I HEARD FAINT voices muffle, trailing from down the entrance of the garden, their shoes clattered on the cobblestone pathway, their voices seemed to become clear as they drifted closer. The two voices I recognized belonged to one, Albert and the other Cosmon, their chatter steadily getting louder, their lean voices sounded like they were almost just behind me.

  Their proximity, made it cinched for me to hear their conversation. Cosmon and Albert were talking about the creature and me, but rather not in the same sentences, I heard Albert ask Cosmon if he had seen me get out at any chance, and I heard Cosmon respond that he had seen me go over to the lawn. I moved my body behind one of our perennials, next to a larged sculptured shrub, as Albert called out for me. It Made it incapable for them to see me, I peeked at the corner and discovered them walking passed one of the grassy sculptures. Stages away from me but kneading to warmer areas.

  I fell back, pushing out air out of my lungs, I didn't want them to find me just yet, not without the creature in my possession, no one I wanted it to be, know about I and it's alliance, I had rendered it a promise of protection, which I still intended to keep. And if they discovered it I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to stop them from what ever they intended to do to it, it was proving to be an abundant problem from what we all witnessed it do. I furrowed, frowning, my eyes reaching for the sky, feeling the morning heat, droplets of sweat caressed my temples, my hands pressed against the tall green sculptured shrub I hid behind. I turned back at the swarthycreature, it was inches in front of me. And whispered to it.

  ''Do you really want to play pretend, right Now? Cause the man you nested on's hair seems pretty ticked off, about you messing his hair, and I do think he'd make your neat words official, so quick that you'd be wondering who called you first.''

  It was quiet, at first. Quite unfazed by any of the words I just uttered, it made no movements, looking already dead but breathing steadily.

  ''With his foot.'' I proceeded, my icy tone with emphasis but tanging out the edgyness I tried to hide, my front teeth buried in my lower lip.

  My Eyes focused on it, contemplating why it suddenly wanted to now die, after everything, it didn't even finish explaining to me its sole purpose and what about it's New mission? Our mission? It must have suffered more trauma than I thought; from squeezing the life out of it, to being tossed about to higher risks of its mere existence like it was some , I saw why it wanted an end, but what a way to give up, it didn't seem like it could provide room for such a trait in its uncanny character from what I noticed but I guess I was wrong- I noticed movement in it's rigid filmsy figure, saw it's huge left eye twitch then peek open. It's pupil dilated, it's iris a faint shade of violet in the gleam of sunlight that passed through the corner of my shoulder.

  ''I Fink, a good burial could do for the Most honored Lordiranie back in Ilandia, next to me brovers and sissies.'' it's mouth cut at the side as It got up steadily, I soaked in breath getting closer to it, this was the first time we had ever shared such proximity, but I knew this was the only way to get it back inside safely, it's little paws felt strange on my skin, it crouched into my palms as I offered them out like a leaf, I tensed alittle at the feel of it, it felt just like a little kitten. I put it in the pocket in my black sweatshorts. When I turned behind, there was Cosmon and Albert.

  ''Are you Okay? You raced out of your room fretted.'' Was the first thing Albert asked furrowing, my eyes met his downturned eyes, that dimmed, the wrinkles that had formed throughout his old age, stretched further as his thin lips darted down his neatly cut white~ graying beard.

  I performed this part so poised you could hardly trace my imperceptible worry. ''Me. I'm okay.'' The only feature that moved were my lips, I don't know why it came out so robotic and well rehearsed, my frozen eyes bore into Albert's wary gaze. Releasing out some stress onward to my left brow, which furrowed. ''Um. . . Rose~ Anne Is she okay?'' I tried to direct the focus off me as quick as I could before they started asking me questions in any relations to that creature.

  ''Partially, the poor girl's traumatized, she said she saw something that looked like a rat- squirrel- hamster come out of your bed, and when she attempted to nib it wi-"

  ''Nib?'' Cosmon uttered with his gruff bass voice, looking like he had just seen a plane crash right before his silvery~ gray eyes, I'd say I preferred this look on him, than his usual look, he scratched the back of his neck.

