ARC 2: Storm at the See of Peter

Chapter 5: The Signs(1)

Jessa was currently watching over Jake's unconscious body. She and their relatives were shifting in taking care of Jake in an instance of sudden impulse. An old woman in her late 70's entered the hospital room and gently shake Jessa that was currently sleeping on a chair beside Jake's bed.

"Jessa, you should go home and rest. It was already past midnight, I will be taking care of Jake," the old lady assured.

"But," Jessa was immediately interrupted by the old woman.

"If Jake was awake right now, he wouldn't be happy if he sees you like that. You should take proper rest at home, 'cause you still have things to do tomorrow," the old lady tirade Jessa with guilt to her brother.

Jessa could only sigh and conceded to her own maternal grandmother, Gloria Dela Cruz. Despite being in her late 70's she was still strong and didn't show signs of weakening. She also still had her job as a director of Zone 86 a few cities away from Zone 66. While Jessa was fixing herself, Gloria looked to her grandson in grief. Without any signs of improving, she didn't know how long they will wait for him. After a few moments, she walked out of the room to look for his son and the maternal uncle of the two, Edward Dela Cruz. She instructed him to escort Jessa home and fetch her tomorrow afternoon. Without showing any signs of resistance, Edward agreed to escort Jessa home.

Jessa and Edward walked side by side until they reach the parking lot. Jessa seemed to befall asleep while they were on the journey back to Jessa's house. As Edward parked his car, he noticed Jessa was already asleep. Having a spare key for Jessa's house, he didn't have any difficulties in opening the gate and the door. He first turned the lights on before returning back to the car and fetch Jessa. He laid her down to her bed in her own room before closing it. He locked the gate and the door before returning to his car. He let the lights on before driving back to his house which was not far from the sibling's house.

Jessa was awakened by the ringing of her phone inside of her back beside her. She looked at the familiar surrounding and couldn't help to smile. It had happened many times that she will wake up in her room after watching over Jake and falling asleep in her uncle's car. Her uncle will bring her to her room and will leave the lights in the living room turned on. Her reminisce was interrupted by the continuous buzzing of her phone.

"Hello," Jessa drowsily greeted.

"Can you come to the University, right now?" the Healer's voice requested.

Jessa couldn't help to look at the time on her phone, it was past midnight.

"Are you serious, right in the middle of the night?" Jessa doubly questioned the caller.

"I do, it was just requested by the Headmaster because he couldn't see you during the day." Healer urged.

"Really? What thing he couldn't say in the morning that he can say in the middle of the night?" Jessa grumpily asked knowing the time.

"It just..."

"No, I can't come now nor tomorrow. I have things to do tomorrow and I can't come to University tomorrow because I was summoned by the Zone Director," Jessa lied after cutting in the Healer's explanation.

She also cut the call and turned off her phone to prevent the Healer from calling her again. Meanwhile, the Healer was irritated looked at his mobile phone, and tried to call Jessa once more but there was no response. After some moments, he gave up and looked toward the old man who was sitting on his desk.

"So, she chose to ignore us?" the old man asked nonchalantly.

Seeing the unconcerned expression of the old man, the Healer's irritation turned to anger.

"She didn't even mind you as the Headmaster of the University? Being a member of the Office gave her the power to trample your authority?" the Healer complained of much hatred.

The Headmaster laughed hearing the Healers complain. The Healer looked at the Headmaster in question and couldn't comprehend what it means.

"You don't understand, huh. Such a simple-minded guy, if you keep on doing that you might not have a good ending." the Headmaster commented on how the Healer acts.

"When the one who keeps an eye to us was gone missing, wouldn't we have more time to prepare some things?" the Headmaster added.

The Healer couldn't help to nod and agree to the Headmaster. The Headmaster can't help to let out a sigh, seeing the Healers response. He thought that they still had much time, he should use this time to teach the Healer, or else it would lead to their own demise. After thinking about how he should correct the Healer's personality, he looked to the pile of papers that needed to be reviewed. He took his pen and started reviewing the papers to finish them early even though it was already midnight. He just throws the idea of teaching the Healer a lesson for the meantime and trow himself to work.

Jessa woke up a little late, she stood up and mindlessly walked toward the bathroom. After a minute or two, she walked out and head toward the kitchen to cooked something. After preparing the food, she took a pair of plates, a glass and a spoon, and a fork. She just realized she was alone and there wasn't Jake to share with her. She distractedly took back the other set and ate alone. It wasn't an hour after Jessa was done eating, she heard the door opened. It was her best friend, Rachel. She was wearing a casual dress, a plain shirt, and pants. She was also part of the Office but not part of any Zone, a Freelance Intercessor.

"You still seemed to be distress due to Jake's condition right?" Rachel commented and placed the paper bag on the center table.

