(Octavian 29, 59 / 7:55AM)
The van finally stopped.
From out the passenger side of the door came out both Miles and Hope, who made their way toward the back end of the van. Their boots clicked onto the red cobblestone that glowed in the morning sun, their boots turned their direction toward the black keypad.
Pushing in the code, the doors swayed open to—
Three men fell back first onto the ground, all of them holding onto each other with their eyes widened. Straight out of a cartoon, the wooden cabinet that pinned them onto the back of the van also joined in getting out.
As it fell flat on top of them.
Letting out old groans, Luke poked his head out from the cabinet while scrunching his face from the numbing pain. Noticing that everyone else was getting out, they helped in getting the wooden cabinet off of Luke, Jack, and Sean.
Placing the cabinet standing up, Luna instantly grabbed Luke’s shoulder, lifting him like a piece of paper.
(Luke) Thank you.
(Luna) It was nothing.
(Jack) What about me?
Both Jack and Sean still lay on the desolate sidewalk that welcomed them, their palms and cheeks caressing it like a magnet. Folding her arms, she tilted her head upward to look down on them.
(Luna) Do it yourself.
(Jack) Really?!
(Sean) Hey, you can’t leave me hanging—
(Luna) Shut up!
Both men were barely able to get up, their legs locked from sitting down with a cabinet crushing them to the brink of injury. Unstable, the two of them along with Luke gazingly stared into the front entrance of the large white adobe that was in front of them.
As everyone got out of the van, the Dark Angels noticed one person staying behind in the van, their driver who didn’t let himself be seen.
On the front entrance lay two white columns that supported the adobe, as well as many rows of pentagroup mini saguaros that spread from the large driveway to the door. The saguaro’s being at the height of Luke’s waist, the entire group walked forward with their eyes pinning the two-story adobe that seemed vastly familiar to a certain building…
Opening the door, everyone went in to feel the gust of cold trapped air blow against their face.
(Luke) Wow…
By just setting one foot in, everyone except for Christian and his siblings took in the large living that was nestled with old cotton couches. Noticing a large radio set, as well as an abundance of wooden furniture that had splinters sticking out like spines on a cactus, it was clear that tech was decreasing by each country.
In Ticia, everyone had a Gamegirl and a color TV, with a walkwoman in hand listening to Metallic or Nerve-On-O.
In Lagefor, black and white TV was the norm, as the radio had bands or musicians like The Cockroaches and Elvis Weasley.
Now in another country, what type of entertainment does this country have to offer?
(Luke’s thoughts) We’re going backward in technology…
Coming out from the end of the hallway to their right, a man with long spiked hair in a ponytail walked toward them, holding a cane in his right hand. His hair was shaded in white, wrinkles weren’t prevalent along his face despite his back slouched like a typical old man.
Next to him, were two women that looked similar to him, his eyes monolid rather than double lid.
(???) Greetings. I suppose that you’re all tired from your journey.
Both women had their hands on the man’s back, looking toward the large group that came in. One of the women, having a hair color of dark purple, scrunched up her nostrils as she took in the body odor of the newcomers that came inside.
But the woman with glasses didn’t mind, and so did the old man with a wry smile.
(???) My name is Kenji, Kenji Sumiko. You are all familiar with my daughter Jennifer Sumiko, I presume?
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
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(Octavian 29, 7:56AM)
(Luke’s thoughts) He’s Jenny’s father?
Everyone gawked their mouths open, except for the trio of siblings and David and Boris.
Luke analyzed Jenny on the left side of her father’s shoulder, comparing both father and daughter in terms of looks. Seeing that Jenny took over his father’s monolid eyes, Luke also took note of the other woman who was on his right side.
The woman's cold glare rivaled Luna’s, and her eyelids appeared to have an extra lid, similar to everyone else's. Her dark purple hair was straight and long, not braided into a ponytail like Jenny's.
(Kenji) And the woman right next to me is Iris. Try not to disturb her; she’s usually drawn to herself.
(Iris) I’ll be fine, father.
Kenji looked over to David, his eyes pushed down as he perceived the cowboy-wearing man with a solaced look. David, feeling Kenji’s stare right toward him, laid his arms motionless to his sides as he looked down at the ground.
(Kenji) David. I must speak to you. You and your friend Boris are needed in this meeting that I will conduct.
(David) Got it, sir…
Both David and Boris walked toward the old man who supported himself with his wooden cane. Turning in the opposite direction, Kenji walked toward the other end of the hall, having David, Boris, Jenny, and Iris in tow which left the youngsters alone.
Luke and Christian turned toward their respective groups, with Luke rubbing his hands nervously as his palms were tainted with sweat.
Christian on the other hand put his hands on his waist, looking toward the huge garden that was bristled with purple pedals.
(Christian) Home sweet home.
The Dark Angels looked over to where Christian had his eyes on, seeing the large garden that looked vastly similar to that of a building where they had to ditch.
Like a warm marshmallow enveloping him, Luke let his hands and arms be carried downward to gravity, seeing the simple yet exquisite garden that took everyone’s irises. Being near Christian, Luke directed his voice toward him.
(Luke) I’m surprised that you guys were willing to take us in. We’re not labeled innocent.
(Christian) Don’t worry man. The boss already told us about that. Although…
Christian placed his right hand underneath his chin, rubbing it along with the fingertips of his thumb. His fingernails scratching away an abundance of dead skin from his unbearded chin, Christian kept his eyes locked onto Luke’s left eye, seeing his reflection within those embers.
(Christian) What turned you into wanted men?
(Luke) It’s complicated, but we were the ones who saved Lagefor.
(Christian) Wait, so it was you guys that defended it?!
At long last, the trio of siblings dropped their jaws upon hearing of the group’s accomplishment.
Christian used both of his hands to push back his hair, looking down onto the ground with his back continuing to be straight.
(Christian) Damn … never thought you guys would be able to do that. But what happened after that?
(Luke) We were summoned to a military ceremony, but it turned into a military tribunal. I guess the President thought that we could’ve done more to save the city, and not only that but…
(Agent Briggs in Luke’s thoughts) I think he’s the one … I know of it.
Luke remained quiet.
Placing his right hand onto his shoulder, he rubbed it along his leather jacket, his fingernails scratching away some old dust and dirt from half an hour prior. Not looking directly at Christian, his eyes were focused on one of the little antique toys that was lying on the ground.
Near the edge of the table, an old toy train had its wheels right on the glass, as if it was about to fall.
Ignoring the train, Luke shyly looked toward Christian again.
(Luke) I was falsely accused … of something that I didn’t do.
(Chrisitan) Hmm … I heard that before. I’ll leave it alone if you don’t want to speak about it.
Christian noticed the flight of stairs that led them to the upstairs rooms, and the dark wooden floorboards that had many splinters sticking out like seashells on a beach.
Turning his attention onto everyone that was behind him, he cleared his throat putting both of his feet together. Doing a 180 spin, he was right in front of everyone, even in front of Luke.
(Christian) Alright. From now on, you guys are going to be abiding by the rules of the Pacithiests. Smoking, drinking, and premarital sex aren’t allowed in this adobe.
(Hope) Wait, what about hand-holding?
(Christian) Also no hand-holding too. The boss came up with those rules, not mine. And also…
Christian folded his arms while unsticking his feet together in a pose. Furrowing his right eyebrow upward, he looked over toward the front door, his ears perking up from the sound of heavy breathing.
Despite no one hearing it.
Clicking his tongue, he glared right toward the door, as a strain growl crawled out of his vocals.
(Christian) The shark-human could stay too… but I don’t want to share the same things as him.