Black Pearl of Asia

"As I review the events of my past lifeI realize how subtle are the influencesthat shape our destinies."
Nikola Tesla

Mona LysaChapter zero
Year 2017, International Space Station in the orbit around the Earth
So Vladimir Petrovich, you don't believe that so called Planet X actually exists?"Net, eto net believe it?""Ha, ha, ha, I always loved your English, ha, ha, ha!""Eto net smeshno, tovarish O'Neil!""Well it is, to me!""Da, da, laugh as much as you want, at least I know more or less how to speak English but you don't know any Russian.""O yeah, who says so, listen to this, Ya lyubil vashu sestru ( I kissed your sister), ha?""You bus...!" Vladimir got up from his position toward O'Neil.But at that moment one of the astronauts stood in between them and said,"Come on guys, focus on our task, at least if you're joking do it with style.""Captain, Sir.""But captain tell me," continued O'Neil, "what do you think about the event which happened in the orbit around the Earth?""I’m not sure what you mean," answered the captain."You’re not familiar with the case when couple of amateur astronomers claimed that they saw a huge UFO near the Space Station? Repeatedly.""Ah, you mean that event...I heard about it.""Aaa, eto prosto (that's simply) empty story, who knows what they really saw.""Well I have to admit Vladimir P. that you’re pretty much skeptic for a scientist. Fifty years ago this where we are now was science fiction and in next fifty years who knows where some future astronauts will have their conversation, in the orbit of Mars maybe, or even Jupiter.""Or maybe even out of our solar system," added O'Collins who was quite so far."Yes, right.""And what about all those evidences, previous missions, founds on the surface of the moon and…""Whoa, whoa, hold your horses. As the captain of the crew I have to warn you that you’re under the oath and you are not allowed to discuss and talk about those things while in this mission. Your private opinions leave private for private parties, ok?""Sure captain, you’re right.""Let’s see how the weather on the Earth from this point of view is."They all approached to the window and looked down onto the planet where clouds were covering bigger part of oceans and partly the land of Australia and New Zealand, while a little bit to the north, above the Philippines, the sky was clear.   Chapter oneYear 1971, in the lunar orbit
A cone shaped space ship was gliding thru the open space.There were no larger visible marks or labels on it; just a small print at the bottom near the engine; ApolloXX/USA/USSR.Inside, there was a very lively atmosphere. American and Russian astronauts were arguing, both obviously very excited."I think we have to announce this to the world!" said one of the astronauts."Well from the moral point of view you’re right but you know we signed documents we will not say anything we see on our trip to anyone but our superior officers and even, just to some of them. If we breach any article in the agreement we could be prosecuted and God knows what could happen to…you know whom.""I understand, but come on, this discovery is huge, I mean even literally, just take a look thru the window, look, look at the size of that thing, we can even see it with our naked eye."They all looked thru the window. Down there in one of the Moon's craters, laid down a huge cigar shaped object whose front end looked like a Space Shuttle ‘nose’.They estimated the length of the ship by comparing the size with the size of the crater for which they had exact measures."The length is approximately 1, 5 miles, come on, 1,5 miles, I mean our longest plane carriers are shorter then 0,1 mile.""Yeah it’s impressive and somehow I have veneration for that thing because who ever made this…I mean wow, just look at it.""So captain, can we at least take a photo or record a video of it?""Absolutely, you have to.""So what do you think when we send the pictures back to Earth, will they change our landing position, I mean will they let us land near the thing and allowed us to explore it?""I don't know, I can't say. We’ll see what they’ll decide."He looked at his watch,"I’ll never get used to this time where the Sun is not rising the same way as on the Earth, down there I always knew when I’m hungry, and up here I always have to look at the clock to know when we'll have lunch."Well, grab your lunch tubes and squeeze out your chicken soups or pork medallions in a mushroom sauce and enjoy, I just made them."They made half of the circle around the Moon when a message came from the Earth."Eagle 20, Eagle 20, this is Mother Eagle, come in, over, shhhhhshhh.""Mother Eagle this is Eagle 20, I am listening, shhhssffhhh!""Eagle 20, coordinate of your nest has changed; proceed to your new nest. Over, sshhhssstt""Understood, Mother Eagle, do we have permission to explore the nest egg?"Shhhssssppffsstttt."Mother Eagle, I repeat, do we have permission to explore the nest egg, over, sshhhss?""Ssshhhhshh, Eagle 20, permission granted. On any sign of contamination of any kind we will decide what will be the next step, over an'out, sshhhssffssttt.""Understood, Eagle 20 over an’out.""You heard the Mother, what you are waiting for, let’s roll!""Let’s bring this 'can' down."They made all necessary arrangements and when they were above their new "nest", they started the landing sequence."6000 feet and counting, 5500 feet and counting….""300 feet and counting, braking thrusters engaged, 100 feet and counting, reaction motors engaged, trrrrrrdddddaaaaannnngggg." "Mother Eagle, Eagle 20 has landed.""Fijuuuu, fijuuu," they were whistling and clapping hands."Okay, the two of you are coming with me. Come on, let’s see if this thing is real or it was just a good old mirage caused by our long stay in this tin foil can."Kssssssss, they pushed the doors out and the silent and dusty Moon surface showed in front of their faces. Captain went out first. Then the rest of the crew.They jumped their way toward the object. There was no doubt. It was real, real as the Moon it landed on. Or crashed.'Parked' near the object, their man made space ship looked like the shirt button next to a passenger plane.The two of them went just straight ahead to the middle of the vessel and one went to the part which looked as the front.After almost 20 minutes of jumping he got to the front part. He was so excited that he could hear his own heart beat. After he came to the front end, he carefully started to climb up the huge pale of Moon dirt which was probably pushed by the object when it landed.That took even more time because the ship was very high.Finally he got to the top of it. He noticed something that looked as a window.He approached to it and with his glove wiped the sand from it. He was right; it was the window. He put his hand over his helmet to see better inside but it was to dark to see anything. Then he turned on the light on his helmet and looked again.When he leaned above the window his face suddenly got different expression, more like a grimace. He stood back up and said in his internal microphone,"Guys...you have to see this."
Chapter twoAprx 150 million years BC
Small house with no obvious doors and with two oval shaped, opened windows, with the roof that looked like a mushrooms bubble hat, was slightly lightened inside. It had something like a porch with two poles holding the eaves. The road between the house and a pile of very large, rounded rocks across it, was leading downhill to a creamy Sea.Between the rocks on the other side of the road, slowly emerged Creature with large pointed ears and huge fangs over the lower jaw.It was covered with lots of spikes looking like they were made of rubber, which would rise vertically, every time the Creature growled.Slowly approaching to the house, it glance was fixed at the figure standing in front of the wall in the house.After crossing the road and coming closer to the porch, Creature prepared to jump. At that moment two oval windows turned into two large eyes looking straight into the creature. Suddenly one of the pillars supporting the eaves, unhooked the upper side and punched the Creature so hard that it rolled down the road and after it stood up again, it ran toward the Sea.Eyes-like windows blinked and turned to windows again; pillar hooked itself to the top again.In the house, a female figure standing in front of the wall said,"Thank you House."In her head she 'heard the voice saying', "You’re welcome Houseowner.""Come on House, how many times I asked you not to call me like that."Again the 'voice' in her head said, "I know you did, but when I was planted for you it was entered in my code, I can’t help it, it’s the part of my mission for you.""I know. I guess I never got use to it, thanks again on your patience with me. Sure from today it's not even important anymore"She looked at a picture of a woman on the wall and then she bowed her head and said,'Mother, give me strengthI remember you as a childMy ship is readyI'm going far Be with me pleaseGive me strength!'
She heard again the 'voice' in her head,"Your co pilot is approaching.""Thank you House.""Come in Ay Zed Jae.""House...House, the doors!'Sssszzzziiiiip'"Thaana Jae Zed Jae.""Thaana Ay Zed Jae.""I know that you don’t like me to ask you, but are you ready for the initiation?""Yes I’m ready. We are so long here and now it’s the time to step to the next level of our beings. Are you ready?""My dear Jae Zed Jae, my soul has already gone to the next level just by knowing you. I can hardly wait to merge with you at Sunlevel."She turned toward him.Her face structure was gentle with slightly leaned, big, black eyes, very small nose, very long black hair and the most beautiful, soft lips.She approached to Ay Zed Jae, put her hands around his neck, and lifted her self on the tip of her twelve toes.He had curly hair, two small green eyes, big nose, moustache and a beard and the only nice thing on his face were the lips, which were very soft too. Two, longer than usual, hands and very long legs and feet, with six toes each, as well.They kissed and then she sat down to put on her shoes. Their front was in two parts; one for the big toe and the one next to it and the other part for other four toes. He had the similar shoes."You don’t have to tie them all the way to your knees, you’ll get another one anyway," he reminded her."Yeah, you’re right, silly me. Let’s go, House the doors…House!""Oh, excuse me Houseowner, I slept.""Ha, ha, ha, never mind that House, I know you have to fight the whole night with Notchoers. Ok, see you on the next level.""I will be there. Have a nice initiation.""Thank you House."

Damn Plant

Chapter oneSignal
"Shhhh ... hrrrttt ... shhhrttshhhh ... beeeeeeep ..."Loud sound from my radio station woke me up. I opened my eyes and looked toward it, then quickly grabbed the tuning button. After a few turns left and right the signal disappeared. I couldn't do anything else but squeeze my lips."Again nothing ... I don't know why I am even trying any more."Quick look thru the window revealed me I have slept again in my armchair while daydreaming, "Um, what time it is," I checked the clock hanging on the left."Ups, I almost slept thru my exercise. How much fatigue can one accumulate thru time that it takes so long to get enough of sleep?I know sleeping is, among all others things, a way of charging my 'batteries' but ... did I spend them so much?"I got up from the armchair and went downstairs to the living room.Every time I would take that suit off the hanger and put it on, I was again amazed with it, especially what it did to my body. Who ever thought of it must have been a genius. Made out of blue skin look-alike material, which clung very tightly to my, now muscular body, it was making this situation somehow bearable. Moreover, how genius was this; once you pull your zipper up, ta-dah...  As any other time when I needed a company in this time of crises, on my huge TV screen inbuilt in the wall above the fireplace, appeared a friendly face of my 'Mat Mate'. He didn't like that name and was always pissed off when I'd call him like that but since that was the first thing that came to my mind when I unpacked the set I bought, I just stuck to it. I actually called him like that because of a circle, glowing mat on the floor, some ten feet in front of the screen.Sometimes I would think how lucky I was, getting it before the whole thing started; at least I had some company. On the other hand, regarding what happened later, I wasn't so sure.Not that I didn't want it all my life, but ... probably ... or better say, most likely there couldn't have been a stupider moment for my wish to come true.The moment I took my tennis racket from the corner of the room and zipped up the suit, the screen changed showing a tennis court with an opponent on the other side."I have to admit, we came a long way from a simple muscle stimulator to the whole body muscle stimulator.""Hi Tim, you're late today," my Mat Mate greeted me."Yeah I slept.""Again? Sure, no problem. Shell we start, I mean, are you ready to lose again?""What? I'm sorry my friend, but you are aware that I put you to that level of difficulty to work harder on my muscles?""Sure I am. No need to be rude just because, for you, I'm not real. You never thought that I actually have feelings as well?""Ha, ha," I replied sourly and added, "nice try. Shall we start?"One hour later the suit started buzzing and discharging electricity to the air so I had to take it off quickly."I guess they didn't think that people will actually sweat in it."As having nothing underneath, I went straight to the shower.Funny how some sounds always remind me of my childhood.Like the sound of the shower. I remember the time when we would go to a swimming pool; my mother, my father, my sister and me. Before we would go home, we would go and take shower. That was the logic of my mother who would always say,'Who knows who was swimming in this pool', as if we were not in the pool the whole day and we couldn't be cleaner.Speaking of childhood, I even remember the moment when I ‘entered’ the body I was given. It was like I didn’t exist before and then someone turned the switch on and suddenly all my senses started to work and I acknowledged my existence.In one very short moment I realized, 'This is me', and became aware of myself. I remember it was almost painful, like when you breathe-in your first breath.I turned off the switched to stop the shower and wiped my face and hair. I always think how despite my age I still have lot of hair.Shortly after I ate a small sandwich with cheese and pickles, I went back upstairs and sat in the armchair.It's more than three months I didn't go out of the house. Not only me. Anyone. More then three months I didn't see another human being ... if I don't count my Mat Mate.I can't even go to the backyard. What have we become? How quickly everything changed ... and it looked so solid.They didn't collect trash ever since, and we all leave the trash in our backyards and the smell is already unbearable. I actually don't know how we still have electricity and water. And the food I find every month in a plastic container in front of the doors, mostly cans and jars, but still, where is that coming from? Do we all get it ... or just? Obviously, someone is out there, taking care of something. Although.No matter how many times I broadcasted the music or tried to find someone to talk to, over the radio station, I never got any feedback.Since they locked down everything, there is no TV program, no radio, no news of any kind. I don't know what to think about this, what is all this about and what caused everything to stop."I better stop thinking about it and use my 'sedative'."My electronic parts all over my table. Electronics. I was obsessed with it since I was a kid and I still am, in fact, with anything with the electricity in it. I remember ... I was about ten when I first time had the 'opportunity' to check if the electricity was as fast as we were told. That day I was coming back from school and as I lived with my parents in an apartment, the moment I stepped into the building,I spotted something on the wall. Someone broke the switch and the wires were sticking out from the hole.I remember the excitement. It was the first time in my life that I saw what's beneath the surface.I slowly put may bag on the floor and then as quickly as I could, touched the wires with my fingers. As the wires were 'alive', I was immediately electrocuted and thrown on the floor. That was my first connection with the electricity. I actually thought it was cool. Until this day I still have the consequence of my little experiment; my tongue is furrowed like a field after ploughing. But I never regretted doing so. Later on I was electrocuted countless times completely losing my fear of electricity. I always felt like we're friends.Funny how many things can happen during one's life. When I was a kid, it's not just computers and mobile phones didn't exist, it was even odd when someone had a TV.The street where I lived didn’t even have an asphalt layer.When I was about six or seven, came bulldozers, excavators, steamrollers and huge trucks full of asphalt. It was a strange new smell, which we as kids never felt. We were running all around the construction site, causing problems to workers but we didn't care.I remember every morning when my mother went to work, and that was very early, I used to get up from bed and go out, along with all other kids that lived in our area.That habit stayed strongly in me that even later when I started to go to school, no matter that my classes would start at eight and my mother would go to work at six, immediately after she would leave the house, I would take my bag with books and run straight to school in attempt to be the first one who will put his bag on the stairs in front of the school entrance.Moreover, I wasn’t the only one. Kids from all over the area were trying every morning to be the first. It was a strange, never bespoken competition among us.We used to play different games and we played all altogether, boys and girls.Father of one of my friends, probably worked at some company producing sweets; very often he would throw chewing gums from the balcony. We would then take four, five chewing gums and stuff them all together in our mouths. We could barely chew them while salivating all over.
On a nearby meadow, usually after the rain, there were many ponds.Usually us boys, would go there to try to find frog youngsters, so called tadpoles. One day I played around for very long time and the lunchtime already passed. My grandma was trying to find me but I hid because I didn’t want to go home.Sometimes I would go home late in the evening and only because I was so hungry that my hands were shaking. Yeah ... those were so innocent times. People were different. Everything was different. Not like today.I guess that's what happens when you grow old. When you're a kid days are so long; they never pass. As you're growing older, days are literally flying. You realize everything you want to do is a race against death. Aaa ... I don't know. Maybe I just have that impression.Or maybe not. Before this whole thing started I had a feeling that something's wrong. Something was definitely wrong with the world. Something must have happened, but somehow we all missed to see it.When I think about it, it was enough to look at the cars we started to make and you would realize that something is not right. Somehow they all started to look the same, like there was no more imagination in it. We were cheating in everything. You couldn't buy anymore a decent product. All the jars, cans, boxes, packages, bags ... everything was almost two times in size of the actual product. Just to look big. Containing almost no product for which you bought it in a first place. "Mah ... I'll better go sleep. Maybe tomorrow I'll catch some signal."At some point in the night, something woke me up. For some unknown reason, although I suspect being electrocuted so many times could have had something with it, I could hear very low voices which other people couldn't. So I kept all the doors in the house opened. That way I would hear the sounds from all around it. One thing for sure; I didn't want to miss eventual signal from the radio station.I sat up in the bed. Usually it would be some occasional animal. Since there was no people on the street they started to occupy the city. But this time the sound was low, very low, meaning something big was producing it. It was coming from a far so I didn't pay much attention to it. It could have been anything so I went back to sleep.  Chapter twoNumbers
First time after almost a month sunrays lit my room.I sat at the edge of the bed,"Hello Sun, nice to see you. Where have you been for so long?"I put my pants and went downstairs. My whole life I have the same morning routine. Even now, in this situation I didn't change it. First thing when I get up; breakfast. The most important meal in the day.As I like the sound of the dust on the vinyl record, I put it on my old turntable and let it play.Coffee was one of my habits. However, there was no coffee. I just kept the memory of the smell of it. The same way as the smell, the look and the taste of honey and milk, grape and oranges and MgCl.Instead, I opened a new jar of jam. The title was on some strange language but the taste was okay. After I took a few spoons of it I put it back to the fridge. My look stopped at the magnetic numbers on the fridge doors. Bellow one of them there was a lottery ticket containing the same numbers as on the fridge doors. "Fucking funny. All my life I was reading everywhere how as a Taurus in zodiac, I will be rich in my late ages. In addition, I read also, that it will not make me happy. How funny is that ha?I never thought that my thinking about stuff from physics would have some practical use. I was sitting here in my sofa across the fireplace talking to my TV friend. That was the day when I realized how they made him. Actually how they made him to look like he's actually thinking. Then I got that crazy idea. I know it didn't work for real and it's just a coincidence but still ... My whole life I had a feeling that the physics they are presenting to us is wrong. When I was younger I didn't know why I felt like that but later on as my knowledge was gathering, little by little I realized that what they are teaching us is, more or less, wrong. I don't think they were doing it on purpose, although I wouldn't reject it as a possibility.One thing especially. A time direction, which is then directly connected to a cause and effect question. I spent a lot of time thinking about it and always had a feeling that we are looking wrongly at it.I can't even say it's a theory because we consider it so normal and common that we don't even have it as a topic. At least I don't remember hearing not a word about it in school.It is common to think that cause and effect go in that order in time as well; in a timeline, cause comes always before the consequence.If we have a consequence in the present, then the cause is in the past. If we are to have a consequence in the future, then the cause is in the past or present. Either way the consequence is always in the future in relation to the cause.And that's where the mistake is. We use the wrong term thus our understanding and thinking about it is wrong. There's a huge difference between 'cause and effect' and 'cause and result'.The result is in a material realm and it will always be the result of something that happened before, that's why we call it a result.For the result the cause will always be in the past.But the effect is not a concrete event, it's the result of the outcome of something else, therefore in a timeline, the cause doesn't come necessarily before the effect, it is not necessarily in the past, it is normal that the cause is in the future. Some event that still didn't happen but it certainly will, is actually the cause of some effect today. I actually believe that we are not 'pushed' to the future by the causes that happened in the past or present, I believed that we are being pulled to the future by the time and the place where we are going to be in the future. Something we do or we're about to do, can be caused with some future event, it's actually happening all the time.Couple of days after I bought the suit, the racket and the TV, I was sitting here, thinking about Mat Mate and how, if I ignore the fact he's just a virtual character, he actually behaves pretty much naturally regarding the conversations between us. If I wouldn't know, for example, if I'd be in a dark room and just hear him talking I could easily mistake him for a real person. I was just thinking how many different questions and answer they had to inbuilt in his brain for someone to have a feeling he is actually thinking. Then I thought how can we be sure what we think is in fact real thinking or feeling. It could just be naturally inbuilt set of possibilities, which would make us think and feel as humans. Then I realized how my friend Mat Mate actually thinks and behaves. Instead of embedding millions of possible questions and answers or different situations, they made him remember my questions, my reasoning, my way of discussing or talking, laughing, reacting and then just changed them a bit so they would look like his own. They actually made another me, but not exactly the same, someone like, for example, my brother would be.Once I realized that, I came up with that crazy idea which I had for some time in my head. We always think how good it would be if we could 'travel' to the future and see which lottery numbers have been drawn, then come back, pay for the winning combination and become rich. First, our presence in the future would probably affect it in some way and the combination, which we would bring from the future, wouldn't be the wining one anymore. Second, having the ability to travel through time would be much more valuable than any amount of money gained by winning the lottery.My idea was crazy as much as the one where one would have to travel thru time, with the difference that for it to work, one would only need to send the message to the past himself. That act would fulfil and keep both of the conditions unchanged; one is that the cause of the effect of winning the lottery in the past, would be in the present time, which is future time in relation to the past, meaning something from the future acted upon something from the past and the other is that my act in the present time would result of me being rich exactly there where I acted, in the present time. No laws are violated and my theory is confirmed. Of course there was just one tiny little problem in all that ... and that was, how to sent the message to myself in the past?I realized my idea, the same as my theory is just that, a theory,an unachievable one.Except playing tennis or chess with Mat Mate, or should I say my other self, I would just sit and talk to him ... me ... us ... I remember mentioning how I should send a message to myself in the past. He asked me why I would want to do something like that and I explained the whole concept. He just smiled and that was it.
A couple of days later, after we finished our game, I actually won, but I could bet that he let me, he came closer, which he never did till that moment and looked me straight in the eye. It was so odd feeling that I pulled back a bit. But after the first shock I noticed something strange. He was just staring like that, and I could swear, that his left eye, looked like two eye pupils on top of each other. The other one was normal, round in shape, but this one was really odd. He stayed like that for some time and then went back to his side of the court.Next day he did the same thing but this time his left eye was normal, but the right one looked like separated by the straight vertical line, like a pill ... or a grain of coffee. As he didn't say anything, I didn't ask anything. I didn't know what to think of it, until the third day, he did it again and this time I realized what he was doing.His right pupil again had that vertical line, his left pupil lower part was round and the top part was like a line coming straight up from the right part of the circle. Sixteen, he was showing me number sixteen. I immediately took a piece of paper and right down eight, one, sixteen.I was so curious will he do it the next day that I couldn't sleep. I was sitting almost the whole night in my small workshop room thinking about what I just experienced. Somewhere before morning I slept.I woke up late and first time in my life skipped my morning routine. Simply put, having breakfast wasn't what I wanted to do at that moment. It was the time when world was still rolling normally and I could go anywhere but I didn't. I went straight to the living room and turned on the TV. On my huge surprise Mat Mate was not there. 

Midnight Patient

Chapter oneEscape
Hurried steps of one person echoed thru a huge corridor. On a safe distance echoed steps of several military boots. They stopped by the glass cabin, before the exit to the parking lot."Where did he go? Quick man, which way!?!" yelled out one in the front, then he pulled off his face mask, "Which way did he go?""I’d say left thru the fire exit… I heard the doors…""Quick…follow me!"Soon, the man in the cabin could just hear their footsteps disappearing up the stairs.The man they were chasing, managed to get out of the facility, holding a fire axe that he took from the wall inside. After he closed the doors, he stuck the axe from the outside in between two bars.As he approached to one of the cars at the parking lot, he shoved his hand into his pocket and took out the car keys."Shit ... hurry up man ... fucking keys ... I should have installed a remote locking ... okay, it's opened."After he sat into the car, he turned the engine on, put in reverse and pressed the throttle.Tires squeaked while the car went backward with all the possible power. Then he braked abruptly while looking in the rear-view mirror, then nervously put in a gear and pressed the accelerator pedal to the floor again.As he was moving away from where he was parked, he heard a doors opening with a powerful bang, immediately followed by a burst from an automatic rifle and bullets hitting the back of the car.

