The Mask: 1

THE PROMISE

Going to Mikey’s house, you will need to travel for about half an hour and since there’s traffic, Nico and Mikey’s parents arrived at their house in an hour. And because Nico has been influenced by Sin, he can clearly hear everything around them even if it’s behind walls. When they stood in front of Mikey’s house, he clearly heard her sobbing. It made Nico’s chest ache even though he is totally fine. He is hearing her crying and he is being hurt by it too. Mikey’s parents then invited Nico to come inside since it’s scorching out here, Nico excused himself and went in. He then experienced the worst as he went inside, he can hear her crying much louder than when he was outside. Nico couldn’t help but tear up. That’s when Mikey’s parents noticed him. They didn’t ask him on why is he crying, because even they can sense it, a suffering Mikey is trying to handle the worst by herself. Her parents then went upstairs to fetch her, but they were unsuccessful. Her father then went back down and called Nico. And Nico followed until he reached the front of her room. Based on what he was sensing, Mikey is in a corner of her room and crying. The mother then knocked thrice,

“Mikey, honey. Nico is here to visit you, come out and greet him, please.” Says her mother.

And it is obvious that she is also suffering, her voice is rather shaky and her husband rushed to her and put his arms around her to calm her down. And as far as Nico can see, they are hoping that Mikey will come out, even just a peek, they want to see her. Miraculously, the crying stopped and they heard footsteps approaching the door from the inside of her room. Her parents’ expression changed as their prayers might be heard. But all of them were wrong, Nico and Mikey’s parents heard crashing inside her room and it might be a shelf or some sort. Nico then felt Sin crawling up his torso again,

“That girl has brought down a shelf and blocked the door, quite stubborn.” Sin whispered.

Nico then took a deep breath. It’s king of obvious that Mikey doesn’t really want to talk to anyone even Nico, but he needs to. He needs to talk to her and help her to cope with the situation. Because that’s what he promised.

Nico looked at her parents who began to cry “Uhm, Ma’am, Sir. You should rest for now, I’ll the situation. I have an idea.” Says Nico calmly.

The two nodded and went down the stairs and Nico followed. He then asked where the window of Mikey’s room was and the father guided him to it. Nico assured him that he’ll do his best since the window seems to be not locked, the father nodded and thanked Nico and wished him luck, then he went back inside.

“Come on, Sin. Help me jump high enough to reach the grills of her window.” Says Nico.

Sin sighed and help him jump but it was unexpected for Nico so they jumped higher than planned. And as they went down, Nico grabbed hold of the grills of the window then pulled it with his enhanced strength until it comes off. This might be a cruel thing to do, but it was the only way.

Mikey who was inside her trembled in fear, she crawled her way to her shelf that she brought down to block door. She then grabbed a baseball and pointed at the window, she was screaming and crying and it went louder when the window opened. Her parents rushed to her room and began banging on her door, the parents’ and Mikey’s shout made Nico wish he had no ears. But then, the sun lighted up Nico’s face and it unexpectedly calmed her down. Nico slowly went down the window. And without even thinking about it, Mikey rushed towards Nico and hugged him tight that it nearly suffocated him, but it does not matter at all to him.

“Ma’am, Sir. Don’t worry, it’s me, Nico. And everything is under control. We’ll be down there later, please prepare a meal for your daughter, thank you and I’m sorry.” Said Nico.

They sighed in relief and told Nico to handle the situation and they will wait downstairs. Nico then hugged Mikey back, and they stood there maybe an hour, just hugging each other and feeling the pain of each other. Nico gently brushed the hair of Mikey with his hand because this is the only thing, he knows about comforting someone.

“Hey, Michaela. You’re okay now, I’m here, let’s sit and talk” says Nico calmly.

Mikey then lifted her head and looked at Nico. Her face was the worst thing Nico could see, her eyes are so puffed that he couldn’t even see her eyes clearly, her hair is also a mess and she was trembling. Nico pressed her head against his chest again

“It’s okay now, I’m here.” Nico assured then they sat on Mikey’s bed with her still hugging Nico and is refusing to let go.

Despite having the courage to go here, break into her room and promising that he would talk to her. Nico can’t find the correct words to tell her. She is suffering and that’s obviously true, the cheery, brave and kind Mikey have been transformed into this version of her that Nico doesn’t want to see. And because of this, Nico decided that he will become strong in order to protect her and his family. He will become strong and he promise it to Mikey. He is now decided, even if the mailman and his bastard comrades aren’t the ones behind this incident, he vowed that he will exterminate them. Because demons are traitors, but he strongly believes that the demon he has is not one of them. And now, Sin and Nico have one goal in common. They will become stronger in order to devour their enemies, even if it will mean that they are launching and all-out war against them. Nico then looked at the poor and crying Mikey. He kissed her head and then whispered,

“I will protect you this time, Mikey. I promise.” He says then Mikey hugged him tighter and her tears began to flow again.

She was waiting for him, the man she loves, the man who will do anything just to protect her and now that he’s here and is promising her that he will protect her. That’s the most touching thing Nico could do. And she vowed that she will cling to that promise, and made a promise herself. That she will now become someone that could stand alongside him. She loves him, and she hopes that he loves her as well.

Nico then thought to himself “I promise I will become strong and swear that I will slaughter and devour all mask in this screwed up world. And I will do it with a mask.”

But what Nico is not aware of is that another faction of mask is now preparing to take revenge for their fallen comrade. And their goal is to make Nico suffer as cruel and painful as possible.