She was seated on the opposite sofa that Jessa was resting.

"How was his condition? Does he got better?" Rachel entreated considering Jessa.

Jessa shook her head and gave out a miserable smile. Rachel knew how hard for Jessa during this time, maybe it wasn't the first time that Jake took part in an accident but being in a coma for almost a month was miserable them especially for Jessa.

"We can only pray for his recovery. We can ask the intercession of others to wake him up soon," Rachel soothed Jessa.

Meantime, Jake found himself inside an unfamiliar place, a place full of bookshelves and seemed to be an unending one. He looked at the books that were probably ancient ones due to the language it was used and the aged cover. Before he could touch the book, a handheld him.

"Who are you?!" the owner of the hand suspiciously asked.

"Ja-Jake Reyes," Jake answered after a few seconds of a buffer.

"Why are you here?" it added.

"I don't know, I sent here by Suffering," Jake anxiously responded.

The owner of the hand released Jake's hand from his hold and his expression relaxed. The young man massages his temples hearing that Suffering brought Jake in his place.

"Another pseudonym used to hide his name, huh. Now, what he was after?" the young man cursed.

"Follow me," he commanded.

"How did you know the Guardian of Future?" the young man asked.

"Guardian of Future?" Jake asked.

The young man took a deep sighed and close his eyes for the moment.

"The Suffering guy, how do you know him?" the young man asked while walking.

"I don't remember much on how we met but I just remember I know him," Jake responded.

The young man didn't follow-up any question and the two silently walked inside the Library. In the center of the Library, there was a couch and a table. In the blink of an eye, there was some pastries and drinks at the top of the table. The young man sat on the other side while Jake took the other.

"You can call me, Beginning." the young man introduces himself.

Beginning that seems to be an ordinary young man with blue eyes and blond hair. His age was in the range of 20-28. The beginning took a pastry and looked at Jake. While Jake thought's Beginning's name was just a pseudonym to hide his real identity.

"Do you know that no one not in the state of grace can enter this place?" Beginning started.

"Why?" Jake asked while reluctantly took a pastry and take a bite.

"Because this place was the visible Depository of Faith. This holds all of the records of the witnesses. You looked like still living and unfortunately, almost all of the living was not in a state of grace. It might be the will of the Highest, make you an exception. You were the first living person visited here since my residency at the Depository of Faith. I like to remind you that you must not touch anything here except the foods and the couch," Beginning reminded and took another bite of his food.

"By the way, what did the Suffering guy told you?" Beginning requested.

"The future, the war that was coming. All I need was to prepare the people that will block the siege. He says that the war was inevitable and we can only prepare," Jake answered casually.

Beginning immediately looked toward Jake and gulp. Some memories started to play in his head.

"So you were that guy. The Suffering guy was grooming you," Beginning murmured.

Jake heard it and look dubiously. Beginning noticed Jake's gaze.

"I know that you had some questions but I can't tell for know. For now, I can only give you some advice, everything had an equal payment. You must pay according to what you use," Beginning hinted.

Jake can't comprehend much of what Beginning had said. Beginning stood and gestured Jake to follow him. Without a second thought, Jake followed. Beginning stopped at a wooden door that had some sculpted images. He opened it and only pure darkness can be seen on the other side.

"I had to take much of your time. Your family was earnestly waiting for you. You should remember everything will be paid according to its price. Please be careful, I'll be waiting for your next visit." Beginning wished him with a smile.

Jake took a step at the other side of the door considering Beginning's goodwill. He walked toward the other side until he couldn't see the door he entered, even if he looked back. Meanwhile, Beginning's expression turned solemn, and closed the door. He just walked toward the library silently and contemplating about something.

Gloria was reading a report when she heard knocks coming from the room's door. She stood up and opened the door. She wasn't surprised when she saw Rachel standing outside. She knew that Rachel had already negotiated with Jessa on resting today and let her be the one to watch over Jake.

"Come in," Gloria welcomed her.

Rachel smiled and come in. Gloria steps aside and lets her in. Rachel saw the reports that Gloria was reading and acted that she didn't say anything. She just on the sofa beside where was Gloria was sitting. There was a moment of silence before the two before Gloria opened her mouth.

"Is there anything that can help him wake up?" she asked.

Rachel shook her head.

"I don't think so, even the manifestations wasn't working for him now. It was even unfortunate that he was placed on the blacklist of the Office for healing," Rachel wistfully recounted.

Gloria especially knew why Jake was blacklisted by the Office for its healing. She looked toward the direction of Jake and took a deep sighed. She saw one of Jake's fingers moved, she blinks to confirm what happened. When she saw Jake's finger moved. With an impulse, she called out for a doctor. In Rachel's shock at the sudden outburst of Gloria, she ran out of the room to call for a doctor.

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