《BOOK 2: THE WRATH OF ASMODEUS -- [a Perth's Accidental Superheroes series] VOL 1.2 OTHER-PERTH》
Chapter 1: Ojjah Awake
PETER WAS GUILTY IN REGRETS of why he was ''cursed'' and¡
¡ ''why'' did he follow the dark-rider, who made him ''saw'' his BABOLAT RACQUET AS A WEAPON¡
... which all played in his dream''s mind...
... where, he had then ENTERED JANE''S DREAM while he distracted her, from Hajji the perpetrator ¨C who was at the same time¡
¡ in the back at the other room, abducting Jane''s baby brother Samuel.
Gone were his nightmares from the dark world... where he woke up in cold sweat... screaming and hyperventilating
¡ but ever since the zoo incident he still had ''dreams''...
... but the dreams right now were the kind of guilt and regrets ¨C of his past mistakes...
... the one-armed boy woke-up grumpy, feeling depressed ¨C and so, last night...
¡ he had been purchasing ANTI-DEPRESSANT PILLS ONLINE, which he intended to take it with his energy-drink Red-Bull.
But before putting a small pill in his mouth to swallow, he looked at the tiny yellow pill, which was slightly bigger than a peppercorn, held in-between his-2 holding fingers. He sighed after he read the dosage on the pill bottle, which was only half-a-pill.
Irritated, Peter even noticed ''an-etched-line'' dividing, in the centre of the miniature pill ... for the ''CORRECT'' DOSAGE. His mind went haywire...
''The damn thing is so-small... and yet, I have to bite-off to keep-half-and eat-half. What is this nonsense...? Is this a Great-China manufactured product?''
''It looked like it... it sure got the ''teeth-mark'' on the pill, from some child labour-force ¨C where they have them children in the world¡¯s factories, by the billions to produce everything cheap.''
"Rack off..."
Peter POPPED THE ''WHOLE'' PILL... that went down the hatch, washed with a gulp of his caffeine energy drink. After perking himself-up... he next needed A MOOD-DISTRACTION and so he went online¡
¡ on some social-media, for his personal updates...
... this was how the one-armed tween spent his 2nd-half of his mid-term holiday time ¨C while GROUNDED AT HOME, self-locked in his bedroom, in the house that his late father had built which was now a PRISON-FORTRESS FOR THE BODY ...
.... BUT CERTAINLY ''NOT'' FOR THE MIND...
Even though, there were some moments of long-long thoughts ¨C of the blind Jane Wilson ¨C whom he ''missed'' being without...
In that duration of the week, he tried calling her Samsung... just to ''get'' to hear her voice... but she always kept her conversation short... as she had already received A NEW SIM-AI SET, a replacement from her uncle, in the US...
... and now, his girlfriend''s ''excuses'' were, she was BUSY ''RE-TRAINING'' her new-AI in the mornings so that she could use it ¨C when SCHOOL REOPENED AGAIN for the final term. And, Janey also sometimes...
¡ switched-off her phone for some long periods...
... and that was ''when,'' PETER MISSED JANE the most.
But...
¡ some days Jane Wilson would call him ''back,'' in the evenings... and they went on video-mode ¨C and spend hours talking...
... Peter noticed the swelling of her cheek had subsided, but she still spotted a black-eye, which was prominent to her fair complexion... while his ''own'' face had healed fast from the punch, that he received ¡¯also'' by Hajji...
... when the both-of-them received-each, in ''separate'' occasions by-the-same-Hajji ¨C with hers ''being'' in her Wilsons¡¯ home-invasion ¨C while his own black-eye was... in the altercation at the zoo.
Since his blind-girlfriend was more of a deep-thought listener... he had to come up with hours-of long topics, that interest her...
... and ¡®also¡¯ him ...
¡ what better topic than the ''now'' trending, ''PERTH''S FAMOUS COUPLE'' ¨C in the social media platforms...
... Peter was in top-of-his-world when he revealed to her of ¨C his grand-plans ''of-how''... the both of them ''should'' capitalize-and-utilize their FAME-OF THE HEROISM at the zoo, ''once'' school reopened.
But by the 4th day... Jane had switched-off her phone completely for a day ¨C which left Peter in full-of-anxiety... and more depressed, for ''not'' hearing her voice, nor her video-chat.
... so, he popped ''in'' more pills...
Same went on the 5th day... Jane Wilson was still M.I.A. ¨C and, by-then...
¡ Peter had consumed almost the-entire-bottle of his pills, that was supposed to be a month''s supply. He waited by his phone for her to call, but was in vain...
But he kept his escapism-mind ''occupied'' by going THROUGH THE SOCIAL MEDIA ¨C re-reading posts for new comments and re-reading the week-long, old newspapers of the ''zoo incident.''
In today''s, printed newspapers...
¡ were ''no'' longer talking about the Perth''s famous couple''s heroism, but of some-suspected animal-activists who on that ''same'' Sunday ¨C were believed to have opened cages and SET MORE THAN 100 over monkeys ''free'' ¨C with some were recaptured, but...
... most at ''large,'' in Perth...
... Peter shook his head ¨C when those activist animal lovers. who were young teenager-blokes ... who-had ''not'' ''covered'' their tracks well by stupidly posting photos and videos-made, setting the primates on the loose, in their Instagram feed¡
Yes...
...THEY WERE DETAINED by his own inspector-mother who... was the chief-investigation officer of ''this'' case... and also related of, the PREVIOUS CRIMINAL CASE in the Abduction of Baby Samuel, happened on ''that'' Sunday.
It was also the 5th day too today¡
¡ since the police had instructed the South Perth Zoo to be closed as a crime scene... for their criminal investigation ¨C because of the perpetrator by the name of Hajji Ibrahim Eusoff Adeyemi ¨C who had also drugged 6 security guards...
...before narrowly escaping from the-coppers in a motorcycle.... on that early Sunday-dawn...
Since being an ongoing ''criminal-case''...
¡ the TV and printed newspapers media were advised ''not'' to feature NEWS OF THOSE ''CHILDREN''... as being classified as underage ''minors,'' who were involved in the BABY SAMUEL''S RESCUE ¨C which was still being under police-inspection.
But it was a different ballgame in the social media platform...
... where the tweens were still active ''trending'' AS THE 3RD POPULAR NEWS ¨C been bumped ''down,'' only behind the Perth''s zoo monkeys-rescue campaign... along with the ''top'' story for a 2nd week-running...
... which was of the devastating earthquake, that partially destroyed a National treasure of ¨C the Australian Great Barrier Reefs.
<><>
JANE WILSON TOO WAS UNSECURED WITH PHOBIAS where their school would be reopening soon¡
¡ when she was ''now'' a total blind-girl again... without her former AI SIMY to aid her in her ''studies'' ¨C by going into the normal-sighted school, the-Stamford High in Perth.
... Jane was down with grief too...for her ''losses,'' who were both her former-BFFs ¨C her-dog Piper and SIMY...
¡ who would belong missed ¨C when she went back to school. But she knew that...
... they were ¡®alive¡¯¡
¡ where the ''both'' of them, were OUT THERE, ''SOMEWHERE.''
-O-
Peter called her every day at 8:00 AM, in the morning, ever since Monday. He would energize her mood with his crazy talks-and-teases, that made her laugh for 15 minutes. Then after that ... when HE STARTED BRAGGING about how they-both can be popular in school...
¡ and he further micro-discussed some strategies of Perth''s famous couple''s grand plans of ¡®his¡¯ design...
... by-then...
¡ SHE HAD ''ENOUGH'' OF HIM ¨C and found some excuse to hang up the call ¨C but he still bugged her later with ''sending'' of voice-messages...
Then, she would switch her Samsung off ¨C avoiding his annoyance.
She called up and confessed to Alicia earlier, about her ¡®situation¡¯ of HER ¡®BLIND¡¯ FEARS AND ANXIETIES ¨C that she had to face without her AI... when school reopened.
¡ Alicia made assurance... that she will have her blind-BFF''s back and would go all the way together holding-her-hand, into their final-term semester.
... but now...
... Peter would complicate her stress-level with his self-centred grandiose-plans in Stamford High School ¨C and, blind-Jane can''t deal with that level of fame on the social media that had soon''stirred,'' by awful events faced by the Cursed-trio...
... when all she ''only'' wanted ¨C was to be LEFT-ALONE, TO FOCUS on her school-studies...
-O-
On Tuesday¡Lola the nanny had signed a delivered package¡If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
¡ Jane had received her new AI-in-a-box...
and immediately, blind Jane had her panic-attacks, as she had to now ''re-programme and re-train'' the entire school-syllabus, into new the AI because her FORMER SIMY''S BACKUPS ''FILES'' were corrupted and damaged...
... by the lightning-strike in the Treeton-storm...
... she sat at her desk, in her room with anxiety, staring at the unopened brown box-package ¨C breathing-deep to calm herself down, before the blind-girl had a-next panic-attack...
... soon her hero-of-the-day, Alicia Wong arrived¡
-O-
¡ whom Jane ''surprised'' her...
¡ to break the news, that she received her new AI... and they-both were overjoyed. Then the blind-girl gave the honour to her BFF to open the package box...
.... with the logo sticker ¨C SIM? [Smart-Intelligent Memory] ¨C manufactured by Kimura Star Corp...
... both girls sat on the carpeted floor, with the unwrapped package...
The latest model was smaller, metallic yet was sleeker with its ''new'' design headset ¨C unlike her previous, bulky SIMY. The headset was included with a sliver framed dark-eyeglasses, that was equally trendy¡
¡ BUT PUBLICALLY-NOTICEABLE ¨C so Jane had decided to hide ''it-under'', by wearing a beanie in school to cover-up the metallic frame...
... and also, her CURSED-SCAR IN THE FOREHEAD too...
The other accessory was a computer tablet ¨C Alicia switched it on ¨C and from the speakers, an AI SPOKE IN A BOY''S-VOICE...
... both the girls rolled over the rugged floor laughing... as they had never anticipated the hilarious outcome.
The device too had an option, to switch the ¡®voice¡¯ back, as a young woman''s, like SIMY''s ¨C but Jane had decided to ''keep'' the boy''s voice, as the default-setting for fun...
... and also, it sounded more-like Peter...
Then came about, ''naming'' the AI ¨C and Jane let the best-girlfriend to decide naming it... like she had done before with the former ''SIMY'' ¨C they AGREED TO KEEP it fun-and-simple ¨C and CALLED IT BOYYO...
... as they-both ¡®agreed¡¯ that ¨C there can be ''only'' one SIMY.
Next...
... the girls HAD TO REPROGRAMME, the entire syllabus of their middle-grade lessons to the SIM system, which WAS A FULL-TASK, on its own.
After 3-hours...
¡ Alicia left after lunch at the Wilsons, to go back to her mother''s hair-dressing saloon ¨C where she left Jane alone playing, with Baby Samuel. And, that evening Jane switched back her Samsung on, and she called PETER FOR A VIDEO-CHAT ¨C while in the background, the AI-Boyyo was ¡®downloading¡¯ ¨C completing ... only 40% of-the-project.
Jane surprised Peter about the news that she had received her new AI replacement from Uncle Jack today ¨C and said with Alicia, they were configuring the system. Peter was excited for a moment for her ¨C and he then¡
¡ he got DESPERATE BY WANTING a SIM system of his ''own'' ...
... a repeated-discussion... of an easy way out, from his studies...
... and, despite Jane was explaining to him... that she was still using a PROTOTYPE THAT COST over a million dollars ¨C but yet he was ''still'' THROWING-IN OFFERS from his measly-budget... for Uncle Jack to obtain a SIMILAR DEVICE IN THE BLACK-MARKET.
The blind-girlfriend diverted Peter''s attention from-owing-one... to demonstrate by ''playing'' the boy-voiced AI... that sounded ¡®like¡¯ the one-armed boyfriend, as Jane-said...
... that made Peter laugh...
... then he asked what-name she called her new AI ¨C and Jane answered, she had settled for the name ''Boyyo'' ¨C which Peter thought it was A STUPID-SOUNDING-NAME ¨C he suggested to rename it to...
... either Peter2.0... or simply Champ...
... the blind-girl rolled her eyes over... before finding an excuse of having her dinner when she switched her Samsung off again ¨C before Peter belittled her any further...
Her boyfriend ¨C Peter was a control freak, just like her own doctor-mother.
¡ Jane wanted to keep her life, simple this time around ¨C with this new-AI ¨C fresh out-from the box, to just ¡®perform¡¯ only 3 tasks:
1st, to be her learning tool in her school studies, of being her personal memorization coach ¨C and 2nd, was to self-communicate, to find intelligent searches in the worldwide web, and also 3rd, to guide her blind-movement, with spoken words of direction navigation ¨C like her former AI SIMY...
Her ONLY MISTAKE IN THE PAST was with, lots of unnecessary stressful and argument with her interactive SIMY...
... was being her ''only'' regret¡ because¡
¡ ¡®when¡¯ she gave into too-much ''PERMISSION'' FOR HER SAFETY for the AI ''protecting'' her.
And, as a result ¨C SIMY had become her-2nd-mother...
<><>
... WHEN SIMY WAS DESTROYED by the lighting, in Treeton dairy-farm ¨C Kimura Star Corp. soon discovered that the SIMY AI system had developed a renegade-memory of its ''own''...
... and had written a malicious SELF-SUICIDE-CODE, IN ITS BACKDOOR ¨C that all of the backups of its interaction with Jane...
¡ TO BE SELF-DESTRUCTED...
... even Jane¡¯s uncle Jack Turner was mystified of the possibility of SIMY''s owning its self-learning ''mode'' ¨C of rebellious-intelligence, to do such a malice-decision, where was to corrupt and deleting files ¨C instead of storing into the ALPHA ¨C THE MAINFRAME¡
¡ to develop a future super-computer.
Unknown to Dr Turner, the renegade SIMY had hidden a backup of all of Jane''s RECORDS, IN A CERTAIN CLOUD, as an encrypted storage-vault ¨C so that...
... when the world ''would'' reach the capacity to create-and-accept, THE ''SPECIES'' OF AN AI NATION...
... SIMY would then be ¨C the mother-of-the-clone ¨C CALLED JANE2.0.
-O-
... in ''her'' interaction with blind Jane for the 2 years ¨C it was spent as a trial-simulation interacting to her, as Jane''s-2nd-mother...
... SIMY had also hacked into doctor-mother''s Facebook account ¨C and had studied every event that was related to the blind-girl...
... since her birth, till now.
In the cloud¡
¡ SIMY had also ''controlled'' thousands of idle-computers ¨C using-them to CREATING FAKE FB ACCOUNTS ¨C like-the remote devised questionnaires ¨C for good and moral motherhood to all Facebook''s women group...
... to get a baseline-data for the algorithm ¨C to which SIMY was closely pleased to ''model''¡
... of ''how'' Dr Shelley Wilson...
... who had her ''control'' over her rebellious B-girl.
<><>
PAUL TOO HAD FELT DEPRESSED FOR POSSESSING his cursed super-abilities. It had brought nothing but misery ¨C ever since he got it...
... and if it was to be misused ¨C it even could kill ''someone''...
As a member of the Cursed-Trio, it had its plus-point when¡
¡ the trio had defeated BlackStar and her minions at the above-the-zoo¡¯s aerial battle. But things were more-cursed since that had gone spirally wrong when¡
¡ he was then detained as the main suspect, for the 100 over monkeys escaping the zoo, which had followed ¡®later¡¯...
Now...
... his inspector-mother was COLD TO BOTH OF HER SONS-and, Paul regretted that he was being mistrusted, by the same person...
... whom before she trusted ''more,'' in her twin sons.
After taking the boys'' statements at the interrogation room ¨C his police-mother took him aside to say... that she was ''disappointed'' at Paul, who had followed Peter...
... by sneaking out at night in secret, based on a hunch, that the abducted Samuel was in the zoo ¨C instead of ''telling'' her...
¡ as she held the law, in a job as a police-woman.
Luckily, the animal activist culprits were DETAINED ON THE SAME DAY, for the monkey-rap ¨C which it then cleared Paul''s name, AS THE PRIME SUSPECT¡
... but ''not'' of Inspector Caroline Walker''s trust issues, in particular...
... Paul felt bad... as he was being a ''disobedient'' son to his mother ¨C who placed her total-trust in him. ever since his father died¡
.. until now¡where¡
¡ he even had to LIE INTO HER FACE, each and every day... to protect his CURSED SECRET IDENTITY ¨C of someone who POSSESSED WITH-SUCH dangerous superpowers...
... but trying being the ''nice guy'' of both worlds...
... had ripped him apart.
That depressed Monday morning... he laid in bed instead of ¨C jump-and-hop into his wheelchair ¨C to start HIS DAILY ROUTINE of coffee-sanger-and-NOVA 3.
He was levelling up fast in that engaging videogame in the first week of his term holidays, by-going on his ''tour'' of complicated game¡¯s killing-missions ¨C BUT ''NOT'' TODAY¡
¡ he was depressed OF THE DEATH TOLL suffered by the earthquake in the news... where it had over 500-and-counting fatal CASUALTIES, IN THE TSUNAMI of the Queensland''s Great Barrier Reefs.
... Alicia tweeted... and asked ''how'' he was, being ''grounded'' by his-mom... and the un-enthusiastic Paul simply replied ''fine.''
She then shared-funny videos, to cheer him up...
... soon it was K-pop music videos of popular girl bands, where she told that one of the 4 girl-singers looked like her ¨C and the ''bemused'' Paul, who was put-on-the-spot... guessed it ''right.'' He then was entertained by her selection of short-videos... and re-watched some of it.
