The news of Vegas disappearance has reached all creatures in the town of Cumulus. The people began to share their theories and gossips and warn everyone to be careful if the devil as they all call him starts to slaughter the town people again. The fear has creeped upon that some has begun praying to the Gods for the immediate death of Vegas.
Kinn volunteered to search for Pete being accompanied by the pack Porsche handled. Riding his horse, Kinn maintain his calm composure and followed the werewolves as he trusts their senses.
“I am not familiar with his scent.” The werewolf named Anon spoke as his deep-set brown eyes scans the place.
They are heading through the corner of the town, searching on the places that are barely visited. Vegas scent is indeed difficult to find as they have never encountered him before.
Furthermore, angels don’t have particular scent since they are barely felt by other creatures as what the tale described them.
“Pete is a mortal,” Kinn spoke that Porsche looks at him sideways. “I think it is easy to locate him.”
Kinn already handed them a piece of Pete’s cloth where his naturally body scent have been attached. There is no other way Pete won’t be located.
Kinn focused his attention to the road, not even giving a second of glance to Porsche. Without his knowledge; his rival who was very vocal of hating him had something in his mind.
Porsche was walking, not noticing the way with his mind occupied with what happened the other day. In the middle of the battle with Kinn where they will usually wrestle on the muddy ground until one almost suffocates to death; it is when he felt a sudden heat.
Shame of what might happened if he didn’t release it, Porsche ran through the woods; hiding himself from the fairies and werewolves who might have seen him doing it. Kinn thought that Porsche was just fooling around, testing his patience that he followed.
Whatever happened that day, Kinn helping him to release the heat in his body particularly to his lower part was a memory he wanted to forget. If he could just smash a log of wood to his head until it crushes his brain, then he will.
Kinn just pity that a fucking werewolf like you is in fucking heat. Porsche said to himself.
The concept of them must remain as rival makes it even harder. It must be hard to admit but Porsche has always seen Kinn as someone other than a rival. Kinn was more than that to him.
Kinn was the first person who played with him when the rest thought of him as a disgusting werewolf. He didn’t show any disgust but rather irritation because he defeated him in the game.
They are friends after all…or it was only Porsche who thinks that way.
“Look at where you are walking.”
Porsche removed the thoughts in his head when he heard Kinn spoke.
He shrugged his shoulder, rolled his eyes and look up. “I know what I am doing.”
“Can you feel Pete’s presence?” Kinn has asked him about that a hundred times already.
“Not yet.” Porsche replied.
He saw Kinn let out an exasperated sigh.
“Does he mean that much?” Porsche asked timidly and it breaks him more when Kinn nodded.
“Very much.”
Porsche pouted his lips, nod a little and diverted his gaze to the wild flowers along the way. “Why?” He asked without looking at Kinn.
“On the first day, I found his face beautiful and after all these years, I found his soul as beautiful as him.” Kinn replied without hesitation and a smile formed at the corner of his lips.
Porsche pursed his lips that he wanted to punch the person next to him. “Right.” He muttered. “But I was there since day one,” Porsche whispered and let the trees and air hear that confession.
“If you’re struggling then tell me.” Pete said in a bored tone, pretending to check his finger nails while Vegas remains hard headed as he is.
Vegas walked limping, would hiss most of the time because of his wound. Pete may no longer see the wings but it doesn’t mean that Vegas isn’t injured anymore.
“You have to walk slowly.” Pete reminded him once again and squint his eyes when the bright ray of sunlight hit his face. “We have to go to the library and find the book—oi!”
Pete ran towards Vegas when he almost fell on the ground. He got Vegas’ back and help him stand properly.
“Fuck off.” It was the same phrase Vegas told him few hours ago that he already memorized the tone of his voice.
Pete notice that everytime Vegas walk, he will be avoiding the sunlight and hid himself under the shade of the trees. He looked up and notice that they have to walk under the heat. It is not a good idea for them to use their wings especially with Vegas’ condition.
“Wait for me here.” Pete said but Vegas didn’t listen and proceeds to walk.
“Vegas!” Pete said and hurriedly went near to a tall plant with a huge leaf. He forcefully cut the plant with its hard stem. “Bastard.” He cursed.
Pete happily ran towards Vegas, satisfied with what he did. Pete extended his arms that made Vegas stop walking and gaze at him. Pete smiled proudly and went nearer to Vegas until both of them was under the shade of the big leaf that serves as their umbrella.