  ''You see, it's a better word for end.'' Albert explained turning to get a good look of Cosmon, using his hand to illustrate what '' meant, pushing his hand sideway to his left side, like one of Tino's air Slice shots. Cosmon's sight looked like a schoolboy learning all over again. ''Smacked it, to the floor, she missed, and with frightful speed is what she said, it climbed her broom stick, onto her, then she screamed.''

  I without questioning believed her.

  ''I'd say thar Evil ! being did more than just smack thar fing at me.'' The creature in my pocket muttered, my body went rigid, my eyes flared wide open, this creature hated working with me, it blew out both of our covers, it definitely had a death wish.

  Albert's focus was back on me, as his eyebrows met, staring me curiously, my fingers had already started to tremble.

  ''Are you sure you're feeling okay? I mean the way you rushed out?" He inquired again, not about what I knew we all just heard come out of my pocket, it might have decreased to the size of a mouse but it's voice was still thick and deep. I debated if they chose to ignore it or did they not hear it at all?

  I eased my features that had been aligned with jitters, as I cleared my thoart. Put on a face of concern and innocence. ''Um, I heard Cosmon scream an- and. . . . I. . . . was worried about him! Yeah that's it I heard him scream and I was. . . struck!'' I fibbed but to be fair I was struck. My hand was directed at Cosmon as a gesture I made, as I put him back to focus.

  ''I am Not scream. I am groan. Little creature stuck in hair.'' Cosmon corrected me pointing at his head as he spoke, he didn't appear sheepish or fazed he just looked like a helpless father at a carnival who had just took one look at his phone then back at his kid, only to find him gone.

  I and Albert glanced at each other blankly, then back at Cosmon. I ran my hand into my wavy locks, captivating more innocence in my dark eyes, before Albert could make any more inquiries, I told him I had to go back inside, to check on Rose~ Anne. I shrugged off back inside, giving my pocket a little squeeze to make sure the creature hadn't jumped or fallen out as I got distracted.

  My answer was well received as it sharply kicked back the inide of my palm. Harsh but I soaked in relief shutting my eyes as I took a turn into my long hallway, right outside my room was Rose~ Anne and Ms. Lily.

  I took focus on Rose~ Anne, the girl looked petrified, from my distance, I could see just how the little monster in my pocket had revellingly scarred her fair freckled rose beige skin, she had sizable red swelling blemishes from her chest which gave light view of cleavage to her neck, I was sure the back of it too, to her plump cheeks, one of which that looked throbbing red and swollen, a little nib at the top corner of her upper lip, her entire face was a hard view of the injustice of what that creature had done to her, her hair had fallen apart, as strands of it tickled at the edges of her collarbone, few of the strands stuck on her sweaty forehead, as she stroke the back of her palm to clear out the fat sweats that had lingered at her temples, her neatly fastened bun now displaced, her dark brown hair stretched out in various directions.

  Her filsmy frame swallowed insecuredly inward her shoulders so she crossed her arms in distaste, short words leaving her tiny mouth, seemingly to be narrating what just happened to her to Ms.Lilly, who stared at her like she was a sight of what the pigs looked like at a ranch, she had her mouth frowning dispassionately, parted revealing her white straight clenched teeth, her freckled face squeezing her flabby cheeks apart, while her tiny hooded deep dark eyes watched, her chubby self gripping each side of her arms.

  They heard my foot steps get near them and they acknowledged my presence, with Ms. Lily, carefully switching her expression into a worrying gaze at Rose~ Anne then me, her gaze in form of stating to me that Rose~ Anne was not okay. I torn away, from her, to Rose~ Anne her helpless round wary face told a new story.

  Images flashed before my eyes replaying how frightened she was battling against the little monster now in my pocket, that punishing feeling we both felt, I still wondered if it was the same, did we or did we not share what she felt? That was just one of the many questions leaping and grazing in my mind.

