PAUL HELD ON TO HIS RED BALLOON, and he was hyperventilating, in the speeding elevator… with the bleeding-Mercury on his side, wiped-blood off – and shouting at him…

“I HAD WARNED YOU, O’Good-one – I said don’t think of Michael… but you thought and decide on doing ‘so,’ on your own accord… ‘and’ YOU THOUGHT ABOUT that winged buffoon! He nearly-just beheaded me, a moment ago… and let alone – I lost an arm to him… in-our last encounter in-the war, OF ABRAHAMIC-GOD, ages ago.”

… Paul was quiet, scared and in tears – and he did ‘not’ respond to the angered Red-demon.

… how could he ‘not’ think of St. Michael the Archangel – HIS GUARDIAN-ANGEL who was taught to him since young, to be his protector in Sunday school? But-now… he-himself was PARTNERING WITH his protector’s ‘foe,’ the Red-demon – on their mission to rescue, his twin’s captured ‘soul.’

‘… would I go to Hell, for a heist, that was ‘about’ to be committed, in the Underworld…?’

The door opened, when the lift-car arrived at the 6th floor – Mercury got off the lift, and cautioned him…

“Now, wipe your tears… and STAY CLOSE to me…”

… they-both stepped out into a dark, empty street, with a lone building ahead…

Drunkard demons were seen fighting and arguing outside the vicinity. Paul was terrified at the angered male-beasts, kicking and clawing each other – that he stayed close behind the Red-demon… who was ‘not’ at-all bothered by the altercation, when he swaggered ahead and reached a metal door.

… Mercury pounded his fist hard on the door – a look-out panel window-opened… with a bouncer-demon face staring at the Red-demon, from the inside. The door opened… and they walked into the locale, with-death metal music playing-aloud ahead.

“Halt! No ‘in-betweeners,’ are allowed Admission!”

… Mercury took 2 gold coins from his pouch… and bribed the big, bouncer demon, who allowed the boy inside.

“Since ‘when’ you are-into little boys, Mercury?”

… in-a flash, the one-armed Red-demon drew his sword… and placed the blade hot-tip, at the laughing bouncer’s throat…

“I’m warning you, door-keep – ‘NO’ COARSE JOKES, in front of the minor!”

They walked ahead, to a neon-sign, that screamed.

‘ASMODEUS BAR’

There was a band of goblins, playing trash metal aloud on stage, with partying-wild demons dancing, as they trashed their bodies at each other, to the beat.

… there were also 72 topless, voluptuous Middle-eastern-virgin wenches, were serving drinks – and entertaining the intoxicated demons and dryads.

Paul held his head low, TO NOT ‘LOOK’ AT THEM, and he prayed.

… Mercury went to the bar and was greeted by a friendly huge-leprechaun-bartender.

“Mick, the usual.”

The bar-keep poured a foul-smelling malted-rye runny liquid, from an urn into a pint-mug, and served Mercury.

“What 'do' the ‘in-betweeners’ drink, err...? Can I suggest a milkie-Shirley-Temple?”

“None for him – he is a minor.”

… Paul saw a peacock of Argus… walking towards him, and fanned its feathers big – on its plumes of feathers, were 100 eyes staring ‘at’ him.

The Red-demon bottoms-up the molten brew, and crashed the metal, copper mug at the counter… and demanded…

“Mick – one more!”

As the bartender refilled his drink, Mercury asked…

“Mick, did you happen to see Venus around?”

“Yes, she was here a moment ago … and she left with her ‘mate’ – the son of the African Sun-god.”

The drunk Mercury cursed out…

“That cursed-darkie Leo! He… STOLE MY ‘WOMAN!’”

… in-a-hurry… the-annoyed Mercury paid coins for his drink… as he staggered and slurred to the floating Paul.

“Hey Good-one, we are ‘going’ … keep up the pace!”

They both went out towards at the end of the quarter of the bar-hall and – spotted a horde of African demons on a table. The drunk Red-demon wanted to pick a fight, with one of them named T’Maru.

Paul SOMEHOW ‘KNEW’ the demon, T’Maru – from the recent Aurora Australis – where the same demon was the PANTHER-HEAD RIDER of his bull-dragon ride when they last encountered BlackStar.

“T’Maru… where is the other ‘end’ of your promise – have you FOUND THE CURE…?”

