Chapter 12 Looking Out From The Rooftop

In the mansion private courtyard, the women who had followed Babe inside heard about Selene’s past story of her in middle school. It was now understandable to them that Selene could possibly possess the gift. To confirm this, Viv who was the brawns of the group ran away from the courtyard and came back very quickly with a bowl of peeled onions.

“If this frail woman actually possesses the gift, I want to see for myself.” Viv invaded Selene’s breathing space and forced the bowl in front of her. “Hey, toothpick show me what you can do?”

“No! Get that stuff away from me!” [Twank!] Selene let her anger soared as she slapped away the bowl positioned before her face. The multiple peeled onions inside rolled all over the dirty floor.

“Hey, what the hell was that for?” Viv was upset by how rashly Selene was behaving. She bent over, picked up all of the spilt onions, used her focused breath to clear away the dust residue then stood upright again and frowned at Selene with popping face veins. “Want me to teach you some manners you disrespectful little bi…”

“Viv stop it.” Babe quickly grabbed onto Viv’s bulky arm that was raised and ready to put Selene in her place. “Calm down.” She said then glance at Selene. “That goes for you too.”

“Shut up and take me back home already!” Selene started lashing out. “I don’t want to be among you rebels any more than I have to. Me being here is a big misunderstanding. I am not a criminal. I want to go home!” Selene’s scream resounded throughout the private courtyard. It even caught the attention of Pac who was standing near the entrance.

Babe perceived that Selene had lost her cool and gave her some breathing space while saying: “Yes, you are not a criminal. However, the public along with the FPD doesn't see it that way.” Babe informed Selene that if she went back to Bay City now it would undoubtedly be dangerous for her, even so, she insisted.

“Alright, if that is what you truly want then I’ll take you home at first light tomorrow. For now, you can rest easy.” Babe called over the strapping lad who was situated at the entrance and said to Selene: “If you want anything to eat or drink later, he will get it for you. Come on ladies.” Babe turned around and left with the other women. One of them asked while stepping outside the courtyard:

“When will the boss get back? I heard she left on an urgent errand early this morning.”

“I think she is scheduled to return later this evening.”

“That soon? Alright, let’s complete the trivial tasks before she returns.” [Thud! Thud! Thud!] The ladies’ fleeing figures disappeared out of view, leaving only Selene and Pac in the courtyard.

“Oh, my. How did my life become so messed up?” As she thought about this, Selene noticed Pac fondling her body with his strict eyes and turned towards him. “You, what did you say your name was again?”

“Huh? Even my name has already slipped your mind? I guess I am more of an extra in this story than the main cast.” Pac re-informed Selene of his cognomen then asked: “What do you want from me? Do you want me to keep your company is that it? Sorry but I have other matters to attend to. See you.” Without waiting around for an answer from Selene, Pac’s legs were already set in motion to leave.

“Hey, I know I’m not your cup of tea but could wait up a bit and hear me out.”

“Huh?” Pac returned his cold gaze to Selene. “Yes, I’m not really a tea person. So what do you want?”

Stepping closer while pointing on the roof of the mansion she said: “I want you to take me up there. I want to see for myself what this island looks like during the night time and calm my mind.”

“I see. That’s the least of my troubles then. Come along.” Pac spoke in a commanding tone then commenced leading Selene inside the mansion to a side stairway which took them straight up to the mansion’s rooftop. After completing his duty, Pac informed Selene of his prior engagement then vacated his presence from the roof.

[Whoosh!] Stepping further out onto the roof, Selene felt a refreshing zephyr embraced her body. She allowed the cool air to absorb her as she ventured to the edge of the balcony. She rested her arms on the guard rail while looking out in the distance.

A beautiful ambience greeted her troubled gaze. The nightlife of Liberal Vista was quite stunning. Street lights; moving vehicles’ rays coupled with the resplendent reflection of self-lit buildings created a picturesque scenery which kept the interest of the observers’ eyes. Aside from the man-made advancements in the city, the mother nature of Liberal Vista exuded its own captivating radiance. Many variations of night creatures tousled the sky with their innate illuminations.