“The stem is strong and the leaf is thick.” Pete said.
Vegas looks up and it is indeed true. The sunlight was block and he didn’t have to adjust to the light. The darker it is, the more he will function.
“See? You might be bothered with too much sunlight.” Pete said.
Pete was proud to show off what he did that he unnoticeably moves closer to Vegas until both of their hands held the green stem of the plant.
For the first time that their hand has touched this way. Vegas hand was above his that Pete couldn’t help but to feel Vegas’ warm palm. Vegas’ hand was smooth and soft too that it was like being held by a delicate hand.
“Stop staring at me.” Vegas said and snatch the leaf away from Pete, leaving him under the sunlight.
Pete doesn’t have a choice but to get another one and they both walk through the scorching heat of the sun. After that, they never talk to one another. Vegas was distant too and everytime Pete ask, the response will always be “Shut up” or “Mind your own business.”
After almost thirty minutes of walking, they arrive to the opposite part of the town where the market place, libraries and other establishment could be found.
Pete took his cloak and without asking for permission, he let Vegas wear it; covering him.
“What the fuck? Stop touching me!” Vegas cursed at him and seems to be so gross everytime Pete would touch him.
Pete pause for a while and realize something. Vegas has lived his life inside the cage, with no one he would talk to except to his brother, father and Khun Korn. He is not use at too much people particularly with affection or physical touch.
“Sorry.” Pete apologized and takes a step backward, maintaining a distance. He makes sure that Vegas will be comfortable this time. “Wear that cloak so that no one will recognize you. By the way, whatever you hear or see don’t take it seriously.”
Vegas face was serious as ever but his eyes are burning in extreme irritation. “So?”
“I am only reminding you.” Pete answered and noticed that few people has been eyeing on them. “Follow me.”
“No.”
“Don’t be stubborn. We have to go at the library.” Pete said and walked first, not waiting for Vegas’ protest because he predicted already the response he will receive.
“Wow.” Pete stop by in front of someone selling few fruits. He later realizes that they haven’t eaten something. Pete touches his already complaining stomach and felt all the acids saying hi to them.
“Walk.” Vegas ordered him but Pete’s eyes were glued to the fruits in front of him.
Pete pouted and looks at Vegas while massaging his hungry stomach. “I’m hungry.”
“Did I ask?” Vegas asked inconsiderately.
“Wait!” Pete said and delight and was about to pull Vegas closer but he stopped mid-way, worried that Vegas hates physical touch. Pete gladly held his pocket and found a small purse with some pennies in it. “I got some!"
Since he was hungry already, he didn’t mind to check on the expression Vegas has been making and paid for two apples. He left few coins in case they will need it very time soon.
“Here.” Pete waited Vegas to take the apple but the man refused.
“Not hungry.” Vegas said and started to walk again.
“You will be weak if you don’t eat.” Pete said in a persuasive yet playful voice while they walk. “The apple is so red and sweet. Are you sure you don’t want?”
“Close your fucking mouth.”
“It is rude not to accept food.” They both stop when they heard a younger girls voice.
At the side, sitting on a bench is a young girl who waved her tiny hands on them.
“You look so handsome!” The young girl in a ponytail praised Pete but Vegas let out a ‘tsk’.
“Thank you,” Pete giggled and was stunned when the young girl ran towards him and began to hide.
“Wait…what?” He confusedly asked.
Another young boy with the same brown colored eyes as the young girl came. The way they resemble each other is enough to know that they are siblings.
“Stop hiding, Paris.”
The young girl named Paris then went to the one who came and playfully mess his hair. “Is it time for lunch, Florence?” She asked.
“Yes.”
“Good!” Paris said and takes a look on Vegas. “Food is important, Phi. Please eat always.”
Pete smiled when Paris said that. Vegas doesn’t have enough reason to behave arrogantly.
“Let’s go home now.”
“Phi Venice!” The twins the young man who came to pick them up. Both Florence and Paris runs towards Venice- a man with a delicate yet strong features which shows how respectable and discipline he is.
Vegas and Pete stares at the three children, somehow amused with what they saw. Paris and Florence raise their hands and wave to them. Venice on the other hand just nodded as a sign of recognizing their presence. Vegas was still motionless as he watches the three walk away. Pete wave his hands happily and couldn’t help but to find the three adorable.
“They are cute.” Pete initiated the conversation again.
