.Butwhatdi dyoudo, bit
ch?Youbet r
ayed
me!!Youwer eonlyawol finsheepcl othi
ng!
Youanimal !
"Iraspedandhi theragain,recall
i
ng
everyt
hingthatmonst er-My kel-di
dt ome.

Thememor
iesbr
oughtmor
etear
stomyey
es.

"
Ihat
eyou,Nina.AndIr
egr
ett
hef
ir
stdayIset
myeyesonyou".

"
I'
m sor
ry,
Cal
i
"shewhi
mper
ed.
"
Idi
dn'
tmeant
odoi
t"
.

Igl
aredatherandj
ustthen,
hear
dfoot
steps
fr
om behi
ndandIturnedtoseei
twasMiquel
andhi
sguar
ds.

Hehadhi
sey
esf
ixedonNi
naashewal
kedi
n.

"
Zack"hecal
l
edwi
thoutl
ooki
ngathi
m.

"
Yes,
boss"t
heguar
drepl
i
ed.

"
Escor
tCal
itot
her
oom"
.Hei
nst
ruct
ed.

Huh?

Hi
sey
eswer
esocol
dashest
aredatNi
na.

"
Okay
,boss"t
heguar
drepl
i
edandcamet
ome.
Icont
inuedst
ari
ngatMi
quel
,buthedi
dn'
tev
en
bli
nkormakeanyatt
emptt
olookatme.

"
Cal
i
,pl
ease"Ni
nawept
.

"
I'
m sor
ry.Don'
tl
ett
hem hur
tme,
please"
.

It
urnedt
olookatherandshewasi
ntear
s.

"
What '
reyouwait
ingf
or,
Zack?Takeheraway
"
Miquelsai
dici
l
yandtheguardhel
dmyhand.

"
Hey;
comeon"hehushedandst
art
edl
eadi
ng
meaway
.

"
Cal
i
,pl
ease!
!!
"Ni
nashi
rked.
"I
'
m beggingy
ou,
please!Gi
vemeanot
her
chance!
"

Mor
etearsst
reameddownmycheeksasI
wal
kedawayandtri
ednott
olookather
.

"Cal
i!
!"Shecontinuedwai
li
ngandfi
nall
y,Igot
outofthebuil
dingandtookadeepbreath.

OhGod!

"Comeon,Cal
i"Zacksai
d,ur
gingmet
o
cont
inuewal
ki
ngwi thhi
m.

Isni
ff
edandwi
pedmyf
acebef
orepr
oceedi
ng.
"Nooooooooooooo!
!!
"Isuddenl
yheardNina
scream andIt
urnedi
nfri
ghttolookbackatthe
buil
ding.

OhmyGod!What
'sgoi
ngont
her
e?

"
Comeon,Cal
i.Youshoul
dn'
tbeouther
e"Zack
t
appedme,br
ingi
ngmeoutofmyf r
ight
.

OhGod!

Shescr
eamedagai
nandIf
li
nched.

Ir
eal
l
yneededt
ogetoutofher
e.

Itur
nedtoZackandwecont
inuedwal
kingand
thi
stimear
ound,mypacewasfast
er.
Ij
ustwant
edt
obeawayf
rom t
hescene.

Wefi
nal
lygottot
heroom andhest
oodout
side
t
hedoorwhil
eIwenti
n.

AssoonasIgoti
n,Isatonthebedandbur
ied
myfacei
nmypalms-i ntear
s.
Whydi
dthi
shav
etohappen,
huh?Why
?

OhGod!

Iweptf
oral
ongti
meandfinal
l
ydeci
dedt
o
cl
eanupint
hebat
hroom.

Igoti
n,tookoffmycl
othesandl
aidi
nthe
soapybathtub.
Ast hecol
dwatertouchedmypr i
vat
earea,
I
suddenlyr
ecal
ledallMy kel
haddonetome-
howheusedmemer ci
lessl
y-beatmeupand
rapedme.Isti
l
l coul
dn'tbel
iev
esuch
unfort
unat
ecir
cumst ancecouldbef
all
me.

Whyme?

Icl
osedmyey esasmytear
sgotmixedwi
tht
he
water
.Itwassohurt
ful
-sohur
tful
.
HowdoIgetr
idoft
hisf
eel
i
ng?

Suddenl
y,Iheardthedooropenandopenedmy
eyestoseeMi quelwal
ki
nginandIpanickeda
l
it
tle.
Hehadabl
oodst
ainonhi
sshi
rt
.

Itwi
tchedandburi
edmysel
fdeeperi
ntothe
foamywater.Andt
hankgoodnessi
tcovered
meenough.

"
Hey
"hecal
ledcal
mlyandsatont
heedgeof
t
het
ub,f
aci
ngme.

Goodl
ord!Icoul
dseesomuchhat
einhi
sey
es.

"H.
..
hi"Isai
dinacr
ackedv
oiceandgul
ped
anxi
ously.

Hestar
edatmyf
aceforawhil
ewi
thoutsay
ing
awordandsl
owl
y,hedi
ppedhi
shandint
othe
wat
er.
"
Cal
i
"hecal
l
ed.
"
CanIasky
ouaquest
ion?
"

Ij
ustnodded.

Myheartracedsof
ast
.WhydoIhav
eaf
eel
i
ng
hemightaskmeaboutit
?

"
WhenI
'
dfoundy
ou"hebegan.
"
Whywer
en'
tyouput
ti
ngonap*
nt?
"
*
*
TBC.

THE
 DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode28

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
OhmyGod!Whaaaat
???

Whatt
he.
..
..

If
eltmyl
ungsbecomedr
yasIst
aredbl
ankl
yat
hi
m.
Whyoneart
hwoul
dheaskmesuchquest
ion?
?
I
sheforr
eal??

"I
'
m waiti
ng,Cal
i
"hesai
dandhi
svoi
cesent
coldchi
l
lsdownmyspine.

"
Whathappenedt
oit
?"

"N.
..
Nothi
ng.Ij
ust
..
."Ipausedandgul
ped
ner
vously
.

"
Ijustt
ookitof
fwhen.
..
.Iwasl
ockedupandf
elt
r
eall
yhot.Imean.

"I
tsnot
hing,
Mi quel.Pl
ease,
beli
eveme"I
concl
udedti
redly,whenIdiscover
edIwasout
ofexcuses.

"Whatdidhedotoyou?
"Heaskedashemov
ed
hisf
ingert
otouchmyli
ps.
Ther
ewasal
i
ttl
ecutt
her
e.

"
Hehur
tyou,
didn'
the?
"

OhGod!Icoul
dn'
ttel
lhi
m aboutt
her
apepar
t.

Whati
fhegetssomadatme?Or
..
.ordoes
somet
hingr
eall
ycr
azy
?

Orwhati
fIsuddenl
ydisgusthim?Andhe
woul
dn'
twannatouchmeany more?That
'd
makeever
ythi
ngpret
tywor se.
"He.
..
he'
donlybeatenmeup, Miquel
.ButI
'
m
fi
nenow"Isaidanxiousl
y,j
ustwishi
nghe'
d
changet
hetopic.

"
Didhet
ouchy ou?
"Heasked,
star
ingdi
rect
ly
i
ntomyface.
Icoul
dfeel
myi
ntest
inest
urni
ng.

Thatl
ookf
rom hi
m..
.i
twassodeadl
y.

Ishookmyheadandcameoutoft
hewat
ert
o
hughim.
Mybi
gb*
*bspr
essedhar
dagai
nsthi
schest
.

"Pl
easeMi quel.We'retoget
hernowandthat
s
all
thatmat t
ers.My kel
..
..
Mykeldi
dn'
ttouchme.
Hejust.
..
.hedidn'tsucceed.
"Pl
easeMiquel
;Idon'
twannathi
nkabout
anyt
hingel
seasideyour
ightnow.Pl
ease"
.

Ir
est
edmyheadonhi
sshoul
der
sandhehel
d
myback.

Hetookinadeepbreat
handcarr
iedme
complet
elyf
rom t
hetub,goi
ngi
ntothe
bedr
oom.

Ifel
tsor
eli
evedasheheldmeinhi
sar
ms,but
somehow,hi
st ouchar
oundmywai
str
emi
nded
meofMy kelandwhathedidt
ome.

Wegoti
ntot
her
oom andhelai
dmegentl
yon
t
hebed,
evenwi
tht
hefactIwasdr
ippi
ngwet
.
"Yourshi
rt
..
..
it
sbl
oody
"Ipoi
ntedoutt
ohi
m and
hesighed.

Hepul
l
edof
ftheshi
rtandt
hrewi
tont
hef
loor
.

"
I'
llbet
aki
ngashowersoon"hesai
dashe
j
oinedmeonthebed,
lyi
ngverycl
oset
ome.

Hemademyheadrestonhi
schest
,whi
l
ehe
wr
appedhi
shandaroundme.

"
When?Whynotnow?
"Iasked.

"Don'
tworr
y.Iwannacuddl
eyout
osl
eepf
ir
st"
herepl
iedandIsmil
edli
ght
ly.
OhGod!Ihopenothi
ngcomesbet
weenus
agai
n.Ican'
taf
for
dlosi
nghi
m.

"Doyouneedanyt
hing?
"Heaskedaf
teral
i
ttl
e
pauseandIj
ustshookmyhead.

Al
lIneededwasagoodsl
eep.

Hekeptst
roki
ngmyhairgent
lyt
hewhol
eti
me
andf
inal
ly
,Isl
eptof
f.
*
*
Iwokeupthenextmorni
ngt
obehol
dMi
quel
st
ari
ngint
omyf ace.
Huh?

"
Hey
"hecooedandt
ouchedmyhai
r.
"
Awakeal
ready
?"
Ismi
l
edandnodded.

Whywashej
ustst
ari
ngatme,
huh?

"
Goodmor
ning"Igr
eet
edl
i
ght
ly.

"Yeah.
..
hopey
ousl
eptwel
l
?"HeaskedandI
nodded.

Hepeckedmeont
hehai
randst
oodup.

"Br
eakf
astisr
eady
.Youshoul
dfr
eshenupand
eat
"hesaidashewal
kedawaytothedi
ning.
Hm.

Iwasstil
lst
arkna*kedbutcov
eredwitht
he
duvetandunabletowal
karoundna*ked,
Ist
ood
upwiththeduvet.

Miquelf
ocusedont
hedi
ning,
whi
l
eIwal
ked
i
ntothebathr
oom.

Ahh!
It
ooki
nal
ongdeepbr
eat
h.

Ibrushedmyteeth,
tookaqui
ckshowerand
ret
urnedtotheroom wit
hawhit
etowelaround
met hist
imearound.

AndImetMi
quel
alr
eadysi
tt
ingandwai
ti
ngat
t
hedi
ning.

"Hur
ryup.I
tsgetti
ngcol
d"hesai
dandI
hast
enedmyst epstomeethi
m.

He'dal
readydi
shedoutmymealandItooka
seatopposi
tehi
m andbeganeat
ing.

"I
tsum.
..
.del
i
cious"Icompl
i
ment
edandhej
ust
smil
ed.

Well
,Iguessedhewasn'
tent
ir
elymov
edby
compli
ment s.

"
Miquel
"Ical
l
edaf
terawhi
l
e.
"
Whathappenedt
oNi
na?
"
Hepausedandl
ookedatme.

"And.
..
.why'
reyouconcer
nedabouther
?"He
askedcoldl
y.

Geez!

"
Not
hing.Ij
ust
..
..
"
Ipausedandsi
ghed.
"
Ijustf
elti
shoul
dknow"
.

"Well
..
.sheshouldbet heleastofyourconcer
n.
Don'
twor ryabouther"her epl
iedandIjust
noddedt opreventf
urtherprolongi
ng.

"Goon.Hurr
yupandeatmor
e"heur
gedandI
cont
inuedeati
ng.
Iat
et omysat
isfact
ionandwhenweweredone,
heclear
edt
het abl
eevenaft
erIi
nsi
sted.

Iwentouttothebal
conytohavesomeai
randa
cl
eanview.Andshort
ly,
hejoi
nedme.

"Wouldyoulov
etogooutlat
eri
ntheday?For
some...
maybeicecr
eam?"Heaskedashe
stoodbesi
demeandIfel
tmyhear tpl
ayj
ingl
e
bell
s.

Hmm.

"Wel
l,ofcour
se.That
'dbeni
ce"Ir
epl
i
ed
ecst
atical
l
y.
Ir
eal
l
yneededsomet
hingt
ocl
earmyhead.
Wer emainedsi
lentforawhil
e,j
uststar
ingi
nto
space.Butshor
tly,
hecameupbehi ndmeand
wrappedhishandsar oundmywaist.

"
Howdoy oufeel
now?"Heaskedwhi
sper
ingl
y
i
ntomyears,
makingmeshiv
erabit
.

Hi
sbr
eat
hwassocol
d.

"
I'
m..
..I
'
mf i
nenow.Ifeelsomuchbett
er"I
r
epli
edhim andhesmiledandki
ssedmyneck.

Iwasst
il
ltyi
ngjustatowelandsl
owly
,hesent
hi
shandsint
oitandrubbedmybar et
ummy .

"
Whydon'
twegoi
nsi
de,
huh?Don'
tyouf
eel
col
d?"Heasked,
butIdi
dn'
trespond.

Heplant
edhi
ckey
sallov
ermyneckandl
i
fted
hi
shandssl
owlyfr
om mytummy-downtomy
b*
*bs.

Imoanedal
i
ttl
eashesqueezedt
hem.

"Comeon"hehushedandcar
ri
edmeupl
i
kea
baby.

Ifel
tmyhear tthumpsofastashet
ookmei
nto
theroom andlaidmegentl
yonthebed.
Myt
owel
fel
lfr
eel
y.

OhGod!Iwasn'
treadyf
ort
his.
Iwasn'
t.
Hesmi
ledl
ight
lyashecl
i
mbedt
hebedand
cr
awl
edint
omyl egs.

Andj
ustl
i
keahungr
yli
on,
hest
art
edf
east
ing
onmyb**
bs.

"
Mi quel
..
..
"Ishutmyey
esandmoanedasi
t
t
ingledme.

Heusedhisfr
eehandt
ospr
eadmylegswider
andi
tsuddenl
ymademeremember
edMy kel.

Howhesl
appedme,
andpi
nnedhi
msel
fonme.

Miquel
'
stouchandbr
eat
honmejustmademe
r
ememberev er
ysi
ngl
ethi
ngandt
earsf
ormed
upi
nmyey
es.

*St
opit!Pl
ease!
!*
,Icoul
dremembercr
yingand
beggi
nghim.

*
Please,I
'
m beggi
ngy
ou,
don'
tdot
his.Ican'
t
t
akeit*

Icoul
drememberhi
m hi
tt
ingmesohar
dont
he
facebef
orehet
oremyp*nt.