Drinking in all of this magnificence, Selene couldn’t prevent herself from being impressed. Her tight expression loosened as her tension alleviated. “Something about this scenery just put my mind at ease.” She stood there for hours watching the nightly view. With the many glowing bulbs installed over the mansion, she wasn’t the least bit scared.

[Creek!] The roof door that was left ajar slowly opened further when Pac came back with a bowl of fresh fruits in his grasp. Seeing Selene looking out seeming more relaxed, he stood by observing for a while before stepping out. [Thud! Thud!]

“Mind if I join you?”

“Huh?” Hearing a familiar voice, Selene flipped a clump of hair out of her face as she turned around. “Pac? Didn’t you say you have other engagements?”

“Almost two hours have passed since then. I’ve already taken care of my business.”

“I’ve been up here for that long? Hm? What do you have there?” Selene's sombre eyes fell on the decorated wooden bowl Pac had in his grasp.

“Oh, this?” Pac came forwards with the bowl. “It is just some fruits I brought for you. I thought you might be famished seeing how you didn’t eat much of the meal I gave you earlier.”

“About that…” Selene reached out her hand; picked up a juicy strawberry from the bowl and bit it. “I couldn’t properly consume that meal because of the strong stench of onions.”

“Hm? So you loathe onions that much, eh? I don’t like the taste either.”

“You got it wrong. It’s not like I hate the taste of onions, I find it to be quite pleasing rather.”

“Then why..?”

“It’s just that I don’t like the feeling it brings onto my tummy every time I eat it.” [Gulp!] Selene took another strawberry from the bowl and nibbled on it. [Chomp!] “It’s sweet.”

“Well of course. These were freshly picked today.” Pac stated this fact after seeing how well Selene was enjoying the fruits he brought. He gave her the bowl then leaned against the balcony and watched her eating.

Seeing how carefree Pac was just leaning there while watching her ate, Selene wondered about his role in the rebellious organisation that continually challenge the Societal Gods. Was he just a food delivery guy? Wanting to know more about the mysterious lad who was positioned six feet from her, Selene garnered his attention and asked: “Pac, what is your role in all this? I can’t imagine you just being an errand boy. I don’t get that vibe from you.”

“What’s this? You can suddenly read people’s vibe now?” Pac looked askance at Selene then said: “I’m not supposed to reveal crucial information to an outsider. Besides, we won’t be spending that much time together seeing as how you will be departing tomorrow. Don’t prey too much into our private matters. Since we are not affiliated it would be unwise for you to know too much. We can’t have you bragging to the FPD about our plans when they put your ass in lockdown.”

“Hey, what’s with the jackass attitude? I was just curious, is all.” Selene felt offended by the rough tone Pac used to talk to her. “And why are you acting as if I’m an FPD snitch?”

“Well…” Pac spoke what he thought about her disposition. “You give me the impression that you’re the type a person who would say or do anything to save your own skin. You don’t strike me as a team player.”

“Rude!” [Slam!] Selene got upset to the point where she tossed down the bowl of fruits on the floor. She was giving Pac her crazy eyes when she said: “If you think that I’m a disgusting person then why did you people bother bringing me here to begin with? Weren’t you the ones who wanted to recruit me?”

Pac's ears felt troubled by the loud vibrations Selene was producing. “Huh? Can’t you use your inside voice, lady? Believe it or not, a lot of people on this island are trying to sleep at this hour.”

“I don’t care!” Selene’s lips were set in a pout of annoyance as she finished speaking. “Answer my question. If you think that I’m not trustworthy then why…?”

Pac intervened shortly before she finished her sentence. “I say Babe probably made a big mistake in judging your character. You’re not fit to be one of us. Enjoy the view.” [Thud! Thud!] Pac bent over, picked up the bowl along with the scattered fruits then sauntered by Selene, making his way to the roof stairway. This was the second bowl Selene had knocked over today.

“Hey, wait! I’m not finished…” When Selene began calling out to the ignoring back of Pac, she heard a chopping sound berating the air that resembled the approach of a chopper. “Hmm?” Glancing afield behind her, Selene clearly perceived a visible aircraft coming towards the mansion on the hill.

“Is that…?” Pac who had stopped his descent one foot down the roof stairway noticed the incoming aircraft and whispered to himself: “Looks like the boss has returned.”