The Mask: 1

THE AFTERMATH AND INFLUENCE

The so-called The Mask duo of Sin and Nico escaped the school immediately as hunters are lined up outside. Nico argued with Sin about staying and just dismiss their merged form, but Sin called him stupid. He told Nico that it is not a good idea to stay even if he’s not in a monster form. Sin explained to Nico that the hunters will just use the device they developed to sense Nico and it will not be good since they would immediately slaughter him on site. Nico understands it, but he also wants to check on Mikey if she’s okay. Mikey needs someone to be with right now, especially after witnessing her classmates and teachers be devoured by a monster. This incident will remain in their hearts and minds maybe forever. Even Nico is disgusted by what he saw, but it somehow didn’t make him puke. Nico and Sin ran through the woods and exited to a empty and dark road. They were about to be separated when dozens of monsters which are in different colors arrived. And Nico and Sin recognized one immediately, it was the mailman. His monster form really is different, he was white and the mask covers his face but not the top of his head. Some of his comrades have their faces covered and have different colors. But the only thing that Nico and Sin are sure of is that these monsters before them are in a completely different league than one they’ve just eaten.

“What have you come here for?” Sin and Nico asked.

The mailman laughed with his growling voice, “Nothing, just here to congratulate you. And to thank you.” The mailman said.

Nico tilted his head a little bit to the right “Thank us? Why would you thank us?” Nico asked.

The white monster grinned and showed his sharp teeth “Well, that mask and host has been a problem for us. That fool keeps on eating in our feeding grounds and sometimes steals our prey. So, we came here to thank you for solving our problem.” Thanked the mailman.

He was about to talk more when all of them including Sin and Nico sensed something from afar. And Nico knows what this means. The hunters are on their tail, and they need to escape immediately or they’ll be dead meat.

“Again, congratulations on your debut, The Mask!” says the mailman then all of them took off while laughing.

“We gotta go, Nico!” says Sin then Nico nodded and both of them escaped the hunters.

The next day came and the news about the incident spread across the country. It was the topic of all the citizens in the city of Nico. The authorities have made up a story and says that a serial killer has entered the premises of the school then ran havoc and slaughtered almost 25 students and teachers along his way. But what the authorities can’t explain is the bodies of 11 people that was found without any organs and flesh and the only that’s left was their bones. That’s the question they’ve kept on avoiding. Nico on the other hand is trying to contact Mikey but was unsuccessful. He understands it, but he is just too worried about her. He wants to be there by her side as her friend and apologize for what he did. Nico roamed through the city since school has been obviously canceled and that just means that this was an early summer vacation.

As he walked through their city’s shopping district, Sin slithered under Nico’s clothes.

“Rather than spending your time like this. Why can’t you get yourself into training, make yourself strong and more useful, idiot.” Sin said.

And speaking of strong, since Nico woke up this morning, he felt something weird about his body. His vision became cleared and he feels stronger. And when he tried to lift the unused dumbbells, he bought 2 years ago that weighs about 5 kilos each, he easily managed to lift it without any difficulties. He somehow had an idea on what is happening but he is still unsure of it.

“Hey, Sin. About the influence that you’re saying, the one that masks leaves behind the body of your host. Didn’t you say that if the mask becomes stronger, the host will do too?” Nico asked.

Nico then heard Sin sigh “Noticing it now, huh? Do you see what I mean now? I’ve eaten a mask that has devoured students and teachers, his strength becomes mine. Which means that I improved into another level, and so do you.” Sin explained.

Nico looks like an insane person as he talks to himself in public, but he needs some answers. But Sin told Nico that this improvement is just a little bit, and he also told him that they can still get stronger but Nico needs to train for it. Sin reminded him again that if the host is strong, it will greatly effect the mask and be a stronger version of the combined form, and if in a fight where Sin has won and has eaten the mask of his opponent, it will also make him strong and that will definitely influence the body of Nico.

“Summer vacation is early; I think you have a point. Let’s train?” says Nico.

Sin chuckled “Been waiting for you to say that. Now, when do we start?” Sin asked.

Nico thought of it for a while then finally decided on the date of their training

“Maybe next week, I know a place where we can train.” Says Nico then both of them went on their way to window shopping.

But as Nico is looking through windows of each store, he saw the parents of Mikey. He quickly approached them and blocked their way. The parents stopped and recognized Nico immediately. Their eyes were puffed and that is a sign that they were crying all night Nico guessed. Nico thought that this might be disrespectful to them but he needs to know,

“How is she? Ma’am, Sir? How is Mikey?” Nico asked nervously.

The father then agreed to tell Nico but not there, he invited Nico into a café and sit there and talk. As they sat there and sipping their cup of tea. Nico is there sitting nervously, he badly needs to know the situation of Mikey, but based on the looks of her parents. She isn’t doing good. Finally, Mikey’s mother told Nico. It turns out that Mikey has locked herself in her room and is refusing to come out. She also doesn’t want to speak to anyone nor eat, and they can hear her crying inside her room. It just means that she has been badly traumatized and now she is suffering. Well, Nico can’t blame here, she just witnessed her classmates and teachers be killed and she was also covered in blood back then. But he felt bad and sad for her. She was always there for him, and now he needs to be there for her this time.

Nico suddenly stood up with his head bowing down and his fist are balled and shaking

“If there’s anything I can do, please tell me.” Says Nico.

The parents looked at each other and gave Nico a weak smile.

“Yes, we need you, Nico. Please comfort our daughter, you may be the only one who can do it. Please.” Begged Mikey’s parents.

And now Nico is determined, he will talk to Mikey and comfort her. Now is the time for Nico to show how much he cares for her. It’s time for him to be there when she needs it. It’s definitely the time for him to show how much he loves her.