*
Letmego!
!*

Miquelwasalr
eadytouchi
ngmyhoneypot
,
abouttofi
ngermeandIdidn'
treal
i
zewhenI
pushedhishandaway.
"Letmego!!
!Pl
ease!
",
Icr
iedout
,thi
nki
ngi
twas
sti
llpar
tofmyi
maginati
ons.

"Please,
justst
opi
t.Pl
ease.Ican'ttakei
t.
Please.Letmego"Icr
iedprofuselyand
unconsciousl
y.

Miquel
hadalreadyst
oppedandwasst
ari
ng
i
ntomyf ace.

"Cal
i?"Hecal
l
edandtappedmeandassoonas
Iopenedmytearyey
es,Ir
eal
i
zedI'
dbeen
sayi
ngital
lout.

OhmyGod!

Tear
swer
eal
readyr
oll
i
ngdownmyneckandI
sni
ff
edandwi
pedi
tof
f.

"
I'
m...
.I
'
m sorry,Mi
quel
.I'
mjust
..
..
I'
mreall
ytir
ed.
Canwedot hissomeothert
ime,pl
ease?"Isai
d
weakl
yandf oundmywayoutofhisgrasp.

OhGod!

Iti
edt
het owel
aroundmybodyandl
eftt
hebed
andwasonmywayt ot
hebathr
oom,whenhi
s
voi
cestoppedme:

"
Hedi
dit
,di
dn'
the?
"

Ist
oppedwal
ki
ngbutdi
dn'
ttur
ntol
ookathi
m.
Ipr
efer
redbacki
nghi
mint
hatst
ate.
"
Mykel
..
..
"Hecal
l
edandIf
elthi
mleav
ethebed.
"
Hef
orcedhi
msel
fony
ou.Di
dn'
the?
"

Mylegsbecamesoweakandheavy
.Icoul
dfeel
ev
erymuscleinmybodyshake.

"What'
rey
out
alki
ngabout,
Miquel
?"It
ri
edt
o
coveri
tupwi
thachuckl
e.
"I
'
m..
..
I'
mjuststr
essed.Al
lIneedi
ssomer
est
andI
'
llbef
ine".

Hewalkedupfrom behi
ndandcametostandi
n
f
rontofme.Icoul
dn'tev
enlookhi
mintheeyes.

"
PleaseCal
i
"hesai
d.
"Ibegyouwit
hthenameofev
ery
thi
ngy
ou
beli
evein,
don'
tl
iet
ome".
Therewasal i
tt
lewaveri
nhisvoi
ceashespoke
andIdidn'
treal
izewhenIbust
edint
o
uncont
roll
abletear
s.

OhmyGod!

"
Itr
iedtost
ophim"Iwhi
mper
edhur
tful
l
y,my
v
oiceshaki
ng.

"It
ri
edt ostophim,Miquel.Iswear.Idi
dallI
could,Buthedidn'
tl
ist
en.He. .
..
hewasjusttoo
power f
ulforme.Icoul
dn'tfighthim.I
'm so
sorr
y "
.

Ibentmyheadandweptbit
ter
ly.Thepai
ns
camedri
vinginasIremember
edev er
ybi
tofi
t.I
j
ustcoul
dn'tcont
rol
it.
Icoul
dn'
trecal
lthel
astt
imeI
'
dcr
iedt
hismuch.
Itwassopainf
ul.

Miquel
..
..
hedidn'
tsayawor
d.Butnotunt
ilIsaw
ablooddroponthefl
oor
.

No.

Iqui
ckl
yli
ft
edmyheadtol
ookathim and
pani
ckedwhenIsawbl
ooddr
ippi
ngdownhis
nose.
*
*
TBC.

THE
 DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode29

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
OhmyGod!
If
eltmyhear
tbeatsor
api
dly
.

Please,
don'
ttel
lmehe'
sangr
y.Thi
sisn'
tthe
ri
ghttime.
Heturnedar
oundandbackedme,l
eani
nghi
s
handsonatabl
einfr
ontofhim.
Hi
shandswer
eli
ter
all
yshaki
ng.

Ist
oodandst
aredf
rom behi
nd,
speechl
ess.
Ij
ustneededhimtosaysomet
hing.Ineededt
o
besureever
ythi
ngwasfi
ne.

Hedi
dn'
tsayaword,butcont
inuedbl
eedi
ng,
maki
ngt
heblooddropl
etsfal
lonthetabl
e.

Thensuddenl
y,hetur
nedar
oundandst
art
ed
towar
dsthedoor.

No;
no.

"
Miquel
!Mi
quel
!"Ical
l
edasIr
anaf
terhi
m and
caughtupwi
thhi
m byt
hedoor
.

OhGod!
Hi
sfacewassobl
oodyal
ready
.

"Pl
ease.I
'm sor
ry.Don'tl
eaveme,pl
ease"I
whimpered,moretearsstr
eamingdownmy
cheeks.

Slowly,
hel
if
tedhishandst
omyf
aceand
touchedmyhair
.

ForGod"
ssake,icoul
dtel
litwast
aki
nghima
l
ottocont
rol
hisangerinfr
ontofme.Ev
ena
bl
indmancouldnoti
cethat
.
"
I'
ll
neverleav
eyou,Cal
i
"hesai
dwit
hali
tt
le
waver
,hishandspr
essi
nghar
dagai
nstmyhai
r.
Ist
art
edf
eel
i
ngi
t-somet
hingst
range.

No.

"
ButIneedt oki
l
lhim"headdedandt
hatwas
whenitbecamecleart
ome.

Thedizzi
nesshewasmaki
ngmef
eel
.Hewas
tr
yingtomakemepassout
.

"
No..
..
Miquel
"Ical
l
edf
aint
lyasmyey
esbegan
t
ofeelsoheavy
.

Moreblooddri
ppeddownhi
snoseandey
esas
hestar
edint
omyf aceandwat
chedmedrowse.
It
ri
edsohardt
of i
ghtthedi
zzi
ness,
butitwas
i
nevi
tabl
eandf
inal
ly,
Ipassedoutonthefl
oor
.
*
*
Aut
hor
essChi
'
sPov
✍
AssoonasCalipassedoutont
hefloor
,Miquel
openedthedoorandstor
medoutoftheroom.
Hejustcoul
dn'
tcontr
olit
;nomat
terhowhard
hetri
ed.

Herandownstai
rs,r
ushedoutoft
heapar
tment
andst
rai
ghttohiscar.

Thefewst udent
saroundwerefri
ght
enedand
movedasf arawayaspossibl
e,butt
heydidn'
t
evenbotherhim asheopenedhi
scar,goti
n
andtookof fi
mmedi at
ely
.
Atthatmoment,hewasn'
tthi
nki
ngst
rai
ght
.At
thatmoment
, t
heonlythi
ngonhismi
ndwas
setti
nghi
seyesonMy kel
.

hedi
dn'
tevencarehowhewasget ti
ngint
othe
Bl
ackDi
ãmôndi nst
it
ute.Al
lthatmat
ter
edto
hi
m wasgett
ingMykel.

Hedroveatacr
azyspeed,v
iol
ati
ngallt
raf
fi
c
si
gnal
s.Theywerebul
lsh*
ttohim att
hat
moment.

Morebl
oodkeptstr
oll
ingdownhisfacewhi
ch
hecoul
dn'
tcont
rolandhishandsshookashe
cont
rol
l
edthester
li
ng.

"
Howcoul
dhe?
"Het
hought
.
Howcoul
dMy
kel
touchwhatbel
ongedt
ohi
m?
Beatandusedher
?

Howdareheputherundersuchpr
essur
eand
t
rauma?

Hegr
it
tedhi
steet
handdr
ovef
uri
ousl
y.

Hertearswer
edri
vi
nghim nuts;
thewayshe
cri
edandpushedhishandsawaywhenhetri
ed
totouchher
.

HowdareMykeldothattoher
?Hecould
i
maginehowshemust '
vecri
edandbeggedhi
m.
Hecouldi
maginehowscaredshemusthave
been.

Hef
ail
edt
opr
otecther
.Thesecondwoman
he'severl
oved.Hef
ailedt
oprot
ecther
.He'
d
brokenhisownpromisetohi
mself
.

Gosh!Thepai
nswer
edr
ivi
nghi
m cr
azy
.
Hef
eltst
abbedandhur
t.
*
Fi
nal
ly
,hegottothebi
ggatesoftheinst
it
ute.
Andwit
houttur
ningof
fhi
scar,hejumpedout
andpr
oceeded.

Hewasn' tt
hinki
ngstr
aightandwasvoidofhi
s
emotions.Hedidn'
tcareifhehadtopenet
rat
e
thegate,
,hej
ustneededtogetin.

Thepowersinhim hadri
sentoitspeak-andso
di
dthedarkness.Howhewi shedhecould
cont
rol
it.Buti
twasi mpossi
ble.
Asheappr
oachedt
hegat
es,ey
esgl
uedoni
t,i
t
st
art
edopeni
ngonit
sown.

Despit
ehowhugeandst r
ongthegateswer
e,
theybowedforthegr
eat
erpower-apowerthat
didn'
tneedkeysorel
ect
ri
cit
ytoopenthem.

Theymadegroani
ngsoundsastheyspl
i
tted
apar
t,cr
eat
ingenoughspacef
orhimtowalkin.

"Hey!
!!
"Thesecur
it
iesf
rom i
nsi
det
hebui
l
ding
star
tedscr
eaming.

Theybr
oughtoutt
hei
rgunsandai
medathi
m.

"
Stopr
ightt
her
e!!
!Don'
tmov
e!!
"Theyy
ell
edat
hi
m andcr
ackedt
heguns.

Butt
hatwasadanger
ousmoment-amoment
noordi
nar
yper
sonshoul
dbear
oundhi
m.

Ashewalkedpassthegatesanddrewclosert
o
them,t
heyfel
theavychoki
nginthei
rthr
oats
andgaspedforai
r.

Thei
rhandsbecameweakandt
hegunsf
ell
fr
eel
yfrom t
hem.

Heconti
nuedmarchi
ngin,
ignor
ingt
hem as
t
heydroppeddeadonthefl
oor.

"
Arghhhhh!!
!"Mor
epeopl
ebeganscr
eami
ngas
t
heynoticedhim.
Thefewt hatwereluckyenought orunaway
beforehe'
dgett owher etheywere-weresaf
e.
Whilethosethatcouldn'tmakeitawayint
ime,
chokedtodeathont hef loor
.

Thatwast helif
estyl
ehe'dbeentry
ingtoavoi
d
foryear
s-t hesamer easonhetri
edasmuchas
possibl
etoav oidpeople-despi
tethef
acthe
hatedbeingalone.

Thatsamel
i
fest
ylewasback-t
hel
i
fest
yleofa
beast
.

Howhewishedhecoul
dcont
rol
it.Buti
twas
j
usti
mpossibl
e.

Hecont
inuedmar
chi
ngi
nandmor
eguar
ds
cametost ophim.Butbef
oretheycouldpul
lthe
tr
igger
soft hegunsi
ntheirhands,
theychoked
todeath.

Everyf
*"ki
ngthinghappenedwit
houthi
m
touchi
ngthem orrai
singafi
nger
.

WherewasMy kel
?Heneededt
osethi
sey
eson
hi
m -j
ustonce.

Hestoodandfacedaparti
cularbuil
dingwhich
wasalmostastal
lasasky scr
aper.Andfist
ing
hi
shandtowardsit
, t
hewindowscame
cr
ashingoutoft
heirhol
ders.
Gl
assesf
lewal
lov
ert
heai
r.

"Ar
ghhhghhh!"
,theinst
it
utewasalr
eadyamess
asitl
ookedjustli
ketheywereunderanat
tack.
Hedidmoredamage,
all
inanat
temptt
oget
Mykel
'sat
tent
ion.

Apart
icul
arsetofstudentscameoutt
oface
hi
m -t
hosewhower econsi der
edmost
power
fuli
ntheinsti
tute.

Theystoodsomedi st
anceawayf
rom hi
m and
tr
iedusingtheirpowers,
buti
tonl
ybounced
backont hem andchokedthem.

I
fonl
ytheyknewhewascl
ear
lyunst
oppabl
eat
t
hatmoment.

Morescr
eamscamef l
yi
ng,chaosaspeopl
eran
al
lar
ound-chaosbei
ngcreatedbyj
ustone
man.
My
kel
-heneededMy
kel
.

Heconti
nuedwal
ki
ngdeeperi
ntothebuil
ding,
l
ooki
ngforsomet
hingmorepr
eciousto
damage.

Butf
inal
l
y,hespot
tedhi
m -My
kel
.
Heprobabl
ycouldn'
twatchhi
m dest
roythe
ent
ir
einsti
tut
eandhadtoshowhi msel
fcause
heknewhewast heref
orhim.

"
Hey
!"Hecal
l
edandspr
eadhi
sar
msapar
t.
"
Youwantme?
"

Miquel
fel
tanewangerspur
geupi nhi
m as
soonashesethi
seyesonMy kel
.
Hetri
edtocl
eansomeofthebl
oodstai
nonhis
nosewit
hthebackofhi
spal
m ashestar
ted
marchi
ngtowar
dshim.

*
Kil
lhi
m.Ki
l
lhi
m*
Wasal
lthatkeptr
ingi
nghi
shead.

*
justgr
abhi
m andki
l
lhi
m*

Asheappr oachedhim,
hesuddenl
yfel
tthe
i
magesofCal i
beingmolest
edbyhi
m.He
envi
sionediti
nhishead-howshemust'
v ecr
ied
andbegged.

Heimaginedt
heanimallay
inghishandsonher
,
makingherweakenoughtoscrewher.How
dar
ehe?
Howcoul
dhe?

My kel
stoodhisgroundandawait
edhimtoget
closeandfinal
l
y,theywer
estandi
ngfacet
o
facewitheachother.

"
Iwarnedy
ounottot
ouchher
"Mi
quel
spokeup,
i
ndeephardbr
eat
hs.

"
Howdarey
ousti
ckt
hatwor
thl
esst
hingof
y
our
sint
oher?
"

My
kel
smi
rkedal
i
ttl
e.

"
I'
m sor
ry,
Miq.ButImadeapromisetoyou"he
r
epli
edandthatwasj
ustthehei
ghtofi
t.
Miqueldi
dn'
tevenreal
i
zewhenhel
andeda
heavypunchonhim.
"Youani
mal!
"Hecal
l
edbi
tt
erl
yandgr
ippedhi
m
bythecol
lar
s.

Mykel
fli
nchedali
tt
leandt
ri
edfight
ingback
wi
thapunchwhichwassuccessful
.

Heret
urnedapunchtoMi
quel
'
sfacewhi
ch
madehim bl
eedmore.

Miquel
touchedhi
slipsandlookedathi
m and
t
henextthi
ngthathappenedwashistor
y.

Helandedt
woqui
ckpunchesonhi
m and
ki
ckedhisl
eg,
whi
chbroughthi
mtohisknees-
i
nst
ant
ly.

Mykelgroanedali
tt
leandtriedgetti
ngonhis
f
eet,butitwasf
rui
tlessasMi quelpushedhi
m
t
othef l
oorandcontinuedpunchinghim.