  I don't blame any of them for doing what they did, during that crucial time, yep. Including that little furball, that attacked her, as much as a part of me was glad it was blasted out through my balcony and almost lost it's life for the second time in that moment, for what it did to her, another was also telling me that what it did it did to protect itself against it's executors, I'll admit without it's skills it would have been dead by now.

  I walked right in front of her, her eyes widen to saucers, as she kept our profound eye contact, my eyes laced down toward her, inflamed pink skin, little cuts scattered around her round face, my eyes went back to examine her sweaty, forehead, I received one of those uncomfortable flash backs, when my hand was just seconds away from, capturing that little monster, before it took refuge into her uniform; at the juncture I had, my finger rose to her temples, where her sticky hair had slept on, I gently swiveled it to the side of her corner out of her front. I looked down at her.

  ''Rosie. . .'' I lulled, recalling when I should have gotten the creature out of her hair the chance I had. Now I wasn't even sure where else she had scars, I didn't even want to think about it.

  ''Are you okay?'' I asked furrowing, my eyes now locked in on her's, hers that decided to pay attention to the knots she kept on making with her fingers. She coyly nodded her head, I could see Ms. Lily at the corner of my eye grimace, shaking her head.

  A lie it was, it was such a weak nod that even any indifferent individual could tell. Her head might have shown that poorly illustration but she was not fooling me, her body denied that lie too, her body still tremulous, rendered me a glimpse of the truth, at least I didn't hear it come out from her mouth. My forefinger lifted her chin up to me, to see the truth in her eyes, she flinched at my touch but quickly rested as our eyes locked, her breathing had risen by now, I could feel it as her nostrils thrashed the cool air out, she looked at me with much wonder in her eyes, I couldn't get it right but, that look she gave felt like something of interest, fear at the frontline but interest still allured.

  I had never paid attention to her eyes up until now, when I got lost just reading them, registering that I had seen this look on someone before; only it was much seductive and very devious but for hers, hers seemed surrounded by excitement framed with cuts of fear, and somewhat curiosity, and for some reason it alarmed me.

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  They was although a certain amount of sweetness and innocence glinting in her wary gaze. I hardly ever looked in them she was always looking down or elsewhere, refraining from my view. Her warm eyes were the natural hue of copper, with flecks in them ringing around her pupil this deep red earthy color, a narrow band of bush green looped the outermost iris, it was an appealing color on her, it constructed of what kind of a person she was; introverted and courteous.

  My eyes traced slowly to her full heart shaped peachy lips, taking interest at the way she breathed, flusteredly. Her lips parted to release a faint chill breath of air.

  ''You're okay now.'' I said firmly but it got out in form of a whisper which I was positive we were the only two who heard, the decency of that made her look like she relished comfort in it. Her nose wiggled in relief at the words, as her lips stretched at the corner for a slight smile, the resting of her breath, relieved me that she was steadying.

  I put the strand of her messy hair back on her head. ''Why don't you take the day off.'' I said to her, and it was both their mouths that parted open.

  Her gaze transformed into shivers and flutter. Her mouth opened to release her low soft voice, in disagreement. ''But Sir-"

  ''I insist.'' I uttered, taking note of that throbbing cheek, the cut at the corner of her upper lip. ''You should go see a doctor, get rest and return when you think you're fine, after what happened I don't think you should do anything else.''

  ''But-" she still stubbornly thought to disagree. Another vary I didn't think she possessed.

  ''If you're worried about Albert, I'll talk to him, I'll let him know you'll take a day or two or more to heal. Okay? Don't worry about that.'' I said staring into her eyes again, they sprang with worry and yet danced with relief.

  ''Rosie. .'' I called, and every time I did she created for me this thrill, as though she was intrigued to hear me say her name, like an endearment meant just for her.

  ''Can you please do me a favor?'' I asked, I was six inches away from her, my eyes probing at the instantaneous strand of her wrinkled dark hair that fell right in front of her light bumpy nose. That area had stretched up with little chocolate freckles, leaping toward her cheeks.

  Her eyes looked like they raced to the profusion of words such as, anxious, was written in those eyes of hers.

