POTENTIAL: FORTY

**MAICA POV**

We're on our way back to the hospital. However, Alex is not with us. General Bolina took him into custody. Supposedly, we should be with him because of trespassing on the battleground, but Alex saved us, again. He gave Bolina one condition, and that was to leave us alone.

Not only that, the glass tube containing the monster's core is also missing. We don't know who took it, but I'm sure it's not an ally. According to a reporter who witnessed those taking the core, they were wearing black tuxedos. He even described them as Men in Blacks.

As for the monster, it was finally defeated. Not a trace of its flesh remained, except for the stolen core. But Alex requested that it be burned for safety measures. We didn't know that there was still a part left. It was one of Alex's conditions.

Aside from that, General Bolina told us that we could visit Alex if the board still hadn't decided whether to release him, which was a good thing but not as good as if we could be with him like before.

I could never consider this one a victory. We defeated the monster and Quinn, but Alex was taken from us. What is this, give and take?

For me, Alex didn't do anything wrong. What he did was to save our asses from that big old monster. He only fought against the soldiers because they were about to worsen the situation. But no one considered those reasons for Alex's freedom.

"Is Alex okay?" Trisha asked with concern while driving Uncle Fredo's truck. It couldn't be denied that all of us were affected by General Bolina's decision.

"He'll be fine. In fact, those idiots can't do anything to him," I replied, still looking out of the car window. I just watched the roadside, even though nothing was interesting here. Even the sunrise earlier, I couldn't enjoy it because of what happened. It's just frustrating.

"This is just a guess, by the way. I think they're planning to use Alex as their secret weapon," Trisha guessed, and she had a point. They could use his recent actions as their excuse to use Alex. But if that's their plan, who will they fight against? "By the way, I still can't believe that you managed to call Alex telepathically. How did you do it anyway?" Trisha asked.

"To be honest, I don't know. I didn't even know I could do that," I replied. Even I couldn't believe that I did that telepathy thing earlier. If there's something wrong with me, maybe those are symptoms.

"I think it's cool. Now, you can talk to anyone in the far distance with just your mind," Trisha praised, wearing her amazed look. I was about to believe what she said, but then I thought.

Does having this kind of ability help? Does it give me an advantage or the opposite? Will I end up like Alex?

But one thing that really worried me was Mama.

If she knew that her daughter had this kind of supernatural ability, would she still treat me as her daughter? Would she still love me?

"Maica!" Trisha called out to me loudly. I snapped back to the present after hearing Trisha's shout. Apparently, I was spacing out earlier. "You seem lost. Are you okay?"

"Sorry, I was just thinking. I'm fine, don't worry. Are we almost there?"

"We're almost there. We're entering the city proper," Trisha answered. After a few minutes, we arrived at Uncle Fredo's place. Trisha decided to return the trucks since it would be embarrassing to bring a truck to the hospital, which made sense. Trucks weren't allowed there anyway.

Trisha thanked Uncle Fredo and handed him some papers. After they finished, Carlo and I said our goodbyes. After saying our goodbyes, we quickly left. We took a taxi to get to the hospital. I'm sure Mama is worried about me now.

Upon arriving at the hospital, we immediately headed to Sky's room. While on our way, I felt something strange. I felt somebody's presence and couldn't figure out who or why I felt this. I suddenly got chills for an unknown reason.

I glanced at Trisha, who was walking beside me, and I'm sure I'm wearing a confused look right now. To avoid Trisha asking me what was happening, I just bowed my head.

We reached the room with my head still low, but I raised it upon entering. I quickly looked for Mama and saw her sitting silently on the sofa. As soon as she saw us entering, she approached me and hugged me.

"I'm glad you're safe."

"There's something wrong," Sky said, which we didn't know was already awake.

"What, Sky?" Trisha asked with concern.

"Alex is not with you. Where is he?" the guy asked. Trisha and I exchanged glances.

"General Bolina took him," Carlo answered.

"What? Why?" Mama asked, surprised and worried.

"Alex did something he didn't like. So, he's taking Alex into his custody. They will discuss whether to release Alex or keep him under their control," I explained. I looked at Sky, who was staring out the window. I knew what he was feeling. Not being able to see his boyfriend after a fight was such a heartbreaking scene. I knew he had been waiting for Alex since earlier.

"Don't worry, Sky. He'll be fine."

"I know. He just called me."

Surprised, I asked, "When?"

"Just now."

"And?"

"If he said it's fine, then it's fine with me. I know he won't last there. In fact, killing that monster is enough to pay for his unlawful act. He'll be back. He promised."

******

Three days passed, and the news about the monster started disappearing. Thanks to the assault case filed by one artist against another artist, overshadowed the news about the monster and Alex.

