IDENTITY: SEVENTEEN

ALEX POV

We just left the mall and are now in a taxi on our way to the boarding house to visit Lola Vemine. I even bought her fruits as a token when she released me from jail. But not just for that but for all the good things she did for me as my grandmother.

"You seem a bit off earlier," Sky asked, reminding me of everything that happened earlier that damaged my manliness.

"My shoes are getting tight, so my feet hurt a bit," I lied. We fell into silence again, making the trip awkward. So, I decided to talk to him even though I was still annoyed with him. "Good thing you weren't swarmed by girls earlier."

"Thanks for the shirt," he replied, surprising me. I got even more annoyed with him, enough for him to give me a reason not to talk to him anymore. I just glanced out the window and enjoyed the view outside, even though I've seen it several times. It's better than looking at the face of the jerk beside me. He knew that we were wearing the same shirt. Is he doing this on purpose?

After a couple of minutes, no one spoke to us. It seemed like our minds agreed not to talk to each other.

"Fire?" the driver broke the silence inside the car, so I sat up properly to see what was in front of us. When I saw the smoke, I felt that eerie feeling again, the same feeling I had last night when I saw the broken glass. Fear spread throughout my body, hoping it's not Lola Ve—

"It's Lola Vemine," Sky declared, making me look at the house. My heart raced when I saw the boarding house engulfed in both smoke and fire. When the car stopped, Sky quickly got out and rushed towards the burning house. I couldn't move, so I remained seated inside the car. My body refused to move, even my mouth.

"Lola Vemine," I mumbled to myself. Everything right now was in slow motion.

"Alex!" a voice called out to me. A familiar voice. But I didn't know who. All I knew was that the house I treated as my home was burning. "Alex!" I jumped in surprise when I heard Sky's shout. I looked at him, and he had this determined look. "Let's go. Lola Vemine needs our help."

"Is sh-Is she safe?" I asked anxiously.

"She's fine, but she needs you." When I heard those words, my strength instantly returned. I climbed out of the car and ran towards Lola Vemine, leaving Sky behind. I saw fire trucks and firefighters trying to put out the fire. But I felt relieved seeing Lola anxiously looking at her burning house.

"Lola!" I called her to get her attention. She almost knelt when she saw me.

"Alex! I'm glad you're here," she greeted, and I hugged her tightly.

"Y-your house?"

"It's okay, Alex," she replied, surprising me. I looked at her, shocked to see her smiling. "It's just a house. What's important is that you're here — safe and sound." Lola's words touched me, so I just hugged her tightly. From that night, I promised myself I would do everything to protect this woman, even if it cost me my life.

******

It was around 4:56 pm when the firefighters declared the fire out. They successfully extinguished the fire, but Lola's house was still not spared. We were outside the house, sitting with Sky and Aunt. So far, no one has been injured or killed except for those who fainted out of fear.

The house is still under inspection and investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Lola said she didn't cook, and none of the boarders used fire. So, the firefighters speculate that the fire originated from the electrical lines. According to Lola Vemine, the fire started in the kitchen, so that's where the firefighters first went.

"Perhaps it would be better if you spend the night at our house. After all, my house is too big for just me," Aunt invited us, a proposal we all agreed to. Carrying our salvaged belongings, we headed to Maica's house to stay there for the meantime. Even though it was embarrassing, we had no other choice.

We quickly reached Aunt's house since it was just a short distance from ours. Using Aunt's car also made our evacuation fast. When we arrived, Aunt welcomed us and ushered us to the sofa.

"I'll just prepare a snack," Aunt excused herself.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, Carmen," Lola said with a smile, which Aunt dismissed.

"Don't say that, Aling Vemine. This is also payment for your help to me," Aunt said, giving us her warm smile. Aunt left to prepare a snack, leaving the three of us in the living room.

"I lied to the firefighters," the old lady declared when we faced her to clarify her recent statement. "The fire didn't really come from the kitchen."

"Where, then?" Sky asked.

"In your room, Alex." I was shocked by Lola's answer. That means—

"The fire was intentional," Sky added to my thoughts, causing anger to engulf me immediately.

"Do you think Rick did this?" I asked in a furious tone.

"Who else?"

That guy won't stop until he has me in his grasp again. If he tries to harm my family again, he'll taste my wrath.

"Alex!" Sky called out to me, and I was surprised to see items in the living room flying around. Lola's bags, vases, and various things. But what shocked me more was seeing Aunt with wide eyes. Shit.

******

SKY POV

We were all in the living room now. Lola, Alex, and I sat together while Aunt Carmen was on the opposite sofa. Despite the danger, we would explain everything to her as she witnessed how Alex levitated his belongings in the room earlier.

"I want you to be honest and tell me everything," Aunt requested.

"I'll do the talking. Just stay put," I ordered them. I took a deep breath and exhaled. "Have you ever heard of the PsyLab Raid?"

"The one that happened 15 years ago?"

I nodded. "We are one of the survivors."

"Does that mean you're human samples for drugs?"

I shook my head. "Not drugs, but psychic abilities," I corrected. "We, and the other 47 volunteers, were tested and experimented on to unlock the full potential of the human mind."

"And you succeeded?" I nodded in response. "Where are the others?"

"Gone." Aunt lowered her head, her eyes widening.

After a few seconds, she looked at Alex. "Is it true, Alex, that you killed a student ten years ago?"

