Pulse – Chapter Two
In the morning, Zoi licks my face, waking me up.
That's how he always says good morning.
I sigh. "Boy… I'm sleepy."
But something feels off.
Something makes me get up anyway.
I hear giggling downstairs… from the dining hall.
I freshen up and head down.
Kevin is there, laughing with a boy about my age. Maybe eighteen.
"Kevin, who is this guy?" I ask, raising a brow.
He scoffs. "Don't act like Mom, will you?"
The boy steps forward.
"I'm Jackie."
He pauses, then adds quietly,
"Mary's brother."
I blink.
"Didn't know Mary had a cute brother…" I whisper.
Mary suddenly appears, her eyes locking onto me.
"What are you doing here? Urom will scold me," she says quickly.
"Can't she eat with us?" Jackie asks, confused.
Mary ignores him.
She grabs my hand.
"Come."
I glance back at Jackie as I'm pulled away.
He smiles at me.
I smile back… just before leaving.
Upstairs, Mary makes me lie on the bed.
She attaches strange machines to me, checking my pulse and temperature.
"Are you okay?" she asks.
"Yes… I'm fine," I say softly.
I hesitate.
"Mary… sometimes I can't feel my heart. Is that normal?"
She freezes.
Just for a second.
Then she clears her throat.
"Yes. It's normal."
Her voice sounds… forced.
"Let's go, sweetie. I'll bring your breakfast upstairs," she says quickly, taking my hand again.
Later, we sit together.
This time, we don't talk about machines.
Just… normal things.
Or at least, what she calls normal.
"I wasn't always this careful," Mary says quietly.
I look at her. "What do you mean?"
She hesitates.
"Let's just say… I made mistakes when I was younger."
I don't ask more.
But something about the way she says it…
Feels heavy.
"Mary…" I start softly.
"Can Jackie come more often?"
She sighs.
"Mia Urom won't allow that."
I lean closer, lowering my voice.
"We can do it without her knowing… when she's not here."
Mary looks at me for a long moment.
Then—
"Tomorrow evening. Your parents have a night shift."
My face lights up.
"Thank you."
She shakes her head slightly.
"Foolish girl…"
I don't care.
I jump onto my bed, smiling.
Finally…
Someone my age to talk to.
I walk to the window, staring outside.
Then I freeze.
Five black cars.
Parked outside.
Men in black.
Standing still…
Watching the house.
Watching me.