Decide
1914 Words
I tossed around on my wooden bed. I got up and decided to sit it out on the patio. Fresh air brushed my face. The sun had sunk into the horizon. Stars popped out by thousands filling the night sky. The moon refused to appear again.
“I knew I would find you here,” Girly sat beside me.
“I bet you guessed,” I smirked.
“I’m out of chips to bet on this one.”
“What do you want, Girly?”
“Hanging out with you sounds fine.”
“I was not waiting for company.”
“Screw that, I know you want to stick with me at least once.”
“You are dreaming.”
“Isn’t this your dream?”
“You are very assertive today. Did I do something wrong?”
“Did you?”
“You are impossible. Answering a question with another question.”
“Sigh, can’t we be friends, at least?”
“Being friends doesn’t even cover it.”
“Well, what do you want?”
“I want to be alone to contemplate on things.”
“But you like me, right?”
“Don’t make assumptions, I haven’t decided that one yet.”
“Don’t rush, you still have time. I am going to bed now.”
“Have fun sleeping.”
“It won’t be without you,” she winked at me before disappearing.
I hate this wicked woman. She restarted my sleeping heart again. I shouldn’t have spoken out loud. Me and my impulsive mouth, sigh. But what about Keita? I thought she had feelings for him? I don’t want her to choose between us when the day comes, but I hope she ends up with me.
I wonder where my wishful thinking can take me. If I push it further, will my wish come true? If stay like this, everyone will be happy… Right, everyone. This is so messed up. How did it end up like this? I searched the stars for answers.
“Is something bothering you?” Chikmi handed me a freshly cooked soft taco.
“Maybe I’m a little hungry,” I took a bite. “This one hit the spot. What do you call this?”
“I call this a shawarma. I added some extra spices of my own. I hope the kick is just right for you.”
“You make some crazy food, man. I love it.”
“Thank you for the compliment. Do you want to talk about it?”
“I am out of options on how to dodge my feelings for her. Can you help me out?”
“Ah, young love. I sense that there is some rivalry going on here.”
“How did you know?”
“Oh, I know. I have been there once. I was like you in the same situation. I tried to be honest, but no one really falls for the good guy as they always finish last. You have to make the right choice, but you must choose wisely. My last piece of advice? Follow your heart, but lead with your mind.”
He patted my shoulder, then went back inside. It was like talking to my dad. Moments later, Chikmi called for all of us. I finished my snack and joined them.
“The time has come, we must act quickly,” he motioned for us.
“So, how will we gather your family?” Kun yawned.
“In one of the rooms, there is a tunnel that leads back to Nephelim Escoria. I dug it up years ago. This leads directly behind our house. Bring this shell with you. It is called Agua Lazuli. When you have gathered everything including my family, leave it there,” he passed me a small light blue seashell.
“Where do you want this to be placed?” I marveled at its reflection.
“Place it under my son’s bed. It repels anyone coming in and coming out. Before you activate it, all of you must get out. You only have seconds to do this.”
Chikmi led us to the farthest room in the house. Shivers ran down my spine as I went inside. The same dark hole swirled on the floor. He pointed towards its mouth. As we approached the edge, a slight nudge was enough to send us falling.
“You must hurry!” Chikmi reminded us.
We slid down the hole. My teeth chattered along the way. I could not scream or make any sound. My lungs ceased functioning. My vision turned white then black then white again. The last thing I heard was Kun’s excited laughter.
“Hey, sleeping ugly! Wake up, it’s over,” I felt something hit my ribs.
I found myself face down. Sets of binary numbers flew by every second. Suddenly, something hot rushed through my esophagus. I pushed away while swallowing the rancid slush. My lungs could not keep up with the beat of my heart as I sat there.
“That was fun! I want to go again,” Kun said with glee.
“I thought I died back there,” I caught up to my breath.
“That’s too bad for the undead.”
“My claws are inches away from slitting your neck.”
“Am I supposed to be scared?”
“Why, you little raccoon, come here!”
“You have accepted a new quest! Escape with Chikmi’s family without rousing suspicion,” A message appeared above us.
“Stop it, no roughhousing until we get Chikmi’s family out of here,” Girly hushed us.
“Right, let’s get to it.”
We slowly paced onto the steps. Everything was dark when we entered the leaf flap. Girly tiptoed towards Akachi’s bed. She stopped and looked at him like an i***t. She lifted him to her shoulders. Then, a loud thud echoed in the room.
“Mommy, is that you?”
No one replied. I saw Kun’s face flat on the floor. I froze in place when someone peeked through the leaf curtain.
“What do you think you are doing?” Her shocked expression was like a scream.
“Chikmi sent us to get you and your son,” I answered.
“Chikmi is alive? Thank goodness! Where is he?”
“We will explain later. He has prepared our route outside. We must avoid suspicious eyes whenever possible.”
“I cannot believe this. How did you find him? How is he?”
“You will meet him soon enough. Grab whatever you need and we will meet you outside.”
I waited for them to clear the area. Kun grabbed Akachi’s toys while Girly followed soon after. I placed the shell under the boy’s bed before leaving the room. Suddenly, a strong wind knocked me back inside. Something punctured my back. How did the knives get here?
