Chapter IV: Hidden Secrets of the Heart

"So, this is where I’ll leave you, alright?" Trent uttered. "Okay, uhm, thanks for walking me home by the way. Good night." Zilch answered. She was about to leave when Trent grabbed her arm and *smack*. He kissed her, on the check. “Good night.”

Zilch was left confused. "Why the hell did he do that? But hey, his lips were so cold, just like his." She thought upon sighing. They were definitely not drunk though they drank more than a dozen bottles.

The sun shined again on the Schneere Manor. "Rise and shine sleepyhead." Zilch decided to visit Nix and she also called Onmaen to go. "Who the—" Nix was stopped by no other than herself as she saw who was there. "Zilch! Oh my God! I missed you." she can’t help herself from embracing her best friend. It’s been a week since she saw Zilch. She knew where Nix always places her key that is why she managed to enter Nix’s manor. "I missed you too. Now, get ready and I’ll show you something I discovered two days ago." Zilch was like a sister to Nix. "Oh okay. Wait, what about Onmaen?"

"I already asked him to go. He’ll be arriving minutes from now."

"C’mon. Expect him to be late. As always." Nix answered in a teasing tone.

After almost an hour of preparing, Nix finally finished doing what she has to do. She and Zilch both waited for Onmaen to arrive. And finally the doorbell rang.

"I’ll get it!" Nix leaped from her seat.

"Hi On—oh, it’s you. Why are you here? And how did you know I live here?" The smile on her face has just been replaced by a miserable one.

“I just wanted to talk to you. And I got your address from…”

"Zilch." Nix already knew that her best friend told Yxir since she is the only one who knows where she lives and also the only one who knows him. "This is not actually a good time for us to talk."

"Nix, that is an awful way to treat your guest." They both eyed each other. "Yxir, you can come with us. Besides, there is nothing wrong with that, right Nix?"

"Yeah, right." Nix was obviously forced to agree. "Are you sure?" Yxir wanted to confirm. "I already said yes! Do you want me to change my mind!?"

Nix is really moody. She will be glad at this moment and later she would explode with anger. Some people who do not know her very well thinks she is, perhaps, insane. Then again, another figure stood before the main door of the Manor.

"Hey there Nix! How are you? And who’s he?"

"Hi, I’m Yxir."

"I didn’t ask you. I asked Nix. Are you her?" Onmaen was really, kind of, appalling right now. Hangover is the answer.

"I’m fine. How ‘bout you? Do come in Onmaen. Feel at home."

"Yeah, sure. I really can’t believe how you manage to live in this humongous house alone." Onmaen is always mesmerized by this fact. "Hey, easy with your words, bro. Look, I live with my dog, my dolls, myself and I got you guys."

“Don’t be such a drama queen Nix, not now.”

"So, I’m just like a shadow right here now, eh?" Zilch was really joking. "You too Zilch. Don’t be a drama queen, alright? Anyway, what happened last night with you and Trent."

"Nothing at all." She’s hiding a smile and two pinkish cheeks.

"Who’s Trent? You don’t keep me updated now Zilch."

"A guy I met last night. He’s Onmaen’s cousin. He’s working at the Mayhew Café."

"The Mayhew Café? You've got to treat me there Onmaen."

"Sure."

The conversation of the friends was interrupted by a noticeably fake cough by no other than…Yxir.

"What!?" Nix exploded with anger.

"I think I’ll just go." Yxir answered, embarrassed, disappointed, and miserable.

"That’s just what I want you to do the second I saw you." Nix said rudely.

As the boy left, it was clear on Nix’s face that she’s not happy with what she has done. It seemed like her heart was torn into pieces all because of her behavior. In fact, she did regret it.

"Hey! Yxir! Wait up. I was hoping if you could stay. You know, if you still want to."

"Are you sure this time?"

"Definitely. Oh and sorry for being so rude." 'the smile' is once again projected in Nix's face. "Maybe a little sacrifice would do. Just this time Nix, one last time." She thought upon holding his hand as they both went back in the Manor. They, in fact, enjoyed the day together.


It’s a mystery how love can battle pure hatred and angst in one’s heart. How love can catch up the speed of time. How a sacrifice is worth it when you love. This is a mystery neither an inventor nor a genius could answer.