"
Youb@st
ard!
"My
kel
grumbl
edandst
ruggl
ed
wi
thhi
m.
Butheknewwhohewasupagai
nst
.

I
nnot i
me,hi
sfacewasequallycover
edi n
bloodandMi
quell
if
tedhimfrom thefl
oorand
fl
unghimtoanot
herspot-j
ustlikeapieceof
rag.

Hecrashedbrutall
ytothefl
oorbut
unfor
tunat
ely,Miqueldi
dn'
tevengi
vehi
ma
breat
hingspaceashegotonhi mimmediat
ely
andcont
inuedt
hepunches.

"Whydidyoudoi
t?!
?"Hey el
ledasher
eleased
angr
ypunchesathi
m -hisfacewasal
readya
mess,cov
eredwit
hblood.

Hewascl
ear
lyl
osi
ngconsci
ousness.

"
Shewasi nnocentandhadnot
hingt
odowi
th
t
his!
!!
!"Heyell
ed-cri
ed

Hestoppedandtookupapi
eceofglassfr
om
thefl
oorcl
osebyandwit
houtasecondthought
,
drov
eitint
ohisarm.

"Ur
gh!
!"My
kel
groaneddi
sgr
unt
edl
yatt
heext
ra
pai
n.
He'dgott
ensoweakandcouldn'
tpushhim of
f
fr
om hisbodyandMiqueldr
ovet
heglass
deeperi
ntohisar
m,oozingsomuchblood.

Then,
hepausedandst
aredi
ntoMy
kel
'
sface.

"
Youhur
ther
"hewhi
mper
ed.
Thi
sti
mear
ound,
tear
sdr
ippedf
rom hi
sey
es.
Hest
il
lhadhi
m pi
nnedt
othef
loor
.

"Youmadeherr ej
ectmewit
htears.I
under
standifyou'
reacowar
d,butdidyour
eal
l
y
havet
ot hattoher
?"

Hi
svoi
ceshookashespokesot
ear
ful
l
y.
"
IneveraskedtobeaDi ãmônd,Mykel.Buteach
t
ime,you'
vemademef eeli
tstheworstthi
ng
t
hat'
severhappenedtome.Youmademef eel
i
tsacurse.Andtoday
,y out
urnedmei ntoa
monster
.

"
From thisdayon,Icutoffeveryti
esIhav
ewith
you.Fr
om thisdayon,Irejectever
ythi
ngt
hat
makesy oufamil
y.

"
Irej
ectev
ery
thi
ngt
hatmakesy
oumybr
other
".

Andwi
thtear
ssti
ll
str
oll
i
ngdownhi
scheeks,
he
st
oodupandlef
t.
*
*
TBC.
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode30

By
:Fai
thLucky

Mi
quel
'
sPov
:
AsIlef
thi sbl
eedi
ngunconsciousbodyonthe
fl
oorandheadedf orthegat
e,Icameincontact
wit
hallthepeopleI'
dkill
ed-al
lthepeopl
elyi
ng
deadont hefl
oor.
I'
dstoppedbleedi
ng,butmyhandssti
llshook
asIstaredatthedi
sasterI
'
dcreat
ed.Thel i
ves
I'
dtakenwithi
nseconds.WhathaveIdone?

Iwal
kedoutt
hegat
eandgotint
omycar,butI
wasdamnsoweaktoi
gni
tetheengi
nes.

Itr
iedtogethol
dofthekey
s, butmyhands
conti
nuedshaki
ngandIcouldn'tmakei
twork.

Then,
Ibust
edi
ntot
ear
sandr
est
edmyheadon
thest
erl
i
ng.
Whathav
eIdone?

I'
m amonster
,huh?Al
way
scausi
ngdi
sast
er
ever
ywher
eIgo.
Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
evei
t.

Becauseofme,thefi
rstwomanI'
deverl
oved,
di
ed.ShediedbecauseIfai
l
edtoprot
ecther
.

Becauseofme,Cal
igotmol
est
edand
tr
aumatized.

Becauseofme,
myownpar
ent
sdi
ed.

Becauseofthi
s,hundr
edsofpeopl
edi
edf
ew
minutesago.

Becauseofme,
ever
yf*
*ki
ngt
hinghappened!

Whatel
seam I
,huh?I
sn'
ti
tobv
iousenough?
Iwasamonst
er;

TheKi
ngofdar
kness.

Iputpeopl
e'
slivesatr
iskevery
wher
eIgo.Why
shoul
dthishappentome, huh?

Why
??

Thememor
ieswer
esopai
nful
.

Nobodydeser
vesme;
nobodyatal
l
.Notev
en
Cal
i.

I
'
mtooev
ilf
orsomeonel
i
keher-t
oodar
kfor
suchapur
esoul
.

Per
haps,i
tst
imeIst
oppedr
unni
ngawayf
rom
whoIreal
l
yam.

It
ookindeepheav
ybr
eat
hs,
try
ingt
ogetagr
ip
ofmysel
f.

Then,
Itur
nedont
hei
gni
ti
onandst
art
edt
hecar
.
*
*
*
Theyallst
oodatt
heent
ranceandlookedli
ke
they
'vebeenawai
ti
ngmyentranceeversi
nceI
l
eft.

Thecoor
dinat
es
"Son"theeldestamongthem cal
l
ed,
ali
ght
smilecreepingint
oherf
ace.

"
You'
reback"
.

Iwassoweakandkeptmyeyesgluedtot
he
fl
oorasIwal
kedcl
osert
othem andfel
lonmy
knees.

"
I'
mready
"Isai
ddej
ect
edl
y,mybr
eat
hwav
eri
ng.
"
Takemehome"
.
*
*
Cal
i
'sPov
:
Iwokeuphour
slat
erandf
oundmy
sel
font
he
fl
oor
.
Atfi
rst
,myheadwasmuzzy ,
,
butassoonasI
sawthebloodstai
nonmyhand,Ir
emembered
Miquelandsprangonmyf
eet.

"Miquel
!"Ical
l
edunconsci
ousl
yandl
ooked
around.
Hewasn'
ti
nther
oom.

Igotsetandr
anoutoft
her
oom.

Myheartpant
edheav
il
yasIr
usheddownt
he
st
air
s.
Mi
quel
..
.heshoul
dn'
tfaceMy
kel
int
hatst
ate.
Wher
ecoul
dheactual
l
ybe?Washeablet
oget
i
ntot
hei
nsti
tut
e?Whatifheget
shur
t?
Igotoutoft
heapart
mentandlookedar
ound,
wishi
ngI'
dspothi
scarorsomethi
ng.

Butunf
ort
unatel
y,i
twasn'
tther
eandonl
y
meantonethi
ng-he'dl
eft
.

OhmyGod!

"
Miquel
"Ipl
acedmyhandonmychestand
wept
.

Whydidhehavetoleave,huh?Whati
fhedoes
somethi
ngdrast
ici
nt hatst
ate?Orwhati
fhe
endsupget
ti
nghurt?

If
oundaplacetosi
t,f
orget
ti
ngt
hef
actIhad
j
ustatowelar
oundmychest.
Whywasev
ery
thi
nggoi
ngwr
ong?
*
*
24HOURSLATER
*
*
Ipacedrest
lessl
yar
oundt
her
oom,
mybot
h
handsatakimbo.

Dianewassi
tt
ingont
hebed,
alsoaswor
ri
edas
Iwas.

"
Comeon, Cal
i.Justt
akeaseatandkeepcal
m
f
ir
st"shesai
dafteralongwhi
l
eofsil
ence.
"Seri
ouslyDi
ane;howdoy ouexpectmet okeep
calm undert
hiscondit
ion,huh?Miquelhasn'
t
retur
nedsinceyester
dayandy oureal
lywant
met okeepcalm?"Iturnedtoherandasked.

Myent
ir
ebei
ngwasdi
stur
bed.

"Thi
sissounli
kehi
m.Somet hi
ngisdef
ini
tel
y
wrong,Di
ane.Somet
hingisdef
ini
tel
ywrong"I
addedandresumedpacing.

OhGod!If
eltl
i
kecr
ying.

"But.
..
.whatcould'
vehappenedtohi
m?Isi
t
possibl
eMy keldefeat
edhim orwor
se?
"She
askedandIdi ppedmyf i
ngersi
ntomyhai
rin
frust
rati
on.
"Idon'
tknow, Di
ane.Idon'
tknow.Buthei
sn'
t
backyet.Ineedtoseehim".

If
inall
yplonkedmysel
font
hebedandcov
ered
myf acewithmypalms.

"Hey,Cal
i.Comeon.I'
m...
.I
'
m surewe'l
l
defi
nit
elygetsomet
hing"Dianeconsol
edasshe
wrappedherhandaroundmyshoul der
s.

Isni
ff
ledi
nmypal
msf
orawhi
l
eandst
oodup.

"
Mykel
"Imumbl
edt
hename.
"Heshouldknowsomethi
ngaboutthi
s.The
animalshoul
dknowwhathappenedbecause
I'
m pret
tysur
eMiquel
hadgoneforhim
yester
day.
"
Ineedtogot ohim,Di
ane.Ineedt
ogotot he
i
nsti
tut
e.He'stheonl
yonethatcanexpl
ain
whathappenedtoMiquel
".

"Wai
t.
..
..
whaaaat
???
"Sheexcl
aimedandst
ood
onherfeet
.

"
You'
regoi
ngt
othedev
ilhi
msel
f?"

"I
'm af
rai
dthat
'stheonl
yopti
onIhave.Isi
mply
can'
tspendasingledaywi
thoutMi
quel.Ineed
toseehim".

Andwi
tht
hat
,Ir
anoutoft
her
oom.
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode31

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
"No!No!Letmego!Letmego,pl
ease!!
"Icr
ied
asthemendr aggedmeint
othecel
l.
OhGod!

Theyignor
edmycri
esandpushedmei n,
makingsuret
heyl
ockedi
tproper
lyaf
terwar
ds.

Ist
oodupandhel
dont
othebar
soft
hecel
l
.

"Pl
ease,youdon'tunderst
and.Ir
eal
l
yneedto
fi
ndMi quel
.I.
..
.Iyouneedtoletmego!Pl
ease!
"
Ipl
eaded.

"Nomat t
erwhat ,missCali,y
ou'renotexpected
toleavethei
nstit
ut eforanyt
hing.It
sclearl
y
againstt
herules.Ifthere'
ssomet hi
ngwr ong
withMiquel,
we'lldoourbestt ofindhi
m"oneof
them sai
dandl eftwiththeother.
Damni
t!
!
Icur
sedandki
ckedt
hebar
s.

Iknewthecel
lwaspower-resi
stantandt
her
e
wasnowayI '
dbeabl
etobreakfreewithmy
powers.

Ir
uff
ledmyhai
randsatont
hef
loori
ntear
s.

Oh,Cali
!Ishould'
vebeenmorecaref
ul.Howdi
d
Iendupget t
ingcaughtj
ustwhenIwasabout
l
eaving?

OhGod!Damni
t.
..
.

WhatdoIdo?
Ipl
acedmyheadonmyl
egsandwept
.

Mi
quel
..
.

Ir
eal
l
ywant
edt
oseehi
m.If
eltsoi
ncompl
ete.

Wherecouldhebe,
huh?Whatcoul
d'v
e
happenedbet
weenhim andMy
kel?

OhGod!Ishoul
dn'thavetol
dhim aboutther
ape
i
nci
dence.Nomat terwhat,
ishoul
d'vekepti
t
awayfr
om him andmay benoneofthis
woul
d'
vehappened.

Whathav
eIdone?
*
*
 Thr
eeDay
sLat
er
*
*
Myheadwasl
eanedagai
nstt
hewal
lasIsat
t
ir
edl
yonthef
loor
.

Short
ly,Ihear
dfootst
epsandopenedmyeyes
toseeitwast woguards,
onehol
dingat
rayof
food.

"Ti
met oeat
"theonewi
ththefoodsai
dashe
await
edtheothert
ounl
ockthecell
.

Twoguar dswereper
manentl
yposi
tioned
outsi
dethegateandtheyst
eppedasidefort
he
other
stowalkin.
Theonewiththet
raywal
kedin,whil
ehis
par
tnerst
oodbehindwi
thagun,probabl
yto
makesureIdontdoanyt
hingst
upid.

Iremai
nedsi
tt
ingont
hef
loorandwat
ched
them
Ast heydroppedthef
oodandlef
t.Butthetwo
otherguardssti
llr
emainedont
heirposi
ti
on,
outsidethecell
.

Istaredbl
anklyatthef
oodf oralongtimeand
fi
nall
ydecidedtoeatsi
ncei hadn'teat
en
anythingt
hewhol eofyest
erday.

I
'
vebeenlockedupf
orheref
orthreeday
sand
f
eltsoi
ncomplet
ewit
houtMiquel
.

Iuncov
eredt
hepl
atesandbeganeat
ing-sl
owl
y.
Notl
ongaf
ter
,someoneel
sewal
kedi
n.

Huh?Oneofthedirect
ors.Shewasactual
l
ythe
l
adythathadat
tendedtomet hefi
rstdayI
ar
ri
vedhereatt
heinstit
ute.

Sheworeashor tt
ightski
rt,
tuckedi
nwi
tha
l
ongsleeve.Andherheelsmadeannoyi
ng
soundsasshewal kedin.

"
Bri
ngheroutofcel
l
"sheorder
edtheguar
ds
whowereali
tt
lesur
pri
sedatfi
rst
.

"Themanagerwant
stoseeher,
okay?So,qui
t
star
ingatmeli
kehoodl
ums",
shesnappedat
them.
Gosh!Sor
ude.

"
Okayma'
am"t
heyr
epl
i
edandmadet
oopen
t
hecel
l
.

Ohmy
!Am Ibei
ngr
eleased?

Butshesai
d..
..
themanagerwant
stoseeme?
Huh?

Theguar
dscameupandopenedt
hecel
land
tookmeoutaf
ter
war
ds.

Itookaclosel
ookatthel
adyandbecame
confusedwhenIhear
dherthought
s.

*
Hibar
bie*
Myeyesbeamedimmediat
elyasIr
ecal
l
edthe
f
actt
hatonlyoneper
soncal
lsmebythatname.

Di
ane!
!!
!

Igaspedbutt
riedasmuchaspossi
blenott
o
showmyexcitement.

"
Don'
tworr
y.I
'
llt
akeitfr
om her
e"shesai
dto
t
heguar
dsandgrippedmyarm.

"
Comeon"shesaidhuski
l
yandstar
tedt
aki
ng
meaway,hol
dingmesoroughl
y-pr
obabl
yto
makei
tlookr
eal.

Idi
dn'
tsayawor
dasIwal
kedsi
l
ent
lywi
thher
,
outoft
hecellt
err
it
oryandoutt
owher
eacar
wasparked.

"Geti
n"shesai
dhuski
l
yassheopenedt
hef
ront
door.

I
twassodar
kal
readyandt
hear
eawasqui
et.

