Elevate

Rendezvous

“Did you bring what I asked?” The woman asked him as she pressed her fingers on her forehead. She wanted to feel herself, at least to make sure that she’s well enough not to get a cold.

The chicken soup she had ordered is still boiling, smoking around their table. The kids were playing around the corner on the ground, playing with the dust. The man in front of her crossed his arms and gave her a clear stare as if he’s trying to read her soul. His loose trousers were sagging on the ground, covering his worn-out, smiling shoes. She took a spoon and sipped it.

The man nodded and handed it over to her on the table. The wind suddenly became firm, drifting those pecks of dust and dried leaves in their direction. The store’s owner decided to close the door and turned the lights on. Bright, yellow lights polished the whole place, as it slowly filled with those who’re going to take their dinner. She instantly took the thing and put it inside her dark brown pouch.

Laughter and croons engulfed the place as the foods and drinks mixed together around, making an exotic scent. It was alive. Suddenly, a young woman clothed in her auburn dress and damped, high-heeled boots suddenly sprung inside. Her red muffler was gently concealing her neck.

Her hair was still wet and her shoulders were soaked by it. Her eyes traveled around and when we caught her radar, she offered her warmest smile, waving her hand up high.

She hovered in their direction and some have bent their heads when they recognized her. She smiled and as soon as she stood just in front of them, she laid those folders concealed with filth on the table, making the dust flunk around.

They both coughed and pulled themselves away. A wide grin curved around the corner of her lips and tapped their shoulders. “It’s been a while when I saw you guys. What are you up to right now? I haven’t seen you wandering around the city.” She elatedly said.

“Nothing really. Mostly, we just stayed inside the base to clear some things inside. How about you? How’s your father and the Butcher? News had scattered around that he’s been reunited by his child.” She asked.

“Oh, that. Well, father is quite focused and occupied by his work. I haven’t seen him at all inside the house. As to the Butcher, well it’s a bit true that he had found his child, but still not having the right amount of mettle to voice out the truth. I guessed it would still take him some time to do so. More to it, I’m quite sure he’s having his great deals in his new restaurant.”

“I agree. The Butcher is fascinated by his work now. Working under him brings no pressure, since he loves his job like it’s his own child. He’s really thankful for your father for the opportunity. His place is quite bigger now.” He uttered.

“Right. We should give him a visit. Are you in the go?”

Everyone nodded and smiled. The kids were able to see her presence and paced to her immediately, giving her their warm hugs. The young man smiled at her and offered her a seat. The boy jumped on her lap and settled, letting her smell his sultry scent.

She simply stroked her fingers on his hair while the cute girl on her lacy, pink dress sat beside her, scribbling her fingers on top of the table. Her face was slightly covered in grime, slowly smearing it off using her clothing. She slumped her head on her hands and took a breath. She’s been sapped by their play and she hasn’t eaten anything since forenoon, making her stomach crumbled in hunger.

Everyone had heard it, sprouting into a laugh. She offered the soup to the child and deliberately a smile was painted on her face. Later on, a man in his mid-thirties approached them as his hands were clasping the sides of the burnished, wooden tray.

His large curled hair was tied into a bun as his white apron was smudged by some of the spices. He smelt like a burnt pie. He greeted them with a warm delight, not minding the sultry atmosphere ambling around and thoroughly placed those ceramic bowls on top of their board.

They thanked him as soon as he finished moving the food. He directly left them after they have paid for it and gave him a tip. They saw him moved inside the kitchen that was on the right side of the restaurant. He was traveling light as his pal went inside with him.

Their eyes were exactly glued on the sizzling grilled pork, hot rice and fried fish with tomato sauce. The children licked the sides of their mouths as they watered in appetite. The man decided to lead the prayer for their dinner and they immediately started to eat.

Everyone seemed to be entertained by the food and didn’t bother to lay a conversation to be discussed around, not until they heard a soft howl from the distance.

Those gazes turned to the direction where it was coming from and landed on the vast, murky forest to their left. They were able to see it clearly from the second ground on how a man, almost six feet in height, clothed in his untamed woven shirt.

His scruffy, russet khakis had been tainted by the fresh crimson blood, surging on the ground from his prey, still trying to tow off from his grasp. They couldn’t see his face clearly for it was covered under his frayed black hat. He had caught the attention, but he didn’t bother to stop the hunt and aided the creature to his last breath.

He knelt down on the ground, tracing his fingers on the blood and deliberately smeared it off on his face. Most of them bit their lips as they witnessed such a horrendous scenery.

“That man got some skills over there, don’t you think?” The woman asked them.