Chapter III: Moonlit Nights and Drunken Decisions

"Hey, I'll get us some more drinks... I'm too sober..." Trent laughed as he rose up from the chair he was in. No Name and Zilch were left in the table, eating some of the food that were given by the man with the apron; piece by piece.

"Hey, No Name. Have you heard about Yxir and Nix?" Zilch said this as she softly punched No Name's shoulder. "Hey, I have a name, you know... And it's Onmaen. You keep jumbling the letters up..." He said as he rubbed his shoulder. "Sorry... So, have you heard?"

"No, not yet... What about it? Who's this Yxir guy?"

"Hey, here! I got us a couple of bottles... Hope that's enough..." Trent stuck his tongue out jokingly. "Do you want us to get drunk, Trent?" No Name shot back a reply. "No, I only want HER to get drunk, not you." He said as he gave a smirk. "Hey, hey, hey! She's gotta be back at the complex before midnight!!!" No Name stammered as he pushed back the bottles away. "Oh come on... I promise to take her back home..."

"Well, it's her decision. Hey Zilch, do you trust Trent?"

"Umm... I guess so..."

"Okay, Trent. You can take her home later... Just promise me no seduction, no flirting, no abuse and DEFINITELY no raping."

"Okay..." as he gave a quick wink to Zilch; and as to this action, she blushed.

"Hey, tell me about Yxir and Nix tomorrow. But right now, I declare that we get ourselves drunk!" No Name said as he raised his bottle.

"Cheers to life and friends!" Zilch said as she raised hers.

"I agree to that!" Trent raised his as the three bottles clashed to each other.

"To alcohol! The source and solution of all our problems!"

Chapter II : I Can't Expect You To Spend Forever With Me

"Did I just gave him her address?" Zilch muttered under her breath, still holding her phone. Her palms were getting sweatier by the minute, a result of her nervousness. "Oh whatever. Fuck it," she said and grabbed her jacket. "I'm going out, Mike," she yelled and went out of the house. Zilch lived in an apartment complex owned by Mike.

She went down the steel steps which creaked under her and opened the iron gate. "Be back before midnight or you'll have to sleep out," the speaker buzzed, it was Mike. Zilch closed the gate and trotted down the stone steps and headed on to a friend's house.

She rang the doorbell and was greeted by a tired looking woman, but nevertheless, she was still beautiful. "Looking for No Name?" she asked as she took a drag on her cigarette. "Yes, ma'am," Zilch answered and looked down at her sneakers. Someone ran down the stairs and opened the door a bit more. It was No Name and he said, "Mom, I'm going out. Later." and stepped out, closing the door behind him. "Why's she like that?" Zilch asked as she and No Name walked towards the city proper. "She and dad are fighting again, but I guess it'll be over by tomorrow," he replied. "I hope so," she said as they reached a corner.

"So what're we going to do again?" Zilch asked raising her voice so she could be heard in spite of the simultaneous honking of horns and screeching of tires. "We're meeting my cousin, Trent Cohen," No Name said as he stopped and motioned for Zilch to enter an alley. Zilch went in first and met a dead end, or so it seems. No Name tapped the 3rd brick from the left and a door, which Zilch swore was never there, opened. A large man in his thirties, wore a red "Kiss the Cook" apron led them inside. They were in the kitchen of some cafe and they were now entering the dining area. The man in the apron left them and No Name walked towards a boy clad in black, who was faced away from them.

"Trent!" No Name said as he embraced his cousin. "Hey," he said and turned to Zilch. "Um, hi," Zilch said with a small wave. "Oh Zilch, this is my cousin Trent. Trent, this is my friend Zilch," No Name said. Zilch and No Name sat opposite to Trent. "Tell me, why did we have to enter at the back and why are we alone here?" Zilch asked as they were given food by the apron man. "It's because Trent likes it like this. This is Mayhew Cafe, and surprise, it has a second floor, hidden when viewed from the first floor," No Name explained. "THE Mayhew Cafe? This is like the most expensive among all the other cafe's!" Zilch said in awe. Trent let out a small laugh and Zilch couldn't help but smile as their eyes met and she noticed it had a little green in them, just like him...

