User blog:JeielYozama/The House of Gaunts-- Hidden Uncertainty

''Hi minna! So far, so good. I've been doing what I can into perfecting this story of mine. And I guess, it's nearing the climactic struggle. Hope you'd like it, folks. Here goes the rest of what transpired, between Jared Shale and Eri.. with some ba-dumps along the way...''



Now I’ve gone and done it. 

After all the worry I’ve mulled over Eri Cayna, the Kobold who lived with me, my ‘bestest’ friend, she bolts off the door, possibly never to return. Who would’ve thought the situation couldn’t have gone any worse? 

It’s futile to keep thinking about it. This secret that my family had kept for three years, that we had housed a Mamono and treated her as family isn’t a forever gig. I knew sooner or later, the quiet town of Aiam will discover our cover-up, and throw us out to avoid a massive wave of hysteria. 

But not like this. Not like this.... 

  <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I sat there, facing the doorway with my feet tapping furiously. It was already an hour after 9, but I had deprived myself of sleep. The idea of what conspired that afternoon haunted me to no end. I was telling myself that the entire thing was my fault. I raised her curiosity on the outside world, bit by bit, until her instincts to explore had taken over. Mother wasn’t so easy to console. It took a while before she stopped blaming herself for not closing the door on her way in. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Well, what could I expect? Eri found her chance to slip outdoors, and frankly, none of us had the power to stop her. We’re doomed. And who knows.. maybe she’ll never.... <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Whoa, wait. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Why am I waiting for her, even though I’ve resigned to the fact she won’t come back? <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">DO I actually.....feel for her..?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">NO no no no no no no no NO!!! <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I banged my head on the wall, forcing the thoughts that conspired into me out of my head. I’m being irrational. That’s right. I’m being irrational. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">GIRLS? Pfft. I have absolutely no interest in them, especially HER. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I mean, she’s my partner. My closest friend. My wingman. I mean technically, she’s a girl, but the word means the same. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She’s the first person to ever be my friend, and it’d be wrong if I ever hurt her in ways I couldn’t imagine. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">  <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">..What ways exactly?... <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">AGAAAAIN! STOP! THINKING! <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I slammed my head like mad. I’m going nuts, seriously. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“...” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“M-Master Jared?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The sudden utterance of my name in that manner caused me to swerve off balance and land on my butt on the wooden floor. There was no mistake. Standing before me, her ears drooped, her matted fur dotted with patches of dirt and her tail curled in a bun on her back, was Eri. Her meringue-colored eyes stared with the same intensity I felt on that moonlit night three years ago. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I couldn’t hold myself from not reacting, because before I knew it, I had seized her shoulders and began to rant. Words on top of the other. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“E-ERI!! Tell me, are you alright? Are you hurt? Where’d you go? I thought you really left and never planned to come back! I was worried si—I mean Ma was worried sick! What if something happened to you out here while Pa was working at the quarry? He’ll never let me hear the end of it! Please don’t do that again“ <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">And just like that, I ran out of steam. My breathing heaved, and I plopped against the wall, exhausted. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">There was a lengthy pause, as if she was still taking all the words in. Her furry tail started swishing wildly. She blushed and giggled, making me turn red as well. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“You’re always cute when you’re flustered, Master Jared.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">That hurt my manly pride. “S-S-hut it! I’m flustered because of all the trouble you caused! Get off my back!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Hai, hai.. I’m taking a bath then...” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“What did you do outside? You look like you played on a puddle..” I skipped asking if anyone saw her (It would blow our cover). <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Heehee.. I did a little exploring... Please don’t worry.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She stepped inside, but something on her caught my eye. I stopped her on her tracks. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“M-Master? W-what’s wrong—“ <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“ERI.”I began sternly. Tell me what really happened out there.” I looked at her, from head to toe. There was something wrong with her appearance, I know it. Sure enough, I brushed the fur on her wrist and was greeted by a purplish bruise. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I brushed aside the hair that covered her forehead, the fuzz on her arms, and more of them, lined with blood-encrusted welts, decorated her pale skin. I felt like a needle carved a hole on my heart. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She made a strange attempt to laugh, her back turned. “Oh... well, I kinda tripped somewhere.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Look at me.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She followed, and I stared straight to her eyes that spoke of nothing but innocence. “Who did this to you? Tell me now.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Eri’s hands were trembling. “I-- I—“ <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I held her paw, swept it across my cheek, and squeezed it gently. “I’m asking you Eri. As a friend.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Finally, she confessed. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“The—children.. over at the playground...” She spilled with a broken tone. “They... had such... scared looks on their faces--- and then, they threw rocks at me.. T-They said I was a monster, and all of my kind should rot in hell..” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I clenched my fist. Anger was welling up in my system. Just because she’s a Mamono, doesn’t mean she’s like the rest of her kin. Why are people like that? <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">!! <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">? <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“I—I didn’t want to do anything to them--... I just wanted to help Mother...” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“-Help?” I was momentarily on thin air. She gave me the answer. Handed me something on her closed paw, and what it was wasn’t alien to me: a circular, golden earring, enamored with a tiny, hexagonal bloodstone in the middle. It was my Grandma’s memento to Mother, before she died. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“H-HOW DID YOU—“ <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She merely smiled. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“I smelled Ma was worried about something the minute she entered through the door. W-When I sped past her, I saw she was missing one of her earrings, so I followed its odor outside.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Y-you got all that by scent??” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Her earrings weren’t that hard to find. It had her smell all over it. Lucky I found it in a ditch by the marketplace.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“So.. you weren’t going to...”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">STUPID! What are you insinuating? <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I went mum and turned away, but my twisted expression betrayed me. She knew I was onto something. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Eri grinned and hugged my arm. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“You know Master Jared? I’ve always known it. That people hate Mamonos like me.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I sighed. “You did, huh?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Ever since the kind church head died, I always felt that people gazed at me in the strangest way. Like I was trash.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The word ‘trash’ felt like a bag of cement on my back.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“There were times that I wanted to believe them. That maybe, if I were not to exist, their lives would be much easier. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">But I lost that memory all these years. Because I met Ma and Pa. Because I met you, who treated me like an equal. Who taught me life is worth living.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Furry arms embraced me, and I was pulled to Eri’s chest. She cuddled me, yet I wasn’t so comfortable. I could feel her growing mounds poking me, and it was nerve-wracking. Not to mention, my chest never had this heavy a feeling before. Like I was being rendered to shreds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Haven’t you told me before? It’s more fun to play here with you. And, to be honest..”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She came close to my ear. “Those are words I’ve fallen in love to, Master.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I was stunned. Literally, stone-cold, immovable, hard-to-thaw-frozen. I couldn’t react. This isn’t a joke. This isn’t a dream. This is her sworn confession. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">To me. Of all people.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Not knowing what the heck to answer, I dashed outside, not even looking back at the doorway. Eri yelled after me. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“JARED!!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">NOW SHE CALLS ME THAT? <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I didn’t stop. Angry thoughts danced in my mind. How could I be so judgmental? A while ago, all I ever thought was me, and my family, and our tattered reputation... and my botched-up feelings... I never considered what she had felt all this time... she carried it all in her chest. I’m so stupid. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">And, well, now I’m going to do something really really stupid. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I squinted ahead. There they were. Shooting down birds with their slingshots, unmindful of how late it already was, and hooting in laughter. They were the ones who loved to make me suffer, prior to me becoming detained in my own home. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Coincidentally, they were talking about her. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“You saw that monster girl? The one like a dog? Man, was she curling in fright!” said one loading his sling with a rock. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“  Hwata riot! Hu new dey were scaredee cats!” The other boy talked as if he came from the dentist recently. So annoying. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“HAH! Things like them should find it better not to mingle with people! Gross!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“So true!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I felt I was going to retch. You call these kids? They’re what’s disgusting, and not Eri. “H-HEY YOU!!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Wow. I never knew I could utter such words. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The group, startled by my voice, turned and saw me heading their way without stopping. The looks they made, seeing me outside after a long time was priceless. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“IT’S JARED!” screamed a girl. I recognized her pink hairband. She enjoyed throwing rocks whenever she spotted me. The rest of the boys are total hoodlums. They rained blows at me whenever they got the chance. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“HEY JARED! So, is it really true? That you’re living with a piece of sh*t like that—“ <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">That boy was unable to continue as soon as I launched a punch straight up his nose. A tooth flung off his open mouth and he crashed hard against the ground, dazed. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“WHOA!” The others backed away in shock. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Take that back.” I gave them a murderous glare. ”TAKE THAT BACK!