… the freshly-scarred-face Black panther-head demon… was surprised of Mercury’s sudden presence – with his fellow drunk demons-buddies too, were in DEFENSIVE HOSTILE STATE… seeing the flaming sword, in the one-armed Red-demon’s hand.

“Not yet, O’ Mercury – the mortal is still working on the dark spell!”

“You make sure, YOU OVERSEE HIM – I want it ‘delivered’ the next time we meet!”

.. the Red-demon left the scene, with the crippled-tween tagging behind him. The drunkard Mercury reached another elevator, in the building. He saw the frightened Paul meekly following behind him, with his red balloon.

The drunk demon laughed and mocked…

“That certainly scared off, till the-darkies got pale… as moonlight! Hey, don’t be terrified too, O Good-one – they WOULD ‘NOT’ HARM, an ‘in-betweener’ in here, as long you are with me…”

… Mercury pressed the button of the lift – and while they waited for the car, the inebriated demon guffawed…

“… you want to ‘SEE’ A MAGIC TRICK, Gemini?”

The intoxicated Mercury TOOK A SMALL VIAL, from his belt… and drank the content.

… the elevator arrived – and they both stepped into the car’s cabin. The sozzled, ugly and hideous demon pressed the 7th-floor button. The door closed…

… the door re-opened at Floor 7, and Paul noticed… the handsome Roman-god Mercury stepping out, radiant golden… who had both of his hands, attached.

Gone was his sword… but he had his Apollo’s dual snaked caduceus, strapped on his back of his Ancient god’s outfit. He wore winged boots and winged hat.

He walked ahead, playing a song in his lyre, made of tortoiseshell – singing about his past adventures, where he accompanied his father, Jupiter – and the mischief ‘times,’ they both had as gods.

The 7th floor which Paul and the god-Mercury walked on, was the dwelling quarters of the ‘present’ old-gods. They were intercepted by the older, bald, with a long beard, god-Morpheus.

“Mercury, you cattle-thief! What ARE YOU DOING HERE, you trouble-maker? Why are you in the Master’s domain establishment, with an ‘in-betweener?’ It won’t be long, before the all-seeing, ‘EYES OF ARGUS’ informs the Big-man – and his horde of demon-soldiers will be storming over here soon… to hunt and behead-you!”

The young Roman god scoffed…

“Bah! I don’t care, old man – I’m HERE TO ‘SEE’ VENUS, about some of my personal zodiac matters – and I will leave here-in a flash before, trouble ‘even’ finds me. Don’t you worry too much, old-Morpheus – till your ‘last’ hair of your beard drops off.”

… Paul saw the rascal-Mercury ignoring the old god… as he led the levitating cripple away while he playing a noisy lyre ‘solo’…

… with the annoyed, old and bald Morpheus, who shouted from the rear…

“May the ‘curse’ of Olympus be on you, if you bring your-troubles to our doorsteps! Listen here, fool, VENUS HAVE FOUND her new ‘mate,’ with the Lion – stay-away from the wrath of the SON OF THE SUN-GOD!”

They reached the abode, and Mercury knocked the door… with Paul levitating beside with his red-balloon. After 3 series of knocking, the-naked Venus opened the door…

… she was displeased, with the presence of the godly visitor.

“What are you doing here, you drunkard fool? I had warned you the last time, that ‘what-in-the-past’ between us was ‘over’… but yet… here you are shamelessly at my-doorstep– and I curse-that the boat-man will take you away… in River Styx, and dump ‘you’ eternally in Hades!”

The hot-headed Mercury pointed at the nude goddess.

“Shame on you too – PUT SOME CLOTHES ‘on,’ woman! You are in the presence of a minor here!”

… Paul was ogling at the most beautiful goddess, ever…

“Happy birthday to you, Ma’am.”

He handed his red balloon to the naked beauty. Venus too then magically, clothe herself with veils.

… Mercury formally introduced Paul to Venus…

“This ‘in-betweener’ is Paul the Good-one – THE TWIN, TO THE Chosen-one of Asmodeus.”

They were interrupted with a loud beasty growl, from inside the dwelling. Paul was terrified.

He saw an 8-footer-tall man-lion who was gigantic in-built – and he approached, towering over them at the door, in his skimpy orange loin-cloth. The Black-god had a big lion’s mane, golden fur on his back, and even a long tail.

