User blog:Just09/Merchant's Awaking Ch.1: The Awakening





   “Father! What the hell are you doing?!” I asked my dad as I watched helplessly. He smiled at the elderly individual as he raised a knife up. Knowing that I had to stop him, I charged towards my farther. He landed a blow to chest area with such savagery and his eyes were filled with depravity. As I realized my inability to stop this man who was my own father, I walk slowly towards the corpse trembling with a sense of fear that comes close to being primal. “What…what…. what did……” I struggled to get the words out my mouth. “What the hell did he do to you? Why the hell did you kill this man?! WHAT WAS YOUR EXCUSE?!” I final got the words out of my mouth, but witnessing such horror, I couldn’t believe what I just happened. My father, my flesh and blood, would do something so violent. As if in one moment of valor that I could face this man who just committed such a lawless act, I turned to face him and looked dead in his eyes only to be see a nightmare inside a nightmare. It was the absolute definition of evil itself. “Dad. This has gone far enough. Please stop this madness. Now!” Begging him to stop. He just smiled at me with a lust for blood as he raised his knife to kill me next. “NOOOOO!”



I woke up patting heavily as I always did every morning. “Mr. Merchant. Are you feeling ill?” I could hear a voice which leaves me thinking that I am still having a nightmare. “John.”  A familiar voice kept asking me as I felt a hand on my shoulder causing me to grabbed it violently. “Who’s…” I started to say as I turned to see Sofia standing beside me watching and waiting for a signal that I was awake and aware that it was safe. Nodding my head and slowly releasing my hand as I apologized for my rude behavior earlier. “It’s ok. I should be the one apologizing for causing a great deal of grief, young master. Please forgive me, young master.” Sofia apologized to me with tears in her eyes. I hugged her as she started to cry which she let out a yelp from her. “You do not have to apologize for something that you didn’t do. Besides it was my fault for attacking you so viciously when you were just doing your job. Please forgive me, Sofia.”

“I do forgive you, John. I wanted to wake you up earlier, but you were tossing and turning and I grew concern that you were hurting yourself.” I could hear the distress in her voice almost like she was shaking from within like I was when I saw that twisted smile that repeated in my sleep. Was she frightened that I will hurt myself or is it the fact that she’s being scared for me? “I’m sorry for making you worry about me this early in the morning.” I again gave my sincere apologize to her as I was getting dressed for the day.

“It’s ok, John. It’s my job to see that head household’s wellbeing even when it comes to you.” Sofia explained. I knew that it was her job to be concerned about the wellbeing of the inhabitants of the Merchant’s Villa which it includes me, but sometimes I wish that she would take a day off and enjoy herself every once and a while. “I understand that it is your job to care of the inhabitants of this household, but I want you to take a day off occasionally or you might faint on me and I would hate to see you hurt in any way possible.” Showing some concern of my own.

“John, you have that tie on backward.” Sofia spoke up. “Huh?” I looked down and saw that in fact that the tie was tied wrong. “That’s something. Who knew that tying a tie would be this hard?” I untied the tie and started the process all over again. “Here let me help you with this.” I had to admit that moment was hilarious because I’m not an expert in ties. “Silly sir, the fox chases the rabbit around the thin tree. Then they go into a hole” Sofia explained how to tie a tie like she would do every time I would tie it wrong with a smile. “Thank you, Sofia. I always tie the knot wrong every time I try to tie it.” I sigh annoyed about me being incompetent at tie a business suit knot. “John- “she stared to say, but she started to laugh before she could finish her sentence. “Did I do something wrong again?” I wondered what she was laughing about. “No, I was just thinking about the time when I met you for the first time.” Sofia smiling genially at me. “I remember the tie and how we met for the first time. In fact, that’s how we met all because I couldn’t tie a tie.” I laugh with Sofia at the memory of our first encounter. “Is breakfast ready this morning?” I finally asked her about the food. “Yes, it is still warm enough to eat.” Sofia looking down at the floor. “I will still the food even if it was to get cold.” I look at her with a smile as I walked out. “I hate to ask you so early in the morning, but did you… have the same nightmare you had since the beginning of the year.” Sofia finally asked the question that was taunting her since I woke up this morning. As she asked that question, I could feel the uneasiness from her. “Yes. It’s the same from January, but let us not be fixated on this endless madness” I answered her trying to brush it off like it was nothing. “Anyway, I need to head down- “

“You don’t have to face this nightmare alone. Please let me help you.” Sofia was stilled troubled about something. “I am not alone. I have you and don’t forget Schon. We’ll get through this. I promise you. How can I convince you that I will be fine?” I asked her again “Please be safe. Promise me that you will come back unscarred.” She held my arm tightly searching in my eyes for some hope. “I will be safe and unscarred. You have my word.” I promised her. “Have a wonderful day!” I hear as I turned slowly to her and smiled at her.

As I entered the hall way, I could remember the first time I met Sofia and how we started talking to each other. It was about three odd years ago, when Sofia came inside the villa looking like if she knew she had enough of her own existences. Everyone knew my family’s reputation of making the gates of hell a welcome mat and a place where you sell your very existence to get through one minute. Mr. Merchant, my father, knew how to get “Domestic Servants” and Sofia was a juicy target even for my two elder siblings to do whatever the hell they want to any of the “Servants”. I was showing up late because I couldn’t tie a simple tie. “Will you help me tie a tie? This is my first time tying one of these things.” I asked her. She was dumfounded just hearing someone who comes from a family were ruthless and wouldn’t give a second thought about making a strong man break within seconds and I asked her to help me do the simple thing. “Oh uh. Yes…sire.” She said just as surprise as one can be while I stood there letting her do her job. Moments of extreme intensity, I patted her on the shoulder and told her that she was hired which surprised even me. “If you can knock me out little brother, you can have her as your ‘servant’.” Santigo, my evil older brother, said to me because he knew that he could kick my ass, but at the time he didn’t know that I leaned some technique from him when he was the “Coliseum”. He took first swing and was counter-attacked by my fist where I placed a hard blow in his gut. “How does it feel getting your ass whipped?” I asked him as I clocked him. “A deal is a deal, brother.” I said as I walked towards her and asked for her name. I might have made an impression on her because she was too quiet. When I turned my back to her and started to tell her that she can tell me her name when she was ready, and then…

” Sofia. Sofia Compiona. Sir.”

I can hear those words still echoing in my head to this day. Since then, we overcame so much even in the darkest moments of every situation.

Still getting myself situated, I heard to the stairway thinking of Sofia’s cooking when, “Your hurting me. Please sis, stop.” Schon, my half-sister who I considered as my younger sister, was having some trouble with my villainess sister, Elena. “I am not you sister. You are my- “Elana started to say.

“My what?!” I interrupted her. “It’s none of your business.” Elana hissing at me “It’s too early in the morning even for you.” I told her off. “That is true. Brother.”  Santigo scantily said to me as if he was looking for a fight this early in the morning.

I walked down the stairway to tell them both. “You should get some brunch. I suspect that you had a little too much fun last night. Go get some food, brother. “I looked at Elana. “You too, sis.” Both left without saying a word while I glared at them waiting to see if they would try anything. “Are you ok, Schon?” I asked her earnestly. She just looked at me with such fear that no kid should go through epically someone who is ten years of age. “It’s ok. I got you now.” I always told her like I always tell her and I held her in my arms. “I promised your mom that I will do the best of my ability to protect you at all cost.” I hugged her and spoken to her softly. “I can’t thank you enough for being there for me always.” Schon looked at me and cried on my shoulder.

