Zeo

The news had hit Zeo like a truck, shattering everything he believed until that moment. Late at night, the caregivers informed Zeo that the man called Marcus had adopted him. Doubts and questions lingered in his head as he packed his belongings in an old backpack. He squeezed his action figures, books, and clothes and then scanned his room for the fifth time to ensure he didn't forget anything.

That was the last morning he would see those crumbling walls and smell the musty scent of the orphanage. Mixed feelings tangled around him; seeing Remnya again filled his heart with joy, but leaving the little Amy behind stung the depths of his soul. Who would protect her?

Amy deserves a family much more than I do. Perhaps if I tell Marcus about her horns . . . He might . . .

Zeo walked the empty corridors for the last time and arrived at Amy's room. He stared at the door for long seconds. She was mad at him for leaving. The night before, she had punched him and cried, refusing to say goodbye. Zeo swallowed and knocked on the door several times, hoping to hug her little friend one last time.

But she never answered.

Zeo left a package with her name by the door and leaned on the wall to sob in silence.

I'm sorry, Amy. Don't think I've abandoned you. I'll come back for you as soon as I make enough money. I promise you.

The doorknob turned, making Zeo's heart skip a beat. However, his hope was brief. Instead of Amy, Gina peeked at him from behind the door with a sleepy face. Quickly, Zeo turned away to hide his tears.

"Amy is asleep," Gina whispered, closing the door behind her. "Should I wake her?"

"No, it's okay." Zeo sniffled and wiped his eyes before putting his glasses back on. "I don't want to make her cry again."

Gina leaned her hand on his shoulder and stared into his wet eyes. "I'll take care of her for you. I promise."

"Really?" Zeo gaped at her.

She nodded and smiled. "It's the least I can do. I won't let anyone hurt her."

"Thank you . . . " Zeo muttered, holding back the tears blurring his vision.

"You know," she started, leaning closer. "I know I've been a bitch to you all this time, but I'll miss you."

Zeo tightened his lips as his cheeks turned red. "I . . . Uh, " he stammered. "I'm sure we'll meet again soon." He forced a smile.

"Maybe, who knows?" Gina pursed her lips and poked his chest. "But the next time we meet, you'll be a different person."

"Why do you say that?"

"Feminine intuition?" She shrugged and brushed a strand of hair aside. "I just know it'll happen."

Deep in his heart, Zeo knew she was right. "I don't know if I will change, but if I do, I will try to be better."

Gina giggled. "You will, and then, when we meet again . . . " She smirked. "Nevermind."

"What?"

Without a word, Gina pulled Zeo closer and wrapped her arms around his body tightly. Zeo froze, but his cheeks turned red like blood, feeling the warmth of her body against his and the sweet scent of her melon perfume.

"Goodbye, Zeo." Gina's voice cracked as she released him and turned toward her room, hiding her face. She grabbed the package for Amy from the floor and bolted inside, slamming the door shut.

Silence.

"Goodbye, Gina . . . " Zeo murmured, confusion invading his mind. He would never understand girls, but knowing that he had made another friend filled his soul with the strength to move forward and face his new life.

His next stop was Orena's office. Despite the years of abuse, that woman had given him the chance to have a roof over his head. However, the old lady wasn't there. Her room was dark and still, with its windows closed, the trash can empty, and her desk covered by dust. She hadn't come to work for one week, so a caregiver called Jenna had named herself director during her absence.

Ellyn was the last person he wanted to say goodbye to, but she had been missing for one week, too. Zeo hated not being able to thank her for the multiple times she had healed his wounds.

No one else mattered. The rest of the kids despised him.

It was early and freezing that morning. Zeo sat by the entrance door with his luggage by his feet and wrapped himself with an old pullover Remnya had left him. He looked out the window at the cloudy sky. Only the wind whistling through the door's cracks accompanied him. While he waited, his mind kept taking him back to the events of the past weeks.

Footsteps coming from the front yard brought Zeo back to reality. He rushed to peek out the door and glimpsed a young man standing outside.

