Zeo

The public hospital of Fallen Star was a gloomy place. It reminded Zeo of the infirmary, but hundreds of times bigger. They treated Adrian while Zeo sat in the crowded waiting room. He witnessed people bleeding, burnt, with missing limbs, cries, wails, screams, and all kinds of odors that revolted his stomach. Zeo closed his eyes, sweating and shaking, but he held his own.

One hour later, Zeo walked into Adrian's room. The young man had woken up and stared at him with a smile plastered across his broken face.

"Zeo, I have no words to thank you," Adrian whispered, his voice thin and fragile.

"No, mister. I did what I had to do. You were right about Marcus. I should be the one thanking you," Zeo said, staring downward.

"Still, thank you."

Zeo smiled and nodded.

"Check the pocket in my pants, Zeo." Adrian pointed at a chair nearby and tried to lift his head.

He reached out for the pants hanging on the chair and found a golden card in them. "What is this?" Zeo inspected it. The card said 'Lovecraft Mansion' and had three phone numbers with some codes. "This belongs to Marcus."

Adrian nodded. "I took it when he was hitting me." He laughed and then grimaced at the pain in his jaw. "Lovecraft Mansion . . . That is in Crysalton."

"Yeah, so that's where Rem is!" Zeo's eyes shone. "And this is an ID. We can access his personal information with this!"

"Exactly, we can find out what is going on behind all this mess, and perhaps find Ellyn . . . "

"We need to act fast," Zeo said, standing up. "I'll be back soon, mister."

He hastened to the lower floor, where they provided free computers. Zeo used the ID on the infrared scanner and accessed Marcus' profile. He used the card attached to it to input the passwords. Zeo had learned a lot about computers and managed to gather some information, except for the one encrypted with different passwords. He rushed to print everything. Time was running out; once Marcus realized he had lost his ID, he would lock the access to it.

Zeo sat in a corner and read everything.

'Marcus Froilan, 37 years old. Magenta Gandini's personal bodyguard. Divorced. One daughter.' Nothing suspicious about him. Zeo searched for Magenta online and found some information. 'Magenta Gandini, 39 years old, Co-owner of the Red Heaven Tower and owner of the Lovecraft Mansion. Single. No children.

He returned to Marcus' profile to check things about Magenta he hadn't found online. 'Magenta Gandini, member of the ECC: Eugenics Center of Crysalton.' Zeo had read about the ECC in the past, but like most people, he thought they were just a myth. Up until that moment.

Eugenics was a common practice among the richest citizens. People paid millions for modified babies or for enhancing their own abilities and health. Illegal in some states and legal in others, the black market for eugenics was huge across the globe.

The myths claimed the ECC experimented with humans, Nephilims, and even Anglishes. Some crazy people assured the government supported the ECC because they provided the military with genetically enhanced humans.

A shiver ran down Zeo's spine when things began to make sense.

What if this Magenta woman didn't adopt Remnya but bought her? What if Ellyn knew something? That wouldn't be good for them. Zeo knew that a lot of the said crazy people suddenly disappeared from the face of Earth after speaking about the ECC.

The more he read, the harder his heart pumped with adrenaline. He found another important name in his research: Ronner Kavalar, 26 years old. Hybrid Nephilim. Unfortunately, most of the info about him seemed to have been erased from the Internet, no matter how much he searched.

It wasn't much, but the results were enough to freeze his blood. His mind began connecting the dots. Those people had something to do with Ellyn's disappearance, and to his distress, Remnya was in danger.

*°*°*

By sunset, Adrian left the hospital. Despite his broken ribs, the young man could walk and hopped in a taxi that took him far away from Marcus' reach. However, Zeo stayed, wondering if he had made the right choice. His heart said yes, but his brain refuted that statement.

Adrian had begged him to abandon the hospital with him, but Zeo chose the bravest path, going to the mansion. Being close to Rem would give him the chance to protect her and gather information about Magenta and Marcus. He would need all his wits to solve that crazy puzzle and survive, but Remnya was enough motivation for him.