“Sis, it is my job to protect you from the madness and the filth of this world.” I patted her head. “I will take the beating for you.” The truth of it was I would take on the whole world even it comes down to it just to protect my little sister and Sofia from the evil of my family and of this twisted world. Speaking of Sofia, I just remember that she cooked breakfast just for me and Shon of us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I know what might help you this early- “I started to say, but I froze for a second thinking that someone was watching us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“John?” I could hear a concerned voice. “John.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Huh? What is it?” I asked her. “Did you have that same nightmare from last night?”  I could tell that she was troubled with something and I had to calm myself down before I could calm her down, but she asked me for the truth with her eyes. “Yes I did. I ask that you do not derail on the matter. Besides I think that Sofia is waiting for us in the dining room.” Trying my best to calm myself and her down. I felt a warm feeling coming from behind me and my chest area. “Shon.” Surprised about the warmth that came to me. “You don’t have to face the world alone. Please let me help my older brother.” She was speaking to me just like Sofia was speaking to me earlier as if both were crying to me. “Sis, may I see your eyes?”  I asked knowing that I that I can calm her down. “I told Sofia this and I will tell you the same thing that I told her. I am not alone. I have you and Sofia. We’ll get through this I promise.” I said with a great deal of sincerity.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Promise me this. Promise me that you will return to me unsacred.” Now she sounds like Sofia. “You have my word.” I said to her. The look on her face was just priceless and the way she smiled made me strong again. “How are you holding up now, sis?” I finally asked her. “I’m fine thanks to you.” She said with a smile. “Let us eat some of Sofia’s cooking.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“That’s the spirit.” I said to her with a smile.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">In the dining room, I could see a crystal chandelier that slightly swayed back and forth over the table and some frilly decorations all over the place. The table had enough seating for my two older siblings, me and my dad which infuriated me every time I would walk into the room because Mari, my mother, and Schon always sat on the floor like pets waiting for a bite to eat. “How are doing, son?” McCrain, my “Father of Evil”, asked. “I’m just waking up, dad.” I spoke to my dad, doing my best to respect him. “John, I know that you will be fine even without my assistances. I was speaking to Santigo about what the incident from last night.” “''Seriously! After all the crap, you put me through, you would discard me!”''  I thought to myself. Elena was just smirking at me as I sat at my spot at the table. The atmosphere was unbearable to say at the least.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Sorry for the wait, master.” I wondered who’s voice I was hearing. “Just, don’t forget about the wine.” Elena rudely said out loud. As if waking up with a repeated nightmare and having to worry about the security of my love ones wasn’t enough, I must deal with my boorish family. I turned to see who was late and saw it was Sofia being followed by Ping Chi, the other maid who works in the villa faithfully. “It’s ok. Really.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Oh ho. What do we have here!? Are you showing lack of discipline to your servant” Santigo laughed like the evil ass he always does and I just return a “watch it” glare. “You must discipline your servants or they become useless.” Elena looked at Schon with the attention of abusing her. “I would not try that if I was you.” I warned her. “That’s enough, John.” McCrain showing some harshness with his words. “You are excused.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">''Excused. Excused. Excused my ass dad. I know what you are planning.'' I knew what he was talking about so I said in kindness.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Enjoy the meal for me.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Hey, are you forgetting something?” Elena said to me. This is making me even worse than I had when I woke up this morning. I grabbed the plate from the table and had a sorrow feeling deeply buried within me. “Will this madness ever end?” I will always ask myself every morning and I didn’t finish my breakfast like I wanted to.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">Everyone needs refuge from some sort of disaster in their life, for some it would be an attic or a building that no one knows about, but for me, the fields around the Villa was the only refuge I could find, where I could be me or where I could be…. free. The courtyard at my villa was the place where the elite of the elite from the city “Next Door”, Dopplin, would come over and indulge in their fantasy or be impressed with whatever they were impressed with, but that was time long ago and I was never allowed to join the party with any of the guest. Sofia was the only servant at the time and good thing Schon didn’t show up until later when dad announced that the “Party” was to be discontinued due to some “Vigilantes” terrorizing the city. Since then, I would go to the fields via an underground passage that starts at the hallway and ends at a secret door that is identical to a tree trunk. I enter at the “Tree Trunk” and smiled knowing that I am free for a few minutes''. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">''“So, this is where you like to isolate yourself when you need time to yourself? It is lovely to say at the least.” '' That is true…... what a minute. That was not my thought and I know because I would always watch Sofia getting groped by some of the elite. I turned around myself try to identify this whispering voice and…. nothing?! Ok, something was off when I heard that comment in my head and now this.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">'' What the hell is going on here?!? ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Will you show yourself? Whoever you are?” I asked with suspicion.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">''“We mean you no harm, Mr. Merchant. We wish to speak to you.”'' Another unidentified voice spoke to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">With that being spoken to me, I start to get into a mixture of fear and aggression growing in myself because I was not able to find a single trace of anyone around me. “If you really want to speak to me, then please show yourself.” Knowing that I am hearing whispers in my head, I tried to tell myself that that I am just hallucinating, but…... “We would show ourselves, but unfortunately, you have not been able to see the inheritance yet. The very thing that I wish I could pass on to my son, but his heart is corrupted. So as your grandfather, I will entrust the inheritance to you, John, my grandson.” I heard a gentile whisper as if was an old man. “Grandson? Wait a minute. Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?!” I screamed in a complete confusion. “Answer me, dam it!” I screamed even louder. Nothing was spoken for what felt like five days. “Quit screwing with me and show yourself” I screamed again. Still nothing happened no words, nothing