"Excuse me, has Ellyn come to work today?" he asked.

"She hasn't, sir," Zeo said, scanning him from head to toe.

"Jeez, where could she be?"

"I've not seen her in a while, sir."

"That's what worries me. She hadn't contacted me in one week now."

Zeo widened his eyes. "Are you a family of hers?"

"Well, I'm her boyfriend. My name is Adrian."

"Oh! Nice to meet you, sir." Zeo bowed to the young man. "I'm Zeo."

"Zeo? Ellyn talked a lot about you!" Adrian smiled, displaying perfect teeth. He looked younger than Ellyn, with coffee hair and eyes that emanated a warm aura.

"Really? She did?"

"Yes! I had been meaning to meet you for a while." He offered his hand to Zeo, who shook it and returned a polite smile. "Anyhow, Zeo. Are you telling me you haven't seen her in a while?"

Zeo shook his head. "I thought it was strange, too."

Adrian took a deep breath as he rubbed his chin. "I don't like this at all." He placed his hand on Zeo's shoulder and stared into his eyes. "Would you mind coming with me? I need to ask you something."

Zeo nodded and accompanied him toward an old oak tree Rem used to climb.

"So, there's this man who has been worrying me. Do you know someone called Marcus?"

"Marcus?" Zeo gaped at him. "Yes, Mr. Marcus. I was waiting for him."

"No way!" Adrian glanced at the gates. "Please, don't tell anyone, but I think this man Marcus is dangerous."

"Dangerous?" A cold shiver ran down Zeo's back.

Adrian bobbed his head. "Ellyn will hate me for this, but I gotta say it. The night before she went missing, I accidentally read a message on her phone. The sender read as 'Marcus The Jerk', his message was concise: 'No more mistakes'."

"No more mistakes?" Zeo stayed pensive for a moment. He recalled the time he met Marcus and how nervous Ellyn and Orena looked. "Anything else?"

"Yes. The last time I saw Ellyn, she was strangely nervous, pacing around the house, unable to sleep." Adrian sighed. "I insisted on accompanying her that day, but she got really upset. She threatened me with breaking up if I kept sticking my nose in her job." He clenched his fist and punched the ground. "I should've followed her, anyway! I regret it so much . . . "

Zeo shuddered as crazy ideas fought in his head. "Mr. Adrian, the last time I saw Ellyn, I recall seeing Mr. Marcus' car parked outside. I headed downstairs to greet him, but when I arrived there, they were gone. I asked Jenna about them, and she said they had left with Marcus."

Adrian's eyes dilated. "That bastard! He did something to her!"

"That can't be . . . Why would he do something to her? Ellyn has always been so nice." Zeo clenched his fists and shook his head.

"Zeo, you said you were waiting for him. Am I right?"

"Yes, he is supposed to come for me today and take me to work in his house. My friend Remnya lives there now."

Adrian placed both hands on Zeo's shoulders and locked his eyes on his. "I need to ask you a great favor, Zeo. I need you to hide before he comes. I want to confront Marcus right here, right now."

"But, Mr. Adrian, this has to be a mistake."

"We will find out soon. If I am mistaken, I'll apologize. I promise I won't cause you any trouble. But please, Zeo, I have a feeling something terrible is going on here."

Zeo gazed at Adrian. His lips quivered, and sweat covered his forehead. That was the sight of a desperate man.

"Alright," Zeo mumbled, taking a deep breath. "I'll do as you ask so you can talk to him."

"Thank you so much, Zeo." Adrian smiled.

Zeo rushed to hide his backpack under a bush and then sneaked behind a pile of card boxes someone had left near the door. Zeo didn't want to believe Adrian's words and hoped he was wrong. Yet, he had had a weird feeling all this time. What if Mr. Adrian is right? Remnya could be in danger!

*°*°*

The loud screech of metal gates announced Marcus' arrival. He sped up carelessly through the front yard and hit the brakes over the sidewalk, leaving a black trail on the concrete. Adrian waited at the entrance, fists clenched and eyes locked on him.