  ''Listen to me.''

  I was sure it was shrewd for her to head home, after what just happened to her, I wouldn't blame her if she decided on quitting, a shame but it was fair, I promised myself I'd understand. My hard expression gave her a cite, I wanted her to return with emphasis that she was going to listen to me, I stroke her shoulder, as I turned behind me.

  Staring at the voices approaching, it was Albert and a man, in a khaki uniform with a black cap on, he was lean and quite tall, because him and Albert's heights mirrored. He had really bright eyes the kind rich in mahogany, with a heavy stubble that I guess you could agree completed his angular face.

  Albert must have read my alarmed comment toward the stranger. ''Don't mind him, he's here to look at your room, to have it sprayed to kill any other rodents or pests.''

  Tricely, I thought the only pest that was in my room, was the one in my pocket.

  ''I don't know Albert, last night, I forgot to close my balcony doors, could it have come from there?'' I fibbed.

  ''Perhaps. Perhaps.'' He trialed looking highly concerned, his face washed and drained with cautions he furrowed, his deep brown eyes already in my room.

  I shrugged consenting, brushing thoughts at, even if they were to turn my whole room upside, check in every nook, corner, hidden spot, unnoticeable lanes, unpaid attentive attention areas, spraying or leaving a number of traps, they weren't going to find anything. They strolled passed me as I watched them enter my room.

  I swayed back down, furrowing as well. My eyes were aimed at the ceiling, almost scoffing at what a morning, I had walked through, discovering all these, running emotions that keep on making their rounds, each giving me a taste of bewilderment, when my eyes fell back down, they stilled, finding squinting dark eyes staring at me, it was Ms. Lily grimacing but her eyes were on the extended hand I had on Rose~ Anne's shoulder, I had purposely forgot to retrieve it back because I was still speaking to her.

  She stepped aside Rose~ Anne, cupped her shoulders in her thick arm then pulled her from me, my hand instantly snapped off as I frowned, my jaw tightened, and I felt my eyes glint with dismissal. Soaking up a dark and dull eye at that fresh, plastered very awkward sunny thin smile.

  ''Um. . If you don't mind Mr. Westlake, I can talk to Mr. Rodriguez on behalf of you, tell him about what you said about Rose~ Anne. Then I myself will make sure she gets home safe, and see a doctor, if that's fine with you?'' She mustered up a perky big sisterly voice for Rose~ Anne at me, like I was some predator, her little swaying gesture was already churlish enough to shark at me she didn't approve of my behavior toward Rose~ Anne, I was only trying to seek an unwitting apology, in a fulsome way I took fault in what had happened to Rose~ Anne.

  For a reason, I felt something emerge out, that refused me to settle with what Ms. Lilly had suggested until Rose~ Anne considered it. My eyes turned to Rose~ Anne asking if she was fine with Ms. Lilly doing all that. And she dared to Look into my eyes, and actually, sink in the warmth Ms. Lilly was rendering, though she had just saved her from a suspected pervert, she stroke a thin smile, straining her neck forward she gave out an emphatic nod. Despite all that I waited to see if anything would fickle, a sign of discomfort or uncertainty, even fear, I guess something to make me feel like I wasn't doing anything wrong, but her coy thin smile stood firm.

  My eyes flared, massive heat pitched in them, it felt like I had been staring without ever blinking, I shot a quick glare but chewed it up with a flat tone of indifference, as my lips stretched into a line, with one firm nod, my wavy slanting lock waved up and down, with their pair set of eyes warily watching me, I shot her a final gaze then turned on my heel. I couldn't go into my room, till Albert and that man made sure it was apparently safe. So I was stuck in one of our guests rooms as I waited.