Speaking of Alex, we just visited him at Camp 44, and he was doing well. He has his own house complete from the living room to the bathroom. Trisha was probably right — they're treating Alex special for their own benefit.

He also told us about the hearing regarding his case and wanted us to be there. Actually, even if he didn't invite us, we would still go. We would serve as living witnesses for him. The hearing would take place two days from now, on Saturday. Luckily, it was a Saturday, so we didn't have classes. Yes, I think we returned to school after being absent for about two weeks.

Many people asked us about Alex, but we decided not to answer them. Even Sky wasn't spared from the gossipmongers. They even asked him if he had powers like Alex, but he ignored them. A typical Sky.

We're on our way to the canteen for lunch. While on the way, students kept looking at us as if we did something wrong that they didn't like. But like Sky, I just ignored them. We couldn't waste our time worrying about their dart-shooting glares.

We reached the canteen, and it suddenly became quiet as soon as we entered. A hundred pairs of eyeballs were glaring at us. Everyone here was looking at us. Some were whispering about something. Others ignored us, probably knowing they wouldn't gain anything from us.

But there was one group of students smiling. They were the only ones smiling among all the students here. And guess what, we didn't know them.

"At least some didn't hate us," Trisha whispered. She was probably referring to the group of students I saw earlier who were smiling. Trisha was right. At least there were some.

We headed to the counter and ordered food. After ordering, we quickly looked for a table. The group of students from earlier caught our attention, and they were pointing at the vacant table beside them. It seemed like they planned it.

Trisha and I exchanged glances to decide, but Sky beat us to it. Sky walked towards the vacant table, not minding who would sit next to us. It's not that we didn't want to sit with them; it's just that we wouldn't be able to eat properly.

Trisha and I sighed in defeat as we walked to the same table Sky sat on. I kept looking at the group, and they were all smiling. It was creepy, actually.

"I feel like I've lost my appetite," Trisha whispered, and I nudged her. Even I was losing my appetite. How about Sk... nevermind. He's already eating. He was indeed the God of Ignoring.

Can I make him my patron?

******

The day we've been waiting for finally arrived. Today, Alex's fate would be determined. Whether he would be released or not. We were now walking towards the Trial Hall. Our opponents today were General Bolina and some of his subordinates, who I think were with him when they fought the monster.

When we reached the door, we immediately entered. A woman dressed in a white blouse and a pencil skirt approached us. She assisted us in finding our seats in the front row on the left column. Mom, Trisha, Carlo, and I sat on the bench, while Sky made his way to the table before us. He requested to defend Alex instead of a registered lawyer.

The opponents, and soldiers, started coming in, and the group of students we met at the canteen also arrived.

"He's here," Trevor said. We quickly turned our heads and saw Alex walking down the hallway with soldiers flanking him. I couldn't help but pity him. He didn't deserve this.

Alex sat at the center on a chair with a table. The four guards with him earlier stood at each corner — two in front and two at the back.

The judges started coming out from the door behind their seats. They took their seats individually and arranged the papers on their table. I looked to the side of our opponents and saw General Bolina confidently sitting in his chair.

Three slams of a hammer echoed throughout the room, catching everyone's attention. The room was filled with seriousness and determination. I could sense everyone's excitement about how this hearing would end.

The somewhat host woman introduced Alex and the cases filed against him by General Bolina. This included disobedience to General Bolina's orders, destruction of Unova Food Corp., his attack on General Bolina and some soldiers, and more.

"Let's start, Mr. Santos."

Sky suddenly stood up, causing all of us to look at him. He had this serious and intimidating look. His hands were inside his pockets as he walked towards Alex. He stopped in front of him and then looked back at us. Everyone was surprised when he casually leaned on the table and crossed his legs. I couldn't help but smile at his actions.

"We win," he declared, surprising all of us.

"I beg your pardon? You're supposed to give your statement," the head judge behind him asked in confusion.

"No need. We're just wasting our time."

"You don't know what a trial should be, Mr. Santos?" General Bolina sarcastically asked while still sitting in his chair.

"It's you who can't understand what this man did. He saved us all," Sky retorted.

"I'm totally aware of that, Mr. Santos, but still, he did something against the law." I could feel the tension building between the two. I didn't know that a trial could be like this. I usually see on TV that the judge gives each opposition a chance to defend their claims.

"The attempted assault? He never intended to hurt you because he knew you were his allies. What he did was a warning and a defensive measure."

"A warning? So if we go against his warning, he will attack us. Is that what you imply?" General Bolina asked.

"No. After you ordered a missile attack, he never attacked you. It's not a warning of assault; it's a warning of salvation. He tried to warn you that your missile would allow the monster to grow and kill all of us."