"Di
ane!
"Ical
l
edi
nawhi
spert
ho,
andshesmi
l
ed
atme.

"
Hel
l
obar
bie"sher
epl
i
edandIchuckl
ed.

"
You.
..
what
'r
eyoudoi
ng?
"Iasked,
bemused.

"Whatel
se?Savi
ngy
[email protected]
on,geti
nbefor
ewegetcaught
.Geti
ntothe
boot
"sher
epl
i
edandopenedt
hebootf
orme.

OhmyGod!Thankgoodness.

Igoti
ntothebootandlai
dint
hedarknessas
sheclosedi
tup.Andinashor
twhil
e,thecar
beganmov i
ng.

It
ooki
ndeepbr
eat
hs,
feel
i
ngsoexci
ted.

Shewast aki
ngmeoutoft
hei
nst
it
ute,
right
?So,
Icoul
dlookforMi
quel
.

OhmyGod!

Ifel
tsohappyasthecarmov
edbutsuddenl
y
cametoast op.
Oh!May
bewewer
eatt
hegat
e.

"You'r
egoingoutma'am?"Ihear
damascul
i
ne
voiceaskandfi
gureditwasoneoft
he
securi
ties.

"
Yeah,
itsi
mpor
tant
"Ihear
dDi
aner
epl
y.

Theysai
dsomeot herwor
dswhichIcoul
dn't
quit
eunder
stand,
butaft
erashortwhi
le,
thecar
star
tedmovi
ng.

Ah!Icoul
dfeel
it.Wewer
edr
ivi
ngoutoft
he
gat
e.
Hiusonpl ustwothreefourei
ghtzer
ofiv
efi
ve
ei
ghteightnineoneeightthr
eeonwatsappt
o
getaddedt oourgr
oup.
Ipl
acedmyhandonmychestandpray
edthi
s
worksout.Ir
eall
yneededt
oseemyMi
quel
.My
pri
ncecharming.

Thecardrov
eforaveryl
ongti
meandfinal
l
y
cametoastopjustwhenIwasbecomi
ng
i
mpatient
.

Thebootwasopenedri
ghtaf
ter
war
dsandI
j
umpedoutimmediatel
y.

"
Diane"Ical
l
edandl
ookedather
.

She'
dchangedbackt
oherr
eal
sel
f.

Il
ookedaroundandrecogni
zedt
hear
ea.The
bl
ackDiãmôndinst
it
ute.
"Sorr
yittookmesol ongtocomesav eyou.I
hadgot hroughalotget
ti
ngincontactwithone
ofthedirector
s.Youwantedtocomeher e,
ri
ght?"SheaskedandInodded.

"
Areyousur
eaboutt
his?I
tmi
ghtbedanger
ous,
Cal
i
".

"
Itdoesn'
tmatter.Ij
ustneedt
ofi
ndMi
quel
"I
r
epli
edfervent
ly.

Aslongasi
twast
heonl
yopt
ionIhad,
Ihadt
o
takei
t.

"Okaythen.I
'l
lj
ustwaitherei
nthecarasback
up.IfIdon'
tseeyouinthenextthi
rt
yminut
es,
I
'll
comei naswell.Okay?
"ShesaidandI
noddedasi
tsoundedl
i
keagoodpl
ant
ome.

"
Thanks"Imumbl
edandst
art
edonmyway
.

Iwal
kedforal
ongt
imebef
orespot
ti
ngt
hebi
g
bl
ackgat
e.

Idi
dn'
tev
enknowhowt
ogeti
n.
OhGod!Thi
swassor
isky
.

DoIr
eal
l
ywannaseeMy
kel
?

ButMi
quel
..
.hewasmor
eimpor
tant
.Ineededt
o
besur
ehe'
ssafe.

If
inal
l
ygott
othegat
eandj
ustst
oodi
nfr
ontof
i
t,wonder
inghowI
'
dgeti
n.DoIneedt
oscr
eam
i
tdown?

No;
it'
dlookl
i
keIwasent
eri
ngf
orwar
.

But.
..
theyshoul
dbecamerashere,
right
?Just
l
iketheonesatthewhi
teDiamondinsti
tut
e?

Or
..
..
may
beIshoul
dknock?

Iwasaboutplaci
ngmyhandoni
twhenIhear
d
thegat
egroaningopen.

Ah!

Iwat
chedkeenl
yandst
oodmygr oundsand
fi
nal
l
y,t
hefacesoft
hesecur
it
iesshowed,
poi
nti
ngt
hei
rgunsatme

"
Hey!Handsint
heair!
!"Theyy
ell
edandIl
i
fted
myhandsinsur
render
.

Ohmy
!Thi
swasar
eal
l
ybi
gri
sk.

Theyrantomeandheldmeroughl
y,
,pi
nni
ngmy
handsbehindmewhi
legunswerest
ill
poi
nted
atmyhead.

"
I'
m nother
efortr
oubl
e.Ij
ustwannasee
Mykel
"Isai
dti
redl
yandtheydr
aggedmei n.
*
*
Theykeptmeinadarkroom wher
eIwasmade
tokneelwi
thgunsst
il
lpoint
edatme.
Istayedt
hatwayforal
ongti
mebef or
ethe
l
ightswentonassoonasthedooropened.

Ilookedandsawt
hreeboy
swal
kin,
,oneof
them Mykel
.

Myheartski
ppedi
mmediat
elyasIf
eltascar
r
eopen.Myheadached.

Buthelookedso.
..
inj
ured.Hisf
acewascov er
ed
wit
hbruises,
andhislefthandwasbandaged.

Whatt
heheckhappenedt
ohi
m?

Suddenl
y,mymi
nddr
if
tedt
oMi
quel
.
"
She'
sdemandi
ngtoseey
ou"oneoft
hemen
who'
dbeeni
nther
oom wi
thmesaidt
ohi
m.

Hi
seyeswer
esocoldashestar
edatmeand
st
oppedi
nfr
ontoft
hetabl
e.

"
Leaveus"heorder
edandthemenl
eftaf
tera
l
i
ttl
erel
uctance-ev
eryoneoft
hem.

Andwebecamet
heonl
yonesl
efti
nther
oom.

I
mmedi at
ely
,Ist
oodupandli
ft
edthetableto
hithi
skneeandthatway
,hel
andedst
raighton
thefl
oor.

Hedef
ini
tel
ywasn'
texpect
ingi
t.
Ir
ant
ohi
m ont
hef
loorandhel
dhi
sneck.
Ihadnoi
deawher
ethegut
scamef
rom,
butI
didi
t.

"Where'
sMiquel?Whatdi
dy oudotohi
m?"I
askedangr
il
y,,
appl
yi
ngpressureonhi
s
bandagedarm.

Hegrunt
edali
tt
leandhel
dmyhairandbef
oreI
knewit
,If
oundmysel
fcrashi
ngt
othefl
oor.

Hepushedmeli
keachickenandIendedup
sust
aini
ngascr
atch.

Damni
t!

Bef
oreI
'
dregai
nmy
sel
fandst
andonmyf
eet
,
hewasal
readyonhi
s.

"
Ser
iousl
y?"Hescof
fed.
"
Didy
our
eal
l
ycomeher
etof
ightme?
"

Ipantedheav
il
yandmai
ntai
nedagood
dist
ance.

"Where'
sMiquel
?He'
stheonlyreasonI'
m her
e"
Isai
dwithsomuchhateresoundingi
nmyv oi
ce.

Hescoff
edandbroughtoutacigaret
teand
l
ight
erfr
om hi
spocket,l
i
titandstuckiti
ntohi
s
mouth.

"You'
ver
eal
lygotsomener
ves,
huh?
"Heasked
andpuff
edoutsmoke.
"Imustsayy
ou'
rer
eal
l
ybr
avecomi
ngher
e
alone.

"Anyway,
whydoy
out
hinkMi
quel
woul
dbe
here?"

"Becausey ou'r
et helastmonst erhecamet o
see.He'dleftmewi t
hsomuchangerwi ththe
i
ntentionsofkill
ingy ouf ourdaysago.Butsince
then,Ihaven'tsetmyey esonhi m.AndI'
m
askingy ounicely
, wherei she?"Ient
hused,
try
ingsohar dt ocont r
ol mytemper .

Hechuckl
edandpuf
fedmor
esmokei
ntot
he
ai
r.

"
Wel
l
...
."Hesi
ghed.
"
Iguesshe'
sgonehomeal
ready
".

Iarchedmybrowsi
nconf
usi
on..
what
'she
tal
kingabout
?

"
Whathome?
"Imut
ter
ed.

"Hi
shome, Cal
i.Toascendt
het hr
one.Hav
eyou
noidea?He'st
heKingofdarkness"
.

If
eltcol
dchi
l
lsrunthroughmyspi
neassoon
ashemadethatstat
ement :
*Ki
ngofDar
kness*

OhGod!What
'shet
alki
ngabout
?

No;
itcan'
tbe.
"
You'
rel
yi
ngt
ome"Imumbl
ed.

"Reall
y?WhywouldIl
ie,
Cali
?Thecoordi
nates
from Kor
eahasbeenaft
erhi
mf orweeksand
obviousl
y,t
hey
'dgot
tentohi
m alr
eady.

"Onthedayoft hemission,Isawhi
m.Hewas
captur
edbythem andt hatonlymeantthey'
d
takencont
rolofhim.So, i
ts99%possiblehe'
s
backintheKingdom alr
eadyandhaspr obabl
y
ascendedthethrone"
.

If
eltashar
ppai
ninmychestashi
swor
ds
pi
ercedi
ntomyear
s.

No;
Miquel
?InKor
ea?
TheKi
ngofdar
kness?

Whywouldhejustl
eav
emebehi
nd?Leav
e
wi
thoutsay
ingaword?

Why
?

Ipl
acedmyhandonmychestast
heshockwas
j
usttoomuchonme.

"
Icoul
dtakeyout
ohim"Isuddenl
yheardthe
monst
ersayandl
if
tedmyeyestolookathim.

"
Ify
ou'r
ein,f
ir
stthi
nginthemorning,
we'
ll
take
t
heinst
it
ute'
spri
vat
ejetandleav
e.Youcanget
t
omeethim".
Myey
esdr
ippedi
ncur
iosi
ty.

I
shebei
ngser
ous?

"Andwhywouldyoudothat
?"Iasked,
myv
oice
sti
ll
comingouthoar
se.

Nomat t
erwhat
,icoul
dn'
tgett
heangerof
fmy
mind.

"Well
..
..
..
Let
'sjustsayIf
eell
ikei
t.Unl
ess..
.y
ou
feel
li
kelett
ingitgoanddon'twannaseehim".
Heshruggedandsmokedf rom hisst
ickandI
scoff
ed.

Anxi
etycr
owdedme.
"AndwhyshouldIt
rusty
ou?"Iasked
disquiet
edl
yandi
noneenigmati
csmi l
e,he
repli
ed:

"
BecauseIal
way
skeept
omypr
omi
se"
.
*
*
TBC.
Hm.
Whatdoy
out
hink?

My
kel
'
spi
cbel
ow

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode33

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Idi
dn'
tev
enr
eal
i
zewhenIcal
l
edouthi
sname.

My
kel
pul
l
edmebacki
mmedi
atel
y.

"Hey;
whatareyoudoi
ng?Your eal
lyt
hinkhe
canhearyoufr
om t
here?Youshouldhope
nobodyhear
dy ouf
rom adi
stance"hesaid
huski
l
yandl
ookedar
oundqui
ckl
y.

Icouldn'ttakemyeyesoffMi
quelasIstar
edat
him withsomuchdesi r
es.MyMiquelwasright
ther
ei nfrontofme!Hewasthere!
!

Looki
ngso..
..
handsomeandr
oyal
..
..
buti
na
di
ffer
entway.

Astrangecr avi
nganddesi
ret
ohol
dhim
suddenlycloudedmeandItur
nedswi
ft
lyt
o
l
ookatMy kel.

"
Howdowegeti n?Howdowegett ohi
m?"
Desperat
ionandimpat
iencewascl
ear
ly
resoundi
ngfrom myvoice.
Hesighedandinser
tedhi
shandsi
ntohi
s
t
rouserpocket
s.

"I
tsnotgonnabeeasy,Cali
.Fi
rst
,wecan'tcli
mb
thr
oughthefence,
that'
simpossi
ble.Secondl
y,
wecan'tj
ustwalkthr
oughthegatecauseits
gonnabereall
yri
sky"
.

It
urnedtol
ookatMi
quel
andnot
icedhewas
al
readywal
ki
ngaway.

OhmyGod!
!Hewaswal
ki
ngaway
!!
.

Iwat
chedbi
tt
erl
yandanxi
ousl
yashef
inal
l
ygot
l
ost.

"
Howr
isky
?"It
urnedt
oMy
kel
andask
i
mmedi
atel
y.

"Wel l
..
..
reall
yrisky
.Becauset heguardswould
hav etointerr
ogatey ouheavil
y.Andifyou'
re
foundsuspi cious,you'
llbearr
estedand
probablykill
ed"her epl
ied,buti
tdidn'
tseem to
freakmeabi t.

NotwhenMi
quel
'
sinv
olv
ed.

"
Whati
fIgoi
nasamai
d?"Iasked.
"Wouldn'
tthatbebet
ter
?Icangetaccesst
o
seetheKing,ri
ght
?"

"Awhat
?Arey
ouokay?Youcan'tpossi
blygoi
n
asamaid,
Cal
i.Whati
fyougetcaught?
"
"
AndIcan'tbel
iev
ey ou'r
econcernedaboutmy
wel
lbeing.Howhil
arious"Iscof
fedandstar
ted
wal
kingaway.

"
Hey
;Cal
i
.Cal
i
"hecal
l
edandr
anaf
terme.

Idi
dn'tt
urnt
olookathi
m butj
ustcont
inued
wal
kingaway

"
Ser
iousl
yCal
i
?"Heasked,
butIst
il
li
gnor
edhi
m.

Wecl
imbeddownt
hehi
l
landIst
il
lcont
inued
onmyway.

"Okay;fi
ne!Fine!Youcangoinokay?When
you'
redone, youmeetmer i
ghtatthehi
ll
.But
don'tsayIdidn'twar
nyou"hesai
daudibl
y,butI
st
il
ldi
dn'
ttur
ntol
ookathi
m asIpr
oceededon
myway.

Jer
k.
*
*
I
twasav eryl
ongwalkf
rom t
hehi
l
ltot
hegat
e,
butt
hankful
ly
,Iar
ri
vedt
here.

Thegat
eswer
eact
uall
ywideopen,butt
he
guar
dswer
esomet
hingel
se-ful
lyarmed.
Fr
om t
helooki
nthei
reyes,
nobodytol
dmeto
st
opwalki
ngwhenIgottowher
etheywer
e.

Atsomepoi
nt,
Iact
ual
l
ybecameabi
tscar
ed.

"
Whoar
eyou?
"Thef
ir
stguar
daskedgr
umpi
l
y
andIswal
l
owedhar
d.