“What ARE YOU DOING HERE, you trouble-maker, puny-god?”

… Mercury chested up to the Lion, and responded….

“Who you calling puny… I have satisfied Venus for the longest time when she was ‘with’ me!!?”

The Lion roared-back...

“She is ‘NOT’ WITH you anymore – NOW GET LOST FROM here this-instance… or I will tear you up to mere bits!”

… Mercury turned to Venus and SPOKE IN HER in Ancient Roman ‘their’ mother-tongue.

“O’ Evening-star… we ‘are’ Romans-first before anything. It’s ‘NOT’ ABOUT ME… but it is the Good-in between, who needs ‘your’ help.

“Remember the VOWS OF THE OLD-GODS… to be-free from the shackles of the Evil Asmodeus. It’s happening now!

“Yes, this is the endgame of-our ‘quest’ to REVOLT AGAINST HIM – to stop Him-to walk on Earth again. And, you pledge into the-same union too, O’ Venus the Mother of Virgos, now – DO IT! HELP THE-Good-one…

"... to ‘free’ THE-CURSED-ONE!”

… the Black Leo was impatient. His paw thumped hard-on god-Mercury’s chest…

“What gibberish ‘tongue’ are you speaking in…? Are you CASTING A BAD-SPELL on ‘my’ woman?”

… instantly provoked, Paul saw him TRANSFORMED INTO the Red-one-armed-demon, who wielded a flaming sword.

…Venus cried out…

“Stop it, you 2! THIS IS ‘IMPORTANT’ – Leeu, be-a good host and entertain your ‘guest’ – I need SOME TIME ‘ALONE’ to communicate with the Good-one-here...”

She came closer to Paul, dressed in veils – she crossed her fists on her chest, and unfolded her arms to the crippled-one who levitated, with his lifeless legs which were dangling in space, off the floor. Paul FELT A SURGE OF ENERGY, hitting him in a good way…

… he opened his eyes… and found himself sitting on a white couch, in a ‘glowing-white-cube’ – with Venus alone, by his side…

“… where is this place?”

The school-uniformed tween asked. The Roman goddess replied…

“This IS GIFT-CUBE FROM the Great Apollo to me – of a ‘space’ where I think, pray and seek the right answers – to every men-related ‘subjects’ of themselves, and ‘to’ themselves – listen here, O’ Good-one...

"... your twin had made a ‘grave’ mistake when he made A VIAL OF HIS OWN BLOOD… which later, the hellhounds had ‘STOLEN IT’ from him.

“The blood-vial is ‘now’ in Old-man ASMODEUS’ HANDS, AND by the next full moon of the Sphinx… he will walk on Earth...

"... in the ‘IMAGE’ OF THE Chosen-one – your twin.

“Only the BLIND-ONE COULD SAVE HIM… if at all… she can break the spell...”

… Paul interrupted, with a wave of his hand.

“… a stupid question here – why-her… ‘why’ Jane…?”

Venus sighed…

“The Old-man Asmodeus is the oldest demon-Djinn that had walked 10,000 years in both Earth and Hell – HE IS SO OLD and is blind in one eye, and he is also dying too. With the Chosen-one’s blood… he will walk again, in ‘youth’ of your twin.

“As HE GREW ‘BLIND’ in his later years… the Old-one preferred his beautiful women ‘blind’ too – and he BLINDS THEM, BY gorging out their eyes…”

… Paul interrupted again, by commenting.

“…eww, that’s gross…”

“Yes, Good-one, it ‘is’ – the Old-man has been hunting me down, for thousands of years – to make me blind ‘too,’ to JOIN AMONG HIS 72 Goddess-brides collection – but I had ‘escaped’ by hiding myself, in-THIS, CUBE OF APOLLO.

“I’m the Mother of Virgos… you-go bring THE ‘CURSED’ BLIND-ONE to me, and I will reveal to her the magic spell, to fail the Old-one – and in return… rescue her-mate, ‘who’ is the Chosen-one.”

… yawning…

... Paul was feeling ‘sleepy,’ from information-overload… of the enchanting beauty of Venus’ … looks and voice tone, in a good way…

‘Gosh… would I remember ‘all’ of this, in the morning…?”

Outside the cube, in Leo’s lair – both the demons were relaxing on the couch…

... in friendly drinks of single-malt. The Lion’s cellphone rang. The snooping Red-demon inquired…

“Where you GET ‘TECHNOLOGY’ HERE, in the Underworld?”

