[Seven-Minute Semblance] GENIUSFORSALE & VORSTELLUNGEN

VORSTELLUNGEN || Chapter 19 - I Threw a Tomato at Death's Face

Edward Dace.

16. April.
Sunday, 6:00 p.m.
Mt. Sposa.

"I'm sorry, Norcross."

Hindi kaagad nag-register sa akin ang binulong ni Futhark. Una ay dahil hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko, at ikalawa ay hindi ko alam kung anong ire-react ko. If Futhark's telling the truth and the man in front of us is the Norcross, then this man is literally my father.

To be honest, seeing him in this state makes me want to ask for a refund. Like, dude, sigurado akong tatay ni Nicholas 'to, pero parang ayokong maging kaano-ano n'ya.

Tumawa si Norcross at hinila ang makakapal n'yang kadena.

Kaagad na nakatakbo si drama queen sa tabi ni Futhark at inilayo ang tingin n'ya mula kay Norcross. He wrapped an arm around his shoulder, then rubbed Futhark's back. I heard him whisper, "Keep calm. Don't lose it. We still have a mission."

Tumango-tango naman si Futhark. He composed himself and gave me a nervous look.

Everyone gave me a nervous look.

Perkele, anong gusto n'yong gawin ko?

I awkwardly raised my hand, giving the others side glances. "H-Hello po," I greeted Norcross.

"Hello po, really?" Joyeuse grimaced at me.

"Gago ka, anong gusto mong gawin ko, sumigaw ng "Dad!" at yumakap?!" I hissed back at him.

"I want you to ask him about the Archives, you bloody idiot!"

Futhark nodded, looking somehow nauseated.

Norcross dragged his chains, walking towards Ruhmfried. who was frozen in disbelief. He raised his hand, and Ruhmfried backed off. But Norcross only wanted to pat his head.

We were all confused until Norcross spoke, half-sobbing, "I was hoping you'd be taller, Dave."

Ruhmfried and I scowled. I considered kicking my actual father.

Actual father.

For years, I had always been Edward Dace, the boy whose parents never attended any PTA meeting, the boy with the single mom, and the boy who never knew and never met his father.

But now he did, and he wanted to kick him.

"He's Dave Casedale Drew." Ruhmfried swatted Norcross's hand away and pointed at me.

Norcross finally turned to me, his sunken green eyes finding it hard to focus. He looked so grey, it actually spooked me. Especially when he's dragging his chains along.

I noticed Zweihänder, Joyeuse, and Ruhmfried tensing and getting ready to defend me. Futhark looked away, clutching his stomach.

"Oh dear." Norcross grinned and laughed in disbelief, seeing me closer. "You look just like me!"