"I
'
m...
I'
m oneoft
hemai ds,mist
er.Ihadt
ogo
outt
ogetsomething"Irepl
i
ed,tr
yingasmuch
aspossibl
etocl
oakmyner vousness.

"Togetwhat
?"Anot
herasked,
obvi
ousl
y
becausemyhandswereempty.

Oh!Damn.

"Um...
someher bs.Butunf
ort
unatel
y,Icoul
dn'
t
gettheonesIneeded.So,I'
m backtorepor
tto
themi st
ress"Ir
epli
edandtheyexchanged
glancesateachother.

Forgoodnesssake,
theyusher
edmei
n!!
"
Youcancomein",t
hefir
stonesai
dandpav ed
wayf
ormet opassandasIdid,
Irel
easedthe
l
ongbreat
hI'
dbeenholdi
ngthewholetome.

Gosh!Thankgoodness.

Iwalkedinandcoul dn'
thel
pbutadmi rethe
beautyoftheplace.Butconsider
ingthefacti
t
wasr est
rai
ningmyMi quel
from me,Isti
l
l hat
ed
i
t.

Iwalkedsoslowl
y,wonder
ingwhatel
seI
'
ddo
togetclosert
oMiquel
.

Themaids..
.Ineededtomingl
ewit
ht hem f
ir
st.I
coul
dn'
tjustgot otheki
ngemptyhanded.
Therewerelot
sofpeopl
emov ingar
oundwit
h
basket
s,bags,somanyt
hings.AndIst
opped
oneofthem.

"Hi.Um..
..
wherecanIf
indt
her
oyal
kit
chen,
please?
"Iasked.

Shelookedal it
tl
erel
uctantandsuspici
ousbut
i
nstantl
y,Igainedaccesstoherthoughtsand
gotthedirect
ion.

"Don'
tworr
y.Ir
emembernow"Iwav
edherof
f
andcont
inuedwal
ki
ng.

It
ookthedir
ecti
onsI'
dgot t
enfrom t
he
woman'shead-lef
t,l
eftandri
ght.
Andinnot
ime,
foundmy
sel
finawi
deopen
space.

Woah!
!
I
sthi
swhatt
hei
rki
tchenl
ooksl
i
ke?
?

Ist
oodconf
usedatt
heentr
ance.Imean.
..
.t
hey
weresomanyoft
hem -asbusyasbees.

Somanypotswereont
hef
ir
ewhi
chwer
emade
wi
thl
ocalwood.

I
twas.
..
.

Suddenl
y,someonepushedmefr
om behind
andItur
nedtoseeitwasagrumpyl
ooking
woman.

"Hey!Whoareyou?Andwhy '
rey
oujust
standi
ngther
e?"Sheasked,
beadyeyed.

Iquickl
ywentt hr
oughhert
hought
sand
discoveredtheywer
eexpect
inganewmai
dfor
theday .Nana.

"I
'
m...
.I
'
m Nana"It
oldher
,hopi
ngIwasf
**ki
ng
conv
inci
ngenough.

"
Nana?
"Sher
epeat
ed.
"
ButBr
adl
eysai
dNanahadbi
ggerey
es.

"
Any
way ,
comein.Comein.Therear
esomuch
t
odo"shesai
dhasti
lyandwalkedi
nandI
sl
uggi
shl
yfol
l
owed.

Thepl
acewasl
ooki
ngsonewandst
ranget
o
me.

"Ineedthreemoregirlsoverhere!
"She
announcedandcl appedherhandsand
i
mmedi ately,
thr
eegi r
lsscutt
ledtowhereshe
was.

Hm.Shewasobv
iousl
ytheonei
nchar
ge.

"Her
e.Taket hesetraystothet hr
oneroom
i
mmedi atel
y.Bef ast"sheclappedherhands
agai
nandwest artedtakingthetray
soneafter
theother
.
Ihadt
het
raycont
aini
ngbl
ueber
ri
es.

And.
..
hol
don;
didshej
ustsayt
het
hroner
oom?
?

Thatshoul
dbeMi
quel
'
slocat
ion,
right
?
OhmyGod!

Iheldt
hepr
oper
lyandscur
ri
edoutwi
tht
her
est
ofthemai
ds.

Please,thi
sshoul
dbeit
.Thisshoul
dbemy
opportunit
yofmeeti
ngMiquel
.

"Ma'
am Hanuel
issogr
umpytoday
, i
sn'
tshe?
"I
over
hear
dtwoofthemaidsmumble.
"
Notj
ustt
oday.She'
salwaysbeensobossy
"
t
heot
herr
epli
ed,rat
herpi
ssedoff.

Ishott
hem astareanddeci
dedtoi
gnor
esi
nce
theyweret
heleastofmyprobl
ems.

Wewal kedforalongti
me,,
cli
mbedsomestai
rs
andfinal
ly,
gotinfr
ontofaveryl
argedoor
whichlookedjustl
ikeagat
e.

Ther
ewerear
medguardsi
nfrontofi
tandwe
st
oppedwal
ki
ngastheguar
dsinspect
edus.

Whentheyweredone,t
heysi
gnal
ledt
hethi
rd
amongthem t
oopenthedoorandhedidand
wegotaccessi
ntothemassi
veroom.
Myey esit
chedatf
ir
stcauseoft
helight
,butnot
unti
lIspott
edhi
m sit
ti
ngonwhatlookedli
kea
thr
one.

Mylipshel
plessl
ydroppedopeni
nshockand
exci
tementasIstar
edathim -MyMiquel
.

OhmyGod!
!

Mi
quel
!!
*
*
TBC.
I
nthet
hroner
oom wi
thhi
m

Mycommentsaregett
inglow,guys.I
tseems
youwantmetostar
tgi
v i
ngcondit
ions
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode34

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Ifear
edtherat
eofmyheart
beatwastoohi
gh,
themaidsandguar
dsmightover
heari
t.

MyMiquel
wasr
ighti
nfr
ontofme-f
ewst
eps
away
!
OhmyGod!

Hewas.
..
.hewasseat
edont
het
hrone.Anda
l
adywasbesi
dehim.

Shel
ookedl
i
keapr
incess.

"
Whatar
ethese?"Sheaskedi
mmedi
atel
y,
maki
ngt
herestofusstop.

ButIcoul
dn'
ttakemyey
esof
fMi
quel
.

OhGod!Hel
ookedsohandsome,
but
..
..
hisey
es.

t
heywer
esodar
k.Sodar
k.
Heglancedatus-t
hemaids.AndIcoul
dyell
Huseyesranint
ome,but
..
..
heactedli
ke.
..
I
wasn'
teventher
e.

Therewasnoemot
ioni
nhi
sey
eswhenhe
st
aredatme..

"Wewer
eorderedtogett
heset
otheKi
ng"
,one
oft
hemaidsrepl
ied.

"Heneverorderedforthem!Takethem away
!"
Shesai
dl oudlyandrudelyandthemaidsbowed
andtur
nedar oundtothedoor.

Wait
...
.What
'sgoingon?Whyi
sn'
tMiquel
l
ookingatme?Hewasact i
ngli
ke.
..
hedidn'
tsee
any
onef ami
liar
.
Iremai
nedstandi
ngl
ikeaghost
,notunt
iloneof
themaidsnudgedme.

"
What'
reyouwait
ingf
or?
"Shesai
dinahusky
whi
sperandIf
orcedmylegst
omove.

Conf
usi
onover
whel
medme,
Idi
dn'
tknowwhat
wasgoi
ngon.

MyMi
quel
..
.Whywasn'
ther
ecogni
zi
ngme?

Suddenl
y,Ihear
dacol
dvoi
cesay
:

"
Iwantt
hebl
ueber
ri
es"
.

Myheartski
ppedalongwi
thmyl
egsast
hey
st
oppedwalking.
Iwast
hel
adywi
tht
hebl
ueber
ri
es,
right
?

Yes!
!Ofcour
se.

Igaspedandt
urnedi
nshockt
oseehi
m st
ari
ng
atme.

Mi
quel
!

Gosh!Iwassot emptedtocal
louthisname.
Butremember i
ngevery
thi
ngMy kelhadtol
dme,
Ir
ealizedIneededt
obesaf ef
orhim.

"Why'
sshejustst
andi
ngtherel
i
keanoaf?
"The
l
adybesidehi
m growl
edandIswal
lowedhar
d
andstar
tedwalki
ngcl
oser.
OhGod!Somanythi
ngshadchangedand
l
ookedconf
usi
ng.Whotheheckwasthatl
ady
?

Igotcloserwiththet
rayofbl
ueberr
iesandasi
did,i
couldn'thel
pbutstar
eintohi
seyesand
thist
imear ound,hewasstar
ingbackatme.

Butt
hatl
ook.
..
.

Theywer
en'
tthel
ooksofmyMi
quel
.

Hewoul
d'
veact
edusual
bynow.

Ihel
doutt
hetr
aytohi
m andhestret
chedout
hi
shandandpi
ckedaboutt
hreeberr
ies.
Iwatchedhim eatt
hem i
necst
asy
,cl
osi
nghi
s
eyesabit.

Suddenl
y,
,hel
ookedatmeagai
n.Andl
eaned
for
ward.

"
Whydoy oulooksofamil
i
ar?
"Heasked,
his
v
oicecomingoutsogrumpyandcol
d.

Goodl
ord!

"
Hav
ewemetbef
ore?
"

If
eltt
ear
sbui
l
dupi
nmyey
esasIst
aredi
nto
hi
s.

Noway
;
Whathappenedt
ohi
smemor
ies?What
happenedt
ohim?

Suddenl
y,If
eltsomeonepushmeandinno
ti
me,Iwasont hefl
oorwi
ththebl
ueber
ri
es
spi
ll
edallov
er.

OhmyGod!
I
twast
hel
adybesi
dehi
m!
Shepushedme!
!

"Howdarey
oust
arei
ntot
heey
esoft
heKi
ng?
"
Sheroar
ed.

"
Doy
ouhav
eadeat
hwi
sh?
"
Il
ookedatherwi
thsomuchshockandf
ist
ed
myhand.

Atthatmoment,
theonl
ythingIfel
twas
screami
ngathersoshecouldgetwipedof
fher
feet.

Buttheangeri
nmewasmi xedwithhear
t
brokeness,
Idi
dn'
tknowwhatexactl
ytodo.

Il
ookedatMiquel
andhewascompl
etel
yvoi
d
ofemoti
ons.

Howcoul
dhe.
..
.

Howcoul
dhewat
chanot
herl
adyi
nti
midat
eme?
Thetearcamer
oll
i
ngdownf
reel
yasIcont
inued
st
ari
ngathim.

"Guards!!
"Thel
adyy
ell
edandt
heboy
scame
scutt
lingin.

"
Lockherup!
"

Theguar
dsli
ft
edmeroughl
yfr
om t
hef
loorand
st
art
edtaki
ngmeawaywhil
eIwhi
mpered.

Mor
etear
sst
reameddownmycheeksast
hey
t
ookmeaway.

Butnotunt
ilwehear
dtheKi
ng'
svoi
ce.

"
Stop!
"
Itcamei nanorderandwet
heguar
dsholdi
ng
mest oppedwal
kingaswet
urnedt
olookathi
m
-Mi quel.

Hewasonhi
sfeet
.
*
*
TBC.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )
#Season_
2
Epi
sode35

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Iwasst
il
lwhi
mper
ingwhenwetur
nedar
ound
tol
ookathi
m.Hewasonhisf
eet.

Al
leyeswereonhi
m asevery
oneprobably
wonderedwhyheaskedt
heguardstostop.Hi
s
ey
eswer esodamndarkandstar
edatme.

"Giveussomepri
vacy"hefi
nal
l
ysai
dagai
n,
creati
ngmoresuspense.

"
MyKi
ng?
"Thel
adybesi
dehi
m cal
l
ed,
she
cl
ear
lysoundedsur
pri
sed.

"
Iwantev
ery
oneoutoftheroom,exceptt
he
mai
d"hesai
dagai
n,hi
sey esnotl
eavingmy
f
ace.

Theguar
dsleftmei
mmediatel
yandstart
ed
wal
kingout-sowi
thther
estofthemaids.

"
ButmyKi
ng.
..
."Thel
adyt
ri
edspeaki
ngout
.

"
Doy oureal
lyhavetoar
guewi
thme,Bet
hany
?"
Heturnedtoherandaskandt
hel
ookonher
f
acewaspr icel
ess.

"
No,
myKi
ng"
,shebowedandl
efthi
ssi
de.
Shekepthereyesgl
uedtothef
loorasshe
walkedaway,andwhenshegottowhereIwas,
shelif
tedherf
aceandshotmeadeadlystar
e.

Igulpedner
vousl
yandtookmyey
esawayf
rom
hersasshewalkedaway.

Andnow.
..
backt
oMi
quel
.

Wewer
etheonl
yonesl
efti
nther
oom.

Istood,
transf
ixedinshockaswebot
hst
aredat
eachother-si
lentl
y.

Thesi
lencewasabroodi
ngoneasIwonder
ed
whathehadinmind.
Butshocki
ngenough,
hecal
l
edmyname.

"Cal
i?
"Hisvoi
cecameoutal
i
ttl
ehoar
seandmy
eyesdimmed.

Hecal
l
edmyname?
?

Suddenl
y,Iwal
kedupt
ohi
m andsl
appedhi
m.
*
*
Bet
hany
'sPov
:
Iwal
kedangr
il
youtofthet
hroner
oom,
my
ent
ir
esyst
em vi
brat
ing.

If
eltt
hegr
oundwasshaki
ngwi
tht
hewayI
st
ormedonthem.
Fi
nal
ly,Igott
othesacr
edhal
l-wher
ethe
coor
dinateswer
e.

"Wehav
eapr oblem"Isai
dassoonasIent
ered
andt
heyal
lturnedswift
lyt
olookatme.
Nodoubt,t
heyweret
akenabackedbymy
suddenent
rance.

"
"Whatpr
obl
em,
Bet
hany
?"Theel
destasked,
keenl
y.

Ibr
eat
hedheav
il
yasIwal
kedcl
osert
othem.

"
Miquel
..
."
,Ipant
ed.
"
Ithi
nkwemi
ghtl
osehi
m".
"
What
?"

"
What
?"Aboutt
hreeoft
hem chor
usedatonce.

"
Whatmakesy ousayso,Bet
hany
?Gost
rai
ght
t
othepoi
nt"
.anotherur
ged.

"Ther
e'sal adyinther
e.Andwi ththelookof
thi
ngs, It
hinksheknowsMi quel
.AndMi quel
knowsher .Hesentev er
y oneoutofthethrone
room sohecoul dhaveawor dwi t
hher.He
mightregainhismemor ies"Isaid,
hyper
v enti
lati
vel
y.

About5oft
hem gasped.
"Areyoubeingser
ious?
?Who'
sshe?
"The
eldestasked.