He drew a cracked cellphone from his pocket: Adrian's gift. He tightened his grasp on the device as he remembered the young man's words. 'I'll do everything I can to help you and your friend.'

Should I have gone with Adrian?

No.

If I stayed with him, Marcus would chase us non-stop. They want me, after all.

This is for the best. It has to be.

A neglected garden next to the hospital provided a dose of fresh air for Zeo and his thoughts. He sat on a stone bench and observed the ten-story building towering over him. It was a matter of time until they came for him that cold afternoon.

Half an hour went by until the automatic doors from the hospital slid open. A giant-looking man stomped outside. Zeo had seen that stranger in the orphanage before. The weight of his gaze kept Zeo glued to his seat as the man walked toward him.

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"Are you the boy?" the stranger asked in a deep, raspy voice. His imposing figure cast a large shadow over him.

"Yes, sir." Zeo stood up. Despite the intimidating sight, his heart was calm.

"My name is Gorth. I come on behalf of Mr. Marcus."

"I am Zeo." He bowed.

"Why are you here?"

"I apologize. I didn't mean to cause you trouble, but Mr. Adrian needed help." Zeo lifted his eyes to meet his dark orbs.

The man furrowed his thick eyebrows. "Why didn't you ask for help, then?"

"I had no one to ask." An itch of anger crawled up his throat.

Gorth crouched next to Zeo and stared straight into his eyes. "Do you know where the nurse's boyfriend is?"

"I don't know, sir."

Gorth exhaled and stroked his tangled beard. "He stole something very valuable from Marcus, you know that."

Zeo buried his gaze in the ground as he fiddled with his blood-stained shirt.

"Once my men find him, his fate will be worse than death. Do you understand that?"

Zeo tightened his lips and clenched his fists. Adrian's words resonated in his head, hammering his brain.

"Sir." Zeo glanced at him, his voice trembling. "Are you going to hurt me, too?"

"What?" Gorth widened his small eyes, confusion spreading across his face. "Listen, boy. I've been tasked with protecting you. Ever since the young lady was taken to the mansion, my mission has been to keep you safe."

"Is that why you got rid of Orena, sir?" Zeo mumbled as his heart kicked against his chest.

Gorth exhaled through his nostrils, his breath steaming. He remained pensive for long seconds and finally spoke, "It had to be done."

Zeo's lips twitched. "What about Ellyn? How about Liam?"

Gorth never answered; his expression was solid ice.

"I know they did wrong. They hurt my friends, yes, but . . . " Zeo narrowed his eyes at Gorth. "Death is not the solution! We don't just put down an angry dog, we teach him with love and good actions, not with more violence. I know it's stupid, but that's what I believe."

The big man blinked and scratched his head. "Sometimes . . . " Gorth let out a deep. "Things are more complicated than we would like, boy."

Zeo remained silent as his words sunk into his mind.

"I understand." Zeo stood up, his legs shaking and cold sweat soaking his back. "I'm ready whenever you want to go, sir."

Gorth bobbed his head and stood up, covering the faltering sun with his massive figure. He lit a cigar between his lips and blew a mouthful of smoke. "Let's go back to the orphanage for your belongings. We'll travel all night." Gorth turned his back to Zeo and drew a pair of keys from his pocket. "I promised the young lady Remnya I'd bring you to her safe and sound."

Zeo's eyes shone when he heard her name. He swallowed the knot in his throat and straightened his back, lifting his gaze as he took the first step toward his chosen fate.

*°*°*

Remnya

Remnya sat up suddenly on her bed. She was panting, and cold sweat soaked her body. Her dilated pupils searched for the window. It was still a deep night. Her heart drummed inside her chest as silence whistled in her ears, along with the distant song of crickets.

She had dreamed of his gray eyes again. That terrifying gaze slowly undressed her while she screamed for help. Remnya shuddered at the thought and hopped out of her bed to drink water.

A voice in her head repeated his name, over and over.

Persen Doman.

Remnya didn't understand why, but she already hated him. Perhaps she was unfair. He had done nothing to her. Maybe he was a good man with a stupid sense of humor? Remnya questioned herself every day. She always tried to see the good in everyone, but she found it hard to see it in him. Persen made her feel small, weak, and vulnerable. Every damn thing she hated.