As he approached the exit with a ramp, a man came out of the house with a gun in his hand aiming for the car. One shot hit the windshield, but the driver had already bent down so the bullet just blew through the cabin, hitting somewhere in the back seat.Another burst from behind shattered the rear window, while at the same time the man at the front pierced the windshield a couple of times more.As the shots subsided for a moment, the driver wanted to peek to see if he was still heading for the exit.Suddenly, as if the air was disturbed by some strange shock wave,he felt pressure in his ears and there was a complete silence.That only lasted a few moments and then all of a sudden it looked as if the car had sunk thru the air and immediately after, with a loud kerplop, it abruptly stopped.Pressed under the dashboard by the impact, he wanted to get up, but a huge amount of water suddenly rushed into the car thru the opening at the back. Realizing in panic, that the rear end of the car is sinking, he rose to the front seat, with both feet ejected the windshield, from its socket, and floated out to the surface.Turning in jerks, wherever he looked around, he saw only endless, dark-blue water."Where the hell am I !?!" Chapter twoThe midnight patient
It was another one of her emergency nights. Although it was harder to work at night, she somehow preferred it. There were fewer people, there was no all-day calling of doctors and other staff over the loudspeakers. Less clutter and crowds anyway.Although it was close to midnight and normally she would expect one or two cases, it was pretty quiet. She had some time to browse newspapers. One particular title drew her attention."Drrrriiinnnnggg!!!""Wellington hospital, nurse Kathleen speaking, how can I—""......""No, doctor Crown's shift was in the morning, doctor Fun Yin is here now.""......""Regarding what?""......""I will check that for you, it's Mrs. Hartenstein, right?""Ok, please stay with me for a sec. I see it, right. You're not supposed to mix those pills...Of course I'm sure. Yes Mrs. Hartenstein. You're welcome. Bye."One of her nurses colleague, passing by with a folder in her hands, said, "Mrs. Hartenstein, right?""Yes Bridget, you got that right" Kathleen replied, rolling her eyes."It's the fourth time she called. That woman never sleeps?""Please before you leave ... can you stay here for a sec, I have to go to the toilet. I'm alone in the ward today, Lily didn't come to work. You know...maybe she was with that new guy," Kathleen winked."He, he, lucky her. I actually saw him, he looks great!""Really?""Yeah, go ahead I'll stay here."A few minutes later Kathleen returned."Thank you so much.""No problem sis. Cya later.""Cya.""Nurse...nurse!""Yes doctor Yin?""Could you type this for me please, I know it's not your job, but you know I'm new here and still not familiar with this forms.""Sure doc, I'll do it but you know, my typing abilities are not great. I still type with two fingers unless I'm poking my nose with one."Doctor Fun Yin stopped and looked at her with one eyebrow lifted."I'm just kidding doc...""That's okay. At least one of us still has a sense of humor. Shall I come back let's say ... tomorrow?""Now doc, I'm not that bad in typing.""Ha, ha, now I'm kidding nurse...""Kathleen.""Kathleen. Ok, I'll be back in an hour or so.""That's fine."After a few more phone calls, she looked at the shelf under the desk, 'That' Snickers' bar, it really entices me, and I shouldn't. Grr, why shouldn't we just eat whatever we want.'She looked down the hall. Only three people sat on plastic chairs against the wall. One boy with a cut finger and his mom and one elderly man who, flipping through the newspaper fell asleep. Overall, it was unusually calm. The wall clock was showing midnight.She checked her wristwatch, 'At this rate this shift will never pass.'At that moment, the double door at the entrance to the hospital opened and a bed on wheels entered the hospital at high speed. One of the paramedics pushing the bed yelled,"Nurse, we have Code T68, emergency room?""Just straight through this double door," Kathleen replied, pressing a button on the tabletop."Dr. Yin ... Dr. Yin ... please come quickly to the emergency room, we have ICD-10-CM, Code T68, Dr. Yin urgent."'Funny how it works, the moment I thought this was going to be a quiet and boring evening ...''And my dear Lily, she's not here now when I need her. I'll have to call Bridget to replace me here while I assist or vice versa, after all, let the doctor decide.'A minute later Dr. Yin and Sister Bridget ran passing next to the desk.'Um ... I see the doctor has already decided. Well, of course ... she's beautiful, young ... Kathleen shut up ... they're going to resuscitation, not on a vacation ...'At that moment, Bridget came out of the emergency room, walking quickly toward Kathleen's desk."Go ... quick, he said I don't have enough experience," she said almost angrily.Pushing the bar to open the double doors Kathleen thought,'That's what I could tell you, you doll. You have it neither for this nor for the other. Give it to Kathleen. What the? What's wrong with me?I should have had that chocolate bar.'While paramedics were transferring the patient from their trolley to a hospital bed, doctor Yin said, "Hi there, I Am doctor Yin Fun and this is nurse Kathleen Elsonn, I see the patient's hair is wet ... Where did you find the patient?""Hi, my name is Martin. We didn't, a fisherman called us and when we got to the place they already took the body ashore. Apparently couple of them spotted the body in the sea, south of Pitt Islands. Floating unconscious. We don't know for how long.""Any info how the patient ended up there?" asked doctor Yin while checking the patient's pupils."No." "What were the weather conditions? Usual?""Pretty much.""Wet clothing ... I suppose you took it off? Nurse, a thermometer please ... thank you.""Yes doctor we did, as we said the patient was in a state of impaired consciousness, not shivering and at the moment we got there, the body temperature was 29°, so yes to prevent even further temperature dropping, we took the clothes off, keeping the patient warm with blankets and a heating system.""The co-morbid conditions and the state of nutrition?""Everything's in between limits.""Any trace of drugs or alcohol?" he checked the thermometer, "um, the temperature is still lower than normal ...""No, nothing.""You found any identification?""No, nothing, thus no previous medical records as well.""Anything else I should know?""The patient was without a pulse for a short time, so we wanted to perform defibrillation and resuscitation, but the pulse soon returned on its own, so we only gave a shot of only 2 mg of epinephrine and 100 mg of amiodarone to prevent recurrence or cardiac arrhythmia. We constantly monitored the condition and upon arrival here, the pupils were normal. And yes, the patient showed no signs of any external trauma.""Nurse Kathleen...""Yes doc?"
"Since the temperature is still lower than usual, do the rewarming of the airways. I want cardiac monitoring; patient is not allowed to do any sudden movement to avoid arrhythmias, full-body insulation, active external rewarming and minimally invasive rewarming.""Right away doctor.""Nurse, I'll be around if you need me. Good job lads, thank you.""Thank you doctor, if you can just sign here ...""Yeah sure, my favorite ... A lot of work?""Well, not really, except for this now and the accident downtown this morning, a truck ran into a car that went through the red light—""Sorry guys, I’d love to stay and chat but I have a lot of work to do.""Sure doc, thanks, cya then."When the doctor left as well, Kathleen took a mask with the humidified oxygen to warm the airways and help raise the temperature of the body. Before she put the mask on, she tooka look of the patient.It was a middle-aged man; with occasional grey hear at his temples,a couple of days old beard and a strange bracelet on his wrist.'My, oh my, this is a very good-looking man," she ran her fingers through her long reddish hair, "some good haircut and a shave and he would be a good date. It looks as he warmed you up as well my dear Kathleen. My god I need a couple of days of a vacation.Or a good khh, khh ..." Chapter threeChocolate bar
Some two hours later nurse Kathleen went to check on the patient for fourth time. As she measured his temperature, she decided to take the mask off since the body temperature stabilized. She as well removed one of the blankets and lowered the room temperature.As she turned to leave the room she heard from behind,"Kathleen?"She stopped with the surprise on her face and then turned back, "Sorry ... did you just call me Kathleen?!""Isn't that your name?""Oh, stupid me, "she slapped her forehead, "of course ... you read it from the plate, right?"He didn't answer."Actually no, you were still sleeping when I took off the mask and then I turned and ... I'm sorry mister, how do you know my name and what's your own name?""It is you ... right?""Well, that's my name but ...? Have we met before?""I'd say we did. You don't remember me? Or don't recognize me?""Recognize you from where?" she was totally puzzled."Now after a reaction like this I'm not sure...""Sorry I don't understand ...""Me neither. Last time I was here I had a concussion and I actually don't remember how I got back but now you not recognizing me is a bit confusing," he mumbled looking down, "maybe I had a concussion this time and I just imagined that I know you. Maybe I did read it from the name-plate ...""Look mister, whatever your name is, if this is some kind of a sick joke or a very weird way to get into my panties, I assure you th—""Humph, as you cam see I'm in no condition to get into my own panties, let alone ... I'm sorry if you got that impression but—""So what are you saying then? I'm losing my mind?""No, absolutely not. I'm not saying anything like that. Sorry nurse ...I mean Kathleen ... can I have a glass of water, I'm terribly thirsty?""Sure, so what's your name?"He took a few sips from the glass she just brought, "Your ... last name is um ... Elsonn, right? And ...that's not on your name-plate ..."As he said it, she sat down in the chair next to the bed, "What's going on? Who are you? How do you know all this?""Is Lily with you in a shift? Or that old bat Doris?"She stuttered, "H-how did you ...? No it's Lily, I mean it's not, I mean she is, but not today, she called sick ... and ... Doris was retired, a couple of years ago ... How do you ... Am I going crazy cuz all those night shifts?""I wouldn't say. You always liked night shifts, I think you're perfectly fine," he was saying as he tried to get up, "you see I remem—""Hey! What are you doing!?" she jumped out of the chair,"You are not allowed to get up," pushing him back to bed. "Sure, I'm sorry I didn't know. How long do I have to stay here?""That's what the doctor will decide. If your body temperature and functions are okay, you'll be transferred to a different room.Please, rest now. I'll come to check you in half an hour again, I need a rest as well ... from all this," she said and again turned to leave.The moment she was at the doorway, he shouted half-loudly after her, "Do you still have the urge for the chocolate bars?"The moment he said it, she almost in panic walked out of the room, slamming the doors.He put his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. 
Chapter fourSong
A few days later he was transferred to a room with less medical and more entertainment equipment. As he was away from the main entrance and Kathleen's desk, she couldn't come as often as at beginning. There were days when she would barely come to the room because a lot of work she had to do. Today was one of those days. Kathleen wasn't at work yet, so Bridget took care of him.“Okay, this is all for now, is there something else I can do for you?” she didn’t even try not to sound like she was hitting on him."Thank you so much Bridget, you're a star.""Yeah, sure," she responded almost angrily and went for the doors."Actually ...""Yes?" she turned to him in anticipation."That TV on the wall ... is it working?"She rolled her eyes, "Sure, there's a remote in the drawer next to you. Is that all? If it is, I'll go now," she turned without waiting for the answer. Closing the doors behind, she mumbled, "You're a star Bridged, sure Bridget, I'll take you to a nice restaurant and then I'll show you my collection of cd-s in my apartment and then we'll ... watch some fucking TV! Psft ... pathetic."When she closed the doors, he reached for the drawer and took out the remote. He looked at it to find out the power button,"Um ... Philips ... Philips? Ah, I'm probably still confused. Ok let's find something to shorten this boring afternoon. *Click* He, it's working, who'd say. Let's find some music ... This is nice, ok."After a couple of songs, he sank into his pillow and slept.

When he opened his eyes, Kathleen was standing in front of him."Oh, sorry I slept. How are you today," he muted the sound on TV."Thanks to you ... a bit sleepy. Do you have everything? You need something? No? Ok I'll go then."He did not hear what she actually said because, at that moment, something on TV caught his eye. He turned up the volume."Look, Kathleen ... remember this?"She stopped at the door when she heard the song 'We are the champions' by Queen. She actually loved that song.Looking at him with yet another question mark in her eyes she said,"You didn't tell me your name ..."At that moment the song was at the end.♫♪ ♪♫ '♫♪'...no time for losers, cuz we are the champions ...Looking at her he opened his mouth as he will sing along and then the song ended and he looked toward the TV and then back to her.He scratched back of his head, "What the ...?"She made a step toward him, looked at the TV and then back to him."What's wrong? You look confused.""I am confused, I mean what was that ...?""What was what?""That ending ... where's the 'of the world' part?""It was there, somewhere ... in the middle I think," she replied."No, no, not that one, the one at the end ...""I don't understand, what at the end, this was the end.""Sorry but no, it's suppose to end with words 'of the world'.""Noo, it ended as always.""No it didn't. It was always ending with 'of the world', I'm one hundred percent sure.""Well I'm one hundred percent sure it didn't ...!""Wait, wait a sec ... do you have it? The song, somewhere?""Actually I think I do. I know what you mean—"At that moment the doors opened and doctor Yin wanted to enter but she almost pushed him out, "Everything's fine here doc. I just checked, patient is feeling much better," she turned back and whispered, "I'll bring it tomorrow and you'll see—""What' did you say nurse?" asked doctor Yin."I just said to the patient that I'll check him again tomorrow.""He didn't have any identification with him. Will you see please how he will pay this treatment?""Sure doc, tomorrow ..." Chapter fiveRemote
Next day she couldn't wait to get to work and clear out all the cases she had in the waiting room, to show him the song ending. When she managed to do it was almost two in the night.She sneaked into his room and found him sleeping.Wanting to go back she again heard, "Kathleen is that you?""Sorry did I wake you up?""You did, but it's okay. It's not like I have to go somewhere.""I brought the CD ...""Thanks but no need to let it play. I would say you were right in a way. I found something else yesterday but you were to busy to show you. And I have to say I am puzzled. I' not sure is that somehow—""What do you mean ... puzzled with what?""I suppose you know the Snow White fairy tale. So ... when queen stands in front of the mirror, what does she say?""She says, 'Mirror, mirror on the wall—'""Exactly!!!" he was all excited, "I thought you're going to say the other one.""What other one?""Look, I asked nurse Bridget to see if you have it there in a waiting room, you know for kids," he handed over to her a small booklet opened at the certain page, "go ahead read it."She took a book and read, "Magic mirror on the wall ... What?"She read it again and lowered the book, "I don't get it.""Me neither but ... you see the thing here? You remember that song with one ending and I remember it with the other. With this one we both remember the same line of text. And that's not all ...""There's more?""A lot more ... As she brought a couple of kids picture books ...what about this one?""Berenstain bears ... ok what about it?""So it's correct ... the title, since you didn't react," he acknowledged."And how it is according to you?""I always thought it was 'Berenstein bears', but now I don't know any more.""Well, I don't know, if that's going to comfort you a little, I'm not sure about the latter either. But anyway, what does that have to do with anything?""Strange. This doesn't bother you?""Nope. What bothers me is how you knew all that about me. That's what bothers me. Yeah ... doctor Yin asked, how you're planning to compensate your stay here.""Well it would help me if I'd have my clothes back. I suppose I had some money or a credit card.""The paramedics that brought you here didn't find anything.""Um, that's strange ...""So?""So ... what?""Will you finally tell me how did you know all this stuff about me and what's your name? If you even remember any of this?"He stared at her for some time and then said very seriously,"We used to date."She put her hand on her mouth and again sat down.
"And ... you used to call me Jack ...

Portal in the Woods

Chapter one
Celebration
Elephant Rhua was the only inhabitant of the zoo in the village. In fact, she spends most of her time walking around freely because the fence that once kept her and all other animals from coming out of the barn, had long since fallen apart.
She would occasionally help people washing their cars or anything else where water was used. There were always those who, for one reason or another, could not wait for the rain to fall, but washed their things at irregular times.
While there was a time when it was raining only on Fridays, those who wanted to go on weekend trips, protested because the ground was still wet. They then asked a local priest to pray to the Good if it could rain on Mondays. But then protested those which because of that felt depressed at the beginning of every week. Then they somehow managed to agree to ask the priest to pray once more if it could rain on Wednesdays.
After some time passed, it seemed a bit too much of rain, but as they had already asked the priest twice to change it, they decided to do it administratively. By renaming Wednesday into Rainsday and adding one day, which they now call Wednesday, to the calendar every other week. As well by replacing one Monday in every third month with Sunday. So now every second week there was one day more and every three months, there was one week that had two Sundays.
One of which was placed between Friday and Saturday so people won't get confused with two Sundays in a row. But as they cancelled Mondays on weeks with double Sundays, they ended up with the same amount of days in between two rains, which little Sammy Lee,
at the time they did it, tried to explain, but no one cared to listen.
So now every other week the days went as Monday, Tuesday, Rainsday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Every third month, however, the days were Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and so on.
So now every other week there is no Wednesday and every three months there is no Monday but there are two Sundays. But as they added one day more 26 times in a year, now year is only eleven months long. As now there is no December, they decided to have one every eleven years. Which starts today.
And as every other eleventh year so far, people from the village went to eat cake made by Marry Brown, the wife of the local baker Eight Ithol. They had a daughter whose name was Beth, and she was the friend of little Sammy Lee, a daughter of their first neighbour. Everyone was waiting for Sammy Lee's parents to come and since they never arrived on time, no one was excited about it.
Her mother, Lady D'lay, was so big that some kids thought of her as
a turtle which just pulls in its legs and rolls down the street.
She was married to a Captain Flow. In Woodlands, people would get their names based on what they do, how they look or what was the first thing people remember they did or said. He was the head of the Woodlands fire department office. He started his career as the one who lets water flow through the gut.
Fires do happen occasionally but nothing ever burned down in the Land of the Woods. Especially not some tree.
In their small village by the name of Smallage, there was a man abnormally tall with his arms hanging all the way to his knees. He was a roofer. He never used a ladder to do his job.
As well he never used an umbrella. That's why he was so tall. At least that is what the Smallagers say. His last name was Firle, which refers to an old word 'fierol' meaning overgrown with oak as he is thought to be the oldest tree dweller. But despite everyone knew his name, they called him Slash for leaning back where his arms hung lifelessly behind his body. He stood and walked this way because he wanted to fit in with the others so he would not stand out so much with his height. He had one son whose name no one remembered anymore,
so everyone called him simply Firl, by the meaning of the word.
For example, Ni Fi lived in a rowan tree from time immemorial, that's how she got her last name Rowntree.
Not all names were popular, nor did they come from something to be proud of.
The local miller who has a mill on the creek could not get used to the constant murmur of water that forced him to urinate frequently so he got the name Constant-Lee and the surname Peed. To make matters worse in a state of constant anxiety, he named his son Stew. And not by the dish.
No one actually knew how big the world is. Those who lived on the outskirts, knew that there is a forest that is most likely going all around. At the edges towards the interior the forest was not too dense so people live there. Towards the outside of the forest, the bushes and all the other plants are so dense that they are impassable and wood and plants cutting, is not allowed.
Everybody in the Land of the Woods accepted and saw their life as the role they play in life. Whether being plumbers, teachers, parents or just kids.
All kids knew stories about the Big Ones, but they would never say anything about it to their parents.
That same day, Firl and Sammy Lee were walking down the trodden dirt road. Sammy Lee was barely keeping up with him.
"Firl," said little Sammy Lee, "where are you rushing today? Why are you walking this fast? I can barely follow you."
"Why are you lagging behind?" Firl asked, not giving up.
"Well you're walking too fast ... huh," Sammy Lee replied, while huffing and puffing.
"I do not ..."
"You do too ..."
At that moment, Firl paused.
"Okay, if I'm walking too fast, how come you're always at the same distance behind me?"
"Ha?" little Sammy paused to catch her breath.
"You see this gap between us? It's like we're connected by an invisible ribbon. You're always at the same distance from me. You just lag a little behind at the beginning and then keep going at the same speed as me. Do you understand?"
"Yeah! I want to be tied to you," commented little Sammy, who has always had sympathy for Firl.
Unlike his father, Firl looked quite proportionate. Although he himself was quite tall, all his limbs were of normal length. He had an oval face with eyes that were more round than almond-shaped.
Two thick eyebrows that always showed what he was going to say before he spoke. The two front teeth were quite larger than the others, so they covered his lower lip a little when he smiled. He always wore too short trousers so one could always see his rolled-up socks on half-high shoes with shoelaces, one of which was constantly untied.
Changing his cheek color to slightly red, Firl raised his eyebrows, "Sammy Lee!"
She buried herself in place, crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips looking away.
Smallest of all, Sammy Lee had round prominent cheeks, with occasional freckles, blue eyes, ridiculously small nose and full lips. Her golden hair, always tied in two pigtails, was trimmed at her forehead just above her eyebrows. On the top of her head, she had a red hair bow, which matched perfectly with her red polka dot skirt, with a white ribbon around her waist and short, puffy, sleeves ending in white lace. Red sandals with white stockings, one of which was always crumpled, adorned her small chubby legs. In her arms, she would always hold her doll, which missed one eye.
"Are you sulking?"
"Mmm!"
"Tsk ... okay come on, I'll walk slower. Come let's go... Sammy Lee ... come," Firl said, holding out his hand to little Sammy Lee.
Her lips suddenly stretched into a smile and she jumped contentedly, accepting Firl's hand.
"I have to," continued Firl, "help my father to dismantle the house."
"Aaa. Is it that time already?"
"Oh no ... not our house. You forgot we don't live in a house? His client's house."
"That's good. I mean I wouldn't mind you living there but ... I like you here. Not much to walk to your home. Who is the owner?"
"Oh, just our local professor, Margaret Teacher. Yeah, she noticed this morning that the doorways are loose. You have to be very careful with those things. My uncle didn't do it on time and the whole house just collapsed. Luckily no one was in it at the time."
"It's good you're not moving from your place, he, he."
"I have to disappoint you. I can barely wait to move. Especially now when our neighbour suddenly realized he can sing. Sometimes I think that something is really wrong with this world."
After about ten minutes they reached the Teacher's house.
They both greeted professor who supervised the works and Firl's father, who was not very happy with Firl being late.
"Don't be mad at Firl, it's my fault. I couldn't follow the tempo and Firl, being my good friend, didn't want to leave me to walk alone," Sammy Lee tried to appease Firl's father.
After Sammy Lee left jumping from foot to foot, Firl pulled on his gloves and began stacking the tiles his father was handing him. Thanks to his height and abnormally long arms, he did it standing on the ground, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. It was the only time he would stand up straight.
"Father ... why houses become unstable?"
"That's how it is son. The laws of physics."
"How come that suddenly the mortar becomes—"
"I just told you. The laws of physics."
"Actually if I can answer," Margaret raised her hand like her students when they would want to speak, "it's the chemistry that makes all the change. Physical laws are just the result of chemical processes. And chemical processes are a consequence of electrical situations in matter. Which are the consequence of the action of the magnetis—"
Frozen in a position, Firl and his father, just stared silently at the professor.
"Err ... anyone for a strawberry cake or juice? I'll run to Mary Brown to get some," she asked, interrupting the strange situation.
Without waiting for them to answer, she turned around without looking and almost collided with the elephant Rhua, who was running after kids who were waving with fresh carrots in front of the elephant.
When the children's screams and the elephant's trumpeting ceased, Father Slash asked Firl, "Where are you two going tomorrow?"
Surprised by father's question, the boy could not resist, asking, "How did you hear what I whispered to her? It was so quiet."
"Whispers are usually high tones and they are shorter wavelengths. They don't break through walls like low tones but are therefore more penetrating if there are no obstacles. I learned that through this job."
"Dad ... how come ... I'm not belittling your work but ... how come—"
"I do this job and know so much about physics?"
"Yes."
"I have no answer to that. I just know it is so ... So?"
"So ... what? Ah, where we are going? It doesn't matter ... just the usual company ... we'll do a little—"
"Are you going to look for the 'end of the world' again?"
Firl just squeezed his lips.
"Kids ... you'll never learn. Don't you ever listen to a Sunday sermon at church? If you'd listen at least once, you would get the answers to the questions you want to find answers yourself. Everything has already been determined. No need to research."
"I think there is and should be. How do we know that what the priest is telling us is true?"
"Firl!!! What is that suppose to mean!?! Shame on you! Of course he's telling the truth. That's why he's a priest. He wouldn't be in such a position if he would lie. Terrible. How do you think you know more than him?"
"All right father ... calm down. I'm sorry ..."
Calming down a bit, Slash said, "Let's push it a bit harder to finish the roof today. That's the most dangerous part. Without that extra load, the walls will hold until tomorrow."

Chapter two
New member
Firl was standing in front of the Sammy Lee's house. He heard her parents telling her over and over again the same things how to be careful, how to behave, how not to come late and how she should allow her mother to sew on the other eye to her doll, to what she as always, answered, 'Yes sir, Captain Flow,' and ran out of the house.
Her parents didn't like her wandering around with Firl; they thought he should have a girlfriend so far, someone of his own age.
But neither Sammy Lee nor Firl, cared about it. They were nothing but friends, at least that was what Firl was thinking.
Sammy Lee was sure he is going to be her husband. Some day.
They were all suppose to meet at the Angie Near's house to pick up his son Pio.
When they all gathered, they called Pio but his father appeared at the window of their workshop saying, "I'm sorry kids, Pio is not coming with you today, we have some work to finish. Next time. Bye."
"Are they ftill trying to make that fail boat to work?" asked Sammy Lee, referring to a several attempts to make the sail boat last longer than a couple of months, before it falls apart.
"Ha, ha, you just said it right, it is a 'fail' boat," commented Stew.
"That is not funny," said Sammy Lee.
"Sorry Sam, I wasn't laughing at you."
"You fouldn't Ftew," she said very seriously.
"Sammy Lee," interjected Firl," shouldn't you be so far used to that people will sometimes say something about the way you talk?"
"Fertainly not," she answered back.
"Fine," agreed Firl, not wanting her to be in a bad mood. He always had a feeling that somehow he is her protector.
They headed away from mechanic's house. Being the first time with the rest of them, J'Aims asked, "Where are we going?"
Ni Fi [ni fi] * looked at him, "J'Aims ... you know that so far we didn't invite you to come with us because of your father."
"My father? What does he have to do with it?"
"Well ... we wanted to be sure ... you know ... as he is electrician and not just that, he has all those strange little gadgets and knows stuff the rest of us have no clue about, we wanted to make sure he is not going to spy on us ... somehow ... with one of those gadgets ... sorry ..."
"Um, I never thought people see him like that. I can assure you he is not spying on anyone—" J'Aims tried to justify his fathers work.
"No J'Aims, no one thinks that, we meant because of you. That he's going to try to see where we are going just to make sure you're okay, understand?" explained Ni Fi.
"Aaaa, I see. I don't think that he even has time for something like that. He's too busy with his ideas. Sometimes he doesn't even go to sleep. Or at least it appears as so. Whenever I look at his workshop, he's there. Anyway ... what is then so mysterious that we don't want our parents to know. Am I right? We don't, do we?"
"You are absolutely right J'Aims," added Ni Fi, "we are on a mission. We've been looking for 'it' for quite sometime so far. Well ... with no avail so far. But we don't lose are hope, right Eyem?" [aim] *
"No we don't," replied Eyem, "I am certainly not losing hope."
"Of course, since she's your mother," Stew threw it in again.
"Stew? Really? What's with you today?" wondered Firl.
"Nothing ... One cannot be funny anymore ..."
"You fhould all listen to Firl here," suggested little Sammy Lee, "he is the fmartest. Beside that he has a fix fense for everything."
They stopped at the t-shape cross section. Firl said,
Last time in this part of The Wood Lands, we went left here, right?"
"Right," confirmed Eyem.
"Ok, so now we go right."
"Right," confirmed Eyem again.
"Ni Fi," J'Aims came closer, "when you said you are looking for it?"
She stopped, "Wait ... you will not say now that you never heard ..?"
"Well I just heard rumours ... but I actually never thought it would be true. But ... how, or why are you, because I see you are, otherwise you wouldn't look for 'it', so sure it exists?"
"We are not. But why would that stop us from looking for it?"
"I guess it wouldn't," agreed J'Aims, "so how long are you looking for it. Days? Months? A year?"
"This is our hundred and ... ... se—, no hundred and eighth time," proudly said Ni Fi.
"Hundred and eighth???" J'Aims opened his mouth in wander.
"Yep. Why?"
"How come you didn't give up already? I certainly would."
Firl stopped and turned to J'Aims.
"Listen J'Aims. No one is forcing you to come. You can right now turn back and go home. But know this. Somewhere there ... here or wherever it is, is the answer to a set of questions we here all wonder.
If you want to miss it ... well ... you know the way home."
Firl turned back and continued to walk. Sammy Lee grabbed his hand, giving a very serious look to J'Aims.
"Is he always like that?" he asked Eyem.
"No. No one ever questioned our mission. Till now," she replied.
J'Aims stopped for a moment. Everyone else was just following Firl.
He looked back and then again his friends who were moving away and then back again. Then he went after them.
"How do you know I am not the one who will bring you luck this time," he was mumbling while walking faster to catch up with them, "how do you know?"