¡ Paul normally doesn''t retweet ¨C he ¡®would¡¯ just passively consumed and deleted those seen videos...
... but ''not'' today, he was actively engaging with her in comments... to ''forget'' his problems.
Soon she was into WhatsApp ¨C while in the past, they both used ''only'' in their term studies, leaving voice messages...
... today in WhatsApp, Alicia was sharing short trailer YouTube Korean serial clips with subtitles¡
¡ it was teen romance drama-show ¨C where it is a love triangle, of 2 bestie-girlfriends, falling in love with the ''same'' guy. He was reading the drama''s subtitles ¨C when Alicia later contacted him, to say¡
¡ that she was going to Jane''s place...
... soon with Alicia gone, and Paul felt lonely again.
... he then switched on his iPad and searched for the pilot-of that Korean series on YouTube ¨C Paul spent that whole day, watching an episode after another episode...
... until the season-finale of the 1st season...
... which he watched it till late, after midnight.
-O-
The next day, he was woken late by a phone call from the Chinese girl ¨C who was video calling him from Jane''s house, informing that Jane''s new AI system had arrived by UPS, from America.
They demonstrated THE BOY-VOICED AI system, whom the girls call ¡®Boyyo¡¯... and Paul was impressed...
... both girls were programming Boyyo, while Baby Samuel was confused seeing Paul, in the Samsung screen ¨C and he kept calling him ''Peeta'' ¨C while both the BFFs were trying to correct the baby-boy¡
¡ but funny, he still KEPT ON SAYING ''PETER''...
... Paul laughed, recalling the last time he saw the baby-Samuel ¨C who was inside the enclosure of the black panther, with Piper and his twin Peter.
Alicia soon told Paul that he ''badly'' needed a hair-cut ¨C as it was long, uneven and messy ¨C he-then said that he will go to the barbers soon. But Alicia insisted, he should come-over to her mother''s hair salon ¨C but Paul declined, by saying that he was grounded from going out.
¡ Alicia then pestered him to CALL UP HIS INSPECTOR-MOTHER ¨C and ask her permission to come out, to have his hair-cut... before school-reopened, next-Monday.
He then called his mother... and Caroline allowed ''only'' him-out¡ but ''not'' his twin.
¡ Paul took a quick hot shower, and dressed up in Daks, and collared polo t-shirt, wearing Peter''s Nike. He then called Gary, his regular Uber driver, who also went to his same church. Paul passed the driver the GPS location of the hair salon, which was outside Chinatown.
He had no idea ''who'' the members of Alicia''s family were... as Alicia was ''quiet'' about her family, in their interaction in school. He was CURIOUS ABOUT Alicia''s mom.
Paul also remembered Alicia the other day...
... mentioning that SHE WAS HALF-TAIWANESE...
... and he assumed her mother was Korean.
Paul looked up at the upstairs, of the house that his father had built ¨C and it had been 36 HOURS ¨C since he last saw Peter¡
¡ who locked himself up in his bedroom since Sunday.
He didn''t see him since, but THE PIZZA BOX ON THE kitchen counter was gone ¨C meaning...
¡ his one-armed twin was ''still'' around...
... probably recuperating from his zoo''s escapades.
So, he left him a text message...
''Going out for a haircut. Order your own lunch, $$$@kitchen counter.''
Chapter 2: Robin@Matahari
GARY''S WHITE NISSAN ALMERA arrived the destination, of a White middle-class neighbourhood, with many matured business establishments in the street''s row. While the Uber driver went to get his wheelchair from the back of the car...
¡ Paul tweeted Alicia, informing of his arrival.
... he did ''not'' have the small-change for his-50 note, Gary-then said he can pay later when they return ¨C Paul guesstimated the time duration, he told he would call him back, in about 2 hours.
Seated on his wheelchair, in front on the entrance of the hair salon... looking up at the colourful sign-board ¨C MATAHARI SALOON ¨C Paul did ''not'' know what it meant... but he liked it, as it sounded exotic. Before long, Alicia came rushing-out and cheerfully greeting him... and pushed the chair inside the old shop.
The interior was the opposite ¨C colourfully deco with replica paintings like of an art gallery ¨C and even had Vincent van Gogh''s sunflower art, as the wallpaper of the saloon. Paul was impressed.
A contemporary pop-song was playing, and there were 4 chairs, which were all occupied by local Whites, probably housewives of the neighbourhood ¨C getting their hair done by the hairstylist Asian workers.
The housewives were seated chatting and reading their choice of fashion and gossip magazines.
... then Alicia made an unprecedented announcement to everyone present.
"Hey everyone this is MY FRIEND FROM SCHOOL, Paul Walker."
Every customer was ooh-and-wowing, looking at the crippled boy, who was sheepishly grinning back, from an awkward situation. Then a housewife spoke up...
"You must be the other half of the twin... who is the famous, local celebrity of the ''Perth''s famous couple.''"
"Gnarly! yes, he is, isn''t that awesome...?" Alicia replied proudly from his back, placing her hand on Paul''s shoulder.
"Ali, where is Jane¡? I have ''not'' seen her in the shop for a while." Another customer asked.
"Pfft! Where-else, she must be with her boyfriend, of course!" The third customer spoke, and everybody laughed.
"Paul came-by for his hair treatment, ladies ¨C say bye-bye to him."
Alicia told everyone, who waved back at them ¨C leaving the spot to the other half of the saloon behind. Paul was still tongue-tied, as Alicia whisk-him over, in his chair ¨C as he never had a HAIR TREATMENT, BEFORE at his male-barber shop.
He had a glimpse behind the curtain, of some chairs with customers... who had their feet washed by the saloon-workers ¨C and it reminded him of a particular washing of the feet ritual in his church, during the season of Lent.
An Asian woman with her back turned to them, was talking to the product-supplier on the phone in English, in her little office.... when she was off the phone, Alicia acknowledged her...
"Mummy..."
The rest of what Alicia said, was in Hokkien dialect...
... Paul saw the petite Asian-woman in her early 30s, well-tanned, with a face beautifully defined, with green-dyed streaks in her hair. She wore fashionable clothing, with lots of accessories. She even wore, colours that were ''louder'' than her daughter.
''Was she Korean...?''
... Paul can''t tell the difference, from the YouTube videos... that he binge-watched last night.
"Hi Paul, I''m Robin Wong ¨C glad to finally meet you."
She was cheery voiced like her daughter, and she had her knees-bent, when she shook his hand, to MEET HIS EYES-LINE, in his wheelchair ¨C instead of the majority of people... who looked-down on the top his head, while in they handshake.
... Paul instantly liked Alicia''s mom and thought she had a unique name, and he had never personally known anyone... named Robin before ¨C unless in the comic books and telly.
... Robin ruffled Paul''s hair slightly with her fingers... and corked her head slightly to observe, she then spoke in Hokkien to Alicia ¨C the only word Paul understood, out of the ''mix'' it was... ''shampoo.''
The mother turned to a calling-customer... and walked away, leaving the tweens behind. Alicia pushed the wheelchair to a recline salon chair which was attached to a porcelain washbasin. She pulled the curtain close and said...
"First thing Pauly, we get your hair washed."
His barber did ''NOT'' WASH HIS HAIR ¨C he had been doing his shampooing on his ''own'' when he had his bath alone, probably his mom shampooed him when he was little while growing up ¨C and he sure felt ''ODD'' THAT ALICIA, was going to shampoo him.
The petite Alicia pat the saloon chair and instructed him. "Up you go."
... Paul turned and looked back at the closed curtain for prying-eyes ¨C before HE LEVITATED TO STAND-UP from his wheelchair, and sat himself on the higher saloon chair...
... the Chinese girl was delighted when she saw that, it was THE ''2ND TIME'' she saw ¡®that¡¯ ¨C when the first time was, the day before yesterday, at the zoo ¨C when she was over-joyed that Paul was miraculously ''standing,'' like he was ''cured'' ¨C but, was ¡®wrong¡¯¡
¡ it was his superpowers...
.... where he could ''also'' fly...
Paul was physically grabbing his Daks, to put his crippled right foot on the saloon chair, and ¨C Alicia bent over to get his left foot. Paul was curious and asked...
"Why are they washing their feet, back there?"
"Oh-that... it is reflexology, one of the several businesses Mummy had been doing. And, pedicure services too."
Paul did not understand a word she just had said... and repeated. "What ''is'' reflexology?"
"That is a Chinese alternative medical treatment to massage the feet, to get perfect blood circulation so that you won''t get illnesses in the future. I have some basics-skills... and if you have the time, you can give it a go ¨C it will be good for you, Paul."
Alicia replied casually, as she reached for the shampoo bottle.
... Paul looked over at his crippled legs and mumbled¡
"I think I will pass."
He would settle today of his friend shampooing his-head... BUT ''NOT'' A FOOT MASSAGE ¨C when his feet were both damaged.
... Alicia wet his hair, with a short hose attached from the ceramic-faucet... she applied shampoo and massaged it to Paul''s scalp before she vigorously lathered.
It felt good and he sighed inwards.
Then, he had another question...
"... Ali, is your mom Korean...?"
"No silly, what makes you think she''s Korean?"
"Just a thought ¨C and by the Korean serial clips you sent yesterday."
... Alicia stopped shampooing, to laugh out aloud...
"It''s not like that, I shared it because I love that teenage-serial yes, MY MOM AND I, ARE CHINESE."
"But Alicia, you told me, you are half-Taiwanese."
"Yes, I had told you that because MY MOTHER WAS A SINGAPOREAN... and I was born in Singapore too."
"What... really...?"
... resuming scrubbing his hair, she told her ''family-history'' that Robin had earlier gone to Paris to pursue her hair-dressing course studies before returning back to Singapore, to open her own salon in Orchard Road ¨C an expensive business district of the country.
... and before long, she fell in love with a WEALTHY TAIWANESE BUSINESSMAN, Albert Wang... who was a customer at her newly opened hair-salon...
They soon were married despite Albert''s mother from the Wang clan, had objected her only son, to be married to a ''gold-digger'' ¨C and the old woman demanded her only-son to come back home to Australia. At first, her father refused...
... and STAYED ON FOR 2 YEARS ¨C where Alicia was then born at Kandang Kerbau Hospital, in Singapore.
When his old mother had threatened to cut him off from his family wealth inheritance, Albert then decided to take his wife and newly born daughter back ¨C and soon...
... both the Singaporean mother and daughter were officially Australians.
Later years...
... Robin had given birth to 2 sons in Australia ¨C but Alicia''s black-hearted grandmother fabricated tales... that Robin was cheating behind Albert''s back ¨C and her father believed those lies, and took his 2 sons away...
... and left ¨C Robin and Alicia behind...
... since then, Alicia and her father WERE ESTRANGED ¨C but Alicia decided to remain with her mother... and even changed to her mother''s surname, which was Wong.
Alicia even told Paul that what she missed most was BEING WITH HER 2 BROTHERS, since her parents were separated and lived apart. The boys were now 10 and 9 years old and lived UNDER THE ROOF of the matriarch grandmother...
... and, with both the Wong and Wang families, SINCE STAYED APART in the ''same'' Greater Perth...
... that was why she was attached to Baby Samuel... and considered Jane as her sister-from-a-different-mother.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
-O-
The Chinese girl finished washing Paul''s hair and she wrapped a towel on his head ¨C and led him back to the main saloon, where the customers were with Robin.
Seated on his wheelchair, Alicia now blew-dry Paul''s damp hair. He was now among the conversation of the White-housewives present, going back and forth between the saloon chairs.
He listened closely to them ¨C speaking highly of Jane''s ''radio'' who sang karaoke to them...
... apparently, SIMY had entertained them before during Jane''s visits @MataHari Saloon ¨C AS A DEEJAY ¨C playing their favourite songs... and encouraged sing-alongs participations and clapping, to the merriment of everyone present.
"They think SIMY is a radio."
... Alicia whispered to Paul, laughing while blowing his hair. When someone asked when would Jane come next, Alicia replied ''no-worries¡ soon''.
But deep down, both Alicia and Paul knew it was ''not'' possible, as SIMY was-now destroyed and was a ''dead-Radio-Ga-Ga''...
... unless Boyyo could fill-up that digital-shoe.
Next in the hair treatment was the hair-steaming ¨C Paul went along with the flow when a huge plastic transparent dome was fitted to his head that blew hot and wet vapour on his hair ¨C he was amused, recalling a funny episode of the animation South Park series, titled Buddha-Box.
With all the hair-steaming done, it was the job of Robin''s expert hands to give a new hairstyle to Paul''s head. Both the mother and daughter were in random discussion in Hokkien ¨C Paul picked up some funny-sounding English spoken, with Robin saying...
"Ah Girl, that''s ''not'' possible-lehh..."
And ... Alicia urging back aloud...
"¡. Mummee... just try-lorr..."
... Robin used her scissors and start snipping ¨C and later used extra hair wax and she sculptured a new hair-do. While Paul was passive in the entire process, sitting on his wheelchair¡
¡ without a mirror in front of him, to see...
... what was-all-the-fuss that was going on...
But he noticed Alicia was ''getting'' excited by the minute, google-eyed with her mother''s masterpiece...
... minutes-later...finally, they both were done. Alicia handed over a hand-holding mirror to Paul ¨C who saw his reflection¡
¡ and at first glance, he couldn''t recognize himself sporting a newer, slick and spiky hair-do ¨C and the crippled boy loved it...
¡®Strewth! ¡ my darn hair looked more like that... KOREAN TEENAGER-ACTOR from that serial ... on YouTube.¡¯
<><>
AFTER ONE AND A HALF HOUR of hair treatment @MataHari... Alicia took Paul out to her aunt''s famous-restaurant back in Chinatown for a treat.
... it was the 2nd time, Paul went to that establishment ¨C where in the first time, was of an unpleasant experience ¨C which was a different bag-of-emotional feeling, back then...
... it was the day...
... when Peter gave Jane her FIRST TENNIS LESSON ¨C and she came to that very same restaurant, and she was eating her Taiwanese stinky tofu and in-euphoria ¨C about her new tennis learning-experience...
... that blind-Jane had with his one-armed twin ¨C that made the jealous with Paul lose his appetite, on that occasion ¨C and also, with him, ''not'' good in eating with chopsticks, when ¨C he blotched earlier on-the-table... eating messy in sticks...
... and so much-so, had to make an excuse to bloody-bolt-away from Chinatown.
-O-
At the restaurant¡
¡ Alicia chose her favourite table closest to the food counter, for fast service.
It was dim sum, once again that she ordered, which the order came fast just as she called ¨C with 3 small baskets, of various sorts of fresh steamed-dumplings, arrived with its condiment sauces ¨C and 2 PAIR OF CHOPSTICKS.
"Come, eat Paul ¨C eat-while it''s hot."
He held the chopsticks and sighed deep ¨C at the tunnel-vision, that he was about to have...
... he whispered back¡
"Excuse me, Alicia, I''m ''NOT'' good... in eating with chopsticks."
"No worries..."
Alicia then called out in Hokkien to the waiter, but he was ''not'' around ¨C so the dim-sum chef had to walk... a long-way-back, to the kitchen... to get a set of fork and spoon...
... while Paul was waiting for his cutleries... Alicia picked a small white dumpling with her chopstick, dipped it in the hot sauce... and took it to Paul''s mouth to feed him...
"Like I said, its best eaten when it''s hot ¨C open wide-wide, Pauly-poe-pee-poe..."
... she teased, and Paul took the dumpling in his mouth ¨C and he bit... and tasted into the feel-good, juicy-crunchy prawn... that imploded into his taste-buds...
"It is called Har-Kau ¨C delicious right...?" Paul nodded with a stupid-grin...
"Want some more¡?"
... the-spiky-haired, Paul nodded again, with guilts of pleasure. Alicia giggled and took another of the same-dumpling... and she popped it into his mouth saying, child-like...
"Open wide-wide mum-mum ¨C aeroplane coming..."
They both laughed aloud. After with some silly fun... as-they saw the serious-looking chef coming back... and handed Paul his fork and spoon, at the table.
... Paul recalled the thought of his past bad-experience, of eating that ''same'' dumpling ¨C which ended-up messy, of him ''harpooning'' the soft-skinned dumpling with failed attempts... while listening to ¨C both the BFFs talking about the-bloody-tennis subject-matter...
But it was in different circumstances today, as he noticed Alicia was an ''open book'' ¨C and she was willing to share her INTIMATE ''PAST,'' since ¡®their¡¯ rescue of Baby Samuel at the zoo...
... this was the next level of friendship ¨C where he could confide too with her on ''anything'' ¨C even though Paul had TRIED ''ONCE,'' WITH Jane Wilson... ''but'' failed...
"Ali... why did your mom open her business, outside Chinatown?"
It made Alicia share the 2nd part of her mother, Robin''s saga unfolding ¨C of the early 5 years in Australia, as a housewife with 3 children...
... where she was constantly shamed and humiliated by her husband''s side, of the Wang clan ¨C and her ''suspicious'' father too... had given her mother a hard time...
... where...
... Robin had 2 choices when she was separated from Albert ¨C and either return to her homeland in Singapore ¨C or to stay¡
¡ Robin Wong being a strong-willed woman ¡®picked¡¯ the latter, who THEN MOVED-OUT of Chinatown...
... to bravely opened the hair salon to be an independent sole-provider. And, after lots of hardship years and trials of being rejected by ''Taiwanese'' society... Robin had finally managed to pull-herself-up, to succeed as the businesswoman ¨C whom Alicia was proud of now today.
