I’ve always wondered, what makes Jissepi the boss,

What stops everyone from killing him,

It’s one man.

Yet, their reaction is always the same,

Fear.

I used to think he’s only strong because has ‘employees’ to do his dirty work

If I got him alone the playing field would be even,

Now, As I drown in suspense.

Gasping for just a tiny bit of air

I understand the fear.

[Eleven] “Boss…... I think he’s learnt his lesson, you still need us to be shields, unless you’re planning on killing me too?”

“I’m only going to say this once ever”, Jissepi says releasing me

“If I must use my magic on anyone again,”

YOU WILL DIE

“I…f, if...I…., If I try to kill you again, I say coughing for air

“You…...will die”

Pouncing on me Jissepi repeatedly wails on me with his fists

“Are you trying die boy!?”

Meeting my gaze, he scowls

“More beastmen will be after us soon, we have to hurry and find what’s so important to them” Jissepi says walking off.

***

[Eleven] “Ho do you do that?”

“What”

“That thing with your face, against the boss”

“….?”

“Your face was emotionless the whole time you were choking, even when he was beating you,”

“What about your face Eleven? You were scared shitless, why didn’t you tell me the bastard could use magic?”

“You didn’t sense it”

“No”

‘That’s why everyone fears him,

How he keeps us in check,

He has something no one else in these parts has,

“Which puts him above us.”

“Glad you understand,” Jissepi says somewhat dauntingly behind us

“I am the boss of you and everyone in these parts,

He who owns everything will be me!”

I look down at sand, tempted to challenge him

What’s the point of any of this, maybe I should let him kill me?

Why even bother trying to escape, freedom isn’t guaranteed I may meet another bastard with magic like him

I wish the earth would just swallow me up,

Disappear.

[Eleven] “Boss, Thirteen, the sand!”

Almost as if I jinxed it the sand started pulling us down

“I can’t get out!” Jissepi yells

I try moving my ankles, but the hunger of the sand is too great

It continuously devours us

Eleven frantically struggles to get himself out scared for his life

I look at Jissepi,

The look on his face

Makes me Smile

Fear.