* In the square brackets are phonetic symbols showing how to pronounce names Ni Fi and Eyem


Chapter three
Search
It has been quite some time since the group left the village. They used the narrowest paths to break through to the thickest edges of the forest. Often times the vegetation was so dense that they had to return the same way back to the main road along the inner edge of the forest. Just as often, people who lived in the woods would drive them off their properties because they didn't like having someone hanging around their homes.
In their search, they came across a local priest, in a brown friar's suit with wide sleeves, dragging from foot to foot muttering something to his beard. When he saw the kids coming out of the woods, he said,
"And where are you kids coming from? And what are you doing so far from your homes?"
"N-nothing your holiness who cares about us. We just walk around a bit ... just to get to know better the area we live in."
"That's nice. Just watch out for these little ones of yours," he said, patting little Sammy Lee on the head with his hand in a white glove, which he, for some reason wore all the time, "how do you deal with them, my child? And beware, children, don't go too deep into the woods. People say they are seeing things there ... on the edges where it is densest. Beware of the river as well, especially there the strangest things happen."
"And how do you know all that," J'Aims asked.
"I know my son, I know. From those who come to confession and
tell me what they experienced. And I believe when people come to confession, they tell the truth. That is why I tell you to beware.
Go on kids, may the Almighty Good protect you."
Just as the priest left, Ni Fi jumped on J'Aims, "What was that?"
"What was what?"
"Your stupid question ... um ... your holiness, um ... blah, blah ... a ... how do you know that ... Why would you even ask him anything?"
"What is wrong with that!?" J'Aims couldn't understand.
"The less they know, the better!"
"But now we know we have to take care of ... dunno, something out there. Don't you think?" J'Aims tried to justify his question.
"We've known that long time ago ... that people talk. After all, how do you think we came up with the idea to do the research?"
"Yeah actually, what are we looking for anyway?"
"Firl," Ni Fi looked at Firl, "do you want to ...?"
"No Ni Fi, you're doing just fine, please continue," Firl replied with a smile.
"Look J'Aims ... it's never been weird to you or ... wait, better this way, have you ever wondered how big the world we live in is, I mean, what it extends into? Everyone knows wherever you go from mid out, you come to a forest, and then it becomes so dense and overgrown with bushes and other vegetation that you can't get through. And the trees are sacred and you can't do anything with them. Do you see where that leads?"
"To the forest? I'm kidding, Well, now when you say it like that ..."
"Have you ever heard stories about 'Big Ones'?" Eyem added.
"Big Ones?"
"Obviously not. There are rumours that there are creatures that people see occasionally, similar to us only much taller in stature. Also," she now leaned toward J'Aims, looking left and right and showed with a finger to come closer, "it is said that there is a secret passage to their world," she finished, nodding her head.
"Ha! So that's what we're looking for ... a secret passage," J'Aims shouted.
"Shhh ... alas a fool. Don't yell. No one should know that," Eyem warned him.
He bowed his head at that moment.
"Hey! J'Aims! What is that supposed to mean," Firl interjected now, "you didn't mean to tell anyone?"
"Um no ... just ... my dad ..."
Firl now approached seriously, "Listen to me J'Aims ... don't you dare say anything to your father. Adults mustn't know anything about this. They always spoil every secret, you should have figured that out already. Since we haven't found anything yet, we're not in danger of you blabber it on. Even if you tell anyone what you know so far, no one will believe you. My father thinks that every time we go somewhere, we go looking for, as he says 'the end of the world', but that's the end of it. So here and now J'Aims Watt, if you want to continue with us, you must swear that you will never and under no circumstances reveal our secret. If you are not ready to keep your mouth shut, turn around and go back."
"Yes, J'Aims Watt," added little Sammy Lee, "my mother wants to few the other eye to my doll's head, but I don't let her do it because I know my doll doesn't fee with this one and would fee with the other one, and I don't want to risk my doll revealing our fecret."
"What? But it's just a d—"
"J'Aims!!!"
"Okay, fine ..."
"Well?" Firl was waiting.
"Okay. I swear I will under no circumstances reveal our secret, so help me Good."
"Okay can we continue now?" asked Firl seriously.
"Firl?"
"J'Aims?"
"What happens to people who break their oath?"
"They wake up next day as adults."
"What!?! Nooo," cried J'Aims," you are not serious? ... Are you?"
"I am," replied Firl cold bloodedly.
"But, but they have to work ... and ... and have things to take care of ..."
"Exactly, we are lucky to be minors," confirmed Firl, winking at little Sammy Lee.


Chapter four
At the barber
Returning from the celebration, Captain Flow and his wife Lady D'lay, met Margaret Teacher who was coming from the bakery with a plate of cakes.
"Are you continuing the celebration?" joked Captain Flow.
"Huh? What? Ah cake ... no, no, that's for mister Slash ... he's just finishing removing the tiles."
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know."
"It's okay. What can you do, we can't go against chemistry," Margaret sighed.
"Um wait, isn't that physics, not chemistry?"
"Actually it's the chemistry that makes all the change. Physical laws are just the result of chemical proce—"
"Sorry Margaret," Lady D'lay interjected, "we've been walking for a long time, so I'm slowly getting tired ..."
"Certainly ... yes ... well then ... see you."
When they moved away a bit, she said to Captain Flow, "I don't want to listen to her lectures. If I were to be a student I would be a child."
"That's fine, but you haven't had to cut her off like that. I've been waiting for a long time for a proper moment to ask her how something works, and now that you ju—"
"Captain Flow ... walk. We still have to call in to a barber."
"Yes I know and that's exactly what I wanted to ask Margaret," Captain Flow explained.
"What?" Lady D'lay did not understand.
"How come our hair and beard and all the other hair come out of our bodies."
"What's so weird about that?" she asked as she waddled from foot to foot because of her enormous mass.
"Well, it is. Everything else attached to something, like for example a tree to the ground, ingrows into the ground, nothing actually comes out. It's probably one of the laws of physics ... or ... it's biology?" Captain Flow scratched his scalp, "Well whatever it is, It's just that only our hair's 'coming out' of the body. I don't know how else to call it. It's normal for something to ingrow ... this would be almost like something ... grows ... which sounds so weird."
"Please Captain, stop blabbering and walk. I don't want to spend all day to get from one place to another."
"Okay, okay, I'm coming."
They soon reached the barber shop. It was a small inconspicuous wooden house with green walls and brown window frames with pots of flowers that had already almost grown into the ground. Above the double doors, one of which could open, while behind the other one there was a doll of a messy wig and a slanting beard, a display title read, "Put your neck under my razor with confidence. Ask those who went home walking."
On the right door, at eye level, stood the owner's name, Allfar Fetched and below that the opening hours, From now onwards.
As soon as Captain Flow wanted to grab the door handle of the barber shop, the doors opened and a local nurse came out of the barber shop.
Captain Flow held the door and nodded in greeting, "Hope Noth."
"Captain Flow," replied Hope, "Lady D'lay."
"Did something happen to someone? We don't see you here very often, "Lady D'lay was curious.
"Well, it is and it isn't. Pole was changing the bacteria in the power generator, but Allfar turned on one of his appliances before Pole secured grounding, so the power went from the generator directly to the head of lawn mower's son Toss."
"O my Good," said Lady D'lay worriedly, at the same time trying to lift on her toes to see inside, "I hope nothing bad happened?"
"No. Except all his hair stands up, nothing terrible," Hope replied, almost with a sneer.

"At least Allfar will have an easier job to do," Captain Flow said peering inside to see what Toss D'Rock looks like, "and in that state," he said with the smirk, "his father could have done the job too."
Lady D'lay elbowed him, "Captain Flow ..." and then smiled sourly
at Hope Noth, "Hope excuse us ..."
"No, you're fine. anyway, I have to move on as well, I have another job to do. Angie's son Pio hit his finger with a hammer and now Angie blames himself for not letting him go with the other kids. So, see you around. Bye."
Entering the barber shop, the two of them sat on a small bench lined with cheap cloth. Right across, above the worktop with two oblong sinks, there was a large mirror over the entire wall. Shaving supplies were strewn all around, and there was hair on the floor around the chairs, from who knows when.
On one of the two separate chairs on the left sat Indie Niall, a singer from a local band, and on the other one Ana Veilebow, a representative of the company 'Yoopy S' which distributes packages across the land. Ana had red straight hair, which reached to her shoulders except above her forehead, which is why she was here today; to have Allfar cut off her bangs. In her hands she always held some documents leaning against her chest. Glasses with an almost square frame adorned her chubby face, on which she had strikingly painted eyebrows and burgundy lipstick. Her knees were always close together and she wouldn't move but just look straight forward.
"Indie," asked Captain Flaw, "what are you doing here? Didn't you say you wouldn't cut your hair until your hair was up to your knees?"
"Hi Captain Flow, Lady D'lay," greeted Indie, "I did, but you know how fashion is constantly changing, at least with us popular people, ain't it?"
"Probably so, I don't follow that very much. Is it because you have a concert now some of these days?"
"On the contrary, Captain, you see that you are well informed. You are right, it is on the occasion of our new album 'Acceller8'. We also have a new guitarist, old Lapton's son, Aerik. Will you come?"
"I don't think so, son, but here ... maybe my wife—"
Before Captain Flow could finish the sentence, Lady D'lay elbowed him. In the silence that ensued, only the scissors could be heard.
Allfar Fetched had a shirt with vertical red-black stripes, with a collar and short sleeves. In the two front pockets he had a few scissors and combs while he had a few more in, once white, an apron tied around his waist. On his head he wore his famous paper cap with two antennas, one above each ear.
Most locals knew why he had antennas on the cap, but here and there some random passer-by from some other part of the Land of the Woods would stumble upon and wonder why.
If at that moment, someone of the locals would be in the shop, they would just point their finger upwards while whisper softly in the stranger ear that Allfar believes there are some other entities not from this 'earth' as he says, as if it's not clear there are no 'other' places where someone would live. At least that's what Brible says.
So the antennas were there to 'detect' the potential aliens.
As Allfar trimmed hair of a local lawn mower Blontez D'Rock's son Toss, Captain Flow took the opportunity to ask him the same question he intended to ask Margaret but could no longer do it due to his wife.
"You know Flow, it's a very interesting question and in fact, even though I've always been in this business, I've never asked myself that question. Gimme a few moments to think about it," Allfar replied, taking the cap with antennas off his head, "I don't want any outside signals to disrupt my thoughts."
Continuing to trim Toss D'Rock's hair, he hummed something into his chin and then suddenly turned to Captain Flow and said,
"I believe that what we see as hair coming out of the head, I could almost say the weird term, what we see as the 'growth', is actually something like renewing other parts of the body because we take in nutrients.
Hair is not alive, and it does not come out, but hair follicles, when they renew like everything else in the body, push out dead hair, except that parts of the hair do not fall off, such as spent skin, since it sticks to each other, it seems as if coming out of the head, that is, to put it so clumsily, it grows.
"I must admit that you surprised me. What you are saying makes perfect sense. Although it is contrary to everything we see in nature,
I mean," now Captain Flow looked at all present, "we all know that nothing grows, but this makes perfect sense. Bravo Allfar."
As time went on, everyone devoted themselves to something while they waited their turn. At one point the door opened and Postman Givesome Mail poked his head.
"Allfar this is for you and Pole ... where is he? He already left? I heard he made some people's hair more popular. You Indie should take something like that. Look how well he looks, just to shave it left and right and leave the middle you would look upside down broom, ha, ha, ha, ha, like a broom ... ha, ha, ha," it was still heard from the outside as he was moving away.
Indie stared at Toss. Toss was the drummer in the band anyway and now he almost looked more attractive than Indie.
"Sorry Allfar ... could you do my hair like that but the way Mail said it? It sounds crazy to me."
"Of course it sounds crazy," Lady D'lay murmured as she browsed through a magazine. Now Captain Flow elbowed her.
She looked at him, "What? Excuse me? Ah no, I'm just commenting on something from the magazine ..."


Chapter five
The eye
Returning from another failed attempt to find "it', and after they left Stew at his house, the small group stopped at a local tailor
to sew up the one eye that little Sammy Lee's doll head, which fell off but luckily they found it. While some of them who didn't understand Sammy Lees's explanation, wondered why they had to wait at the tailor's now, Firl explained the reason; a conversation he would hear every time he waited for Sammy Lee in front of the house. Sammy Lee doesn't want to let her mom sew this eye because she would sew the other one too and then her doll would be able to see and there would be a danger of her doll telling her parents where they all went.
When J'Aims opened his mouth to say he already knows it, Ni Fi just put her right hand on his mouth and showed him with her left to shut up. J'Aims showed with his eyes that he wouldn't comment on anything, but as soon as Ni Fi withdrew her hand he started,
"Guys, I have to ask you, since we've had another failed attempt ... to give it a thought ... maybe we are doing something wrong."
"What do you mean," Firl asked, "wrong in what sense?"
"Well, maybe that passage to the other world isn't through the woods at all, I'm just saying ..."
Now everyone looked at Firl, who, most likely because of his height and protective attitude toward little Sammy Lee, was an undeclared leader.
Putting his hand on his chin, Firl said, "You're right J'Aims ... where it says 'it' is through the woods. But if it's not, where or through what is it then?"
"Well, it could be through an object!" Ni Fi and Eyem said in unison, then laughed.
"Okay, let's just say that," Firl confirmed, "what do we have of the buildings outside the village? There aren't many of them ... in fact,
on second thought ... there's only one that's enough along the edge."
Now everyone was looking at him with raised eyebrows and heads tilted towards him in anticipation.
"Mill !"
"Yeah," Ni Fi confirmed, "that's right, mill. How come we didn't think of that before?"
"Khh, khh," coughed J'Aims sideways.
"Yes, you're right, you thought of it. Bravo J'Aims," Firl confirmed, "you see it's good that you swore and stayed with us."
J'Aims raised his chin, though he wasn't sure if Firl's confirmation was praise or rebuke.
"Tomorrow is a concert and too many people will be hanging out everywhere, so tomorrow we will take a short break from the investigation, but the day after tomorrow we will go to the mill to investigate the situation," Firl decided.
Sammy Lee, who has just returned with her doll and one eye back to its old place, said, 'I want to go to a concert.'
"But that's not for ..." Firl said, and then met two blue eyes staring at him from below, "okay, okay, we're going to the concert."
"Yuuupyyy," Sammy Lee began to hop on her little chubby legs.
Everyone started laughing out loud.

Chapter six
Concert
About two hours before the start of the concert, a crowd began to gather. There were both, old and young here, as for example professor Teacher and Pole Watt. To be fair, he was always here because he was in charge of lighting and maintenance. Firl's father Slash peered two feet above everyone else present. There was also little Sammy Lee, who persuaded Firl to persuade his dad to persuade her parents to take her to a concert. Indie's band Pink Fluid was quite popular because of the type of songs they sang such as, Illuminated Antlers, Middle World, A Giant Dwarf and especially popular The Sooth. The concert was held on the meadow in front of the church. Even the priest Justinian von der Pasta helped organize it.
The church was the only building that never collapsed because it was built out of stones that were just stacked on top of each other without any binder. The windows were just holes in the walls and the front door was metal. Metal objects were the only one that did not change. Metals and clay were actually the only materials they had. As Margaret Teacher explained, metals do not return to their original state because it would require a huge temperature like when they melt to form in clay moulds. As the trees were sacred and no one remembered anyone cutting down a tree or making anything out of wood, no one considered windows and doors on houses, as well as some pieces of furniture, as wood. In fact, they did not perceive them as made of wood, but the existing objects.
The stage on which the band played was covered with half of the walnut shell of the largest walnut tree whose shells the villagers used as stand covers in the open market, where they exchanged their products.
Members of the Pink Fluid soon appeared on stage; Indie Niall, singer and rhythm guitar player, Toss D'Rock the drummer, Aerik Lapton solo guitar player, Tim Bearr acoustic guitar player, Sepp Temba piano player and their lead singer Miss Anders Tand.

As the first tones of their latest hit Illuminated Antlers began, the crowd slowly fell silent. Some jumped in rhythm, some sang along with them, some just rocked enjoying the song. After the song was over, Indie greeted the people who came to the concert, introducing the old and new members and announcing the next song which Rhua, on which little Sammy Lee sat, greeted warmly with her trumpeting. Miss Anders began with one of their old favourites, Middle World.
She had long black hair in which hung two white ribbons. A long black dress with flared sleeves that extended from the shoulders down where they were completely open at the elbows and ended between the thumb and forefinger of her hands. Toss D'Rock and Indie now both had broom hairstyles, which aroused the enthusiasm of some in the audience, mostly young people, and astonishment and even ridicule of some other. The song went on.

♫♪
Maybe you have heard
about the Middle world?
I heard different stories,
but I have no worries,
because I will never go there.
It's a mystery,
it is scary,
it's a fare
for which I don't care,
because I will never go there
Like to go there and stay?
Sure, but be ready to pay.
Not me, I have my own way
and I will never go there
Like a mystery
it is scary,
it's a fare
for which I don't care,
because I will never go there.
♫♪

As soon as that relatively fast song ended, the beats of the next song began and so on until they came to the one with which they were ending all their concerts, The Sooth. The gentle music started.
Indie pointed toward little Sammy Lee and said,
"This one is dedicated to Sammy Lee and her friends. Enjoy."

♪♫
Ravishing girl got lost in a forest deep, ♪♫
as she got tired she lay down on the grass and fell asleep.
She did not notice a young man appearing out of green,
he touched her gently on the cheek
and she woke up from her dream.

Entering her view, she said howdy to him,
"I'm looking for a peak to take off, with the biggest bird."
"Look up there," he said, "that's the top on the other side,
but you can't get there straight, as I heard,
you have to get out of this world and come from the outside."

The young man's explanation became very wide,
but his voice was so cuddly so she fell asleep again.
Looking at her, he came closer just to touch her lips,
but she quickly blinked, "I heard a wren singing down the glen."
He said, "Before you opened your eyes I wanted to do this."

And he gave her a kiss, ♪♫
gently on the mouth,
she let herself in his arms,
blossoming like a sprout,
falling for his charms.

what is that strange taste?" she asked the young man.
"To know your answer, I chewed the grass of truth."
"My answer to what?" she didn't understand.
"Whether I'm your dream or I will be your sooth."
He replied and took her by the hand. ♪♫

IQ Killer

Chapter one
Rain carried by strong gusts of wind, whipped across the huge windowpane of the apartment on the top floors of the thirty-story building.
Man stood with his hands on his back and looked down at the street.
In the background, black vinyl record was spinning on an expensive turntable that stood on a HiFi stereo with one huge speaker on each side. The music was semi-vocal with amplified bass, which gave an extra note to the classical orchestra as it played Vivaldi’s music.
"Look at them. Poor little creatures. No bigger goals, no striving for something higher. Just meeting essential needs. Sex, eating, drinking, a house, an apartment, a car, clothes, jewellery, meaningless shit of all kinds. No brains, no intelligence, there is no empathy, only empty biological shells."
He turned to the living room, set down the glass he held in his hand as he watched the city below him while sipping whiskey, and headed for the bathroom. Lights turned on and off, as he passed through the apartment.
He took off the bathrobe he had on and hooked it to a hanger in the small hallway, in front of the entrance. There were no doors, just an opening in the wall. He stepped into the bathroom completely lined with huge, cedar-colored, tiles. The bathroom was completely empty; there was no bathtub or a visible shower. The moment he stepped in, from small holes of the whole ceiling, water started to flow.
Vivaldi played here, as well as in all other rooms in the apartment.
After taking a shower and applying deodorant, he put on a shirt. As he buttoned his shirt with his left hand, he picked up the shoulder holster from the coffee table in the living room with his right one.
Adjusting the holster, he inserted his Sig Sauer X Five pistol, put his Rolex on his left hand and applied some perfume around his neck.
He put on a suit jacket, his shoes, took the car keys and left the apartment.




At the same time, at the other end of the town, a radio clock sounded an alarm, trying unsuccessfully to wake up a man in a sleeveless undershirt whose right arm hung carelessly from the bed to the floor.
At one point, the hand moved and pulled the cable out of the wall socket. Turning to the other side, the man lay for a while longer and then looked up at his watch as if on fire.
"Shit!"
He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling on the crumpled beige Levi's pants he had lifted from the floor. Walking toward the bathroom,
he buttoned his zipper. Along the way, he stepped on something on
a floor full of pieces of clothing, paper wrappings and empty cans
of Coke and began jumping on one foot.
"Shit!"
He filled the sink and applied water a couple of times to his unshaven face, with thick under-eye circles. Passing a couple of times thru his sparse hair with half-broken comb, he looked at the empty toothpaste,
"Swell."
Stepping into the closet, he realized he doesn't have a single clean shirt. He put on a long-sleeved T-shirt with the inscription ‘Feeling great’ and slipped on Chukkas shoes. Taking a brown jacket and a hat from a hook on the wall, he ran out of the apartment.


Chapter two
With her bicycle leaning against a metal pole in front of the store, a woman was digging through a larger bag. Getting the feeling someone was watching her, she turned left.
"Go ahead," said the man watching her.
"Pardon?" she replied.
"Go ahead, go shop, I'll look after your bike while you're in there."
Now she stopped digging through her bag and took a better look at the man standing three feet away with his hands in his pockets. He had toecap leather Oxford shoes, a perfectly tailored midnight blue Armani suit buttoned with the middle button, a collarless shirt with a top button buttoned, and a handkerchief in the top pocket. He was perfectly shaved, with taper fade haircut.
She got up from her half-bent position and said, "How did you know I wanted to—"
He raised one eyebrow.
"Yeah ... right. Are you sure? About watching my bike?"
As he did not answer, she added, "I'll be quick."
Without a single unnecessary movement, he calmly replied,
"Take your time."
About ten minutes later, she was at the checkout with a basket full of things. After paying the bill, she went to the window and looked out. He was still standing in the same place.
Stepping outside, she headed for the bike. He approached with light steps, "Here, let me hold that bag while you sit on it."
She smelled an irresistible scent of perfume spreading around him.
She hooked her purse to the handlebars and said,
"Thanks, I owe you one."
"Coffee," he said.
She looked at her bag and then back at him, "Sorry how did you know I bought ... Oh... you actually suggested ..." she was confused.
He again didn't say anything.
"How do you know I don't have a boyfriend?"
"You do not have a boyfriend," he said with the voice in which there was not the slightest doubt of what he had said.
She pushed the bike as if to leave but after a couple of yards she turned to him, "Okay, tell me ... what am I missing?"
"I didn't say anything ..."
"I know you didn't ... As well, dressed like that ... you didn't come on foot. Where's your ride?"
Slowly taking his hand out of the pocket, he pressed a button on the remote and the black metallic Porsche 911 Carrera, across the street behind his back, blinked three times.
'I could have guess,' she thought, "Okay, you see that yellow facade all the way down there, at the end of the street ... wait there and I'll be down in 20 minutes."
He just nodded and headed for the Porsche.
As they agreed, he waited for her in front of the yellow building. She came after a bit more than twenty minutes.
"I'm sorry if I'm late, my cat was pretty demanding, she just doesn't like when I'm not home. And I'm still dressed the same as you can see, I didn't have time to change."
"No need, you are fine," he said very calmly.
"Easy to say dressed like that ..."
"You want to go change? Go ahead, I'll wait."
For the moment, she looked straight into his green eyes and then added, "As you said, we're just going for a coffee, right?"
"Right," he replied and opened the door for her.
He waited until she sat into the car and then closed the door.
After he sat at the wheel, she said, "This is my first time to drive in a Porsche. It's so low when you sit in it. But it's very nice, leather seats and the interior ... so compact. I like it."
He pushed the button and the engine roared briefly and then calmed.
As they drove, Vivaldi's music played.
She just squeezed her lips and mumbled, "I could have thought."
"You could have thought what?" he repeated despite the music, the engine and her mumbling.
She looked at him with a long pause, " ... I wanted to say I could have thought that with this kind of a car and suit, goes this type of music."
"You don't like classical music? I wouldn't say so ..." he noticed.
"I do, I actually do. It's just ... somehow, I don't have much time to, kind of, relax and enjoy in it. But this is certainly the way. I could drive like this forever," she replied and sank into the seat.
Twenty minutes later, they stopped in front of a cafe. It was pulled in from the road with a nice little terrace outside. After they got out of the car, she said,
"Nice terrace, but still a bit too chilly to sit outside, I would say?"
"Sure, let's go in," he agreed.
As they were approaching the entrance, she was saying,
"You know, the way you drive ... it's so calming. You drive fast and unpredictable, but at the same time so sure in what you do. Those couple of overtakes you did ... it looked like there's no enough time to do them but then you so nonchalantly, without any visible excitement, just changed a gear and pushed the throttle and headed towards the car from the opposite direction and then just so gently went back to your side and continued like nothing happened. This was the first time someone had driven me like that and in fact, I wasn’t frightened at all. Amazing driving."
"Thank you," he replied, while opening the doors and entering first, and then holding the doors for her.
'Another surprise,' she thought, 'most men think women should always go first but this is the right way. Entering some object for the first time it's exactly as he did, man goes first. Where have you been all my life?'
Inside was very cozy. He led the way to the corner.
'Um ... he goes all the way to the corner ... he doesn't like to have his back at open. What is your profession mister? Detective? Secret agent? Or you're just cautious?'
A couple of minutes after they sat down, waiter came. He looked at her, "I said coffee but of course, you can have whatever you want."
"I'll have a Coke," she said to the waiter.
Waiter looked at him.
"White coffee for me, instant, not espresso please. If I may suggest?"
"Certainly sir."
"Please, before you put hot water, put first some lukewarm milk, then add coffee, stir it and then add the hot water. Bring me a small jar or a cup of milk so I can add it myself. Is that okay with you?"
"Of course sir, no problem."
She was looking at him. He was looking at her.
She had black hair, a bit longer than shoulder's height. Beautifully shaped dark blue eyes. Full lips with vertical lines across the whole lips making it look like a Clementine. Her nose, straight and proportional with her face, at the very top, was slightly pointed up.
"My name is Justin," he said not taking his eyes of off her.
"I am Christy, Christy Staip," she replied staring at him.
"Justin Macfoe," he added.
"French or Irish? Or maybe even Scottish?"
"Neither, but I like to pronounce it like it's French."
At that moment waiter came with their order. After he served it all,
"Do you want me to open the Coke for you miss?"
"Yes please," she answered still looking at Justin.

