Love of a Thousand Colors

Chapter 8

"You have found it, didn't you?" Israel asked in a hint of horror and implicating tone. 

When Lucky drove the wheelchair to my side, he decided to compose himself. "I haven't. You knew I lost the coupon." I waved my hands in protest and shook my head. "I swear!" Oh my gosh, I'm lying through my teeth -- again." The suspense and anxiousness in the air are making the enormous hallway shrink in size. Fortunately, Israel is not able to hear the wild beating of my heart, or else it would be a dead giveaway. 

Lucky is gauging the situation and tried to reach my hand. She's always been suspicious of Israel and I understand her concern. But what can both of us do? I have experienced his physical prowess first hand, and the undeniable fact that Lucky is one sickly girl in a wheelchair and we're here at his home doesn't help. 

Israel slumped his shoulders in defeat or hopelessness. "I see." He whispered. "This painting and this rhyme are both widely popular. Your interpretation hits the mark perfectly. Only me and my family knew that the plants in the children's pockets are not to ward off the illness but to decorate their own tomb with the flowers of their choice." He touched the polished wooden frame of the painting, "Because that's the only choice they are given in a world where their friends are dying left and right." 

Lucky stayed where she is, unconvinced. If she's without her illness, she'll be running outside the door as though there are hundreds of zombies on her tail. 

 "It's just a painting." I complained. "Anyone would've guessed it." 

He nodded his head. "Let's go to the garden. We've been inside too long. It's time to get some fresh air." He walked ahead of us. Me and Lucky followed at a distance of 2 meters. My excitement died the moment he asked that dreaded question. I think my sister and I are sharing the same thoughts, it's better to go home. 

We went to the garden and wow, my mind can't take in how beautiful their garden is. It's not at all the same as the vegetable garden I have at home. Lucky's eyes enjoyed the magnificent view as well. Israel raised his hand up and a group of butterflies swarmed to his hand. He carefully lowered them in front of Lucky for her to see. Lucky looked at the butterflies and to Israel's face, her eyes moistened with unshed tears. Israel, with all the gentleness he could muster, raised my sister's hand and placed some of the butterflies on her fused fingers. I turned my back against them and wiped my eyes. 

A house staff approached us and set up the table and chairs. Another one came in to bring another set of snacks. "Master, another guest came in. She demanded to see you immediately." Israel's face contorted to irritation. 

 "Who is it this time?" He said. And his guest arrived, a girl too familiar to me. The leader of the hyenas...

 "What is she doing here?" The girl asked, scowling as she stomped her way to Israel. "I told you how she's been rude to me all this time and you invited her to your home?! How dare you!?" As the words spewed out of her foul mouth, the butterflies on Lucky's hand flew away. My sister's face fell in disappointment.  

Israel raised his hand, and she stopped in her tracks. He smirked, "You're not my girlfriend. It's not your business who I bring here." He ushered the staff to take her away, but the maid saw her group of friends arriving one by one. 

Israel couldn't help but raise both hands and touch his head, then drop them after. He questioned the house staff silently with his eyes but the woman lowered her head in shame. He pursed his lips and went in front of me and Lucky. "My grandmother is at home and resting. She won't tolerate this kind of disrespect."

The leader laughed sardonically, "And you think my uncle would be glad to hear that his favorite niece being driven away? Israel, remember, you're just this household's grandson without any significant bearing in the family." She gritted her teeth in rage, "You can't dismiss and belittle me just like the school's errand girl behind you."

I stared at her in shock, she dissed everyone here, including the guy she desperately wants to be with. That's a big no-no, girl. "Thank you, Israel for letting me and my sister here. It's so kind of you. We'll be on our way." Lucky didn't move, she was so distraught with the butterflies leaving. If the hyenas are as important socially as they claim to be, I don't want to be dragged down to this.

But he raised his arm, blocking my way, "You are underestimating me. And I greatly dislike girls with a superiority complex." He enunciated each word, expressing his disgust. "You're nothing without your family's name."

The girl was taken aback.  "And that girl..." again with her finger-pointing, "She has value?" She placed both her hands on her hips, "People like her cling to us for what we are! WHAT OUR FAMILIES ARE!" She emphasized, "Look at her! Even bringing her creepy monster along! They are a bunch of parasites!"

"Don't drag my sister into this!" I shouted. "Do you want to be the one wrapped in bandages instead?" Both my arms reached out to pull her hair out and give her one or two punches, but Israel intervened.

The girl pretended to be frightened, "Oh dear me, I forgot how primitive and barbaric you are." Her groupie laughed together like it was choreographed. "Why don't we just settle it with an online battle instead? Anyway..." Her groupie is setting up a table with two desktop units on it. One has a mic and a camera, the other has none. "You were only recruited out of pity. I'm going to show the world what a poser and sucker you are." 

The computers booted within a few seconds. The mouses and keyboards are attached to the CPU with large, well-designed gaming headsets. One of the minions took out her tablet pro and placed it in front of their leader after she freshened up her makeup. Oh, don't tell me she's...

"Hello my dear Twitch viewers! The QueenSlayer is back and as promised, we'll play against Esahardon's new female recruit, Trina." The girl slyly put her hand on the side of her mouth and mouthed 'trash'. "And she's here!" Lifting the camera around and focusing the lenses on me. "But with all the hype, she won't even entertain us with one game. How sad!" The girl made a crying, sad face over the tablet camera. 

Israel's phone rang and he answered it. I bet it's his other teammates. I can imagine Mr. Redhead panicking and pushing the eject button now saying 'Ditch the girl now! Ditch! Ditch!'

"Don't play." Israel said, "It's a trap obviously." He dialed a number and he seems to be talking to someone asking to cut off the broadcast by stopping the company's services temporarily. 

One of the minions placed another monitor and angled it in a way we could see. To our horror, we are live on multiple platforms at this very moment. Lucky was briefly shown and the evil leader typed, "This one's literally burned. Rush her to the emergency unit!" The screen is now swamped with laugh emotes.

"I'll play you, you evil..." I sat on the chair and placed my hands on the equipment. Crap! What did Israel say again about the rules of the game?

The hyenas clapped their hands and the leader smiled maliciously. "Then, without further ado, let's begin!"

Israel and my younger sister rushed beside me. "This is not fair! She won't be able to play with our team! You should've notified us beforehand." Oh, I forgot that I won't be playing alone but with others. Oh my gosh!

"She can team up with anyone online. I'll do the same." The girl assured us, but there's something unnerving about it. "Trust me a little Israel. I'm not with my usual crew in this game." She winked at him but she scowled at me and my sister. Well, it appears all of her friends are here, without a gadget on their hands. "I don't mind if you coach her Israel. Don't forget that you are watched by millions though."

As I've thought before, I'll be in for a humiliating ride. Why did I jump in so easily? Israel didn't mind helping me. Lucky cheered me on and glowered at the enemy in front of us.

I randomly picked any character and Israel shouted 'No!' in disapproval. He tapped his fingers on the table vigorously. "That character was just released three days ago. No one has expertly used that hero yet."

My teammates online openly expressed their worry and anger at me. Calling me names and tagging me as stupid. The leader of the hyenas mocked me by saying the new character inflicts a lot of damage, granted it must be used properly. The girl spoke on her viewers and added she'll be giving free diamonds for their unwavering support and for the time they'll spend watching me get crushed into pieces.

The game started and my heart is about to explode from my chest.