“… YES, I HAVE MY-WAYS… I get my tech devices and spirits bottles, in THE BLACK-MARKET.”

The Black-Leo answered his phone – while Venus and Paul ‘appeared’ back into the lion's den.

Mercury went forward to Paul and asked...

“You got THE ‘ANSWERS,’ Gemini?”

… the sleepy-faced Paul smile, and nodded…

“Make sure, you ‘REMEMBER’ IT tomorrow.”

… Leo interrupted them…

“It’s Mick the Asmo-bartender ‘said’ – the peacock of Argus had alerted, your ugly-face and the ‘in-betweener’ are right here. ‘Now,’ you 2 GET AWAY FROM HERE… before those soldiers and bounty-hunters COME, KNOCKING ON my door.”

The Red-demon placed his singled palm, onto Paul’s forehead, saying...

“Thanks for the warning ‘Leeu,’ – and, to you – Good-one… YOU GO TO ‘SLEEP’ and we meet again soon – while I FIND A BACKDOOR, to escape the predator-demons.”

…. before, Paul blacked-out… while he heard the panicking Lion calling to his mate…

“Venus, my love – you go, hide in the ‘cube’…”

Paul was then aroused from his sleep to the sound, of the alarm-clock to 6:30 AM…

And, he sat up in his wet-adult-diapers and thought of, what the weird, ‘concluding’ dream he had…

He mumbled out…

“… wow… I must TELL THIS to Jane…”

<><>

THE WALKERS WENT FOR CHURCH MASS on Sunday. Paul was glad the statue of the Guardian angel, St. Michael’s broken sword was restored, in that week of construction.

… he saw his twin, sat on the pew proud, when Father Augustine Brown, their parish priest, made a church-announcement… that Peter Walker would be playing at the Mayor’s Cup this evening…

… and he urged everyone to GO AND SUPPORT the charity event… that evening.

After Mass, from his wheelchair, Paul noticed… well-wisher-parishioners had gathered around the one-armed boy – and some said THEY WILL PRAY, for his victory.

… Inspector-mother too was getting compliments, on behalf of her son, Peter – from people who were ‘strangers’ to the Walkers, in all their church-going years… now had come forward with praises and prayers.

-O-

They picked up some pastries for tea, on the way home.

After an hour, of self-grooming at the IKEA table, inspector mother had to-go-to ‘office,’ dressed in her Sunday best. Soon after that, Peter too packed up his tennis-playing gear and left the house – leaving Paul, home alone.

He got a message from Alicia yesterday evening, that Jane was coming over to MataHari saloon on Sunday, to get her hair done by Robin – for the evening’s charity-match later. While the ‘girls’ were at it in their routine… Paul switched on his NOVA 3 videogame, which he had neglected its ‘completion,’ in the school holidays.

… he needed the ‘distraction,’ while he marinated his thoughts of the 3 nights, of continuing weird dreams in his sleep, of the Underworld. He should LATER RELAY VENUS' ‘MESSAGE,’ from his escapades of his astral-world TO HIS FRIEND, THE BLIND, JANE WILSON.

While he focused on the combat-missions of the videogame – in the background, on the big-screen telly, was the local news– that FOREST BUSH FIRES which were happening in several parts of Western Australia… and showing footages of fire-fighters in action, and rural folks evacuating.

‘What IF WE ‘FAILED,’ and Asmodeus walked again, AND SCORCHED the Earth…?’

Soon, lunchtime came – since Peter was away, Paul decided ‘not’ to order take-outs… but instead take-in from the kitchen fridge, when he made a couple of quick, ham-and-cheese.

… Paul continued to be engaged in his ‘missions’ of the videogame while eating his sandwiches, for the next hour. He was drowsy by then… when the-hot weather kicked in.

He wheeled his wheelchair, into his bedroom and put his air-conditioned at full blast, as he took a nap – before he WENT TO THE COUNTRY-CLUB LATER, for the charity-match…

… but HE OVERSLEPT for 4 hours.

<><>

THE GROUND’S OF THE PERTH COUNTRY CLUB was overcrowded – when the club management was ‘NOT’ AT ALL PREPARED, with the massive turnout of thousands of fans… who were locked-out from the club…

The arena capacity of 1000, was the perfect fit of the club’s clay tennis court, where 500 tickets were sold to the club members… while the other 500 WERE FREE-TICKETS – which were given to various schools, including to the 'host' Stamford High students.

