The count was ten to twenty dead. No one was truly sure. No one remembers anymore. Life goes on.
 

 

 

​

    It's been a month; I haven't heard of Theodora and her girls since. I stir the black coffee till it turns cold from time. No calls. No calling cards. I should have gone to get a Checkup. There's no bother in remembering- that. Not like they'd help anyways. Picking the spoon out of the mug of coffee, I flick the spoon dry, twirling it between my fingers and counting the rotations. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine...

    Life seemed to restart since then. No, not a restart. A restart would be too dramatic a change for humanity. No, life paused, rewound, and played on, fast forwarding past the murders, like they never happened. The crowd sets up for a celebration, a celebration of the creatures of this world. Streamers hang from doors and window heads, decorative balls filled with feed are wrapped around street carts' legs, traditional red robes cling tight to the bodies of individuals. Rattles shake, shaking forcefully; drums beat, beating barbarically; voices scream, screeching, a hymn to the beasts of our land.

    Typically, my desk is empty. Nothing on top; Nothing inside. But, today brought something different. A piece of paper, golden from age and tattered at the edges, rested at the center of that empty space of a desk. Only a few words were scribbled onto the paper: The Falls. Please. Had I been anyone else, even Luke, I wouldn't have understood the meaning or context behind the words, but, being I am who I am, I packed what little amount of things I had and made my way out.

    Not many have parents. The few who do, came out lucky on existence. I was motherless, and, shortly after, I became fatherless too. It's his own fault. He's to blame.

    Leaving through the revolving door, I happen upon the most rare of sights. The crowd wasn't moving. For a moment, it stopped to think and see the world which it belongs. That was one sight.

     A straight line of women walked forward, and, right beside, a straight line of men marched. They wore masks and dresses and suits, unique to each wearer. The Maidens of Pandora and the Bachelors of Evolutión. They are the most high and least known members of society who are sent and ordered directly by the Originals. In formation, the two lines come to a halt. In stand-off, I stand in the way for just a moment until I finally decide to drag myself out the way.

     The intimidated world watches the masked individuals march onward. Once the lines are completely inside the Headquarters, the crowd starts up again, but I hesitate for a moment. I'd go back inside and see what they have to say, but... the note. The note.

In a place not too far away, a sliver of beauty hides from the world. The sound of water pounding against itself and stone, of light croaking from butterfrogs as they flutter by, of baby whales singing in the air and the multicolored feathers that fall from their fins and drift down to hit the ground, of my feet slipping against wet stone as I make my way to the top reminds me of my frequents here a long time ago.

My father was a man of little words only to me. While he knew what to say to Luke and spoke with him without end, we rarely spared one another the slightest greeting. So we found a way to make up for the silence. The sound of water falling and slamming into the ground with incredible speed from incredible heights will replace the weeks unspoken. And, like it were yesterday and I was there staring down at the tumbling top beside him, the old man rests, looking out to the painted world. Three years without this. Three years without the fall.

He sits on the edge, water moving around his sunken hands and feet. Plant debris moves around and falls to the bottom with the water, but somehow the current doesn't push him in. I take a step into the lazy river. As though the river was trying to suck me in, the bottom absorbed my weight. Forcing my way through the water, I make my way to him and sit. The water picks up then dies down beside him.

I've been told too many times that my father is a hero. Never told who he saved. Not even he remembers. Even if he did, he wouldn't tell. The silence tells enough. Three useless years of muted silence. He looks at me with sunken eyes. That same expression on his face. I hate it. That expression. On the face that never looked directly at me. There's meaning deep inside that sadness. It says that he knows something about me that I don't know, and he hates it.

Plopping down into the river, I sit on the edge of the fall. His head drifts back out at the landscape. "No words." I state. No I spat. "There never were words to express." His voice explains in monotone. There's that bastard silence again. "Three years of time. I had expected change which would come in its own form." He babbles again, but he won't look at me. These are the most words he's spoken since our existence.

