Fighting For Us.

Jesse 's POV:

It's been a week since I stayed here. I was only supposed to stay for three days but Aunt Hiromi forced me to stay. He said he could at least experience life in countries with barriers. It is said that life here is definitely better than outside especially and that Equinoxia is one of the richest countries in the world.

Now I'm leaving the barrier. My journey outside is about to begin. Whether there is danger or not, I will take full precautions. I have been preparing for this for a long time, giving up is not in my vocabulary.

"Jesse, what time are you leaving? Is it this afternoon or this evening?" asked Aunt Hiromi.

"Now I'm leaving in the dark, Aunt Hiromi. It's safer because it's already dark and there are few people outside. It will also be easier for me to run in the dark. Even though there is little light, I can still see the surroundings. One more thing, also so that no one will notice me," I answered.

"Are you leaving tomorrow? Early mornings like that? I'm worried and nervous about you," insisted Aunt Hiromi.

"Auntie, it's not possible. I have to leave now because I've been here for almost two weeks. Also, you've encouraged me to stay three times using that tactic. That won't work for me anymore and it will work now, " I said.

Aunt Hiromi sighed. Alas, Morgan is the same as me. Dad just stared at us and didn't speak. We were distant from each other and Aunt Hiromi and I became closer. Aunt Hiromi has a strong trip, Morgan said. He said that he only got to know her better now. He said that he used to just bow every time he passed in front of him, now they are still hugging and waving.

"Jesse, get ready first so you don't forget anything. Attorney Hiromi and I are going out first," Morgan said goodbye.

"Alright, I'll just woo you. Call me when we're going to have dinner," I said with a smile and Morgan said yes.

When they came out, I took a shower again. It's my second time to take a bath today. It's nice to take a bath, it feels fresh. So that I don't have a bad smell even though my body is naturally fragrant.

I took a quick shower and blew my hair. Aunt Hiromi taught me how to do it, it's a great tool to dry hair quickly. She also taught me how to beautify and groom. There were so many new tools that I didn't know how to use so he taught me. If mom were still alive she would definitely love them.

Next, I got dressed. I wore Dri-fit leggings. I then put on a dry-fit pink t-shirt before I put on the arm sleeve that Aunt Hiromi gave me. It is good so that I can somehow deceive the eyes of others.

They also gave me a semi-permanent barcode tattoo yesterday. I also got a hoodie and put it on. I will ask them if the clothes I have chosen are okay.

I packed my bags yesterday. I've already put on a few pieces of clothing and underwear. I also got a hygiene kit that I could use. I also didn't bring much because I will later file the papers regarding my studies and the scooter that I will be carrying.

I went down to the floor where the reception was. I arrived immediately because I used a private elevator.

"Hello," I greeted them as I approached our table.

Dad, Aunt Hiromi, Morgan, Julian, and that other girl I don't know are here. We will eat together because they will accompany me to go out later. I just don't know which of them will join me in delivering me out of the barrier.

"Eat a lot, Jesse. You'll be full," said Papa so I nodded.

I sat next to Morgan, across from Aunt Hiromi. Our food was delicious, as I always liked rice to be our dish partner. There is also grilled chicken. It is also my favorite as well as porridge. I miss Mom's cooking. If only he could see the outside, what would be his reaction?

I finished eating so I rested for a while. Dad said that I followed him because he said he had something to say while in the office. I should arrange my things before I go there.

I went to the room and took the final things that should be taken. I also wore shoes that were durable from my father's. I also wore a water-resistant watch so I could tell the time. It's high-tech, it can read my condition. How fast the Heartbeats, the breathing, and so on.

I went up to Papa's floor carrying my big backpack. I first knocked on the door of his office when I was in front of it.

"Come in," it said.

I went inside. Dad smiled at me and made me sit across from him. I dropped my backpack on the foot.

"How are you, Jesse? Are you ready? I have some things to give you that will help you. I also want to talk to you for a while because it might be a long time before I see you again," said Dad.

"I'm fine, I've been preparing for a long time. Oh, you've given me so much. Then you can talk to me at any time. I also want to say goodbye to you," I said with a smile.

Papa took out a small oblong box and a cube box. He also took out a plastic nag with a lot of money.

"This is a device that can translate all the words into the language you want. I have set it to the Filipino language because that's what you use. This too, I hope you accept it. You can use it in an emergency, be careful for using money. Let me put my little present on you," said Papa and stood up.