Letting out a deep sigh, Remnya sat at her computer. With trembling fingers, she typed his name on the search engine: Persen Doman.

Remnya held her breath as the results appeared.

Persen Doman. A powerful businessman. Owner of one of the biggest oil companies in the country. But more importantly, he was running for governor of Crysalton. Remnya found out he was married and had one daughter. Everything about him was too good to be true. He took part in countless charity events, helped foundations, and people seemed to love him. She couldn't find anything negative about him.

It must be my imagination. He seems like a good man . . .

Yes! It's just my imagination. It has to be! She preferred to think so. She hoped so.

Remnya glanced at her nightstand, where her doll sat still, looking back at her with its button eyes. She grabbed it and stared at it for a moment. The image of Zeo popped up in her head. How much she missed him. She squeezed the little memory between her arms and pressed her face against it.

"I have everything . . . " she murmured. "Why do I feel like this?" Two tears threatened her eyes, but Remnya destroyed them before they came to life. She looked in the mirror, trying to recognize herself.

So, I am a Nephilim, Zeo? She glared at her weak reflection. I'll show you what I am capable of. You'll be impressed the next time we meet. Amy, you too!

Remnya kissed her doll and placed it back on her bed. She smirked and bolted out of her room toward the library.

The whole mansion slept while Remnya rushed through the cold corridors. A crazy idea was maturing in her head. Remnya unlocked the tall library gates and sneaked inside.

Clenching her fists, Remnya walked toward the beautiful fireplace. A black and red hearth surrounded by gold accompanied the silent readers when they rested on the velvet sofas. However, Remnya used that place to sleep when she hid from her teachers.

"I'll show you what the horned witch is capable of," Remnya mumbled, gritting her teeth as she lit the fireplace.

Remnya contemplated the orange flames dancing in front of her. She bit her lower lip, her sweaty hand trembling as hesitation arose in her mind.

"I'm not afraid!" Remnya repeated over and over until she swallowed the lump in her throat. Slowly, she reached out for the fire. She flinched twice as the heat bit her fingertips. Remnya had begun to have second thoughts when the image of Persen popped into her mind. Those gray eyes, trying to undress her again.

Remnya let out a scream of anger and shoved her hand into the fire.

Silence.

One, two, three seconds.

She felt nothing.

Ten seconds passed. Remnya was shaking, her gaze locked on the mesmerizing flames caressing her skin. She closed her eyes, feeling a warm breeze around her fingers. Remnya thought she was still dreaming, but when she looked again, the reality made her shiver.

"Why?" she murmured.

One minute had passed on the old grandfather clock when she took her hand off the fire and stared at it. Her skin was intact.

A rainfall of memories hit her back. Remnya was only six when her body set itself on fire for no reason. She had been so terrified she couldn't sleep for months, thinking she would burn to death in her sleep. Orena called her a pyromaniac, and the kids made fun of her for having burnt all her clothes. That's when she started to defend herself.

Remnya hated fire so much. It was the reason everyone called her a horned witch. Back then, no one stood up for her, no one but one, Zeo, who told her there was nothing wrong with her, that she was just "special."

Now, Remnya saw it. The fire wasn't her enemy. It had never been, it had never hurt her. People did.

There was only one way to assure her heart. She grabbed a strand of hair and admired it in her hand. It shined in deep black and smelled of strawberry. Remnya hated most things about her body, but her hair was her proudest feature. If it couldn't harm the softest part of her body, it meant the rumors were true.

Remnya glared at the fire, and trembling, put her hair on it.

Nothing.

It was immune, too.

She froze as the flame brushed her hair tenderly. "No way . . . " she mumbled, sitting on the floor. "Zeo was right."

Remnya recalled Persen's gray eyes. She grimaced at the thought, and quickly, her vision was engulfed by crimson flames, destroying the horrible gaze haunting her nights.

"I'll show you what I am capable of, Zeo!" Remnya smirked as her heart raced in her chest, slowly burning with a newfound flame of hope.

Her crimson fire.

*°*°*