He nodded as a response and rubbed his chin. “Yeah. It might be a feast to them or it’s just going to be a mere question to some. Still, we would be able to see most of it, now that the dome had collapsed.”

“Yes. It’s still new but better is it to see the outside.” She added.

When the hunter took the prey behind his back, he progressed in the forest and vanished behind its oscillated, curbed shadows. The moon is set high and bright above them. It didn’t make them wonder why hunting can be seen in different directions most of the time.

After the great explosion, things escalated to change – those that they don’t see at all have now set their feet to presence. The children were currently enjoying the food, not minding the scenery that took fold.

When the man completely went into silence, crickets and the howls of creatures exchanged, wandering around those thick bushes. Now they knew that the forest itself is a hunting ground.

They went back in eating, fastening their seats and stomachs as soon as their meal gets cold. As they enjoy every inch of it, the man suddenly rose his head and spoke for a question.

“Did you find the body yet? Or is there any traces of him?”

“No, not at all, Cody.” She replied, wiping off her mouth.

“I guessed he’s still on the hunt even if he’s already dead.” The woman beside him told so.

She slowly shook her head and clasped her hands. She just finished her bowl. “No. As long as we can’t find his body still, there’s no assurance that he’s really gone for good. Where’s your boss anyway, Vix? Is he stalling around again, looking for fun?” She suddenly reverted the topic.”

“Oh. They are both on a journey right now. Preferably, they would arrive this week, bringing some news about something.” She answered.

“I see.”

“I heard Uncle Guilbert will be coming home tomorrow with Aunt Loshiana. They spoke with Uncle Miguel yesterday’s night.” The girl spoke and her gaze wandered around the restaurant.

All the tables were now taken. “Where is he by the way, Aunt Vix?” She questioned.

They weren’t able to find him in the base a while ago and they thought that he’s still in the market on the first ground, giving his stuff to be sold with different merchants. It’s not new to them anymore when they can’t see anyone in their base. After so many things that have happened lately, it became tedious somehow – everyone is occupied by things outside.

“I think he’s still on work. I already left a note for Miguel at the house, for him to know that we’re here. Any plans, Carmilla?”

“Nothing really. I’m on schedule most of the time to roam around the city. You know aiding those who needed some help, especially the kids. Though, there are still some who refused to get some help. I wonder why and it’s making me awful sometimes to be honest. Hmm. Why don’t you go with me and have some tea with Father? He’s been asking things a lot about you lately. I guessed he really missed you.” She commented.

The woman stared and met her eyes. No, it was more like she’s trying to read her real agenda. These couple of days, they’ve been hooked on finding the body of those who suddenly vanished without leaving traces, as if they became extinct without knowing why. As far as they remembered they were killed in specific spots and some were only left to suffer.

Now that the bodies are missing, it became an eye-catch for them and a mere threat in some ways, where those that can’t be seen by the naked eyes are dreadful and debauched than those that are visible.

And here came Carmilla asking things about their plans, somehow reminding them of how Loshiana acted from the past and became a spy. They don’t want that to happen again, that it made them vigilant with the others, especially those who’re closed.

Suddenly, a hand was clasped on her shoulder and all their gaze landed on the man standing still behind her. His face was painted into a smile as his hair was tied in a ponytail. His trench coat was dry together with his tattered blue jeans and hat. His shoes were scraped as it was covered with soot. Though, his right cheek was patched with a large, mauve bruise and scratches.

“I heard my name a while ago. What do we have here?” He delightfully said and came to join them. He took his spot beside Carmilla and took off his hat, laying it over on his lap.

They ordered a bowl for him. The kids gleamed in joy when they saw him around. Their uncle is the one who takes care of them most of the time now that they’re living near and because he’s the only one who’s inside the house most of the time among all of them. Preferably, he wanted to stay in his abode where it’s calm and silent.

“Where have you been and what happened to you?” Cody asked him, sipping his soup.

The man scratched the back of his head and let out a stroppy laugh. “Oh. I was caught in a fight. You know, those little jerks roaming around the city. They were just lucky that I went into a secluded place to meet one of my clients, then they came rushing back and…you know what happened next.”

“I think you’re being played in that part. Why would a client of yours meet you in a place where there are no people around?”

“Well, he’s like Mr. Owen, a negotiator. I can’t go to the Upville to communicate with him and we know that their identities shouldn’t be exposed to the public for certain matters. That’s why he wanted to make a deal in that place.”

“I see. You should be careful next time. We don’t know who’s lurking behind us, ready to eradicate us any time…” Vixen's words were full of concern at the same time it was a reminder to all of them to stay in the line for now.

They couldn’t act so repulsive, knowing that their Head and the others are not around and that their name is an ear-catching to some.

“So, what did they take away from you?” Carmilla asked.

