Reedemer Sin

Something, something, the end.

        Xavier stood next to his locker, leaving all of his working clothes inside. After all day of hard work he was exhausted, and could hardly believe how much people can eat! He was working at the pizzeria, as the chef, and today they had so many clients, that there was no time to think, and much less to take a break. Good, that he was one of the best cooks in the area, and found great pleasure in feeding people. Thanks to this he didn't pay any attention to his exhaustion and filled himself with joy of his job. It was somewhat nice to know that thanks to your work someone was walking happy, with full belly, or bellies as some of the clients looked like three or four persons closed inside one frame. Besides, his team was also one of the best he could think of. He chuckled a laugh, and shook his head

- It was a good day...

        He said and finished stripping to his boxers. On the side of the room full of lockers there was a mirror, in which he could see himself. Young man, around twenty three, maybe twenty five years old, with short, curly hair, currently greasy, and thanks to this they were shining in artificial light of the room. Golden curls were sometimes covering his verdigris eyes. Some said they were light blue, others that they were somehow green, but his oculist said that he had some form of safe mutation that changed colour of his eyes. Anyway, looking down he saw his thin lips, behind which was hiding full set of yellowish teeth. He was quite the muscular guy, regularly attending gym and swimming pool, which was shown on his muscular arms, legs, and torso. Only his boxers, light green in colour, covered with pink party balloons were standing out and didn't match his person at all.

- I definitely need to buy myself a new set of boxers... - He sniffed the air and grimaced with disgust.

        Working in the kitchen was quite tiring job, and sweaty too. When you worked near the pizza furnace and gas stove burners, you are ought to get sweaty.

- Time to hit the shower.

        As he said, so he did. Losing last of his clothes, after taking towel, shampoo and soap from his locker. One more look on his body, and his eye caught a glimpse of a flaw. Under his left arm, there was a long, deep scar. Painful souvenir from some time ago, when the burglar entered his home. From that day forward he never left his house without a gun. Revolver, to be exact, but since his boss didn't want any weapons inside his pizzeria, he was leaving it every time in his car. Soon, warm water was softly touching his aching muscles. The feeling was so good, that he started humming one of the songs he knew, moving his legs in a way that somewhat reminded dancing. He could spend there his entire life like this, if someone asked, but cleverly he predicted that water could make him forget about everything around. So he prepared alarm in his mobile phone. This one was supposed to hurry him up, because there was something waiting for him at home. So, leaving the shower, dressing up in short jeans and elegant shirt with short sleeves, he closed his locker, and put on his backpack. There he had some stuff, like uneaten food, charger for his mobile, thermos full of cold coffee, and some clothing that he doesn't use. Walking outside with his sandals on, he took a breath of a cold night air and felt like some sort of a burden was leaving him. He looked behind him, on the building he just left. He was working in the city of Column, at the Olympian pizzeria. It was a small building with a garden, where everything was made to look like it was from the Greece. Well, it wasn't bad idea, and the pizza names were taken from Greece mythology also. There was like a Odysseus journey with sea fruits, there was Demeter's garden with fruits and vegetables, and of course there was also a Hades, full of spicy stuff. Anyway he had his car, small fiat panda, white of colour, parked right behind the pizzeria, and there he was going, thinking about the city of Column. It was a small town, more like burgh, with things necessary for people to live in a comfortable way. There was a hospital with a clinic, a church, a few shops with food, clothes, tools and plants, a nursery, primary and high school in one complex, and even technical school. Also, there was cinema, theatre and, of course pizzeria. City hall was next to the central square, where every week traders from all over the places visited, trying to sell their goods. Short trip from this burgh there was a small village, shielded from all sides with forests. There Xavier had to go, to reach his home. If you wonder, for what this alarm was, he and his friends called a meeting to play role play games. He was their Game Master, and was supposed to prepare tables, chairs, character sheets and other things for them to play. And his mobile phone told him, that he had very little time, and around ten kilometres of road to travel, before he reached his home.

- Hey Xavier! - He stood, looking behind him, where he saw his friend from the kitchen. It was Aurelia, Aurelia Ajto, what in Hungarian, her nation, meant "door." - You are walking quite fast i must admit. I was chasing you from the moment you left! - Aurelia was cute girl, or more accurately, a woman.

        She was like a meter and a sixty centimetres high, so full forty centimetres shorter than Xavier. She had long blond hairs, and blue eyes, supported with big smile on her full lips. She was dressed in jeans trousers with hoodie, and had her handbag on her right shoulder. She must have been dressing up quite hastily, because she still had her laurel wreath on her head, and her socks were put on inside out. Laurel wreath was part of her working suit, which, in contrast to the most establishments, was not as reviling as one could think. Except this one thing, she was also wearing sandals, and white gown with blue belt.  