"Ihavenoidea.Butshe'
sdef i
nit
elyathr
eat.I
couldn'
tseeitinMiquel
'
sey es.Hecouldn'
ttake
hiseyesoffher.Andtothi
nkt hey'
ret
ogether
ri
ghtnow...
."Icl
ickedmytongue.
"
Ther
e'sdef
ini
tel
yapr
obl
em"
.

"No!Gett heguar dsimmediately.Takethem to

thethroner oom.They '
retokill
theintruderas
soonast heyseeher .Doitnow!!I'
llgoinfor
m
thepriest"theeldestsai
dst r
ictl
yandscur ri
ed
outoft heroom whi l
eIalsobowedandr anoff
tofulf
illmyt ask.
*
*
TBC.
 THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode36

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Iwhi
mperedasIst ar
edathim,myhandssti
l
l
i
tchi
ngfr
om theslapI'
djustr
eleased.He
l
ookedundoubtedl
yshocked.

Andhi
sey
es.
..
.t
hey
'dbegant
owat
er.
"Youl
eftme,
Miquel
"myv
oicewav
eredwi
th
emoti
ons.
"
Youl
eftwi
thoutsay
ingasi
ngl
ewor
dtome.
Howdarey
ou?"

Ibustedi
ntotear
sandhef
orcef
ull
ytur
ned
aroundtobackme.

Heleanedov
eronthet
hroneseatandl
ooked
l
ikehewastryi
ngt
ocontr
olhi
mself.

"
Youshoul
dleav
e,Cal
i
"hesai
dcr
oaki
l
y.
"
It
'sdanger
ousf
ory
ouher
e".

OhmyGod!
"
Real
l
y?"Iscof
fedandmov
edcl
osert
ohi
m.

"So,
you'
rej
ustl
i
ket
heot
herguy
s,huh?Al
i
ar?
Betr
ayal
?"

Het
urnedswi
ft
lyt
olookatme,
hisey
esbur
ning
r
ed.

"
What
'r
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"Hesnapped.

"
Youpromisedyou'
dneverl
eaveme"Ipoi
nted
myfi
ngerathi
m, moret
earsst
reami
ngdown
mycheeks.
"Youmademet r
ustyou-witheveryt
hing,
Miquel!Igav
eyoumydi gni
tyandthisishow
yourepayme?Justknockedmeoutl i
keapiece
oftr
ashandr et
urnedtoyourpreci
oust hr
one?
Reall
y??Tellmeally
ouwant edwasmybody !
Everyf
**kingt
hingwasall
aboutmybody.You
onlywantedtouseme!"Iyel
l
ed-cr
ied.

"
Cal
i
...
."Hecal
l
edbl
ear
il
y
"Youknowthat
'snott
rue.St
opsayi
ngnon-
sense.I
'
dneverwanttouseanddumpyou"
.

"So,howelsedoy ouexpl
ainthi
s??Or .
..
areyou
suddenlydi
sgustedbymebecauseIt ol
dy ouI
wasr aped?
?Doy ousuddenlyhateme? ?Butit
wasn'tmyfault
!AndifI'
m notmistaken,he
rapedmebecauseofy ou!Every
thingthat
happenedwasbecauseofy ou!So, whyputthe
blameonme? ?"

"I
'
m notputt
ingthebl
ameony ou,
Cali
.Andy
ou
canneverdi
sgustme.It
s..
..
it
sallmyfaul
t
ever
ythi
nghappenedIknowy ougothurt
becauseofme.Andt hat
'st
hereasonIneed
youtostayawayfrom me.pl
ease.Idon'
twant
youtogethurtany
mor e"
.

Iscof
fedi
ntear
sanddi
sbel
i
efasIst
aredat
him.
Myv
isi
onwasal
readybecomi
ngbl
ur.

"DoyouevenknowwhatIwentthr
oughgetti
ng
toyou?Doyouknowtheri
sksandsacr
if
icesI
made?Icamebackforyou,
,
Miquel
.Butyou
neverdi
d.Howcoul
dyouhurtmethisway?"

Ibentmyheadandwi
pedmyf
acewi
tht
heback
ofmypalm.

"Iguessthi
sisal
lawast
eoft
ime.Ihopey
ou
enjoyyourst
ayhere"
.
Andwi
tht
hat
,It
urnedar
oundt
oleav
e.

Myrunni
ngtear
scoul
dn'
tdescr
ibet
hepai
nsI
f
eltasIwal
kedaway.

Howcoul
dhe?
?

Ididn'tevenreal
i
zewhent hebi
gdooraheadof
mebur stopenwithguar
dsfrom di
ff
erent
runninginlikeat
hlet
es.

"Fir
e!!
"Ihear
doneoft
hem y
ell
andi
tbecame
cleartome.
Igaspedandl
ookedup,buti
twasal
readytoo
l
ateasIfel
tanarr
owpiercei
ntomyskin.

"
Hah!
"Igaspedl
i
ght
lyandhel
dtheaf
fect
ed
t
ummy
.

OhmyGod!

Ifel
tmyearsbecomeblockedasever
yot
her
thi
ngsoundedsolowanddistantt
ome.
If
eltt
hewhol
epl
acegoi
ngr
oundi
nci
rcl
esf
or
me.

"
Cali?
"Ihear
dav
oiceandr
ecogni
zedi
ttobe
Miquel.
I
tsoundedsof
ar.

"
Cal
i!
!?
!!"Thevoi
cecameagain-atthesame
t
imeIfell
backwards,
aboutt
oreachthefl
oor
.

ButIf
eltsomet
hinghol
dmef
rom behi
nd,
pr
event
ingmef
rom r
eachi
ngt
hef
loor
.

If
ell
int
oawar
m hands.

Il
ookedanddi
scov
eredi
twasMi
quel
.

"Cal
i?
"Hecall
edagain,
hisl
i
psshaki
ng,
and
eyesdil
ati
ngi
nshock.

Ther
eweredr
opl
etsofbl
oodf
rom t
hesi
deof
mymouth.

"Mi
quel
..
."Ical
l
edweakl
y,myheadwasr
est
ing
onhi
sthi
ghs.
"
Don'
t.
..l
eav
eme.
..
please"
.
Isawat
eardr
opf
rom hi
sey
eimmedi
atel
y.

Hi
sgripar
oundmehadbecomef
ir
m whi
chonl
y
meantonethi
ng.

"Mi
quel
..
."Ical
l
edagainbutcoul
dbarel
y
compl
etemyst at
ementwhenIpassedout
.
*
*
Aut
hor
essChi
Pov
:
Assoonasshepassedout,
thet
earsf
rom hi
s
eyesgotr
epl
acedwit
hbloodasal
lhefel
twere
anger
,pai
nandrev
enge.

Bet
hanyhadcomei
nwi
tht
heguar
dsaswel
l
.

"
MyKi
ng!
"Shecal
l
edandr
ant
owar
dshi
m.
Butshehadbar
elygot
tencl
osewhenshef
elta
heavywi
ndsweepheroffherf
eet
.

Shescreamedandfoundher
sel
fhit
ti
nghar
d
agai
nstawall-ar
msandneckbroken.

"
Ah!
"Shewi
ncedandt
ri
edget
ti
ngonherf
eet
.

Miquel
remai
nedonhi
sspot
,hol
dingont
oCal
i
ashewept.

"
Youdi
dn'
thav
etohur
ther
"hewhi
mper
ed.

Bethanywhowasalr
eadyonherf
eetwas
fi
xatedanddi
dn'
tknowwhattodo.
Butnotunti
lshef
eltaninv
isi
blef
orceli
ftherof
f
herfeetandpi
nhertothewall
,makingher
choke.

Shehel
dherneckasshechokedanddanced
herl
egsforhel
p.

Theguardswhoweresti
ll
attheent
rancewere
confusedanddi
dn'
tknowift
heyweretoatt
ack
theKingornot
.

TheKi
ng,
huh?

Hehel
dCal
i
'scheeksandki
ssedher
.

"
I'
m sosor
ry"hewhi
mper
ed.
Heshov
edthecrownoffhi
sheadandst
oodup
af
ter
wards,
car
ryi
ngherinhi
sarmsli
keababy
.

Somanyt houghtsofr
egretsandpai nsfl
ashed
throughhismi ndashewal kedt owar
dsthe
entrance.Andashegotcl ose, t
heguardsfound
themselveschokingonthef loor.

Hedidn'
tcar
eaboutt
hem.Allhecar
edabout
wasgett
ingCal
itoasaf
eplacesohecoul
d
heal
her.

Howcouldhebesostupi
d,huh?Sostupi
dto
causehersuchpai
nandhear
tbr
eak?

Buthehadnochoi
ce;
Hef
elthehadnochoi
ce.
Hesuccessf
ull
ygotoutoftheent
rance,
but
onl
ytomeetabi ggerpr
obl
em.

Thecoor
dinat
esandpr
iest
.

"Miquel
!!
"Thepr
iestcal
l
edi
nav
oicet
hat
echoed.
Hecl
ear
lyl
ookedangr
y.

"Whatdoy
out
hinky
ou'
redoi
ng?Wher
ear
eyou
goi
ng?"

"I
'
m noti
nter
est
ed.
.i
nthethr
oneanymore.St
ay
outofmyway"Hesaidi
nashakytone.
Bl
oodwasst
il
ldr
ippi
ngf
rom hi
snost
ri
ls.
"You'
vealr
eadybeencr
owned,Miquel.Lether
go!"Theel
destamongthecoordi
natessaidand
heloweredhi
sgazetolookatCal
i.Shewas
l
osingalotofbl
ood.

"
No"
,hesai
dfi
rml
yandcont
inuedonhi
sway
.

Thepr
iestthr
ewaweaponathim -adagger
whi
chpierceddi
rect
lyi
ntohi
sback.

"
Argh!
"Hey
elpedandf
ell
onhi
sknees.
Butthankf
ull
y,Cal
idi
dn'
thi
tthef
loort
oo
roughl
y.

"Gethi
m! "Thepri
estor
deredtheguardsar
ound,
butbeforetheycoul
dgettowherehewas,
somethingelsehadalr
eadyhappened.
He'
dletoutapainfulscream t
hatsweptev
ery
oneofthem of
ftheirfeet.

Justst
ayawaywasal
lheasked.

Hebreat
hedheavi
l
yashest
oodupwi
thCal
i
andcont
inuedr
unning.
Hedi
dn'
tcaretol
ookbackatt
hecondi
ti
onof
t
hecoor
dinat
es

Hepant edheavi
lyashecli
mbeddownt he
stai
rs.Hisbackwasbleedi
ngprofusel
y,buti
t
wasnot hi
ngcompar edt
othepainshefeltfr
om
seei
ngCal ibl
eed.
I
ttor
ehi
m apar
t.
Her usheddownandf inall
ygotouttotheopen
darkfloor
.Buti
mmedi at
ely,hef
eltar
rowsf l
yi
ng
al
lov erhi
m andlookedt ofi
ndtheguards
shootingathi
m -thepr i
estandfewoft he
coordinat
esbesi
det hem.
Theywer
en'
treadyt
olethi
m gowi
thoutaf
ight
.

Hehel
dCali
fir
mly
,butnotunti
lanar
rowmet
hi
m onhi
sback-ri
ghtnextt
othedagger
.

Helostbal
anceandfel
lonhiskneesagai
n.And
thi
stimearound,
Cal
iwentrol
li
ngfrom hi
s
hands.

Hiseyesbecamebloodsh*tr
edasev
eryt
hing
occur
redtohim.Theyweref*
*ki
ngmessi
ng
wit
hhim.
Hestoodupwitht
hepainsandfierceey
esand
t
urnedtofacet
hetal
lbuil
dingi
nf r
ontofhi
m.

TheMi
ght
ypal
ace.

Thepriesthador
deredtheguardstostop
shoot
ing,thi
nki
nghe'dchangedhismindor
something.

Orprobablyhadsomet
hingel
sei
nmi
nd-whi
ch
hesuredid.

"Goodri
ddance"hemumbledandwithhis
handsstr
etchedtowar
dst
hebuil
ding,he
watchedi
tcrumble.

"
Noo!
!!
"Thecoor
dinat
esscr
eamedast
hey
wat
chedt
hebui
l
dingbegant
oshr
ink.

Thepri
estwasl
oadedwi
thsur
pri
seandunabl
e
tocont
endit
.

Miquel
??Whatwashedoing?Hewant
edt
o
dest
roythev
erypal
ace?

Thewal l
sbegant
ofal
lasev
erywher
ebecame
chaot
ic-maidsandguar
dsrunni
ngoutf
ort
hei
r
dearl
ives.

I
tl ookedjustl
i
keast or
m wasabouttotake
placeandhundr edsofpeopl
ewererunni
ngfor
theirl
ives.

Thepr
iestj
oinedhandswi
tht
her
estoft
he
coor
dinatesandtri
edtowagehi spowersand
i
ndeed,theyalmostsucceededcausehefound
i
tdif
fi
cultproceedi
ngwiththebreakage.

Hewasbl
eedi
ngr
eal
bad.

Butsuddenl
y,hef
eltadif
fer
entener
gy-l
i
kean
upsur
geofpower-assist
inghi
m.

Hedi dn'
tknowwhereitwascomingf
rom and
didn'
tcaretoknowatthatmomentashe
focusedoncrushi
ngthepalace.

Withtheaddit
ionalpower
she'dgai
ned,
helet
outanangryyellandwhatfol
l
owednextwasa
greatthud-cr
umbl i
ngandscreami
ng.
Ri
ghti
nfr
ontofhi
sver
yey
es,
Hewat
chedt
hepal
acecr
usht
othegr
ound.

Thesamepalacethatledt
othedeat
hofhi
s
par
entsandfi
rstl
over.Andal
soledt
osomany
compli
cat
ionswit
hCal i
.

Thatsamepal acehadcr
ashedinfr
ontofhis
veryeyes-becomingnot
hingbutdustand
brokenwall
s.

Hefellonhiskneesi
nadeepbr
eat
hashe
suddenlyf
eltsoweak.

"
Miquel
!"Hehear
dhi
snameandf
li
nched.
Thatv
oice.
..
.
Hemanagedt
otur
nsl
i
ght
lyandf
oundMy
kel
in
f
rontofhi
m.

Andi
toccur
redt
ohi
m..

Theext
rapowerhadcomef
rom hi
m.
*
*
TBC
Theydest
roy
edt
hepal
ace

Kindl
yHiNovel
sRepubl
icon+2348055889183
onWhatsApptogetaddedtoournovel
sgroup
andgetPDFli
nks
THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode37
(
Semi
-f
inal
)

By
:Fai
thLucky

Cal
i
'sPov
:
Iopenedmyli
dsbleari
lyandf
eltmy
sel
fly
ingon
somethi
nghard-afloor.

Myeyeswerebur
ninghot
,Icoul
dhar
dlykeep
t
hem open.
Then,Ifel
tacoldhandtouchmyheadandwas
for
cedtoopenmyey esandri
ghtt
her
e,If
ound
Miquelstar
ingatme.

