OBTICEO

Chapter 10: RULES

"Where are you going?" I turned my head back to Caligo while I'm about to walk out. Who wouldn't? This man is disrespecting my father in front of my face. Who does that?

"Away from you, obviously!"

"But we're not done yet!" This man is stupid, he just said that he already told everything a couple of minutes ago!

"Didn't you just say that was everything?" I twisted my whole body and faced him.

"Yes, I did. But I also said that I'll be starting with the discography of the island. I already told you everything I know about the island's discovery. Now let's move on to the rules" I just rolled my eyes and sighed in defeat. If he's thinking I already forgot what he said about my father, boy you're mistaken. I'll definitely get him back for that.

My plan of walking out changed, I went back to the couch and listened to everything he will say. Hope he won't say another bad thing regarding my father's innocence or I will really lose it.

"Start!" I commanded. I don't know if I'm allowed to do that to an assistant work head but I don't care. He's stupid anyway.

"Easy!" his went hands parallel to his head, a sign of surrender.

"Okay. Well, there are only a few rules. Don't cause trouble on the island. Respect the Kavan leader and his family. Respect the Work Heads and Work Heads Assistant. Oh! And also the Kavan Guards! You need to respect them too. Ahh, what else? The last one will be to not stick your nose on somebody else's business. Keep your nose to yourself. I think that's it" Well that's kind of easy. I respect others as long as they do the same and I certainly do not try to involve myself in other people's businesses.

"Are you sure?" I doubted, maybe there's more he needs to tell. Like the names of all the work head and their assistant. Or the map of the island.

"Uhm.... yeah! I think that is really it!" I really think there is something that he did not say. What is it again? I quickly buried my gaze on him when I found out what he did not mention earlier.

"How about the rule: Do not escape the island?" I mean, it's given right. It should be the number one rule on this island. We are all prisoners, escaping the island is a no-no.

"Well if you can" If you can? What?

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is you can try to escape IF you can. A lot of prisoners tried but all of them failed. Some even died trying. If you try to escape, there are only two options you could end up to, it's either you will be punished for trying to escape or die while trying to escape" Died? I can't imagine myself dying on this island. I never even thought I would set foot on this island. But look how things turned.

"That's horrible!"

"It is. Really horrible. If they catch you while you are trying to escape, they will punish you really hard. So if you want to live a simple life on the island, never try to escape. You will fail anyway. It's either they will catch you or you will die" Oh! I certainly did not want to die. I still want to prove my father's innocence. I better stick to the rules.

"Any questions?"

"You're a prisoner too, right?" I asked.

"Yes! Yes I am"

"You're a work head assistant now, are you able to go to Elletra?" I mean, I think he is a great Kavan, they must be sending him to Elletra to do some errands, right?

"No" he answered without even thinking

"Not even once?"

"Not even once" again, his answers are very firm.

"One more question"

"Ask away!"

"What's your story?" I've been meaning to ask everyone but I still haven't had the chance. Today is the moment to ask Caligo.

"My story?" for a moment he looked confused.

"How did you end up here?" I don't know if it's not good to ask why people got here but they casually asked me that question the last time I went here. So, I think it's okay.

"Well I.... I.... uhm.. Mady?"

"Hmm?"

"I'll tell you someday" I was really shocked at his answer. Did my question offend him in some way? Did I hit a sensitive topic?

"Oh! Did I make you uncomfortable? I'm really sorry!" I immediately apologize for my insensitivity, well he's sometimes mean to me, especially a while ago, but I still did not want to open an old wound.

"No! It's just that, I'm not yet ready to tell you"

"Oh! Okay, again I'm sorry!" I understand. I am sensitive to my father's case too, that's why I reacted that way a while ago. Maybe this will remind him not to say bad things about others.

"It's okay, believe me, it is. I will tell you, next time"

"Next time then" I smiled at him and he smiled back.

When my gaze is at Caligo's face, I started to admire his naturally handsome face, just like the first time I saw him. Caligo's face did not leave his face and I notice that she is also scanning my face. What are we doing?

"You look stupid. Why are you smiling while looking at each other? Is there something going on between you two?" everything went awkward after Ry said that when he barged in the headquarters. Why did he have to point it out? He should have minded his own business. I thought it's a rule here in Erebus, to not stick your nose on other people's business. Ry is definitely sticking his nose to our business. What am I saying, when did I become this sensitive? Pull yourself together Mady.

Gio and the others started coming in. We shared a delicious lunch with everyone. Except for Soren, of course. I laughed at jokes that they said and listen to stories they talk about. I don't even understand most of them. It sucks to be a newbie.

While looking at them, they look like ordinary people but I know behind their smiles, stories of hardship are hidden. Among everyone in the dining area, only Ry and I are from a wealthy family. It made me wonder what was their life, back in Elletra.

Someday, I will know their stories and be close to these people with who I will spend the rest of my life. I will know them someday.

Someday.