Chapter 7 – Friends’ sadness

I giggled inside. ‘I know where she is now,’ I thought as I followed Jacob out of the café and into the crowded streets. I didn’t notice before but on one of the skyscraper building there was a large holographic television showing a commercial about a drink. I smiled as I saw a familiar face in that hologram.

A sexy figure that seems to have denied aging, a beautifully sculpted face that showed delicacy as well as arrogance, long black glossy hair that gives off a seductive aura, and deep dark eyes that would suck ones’ soul out; she didn’t seem to have aged one bit after 20. I gave off a wicked smile, ‘Mimi~ I’m coming for you.’

***Kevin***

5:00:00, Friday; March, 13th, XXXX

I went to my father’s office to report to him in the morning as always. I knocked on the door before entering. I see my father every morning before I head out to work. He was my superior but at the same time someone that would provide me information on the others. I looked emotionlessly at him.

“Kevin,” he gave out a long sigh as he looked at me with his blue eyes, “since you are a part of the MBCF now I’ll tell you this beforehand. A group of beasts related to snakes and lizards were discovered nearby. Since these beasts are highly resistance to piercing, fire, and even water you’d need to form a group with a few people who are skillful in handling the Airpod.”

My eyebrow rose giving him a questioning look.

“Listen, I don’t want you to go out there dying with out knowing. These beasts are stronger than usual so even some scouting parties were wiped out despite keeping a far distance. The ONE will cooperate.”

Father paused, “They are situated nearby the ocean.”

When I determined that he had no more to say I saluted to him and left the room. I went to my ‘work’. I was reluctantly moved from the city police force into the MBCF due to my skills in operating the weapons as well as my leadership.

I couldn’t help but spit on that thought. They were all disgusting. All these so call politicians, superintendent, prime minister, or even presidents. Even my own father I find disgusting. I don’t believe one moment that he didn’t know anything about the kidnapping cases of the girls in the City of Lloyd.

I went outside towards the city to start my patrol. Even when I was transferred I will still carry out my patrolling duty. This was because I believe that the city was more of a dangerous place compared to outside.

Bang bang bang

“Kyaa” A squeaky voice of a young girl cried.

I rushed up towards the scene to see a group of men dressed in a black suit and one banging onto a door of a flower shop. The little girl seemed to have fallen back due to surprise.

“What’s going on here?!” I yelled to get the situation under control.

“Oh, officer? Nothing much we were just trying to get back our money. You know. Nothing illegal.” A guy that had a blue top answered me with a smirk.

These bastards. Using the law to trample onto the weak.

I narrowed my eyes, “If so there are legal means to get back money. The use of violence is still violence and you could get arrested due to ‘Property Damage’.”

He narrowed his eyes and signaled to the other men to back down, “My apologies, it won’t happen again. Officer, Bennett?”

I felt sickened when he said my name. He gave a respectful smile and left. I scowled at their departing figure until I couldn’t see them anymore. Then I looked over to the still shocked little girl.

“Are you alright, little miss?” I asked with a smile as I held out a hand to help her up. She looked to be around 8 or 9.

Her face looked a little bit pink, is she getting sick?

“I-I’m okay!” She shot up without taking my hand and bowed, “T-thank you mister!”

Before I could say anything she ran away and hid behind a lady that looked a bit similar to her. The lady seems to have been running over here and our eyes connected. She bowed showing her thanks and I waved it off before I went back to my patrol.

It is sad to say but these types of things happen often. I breathed out a long sigh and looked up to the brightening sky. At least one of my friends is coming back today. I should invite him out for a drinking session.

12:30:42, Friday; March, 13th, XXXX

Beep Beep Click

“Hey, I’m a bit busy right now though.” He answered.

“I heard from your captain you get off duty early?” I asked.

“Yeah I got out a bit early today.”

“Huuuh. I heard you’re with quite a beauty.” I remarked.

“Ehh? No, I had something to do!”

“Mmmhmmm…” I made fun of him. He’s like a little brother, so easy to tease.

“What? Oh come on. You know me.”

“Since you have company we should grab lunch together? Besides there’s an update in info. Don’t refuse now, the least you could do is to treat her to a little lunch to welcome her to the city. It’ll be sad if you get dumped before anything even starts. You need some skills to actually grab a beauty, ya know? Haaa, your skills—”

“Fine. Fine! I got it! I need to ask first though.”