- Hey Aurelia! - Responded Xavier, with, a little bit of a delay. He was surprised to see her here already. She was working as a waitress, and their boss said that they would have this establishment opened for twenty four hours, so at least another six hours of work. - I thought you would be longer today?

- Ha! I managed to talk with other waiters and waitresses! They need hours, and I need to study a little more. - Yeah, that's right. Thought Xavier. She is still a student, and was making some sort of research about environment.

- Oh! Yea, that's right. You're still studying! I keep forgetting. - He laughed a little, but her face turned a little bit into a shade of red. It wasn't caused by the cold.

- What? You think that I look too old to be on the university?

- Oh no, no, no! - He quickly responded, waving his hands in front of him. - I just... I just thought like you're just starting your studies. A-anyway, what will you be learning about? - Aurelia was eyeing him carefully, for far too long, if you asked Xavier, but finally she smiled again and answered with joy in her voice.

- Oh, I will be learning about forest and national parks. You know, stuff about what we can find there, how to find our way out, what are the dangers, and so on. It's quite a lot to learn you know? Because I want to be Forest Ranger. Free spaces and fresh cold air... It's something I always wanted to do you know? But enough about me, what was your studies about? - She asked smiling, and Xavier froze.

- Well... - He was a little bit ashamed, because he never finished his studies. He didn't have a heart for languages, chemistry, biology, or even sports. He liked cooking, creating amazing dishes, and desserts. And he was also into fantasy, all sort of fantasy games, and RPG-s, and books, and everything. He liked to dream about dragons, and heroes, and angels, and monsters, and all other stuff. He was trying to come with something, because he cared for her. She was quite beautiful... And Smart, and funny, and energetic, and always complemented his cooking, and always had time to talk with him. He couldn't find anything to say, and he didn't want to lie to her... So, with tired sigh, he said just a few words. - I found my passion in cooking you know?

- What?! You never went on a studies? - Her eyes went wide, so wide that Xavier was afraid, that they could fall out of their sockets. The realization hit her, that perhaps she was rude towards this guy. - Oh! Sorry, sorry! I'm really sorry! Didn't want to make you feel bad!

- Oh, don't worry. It's no big deal. I do what i love, and that's what matters i guess. Besides, i think you like my cuisine, don't you?.

- Oh yes! I love your cooking! I still remember your rolls and bread with filling! Melted cheese and ham, delicious! And this sesame sprinkles, just the thing that completed this masterpiece of kitchen magic!

            Xavier smiled and felt like one hundred times better! She liked it, and she smiled so much when she was talking about it. He felt pride in what he was doing, but more joy was given to him by knowledge, that he had made someone happy... Aurelia was visiting him a few times, and they went out from time to time with bunch of their friends, to do some stuff, like watch a movie, or play a game, or go to a disco party. He even made a cake for her birthday party, and she said that day, that she never liked birthday cakes, but one made by Xavier was good enough, to reconsider her decision.

- Do you need a ride? - He asked, without knowing why. He just felt like it was something that he had to do, or he would dry like a lake without supporting river. - You live like on the way so i could give you a ride home if you would like to. - He smiled towards her. She was nice girl, very kind, and pretty too. Who knows? Maybe she could be persuaded to join his RPG group? He wanted to ask her but she was quite fast to stop him.

- Oh! That's very kind of you, but I already have transport home. My friend's father will take us both to my place, so we can study together.

- Oh! Okay... So, e... A... - He was confused a little, but she again interrupted him

- Don't worry, some other time I'll gladly take this opportunity, to... Check, how you can... Drive your car -She smiled and waved Xavier, before leaving into the warm September nigh, leaving him confused, red on face, and alone on a parking lot...

            He stood there, besotted with joy and confusion. After some time, when his senses returned, he reached for his keys and opened his car. After that he turned them inside the ignition switch, and started the engine. Car hummed quietly, and soon they both hit the road, travelling through the night. Road was empty and he reached his village quite fast. Thanks to the efforts of new mayor the road to the village was renewed and kept in good condition. Night lanterns were shining bright already, when he reached his home. Autumn has its advantages, especially fruits and colourful leaves, but often rainy weather, cold, and early dark. The latter was definitely not ones that he liked.