But over-4000 drone of fans of the “Perth’s famous couple’ turned up-loyally… but they were ‘not’ allowed by the club’s security into the country-club, because they were all non-members. This annoyed the fans, and tempers flared, at the gates, which the ‘book-maker’ Chucky Miggs – who ‘knew’ Peter from the claycourt 'days'… had then instilled a ruckus…

The quick-thinking club management… then set up their big-screen television sets, ‘outside’ every gate – to televise the later charity-match live, to the present crowding fans.

… Paul arrived late, of half-hour before the charity-match began.

He saw the huge turnout… ‘more’ spectators than when the SHS-Champ Peter played ‘before’ – where Paul had managed his twin’s YouTube matches in the public claycourts… before both of their tragic accident.

… he was also impressed by the merchandise of the ‘Perth’s famous couple’ sold – of mugs, candles, coasters, baseball caps, figurines and t-shirts. People were buying them off-the-shelf like hotcakes. There was also the ‘missing’ Piper, the hero-dog t-shirts.

The t-shirts were super-cool with Jane and Peter together in a ‘heart-shape,’ with the one-armed boy was posturing and the blind-girl smiling beside. There were various designs and colours. One with a cartoon-manga drawing stood out the ‘most,’ where both the couple were hilariously bonkers. They were selling for A$20 a-pop… and Paul bought the funny one, to ‘support’ the PFC-cause.

Going through the crowd… PAUL CALLED UP ALICIA – but she offed her cellphone.

-O-

When Paul woke up-just now, after he had overslept, there were several messages from Alicia… that she would meet him at the country club, to hand his ‘gate-pass’ for admission, to enter the club’s courtyard...

... but now, he was 'late'...

-O-

At the gate, he needed the gate-pass for admission, WHICH HE DOESN’T have…

… Paul realized although he had received the Bravery Award from the Mayor in his school – he was ‘NOT’ RECOGNIZED instantly by anyone of Perth – ‘unlike’ his other-half of his one-armed twin from his ‘PERTH’S FAMOUS COUPLE’ BRAND.

The crippled-tween saw a large TV screen and decided to watch the ‘grand’ event-on screen since he had been locked-out. He moved closer to the huge-monitor… and parked himself on a sweet-spot, without hindrance.

… Alicia then called – and he told, he was ‘outside’ the club grounds.

“Why you late…?” The crossed Chinese girl asked…

-O-

A moment later, Alicia came out and gave gate-pass to him, Paul was delighted to see her – and, he candidly joked that he was tired, after playing NOVA 3 for 6 hours, that made him oversleep.

The grumpy Alicia pushed Paul’s wheelchair. and she was ranting to herself in Hokkien – that was ‘not’ a good sign, as he realized that he made a ‘bad-joke’ that made-his girlfriend was angry.

… Alicia scolded him for being irresponsible with his time management, by playing videogames – when the attendance of the charity-match mattered ‘more,’ in support of their friend – blind-Jane.

Paul was speechless and self-admitted and ‘owned’ his mistakes – but-he needed to desperately PLAY THE VIDEOGAME at that time…

… to RECOLLECT HIS MEMORIES, of the 3-4 days of ‘continuous’ dreams that he had… during the nightly exploration…

… deep into the Underworld, by astral-travel.

He wanted to ‘REVEAL’ OF HIS ‘UNTOLD-MISSION’ in person, to both Jane and Alicia later.

… they passed the lobby foyer… where a group of people were gathered with a big-screen TV there. Alicia was still bickering, as she pushed the wheelchair through the crowd with on-lookers, that included, the bookie-Chucky Miggs…

They-both got their ‘2nd tier’ recognition, of PFC…

‘Isn’t that the CRIPPLE-TWIN, OF the champ Peter Walker…?’

‘Was that the Chinese girl, who is the BEST FRIEND OF Jane Wilson…?’

Nearby…Paul and Alicia reached the arena with bleachers around the clay court. On the wheelchair, he saw scores of school student-fans… were wearing the pink t-shirts of PFC pictures print design… and were carrying banners and chanting in unison like cheerleader…

… the girls with blond hair – too had worn 3 braided deadlocked hair – also wearing Oakley sunnies and sported massive-sized headphone set… to simulate the ‘Boyyo-look.’