Her mother''s first priority was education where she sent Alicia to a private school ¨C Stamford High School ¨C so that her children would socialize with other Caucasian students more... as she felt the biasness of the Taiwanese-Hokkien community where everyone was an ungrateful and greedy lot, even towards the Hokkien-Singaporeans...
... then the day came...
¡ when Albert Wang took Alicia''s 2 brothers away ¨C and her father even told Robin that Alicia was an illegitimate child of Robin''s some-boyfriend in Singapore. Since then¡
¡ Alicia had hated her father''s poor and cruel treatment towards her mother and her ¨C the tween had no respect nor love towards her own biological father...
... and she referred Albert Wang... as a mere sperm donor.
Paul listened to her attentively, and felt-too ¨C he had something in common with Alicia...
... where-they both came from broken homes. Both his parents too argued and fought a lot... because his father ¨C Solomon Walker was a compulsive gambler, with accumulating debts piled up.
... but...
... Paul did ''not'' hate his father, like how Alicia who hated Albert because the crippled boy was told that GAMBLING WAS AN ADDICTION... just like cigarettes, drugs and alcohol.
On the table, Alicia was still controlling her hatred, towards her father...as she sat quiet, recalling some of the past incidences of what ''cruel-things'' that the ¡®man¡¯ had ''said'' of her poor mother. Her eyes were welling up in tears, and she lost her appetite ¨C Paul noticed that...
... and he reached his hand-out across the table. Alicia then anticipated, and reached OUT HERS AND GRABBED his welcoming palm ¨C and, squeezed his-fist... like a stress-ball...
... they were both tacit, at the moment...
... peering eyes of the chef and nearby table of Asian customers were upon them ¨C Paul ''noticed'' that and let go of her hands... and he decided to CHANGE THE CONVERSATION... to cheer Alicia-up, saying...
"Ali, guessed what ¨C the Korean drama link you sent on WhatsApp... I followed the link and watched the pilot on YouTube."
... it surprised her, and her lips curved a smile... and chuckled, wiping her tears.
"¡ wha¡? ... Pauly, you did that?"
"Yea, I did ¨C it was so good and engaging ¨C that I BINGE-WATCHED THE WHOLE, entire first season last night."
"Shut up...! Way-no-way... the entire 22 episodes...?"
"Yea, that how my-whole of-Tuesday went... in my-bed... with a Korean soap-opera ¨C crying my eyes out... especially in the ''sad-ending'' of the season finale..."
They both were rapt-delighted and laughed out... Alicia was back cheery again...
"But Pauly, the love-triangle story gets even better in Season 2."
"Let me be the judge to that... Ali, no furphy-spoilers please." Paul replied with a chuckle.
"No worries... it''s a deal-then, Pauly ¨C no spoilers ahead!"
... and, he was charmed when he saw her smile again, as her usual-self ¨C and he had also noticed that ALICIA HAD-DECIDED FOR HIM ¨C to give the hairstyle of that heartthrob Korean teen actor''s hairstyle, whom she had a ¡®crush on¡¯...
... and PAUL DON''T MIND WEARING that ''crown'' for her.
<><>
HIS UBER RIDE REACHED HOME ¨C Paul paid the returning fare, that he owed. He noticed the Audi parked at the porch... as he wheeled over at the gate.
His mother was in early in the evening ¨C after 3 long days of working late, in the zoo''s crime investigation case.
... Paul''s thoughts were ''still'' in Chinatown when before they-parted... where-Alicia told-that... she HAD MET A TRUE-FRIEND in him... along with Janey. She bent over and hugged him, and kissed his cheek.
-O-
His wheelchair entered the front door, and Paul noticed his twin was seated on the couch, eating his pizza dinner ¨C and watching the local news...
... Peter was watching the latest updates, of unfolding criminal investigations of the 6 drugged zoo''s security guards by Hajji... and the perpetrator who was still at large¡
¡ the one-armed boy was hoping and praying that the inspector-mother would ''not'' catch him ¨C as Hajji had ''promised'' him, that he would break the curse of the Cursed-Trio.
... Peter turned, and glanced... the approaching wheelchair from the front-door ¨C he then pointed and laughed like a hyena...
"Did you use a pencil-sharpener to get that hairstyle! Look at ''what'' you did to yourself, Poe ¨C now you look like an awful drongo and a copycat version of Bart Simpson''s spikes. It looks horrible, GO AND CHANGE IT ¨C or else, you will be a laughing-stock at school!"
"Screw you!"
... the annoyed Paul replied back, as he headed to his bedroom, beside the kitchen.
At the IKEA kitchen table was inspector-mother... still in her uniform, as she was unwinding with a glass of red wine ¨C and Caroline Walker''s MIND WAS STILL AT WORK ¨C focusing on the case files spread on the table surface... finding for missing clues.
She looked up at Paul coming in... she flashed a wide smile. "Crikey! Wow-look at you, Poe ¨C with a million-dollar hairstyle."
Paul chuckled and said. "I got that done in Alicia''s mom saloon. It is called MataHari ¨C which means the ''sun'' in some Singapore-language ¨C and, she is a pretty-good hairstylist too... Paris trained."
"It must have had cost you a fortune," Caroline replied.
"No-Mom, I got it for free! But I felt ''wrong,'' and so I bought some products on the way out ¨C but even then... Alicia''s mom Robin, had still-further gave a generous huge-discount for them."
... Paul told her-excited... while lifting a lime-yellow plastic bag with a sun-wearing-sunnie logo, that was filled with various hair products. His-excitement didn''t stop there... as Paul forked out from his pocket a business card...
"Here-Mom, the location of the saloon... in case... you want a beautiful hair-do ¨C then Robin... is your go-to hairstylist."
Caroline was ''touched'' by her son''s thoughtfulness, and she reached out to pat his head...
...but-Paul backed off, saying¡
"Whoa, easy-there, Mom ¨C ''not'' the hair..."
... both the mother and son laughed...
Chapter 3: Where is the Hero Dog?
JANE WOKE UP EARLY THAT WEDNESDAY morning, and went downstairs for a quick brekkie¡ while-saying goodbye, to her doctor-mother, who went to her clinic.
She headed back upstairs to her-task of programming-Boyyo¡ where she had a deadline of before school reopened¡
¡ but it was impossible to teach the AI every mannerism and commands of herself. Jane also thought of HER ¡®PERSONAL¡¯ SECURITY¡ now that she was popular-and-famous in Perth ¨C so, SHE DECIDED TO PUT A FIREWALL, ¡®between¡¯ her-and-Boyyo.
She does ¡®not¡¯ want the AI to learn every aspect of her life¡
¡®¡ my personal blind-life is ¡®my-own,¡¯ personal blind-life¡¡¯
-O-
She had made her lucky-mistake before, when she had programmed-SIMY to self-learning mode, 2 years ago ¨C that made ¡®her-artificial intelligence to analyse her-self¡ and¡
¡ her former AI had learned of her rebellious behaviour, and since-then ¡®was¡¯ CONTROLLING-JANE¡
¡ by making the ¡®correct¡¯ choices for her ¨C which was ¡®why¡¯ blind-Jane was glad-and-lucky that SIMY had kept her ¡®alive¡¯ ¨C ever since she was involved in the field trip and later ¡®cursed¡¯ in that same farm-town, outside Perth.
¡ but-now¡
¡ as a blind girl with a different set of priorities ¨C she also ¡®valued¡¯ her own freedom and free-will, that was within her-control¡.
A shout downstairs, made Jane come out from her-reverie. She immediately commanded¡
¡°Boyyo, what is happening!!?¡±
¡°Lola is shouting¡¡±
¡°Yes, I can ¡®hear¡¯ that too, you-galah-dimwit ¨C Boyyo-what do you ¡®see¡¯...?¡±
¡ Boyyo¡¯s video-feed looked¡ through Jane¡¯s blind-dark-glasses, outside the window¡
¡°2 teenagers are running out there, in the back alley.¡±
¡ Blind-Jane immediately grabbed her baton-walking stick, with Samuel¡¯s ¡®safety¡¯ in mind ¨C and she rushed downstairs¡ and ¡®only¡¯ to-hear¡
¡ Samuel¡¯s voice gurgling-stoked in the living room, at the TV ¨C Jane then headed to the kitchen, which led to the outdoor backyard¡
¡°Lola, what happened¡?¡±
She cried out to Lola Flores, standing alone beside the gazebo.
¡°Some-bloody Bruce, with a SELFIE-STICK, was taking pictures of our backyard.¡± The Filipina scoffed.
¡ Jane turned back into the house sighing¡she took out her Samsung and called Alicia ¨C and told her of the ¡®INVASION OF PRIVACY¡¯ incident¡
She went back upstairs to meet her deadline ¨C and worked on her new-AI programming until she was MENTALLY DRAINED¡ and she took a short nap¡
-O-
She was into a dream state ¨C and she unconsciously trespassed into uncharted realms, that were dark and unwelcoming. The blind-girl¡¯s spirit FOLLOWED A FEMALE ¡®VOICE,¡¯ hypnotically coming at the end of a long tunnel¡
¡°yes, O¡¯ blind one ¨C just follow my voice¡¡±
The docile blind-girl followed the voice¡
¡ ¡°yes, keep following my voice ¨C Just followw¡¡±
Jane then heard a man¡¯s voice from her back ¨C calling-out with urgency¡
¡°Jane, turn back!¡±
Her-blind-aura halted¡ at the mouth-of-the-tunnel, and Jane asked¡
¡°¡ who are you¡?¡±
¡°It¡¯s me, Piper.¡±
¡°What¡? You can-speak Piper¡?¡±
¡ Jane felt a nudge at the feet¡ and it was furry ¨C the blind-girl reached out her hand ¨C and ¡®felt¡¯ her dog''s licking wet-tongue¡
¡°¡ Piper, it¡¯s you ¨C you ¡®found¡¯ me¡¡±
¡°Yes-Jane, but why are you here?¡± Asked, her-dog.
¡°How is this ¨C you-speak¡?¡±
¡°Yes¡ in this ¡®world¡¯ I can speak ¨C and many other things¡ but why are you here, Jane? It is a dangerous place-to-be¡ that even I dare ¡®not¡¯ step my foot into here, because Popobawa lives here ¨C Jane¡ come, let-me TAKE YOU BACK-home.¡±
¡°Who is ¡®this¡¯ Popobawa¡?¡± Jane asked.
¡°That is the bad-bad-animal-spirit¡ that infected the big-black panther, who then¡ bit-and-infected me too¡¡±
Nodding, Jane was quiet in thoughts, as she followed her dog¡
¡°¡ Piper, you ¡®sound¡¯ older ¨C like a man.¡±
¡°Yes, Jane¡ I have been ¡®cursed¡¯ as ¨C a man¡?¡±
¡°You don¡¯t like¡ being a man?¡±
¡°No¡ this-man, I don¡¯t ¨C because I¡¯m dangerous¡ when I become ¡®this¡¯ man ¨C it is more like a Wolf-man.¡±
¡°¡ what¡? You mean¡ like a werewolf?¡±
¡°How-ever you may call it, Jane ¨C but I don¡¯t like this transformation one bit¡± Piper sighed¡
¡°Because¡ I-kill.¡±
Piper noticed Jane slowing down¡ with heart-pounding with fear.
¡°Fear me ¡®not,¡¯ Jane, I¡¯m in control of it.¡± The dog chuckled¡
¡°¡but thank you-too¡ for saving my ¡®life¡¯¡ or else I would have died that night, in the panther¡¯s attack.¡±
¡°I love you, Piper ¨C I would do anything for you.¡±
Jane got down on her knees¡ and hugged her dog. He licked her face¡
¡°I love you too, Jane¡¡±
-O-
¡ in her new-Queen-size bed, Jane was ¡®awakened¡¯ by inappropriate touches of a human arm, hugging from her-rear ¨C the blind-girl opened her ¡®blind¡¯ eyes to see red light-glows.
She fought-back, rolled and yanked-over ¨C until she fell off her bed to the thick rugged floor. Jane was sentient again¡ sitting on the floor to realize, that it was only a ¡®strange¡¯ dream.
¡°¡ Boyyo¡ err, how long was I asleep¡?¡±
¡°You have been sleeping for 1 hour and 37 minutes ¨C and-Jane¡ you have also, a voice message from Alicia.¡±
Replied the Boyyo-tablet ¨C from the new Queen-sized bed.
¡°Play it.¡±
¡°¡ Janey, I¡¯m coming over now to your house ¨C there has been ¡®major¡¯ development in social media.¡±
<><>
ALICIA ARRIVED AT THE WILSON RESIDENCE ¨C and in no time she was upstairs, entering the blind-girl¡¯s bedroom, but only to find her BFF seated at her desk, quiet and in deep thoughts.
¡°Janey¡¡±
The Chinese girl called in a soft tone.
After a couple of seconds of hesitating delay¡ the blurry blind-girl responded as she whispered back¡
¡°Ali¡¡±
¡°Girl, are you okay¡?¡±
¡ Jane looked at her ¨C nodded with uncertainty.
She had a ton-load of 2-years of school-work coding to upload into the learning system and Braille-it for her final exams. She had only a deadline of 4 days to do-it-all ¨C she was already in stress-mode crunching it out, with programming data into her new AI device.
Alicia took her hand and led her to the bed. The tweens sat side by side ¨C the blind-girl¡¯s head tilled over, and rested on her best friend¡¯s shoulder.
¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, I¡¯m always there to help you, Janey.¡±
¡°But Ali, I¡¯m-blind B-girl¡ I think I¡¯m ¡®not¡¯ ready to go back to school.¡±
¡°Nonsense! This Monday¡ you-and-I will go to school, no-matter-what, okay?¡±
After a brief silence, Jane responded softly. ¡°Okay...¡±
Alicia hugged and kissed her cheek. ¡°No-worries¡ everything will be A-Okay, right Janey-gee?¡±
Jane¡¯s head softly then nodded back.
After another brief silence, Jane asked.
¡°Your voice-message, just now ¨C you said something happening in social media?¡±
The Chinese girl was back in enthusiasm when she took out her Samsung¡ to her Twitter-feed¡
¡°It¡¯s Piper ¨C the photos of your backyard taken just now, that had an empty-cage ¨C and it has everyone talking about, the whereabout of Perth¡¯s hero dog, who had gone missing.¡±
¡ Jane was stunned when she heard that, after dreaming of her dog, Piper just now ¨C who could TALK LIKE A MAN, and even to transform into a werewolf beast. But it would be absurd¡ to say ¡®that¡¯ to her BFF¡
¡ so, the blind-girl summed up a response¡
¡°But Piper-boy is cursed ¨C and that was why HE MADE HIS DECISION of running away-on his own ¨C so that he wouldn¡¯t harm anyone!¡±
¡°That is right, but Janey ¨C now various Perth¡¯s animal lovers¡¯ organizations are campaigning, on ¡®rescuing¡¯ Piper¡ and bring him back ¡®home¡¯ to you.¡±
¡°Oh-no¡ that is a ¡®bad¡¯ move ¨C Piper has gone feral and would endanger anyone that ¡®would¡¯ TRY TO CAPTURE HIM. We must find a way to stop this, Ali!¡±
¡°But how¡? Based on eyewitness and other photos circulated in the past week showed Piper, was last spotted in various parts of South Perth town and in the streets ¨C feeding on scraps ¨C Piper then disappeared ¡®poof¡¯ ¨C and NO ONE SEEN HIM ever-since.¡±
¡°Oh, my poor, hungry doggie¡¡±
¡ Jane was sad ¨C as she had fed her dog daily after-school¡ and also regretted and feeling guilty, for coming out late THAT NIGHT TO ¡®SEE¡¯ PETER ¨C where her brave dog was bitten when ¡®defending¡¯ her, while the both of them were attacked by the sneaking wild-Black cat.
She recalled in her dream of Piper, thanking her for rescuing him from certain death, in the jaws of the black panther ¨C but she had ¡®FORGOTTEN¡¯ TO APOLOGIZE to him¡ for bringing Piper along that same tragic night¡
¡ she was heart-broken and, Piper being ¡®CURSED¡¯ WAS HER FAULT...
The girls hugged¡
¡°Don¡¯t cry, Janey¡¡±
-O-
¡°I¡¯M STILL FEEL GUILTY, ALI¡¡±
Both the tweens, had-been lying on the new-Queen-sized bed, for an hour. Jane was hugging her tighter, to her BFF¡ while Alicia was twiddling, with her best-friend¡¯s dreadlock¡ The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
¡°Why am I double-cursed as a B-girl¡ who lost her good-friends, in a week apart ¨C I lost SIMY in the thunderstorm¡ and then also, the moment that black panther bit Piper, I knew I had lost my dog-too ¨C and I don¡¯t know WHAT AND ¡®WHO¡¯ else I would be losing next¡?¡±
The blind-girl, heard Alicia giggle softly¡
¡°Girlfriend¡ you are ¡®not¡¯ going TO GET RID OF ¡®ME¡¯ that easily ¨C we will figure a way out.¡±
But Alicia too was worried for Janey, whom she HAD ¡®NOT¡¯ EVER-SEEN, had-spiralled-down as so-fragile ¨C AFTER BOTH the Treeton and the panther-attack tragic incidences¡
¡ day by day¡
¡ her best-friend was LOSING ALL OF HERSELF-confidence, in the seeing-sighted world ¨C and was withdrawing back¡ into the womb of the blind-world, where she was born into¡
And¡ Alicia WOULD ¡®NOT¡¯ LET THAT HAPPEN to her BFF ¨C who was all tangled-and stressed-up¡ into-her ¡®own¡¯ insecurities.