I just stared at him. He put the money in my bag while the device he was talking about was stuck in my ear. He put something cold around my neck. When I held it, it was a gold necklace.

"It's a gold necklace with a black diamond pendant. I hope you like it," said Dad with a smile.

His smiles, I only saw them now. Something seemed to touch my Heart so that my tears came to my eyes. Her gift was also very beautiful, the necklace chain was wrapped around the diamond so it was very beautiful to look at.

My tears have flowed. I stood up and hugged Dad tightly. He also hugged me tightly.

"I know I've missed you a lot, Jesse. But even though I can't show you, I love you very much as my only unica hija. You're the only family I have left. After you do what you have to do, please come back. I will introduce to the whole world who my beautiful daughter is. I am very proud of you, your Aunt Hiromi, and me. Your mother raised you well," said Papa, making me cry even more.

I already know him. He said he won't go with me because he might go with me to the jungle because he's too worried. Aunt Hiromi also won't come because she says I won't be kicked out. The only people who will accompany me in the truck are Morgan and Julian who will act as baggage guards.

Someone knocked and Tita Hiromi entered. He ran to us and Dad hugged us. Maybe if Mom is still alive, she will be happy and we will be happy.

I said goodbye to Aunt Hiromi. They took me to the warehouse because I was going to get my important things to take on the trip. I don't even know where to start. What I need first is to observe. According to the study of scientists, Melos Syndrome is due to human mutation. It may have been adopted by the environment, chemicals, or animals. The root is uncertain.

When we entered the warehouse, my things were already laid out on the table. It used to be in a bag. Who released it again?

"Why brought out again?" I will ask.

"Ah, I took it out. I took a picture. I haven't taken it yet. Is it Remembrance? Then one more thing, let's all take a picture with Jesse," said Julian.

Julian set up the camera so we could take a picture. They used their cell phone because I might lose my cell phone and get it as evidence against them.

We all took pictures before the three of us, Morgan and Julian followed. Next was me, Dad, and Aunt Hiromi. In the end, it was two each because they said they wanted to have a picture of me solo.

They also took a picture of me. I was too shy to smile at first so Morgan taught me to post. It's a good thing that modeling isn't fashionable these days, I wouldn't be accepted if I were.

When I put the equipment in my bag, we walked to the truck that exited the barrier. I don't see how I can get out later. I can only come out of my hiding place when we are out of the barrier and away.

Carrying my scooter and bag, I faced Papa and Aunt Hiromi before boarding the truck. Aunt Hiromi was emotional while Dad smiled weakly. I waved to them goodbye before entering.

When I got inside, Morgan made me sit down for a moment. They opened a box for me to hide. It's like a refrigerator that hides money.

"Jesse, you hide here and don't make any noise. There are millimeter wave machines before exiting the barrier. You can see what's inside so you can even not open the door. It will also be loaded with money later to be taken as payment to the crops in the households outside the barrier. Don't make any noise. It's a good thing our company is known so the guards don't restrict us too much," Morgan instructed me.

I rebuked him. When I lay down inside I was holding my bag and scooter. I was breathing deeply because of the nervousness. I hope we can get through safely.

They loaded money first before closing the lid of my hiding place. When I felt that it was moving, I was just silent. It was only about five minutes before we reached the barrier.

I was stunned when the truck stopped moving. My breathing became so deep that I covered my mouth.

After a while, we got out of the barrier and Morgan knocked on me. He opened where I was and helped me out.

"We'll leave you in the middle of the jungle first because the villages we're going to are half a day away. Be careful, Jesse. We'll wait for you to come back," Morgan said with a smile.

"Thank you all. Please tell Papa and Aunt Hiromi that I will miss them. I promise I will not waste all your help. I will do my best to finish this quickly," I said with a smile.

"We have confidence in you, Jesse. Do you still?" Julian said smiling and gave a thumbs-up.

After a while, we stopped working. We are in the opening of the jungle. This is the beginning of my journey.

I went down, Morgan, and Julian. They both hugged me. It's quite dark, it's half past six in the evening.

"Goodbye, Jesse. Take care," Morgan said.

I walked away from them. When I couldn't take it anymore and felt like my tears were going to fall, I ran away. I was going so fast, that I could only hear the sound of the leaves I was stepping on. Also include the chirping of birds around.

When I was touched, I stopped for a moment. I sat down and drank water. But I stopped when I heard someone stepping on a branch. I immediately hid and was alerted.

I listened but nothing. Maybe it's just an animal or maybe it's wind.

