“In this world filled with impurities. I want you to remain for who and what you are.” He said in a sudden silence in the middle of their relaxation in the wilderness.
The woman who leisurely sat beside turn to him. A meek smile cross her lips as she return her sightseeing back to the vast land.
“Despite the fact that I am vulnerable to every threat in this world?” she asked.
“Yes, despite the fact of the threat this world can muster.” He paused. “After all I, and my kin aren’t that invincible. We’re actually vulnerable despite the strength we possess and genetic advantages.” He pulled a weed just a few inches away from him. “Unlike you and your kin. You always have the only thing that we never had that what makes us all a living essence.”
“So for short. You regretted the act you’ve done?”
“No.” he answered, this time staring at her warm caramel eyes. “I do not regret anything. Because I believed that if I haven’t done the act, I wouldn’t have to meet you now.” He smiled. “And enjoy this calm and bright day.”
“Lucianna…” resurfacing from his slumber. His eyelids flutter in the attempt to open his eyes despite its opposing mind wanting to sleep more. A minute of tag-of-war with his mind he looked around the four cornered wide space and realized that he was in his room. Sitting up from his bed he felt a sudden wave of dizziness making him fall back in his bed.
He is tired. He is very tired. He don’t know why but he is very certain that whatever he had dreamed off is sapping his strength. After a few more moment staring at the dark ceiling. He heard a soft knock in his door.
“I know that you are awake there Brian.” An old voice came. “Hurry up of you don’t want to be late.” He added as another loud enough knock came before he heard him tread back down the staircase.
Not wanting to annoy the old man or give him a reason to nag till his ears are ripped off. He shove the blanket off him and lay his bare feet in the cold tiled floor. Giving his self a good stretch making his joints made a soft popping sound. He scratched his head as he began his tread to his bathroom to start a day. After a few minutes he finished his daily routine, like first he wash his self, then clean his room and lastly prepare his things before he goes down stairs to make his self a light breakfast.
Sitting in the old velvet couch he saw his grandpa leisurely drink his cup of coffee as he watch the television. Peeking inside the living area he looked at the television to know what is on.
“Another murder.” His grandpa mumbled but loud enough to be heard by him. “Those nasty rascals can’t put their hands in their pockets.” Turning to his grandson he raised his brows in a question before he added. “What do you think?”
“What do I think?” he repeated the question but addressed it to his self.
“You know any connections or clues about the culprit?”
“Gramps I have no idea.”
“Oh don’t say that. After all you are working in the Sunrise Company. I bet they had a hint or something.”
“Gramps I am the photographer not the writer. And also if I found something or knows who are our sources. I wouldn’t tell you.”
“Man… what a meanie you’ve become. Just because you are an employer in some big shot media company. You’ve turned to some stingy guy who wouldn’t give a damn about this old man who have been taking care of you since you are in your diapers.”
“Oh please…” he sigh exasperatedly. “Don’t make this a reason for you to start nagging. I am already drained from the time I wake up.” He turned his back as he slowly tread to the kitchen.
“Lucianna.” He heard him called that made him stop and stiff. “Who is this Lucianna?”
“I don’t know who are you talking about.” He said not even bothering to turn around.
“You’ve keep on mumbling the name while crying last night.” He paused as he take a sip of his cup. “Probably the reason why you are drained and tired.”
“I believe that I don’t have the obligation to tell you anything ever since I’ve become a respected adult.”
“But to share a bit wouldn’t hurt you.”
“I can take care of myself.” He said and this time he didn’t bother to listen to his grandpa and continued to tread to the kitchen and got himself a cup of coffee and toasted slices of bread.