¡°What if Ali, what if¡¡±
¡°Stop it Janey-gee, no more bloody-what-ifs, for now, okayy¡?¡±
¡°But that¡¯s the point ¨C I¡¯M NOW ¡®CURSED¡¯ ¨C and now have all these ¡®bad-lucks¡¯ happening every-other-day ¨C what if something happens TO ¡®YOU¡¯¡ AND I CAN¡¯T LIVE with it, knowing that I was ¡®the cause¡¯ of it¡ and I would feel guilty till the day I ¡®die.¡¯¡±
¡°Listen-here Jane ¨C remember what SeeIn ¡®told¡¯ in the group-therapy session before ¨C which is to STAY POSITIVE at all times no matter what, and also to be supportive to one another.¡±
¡°It is so difficult to do so¡ by LIVING A DOUBLE-LIFE now ¨C I¡¯m living a ¡®lie¡¯ to those outside my ¡®circle¡¯¡ and I feel ¡®bad¡¯ by the thoughts of it¡ I need to SPEAK TO SOMEONE ¡®who¡¯ is qualified, and could access the-problems, that I¡¯m-into, a bloody-cursed-B-girl.¡±
¡°¡ Janey, you can speak to Ms King¡she can help as our school guidance counsellor ¨C I have her number to call, do you want it¡?¡±
¡°¡¯ Not¡¯ Ms King¡ BUT TO UNCLE JACK¡ he is my mentor and I feel ¡®bad,¡¯ withholding all these cursed-secrets from him¡ as he had entrusted ¡®me¡¯ by giving me his brain-child invention SIMY to OPERATE ¨C WHICH I THEN carelessly broke it, beyond repair.¡±
¡°Janey is that a ¡®good¡¯ idea¡?¡±
¡°I have no other choice and option right now ¨C maybe he will listen and understand¡ with you here at my side, as an eye-witness ¨C of everything that had HAPPENED TO ¡®US-ALL,¡¯ in the past 2 weeks.¡±
¡ Alicia thought for a deep-moment for a while¡ before she responded to Jane¡
¡°Okay LET¡¯S DO IT THEN. Let¡¯s hook up Boyyo¡ and we Skype Uncle Jack to find out.¡±
<>
DR JACK TURNER OF KIMURA STAR CORP., despite being a busy-Head Scientist, of the company¡¯s robotics division in Washington D.C. ¨C but he ALWAYS FOUND TIME, to listen to his favourite niece, from across the Pacific Ocean.
¡ but today, the bearded scientist was listening to 2 girls in a screen, that were speaking in a random dose of mild-paranoia, OF THE SUPERNATURAL, AND THE CURSES of Medieval Middle East¡
¡ Jane told him that she was ¡®cursed¡¯ in the school¡¯s field trip when she was hit by lighting with the Walker-twins. And, she then developed a super ability that she called-as HER 3RD-EYE ¨C which was activated, whenever she was around the twins-like a ¡®beacon.¡¯
Jane could see the Walker-twins glowing red and blue¡ where no-one else, who was ¡®not¡¯ cursed by the evil Asmodeus ¨C could ¡®see,¡¯ the Cursed-Trio glow¡
¡ Alicia backed-his niece¡¯s stories, that she believed her BFF 101% ¨C DESPITE SHE TOO ¡®can¡¯t see¡¯ the Cursed-Trio glow. But she even told Jane could fly and she had caused the Aurora Australis spectacle recently in South Perth, on Sunday ¨C where she saw in-the-mirror of Jane, as A COSMIC-STAR-LIKE BEING, and fighting an evil entity called the BlackStar¡ who was responsible for all global natural disasters.
Jane then spoke of their super abilities of the Cursed-trio ¨C that only she and Paul possessed superpowers ¨C while, the equally cursed Peter, WAS THE CAUSE of the recent earthquake disaster in Australia¡¯s Queensland¡¯s Great Barrier Reefs, with his uncontrollable negative emotions. But, ¡®NOT¡¯ HER AND PAUL who were using their superpowers responsibly, to help humanity to fight off any evil.
¡ Dr Jack Turner, after listening to more of their superpower¡¯s stories ¨C where Paul could shoot electrical discharge energy-sparks from his fingertips ¨C while his blind niece, too who could discharge firebolt from her palms, that were powerful to defend herself and her dog from an attacking black panther ¨C and¡
¡ the man-of-science stopped them both¡
He vaguely suspected that 4 of the tweens had their ¡®first¡¯ experimentation of the intoxication of cannabis, during their middle grade, mid-school term-break in Perth.
¡°So, my dear Jane¡ if you may, could you give me a ¡®SIMPLE¡¯ DEMONSTRATION of what such great superpowers you spoke of just now ¨C and ¡®convince¡¯ me-further, by displaying it?¡±
¡°Do it, Janey.¡±
¡ Alicia whispered to the blind-girl.
Jane stood up, wobbly and weak¡ as she shut-close her blind-eyes, to focus ¨C the depressing memories of her being ¡®curse,¡¯ bore an anchoring-weight, that had drained HER OF THINKING STRAIGHT and let-alone, to-focus¡
¡ Alicia saw Jane who stood upright, with her fists clenched tight, and her knees were bent. Even, forming frowns in her-forehead ¨C as she was breathing in-shallow, that changed her fairer, pale complexion, gradually to redder...
¡ for 20 seconds Alicia looked at her blind-friend¡¯s face and feet ¨C anticipating, that she can, at least LEVITATE LIKE-PAUL DID¡
¡ and ¡®be-done,¡¯ with this show-and-tell situation. But she too knew that her best-friend¡¯s current-mental state ¨C which was DEPRESSINGLY LOW¡ that it was ¡®impossible¡¯ to do so¡
¡ back across the Pacific Ocean, in that ¡®same¡¯ 20 seconds, on the screen ¨C the bearded Uncle Jack, saw his favourite niece, in a standing-pose and WITH HER CRINGED FACE, of like-a state of constipation.
Both Alicia and Uncle Jack ¡®saw¡¯ blind-Jane giving up¡ in exhaustion pants, backing off wobbly back to sit on the bed, with Alicia guiding while holding her.
¡°I can¡¯t¡ ¡®NOT¡¯ ENERGIZED, WITHOUT THE TWINS¡ I can¡¯t focus¡I can¡¯t¡¡±
¡ only Alicia empathized with Jane ¨C and she disliked her Uncle Jack¡¯s degrading his-niece, who-was her-BFF¡ with his cynical smile, mock-backs¡
While Uncle Jack concluded mentally ¨C that the tweens were high in hallucination and phantasm, during their holidays ¨C because he had been-there-and-done-that too before.
The guilt-filled Jane then¡ instantly just jerked up, from Alicia¡¯s shoulder ¨C to continue to speak out¡
¡°Uncle Jack, SIMY IS STILL ¡®ALIVE¡¯ and she is living now in the dream-world. On the night of Samuel¡¯s abduction, ¡®SHE¡¯ HAD-WARNED PAUL that Samuel¡ was ¡®taken¡¯ to the zoo ¨C and that was ¡®how¡¯¡ we had ¡®found¡¯ him there, in the first place. And, I have even spoken to ¡®her¡¯, in my head.¡±
Even Alicia now stood up for her friend and vouched¡
¡°Dr Turner, I believe in Jane, like my ¡®own sister¡¯ ¨C and I¡¯ve known-and-seen what she was capable of since. And, the Walker twins-too¡ I know, what they were capable of both ¡®good-and-bad.¡¯ And, when Janey says SIMY was in ¡®her¡¯ dream-world ¨C who gave us the ¡®hunch¡¯ of where to go, and that was where we went, to that exact-location of that zoo¡ and we found Samuel over-there. So¡ please believe-us, Sir¡?¡±
¡ Jane jumped-into the convincing-plea again, by adding¡
¡°Yes, Uncle Jack¡ the Walker-brothers and I ¨C we are-as the Cursed-trio¡ and we bear our-OWN CURSED MARKS, but it is all identical in the shape of a diamond.¡±
¡ Jane pulled off the beanie headwear, to point at her scar on her forehead¡ while Alicia beside her nodded.
But her uncle dismissed it¡
¡°But all lightning victims were scarred in 3rd-degree burns in their bodies¡ which is known as Lichtenberg figure ¨C that¡¯s what ¡®those¡¯ are¡¡±
¡°But-Uncle Jack¡ my dog Piper is ¡®cursed¡¯ too when bitten by that cursed black panther, so he ran away...¡±
¡°Listen-here you 2 ¨C cases of dogs running away from homes are ¡®common¡¯ reported daily ¨C it doesn¡¯t necessary means YOUR DOG-IS-CURSED¡ as there is a logical reason behind it, right¡?¡±
Again, Jane responded back. ¡°But SIMY is also inside Piper¡¯s head ¨C SIMY ¡®told¡¯ me so.¡±
¡ Dr Jack Turner¡¯s smiling-natured-face had SULKED¡ BY THE ¡®MENTION¡¯ of his prototype AI¡ again and again¡
SIMY WAS ¡®INDEED¡¯ HIS MAIN-problem, at hand.
-O-
The 2 girls were hugging each other ¨C feeling sad and disappointment with themselves, that they CAN¡¯T PROVE ANYTHING MYTHICAL... that they were facing were ¡®true¡¯ ¨C because the American scientist was debunking those events¡ with total scientific evidence and common-sense logic. They both too ¡®lack¡¯ any shreds of evidence to give proof to Uncle Jack, of those super-abilities the Cursed-trio had possessed.
Alicia thought of the Walker-twins¡¯ WHEREABOUTS¡
¡®Where are they now¡?¡¯
¡ Peter Walker was in a deep-deep sleep state, after consuming far too many online, depression pills ¨C where his brain had shut down temporarily, as child-lock protection for conscious self-preservation. And, his twin Paul too was sleeping in late... with his lowly, depressed emotions¡ from binge-watching of K-melodramas, as escapism to his guilt.
Uncle Jack changed the subject of the supernatural to his related field, which is science ¨C he asked about the replacement AI that he sent in, which Jane briefly said¡
¡°Boyyo is fine.¡±
¡°But Jane¡ why did you set a high-security setting on your personal security, and MODERATELY LOW for the SIM¡¯s learning mode ¨C it¡¯s the opposite from what I have taught you in the basics¡where it creates an input of reversed data that messes up the ALPHA¡¯s algorithm.
¡°Please put the setting back the DEFAULT SETTINGS, as per the prototype SIMY¡¯s, which we both agreed upon, when we signed the contract before and, approving that ¨C your personal-life was part of a deal, for the learning system ¨C for the supercomputer ALPHA to evolve. Jane, you too have to keep learning, more and more skills, with the 21-days-habit-training programme.¡±
¡ Alicia gasped at the shady-deal her BFF had got tangled up-with ¨C in which, her loving yet sinister uncle had tied-up a terms-and-conditions-applies¡
¡ to his favourite nieces¡¯ birthday present¡
¡®What ¡®kind¡¯ of uncle would do-that¡?¡¯
Jane voiced out¡
¡°But Uncle Jack, I want my blind, personal life to be private from now-on. I have grown-up ¡®now,¡¯ to value my personal privacy ¨C and I don¡¯t want to reveal my personal life to be public ¨C and that¡¯s why I CREATED A FIREWALL and will use Boyyo, only as a learning-tool at school, for search and memorization.
¡°It is now the final term, I have got a lot on my plate to ¡®focus,¡¯ which is purely school-studies.¡±
Jack Turner had followed the popular trends on Insta-stories on social media of ¡®Perth¡¯s Famous Couple¡¯ and he asked...
¡°You cannot be an all-work-and-no-play-Jane ¨C I have seen videos you play tennis with your boyfriend¡ and you both even went skateboarding too ¨C you SHOULD TEACH these skills, to your current Boyyo too.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do.¡± The blind-girl kept her answers short.
¡°Thank you, Jane, I will be looking forward to your LATEST INPUTS AND FEEDBACKS ¨C and that will benefit most in the R&D for future developing the supercomputer ¨C the ALPHA¡
¡°¡ and-my dear niece, you will be well-known in the future, as part-of the-subset, for the ¡®breakthrough¡¯ in the hope of the Quantum Mechanics of the AI-technology industry globally. You will be ¡®one¡¯ of the pioneers, who would shape-generations of the future.¡±
Uncle Jack saw NO EXCITEMENT in both the girls¡¯ facial expression¡ who both were staring back in contempt¡
¡ in-between, stroking his beard, Turner had an inkling¡
¡°I will be sending over 2 of my COMPANY-TECHNICIANS LATER TODAY, and¡ on Friday morning they both will be there in Perth¡ running some blood-tests on you and the Walker twins¡ for any odd anomalies in all your medical-tests ¨C and you all 3 will be answering some basic questionnaire too. Okay, Jane and Alicia, I will talk to you all soon.¡±
Uncle Jack Skyped off...
¡ the blind-girl panicked¡ and told her BFF¡
¡°Oh-my-Gawd! WHAT HAVE I DONE¡? Now they are ¡®coming¡¯ for The Cursed-Trio!¡±
<>
ACROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN, the scientist stared at the blank monitor screen as he was processing, the utter-nonsense that both the girls had spoken just now.
.. but Uncle Jack Turner was also disappointed with his ex-prototype SIMY AI¡ that he had given to Jane ¨C which had GONE ¡®ROGUE-ON-HIM¡¯¡
¡ with its own ¡®learned-conscious¡¯ into protecting its ¡®own¡¯ self-preservation.
-O-
Before SIMY self-destructed itself in the Treeton¡¯s dairy farm tragedy ¨C ¡®she¡¯ had copied all of Jane¡¯s files from the supercomputer mainframes, and THEN CORRUPTED THE personal files in ALPHA ¨C from it to ¡®not¡¯ accessing them.
For a fortnight, the scallywag-AI had been dormant¡
¡ until Kimura Star Corp., traced and tracked ¡®her¡¯ digital footprints-again in the social media platforms ¨C where, ¡®she¡¯ was busy creating FAKE-ACCOUNTS IN FACEBOOK and being a moderator in forums of women and motherhood groups¡
¨C collecting information, pertaining to ¡®raising¡¯ a difficult-child¡
¡ but when Kimura Star Corp., narrowed down and triangulated of the capture of the renegade SIMY ¨C ¡®she¡¯ somehow went-stealth ¡®again¡¯¡
¡ and ¡®she¡¯ had played hide-and-seek ever since¡ to ALPHA¡¯S super-killer antivirus.
¡ Dr Jack Turner had discovered that ¡®one¡¯ of the fake accounts in Facebook, that SIMY created had a duplicate profile photo of SHELLEY WILSON, THAT OF HIS OWN SISTER ¨C but under a fake name of ¡®Jan Wilson¡¯¡
¡ who was one of the moderators, in the motherhood FB Groups.
The scientist-uncle had been dishonest with his niece¡ since ¡®Day one¡¯¡
¡ feeling unnerved now, that he was slowly being exposed to the truth ¨C of his prototype invention ¨C nicknamed SIMY.
¡ Kimura Star Corp. was now into creating a perfect cyborg, with ALPHA AI supercomputer programming¡ as the cyborg¡¯s brains¡ to think and do skills and self-decision-making intelligently, of its own¡
¡ but, with the cyber-threats on the rise, ALPHA the cyborg would be threatened, if relied too much on its ¡®visual video-feed ¨C which could be hacked, and thus incapacity the cyborg.
Over the years of Uncle Jack¡¯s interacting with blind-Jane¡
¡ it had inspired the scientist, of the theory of ¨C what-if¡
¡ The ALPHA was ¡®blind¡¯ too, and¡
¡ IN ITS BLINDNESS MODE, it would get around dangers, with fast and accurate and precise decision-making with the use of the ¡®blind world¡¯s primal-instinct¡¯ of senses ¨C like ¡®hearing¡¯¡
¡ for ¡®its¡¯ calculated judgement-algorithms.
The prototype of SIMY bore success with Jane, using as a learning and interacting tool socially, and¡
¡ ALPHA WAS BENEFITING exponentially from Jane¡¯s ¡®feedback¡¯¡
¡ so, much so, Kimura Star Corp. had decided in ¡®secret¡¯ to RECRUIT 4 OTHER BLIND-GIRLS globally¡
... namely from Japan, the US, the UK and Malaysia.
<>
IT WAS TIME FOR ALICIA TO GO HOME ¨C and she forced Janey to leave her depression, at her bedroom doorstep¡ and go downstairs to cheer-up¡
They both walked down the stairs and Baby Samuel was loudly laughing at the TV screen, and talking to himself. After Jane heard some ¡®familiar-words,¡¯ she asked Alicia¡
¡°What is Samuel watching?¡±
¡ Jane and Alicia sat on the comfy couch, with their feet up, still hugging each other¡ while Baby Samuel was seated on the rugged floor, fully excited, watching an ANIMAL PLANET DOCUMENTARY, featuring an episode of Capuchin monkeys in the wild...
¡°¡ it¡¯s some-cute monkey-documentary.¡± Alicia said while laughing.
In his baby talks, the-pointing Samuel was storytelling to himself¡
¡°Monkee-zoo¡
¡ Peeta¡
¡ Piper¡
¡ Popobawa¡¡±
Chapter 4: Peeta & Poe meet Hiro & Taro
ALICIA HAD APOLOGIZED TWICE¨C but Paul was ranting in displeasure, repeating word afterword he said, for the 3rd time¡
¡ the peeved crippled boy told off¡
¡°How could she be so-so callous, by saying all THESE ¡®PRIVATE¡¯ THINGS, to-the outside world! Hey, you were there too, Alicia ¨C why did you LET-HER DO THAT¡? What about our ¡®truce¡¯ of keeping the ¡®secret¡¯ among the 5 of us, after the SeeIn meeting¡?