After the waiter left, Christy said;
"It's funny how this days, when someone opens a bottle of Coke, I either can't smell it as I used to, or It really doesn't smell the same way as before."
Justin was still looking at her, not even blinking.
"Christy ..."
"Yes?" she replied with trembling voice and couple quick blinks, feeling something follows.
He continued, saying words very slowly one after another, with almost hypnotizing voice,
"You are ... an amazingly ... beautiful woman."
Her hand, in which she held a glass with the Coke, shook a bit; this time she blinked even faster.
"Thank you," was all she could manage to say. The same as in his driving, in his voice, there was no hesitation; there was no doubt he meant what he said.
When she regained her composure, she said,
"How did you know I don't have a boyfriend or, moreover, I am not married?"
"Your chain on your bike ... it's all rusty, your front brake pads are spent and you tried to change them but no avail. Your seat is tilted back and you tried to fix that as well."
"Okay Sherlock! But at the first glance at your expensive suit, not to mention the car, anyone could conclude no detective salary would cover that."
"Maybe I was just being very frugal?"
"Mmm. Humble ... about your knowledge and what you are capable of, yes. But frugal? I mean I'm not saying you are not capable of saving, but I wouldn't say that's your style."
He took a sip of coffee, "So what's your estimate, what do I do for a living?"
She didn't answered immediately; rather looked him in the eye as if she's analyzing his body posture and gestures.
That did not go unnoticed by him.
"I deal with weed removal," he intercepted her thoughts.
She frowned and tilted her head a bit.
"I see you have trouble seeing me in such a role. You are right ... I am not dealing with it myself, I am the CEO; I have others who are executors, out there in the fields."
"I see. Yeah, that's more like it. By the way, I didn't know that business is so profitable."
"Well, I'd say it is because there's more and more weeds every day, our civilisation is contributing to it enormously."
"I guess it is, although I don't know anything about it. In fact I never thought about it and certainly not from your perspective."
"Do you read books? You know ... like novels?" he totally changed the subject.
"Well ... not that much. Why? Is there some particular book on your mind?"
"No, not really. I was just thinking that maybe you are familiar with trends in literature this days."
"The way you said it, I would say something is ... almost bothering you?"
"You are good. Very good. Actually it is, although I wouldn't say it's bothering me, but it certainly did catch my eye."
"What particularly?" she was curious.
"Maybe you will laugh but," he made a little pause to see will she say something, but as she was looking at him without even blinking, he continued, "the other day I was looking for something to read ... yes exactly what you think, not online, but in the actual brick and mortal bookstore, I like to feel the book in my hands. So I am browsing thru books and then I stumble on a cover. The actual content of the book is unknown to me because I never opened it, but the cover ..."
"It was something disturbing?" she asked.
"I wouldn't call it disturbing, and I don't think anyone else would even notice what I have noticed or even bother to think anything about it, but for some deep psycho analysis and research how did it come to this, I am almost positive, it would show as very disturbing."
"So what was on the cover," she tried to look calm but she couldn't wait for him to say it, "let me guess, some pic of a naked woman in some immoral position?"
"Actually no, it was a picture of a man. Admittedly yes, naked, but not in any sexually compromising position. What I didn't like and what I saw from it, was something completely different. It was the image of a very muscular man, probably a body builder, but the nice one, not like those who deform their bodies to the point where they look almost unnatural; no this one was well built. But the picture was showing him from his waist to his neck, no head ... no head.
What did they want to say? That we need more brainless men, as long as they have muscles for ... whatever? As long as they are strong, either to work or well built for sex? Is that what they wanted to say?
Is that what men are becoming? A brainless pieces of meat?"
"I see you took that very personally."
"Maybe I did, I don't know, but what if someone would put a female body like that. I'm not talking about some sexy magazine, I am talking about the book, a novel, in the library."
"What do you think it would happen if that was a woman's torso on the cover?"
"Well, excuse my French, but I think that all hell would break loose. Men would be accused for being sexists and masculine and feminists would literally crucify the author or the illustrator.
And that's not all. The other one is in your domain."
She looked at him with the question mark above her head.
"I opened the book with a seemingly harmless title and read a couple of pages and ... I know writers write stories ... and those stories are made up and they have to think of ugly stuff and they have to put themselves in the brains of their characters, but this guy ..."
"People writing stuff like that should be locked, no normal brain can think of horrors like what he wrote there. And I think you as a psychiatrist, would understand what I mean."
She couldn't hide the surprise, her jaw literally dropped.
"How do you know I am a psychiatrist? I never told you ...
Please don't tell me that you were st—"
"No, don't worry, I would never do something like that. How did I know? I actually did not ... until we came here. And now that I know, I know you are a very good one.
You are sitting across me, with a consistent eye contact that would totally disarm someone else at my place. A big part of your job is listening and you listened to me without interrupting me not once,
that's a trained quality and a self-discipline. And you did it because you were interested about, not just what I described from the library, but about me.
"What I told you, immediately became important to you, at least to some extent. You asked me how I felt about it. You gave me the chance to explain myself and you gave me the option to express myself what would happened if on the pic was someone else.
A quality of a good psychiatrist who is open to other possibilities.
Then the pace of the conversation was human, no rushing, that's
critical to get good answers and analyze your client without them feeling like they’re running out of time."
"I don't know what to say ... I am truly impressed. Are you sure you're in a weed business? I mean this was on a Sigmund Freud level."
"Just a part of my education, which was what my father wanted me to be and I actually graduated in it. And worked couple of years before I got into my present business."
"Worked where? What profession?"
As he didn't answer, she realized she is maybe asking too much; maybe it was something personal, involving his father, and he didn't want to talk about it.
"Maybe we should go now," she proposed.
"Sure," he got up, went to her side and while she stood up pulled her chair back.
He went to the bar, paid the bill and left the tip to a waiter.
Outside of the coffee shop, they stood next to his car.
He slowly opened the door, waited for her to sit into it and then held the doors like that for a couple of seconds and then closed it. When he sat at the wheel, she looked at him and then thru the windshield. He turned on the engine and drove back the way they came. Some time later, he parked in front of her building.
She turned to him, "It's okay, you don't need to unbuckle and go out just to open the doors for me. I know you are a gentleman but ... it's okay. I know what you are thinking right now and I have to admit this is so weird to me ... I'm not used to deal with someone who reads my mind while I read his mind, not literally, but enough to make a situation awkward. As you probably know we all like to hide behind our thoughts and with you ... that's impossible."
"Is that a 'no'?"
"I'm sorry Justin, but right now ... I don't know."
"Sure ... I understand. Well it was nice meeting you. Maybe we will stumble on each other some day. See you Christy."
After getting out, she could only hear the shrill sound of the engine, gradually fading, as moving away from her. She was standing there.
"What was that? He just left? Didn't even try to persuade me to get together again? I didn't think he's going to accept it that cold-bloodedly. Shit Christy! You were just schooled in your own field. Shit."
She took her keys, opened the doors and entered the building.

Chapter three

As every other night, judge Jessie Tunddogh was taking his black Labrador for a walk.
This was the third one since his children became adults and already have their own families. But as he got a Labrador while they were still kids, he got used to that breed and later he couldn't do without them.
As some children are totally unpredictable and do not respect personal space, Labrador was a good decision because of their cold-blooded temperament and attitude 'take everything as it comes'.
With the present one, he had a special relationship, since now only the two of them and the memories, remained. It is true that his sons and daughters come often to see him and have joint family lunches, but once all the hustle and bustle from the house disappeared, judge felt alone and useless. Especially now when he retired. As he was never accustomed to any tools and had no need to create or repair anything himself; his judge's salary was more than enough to pay for all services, he would spend his time mostly reading, napping or walking Bella, a female Labrador.
Leaving the house, he locked the door and patted Bella on the head,
"Let's go Bella, my faithful companion. Everyone else has scattered in all directions, only the two of us are left in this haunted house. Although you can't tell me but, I'm sure you miss them as much as I do. Yeah, but nothing we can do about it, that's life. When I left my parents, I had no idea how they felt. Nor did it ever cross my mind. When you're young, you just rush without mind and feelings. Come Bella; let's find some nice lawn."
Moving away from the house, they entered one of the side streets that led to a nearby park.
Although the entire neighborhood was well lit, judge did not notice a man standing sheltered from the lighting under a dense tree canopy.
"Grrr, grrr," Bella began to growl and pull toward him.
The judge pulled her back, "What is it Bella? What did you see? Some animal from the park?"
Then he realized why Bella was barking but it was too late, the man was already holding a gun pointed at him.
"What do you want? You see I have nothing with me, you have nothing to rob," judge said, holding Bella firmly on a leash.
"I didn't come to rob you, Jessie. I came to remind you of something."
"Remind? Who are you? How do you know my name?"
"I'm someone you don't know, but I am a friend of someone else you knew, a man ... who didn't do anything wrong, but you sent him to a prison," he replied, lowering his pistol.
"I could have thought. All you criminals are always innocent. I did my job honestly and fairly. I never sent anyone innocent to jail. Besides, you know it's the jury that decides the guilt, not the judge. The judge only decides the sentence."
"Yes, I know, but in this case the jury were the judges. You weren't the only one, there were others. One of you was not to your liking. So you decided to get rid of him so arbitrarily. I know before you even say ... you will say the system is like that. Yes, that's why we need to change it and until we do, we will work according to my system."
"What are you blabbering on about? Say what you want! After all,
if that someone ended up in jail, there's nothing I can do about it. What's done is done."
"I know you can't and I didn't come because of it. You've been sending people to jail or to an electric chair all your life without
much thought. It's clear to me that someone has to do it but I can't understand people can do it all their lives and come back home every day to their families, not thinking how many other families they destroyed. So ... what you can do now is, to feel injustice. How it is when someone who has done nothing wrong leaves this world just because in someone's head some set of neurons has decided so."
"Listen stranger, I don't know who you are but I swear to you if you do anything to hurt anyone in my f—"
"Don't worry old man, your children and grandchildren are safe. And it wouldn't make sense to punish them. They already have all kinds of sins on their souls, some of them bigger, some of them smaller.
A person like you, who is convinced he is his whole life on the side of justice, to feel what injustice is, must experience it."
A man who seemed to the judge to be of a shorter stature with a black hoody on his head, raised his pistol.
Judge instinctively backed away but the bullet was not aimed at him. Black female Labrador just collapsed to the ground.
"Now you know how it feels when an innocent one is punished,"
said the man, disappearing into the darkness of the trees.
The judge knelt beside his faithful Bella and, looking up at the sky, wept like a kid.

Chapter four
Every other weekend, Christy would go to a little longer shopping,
to make up for consumables like dishwashing liquids or laundry detergents, cleaners or larger amounts of fresh milk or butter for the cakes that she would sometimes desperately want to bake even though she had no one to share them with. Her mother ended up in a hospital for mentally ill. In her early youth, due to a misjudgment by the careless psychiatrist she was seeing, she took completely wrong medications for several years, which only made her, not so bad, initial condition worse. Christy therefore decided, to finish psychiatric school so she could help people like her mother, but in the right way.
As always, she would buckle her bike to one of the three pillars
in front of the store and then went shopping. About an hour later, leaving two full bags of things at the cash register because she couldn't put all of them on the bike at once, she got out with the other two and hooked them to the handlebars, one on each side, intending to take them home and return for the rest.
Sitting in the seat, she had the feeling that something was different,
as if, something was wrong. She got off her bike and looked at the seat. The seat stood straight, as before when the bike was new, but
as she had somehow gotten used to sitting on a tilted seat, now this correct position seemed wrong to her. Then she accidentally looked at the chain. It was no longer rusty and it was nicely lubricated.
The thought immediately crossed her mind when she went with Justin for coffee and asked him how he knew she didn’t have a boyfriend.
She checked the front brake pads as well. They were new and tuned.
Standing up, she looked around to see if she might spot Justin watching her discovering new parts on the bike. But he was not there.
"What does he think? He can just take my bike without asking?"
She looked around again, "I don't care. I'm not going to take part in your little boyish games."
As angry as she was, she wanted him to show up, even if they would argue. She hated that, as an experienced psychiatrist, she could not suppress her thoughts. She looked at the bike, "Good job though."
She got on her bike and drove home. In front of the house, she buckled the bike again and went upstairs to take her bags home.
A couple of minutes later she came back. She unbuckled the bike, went back to the shop, took her bags and came back home, this time taking the bike inside.
Entering the apartment, she took off her shoes and brought the bags into the kitchen. After washing her hands, she started to sort out her things. At one point, in almost empty bag, she noticed a small envelope. She took it out, "What is this? I don't remember—"
Then she felt a familiar scent. She opened it and took out a small note.
He heart started pounding so strongly that she had to take a deep breath and sit down.
"What the? ... Christy ... calm down. You are acting like a teenage girl. Just read the note."
She brought the note closer and smelled it first.
"Dear Christy,
Please forgive me for taking a liberty to repair your bike without your permission.
I would not do it this way but you said I am difficult to handle ... and I respect that.
Please stay well
Justin
She sat down and again smelled the note.
"You fool Christy ... you fool."

