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Haven
CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 7

Their tongue got cut out.

I conveyed their melted tongue, and I continued to stare at Carlos screaming in pain without his tongue. Those mushy pink substances with red smudges on them are littered close to them. I only noticed those because they are so far, so little that I can barely see those.

It's weird.

My heart isn't beating, but I'm scared, but not scared enough to start my heart beating nonstop. However, back at the swamp was a definition of scary, fear, and malice, but this feels different. These people may be familiar to me; they are all from the church: Such familiar faces, and some whom I don't recognize. Maybe not all of them are from the church, but seeing their familiar face, including Khannah and Patch made me feel different from them. It's not sympathy or empathy, but it just felt right.

===°===

4 Years Ago

I was 13 years old when I did not hate my narcissistic parents, and when I didn't change my perspective on my religion. Emil and I always fought about it, because I was trying to save her, I was trying to get her to heaven and Baba but she cried and got scared because of my attempt to make her a Saintrus. I was raised to become a religious addict such as my parents.

Onim 3:1 Save whom shall ye save for the kingdom of God shall deliver the entire chaos for the unbelievers.

Judgment 4:5 Abba the cycle of punishment. Abba sending a giant ball the size of a star will engulf the Earth's core. The sinners suffer the entire chaos of the ball of fire.

Judgment 4:6 Erupted and anonymous creatures coming out of the Earth's core suffer the unbelievers for eternity without food and water to replenish their bellies.

These verses from the church made me worried for my best friend, Emil, because she was born as an unbeliever. It made me want to save her.

"Emil, please listen. I want to save you from your sins," I said to her, wanting to save her and her parents too against our enemy or the devil affecting our minds and desires. "Tuk, you're scaring me!" Emil said to me, trying not to cry. "I thought you are my friend?" Emil frowned sadly, and she failed to try not to cry. "I am your friend, and as your friend, I want you to be saved, just like me."

"You already know Mom and Dad aren't Saintrus, Tuk! So, why are you like this?!" Tears continue to flow out of her eyes "I really thought you understand me." She ran away from me, crying, going somewhere not far, just away from me. We are the same age, and Emil was more like a crying person before.

I ask myself, "Why wouldn't they understand God's blessings?" I added, "Why couldn't they just understand and accept it, so they can be saved..." I said softly, thinking it was really easy to get people to know or get close to Baba or God. I even prayed for my best friend, Emil to be saved from their sins.

===°===

"Dad," I called my father, back when we were on good terms. "What is it, son?" He asked while we were watching television, a hard-built television with black and white random shows. "I'm trying with Emil to get to know God, but I don't know why she is hesitant," I said to Dad seemingly like a question, I was hoping for a positive answer but instead it was an immediate answer, "Because, Tuk, they are unbelievers." Just like that, he's declaring them as the bad guys because they are unbelievers. He stopped for a moment to sip his coffee while watching from the television. He said it to me like it felt right to say that to me, of course. "That's why you must avoid them, Tuk. At any cost, they aren't worth your time," he patted my shoulder, and I raised my head to look at him. "Are we clear, Tuk? You must be with the people that are saved, you wouldn't tell what will the devil do to you," he paused for a moment like he does on his preach, then added, "That's why your Mom and I don't want to get along with them, Tuk. Because that's how the devil works."

"Yes Dad," I said to him, following his words because it said on the Lib, I can't deny it, because parents are always right, it is said on the Lib. My people from the church said I should leave Emil behind if that's what she and her parents decided, then they should be burned in hell. We wouldn't want any unbelievers to corrupt our minds.

I was a devoted religious person. I always loved my parents and churchmates praising my hard work, and following and praising God's word, because it felt self-appreciated. It felt right. It felt righteous. It felt holy when my eyes peered above.

===°===

"Your father will be proud of you, Tuk," my Mom said to me, patting my head, feeling she's the best mother of all. "Thank you, Mom," I said to her, and then I hugged her.

I was indeed a good boy at that time.

I was like an angel child, people loved me when I followed and obeyed the words of God. It was like a feeling of being sufficed by the Holy Spirit.

When I tried to convert Emil to become a Saintrus, I thought I could save her from the devils of this world, but when I saw her crying and scared of me, I felt both guilty and stupid. I think I do deserve this feeling, I do.

===°===

After Sunday service, I am outside of Ghoirne with my old friend but not too far, just close to our hiding spot where we usually play an abandoned construction site for a new house, but it got canceled due to our village mayor prohibiting selling more lands. 10-foot steel pillars placed on the ground in a rectangular shape. Some steel pillars are placed together on the ground with no one touching those except us, sitting on them.