Sometimes I cry so hard from pleading, so sick and tired of all the needless beating. But baby when they knock you down and out, it's where you oughta stay. And after all the blood that you still owe, another dollar's just another blow. So fix your eyes and get up, better get up while you can. When you go, would you even turn to say, "I don't love you, like I did, yesterday."

Chapter I: Some Things Never Change

Another day, another challenge. I keep on thinking why I have dreams, or more likely, nightmares about him. Seems like these dreams warn me, warn me that I should be careful. About what? Ugh! I...


"Hey! Watch where you're going, miss!" Nix bumped on some whom she knew. But she can't remember who he is.

"Sorry." She said plainly. When she was about to go on to where she is going, the boy suddenly grabbed Nix's arm.

"Well, uhm, sorry for yelling at you a while ago. I'm just in a hurry. And by the way, do I know you?" The boy beamed an undeniably gorgeous smile at Nix.

"That's alright. I don't remember meeting you at all." She lied, obviously "Better go on to where your going. I'm Nix, anyway."

"Okay. And I'm Y-...What's your name again!?" The boy was shocked by what he heared.

"Nix, Nix Lackstoff. And you?" She was surprised by the boy's reaction. But she just smiled at him along with her answer.

"Y...Yx...Yxir, Yxir Dnace. I knew it! You are..." He wasn't finished yet with his answer when Nix just kissed him and ran away, crying. "As always. Some things are just meant to be permanent in someone."


No, it can't be. Why? Does that what my dreams want to tell me. He's more handsome and more...ugh! And I...I just kissed him! Oh no, Nix, stop thinking of him! Stop! Oh why does he always show up at these times? Some things are just meant to be permanent in someone.


Every single moment after that day, Yxir can't get Nix out of his mind. He wants to be with her, again. *She kissed me. Her kiss is just what my lips are looking for a long time. Her arms around my neck with her face almost touching mine. Yes, I was hurt but I must admit, I still love her.* He was scrolling his phone book trying to find her number.


"This is hopeless!" Before closing it, a certain name caught his attention. "Zilch. Hmm, yes! She's her bestfriend! I hope this number still works." Dial. Wait. Still waiting. "Hello?"

"Hello? Who's this?" Zilch was definitely clueless who was calling her and how this boy got her number. "Zilch? Is this you? I'm Yxir. Do you still remember me?" There was an unexplainable joy in his heart.

"Oh. What do you want?" Zilch was irritated.

"Can you do me a little favor? I want to see Nix again. What's her new address?" Yxir didn't notice that he was going too fast. He just can't control himself.

She told him thinking that this would help Nix and said goodbye. "I hope I made the right decision."


The tears, the sorrows, the laughters and the moments we've shared never slips my mind. They are all here, here in my heart. Wherever the wind brings me or this voyage leads, remember, I'm just here for you.

Prologue: Sugar, We're Going Down

He lifted the gun and pointed it right into her face.

"Ready?" he asked in a monotonous voice, shaky yet frightful. His eyes were of crimson, filled with anger and thirsting for revenge. They were standing in an alley, secluded from the neon lights glowing from the streets and filled with the darkness. And by this darkness, the gleam of the pistol the boy was holding seemed to glow radiantly, its lustrous shine unmatched.

The girl didn't dare speak. Shaking, tears fell from her cheeks. She looked down at the cemented floor. She gathered up the courage to speak. "Even with all the lies we've done... The tears I shed just waiting for you... And all the misery you made me endure... I still love you... "

"You still love me?" the boy asked in a sarcastic manner.

"I know it's too late now... But I love you. I guess I should have told that sooner..." she said while slowly raising her eyes to meet with his.

He slowly placed down the pistol, and hugged her tightly. Tears ran down from her cheeks.

"Goodbye." he said, ending the hug and raising the gun once more. She nodded slowly.

After this, he pulled the trigger.

She woke up gasping for air, panting heavily. "I guess it was just a dream..." she murmured.

I left when I was gone, I didn't feel a thing. I never dreamt you'd haunt me this long after. But the buildings crumble down, as I run from the town, I hear you breathe and I listen to your laughter.