OhmyGod!
Mi
quel
.

"Mi
quel
?"Ical
l
ed,
myv
oicecomi
ngoutsoweak
andsof
t.

Hewassitt
ingi
nfr
ontofmeandr
eleaseda
l
ightsmi
l
e.

"
Hey",
hecooedandi
mmedi
atel
y,If
orced
mysel
ftosi
tup.

"
Miquel
?"Ical
l
edagai
n,t
hist
imear
ound,
tear
ful
l
yandwi t
houthesi
tat
ion,Ijoi
nedmy
bodywithhi
s,gi
vinghi
m awar m hug.

Hol
yMol
l
y.Icoul
dn'
tbel
i
eveIwashol
dinghi
m.

Hereci
procat
edthehug,wr
appi
nghishands
ar
oundmywai standbri
ngi
ngmeclosert
o
hi
mself
.

Iwhi
mperedasIbi
thisshir
t.Ther
eliefIf
elt
whi
lehol
dinghi
m,coul
dn'tbeexpl
ained.

Weunlockedf
rom t
hehugandhest
rokedmy
hai
r.

"Hey
;how'r
eyoufeeli
ng?
".Heaskedsocal
mly
,I
coul
dhardl
yhearhim.
Ifel
tsomet
hingonmyt
ummyandl
ookedt
o
seeawraponit.

Oh!Iwasshot
!

Wai
t.
..
.whathappenedl
astni
ght
??

Il
ookedaroundanddi
scov
eredwewer
einwhat
l
ookedli
keacave.

"Ar
e..
..
Arewest i
lli
nthepalace?
"Iasked
per
functori
l
y ,
despi
tethefactIwassurewe
weren'
tthere.

"
No.We'r
esomewher
esaf
e"her
epl
i
ed,
sti
l
l
t
ouchi
ngmyhai
r.
Il
ookedar
ound,
thenr
est
edmyey
esonhi
s.

"
Wh..
..
Whathappened?
"If
oundmy
sel
faski
na
mut
ter
.

ThelastIcoul
drememberwasbei
ngshotat
.
Then,hecaughtmefr
om behi
ndandt
hatwasit
.
Howcomewe' r
einacav
enow?

Hesi
ghedandt
ouchedmycheeks.

"Youdon'
tneedtoworr
yaboutat
hing.The
palacei
sgone;andI
'
m her
enow.

"
And..
.I
'
m sorryforl
eavi
ngwit
houtsayi
nga
wor
d.Ijust
..
.Ij
ustfel
tangr
yandblamedfor
ever
ything.If
eltIwasthereasony
ougothurt.I
coul
dn'tfaceyou,Cal
i.I
..
Ifel
tIwasusel
ess"
.

Hesighedagai
nandhel
dmycheekswi
thbot
h
hands.

"
Wil
lyouf
orgi
veme?
"

Il
etoutar
uef
ulsmi
l
easi
star
edathi
m.

Icameal
lthesewayj
ustt
osav
ehi
m andhe'
s
aski
ngmesuchquest
ion?

"Ofcourse"Ichuckl
edt
ear
ful
l
y,myey
es
gli
steni
ng.

Iwasaboutki
ssi
nghi
m whenaf
igur
e
i
nter
rupt
edme-someonef
rom t
heent
rance.

Il
ookedanddi
scov
eredi
twas.
..
Mykel
?

Oh!My
kel
.
I
'
dal
mostf
orgot
tenj
camewi
thhi
m.

Miquel
alsonoti
cedtheentr
anceandtur
nedt
o
l
ookathim.Hiseyesfl
ashedimmediat
ely
.

"
IthoughtItol
dyout
oleav
e"hescr
awl
ed,
but
Mykelconti
nuedwal
ki
ng

"Chi
ll
,br
other.Ij
ustcamet ocheckuponher
"
hesaidwithhishandsintheair
,li
kehewas
surr
enderi
ngorsomet hi
ng.
"I
'
m not
..
.y
ourbr
other
.Notany
more"Mi
quel
pi
ckedhi
swordsandIfl
i
nchedabit
.

"Don'tt
hinkbecauseyouhelpedmedestr
oyt
he
palacechangesanythi
ng.Youhavef
ive
secondst ol
eavethi
scave".

Wai
t.
..
what
?

Theydest
roy
edt
hepal
ace?

Whatthehellhappeneddur
ingmy
unconsci
ousness?

Il
ookedatMykelwhosuddenl
yst
opped
walki
ng,
butf
ixedhi
seyesonme.
"How'
reyoufeel
ing,
Cali
?"Heaskedand
i
mmedi at
ely
,Miquelst
oodupandgrabbedhi
s
neck.

"Whythef
**kshoul
dy oucar
eabouther
?"He
growl
edandIhadtointer
fer
e.

"Miquel
!Miquel
!"Idon'
tasIstr
uggledtofr
ee
hishandfr
om My kel
'sneckandthankf
ull
y,Idi
d.

"Miquel
;pl
ease.Youhav
etocal
m down"I
hushed

"I
fhedoesn'
tl
eav
ethisplace,Iswear
,I'
l
lki
l
l
hi
m"hesaidangr
il
y,bei
ngr est
ri
ctedbymy
hands.
OhGod!

Il
ookedatMykelandsuddenl
y,hear
d
somethi
ngfr
om hishead:

*
IknowIdon'
tdeser
vey
ourf
orgi
veness.

ButIwantyout
oknowI
'
mtr
ulysor
ryf
orwhat
happened.

Ineedmybr
otherback*

Thosewerehi
swor
ds;
he'
dgi
venmeaccesst
o
hi
sthought
s.

If
eltmyey
esmel
tasIst
aredspeechl
essl
yat
hi
m.
OhGod!

I
mmedi
atel
y,het
urnedar
oundandl
eft
.
*
*
Miquelhadfoundawayt ocont
actthei
nst
it
ute
andrequestajetandaf
terwait
ingf
orhour
s,
theyf
inal
lyarr
ived.

Whilei
nt hefl
yi
ngjet,Itol
dMi quel
allaboutmy
ordeal
,howIwasl ockedupf ordaysaftert
ryi
ng
toescapejusttol
ookf orhim;

HowDianehaddisgui
sedhersel
fasoneoft
he
di
rect
orsjustt
osaveme,howI '
dgonetoMykel
andaskedforhel
p-al
though,t
hatpar
tmade
hi
mreal
l
ymad.

I
twasaveryl
ongfl
i
ghtbutfinall
y,wearri
vedi
n
Amer
icaanddr
ovestr
aightt
ot heinst
it
ute.

Dianehadactual
lybeencaughtandl ockedup,
butassoonaswear r
ived,Miquelorderedher
i
mmedi at
er el
easeandt heydid.Thank
goodnesstheydidn'
ttortur
eorhur thermuch.

Miguel
hadtogointoanur gentmeet i
ngwit
h
t
heboardofdir
ectorsandduringthattime,
Di
aneandIstayedtogetheri
nt heroom.

"
So,howwasi t
,Cal
i
?Whathappeneddur
ingthe
t
ri
p?"SheaskedasIdecant
edsomewineint
o
t
woglasscups.
"
Well.
..
itwasgreat
.Mykel
wasalit
tl
ebi
tofa
j
erk,
buthehelpedalot
"Irepl
i
ed.

WhenIwasdone,
Igav
eoneoft
hegl
assest
o
herandt
ookonef
ormysel
f.

Then,
Iwentt
osi
tnextt
oheront
hebed.

"Cheers..
..
toagreat
erfr
iendship"wesai
d
simultaneousl
y,gi
ggl
edandhi tthegl
asses
togetherbefor
egulpi
ngitdown.

"
Ahh"webr
eat
hedheav
il
y.

"
Sof
unny
,ri
ght
?"Iasked

"
What
?"Sheal
soasked.
"
Ever
ythi
ng"
.

Wel
aughedagai
n.

"
Diane"
,Ical
l
edaf
teral
i
ttl
epauseandshe
l
ookedatme

"
If
..
..
ify
ouwereinmyshoes,
woul
dyouf
orgi
ve
Mykelf
orwhathedi
d?"

Herey
esdr
oopedi
mmedi
atel
y.

"
Woah.
..
.Cal
i
"sheexcl
aimedandchuckl
ed.

Shesi
ppedf
rom hergl
assagai
nandl
ookedat
me.

"
Wel
l
...
."
Justt
hen,
thedooropened,
rev
eal
i
ngMi
quel
.

Oops!

Nobodyt
oldDi
anet
okeepshut
.

OhDamni
t!Wr
ongt
imi
ng.

Helookedal
it
tl
eexhaust
edashecl
osedt
he
doorandwal
kedinf
ull
y.

"
Diane.
..
"hecal
l
edandIf
urr
owedmybr
ows.
Thatwasact
ual
l
ythef
ir
stt
imehewascal
l
ing
hername.

Wai
t.
..
.hedi
dn'
tov
erhearus,
didhe?

"Um...
.y.
..
yessi
r?"Shest
utt
eredcr
azi
l
yand
glancedatme.

"I
tslat
e.Youshoul
dret
urntoy ourroom.I
need..
..
someti
mewithCal
i"hecalledandinl
ess
thanasecond,Di
anewasalreadyonherfeet
.

"Goodni
ght
,Cali
"shewavedatmeandheaded
fort
hedoor,car
eful
enoughnott
ohitMi
quelon
herwayout.

Okay
..
..
nowwhat
?..
Il
ookedathim ashest
aredbl
ankl
yatmeand
suddenl
y,asmirkcr
awl
eduphisli
ps.

"I
'
vemissedyou"hemut
ter
edashecame
cl
oserandsquat
tedi
nfr
ontofme.

Heheldmybot
hhandsandbor
edhi
sey
esi
nto
mine.

"Doyoust
il
l.
..
"Heaskedandt
il
tedhi
sheadand
Iqui
ckl
yunderst
oodwhathemeant.

"
Oh,no.I
t'
s.
..
it
'sf
inenow.Compl
etel
yfi
ne"I
r
epl
i
edquickl
yandgulpedner
vousl
y.
.

Henoddedandslowlyr
eachedf
ormyl
i
ps,
ki
ssi
ngmet ender
ly.
.
Atfi
rst
,Idi
dn'
tr eci
procat
eandj ustal
l
owedhi m
bethemaster.Butnotforlongasheintensi
fi
ed
theki
sswhichgotintomyheadandmademe
grabhi
shair
.

Gosh!I
twasheav
enl
y.

Hestoodupgradual
l
yandpushedmedeeper
i
ntothebed,hi
sli
pssti
l
llockedonmi
ne.Icoul
d
har
dlybr
eath.

Heunlockedforafewseconds,gi
vi
ngmea
l
itt
leti
met obreat
handassoonast hatwas
achiev
ed,hereachedf
ormylipsagain.

Imoanedi
ntohi
sli
psandhemademeunhook
hi
sbelt
.
Wit
hint
hetwinkl
eofaneye,heundr
essedme
andIwasl
eftwit
hjustap*ntandbr
a.

"
Wai
t"hesuddenl
ysai
dandst
oppedmyhands

Huh?

Il
ookedathi
m,br
eat
hlessl
y.

"Iwantust
odosomethi
ngdi
ff
erent
"headded
andtoreof
fmyp*nt
.
*
*
TBC
Ah
Whi
chonei
ssomet
hingdi
ff
erentagai
n?

Fi
nal
epi
sodel
oadi
ng.
..
.

THE
DI
AMONDS
(
He'
sCol
d-hear
ted,
buthe'
smi
ne )

#Season_
2
Epi
sode38
(
Grandf
inal
e)
By
:Fai
thLucky
 Cal
i
'sPov
:
Il
ookedathimi
nsurpri
se.What
'shetal
king
aboutagai
n?Whatsomethi
ngdi
ffer
ent?

Af
terget
ti
ngri
dofmyp* ntsoeasil
y,het
urned
meoveronthebedandthenextthi
ngIfel
twas
hi
srodagai
nstmybutt
s.

Hespr
eadmylegssowi
deandbr
oughti
tin
bet
weent
hel
inesofmy.
..

"Mi
quel.
..
what'
reyoudoing?"Iaskedfr
ant
ical
l
y
asIfel
thim br
inghi
srodclosertomy@sshole
andbefor
eIknewi t
,hepushedi ti
n.

OhmyGod!
"Ar
ghhhh!
"Ishri
ekedbuthecov
eredmymout
h
qui
ckl
ywithhispal
m.

OhmyGeeee!
!!

"Miquel
..
.!
"Ical
ledinmuf
fl
edbr
eat
hsasII
grabbedthesheets.

Hepinnedmeti
ghtanddr
il
leddeeperi
ntome,
I
f
eltmyholet
ear
ingsobad.

Ohmygawwd!

"
Letmego!
"Imumbl
edandst
ruggl
edabi
t.
Mywordswer
en'
tcomi
ngoutcl
ear
lyasar
esul
t
ofhi
shandov
ermymouth.
Fi
nal
ly
,hepushedi
nthesi
zehewant
edandl
et
goofmymouth

"Shoul
dIstop?
"Hewhi sper
edi
ntomyears,
knowinghe'
dalreadygot
tenmehel
pless.

Ohdamn!

"You'
resuch.
..
.ajerk"Ibi
tmyli
psi
npai
nandhe
chuckl
edandst art
edscrewi
ngme.
*
*
Aft
eralongwhil
eofcopul
ati
on,hefi
nal
ly
fi
nal
lypul
ledout
tameandfel
lti
redl
ybesi
deme
onthebed.

Wewer
ebot
hpant
ingl
i
kel
i
zar
ds.
"Oh!Thatwasawesome"hechuckl
edandt
hrew
hishandaroundme.
Ismil
edandleanedclosert
ohim,
placi
ngmy
headonhisf
ulltat
tooedchest
.

"Gosh!Don'tdot
hatagai
n"Isai
dandpi
nched
himlight
lyandhefakedawince.

"Oh!Please,
tel
lmey
oudi
dn'
tenj
oyi
t"her
oll
ed
hiseyes.

"
Likehel
l
,Idi
d.I
'
vewar
nedy
ou,
Miquel
".

Hechuckl
edandpul
l
edmecl
ose.

Thecei
l
ingf
anbl
ewcol
dai
ronusaswej
ust
st
aredint
ospacef
oral
ongt
ime,
notsay
inga
word.

"Whatdoyouli
keaboutme,Miquel
?"Iasked
aft
erawhil
e,deci
dingt
obreakthebroodi
ng
si
lence.

Theroom wassodarkandonl
yourski
nscoul
d
befel
t.ButIl
i
kedi
tthatway.

"
Wel
l
...
"Hechuckl
edabi
t.
"Ever
ything.Yourhai
r,y
ourbeaut
y,br
aver
y,
clumsiness..
."

"Wait
..
holdon.I
'
m notcl
umsy
"Il
i
ftedmyheada
bitf
rom hi
schestt
osay.
"Stopdecei
vingyour
sel
f,miss.You'
redef
ini
tel
y
clumsy"heteasedandIlaughedandrest
edmy
headbackonhi schest
.