  I shut the door behind me. I had taken the room next to my room, for the time being. However, this one wasn't equipped like my room was, having a usual king sized bed, with a score of dark fluffy pillows, black silk soft covers, a sofa and TV set, an adjoined room leading to the bathroom and walk in closet, a middle size window covered with floor length charcoal gray curtains, an armchair covered in velvet, a neat small coffee table at the side, the walls painted Dad's blanketed mood color, gray, however in the wide length of the room presented two shades of it; if I stood at the center my North and south were displayed light gray and in my west and east a darker shade of Dad's delights, spruce short chandelier twinkled in the ceiling, marble cream white tiled floors, and a lamp by the bed side.

  I got to the bed side as I carefully took the creature out of my pockets, next to the lamp. I peered at, I presumed it to have fallen asleep, with all that time I spent from outside to inside, my small chats to now and how weary it must have been from images of its exciting morning, it's little frame lifelessly lying dead, curiously my fix gaze narrowed at it's chest take in short breaths, in and exhaling, I poked its chest just to ensure it we were in a confined space, it was now safe, it abruptedly woke up, like a spineless puppet it stroke forward. I was startled, I gasped alittle backing up.

  It once again marveled me as I witnessed it stretch back to it's prim former size. Surprise briefed it's field on my face, as I stroke a smirk.

  ''Huh.'' It groaned sharply, arcing backward to it's back, like an acrobat, I thought to be stretching. ''Me back. Mate could you help me reach thar spot, I feel like it kinda turned during thar stretch.'' it's voice gripsly and weary, It profusely pointed at it's lower back urging me to help it push back a jammed out bone.

  Not only did I find that incredibly awkward, a part of me wondered if it thought just because I brought it back safely into my possession, kept it as a secret, shared a few conversations, we were mates? We still weren't any thing platonic, we were still strangers to each other and I preferred we'd keep our distance; living in our own spaces. I stood even more back.

  ''Look, I saved you isn't that enou-" I shot, bringing my arms to a fold across my chest.

  ''Saved me?!'' It shrieked grimly, bringing itself back up to upright. ''You Not only watched me get frown out of your window but made a truce weve the enemy!'' It fumed. The color of it's eyes unadulteratedly dark violet, furrowing like if it did that hard enough the ceiling would come crashing down on me.

  ''What?'' It sounded so preposterous and silly, that I furrowed too but with a little smirk tickling my lips. If it didn't look so monstrous I would have considered scoffing by now. ''Come on. Rosie's Not your enemy-"

  ''SHE TRIED TO SPLIT ME IN HALF.'' It spattered as if something so foul had it grimacing like an old bitter man and I could taste the fulsome in it's tone, It's huge eyes looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets.

  ''And I tried to do something similar when we firstly met.'' I tried to reason with it, my voice being calm enough for it to calm down but it just gasped, then recoiled like I was something worser than itself.

  ''You're just like the rest!'' It hissed.

  ''You did say you frightened most, that was me reacting to protect myself and so was she-" I said my voice not hidding the blatant tone I was trying to keep down.

  ''You're only defendin' her cause you fancy her.'' It's nose twitched up like a foul thing had been shoved in front of it.

  ''What? Get over yourself, you're a creepy rabbit like and anyone who sees you's first thoughts are to end you.'' I sharked, glaring at it.

  ''Am a Lordiranie.'' It corrected for whateverth time. I was tired of counting just how- much- I- didn't- care.

  ''Well here you're just another mutation of Hell- I don't know where, and No one's going to take that lightly.'' My tone so bitter and grave it intrigued me, that I could deliver something so hatefully.

  It was true though- My bitter words- it was just some odd bloodyass, looking like monster, that would strike anyone, but I said what I said more harsher than I intended it made it sound like I was utterly disgusted by it, that It turned it's back at me grimly almost like I had a part in harming it as well, well not now I didn't. And I knew I went offhand, it with no doubt surprisingly had feelings too and I kept on brushing that off just like it did to mine. I was better than this.

  ''Okay. Look we have solidarity here to find my Grandfather and ask him about the Note and you, he'll sent you back home if he Is the reason you're here, are you listening?'' I tried to peek at it's back from my distance, seeking for some redemption it could offer me for my callous words, forcing my teeth deep in my lower lip.