Marcus strode past Adrian, ignoring his presence. "Excuse me, are you Marcus?" Adrian asked, loud enough to be heard.

Marcus gave him a brief, careless glance and kept going.

Adrian walked up to Marcus and grabbed his shoulder. "We need to talk, sir." When his hand touched Marcus's impeccable suit, he turned, darting a spiteful glare, and pushed the young man away by slamming his chest with an open hand. Adrian stumbled but regained his balance.

"Keep your hands off me," Marcus said in a threatening tone.

"Listen!" Adrian raised his voice. "I got several questions for you!"

Marcus scanned his face. "Who the hell are you?"

"Adrian, Ellyn's boyfriend, and I know you did something to her!"

A long silence.

"What are you talking about?" Marcus asked, giving him a dirty look.

"You're the last person who saw her. She hasn't contacted me nor come to work for over one week. Something bad happened to her!" Adrian shouted, his voice rumbling throughout the quiet hall.

Marcus narrowed his eyes and stayed pensive for a moment.

"Tell me where Ellyn is now!" Adrian took one step forward, puffing his chest to make his slender body look bigger. He was one head shorter than Marcus, and his bony arms were half the size of his.

Marcus opened his mouth to say something but clenched his teeth instead. "Listen! I know nothing about your bitch, nor do I care. I got more important things to do now." His words were sharp swords full of poison.

Adrian's soft face turned into a tempest. Zeo gasped at the sight, his heart racing in his chest, fearing the worst. Part of him wanted to stop hiding to avoid the upcoming confrontation, but his legs didn't dare to move.

Marcus turned his back to Adrian and started toward the hall. "You fucking bastard!" Adrian roared, darting toward Marcus.

Adrian threw a punch at him.

Marcus ducked it with ease, but his knuckles scratched the back of his head. Marcus whirled and in a swift movement, slammed a heavy blow on his jaw.

Adrian dropped to the ground as a stream of blood flowed from the side of his mouth.

"I'll repeat it one last time!" Marcus yelled, his deep voice echoing in every corner as he stepped outside. "I know nothing about your fucking bitch!"

"Liar!" Adrian shouted, pulling himself to his feet. His legs trembled. "You're the last person she talked to!" Adrian charged at him again, throwing uncoordinated punches that missed his target. Clearly, Ellyn's boyfriend was not a fighter, but his fury seemed to push him forward.

Marcus seized one of his punches and retaliated with an uppercut that sent Adrian flying backward. His back hit the ground first, and then his head whipped the concrete as he let a groan of pain.

Marcus took one step forward but stopped as if hesitating to hit him again. There wasn't anger in his sharp eyes. He looked confused.

Adrian stood up, sprawled on the ground, and leaned against a tree. He had only received two punches, but his jaw was a mess of blood, almost falling apart. Zeo couldn't believe he was still conscious; his love for Ellyn must've been the force driving him forward.

He charged again, and again he met the ground. He tried one, two, three times; each fall was worse than the last one. Marcus was mopping the floor with him. Adrian spurted a mouthful of thick blood and teeth. Marcus' hands were like concrete blocks smashing his skull.

"I will never forgive you . . . " Adrian mumbled, staggering aimlessly. "I'll never forgive you for hurting Ellyn!" He used the tree to impulse himself forward, trying to reach Marcus' face.

Marcus seized his arms, gave him a pitiful look, and shook his head.

Kids had woken up and watched the scene from the higher floors while the caregivers peeked out at them from behind a door with a terrified expression.

Marcus lifted his gaze at the kids and let out a deep sigh. He twisted Adrian's arms behind his back and dragged him away from their sight. Adrian tried to resist, but his body didn't respond anymore. Zeo waited until they were out of sight and then hopped out of his hiding spot to follow them.

Zeo found them in the backyard. He sneaked behind a mountain of trash and debris and peeked at Adrian, lying still over a bed of dried leaves. Marcus still loomed over him.