"I have message to send." He says, reaching his hand out from the water to the sky. I watch as small droplets of water struggle to cling to his skin but evidently fall. 
"How long have you been out?" 
    The silence lingers a little longer.

    "Seven days. On the first you will be granted opportunity far beyond other. In two days time, the Maidens and Bachelors shall offer one sacrifice of the two. On the third, I shall face my final form of assault amongst the fallen water and stone. The forth must be a day of decision. The day of atonement shall be the fifth. On the sixth day all will be unfurled. On the seventh day the creation shall finish work and rest." After saying such, he stood. Then he left.

A buzz comes from my pocket and a message is read: Hey where are you? At that, I head back to Headquarters. We didn't say goodbye.

     As my fingers wrap around the spoon I left on the desk, my mind tries to wrap around what just happened. My dad, that selfish idiot, spoke to only tell me riddles? I close my eyes.

J¿sūs, I couldn't stand how he was just sitting there like nothing happened. Like everything is in the past and stays there. I've heard the story time and time again. Drunken hero assaults young woman whom he claimed murdered his wife. Chuckling under my breath, I recall how many times we warned him to go Checkup. He needed help; it was about time that he went and got a Checkup. But he didn't go, and, before long, it was too late. CF wouldn't accept him, so we had to lock him away.

     I stare down into the reflection of the spoon, and that same tap on the shoulder I'm so used comes.
"'Scuse m-me?"

    Tapping, tapping, fingers tapping. Twenty five taps on that wooden desk with those nails. The Woman in Silk speaks after the twenty third tap. "Mr. Flame. I believe that you show potential... I believe that you truly do." She hesitates to go on. She seems very reluctant to speak to me just like everyone else. There's a sign of pure concern on her face.

     At what point could she possibly come to the conclusion that I have potential? Tch. Must be because of my family name. My bastard father's glory burns itself in clear writing across my forehead.

"But, at the same time, I am concerned. I am concerned that if they do bring you up, and you gather a greater understanding of the world that we are living... you will no longer... be yourself." She says. The hell is she talking about? They plan on bringing me up? Besides, if I do get more memories back, wouldn't I become more myself than I've ever been? What stupid reasoning is that? I open my mouth to speak.

"I think you're a good kid." She interjects, pulling out a manila folder. Flipping through the few stamped pages, she gets to the first of many unstamped. Pulling out a marron colored ink stamp, she speaks again. "You have been given an opportunity that, supposedly, could last a lifetime. You have been nominated as a possible- erm- replacement for my position as commissioner." She waits a moment and stares at me. She probably expected some kind of joyous reaction. Then, she presses the stamp on the next couple pages quickly. Even after stamping tons of pages, there were many more unstamped beneath.

    That strong urge that's buried within me bubbles up. It overwhelms me, demanding that I yank the folder out of The Woman in Silk's grasp and flip through all the pages. I want to know. Who I was. Why I hate this life and everyone who's living it. She closes the manila and puts it up. I wonder how much she knows about her original self, how much are we allowed to get back as we move up the ranks, who decides what is a bad memory, who decides what is right. How much will I gain once I become commissioner?

    She pulls out a printed form and places it on the desk. "Once you gather more Anamnesis, you will be sent to the investigation chambers. It will be either you or your brother who becomes commissioner, and, once either one of you is chosen, the commissioner will become head of the investigation into our... murders. With the memories given, you will be able to uncover this... murderer's... identity and, hopefully, location. Based on your abilities, you will be judged whether you will keep hold of your position. If you are successful in uncovering this- murderer, but you are not deemed worthy, you will go back to the checkup facility, and they will" -I slam my hands on her desk in outrage.