“Stupid creatures.” Vegas replied that his lips twitched. At some point or another, Pete would love to stitch Vegas’ lips so he will stop spitting rude words to people.
“The devil has escaped his cage for the second time!” The loud voice bombarded the busy streets. The man in his early forties began shouting the same line, informing about Vegas’ escape. “Khun Kan’s first son that killed people the other day escaped again!”
Pete was horrified not because of the news but the way it was spread. Vegas face darkened that made Pete panic.
The people gasped in fear and they started talking to each other, making the busy street more loud as it is. The whole market place that usually filled with words attracting their costumers suddenly turn into a place where they talk bad about Vegas.
“I couldn’t believe that Khun Kan managed to hide a monster.” An older woman said while making a bitter face.
“They should kill him and roast his body! As long as that guy live when we will be in danger!”
They continue to talk that Pete almost beg them to keep their mouth shut because sooner or later, if Vegas became fed up with their words; they will definitely end up dead.
“Vegas…” Pete nervously called the man who was not moving at all. “Calm down, Vegas.” Pete whispered.
“He should die! We can’t live in peace if that kind of creature exist!”
Pete was the first one who noticed that Vegas is starting to be aggressive and dangerous again. He can feel the heavy and dark aura surrounding Vegas that these people don’t stop, it will be a disaster.
Pete looks around and saw a stick. He secretly took it, extended a bit and poke’s Vegas arm.
“Vegas. You can’t be rampant here.” He said and continued to poke his shoulder.
“Fucking shit!” Vegas cursed loudly that the people went silent and fixed their attention on him.
“Did you see a rat?” Pete made an alibi and nervously laugh. He was thankful that the cloak somehow managed to cover Vegas’ face. “Did you see a rat? How big is it? The rats are so noisy, isn’t?” He tried his best to lessen the attention Vegas is receiving.
“I want…to kill them.” Vegas whispered while clenching his fist.
“You can’t!” Pete scolded him. “Here, hold the end of the stick.”
“No way.”
Pete made a disappointed face and continues to persuade him. “Hold the end of the stick and I will hold the other. By that, I will know that you are not going anywhere and do reckless things.”
Vegas narrowed his eyes and didn’t move a bit.
“Please?” Pete asked and smiled a little. “Come on. Don’t listen to them and just hold this stick. This place is big.” He made a cheerful face to the always grumpy Vegas. “You won’t like to get lost, right?”
Vegas pause for almost ten seconds before he let out an exasperated sigh and took the other end of the stick.
“I hate it.”
Pete giggled and playfully nodded. “Just hold the other end and we will walk together.”
Both of them stood still, in front of an old library that is believed to be passed down from generation to generation. It is a four story building made from woods that neither look old or ugly. They silently entered the library where only few people came.
In the librarian’s desk is an old man who has believed that can read prophecy but only few or less detail. He was wearing his usual black cloth, eyes were deep and black as his face were wrinkled over time.
“Good morning.” Pete greeted and proceeds to look around.
Vegas lazily sat on the empty chair and places his hands on the table. Despite being stubborn, he had never removed the cloak Pete puts on him. He takes a deep breath and stares at the books on the shelves in peace.
Pete took the apple from his pocket and secretly handed it to Vegas.
“Eat.”
Pete didn’t wait for his tantrums and place the apple on Vegas’ hands. When the librarian was zoning out, probably feels sleepy always because of his age, Vegas slowly took a bite of the apple.
Pete slightly smiled and couldn’t help but to tease. “I thought you’re not hungry.” He whispered.
“Do you want me to throw it?” Vegas asked with his deadpan face.
Pete pouted and proceeds to check the other books until he came across to the book he is finding. He excitedly sat on the opposite chair and shows the book to Vegas.
“I found it.” He pointed the book cover. “The book of curse.”
Pete flips the few pages, trying to find information about the Mountain of Shan. Until he saw a chapter that discusses about the things to be done and what should a person have when going to that mountain.
“These are what we need.” He flips the book so Vegas can read.
A mermaid tears, golden hair of a fairy, a gem from a sorcerer, fang of a werewolf and lastly… an angel’s feather.
Pete smiled when he saw the last one but Vegas remains obnoxious.
“Do you think you can help?”
Pete was confident when he saw that the last one requires him. Vegas can’t offer his own because he was the cursed one.
Pete playfully gave Vegas a flirtatious wink and said. “I bet you will need me.”