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“John. Who are you talking to?” I know that voice. I violently turned to see who it was and found out it was Sofia and Schon standing behind her. “I thought I heard whispers somewhere around here…somewhere.” I was in a bit of a daze. Was I going crazy or what the hell is happing with me. “Did you see anyone else around here?” I wanted to confirm something by asking this question. “There is no one else here, but the three of us.” Sofia was now showing the same look on her face that she displayed earlier this morning and what’s worse, Schon is with her. “Your right.” I sighed “I guess that the lack of food is playing tricks on me.” I said as I placed my hand over my face to hide the fact that I was getting scared because I heard some voices and someone knew who I was which scares even me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“It’s ok.” Schon said as she hugged me. “Sofia and I are here now. What would you like to have?” I looked at her dumfounded then out of the comer of my eye I see what she was talking about. Sofia was carrying a picnic basket filled with contents of our brunch. “That must be heavy to carry a great distance. Let me carry that for you.” I said while I extended a hand out to carry the basket.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“It’s ok, I can carry this.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I inset.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Oh, ok then.” Sofia said. “Thank you.” She was blushing a bright red. “Would like to set up here, my lady?” I asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“This will do my kind sire.” Sofia said with a giggle and my sister joined in the giggle making the three of us laughing. “I couldn’t believe that my dad would make me not eat some of your great cutlery skills. The nerve of my two older siblings.” I could feel a bit of wrath growing slowly brewing in me as I spread out the sheet over the ground. “Why don’t you have a sandwich that I packed for us?” Sofia handed me the sandwich to me. My stomach growled before I say anything else. “Ok, I will.” I smiled at Sofia.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">I tasted the sandwich before I gave it to Schon. “I think you might want some first, sis.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Thank you, John.” Schon said to me as she ate her piece of the sandwich. “No need to thank me. I imagined that my twisted siblings tormented you and as a “reward” you were feed scraps from their dinner plates. Still you need to eat.” I said “You only had two bites to eat this morning and besides I had some of the left over croissants.” Schon said with a smile. That’s unusual for dad to have anything left uneaten, even my older sister wouldn’t give Schon anything so frilly even if the house was to be burnt to the ground. “Mis. Chi had them made a few days ago for Santigo because of he wanted them then he changed his mind and nobody wanted them so she saved them for when someone wanted them.” Sofia said to me and mentioned that Miss. Chi noticed how I was doing my best to protect my youngest sister from the three “monster” of the household. “She knew that you would need some substances for the day. So let’s  eat.” We started to eat our meal that Ms. Chi packed for our outdoor brunch. I started to envision Schon and Sofia were being forced to do things that never wanted to do as a punishment to them as well to me because I would be forced to watch them suffer.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“''It will be ok. John.” ''The same elderly man who was speaking to earlier was comforting me, but who is this “Grandfather”? I could see my two companions sitting with me speaking to themselves, but I couldn’t hear them at all with this voice that frightened me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“John. Are you ok?” finally someone I heard someone speaking to me. “Yes. I’m sorry. I was just thinking that I wish I could experience something that’s so…I do not have the words to explain this feeling.” With a loss for words, I felt like I was alone with my two love one wishing that everyday could be like this sensation far beyond the horror of the merchant’s household. “Will you walk with me, John?” Sofia asked me with a look in her eyes that I have seen in her ever. “May I join you two?” Schon asked me giving me a hug from behind. The way that Schon and Sofia asked me, I figured that this is best moment to make their day wonderful, besides I believe that Schon would like to experience the grass underneath her feet. “Why not? I could use some company.” I said before I realized that they could be in trouble because of me. “Don’t worry John. With you and Schon, I will get through life troubling times.” Sofia said with the most saccular smile that I have ever seen in my sixteen years of life. I respond to her smile with kindness. “I feel the same way, Sofia. I know that I will be here for you and you too, sis.” As I stood up, I looked at Schon only to find her running to me with the biggest grin on her face. “Will you carry me on your shoulders?”  I nodded to her yes and oh boy, she smiled even bigger than she did a few seconds ago. “Hop on and hold on tight.” I told her as she did. My little sister’s smile and Sofia’s gentleness, the very things that I would like to last for a lifetime even if it is for a few minutes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">After we walked a few miles from our picnic blanket, Sofia asked me what happened earlier when I was screaming my lungs out and when I spaced out during brunch. “Honestly, I do not know. I just heard a whisper, then it turned into three different voices at once. One of them called me, grandson, like he knew me, but I do not know who he is.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Grandson?! You never knew that you had a grandfather!? How is this possible?!” Sofia asked me with shock. I could answer her with only a nod because I never knew that I had a grandfather. “Father never told me that I had a grandfather. When I asked him about his dad, he told me ‘Do not ask that again or I will banish you from this house for two months.’” “You daddy is mean. I would like to meet this grandfather of yours as well.” Schon sounding like she was about to cry. “Me too sis. I bet you a chocolate chip cookie that he was a man that I could respect more, not just because he’s my grandfather or something like that, but I want to. Unlike our trio of ugly snatchers, he would have been able to treat us as individuals and not like some “unwanted toys” in the house.” After I said that, Schon hugged me tighter and laughed with me in agreement. “I bet you he was. I would want to spend time with him as well as my older brother.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I would have waited to meet me with this man as well knowing that he would treat me like a lady instead of a “toy”.” Sofia said earnestly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">With talks of my old man’s dad, it makes me wonder if he was here with us then, what would life be like with him in the picture? Maybe that dad and my two older siblings would be more human, while mom would be able to do what mothers do and me, how would I know? All of this is fantasy compares to the struggles that we face every single day. “Oh, my. I think that she is asleep John.” Sofia pointed to my back. Sure enough, my little sister is fast asleep on my back like a doll. “Do you wish to head back to the villa, John?” Sofia asked me knowing that I do not want to, but I must. “Let’s head back before you get in trouble.” Saying that made me sick to my stomach beyond the description of words, but knowing my dad, he would use violence to ensure that Sofia or anyone else would do exactly what they would told even if they are a second late and if it was my siblings saw how much I was smiling, they would do anything they can just to whatever the hell they want. When we got back to the area where we had our brunch, I asked Sofia if there was anything I could do to help pick up the mess we made. “No sire, I think you are doing what Schon would want you to do.” I looked towards my backside to see what she was talking about. “John” my little sister said in her sleep with a smile. “Alright then. I will hold on to her.” I said with a nod.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">We preceded to the tree trunk so we would not be seen by dad or the “Two Siblings Form Hell” coming back inside the villa. As we entered I could feel a chilling sensation that something was up…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“''You do not have to say anything John, but I wanted you know that you and your two companions would be safe. You’re not ready to see us yet, but for now I ask that you trust us.”'' A voice that sounded like some divined individual was speaking to me in my head. “Will you nod yes or no to confirm that you will trust us or not?” I looked at my two companions with a worried look on my face and thinking about what will happened if I nodded yes or if I nodded no which in any case I did like where I was seeing in my mind that both would suffer because of me. I tried to smile and nodded yes, but I hope that I did not sign these two innocent soles to their death. After ten minutes of secretly navigating the hidden passage with Sofia and Schon in tow, we made it to the hallway being just a little on the edge. I checked with the hallway to make sure that no one else was in the hallway. I motioned to Sofia that it was cleared to come out of hiding. As she exited the hidden passage, I closed the door behind her to ensure that it remains hidden for the rest of the inhabitants. “Young master.” I heard a voice that made me jump out of my skin for a second. I turned to see who asked for me. “My apologies for the surprise young master, but your father is asking for you.” Ms. Chie was standing just a few feet away from my left arm. “It’s ok Ms. Chie. Will you let my dad know that I will be with him soon? I have something else I have to take care of first.” I wasn’t sure why dad wanted to see me, but I couldn’t let my sleeping sister anywhere near him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I’m sorry young master, but he insisted that he needs to see you immediately.” Ms. Chie was not happy that she had to tell me that which means that he told her to tell me not to make him wait. “Ms. Chie, you do not have to apologize for my father’s impatient behavior. He would punish me with some ‘cat-o-nine tail exercise’” if I don’t get this meeting with my dad.” I sighed with a great depth of pain knowing that Sofia or Schon would be harmed if I was somewhere else. “We’ll be fine. Go on over and see what master wants from you. Schon will be with me.” Sofia trying her best to assure me that they will be fine. I reluctantly agreed to let Sofia and Ms. Chie take Schon off my back and thanked Ms. Chie for the meal that she packed earlier this morning before taking my leave.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">A few minutes of pacing myself to dad’s quarters, I finally arrived at my dad quarters with questions in my head like what does he want with me or what twisted game does he have for me?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Don’t worry there, descendant of Medallion.” A voice that sounded like someone else besides my “Grandfather” or another gentle voice from earlier. It sounded like it wasn’t like I heard before, but it did calm me down like it was something completely “Lewd”. Well in any cases, couldn’t let my twisted father wait on me any longer. With a gentle knock on the door, I let my father know that I was outside his quarters and waited for his response.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Enter.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">One word and I entered his quarter and waited for my questions to be answered. “You sent for me, Sire?” I questioned him. “Yes, I did. I have received an invitation to a social event at the Social Club. I expect you to be there tonight. Do you understand?” he asked me with a death look in his eyes. I just nodded unafraid of his look. “You may leave.” I stared to leave when he called me again. “You will leave that filthy maid and that disgusting halfblooded-tramp alone. Do you hear me?” Oh, I hear you alright, I wish I could say the words that I have burning both in my head and in my heart, but the only response with a how dare you look in my eyes. “Don’t you give me that look ever.” McCrain roared at me as he threw a bottle at my head. Having a blow to my head did not feel good at the least adding to the fact that I have a dad screaming “GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!!!!” from across the room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">With that out of the way, I could get back to Schon and see who she was doing, besides it’s better than listening to the fallout from my oldest siblings who always stood in the hallway ready to taunt me like, “I see that you manage to piss father off, again. Well, while you were busy getting dad wild up, I toyed with those two.” Santigo would say or “My my, you had fun with dad, while I had fun with those two toys you do not normally out of you sight.” Elena would say with a sickness that is unbearable, which in any case, I would give them ‘You better not’ look and keep on walking.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“You had fun with dad. That is typical of you.” Speaking of the Devil, my older brother was talking smack with the intention of provoking me so he can say that I attacked him without warning and I knew better than falling for a trap like that. “Nice try brother, but I know the trap that you a laying.” I said with the same look on my face then left him standing in the middle of the hallway.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">''“And everyone says that I’m evil, but the way your own father treated you, that’s low. I’ve been accused of doing some nasty things. Your brother is no better than your father.” ''That same voice I heard from before I enter my dad’s presences and it is driving me batty. “You really like to get a beating from the old man. I guess it is like an addiction for you because you just enjoy it.” Someone said with some twistedness in their voice. “Are you ignoring me you trashy son of a bitch.” That same voice caused me to turn and face my older sister, Elena. “No, I didn’t hear you.” I lied to her. “You useless wasted space. You ignore me and now you can’t hear me?! Your pathetic.” She said to me with a sense of satisfaction in her voice. I just kept my mouth shut and kept on walking.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Damn, I would never sleep with that rude woman.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">''Will someone please put me out of my misery? I am having enough trouble with my older family members and now this series of voices speaking to me from out of the blue. '' I thought about these strange voices that just keeps on speaking to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“John, I mean young master.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Sofia, is everything ok? How is Schion?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“She is sleeping for now. How did it go with- Young Master! You’re bleeding from your check. Did something happened with your dad while you were in there?” she said to and let me know that I was bleeding.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“My dad and I had a disagreement about social status and “blood related” members of the family. Besides, this is nothing compare to the injury that I face every day or the pain afflicted to you or Schion.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Let me treat your wound, if not, that might become something life-threatening.” She said to me while I was guided to a room. We made it to her room which had very little furniture with a mirror. “Please sit here while I look for some bandages.” Just before she disappeared behind the door, I caught a glimpse of the worry in her eyes. Seeing that look in her eyes, I felt disgusted because I couldn’t keep my word from earlier, but how can I even look into Schion’s eyes or even Sofia’s for that matter.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I’m back.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Again…...Please……Please forgive me. I could not keep my word that I made this morning.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“It’s ok, John. I hope that I’m not intruding, but I like to know something. “

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“What is it, Sofia?” I knew where this conversation was going and it wasn’t sure how she will react to what my dad said to me. “What did you and your father discuss?” Sofia asked me with some concern in her voice. “We discuss that I must attend a party that my dad was invited to on the family’s behalf.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“That’s something, young master, but….”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">I knew it she wanted to know how I got this scar on my face and I can’t sugar coat this at all because she knows when I’m lying. “My father said for me to stay away from you and Schion. Calling you ‘Filthy Maid’ and Schion a ‘Disgusting Half-Blooded Tramp’ which in any case I will never do because someone need to be there for when the two are you are on your knees or when you can no longer go through the terror of this household.” I said while I stared at the floor because I couldn’t look into her eyes while I repeated what my old man said to me. I felt her laying on me. “Thank you, John.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“For what?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“For being you.” She said as she patched me up