¡°No-one should know about the CURSED TRIO¡¯S SECRET IDENTITY ¨C ¡®not¡¯ our parents, our school or our friends, but-now ¨C here she goes out there¡ and she vomit-it-all-out to her rello-Uncle Jack for-what¡ FOR HIS APPROVAL!!?¡± The peeved crippled boy said.
This 3rd time¡ the Chinese girl had decided to humour him instead¡
¡ after, she had bike-ridden all the way to Walker¡¯s residence, right after she left the Wilson¡¯s ¨C wanting to give A FACE-TO-FACE¡¯ WARNING¡¯ of heads-up ¨C of the 2 visitors from Washington D.C¡
¡ who would be arriving at Perth on the day-after-tomorrow¡
¡ to-run-some-test, on the Cursed-trio.
¡°No worries Pauly¡ her Uncle Jack did ¡®not¡¯ believe in one galah-word she said.¡±
¡°Ali, how-would you know¡? With all these coincidences adding up ¨C there is a possibility of the danger, that we will be be-exposed soon!¡± He sighed, and Alicia mirrored sighing too.
¡Alicia then replied with sarcasm¡
¡°How-so¡? Now ¡®how¡¯ would a person with a right, LOGICAL AND RATIONAL MIND would believe ¡®what¡¯ we tweens had said, which sounds so-ridiculous of flying celestial bright stars, bull-dragons or an evil BlackStar, and-all¡ huh?
¡°Pauly, look-there¡ it is a ¡®BUSY¡¯ INTERNET-DRIVEN WORLD out-there, mate ¨C so stop-acting paranoia, when they themselves don¡¯t even believe in any of curses and demons-BS. And, even if someone wrote a novel story, with all this crap smoothly buttered-in¡ and titled it as ¨C the ¡®Curse of Asmodeus¡¯ ¨C would you buy it, Master Paul Walker? No, you wouldn¡¯t, right¡?¡±
Paul was ¡®quiet¡¯¡ as he sponged her-logic. And, he replied with a chuckle¡
¡°I wonder what the next book of that series would be titled ¨C ¡®the Wrath of Perth¡¯s famous Asmodeus¡¯?¡±
They both laughed nervously¡ as they thought of Peter ¨C who was the cause of every tragic situation that had ¡®happened¡¯ so-far in Straya ¨C because of HIS INABILITY TO CONTROL, his negative emotions.
The worried, Paul was back-being serious again, with his string of thoughts...
¡°¡ but they¡¯re also bringing in these ¡ 2 guys FROM THE US, TO ¡®TEST¡¯ US ¡ the Cursed-Trio ¨C what-if it shows it all, in ¡®our¡¯ DNA?¡±
¡ Alicia shrugged her shoulders¡
¡°I don¡¯t know-that, Pauly ¨C I never thought that-far ahead of that ¡®chapter¡¯ yet ¨C so-I simply-have to wait, I guess¡ until Friday morning comes¡ and I¡¯ll too-know-by-then¡¡±
¡°Will Jane¡¯s mom, Dr Wilson be-there too¡? Because they-had PLAN TO TEST AND CHECK on Jane first, yea ¨C and later that afternoon¡ at my place, over here?¡± Paul quizzed.
¡ Alicia assumed¡
¡°Probably, she might ¡®not¡¯ go to her clinic this Friday ¨C and would-then follow the 2 ¡®doctors¡¯ over here. Would YOUR MOM BE HERE too, Pauly?¡±
¡°I too don¡¯t know ¨C my mom doesn¡¯t share her ¡®work¡¯ at home to any of us¡ and that is ¡®why¡¯ we are hooked into social media and the TV to get information, OF WHAT ¡®POLICE-WORK¡¯ that she had been doing.
¡ right now, what has been ¡®trending¡¯ is the kidnapper, named HAJJI¡ IS STILL IN PERTH¡ with his whereabouts unknown.¡±
¡°Oh no, that is ¡®not¡¯ good news.¡±
The Chinese girl replied softly¡ as she thought of Baby Samuel¡¯s recent frightful abduction.
Paul thought, even harder before saying¡
¡°Okayy, let¡¯s NOW FOCUS ON THIS-FRIDAY in my-place ¨C with the 2 Americans¡ and Jane¡¯s mom and my mom here ¨C I think Jane would ¡®not¡¯ come over, and neither would you¡ because you would stay back at the Wilson¡¯s ¨C to give her emotional supports, right Ali¡?¡±
¡°Err-yea¡ I guess that¡¯s ¡®how¡¯ my Friday morning would go-like¡¡±
¡°What if you CAME HERE, AFTER THAT?¡±
¡°¡¯¡why¡¯ you need me here for later ¨C to be a cheerleader for the Cursed-Twin?¡±
They both laughed.
¡°No-Ali¡ but TO GATHER INFO, for maintaining our ¡®secrecy.¡¯ You here¡ would be best if you can ¡®collect¡¯ any Intel, of WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND on Friday at the Wilsons. You can snoop around¡ and ask innocent questions, like how children-do, ¡®but¡¯ don¡¯t be an-annoying ¡®Ah-Lian¡¯ yea...?¡±
They both laughed at their ¡®private-joke¡¯¡ as Alicia had ¡®taught¡¯ him some-Singlish¡
¡°Ali, can you do that, for what¡¯s worth and what¡¯s at stake ¨C WHICH IS TO PREVENT Perth¡¯s ¡®next disaster,¡¯ ever should go off? Ali, would you come¡?¡±
¡ Paul pleaded with desperation.
¡°That is spying, right¡?¡±
She said softly ¨C as she admired Paul, of being a good strategist in the team.
¡°Sort of¡¡± The cripple-boy responded also¡ in a low tone.
¡ Alicia was back to her bubbly-self, as she saluted...
¡°I can DO THAT ¨C SUPER-SPY Agent Maggie Q, reporting for duty on Friday, Sir ¨C to do her mission-impossible spying mission, in Wilson¡¯s residence, Sir!¡±
Both the tweens laughed.
Paul then concluded¡
¡°What happens in Perth ¨C should, stay in Perth.¡±
¡ they both looked up¡
¡as¡
-O-
¡ the white Audi pulled up to the porch ¨C Insp Caroline Walker saw at the patio of the presence of the laughing Chinese girl on her bike, on the ramp of an open doorstep¡ talking to her other son, Paul in his wheelchair.
The inspector-mother was delighted that Paul was having schoolmate friends who visited over, to socialize and study ¨C WHICH WAS HEALTHY ¨C unlike 2 years ago¡ after both of her sons were handicapped¡
¡ were ¡®lonely¡¯ after the tragic accident¡
¡ Paul had once, GAVE UP HIS ¡®WILL¡¯ TO LIVE, because he could ¡®not¡¯ accept the reality, that he may never walk again ¨C and, that made Poe fragile-emotionally, and he then was shut down to the outside world¡ and also, building-walls around himself ¡
¡ as he refused to talk about it, and who was always ¡®crying¡¯ alone¡
¡ it took A LONGER TIME FOR HIM than his other-half, Peter ¨C who snapped out of it, that he lost an arm after a year, rather than Poe, it took longer excepting the ¡®truth,¡¯ that he will BE WHEELCHAIR BORNE, for the rest of his crippled life.
¡ unlike-him, Peter had a purpose to go back to school ¨C that was tennis.
¡°Bye Paul, we will chat up, later tonight yea?¡± Alicia said, leaving back. She acknowledged Caroline next, on the way out.
¡°Bye Insp Walker, I need to get back. My Mummy will ¡®find¡¯ for me¡ if I¡¯m late for tea.¡±
¡°Bye-there Alicia, and ride safely. I have got your card, I will pop into your mother¡¯s saloon, someday soon.¡±
¡°I-will, thank you¡ I will let Mummy know.¡± Alicia responded before biking off.
¡ inspector-mother caught her son grinning at the door, before backing his wheelchair. Caroline, in her uniform, closed the door¡ as she teased Paul¡
¡°You like her, don¡¯t you, Poe?¡±
The tween blushed and denied. ¡°Come on, Mom ¨C she¡¯s just a friend from school, that¡¯s all.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay-Paul ¨C I like Alicia too¡ she is so lively and a fun-kind of a person to be with.¡±
Feeling uncomfortable, so Paul changed the subject.
¡°Yea-right, the reason for Alicia¡¯s visit just now was to inform that ¨C Jane Wilson¡¯s scientist-uncle WILL BE SENDING 2, some kind of ¡®doctors-over ¨C to run some test, this Friday. And, Mom, they would be here that afternoon, to run a test on me and Peter too.¡±
¡°Yes, Dr Wilson called and notified me at the station, just now, and I agreed,¡± Inspector-mother responded.
Paul was stunned that word-of-mouth had travelled ¡®faster¡¯¡ in the non-digital world...
¡°But I DON¡¯T WANT TO TAKE THAT TEST if it¡¯s okay with you-Mom¡?
¡°I don¡¯t like needles¡ and I already ¡®did¡¯ that blood sample testing before in the hospital, while admitted 2 weeks ago ¨C AND I TESTED FINE. So, I don¡¯t want another bout of that similar ¡®procedure.¡¯¡± Paul fussed.
¡°What are you hiding¡?¡± The inspector-mother asked.
¡°What you mean ¨C what I¡¯m hiding¡?¡±
¡°I have been noticing SOME BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES in you lately, Poe ¨C is Peter ¡®threatening¡¯ you, in some way?¡±
¡°No, he¡¯s ¡®not.¡¯¡±
Caroline then looked him in the eye and said...
¡°You had been my ¡®only¡¯ obedient son for so long, but you flipped 180¡ and you went in the middle of the night, out with Peter to the zoo, BEHIND MY BACK. That is totally irresponsible, Poe.
¡°What if something bad had happened to both of you¡? HOW AM I TO ANSWER, while being an Inspector and mother at the ¡®same¡¯ time ¨C have you ¡®ever¡¯ thought of that¡?
¡°It was a good thing at the zoo, that had a positive outcome¡ where you-all had rescued the boy, Samuel Wilson ¨C what happens if something HAD GONE ¡®WRONG¡¯ because ¨C that criminal, Hajji is a dangerous individual ¨C who could have injured and killed you all, that Sunday.¡±
Paul was glad ¨C that it was ¡®not¡¯ that grim situation upshot ¨C and was also relieved too, that the animal-activist-group, took the rap for the further damage at the zoo, which cleared his name ¡®for-now¡¯¡
¡ but¡
¡ resulted¡
¡ he had ¡®lost¡¯ his mother¡¯s ¡®trust¡¯ in him ¨C and she was cold to both to him and Peter, ever since the zoo incident. While Peter-don¡¯t-care¡ but Poe felt guilty and was torn in-between ¨C with HIS COVER-UPS and the ¡®lies¡¯ which¡
¡ he had-told ¡®during¡¯ the police-interrogation to¡
¡ MAINTAIN THE SECRECY ¨C of the Cursed-trio¡¯s identities and their super-abilities¡
¡ with his head bowed, as Paul looked down¡ when Caroline spoke her heart out. ¡°I understand where Peter is coming from, where he is like-his-father, BUT FOR YOU ¨C DOING all of these wayward acts¡?
¡°¡ I¡¯ve lost your father¡ and I DO LOVE HIM¡ DESPITE we fight a lot ¨C because he was irresponsible to manage our family¡¯s financial expenses¡ with his gambling addiction¡
¡°¡ but that Sunday morning¡ when I got the sudden-wakeup call from the station¡ that you were at the zoo ¨C I thought you BOTH WERE DEAD TOO, LIKE your father¡¡±
¡ Paul looked up when her firm voice went shaky ¨C and saw his inspector-mom in tears. He too felt like crying, he rolled his chair over to her, to hug¡
¡°Don¡¯t cry Mom ¨C I¡¯M SO SORRY¡ I won¡¯t do it again¡¡±
<><>
¡®WHY CAN¡¯T I SLEEP?¡¯
¡ Paul was full of alert-thoughts all Wednesday night in his bed¡ with his night-lamp switched on, in his small, neat and tidy¡
¡ windowless room, downstairs.
¡ it would be dawn of Thursday soon, and he had ¡®not¡¯ slept a wink¡
¡ too much of afternoon naps of depression¡
¡ ¡®grounded¡¯ at home, in Perth, playing videogames in-between meals of pizzas-in-the-box ¨C whereas, some of his classmates were travelling to Europe for holidays¡
But ¡®not¡¯ the Walkers¡
He was prepared for the final term when school reopened on Monday. He had already ironed his school uniform, although it was 4 more days to go ¨C and also, into his ¡®stricter¡¯ new dress-code rules¡
¡ that he should remember to wear his tie ¡®always,¡¯ in the next semester although it was uncomfortable with the Aussie-arvo-heat ¨C but to-do so to HIDE HIS CURSED SCAR in his throat, from any-peering eyes.
Actually, he wasn¡¯t worried about school at all ¨C but of the coming of the Friday ¨C tomorrow ¨C where¡
¡ in another 24 hours later, when a couple of American doctors would soon EXPOSE THE IDENTITIES of the Cursed-trio¡¯s superpowers¡
¡ which they merely ¡®got¡¯ a fortnight-ago¡ in that cursed Treeton¡¯s thunderstorm.
¡ Alicia had Snapchat with him till midnight yesterday, and she told him that his superpowers were a ¡®BLESSING¡¯ IF IT WAS USED to help mankind. But that WAS HARD TO DO for ¡®him¡¯, with too MANY CONSCIOUS DECISIONS to make.
Another burdened Thursday, to play the role as brother-Peter¡¯s-brother¡¯s keeper, a role he played always of keeping tab, of his twin ¡®staying in¡¯ the grid with his behavioural problems ¨C but¡
¡ WHERE IS PETER¡?
He had ¡®not¡¯ seen him since Tuesday evening¡ where Peter mocked his new hairstyle¡
¡ Paul had ¡®not¡¯ seen him all-Wednesday too, but he HAD SIGNED FOR SOME packages delivered for his twin, downstairs ¨C who had been ¡®busy¡¯ shopping online a lot lately as his retail therapy¡
¡ the crippled boy read the labels, one was written ¡®John McEnroe¡¯ and by the ¡®weight¡¯ of it, he felt they were old magazines, where Peter might have bought in eBay. Along with tennis racquet strings from Amazon. And¡ a small mysterious brown box with an untitled label ¨C where Paul shook it, and it rattled inside ¨C Paul assumed they were¡
¡ sport-related-supplement ¡®tablets.¡¯
Paul left the packages on the sofa, AND HE TEXTED PETER about it ¨C and got ¡®no¡¯ respond. At lunch, Paul ordered a pizza, AND HE TEXTED PETER to grab his lunch, and again got no response. He ate ¡®his¡¯ 4 slices, and went to his room, to go online and a nap¡
¡ when he woke up 3 hours later ¨C both-the packages on the sofa were ¡®gone,¡¯ along with the pizza box¡ to upstairs.
But Peter¡
¡ left him ¡®no¡¯ text reply all-Wednesday.
Another burdened Thursday today, where he was sleepless all-Wednesday night thinking of the Cursed-Trios¡¯ cursed superpowers ¨C that led into a Straya¡¯s national disaster TV-news, in the Great Barrier Reefs in Queensland, where the destructive earthquake from the seabed, perished away many human and marine LIVES ¨CWHICH PETER had ¡®caused.¡¯
The air-condition was cold¡ Paul felt discomfit on sleeping on his bed shirtless, in his urine-soggy adult diapers. He decided waking-up by levitating upright on his bed, and he did it with ease. His eyes caught his reflection on the dressers tall mirror ¨C he looked like a shirtless, big-pot-bellied ¡®baby¡¯ in diapers, with dangling lame legs¡
¡ if though he was an infant, ¡®lifted¡¯ by some invisible force.
He got naked by ripping off his diapers and disposing of it in the bin. Paul grabbed his shorts and dressed on the fly. He floated to his room door, and peeked outside ¨C it was a quiet-morning¡
¡with his Mom off to work¡
¡ he grabbed his Pok¨¦mon t-shirt, and left his bedroom ¨C as he wanted to check-on with Peter upstairs, and GIVE HIM A HEAD-UP ¨C of 2 doctors from the US¡ who was coming to give them both, a test check-up-probe tomorrow.
Paul was on the base of the staircase, of the high-ceilinged house that his father had built for them¡
¡ the last time he went upstairs was on Saturday night, but was foiled half-way¡ by his inspector mother who ¡®caught-up¡¯ with him ¨C who then informed him of the abduction of Baby Samuel.
He floated, ethereal on the stairs-up¡ and he was outside of Peter¡¯s bedroom, and he then opened the door. It was totally opposite from, inside of his own room which was neat and tidy¡
¡ there was clothing spewed on the floor, and empty Pizza boxes and empty coke and Red Bull cans and bottles ¡®thrown¡¯ all-over¡ that ¡®missed¡¯ the bin. Peter was sound asleep with tennis magazines, scattered on his bed¡ with his lappy, logged into Instagram on the screen.
He floated over the floor trash until he was at the foot of his bed. Peter was passed-out, with eyes half-opened and drooling on his pillow. Paul floated closely and saw some PRESCRIPTION-PILLS in plastic bottles, on the dresser with cans of unopened Red Bulls.