Alicia pushed the wheelchair into a waiting room – where a mini-pre-match press conference was held for the newspapers – but PETER DID ‘NOT’ attend it.

… Paul saw Jane in between, the friendly-arms of supportive Australian ex-internationals – Steve Connery and Amy Bixby – WHO WERE THERE, for the blind-player – when a journalist… questioned ‘about’ Boyyo AI tech, which she would be using later, in the match.

Blind-Jane was ‘shy’… and she gave some short answers.

… Peter was at the other side of the waiting room, and the one-armed tween was ‘more’ INTERESTED IN LIVE TV COVERAGE – and he boasted to the camera about his ‘would-be’ victory later…

… where he had devised a ‘secret,’ winning game-strategy.

Outdoors…

… the live-telecast had commenced with the Mayor’s speech at the podium – where he spoke of the club’s successful effort, to make the-charity match possible, to encourage for more involvement of sports in school – the speech soon diverted into the Mayor’s re-election, that was coming soon, and he pledged support to the TV cameras, addressing the viewers at home.

After 5 long minutes, John Blake’s speech was ‘not’ done yet. Peter then walked ‘outside,’ from the waiting-room, and making his grand-entrance – he-then worked-up the impatient crowd, seated in the breaches…

“PFC! PFC! Peter-and-Janey – PFC!”

“PFC! PFC! Perth’s-famous-couple – PFC!”

… inside the waiting room… Paul saw blind-Jane in her school’s sport’s uniform, hugging both the ex-internationals’ Steve and Amy when the press conference ended. They now posed for the photograph session.

Douglas Zimmerman intercepted Jane, and wished the blind-girl the best of luck, in the courts later. Alicia then teased him…

“Dougie, I saw your ‘girlfriend’ in the crowd, just now.”

Everyone laughed… then the senior boy replied, before walking away.

“Zoe is ‘not’ my girlfriend – she is just my doubles-tennis partner.”

… Alicia was giggling, when she pushed Paul towards Jane while whispering to him.

“Pauly, I think Dougie is INTERESTED IN JANEY – I think-so too that they both would make a ‘perfect couple.’”

... Paul was dumbfounded...

‘…Crickey… oh-no…’

… the twin thought if ever, ‘PETER’ FOUND THIS out…

… Dougie would-be a 2nd trigger… for a 'natural disaster' of Perth City.

… he HAD TO LOOK OUT for Principle Harris, who was-also ‘GOING AFTER’ their Mom – now that ‘if,’ Douglas too was ‘GOING AFTER’ the ‘girlfriend,’ Jane Wilson – Peter would be devastating…

To ‘change’ the subject – the excited, PAUL ‘INTERRUPTED’ Jane and Alicia… gossiping, on the senior student.

“Jane, Alicia, listen-to me here! I have been astral travelling for several nights now – and now I know ‘WHAT’ ASMODEUS IS UP TO! And, Jane I met...

... the Mother of Virgos – and she told me… to ‘fetch’ you to her.”

At that same moment, Amy Bixby called the blind-player to make 'their' entrance to the arena.

Jane turned towards the blue-glow. And, she bent over and hugged Paul.

“Thank you, Paul – I will get ‘back’ to YOU… AFTER THE GAME.”

… Jane then turned to her BFF, and they both hugged and kissed each other. Alicia shouted encouragement when she released her…

“You GO, GIRL!”

… Jane followed the ex-internationals, as they too made THEIR ‘GRAND-ENTRANCE.’ The student-fans chanted in the bleachers…

“Jane-Wilson-Jane-Wilson-PFC-Jane Wilson!”

“Jane-Wilson-Jane-Wilson-PFC-Jane Wilson!”

By then, Mayor John Blake had truncated his political speech, for the ‘main-event’– with the club’s masters-of-ceremony… calling out the names of the players, that were competing.

… from the bleachers… Paul looked up at the podium, with the Mayor now seated – Paul saw seated behind the government official – was his Inspector-Mom in uniform… with Principle Tom Harris.

He was a bit puzzled as to his Mom, left to ‘office’ after coming home from church – in her Sunday’s best – leaving him home alone…

‘WHEN DID MOM, come over to CHANGE INTO HER UNIFORM… while I was the ‘last’ to leave home… after I overslept?