I know what she's planning. All of humanity just wants to temporarily use me. She'll offer me all the power, only to take it away. I'm not going to be given a damn chance so why even pretend. "You're only using the real me temporarily to find your felon! Then you're sending me back to oblivion! That's- that's! You're too funny." my outburst sounds, feels, like a second voice. It felt like a second me. The Woman in Silk's eyes silently stare, scanning and looking for a sign. I can read what her expression is boldly writing: Give me ONE reason. My palms resign, sliding off the desk with the folder in hand and resting at my side. One clenches into a fist; nails boring deep into my skin. "...thank. you."

    Life restarts. No, not restarts. Life pauses. Life rewinds. Life plays on. A celebration is being prepared. A celebration of the creatures of this world.

"The Maidens and Bachelors will meet you on your way out."

Streamers hang from door and window heads, decorative balls filled with feed are wrapped around street carts' legs, robes, traditional and red, cling tight to the bodies of individuals. Shaking rattles shake strikingly; Beating drums beat barbarically; Screeching screams.... a hymn to the monsters. A song of beauty and fear and adoration combined.
 

 

 

 

How long has it been since I've moved out? It's probably hurt me more than her when I left the dorms. She had already moved on without me, basically. She found an internship, knows who she wants to be, and who she is, unlike me. I wish I could be like Clara. She knows. But, who am I? Who was I? Who do I want to be? Humanity's existence was on the same day. Everyone still holds a part of themselves in their minds. Memories, real or not, were there for them. Held forever in their minds, holding their minds together. But not mine. All I know is my name.

     I hear the sizzle of food being cooked, and the delicious scent of breakfast drifts into the attic. Sitting up in bed, I see light shining on my feet out of the attic window. What's the reason? Why am I like this? I slide my feet out and over the mattress edge. On the other mattress across the room, Pierro sleeps peacefully with his black hair hiding a majority of his face. As though he senses everything, he wakes up right on time, sitting up to stretch. He looks over to me, but I can't really see his face through his long bowl-cut hair. Quietly, we stare at each other. You know, I never really asked him if he's okay with me staying at his home, being a part of his family. The least I could do is thank him.

     ...I close my eyes. I remember when I begged this family to let me in. I had nowhere else to go, and Clara was leaving me behind.

...

"Please. Please. Please! Let me work for you!" falling onto my knees, I beg. 
Please.

     The man sighs and sits down into one of his chairs. I stand up, sniveling, and look him in the face. The same face I've seen time and time again. A white wrap is around his eyes, or I should say the sockets that are missing them. Long blue hair goes down his back. He's always got this calm about him. His pale hand reaches up and props his black bearded chin. Wearing a black turtleneck, he fiddles with the collar. He's repeated time and time again how he hates the restaurant uniform.

   "I love this restaurant more than anything! I love all you guys so much! You're like family to me!" I exclaim. Standing back on his feet, he pushes the chair back in and walks over over to the next table with a limp. He's so tall, and barely has any muscle on him. "Flash- please! You guys... you're my last hope." I cry. He stops what he's doing. "Alright. I'll call Rebbi out." He says, slightly smiling. "Just wait over there." He instructs, heading into the back.

    I sit in the waiting area of the restaurant. This place has the best cuisine, so good that it doesn't fit into a single category. It's its own unique cuisine, mixing and matching ingredients and styles till it has made its own. But it's not just the food that holds a special place in my heart. Food just naturally holds a special place in my heart. No, it's the environment it holds.

     Flash, Rebbi, and their kid. They're what make this place a home for me. It's like a place of escape. Where I don't have to think. Where I don't have to feel. From behind the corner of the sushi counter, their little boy stares. "Hi Pierro!" I whisper over to him and wave. Through the ends of his hair, he smiles weakly and waves back. The bowl haircut on his head has grown too long, I ca see and features on his face above his mouth. He runs over to me and stares at me expectantly. His dark red-tipped hair contradicts everything about the poofy and old-timey dress he has over his shirt.