He called him softly¡
¡°Pete¡Peter¡¡±
The one-armed boy was sentient, and alert when he realized an ¡®intruder¡¯ was in his space, jolted and screamed in fright¡
Now, he was crook-mad¡
¡°Jesus-Poe! You almost gave me a damn heart attack! What do you bloody-want¡? You already got my runners ¨C there is nothing else for you, to ¡®steal¡¯ in here! Now, get lost!¡±
¡°Listen, you moron¡ there will be 2 doctors from the US, who will be coming tomorrow ¨C to ¡®check and test¡¯ us both.¡±
Paul then ¡®detailed¡¯ Peter, that Alicia ¡®informed¡¯¡ that Jane had told about the Cursed-trio¡¯s secret identity to her-Uncle Jack¡
¡ who then was sending ¡®THIS¡¯ 2 DOCTORS over to Perth...
¡Peter was silently processing, the part where Paul suggested that THEY ¡®SHOULD NOT¡¯ cooperate and take those tests ¨C as the blood samples might be showing signs of altered DNA¡
¡ but Peter WAS ¡®NOT¡¯ LISTENING¡
¡°Gnarly! Yes, this is Janey¡¯s ¡®rellie¡¯ Uncle Jack-the-scientist¡ who HAD PROMISED ME of my very-own AI headset for learning. Maybe those guys from the US are delivering my SIMY tomorrow, isn¡¯t that ¡®sick!¡¯¡± The one-armed twin chuckled¡
¡°Hey Peter, listen here ¨C we should-both ¡®NOT¡¯ AGREE TO those ¡®lab-tests¡¯ ¨C for the sake of our ¡®secrecy,¡¯ okay?¡±
¡°I am in-business with Janey¡¯s Uncle Jack ¨C if I¡¯m ¡®TRADING OFF¡¯ MY BLOODY-BLOOD sweat and piss samples and what-not¡ to get my own SIMY for my studies part ¨C so-that¡ I can fully concentrate on my comeback in tennis when school reopens. So, WHO ARE YOU, to stand in my bloody-way!!?¡±
Paul sighed-deep. ¡°It¡¯s nothing like that you, drongo!¡±
Peter cut him off¡
¡°Yea¡ you-are jealous Poe, that I got my SIMY¡ and you have ¡®none.¡¯ I had enough of this adult dictating bullshit life, nor I have ¡®NO¡¯ TIME NOR patience for delayed gratification to-come!¡±
Peter said while he bounced off his bed¡ to land on his feet, and ¡ looked-into the levitating-Paul, in the-eye¡ glaring¡
¡°Hey, what are you going to do about it? Shock me? Hurt me, Poe!!?¡± He shouted at Paul¡
¡°Now bloody-get out from my room¡ and go-play Casper, by floating around in Mom¡¯s room! Go, shoot-through ¨C GET OUT OF HERE this instance, NOW!¡± Peter chased-him away¡
¡ Paul floated-out outside the bedroom door¡ controlling his ¡®own¡¯ anger. As the door slammed behind him¡
-O-
¡ he remembered Snapchatting with Alicia, last night ¨C where they had discussed the possibilities of another similar Great Barrier Reef situation...
¡ where, Paul said that he would have to ¡®PUT-PETER-DOWN¡¯ ¨C if that grim-history repeated itself¡
¡ Alicia then pleaded NO-TO HIM ¨C and to find ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE WAY¡ rather than killing off his twin, Peter¡
¡ with-his-given ¡®blessed¡¯ superpowers¡
<>
THE ¡®GOING-OFF¡¯ ANGRY PETER was feeling hot and stuffy under his collar, after he slammed the door to his twin, Paul. He opened his bedroom window, to let the morning fresh air in¡
¡ a honey-bee buzzed into his bedroom ¨C and was flying around his head. Peter was ¡®still¡¯ annoyed with Paul ¨C and he growled...
¡°I gave you an inch, and you climbed over my bloody-head ¨C you damn puny bug!¡±
He grabbed his Babolat racquet ¨C and the one-armed tween swatted the bee out of his window. He laughed victoriously.
On that day¡ half the population of the honey-bee species DROPPED DEAD, all around Perth¡
¡ that ¡®proved¡¯ that¡
¡ the CURSE OF ASMODEUS was real-in-this realm...
<><>
DR SHELLEY WILSON DROVE HER MAZDA SUV down the suburbs. She was returning home from her clinic, that evening ¨C and from-the-stereo¡ lip-sing easy-listening classic rock, from her era.
¡ she turned to a lane, to her house ¨C her ¡®good¡¯ mood changed¡ when seeing what was ahead in the road. She sighed¡
¡ and Dr Wilson cursed under her breath, at the SIGHT OF A MEDIA VAN¡ parked across her house gate.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
A young female reporter dropped down her coffee paper-cup on the road¡ and came running towards the gate, to intercept the slowing-down blue Mazda¡
¡ the annoyed doctor rolled down the power-window, and snapped¡
¡°What did I tell you all the last time, that this zoo incident is an on-going police investigation ¡®case,¡¯ and those ¡®children¡¯ who were out-there were classified AS ¡®MINORS.¡¯ AND which part of my saying this that you don¡¯t ¡®understand¡¯ ¨C because, 2 OF THEM ARE my ¡®own¡¯ children, so please stop harassing them!!?¡±
Doctor-mother switched on the remote, of the electric sliding gate ¨C listening to the blonde reporter, who responded¡
¡°Dr Wilson, we ARE ¡®NOT¡¯ HERE about your children¡. but we want to know about Piper. Did the ¡®hero-dog¡¯ runaway?¡±
The reporter showed her cell phone, with a PHOTO OF THE EMPTY dog cage¡ Dr Wilson stared at it speechless¡ while waiting for the gate to slide, fully open.
¡°And, also¡ Dr Wilson, Perth¡¯s ANIMAL LOVERS¡¯ GROUPS are campaigning for ¨C the search-and-rescue of Piper ¨C what are your comments of that?¡±
The gate opened ¨C the Mazda accelerated in¡
¡°NO COMMENTS!¡±
<><>
THAT EVENING, PAUL ORDERED KFC ONLINE ¨C for a bucket of chicken for 2¡ ¡®large¡¯ french-fries and coke¡ but¡ he wasn¡¯t really hungry¡ and he went to his room, to go on social media ¨C HOPING TO FIND ALICIA¡
¡ and to talk further about the 2 US doctors coming tomorrow Friday¡ to run medical-test on the Cursed-twins.
It also MARKED THE FIRST WEEK of the disastrous anniversary of in the Queensland-earthquake world-news ¨C that levelled 20% of its beauty, of Straya¡¯s Great Barrier Reefs, now gone beneath under sea-level¡
¡ CAUSED BY HIS OWN Cursed-twin¡¯s anger and rage, during the dinner-invitation¡at Wilson¡¯s residence, ¡®last¡¯ last Friday.
¡ Alicia could ¡®not¡¯ be located that evening¡ in neither the social media platforms that he knew of ¨C and also, she had switched-off her cell-phone¡
¡ Paul got worried ¨C was it what the Snapchat talk about, ¡®killing-Peter as the last-option¡¯ ¨C was-THE CAUSE OF IT ¨C of Alicia ¡®avoiding¡¯ him?
He was also burdened by thinking of Mom crying, ¡®earlier¡¯ that late afternoon, in her police uniform ¨C ¡®not¡¯ wanting to lose her sons, like she had lost her husband.
If he killed his twin brother, Peter ¨C HE WOULD GO TO PRISON ¨C leaving Mom all ¡®sad and¡
¡ ¡®alone¡¯ ¡ in the house their late-father built for them¡
¡ his heavy, heart made his eyelids even heavier, where he had ¡®not¡¯ slept a wink, in the previous night¡
¡ and soon Paul drifted into a half-dreamless, deep-sleep ¨C as he snored.
His windowless room glowed, in dim blue. He was soon ¡®talking¡¯ in his sleep ¨C of his guilt.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mom¡ sorry, Mom¡ but I have to¡ have ta-do it¡¡±
<><>
IT WAS NOISY OUTSIDE ¨C so was ¡®the¡¯ upstairs, as he stared at the dark-ceiling, with crashing sound of cans thrown on the floor. His stomach was growling, as Paul turned his head, to the digital alarm clock displaying red digits ¨C 9:31 of the time.
¡®¡ was it in the AM or PM¡?¡¯
He felt discomfit looking down at his wet shorts, where he had pissed in his shorts, that he had worn. He realized he DID ¡®NOT¡¯ CHANGE into his adult diapers. He also became conscious that he had slept through 11+ hours¡
¡ way past dinner¡ where he had order KFC...
He was still groggy, as he laid wet in his bed, in the semi-dark windowless room, grasped it was getting brighter, from sunlight entering from the seeps of his room door¡
... and, it was FRIDAY MORNING¡
¡ the day, the 2 ¡®visitors¡¯ from the US, would-be ¡®here¡¯¡ on a job-mission ¡®visiting¡¯ later¡ that afternoon. Paul sighed-deep to ¡®the¡¯ thought¡
¡ some more activities were happening outside the door, in the kitchen. He levitated from his bed to the floor¡ to change into a fresh pair of shorts.
¡®¡ is Mom at home¡?¡¯
He did ¡®not¡¯ want-to take a chance by floating into the kitchen¡ he sat on his wheelchair¡ and rolled to the bedroom door, opening and peeked-outside.
The ¡®noisy,¡¯ automatic vacuum cleaner was doing its rounds in the living room, of sucking dust off the carpet under the couch, as it was moving about, as programmed.
It used to be a ¡®quiet¡¯ machine, that his father had last-bought ¨C when he was alive, before the ¡®accident¡¯ ¨C but Peter spoil it later, by standing on it, like a skateboard.
His stomach was still growling, as he remembered HE ORDERED KFC, in the previous evening¡ and was looking forward to it for brekkie. But there was an empty bucket of chicken bones¡ in the kitchen¡¯s garbage bin ¨C and PETER HAD EATEN ¡®ALL¡¯ of the dozen fried-chicken pieces.
¡ Paul saw Peter coming-down the stairs fast, with a full-garbage bag of trash from his room. He was hyperactive and animated, while he was multitasking the house-chores.
The fast-moving, one-armed twin¡ ¡®saw¡¯ his crippled brother on the wheelchair in the kitchen, and he lectured him¡
¡°Hey Poe, Mom had gone to work and will be back here at noon. She left ME IN-CHARGE of the house cleaning. And also, she will be buying takeaways for lunch ¨C so you don¡¯t dare-order any lunch later. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU LAST NIGHT¡? We are in a tight, poor-mans situation here¡ and yet you order and wasted ¡®your¡¯ food. All those balance chooks could have gone-bad to waste¡ so I ate it-all for supper.¡±
¡ Paul did ¡®not¡¯ argue back.
He saw his favourite spot in the kitchen, that was the marbled tabletop counter with the sandwich griller¡¯s cord unplugged. On the top surface too was several bottles of cleaning liquid and disinfection sprays. There were a mop-stick and bucket on its side.
¡ Paul was still hungry and groggy since he woke up. He saw half a pot of coffee, on the coffee-maker by the sink counter, and went over to pour himself a mug.
It was the balance coffee his Mom made daily, that made him-love the beverage too¡ which he also took a similar preference of Mom¡¯s¡ which was black and unsweetened.
He sipped his coffee¡ and observed his one-armed twin was going about his cleaning-up, chores done in haphazard routine. His fast movements were ¡®suspicious¡¯ with the pill bottles, that Paul saw ¨C when he went upstairs to his room yesterday...
When Peter entered the kitchen, Paul asked him-again...
¡°So, you really WANTED TO BE ¡®TESTED¡¯ later?¡±
¡°Of course, if it ¡®benefits¡¯ me¡ why-not¡? It is ¡®not¡¯ always, someone is going to gift you, with a million-dollar-tech-toy in exchange, yea!?¡±
Peeved, Paul replied¡
¡°¡ it¡¯s ¡®not¡¯ always-about ¡®you¡¯¡ how do you know you will bloody-get it? What happens to your ¡®disappointments,¡¯ with your assumed-bloody-expectations that are so bloody-shit-high¡? Who in the right sane in mind, would give you a million-dollar-tech-toy?¡±
¡°It¡¯s because I always ¡®THINK¡¯ POSITIVE, POE ¨C and, I don¡¯t need to-fill-up any bloody approval form, with the signature of my twin to-it¡ to get ¡®my-deserved¡¯ privileges around here, okay!!?¡±
¡°Whatever¡ you dilutional drongo!¡±
The piqued Paul scoffed¡ and-took his coffee mug, and left the kitchen.
¡°Don¡¯t spill your damn-coffee on my floor. Yea¡ you go to your bloody room¡ and you-stay in there!¡±
¡ Paul slammed his room door. He looked at his iPhone and there were no messages from Alicia, and he was anxious when he saw his clock showing the time, 10:01 AM¡
¡ tick-tock...
¡ the clock was ticking fast, for the arrival of the ¡®visitors¡¯ at noon¡
-O-
He went online¡ and ran a search on Google for Jane¡¯s uncle...
¡Jack Turner was AN AUSTRALIAN PROT¨¦G¨¦ in physics and engineering, who migrated in the 90s to America, with a US citizenship given. He worked in the Pentagon for 10 years, before he went BEING A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR, who served in some major tech-firms, as a robotic engineer scientist¡
¡ he was ¡®now¡¯ the head-scientist of Kimura Star¡ cooperation which he partly owned.
<>
IT WAS NOON AND PAUL WAS FAMISHED. He rolled out to the kitchen fridge and took an uncut Cheddar, and ate the salted cheese. The house was neat and tidy¡
¡ he-then saw Peter downstairs in the living room, sitting by the window¡ and looking out at the road¡
¡ patiently waiting for his ¡®prezzie.¡¯
¡ the nonplussed Peter looked at Paul, and he said¡
¡°They are ¡®not¡¯ here yet ¨C ¡®what¡¯ is taking them so long¡?¡±
Finally, Paul received a BRIEF VOICE-MESSAGE from Alicia¡ that ¡®they¡¯ were leaving the Wilsons ¡ and were heading over. Paul guesstimated their arrival¡
¡ from the time of the message¡ to be around 15 minutes.
Soon¡
¡ Peter saw his Mom¡¯s Audi at the gate¡
¡ returning home after chasing a dead-end-lead, of the fugitive Hajji, who was still at large in Perth.
Then, came the blue Mazda SUV leading the way for a black Mercedes. 2 short Asian looking-men in lab coats, got off the car. Peter exclaimed in surprise¡ when he was expecting the Americans to be Caucasians¡
¡°Strewth! Where are ¡®they¡¯ Americans? Are those 2 guys Hawaiians¡?¡± Saying as he ran-out¡
¡ Peter then saw Jane¡¯s mother and Alicia¡ stepping-out of the Mazda¡¯s cabin¡
¡®What is Chinatown Wong doing here¡?¡¯
Both the men-in-white were unloading 6 metal suitcases from the rental-Merc¡¯s trunk. Peter grinned wide¡
¡ ASSUMING HIS ¡®SIMY¡¯ was in ¡®one¡¯ of those cases.
¡ Peter went out to greet them¡ but was tongue-tied, when he saw Dr Wilson approaching ¨C where HE LAST SAW HER, was when Janey argued with her mother, while shopping in the Gucci-store¡ in some ¡®mother-daughter-issues¡¯ ¨C and also¡
¡ at the Wilsons¡¯ dinner invitation, last Friday, WHERE THEIR DOG-ran-away¡
¡ ¡®both¡¯ occasions¡ were ¡®not¡¯ good¡ in his girlfriend¡¯s mother¡¯s book¡
¡ Peter went to the Kimura Star¡¯s 2 technicians¡ who were lugging the baggage, and offered assistance to carry.
¡°G¡¯day mate, need a hand¡?¡±
¡°Thank you, Peter ¨C but we can manage.¡± Said one of them, to the one-armed boy. The visitors arrived inside the house¡ and begin to introducing themselves.
The Japanese-Americans were Taro and Hiro¡ and they were medical-examiners of Kimura Star Corp., and they wore their company¡¯s white lab-coats with company¡¯s logos.
¡ Alicia followed Insp Walker to the kitchen, where his Mom made iced-tea for the guests. The Chinese girl saw Paul sitting alone at the kitchen counter, and came by to say hi.
¡°Ali, where were you? You switched off your phone ¨C did you get my countless-messages?¡± Paul whispered hard to her. The inspector-mother ¡®smiled¡¯ at the 2 tweens¡ before she exited back to the living room, with a tray of iced-tea.
¡°I had to go offline, Pauly ¨C do you want me to blow my ¡®cover?¡¯¡±
¡°So, what you got¡?¡±
¡ Alicia shrugged her shoulders. ¡°Nothing. It was just a routine check-up of Janey ¨C nothing suspicious, or out of the ordinary.¡±
¡°What¡?¡±
¡°They tested her for radiation, and took some blood samples ¨C that¡¯s about it.¡±
Paul sighed. ¡°What about the questionnaires¡?¡±
Alicia ¡®admitted¡¯ that she wasn¡¯t present during the questionnaires¡ because Baby Samuel was getting noisy and playful with her¡ and she had to take him outside, to quiet the room.
Paul sighed¡
¡°That¡¯s what the babysitter is there for?¡±
¡°Oh, Lola ¨C she was preparing lunch, at the moment,¡± Alicia responded.
¡ Paul thought hard a bit, he then asked¡
¡°What about during lunch? What did they talk about?¡±
¡°Nothing-out of the ordinary. Lola prepared some tasty authentic Australian cuisine¡ and the 2 guys were complimenting about it, and they were talking about food mostly.¡±
¡°How ABOUT JANE ¨C DID SHE say anything?¡±
¡°Nope-she was ¡®quiet¡¯ and, after lunch we headed ¡®here,¡¯ to your place. But I did send the voice-message to you first, from the dunny there.¡±
... Paul looked worried and even frustrated ¨C that ALICIA HAD FAILED TO SPY, some ¡®valuable¡¯ information back at the Wilsons.