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">After she patched me, I t thanked her for covering the cut on my face and left to get ready for the party this evening. With the cut on my face taken care, I entered the hallway taking my time in enjoy the quietness of the hallway when no one was around to shout or do something that was villainous. I only stopped was when I saw my reflection in the window and walked towards the reflection only to see it disappear into the window. The grass outside forced me to be mesmerized by the way how the wind caused the grass to move like it was free. Pure joyful laughter filled my head as thoughts and images of Sofia walking hand and hand while Schion was filled with happiness as she played in the grass to her heart content. “I would like to see and experience something so innocent or is that some pipe dream.” I said with a heavy heart because I long for the day that I didn’t have to worry about my love ones getting hurt just for some sick pleasure. Just as I finished that thought out loud, I felt a pair of eyes watching me. I turned to my right side to see Ms. Chi just watching me. “I’m sorry, I thought that I was alone.” She just nodded her head no.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">Ms. Chi, our new maid from about three months ago, is quiet a mystery within a mystery itself. She doesn’t really speak to anyone unless: one, she is spoken to or two when she should. Strangely enough, she knows more about Schion, Sofia, and me better than anyone of us combine, but more specifically, she knows me better than myself like the pain that I hide from my three older family members and how much pain it causes me to see the ones I love suffer in this hellhole that is my home. Plus, I do not know how in the hell she manages to deal the “three evils” of this villa with my occasional troubles that I would give her sometimes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I was just looking outside the window and just wondering about the feel of the grass beneath my feet.”   I said to her as I looked outside one more time before I felt a hand being placed on my arm, which caused me to turn towards that general direction. Her eyes gave me a sense that she knew what I was thinking. “This day is possible in some way a mixture of…… I wish I had the words to describe it.” Ms. Chie responded to my commit with a gentle rub on my arm as if she was saying that everything will be ok. I thanked her for the comfort that she gave me while I walked off to my room to get ready for this party.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">In my room, it had some added furniture compare to Sofia’s bedroom which was had a bed made up of straw and a goose feathered filled pillow and a box for her clothing items and that was it. Me, I had a bed, closet, drawer, balcony, and some other pieces of furniture that I could never figure out what they were expect for a fact that all of them were frilly adding the doors that were beautifully decorated with silver and gold which had a wolf that was watching over a group of sheep and I would always find this door fascinating.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“It’s time, my son.”  I hear that voice before at the courtyard, the same voice that called me grandson. I did really think about that voice as I put on my trousers and my long sleeve formal shirt on, then when I put my socks and shoes on I felt my head splitting from the inside my head, but after I put the suit on, it intensified greatly to the point where I fell to my knees begging for the pain to stop. Before I could do anything else, my whole body started to move on its own leaving my room and into the hallway where I saw myself in the forbidden room as if I was looking for something in the drawers, but I couldn’t see what the item was until the headache was gone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">When the headache disappeared, I find myself in the ‘Forbidden Room’ wondering how I got here.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">''“It’s time, my son. Time for an awaking, my son.” ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">There that elderly man’s voice again, but this time, I was comfortable with it which scares me with a bit of fascination. I looked towards the desk that sits in the middle of the room surrounded by a book shelf and not much as in furniture like it was a ghost town. ''Awaking, what awaking? ''I find myself asking this question over and over in my head as I was drawn to the desk searching for whatever the item I saw while I had a headache.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">Thumb

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">Ok, that was interesting. What in the world would cause a……? What the hell? This light, what is this light? When it got dimmer, I could see a round tablet made of stone and I grabbed involuntary which the light got brighter and surrounded me. As I opened my eyes I saw three individuals: one on the left had bat wings, an outfit that I was not familiar with, a tail and a pair of horns that came out of it white hair and red eyes while the one on the right had a white robe, blond hair, a cold steel blue eyes, and a present that cannot be describe with words which they surrounded this one man who had a robe with a hood over his face so I couldn’t see all of facial features except when he opened his eyes he his left eye was a Crimson Red and the right eye was a Cold Steel Blue eye like the individuals on his left and right side. All three were standing in front of me leaving me speechless because this was the first time I was hallucinating or seeing these three figures stand before me and I have no clue what was going on. If that wasn’t enough, I saw this figure, who stood in the middle of the other two was speaking to me, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying, then, lights out.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“John. Please brother wake up! Don’t leave me alone! BROTHER!” I could hear a voice as if someone had a mixture of fear and sorrow. Knowing that I had someone was there begging me not to go, I slowly came back to my scenes and rubbed my eyes to get rid of the blurriness in my eyes. “Schion.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“John. John. Please don’t scare me like that.” She said to me as she hugged tightly around my neck with tear running her eyes. “I thought that you died.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I’m sorry for causing my little sister so much pain.” I said as I hugged her gently knowing that I caused her pain and I felt sorry that she was shedding tears because she thought that I was dead. “Schion, I have to in town for a little while so I might be past nightfall when I come back. Do you think you will be ok?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Yes, I will be fine. You go on and have a great time at the Club.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">I found this strange because I got scared from my dad throwing a bottle at me not long ago and…….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">''Waite a minute, where did the bandage that Sofia put on me go? I could have sworn that I got myself cut from my dad throwing that dam thing at my face. ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Say do I look like bad. As in, well, do I look fat?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“No, silly.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Ok then, did I have anything over my right eye?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“No. Why do you ask, brother?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">Now this is completely strange, I know that I got injured from a bottle being thrown at me, but I can’t let her know that.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“For no reason, it’s just that I had something on my face.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Well you don’t John. Now come on. The stagecoach is ready for you.” Shcion said as she skidded along past my bedroom with a smile, but I had a bad feeling about Schion’s smile like if she was faking it, but why?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">Aha''. What the hell? My head hurt and''……. “where is that lazy son of a bitch?” McCrain said with such harshness.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“That bastard. He’s late. SOFIA!” Santiago screamed out so loud that I even heard it from here.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Yes sir.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Where is my feeble brother?” Santiago asked sarcastically

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I don’t know…. sir.” Sofia said trying to stay calm

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I saw him heading into his room.” Schion answered the question for Sofia.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Then go get him, you half bred tramp.” Elena barked the order

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Yes maim”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">I heard both Schion’s and Sofia’s heart beat from my room and I began to see and hear everything that happened when Schion entered my room. “John. Get up. Your family is……. John.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">''“John! God please tell me that he’s just sleeping!” ''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“John. John, please. Brother!” she said with great panic in her voice and her heart beat was uncountable as she stared at the motionless body. '' “No, please God, don’t take my brother away from me or Sofia. I do not know what I would do without him. I will do anything even if I must sell my…. just please, please, give me back my brother.” ''I could not believe that I was hearing this at all even my half- sister was thinking all of this and Sofia…….” UH!” What now………...?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">''“I hope that John is well this evening after everything he just went through. His scar, I hope that Schion doesn’t see his scar that the master gave him.” '' Sofia’s thoughts, I could hear them too! What the hell?! Well in any case I can let any of the older head family punish Sofia and Schion because I had some headache that will not go away.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">With all the ‘excitement’ going around me, I make my way to the doorway of the Villa and every now and then I would hear some of the voices that could only be form my dad and siblings. Wish that I did not hear anything from the………

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Where the hell is that bastard?” my old man questioned about my whereabouts.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I do not know if I want to know what that wasted trash is doing except for if he is knock unconscious which I am all too happy for that.” Elena said with a sense of pure evilness

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Please, let John be ok.” Sofia thought as starts to shed tears

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Oh ho. What’s this? A servant is crying for the hell of it.” Santiago laughed out loud

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“No sir, I do not know why I am crying” Sofia lied to him.'' “I know why. Because John has been injured and Schion is here. If she sees this, I do not know what I would do. What would she say or do?”''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“You know that it is unfavorable for you to lie to the head family.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“I’m not lying to you, sir.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“You better us the truth” Santiago said as he started to grope Sofia. “This bitch is just lovely with her assets and besides, I know she secretly liked this.” 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“Please stop touching Sofia like that, brother.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">When I got the top part of the stair way, I gave Santiago a shout to get his attention. “Santiago, will you stop groping Sofia? You can tell that she hates being touched by anyone.” I said as I walked down the stairway.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt">“About time you got your ass moving. Where the hell were?” McCrain asked me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I lost track of time, dad.”  I answered my dad and Santiago released Sofia when I got to the bottom of the stairway.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''“John, your scar how…. How is this possible?” ''Sofia asked to herself.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''“That lazy bum. Now he’s done it.” ''I could hear all the thoughts running through the room.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Before I left, I gave Schion a hug and whispered in her ear that everything will be fine. For Sofia, I hugged her tightly and asked to do me a favor. “Please be safe and unscarred and keep Schion safe for me, will you?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Of course, young master.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“You filthy bitch….”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Santiago.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Well that shut him up for a little while or at least for now, regardless of such incidents, I just hugged Sofia and smiled at her as if I was saying to her that I got her back. As I was stepping out the door, I caught a glimpse of Ms. Chie mouthing something, but I couldn't tell what she was saying. The only thing she was just placed her hand over her chest and gave a slight bow to me

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Be safe, sir.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''“Ok, what the…. What’s going on? Why? Why is Ms. Chie bowing to me even though I always tell her not to? So, why now?”  ''“I will. You have my word. Ms. Chie “I answered her not showing that I was confused why in the hell she just bowed to me. I got into the stagecoach with the sheer amount of despair and confusion which bugs the hell out of me with…….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''“Don’t worry John. Everything will be fine.”''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''There goes that voice from the elderly man. Wish I knew who this man is.''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">After ten minutes of riding in the stagecoach just starring at the wooden walls with the seats made of silk and being covered up by curtains, I made it to the city of the ‘dammed’, Doplin, the only place I know where the worst things imaginable to man multiple by a hundred. The roads to the Social Club are uneven and bumpy. I peeked outside the stagecoach and saw that most of the buildings were deserted, filled with homeless individuals, or were just about to fall to the foundations if they were not ‘frilled up’ by the elite members of the Doplin Elite, but what got me were the children who were made to suffer from hunger, which sickens me even more knowing that these innocent soles are suffering and…… ''‘Damn it. Will this suffering ever end?’''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Soon suffering will no longer be welcomed here.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">There goes one of the voices that sounds like the unearthly beings. The stagecoach door opened with a staff member calling me which snapped me back into reality. As I got out of my transportation, I stepped onto the ground where I got into line where the ‘Social Club’ was located. During the whole time, I was in line, I started to have a headache and hearing voices that wasn’t not from the crowed. “Your invite sire.” A hopper asked me for my invite……Wait a minute. Where’s my………