            Anyway, Xavier's home was quite big for one person living there. His parents moved to blocks of flats, to the big city, where they could live happily with everything they needed close by, and his older sister was with them, working on her PHD diploma. So, he was alone, in a big house, with ground floor and one floor above. His home was made on the square plan, covered in light orange paint and surrounded with metal fence with wicked and gate in black colour. Behind it there was a short path leading towards the door, made out of brick. This path was placed inside a small orchard of apple trees. Xavier loved apples, and found them to be the best fruits ever. He often gathered them and left outside his fence, inside wooden boxes, so others could enjoy their taste, without robbing him, or calling few times a day, could they eat an apple. It wasn't like he had enough trees to make profit out of it. Besides, he always had enough to make apple pie anytime he wanted to. Next to the house there was a garage, in which Xavier left his car. After he closed it, and the garage, he headed towards entrance to his house. He knew that he had a lot of work ahead of him but... Something was amiss. He felt watched, like someone was following his every move, but... When he turned, there was nobody behind him, or before him, or over him. Probably just an over exhaustion from his work, and meeting with Aurelia.

            Anyway, he reached door to his home and just after unlocking it, and grabbing the handle, he heard something. Sound, like a metal hitting metal, just behind him, and when he turned, he saw just under gate a person. Stranger was barely standing on his feet, holding on to the wicked, with obvious difficulties. One breath more, two, three, and... The person was now lying on the ground. Xavier wasn't thinking much, and he reached this person in no time.

- Sir? Em, Sir, are you alright? What are you doing here? - He asked, but there was no response, so he tried again. -Sir? Sir, please response. - He reached towards his shoulder and gently tugged it a few times, but the person was not responding. - Oh great, just what i needed this night! - Xavier said and shook his head.

            There was no helping it, someone was unconscious in front of his home, and he just couldn't ignore it. Well... He could, and just call for ambulance, or police, but it wouldn't be something that was okay with him, with his person. So, he grabbed a hold of this man, who was surprisingly light, and took him inside his home...

            Xavier's home was quite nice. There was a big room, divided into three areas: kitchen, dining room, and living room. Also, there was a small bathroom with just the toilet and a sink with mirror over it, and a door leading towards the terrace. Walls were covered with paintings full of magical and fantastic creatures, ranging from dragons, centaurs, and fairies, to mermaids, gryphons, and even elementals. Everything was kept in bright colours, and with some sort of magic. Sometimes, in corner of his eye, Xavier thought that some of the shapes are moving, but when he looked they were all on their positions. Still, the atmosphere during RPG-s sessions was unforgettable, and he, from time to time, renewed the paintings made by his mother. Living room was quite big. There were two big violet sofas, standing perpendicular to each other, with small coffee table in front of them, positioned over giant white shaggy carpet. Next to the sofas, there were two armchairs, in milk-chocolate colour each. Over the table, in the ceiling, there was a chandelier with a fan. On the other end of the living room, there were standing furniture ranging from shelves with pictures of his family, of his pets, with sweets, documents. Cabinets with DVD's, VHS cartridges, DVD player, TV, radio and so on.

            Xavier placed this man on one of the Sofas and looked at him. He was dressed in black. He had black shoes for running, black jeans, and black hoodie. Taking his hood off, Xavier have seen, that on his couch there was a young man, around fourteen, maybe fifteen years old, with muddy face, that was marked with cuts and bruises. He definitely had black eye. He was very thin, like he wasn't eating from at least a month. His lips were sealed, and marked by some cuts. Yet, he was breathing, shallowly but still, he was breathing. That was a good sign, but Xavier knew, that this person will need help from a specialist. So, he reached for his phone, but saw, that the battery was out. He cursed under his nose, because usually he was charging his phone at work, and now, when he needed to call, he couldn't. Battery must have died during his trip back home. There was no helping it, but just to charge it, and right after he plugged his phone, this strange kid sit up, visually confused. He had violet eyes, and they were quite big ones.

- Hello! I see you're awake! Good, now tell me how you feel? - Xavier asked, and the kid silently looked at himself, and just now Xavier saw that this kid had bandages all over his hands. After few moments he threw up his arms and sat there, silently watching Xavier. - Oh... Okay, so... Are you hungry? - He asked, and kid vigorously nodded.

            Xavier smiled and ordered young fella to stay where he sat, and went to the kitchen. His kitchen was quite big, and around six people could be there working at once. Under the walls, there was a long row of kitchen cabinets, both standing and hanging, and under those hanging ones, there were multiple pans, pots, colanders, bowls, and other stuff necessary to work with food. Of course, many items such as knives, spoons, forks, graters, pestles, and other things were hidden in the drawers. There was also electrical kettle, and oven with burners, and induction hob, many containers with rice, noodles, coco, and of course sugar and salt. Anyway, Xavier opened a fridge and reached for white cheese, milk and a little bit of butter. Next, he grabbed a deep pan and poured inside some milk. After that, he placed it over a burner and added cocoa to the mix. Letting it warm up a little, he started working on mixing inside a small ceramic bowl white cheese with a little bit of honey and cinnamon. During his work Xavier whistled a happy tune, and soon he placed in front of the kid steaming cocoa, sliced loaf of bread with butter and bowl of white cheese mixed with honey and cinnamon.