AinoloniA

Million Sons

An egg hatched, half submerged in the waters of a distant shore, on the far edge of the world. Dark clouds were rolling through the sky over a seemingly endless beach. 
Chapter oneThe Village of StarsAgamo
A bell rang on top of a church just next to a busy marketplace in a small coastal village; marking high noon. From above, people looked occupied by trying to make good sales, or in contrast haggling for discounts on the goods. One could hear the sound of many voices not synchronised one bit, but a song for the soul to the old fisherman sitting in his small wooden boat, waiting for the fish to bite. The sun burned hot, yet the gentle breeze and the smell of sea made it easier to live at this hour.Many merchants were visiting the Village of Stars on every month's first Sunday to set up their stand on one of the biggest markets in the region. This Sunday was not an exception.A tall knight with a tired look on his face walked up to one of the most deliberately decorated stands in the row. Wiping the sweat from his brows, he took a look at the stand's unusually dressed owner. Clad in purple clothing with sleeves unnecessarily long and adorned with trinkets from head to toe, a huge matching hat, sitting on top of his head; his nose was still taking all the attention from the man to himself.“Welcome friend! Care for a game?”“Huh?” asked the knight, putting the bag from his shoulder on to the ground.“A game of cups for a silver coin. The rules are simple; just follow the coin but don't lose sight while I will rotate the cups with all my might. If you choose where the cup and the coin meet, you win a refreshment to help you with this heat. Should you miss your mark, the coin gets lost in the dark.” “Ah, I don't know about that. A silver coin is a bit much for a game and all you offer are bottles of water and apples...”“A though customer I see... Very well.” the small man opened a larger box, from which he took a clothed object. “If you win three times, you will get a special prize. A sword that belonged to one of Emnikatia's own Serpent Forces,” added the merchant, revealing the goods.The expression on the tall man's face changed from uninterested to sceptical. Clearly he thought it was a fake but the possibility that it was actually legitimate wouldn't stop biting at his mind.“Alright, let's give it a shot,” he put one silver coin on the table covered fully with a white sheet where the three cups lay. The man behind the table immediately put one of the cups on to the coin and started shuffling them as fast and confusing as he could.Three cups for all to seeIn which one it may be?To guess right, here's the keyIf you miss, don't blame meWhen finished, he leaned back in his chair with wide grin on his face; “Your turn to take a guess, my friend.”“The middle one...”“Whoa, you guessed it! But how? ...In any case, feel free to chose a refreshment of your choice,” said the nosey man and mumbled something to himself right after.“I'll take a bottle of water, but never mind that; two more and I get the sword. That was the deal, right?”“That is the deal indeed, but do not get ahead of yourself. I was going easy on you.”“Aaahahaha, I bet you say that to every customer when you lose. Let's go, here's the second coin.”The owner was spinning the cups as quick as he could, all while reciting his song even more quickly.After a few seconds, following the cups became pointless and the knight was left with only guesses once more.“There we go. I bet you won't guess so easily this time, friend!”“Hmm... It's tough alright. I think... no... I’d say it's this one!”The merchant opened the cup slowly, smiling and bragging; “You thought it would be easy as last time? What you just witnessed was my special shuffling technique called— What the..!?” After lifting the cup and revealing the coin once again, he flipped; “Oh, that does it! How could you follow my incredible speed? Yours is an extraordinary gift my friend. Here, choose from my goods.”The knight took an apple, acting all proud in his achievement. “Flattery will get you nowhere, friend, as I recall, one more game and the sword changes its owner.”“Mrngl, frngl...” the small man started mumbling to his chin again, “So I suppose, I said you will get the sword after only three games. I must admit I was a bit hasty there, but a deal is a deal and the Great Mundini doesn't go back on his word...”“Who's that?”“Me! Who do you think?” snapped the infuriated merchant. I don't think you are one of the brightest ones, friend.After the third silver coin was put on the table, the shuffling started, but as a pleasant surprise to the impatient, happy man on the observing side, the cups were dancing rather slowly, as if the shuffler got tired or just lost his will completely. This will be a piece of cake.-thought the knight cheerfully.“Alright, pick the cup.” said the merchant with very little interest.“Hey, were you even trying? It's this one, it must be.”“Are you sure? You don't want to change your mind?”“Yeah, I'm sure. I stay with this one. I bet you want me to change 'cuz you know I got it right. I won't change my mind,” the man was firm, but after lifting the cup, he got surprised. The coin wasn't there.“Hey! Are you cheating?!”“What, cheating? Me, the Great Mundini? Never! Why would I cheat, when I have my special shuffling technique? You just underestimated me and that's why you missed. Don't be a sore loser and admit defeat like a true knight is supposed to.”“Ah, fair enough, I guess I did underestimate you back there. Let's give it another shot.”The crowd got busier and louder and the gentle breeze stopped, leaving only heat to do its work on market full off people from all around the world. Mostly from the Kingdom of Emnikatia and the orgriash tribe, but one could find people from distant lands of Toukoku and even some pirates. The Village of Stars was blessed with its large marketplace and a good location; right on the crossroads between the north and west; that's why it was always blooming and its people lived mostly joyous lives. Of course there were rich and poor, but the majority was somewhere in the middle without a worry on their mind. The village had no strategic value, so it was rarely attacked and even when it was, the walls surrounding it from three sides and the sea being the fourth, it repelled bandits, robbers and vigilant orgriash-folk with ease. There were some guards posted around, but nothing major. Most of the actual guarding was done by the Emnikatia's twelfth division, posted on the most important roads and woodland paths and two smaller armed ships docked in the port, ready to sail at all times. The village was, of course, paying its tribute to the kingdom, in order to keep this peaceful state of affairs.“Ready for another try?”“No, I had enough! I guessed the first two, but you're telling me that since then I couldn't hit it nine times in a row?? “Relax friend. I assure you that I'm playing fair. You just had a streak of bad luck, that's all.”“Bad luck?! That's bull! I want my money back!” the knight raged and hit the table with his fist. The people around the stand gave him a mix of concerned looks and warning frowns, obviously not too approving of his behaviour.“H-hey there, hold your horses. You wouldn't want someone to call the guards, now, would you?”“Fine,” said the knight after cooling his head and leaned down to grab his bag. After he left, the merchant pulled a curtain over his stand's entrance and entered the shadow of his tent. Seconds after, a small man, a midget, got out from beneath the table and followed him, waving a necklace made of a silver chain and a decorated pendant.“This was all that had any value; the rest of the bag was rubbish.”“Well at least I got nine silvers out of him up on the top. He lost his head after one look at the sword. Can you imagine?”“Good work Bob. We really did—”“Shuddup Mart, will ya?” he was interrupted by a noise coming from the stand. Someone was knocking.“Hello? Is anybody working here?Bob hurried back to reopen the shop, his hands rolling each other; he was hoping for another victim. “Yes? Hello, we are open, just a small break, that's all. Can I interest you in one of our games?” he observed the customer.Clad in a black sleeveless kimono with a red rope holding it in waist, grey baggy pants and black monk slippers, was a boy a bit tall for his age. Fit and in form, he was had a neat muscular build.His skin was a little bit pale in contrast to his long hair dark as night tied into a tail and a larger bang on each side of his absolutely proportionate face. His eyebrows were like a pair of raven wings above two almost dragon-like emerald eyes. There was something reminiscent of Toukoku in his look, but with such proportionate features, it was hard to grasp what exactly. “They are plenty of fun, I assure you. But have you a silver coin?”“Fun? Sure, why not? Although I lack any silver.”
“Then you can't afford to play! Goodbye!” Bob shook off and started closing the cloth again.
“I have this though. I found it outside,” said the boy and flipped a coin with his thumb casually. It landed on the table in front of Bob who was now most interested to serve the peculiar customer.T-t-this is... gold??? ... “It’ll have to do,” he feigned ignorance.“Let us begin,” he covered the coin carefully and slowly, giving Mart enough time to crawl back beneath the table.“Wait. The cup with the coin is scratched,” said the boy, pointing on the cup with his finger. “It wouldn't be fun to guess if it's that easy. Can you replace it with another one?”Bob examined it closely. It is scratched a bit, but how didn’t I notice that before? Now is not the time to wonder, the gold is waiting!“My apologies, I will get a new one at once!” said Bob, retreating into the back. While he was gone, the boy grabbed an apple and put it into his pocket.“Alright, this one is good, no? We can begin.”After shuffling enough he stopped and asked; “There we go. So, which one do you choose friend?” all while rubbing his hands victoriously.The boy pointed at one of the cups, without further ado. After the cup was lifted, Bob's smile widened; “Awww... what a shame. You missed. Care for another try?”“No, sorry, I have no coins left. Thanks anyway,” said the boy and disappeared amidst the crowd.“Oh, no, thank you and do come visit us again sometimes,” said Bob and pulled down the curtain. He then signalled Mart to come out from the table.“He had no luggage. How did it go on your end?”“Oh, it went brilliant. Just look what I have here!” he lifted the second cup. “Huh? It's not here? Well, then it must be under this one. I shuffle so good I even confuse myself sometimes. Aaahahaha..ha... huh? Where’s the coin?”
* * *
Chief’s wolf dance
As he was strolling happily through the market lane, an apple in his pocket, satisfied by outsmarting the fox and finally having something to eat, the boy heard a shout from somewhere amidst the crowd; “Thief! Stop him!” but he paid it no mind because he was confident nobody saw him back there. The shouting continued; “Guards! The long haired boy stole my apple!” and some of the folks around chuckled at the statement, but two of the nearby guards didn't find it funny, nor did the boy. One of them looked in his direction so he started running while he had the advantage. The guard tapped his partner on the shoulder and they burst into a chase.He was smaller then the two robust men and apparently a lot more agile, so he moved faster through the crowd, while the guards were not really equipped for this kind of thing, but rather for, well... guarding. “Move it! Stop that boy!” the man was warning the crowd, although no one really flinched.“Hey, watch it youngster. You almosht 'nocked me down!”“Hey gramps, this guy givin' you a hard time? Why doncha' bug someone closer to yer own age, eh fella'?” a muscled fisherman blocked the sun and the guard had to step back.The other guard lost sight of the boy after he gave him the slip through one of the shops. “Ahoy there, where do you think you're goin'?” a busty shopkeeper dressed in a colourful gown stepped out of the tent. “Sorry ma'am but a thief—”“Oh a thief are ya? Here to steal my heart handsome?” “Tsk!” the man snapped and went around the tent.“How rude!” the lady remarked, frowning at his behaviour. There he caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a black kimono slide in between a row of stands. I'll flank him from the other side!Yet he stumbled into another guard; “Hold this!” he gave his sword and helmet quickly.I think I lost him, the kid came out of the back on the main road trying to blend in with the crowd, but to his surprise, the guard was coming from his side at full sprint. “Give up, it's just an apple!” the boy took a sharp turn down the road, jumping over boxes of fruit and knocking a priceless Toukoku vase with his elbow.“Whoah!” the man chasing him stopped and caught it before it fell.The black haired fellow would sometimes glance over shoulder to keep an eye on his pursuers. “There he is! The boy with long hair!” shouts could be heard and then the boy noticed something peculiar; on one of the village walls in the distance, another chase was going on. Three guards were after someone dressed in a grey rugged shirt and dirty pants, long blond hair tied in a tail; a boy with an apple in his hand. A wide grin on his face, he was running parallel to him, taunting his own pair of guards. So no one had actually seen me stealing? It’s all that blond kid's fault. The blondie turned and grimaced, sticking out his tongue at the men following him furiously; As if they were not already agitated enough struggled to navigate the narrow fenceless walls. One of the guards red like a tomato, took off his helmet and dropped it down on the street. The helmet made a blunt sound as it fell from a height of more then three meters. The boy had just slipped his fingers when the guard noticed a gap in the wall in a short distance from them. There’s no way he can jump over. He’s mine now! In a few moments he would be right behind him, trapping him with nowhere to go, but then something strange happened. Instead of stopping, the kid seemed to continue running towards the gap. “Stop or you'll fall!”, though the boy didn't seem to be stopping. While the black haired boy on the main road watched in awe, the unrelenting guard caught up to him.“Got you! You gave me quite a run...” he was catching his breath, holding his forearm, but the boy didn't resist. Instead his eyes were focused on the blond kid on top of the walls. “Huh?” the guard’s attention also shifted to the walls, as the other boy was approaching the gap and then... He jumped!Everyone held their breath as the moment seemed to last forever while the blond boy almost flew over a thirty feet wide gap and landed on the far edge, barely keeping his balance, his arms flailing about.“Whoa! Whoa!” he grabbed a small flagpole and everyone exhaled. “Phew... that was close,” he said to himself, but alas too soon, as the already damaged flagpole broke and he fell...  Chapter twoLabel (ɭɐbəl)
Label... awaken Label.“Oh dear Label, let the poor child wake up,” prayed one of the nuns beside the bed he was resting in. He slowly opened his eyes and everything still seemed fuzzy. “Oh, thank Label! The child regained consciousness. Call Father Ferguson over Nelia dear.”“Yes, ma'am,” said the other nun clad in a blue robe. “Where am I?” he got up on his elbows. “Stay put, young man. Your recklessness almost cost you your arm and a leg and for what, an apple? You should know better then to steal when you have another's reputation at stake. You are one of Inala's children, are you not? I believe she is taking care of everyone at the orphanage and I never heard any of the kids were hungry, so why would you go and make a mess like this?” the nun preached, all while attending to his minor wounds and changing the wet cloth on his forehead. She’s pretty, he thought while not really paying attention to what she’s saying.“Tell me child, what is your name?”“Label,” he answered, scratching on the bandaged shoulder. “Oh, the poor kid is delusional... No wonder after falling down from such height. There, there, you'll remember in no time.” She patted him on the head and started to gather the medical supplies. The boy looking down and frowned. After putting everything together, she left the room and was replaced by Ferguson. “Father,” she bowed slightly. “Thank you Merlotta,” Father nodded and then sat on the chair next to the bed. He was a tall man with short hair and a scrubby beard. His attire was adorned with golden decorations but still mostly white. A pair of reading glasses rested on his nose, behind them hiding a look of concern.“What is your name, son?”The boy silently turned his head away from the man.“It's alright, you can tell me.”“...it's Label, as I said before.”“sigh... You insist on that, I see. You do realize that is the name of the Holy Lord that watches us from beyond? If that is your idea of humour, I must warn you, people will not find it funny and some may even take it further then words; considering you a heathen or even worse. What if you found yourself in the far lands of Toukoku where our Lord is not as revered as here, but despised instead?”“My head is all fuzzy. I can't remember my name, sir. I'm sorry about all the fuss,” he continued. Father got up from his chair, “Now that's better, at least you are coming back to your senses. Feel free to lie down and rest a while until you get better. Your friend is learning discipline as we speak. You were brought here for the same reason.”“My... friend?”“Oh don't play games with me. The other lad that the guards chased around, he was an accomplice, no? But not to worry, we went easy on him. He just needs to clean the bell tower staircase,” smiled Ferguson before he let Nelia in to keep an eye on the blond young man. Someone else was brought here? And because of me? Great... He thought, but it wasn’t long before he fell asleep again.
* * *
The church of Label was in the middle of the village and was a place where wounded or tired took shelter. One could say it was an inn and a nursery as well.Still the main purpose was to pray to Lord Label; a god revered by the Kingdom of Emnikatia and related towns and villages. After opening his eyes once more, the blond boy looked around and noticed Nelia keeping watch by his bed while knitting a scarf of sorts. She had a chubby red dotted cheeks and a piggy nose, but always wore a strict face.He didn't find her to be as appealing as the nun that treated his wounds earlier today. “Oh you are awake. Feeling better?”“Yeah... sorry for all the trouble I caused. I’m ready to atone for what I've done.”“You should stay in bed. Your wounds hadn’t healed yet.”“But I feel fine,” he stood up.Nelia jumped out of her chair, surprised that the boy can already move about.“Let me check you first,” she insisted to at least have a look at his injuries, but it looked like he was indeed fine. “Follow me. You are to help your friend finish cleaning the stairs,” she led him to the tower, greeting Merlotta through one of the opened doors in the hallway. The gentle nun was taking care of another patient, but she waved and smiled as they were passing the door. The boy smiled back, now in a better mood than afternoon, noticing it was almost six o' clock, as he looked through a stone window.The sun was hanging low like it will fall into the sea. The salty smell splashed him across the face as he inhaled deeply.When they arrived to the tower, Nelia opened the door using one of the keys. “I'm sorry, it's a precaution. You fellas were stealing stuff just this noon after all,” she chuckled and locked the door behind him. After looking around a bit, he noticed the black haired boy mopping the floor. The boy didn't look his way, so he decided to make the first move. “Hey there..” but the young man ignored him and continued mopping instead. “Hey, listen I realize you got caught because of me. It must be because we both have long hair and are about the same age, right? Who would have thought? Hahaha!” he put arms on his hips and laughed like a fool. The dark lad stopped mopping and looked in his direction. A look of annoyance spread across his face. He turned around, mopping in the opposite direction of the blondie.What a weird outfit. He must not be from around here. “Say, what's your name?” blondie insisted.“*sighs* ...you are suppose to introduce yourself before asking another's name,” the green eyed boy was agitated. He took his bucket and mop and went upstairs to clean the rest of the tower.What's his problem?, thought the other boy as he took his own bucket and a brush. 
* * *
It was a few hours before they were finished.The kimono wearing boy went down to the first floor where he found blondie sitting on the last stair, resting and looking at the floor. He sat down by him. They didn't look at each other for some time but after a while he told him; “I'm sorry I was acting up earlier. My name is Anciel.” “I'm Label! ...No, I mean, I'm not Label. Well... sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier, but it's just that.. You see eh... if you are from Toukoku, then I'm definitely not Label, so I wanted to make sure you are not from Toukoku... Aaaah!” he started scratching his head with both arms, messing up his hair. Anciel looked at him all confused, but then... “Hahahaha... you.. you are something else. Alright, let me make this easier for you. No, I'm not from Toukoku.”Pointing at his kimono he admitted; “I stole this outfit a while ago.” “Oh...”“I should have taken one for you as well” he remarked, looking at Label's toes peeping through the hole on his shoe. Label put a hand on his mouth first, but then both burst and their laughter echoed trough the tower.“Hahaha...so, I'm sorry you got caught because I stole an apple.”“Yes, you should be. What a stupid thing to do,” he then took the apple from his pocket and started eating it casually.“Yeah, I'm sure you would... wait what? Hey!” Label swung lightly at the apple.Anciel dodged him, “But I would still be strolling the market and enjoying my freedom while you would be here cleaning, instead sleeping all day in the nursery,” he winked at him. “I guess you are right,” Label sat back defeated.“So tell me... That jump at the market. How did you do it?”“I could always do some stuff other people couldn’t, though I would always get scolded by Inala if I did any of it in front of the other kids.“Stuff?”“Yeah, like this for example,” he put his hand over one of the cleaning buckets and the water slowly turned to ice. Anciel was not as surprised as Label expected him to be, “Tough crowd,” he remarked.“No, it’s not that,” the other boy shook his head, “It’s just that... it makes me happy.”“Ice makes you happy?”“No! ...not being the only odd one makes me happy.”“What do you mean? I don’t get it.”“Fine, watch closely,” he pointed his index finger at his other palm and moved it swiftly across. At a moment's notice there was small cut there and he started bleeding.“Whoa there, don’t hurt yourself!” Label jumped, “But, how'd you do it?”“I’m not sure myself, but I can choose if I want to cut something the same way as if I had a knife in my hand, yet I can do it without any tool. And then there’s this...” he lifted his palm closer for his friend to see.Label watched the wound close itself and the bleeding stop. Although not instant, it was unusually fast, he thought. “All of my injuries heal a lot faster. To what extent, I don't really want to explore, but these... gifts of mine saved me more then once.”“Show me some more!” blondie was eager, but the raven hair boy crossed his arms unwilling to reveal all his secrets, “It’s your turn.”“Well, it’s only fair I guess,” he pulled his hair into a tail; “Cut my hair,” he gestured.“Are you certain?” he raised an eyebrow.“Yeah, go on,” the boy insisted.“Alright, suit yourself; “Anciel swung his hand and the blond tail was cut shorter.Yet only moments after, Label’s hair grew back to its original length.“Yeah, you should have seen Inala try and make me a nice haircut, just to see me back to my old self the very next moment. Also, my nails don't grow after this length, so I don't necessarily have to cut them. ““Come to think of it, I never tried cutting my hair shorter. It’s been like this as long as I remember.” he tried cutting his own hair, but it grew back all the same.“That’s all good but copying me doesn’t count. I wanna see a new trick now.” Label crossed his arms.“Hmm... I can’t really show you this but I can sleep less then other people with no consequences. I can also go without water for weeks and food for months.”“Huh, you don’t say... I never tried that,” just as he said it though, he noticed his newly met friend look a bit sad, or maybe envious.“Good for you.”“...”, Label wanted to break the awkward silence so he decided to show something really flashy; “Check this out.”He brushed the remains of their hair on a single pile.“Don’t get scared now,” he warned as he took a big breath.Anciel moved away a little bit as Label put the hair on fire with his breath alone.“Impressive, I’ll give you that,” he smiled.“He-he,” blondie scratched his nape. “I can—”“Wait! Someone’s coming! Hurry put it out.”The door opened and Nelia came in to check how the boys were doing. It was a long ago she left them here and it was time for them to go home before the dark. She found Anciel moping the floor while casually whistling and wiping the sweat from all the hard work, while Label was standing in the middle of the room looking like he's hiding something.“What’s that smell? Is something burning?” the nun sniffed around with her piggy nose.“Eh... no. Nothing burning. All good,” he hurried and swept up the ashes nervously.Nelia looked around and judged everything clean enough, so she patted him on the back. Passing through the hallway again, they met with Father Ferguson.“Hold on. Anciel was it? You are forgiven by the High Lord Label himself after today's hard work,” Anciel bowed, although he didn't really like all that religious talk. “So I see you are feeling better already son. Care to tell me your name now?” Father asked Label after crouching down. “It's...it’s Markus... sir,” he replied while looking out through the door.The Father followed his gaze into the room where Merlotta was sitting and watching them.“I see you made quite a few friends today Markus, alas some enemies as well I'm afraid. Be sure to go and apologize to the poor guards and the lady you stole the apple from. I know you think it's important, but I find it to be. There can still be a proper man out of you.” and with that, he tapped Label on the shoulder and left them. Merlotta was still smiling their way. Label pulled his pants up and blew a bit of air up at his bangs preparing to make a move, but all he managed was to yell an awkward “See you!” as Nelia grabbed him by the shirt's collar and pulled him out. 
* * *
After stopping by the guard post and apologising, they were strolling through now finally quiet market lane on the way back to the orphanage. The fisherman gave up and his boat was now lulling softly on the sunset waves. Seagulls could be heard in the distance as even the late working merchants were closing down their stands.  “So, where do you live?” Label broke the silence. They were both a bit tired from the crazy day, but still their heads were high and their gaze fixed front.“Nowhere and everywhere.” Label watched him for some time with his arms above his head.“You can always come to my place, you know. I mean, it's not really like it's my place... it's more like an orphanage, so...”“Thank you but I do not belong there.”“Oh, so you do have a mom and dad?”“No...I don’t.”“Doesn’t that make you an orphan?”“I never had parents, so I don’t know, you tell me; does that make me an orphan?” he stopped and was now looking at Label, waiting for a response.The blue eyed boy lowered his arms, “Everyone has parents. How else would you be here?”“After they abandoned you, would you still call them parents? You would welcome them with open arms?” his brows furrowed and his fists clenched, “If I ever find them, I’ll be darn sure to give them a good beating.” “Hmm... I suppose you’re right. I never thought of it that way. I always felt they abandoned me because I’m different.”Anciel started walking again, lost in his own thoughts.“We should talk to them first.”“What?”“I mean, if we ever meet them, we should ask them why they did it.”The dark boy still didn’t approve, but blondie continued; “Then, if we think they deserve it, we can beat them together. Deal?” he offered a hand.Anciel first took a few moments, but then he accepted, “Deal.” “So why not just come over for a night?” Label didn’t want to push him, but felt that he needs a bit of encouragement.“Alright, I guess I will ...Thank you,” he bowed, making the other boy feel a bit awkward.They stopped in front of a windmill, one story high. A dim light on the second floor looked warm to Anciel. Label approached the door and tried to sneak in as silently as he could, but as soon as he touched the knob, a woman dressed in a typical housewife dress, complete with an apron, opened and grabbed him. “Label, I was so worried!” she sobbed and pulled him in her chest a bit too tightly. “I can't breathe!” he complained. “Where were you!?” she changed her attitude, now standing tall with her arms at hips and a frown on her otherwise gentle face.Inala was a middle aged woman running an orphanage for many years. She was a bit on the heavy side, as was her huge chest, but that didn't lessen her motherly charm. She had the curves, if only there was someone man enough to help out with her impossible job. A blond wavy hair was reaching her shoulders and her beautiful eyes were but now endlessly worried. Label didn't even managed to give any explanation, not that it would be any good, but the other children, now awoken, ran down the stairs, curious to see what is going on.“Bwothel Label is dat yoo?” asked Marco, the smallest of the kids.“You made mom worry again!” Ezel blamed him.“Waaaaaaa-ha-haaaa!” a cry could be heard from upstairs.“Now Tina is up as well, thanks to you,” Metena and Miko looked at Label, blaming him for ruining all their hard work of putting their sister to sleep. Anciel looked at all the children, surprised that this woman could handle them all by herself.“Who is this?” asked Inala quietly, after giving Label a stern look. “Aaah, this is a friend. I met him today, he's real nice. And... Well, he doesn't have anywhere to go...” Label looked at the floor, avoiding eye contact. “He can stay tonight,” she made it very clear.“Yes!” Label couldn’t contain himself.Anciel bowed deeply; “I am in your dept.”Inala was taken by surprise as she was probably expecting another brat like Label.“Don’t worry about it.”
 Chapter threeEzelColour of stars
Chatter could be heard outside through the small window, mixed with seagulls and the windmill turning slowly. Anciel awoke to a soft bed and inhaled a flower scent coming from the white sheets and a puffy pillow. Something he never experienced before. He was in a room with a leaned roof. It was almost like an attic was made into a bedroom.For a few moments he was confused and was looking around trying to recall what kind of events led to this dreamy state of affairs. Through the window he saw that it's almost noon already. The cloud-like bed made him sleep in.He realized that is probably why all the other small beds are already empty. After dressing up, he came down the stairs.“Alright soldiers, line up!” Label shouted mimicking a captain and everybody lined up as Anciel watched from the stairs.“We got a new recruit! Treat him as you were treated when you first got here. Got that?”“Should I tickle him, as you tickled me when I got here?” asked Miko, making tickling gestures with her fingers.“Should I steal his pajama as you stole mine when I got here?” Ezel stared at Label, crossing her arms.“Should I—”, started Metena, but Label stopped her.“Fine fine! I get your point. Now, come on, we have work to do.”“Ah, I need to talk to you,” said Anciel quietly, pulling blondie aside.“What’s up?” his eyebrows raised in anticipation.“Thanks for letting me sleep in your humble home tonight,” he looked around admiring the overall tidiness;” ...yet I couldn’t help but notice how crowded it is already, so I’ll be on my way today.”“About that... Inala said she’d like to talk to you. She’s outside.”It was a sunny day and the sky reflected in Anciel's eyes as he admired the huge white clouds resting over the sea. All the other kids were doing the chores already. Ezel, as the oldest sister (but still younger then Label) was in charge of cutting the overgrown grass. She had her sleeves and pants rolled up and was using a sickle, something a kid of her age shouldn't be doing, but she proved cautious and trustworthy enough. She had a long chestnut hair made into two braids. Through the big square glasses her green eyes smiled at Anciel as she wiped the sweat off her brows. He found her freckles quite charming. The heat was picking up already because everybody got up late, since they couldn't really fall asleep from all the excitement last night. Metena and Miko were preparing to meet other villagers who were sometimes going to the woods for mushroom gathering. The three girls including Tina who wasn't present now, were actual sisters and were a few years apart, with Tina being the youngest. The three of them had black hair and eyes; typical Toukoku colours and a small frame that was also common in the Empire. When a simple carriage arrived, they put their backpacks in and sat between two neighbours from which one greeted Label and the other scolded him with a finger gesture and then started to tell the others about what he heard happened at the market yesterday. Label grinned and put a hand on his nape, blushing a bit and then hurried Anciel on. Inala was in the garden, putting all the dirty laundry on a makeshift rope and swinging a small wooden cradle. She had a peg in her mouth, so she just waved with her free hand as the boys came out. “Good morning sleepy head,” she teased Anciel, who was all still red. “Is something the matter dear?”“No, I'm alright now. I just wanted to say, thank you,” as he bowed deeply.“Label told me all about how you two met. I’m sorry you got in trouble because of him.” “He’s not the only one to blame. I did have my own part in it,” Anciel admitted.“So tell me, where do you live?” she went straight to the point.“I have no place to call home. No parents either.”“They abandoned you?” Inala kept putting the laundry up.“The earliest memory I have... I was alone,” he looked into the distance.She noticed how he doesn’t look to worried or sad, as though he accepted his situation some time ago. As if it was a normal thing. “You know, this windmill; I made it into an orphanage some years ago. None of these children are mine...”, she turned to him; “...but they are all mine just as well.”The green eyed boy remained quiet.“You are free to stay if you like, but you’ll have to earn your keep,” she put her hands on elbows awaiting a response.He remained quiet a few moments more, but then he finally replied;“I am honoured by your hospitality, but I will need to give it some thought.”His answer caught her a bit by surprise. The almost adult way this boy was behaving was rare even with actual adults.“Well this is a first,” she smiled, “Of course, take your time, but let me know soon. I need to know how many people are eating and sleeping here.”Anciel bowed, as was his custom, and they went and joined the others, who were peeking around the corner it seemed.“Now, I want you boys to take Marco to the sea today and teach him how to fish properly. It would do us good if he could help out as well and I just can't send him out of the village, he's still far too young...” It would be my greatest joy, but unfortunately I don't know how to fish either,” Anciel admitted, “I can really help out with the grass cutting though.”“I'm afraid we got that covered already,” Inala looked at Ezel. And then back to Anciel. “Oh... Yes, you can help with the grass if you want sweetheart.”Label put a hand on his face.“Yay, I got to go with bwothel Label!” Marco cheered and jumped, spinning around him.“Ok, let's leave those lovebirds alone. Today, I make a man out of you!” Label lifted the small red haired boy up high.“Now, now, you are to take things slowly and make sure he stays out of trouble,” Inala intervened.“Alright...”, said Label.“I was talking to Marco,” said Inala and everyone except Label found it to be hilarious. She then turned around and after seeing his lemony face, gave him a big hug. “Then be on your way,” she pat him slightly on the back and kissed the small boy's forehead. Anciel in the meantime went back into the garden.“H-Hello, my name is Anciel.”The hard working girl stood up and looked at him, “Eh, I know? Like, big bro introduced us to each other last night.”“Ah, I'm sorry. I couldn't remember everyone's name at the same time.”“My name is Ezel. Second time,” she didn't offer a hand.“So, can I help you out?”“Can you manage a sickle?”“I think so.”“Alright, you can find one at the barn and tend to that part over there. Don't hurt yourself,” she continued working, frustrated that Inala send her some help while she could obviously do it herself and stay the most loyal and useful of all the kids.Anciel entered the barn and noticed a scent but no sight of animals. The sunrays pointed at the wall with the tools through a wooden roof full of holes, dust floating in the golden light. He scanned through the tools and indeed there was a sickle hanging there, but what caught his attention was a short sword that was left in an old box.Ezel stood up resting her back a bit and then noticed Anciel standing in the tall grass. He held the rusty sword with both hands.“I’m going to the loo. See you in a bit,” she went behind the corner, but instead of going to the toilet, Ezel spied on Anciel.Ahh... just like bro, he's just gonna' play around all day and won't do any actual work.Anciel swung the sword in a wide arc beginning behind shoulder. He finished in a crouch, completing a full circle. The grass seemed to be floating in the air for a moment while Ezel's mouth opened in surprise.It was cut in an unnaturally wide radius, as if the blade was extended.Anciel then stood up, checking how he did. She came from behind him and looked at the sword from his shoulder, her eyes wider then glasses.“What the heck? I never knew this junk could do that. I guess big bro was holding back its magical properties.”“I thought you were going to toilet?” Anciel remarked,” Well, finders keepers,” he couldn't just hand the thing over to her, because he knew she would find out the truth straight away. It was a dull ordinary rusty blade and nothing more.“You are stingy,” she suddenly turned away from him and was going back to her grass taking large steps, her arms swinging. He watched her, his expression wistful, but he didn't manage to say anything else. As Ezel wiped her glasses while turned away from him, he realized he missed a chance to see her without them and she went back to using her own sickle after rolling up the sleeves a bit.“How come there's no animals in the barn?” he tried making conversation. “The orgriash ate them,” she frowned.“I've only ever seen a few. They seemed like everybody else, but were looking more like animals.”“You see, that's where you're wrong. They are NOT like everybody else. They are savage beasts pretending to be human,” she went inside, leaving him to cut the grass on his own.“... was it something I said?” he was left puzzled.Chapter fourMarcoMarco was running around the road touching everything and greeting everyone. Label found it hard to believe there is someone out there who is wilder and more energetic then him. The folks greeted the small boy back and one middle aged fellow even gave him a red fruit. Label in contrast was met with mixed looks, some smiling and some frowning, but no matter which, the whole village knew him, as he made sure. Or so to say, because they only knew him by his deeds and rarely by name and he avoided saying his real name as much as he could, except when it slipped his tongue.  The orphanage's windmill could now be seen in the distance behind them, as they made their way through the busy streets and stairs leading to the docks. The sound of waves and seagulls was getting clearer and the boys knew it is not too far away now. Label was carrying the fishing equipment Inala bought for them. There were two Toukoku rods made from bamboo with a reel made in Vapeur Republic, a good few versatile baits for different kinds of fish and two 'mom made' sandwiches, all in a big backpack.“Wanna share?” asked the red head kid, proudly presenting what he got a while ago.“No, you can have it. I'm done with apples for a while.”Marco didn't waste any time biting the fresh fruit. He chewed and jumped around.“Hey, you should calm down while eating, or you'll choke,” his older brother scolded him.”“But yoo neve' kalm down Wabel..” Marco reminded him.“You shouldn't speak with your mouth full either.”“But yoo always shpeak with yo' mouth full bwo.... ahhh *cough, cough*”, he started coughing frantically.“Ha. See? I told'ya!” Label crossed his arms victoriously. Enjoying for a moment how he was the one doing the scolding and being right for once.“*cough, cough*”, the small boy was barely inhaling and waving for help.“Hey, don't you choke on me now!” Label hurried and slammed him on the back, which made him cough up the small piece. “You okay?” he asked, regretting his gloating. “I'm ok...”,said the boy and then he realized his older brother's help made him drop his sweet treat that was now rolling in the dust by his feet.“*sniff*”, the tears were incoming, “W-waaaaah!” he got all red in the face as he started bawling.“Ow...sorry about that. I overdid it a little. Well, you know how they say; 'Once it comes, it has to go.', right?” but that didn't make Marco feel any better, actually, he started snivelling even louder, while one of the people passing added; “Surely you mean; 'No use crying over spilled milk.'?”Label looked at him frowning as he continued to pat Marco on the back to console him; “Look, how about this; I'll buy you a pear on the way home, eh?”
* * *
There were plenty of ships docked today, all different in sizes. In the distant shade of the cape was floating an Emnikatian ship. What it was doing there, Label did not know, but he was intrigued by its different shape and sails, as its flag featuring a white cobra with magenta coloured eyes was flapping on the afternoon breeze. Meanwhile Marco was already at the end of one of the wooden docks, waving and calling Luk, an old fisherman who would take them out to sea today, as he promised Inala. He rowed his simple two-seater back to meet them.“Ahoy, good day to ya!” smiled the old man.Luk was out on the sea every day since he was born and fishing was more natural for him then sleeping, although he would sometimes tend to do both at the same time. “Hi, sorry we're late. Mom said you would take us to try something different then lake today?” asked Label and Marco was already halfway in the boat.“Indeed I will. Can't have you lads fishing in rivers an' lakes forever. Time to learn the difference.”“Tank yoo mishter Luk,” Marco was showing his upbringing, but the man waved it off; “I'm just happy there's someone who will listen to this old fool's blabbering willingly,” smiled the man.Hours have passed as the two boys learned how to wait patiently, observe and pull the sucker out after it bites, all while not falling into the water. Special care was taken to explain to the smaller fellow that he shouldn't fight fishes that were too heavy for him to pull out properly. That wasn't the case for Label as he already impressed Luk with the size of the fish he took out. No less then a Flathead Mullet, a weight of four kilos, marked the end of fishing as the sun was getting ready to set all to soon.“You're an exceptional young lad, Label and strong as a bull. Maybe that is why your parents named you after the Lord himself,” Luk watched as the blond fellow stood proudly displaying his big catch. “Thanks”, he put the fish into the bucket, “but I never knew my real parents. Inala took care of me as far as I can remember and I consider her to be my mother. Although she says I knew my name since the day she found me... Oh! I almost forgot! We were told to give you half of the fish caught, as thanks for teaching us and lending your boat.”Label picked up the bucket and prepared to pour half of it into Luk's own, but he felt the old man's blistered hand on his elbow, his face smiling and shaking in disagreement; “Thank you lads for a wonderful afternoon. The only company this old fool usually has are the fishes and seagulls.”Marco and Label looked at each other and then smiled back at the good old man.They thanked once again and left Luk to tide up the boat. The sun was already kissing the sea and waves were getting sleepy in their rhythm. The sea was all red except close to the ships in the docks where it looked black and cold. All of the cape was preparing to take a rest from work, in pubs and homes where beer and dinner were served respectively. The older brother carried the equipment and a bucket full of fishes while Marco was making gestures in the air as if he was eating something. “No, I didn't forget. You were very good today and deserved your treat. I'll buy you a pear as promised... Oh but we have to hurry before everything is closed!” Label wasn't thinking in time.“There you go. You fellas came at the last moment,” the stand owner passed the fruit to Marco and he smiled to Label happy that he kept his promise. The stand closed and the boys were on their way through now almost empty streets. The only commotion was coming from the pubs at the sides of the road where a middle aged bartender with a big moustache was chasing out three youngsters, “You lads are still too young to be drinking! You should head home, I'm surprised your parents let you stay out this late.”
“Piss off old man!” “Yeah, stop yo' preachin' and serve us beer!” the teenagers were protesting. Label tried to speed up the pace as he's seen trouble brewing, but he's caught an eye of the third one. “Hey kid! Yeah, you, see anybody else around? Wha'cha got there, a pear? Gimme' it!” the tall boy towered over poor Marco, as he pulled his pear closer and looked at his older brother for help. Label caught his look and then met the mean fellow's gaze, “Look, I'm sorry but I can't take his snack now that he's already started eating it. I can give you guys some fishes if you are hungry,” he showed them the bucket. “What's that? You think I'm some starvin' orphan or somethin'?” he kicked the bucket and it spilled over the ground, his hands in the pockets, looking down on Label as he started collecting the food from the dust and putting them back. Marco started crying, but the older brother consoled him; “It's ok, we'll wash them and they'll be just fine.”The bartender grabbed the mean boy by his collar, pulled him back and slapped him across the face.The teen put a hand on his red cheek and the other two started closing in on the man, “Wha'cha do that for?” “Yea', apologise!” but the moustached man rolled his sleeve, “Bring it on...” and the boys stepped back. From the pub, others who heard the commotion emerged on the door, “Having trouble Sam?”. “No, I can handle punks like these any day,” he cracked his knuckles and headed straight towards them.“Tsk... C'mon, lets get outta' here!” said the boy, still holding his painful face and the other two followed him into an ally, running away. Sam dusted his palms off the punks and turned to Marco, “You have a very brave brother,” he ruffled his hair and Marco liked it. “Let me wash those fish for you, kid,” he took the bucket and Label thanked him.In a few minutes, the boys were on their way again and the people from the pub went back to what they enjoy the most. Drinking and playing cards. The night has already started and the village was now illuminated only by the stars. “Sure is pretty,” said the boy as countless lights reflected in his big eyes. The smaller child has finished eating long ago and was now holding by his guardian's grey shirt, patched all over with some different colours.“It's ok, we're almost home, see the windmill over there?”“Yea, I see,” replied Marco happily before something blocked his view. His expression changed into sudden fear as he recognised the figure that emerged out from the corner of one of the houses. “Fancy meetin' you again,” said the tall boy, his arms crossed in front of them. “Come on, let's go this way,” Label pushed his brother into a different direction. He looked over his shoulder, but the tall boy was just standing there, leaning on the wall. “Hurry,” he said quietly and paced up as much as he could while still carrying all the equipment and food. They took the stairs down to try and get away as soon as possible, but at the end of the ally they went in, the other two boys were standing, waiting for them. Label turned quickly to go back up the stairs but the tall boy was already blocking the way, now looking even taller.“There's nowhere to run, kid,” he descended the stairs slowly.“You're in trouble now, pal,” one of the other two was patting a plank in his palm.Label put everything down on the ground, “At least... Let my brother go,” he looked at them pleading, as Marco was trying to hide behind him.“No one goes anywhere, till we're all fair and square,” the tall boy took a knife from his pocket, “How 'bout I ruin your face now?”“I did nothing wrong to you,” Label's eyes squint a bit, his voice low.“Oh a feisty one,” the two boys, were approaching from the back.Label whispered to Marco; “Listen, when I say 'run', you head home as fast as you can and don't look back, got it?” but Marco looked at him, fear and confusion fighting inside his teary eyes, still, he nodded.“Hey, what are you whispering abou—”, his shouting was interrupted as he exhaled all of the air from his lungs, the knife dropping on the ground with a simple 'clang'. The last thing he saw before collapsing was a blurry image of a blond boy retracting a fist from his solar plexus and he heard a muffled “Run!” as the boy turned his back and headed down the stairs.Marco ran up and looked at the fellow who was now lying on the floor. He took one last worried look at his brother, who gestured for him to go. The small boy nodded and wiped some tears, right before disappearing around the corner. “Hey, what happened to Danny? He's out cold!”“You'll regret this kid!” he charged and swung his plank. Label crossed his arms above the head and the thing hit him hard, but instead of dazing him, wooden shrapnel was flying everywhere!“I-it broke..” looking at the part still in his hand. As he wasn't paying attention, he got a kick in his shin. “*gasp*, A-..Aaaaargh!!!” falling to the ground, he held beneath his knee, not believing the pain.He saw blood when checking the palms with which he felt the warm liquid, tightened his jaw and closing his eyes. How could a kick from a kid hurt this much?The third boy was going backwards, his hands in front of him, as Label approached him, his gentle blue eyes now angry.“Hey, look... w-we were just messin' ok?” he tripped on a crate, but managed to hold himself standing, “We wouldn't really hurt you. W-we just wanted to scare you, alright?” he realized a wall was behind him.“Scare me?” the short boy looked up close at the teen. “Are you scared now?” he asked him and the punk nodded with a quiet, “Y-yeah..” swallowing in fear. “How do you like it?” Label asked him without breaking eye contact.“P-p-please, stop! I'm sorry, look I swear I wouldn't hurt you. They made me do this.” and he started sobbing as he crouched down, arms crossed on his knees.Label turned to the one on the floor, who was still holding his leg and rolling in pain. “It will heal. I didn't break it... this time,” he picked up the backpack and the bucket and went up the stairs. As he reached the top, he noticed the fellow who collapsed wasn't there and the knife was missing as well. Marco!!!...He ran as fast as he could, trying to catch up with the boy. I hope he didn't find him... Taking a sharp left, his fears seemed to have come true. The tall teen was holding Marco by his mouth and when he noticed Label, put the knife close to the child's face. Marco's scared look as he saw the knife tore Label's heart apart. What's worse, two other of the teen's pals came from the dark of the alleys and flanked Label who was now just standing still. He dropped the backpack and the bucket as the first punch landed. The bald fellow who delivered it looked at his painful fist with a confused look, “He's a freakin' nomad!”. The boy with the knife grinned and made an order with a nod of his head and soon after Label was on the ground from all the beating with makeshift sticks. Marco tried to look away but his captor put the knife closer and made him watch. His brother was now kneeling on all four, but what put him to the ground was a hit with a rock to the head. They were kicking him on the floor when suddenly one of them noticed something approaching from an alley.“Hey guys...”, he pat his mate on the shoulder.“What in the...?, the lad squint his eyes trying to discern a silhouette; “It’s a bloody fox! A rabid beast!”“Look there’s more of them. They must ‘ave sniffed out the blood!” he started to panic a bit as more and more eyes kept creeping trough the darkness of the village streets.“But what are them foxes doing so far in? Never mind, we gotta scram!”The scoundrels ran when they figured it's becoming too dangerous to hang around. But the fellow that released Marco picked up the fishing rods and kicked the bucket full of fishes on the ground again, just before running away into the dark.Label’s head was hazy and his vision blurred.Is that a... fox?, he crawled closer to Marco and hugged him protectively.What seemed like a paw reaching out to him soon became a human hand that caressed him gently.“You will be alright, mon ami,” spoke a young girl’s voice trough a fox-shaped mask. 
Chapter fiveZehnhander
Anciel was finished with his part and went to help Ezel with hers. She didn't complain as it took a lot of time and to tell the truth she was a bit exhausted already. “Thanks,” she said and took a minute to sit down by Tina, rocking the cradle gently. He had to concentrate and was holding the sword's hilt in front of his closed eyes before every swing, but the grass went down so quickly and in a such large area that she just had to admit he was doing it way quicker then her.“Can I try it now?” she asked him.“........” he just stood there. “There's no way that rusty thing is anything special. I bet you are a nomad.”So what if I am?, Anciel took a defensive approach, but soon noticed Ezel meant to malice with her notion; “Here, I'll show you,” he finally said.He then stabbed the blade into the ground and crouched into some leftover high grass. Ezel watched him with interest. Putting two fingers in front him just as with the sword and after focusing for a bit, he swung his arm in an arc. The grass fell as if cut by something.Ezel stopped lulling Tina, impressed by what she just saw. The child in turn started snivelling and complaining, flailing around her small arms.“Dinner is almost ready!” Inala’s voice could be heard and so they went inside carrying Tina with them. Anciel was just bringing the cradle through the door when an aroma hit him so hard he barely held back the tears. It was a smell of freshly baked bread Inala was carrying to the table and put among other kinds of food. There were tomatoes, paprika, eggs and even cheese. He sat down as fast as he could among all the other kids, all of them ready to start at any given time. But as Inala joined them, he noticed an empty seat, “Label and Marco haven't returned yet?” he looked at Inala. “It's typical for Label to get me worried you see. But to drag the poor Marco with him..” she sighed. Ezel was sitting next to him and she put a consoling hand on his shoulder, “It should be ok, they were with mister Luk today. Don't worry now or you'll be left hungry.” as she started grabbing everything just like the others did. “Come on children, show our new family member how you all can get along and share everything properly. Leave some for your brothers, they are bringing tomorrow's lunch, after all.” and so everybody slowed down and ate properly. Anciel noticed there was no prayer before they started, not that he minded, but was just peculiar for a household in these parts and especially an orphanage. He figured it must have to do something with Label's name, but he didn't find it appropriate to ask anybody else about it rather then him.Just before they were finished and Inala already started washing the dishes, Anciel helping to bring stuff from the table to her, someone knocked on the door. “I'll get it,” Ezel swallowed her last bite and jumped from the chair. 
Be careful dear and ask who it—”, “Iaaaaah!!” Ezel's scream cut off Inala and she dropped a plate, pieces all over the floor. “What's wrong?” she hurried to the door, but Anciel passed by her quickly, a kitchen knife in hand.They saw Ezel on her behind going backwards and shaking her head, “D-don't come near me!!!”Anciel jumped over her, the knife held backwards and arms crossed in front of his assessing stare. On the other side of the door was a very tall person in a white cape worn over a set of light armour. The boy could barely see the face, but given he was shorter, he somehow caught it from beneath the man's hood. Anciel's eyes widened as he realized, the man wasn't a man at all. It was an animal. 