"And what about the people he killed? Richard Osaka, Quinnie Breese, and his men? My intel said that Mr. Rischon is responsible for their deaths," General Bolina changed the topic. I immediately worried about Sky because I thought this hearing was about what happened that morning. We didn't know he was involved.

The LCD screen on our left opened. It showed CCTV footage of me being dragged into the cells when I was once kidnapped.

"Richard Osaka kidnapped Ms. Maica Cristavilla, attempted murder on Mrs. Cristavilla and Vemine Chavezz, and arson." My mom and I both stood up. Mom showed them the scar she got when Rick shot her. A picture was also displayed on the screen, serving as evidence.

"For Quinnie Breese and her men, murdering Mike Ramirez, the orphans, Carlo's Father, two of her friends, and others." The faces of the people Quinnie Breese killed, including Trisha's friends, were displayed one by one. I looked at Trisha, who just lowered her head with clenched fists. Gasps filled the room, surprising everyone. I looked again at the LCD screen and saw pictures of a laboratory filled with tubes containing people.

"Hmm... I'm glad that these people are already dead, but Mr. Rischon doesn't have the authority to bring these two criminals to justice. You're not the police."

"Richard Osaka and Quinnie Breese had their connections. And you want us to let the police do their job? Not all heroes wear capes; some wear horns."

The head judge cleared his throat to stop the two. They relaxed and somewhat released the tension they had built.

"Mr. Santos, I am grateful that Mr. Rischon brought down these people, but what he did is unauthorized. Killing these murderers made him a murderer too," General Bolina said.

"You, too," Sky responded, surprising General Bolina. "Do you think you can hide these from us? My statement was right. Not all heroes wear capes because your honor..." Sky looked directly at the head judge and then pointed at General Bolina. General Bolina's eyes widened at Sky's sudden action. "... General Bolina is guilty of murder."

"What?!" The head judge was surprised. The room filled with whispers because of Sky's statement. Even my mom and I were shocked. I looked at General Bolina, but I only saw a smirk. He soon burst into laughter, confusing everyone.

"You're changing the topic, Mr. Santos."

"You already changed the topic when you mentioned Richard Osaka and Quinnie Breese. Now spit it out, General," Sky mocked General Bolina, emphasizing "General." I could see a hint of displeasure and anger on General Bolina's face, quickly replaced by a smile.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Santos."

"You will know."

A recorded call between a woman and a man started playing through the speakers. It was a conversation between General Bolina and Quinnie Breese. General Bolina was the man on the call.

"I have a job for you, General Bolina."

"What is it?"

"Help my clone kidnap the children in the orphanage. She will be waiting there."

"And how much will I get?"

"Two million cash."

"Deal."

"Make sure no one knows about this."

"Don't worry, Quinnie, I have the police under control."

The recording ended, and when I looked at General Bolina, he stood with widened eyes.

"Now tell me. Should we trust the police when the General himself is a murderer?"

"Guards! Take General Bolina out of here and put him in jail," the head judge ordered. General Bolina stood still while two guards approached him. He didn't resist as they handcuffed him.

"Remember, General, justice is for those who seek it," Sky added, and the guards took General Bolina out of the hall.

The head judge slammed his hammer three times. "I declare this trial ended. Dismissed."

"Wait, what? Is that it?" Mom complained, and I was equally confused. I looked at Sky, who was busy talking to Alex. What was more surprising was why Alex was left alone by his guards. I couldn't resist approaching Sky.

"Sky?" Sky looked at me while Alex smiled at us. "The decision?"

"Alex is free," the head judge, who was now without his robe, interjected. He patted Sky on the shoulder, indicating some familiarity. Mom, the group of students, and we all approached them.

"What is happening here, Sky? I don't understand," I complained.

"While gathering evidence to set Alex free, I discovered General Bolina's hidden agenda. I also learned that one of General's victims was Atty. Timoty's grandson," he introduced us to the judge beside him.

"Why didn't he put him in jail?"

"I lacked evidence, hija. Not until this man came to me and started negotiating."

"So, you had a deal?" All I got was a nod from the attorney.

"He'll let Alex free, and he can seek justice for his grandson's death," Sky explained in detail.

"So, this trial is for General Bolina?" Trisha confirmed.

"Yes," Sky answered directly.

"Why didn't you tell us?" I asked with a furrowed brow.

Alex answered, "The trial wouldn't be realistic if you knew."

"You knew about this, Alex?" Mom asked.

"Don't hate me, but yes."

"That's why you weren't nervous earlier. You knew you would be released," Carlo commented. Everything that happened now was just too much. We had been fooled, in a good way. This was so unexpected. I never thought this would happen today.


**END OF VOLUME:** POTENTIAL
UP NEXT: **VOLUME THREE: FLAW**