"Tuk!" said by her. Feeling the longing nostalgia from an old friend. "Hey Anne," I greeted her, a short black-haired girl with two ponytails, wearing a yellow dress that she always wore on Sundays, obviously she went to church, I also wear formal attire for the church as well, and then after the morning service which is for the kids' service such as me and Anne too. "Which do you think is cuter," she paused when she was looking up, then, she continued, "Mima or Emil?"

Emil was still scared of me because I attempted to try her to become a Saintrus like me, Anne, and Mima also. She hadn't come to our hiding spot since then. Anne told me that Mima was comforting Emil saying I was sorry. I am sorry. I am the wrong one here. I won't ever do that to her again.

Idiot Tuk.

"Tuk?" Anne got concerned. "B-both of them look nice, but I think Mima is prettier," I answered honestly, Mima was born with blue eyes, curly brown hair, and a nice body, due to her strict diet by his parents.

Anne chuckled a bit then looked up. "You're probably right. I mean she is." I looked at her, raising my eyebrows and I didn't know why she asked me that. "Why are you asking me that?" I asked her. "Well, since you're a boy, you can differentiate beauties, right?" She looked at me as if I was the only boy she knew.

I looked down, believing her words. Do I? I guess?

"I wonder if Mima like others..." Anne stopped, but I felt she forced herself to stop finishing her sentence. It felt incomplete. "What others?" I look at her sideways. "Nothing," just like that then she jumped up, standing on the ground. "How about you apologize to Emil, Tuk?" she said to me. "Yeah," I agreed then stood up, regretting something I'd done to her.

"Anne," I called her. Then she looked at me in surprise, because I called seriously. "Do you think Emil will go to heaven and her parents?" I asked her hoping it would be a positive answer.

Earlier, during our Sunday service, our teacher Ms. Guin said. "Every good person will be sent to heaven," in an angelic voice, and I believed that. She's right: Every innocent and good person deserves to be in heaven, that's why I asked her hoping it would be a positive answer.

Finally, Anne answered, "Of course they are going to heaven, Tuk. They're good people. Didn't Ms. Guin already taught us that?"

I smiled cheerfully.

===°===

3 Months Later

It was after a week, that I noticed Anne and Mima were acting weird toward each other; they were entirely more close to each other; they were very sweet and flirty at the same time whenever we met after school because Emil was in home-school.

That day, after school, Mima and Anne were supposed to be at Emil's house, but they were not there. This is very unusual, they usually got there before I did.

"Tuk? Is that you?" I was greeted by my classmate who stood in front of us at Emil's home front door, and yes it was Khannah. "I was told by the mayor to fetch you up," Khannah said. "Is it about Anne and Mima?" Emil jumped up to her, but Khannah ignored her, focusing her gaze on me only. "It's about Anne and Mima, Tuk. You were friends with them, right?" She sounded more disappointed than worried. "Follow me," and she sounded more like a demand than a friendly gesture. I followed but Emil gripped my hand, it was very tight. "I'm coming!" She said with a serious face. "No!" I declined. "I won't forgive you if you do this to me, Tuk," she said with an angry face and pout face of her, showing. "Fine," I accepted her willingness.

A few blocks passed the row houses, then Khannah led us to the Church's Grounds: A large grassy field where events or a play have been held, this is where we usually celebrate the events, including the Abbanism ceremony, it's our tradition in our religion, if you accept Baba as your God and utmost priority in life you will soak with holy water with eyes are closed.

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There was a crowd, plus Mima and Anne's parents were there circling on something I didn't see. "What is going on, Khannah?" I asked her, but she only jerked her head towards the crowd, felt like she was saying "Take a look."

Emil jumps to grip my arm afterward, feeling nervous. Some people look at us, but whenever they pay attention to Emil with their disappointed gaze at her, it feels like she's at fault here.

"Why is she here?"

"It's because of her."

"This is why we don't make friends with

unbelievers."

I can almost hear them saying these phrases. It was like a morning routine to my head a lot, and they would not say this, of course, Emil is only a child like me. When the crowds made way for me, I saw Anne and Mima bending on their knees being tied and with blindfolds on.

Emil gasped when she witnessed and she tightened her grip on me. It hurts.

"Now everyone is here," a familiar voice. My father. My eyes went wide. Confused as to what is going on. "Brothers and sisters, I pronounced to you our sisters, Mima and Anne," my father said with his preaching pose and his mannerisms, feeling like this was a normal Sunday Service. I noticed the mayor standing beside my father, his head was towards the sky with his eyes closed, praying. "Tuk! What is happen-" Emil got shushed by one of the people beside us.

"Mama!" Mima screamed but her parents didn't respond to her. "MAMA!" She screams again.

Anne was only crying not spouting a single word.

I looked at their parents looking more disappointed than worried. I kept thinking of why they weren't worried.

Why don't they look sad or devastated for these innocent souls?

Why do they look disappointed or like they spotted a devil on them? Mima and Anne are good people.

