Order of the Solar Temple

Chapter 3

The Saint-Michael's route 467 bus slowed to a stop as it reached its final stop for the day. It was already dark but the streetlights were blazing bright giving a natural comfort for scared night crawlers combined with the cold gentle breeze that featured the night in courtesy of the Saint Lawrence river less than a mile away. Though it was comfort enough still the unloading passengers gripped their partners hand in solace as they walked into the night, their steps hurried.

Surprisingly and Unsurprisingly every passenger had a partner or was part of a group and no one felt the loneliness of the night- except for one passenger. Still standing at the rear of the bus clad in a splash of black he watched each passenger partner up as they left, looking over their shoulders while they diverted into their various destination. They all had one thing in common.

Fear

He could almost taste it, he could almost touch it. Oh, how it would make him feel if that fear was channeled towards him. The raw power. He felt like having a taste of it and reached for his .357 magnum when he remembered he had to report back. Sighing in defeat he clambered down from the bus putting his dark shades own as he hit the borough of Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie

Walking through the quiet neighbourhood gave him time to think about his day. He had an awesome day so far but he didn't feel satisfied and he knew why.

He had his taste of blood but it wasn't seasoned. It lacked the main seasoning, the massage of his ego, the juice of the fruit, the main ingredient : Fear. His prey was not scared of him, it was only surprised and defiant and feisty and fragile and soft and pi...

No, it wasn't pityable. It didn't give him the respect that was due him and oh, how he made it pay, he had fulfilled his duty over and beyond the requirement.

He was proud.

Thinking back to the prey and its defiance he remembered a funny thing. It tried to fight him. Him?!. He gave a hearty laugh. What a funny prey, he should have saved it to play some other time but it was a mission and it was to be finished.

As the man approched the Jean talon street, he passed the famous Blvd44 showing of their best commodity at the front door. Lowering his glasses to the bridge of his nose he assessed the various commodities of the night.

Noticing his attention, they perked up and began a parade show for him, revealing clothes were pulled lower or higher depending on your perspective of interest, supposedly cute poutings were thrown across to him from the side and a brandish of sweet names were called across to him.

He smiled, he loved it when he got attention especially from this lovely beauties. He made a mental note to get one after his reward. Adjusting his shades he moved on stealthily one arm holding the bag pack the other balled in a fist till he reached his destination.

It was a two-storey brick building containing glass windows about 75 inches wide and four ft. tall. The windows were the main fascination of the building, they were two giant windows on each side to the second story. The windows gave onlookers a glimpse into the mad interior of the house, with milky white decor and a swinging silver-gold chandelier fit for a palace.

The man wondered why the Sion would have the meeting in such an open closure. Old men do have a strange way of thinking, there was an African parable that went on about what the elderly could see sitting down, the child could not see while standing on a tree. Was that it? Was there something the Sion could see that he didn't? Were they in danger? What was..

"Whose there?" a gruff voice echoed to him so closely, he whirled around brandishing his weapon, excited for another kill

"Over here, you i***t" he whipped back and noticed a window slightly cracked open. He frowned when he noticed it was the Sion's guard that insulted him. How dare that rat?

"Who are you?"

"Tell Sion, its Seven" He said in the most gruffest tone he could come up with. Yes, he was seven. An image of perfection in his craft. He was the best in the business. He was seven indeed.

The door opened revealing the offending persona, he growled at the offender who held up a defiant face that made his blood boil. The guard ushered him into a secret room guarded over by two burly men. They both gave him a nod of recognition before letting him in. Yes, they knew who he was. He gave them a curt nod in return as he entered the barely lit room, door closing with a bang.

The man could pick out the faint outline of two figures sitting on opposite couchs near a crackling fire. He stood arms clasped infront of his genitals waiting to be addressed watching the two old men conversingbsilently for some more minutes before acknowledging him.

"Seven is that you?" He could recognise the voice anywhere

"Yes Sion"

"Report?" the other man demanded. He glared at him- not that it could be seen in the dark.

The Sion chuckled

"He doesn't need to report. His presence alone speaks of a successful job" The Old man picked up the glass of brandy on the stool and took a long chug, ice swishing as they crumbled. He dropped the now empty glass and got up padding softly towards the man. He looked at him proudly.

"I know you never disappoint" He thrusted a large brown envelope into his hands.

"Enjoy yourself" the old man patted his arm and turned back to join his companion

"Hope you had a good day"

"Not really " This was his opportunity. The Old man turned to him frowning

"Why?"

"I was insulted by your guard Sion. He called me an i***t"

The Sion frowned deeply for a moment then it slowly turned to a mischevious smirk. Turning back, the Sion gave him a magnanimous wave.

He smiled. That was all he needed.

Driving out of the house he felt exhilirated not just with new car but satisfaction of a second kill. This time he had his major ingredient and he felt satisfied.

Flipping his dark shades on, he zommed off. Next stop: Blvd44

¤ ¤ ¤

Aidèen awoke to the soft whacks of pillow on her. She stirred thinking the offender would leave her be but opposite was the case. Whack whack. Peeking out out her narrowed eyes she wasn't surprised to find a large pair of forest greens staring back at her mischieviously unblinking. She bit back a smile.