    "Oh- I... no luck today sadly." I say, rubbing his head and messing up his hair. He's never said anything to me, but we hold a special connection. He holds a special connection with everyone he knows. He knows all about me through those dark brown eyes. He knows that I'm worthless, that I don't know who I am, that I don't know who I was, that I don't know who I want to be. He pats my knee and holds out a mint with his tiny little hands. In direct light it shimmers a different color. "Is this- is this a legendary?" I ask him quietly. He nods his head repeatedly. "Oh, I can't eat this... I'll save it for a certain occasion." I tell him and smile.

      "Pie? Where are you?" a woman calls from the back. When she comes from the curtains behind, she notices me and smiles.

    I don't really know her age. I'd guess she's in her mid-twenties, but Rebbi talks in such a way that she sounds so much older. And, at the same time... she steps from around the corner. Her black hair was pulled up into two buns with hair loose at the sides of her face.  Colorfully decorated monolid eyes always look with a certain determination, and thin lips always tilted into a smirk.

She's wearing a green crop top that clings tight to her stomach, and a slit going through the middle where you can see her bra that's black and white polka dotted. Along with that, she wore high heeled boots and a flowy- but short- black skirt. "Welcome back!" she says, in an accent that only a certain group of people have. Her w's sound like v's. She picks Pie up and rests him on her hip. She's really small compared to my features. Flash comes out and stands beside her.

    "So, Flash told me you were hoping to find an internship here. Well, hon, we weren't really looking for anyone to hire, but... we can make an exception for you, of course." She tells.

     Struggling to not explode, a grin- a huge smile-bubbles onto my face. I can't even feel it there till Rebbi comments, "Someone's happy. You'll start up tomorrow."

"Thank you! Thank you so much! I promise you won't regret this! I won't mess things up for you! I- wait- where do I start?!" I frantically speak. They laugh and put their hands on my shoulders. "We'll figure something out."

    It's hard to gather thoughts on how I feel about this. I- I thought I'd never be anything. I thought it was just fate to wander around forever. I seem to be the only one who came different. Before I walk out the restaurant, Pie tugs on my shirt hem. He looks up to me through his bangs and stares. I know what he's asking. Why do I think I'm different? Why do I think I'm headed to nowhere?

     Everyone is connected somehow, somewhere, by some great force beyond humanity. There are things that we all have in common. We all existed on the same day, and, on that day, we emerged with pieces of ourselves. All I know is my name.

...
    ... since that day, I've messed everything up. So much so, they just want me to do nothing. I don't know how, but my internship turned into a stay. Ever since, I've never been so happy. But, still.

    I know that I need to find a real job. Something that I can accomplish myself, with my abilities. What little abilities I have. Pie leaves the room silently. I guess I should get ready for the day. Maybe Flash and Rebbi have some errands they need me to do, or I could try to meet up with Clara. Pie runs back in quietly, holding a box of face paints out in his hands to me. "Face paints? What do we need face paints fo- oh wait! Today is!" I shout and jump out of bed, grabbing the box out of Pie's hands with a huge smile. I drop the box on my bed and kneel down to Pie, putting my hand on his head. I can't see most of his face, but I can see he has a huge smile like me. He puts my hand on his head and his on top of my a hand. I feel like he's saying something like, "let's get ready already!"

    "Alright!" Let's get ready!" I race to my suitcase, which I haven't completely unpacked yet. Clothes bulge out the case, mostly unfolded and disorganized. Throwing out old outfits I've already worn multiple times, I finally grab something. Holding the clothes in my arm, I head over to the door. My mind tells my right arm to reach and touch the doorknob, since my left arm is holding all the clothes. The gap between my mind and the physical world doesn't fill. There's no connection.

     Oh, wait! I almost forgot my arm! I drop my clothes on the ground and grab the large and muscular shaped metal piece off the ground beside my bed. Pressing it against my shoulder, I feel a searing cold against my shoulder. Then, purple light blinks on the arm, trailing from the tips of the fingers to me. ACTIVATED. Okay, now it's time to get ready for the day! I grab my clothes again and walk through the door. Huh. I wonder what time it is.