Why? I don't understand.

"Us people have sinned, yes. But these people have caused a great sin that goes against our Holy Scriptures, it must be justified from immoral beings," my father preached, then he flipped the Lib that he was holding, and read with his deep voice. "Veren 6:10-11. Verse 10. Every man and woman who acts outside their bodies has committed an immoral sin. Verse 11. The creation of God is righteous, men and women who partake in homosexuality must be stoned to death to replenish the sins against the Earth."

"Mr. Canu kindly please present," my father called the mayor and he nodded. "Ready the stones," the mayor called sounding angry. Two random guys were presented with a large basket filled with stones; some were large and some were palm-sized.

Emil's grip on me released. "Emil?" I called her but she ran away. I can't force her. People around me didn't care about her, they were more focused on stoning Anne and Mima.

My father looked at me with a smile, and he said as his finale "This is for the best."

For the best?

The two guys holding the basket gave us one stone per person, and I was frozen staring at Mima and Anne crying. I wanted to speak and protect both of them but my heart kept beating nonstop, fearing them. No, it's not fear.

It's completely despair.

===°===

Remembering my traumas does make me feel different from them. My fear went out like a lit match got blown out by the wind.

I became more calm than ever.

I released my grip on the chubby man beside me and took a step forward, looking at them crying. Crying screams and baby screams.

Some of the people without tongues noticed me with the crowds here than there. They scream calling me, and they bump into each other shoulders for others to look at me, seeing me in surprise, Khannah looks at me crying and screaming, and her mother as well.

I can't let my emotions consume me, I have more dangerous people beside me. They all looked at me like I was their savior. I can hear their unrecognizable scream, calling my name for help.

I looked up, closing my eyes slowly, and gently. Then, I faced my head down opening my eyes slowly.

Giving them a smug smile.

CHAPTER 7

I look satisfied, I feel like a boss finished a delicious meal. I kept showing them my smug smile, then the shock in their eyes was very fucking satisfying. They scream at me again. I could almost translate what they were saying. It is like they are saying that it's not the time for jokes. well, this isn't a joke. It's entertainment.

So fucking entertaining.

I keep my face, smug smiling at them. I closed my eyes slowly again, then made another smug with my eyes. I think I am messed up, but I felt this was normal. It felt right because I hadn't done anything wrong to be precise. I'm right about what I'm doing to them.

So, idiots. How does it feel to be persecuted without reason?

I looked at Carlos. When he looked at me like I was a messed up person. My feelings changed suddenly, feeling sorry for him, but I didn't want to give in yet. So, I moved my eye focusing on the others that poured my hatred on, seeing them like pathetic little worms. I saw Carlos look at where I looked on with the iris part of my eyes. I think that made Carlos think that was my parents but no.

It feels both right and good at the same time and I will use this advantage to make sure people beside me won't suspect me. I observed the people beside me were pleased, and I will do so as well. I have the advantage.

"Kali! Kali!" A deep voice, sounds literally like a man echoed throughout this whole place but was nowhere to be found. I look around using my eyes, not my head, it's like I said, I don't want these people to be suspicious of me. I have to act like I'm one of them even if I don't know what they are.

"Devarra, Salili Nahar!"

"Devarra, Salili Nahar!"

"Devarra, Salili Nahar!" People scream, one by one, together, one after another scream the same name, when they peak above the sky. I copied them: I moved my head up and repeated the name "Devarra, Salili Nahar!" with pride, but I was left feeling like an idiot and a fool on both sides.

I'm still not comfortable with these kinds of cultures, but I imagined some scenarios in which they also feel the same way as me when it comes to us. So, I felt a little comfortable.

"Devarra, Salili Nahar!" I screamed again, sounding like them now. I noticed the Children of Ishstar beside me rubbed my back, feeling like a proud member. Good. Thank God. My life is literally on the line. I let this feeling swallow me, almost feeling like an idiot.

I saw a bird above the sky; brown feathers on its lower part. When the bird turned sideways, I saw white clean patterns on its upper part, a human person riding on it. What makes it terrifying is when it slowly ascends down, it gets bigger and bigger more than 20 feet. I forced myself to make a blank expression, but my heart started beating again, this is it.

Now I'm starting to make some sense of why covering our ears was useless because the peak of it is like the structure of a hawk except the color was dark orange, and I figured out that Devarra, Salili Nahar is an actual giant bird. It makes sense. When the gigantic bird landed on the large tree, it danced and rustled; red pure leaves falling.

"Kali!" That deep voice of a man again, coming from behind the bird. Wearing the same outfit as the Children of Ishstar, but the way he is wearing is green, even the animal skin as well, and his eyes are green as well. He's quite chubby but alright, he's tall for about 5.