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Have you checked your inner coat pocket?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''What the hell? What….''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">I checked the inside the coat pocket like the other unearthly individual; sure enough, I found the invite nicely folded like a professional. The hopper took the invite from my hand and checked the list for my name. The hopper apologized for the inconvenience which I just responded with a polite comment when it came to his job. On the inside of the building, there many individuals who were sons and daughters of important people in power like the government officials, political officials, intelligences community, military personality, civil institution, and so on. With all these people here gathered around this place, I still found myself alone and alienated from the norm, but also, I hate parties because it always reminded me of when parties were at my house and Sofia was always harassed and I couldn’t do a thing about it. The scenery was beautiful and yet ghastly with the gold decorations, the insanely stairway with a doorway that leads to the ‘arena’ where it can be used as a multi-purpose section were sports could be something that legal or illegitimate, an auction area, or God knows what else it can be, and something that disturbs me are the ‘Human Furniture’ which means that real humans are used as furniture and they were being us likes some sort of sick pleasure tool.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the John Merchant, the ‘Hidden Man’.” There’s pleasant voice; one of the few that doesn’t make me feel alone in parties like this. Zakhar Luka, aka Zak, the next head of the Luka family which runs the military and some politics around Dopplin. Friendliest Russian that I ever known who know how much I hate parties and we would always talk about whatever we can think about just to get my mind occupied for a while.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">The first time we met was the same day when I defeated my older brother and because Santiago was supposed to go, I took his place because dad wanted me out of the house. I was told to be at a benefit for a governor that dad planed on being acquainted with and hopefully he could use the governor for his own gains. I have waited for ten minutes to have a chat with the governor candidate and spoke with the candidate for a few minutes when I started to feel like I was completely alone.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I believe that this candidate could be an excellent choice for the election. Wouldn’t you agree?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">That was the first time I heard his voice which startled me because I didn’t know that he was behind me. So, I turned very slowly to see who this voice who had an accent unfamiliar outside the Merchant’s household.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I didn’t mean to frighten you, sir.” Zak was apologizing to me which was a first for me since no one else has done that before.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“It’s ok. I was just surprised.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“That’s understandable. Can borrow you for a second?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">When he asked that I was suspicious of his intension were at the time and I had to play it safe without tipping him off that I was suspicious of him. “Oh course.” I said to him without a second thought. As we walked, I made sure that I kept my sense awake and focused on him and on my surroundings.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I haven’t seen you before. Are you new here?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“You can say that.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I notice that you were tensed from some sort of event from earlier this evening. Would you like….”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I do not mean to be rude, but will you stop there.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Forgive me for hitting some nerve, but allow me to be frank with you.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">I waited for him to hit me or at the very least……. scream his lungs out or something.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Please enjoy the party and do not disturb the party.” Zak said as he was leaving which made me ashamed of myself so much, I grabbed his arm and asked him to stay a little longer. We talked for hours about whatever we can think of. “I’m sure that you must be hungry or thirsty.” Sure enough, I was plus he helped me talk to the candidate with confidences.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I like you very much, hidden man, your brother is known for his rudeness along with many other things so when everyone heard that your last name was on the list, everyone thought that your brother, Santiago, but no one knew that you were the Merchant who would be here at the party. Even some of the ladies here at the party were surprise too because they believed that you were just like Santiago.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“That figures, last name like Merchant whose reputation like that makes the Gates of Hell a welcome mat compares to everything else that could happen to a man. I hate this….” I said as I waved my hand.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I understand. When you are ready to.” He said to me as the party was ending, since then, every time I go to a party and he’s there, we just hang out and we talked for hours until the party was over.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Zak. I see that you feel better since the last time we met.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Yes, my stomach, as it turned out, was the reason I was sick and I was about to throw up when you got me to the doctor. So, thank you, John.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“No problem.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">There some unusual sounds coming the ‘furniture pieces’ and that was just disgusting to say at the very least. “Seriously, that’s just wrong.” I said to Zak. He showed that he was disgusted as well so much so to the point that he couldn’t even speak at all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘Dam I knew that there some sickness with this city, but dam….’  I could hear Zak’s thoughts. “I understand Zak.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I have not seen anything like this before ever. I might have seen strangeness, but this is just disgusting.” I heard a voice from behind me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Yun-Qi Hang, the son of the Police Commissioner of Dopplin who is known for hating what the city became and not being able to do anything about it and the next head of the Hang Family, he was of the first individuals I met at the same party I met Zak a few years ago, He was speaking to some of his associates about some of the offices from a percent were involved with a scandal that destroyed the buildings which held thirty innocent personals charged with treason, but the evidences were falsified by an unknown identity. The tragedy was too gruesome for anyone to mention and the Hangs were blamed for the incident to the point where Yun was being harassed even at the parties.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“You Hangs pigs are just as corrupted as the rest of….” An uninvited guest who managed to get inside the party

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I’m sorry to interrupt, but can I borrow Mr. Hang for a few second?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">After a few minutes of getting to know Zak, I found something unique in him…...

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I’m afraid that Mr. Hang and I have some unfinished business and since his father isn’t here, I would like to discuss about some…. business.” This man said as he pulled out a small knife out of his coat.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I wouldn’t do that if I was you.” I heard Zak saying to this man with a knife

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“He’s right. Besides, why are you pulling that knife out? Is it for revenge? You do not want to do something like that because if you do, not only you take my life but you will take a small piece of you sole and the ones you love will no longer be able to keep you.” Yun said as he kept his guard up and getting him to change his mind.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">I must admit this Hang character was quite inspiring even I was moved by his speech. I do not know him, but I can tell that he had some charismatics because he manages to convince him to walk away from his quest for revenge. “I have to say there Yun. Every time that a problem comes up like that, you always know how to deal with it like you can convincing a man to just walk away from a decision that he would regret down the road.” Zak complimented him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I have my father to thank for teaching me to first talk them first and if the situation calls for me to engage, then you must survive the fight with your fellow man.” Yun said as he explained the philosophy in details. “I have to agree with Zak. You just convince that man to simple walk away and that’s not an easy thing to do.” Like I’m the one to talk, I live in a hellish place every day at home.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Please pardon my rudeness, but I forgot to introduce you to someone new. Yun, I want you to meet John Merchant the brother of Santiago Merchant.” Zak said as he introduces me to Yun, who had a plain shirt with a black suit, a matching set of trousers, and a tie. Inside his coat pocket, he had a pocket watch with a chain sticking out of his pocket. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, John Merchant.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“John please.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Since then, Yun and I became friends just talking about the way the city became a living nightmare and how much we can change it along with many other things that comes into mind.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Yun, I heard from the last time we met that you were trouble with some…… ‘family issues’. I hope things work out to your favor.” I said trying not to pry into some personal stuff between him and his family’s problem. “Things did work out and some the cops that were giving him a hard time were let go.” He said to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘I just wish that father would be proud of the city that he has sworn to protect and serve as an officer and as the Commissioner of Police.’ I could hear Yun’s thoughts which scare me even more……

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Somebody help us.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''‘What the hell? What’s going……’''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“John, are you ok?” I heard a voice calling to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Who asked me that question?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I did.” Zak said to me with the same look that Sofia gave me and it’s not just him, Yun saw that I was not feeling good at all. This is not good at all. “I just have a headache that lasted since earlier this evening.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“It’s appears that you would like to have pain with you or it follows you wherever you go.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Someone else I know and I have the least pleasure of knowing, Edireswen Dante aka Ed. The first and only person outside of the Merchant’s family with a reputation of being an asshole which is bad because his family runs everything that can be imaginable except for financing services.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">The first time I met him was at a social function a year ago, I was alone because Zak and Yun had some issue with their family trouble. So, I was alone and talked to individuals when I was being spoken which hardly anybody did because of the Merchant’s name I was bounded to such looks and not a single sole spoke to me. “This food is just plain disgusting.” I could hear a voice of rudeness form across the room which didn’t set to well with anybody else. I just simply walked to that individual, placed my hand on his right arm, and looked dead in his eyes just waited for him to do something else. For eight agonizing seconds, it was just dead silence between me and him until I broke that silence saying that he is rude to say that the food is disgusting without tasting the food and if he did, then he shouldn’t say anything at all and instead he should have a sip of beverage. “Thank for the tip, scum.” He just said to me as he walked off. Five seconds after a party goer told me that he has a reputation that no one dared to face him if they want to keep on living, but I didn’t care. Everyone feared and hated him because he was an asshole with his flashy cloths and ‘his everything is mine’ attitude. The two weeks later surprised me and everybody else because this was the time when everybody said that the Dante family would bury anybody who dared go against Ed, but nothing happened and I just smiled, knowing that he didn’t do anything about it.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Ed, what brings you here?” Zak asked him. “I came here for the free food, friends, and the…….” There was moaning from some off distances before he could finish his speech. “Ok, I did not come here for that, but I like it.” Ed said but, I knew what he was thinking.'' “Everyone said that I have a rep, but that is just…. what is the word I’m looking for? Mixture, maybe that is the word I am looking for.”''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘That is not the word I would use, but this is …… whoa.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">There goes one of the voices from my head that shows up out of nowhere say whatever they say, which is not good at all because I have my friends standing around me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Slap