    Running into the bathroom, I take a shower, throw my clothes on, and stare at myself in the mirror. The usual. I look a mess. The golden tie I'm wearing is perfectly crooked. I'll worry about that later. I style my short hair. Pulling out the dye in the cabinet drawer, I file through the colors. Of course, I had to unpack my dyes before anything else. I want something to pop out today. Something that will contrast my dark and round features. Purple, blond, brunette, oh so many choices... Picking up the blond, I begin with the process at the top of my curls. That's where most of the hair is, the rest has been mostly shaved away at the sides. I leave the sides the same dark color they've always been. I look mature with short hair like this. I also thought that it'd be easier to manage than loose flowing hair of any length. Wrong. Looking into the mirror, I nod my head. Accepting who I am, even when I don't know.

    I try to re-adjust my sweater vest so it's not so clingy, but there's no use. You can never look good in a sweater vest. Hearing knocking from the other side of the door, I open it to see Rebbi dressed in a revealing red dress and scale-patterned face paint going up from her right arm to her neck and cheek. Pie held her fingers at her side. I think there's paint on his face, but I really can't tell. "Going to close today. It's a special day, and I believe Pierro should see." She needlessly explains. By the look on her face I think she expects me to come!

    We head out, down, the stairs, and walk into the kitchen. There, Flash cooks multiple meals at incredible speed. Rebbi sighs and mumbles under her breath, "he's putting way too much effort into this. We'll be fine." When he finally notices us amidst all his cooking, he nods his head. "I'll be out in a sec." he says, then goes back to cooking even faster than before. Wow! These people are just amazing! I follow Rebbi and Pie out the kitchen and into the empty serving area, then out the door. "He'll be out any moment. He's probably setting up at the windows... maybe I should go help him?" she rambles quietly to herself, but then looks at me like she expects me to know the answer. I give an exaggerated shrug and confused look. She sighs, turning around to walk back inside, but Flash meets her at the door, bandaging up his hand. Gasping in pure horror, Rebbi demands, "Let me see!" Yanking his hand away, she unwraps his good bandage work and looks at the nasty burn. Ew...

     "Don't worry it's just a burn." He looks at Pie, reassuring him, but I feel like he was directing his words more to Rebbi. "No! That is absolutely retched! Let's get that properly taken care of!" She demands, keeping a firm grasp of his wrist and dragging him inside, but he holds off. "And miss it!? Don't worry! I'll be fine! Besides, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." He says and starts to wrap his hand again. "...fine." Rebbi resigns. There was a look on her face that I've never seen before. Clasping my hands together, I exclaim, "now! Let's go see!"

    The city is alive! I've decided this a long time ago! The people are clamoring, yelling out to the sky the song of life. Painted faces, arms, legs, chests, are bobbing and shaking to the musing played on the streets, out of windows, sung from voices young and old. I grab a rattle and shake it to whichever beat that comes to mind. Who cares that it's not in rhythm with the song! The celebration goes on all day as we prepare for such a wonderful occasion! This day is so beautiful, the sky so blue and clear. This time of year, it's always lively! Not to say the others aren't. I look down at Pie to see his reaction. I think this is the first time Rebbi and Flash have ever taken him to this. He's grown up so much. I wish I could see his face. All I see is his hair whooshing around as he takes in all the views. There's so much to take in! The lights, the smells, the people, the singing, the dancing, the parade, the games, the food, all of it is life! I couldn't see how Pie isn't dizzy with excitement right now!

    As Pie's head moves around to view the world at it's best, he stops to stare ahead. In a line, women walk with masks that hide their face and overly elegant dresses. Following them, another line of men with masks and suits designed beyond imagination. I couldn't help but let my jaw drop in awe. The Maidens of Pandora, so majestic, so elegant, so mysterious. They walk like ghostly dolls in the street, but then, they break off. In an orderly fashion, each member heads off in their own direction one by one. They're awful! They're amazing! But, then I notice one headed towards Pie and me. I scramble to get out the way but, basically (as usual), fail horribly, bumping into her instead. SUGGESTION: CLOSE JAW TO AVOID FURTHER EMBARRASSMENT. The computer of my arm loudly announces in my head. I shake my head frantically and close my mouth, gulping.