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“End why shood we?” Dentist-appointment-boy sounds like he needs more anesthetic. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“You don’t know Eri...” My hands shook. “You don’t know her, so why... why should you judge someone you haven’t met before?!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">They cracked their knuckles with gleeful smiles. “You wanna fight us, Jared? Over that lil’ Mamono?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“You bet.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I was slightly confident. I‘m a scrawny piece of work, but I could take punches equal to an average boxer’s. What my dim childhood taught me was totally messed up. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">But deep down, I was worried of the outcome. Pa and Ma will bury me alive once they find out I’ve made a ruckus in a place I shouldn’t have.. Eri’ll cry, as of all the times I would end up battered or wounded. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">What the heck, forget it. I swear, I’m doing this to prove something. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Let’s get ‘im, boys.” They closed in on me. Without a moment’s pause, I screamed like a raging rhino and charged, my fists balled up, aimed at their snotty little faces. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">  <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">True to what I predicted, Pa and Ma were dead-on furious. Ma, first and foremost. Eri had clung behind my ragged figure, and I was full of sores and marks, from the stomach to the curves of my jaw. Both my eyes were painted black-purple. I was aching all over. I never guessed they would be waiting for me at the window where I used to escape for freedom when I was a kid. And I thought I could head off to bed without letting them notice ‘till morning. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Jared, explain.” Father said with a pressing air to confess flitting around him. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“I met the neighborhood kids and I picked a fight.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Lying was useless now. Might as well be honest. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“HOW MANY TIMES have we told you NOT TO GO OUT THERE ANYMORE!” Mother interjected, her voice tingling. She was at the point of tears. “WHY?! YOU, of all people, should know..” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Ma... they hurt Eri.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Their eyes darted towards Eri’s seemingly unobvious welts. Their eyes widened. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;"> “And.. she left earlier to find this.” I handed her the earring. At once, her face drained of color. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Youfound it?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Eri grinned. “I could tell, Ma. You really love this earring. That’s why it’s never left your side all those years.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“I-I never knew.. I-- thought it was--..” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;"> “Ma, please don’t cry..” She hugged Mother, and she sobbed on her shoulders. The scene was boring into me real hard. It was making me teary. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">A hard hand slapped my shoulders. “OW!” It was Pa signaling me he wanted a more private chat. We left the two girls and proceeded to my room. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">After slamming it shut, he breathed in deeply and said, “How many were they?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Four.” I replied, wondering what was this about. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Who won?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Me. They weren’t that tough after all.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Did you sent them scurrying?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Pa, you sound like a sadist.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Father’s guffaw rocked the ceiling. “I’m messing with you, I’m messing with you. To be honest, I don’t know what to feel right now. I should be mad because you made a mess, frantic cause you’ve stirred the locals, or proud because you’ve done something right.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Huh?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">For once, this was feeling like a real, father-son conversation. He smiled warmly and patted my head. “I know you, son. You do things when you have reasons, and this was a far-cry from what I’d expected. You protected Eri, even though you had to risk your bone for it. You’re a man now.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“A.. man?” I never thought my Father would call me that. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“You fought for your family, Jared.” His smile grew wider. “No one does that better than a real man.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">A question popped in my head. “Pa, about you… weren’t you a hero once?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Oh yes, I was.” He sat and made me sit on his lap. ”Lemme see…I was known far and wide as Mist Rein, the Challenger of the North, feared by humans and Mamonos alike. It was a nonstop, action-paced life, and everyday you had to face Mamonos and knock them down, and travel with only one thing in mind: defeat the Demon Lord. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“No wonder you find it okay..” I interrupted. Seeing his face bent on finishing his life-story, I piped down and listened. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“But.. thing is, I never found a sense of peace, of excitement. The more I cut down Mamonos, the more I felt guilty. What have they ever done to me to merit such harm? They merely wanted to find happiness in this chaotic world of ours. A week after I have ventured so close to the Demon Lord’s territory, I met... your mother.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“-MA?!”  I stifled my yell. I ain’t disturbing the scene on the living room. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Father nodded. “She was a scientist studying Mamonos, and the minute we met, there was that zing. She was different from any researcher I’ve met: independent, humorous, and a person who believed that Mamonos aren’t all evil. She made me realize that I wasn’t the only one thinking this way. She invited me to end my glory-days. And I agreed. It was time to stop. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“We married, and I faded from the fighting scene. My name disappeared, faintly remembered as the hero who made it to the Demon Lord’s domain. And the first time we came here, there were stares narrowed at us. They knew your Mother. The Mamono researcher. They were keen enough to make a move to hurt her, although I gave them a piece of my mind. Now, one of the elders here still sits with a broken jaw. And a limp.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The two of us laughed. It was good, except my jaw ached. Darn, I couldn’t enjoy the moment. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Ever since, they’ve never bothered us, but they bothered you instead. Sins of the parents, I reckon. I’m sorry, son. You were tangled up with our doing from the beginning. I’m happy to see you doing the things I’ve should’ve done, while I had the courage to.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I spoke. “Pa...I’ll protect her. And the two of you.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“No, son.” He added, rustling my hair up. ”Protect those important to you.. Those who count the most.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;"> He straightened himself. “Well now! We don’t have much time left.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Huh?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“That act you did on the children hit the nail on the village elders’ heads. Now they’re ready to expel us, like bugs they’ve wanted to exterminate for too long. Anytime soon, they’ll be here with torches ablaze. There’s no time to waste.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I was aghast. I didn’t know what to say. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Pack up, Jared. We leave now.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">  <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">  <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">This? No. This? NO..! <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I was torn. Between keeping my priceless collection of Mermaid scales from Grandpa, and my five-foot portrait of a Ren Xiongmao. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Oh, whatever. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I haughtily shoved them in my traveling pack (who cares if they end up messed up?) and picked up the pace, flipping drawers open and yanking pile of usable underwear. Twenty, no, twenty-five minutes had passed since Pa passed the word that an angry mob is about to storm our house and raze it to the ground. I’m glad I haven’t gone up close and personal with the village. They have serious issues if they’re starting an uproar over something this small. Well, in my idea, it is. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Eri! Hurry!” I ordered. Eri was doing the same thing, stuffing her favorite blankie and toys in a duffel bag. She was skirting over her stuff as fast as Mamono-ly possible, yet there was worry, anxiety, mixed in her system that I could read, like some kind of bond was linking us together. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Eri, you don’t have to worry about me, I’m fine.” I blurted out, thinking it was my badly beaten-up body that made her bewildered. She whimpered back at me, as if to say ‘You read me’. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“B-but, you’re still.. ” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“C’mon, Eri. Don’t you find it exciting? It’s our first trip outdoors. Think of the places we’ll go together.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Y-You think so?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Stop being a worrywart, seriously..” I approached her and rubbed her ears. “We’ll get through this. I promise.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Pa’s head popped on the open door. “The escape plan’s settled. Ready?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I was ready to answer yes when a high-pitched holler broke the silence of the cold night. “THERE THEY ARE!! THE SCOUNDRELS!!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Sh*t.” Pa swore. “They’re quicker than I thought.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">My heart began to pound, making my insides all woozy. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Yellow-orange orbs danced outside the window pane, followed by a raging tide of voices screaming for blood. The collective scent of burning tar and wood smoke almost made me choke. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“RONALD!” Mother was right behind him, her hand crammed with her clothes. Clearly, she wasn’t finished packing up, but the sound of the crowd gathering in front of our abode made her panic. “They’re here, aren’t they? I knew that man couldn’t get over you breaking his jaw.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“You forgot the limp. “ <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The three of us managed to laugh. And once again, my jaw hurt. Eri, the only clueless person in the mix, wondered what we were agreeing about. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Long story.” I said. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">It wasn’t long before a pale, quavering voice howled “Ronald HERAKLIN! YOUR DAYS OF LIVING IN OFFENSE TO THE CREED OF THE HOLY ORDER ARE AT AN END! Bring US THE MAMONO, or FACE DEATH!” His out-of whack judgment was followed by loud jeering. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Now that threw me. I thought they were angry at Pa. At me. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;"> Father and I exchanged stares. He was the first to rear his answer on the window sill. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“I’ll give her up, alright. When I’m DEAD!!”  He yelled through the gaping crack, his smile thin and wide. The feat ticked them off, I could tell, but it made me glad, knowing Father wasn't scared of any of those creeps. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“HERETIC!” The same voice hounded in a prophetic vibe. “Conspiring with that creature to DESTROY us..! YOU’RE A DISGRACE! BURN IN YOUR SINS!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">A blazing torch smashed through the window and fell splat on the wooden floor, embers flying, flames licking at the curtains. Streams of red-hot fire rose and burned the flooring, and wafts of dark smoke dyed the ceiling black. It was definitely the cue to leave. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Through the back door. Let’s go!” Pa commanded with a wheeze as he led Mother gently down a stairway to the cellar. I remember it clearly. Behind the stacked barrels of wine piled below is a path to the shoreline. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Two more torches fell into our home and ran it ablaze. We had to hurry. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had to liven up the situation. “Eri, ready to see the ocean---“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I touched the air beside me. Nothing. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">No Eri. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“E-Eri?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I thought I was going to faint when I caught glimpse of what conspired out the window.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She was ambling towards them, outside the door, her hands raised willingly to be chained, her eyes on the verge of tears, her entire body shivering. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Stop it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The people hissed at her. Typical reaction of humans-to-Mamono.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Take me if you must, but don’t hurt my family.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;"> The riot leader, a scrawny man in his 40s who was in front of the condescending commotion, snorted abruptly, hiding a cruel attempt to chortle. His voice had no sense of warmth or care in it, and he continued to smile at Eri in a sinister light. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">There was something else distinct with him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">A tied-up jaw and cast-up leg. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">So that’s him. The village elder. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Ugh.. I admit. Father did make him suffer. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Yes, you’ve done well, Kobold..” He said without being bothered by his own pathetic tone. “The Hero Mist Rein has tamed you quite nicely.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Two men bound Eri in shackles. She didn’t fight back.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“ERI!” I bellowed. She couldn’t hear me through the roar of the flames.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“H-Hero?” She looked like she was going to faint <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Oh, so that’s what he’s been getting himself into!” He cackled in glee, his form shaking. “Putting a Kobold under your bidding, are we now? Persistent bugger, that man is!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The crowd alongside him sniggered like hyenas. I can’t believe we’ve been living in a town of sadistic psychos all this time. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“You should know better than to trust former heroes like him. They’ve all succumbed to darkness, to the idea of laviscousness that this realm has to give over the years. They’re all animals, just lying in wait to pounce.. and mark my words, they’ll make you a mere tool that they’ll throw once you’ve outlived your usefulness. Him and his brat.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Eri’s tail cowered in fear. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Come close child... we’ll make you feel safe..” He reached out his bony hand. There was a faint trace of heeding in her eyes. She was starting to give in. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“No... Eri..” I was shaking. He’s wrong. He’s wrong, he’s wrong.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“JARED! What’s going on?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“JARED! Hurry! Where is Eri?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“No..” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Huh? What’s going on, Jared?!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">  <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Don’t touch her..” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">  <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">  <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I burst out of the already-shattered window pane and rushed at the middle of the confrontation, my fists balled up. Anger.. no, RAGE was the sole element in my shaken head. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Eri was shocked- and so was the guy. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“GET--  YOUR HANDS--  OFF HER!!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:24pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">WAMM! <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">A earshaking clatter rippled a wave on the guy’s face as I threw my ire, my fury, in that one punch. He staggered, and almost immediately, his tied-up jaw slackened on one side, and he collapsed like a fallen rag doll. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“GAAAAAAAKH!!!” He shrieked balefully, arms splayed side to side in a weird, flip-flapping motion. “HELP MEEEH HUP YA BUMSH!!” He sounded toothy already, like dentist-appointment-boy several minutes ago. Are they related? <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Three more men came to his aid. Heaving him up, he gave me a pained sneer. They were itching to charge after me, but he raised a hand and they stood still.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“BOY!” He mused. <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“I KNOE U." He jabbed at my direction with his index finger.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">"Yore that mansh chaild. Jared, ishinit?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">He cackled further. “Tell mee, hash that gerl tweested yu two?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;"> “Shut UP!!” I raised my arms like a wall in front of the terrified figure of Eri. He wasn't scaring me. “She’s nothing like you. All of you.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Tell you frankly, my imposing figure is nothing short but failing. I was already holding myself from collapsing the moment I charged. Blow at me, and I might just topple.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">But I stood there. I wanted to stay. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“What do you know about the things that’ll make her safe?! You’re the ones who hate them!! You persecute them, without even knowing that they only want to be accepted! YOU’RE THE MONSTERS!!” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The elder’s eyebrows furrowed. A really bad insult had homed in on them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“YU.. d-d-dayr?!”” He stammered.