AinoloniA

Provenance of the Offspring

In a small office filled with various books and paperwork, with an occasional odd mechanical device or prototype gadget on a shelf or table, a man was sitting facing away from the entrance.A quiet whirring sound got louder as he grabbed a quill, followed by minor mechanical noises as he started writing.4990. Goldstadt fell. There were no official reports (as the two parties involved were orgriash and pirates, of which neither can write a report), but it is largely speculated that the city was overrun by the orgriash under the leadership of Queen Milenia. The infamous immortal pirate (not so much, as it turns out) Suiris was defeated and presumably killed in the attack.4990. (same year; ask my dear assistant to put it together or keep separated?) Wasserstadt fell. It happened almost overnight. The pirates were no match for the Emnikatian ground forces. The deterrence they were counting on was compromised as the legendary Grand Captain; Rose Blanche d’Avril decided that it was, I quote "No’ a t’me fo’ r’vange. ‘Tis a t’me fo’ su’vival", end of quote."It is not a time for revenge. It’s time for survival…" the words stuck with me. She took with her as many Wasserstadtians and some Goldstadtians (ask Lalane if these are the official terms) as she could put on the remaining ships and fled south-west to uncharted territory.
(my comment; not a part of the article) Interestingly enough, it was a mixed year for the Kingdom of Emnikatia as it was the year they gained much in the territory department and lost as much in the ruling one.4990. (a busy year it would seem) King Rahn Lester IV was assassinated.Rumours say it was done by an inside faction. Reports state the King fend off 14 assassins before finally being killed.Not surprisingly, as the Lester family is known for this manoeuvre; he was replaced by the next heir immediately; the present King, Rahn Lester the Vth. (do they keep them in reserves?)
4991. Noix (no…it may come across as odd to see me write in third person like some lunatic) I have discovered (Made? Constructed? Engineered?) the first in history ship with flying capabilities; an airship. Powered by the steam engine that my grandfather Nixx Smythe invented (that’s the word), and following the legacy of my father Naxen Smythe; the fabled blueprints (literary following the blueprints), the now already famous F.S. Noisemaker took her first flight in the open skies. (Flying Ship, to avoid confusion or just initials to keep it short; ask Lalane, yet again )My remark; this will need some serious editing…
And now, almost nine years later, in the year 5000, my fellow citizens of Para City, I am proud to announce to you the most joyous a̶n̶n̶o̶u̶n̶c̶e̶m̶e̶n̶t̶ news; this year, our fine city will—*Kssshhht, ksshhhht*"Oh what is it now…" he pressed a button on a device, "I am in the middle of something important—""Professor Smythe, I have urgent news!""Oh, Lalane, it’s you. I told you to call me Noix…""He’s awake!""Awake…? You don’t mean—""Yes, Label is awake!"  Chapter twoLabelBarging out of his office, Noix grabbed his blue coat off the hook and put it on while giving his secretary instructions."Cancel all the meetings scheduled for today.""But Mr, Smythe—""Actually, delay everything for next week."He stormed out into the hallway without giving her a chance."Lalane," he took out a device from his pocket in the middle of the staircase, and then after pressing a button on it, repeated, "Lalane, come in. Do you read me?""Loud and clear, Professor Smythe," his assistant’s voice could be heard from the speaker."Didn’t I tell you— ""To call you Noix. Yes you did Professor. Four hundred and frothy seven times now, sir."The man entered a staircase jumping over a hand rail and landing on the bottom floor. He opened a door, almost knocking down some people."Excuse me. I’m in a hurry!" "Sir?" Lalane asked."Never mind that. Can you reach Miss Mai and the—""Enforcers? Done fifteen minutes ago."Noix ran up to a metal door with a small glass window, pressing a button on it vigorously. "Come on, come on, come on!""The elevator is broken. I told you that this morning…" Lalane sounded disappointed."Eh, well, I was—""Busy. I know. I scheduled a repair, but it doesn’t seem to be finished just yet. May I suggest another route—?" before she even finished the sentence, he was running towards the end of the hallway.
* * *
"Hey you!!! Yes you, open that window… Quick, out of the way!"To the astonishment of those present, Noix just jumped through the window. "Maaaaaadneeeesss!"He landed on the deck of the enormous ship that hovered above the steam of Para City below it. He slid down a ladder into the ship’s interior cramped with machinery.As he reached for the handle a tall girl, dressed in a green turtleneck sweater and brown stockings, opened the door. On her head was an almost knight-like helmet with two holes for her brown braids and a lifted visor to free her chestnut bangs. Her ankle boots, waist and both arms were protected by light armour.Lalane always had her large book with her in one hand, while fixing her glasses with the other."Great landing, professor," she commented."Thank you," the man nodded, sitting on the pilot seat next to her, "What’s the current situation?" "Label broke out of Lab 1 exactly half an hour ago," she started her report."Security?""They were all out of commission.""You mean, he didn’t kill them?" he looked at her in surprise."No, he harmed no one but destroyed everything around...""Bah, insurance will cover that, but more importantly, if he’s not killing them, then there’s still hope. His current location?""We don’t know.""Does Master Anciel know?" the blue clad man asked, while pushing some buttons and flipping some switches overhead."I… think? You know he doesn’t like to use your devices," his assistant shrugged.The man turned on the windshield wipers as well as wiping his own blue shades with a white cloth to remove all the condensed water.As far as the eye can see, towers of metal reached up for the sky. Completely encircled by tall metal walls set with domes, the city was like no other in the world.The machines that were running the city were all powered by steam, and it was this steam that was released all around, engulfing almost all of Vapeur Republic in giant clouds, leaving any potential threats only guessing what lies inside its walls.The Republic didn’t have a leader in a sense that the other nations do. It was run by people. Everyone had their place, their job. They were like parts of the machine itself.The professor squinted at first as if he saw something outside, then started searching some compartments."Lalane, do you know where the—"He didn’t even manage to ask while his assistant already handed him a pair of binoculars. Taking them, he looked outside again toward one of the domes to confirm his suspicion."Mon dieu, lab one is on fire…"Moving the binoculars towards the direction of lab two, he abruptly moved them backwards to about halfway between the labs, "I think we’ve found our runaway."He handed them back to the assistant. Bringing them up to her glasses, she saw something peculiar on the wall which bounded the city."What is he doing?""Ah, just his thing..."A grown naked man with long blond hair was running on the outer walls of Para City.
* * *
Smoke was gushing from the chimney of the steam locomotive as it raced toward the turnout that connected to the second line. All trains heading the same direction were stopped to avoid possible collisions. Passing them at insane speed, the locomotive let out a whistling warning sound.In the second wagon, five men clad in black and grey cloaks, wearing different masks, armed with some kind of guns and knives, pointed their weapons toward the passengers."Please, don’t hurt us!" a woman embraced her child, pressing its face to her chest."Everybody stay at their seats and no one gets hurt!!!" shouted one of the armed men."Wagon secured. We are ab—""Enforcers incoming from the rear!" reported one standing outside watching the train carriage behind."The enforcers…" one of the passengers suddenly had hope in his eyes. "Shut up!" the man pointed the rifle at him, then shouting to his comrades, "Uncouple their wagons, quick!"A crouching man watching the back door of the passenger wagon began to fiddle with the mechanism.At the moment the one outside started to mess with the mechanism, the door opened at the following wagon and a few men in crimson red uniformed long coats with black boots and white gloves appeared. Each one of them had a mechanical device on one eye. "Cover fire!" cried the crouched man in panic.The one on the inside fired a few warning shots in the air. HA????The enforcers pulled back. One of them took a megaphone, shouting."Stand down! We will use force if necessary! Surrender now and your punishment may be reduced.""Idiots! This could be the only chance we got! How can you not see that?""That is not for you to decide. Throw down your weapons!""Tsk! You brainwashed morons," the man opened fire, this time almost hitting one of the enforcers."It’s done!" a third man that came out of the front car finished uncoupling and the train carriages with the enforcers started lagging behind.After firing a couple of warning shots at the trailing part of the train, the dark clad men were stunned when a young woman jumped, from the roof of the wagon with enforcers, towards them, getting only her crimson coat grazed by one of the men who twitched his gun upwards when he suddenly saw her fly over. "One of them made it across. Stop the train!""You, and you; come up with me," he grabbed a ladder on the side and climbed up.Peeking out with his gun at the ready, he tried to aim.What? Where is she?At that moment, crackling noise came from inside the car."She’s already inside!" he shouted to warned the rest of his comrades.One of them broke the glass on the door and pointed his gun inside but soon noticed half of the rifle was already cut off. Lifting his gaze up, he got hit by a sword hilt and pulled inside through the opening.The only man left standing climbed up on the train’s roof rather then back down, now running over to the locomotive in order to uncouple the last remaining car before she caught up to him.Halfway there, a bullet grazed his ankle and he fell, rolling to the side of the car, barely hanging.One of his hands slipped, but just before he fell, a white glove caught him."Gotcha!"Noticing her grip on the man loosening, the passengers that were hostages to the armed men minutes ago, were now working together to break the window and pull the man inside to safety.They also improvised some ropes to tie up all the assailants.After getting down from the roof through the window, the enforcer brushed the hair off her face, revealing her one green eye."Good work, ye lot," she pulled a strange looking hat from her back onto her head, combined with her eye patch now looking almost like a pirate."Thank you miss enforcer," the passengers were relieved and grateful."Nothin’ to it. Now, I’ll uncouple this car and trust ye to watch them ‘till me men arrive.""You are leaving them with us?" the people were a bit concerned."Aye. I gotta rush," she headed towards the locomotive.Getting the car released, she entered the locomotive and addressed the frightened driver."At ease. Enforcer Rouge," she pulled out a badge."An enforcer… thank goodness.""How long till’ the wall without slowin’ down?""Reaching the collision point in five minutes… but I was planning on braking, you know… not crashing into it.""Aye. Keep ‘er at full speed ahead," the young lady was opening one of the side doors, by rotating the large round handle."But…""I’m getting out on the next curve, just above the wall. Ye’ll ‘ave plenty of time to slow down before the station," she turned towards him, "Ye think ye are up to the task?""I’ll try my best," he made an awkward attempt at saluting like an enforcer."Good lad," she smiled.After a short swoosh, the door opened and she peeked out, grabbing on to the locomotive’s metal stairs and stepping on them with black boots. Her red curly hair covered her face since she was too slow to grab her hat, as it flew away carried by the wind and was now on its way down into the lower parts of the city."Lady Rogue, you’re not gonna jump, are you??""That’s the plan! Don’t slow down, or we may be too late, if we already ain’t...""Yes ma’am," the driver closed the door after her and then continued to put coal into the engine, making the train almost run out of its rails as it entered a curve.Just behind its chimney, a female head with an eye patch appeared, holding on for dear life, but not even blinking with her one eye in the face of danger.She checked if her weapons are still attached. An automatic Éclair on one side and a custom rapier on the other."Yer still with me, my loyal companions. Good. I just hope I don’t have to use ye…" 
* * *
"The train with Miss Mai on board is closing in on the target," the green eyed assistant was reporting what she heard over the co-pilot headset."And we will be there shortly after. I just hope it won’t be to late," the blue clad man was rotating a miniature ship steering wheel."What are your speculations?" Lalane asked."I think he’s headed for Lab 2.""That’s where we keep the sword," she made some sense out of it."The Zehnhander. All our research managed to prove nothing, yet I believe that sword is somehow connected to what happened to Label ten years ago.""The emergence of True Label…""Or the Original Label, for I doubt that was just a case of multiple personalities," the man lowered his shades and looked at her with his yellow eyes."Another theory, Professor Smythe?""Most probably, but I have positive feelings towards this one. You see, I believe that the Zehnhander was just not just a catalyst, but the actual source.""You mean, that True Label was…sleeping inside it?""Precisely. All my theories up to this point were based on the assumption that Label was the source, and the sword had awoken his ‘other’ self at the moment of contact.""But now you think, he released what was already inside the sword?""Exactly," he raised his finger."Any proof to support such a theory so far?"Noix just lowered his finger, scratching his light blue nape."Don’t worry Professor Noix. You might have a chance to ask him yourself, soon enough. Miss Mai is ready to make her move. This should be interesting.""Lalane," he frowned."What?""Aren’t you enjoying this just a little bit too much?""Sorry sir. It’s just very exciting to finally witness some of the things we only theorised and learned about for so long.""Mon Dieu…" Noix just put a palm on his face, shaking his head.
* * *
Even though the train ran at full speed, it had problems catching up to the man running on the huge outer wall, jumping over occasional guards and turrets alike.Rose Rogue de Mai was counting seconds before the point of the strongest centrifugal pull."Now!" she had the timing set for herself, jumping up with all her might.Up in the airship, the duo held their breath as from their perspective, a small red dot looked like it’s flying through the air, finally landing on the wall in front of the naked man."Label, stop!" she unholstered her weapons, pointing the Éclair towards him.The blond man had no intention of stopping, he was running straight towards her.She aimed at his leg and fired."Got ye!" she said to soon, as the bullet hit but didn’t even graze him. Deciding to raise the bar, she focused on her sword. Even though he was still out of her reach, she slashed horizontally.An invisible force followed after her blade, aimed at his legs, cutting the air as it flew at him.The man quickly jumped over the slash as if he knew it was coming.Missing him, it hit one of the metal pipes behind him, releasing a high-pitched whistle as the steam started coming out of it.The man ran past her, raising her cape and hair.Mai turned around and swung her blade, creating a small void in space that retracted immediately.The small implosion drew everything in a certain radius inwards, including both Mai and the man.He pierced the metal floor with his fingers, holding on to it to avoid being pulled in by her attack. The floor bent but kept him from falling onto his back. He turned around, his blue eyes meeting her gaze for a brief moment, before he started his sprint once again, bending the metal floor from the force.Knowing full well that she can’t catch up to him, Mai took out a small radio pressed a button on it."This is Captain Rogue of the Enforcers. Mission failed. I repeat, mission failed.""Copy that, Lady Rogue," Lalane could be heard on the other side," You actually managed to slow him down a bit. Not too shabby.""Don’tcha patronize me.""Just repeating what Professor Smythe said. You can take it out on him. Over.""You didn’t have to tell her that—" Noix’s voice could be heard before the connection was cut.The young woman dusted off her coat and sheathed her weapons, looking after the man who was now just a small yellow dot in the distance."… he’s kinda’ handsome… and big." that's what she (just) said
* * *
Tires could be heard screeching as a steam powered car has stopped in front of a Toukoku styled dojo. A team of three enforcers got out of the vehicle, while one remained inside, ready to drive whenever needed.The two men and a woman wore tight, lightly armoured red enforcer uniforms and were ascending the stairs to enter the temple-like structure.Two young men wearing traditional Toukoku getup, armed with a short katana called kodachi, each stood at one side of the front gate."You cannot come in at this time. Master Anciel is inside with the rest of the pupils," one of them said. "We have an emergency. Why is none of you answering?" asked the enforcer furiously."The use of any mechanical or electronic devices on the temple grounds is strictly forbidden," the young man calmly replied."Open the gate!" the other enforcer’s patience was running thinner."No, we can’t," the young guard stood in front of him.The enforcer tried pushing him, but the young man avoided his arm, using his forward momentum to trip him."Obstruction of justice and an assault on an enforcer!" one of the other two shouted as they took out their batons, trying to hit him. The temple guard disarmed and immobilized them with only a few swift moves."You are going to be arrested for this. You think you are above law?" one of the enforcers was picking himself up from the floor.At that moment, the gate opened and a tall dark man wearing a black kimono came out. He had long hair dark as a raven and a black and red katana held in waist via red cloth."Maybe they are not, but I am," the man spoke to them with his eyes closed.The enforcers bowed and then saluted even though they were in pain."Master Anciel, there is an emergency—""I am aware. I know everything that happens in this city, with an exception of some things I know before they even get to happen, or did you forgot to read your enforcer training manuals?""We are only doing our job.""You have mixed up your priorities. You are a citizen of Para City first and foremost, an enforcer only second. Do you need to be reminded what happens if you harm a fellow citizen?""Apologies sir…" he bowed deeply, once to Anciel, then to the pupil, "My sincerest apologies, fellow citizen.""That’s alright," the young man was a bit embarrassed."Nothing alright about it," Anciel addressed him, "Taking your duty to such a stubborn level and following orders blindly…you are not yet ready to be a temple guard. Didn’t they tell you it was an emergency?"The young man looked at the floor, reflecting on his actions."Master Anciel, about that emergency…" the enforcer wanted to finally report."I already know. I will be there in time," the dark tall man was returning to the dojo."Are you going to be taking our transport?" one of them asked and Anciel answered over shoulder."Obviously not. I said I will be there in time, didn’t I?" 
* * *
After returning back to the cabin from the engine room, Noix said to his assistant."Lalane, tell everyone in the Lab 2 to evacuate. Also tell them not to try stopping Label.""Way ahead of you, professor.""Next, tell them to prepare a landing spot for us.""Negative.""Wh-what do you mean ‘negative’?""Everyone evacuated already, so naturally—""There is no one left to prepare a landing spot. Figures.""Good luck landing us, sir," she saluted."You are aware you are flying in this ship with me, aren’t you?"
* * *
Upon reaching Lab 2, the blond man first stopped in front of a large metal gate, then looked around, noticing a round glass window high up from his position.The window was too high to reach for anyone except a few people in the world. He was one of them.Jumping so quickly to leave an indent in the metal floor, the blond man went flying through the glass without a single scratch as the shards of glass deflected off his skin.He landed inside the fifth floor of the laboratory, breaking a lot of equipment inside the room via his violent entrance.Forcefully bending any door or barrier with his bare arms, he made his way through and towards a large dome-shaped chamber in which centre was magnetically levitated a giant sword by the name of Zehnhander. He started walking towards it.Moments after him, Noix and Lalane entered the chamber."Don’t do it!" Noix yelled, reaching out with his hand."Let him. I’m here now," a dark haired man appeared next to them."Whoah," Lalane jumped, not noticing when he arrived."Anciel, what do you mean; ‘Let him.’?" Noix was frustrated, "You said it yourself… ‘The future after this point is unreadable’. There is no way of knowing what may happen!""If you don’t have faith in him… then have faith in me that I can stop him," Anciel spoke with a calm expression, not opening his eyes."But it wasn’t you who stopped him the first time. It was Lady Blanche," the blue clad man fixed his shades."You’re wrong. It was me," Anciel grabbed the hilt of his sword; Panusa.Label reached for the sword, grabbing the hilt with his hand as everyone held their breath.Ready to make a move, the trio stood still, waiting for whatever may transpire.NO MUSICLabel turned, frowning."It’s not working…"Noix looked at Anciel with a question."It’s him," the dark man answered shortly."Can’t you be a little more precise?" the professor was nervous."It’s Label," Anciel released his weapon."I know it’s Label! But which Label is it?!" Noix waved his arms in anticipation."It’s my friend… our friend," Anciel said, looking at the naked man that stood across the room, "Welcome back."Lalane saw a tear slide down next to Anciel’s smile.  "What’s not working, my friend?" he finally asked the confused man."Hmm…" Label tried swinging the Zehnhander, "Well… last time I touched it, I turned into a guy, so I now when I woke up, I thought… you know, if I touched it again, I would turn back into a boy."Anciel came close."You are not a man because of some ancient witchcraft Label… you have grown into a man over the last ten years," he hugged him.Label hugged him back, but Noix could see the endless confusion spreading across his face."Ten…years?"

