HARRIET'S POINT OF VIEW
Area 666 have two major species. The humans and the... Demi-humans.
But because of extinction, human's population dropped to 10℅ from its original number.
Humans started to depend on their own kinds. They started to fight indirectly by building secret passages into their houses, sticking together wherever they go, and also... Killing the demi-humans President T created, mercilessly.
Rhys Publishing House is one of the establishments that can be called as human's lair. The publishing house have a special protection to all of its employees inside. But when you go outside, you need to be careful on your way home. Because demi-humans and the berserk beasts is just around, waiting for their chances to attack.
I am used to this 'mouse and cat game'. But whatever you do. Whatever method you tried to be safe and to protect your family. Due to the imbalance of nature, human lives became limited.
They say that demi-humans are special. They are immortal. But no one dares to volunteer in this inhumane experiment of a madman. Because once you become one of his subjects, you will live longer, but you will choose to die in an instant than being used while under the process.
Before, no one knows how to kill these. But a mysterious man under the full moon with nine beautiful fox tails gave humans hope.
"Another demi-human's murder happened in... The mysterious deaths without any traces alerted the Top Development Inc., and raised the prize of whoever that can give them the clue to the mysterious nine-tailed fox." The news caster said in the T.V.
I sighed and continued to work in the kitchen.
I must say that, I am very grateful to that fox for helping humans. But I can't help but to pity those creatures. After all, they're once become a human like us. Its just that... They are also a victim.
"Ah!" I screamed suddenly.
"Harriet! What happened?! Are you—" Crow came to me, flustered and worried.
He paused when he looked at my fresh blood in my wound. He lifted my finger and took it inside his mouth. He sucked it that made my face turned hot.
I looked away from him and tried to pull off my hand, but in vain. He continued to suck it until I feel numb.
"A-are you killing me?" I can't help but to scold him angrily.
He finally let go my finger and looked at it. It turned white as paper.
"S-sorry. Sorry." He apologized repeatedly.
I smiled then put my finger under the faucet to wash it before wearing a bandage.
"It's okay. Don't worry. Please go back. The dishes will be ready soon."
I feel his hesitation, yet he obliged. I want to explain that I want to do this alone bacause I know that he is tired from work. But I choose to seal my lips to avoid being misunderstood.
We are just friends and he is my boss. Whatever relationship that people assumed that we have, I'm not interested in whatever it was. All I wanted is a peaceful life.
When I was little, my Master thought me how to cook, write, read, fight and defend. I experienced hardships but I didn't complain. I know that everything has it purpose, that's why I accomplished them wholeheartedly under my Master's care. And now, I can adapt quickly especially now, that we separated our ways.
I must say that I still miss my Master. But as time goes by, I realized that I need this, too. I need to move on if I want to seek for my lost memories and abducted kins.
I placed the last dish in the big bowl and served it on the table. I looked at it to check if everything is okay, and I am satisfied with it while sighing in relief.
"Boss! Come on! Let's eat!" I invited Crow.
"I told you to stop calling me boss. Mahal na ngayon ang kape, akala mo ba?" Crow shakes his head while walking towards the dining table.
"My coffee is more delicious than those coffee you used to buy in coffee shops. I can call you 'boss' anytime I want." I reasoned.
"Yeah. Yeah. Whatever you say." He replied.
Pinanuod kong maghugis 'O' ang bibig niya habang nakatingin sa mga nakalapag sa hapag-kainan. Sa hindi malamang dahilan, natutuwa ako sa itsura niya. I can feel that I can still cook for more dishes to see those funny faces he have.
"Kain na. Lalamig pa iyan. Pasukan pa ng langaw iyang bibig mo. Mahirap na kung langaw ang maging appetizer mo." Natatawa kong pang-aasar dito.
Agad na tinikom ni Crow ang kaniyang bibig at tinapunan ako ng masamang tingin. Nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako at saka nagsimulang salinan siya ng karne sa kaniyang plato.
"Ayyieh! Ang sweet naman. Salamat."
Napairap na lamang ako. Pero kahit nag-iinit na ang mukha ko sa pang-aasar niya, hindi pa rin natigil ang pagsalin ko ng pagkain sa kaniyang pinggan.
"Minsan lang 'tuh. Hayaan mo na."
Pagkatapos ko soyang hainan ng pagkain, inasikaso ko na din ang aking sarili.
Ito ang unang araw na kakain ako na hindi kasama si Master. Ito ang unang gabi na matutulog ako sa labas ng templo. Hindi ko maiwasang malungkot at mabahala.
Natahimik si Crow. Minsan lang siya manahimik pero hindi ko na inalam ang dahilan. Ni hindi ko na rin sinilip ang lalaking kaharap ko.
Bago ako matapos kumain, naalala kong may mga kasama ito na nakatambay sa labas. Agad akong tumayo at dinala ang pinggan na kanina ko pa hinanda. Laman nito ang salad, karne, gulay at panghimagas na niluto ko at hinanda.
"Thank you, miss." Sabay-sabay nilang pasasalamat. Nginitian ko na lamang sila at saka bumalik sa hapag-kainan para magpatuloy sa pagkain.
"Why's that?"
"Why? They are protecting you. I am just showing my gratitude for protecting you well. They are still human. They are still my kind." I reasoned.
"What if they're not? Will you still be kind?"
"I'll be grateful no matter what. Because if they are not with you, will you be sitting across me?"
I don't know what happened next. I don't know what am I saying. All I want right now is to show how grateful I am to have him as my friend. With him around, I feel so relieved.
But I think... He misunderstood me.