Nuturing Evil

8- Nurturing Evil

“Now then, what should I do with you?” I breathed out. Me and that girl- Crystal were standing in the bus stop, I bent on one knee, holding my chin, looking at her, tilting her head in confusion, not knowing what to do now.

“Can you speak?” I asked and she nodded and held my arm, sliding her hand in my sleeves and taking out the dagger, “Don’t.” 

“Don’t worry, I am not.” I sighed, taking the dagger and hiding it back, “It’s just for safety purposes.” I told her, getting up. “Did you go to the school, Crystal?” I asked, walking away as she held my shirt, “We had classes there.” She replied but I stopped. “What?” She asked.

“Damn, I wasn’t used to listening to you talk.” I heaved, shaking my head and continued to walk down. “Let’s get the legal papers done and get your admission to the school.” 

“Do I have to?” She asked sadly, pulling on my shirt, “Don’t you want to?” I asked, turning to her. “No.” She shook her head. “I can understand you, but If I teach you, then it will be super hard. Can you bear it?” I smirked, challenging her, she made an adorable face and nodded. “Okay then.” I shrugged my shoulders and then we went to Rachel’s bar to have lunch, “Hey.” 

“Oh Rylan and… Alice.” She grinned watching us two. “Say Hi.” 

“Hi Rachel.” Crystal smiled, waving at her, “Hello Alice.” 

“Her name is not Alice, she is Crystal. I named her.”  I mumbled as we sat down. “Crystal? Nice name.” She smiled. We had lunch at Rachel’s place where I told her that I have adopted Crystal and had absolutely no idea what to do now. 

“What should I do with her?” I asked, putting my chin on my palm, “Of all things, protect her.” Gabriel’s voice came, taking a seat across from Crystal. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“I am amazed they agreed to accept your request, who would give you a chance?” He humiliated me, never failing to bring back old scars. “Don’t be so cocky if you are the Mayor’s kid.” I scorned, rolling my eyes at him. 

Normally I wouldn’t bother to reply but now, I can’t look like a loser in front of Crystal. 

“Oh, where did you get that tongue?” He smirked, turning to me. “Don’t fight again, you two.” Rachel sighed. “Don’t talk to him, Rylan.” Crystal frowned, pulling my shirt. I wonder what I have done that she looks at me like with such insurance and as if we had a connection.

“See, you are even straying the kid.” He hissed, getting up. “Gab, you shall pay for the damage, you hear me?” Rachel hissed, slamming her hand on the counter, glaring at both of us to cool down before she burst. 

“O-Only Rachel is saying or else this girl would be looking for another parent.” He growled, “Her name is Crystal.” I growled back, he made a sour face and left with his guys, ruining my mood. “Why do you even talk to him?” Crystal asked with her mouth full of food. 

“Eat your food first, brat.” I scolded, coming back to my lone thoughts, “Where was I, Rachel?” 

“Don’t ask me, you adopted her. Do what a parent does.” She shrugged, taking the table cloth and wiping the counter. “What do you want to do, Crystal?” I asked, turning to her. She didn’t reply and continued eating, “Hey, Reply.”

“You told me to eat first.” She replied rudely, putting the spoon down, “Finish your bite and then speak, okay?” I corrected myself. “I don’t know.” She replied with a shrug. “What were- No, leave it.” I shook my head. “Are you done?” I was surprised by her amazing appetite. 

“Mhm.” She returned a grin after being done. I wiped her messy face as we left her bar. We have to be cautious, if we stick around too much they will know the jinx she holds and we will be forced to leave and in the worst case scenario they might even kill her so I have to take my every step carefully.

“Where are we going?” She asked, looking around as we were out of Bougainvillea. “To my place.” I replied.

“It’s your home?!” She asked in disbelief, looking at my mansion with her jaw dropped. “I thought you lived in a hut.” She whispered, her graceful eyes shimmering in awe, “Hey, who do you think I am?” I asked, confounded by her statement. “A pure alcoholic with no purpose to live.” 

“Shut up.” I scolded her, pissed at her bland reply as we went inside. “And yeah, it’s my house, not home.” I breathed out. “Is it because it’s empty?” She asked, her unblemished eyes staring at me, “Yeah, you could say it.” I answered monotonously when we entered and Chast was taken aback.

“Chast, she is Crystal, I have adopted her. Set her room next to mine and- s**t, I forgot about her clothes.” I cursed under my breath, holding my forehead, “Chast, see if Kenny’s clothes would fit her or not.” I ordered, “Yes, Sir.” He bowed, smiling widely when he greeted Crystal.

"Hello, young lady." He smiled, shaking hands with her, "Is Kenny your son?" Crystal asked, looking up to me. "Was." I replied coldly and turned to leave but she tugged my sleeves, "Is that why you are always sad?" She asked sadly, "You could say it." I hummed, not taking her words to my heart.

"Or live in regret?"

"You go with Chast, he will take you Brenda, she will take care of you for now, okay?" I explained, she nodded and left with Chast.

I was in my room, looking out from the balcony, deep in thoughts but the door knocked and Chast came, "May I have a few words, Sir?" He asked.

"Sure." I nodded, "We are glad to see you are finding reasons to live, Sir but are you truly sure about adopting her?" He asked. "I didn't have much choice." I sighed, hugging my sides, leaning on the wall, my affixed on the clear sky. "I don't understand?" He asked.

"Orphanage refused to keep her."

"Why? Is there something wrong with her?" He asked, baffled what could possibly be wrong with a child. "Let's just say she is truly an ill-fated child." I chuckled dryly, not knowing what’s going through my mind anymore.

“Then why did you come here?” He asked, panicking a bit, “What could be the best candidate than me who has nothing to lose?” I asked, finally turning to him with an emotionless gaze which frightened him a little by the hollowness in my eyes. “Sir…”

"Now if you are done, I would like to be alone, Chast." I replied, motioning him to leave, he opened his mouth but closed it soon after and left with a bow.

After he left, I turned my head to the sky as well, "Maybe that's what's left in my life..." I exhaled deeply, closing my eyes to feel the extreme intensity of the vileness growing inside me with a faint smile, completing my sentence in a whisper,

"Nurturing Evil."