The woman wore an elegant white dress with gold highlight features. Her hair was snow white and her mask was pure white with elegant golden engravings that made out beautiful lips. Through the holes in her mask I see piercing red. I don't think she looks mad, but that doesn't excuse my actions! "I- I am so so very sorry!" I yell, panicked. She looks at me and down at her golden boots. Oh no! Pie has his foot on one! I yank Pie to the side off her boots. "Hmph. What a waste of existence." She says, pushing past.

    Having my shoulder forced back, my eyes fall to the floor. "You think I don't already know that?" I say aloud. I can feel my eyes getting heavy and wet. Stop it! You promised not to cry anymore! The woman stopped in her tracks.

      "That's the one thing I do know about myself. That I'm just a waste. I shouldn't be here. There's no point." I continue. Pie pulls on my sleeve When I look over to him, I can't see his face, but I know. "But I know that maybe- just maybe there's a second chance. A second chance to start over to be a different me. To be a better me!" I turn around and yell. I don't know why really. "I'm going to become something! I going to put meaning behind this face! Meaning behind my life! Meaning behind my existence!" I yell louder, grabbing the attention of everyone around. No! I won't be like this anymore! At some point, I have to end the pity party! I open my mouth wide to yell something else, but, instead of speaking, I bite my tongue as I find my face just an inch away from that menacing mask. "You have gut to speak in such a tone to a Maiden, child." The woman's voice is quiet, but it growls. I can feel all the courage in me drain in a second.

For a moment too long, she stares me down. I look her in the eye for a couple seconds. For a second, there was a different glint within the red. Then, I look at her hand, then look at the ground, then at my feet, and then back at her eyes until she finally relents. Then, in a swift moment, something horrifying and silver leaves that hidden pockets of her dress.

     A rapier, sharp and clean, cuts through the palm of her weaponless hand. What- what's going on!? My body feels the urge to step back and run, but I'm frozen in place. I feel like the ground is holding me hostage. Between my feet the woman drips her blood onto the ground. When her blood hits the ground, the slight hint of purple light circles around the puddle, then quickly fades. That action- that action means only one thing!

     "You're! You're making me a Maiden!?" I yell in shock.

Me- a Maiden! Of all things!? This lady must be out of her rockers cause I'm the least qualified girl to become a Maiden. "My name is Diamond, and you will become my apprentice. You shall learn the way of the Maidens. I shall see you again at 5:30 morning time." She says and walks away without another word. 5:30! I don't wake up till, like, ten! Pie tugs for us to move forward.

      The show is about to begin, and Flash and Rebbi have already left us behind a little bit. "Where should we even look first?" I ask Pie, but then remember that this is the first time he's seen this. "I- uh..." I trail off, realizing I haven't actually thought of what I'm gonna say. What amazed me when I first saw? Oh! I know!

     The ground beneath our feet darkened into complete black and the lanterns above light up in a reaction to the quick and sudden darkness. Everyone creeped into their designated corners of the earth, and Pie and I followed Flash and Rebbi. Flash, picking up Pie and throwing him on his shoulders, whispers up to him, "Look up, Pie. Can you tell me what you see?" All at once humanity looks to the sky.

     I remember on the first day of existence we were all given picture books of the creatures of this world. Apparently, there used to be unevolved forms of these creatures that humans named, and we just kept them, combining the two names of whatever hybrid the creature is. I remember everyone thought the book was childish, and I probably should have thought the same. But, the book was so interesting, and it's amazing to see all the creatures of this world that exist, but we never see them. Hovering with little effort in the sky, a pod of Parrowhales block the light with their massive blue bodies and multicolored feathered wings. The wings are far spread and don't flap; they look more like decoration on the whale than anything else. A huge pandemonium of them fly by slowly. They all came in different sizes and ages. The babies flew close beside the mothers, and the fathers flew close behind.