  It was as if I was talking to myself it made no sign of understanding, it continued to dismally stare at the wall. Embitteredly, I sighed, it being stubborn was trying my patience with it.

  ''And whilst you're here, I will not allow anyone to harm you.'' My voice breaking it's willness to stay patient with every word I uttered.

  Staring at the ceiling. On the verge of stomping my foot on the floor, to force it to listen to me, but I restrained, when was I ever this atrocious, all of it reminding of a shade of a figure I did not wish to cast a shadow to, or as of now become, I sighed deeply, returned back to my impertubable state. I squinted at it's back, lessening the clench in my jawline.

  ''I don't understand why you're so ticked off, you got yourself caught, I told you to hide, and you didn't listen and these will be the results if you'll continue to stray away from my-" My hand gestured a low wave at it.

  ''Orders!'' It finally turned to my view looking cross and vicious like a wild dog. ''Me!'' It beat it's paw to it's chest. ''The Oldest Lordiranie taking Orders! from some infant!'' It then forced it's little finger at my face with it's sharpened little prickly nail that could do more than it looked like it could do, proceeded to clench its tiny white teeth. ''Do you know who I am?''

  And I stilled. Nearly choking in chortle, but I welded myself to remain poise, I took a good look at what was talking. With my face showing all the perplexity I could muster up instead.

  ''I didn't order you around, I simply told you if you want to keep leaving here, stay hidden, I can't protect you if you don't follow simplicities.'' I scolded it alittle.

  ''I never had to hide back in Ilandia-" It huffed, scratching out a gruff sound it made at the back of it's throat.

  ''Well, as you can see this is the same place.'' I interrupted it. Glaring at how obvious that was.

  ''Unfortunately it isn't. I'm stuck in wherever this is back on guidin' duty and I don't even know where In Lordys' name is thar traitor Naijen-" It complained with a whinny edge.

  ''Stop saying that. Guide? What exactly are you guiding?'' I was done with that notion, out of everything it told me about itself I found even harder to believe.

  ''You bubble head, the hunter to the unified Regem-" It huffed blatantly, scowling like it was trying to work out how much more stupider I could get.

  ''That's where you're loosing me. Hunter? How am I a Hunter? Cause I touched that watch? You're kidding, if anyone else would have got a hold of it. You would have been their burden.'' I reciprocated the glare.

  ''Obtuse. You are simply an idiot Not a Hunter! How?! I'm asking meself for the second time Now! How an absolute Buffoon like you was found worthy of such power?!'' It practically yelled that out with the color on it's flat face turning bright red, once again it's eyes that swore vengeance barked louder than its words, it's features aligned hard and insulting, shimmered with the fire it bestowed in it's deep violet eyes.

  ''If you continue to insult me, I will change my mind on helping you!'' My heavy brows narrowed down to my scowling eyes, I was losing my cool.

  It sighed blinking back to itself. ''It finks its helpin' me.'' It said to itself, totally ruffled by me, confusion danced around it's features. And I gaped, staring as if it took the entire breath out of me, in a really intoxicating exasperated way, that little outline it just used danced it's way up into my head and exploded, asking myself Did it just?!- it just addressed me to a .

  It was the If anything, I stood here trying to reason with it, trying for us to both come to alliance and get what we both want in the end. I technically saved it, I was keeping it safe? And what did I get out of all this?

  ''Don't you understand you're the won who needs the help- My help! Your Grandpa is Not some supreme being! He was a knight upgraded to a Senate member, thar's it he has No Inbilities wharsoever, he is an average Enex, so if you fink for a moment thar am useless fink again.''

  I remained quiet. It shut down every cell in my body with that statement, my veins felt like they had just been cut open as the blood thrashed out, making me limp and dim, processing what it just said. I sat on the bed next to me as I crounched alittle to my knees, my hands found my face as I buried it in them, they moved upward sculping my locks aggressively. I was so confused, I felt my head begin to throb, feeling my boiling blood rush up into it. This had got to be some sickening joke cause if Not I wasn't sure of what I'd make of it.