“Just my remaining items. I wasn’t able to go to my last stop which was supposedly Mr. Brawly. You know, the man who always wore his shades even without the sun. His fashion is absolutely stunning, don’t you think?”

“Yes. I recalled him when he took himself in a fight with Mr. Broaden. I literally don’t know why or might think of possible reasons why those two men would often come into a fight.” Cody blunted.

The owner himself went to their spot and offered the soup that they have ordered. Cody paid him instantly and let Miguel dig it in. The man thanked him and started to eat. Miguel had been busy working his own stuff and putting them in the market.

Luckily, they were able to see the result of his hardship and totally they were amazed at his dedication. Knitting has been his hobby lately and as time went by, his skills were getting better. Carmilla took her stand and extended her arms wide.

She glanced over the clock that was ticking by the wall. It’s seven in the evening. Though she wanted to spend more time with them, she needed to come home early as what she promised her father a while ago.

Carmilla is quite occupied by her father’s errands – seeking quests to go everywhere and have monitoring around certain places. She took an escalated sigh.

“Well, I have to go now. I still have something important to do in our house. Is it okay if I’ll go first?” She requested and tapped her clothes.

“Yes. Thank you for the time, Carmilla. If you want, you can visit the base any time.” Vixen answered and put on a smile.

The woman was delighted when she heard it. It’s been a while when she visited the place. “Sure. I’ll keep that in mind and will let you know when I decide to give you a visit. Can I take the kids with me when I do that?”

“Yes. I also wanted these two to work their strengths with them.” Vixen replied to her.

“Great. I shall go now. I’ll see you around the city, guys. It’s nice to make time with you tonight.” She bowed her head and went directly outside the door after she had said goodbye to them.

As soon as she took off and disappeared from their sight, the three of them stared at each other. The atmosphere became grim. Cody cleared his throat, clasping both his hands. Miguel had finished his meal already and gave in a burp, rubbing his belly. Vixen was entertaining the kids somehow.

“Aunt Vix, are you going to our house tonight?” The young lad asked her.

Vixen glanced over Cody. She knew that she can’t do anything about it right now. Even she had promised the kids to give them a visit there, her schedules are keeping her away. Probably, she doesn’t want to bother the old man too. After all, what happened in the past is something she had been fretful about.

The strength she got from one of the founders is surely a captivating, resilient one. But on the other hand, it’s also a precarious one. In every good there is evil, that’s what she believed. When everyone is ready, they rose from their seats. Miguel took his hat and placed it on top of his head. Cody and Vixen have tucked their clothes tight and held the children’s hands-on both sides. They needed to leave the place in order for the kids to get back home early and safe.

They went outside the restaurant and directly moved to the first ground. The main streets were half emptied as the post lights shined brightly. The dogs howled stalwartly as their shadows followed them.

“Aunt Vix.” Hannah called her, holding her hand. The woman shifted her gaze to the child and answered. “Yes?”

“Can we sleep in the base for tonight? Mother told us to do so, since both of them will be going to somewhere else.” She added almost in a whisper.

“Oh, is that so? Okay, let’s sleep together there and by morning Uncle Cody will take you to your house.”

“What? Why me-”

The young man wasn’t able to finish what he was saying when he witnessed a pout plastered on the child’s face. “Oh…right. I’ll take you tomorrow.” He said and smiled. Scratching his head, he saw Miguel taking his since beside him, his hands under his clean, empty pockets.

“Do you have something to say?” He suddenly asked when he felt the cold stare he was giving him.

Cody deliberately shook his head as a reply. The moon was shining bright above them as the fountain burst from the distance. Its crystallize water was so fascinating to look at as it reached the topmost part of it. The wires were filled with birds taking their rest. They decided to stay for a while and mesmerized its beauty. The bricked floor was hurled by those ants, taking fold in the corner where crumbs of bread were laid.

Macky took a pebble and threw it over the side. It stumbled a couple of steps away from them and hit on someone’s foot. Their eyes slowly raised to the person, from its bottom up to his face, where they have witnessed that smile, eyes wrinkled in gladness.

A woman was standing still beside him. Their jackets and boots were damped and splattered with thick slabs of dirt. Their bags were heavily hanging on their backs. They looked like they have caught themselves in a storm. They took a fine breath and moved in their direction. The kids instantly hurled towards them and gave them a hug, in exchange for their laughter and longing.

The three of them stood a few meters away from the two, patiently looking over them. It was almost two weeks when they haven’t seen each other around. The man slowly lifted his gaze and shifted it to them, giving them a wide grin. It was something they have been waiting for to see it, telling them that they’re alright.

“Do you have some noodles for tonight?” He happily asked.