Witnessing this terrifying bird. Its small well-rounded eyes look soulless, and its beauty of it has brown feathers on its lower part, white on the back, same goes for the wings, and lastly, green feathers on its head. It's so gigantic that its beak can swallow a whole human without any problem.

Worse way to die.

It's terrifying. I heard the cry scream again. I closed my eyes gently and opened, looking at the others; trying to focus on other things which was the scream of them, because it was the only way to make me calm, but satisfaction was the actuality in my account. I smug thinking like that was very satisfied.

At least I'm not dying. No, do not think like that. I have a chance that might get me killed, it's not the time to be carefree, Tuk.

Remember, you're only lucky.

Yeah.

I reminded myself, stuck in my thoughts that I'm lucky and must not get carried away, because I'm still standing here.

"Kali!" The deep voice of the man riding on the gigantic bird echoed throughout this place. To be honest, his scream sounded and felt inspiring, even though I didn't know what he was saying, the people around me moved, calling "Ishstar!" with open arms waving them upward like a bird slowly flapping its wing. I copied them and screamed the same name "Ishstar!"

"Pompei! Pomepei isara no dai bala!" The man riding screams. I need a translation, like right now. "Kali! Sak! I presented to you the intruders!" I was surprised now, even the people who melted their tongues were surprised, but only some, including Carlos. He got good at English, and I forgot he just opened his mind to us because he was at the center of the people's attention. It's like doing a public speech, to be able to make a speech, you have to open your mind for others to understand you.

"Kali! Our masters and our many people vanished because of these people!" He screamed with pride. The angry people screamed. Some I understood but some didn't, even if they only met, they want them dead in an instant.

"Vharesa!"

"Monsters!"

"Die!"

"Feed them to the Imps!"

"Kill them! KILL THEM!"

"FEED THEM TO THE IMPS!"

"My baby disappeared because of you!"

The people without tongues cried more with a scream, the crimes they did not commit, but they will now experience the same way for Anne and Mima stoning them.

You know they can change, Tuk? This again. No. No, they can't. I've tried. I fucking tried. These people screaming angrily at them to die were no different from the stoning of Anne and Mima.

And do you think, you're different from them? Shut up thought. I know what I'm doing isn't different with them or with my trauma. Do you think I was the one doing this? You don't get to blame me for something that isn't my fault. You don't get the right to judge just because you're comparing that I'm not related with.

Do you think I can save them? That's fucking suicide. Do you think this is some sort of children's book fantasy? Look at it! So, shut up. I'll deal with you later. If later does occur to me.

The giant bird moved its beak open, and then slowly moved its head towards the people with no tongues, screaming and they moved out of the bird's position, running like dodging cockroaches. It poked the dead man and then swung from the air.

People cheered. "Devarra, Salili Nahar!" I screamed together with them, "Devarra, Salili Nahar!"

The bird opened its gigantic mouth widely, then the corpse fell into the bird's mouth. I saw it swallowed the whole body like it was no problem. The cheering continued.

"Ready the killing!"

"Kill them! My father disappeared because of them!"

"Kali! Kali!" The so-called Ishstar echoed, and the crowd got silent for a moment. "Obien mei sa," the Ishstar said presenting his palm and then twisting onto his forehead. I felt my instinct to just follow what he did and did the same thing he did, "Obien mei sa." When I looked around, the people beside we've done it at the same time. I remembered earlier that Dubin-sak did the same thing.

Afterward, the guards on the left in the circle formation readied their staff, poking the no-tongue people and leading them to the edge of the bridge.

Cry screams continue.

Angry screams continue.

"Oh?" I was surprised. On further looking at them, I soon saw Mima and Anne's parents are one of them.

===°===

"Demon! Get away from my daughter!" Mima's father threw a rock at Mima's head.

Mima screamed in pain.

===°===

Some of them kneel, and some cried. They cried nonstop, but they looked at me, screaming for help. Mima's father saw me with surprise on his face. Is he ignorant or he didn't see me earlier? Doesn't matter. His face says it all that he was hopeful to see me for help, not until I smug at him.

What an expression. The look on his face was so fucking satisfying.

===°===

Stop it. Please.

Mima and Anne.

My tears poured from my eyes. My hands were shaking uncontrollably. "Tuk! Throw it!" My father commanded me calmly like he was not disturbed by this at all. It's like it's a normal day. "They aren't humans, Tuk," he said with a calm smile while my eyes were wide.

Mima and Anne were beaten by people who kept throwing rocks at them, their heads are on the ground. Blood spurred on the ground.

===°===

Some of the soldiers randomly selected 3 random no-tongue people in the circle, and they aggressively pulled them, putting them on the edge, crying.

This was right after all. I loved all of their fucking faces.

Well, all of you aren't humans, after all.

===°===

===°===

===°===

GIVE ME A ROCK AND I'LL GIVE YOU A BULLET