… Paul was distracted ‘when’ he saw Peter working the crowd…

Everyone cheered loudest, when Jane’s name was mentioned – who became popular because OF HER DOG, PIPER – and the people-of Perth, being in a dog-loving-country – had grown to love and emotionally related to blind-Jane more… ‘after’ when the hero-dog HAD GONE MISSING.

… Peter was showboating as the one-armed boy, wearing a single glove, moonwalked in the tennis-court, towards his blind-Jane – who was standing ‘lost and alone’… inside the sphere of the cheering crowd.

He handed her a ‘Wilson’ brand racquet.

“Here, you go, Janey… YOUR ‘WILSON’ RACQUET – now, go into Tom Hanks-mode… and ‘bond’ with it.”

‘It’ confused the B-girl...

“Huh? Who is Tom Hanks…?”

“Never-mind-that – blind people, don’t watch Netflix.” He chuckled…

Soon, the National-anthem played, with the student-fans, singing the loudest. Peter too sang from his heart… to the TV camera, while hugging Jane close to him, by her hips.

… Mr and Mrs Connery DID ‘NOT’ LIKE Peter Walker – he was a bully – and an arrogant show-off.

… Steve and Amy, too have a strategy, to put PETER IN HIS ‘PLACE’ – after they saw and heard in the social media Twitter blast, of him dissing Doug and Zoë.

The ex-internationals both then studied Peter’s ‘past’ videos, on his defunct YouTube channel – ‘studying’ the match-videos, where Peter played as the 'junior school-champ' before his accident.

After the national anthem, Peter went to his ‘corner’ to get his ‘weapon-of-choice’ racquet from his gear – the Babolat – and he also, secretly popped a couple of perk-up-pills, and… drank his RedBull, before walking over to Jane.

“This is it, Janey – this is our ‘stage’ – we must put up a good ‘show’ from here onwards…”

The blind-girl ignored him, and waved at the grandstand… where her baby-brother, mother and Lola were seated.

-O-

The Mayor’s Challenge game commenced with the ex-international, Steve Connery serving the ball across to the blind-Jane, with her AI tech – who HIT THE BALL BACK to at him, that drew loud cheers from everyone…

… of a blind-girl-playing-tennis, with the aid of Boyyo.

The ex-internationals who had learned the one-armed boy’s weakness made it ‘easy’ when – Amy Bixby slammed a shot in… beyond Peter’s reach, and gained the first point.

-O-

Soon, THEY WERE 3-UP – all, capitalizing of Peter’s right-hand weakness. With the ‘Perth’s famous couple’ being 3-down… it silenced the student-fans. They sat and agonized in watching, the Champ of a couple of years ago, was getting ‘schooled,’ by 2 greying, senior-citizens-players.

… the ex-internationals who controlled the game-had a ‘heart’ – they let the blind-girl, to score a couple of points… to which...

... the student-fans were back roaring, chants of Jane’s name.

Despite following Boyyo’s instructions, of ‘where and when’ to hit – the blind-Jane ‘cheated’ – and she used her 3rd-eye, and for every brilliant return she gave…

… her dreadlocked blond hair lit to ‘flashes’ of platinum… which also ‘APPEARED-VISIBLE’ in the TV cameras… to the outdoor, back-lit sunset.

She also saw Peter beside-her glowing, DEEP PURPLE IN HATE – he was agitated that his game tactics were ‘not’ working – and the ‘oldies’ were super-fit.

… he decided he should be more aggressive.

But nothing worked for the one-armed player that evening in juggling his opponents, who WERE WELL-EXPERIENCED, and who had out-done him.

In 9 minutes, the ex-internationals wrapped up the first set, 6-2. The 500 PERTH CLUB TICKET PAID MEMBERS in the arena section… clapped and cheered.

… thunderclouds were coming in a distance, outside Perth. Jane and Paul… noticed the storm was drawn BY THE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS, of the one-armed tween…

… who was failing miserably in ‘his’ game, at the tennis court.

-O-

The 2nd set-commenced soon after, the 4 players switched court. The country-club roared once again… when the AI-aided Jane, took the first point…

… but it was ‘not’ before long, the ex-international were 4-1 up… when they continued to ‘PUNISH’ PETER’S WEAKNESS…

… where the bully, was now bullied.