Family BreakfasT

Characters:

Gwen, Joyce and Suzan are three sisters.
Gwen
They meet at her place. She lives alone, no partner, nor she ever had any serious relationship, in fact no one remembers ever seeing her seeing someone. She collects different odd stuff and practice alternative, yoga, healthy diet, sleeping outside or on a bed of nails.

Tom and Joyce / Jason / Sally
Tom and Joyce are a couple who like to eat, with him being a rather thin, hard-gainer type of man who can eat and eat without gaining weight, while she is susceptible to gaining weight. They both love pancakes and pies. Joyce likes pancakes with ketchup.

Jason is an arrogant, pert selfish and lazy kid who only looks to please himself. He makes fun of everyone else. He's with the same characters all the time on the internet.
Jason lives his life by the motto, "If you wanna eat something eat it today, if you have something to do, leave it for tomorrow.
As a kid Jason didn't understand why his parents wouldn't let him sell his little sister at the garage sale.

Sally. Mischiefs and pranks are her things. Sally is mean and headstrong and you never know what she will do next. She's always looking to make awkward situations.

Joe and Suzan / Mary/Toya
Joe is half Mexican-half Croatian. She doesn't cook, not that she doesn't want to, but simply whatever she cooks is tasteless. Most likely something is wrong with her sense of taste. So Joe cooks,
makes cakes and as well does other kitchen stuff.
Joe made the sugar cookies; Susan decorated them.

Mary plays the piano and studies foreign languages. She uses the somewhat polished language of teenagers and tries to follow trends even though it's all pretty stiff. She is not close to her parents, she acts as if they were assigned to her.
She did not cheat on the test, for it was not the right thing to do.
Her mother tries to be cool by saying that she likes all the same things as Mary.

Toya (Joe's daughter from his first marriage with Afro-American wife Letitia)
Dissatisfied with her position in the family, she thinks she is less important because she is Mary's half-sister, and because she is not an original member of the family. This is reflected in her behavior. She is insolent and not interested in family gatherings.

Aunt Elsa
She is the sister of the three sister's late mother. On her first date, great-aunt Elsa accidentally hit her head on a wooden support beam in a restaurant and has not been herself since. She usually utters sentences that have nothing to do with the current topic and also make no sense. She lives in home for elderly. They collected her out of respect.

Grandfather
Grandfather is sure that Jesus Christ, Tesla and Einstein were aliens, with the fact that the latter was also from some totally weird galaxy, then that there was never a flight to the Moon, but that they were dropped there and that the people who think that the Earth is a flat, are flat in their heads, but he also doesn't think it's round. He is a keen American even though he is half Irish by descent. He doesn't like to mention the other half.

Mario
Mario is Gwen's gardener. They both claim that he is just a gardener.

Part One
* Tilililili ...Tilililili ...*
"Hello?"
"Susan? It's Joyce. How are you? Great ... about our hanging out ... aha ... aha ... great, I'm so glad Gwen agrees. So yeah, we should ... I'm looking at other families, so are they better than us? There are so many things I want to hear an tell that I can't even describe to you. I know Gwen lives a different life, but she's our sister, so I don't believe she is ... what? Sure ... I agree one hundred percent, you're right. I knooow, I know it's hard to coordinate all of us, but I think that the idea you came up with is great. Sure sis ... come on let's do it, let's make it our tradition. I'm really looking forward to it. Chao!"
A couple of days later.
* Ding-Dong * The doors opened.
"Please wait outside of the house," said Gwen, "take the chairs and tables from the shed in the backyard, I'll be with you in a sec, just a few more brushstrokes."
Walking ahead of the others, Tom abruptly stopped, "Jesus Christ!!!
What's with those headless manikins in the swimming pool? It's not much of a sight when you walk into the backyard."
"Come on Tom don't freak out," replied his wife Joyce who was walking behind him, "you know my sister always has some crazy exhibitions. That's what she lives on."
"Anyway, she never ceases to amaze me, in a negative way of course. Come on, please, just look at it. For someone who lives in a posh neighborhood in a rather large house with a pool, her yard looks more like a scrap yard than a the yard of a villa, which is the impression you get when you look at it from the street. A bunch of old lawnmowers ... still there from an exhibition a few years ago, two huge cable pulleys, half a bicycle from her exhibition of dubious dilemmas of modern man, she was so serious, and I couldn't stop laughing when she said, can we still call this example a bicycle now that it's been cut in half, as if that name gives it meaning, it's just a name and nothing more, like you'd cut a car in half car and won— "
"Tom ... can you pass the chairs without babbling?"
"Well, maybe I would if that lazy b... of hers, she calls gardener would finally clean up this mess. Look at all that ... deflated basketballs, old beer crates, a washing machine with an electric boiler sticking out of its oval opening? What is that ... machines give birth? What's that next to it? A toaster merged with a juicer? Not to mention the pictures in the house. After seeing the huge one across the wall with every possible type of vagi—"
"Tom!!! Come on, really? Stop now... this is suppose to be a family get-together, not your blabbering. Here ... you can contribute instead, find a wrench or pliars somewhere and screw the legs to the tables. Suzan should be here any minute, then we'll start preparing a breakfast."
"Why is she late anyway?"
"You forgot? They went to pick up aunt Elsa from nursery home. Jason ... honey don't let the geese out. Gwen said they have young ones. Geese are wayward, and when they have youngsters they are more dangerous than Rottweilers. Sally don't go near. Sally ... I'm talking to you!"
Tom and Jason were screwing the legs onto the tables, and Joyce was placing the tablecloths on the already assembled ones. In the meantime, grandpa arrived.
"Morning everyone. How is my favorite," he patted Jason on the head.
"Dad! … You can't so openly favor just one of the gran—"
"Morning to you too, dear. Should we start now?" he clapped his hands, "Or should we wait for everyone to get here? I am extremely hungry."
"We'll wait. Gathering around the dinner table is how we are suppose to create stronger family bonds, I believe—"
"With an emphasis on suppose," added Tom from behind.
"Byyyy coming together at the end of the daay," she continued by tilting her head, "to share a meal with our nearest and dearest, who don't interrupt us while we taaalk," Joyce was explaining.
"But theses days with work, school, sports and everything else in your busy family life, especially stupid 'waste of time, no good' internet things, sitting down together for dinner on a weeknight isn't always feasible due to conflicting schedules," added Tom again.
"Agreee ... however ... however, if one treasures their family like we do, where there's a will, there's a way. That's why we came up with this solution, we make our weekend breakfasts our special together time. This way, without having to rush away for work or school, you can turn weekend breakfast into a quality family time to relax and enjoy each other's company, to catch up on what's going on, and yet ... you have loads of time for the rest of your weekend activities."
"One of which would be sleeping ... and instead I had to wake up and come here," Toya said, walking into the yard ahead of her parents, who were helping Aunt Elsa, "and look at all this goose shit all over."
"Good morning everyone. Toya!" her step-mother Suzan said, entering the backyard with aunt Elsa, "we don't talk like that at the morning table—"
"You said it well, it's a moooorning table, meaning people should sleep."
After Suzan seated aunt Elsa, Suzan and Joyce hugged and kissed each other.
"Don't you worry, she will take care of it," aunt Elsa said.
"Take care of what? asked Suzan, putting her hand on aunt Elsa's shoulder.
"Gwen will use it as her exhibition ..."
"She's probably talking about some of the crap here in the backyard," Tom said with a smirk.
"Tom!!! Joyce was literally fuming now.
"Toya dear, what were you doing yesterday when you're so sleepy?" asked her father Joe.
"Whatever ..."
"Your life will pass by you while you sleep," he continued.
"Even better ... there's nothing to see here anyway," replied Toya.
"Maybe we should do it once somewhere there," he showed around with his hand, "a picnic, a family picnic, maybe you'd find it interesting there."
"What!? ... To sleep among bears and bugs?"
"Maybe she'd rather sleep with some boys there," commented Jason lying down with his head on his hands on the table.
"Puffs ... spare me ... they're all stupid," she rolled her eyes.
"Why do you say that?" Jason asks her without ever moving his head "Is it because you feel that way or it's because you feel less important than your half-sister Mary?"
"Jason!? How dare you say something like that to your cousin? She is not the outsider, she is just like everyone else in this family," Joyce scolds Jason.
"But look at her. You can spot from a mile away she's dissatisfied with her position in the family. Why do you think she doesn't like theses gatherings?"
"That's it!!! This is the result of spending all that time with those ... those ... characters on the internet. Get up your arrogant, lazy ass and go to the kitchen and help bring some things here. Now!!!" Joyce is literally burning with fury.
"Jesus Christ," says Jason getting off the chair, "calm down, you gonna get a heart attack."
"Tom ... are you just going to sit there and let him speak this way to me. Tom!!! I'm talking to you."
"I'm thinking how nice would be to have kids venture around, while we have some nice sandwiches or even some breaded chicken with a bottle of cava—" Tom was saying, with fingers intertwined behind the back of the head, looking at the sky.
"Breaded chicken with cava? How the heck that goes together?" grandpa couldn't understand.
"Well maybe some smoked salami or prosciutto would go better—"
"No way ... in that case black wine is the right choice."

"Will you two do something useful instead fantasizing. Helloooo!
We are already in the nature. Look around you ... the only difference is that we have a table and chairs," said Suzan.
"Yes, Tom, look around you ... all fool of geese shit ..." Toya said, sitting down on a chair with her legs crossed.
"Will you stop with the geese shit! How many times did I tell you to call your uncle, uncle Tom, not just Tom and put your feet down—" her step-mother raised her voice.
"Come on hon, calm down ... you just said we gathered to enjoy, let her enjoy, if she likes to sit that way, let her sit that way," Joe was trying to be reasonable.
As he said it, Sally takes off her socks and puts her bare feet on the table.
"Now Sally ... what Joe just said ... that doesn't mean we can do anything we want, put your feet down," says Tom.
Sally was not listening, instead she posed a question, "Why is aunt Elsa so silly?"
"Sally!!! Someone who's eleven shouldn't ... My God kids these days. You cannot say things like that," her mother Joyce was irked.
"Are you even listening to her? Her sentences make no sense," Sally was saying while fidgeting her feet on the table.
"Sally's right," her brother Jason added," Aunt usually utters sentences that have nothing to do with the current situation. It looks like she lives in her head. Btw ... when did she become like this. Come on ... instead of yelling at us explain it. Cuz I don't remember her being any different."
Seeing that her sister was very upset, Susan took a deep breath, went up to Aunt Elsa and kissed the top of her head, saying,
"My beautiful aunt, she was such a good person, full of life, very close to our late mother.
She ... on her first date, aunt Elsa accidentally hit her head on a wooden support beam in a restaurant and has not been herself ever since."
"I suppose that guy never wanted to see her again?" commented Joe.
"O no, he did, he thought it was just a temporary misfortune. However, next time he came to see her, she gave him a letter she wrote for him. Poor thing didn't even recognize him anymore. After he read it, he left."
"Judging by what she's saying now, I can imagine what that letter looked like," Tom commented.
"He was too short to see over the fence ..." aunt Else uttered.
Suzan just shook her head.
"The fence was confused about whether it was coming in or going out," Elsa continued.
"Phhhh," Sally burst into laugh.
"Sally ... please," Tom admonishes her, "that's not nice. Say Joe ... your sister's not coming?"
"Unfortunately no, she works two jobs to make ends meet, today is her working day; at least, that was her reason for not having time to join us."
"I see ... Where's Gwen? She said few brush strokes, that was," Tom checks the wrist watch, "almost forty minutes ago."
"Gwen always lived alone? No partner?" asked Joe.
"I'd say so," explains Tom, "at least she never had any serious relationship. In fact, I think no one remembers ever seeing her seeing someone. Except her gardener. But they both claim he is just a gardener."
"Of course he's just a gardener. Not everyone needs a partner in life," Joyce defends her sister, "she collects different odd stuff and practice alternatives, yoga, healthy diet, sleeping outside and so. I think her life is fulfilled more than anyone of us can imagine."
"Yeah," Suzan agreed, "Gwen had her best sleep ever on her new bed of nails."
"Isn't that a bed of roses," asks grandpa.
"No dad, that's a Bon Jovi's song. It would be so nice to lay down in one," said Joyce, imagining the scene.
"Why couldn't he be American?"
"But, he is American ..."
"No, I meant a gardener ... why did he have to be Italian?

Time traveler on Orient Express

Chapter One
Belgrade
Belgrade, year 1935

Although I have never been here, I heard stories about this city.
Considering that it is one of the oldest cities in the world, Belgrade has so much history in it that it would be impossible to say anything meaningful in a few sentences. Celts, Romans, Turks and many other conquerors came through that region. In ancient times, Neanderthals and mammoths lived there. As I decided to make notes about my trip to this part of the world and later on, among countless stories and legends, I will mention only a few from recent history.
As it is not known, at least not officially, what are the buildings and tunnels under the streets of this ancient city itself, which would have make a great story, it is very well known what was happening on the streets of the city in the seventies and eighties. The man of steel - an acrobat who performed his skills on the streets of Belgrade for all who would gather, the Belgrade Phantom, a young man who 'roamed' the streets of the city in a stolen Porsche while the militia at the time unsuccessfully tried to catch him, a policeman who replaced the annoying movements of the traffic constable at the intersection, with graceful ballet movements, delighting passers-by.
I could go on and on. But one man particularly delighted me with his joke that he played on his passengers. Being a city bus driver, he once infiltrated the passengers at the starting station of the bus, leaving the driver's cabin empty. As time passed, the passengers became more and more nervous and derogatory remarks about the late driver could be heard more and more often. Then the driver suddenly stepped in front of the passengers saying, 'Where the hell is that driver? I'm taking over!' He then took the steering wheel in his hands and, ignoring the pleas of the anxious passengers who were scared that some stranger wants to drive the bus, started to drive. And then, as usual, he drove very fast, so that everyone on the bus thought he had 'stolen' the bus.

Belgrade was the third station for Simplon-Orient Express going from Istanbul to Paris or the second one for Arlberg-Orient Express on a trip from, goddess of wisdom given name, Athens, all the way to London. For a time traveler like me traveling with a train is very interesting from many perspectives. Funny thing is that you really need time to travel with a train. It is slow, therefore very time consuming.
However, as I wasn't in a hurry, I got off the train to get a better insight of the capitol city of Republic of Serbia. Immediately when
I got from the train, I realized I somehow fit into the crowd.
There was music playing literary on every corner of the streets I was walking through. Some street musicians played on drums, some on violins, some on funny little instruments that sounded as if you’d take a rubber band put it close to your open mouth and poke it with you finger. As I didn’t drink anything for a very long time, and since the city atmosphere affected my desire, I was looking for a bar where I could have a beer.
I spotted a nice tavern down the street and headed towards it. On the way there, a young man crushed into me and started to apologize. After he left, I set at one of the tables outside. There was a bit of spilled wine on the table and some wine flies were flying around it. I've always wondered how those tiny little creatures experience the air. How much air do those little wings squeeze out in order to fly, or rather, I would say float in the air. From their point of view, due to the low speed of movement, that air must appear quite thin. I was trying to get into their 'heads'. They could literally see the atoms. Here go two oxygen ... slurp! Yummyyyy ... Mmmm nitrogen! Let's get to it quickly! Hey look at that ... helium, ha, ha, let's get it, it will be even easier for us to float. Watch out! Ziiiing! Phew. Shuh, almost. What was that Argon doing at this height? It must be crazy to be a wine fly.
In the meantime the waiter came and I order one of the Check beers which didn't make him very happy; obviously he wanted me to order one of the domestic beers. Then he shouldn't offer any other.
It was the late summer and it was still warm enough to sit outside. Beer was very good and of the right temperature. Since I finished that one very quickly, I ordered another one. I slowly poured it into the tilted glass so I wouldn't get just the foam.
In the part of the yard next to the house where the tavern was, laundry swayed gently on the breeze that was created around the house. At first I didn't understand how the upper part of the string was moving in one direction, and then I realized that it was a column of ants using the string as their private bridge between the two trees.
I looked at clock on the wall. It was 15 minutes until the train will leave the station. I thought I’d better finish this one and go. I called out the waiter to pay for the beers. When I put my hand in my pocket I realized I don't have my wallet. That small dirty bastard who bumped into me stole my wallet. I went into my other pocket. It was time to use my time travelling ability to go back before he took my wallet.
There I was. Again standing and looking for the nice place where
I can have a cold beer. This was one of the advantages of being time traveller but at the same time it had a flow. I was thirsty again.
Since I've already been in this tavern, I decided to find another one.
This time I chose one with one of the street musicians playing close enough so I can enjoy the beer and the music at the same time.
Sitting outside I was thinking about something that bothered me for some time.
I was wondering about what I just did. If that boy didn't steal my wallet, and I stayed on that so called 'time line', this one where I’m now probably wouldn't exist. But since I went back in time, and I am here now, is there one time line with me ending up in trouble because I didn't have money to pay the bill and didn't use my time travelling device and, as well, this time line where I’m now coexisting with the other one? Or is it just one? And ... the most important question,
did I have four beers or just two? Because I certainly remember having those two before.
Before I was a time traveller, I never thought I will ask myself these questions but somehow they just impose themselves. If this device would work in a way that I wouldn't remember anything but the present time line I’m now in and remember it as a straight forward line, I wouldn't learn anything from it and I probably wouldn't have a feeling I am actually traveling thru time.
This way where I remember everything, looks more effective but gives me a headache because I have to remember all possible versions.
This boy stealing my wallet was in fact very nice example of a local time travel. Let's say that I didn't do anything. Would the fact that he has my wallet have any effect on the global scale? In one case, let's say he did it because he had, let's call it a valid reason, let's say he owed some money to some dangerous people or he desperately needed to buy medicine for someone close to him. There can be any number of reasons. In a situation where he has or doesn't have money for it, he affects the world around him. If I didn't do anything and he ran to escape as far as possible and carelessly tripped and my wallet flew straight into the sewer, nothing would change. From his point of view he is in the same position as before. I am the one who is left without money, but no one carries with them such amount of money that losing it would put them in a position that changes the entire picture of the universe. At least I don't know anyone like that.
I've used the time machine on several occasions so far and haven't noticed that anything significant has happened to the rest of the world, I mean except a small fact that I was in the past again. But the small changes I made didn't change the world a bit. You just have to be careful, that's all.
I better go back, I don't want to wait for the next train. Since I didn't go too far, I was pretty quickly back on my train and in my seat. They should announce departure any moment.
Oh ... here we go, we're moving. Actually no, there was another train just stopping next to mine. It's always funny ... that feeling. You see something moving next to you and you momentarily have a feeling that you're the one who's moving. I guess Einstein was right in at least one thing ... that everything is a matter of someones point of view.
Soon we will be at the exact spot where the Orient Express got stuck in the snow. I can't wait to feel that place personally.