I walked again to find a nearby body of water. I will take a water sample to test it for what is in the water in every country I pass through. I intend to go and gradually travel to Mamplasma and Calampama. I discover a lot there.

Suddenly I heard the rustling of leaves. I never thought I would be this nervous. Maybe I'm just becoming OA.

I was about to walk again when I heard someone running so my eyes widened. I was about to look back to see who it was when a huge lump hit me hard.

I bow my head and sit on the ground. When I looked up, my eyes widened. Why is this happening!?

"You are-"

Before I could speak, he hit me hard on the back of the head with a baseball bat. My vision immediately went dark and I lost consciousness. Why is he still?

Someone's POV:

I can't stand the rotten system anymore. I won't let myself stay here any longer. The scientists here are crazy, brainless, and just dada. They are wasting all the hard work we have done. Even the tortures they inflicted on us ended in nothing. They just made us a decoration. They also made us weapons. Hopefully, their stench will be revealed one day.

My colleagues were blind to what was happening. Submissive, there is a slave, whatever one decides is also his, as well as your suction. If they don't make a way, it's better that I leave and live the life I want. I also have intelligence more than a normal person.

I arranged my things to take. Later I will sneak into the truck to get out of the barrier. Vehicles from the Project Melos site no longer pass through the millimeter wave machine because illegal contraband such as items from their experiments might be caught.

I waited for the right opportunity to make sure the four members of The Ones were busy before going out and sneaking in. I immediately entered the truck that was no longer full of corpses. Even the guards are busy so no one can see me here.

It stinks because it's full of corpses. I have to change my clothes later because it's steaming here. The smell will infect me for sure.

When I felt the truck move, I removed a corpse from the bag it was in. I moved it to the other side and I lay down on the bag that was removed. It smelled so bad that I covered my nose with a handkerchief. If it wasn't the only way I wouldn't do it.

It took a long time before the truck stopped and I heard the door open. I know that in the remote part of the forest, the corpses are taken and left to pile up in a pit. Wild animals will come there and eat it. They don't need to burn anymore because that can create a forest, Billy.

When I felt the bag I was in lifted up, I prepared to hit. Fortunately, I didn't hit the rock itself. There is a corpse under me.

I waited again before the truck left and then I got out of the bag. I exhaled deeply because of the bad smell. The foul smell still clings to my body.

I climbed the pit and looked for the river. When I got there, I immediately undressed and took a shower before changing my clothes. I burned the one I exchanged because it might still be a tRace. It also stinks and is sure to be followed by wild animals.

I entered the forest again and walked around. I need to go further and find a place to hide.

While walking I heard a wild howl of wolves. I was alerted and looked around. There I saw eyes shining in the distance.

I immediately ran as fast as I could because they might catch me. I didn't bring a knife because we were not allowed to bring weapons into our room. So I immediately took out my mini-baseball bat.

A wolf was close to me so I immediately hit it in the jaw with a baseball bat. I killed it so I ran fast again.

I turned around so I didn't notice a lump. We collided so hard that we fell to the floor.

When we stared at each other, his eyes widened as he stared at me. He recognizes me, I have to knock him down before he can report to the police. This girl is definitely from the village. He's pretty for a lowly citizen living outside the barrier.

"You are-"

I immediately took my baseball bat and hit it on his neck. He fell on the floor and lost consciousness. I looked at his hand wearing an arm-sleeve. His robot arm that I was scared of is stupid.

I checked his arms and legs. I was fascinated by this girl. His body is intact, he doesn't have Melos Syndrome and he doesn't look like an angel.

Couldn't this be the missing member of The Ones who escaped with his mother? Jesse Villanueva?

I grinned and carried it like a sack. I can use him in times of trouble.

Jesse's POV:

I woke up with a sore neck. It's not like the first time when my head almost came off the mattress. It's because I was hit with a baseball bat so it hurts.

I just stared at him who was at the opening of the cave where we stopped. I don't know his purpose but he hasn't looked at me yet. It looks like it's deep in thought and it doesn't feel like I'm awake yet.

I've been floating for five minutes and want to think about what's going on. Why is this still among the many things that will happen? Of the many that I can bump into, is it Equinox? It must have escaped because it was alone, carrying a bag, and alert at that time. If the authorities come after him in Equinox, I'm dangerous here in the jungle. I need to get away because I might sympathize with him. But, I'm not sure if he already knows about me. It might also report me to the authorities.

I adjusted my seat so that the leaf I was laying on the rock scraped. It's quite light, it looks like dawn. I feel hungry too.