Jane went-in to help him in his ‘struggles’ – it led to… the Wilson racquet slam-clashed with the Babolat… as Peter was aggressively trying to cover court-solo…

He shouted out…

“Janey… I ‘got’ this…! DON’T COME IN ‘my’ way!”

For the next 3 minutes, Jane Wilson took the ‘backseat’… while Steve and Amy hit the last nail to the coffin…

… when they trashed Peter’s PFC brand – with another victory of 6-1.

Strong winds hit the court and everyone dispersed fast – with the student fans evacuating the arena, to run for their respective school buses. The 500 club members too hurried and moved into the clubhouse, with the raging night-winds, that happened of the sudden… where it was hot and dry in Perth, all-arvo before.

… Jane was with, the dazed Peter in the court…

The blind-girl turned to the red-glow, and handed her Wilson RACQUET BACK TO HIM, with a thank you. At the same time… the concerned and caring, Amy Bixby had called Jane, to join them at the clubhouse… because of the approaching bad weather.

The one-armed Peter was STILL ANGRY – and threw his idol, John Patrick McEnroe’s ‘tantrum,’ – by hitting the Wilson racquet, on the court, till it broke.

… Alicia was running into the court, to her BFF – when she heard Peter ‘FINDING’ AN EXCUSE… to blame the blind-girl for their defeat just now.

“If only YOU HAD NOT GOTTEN in my way… I WOULD HAVE NAILED IT, into the ‘old-woman’ just now!”

… Jane was quiet, BUT ALICIA was provoked...

“Hey-you – at least Janey managed to score 3 points! And, WHAT YOU GOT...? Just ‘zeros’ like your ego!”

“Damn you, bloody-Chinatown Wong… YOU STAY OUT of this!”

The blind-girl intervened… when the Chinese girl, chested up, to Peter’s derogatory insults.

“Ali, come let’s go now!”

Both girls walked away, with Alicia SHOUTING BACK at him…

“Janey, if you had only-had paired up with Dougie, and represented Stamford High…you may HAVE WON A SET… instead of losing in straight sets, with ‘this’ loser!”

… the ballistic Peter was still kept insulting her – and Alicia cursed back in Hokkien.

... soon...

... the one-armed boy was the only one, standing ‘alone’… on the empty and windy tennis club court and arena. Everyone was in the clubhouse…where the Mayor’s Challenge trophy giving, would be held in the banquet dinner, that followed...

... with the press coverage for the local late-evening TV news, and the tomorrow’s ‘headlines’ that newspapers – that would glorify the ‘oldies-ex-internationals’ DEFEATING HIS ‘Perth’s famous couple.’

The strong wind subsided… and it drizzled. Peter packed up his gear… and DECIDED ‘NOT’ TO GO for the trophy giving ceremony…

… and to be – insulted further by it.

So, the ‘sore-loser’ decide to head home.

At the country club's gate-exit, he saw the club’s grip-crew were dismantling the big screen and equipment, in the drizzle.

… nobody was BOTHERED GREETING HIM – as a ‘part’ of the PFC – as he went on being anonymous among them – and, he left the country club ground, on his bike.

-O-

Soon, the one-armed tween was on the main road… with a kilometre of jammed vehicles, of spectators who were on their way back, after witnessing the ‘hyped’ tennis match.

… Peter was cycling along with their stalled cars, and they hooted their horns and cheered their diehard support to the PFC – but, the one-armed boy DIDN’T ACKNOWLEDGE THEM… because he doesn’t want their ‘sympathy.’

He self-repeated to himself through-out is journey home, that this was only a TEMPORARY ‘SETBACK’ ...

... and he would rise to everyone’s expectation...

... once he received HIS ROBOTIC ARM soon.

-O-

Peter felt ‘ashamed’ when more cars honked at him. He decided to use a shortcut, in rugged terrain. Soon he was on higher grounds…

… and saw the greater Perth city lighted firmament, in the darken horizon…

The one-armed boy stopped to notice… forest fires were-building up further, from the city. He grinned evil and knew that the fires would reach the city limits in a day – tops-2 days...

... with the COUNTRY CLUB TO BE RAZED to the ground, in the path the uncontrollable fires.

‘It would be a much SWEETER’ REVENGE…

… if those 2-bloody, old, ex-internationals…

…were ‘trapped’ in their clubhouse…

… and both-go down with it.