Derrick checked if Jerson had wounds aside from the wound on his right arm. Derrick sighed. Aside from scratches on Jerson’s left hand, and some contusion on his legs, there were no other serious injuries. He didn’t know where he got the wound from but if his intuition is correct, the day Vishnu and Jerson broke up, Jerson already had the wound.
Derrick immediately called Valenn. He explained Jerson’s situation and current condition.
The best phrase that fits to describe Jerson best right now was broken beyond repair. He was staring at random places. He couldn’t respond to anyone.
“What a pitiful young man,” the lady said. Derrick looked at the old lady as she continued, “I am a retired psychiatrist. This man is lost. Too lost that he couldn’t find himself.” The lady stared at Jerson. “Akinetic Catatonia. This is the most common type of catatonia. Someone with akinetic catatonia often stares blankly and won’t respond when you speak to them. If they do respond, they may only repeat what you said. Sometimes they sit or lie in an unusual position and won’t move. It happens most often with people who have mood disorders or psychotic disorders, like depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. This young man was giving symptoms.”
Derrick sighed. Although Jerson was giving signs, a psychiatrist needs time to examine the patient for a few days before giving their test result. He couldn’t possibly believe what the old lady said. Moreover, a strange old lady was staying with them instead of calling an ambulance given the condition Jerson was in. In Derrick’s eyes, the old lady was suspicious.
“I know it is questionable. But you see… I’ve seen many patients. I’ve seen people die because of mental issues. I’ve seen enough for me to be able to tell that this young man is one of them. Whoever broke him, broke him so badly that in a short period, it ruined him.” The lady put the gun away. “A person who’s broken has thorns all over. You better be careful in dealing with them or you’ll get yourself hurt while cutting out their thorns,” she said before walking out.
Derrick sighed. He didn’t know how Jerson ended up like that, but he was sure that the break-up was just one of the provocations. Something must have happened before the breakup that also caused the wound on Jerson’s arm.
Derrick supported Jerson in standing up. As though he was a corpse, Jerson goes with him without resisting. Both of them managed to get inside Derricks's car without dealing with any hurdles. Jerson sits on the passenger seat beside the driver's seat.
Derrick started maneuvering the car.
It was a long moment of awkward silence. Derrick wasn’t expecting even a small talk with Jerson as he saw Jerson’s current condition. To summarize, Vishnu used him as the gateway to breakup hence he takes part in the stimuli of the sudden change in Jerson’s mental state. He was at fault too and he felt guilty.
Derrick planned to go to Valenn's place as it was the safest place he could think of. As long as he doesn’t know who the traitor among their friends was, he wouldn’t trust any of them. After all this, he would protect his only loyal friend, Jerson, from anybody who planned to hurt Jerson.
As Derrick drove past the intersection, only did he realize that someone was tailing them. There were three cars in total and Valenn’s residence was too far away from where they are currently. He also couldn’t rely on Jerson as he wasn’t his usual self. For now, he could only count on himself in saving the both of them.
Derrick steered the helm of the car to the right intersection and pushed the car’s accelerator to full speed. He turned the car out of the fleet of the boulevard to avoid possible accidents that may involve innocent people.
Derrick got the gun in the compartment. He opened the window on his side using his left hand while his right hand was controlling the wheel.
Using the side mirror as the lead, he pulled the trigger aiming at the car behind them. The car that was tailing them seemed to not know he was about to shoot hence they couldn’t avoid the bullet. Derrick was not able to hit the person driving the car but he still smiled triumphantly.
In fact, he wasn’t trying to hit the person who was controlling the car. He was aiming for the car itself.
As soon as the bullet hit the car, the car’s engine exploded.
One down.
Derrick tried hitting the second car again but the car was bulletproof. He sighed as he looked at Jerson to check if he was okay.
Derrick laughed at himself mentally. Of course, Jerson wasn’t okay!
Derrick drove the car faster. He was giving his full attention to the car that was tailing them so when he realized that a car was about to hit them, it was too late.
Derrick’s car collided with the track.
A loud explosion disturbed the serenity of the dark part of the road.
The entire front part of Derrick's car was crushed. Jerson, who was in a daze the whole time, shielded all the broken glasses and crushed sharp metal chunks using his back to protect Derrick.
He groaned painfully as he felt several sharp things piercing his back.
As soon as the car stopped, Jerson’s weak body gave up. He looked at Derrick who was unconscious probably because of the impact of the collision against the big truck.
Jerson pushed open the door using his last strength. Thankfully it wasn’t locked. He unbuckled Derrick and pushed him out of the car. He also gets out of the car as he could smell the gas. He was weak but he had to stay alive to save Derrick.
Maybe that way, he could die with no regret. Maybe if he saved Derrick, everyone would forgive him. Maybe that way, he could pay back the life he borrowed from Derrick.
Maybe they’ll forgive him if Derrick will be the one who stays alive and he dies in the process of saving their precious friend.
“Trying to be a hero, I see,” a man with gray hair said. Jerson looked at the man but it was all blur. He didn’t have his glasses with him. “I like your love for your friend and it’s a pity that Wayne wants you dead.”