Chapter 3 Just kill Me People!

( Sena )

I was working as a part-time cashier and assistant in the clinic. And because her office was just a block away from the Herald Residential, a lot of the media were still within our view. They were just as chaotic as we had left them.

Was the guest Prince William? Prince Henry? Harry? Why me? Will they look for me? Su-sure? Shouldn’t they just let it pass? After all, it’s just an accident. The guest wasn’t injured right? But if he was, I do not even have the money to pay for his expense, especially not for an admission to a VIP room. Public ward maybe? Cry Sena.

My heartbeat tripled when the reporter mentioned that the ID owner would be looked for. ‘Then tortured and killed like Jose Rizal in the Luneta Park? Just kidding. YES, I'm kidding myself’.

‘What should I do? Why did you do that to me, dear ID? We even ate Cornetto in the jeep. Were you mean to me because I dirtied your ID cord?’

“Do you have a problem, Sena? You’re pale,” the doctor asked. I didn’t notice her come by and put the Record Book atop my desk.

“Nothing. I’m just worried we might have mischievous and insubordinate patients again. You know, kids nowadays,” I faked a laugh.

“You know what to do to calm them down and not patronize sweet treats. But do not promote ‘No SWEET CANDIES for Kids’ too much, else we lose customers,” she said as she turned her back at me.

Geez, the ghost of my ID card still haunted my mind.

I looked miserable in my ID because the photographer didn't even notify me that his shot was horrible. What if the media decided to flash my photo on TV later on? I’d be another meme on social media! Not to mention, there’re pro Filipino Photoshoppers out there who might’ve made fun of me. ‘What then? The whole world would know my ugliness!’

Yes, I'm not photogenic but I know I am pretty.

They shouldn’t judge me by my photo. They should see me in person so I can prove them that I’m beautiful. Period.

And regarding my promotion slogan ‘No SWEET CANDIES for Kids’, it was only a bed-time story my mom used to tell when I was a kid. Long time ago, I liked to eat sweets. And so, all my baby teeth fell off quickly than she expected. So, to keep me from ruining my newly grown set, my mother told me a story. A frightening story. Thanks to her, I now have clean white buds that I bragged about throughout my teenage years. Yes, I got the beautiful teeth but my day was still ruined!

That ID... I already gave in and was just waiting for the police to pick me up.

Until our door chime clanked.

It was either a sign of a patient or a police officer. ‘Choose which. Papa God, have pity on me! I'm not a bad person, right? Please let that ID incident pass’.

I looked in the mirror and fixed myself. If ever I get pulled out and feasted on by the media, I’d rather look pretty. They’ll crush me, chase me word after word until I have no idea which I’d answer first. And I don’t want to look depressed.

I looked okay and extremely different from that ID photo. My ID should’ve warned me because it really hurts when something leaves you so suddenly without any reason.

A boy in tears entered the door with his nanny. I felt relieved that it was a customer. But things didn't look good. He was enjoying a HERALD Chocolate Bar. A bar of that brand cost a lot. ‘But duh, what should I expect?’ Dra. Evenarte’s appointments consisted of rich kids.

“Hey baby, what’s your name?” I looked at the boy then at his sitter in a midwife uniform.

“John Tobby Ronquillo. For regular dental cleaning,” the nanny answered in a rather persnickety tone. Then I retrieved his previous appointment files from the computer.

“John Tobby, you just came here last Sunday. Why did this baby cry?” I crooned at him as amicably as I could.

I was expected to do that, else the kids will hate me. They were especially afraid of Dra. Evenarte every time they see her. They always thought they’ll have their tooth extracted although they just came in for a cleaning appointment. I used to envy that those kids were supported by their parents in their aesthetic expenses. My dentist was my mom. A kick to my jaw and all my aching baby tooth would drop. Just joking Mom, I just exaggerated your efforts.

“He’s complaining about a toothache, “the nanny said while she fanned herself, as if there was no air-conditioning.

“Baby, what are you eating right now? Didn't you know that that chocolate hurts your teeth?” I told the boy but looked at the woman with him,” Why did you give him that? “

“To stop him from crying. It was hard convincing the boy to come here,” she gave me a snide look.

“This is my favorite, Miss Nurse.” the boy suddenly answered. Because I was a doctor's assistant, children often thought I was a nurse.

“So, it's just okay for you to have that toothache?”

Lo and behold, the child nodded.

Hmph! Silly boy! You don't even need that dental checkup. You can endure that toothache, right?

“Do you know where that chocolate came from?” I asked him.

“This? From the company my father is working for.”

“I’ll tell you a secret that’s only between us. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Do you know what that sweet was made of?”

He shook his head. “What?”

“Have you heard the story about the missing children?”

The boy curiously looked at me. “The truck with the red scary Joker logo on the side? They say it goes around every night looking for children. Is it true?”

“So, you knew? Rumors say the Herald Company owns it.”

“I must tell dad about it. He’s working there!” the boy said as if he discovered his dad was on a death row. Very good Tobby.

“No, didn’t I say it’s our secret?”

“That red truck is killing those kids, right?”

“Yes. And it turns them into chocolate.”

The boy suddenly threw his chocolate to his nanny. Her eyes widened when her uniform got soiled. Sorry miss, your boy had his tantrums.

“Nanny, you didn't tell me that chocolate is made from human flesh! The story is true! Dad must resign from that company!”

“Don’t believe that fake nurse. If your daddy loses his job, do you think he'll still pay me or your needs?” she answered as she wiped the goo from her shirt.

“No. I already know it! Sis Nurse is saying the truth!” the child protested. Chill baby boy! It's just a story.

“Tobby, I only want to tell you to stop eating chocolates. They are destroying your beautiful teeth.”

“That’s why my tooth is aching? Oh no, it must be the spirits of the lost children. I don't want to be haunted by them.”

“Yes. But the doctor will help you,” I said. Yeah! That's the power of marketing strategy. I even made Dra. Evenarte an exorcist. “The spirits will go rest in peace.”

“I won't eat chocolate again so please help me.”

“Let's go.”

He vigorously took my hand. Mission completed! I winked at his flaky nanny as I brought him inside. Thankfully enough, he didn’t cry.

That story was surely effective. Children would usually get scared when they hear that and eventually turn down candies and chocolates. Dra. Evenarte even complained to me that she might lose every patient she has because of that myth. True though, customers are the blood of every company.

I had been so delighted that I already forgot about my ID. But when I suddenly remembered, it felt like a curse by Tobby’s nanny. ‘Just kill me, people!’ I stretched my arms and yawned.

@Death Wish