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Well that got my attention. “That's a fine piece of hardiness, woman.” Ed said out loud letting everybody in the lounge hear him. Everybody just looked in our direction and stared for what felt like five hours, but Ed just smiled and walked towards a server who was carrying some wine. “He cannot go on like this. I mean, sooner or later, he will get into something that would not be able to get out of.” Yun said just loud enough for the two of us to hear him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I have to agree with you, sir.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Now there is another voice that I am familiar with and this time, it was feminist voice, Woven Lee. Probable the only female party attendants that did not shun me away because I had a Merchant’s name and she wore just about the same thing she wore when we first met.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Woven Lee and I first met at a benefit that supported the ‘hungry population’ five months ago, I entered the front door alone and was still a little worry about the crowed around me. After five minutes of having a small meal to myself without anyone willing to have a conservation with me, I started to feel light headed with my stomach not agreeing with me so I headed outside to get some fresh air on the balcony which didn’t help much. “May I join you sir?” I heard a voice from my left side as I looked over the right side of my peripheral view. She was wearing a European outfit from the Mid-Victorian Era, however, she had an expression that suggest that she was wearing a mask to cover her soreness that she had on her face. “It is beautiful outside tonight. I believe the night sky brings out the beauty that normally hides during the daylight. Do you agree with me?” She said as she tried to hide the fact that she was upset about something. “I know that we just met, but will you tell me what is on you mind?” I wasn’t trying to pry into some private matters, but she was saddened and I couldn’t stand to see her in this state.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I apricate that sir, but….”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Bitch! Where are bitch?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">I heard a masculine voice calling out from inside the building so I turned to see how she was doing, but I could tell that she had saddens by this so much that she started to walk towards the voice. I intercepted her which surprised her that someone would do that at all. I instructed her to draw him towards her, but no words came out of her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“If you want this to stop, then tell him to come over to you. I will deal with him.” I said that to her and she did as she was instructed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“You the most worthless piece of womanly shi….” This asshole said to her before I stepped in and looked him dead in his eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Who the hell is this, bitch?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“A concerned citizen.” I said in a mocking way and he flipped out on both of us which led me no choice, but to intervene. His hand that he started to punch with was like steel when I counter attacked him then I broke both his right leg and right arm. Then, I brought him to edge of the balcony so I can have a little ‘chat’ with him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I do not know who in the hell you think you are and I still do not know how everyone else act, but I know that you always treat a woman with respect, you a stupid son of a bitch. You stay away from her.” I growled at him. “If you don’t….” I moved closer to him to whisper in his ear.” I will tell everyone that you have an affair with another woman.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Your lying!” He said with a sense of fear, but I quietly responded silently that I wasn’t. He fled from our sight without a single word.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Ok. I was not expecting that what so ever.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“How did you know that he had an affair with another woman?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I didn’t.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">She just looked at me dumfounded, but she later laughed while her mouth with her right hand. I asked her if everything was ok.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I’m sorry. I was just relived that someone came to my rescue.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“My pleasure. I’m sorry. With the excitement going around, I didn’t get your name.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“That’s ok. I’m Woven Lee.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“John Merchant.” I introduce myself to her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I’ve heard of the Merchant’s name, but for some reason, I took a risk in speaking to you.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Out of curiosity, if you knew my family’s last name or their reputation. Why take the risk?” I asked her because I didn’t understand why she would take the risk even though she knew the risk. “I had a feeling that you were different that your brother, Santiago and I was right.” She said as she smiled at me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">It turned out that the asshole that I talked to was the next head of the Kiligora family that rivals the Lee’s family in the same financial industry and he did have any affair with a woman adding to the fact he was abusing the next head of the Lee family, Woven Lee, causing him to fall from grace. Two weeks later he killed the woman that he had an affair then committed suicide which I was a little upset that he was stupid enough to do such a selfish thing in the first place. As for Woven Lee, she became a friend of mine and I earned the gratitude from her and her family, unlike my dad, he just whipped me harshly for the “Hell of It”. I still did not give a damn, if she was safe and well, I would take the punishment day in and day out.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Now at this social event, she’s magnificent with the dark red social outfit. “Ms. Lee, how are you this evening?” I asked her because the last time I saw her, she had a stomach bug and she threw up outside a “party house” and I took the advantage of the noise by carrying her to the doctor’s office in the dead of night, which I woke up the doctor from his sleep. “I am well. Thank you for asking.” She said to me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“They appear to be good friends of yours, medallion, your something unique.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''‘Damn it. I’m hearing things now.’''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Are you ok?” I heard Ms. Lee asking me.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I’m fine. It’s just that I have a lot on my mind.” I answered her earnestly.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Excuse me sir, but the balcony is open.”  A service attendant said to all four of us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">We all entered to the balcony, took our seats and then waited for five minutes for a pre-show that featured an up and coming rising star in the entertainment industry, Gersham Freudenthal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">First time we met was a governmental official party for his son two months ago, he was nobody anyone heard yet because he was a study case for an important part in the play, unfortunately, the original cast member had a stomach virus which made things worse for the cast who needed him for the play and everyone thought that the show would have to be canceled, hell, even Gersham thought that he couldn’t do the show either. Somehow, I sneak into the back of the stage and over heard him and another individual were having an argument over if the show continues or not and if it was to continue, who would take over the part? I waited for two minutes, I walked over to him while he was distracted just to talk to him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Excuse me sir, I heard that your company is having trouble over a particular piece of the play. How can I help?” I asked him knowing that it was foolish for me to ask for that. “What I need is for the original cast member who plays the political speaker who is the important piece of the play beyond my life.” He said to me. “Is that a bit melodramatic?” I asked him thinking that “it was unusual for a for an acting company to have their employees to feel unsafe even if they’re an understudy for the part.”  I asked him if study the part and replied to me “Yes”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Then let it become your life and if anything happens during the play, it will be dealt with accordingly” I said to him to comfort him. Soon enough, someone came behind me after he left me to prepare himself for his part in the play and started a fight me with a knife for two minutes before we landed on the stage with him still trying to kill me. It finally ended when I was knocking him out cold. To avoid panic from the crowd, I converted it into the play itself. “Are you alright, Senior Orador?” I said with a wink hopping that he will get the hint, which it was in vain. I whispered for him to play along with me. “I’m glad that someone came and listened to my speech. I appreciate it, good sire.” He said as he acknowledges what was going on. After the play, an investigation was conducted that lasted for two weeks, which led to the arrest of all but one of the members in the “acting company” for the attempted theft, attempted kidnapping, attempted murder and so forth and were publicly executed. Gersham got off easy because I convinced him to testify against his old boss. He was grateful for the assistances that Zack and myself gave for the moral support, Yun for the legal assistance, and Woaven for the financial assistance. The five of us always helped each other out when we can at parties, but I wish I could help them even if it’s outside the party’s settings

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Ladies and Gentlemen. Please welcome to the stage, Gersham.” An employee said to the mob forcing me back to reality. I watched with anticipation because: one, he’s a friend of mine and two, I heard that his shows are spectacular. “Good evening, Dopplin.” He began his speech “I would like to say that first and foremost that is both an hour and a pleasure to stand before you in this year’s….” that was all I heard as his voice starts to fade out and immediately replaced with a masculine voice who said “What the hell are you doing, Glenda?” and then….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I am praying for the deliverance for our savior.” I heard Glenda say as my vision changed from Gersham speaking to me being in a room where eight individuals were in cages with chains around the wrist and the ankles on five of them and rope on the other three, but all of them had a neck piece with a ring coming out of it. I turned my face away from this madness only to find a woman who appears to be a tiger and a panda looking girl who was gloom.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘I will not be some plaything for some asshole.’ The tiger thought to herself and as for the panda girl, I could hear thoughts of her deceased husband and her unborn child. I had to shake my head violently just to stop seeing a deceased man. “So, you pray, but for what? If your spiritual dignity can’t hear you. Then give up while your ahead.” I heard a woman in black outfit with a midnight black feathered wings with the same color short hair. “Nuns always pry to the high God no matter the situation they find themselves.” I heard a voice coming from…. a cow!?! This is my first time seeing any other species let alone a girl that’s a cow. She had horns on both sides of her head, a black and white outfit that covers her top, a pair of suspenders that held her breaches up and her feet were…... hooves!?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘Ok this is the first for me.’ I thought to myself. “That’s true, Mrs. Parker.” Gleand said to her. “Wait, you know her name?’ the same masculine asked.” Yes, Yaakov, I knew her name. In fact, I was sent to discuss business with the browns on Father Paul’s behalf. That was until I got caught and was sold to a trader who was heading here.” Glenad said which immediately brought the whole room to a stone-cold silence which made me uneasy beyond the point of throwing up. This Yaakov character just looked at the nun with pure aggression and looked at Mrs. Parker with murderous intentions. “Will you please stop looking at me like that, please sir.” Lina asked kindly even though her heartbeat increased. “She asked you nicely. I know that your kind and mine have our differences, but for once will you let go of your hatred our kind go?” I heard some hostilities somewhere in the room. “Chihiro.” A voice of authority echoed throughout the room. I turned towards the voice to identified whose voice that belong to which to got me by surprise to say at the least. “Young Mistress.” I heard Chihiro saying in a manner that led me to believe…’What the hell?’