I looked at Alex, who was also looking at me. I nodded as a signal. Alex then looked at Aunt Carmen and nodded again. I felt Aunt's surprise and fear when she received Alex's response.

"I did it out of anger. I'm sorry, Tita."

"I heard that you killed someone who bullied you?" Alex nodded. "I understand." Aunt bowed her head again. Hearing all these truths was just too much for her brain to process.

"We know who abducted Maica," I announced. Aunt quickly looked at me when she heard her daughter's name.

"It's Richard Osaka," Alex pointed out the culprit who kidnapped her daughter. "Rick, actually—"

"Rick wants Alex, so he used Maica to lure Alex to him," I interjected because I knew Alex couldn't say it.

"I'm so sorry, Tita," Alex apologized while Lola Vemine comforted him.

"But don't worry, Maica is fine. We contacted her every night," I eased the tension in the air.

"And how am I supposed to believe you?" I couldn't answer Aunt because I had nothing to say to her question.

"Maica," Alex suddenly called out to his friend, which surprised me.

"Maica!?" Aunt shouted, her eyes widening. She was shocked and crying.

"Yes, Maica. You're talking to your mom now. Let her know that you're fine." It seemed I knew what was happening.

Lola Vemine and I exchanged glances. "How is he doing this?" Lola asked, but I just shrugged.

"I missed you so much, sweetie," Aunt cried. "Are you okay?... Good if that's the case... I will, dear... Me too, dear... Love you, too." I noticed Alex opening his eyes, indicating that the connection was done. Aunt's crying intensified, and we didn't speak for a while. "Please, excuse me. I need some space to think," she apologized, then left and went somewhere. The three of us were left in the living room, worrying.

******

Telling Tita the truth was the hardest thing I'd ever done, especially when she learned that Maica was kidnapped because of me. She trusted me, and yet, this was what I gave her. It just feels so unfair.

"It's okay, Alex. Truth hurts," Lola Vemine said while patting my back to comfort me.

"How did you do that?" Sky asked.

"How do you mean?"

"Making Tita talk to Maica."

How do I explain?

"I just synchronized both of their brain waves in mine," I explained. I knew it was one of my achievements, but today was not the day to celebrate.

"How can I help?" Tita suddenly asked. We exchanged glances, seemingly not understanding what she said. "Maica told me that you're going to rescue her. I want to help."

"But, Tita—"

"Fine," Sky interrupted me, surprising both Lola Vemine and me.

"Sky?" Lola stopped him.

"If she wants to help, then it's fine. After all, they're already involved in this fight, and Tita already knows the truth. The more, the easier our plan will be," he explained. I hated to admit it, but he was right. "But, Tita, I warn you. This is really dangerous," Sky reminded her.

"For the sake of my daughter, I’m willing to risk my life," Tita determinedly replied.

******

We were now in the hideout with Tita and Lola Vemine. Having these two here with us was quite lovely. It relieved the tension that had built up.

"Where's Sky?" Lola Vemine asked.

"He's upstairs, probably checking if anyone is following us."

Speaking of him, he entered the hideout right on time. "It's clear," he reported, easing my breath. We all sat down on the sofa while Tita admired the place.

"I thought I'd only see this in my movies," she commented.

"Okay, let's start." Sky began explaining the plan – how, what, and when this would happen. Lola Vemine and Tita listened attentively after Sky assigned each a task. Lola Vemine was assigned to monitor the CCTV once it was complete. Tita, on the other hand, would pick us up once we came out of the place where Maica was being held. Sky and I would enter the location and bring Maica out from there.

It took us about an hour and a half to finish our pseudo meeting. We quickly ate afterward, the food Sky prepared. Everything happened so fast that I can't believe it's real. Yesterday, Sky and I were the only ones here; now, there are four of us.

Tita insisted on washing the dishes, so we let her. Sky is currently busy teaching Lola Vemine what she needs to learn, while I'm just sitting there like an idiot.

"Alex?" I immediately looked at Tita when she called me.

"Yes?"

"Can you help me?" she requested.

"S-Sure." I slowly stood up and walked towards where Tita was. But before I could get far, I glanced back at Lola Vemine, who was also looking at me. She smiled, lightening my mood.

Upon reaching Tita's side, she quickly handed me a newly washed glass. I delicately took it and placed it on the drying rack. I'm too shy right now.

"Don't blame yourself, Alex," Tita suddenly said, catching me off guard. When I looked at her, she was smiling at me. "We never expected this to happen, and we never wanted this to happen."

"Weren't you scared of me, Tita?" I didn't know why I asked that, but it was too late to return it.

"At first, I was scared. Of course, who wouldn't be scared when you find out that your child's friend killed someone?" Tita admitted, and I nodded. I understood her. "But then I realized you were bullied at that time, and if I were in your situation back then, maybe I'd do the same thing." I couldn't help but cry.

"I treated you, Alex, like my son, and you will always be." I cried even more when I heard those words. I'm just happy that Tita accepted me, even after my horrifying revelation. It's the best feeling I've ever had. The sadness, the worry, the fear, they're all gone.

"Come here," Tita offered, extending her arms wide as if offering a hug. And I didn't hesitate to embrace her. This blissful feeling enveloped my body the moment I hugged her, causing me to cry even more. This was precisely what I needed — a mother's hug. A hug that I've been longing for.

"Thank you, Tita."