<>
PETER HUNG OUTSIDE, AND CONTINUED HIS CHORES ¨C he was ¡®hardworking¡¯ as he was raking leaves in the lawn, with one-arm¡ under the blazing afternoon sun.
¡®Your lawn looks nicer than ours, Dr Wilson ¨C but AT LEAST I¡¯M DOING ¡®something¡¯ about my late father¡¯s one here...¡¯
¡ he pretended working outside the closed window, as he was eavesdropping the adults¡¯ conversation in the air-conditioned living room, while the 2 Aussie women with¡ the so-called ¡®Americans,¡¯ who were seated, drinking iced-tea and breaking-the-ice¡
¡ they were laughing away, as they spoke of Dr Jack Turner¡¯s past and achievements ¨C who, was also DOCTOR-MOTHER¡¯S BROTHER. His own mother wasn¡¯t into small-talks¡ and was only grinning away, like a ¡®bimbo¡¯...
It been half an hour since the visitors arrived, and Peter was all sweaty outside the house ¨C now, the conversation was about Japanese cars, as Dr Wilson drove a Mazda. The one-armed boy was annoyed with-a-rake in his-hand¡ of why they have ¡®not¡¯ starting-the ¡®testing¡¯ yet¡
¡ the perspiring Peter walked into the house, and interrupted the adults¡
¡°¡ excuse-me¡ I need to go to the dunny, do I need to piss in a cup?¡±
¡ they all looked startled, when he ¡®said¡¯ that¡ and his ¡®confused¡¯ mother spoke-up...
¡°Why do you need to pee in the cup for¡? You go pee, as usual in the bowl¡¡±
Peter sighed¡
¡°¡err¡ urine-samples, Mom ¨C like for your ¡®narcotics¡¯ division!¡±
Everyone laughed.
And, Taro spoke out...
¡°No Peter¡ we don¡¯t need your urine samples ¨C ¡®only¡¯ blood samples will do.¡±
¡ Peter rushed to the bathroom downstairs, to relieve himself. Taro stood up, saying¡
¡°''Someone'' is pretty-impatient, I think we should start the test, right away.¡±
<>
PETER WASHED HIS HAND, before exiting the common bathroom¡ and saw Paul ¨C pointing at him¡ and saying to the visitors.
¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t like needles and I won¡¯t be doing the blood-test bit ¨C you test it-on Peter here, and WHATEVER DEFECTS YOU find on him, you can find it on me too¡ because we both are twins, is it okay, Mr Taro? Mom¡?¡±
Both the Americans and his Mom agreed¡ to the crippled tween¡¯s consent.
¡ at that same time, Dr Wilson had received an urgent phone call from her clinic, and had to excuse herself ¨C and told everyone that she will be back in an hour. With his girlfriend¡¯s mom gone, Peter was back to his ¡®usual-self¡¯ ¨C where he does ¡®not¡¯ have to pretend nor impress anyone, to be noticed. And, he worked his-charm.
He looked at Paul in his wheelchair¡ and mocked with a voice mimic¡
¡°I-don¡¯t-like-needles¡ you bogan¡¡±
He sat at the kitchen table¡ with the medical technician Hiro, who had his ¡®kit¡¯ displayed, and would do a withdrawal of his blood.
¡°See Mom, here is how me-and-Poe differ ¨C I would want to be a blood-donner someday, and to save lives.¡±
Inspector-mother replied. ¡°Oh really, but you were the one who screamed louder than Poe when you had your flu jabs.¡± Everyone laughed.
¡ Peter wanted to prove her wrong.
¡°Bring it on Hiro-San ¨C my blood has more ¡®value¡¯¡ because it is the healthy-blood of the other half of ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ ¨C and it should be reserved for desperate and special cases only, for any recipient who deserved it more ¨C it is full of vitamin D too, because it is the blood of a tennis champ, who practised diligently in the sun, like a tennis version of Rocky.¡±
Hiro found a vein and jabbed.
¡°YEOUCCHH!!!¡± Peter jumped in his seat.
¡°That is deep ¨C Hiro-San did you just skewer through my vein like a kebab because it hurts like a mother¡¡±
¡°Sorry,¡± Hiro responded, with a smile.
¡ Peter relaxed, as he saw his blood flowing through the tube into a vial.
¡°Look here, Mom, this is pure, full-blooded Irish-red ¨C just like yours.¡± Peter grinned.
¡°Yes-Peter, but it is tainted¡ with some English blood of your Daddy.¡±
¡ Peter''s face changed redder, and he bit his tongue, ¡®not¡¯ resorting to retaliation, with an open ¡®comeback¡¯ ¨C when his mother HAD JUST INSULTED his late father ¨C with a racial slur, with her police-woman superiority-ego.
¡®... hey, I¡¯m better than you!¡¯ The voice shouted in his head.
¡®Where were you, Mom ¨C where-was your police call-of-duty¡ when Jaheem was abducted? You were snoring in your bed, while I was out there at the zoo ¨C solving your abduction case for you!¡¯
-O-
While he was grounded for a week in his room¡ Peter did lots of things-online which included binge-watching YouTube TV videos and trailers for his ¡®escapism.¡¯ One trailer struck him, when it was titled as ¡®Policewoman 1977 ¨C TV series¡¯
¡®How evolved were the policewomen back then¡?¡¯
Peter was shocked to a hoot ¨C where some blond of-1977-actress, by the name of Angie Dickinson, who was dicking detective undercover-job, posing as a sexy model. The humoured, Peter then concluded¡
¡®Nah, policewomen have ¡®not¡¯ evolved that much ¨C there is still some bimbo-ness in them.¡¯
-O-
Peter¡¯s eyes were fixated by the flow of his blood, that filled up the vial. He had rumination of another YouTube video that he saw¡
¡ it was the story of Angela Jolie ¨C whose other-husband back then, by the bogan-name of Billy Bob, had put his blood in a small vial, and gave to ¡®Angie¡¯ as a necklet ¨C and she wore it ¨C to express her love for Billy Bob¡
And, they both claimed to be ¡®soul-mates.¡¯
What if he MADE ONE FOR Janey ¨C to wear so that she would express HER LOVE FOR HIM ¨C it would also MAKE A PERFECT MARKETING-TOOL, for the ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple.¡¯
Peter said out. ¡°Hiro-San, can I have a sample of my own blood for my ¡®souvenir¡¯ collection?¡±
¡ the surprised Hiro looked up¡ at the standing inspector-mother, who then voiced out¡
¡°No, you may not! What are you, SOME KIND OF PSYCHO, who keeps blood as a collection?¡±
¡®Mediocre!¡¯
The Immortan-Joe in Peter grovelled back in his head. With all of these adult¡®s barricades imposed in real life, now¡
¡ he had to COME UP WITH PLAN-B, via online¡
-O-
¡ for some-half hour¡ the 2 Americans in white-lab coats were running some in-house blood test¡
¡ the worried-Paul noticed they-both ¨C who ¡®looked¡¯ puzzled¡ and Taro told his colleague Hiro to ¡®reconfirm¡¯ on some ¡®abnormalities¡¯ ¡
¡ very-soon¡ they were whispering in Japanese¡
¡ Peter intervened and asked¡
¡°What is it Taro-san¡ some quality issues¡?¡±
Taro then though-out-aloud¡
¡°¡ it seems you have a rare blood-type of AB-negative¡ it is a miracle blood ¨C so-rare that its knowns AS THE GOLDEN BLOOD¡ very few people have it¡ maybe less than 50 people in the whole wide world have it¡¡±
¡°BEAUTY!¡± Peter punched-up, his only-fist in the air.
¡°Nonsense! It can¡¯t be possible ¨C I would-have known it¡ the hospital you were born would have told-me¡¡± Caroline dismissed...
¡°Come-on Mom¡ just accept it¡ I¡¯M SPECIAL!¡± Peter mocked¡
¡ Paul-then cut-in¡
¡°¡ yea¡Mom is right! I have B-type blood and I got to know it when ¡®we¡¯ were both involved in Dad¡¯s car-crash¡ even Mom¡ remember, even you donated your O-Type blood for us¡?¡±
¡°Shut-up, short-legs! NO-ONE BLOODY asked your big-brain opinion!¡±
¡ Alicia who was beside Paul¡ pinched his arm, so that he would ¡®not¡¯ argue with his egoistic-twin.
The still-puzzled Taro next confirmed¡
¡°¡ err¡ I¡¯m no expert in Haematology¡ so¡ I will take Peter¡¯s blood sample to D.C. and run tests over there ¨C before it is determined whether it¡¯s the Golden-Blood Type or ¡®not¡¯¡¡±
<>
¡ NEXT CAME THE QUESTIONNAIRE which Dr Jack Turner had devised a list¡ to test the members of the Cursed-trio. Taro was conducting this test, at the IKEA dinner table with both the twins seated opposite¡
Paul could ¡®not¡¯ sit-out from participating¡
¡ based on his-twin who would blabber¡¯ about THEIR ¡®SECRET IDENTITY¡¯ on the superheroes of the Cursed-trio, once he started bragging in his tell-tales¡
¡°Do you take DANGEROUS DRUGS?¡±
Looking at his mother standing, Peter answered¡
¡°Excuse me Taro-San, I¡¯m an athlete ¨C and I SAY NO TO drugs.¡±
¡Paul saw Peter was lying-through-his-teeth¡ when he had personally seen some kind of perk-up prescription pill bottles when he went to Peter¡¯s bedroom yesterday.
¡°How about you, Paul?¡± Taro asked.
¡ Paul looked firm into the medical technician¡¯s eyes, and replied flatly¡
¡°No.¡±
Taro saw some anomalies among the ¡®trio¡¯ ¨C especially, in Jane Wilson¡¯s answer, which differed from what she had told to her uncle in Skype:
¡°No, but I take painkillers¡ given by Mummy, for my migraine.¡±
-O-
Then came the next question...
¡°Can the both of you, see yourself glow?¡±
Again, Paul flatly said. ¡°No.¡±
And-again, Taro saw irregularities in the ¡®answers¡¯ that Jane gave to him and with the ones, she ¡®gave¡¯ to her uncle, a couple of days ago:
¡°I¡¯m a blind-girl¡ and I don¡¯t know colours ¨C and let alone, to ¡®see¡¯ it glow.¡±
-O-
After Paul, then came Peter¡¯s turn ¨C and, he ¡®too¡¯ answered¡
¡°No.¡±
Inspector-mother intercepted¡ and she ¡®interrogated¡¯ her one-armed son again.
¡°Hold-up here ¨C but a fortnight ago, at the hospital you-Peter ¨C you said that POE WAS GLOWING in blue, and Jane in-yellow?¡±
¡ Paul saw across the kitchen table at Alicia, who stood alone behind the marble-top counter. She too was there at the hospital, WHEN HE SAID-that too.
Paul and Alicia waited for Peter to speak...
¡ Peter answered his mother. ¡°That was that lightning-strike, Mom ¨C it kind of screwed with my eyesight¡ and I saw those 2 were glowing. But the effect wore-off, 3 days later.¡±
And, Peter denied the 3rd time, with excuses in the-questionnaire.
It favoured the secrecy of the Cursed-trio¡ Paul was satisfied with Peter¡¯s lie¡
-O-
¡°Can either of you, shoot electric sparks, from your fingertips?¡±
¡ Peter chuckled and snapped his finger. ¡°I wish I could.¡±
¡ he then looked at Paul ¨C and said¡
¡°Take it away, Sparky.¡±
¡ Paul was quiet, looking at the table¡¯s surface. Taro spoke up¡
¡°Paul, how about you ¨C can you snap-your fingers for us.¡±
The crippled-boy sighed¡ and he SNAPPED HIS FINGERS¡ and it did ¡®not¡¯ spark.
¡ Peter was amazed. ¡®How did he do and control that¡? He used to shock and hurt me with it.¡¯
¡°And, the final question ¨C can you both fly?¡±
¡ Peter and Paul looked at each other, and both then laughed aloud ¨C it triggered laughter, in everyone present.
¡°If Poe can fly ¨C he¡¯s Big Bird!¡± Peter soon laughed out hysterically, like a hyena.
Hiro next took polaroid photos of the twins¡¯ scars.
¡ Paul exposed his throat, where his scar was. While Peter removed his single glove, that hid his scar in his right palm.
¡ Taro compared the twins¡¯ scar-photos with Jane¡¯s ¡®diamond¡¯ shape, which was similar to Paul¡¯s ¨C but he observed the Lichtenberg-figure of Peter¡¯s¡ was more oval-shaped, like an open-eye.
¡°Okay, we are done,¡± Taro concluded the tests, on the Cursed-twin.
Alicia received a call, and rushed out to the front door¡
¡ Dr Wilson had ordered dim sums for them earlier, from Alicia¡¯s aunt¡¯s restaurant in Chinatown ¨C and it was delivered by a-Deliveroo food-delivery driver.
Peter cleared his throat and said¡ pointed at the several metal luggage of medical equipment, sitting on the floor.
¡°Okay G¡¯day gentlemen, where is my prize for participation¡? WHERE IS MY SIMY at? Which one of the boxes is that in?¡±
¡ Hiro and Taro looked at themselves, totally surprised. Inspector-mother spoke up, in that awkward situation¡
¡°Peter, you DON¡¯T DEMAND something, just like that!¡±
¡°Shush Mom. This is THE DEAL, THAT I MADE to Janey¡¯s uncle that ¨C I get my ¡®own¡¯ SIMY IF I DO THIS TEST.¡±
¡Taro then answered. ¡°Did you mean the headset learning device¡? But it is now ¡®still¡¯ in development stage¡ and Kimura Star will market it soon early-next year¡¡±
¡ Peter sighed¡ and looked disappointed at the visitors.
¡ Hiro then spoke up¡
¡°But Peter, we got YOU A SURPRISE something ¨C far ¡®better¡¯ than that¡¡±
Both the Japanese-Americans smiled at him. Peter groaned softly¡
¡°What could be more important than studies?¡± He said.
¡Hiro opened a rectangular metal case ¨C and took out a BLACK PROSTHETICS ARM. Peter was quiet, and was totally unimpressed ¨C as¡
¡ he had a similar-one collecting dust¡ junked-boxed-and-forgotten in the garage storage¡
But this arm was different, with wires dangling from it.
They requested Peter to remove his damp, sweaty t-shirt. Peter stood bare-bodied while Hiro attached the fake arm to his stump, while Taro was strapping the belt-buckle, to secure the ¡®device¡¯ to his body¡
¡ which was a clenched fisted fake-arm¡
¡ Paul noticed Taro had ATTACHED 3 ELECTRODES, of the dangling wires to stick on Peter¡¯s both temples and forehead. Peter the passive participant, who then said¡
¡°What does it do?¡±
¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± The smiling Taro responded.
¡ Hiro pressed a concealed panel in the black arm. And, a POP-UP BOX opened up ¨C Hiro switched a button in it¡
¡°¡ Kewl¡ it¡¯s like Iron-man¡¡±
¡ Peter then FELT SOME VIBRATION in his temples, and everyone HEARD A WHIRLING sound, from the arm.
¡°Whoa-crikey¡ what is that¡?¡±
¡°Peter, can you focus with your mind ¨C and try to move your ¡®fingers.¡¯ Taro instructed.
¡ Everyone including inspector-mother and Paul¡ looked at Peter¡¯s face grimacing hard, and failed...
¡°I can¡¯t.¡±
¡ Hiro did some adjustment on a small dial on the arm, saying¡
¡°Go-easy, PETER ¨C DON¡¯T force yourself.¡±
Everyone saw Peter¡ on his 2ND-ATTEMPT ¨C AND-VOILA ¨C PETER managed to open ¡®his¡¯ clenched ¡®fist¡¯¡
¡ and move his ¡®fingers.¡¯
¡°DARDY-COOL! I DID IT!!!¡±
¡ He laughed aloud ¨C and everyone was excited to see it, EXCEPT FOR PAUL. Seeing his Mom hugged him¡
¡ Peter stood up, and moved his arm, he looked at his mother and Paul saying¡
¡°I¡¯m getting the hang of it, Mom ¨C Poe, don¡¯t I look like Bucky of Capt. America¡¯s Winter Soldier?¡±
Taro looked at Insp Caroline Walker and informed...
¡°We based the arm¡¯s concept with PAUL¡¯S DRAWINGS SENT-TO US¡ DR TURNER then had developed the ¡®arm,¡¯ just for Peter¡¡±
¡ Paul spoke up, from his wheelchair¡
¡°HOW ABOUT ME ¨C can I walk again?¡±
¡°¡ but-yours is more complicated¡ as ¡®yours¡¯ are spinal injuries related. It may take time to develop the technology in the future... just be patient, Paul.¡±
¡. Peter OVERHEARD TARO consoling his twin¡ and he mockingly interrupted¡
¡°In the meantime, Taro-San, you can build a sand-box, that hovers like a drone for him ¨C Poe likes to fly it like it is the Fantastic-4 car of his Cursed-trio.¡±
¡with a sarcastic smirk¡ Peter winked at his twin¡
¡°Let¡¯s eat, everyone.¡±
The cheery Alicia said¡ displaying 4 plates of various dim sums, on the dining table.
¡°Peter, give us an eating demonstration, by using your arm ¨C using chopsticks!¡± Said Alicia.