I pulled out the knives on my back and tried again. It began to pour outside. Flashes of lighting accompanied the booming wind. The wind punched me and I immediately met with the ground. Kun pulled my leg through the hole. I closed my eyes this time.
“Quest failed. The ancestors have detected your escape. You are rewarded with zero garnets and zero experience points,” a message notified us.
“This is your fault, Kun. If you were not so clumsy, we could have succeeded,” I berated him.
“At least we got his family back.”
“I must close the tunnel before they get to us,” Chikmi chanted unintelligible words.
“I think we should exit the room,” Girly motioned towards us.
I sat at the patio while they recuperated in the dining area. Distant storm clouds flashed blindingly to the north. Soon, it dissipated and revealed the stars I wanted to see. Seconds later, I heard Girly’s scream. I rushed into the house.
“I would like to thank you again for saving my family,” Chikmi’s voice darkened.
“What just happened?” I asked.
“Ah, you finally decided to join the party. You have not missed anything, it is only getting started.”
“Vampire, look! It’s Keita,” Girly’s voice shook.
“What did you do to him?” Kun roared.
“Guys, run away. He is dangerous. Gaaah!” Keita gritted his teeth.
Everything except his face solidified into porcelain. He stood stiff against the wall like a Japanese doll. Chikmi squeezed tightly on Keita’s shoulder. Large cracks formed around it. He whacked the other shoulder with the pommel of his sword. It shattered and revealed a circular hole.
“Keita, hold on! We are going to save you. Let him go. We did what you asked us to,” Girly cried.
“Did I mention that the father suffered the same fate?” Chikmi grinned.
“Oh no, where are Akachi and his mom?”
“They will soon join my collection. It is a first, you see.”
“Who are you?” I cut in.
“How dare you interrupt me? I am enjoying my moment. Now, let me ask you a question. Vampire, if you had to choose between your friend and the family, who will it be?”
“Save them and save yourselves! I can take care of myself.”
“Shut up, I am not talking to you.”
“Keita! No!” Kun and Girly both cried.
“I choose nobody,” I answered.
“Wrong answer! Say goodbye to your friend,” he scowled at me.
With the wave of his hand, Keita’s face solidified with his body. Wrinkles of pain painted his fragile face. Next to him, Akachi and Maneta stood in perpetual shock. The father was not among them. I anticipated the worst possible outcome.
“Boss Battle! You know how we roll,” A brief message popped up.
“Are you ready, guys?” I braced myself.
“Let’s make it quick,” Kun tossed a bomb.
“Ah ah ah, careful where you throw that thing. Your friend might lose an arm. We do not want that, do we?” Chikmi waved a finger at us.
“You are getting on my nerves, old man.”
“Soon, I will get your body,” he laughed maniacally.
“Eat this, you freak!” I went for an uppercut with my claws.
“No thanks, I would rather have something fresh,” he dodged to the side, then he solidified my arm.
“You are going to pay for this!”
“Oh? How much are you asking?” He snorted at his own joke.
“Screw you!”
I retreated. We joined hands. Thick oval chains spiraled out from our stack of hands.
“Same tricks cannot work against me.”
“We will see about that.”
We latched each of our chains on him. It wrapped around his belly. Nothing flowed through the chains. He kept on laughing like a creep.
“You are tickling me.”
He pulled the chains, pulling us closer to him. The chains that bound him exploded into thousands of shrapnel. The bits punctured through our bodies. I wailed upon breathing air. Nothing compares on how painful it was. It felt like hell ate me from the inside.
“Hahaha! I win. See? I told you. Do not fret, I will place you in my highest shelf as wind instruments.”
“No! This can’t be the end.”
“We have come to the conclusion of the battle. I am going to take your bodies with me.”
I cannot move my limbs. My entire body burned in every breath. Kun and Girly did not utter a word. Their bodies laid flat on the floor. I inched towards their still bodies and stared at the ceiling. A single streak of tear ran down my face.
I shot some claws that hit his shoulder blade. He winced upon hit and cursed under his breath. I braced myself as he approached our still bodies.
“Be thankful that I could not destroy you as you are. He wants you in one piece. Now be a good boy and close your eyes,” his gaze bore through my skull.
“Who are you selling us to?” I asked.
“Oh, you will meet him soon. Be patient while I make the preparations.”
He lifted both of his hands towards us. White dust came out of his palms. It reached my nose. My lungs stopped pumping and my heart followed suit. The movements around me slowed until I saw frames of movements like those you see in pictures.
Wind slithered through the holes in my body. The sounds were as scrambled as my thoughts. I hope that I could tell Girly what I wanted to say before I disappear. My body straightened out automatically. My tears stopped halfway when the solidification reached my face.
I looked at the open window. The stars twinkled happily in the night sky. Before I lost my sight, a powerful light shone behind me. I smiled a little when I heard the familiar voice, “Gaaah! It’s payback time!”
“I-impossible!” Chikmi’s shocked voice pushed my smile further.
- Writer