I look over to Pie to hear what he has to say to Flash. Wow, this might be the first time I hear Pie's voice. Pie cups his hand and whispers into Flash's ear, probably telling the most descriptive image he could make with words. He's probably doing a much better job than I ever could. Flash, nodding his head, grins and looks up to the sky with all the rest. Even though he can't see a thing, he can hear the loud squawking of the baby Parrowhales and the whistles of the adults. Then, something scratchy brushes past my ankles. Then another thing and another.

     A couple more scratchy feelings happen until I just feel a swarm of it. Then, another feeling added to the mix. Prickling and stabbing, delicate and light, emerges with the scratching. Humanity looks down to see Mousicorns and Lizzerets. Mousicorns are hybrids between a unicorn and mouse; the size, ears, head, and tail of a mouse, but the legs, body, and horn of a unicorn. The Lizzerets are a mix between lizards and ferrets. The bodies were long and free to move with the signature pattern of a ferret, but they were also covered in the scales of a lizard. Their tongues lash out like a lizard, but their ears and paws are rounded like a ferret's. Out of instinct, my hand reaches down to pick something up amongst the blur of tiny creatures, but it stops itself. SUGGESTION: DON'T. I sigh and roll my eyes. Wouldn't it be cool to just have one of these tiny and cute creatures in your home, like, all the time? Just imagine! Watching and seeing what they actually do to pass the time since they don't have the same obligations as humans...

     "We should go back inside. They could come any second now..." Rebbi warily says looking around. "We can watch from a window or..." she suggests. For a moment, Flash stares at the sky a little longer. "I guess we could go get something to eat." He offers and starts to walk out into the street. Imagine, a world class family of cooking, going to eat somewhere else. I wonder if all food tastes bad if it isn't cooked by themselves. "Flash!" Rebbi calls out to him, as he wanders off among the creatures. Oh no! I didn't even think about that! I tiptoe in his direction, avoiding the little creatures, but he's striding too fast and is already too far ahead.

     Then, the sound of clopping and a strong force pounding against the ground. Oh crap. Oh crap! "Flash! Flash!" I whisper yell, but, of course, he can't hear. "Flash! Flash!" Rebbi and I yell, as quietly as we can. The clip-clopping gets closer and louder. Pie looks back at us but then looks ahead, like we aren't there calling for them! Rebbi and I start to run as best as we can while trying to best avoid the tiny animals. When we're almost a yard's distance from them, I see the origin of the noise.

A herd of giant black and goopy horses run up in a stampede. The goop falls onto the ground revealing their skeletal structure but reemerges out of nothing. Their cries and the pounding of their hooves against the ground is deafening. Following behind were deer, set aflame by a fire within. The deer combust, and the goop of the horses melt even faster, revealing even more bone. But they aren't the only ones we're worried about.

     Howling comes from a distance, then the sound of racing follows. Out in the, air wolves fly with bat-like wings, four armed chimps swing off lantern posts, three eyed owl ghosts swoop through the air, picking up small creatures to feast on, and other wolves, running between the gooping horses and flaming deer, glow in the darkness with colorful crystals through their legs and backs and heads. They tear into the food set out by the people, throwing the small creatures out the way with their sharp fanged mouths. Then, Flash turns into a restaurant, pulling Rebbi in, who pulls me in.

     Gasping for air, my hands fall to my knees. "That was"- I pause for air. "...way too close." Rebbi finishes, seeing that I'm way too out of shape to do it myself. Flash, sitting at the bar, orders drinks for himself and Pie. Panting and hearts racing, Rebbi and I sit too. "I'll have a virgin of your best." I request, trying to look back out the windows at what's happening outside.