            Kid eyes went wide and he was eager to grab the food, but... He stopped half way and looked over towards Xavier, looking for confirmation.

- Go ahead! Eat up, you look like skeleton! - Kid eagerly reached for food and started to stuff it's mouth full of it. - Wow... I guess you were quite hungry! Well, eat as much as you want, and if you will want some more, don't be afraid to ask. - Xavier grabbed his phone, and checked if it was charged already. The battery showed ten percent, and a sign of charging. Also, he noticed that he was out of the network. - Blast it... - He said and turned towards the kid, who was watching him with half of a slice of bread in his mouth. - Oh don't worry, just eat up! You must've eaten at least a moth or so ago, am I right? - Kid silently nodded, and returned to eating. - Well... You'll need to tell me everything what happened to you, but first eat, drink, and get some rest.

            Xavier looked around his home, and realized, that he didn't do anything to prepare for session! He wanted to play where now this little guy was sitting, but now it wasn't a possibility, and a table in the dining room, right under the window was too small for keeping everything around. And he wouldn't be able to correctly place a GM screen... He will need to call off the meeting...

- Mister Xavier! You have a great dog! - He heard from behind him and saw that his dog, Spark, was sitting next to the young fella, and was being petted, Spark was a Golden retriever, with his fur coloured into his race colour of golden sun. Yet his name came from his energy, and that he had a lot. He was everywhere, really everywhere, and now, what was strange, he was calmly sitting next to the young guy, allowing him to pet him. Spark liked kids, and Xavier often allowed them to pet him, when they were going for a walk, and he loved it.

- His name is Spark, and you're quite lucky that he probably was asleep, because he would be all over you. - Xavier laughed, and so did the kid, who ate everything that was prepared for him. - Wow, you're quite fast eater. Now, how do you feel?

- Better, thanks for asking! You are great cook! You make such delicious meals! It must be magic or great faith in your hands yes? Anyway, why did you help me? Can I repay you somehow? Can I do anything to repay for your kindness?

            This question caught Xavier by surprise. Whole sentence was strange, but he thought that it was normal after... Whatever happened to this boy. He didn't expect it, because... You just help people who need it. You just do.

- Well... You needed help, and I helped you. You don't need to deserve help you know? You just need to ask for it. - Xavier smiled and saw, that there was some conflict going on inside this boy. He was torn inside, between something. Still, Xavier needed to learn more about him, and his phone needed to find network... - Anyway, what's your name? What happened to you?

- I... - Started boy, and Xavier could tell that he didn't know if he wanted to tell anything at all. But, with help came Spark, that reached for boy's face and licked it. Kid was disgusted at first, but soon, started laughing. - You have great dog. Take care of him, and my name is Victor. Victor Marigold, just like this plant you know? - Xavier nodded, and waited for more information from this boy. - Well... What happened to me... I was running, running from this person... Can't say who he or she was, but... Either he or she was chasing me, and I knew that he or she didn't mean well for me...

- How this person looked like?

- It was tall...

- It?

- I... I can't recall if it was man, or woman. But it was tall person. Taller than you, and me, and even if I were standing on top of you...

- Well... Than it's quite a big person. How did you know, that he meant ill will upon you?

- I... I just know okay? He was following me, later chasing me, and look at me. He finally grabbed a hold of me, and did all this... I kicked, and screamed, and bit, and he let me go. Don't know how, or why, but... he let me go, and... And I ran, as far as i could, and ended up here, under your gate...

- That's quite the tale... Anyway, don't worry. Here you have nothing to be afraid of! Spark and I will keep you safe, at least until someone come to pick you up. Right! Do you know the phone number to your father or mother? They should know where you are don't you think?

- Well... You see... I don't have them... They died when i was very young, and my Grandparents are taking care of me... And I don't know their phone number... I had lost my mobile phone... Probably this person took it from me!

- Oh... Don't worry! It's not a problem. Tomorrow we will go to the police station, and they will help us find your family. I'm sure they will find them in no time! Meanwhile, would you like to...