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Their response is bound to be ugly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Eri.” I spun around and was greeted by her eyes soaked in tears. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Are you afraid?” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;"> She sniffled. “Y-y-yes..”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Do you trust me?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She nodded.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I stared at the crowd before me. Their faces gleaming amidst the scarlet fires that shone in the night. They were scaring her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Eri. I promised Pa one thing. I’d protect those I’ll treasure. And.. that includes you.” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">And without a minute of regretting it, I hugged her. Wrapped my arms cozily around her. I felt her jump, felt her heart skip a beat, but it gave me a faint smile on my lips.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Close your eyes, ok? This’ll all be over soon.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“B-b-but –“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“If you won’t wait, I’m not going to give my answer on you.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“H-HUH? N-no fair!” That humored her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Count for me, will you Eri? How long I’d be doing this stunt of mine.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She paused and beamed at me, being obedient to the end. “I will. Jared.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The minute she started with ‘one’, it started too. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">A hail of rocks rained on me. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Two. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">One after the other.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Three.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Big ones.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Small ones. <span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;line-height:15.75pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;"> All made a permanent mark on me, but I clung on to my threshold for pain, knowing she was here.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Four. Five.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Six. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">They didn’t stop.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">She was screaming the numbers now, crying as she did so, and her paws were latching unto me. Harder and harder. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Eri..” I said, blood dripping from my torn upper lip. I was trying in vain to distract her. ”You’re not counting anymore..” <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Please....” She pleaded. “Tell them to stop.. “ <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I hushed her. “I’m not done yet.” And she went on. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Seven. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Eight. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Nine. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Ten. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">It stopped. I fell on my knees, coughing blood, still holding her close.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“JARED!’ She sniveled. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“He’s still not letting up!” said an old woman on my right. Unbelievable. They bring in rocks, and they’re still unhappy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Footsteps told me they were approaching us. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“Time to end this nuisance.”  I shut my eyes, hearing only the cracking of knuckles. A hand grabbed my collar and threw me aside. An elderly gent and his compatriot gleaned over my worn facade. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">  <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">So, it all comes to this, huh? <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I saw Pa and Ma, whom the rest of them had found a way to restrain. They were begging for my life. Eri was still. I guess she had fainted, after everything. A lot had happened in just one day. <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The girl I’ve been with all my life confesses to me. I get into my first fight. My Father praises me for the first time. I did the right thing for once.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">And yeah, I love my best friend. Touché. I’ve graduated from brat school.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I waited for it all to end. At the very least, I could give her time to scamper and free my parents so that they could flee. I waited for her to run. To avoid seeing my bloodied figure bite the dust.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Then I heard a crazed yelp.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The gent about to box me scrambled to the ground, his hand now laced with claw wounds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">The second man got knocked over, and his chest was red in blood.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Those who were edging to see me dead, backed up slowly, their bodies shivering. They were… a <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">fraid. <span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;line-height:15.75pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Of.. who?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Eri?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">I came to my senses and narrowed at her. At least, I knew it was her. Her crying, derelict countenance wasn’t there. What I saw was an image, dark and harrowing, her fur draped entirely of midnight blue.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">Her paws held sickeningly long claws. Her fangs were bared. They were actual canines that glistened by the blaze. Her ears and tail were contorted and twisted in feature.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">It’s like I’m looking at a demon.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">But this isn’t any demon.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">This is Eri.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;">''<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;border:1ptnonewindowtext;padding:0in;">---Last part, soon enough! ''

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