     All that can be heard is the squeals of small creatures, the songs of the creatures above, the ravenous destruction of the newcomers. "I'll have..." Rebbi asks for a drink, and the bartender looks her up and down. The bartender then tells her about the age limit, causing Rebbi to giggle. "Don't worry, hun. I'm definitely of age." She replies. I look around at the people eating, smiling, talking, celebrating. Today could have ended bad. But it didn't. Then, I notice Clara and her family sitting at a booth.

"Clara!" I call out to her, and she and the rest at their table look up. Is that- Clara excitedly walks over in that usual bouncy way and drags me out of my chair, bringing me over to her table. A pink kitten's face is cartoonishly drawn on both of her cheeks. "I have so much amazing news, Jordan!" She exclaims, basically throwing me down into the booth beside her scary brother Seán With his chin resting on his fist, he too stares out the window at the creatures. For a moment he looks over with those horrifying and piercing ice eyes, then goes back to staring out the window. "...So do I!" I tell her happily and giggle.

   "Okay, you go first!" we say at the same time. I shake my head and laugh again. I'm so used to her always having good news. She might as well go first one more time. Maybe then my announcement will be even greater. "Okay, you go first." I say, and Clara giggles. "Okay... I don't even know where to start." She says, looking over to the old man sitting on the other side of Luke. Everyone stares at the old man who quietly sips on a milkshake.

    When Luke notices me staring in his direction , he smiles, and my eyes quickly shy away. He goes back to eating and enjoying the night. Everyone in this family is so perfect- except Seán. It's so cruel of Seán, for his nasty character to reflect on the whole family. Clara and Luke try so hard; they're so good for this world. Thee old man beside Luke like an aged interpretation. He looks up from his drink and stares at me. He doesn't speak, only nodding his head.

     "It's my dad!" Clara exclaims happily. Saying a short greeting, her dad excuses himself to go to the bathroom. We all watch him with careful eye, all except Seán. "Just got out today! I think! Really, I'm surprised. I don't really see much improvement..." Clara trails off in thought, closing her small pink lips. But then, those dark eyes light up again, realizing something else. "Oh, and also! Luke and Seán have been given the opportunity of temporary promotion!" Clara basically shouts to everyone in the room. I snort a little at the thought.

     "Seán too?" I ask and look over at him from the corner of my eyes. For a second, he looks at me and frowns. "What position?" I ask. "Oh it's amazing, Jordan! Commissioner, Jordalina! Commissioner!" She exclaims. It's been a while since I've heard my full name, but that's not really what puzzles me the most.

I can see why they would offer Luke the opportunity of highest position in the world for enforcement, but Seán? "...but Seán?" I accidently ask aloud. "Amazing, isn't it! It's a shame they'll have to compete for the position, but even if only one of them gets the position... anyways- it'll just be cool to get another member in the family!" She bounces around in thought. "What your dad? That's a weird way to phrase it." I say spinning my straw in my cup. The ice hits the walls of glass uncontrollably.

    "no." Seán answers. Hearing his voice, I jumped in my seat a little. Clara and Luke chuckle a little at the sight. "Since Commissioner is the highest office in the Department of Defense, the Maidens and Bachelors have come to supply us with loyal servitude." Luke explains. Clara finishes off explaining, "yeah, and Luke and Seán are going- well, I guess you get the point." She shrugs and grins, putting her chin in her cupped hands.

   "so... what's your news?" she asks. I had almost forgot my news. All of hers is just so much to take in. It always is.

"Oh, I, uh, have been... I'm going to be a Maiden." I say, not really knowing how to properly express the greatness behind this achievement. Clara covers her great big smile behind her hands, and Luke drops his fork down for a moment and congratulates me. I thank him, and, for that moment we share eye contact. I think about how maybe he'd choose me as his loyal Maiden. I could be a part of the family. But, I guess I wouldn't be too useful, but it's a nice thought to have. As I stare into those ocean eyes, I wonder if he's thinking about the same thing. Then, he goes back to eating. "Who would want you as their servant?" Seán grumble beside. I glare at the back of his head, but deep down I'm thinking the same.