At her peripheral vision, she saw Maria raise a pillow high smiling wickedly. Then she attacked. Pulling the girl down she jettisoned the pillow attacking her with tickles, the child giggled till her eyes trickled with tears squealing every now and then, Aidèen then let her be. The girl rested across Aidèen's stomach catching her breath while enjoying mother's touch.They both stayed silent for a while enjoying each other's company

"Morning boss" Maria pushed herself up giving her mom a serious look. Their little roleplay

"Morning kowalski" Aidèen said getting into action

"Weather report?"

"Suspicuously Sunny and a great amount of cool air to grace the morning with"

"Hmm suspicious indeed" Aidèen set a hand to her jaw as if in thought

"Time?"

"That would be a ten-thirty sir"

"Waoh. Condition of the house?"

"Still messy"

"Grocery?"

"In full supply"

"What do you think of for breakfast?"

"I think we should have a sumptuous breakfast today Sir in celebration"

"What Celebration?" Maria thought deeply

"Well, we are alive and haven't been eaten by the other animals"

"True, very wise kowalski"

"Indeed sir,I was thinking of potato salad with chicken nuggets" Maria was staring at her dreamily almost drooling, they haven't had a well balanced breakfast for a while because of her busy schedule. This was her make-up.

"We don't have chicken i suppose?"

"No Sir, but we can run down to the store to get one"

"We could and we would. To action Kowalski"

"Aye aye captain" Maria slipped from the bed and headed to her room almost running in her cute get up of Penguins of Madagascar.

Aidèen also rose from the bed, had a quick brush and bath as she had taken one the night before. Clad in jeans and Aloha tops, they both headed for the grocery store and ended up buying more than just chicken all credit given to Maria.

They both unloaded the car making two trips to the kitchen. Having stored everything in its appropriate places. Aidèen started peeling the potatoes while Maria began cleaning the parlor she had littered with candy wrapper. Once she finished she joined her mum in the kitchen.

"How was your Friday?" Aidèen inquired handing her some scallions and tomatoes. She scuttled over to the sink, rinsing them under the runing water.

"Fine, i had an impromtu maths test but i think am still going to nail it"

"My little kowalski, but why was it impromtu?"

"I don't know. My teacher thinks we are all dumb" Maria paused for a while and turned to her mum

"Do you know what she now calls Cisco? Mr bean"

Aidèen shook her head disapprovingly but inside she was roaring with laughter and took her a lot to rein it in. Mr bean was a character that got her clutching her ribs even in her worst moods, calling someone that dude was just utterly mean and severely funny. Some part of her disapproved her attitude, Cisco was her neighbour, Martha's son. The woman had been a kind help in picking Maria along from school when she was late or couldn't turn in.

Thinking of Martha's face when her son tells her his new nickname got Aidèen guffawing. The School is going to have it hot.

"Mummy are u laughing?" Maria was staring at her, arms akimbo

"No, yes but am laughing at something different not about Cisco bean" It was evident that Maria didn't believe her

"Really, care to share?"

"Not for your age, its rated eighteen your just eight"

"And the half" Maria emphasized.

"It makes no difference Maria"

"Okay lets use this case study. I am very hungry and i want to eat bread but there is only half loaf. I would eat the half loaf though it won't satisfy me but its something and am not that hungry anymore. See? Never look down at the word 'half', its very powerful" Maria carried the rinsed items back clearly happy she had made her point

"Okay then, Maria eight-and-half. I think your old enough..."

"Really, to do what?" she said excitedly

"To take out the garbage" Maria's eyes grew wide blazing green

"What, but am just eight"

"And the half"

"It makes no difference"

"Yes it does. Let me use this case study. Suppose the garbage can is full and i only take out half, its not much but its something atleast the garbage won't be full again. Never look down at the word 'half', very powerful indeed"

Maria groaned. Aidèen smiled. Who said mothers are not emblems of wisdom.

They finished cooking breakfast among chit chats and loads of laughter and Lippy scurrying between the two for little helpings.

Once the cooking was finished, the pair cleaned the work table and wipedown every speckle till the kitchen was shiny. Aidèen dished two plates while Maria carried it to the parlour, she followed later carrying two packs of cranberry juice.

They ate amidst watching Penguins of Madagascar and voicing out characters till they lost focus. An empty plate, a spent pack of juice and five episodes of POM later, Maria went in to take rest and do some assignments.

Aidèen claimed the remote and surfed the channel through till it rested on the state news. Fiddling with Lippy's ear she watched as the reporter gave the report of the day making mention of the yesterday's blast. The reporter went on about the damage of the fire and the dead girl, which people around the St-Laurentians have identified

Identified? The SQ boys haven't started their work yet and the public now has an identity. Interesting.

The woman babbled about how the st-laurentians thought of the girl as friendly and helpful as she always took a snapshot with them whenever they go hiking together.

The camera settled on a young man being interviewed who claimed to be a friend of the deceased. He was teary-eyed as he described the lovely nature of Lorena

Lorena? Why was that name familiar? Aidèen thought as tension began to build up in her stomach.

In a flash, the picture of the girl was focused on. She was smiling wistfully at the camera clad in ski outfit with a number of guys. Aidèen's stomach dipped dangerously and bile soared to her throat till she could taste it.

Her phone began ringing loudly but she paid no attention to it, eyes still focused at the screen. Reeling from recognition, she hurried to the sink and retched out about a quarter of her breakfast. She didn't need a school brochure to know, it has always been imprinted in her mind together with others.

It was one of her drop-out students.