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">I saw two reptilian and both appears to be snakes with the upper torso of a woman and one of them had what looks likes sticks coming out of her head. “As of this moment onward, you will serve your new owners…” the young mistress started to say before the woman in white started to protest. “Please, let me finish. Serve your new owner like you always have done for me and my mother. If we’re in the same household, you will call me by first name. That’s your first and last order as acting head. If you understand, call me by first name, now.” She ordered Chihiro. She understood, but she didn’t want to. “Yes…Mi..ki…” she said with tears in her eyes and it dripped down her checks. “No point in crying now.”  The woman in black said. “Then, I will pray for a light in our darkest hour.” Gleand said as she closed her eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘Save us’

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘Save Us’

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘SAAAVEEEE UUSSS’

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">There were the last words I heard before….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“John…John!” I heard someone calling my name. “Hm. Who called my name?” I asked while I was getting myself back in order. “I did.” Gresham said as he sat at the table across from me. “Are you ok John?” I looked around the table and everyone just stared at me. “I just saw some estrange illusion. I saw a nun by the name of Gleand.” I said to…...

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''‘Wait a damn minute. How in the hell did I know her name!?”''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“You have been acting strange ever since you got into the building. Are you sure that you’re well?” Yun asked me more than being concern about my wellbeing. I looked around the table before I answered. “I haven’t been able to sleep soundly in the past few weeks because of a dream that repeats itself every time I close my eyes. It’s fuzzy, but it always frightens me to the point where I sweat in the morning.” They can never know the truth about my father who murders an elderly man every time in my dream/ “If you are not feeling well…” Zack started to say. “I’m fine.” I said with a heavy sigh.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''‘Please save us, Medallion. We’ll pay you for the trouble.’'' One of the voices is still giving me trouble.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Welcome to the three hundredth annual of the Coarl De’ Blume.” Calistro Eric greeted the crowed. “Tonight, we have a surprise for all of you, but let us begin with a necklace from the Peruvian Gold Mine.” Mr. Eric started to explain before I lost interest because I lack the funds to buy anything.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Coarl De’ Blume is an event that allows the rich and the elite get their hands on whatever they can; legal or illegal items are always for sale for the five whole weeks in an auction style sparking in a frenzy on several occasions. Originally it was used as a charity tool to raise money for nonprofit organization; now it’s just another way for the rich and the criminal elite to get rich quick and legally without any complications from the law.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">As Mr. Eric continued his descriptions for each item: pots, paintings, jewelry, etc. I would loose interest and have small talk where they’re not bidding on an item, however, when there was an animal or a human like stature, I would get intense pain all over my body. The most excursing pain was when Mr. Eric auction off an iguana for three thousand denalles making my hands ache beyond bearable. “John.” Wovean asked when she saw my hands flinched from the pain. “I’m ok. Where in the world did this kind of pain come from?” I asked myself since that was unusual.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“And now, we have saved the best for last. This year, we have exotic items from distant lands. The cream of the crop. Let’s start off with a woman of great beauty form a secret organization known as the Order.” Mr. Eric started to stir the crowd as everything within my bones were making cracking sounds and my eyes burned for three seconds.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''’You know her and you’ve seen her before this moment. Now my son, awake from your slumber.’''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">When I opened my eyes again, they were a mixture of icy cold steel blue and the hottest red eyes that looked like hell itself. I asked my friends if they can see the same colors in my eyes which they said no and that terrorized me because I finally lost my mind.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Who will start the bid of 200 doubloons?” Mr. Eric started the bid and I raised my hand that started the endless frenzy and all the while something within me said to wait which I was thankful that I did not win the bid until….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“One denalles going once, going twice….”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Five denalles”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''‘What the hell am I doing? I do not have the cash or any….’''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Sold to anonimo.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Anonimo, who in the hell is that!?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Next up, is a man who is sturdy to take on armies and will not break a sweat. Look at his magnificent arms, they could use for gladiator fights and can make great strong healthy young ones.” Mr. Eric stared to describe this man that is standing there just accepting his faith.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘If I am sold to some woman who wants a toy or a pleasure accessory or a man can profit from death, then so be.’  That is what he was thinking about and he still have that hatred in his eyes despite of what was going on around him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Who will start the bid at 10 doubloons?” Mr. Eric started the bid.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">I unknowing raised my hand and waited for the que that the bid was almost closed and made my bid for seven denalles.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Sold to the guy in the balcony.” He announced out loud.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“You never made a bid on anything until know. What gotten over you, John?” I hear someone speaking close to me, but I couldn’t make a sound because everything within my very being was so intensely focused that I couldn’t say anything, adding to the fact that my eyes were turning into an Icey Cold Steel Blue Shade of Color.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“We have a cowgirl with hooves, literally.”  The Auctioneer announced as a …….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''‘Son of a bitch. I am starting to see everything that I saw at the ‘storage room’. What the hell is going on here.’ ''I could hear myself think.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Is this not one the most unusual gem that has ever walked upon this stage? This one has a firm figure for anyone who wants just to have fun and you still get paid for the milk that is produced by these mounds.” He said as he touched Lina’s ‘upstairs’ which she did not take that kindly. “Please don’t touch me there.” She asked nicely. “Can I get a bid of 1 doubloon as a starting bid?” He asked lighting up like a wildfire of intense biding with me biding on some of the time. ''‘Will someone save me? Anyone!? NOOOOOOO!’ ''Lina’s thoughts were making me bet intensively until…. “sold to the man in the balcony” Mr. Eric said again

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">I am surprised that no one asked me about my sanity or if they did, I cannot hear them. My eyes remain the same shade color and I was still in an intense beyond the Merchant’s household where I had to protect Sofia and my little sister form my other individuals from harm. I wonder how they are doing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“We have a bird man or should I say…. a birdwoman. Here she is.” The auctioneer got ready for the next item to be sold. “Let’s us have a glance of her face. “Now if this isn’t a bird that is excellent fit for a daredevil, this would be it. It is said that their eyes can turn a fearless man tremble with few and the black really complement with her murderous look who will start at…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“1 denalles.” I started the bid in hopes that no one will bid much on her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“200 denalles” someone from the crowd yelled out loud which there me off my game for about three seconds, but I manage to regain my composer and raised the price to…. 6,000 denalles

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''‘Wait, What six thousand denalles!?! Where in the Hell did that come from!? Now I am SCRWED!’ ''I kept thinking about how I was going to pay for the crap I just bought.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Sold.” That was all he said before the woman in black left the stage with her thinking ‘You touch me, your dead.’  While they placed a black bag over her head “And now that is over, I must ask, who has seen the Great Wall of China or the Land of the Rising Sun?” he asked in a startup for his joke. A few raised their hands causing me to have a bit of envy within myself. “You wished that you could take a piece of that with you?” A few moments of silence before he continued. “Unfortunately, we can’t, but we do have an alternative to that because we have some Eastern Items for sale.” Mr. Eric said as an ‘item’ is brought to the stage. “For example, here a panda that looks like a woman with some resembles to a bear and it has a nice mannerism for anyone who needs things done politically. Who will start at 3 doubloons?” he said as I felt a hard thud on my arm. “What are you doing? You don’t normally bid anywhere and now you’re biding plus you’re going to be in debt beyond repairable, what has gotten in you?” I heard a voice, but I couldn’t say anything nor could I open my mouth at all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘Please save her!’ I heard an illusion and I knew why……” One thousand Danal…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Five thousand Danalles” I said before he could finish the final bid.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Damn it John, what the hell…...?” I could hear a male’s voice, but when I turned towards the voice, I only saw the same shade of blue and shapes. “John, are you…. feeling ill?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Sold to the man in the balcony.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“You’re scaring me John. What is going on now?” I believed that Sofia was there but when I was only the same shade of blue. “Who are you?” I asked trying not freak out at all, but my vision changed back to the storage room where I was at originally before I started bidding and I could see them clearly