The air was fresh and crisp, the sun was very shiny on this beautiful winter day. I walked through the grove, counting at least
11 different species of birds chirping happily among the branches.
I decided to reach my goal differently. Rushing towards the forest clearing, I ran into a man who was sitting on a bench and reading
a book, enjoying the morning sun. I stopped to apologize to him.
Suddenly, the sun moved behind the clouds and it started to snow. I don't know why, but I suddenly felt a strong desire for tomato soup. What a nonsense. How does this relate to time travel? The man I tripped over asked me why I suddenly turned pale but I ignored his question and exclaimed, "What a horror! What is that stench? A decomposing body? Fried flesh? Someone's armpit or socks? All the people suddenly started looking for cover. Radiation? I didn't know you could smell it.
I looked around trying to find the source of the horrible stench that was getting stronger. In all the commotion I lost sight of this man, but in the distance I heard a crowd of dogs howling. Of course ... animals are the first to feel the danger. I saw smoke behind a high fence. Is that it? I hurried over there and climbed on the trash can to look over the fence. The man was trying to put out the burning sausages on the grill. I laughed with relief. What a stupid situation. Why I immediately thought it's the end of the world? Silly me.
In the meantime, the sun broke through the clouds again and with it the last remaining puffs of smoke dispersed.
"Hey wake up, you hit your head on the fence," the man from the bench was shaking my shoulders.
Then I felt that unbearable stench again, heard dogs howling and felt cold snow. For God's sake I was just unconscious, the danger is still here. My shoulders were still shaking. I opened my eyes. A man in the uniform was gently shaking my shoulder, "Your train ticket for inspection, please."
Taking the ticket out of my pocket, I looked behind me. Someone left the toilet door open. Thanks God ... it was just a dream.


Chapter Two
Strizivojna
Strizivojna, year 1935

Before I had this device, I always thought that if there was reincarnation, I would like to be born as Detective Poirot.
There is something so fascinating about that time. It was definitely different than today. Murder at the Orient Express, my favorite book.
The real version of the Orient Express stops in the same place as
in the novel. I am so excited about it.. But until I get there, let's
see what's the next bigger city. Um ... Zagreb. I remember now.
I would hear people from those parts of the world talking about the rivalry and intolerance between Croats and Serbs. Their cultural and territorial aspirations have repeatedly overlapped throughout history. They used to live in joint states and as well, each in their own. Peoples so similar and yet so different. Like when they say that there is a very thin line between love and hatred.
There is no differences in a physical appearance, almost no in spoken language, of course there's always a difference in dialects and accents. As well I heard Serbs have more sense of humor, while Croats are more diligent. I assume that the centuries spent under the influence of two completely opposite empires, Austro-Hungarian at the west and Ottoman Empire at the east, the two totally different ways of looking at the world, either politically or through customs, must have left their mark on both peoples. And that's why I think that everyone should be on their own, next to each other, cooperate and even help each other, but everyone on their own. Like a couple, which while going out, have almost no problems. The moment they start living together, suddenly things happen that they didn't foresee and were absolutely unaware of even existing.
The moment there was a violence on each side, they cannot look at each other as before it happened. And not only that the respect is gone, but the trust is gone as well and to get these two back, it takes decades, if not centuries. That happened almost between all neighboring countries in Europe. And around the world as well.
When I think about it, we are pretty violent species.
I was thinking about the time machine. Where would you go?
To the Past or to the future?
Here, I've seen it all. I have studied and read about the past and
no matter that I can go and see everything live, it is not interesting because it has already been seen. What each of us would like to see is how the world would look like, not how it used to look like. We know that. No. It would almost be better if it never existed.
Often times people would discuss what they would do if they could go back in time and change things. I'll tell you what. Nothing.
We made so many mistakes that it is impossible to correct them.
And then also, as long as you change something and it is not of a local character, it is possible to mess up everything with just one change.
And then what? Sit down and watch where it goes and then start all over again? Not gonna happen. Ever.
Future. The future is clean. I know it drags everything with it from the past, but if something hasn't happened yet, no matter what pushes it from the past, it is still possible to stop it. You just need the will for it. But ... before that, you have to get to know your own past and that's where I'm going right after I visit this famous site.
Here we are. As I was rushing through the corridor to the door,
the train was slowly stopping. That strange feeling when you ride the train is interesting. It is completely different than any other means of transportation. You have much more freedom of movement than elsewhere and at the same time you travel relatively safely. Even this screeching of the brakes is kind of romantic.
I exited and took a deep breath. This is it. The exact time and place where the action of the book takes place. Magnificent. Although everything is fiction, I can literally feel the presence of all participants.
'Monsieur Poirot, I'm terribly sorry to disturb you on your journey, but a murder has occurred.' Oh my god this is amazing. I'm going to the main building at the station ... I need to buy something authentic as a souvenir. Newspapers ... yes, yes, yes ... newspapers with today's date. And the photo? That would be even crazier.
I hurried to find a photographer before the train leaves but I had no luck. But satisfied that I had found something, I returned to my compartment. I found today's newspaper and I swear it's still warm from printing. And a pipe. I think I'll treat myself to a glass of whiskey with a few puffs from a pipe.
Next stop Zagreb and then after I see around it a bit, my last stop, Brescia, half way between Venice an Milan.
Let's now visit a wagon- restaurant and treat myself as promised.
As I enjoyed my drink, I almost fell asleep listening to the clatter of the train's metal wheels on the tracks. Then I ordered a coffee and decided to see what was interesting about the city of Zagreb.
It says Zagreb is a city with a rich history dating from Roman times. The oldest settlement in the vicinity of the city was the Roman Andautonia. Um, I didn't know that, but yes, this whole area was under the Roman Empire. Um, this is interesting.
The solar plexus of Europe is located on Lake Jarun on the Island of Youth. It consists of 61 blocks of granite and represents the central energy axis of Europe that pulsates between Iceland and Crete. The installation is often called Zagreb's Stonehenge. Wow.
But I definatelly have to try this, the Zagreb Funicular. It connects the Lower Town with the Upper Town from Tomićeva Street, is considered the shortest cable railway in the world intended for public transport. Its track is only 66 meters long, and the ride from the bottom to the top takes 64 seconds. Incredible.
Ha, here's something for me as a time traveler. The people of Zagreb like to meet in the main town square under the clock. All city clocks are repaired and maintained by the watchmaking shop Lebarović from Maksimir, which includes as many as six generations of craftsmen. The first city clocks were imported from Austria, and later they were cast independently to resemble those in Vienna.
This is crazy, six generations of masters, that's what I call dedication.
I don't think this coffee works for me at all. I'll take a little nap on the way there though.
I was awakened by the loud shouting of the newspaper vendor. I looked towards the station. It was full of people. It seems like quite a spacious city.
I opened the window to ask the railwayman, who was checking the wheels of the train, how long we would be standing here.
The answer really disappointed me because I wanted to see the smallest railway in the world but there was simply not enough time. Well, some other time, at the end, I am a time traveller.

Chapter Three
Brescia
Republic of Venice, Brescia,
August 18th, year 1769

When the train finally stopped in this small pittoresque town,
situated at the foot of the Alps, it was already late afternoon,
Various myths are connected with the creation of Brescia: according to some, it was Hercules who founded it, according to others, it was the survivors of the siege of Troy, and according to some others, the Etruscans. The most likely variant is that it was the Ligurian king, Cydnus, who invaded the Padan plain in the late Bronze Age. There seems to be some truth in this, as archaeological excavations have revealed the remains of a settlement dating back to 1200 BC, which
is thought to have been inhabited by the Ligurians.
Brescia has been known since ancient times for making weapons and ammunition, but what I like about it is the production of sparkling wines. I hope my family has their share in it. Speaking of them, I wonder how they would react if or when I tell them who I am. Mmm, I don't think that's actually a good idea. In these times, people were burned at the stake for less than being a time traveler. In fact I'd say they wouldn't even comprehend the meaning of it. I better say I'm a distant relative from the other side of the half island. Yeah. That'll do.
While I'm walking towards their house to enjoy in streets of the town, I might visit the bastion of San Nazaro. I'd say my whole family was baptized there. According to what I hear, I was on the right track.
Church bells, those giant, awe-inspiring pieces of metal, have always been heralds of events. Usually bad ones. It seems to me that something similar is happening right now. I see a huge black cloud approaching from the north; I guess that's why the bell ringer is ringing for all he's worth.
It's actually a good thing I'm here, it will be better if I take shelter in the church until the storm passes. So I entered that beautiful building with my bag in which I kept my gadget.
If God is all-powerful and all-seeing, he most likely knows that I have it. I wonder how he feels about it ... or maybe he doesn't care at all? Are we even interesting to him? Or maybe we're just imagining that we are so important that he would deal with us? I'm sure he has better things to do than listen to our constant complaints. I go up closer to the altar to sit down and rest a little. It seems the storm has begun. I will use this time for a peaceful meditation. There's no more beautiful place for it, than a church. I have always been fascinated by the peace, serenity and security of churches.

Chapter Four
In a search for a man
Corinth, Greece, 336 BC

The central square was filled with many people. The square itself was dominated by a raised platform on which stood the people who were sold as slaves and their sellers. Interested customers were standing around the podium. Sellers touted their wares by proposing prices. While some buyers just whispered to each other while others loudly shouted the price they were willing to pay. Some thirty feet away, still almost in the middle of the square, were several stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, spices, wine and honey, and various fabrics and clay vessels. Men in short skirts, women in long ones or both just wearing chlamys, a rectangular cloak fastened at the neck or shoulder that wraps around the body like a cape, walked around the stands looking at the merchandise.
On the steps in front of the temple there was some kind of public meeting where a man dressed only in a very unsightly chlamys was walking around with a lamp in his hand. Since he was doing this in broad daylight, people teased him by throwing all kinds of jokes.
One of the men asked him why he had a lamp in the middle of the day and he replied, 'I'm looking for a man,' at which the gathered crowd laughed uproariously, having no idea what he meant by that.
There was also a group of soldiers coming along the dusty road.
In front of all of them walked one who was better dressed and decorated. It was seen that his clothes were of better material; he had a long cape and sandals that were obviously sturdier than those of his soldiers. His helmet shone as if it were made of gold. Just as the one with the lamp sat down to rest, the one leading the group of soldiers stopped in front of him. The majority retreated when they realized it was Alexander the Great. He was a great fan and admirer of the one with the lamp, so much so that he wanted to meet him personally.
Standing in front of him, Alexander said, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
The one who was sitting, stood up, and looking the warlord straight in the eyes answered, "No, and as you can not give it to me, then at least move away and don't block the sun from me."
Surprised by such an arrogant but brave and above all sincere answer, Alexander replied, "If I wasn't Alexander the Great ...

EMA

Chapter zero
The end
High towers, on whose tops were housed disc-shaped cupolas with round windows, were bathing in the sunlight.
Rising high into the sky, they were almost 'touching' two suns visible on a clear sky.
All around flew objects without wings, shaped like droplets of water. They had wheels, but they were used for locomotion by land.
Far below, at the foot of the towers, as tiny little dots, people were moving in all directions. Children were playing in beautifully landscaped parks, with ergonomic toys.
Through a group of lower buildings, scattered all around without any particular order, went a tube, which was every thirty feet belted with a light-golden ring.
Inside the tubes, with high speed would appear a cylinder, then it would suddenly stop, tube would open and passengers would enter or exit; then the cylinder would 'vanish', as quickly as it came, while the light-golden rings would briefly flash while a cylinder would disappear in the ocean, where the tube dives in, after a few miles.
As buildings were further away from the center of the colony, as more they looked like old-fashioned houses and buildings.
In one of the suburbs, older people sat on benches in the park playing cards or just having fun with their grandchildren.
As the two suns were setting down, people were slowly going back to their dwellings.
Soon, everything sank into darkness. Only flashing lights remained at the top of the towers and a mild light illumination down on the streets. Everything was peaceful and quiet.


After a long time of silence, a muffled noise came from a distance.
Far away on the horizon appeared a pale light.
As minutes were passing light was rapidly growing brighter while at the same time the noise intensified.
Soon lights began to appear on windows and people started to appear out on the streets. They were all looking at the direction of the glowing light.
As the noise was amplifying and the light became so strong that they could not look at it anymore, without their eyes covered with hands, they began to realize that something is approaching fast.
Then, as they were all turned on with the same switch, at the same time, everyone started to scream and run in panic, in all directions.
And before anyone could find any shelter, things began to fly in with unimaginable speed ripping and destroying everything in their path.
From the place where the light and deafening noise were coming from, towers' cupolas, transportation tube parts, concrete building components, half-melted metal pieces, vehicles, burned trees, glass and stones, were rolling over each other, even more disintegrating, mixing and melting into a faceless, hot, destroying mass.
Immediately afterwards came huge, violent, hot cloud of air, which was burning everything in its path, followed by a pure blaze without any mercy.
Transportation tubes, which were going into the oceans, were burning as wicks. At the entry into the ocean, burning tubes were disappearing in clouds of a black smoke.
The mixture of dust and smoke was covering most of the sky.
Behind the glowing wave remained only charcoal and arson.
Object, which haven't been burned entirely in a burst, were still burning, increasing the sight of the mass destruction.
The entire event of the devastation on the surface of the planet was observed on a screen, which, after everything has calmed down, has shut down.

Chapter one
Afternoon breeze
He was sleeping by sitting on a grassy ground, leaned back on a tree.
Place was peaceful. Leaves were quivering on a breeze but there was no sound.
After some time he opened one eye slowly, like a slit.
His pupil moved left and right. Then he opened another one.
He looked left and then right, as much as he could see without moving his head.
From a sitting position, he stood up without help from his hands.
Without any expression on his face, he started to follow a narrow lane through woods.
He couldn't find the sun in the sky, but his estimate was that it was late afternoon.
As he was going downhill, woods became thinner and at the end of it, he broke out at the beginning of a strange road.
Road led to the group of buildings. They were middle height, more like cupolas with very high and thin spikes.
As he approached to buildings, it started to rain.
He looked up; there were no clouds in the sky.
Then he looked to the right.
He did not know what the object he was looking at was, but he was sure that what he sees was not the nature state of it.
It had wheels; he was sure in that; because he had seen wheels before, not exactly like these but the wheels did not bother him; it was the position...
At the moment, he wanted to come closer to the object, he heard a sound of footsteps which was coming from one of the buildings.
He pulled back into the niche between two buildings.
The doors on the building across the street opened and a tall man with a longer hair and two weeks beard stepped out from it.


Chapter two
The rain and the shadow
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep…….
In the half-light, I stretched my arm towards the alarm clock; click.
Beeping stopped.
Um, I don’t remember that I set the alarm.
I don’t remember when and how I came home.
Where was I yesterday?
I looked around.
I see my guitar in the corner, there’s a synth on the table, my glasses, a par of shoes…
Why everything looks familiar and strange at the same time?
Um, I better go and wash my face to fresh myself a bit.
I looked at my reflection in a big mirror on the wall above the sink.
I noticed that I have a bump on my forehead.
What the...Where did I get that?
Why I feel so strange and confused?
I think I should go out to get some fresh air.
I got out of the apartment; there was nobody in the hall, no sound, no nothing; at least the elevator was working.
I’ve entered and pushed the button as if I did it a hundred times.
Before I’ve opened the main doors, I thought I heard the rain.
I opened the doors. Yes, the rain was falling.
I stepped out from the building and looked up to see the clouds.
The moment I did that, the rain stopped.
"!? No clouds?"
Then I looked down. Next to a curb, a breeze was playing with a small piece of paper; that was the only movement I noticed.
Except the rain. Which stopped.
There was not a single living being anywhere, nor on the street nor in the air, not a soul. Everything was so eerily deserted.

Across the street, there was a car parked into the bus station…?
I looked left and saw a car parked across the street with its nose against the building. The shadow of the car was extended from the bottom of the building up the building wall.
Like the light was coming from the ground; but there was no sun and it was late and everywhere else there was almost dark.
I went strait ahead to the car. When I came to the car, I leaned down to see if there’s maybe somebody in the car, through the windows of the car I saw something that sent shivers down my spine.
At the middle of the street between buildings, there was a car at the angle of fifty or sixty degrees, half-buried in the asphalt!!!
"What the f...? Really?...What is going on here? Where am I?"
For a while, I couldn’t move and then I pulled myself together and walked straight to the car.
As I was walking toward the car, I had a strange feeling that I have been watched. I looked around but streets were totally empty, there were no sounds either.
I came near the car and gentle touched it. It was a normal, real car; even one of the doors was slightly open.
I was just standing there thinking, who or what did this and with what purpose?


Chapter three
Female ghost
She was standing in the middle of the room.
The room was almost empty; there was only one table in it.
Something on the floor looked like a carpet, but she wasn’t sure. There were no classic walls; they actually looked like a Plexiglas.
From a certain sharp angles, like looking thru the water, it was opaque but wherever you would want to look outside under the right angle, it would immediately become transparent.
While she was waiting, although she didn’t know what, she looked around.
Around the structure, where the room was settled in, circled very simple vehicles with similar windows as on the building structure.
Two vehicles stopped and two people got out and started to talk.
She was thinking how that wouldn't be so strange if she wouldn't be at the seventeenth floor.
She heard a sound behind her; she turned her head and saw a person’s face coming through the wall; and then slowly the whole body appeared.
As the person was passing through the wall, the wall was closing behind. A beautiful woman showed up.
Then she noticed that, actually, there were no doors.
Beautiful female with a skin smooth like a plastic and hair tied into a ponytail said,
"We can begin."


Chapter four
The fall
It would be little to say that I was shocked with what I just saw; not that I’m afraid of a half-buried car but anyone who would do that would have some power over my knowledge.
I mean there were neither trails of digging nor any excess material; moreover, the car was up to half in asphalt, which looked perfectly connected with the car at the point where the car went into it; as the car was first buried, and then asphalt was applied with some unknown technique. It was very weird.
I turned around and started to walk back. As I walked and looked in a distance, I had that feeling like when you are looking at the Moon while you walk; you feel like the Moon is walking along.
I had a feeling that things are popping up in the distance but too slow, so if I hurry up I’ll catch up with them.
It was getting dark and I couldn't see clear anymore.
In front of me, there were some trees and a building that looked like it was not finished; I looked a little bit further and noticed a strange structure.
It looked like a tangle of iron rods and wire forming a sort of network that moves, around the large structure. As I was coming towards it, I felt like the ground was moving under my feet.
I was slowly approaching to, whatever that was, with my arms spread as if I’m walking on a wire, increasingly losing balance. It was like walking through the mud that moves.
At one point, I stopped in nothing and lost my balance.
When I realized that I'm going to fall into something like a hole, I tried to grab for something.
As I was desperately waving with my hands, at one point, something grabbed my hand and with one strong move pulled me out.
I looked back and saw my savior showing me with his hand to pull back from the spot I was standing on.

I did as he suggested. Then on my great surprise, like I just saved his life, he nodded and said,
"Kuru. Ikanakereba naranai."
As I was standing there surprised, he took my hand and pulled me away from the pit.
We ran together far from it. When we stopped under the small light,
I've noticed that my savior has strange clothing.
He definitely wasn’t from around here but I judging by what I saw around here so far, I could say that for myself as well.
As he was saying some more, to me unintelligible words, he again bowed.
I don’t know why but I bowed too.


Chapter five
Ema
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep…….
I stretched my arm towards the alarm clock; click.
Beeping stopped.
I looked at the clock; it was eight-thirty.
I have to get up; I have job to do.
I went to toilet.
I was brushing my hair by looking into the large mirror on the wall.
After I was done with morning routine, I ran downstairs.
I always liked to do that; jumping over five or more at the same time.
I also liked to ‘travel’ with a bicycle; it was the most useful vehicle humans ever invented.
No pollution, no noise and almost needs no energy to move.
And you get every where very quickly as I did just now.
I drove like crazy between pedestrians on the sidewalk; then I would suddenly descend among the cars on the street and then again among pedestrians.
In front of the house where I was actually going to, I hit the rear brake so hard that the rear wheel stopped spinning and the squeaking of the tire could be heard.
Then I just jumped off the bike and let it keep going until it lost its balance and stopped; this time in the trash cans.
I approached the doors and knocked three times, I do not know why; I guess that was a code for knocking.
A younger woman opened the doors.
Ashen, short hair, tall, in a dress of a rough, peasant cloth with two wide straps across her chest.
"Can I help you?" she said.
I was still staring at two gray-blue eyes when I realized that her wide mouths were moving.
"Sorry?" I said, "Oh yeah, I’m looking for your sister, I mean, I think she would be your sister. Actually...I don't know why I thought that. "
"Well...she is; and you're looking for her...regarding what?" she asked.
"Oh...regarding her request for some carpentry work... somewhere...here. I am Yoel," I said, while I was extending my hand toward her.
She accepted my greeting by putting her delicate hands with long thin fingers in my hand, saying,
"I am Ema, with one ‘m'."
"You are…going somewhere?" I asked.
She nodded, turned back and called her sister.
While her sister was standing in front of me and explaining and showing around, over her shoulder, I watched Ema while she was brushing her hair in front of antique mirror in the hallway; which was probably a piece of furniture that needed a restoration.
"Mister, hey Mister!"
I winced and said, "Yeah?"
"Do we have a deal then?"
"Deal? Um...we have?...Yes we have."
Even though I had no idea what I confirmed.
Ema’s sister left. She looked satisfied, which made me wondering what did I just agreed with.
Ema put a comb on a cabinet and said,
"Do you maybe wish to come with me?"
As I was looking unblinkingly at her as into a ghost, she repeated the question to which I responded with,
"Yes I do," and kept staring at her.
"Um, you will not ask me where?" she asked gently shaking her head left and right, to which moves I responded by moving my head left and right also.
"Sorry...what?"
"I said, you will not ask me where?"
"Ou...with you I'd go anywhere."
"I know," she said and took me under my arm and added
"I’m driving."
"I know," I replied, surprised with my response.

Chapter six
My Japanese friend
After my strange savior and me, ran away from the pit we sat on a bench in the park, to catch a breath. I was observing him, while he was busy with examining a traffic light, which was, by the way, strange even to me because it was upside-down and the red light was in the ground.
One look at him, and anyone would conclude he does not belong to this world. But, what about me?
I was wondering what is all this and how we ended up here in a first place, because one thing was sure; this was definitely not my neighborhood.
I don’t mean the upside-down traffic light or the car half buried in asphalt or the telephone booth with nothing inside or these two benches on top of each other, we're sitting on, but I somehow had a feeling that I have already been here.
Everything around reminds me of the time when I was trying to make a few different PC games.
In the process when some of the work is almost done, some is done and some not yet, everything looked pretty much as this surrounding, every part of the game would have a point where everything was still in a mess; it was unfinished, like a construction site.
As I was thinking about it, I said aloud,
"Everything here looks like when I used to play The Driver, my favorite Play Station game, it was full of bugs and glitches which made it great fun to play."
At that moment, my savior looked at me, as he understood what I just said so I added, "Ha...what could you possibly know about it?"
The most fascinating thing about the place we were at, was that everything was changing all the time, all things were moving and flipping in all directions and it looked like everything is 'growing' somehow; like everything is trying to find the place where it should be. Some things were finished, some transparent or you could see their structure, like looking under the skin.
The whole place itself was not harmless, because you never knew when you might fall somewhere or what will hit you in the head.
Although, the further from those unstable areas you'd go, the less movement and changes would happen.
However, I just couldn't figure out what kind of place is this.
Will I maybe just wake up and realize I was only dreaming.
Who or what, was doing this?


Chapter seven
R.I.P.
Ema was driving as if she was reading my mind; every move she'd have to do, such as braking or changing gears, she'd do exactly as I would do it.
I had a feeling that I'm sitting next to myself, out of my body, only now I look like Ema.
It didn't take long to get to whatever was our destination, even though by the amount of thoughts and events in my head I would say that it did, but a quick look at the clock on the car’s dashboard let me know that I was wrong, barely a half an hour passed.
Ema was actually saying something, but I didn’t listen.
She pulled over and we got out of the car, which she parked in a quiet place under the huge tree.
There were a couple of cars scattered around the parking lot.
Some former wind cornered all leaves at the curb, from which, here and there, blades of grass slowly penetrated.
View of the tall cypress trees, big black metal doors and a peaceful feeling that you get at such places revealed me that we are at, to me, unknown cemetery.
I looked at Ema intending to ask her why we are here. Instead of my question and her answer, she looked at me with a smile of Mona Lisa, gently took my hand and pulled me toward metal doors.
I just said half loud, "As I’ve said, I’d go with you anywhere."
Ema was passing between tombs as she already has been here many times and soon we came to a tomb with a stone slab.
We approached from the back. She went all the way to the front of the tomb and stood there silently looking at the board.
I stopped; didn't know should I go there as well...or not.
Then she looked up at me with slightly raised and outstretched hand; it was the sign for me to come closer.
In a few steps, I found myself next to her and took her hand gently while I was turning to the front of the tombstone. I read the engraving.
"?"
I looked at Ema.
We stood there for a while. Then, Ema started to walk back into direction from which we came, while I still stood there with a question mark above my head.
"Come," she called me shortly.
I passed by the tombstone on which was engraved;

Here lies
EMA
1976 - 1995
R.I.P.