Thunder roared in the night sky, signalling that a massive storm was brewing. No forecast was showing that there will be a thunderstorm this night. Victor instantly curled up and pulled his hood up over his head. It was clear, that he was afraid of the storm. Wind was starting to howl in the growing cold of the night, and slowly, but steadily, it started to rain. Tap, tap, tap, first slowly, but after just a few breaths, it was a steady music of the Storm.

-Are you afraid of the storm? - Kid nodded, and returned to the cover of his arms after another lighting hit in the distance. - Don't worry, It'll pass. All storms will eventually pass. Now then, it's to late to drive you somewhere, and I guess my guests won't show up with this weather... So... It seems like you will have to stay here, at least till tomorrow. -Xavier decided, and Victor... Well, he was overjoyed. He jumped out of his fort, and hanged over Xaviers neck, saying over, and over: "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" - Ha-h, ah-a, ha! Yes, y-you welc-come, b-but please, could you... Consider... Not suffocating me?

- Oh! Sorry, sorry! - Said the boy, quickly leaving Xavier who could get a breath. He was surprised how strong was the boy, considering that he looked very poorly. By the way, wasn't he thinner just a moment ago? Nah, Xavier was probably tired, or at least that's how he explained it to himself.

- I get that you don't have any other clothing with yourself? - Boy shook his head negatively. - Okay, I guess I'll find something that'll be either fitting you, or too big for you. Now, get upstairs and get ready for the bath.

- The bath? - Kid asked, visually confused.

- The bath Victor, the bath. You don't think that you'll go to the clean bed like that? - Xavier smiled and hurried excited young fella towards stairs.

            Upstairs there were three sleeping rooms and a bathroom, big one to be honest. There was enough place for bathtub, shower, toilet, washing machine, sink, mirror, few cabinets, and towel stand. Victor was amazed by what he saw, and was standing there, looking on white walls and tilled floor.

- Okay, so I'll leave you here. Feel free to use anything you need. The shampoo is with the soap here in this closet, and clear towels are here. Use as many as you want. I'll be back within thirty or forty minutes.

            After that, Xavier left and went to his old room, right next to the bathroom, where he started preparing place for the young boy. Inside the room, there was bed, desk full of things like papers, pens, pencils, crayons, statuettes, and so on. There was also wardrobe, in which Xavier had few clothes that could actually fit on the boy, and so he started looking there. He found old sweatpants, and stretched undershirt, that should fit on the boy. Of course there was also bookcase full of books, ranging from fantasy, Science-Fiction, through horrors and criminal books, on guides ending. There were also stashed board games, and some RPG rulebooks. This room had two windows and two plants. One was a cactus, and other was a coffee bush.

- Hey! Victor, are you alright? - Xavier knocked on the door, and he heard a surprised sound with sloshing water. - May i come in?

- N-No! I... I'm just leaving the bathtub! Give me a moment!

- O-okay! Just... Tell me when you're ready! - Xavier waited for like five minutes, meanwhile observing as his dog entered his old room. He had his personal carpet there so... It was nothing strange. Maybe boy will feel better with friendly quadruped close?

-Okay! You may give me the clothes! - Victor called from behind closed door.

            Xavier opened the door and saw the boy, whose entire body was covered with scars. They were long, thin, sharp, like they were made by single sharp blade. Also his hands were covered in these, but Xavier said nothing. He could clearly see, that kid wasn't eager to talk about those and tried as much as he could cover them with towels and his hands. Without another word, he gave him clothes and left, waiting outside without a word. But he smiled to Victor. There was no point in annoying boy, whose fear of storm returned after another laud thunder.

            Soon, they were both in the old Xavier's room, and Victor had problem with sleeping. Turns out, that switching off the light was quite good way to show how many lightings were hitting poor Earth. Soon it became clear, that Victor, no matter what, will not sleep. Xavier was starting to feel tired after whole day of work, and also this case... Every man has it's own limits... Anyway, he went for his phone, and discovered, that still, it was still out of network. Just what he needed... After he returned to the room, he saw that Victor grabbed his old projects. He was a game master, so he had some... Dozens of character sheets, where he held his ideas of heroes and villains. Some were build normally, others were build to be challenging, and other... Were, as he called it: "God level."

- I see you've grabbed my old projects. - He said, and Victor jumped startled by his voice. - Don't worry it's not a crime. Tell me, do you like role play games?

- Role play games? What's that? - He asked, visually confused. Oh boy, oh boy, Xavier found himself a new student! Now he felt a little bit sad, that he will need to say goodbye tomorrow.

- Well, good thing you asked, for you see...

In this instance, in this moment, whole room was brightened by lightning, that shoot herself in, shattering windows, setting fire to the furniture... And Incinerating Xavier Mortis... The last thing he heard was the loudest thunder, that he could ever imagine...