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘Medallion, please help us.’ It was one of the three voices that’s been in my…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Miki, please don’t leave me.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''“Chihiro, you remember the time that I was caught in a trap where some scums came to kill me and you came to assist me even though I treated you horribly. I asked you ‘why did you came to my rescue when I treated you and everyone else with harshness?’. You remember what you said to me?”''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Because your mother is worry about you and I serve your house, but it’s more than that, it’s because I want to be you friend regardless of the situation.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''“That’s right and after we returned home, I told mother what you said and she said that she will appoint you a position of being my assistance. The next morning, I joined her in the chambers while we waited for you to come in and we discussed that I should take better care of you because luckily for me I had someone who would stand alongside of me, even though, I have brought misery to you. At that moment, I promised her that I would treat you and everyone else better than I did prior to the before. We both heard you knocking on the door, mother asked for you to enter. You entered our presences and mom asked a series of questions which you answered them truthfully. Mother then gave you made you swear an oath that you will serve as my assistances and protect me with your life until death. I was happy because for the first time, I was able to be more than just a shrine princess.” ''Miki said as her companion tried to get closer to her. “I would be your friend as well.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Chihiro knew where this conversation was going because I could see her eyes starting to tear up as Miki continued saying whatever she had on her mind because she knew in her mind that there was a great chance that she would never see her again.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I, Miki Kondo, hereby release you from the oath that you have sworn to my mother, so you, Chihiro Harada, could do what is necessary for your new masters.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''“Miki, please don’t worry about a thing, I’m sure that one day we will see each other again. We will be home soon, just hold on.”''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">There was an intense silence that followed by some of the staff who were talking smack about the ‘guy in the balcony’ and mocking the two reptilian individuals about seeing each other in anther life.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''“Goodbye…… Chihiro, my sister. Remember the promise you made to me.”'' I could hear Miki saying all this and what’s worse, I can hear and see Chihiro begging Miki not to go with tears in her eyes. When the scene changed back to the stage, I could hear the girl named Chihiro still crying her eyes out. “Now here is a beauty that is not to be taken lightly. A Japanese dragon girl, with the power to create rain for crops….” Mr. Eric started to explain before someone in the crowed started the bid at five hundred danalles.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">After thirty seconds, Mr. Eric started to call the last bid when I raised the bid to a quarter of a million danalles. “Sold to balcony man.” He said as the Ryu was being carried off the stage. “We have a snake woman that could use magic much like the last lot, but the difference between the two is that where the last lot was considered a God among from its land. This one is a loyal servant that would do what…...” he kept on describing this “lot” that was on the stage while she was still crying her eyes out and I had enough of her weeping.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“One million danalles” I started the bid and I waited for someone else to raise the bet, but no one said a word, hell not even the auctioneer made a peep.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘Who is this man?’  I felt her eyes locking onto me when she said that in her head. It felt weird because I knew her name and just about everything about her, but she knows nothing about me. “S-S-S-Sold to…... balcony.” The auctioneer said. The last ‘lot’ was staring at me just like some of the ‘lots’ before her with a sheer amount of fear and confusion, but I couldn’t see any of the ‘lots’ because I only see shapes of the individuals and the surrounding area. The only thing I could ‘see’ was just a feeling within myself that everyone was watching me including these ‘lots’ who were being paraded through the whole time.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Five minutes later, the next ‘lot’ was trying to say something without success because of the gag that in her mouth and the fear in her grew inside her heart to a point where she tried to escape, but was electrocuted from her restraints. “This particular lot has the features of a tiger with the strength that could out match our best fighters in the coliseum and is able to produce strong and healthy children as a bonus to income that she can provide to its owner.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘I will not be some brat’s cash cow or an accessory for them.’

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">She must be afraid or was filled with rage to think of something like this.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Who would start the bid at……?” Eric started ask for the bid when I started the bid at nine hundred doubloons and it went crazy until the last bid was called and I was close to get her at two million danalles…….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Three million danalles.” I heard someone from the crowd that shocked everyone including me. “Sold to the guy in the middle.” Mr. Eric said as the final bid came in. I couldn’t see the person who made the last bid, but I knew deep down, that was Ed smiling away and waving his hand like it was a flag.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Damn it!” I said out loud and God know what else I did……

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Clunk 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">The sound of metal being broken came from the restraints that she literally ripped from her legs, wrist, and the choker that was placed around her neck and that was not the only thing I heard. The rhythm of her heart beat was steadily climbing. She let out the loudest and the bloodiest roar I have ever heard up to that moment. The next thing I knew I had a vision about Ed being attacked by the tiger lady and her blood came next from security guard beating the shit out of her. Just like I saw it, she started to leap and run straight to Ed…...

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Whoosh

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">That was the only thing I heard before I realized that I was standing between her and……

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">‘HOW IN THE HELL DID I GET TO THIS LOCATION FROM THE BALCONY UP ON THE GROUND FLOOR!?!’ That’s all I had time to think before it really clicked inside my mind that I was in the middle of the two individuals and the tiger lady started to speak to me, but she still had the gag on her mouth leaving me clueless about her she managed to let out a roar with the gag still in her mouth. “Will you give me just enough time to…. There I believe you talk now without the gag. “I said as I loosened up the gag that bounded her mouth from saying a word.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I appreciate you for taking out the gag out of my moth, but will…” the tiger started to say before I informed her that if she was to continue with the assault of Edward ‘Ed’ Dante, she would have been beaten to death by the security guards around us and I pointed them out. She just turned her head to where I pointed and they were ready to kill her blunt force trauma to the head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Do you want to … Hey, look at me. Do…you…. Tiger girl…. want…to…die? Ah. Damn it!” I said as I could feel my eyes starting to burn. When I opened my eyes again I saw the same blue eyes with a little bit more detail for me to clarify that she was a woman with some tiger features. She didn’t say anything……but why?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“N-n-no, sir.” She said as she trembled with fear and barely able to say just that alone before she collapsed to her knees still trembling out of fear. She shed tears right in front of me and….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Please, spear me.” I could hear her thoughts as she closed her eyes and cried quietly. I felt so sick because she was suffering and I couldn’t do much

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''“Yes, you can, son. All you have to believe in yourself and the rest will come to you”.'' That’s what I heard from the elderly man who spoke to me earlier today. I just shushed her as I slowly reached my hand to comfort her. “Everything will be ok. You have my word.” I promised her knowing that I will do whatever I can do that, but ……. 

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Ed

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I have a question for, Edireswen Dante. What were you thinking? You trying to buy something that you had no business having or not having any experiences what so ever?” I asked him as my eyes started to burn again in pain. Aaahhh, damn it.” I placed my hands over my eyes as they burn. “ANSWER ME!” I shouted as I opened my eyes reveling the hottest shade of red that truly resembled hell itself. “I-I-I just wanted to wanted to have some-something…...extra…...special.” he replied with the same fear as the tiger lady displayed to me earlier in the encounter that I still had no idea how in the hell I got here from the balcony.” Extra Special? Huh. Does this “extra special” include using her as an accessory or raping her. I mean humor me.” I asked with confidence and curiosity. “With the items that I bought, I wanted to purchase an exotic item for myself to show-off, but the other exotic items were sold to someone who was setting at the balcony. When I saw her, I finally got the chance to alleviate my jealously- “he replied before I interrupted him

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Stop, just stop right there. You purchased her out of jealously?! Wow, you my friend, you have the same intelligence as a bag of coals.” I said as I begin to see a man with a woman praying.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Please God, our heart is troubled with the worry for our son. So, I asked you as a man, please save ourselves from this worry and if our son is in Perl, please save him and we thank you in advance in your name, amen.” I heard him pray and say amen in unison with the woman kneeing besides him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Ok Ed. Tell me this. What do you think would happen if you were killed tonight?” I asked him again as I rubbed my eyes. This time, he did not respond. “You want me to tell your parents the reason why you were killed was because of envy and adding the fact that you had no experience in handling of what you may call monsters.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''‘Hold on. How in the... What I the hell is going on?’''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“No s-s-sir.” Ed replied “I just- “

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“Your mother and Father are worry about you. In fact, your father just prayed for your safety.” I told him with the same concern much like his parents.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“What are you talking about?” Ed asked in his head.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“That’s irrelevant. What is relevant is the fact that you need to transfer ownership of the to me. Do you understand me?” I growled at him causing everyone around me to have their heart skipped for two seconds. He just nodded his head as my eyes were burning with this shade of red.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">After our “negations”, I slowly scanned the area to see what else was going on around me. I found Mr. Eric walking down the stairs away the stage towards me. A few feet away from me, he raised his hands up in the sky to show me that he didn’t want to fight. “My employer wishes to meet you” he said with his hands still raised.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“I finally can get some answers.” I could hear myself say. I just motioned him to show me way and petted the tiger lady as I walked by. “Ms. Fu, everything will be.” I said to….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">''There I go again. How did I know her name?! I guess that I will find out when I meet with ‘Employer’.''

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">Five minutes later….

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-13.5pt;tab-stops:317.45pt">“He’s in the study, sir” Mr. Eric said as he bowed, but why is he bowing to me like Ms. Chi did earlier this evening. I continued my journey to the study and knocked. “Come in” I heard a masculine voice before I opened the carefully. Once I opened the door, I saw a hooded figure that turned towards me.

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">          “It’s an honor to meet you, Son of the Medallion."