IknowI
'
m notcl
umsy
,tho.

"Yourexgi
rl
fr
iendwasabanshee,
right
?",
I
askedandfel
thimjer
kabit
.

Ohboy
!
Ther
e'snowayhe'
sgonnagetangr
y,r
ight
?

"Wel
l.
..
yeah"
,her
epl
iedandcl
ear
edhist
hroat,
l
ikehehadalumpther
eorsomethi
ng-whichI
knewwasnegati
ve.

Isi
ghedandmov
edmyf
inger
sov
erhi
schest
.
"
Thef
ir
stdaywemet
"Ist
art
edcal
mly
.
"Dur
ingtheorientat
ion.Whenthemeet i
ngwas
overandeveryonewasl eavi
ng,butyouorder
ed
yourguardstocallmebackbecauseofmy
gum...
.wasthatreall
ythereasonyoucall
edme
back?Because. .
.Iwaschewingagum? "

Forawhi
l
e,hewassi
l
ent
.
"Wel
l.
..
,Iknewy ouwer eabanshee.And..si
nceI
l
ostmyex, you'r
ethef i
rstbansheeI'
vecome
acr
oss.So,,
,thatday,Ij
ustwant edt
ohav ea
cl
oselookaty ou.That'
sall"heansweredli
ght
ly
andIsmiled.
Gosh!Iknewt
her
e'dbeenmor
etoi
t.

"Youjer
k!Andy oumademef i
xthegum onmy
hair
,huh?"Ipoutedandhi
thi
schestl
ight
lyand
hel
aughed.
Thankgoodnesshe'
slaughi
ngal
ready
.

"
Yeah.
..
Ihadt
ost
all
youal
i
ttl
elonger
"hesai
d.

"Andremembert hatni
ghtIsnucki ntoyour
room forthefir
sttimeandgotcaught ?Gosh!
Youwer esohear tl
ess,Miquel.Isti
ll
can't
beli
evey oumademest r
ipandwal kbacktomy
room halfna*ked!You'
resuchameanj er
k!
Gosh!Like..
.Ican'
tbeli
evey ou'r
ethesameguy
I'
m dati
ng"IsaidasIhi thimr epeat
edlyonthe
chestandhel aughedreal hard.

Hegothol
dofmyhandsandst
oppedmef
rom
hi
tt
inghi
m.

"
Oh!I
'
m sor
ry,
Cal
i
.Buty
ouwer
etoost
ubbor
n
andIneededt
ofi
xyoui
nyourpl
ace"hesai
d.

"Real
l
y?Don'tt
alktomeagain"Ir
oll
edmyey
es
andentangl
edfrom hi
sgr
asp,backi
nghi
m.

"Hey
!Comeon. .
.!I
'
m sorr
y,okay?I.
..
Iwi
shI
coul
dt ur
nbackthehandsoftime.ButI
can'
t"
.hesai
dbutIconti
nuedbackinghi
m.

"Youl
it
tl
ewi
tch"hesai
dsweet
lyandki
ssedmy
neck.

Hmm.

"Whatdi
dy oujustcal
lme?"
,Iscof
fedand
tur
nedtolookathim andi
mmedi atel
y,he
caughtmylips.
Ohdamn!

Hi
ski
sswassomagi
cal
,Icoul
dn'
tfi
ghti
t.

"Urgh!Your
eal
lyknowhowtogetme, huh?
"I
groanedassoonasweunlockedandhesmi l
ed
andmademel eanonhischestagai
n.

Hmm.

"Howlongwill
youbestay
inghereatthe
i
nstit
ute?
"Iaskedaf
terafewsecondsof
sil
ence.

"
Uh!
"Hesi
ghed.
"
Act
ual
l
y..
..
I'
m al
readyagr
aduat
e.Igr
aduat
ed
year
sago.But
,bei
ngt
heleaderand.
..
.havi
ng
nowher
etogo-nohome,nofamily-Ideci
ded
tost
aybackandmakeheremyhome" .

Ohmy
..
!

"
Oh"Imout
hedandr
emi
niscedonI
tforawhi
l
e..
So,he'sact
uall
yagraduat
e?Well
,I
'v
eal
way
s
thoughtso.He'
stoopowerful
.

"So.
..
you'l
lbestay
ingher
eforapret
tyl
ongt
ime,
huh?"Iasked,
feel
ingali
tt
lebad.

"Well
,l
ikeIsaid,t
hatwasmypl an.
But.
..
.r
ecentl
y,Ithi
nkI'
m begi
nningtohavea
changeofmi nd"herepl
i
edandIl i
ft
edmyhead
abittolookathim -myeyesportr
ayingt
he
demandf ormoreanswers.
"Ther
e'sthisamaz i
ngl adyImet .And..Idon't
knowhowshedi ditbut ,shemagi call
ycapt ur
ed
myhear t.So,I'
m gonnawai theref orher.And
assoonasshe' sdoneandgr aduates,I'
l
lleave
withher.Now, Idon'tknowwhatherpar ents
opini
onwoul dbebut ,
I'llber enti
ngmyown
apart
ment ,andshe'sgonnacomest aywi thme.
Whetherherpar entslikesi tornot "he
concludedwit hashrugandIf el
tmycheeks
becomehotr ed.

Ohmygee!

"What.
..
.gi
rli
sthat
,Miquel
?Who'
sshe?"I
asked,
myv oi
cecomingoutwi
thl
itt
lecr
acks.

"
Wel
l
...
Ithi
nkshemi
ghtbenextt
ome"he
cooedandpul
l
edmynoseandIchuckl
ed
ruef
ull
y.
.

"Oh!You'
rereal
l
ysuchajer
k,youknowt
hat
?"I
saidtear
ful
l
yandkissedhi
sli
ps.

Cut
ejer
k.

"
Ilov
eyousomuch,
Miquel
"Isni
ff
ed.

"
Why
?"HeaskedandIl
ookedathi
m andsmi
l
ed.

"
Becausey
ou'
reev
ery
thi
ngI
'
veev
erwant
ed"
..

Heal
sosmi
l
edandr
eci
procat
edt
heki
ss.
"
AndIl
ovey
out
oo,
li
tt
lewi
tch"
.

Weunl
ockedandr
emai
nedqui
etf
orawhi
l
e.

"Miquel
..
."Ical
l
edashest
rokedmyback-
gentl
y.

Ihesi
tat
ed,
feel
i
ngabi
tanx
ious.

"
Whati
sit
,Cal
i
?"HeaskedwhenIdi
dn'
tsaya
wor
d.

"
Um.
..
.Iwasj
ust
..
."Ipausedandsi
ghed.

"
CouldImakear
equest
?Atleast
..
..
thef
ir
st
r
equestI
'
dmakeasyourgi
rl
fri
end?"
Thi
sti
me,hehesi
tat
edl
i
kehef
elti
twasgonna
besomet
hingt
asky.

"Wel
l.
..
whatisi
t?"Hesummonedupcour
age
andaskedandIspil
l
edthebeans.

"
I.
..
.wanty
out
o..
..
for
giv
eMy
kel
".
*
*
*
*
*
14Mont
hsLat
er*
It
ookaquicksel
fieofmysel
finf
rontoft
he
mir
rorandsenti
ttoDianei
mmediatel
y.
Andassoonast
hatwasdone,
Ical
l
edher
.

"Tel
lDiane.I
sthemakeupmoderat
e?Should
I
...
shouldIaddsomet
hing?Orsubt
ract
?"I
askedanxiousl
y.

"Woah!Chil
lgir
l.I
'
m sureev
enabri
deisn'
tas
nervousasyouare"shesai
dandIhear
dher
dri
nksomething.
Hiusonpl ustwothreefourei
ghtzer
ofiv
efi
ve
ei
ghteightnineoneeightthr
eeonwatsappt
o
getaddedt oourgr
oup.
"
Any
way
"shecont
inued.
"Thi
nkthemakeupi sokay.Yeah,
the
brows..
conceal
er,
colorsofeyeshadow.
..
tr
ust
me, ev
eryt
hing'
sperfect
".

AndIbr
eat
hedi
nheav
il
y.
"
Gosh!Thankgoodness"
.

"
Ishet
her
eyet
?".

"
No.Notyet
.Igot
tago"Isai
dqui
ckl
yandended
t
hecal
l.

It
ookapr
operl
ookatmy
sel
finf
rontoft
he
mir
ror
.

Mydresswasdazzl
i
ng,
andt
heheel
sfi
tso
per
fect
ly.

Idi
dn'
tneedamagi
ciant
otel
lmeIwas
beaut
if
ul.
Itookmyphoneandwal
kedoutoft
heroom
andassoonasIgotout
,mum wasthef
ir
st
personIsaw.

"
Goodness!Cal
i
!"Sheexcl
aimedandst
opped
wal
ki
ng.

"Idon'
tunderst
and.Ar
eyougoi
ngf
oraweddi
ng
orsomething?"

Ibl
ushedal
i
ttl
e.

"
Am I
..
.pr
ett
y,mum?
"Ibi
tmyl
owerl
i
p.

*Damn!Isuredohaveanangel
foradaught
er*I
heardhersayi
nherheadandmycheeks
fl
ushed.
"Well
..
..
Ithinktheappear ancei
stoo
overwhel
mi ng.Ican'tbeli
eveyouwentthrough
all
thesestressjustbecausey ourboy
fri
endis
comingov erfordinner"shesaid.

"Thanksfort
hecompli
ment,mum.Yousur
edo
haveanangel f
oradaught
er"Ir
oll
edmyey
es
asIwalked.

"Cal
iJenner
!Howmanyti
meshav eIwar
ned
youtostopspyi
ngi
ntomyhead?
"Sheasked
andIjustgi
ggl
edandwal
kedaway.

Igott
othesi
tt
ingroom andmett
hemai
ds
busyatt
hedi
ning.

Per
fect
.
Il
ookedatthet
imeandhewas.
..
fr
eaki
ng20
minut
eslat
ealr
eady
.
.
whatt
heheck?
?

Ist
artedwal
kingoutoft
hehouse,
dial
i
nghi
s
l
ineinthepr
ocess.
Buthewasn'
tpi
cki
ngup.

Damni
t!Wher
ethehel
lcoul
dhebe?

Iwal
kedoutofhouse,outoft
hegateand
l
ookedsi
dewaysforanysignofhi
scar.

Ij
usthopehedoesn'tbri
nganylameexcuses
causeI
'm notgonnatakethatf
rom hi
m.
Becauseofthi
sdinner
,Imadedadcancelal
lhi
s
appoi
ntments.So,t
her
e'snowayhe'
sgonna
di
sappointme.
It
sbeent woweekssi
ncewel
eftt
heinst
it
ute
and..
..weagr
eedhecomesovert
oseemy
parents.

Icont
inueddi
ali
nghi
sli
neandf
inal
l
y,i
twent
thr
ough.

"Heybae!
"Hecall
edli
kehewasact
ual
l
y
shout
ingoutofnoi
se.

"Ser
iousl
y?Ar
eyoucomi ngf
ordinnerorcamp?
Doy ouknowwhattheti
meis?"Iasked,l
ett
ing
him knowIwasupset
.

Ther
ewasal
oudsound,
li
keamusi
cor
somet
hing.

"I
'
m sososorry.I
'
ml esst
han10secondsaway
"
herepl
i
edandbef or
eIcouldsayaword,
he
endedthecal
l
.

Gosh!

Ipl
acedmyhandsonmywai standlookedl
eft
andri
ghtandf
inal
l
y,spot
tedthe*r
oyal*car
coming.

Oh!Gr
eat
.

Hewasdriv
ingatsuchacr
azyspeedt
hatI
f
li
nched.
Whatt
he.
..
..

Hescreechedt
oahal
tI'
mfr
ontofmeandI
gasped.

Ifi
stedmyhand,wait
ingf
orhimtocomeoutof
thecarandgi
vemeabet t
erexpl
anati
onand
whenhedid,Inot
icedhewasn'
tthedr
iver
.

Oh!
!

I
twasMy
kel
.

"OhGod!I
'm sosor
ryI'
mlat
e"hesai
dindeep
breat
hsandcameov ert
oki
ssme.

Wel
l
,Iwasangr
y,buthi
ski
l
lerl
ookser
asedmy
angr
ymemor
iescompl
etel
y.

Damn!Hewassohandsome.

"
Hey ,
Cali!
"Mykelcal
l
edfr
om t
hecarand
MiquelandIunl
ockedtol
ookathi
m.

Thef
rontdoorwasopenandIcoul
dseehi
m
fr
om t
hedriv
er'
sseat
.

"
Hibuddy
"Iwav
edathi
m.

"IsweartoyouMy kel
,Ij
ustgott
hiscar
yester
dayandifIseeaslit
tl
easapinscrat
ch
onitbythetimeyouretur
n,I'
l
lki
ll
you"Miquel
warned.
"
Yeah..
Iknow.You'v
esaidthatl
i
keami
l
li
on
t
imes"herol
ledhiseyes.

"Andmakesur eyou'
ret
opickmeupassoonas
Ical
l.Ify
oukeepmewai ti
ngformor
ethant
en
minutes,I
'l
l
...
."

"You'r
enottheonl yonewhohasal adyto
please,okay?Seey oulater"hei
nter
rupt
edand
tookoffimmedi at
ely,sti
l
l dri
vi
ngatacrazy
speedandt hefrontdoorwentshutoni tsown.

Ichuckl
edt
omy
sel
f.

"Wow!Youl
ooki
ng..
..
gor
geous"Mi
quelsaidand
hel
dmycheeks,
try
ingtoki
ssme,butIresi
sted.
"You'
regonnarui
nmymakeup, okay
?Comeon.
Mypar ent
sarewait
ing"It
oldhi
m,unabl
eto
hidemyblush.

Ikeptsmi
l
ingl
i
keanewwi
fe.

"
Okaythen.I
fyousayso"heshr
uggedandhel
d
myhand.

AndjustwhenIwasn'
tl
ooki
ng,
heki
ssedme-
qui
ckly.

"Whatiswr
ongwithyou?
"Ipout
edandsl
apped
hisar
m andhechuckl
ed.

"Whodoyouneedtolookbeaut
if
ulf
oranyway,
huh?I
tsf
orme,ri
ght?So,i
tdoesn'
tmatt
erifI
deci
det
orui
nit
"

"
Hmph.I
ndeed"
.

Wekeptnat
ter
ingasweheldhandst
oget
her
andwal
kedint
othehouse.
*
*
*
Andt
hati
stheLov
est
oryofCal
iandMi
quel

THEÊND
1.Who'
syourf
avor
it
echar
act
er?

2.
What
'sy
ourbestpar
t?

3.Whatpar
tal
mostorr
eal
l
ymadey
oucr
y?

4.Whatpartcany
our
eadr
epeat
edl
ywi
thout
get
ti
ngtir
ed?

5.Di
dyouenjoyt
hest
ory
?Andwhatdi
dyou
l
earnfr
om i
t?