I smiled as I was put of hold.

“Alright, asshole. We will meet you there.”

Click.

Well now. I texted over the address of a good café nearby that I think girls would enjoy and headed over there myself.

I saw him enter and waved. The girl beside him was definitely a beauty. Her light golden hair was eye-catching as well as her purple eyes that seem to observe everything around her as if she was gathering information. Our eyes met as she stared at me for a while.

I don’t want to admit it but my looks are the cause of many problems in my life. It wasn’t as if I wanted to be born with the rare red colored hair and blue eyes. My height was also tall and being in the military I believe I am quite well balanced. Genetics played a role in my pale colored skin. I swear I don’t want to look like this because there are too many annoying flies that get attracted and I can’t do anything that I want.

“Hey, Jacob,” I smiled not showing my inner thoughts as I teased Jacob, “aren’t you going to introduce me to your girlfriend here?”

His reaction was hilarious I had to fight a war trying not to burst out laughing. However, she calmly reached out and shook my hand while introducing herself.

“Hello, my name is Sarah. Jacob is my savior. Nice to meet you…”

My heart quivered as I heard a name I thought I wouldn’t hear again. Her actions and aura also reminded me of ‘her’. I quickly realized that I was being rude so I showed off an apologetic smile, “Ah, my bad. How rude of me, miss. My name is Kevin, Kevin Bennett. Nice to meet you, Sarah.”

It must be a coincidence. There’s no way that there wasn’t another person with a similar name. She didn’t even look like ‘her’. Nonetheless, she feels familiar at the same time. I don’t understand what is going on. Though with her beauty she should know. I don’t want anything to happen to her like it did for ‘her’.

16:00:00, Friday; March, 13th, XXXX

Before I knew it, my day was done. However, today I felt more sorrow than usual. Was it because it was ‘her’ death anniversary? I left my workplace wearing normal clothes as I looked up to the clear blue skies.

Unlike the skies my heart was clouded. My feet carried themselves towards a certain place. It was no longer where ‘she’ used to live but it was where ‘her’ family lived. I knocked before I entered.

An old woman who had seemed to lost her youth early greeted me, “Kevin, dear. I haven’t seen you in a while. Have you been well?”

“Ma’am,” I bowed in greeting.

“There’s no need for bowing anymore.” She said sadly, “Ah, David will be back soon from buying some things before we head to her grave.”

“I understand. I’ll be in the living room until then.”

I went into the small living room. I saw on the wall her picture. My heart pained. This was the only place I could still see her face. She, who was always cheerful no matter the situation, no matter her problem she’d face them on with a smile. A little bit devious at times and a little clumsy, but she would always laugh it off. Unconsciously, I bowed towards her picture.

‘I’m sorry, Sarah. I’m sorry I wasn’t there next to you when you needed me the most. I shall never let them off easily. I promise you that. I won’t let them off, even if I have to make a deal with the devil. I promise you.’

My gaze then shifted to the picture next to hers. It was her father’s picture. Her father. I remembered how he’d begged his superiors to help find her. Only to be brushed off. He had no power. I had no power. None of us did. He used everything he could to find her, but it was no use. Even until he saw her bones buried together with a bunch of others like garbage. He never spoke a word again. He buried himself in work until the day he became lost at sea, never to be seen again. I bowed towards his picture as well.

‘I will make them pay, sir. For Sarah.’

Clunk Click

I looked towards the entrance to see a boy of 18 enter. He then looked at me sharply, “What are you doing here?”

“To give my respect.”

“Shut up. We don’t need you here.” He gave his mother the items and headed towards his room.

I feel sorry for him. Before he knew anything his loving world was turned upside-down. His existence was pushed aside.

“I’m sorry about him. He’s in a rebellious age. Haha,” she laughed it off as she put on her shoes. “Shall we head out?”

“Sure.” I replied as we moved towards her grave. Though it was only in name, for everything was lost during the beasts attacked.

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***Lucy***

Welcome to R&R for all Rebirths and Reincarnations!

It was determined that you have lived an unfulfilled life. Therefore, you are given a choice of Rebirth or Reincarnation. Choose wisely.