As he settled himself in the stool where he can he obscured by the wall. His mind began to drift off wanting to remember who this Lucianna, his grandpa was talking about is. It’s not that he don’t want to share but it because he could not remember. He never met someone with a name of Lucianna. What more to cry for. Taking a long sip in his cup he heaved a sigh as he massage the bridge of his nose. Hopping the dizziness will go away. Just when he was about to pick a slice of bread he felt his phone vibrates. Glancing down in his slacks where the light of his phone is barely visible. He shove his hand into the pocket and pulled out his phone looking at the name who messaged him. Unlocking his phone he read the message.
Get yourself in here as fast as you can. The chief wanted to have an urgent meeting and assign an assignment to each respected partners. Meeting starts at nine. Hurry.
Jillian Shank
Reading the text once again he groaned and looked at his watch telling him it’s already eight-thirty. Only thirty minutes left before the meeting start and probably his first late in his record. Groaning louder this time he force himself up off the stool and grabbed his messenger bag leaving the half-empty cup and untouched plate of toasted slices of bread. Walking into the living room gaining a look of his grandpa he marched towards the shoe rack and pulled out his black and white sneakers.
“You’re in a hurry?” his grandpa asked.
“I got to catch a meeting and prevent myself to get a very first late in my record.” He said as he tightens the ties of his sneakers before tapping the tip against the tiled floor. “I’m gonna be late tonight because a new assignment is to be assign. So don’t wait for me.” He screw the knob open.
“What are you talking about? I always wait for you boy.”
“Hmm… yeah and thanks.” Then he left offheading towards the nearest subway.
The way to the Sunrise building is the most excruciating time of his life. Leaning against the thin pole near the door of the train. He felt another wave of dizziness and nausea wash over him almost tripping his self when the door opened in his destination. Taking large breath of air he pulled himself together as he pulled his bag refraining it to fall off his shoulder. Taking sure steps he was able to get out the subway without falling apart. Looking around he saw an empty bench and decided to take a seat as he try to calm his over-working senses. Closing his eyes for a moment he felt his phone for the fourth time vibrates. Cradling his head in his palm he pulled out his phone and read the message, that is still from Jillian telling him to hurry up, ten minutes before the meeting starts. Putting his phone back in his pocket he continue is journey to his work place.
Bumping each stranger his shoulders can bump, either receiving a curse or a ‘hey’ he continue to walk almost spacing out. He doesn’t know why but suddenly his body felt warm, actually it was too warm as if he was on fire. Checking the temperature of his forehead he notice that he was not even warm or warmer than his usual body temperature. Yet he could not mistake the sensation of his body burning.
As he continue to walk his mind drifting off somewhere his vision slowly blurred and his breath became more urgent and ragged. As if he was running an Olympic marathon. His once wobbly steps became firm and urgent, then he suddenly broke into a frantic run. Turning to each corner and avoiding falling debris. He clutch his broken and wounded arm. The pain was there but it can’t compare the pain he is feeling right now. The feeling of how his stomach churn and his heart wrench. Taking another frantic turn in the left corridor, the velvet carpeted floor crunch beneath his boots, eyes glancing each door he passed. He silently prayed to who-knows-what god he was trying to pray for. After all he is not a religious man yet this time he wanted to believe and wish his prayers will be granted. He run his on the wall supporting his body he continue to run as fast as he could.
“Please don’t let me be too late.” He chanted the words like a mantra despite the screaming pain in his dry and wounded throat.
At last when he heard a crunch of soft ground against his boots he heaved a relief and continue to run into the deep once dark wood forest. Which is now a like a burning furnace as if it was trying to incriminate someone. Swiping off the low branches and scratching a deep mark in the tough trunk of the tree. His fast running pace slowly turn to a walk as his feet wobble before he collapsed.
It was a nightmare. Even though he can no longer dream or even yearn for it. He wished that this was all a nightmare. A nightmare he wanted to forget. But then, the wind slapping in his face and the hellish atmosphere was too real to dream of it as a nightmare. The sight in front of him called the demon he tried to forget.
It was their entire fault. It was their choice and since they called for the demon inside him. And so he will grant them their own demise.