"Stupid!" Marcus roared with frustration. "I'm honest when I say I know nothing about Ellyn!"

"No more mistakes . . . " Adrian mumbled, trying to get back on his feet, but fell back to the ground. "That's what you said to her."

A sharp silence cut through them.

"I know it was you!" Adrian lifted his swollen eyes at him. "Where is she? Please, tell me!"

"I don't know."

"Is she hurt? Is she even alive?" Adrian trembled as he tried to sit up.

Marcus said nothing and paced around the backyard with his eyes lost in thoughts. He circled Adrian, scratching his head and clenching his teeth. Finally, he punched a wall and let out a deep sigh of resignation.

He came to a halt in front of a pile of rocks. He lifted the heaviest one and carried it toward Adrian.

"What are you do—"

Marcus dropped the rock on Adrian's stomach. The young man let out a groan of pain as his chest cracked under the weight. The rock was almost the size of his body.

"You . . . " Adrian mumbled, cradling on the rock as he struggled to breathe. "Why . . . ?"

"Sorry," Marcus whispered, turning his back to Adrian and walking away.

*°*°*

Hidden behind a mountain of trash and debris, Zeo witnessed how Marcus abandoned a dying Adrian on the ground and returned to the building.

Making sure he was gone, Zeo rushed to Adrian's side. The young man lay still, breathing heavily, close to falling unconscious. Desperately, Zeo tried to move the massive rock crushing his body without success.

"Please, hold on!" Zeo said, tears welling up in his eyes.

Adrian nodded slowly, his swollen eyes shut and his face stained with darkened blood. Zeo needed help, but Marcus was still in the building. He had to remove the rock on his own before Adrian ran out of oxygen. Zeo punched his head in frustration. Doctors had always labeled him a genius, but now he felt stupid and useless.

He scanned his surroundings for a solution until a flash illuminated his brain. He remembered Orena's old car, which was still parked near the front yard, and no one had moved it in days.

It was a crazy idea, but it could work.

Zeo returned to the building through the backdoor. A ruckus invaded the orphanage as Marcus kicked doors and mopped the floor with a male caregiver who politely asked him to leave. Unnoticed, Zeo rushed to Orena's office. After turning the place upside down, he found the car keys in her drawers.

He dashed to the parking lot, where the old car hid under a mattress of dried leaves. Zeo had never driven in his life, but he had read a lot about it and knew what to do. He tried to start it several times.

The car started on the fifth try but shut off as soon as Zeo touched the throttle. He insisted until he figured it out. Motivated by sheer will, Zeo forgot his fears and drove slowly around the building.

He parked close to Adrian, who had just fallen unconscious. Zeo checked his vital signs and exhaled in relief when he heard his heartbeats. He grabbed a chain that hung from a nearby tree and attached it to the car's hitch. Zeo wrapped the other end around the rock on Adrian's body and carefully placed a thick wooden board on his side so it wouldn't crush his bones.

He got in the car and hit the gas pedal.

The rock moved and stumbled to the side without causing more damage. Zeo returned to Adrian and noticed he breathed better. However, his wounds were still serious; he needed medical attention immediately. His life was in his hands now. I'm not a coward, I'm not a coward, he repeated in his head as he dragged Adrian's body to the car. Zeo felt how his ribs dangled in his torso; the damage was worse than it looked. Marcus had left him to die.

Sweat rolled down his forehead, and his back hurt. Adrian wasn't heavy, but Zeo's body was weak. Panting and running out of breath, he got Adrian in the backseat of the old car and then hopped into the driver's seat. As Zeo adjusted the mirror, he saw his eyes glistening with tears and his face and hair covered in dirt, but he saw the boy he wanted to be, the one Remnya saw too: a brave one.

His hands trembled on the steering wheel, and his heart pumped violently, but he accelerated without looking behind.

As they crossed the orphanage gates, the time stopped, and his vision focused on the long road ahead of him.

Zeo traveled several kilometers, hitting the brakes, the car shutting off, and avoiding accidents. Nevertheless, he drove away.

*°*°*