Rebirth (same world)

Reincarnation (different world)

‘Ehh? What’s going on? What is this?’

I was confused. I thought everything ended after death. I was thrown away after I was born anyway. No one wanted me. I was an orphan. It was hard. They made me feel better about myself though. Sarah and Mimi. They were my best friends. They were my sisters.

I grew up in an orphanage ran by a certain group. I don’t know who they were though. All the children had to go out and beg for money once a week. Depending on the amount we got, we would be rewarded with food. For those who got nothing would be beaten until there were visible bruises. I never had that problem though, since I was cute with my large round hazel eyes and soft light brown hair. Many people gave me money when I put a little dirt on my face and begged with watery eyes.

I wasn’t tied down to anything in this world. I was a free being. I neither cared for anyone other than myself nor did others ever cared for me. However, they were different. Soon that orphanage was busted and all the children got separated and moved to a different place. I had reached the age to go to school so I was enrolled. I kept to myself most of the time looking at those monkeys jump around like idiots.

They approached me a few times. Mimi was extremely cheerful and loud to the point of annoying at times. Sarah was very caring and gentle. Even though she was extremely clumsy. That got a bit better later on. They were good friends to hang around with. They would provide a good cover for myself. They didn’t demand for me to talk a lot or share in their likes or dislikes. Soon I felt comfortable with them.

However, that day changed everything. I became ‘too’ comfortable around them. I grew to ‘trust’ them. When Mimi and I returned to the karaoke room and notice Sarah sleeping I felt drowsy as well. I guessed we spent too much energy enjoying ourselves.

“Haha, she fell asleep!” Mimi made fun of Sarah, “Urrgh…I think I’m gonna puke again.”

Mimi rushed out of the room before I could say anything. I guess we drank a lot? I couldn’t tell. My mind became a bit hazy as I started to drift off towards dreamland.

Step step step step.

My eyes opened wide. A group of people was just outside the door. My heart started to beat wildly. I only had a few seconds to act. I jumped and squeezed myself underneath the sofa. The space was extremely small. However, I always had a small physique. As soon as I was hidden the door was opened and I heard the steps come closer.

My mind froze as I held my breath. I had forgotten. Sarah was still sleeping there! I heard something being lifted up and they went out.

“Damn it! Why is there only one?” A man’s voice complained from outside the door.

“I don’t know. The other one wasn’t in the room!”

“No matter. Take her away. We’d get something at least.”

The steps faded, as I stayed hidden for a while longer. I gasped for breaths as slowly as possible. For the first time in a while I was afraid. Not for myself but for Sarah. I needed to tell someone. I struggled to get myself out of that room. I leaned onto the walls as I headed out the backdoor. I felt a person staring at me from behind and looked back quickly in shock, but no one was there. I trembled as I left that place.

That night I had rested in an alleyway nearby, hidden from sight. I had regained the strength in my legs as I went towards the police station to report. They just brushed me off because I looked like a homeless that was drunk due to the alcohol smell that still stuck onto me.

Even after I had washed myself and reported. All they did was brushed it aside as if it wasn’t an important thing. Even after a few weeks. Then the beasts started to attack and everything became a mess. I met up with Kevin and Sarah’s father a few times. More girls went missing during these 5 years of waiting. Please! If there was a higher being, please keep Sarah safe! It was the first thing I had wished for.

However, my pleas got me nothing. Sarah was dead. I had heard from her father that her body was identified in that burial site. My world collapsed. My friend. My sister. Mimi? Where was she? I had never heard from her again after that incident either. Did she encounter the same thing? I don’t know but I knew that if I was stronger than I would probably have been able to save Sarah at the very least. Why was I so weak? I couldn’t even save one person in front of me.

I wasn’t tied down to this world. I wasn’t, but now I am. I want to save her. I was too late though. Would I be able to save her if I returned?

My life flashed by in that film-like state and then I stared at the screen for a while. Is there going to be any difference this time? Could I?

Rebirth selected.

Congratulations! You have the requirements to be reborn as a Kitsune, a shape shifting Japanese fox spirit. The Kitsune are known for their cunning, control, patience, observation, and with the ability to manipulate the environment for suitable need.

Memory deletion processing. Please wait for your rebirth.

Even if I forget it all, I’d still be able to help her right?

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