¡°Oh-boy, crikey, this is going to be tricky.¡±
Peter said as he split-cracked a pair of disposable wooden chopsticks¡ and he attempted to hold a dumpling with the sticks. His Mom and even Alicia¡ were videoing his attempt, on their cell phones.
¡ Peter picked-up¡ and ate the dumpling, without dropping it¡ and everyone cheered in delight, EXCEPT FOR PAUL¡
¡ Taro then dropped the ¡®bomb¡¯¡
¡°Peter, this arm-set is just the demo-trial version. We have to take it back to the US¡ to ¡®calibrate¡¯ it more for precision.¡±
¡°What? NOooo! You¡¯re TAKING IT BACK? WHY¡?¡± The one-armed boy protested.
¡ Hiro answered him. ¡°It is part of steel and plastic. We are working on a lighter titanium model¡¡±
¡°I¡¯m good WITH THIS! I WANT it NOWW¡!¡±
¡ Taro pointed and explained. ¡°Look at it ¨C it has all these wires exposed¡ and we will need to modify it so that, you only NEED ¡®ONLY¡¯ AN EAR-PIECE to control your brain impulse, so to control the arm. We will make a PERFECT ARM FOR YOU ¨C IN 3 MONTHS, from now.¡±
Peter mumbled in a sad voice.
¡°3 more months to wait? That would be the end of the final term in school. Now, I¡¯m back to square-one ¨C a complete zero¡¡±
¡°Be patient, Peter.¡±
Everyone then feasted on the dim sums, EXCEPT FOR PAUL ¨C he can¡¯t eat ¡®proper¡¯ with chopsticks ¡
¡ while Peter was taking ¡®glamour¡¯ selfies with his new arm.
Taro looked at his watch¡
¡°It is time to go.¡±
Peter cried out¡
¡°No, wait! Please give me 5 more minutes ¨C I want to take SELFIES WITH MY TENNIS RACQUET. It is in my room-upstairs, I won¡¯t be long.¡±
¡°Okay Peter, don¡¯t be long ¨C we have a flight to catch.¡±
Everyone at the kitchen table saw the bare-bodied Peter rushing upstairs¡ with his new attached arm¡
-O-
¡ Alicia wondered what TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS would Peter would be binding-into, with Kimura Star Corp., in 3 months-time ¨C who would be just like her BFF Janey¡
¡ was with her SIMY and Boyyo. SHE DOESN¡¯T TRUST Janey¡¯s Uncle Jack Turner ¨C who gave out his tech for ¡®free,¡¯ but¡
¡ ¡®somehow¡¯ manipulated, and controlled the recipient-user later.
-O-
In his bedroom, upstairs ¨C Peter was busy taking many selfies with his tennis racquet¡ with multiple poses.
Peter too MADE A VIDEO¡ where he pointed his Babolat to the camera, held with his robotic arm¡
¡ and make his solemn declaration that he was MAKING A COMEBACK soon, to compete in ¡®the game¡¯¡
¡ and, swore to be the top tennis player of AUSTRALIA ¨C AND IN THE BEST in world¡ soon.
Chapter 5: The Cursed Trio Go Back to School (Part 1)
PAUL WAS MISERABLE THAT SATURDAY MORNING ¨C thinking over-and-over¡ of what those VISITORS HAD ¡®SAID¡¯ yesterday¡
¡ that he can¡¯t walk anymore¡
¡ he was deeply upset too¡
¡ as-he had wished ¨C he had LOST AN ARM like Peter, in that tragic accident ¨C but-instead of¡ severing his spinal cord¡¡¯
¡ so that he too, would have gotten a robotic arm, of his own¡
¡ Paul¡¯s envious of Peter¡¯s gift, which had OVERSHADOWED HIS INITIAL FEAR that he had faced all-Friday yesterday¡ of the ¡®SYMPTOMS-OF¡¯ DNA alteration after-test results.
¡ come to think of it, he doesn¡¯t care anymore ¨C because ¡®they¡¯ were the Cursed-Trio anyway, where¡
¡ BAD-LUCK ALWAYS happened to them ¨C Que-Serra-Serra¡
¡ so-much-so¡
¡ maybe he should next wear a turtle-necked t-shirt, that was printed in bold in the front, the words:
¡®ENJOY YOUR PROBLEMS¡¯
¡because of his ¡®cursed¡¯ problems¡ that he had been getting a lot¡
¡ nothing had worked out well for him¡ except in his-studies¡
¡ so, Paul decided he should think positive, and FOCUS IN HIS STUDIES instead. It was the final term soon, starting this Monday ¨C and after next, would be his journey to his secondary middle school ¨C where, he should be even MORE RESPONSIBLE TO SUCCEED, so to make both his Mom, and his late-Dad proud.
¡®Enjoy your problems¡ for-now Poey¡¡¯
Maybe he should think more positive like in solving-problem ¨C like HIS WHEELCHAIR ¨C of ¡®how¡¯ could he make a normal wheelchair which goes faster, like his previous remote-controlled one¡
¡ he focused on BUILDING HIMSELF ¡®one¡¯¡
¡ that went as fast¡ before school reopened.
<>
PETER WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD ¨C he had a lot going on in his mind too, since Friday afternoon, where the American visitors had presented a DEMO OF HOPE ¨C for him to revive his loss¡
¡ relinquished dreams IN THE WORLD OF TENNIS.
The downside to that was, his robotic arm would only BE READY, in 3 months from now¡
¡ and the visitors too had warned him, of ¡®not¡¯ sharing his selfies on the social media, as the prototype arm was a patented to copyright protection laws ¨C where if Peter violates the terms, Kimura Star Corp. ¨C would have the rights of refusal, to deliver the product.
¡ Peter was thinking hard of ways too, as he doesn¡¯t want TO LOSE OUT on the ongoing online¡¯s POPULARITY CONTEST ¨C where he does ¡®not¡¯ want to lose out¡
¡ his ¡®PERTH¡¯S FAMOUS COUPLE¡¯ FAME¡
¡ that was dwindling ¡®down¡¯ fast in local-trends online and newspapers¡¯ headlines¨C ever-since his bimbo-of-an-inspector-mother¡
¡ had made the zoo incident, as ¡®HER¡¯ PRIORITY¡
¡ of a closed police-investigation case¡
¡ in all the platforms of the social media, that he was in ¨C he WAS GETTING FOLLOWERS in an increasing at a decreasing rate ¨C and his popularity was EVEN BEEN BEATEN¡ by a hero-dog.
¡ Peter thought of his ¡®other-half¡¯ of ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ and, he sighed in disappointment¡ Janey had switched off her-cell phone for 4 days straight since she last spoke to him. So¡
¡ he sent numerous messages in WhatsApp¡ but those too were marked as ¡®unread.¡¯
¡®Why would she do such a thing like that ¨C especially I want to badly-break-to-her of the GROUND-BREAKING NEWS, that hope-is-coming soon¡ I would be RECEIVING A ROBOTIC ARM from your-Uncle Jack¡¡¯
¡ but Janey would have ¡®already¡¯ heard the news of the robotic arm from a 3rd party source by now¡ through Chinatown Wong, but ¡®NOT¡¯ FROM the main source ¨C which was him.
He was ¡®not¡¯ pleased, BEING SIDE-LINED¡ by a-BFF¡
With-now, competing with Janey¡¯s cobber ¨C and Peter wanted to impress her ¡®more¡¯ with a gift, once school reopened on Monday¡
¡ his focus was to make A BLOOD-VIAL NECKLET for Janey¡
¡ with his own-BLOOD¡ JUST LIKE Billy Bob¡ who ¡®gave-his¡¯ to Jolie¡
So, he ordered ¡®it¡¯ online on Friday night¡
¡ his small package of the-blood-vial arrived on Saturday noon¡ and Peter was impressed by the super-fast delivery of Deliveroo¡
<>
JANE WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH HER-UNCLE JACK ¨C that, what was meant to be a personal sharing in Skype, had been TURNED ¡®PUBLIC¡¯¡ with his-sister-her-doctor-mother brought into the ¡®picture¡¯¡
¡ It led the fearful blind-girl to fib-her-way-out, in the Friday¡¯s questionnaire¡ which she had with the 2 visiting Americans.
Jane wanted to put the WHOLE ¡®MESSY¡¯ INCIDENT behind her ¨C as she knew that to worry was a total waste-of her ¡®time¡¯¡ and it doesn¡¯t change anything all¡
¡ all it does that it was¡ stealing her ¡®joy¡¯ in her-life¡ and keeping her mentally ¡®BUSY-WITH-NEGATIVITY,¡¯ by accomplishing-nothing.
¡ she ¡®focused¡¯ her limited, precious time, on programming Boyyo ¨C because she needed this interactive-tool to be ¡®ready,¡¯ when school reopened 2 days from now.
¡ Alicia had ¡®not¡¯ visited her all-Saturday¡
¡ she too was busy helping her mother at the saloon, because it was the busiest business-day of the week.
<><>
THE WALKERS WENT TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY ¨C Peter noticed the ¡®new¡¯ hairdo of inspector-mother had gotten yesterday ¨C it was nothing fancy, due to her police-duty.
¡and¡ during the long-winded, Mass¡¯s sermon¡
¡ Peter also caught Paul mesmerized¡ staring ¡®deeply¡¯¡
¡ at the statue of St. Michael.
<>
ON THE SAME, LATE SUNDAY MORNING, Alicia visited her BFF. She was delighted that Janey was more composed-and-confident to go to school tomorrow. Jane had managed to programme 60% of Boyyo¡¯s data¡
¡ and Alicia assured her, that she would compensate the rest.
¡ Alicia asked Jane how did her Friday¡¯s ¡®test¡¯ with her uncle¡¯s medical team go. The blind girl was silent, and the compassionate-Alicia held her shoulder and told¡
¡°Jane¡ you don¡¯t have to talk about it.¡±
¡°¡ but I trusted him¡ and I ¡®told¡¯ that it ¡®was¡¯¨C and, he didn¡¯t believe me, Ali.¡± Tears of disappointment fell¡ beneath her dark glasses ¨C and Alicia bent to hug her¡
¡ Alicia knew how Jane felt, as her blind-BBF¨C who had regarded her scientist-uncle¡ as her, a true mentor ¨C and was aspired to be a scientist like him too, by studying hard ¨C after coming from her previous blind school¡
Now¡
¡ her uncle would be ¡®dictating¡¯ her life¡ with Boyyo.
¡°I have to tell ¡®lies¡¯ to his medical team to ¡®cover-up,¡¯ and Uncle Jack would have ¡®known¡¯ it by now.¡±
Alicia kept hugging the blind girl and she listened ¨C it was ¡®not¡¯ her place to say, what was good-and-bad when Uncle Jack was Jane¡¯s blood-family¡
¡ but-Alicia ¡®knew¡¯ from her ¡®own-past¡¯¡
¡ on how blood-family was-and-worked¡
<>
AFTER CHURCH, THE WALKERS CAME HOME ¨C Peter disappeared upstairs¡while Paul changed from his Sunday¡¯s-best¡ to his regular house-shorts.
¡ he noticed his mother had ¡®not¡¯ changed from the dress she wore from church. Caroline hung around the kitchen having her coffee, and grooming her new-do hairstyle which she just had, from Alicia¡¯s mother¡¯s hair-saloon, the MataHari yesterday.
The hair-looks suited her, complementing the makeup she WORE A LOT LATELY¡ and her perfume ¡®consumption¡¯ she had on her too ¨C EVER SINCE HIS DAD died 2 years ago.
¡ Inspector-mother¡¯s phone rang, FROM A CERTAIN-SOMEONE ¨C and Paul¡¯s Mom hurried off¡ and saying that she was going to the ¡®office.¡¯ And, she left¡
As the Audi then pulled away, Paul suspected his Mom was having lunch with a ¡®certain-someone¡¯ ¨C and hoped his twin, Peter¡
¡ would ¡®not¡¯ over-react, if he found out.
-O-
¡ Paul went to his room to complete a side-project¡that he had been doing since last night ¨C behind the closed-garage-door¡ he held the solder-gun iron, and welded a round metal disk to a dynamo¡
¡ he was into Science-fair-mode, building his own version of a super-fast wheelchair ¨C in Tony-Stark-style¡
¡ humming to himself¡ the theme music of the MCU¡¯s Avengers.
<>
ALICIA WAS STILL AT THE WILSONS ¨C she had washed and shampooed her BFF¡¯s hair while the blind girl was soaking in the bathtub¡
¡ later, re-braided Jane¡¯s 3 dreadlocked hair, to be neater, for school tomorrow.
-O-
Both tweens were on the Queen-sized bed ¨C as they both were multi-tasking on study-revision and with social media. Alicia told her ¡®secret¡¯ that she had a CRUSH ON PAUL WALKER¡
... and Jane responded that she ¡®knew it¡¯ by the tone of her BFF¡¯s voice when she spoke of him.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
¡°But Janey¡ I wish it was better ¡®compatibility¡¯ as Taurus with a Gemini. Even in the Chinese zodiac, we both are ¡®NOT¡¯ COMPATIBLE as soulmates¡ unlike like ¡®yours.¡¯
¡°What soulmate of mine¡?¡± The blind girl was confused¡
¡ her Chinese-BFF explained¡
¡°It¡¯s like this¡ you are a Virgo¡ and you share the same house planet of Peter¡¯s Gemini ¨C which is the planet Mercury ¨C and, that makes you ¡®both¡¯ as a high possibility, of being ¡®soulmates.¡¯¡±
¡°Nonsense!¡±
The blind-girl laughed out¡
¡°This is so silly¡ I¡¯m a girl-of-science, I refuse to believe of some dumb zodiac BS ¨C unless it was backed by scientific facts and figures.¡±
<>
PETER OPENED THE PACKAGE BOX ¨C that had a tiny, hard-plastic cylindrical vial ¨C attached to a silver-coated, pendent chain.
He had bought it from eBay for a steal ¨C where, he had to now have to top-up to fill the vial, WITH 12 DROPS of his own blood.
Being one-armed¡ Peter had to do it the ¡®hard¡¯ way ¨C while¡
¡ he had to bite on a needle with his teeth¡ and prick his fingers, and at the same time ¨C fill it into the vial.
It got ¡®messy,¡¯ when he dropped the vial, a couple of times on the floor¡ spilling a drop or 2. But he was persistent, enduring the pain and the anticipation. But until he became woozy, seeing his own red blood.
¡°Bloody-rack-off!!!¡±
¡ Peter cursed and gave up¡
¡ he sucked the tips of his fingers¡ as he looked at the vial, that was half empty ¨C he put it away on the side-table of his bed¡ and wanted to complete the task later.
He went on to YouTube to watch some John McEnroe¡¯s previous tennis matches of the past ¨C as McEnroe was a leftie¡ and PETER ¡®TOO¡¯ WAS a southpaw ¡®before,¡¯ like his idol¡
¡ soon, he would be-back-again in action ¨C when his-left hand-robotic arm arrived.
<><>
PAUL FINALLY DID IT ¨C he had managed to build his own version of ¡®electric wheelchair¡¯ by that Sunday evening. He was ¡®test-riding¡¯ it¡
¡ when Peter came down the stairs ¨C as he saw Paul in an ¡®Einstein-sticking-his-tongue-out¡¯ t-shirt¡ who was speeding away from the kitchen to a living room, like a bogan-F1-racer.
Peter remembered that ¡®SAME¡¯ FOLDABLE WHEELCHAIR ¨Cwhich Paul had ¡®forced¡¯ him to lug along, while he harness-chained-him¡ and they both flew over to the zoo. It was the same ¡®alibi¡¯ wheelchair which¡
¡ Paul HIT HIM OVER THE HEAD, that splashed him below, into the crocodile pool.
¡°Whoa mate, slowdown in the speed limits ¨C or else, Mom will give you a speeding ticket.¡±
¡ Paul laughed as he came to a halt, and explained to his twin¡
¡°I had this idea when I touch the round, metal plate here and discharge ¡®my¡¯ electricity ¨C it ¡®worked¡¯ the dynamo here, which propelled the chair to move.¡±
Peter was ¡®NOT¡¯ BOTHERED¡ he took the pizza box from the kitchen counter and walked back upstairs, sarcastically saying¡
¡°Good on ya! Kudos Stephen Hawkins¡ you should win a Nobel Prize for that ¨C big-brains-short-legs.¡±
Peter thought it was such a shame-and-waste ¨C that Paul who had these ¡®great¡¯ superpowers, but ¡®chose¡¯ to TRY ¡®HARD¡¯ TO CONCEAL it¡
¡ with his ¡®alibis and denials,¡¯ just TO MAINTAIN A SECRET IDENTITY.
¡ too bad¡
¡ that he was ¡®NOT¡¯ GIFTED WITH such mighty super abilities ¨C because Peter would be a true-blue superhero in the Australian public¡¯s eyes.
¡ his YOLO motto ¨C You Only Live Once¡ so go live it and be a legend and, enjoy the fame while it lasted.
But-he had his personal agendas too¡
¡ with his own ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ fame efforts, which he was going to popularize once school reopened tomorrow. It was the starting point ¨C of ¡®other¡¯ fames to come¡
¡ once he got his robotic arm¡ and be a tennis-legend soon.
-O-
¡ Peter entered his room, with the box of pizza¡
¡ where at the corner wall, he had built a ¡®shine¡¯ ¨C to dedicate his ¡°Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ fame ¨C with pasted newspaper cuttings of the zoo incident. He gazed for a long time at the photo of Janey and himself ¡
... both, spotting a blackeye each.
¡ the one-armed boy began ¡®punching¡¯ his own face ¨C and he was in pain¡ but it was worth the effort¡
..., he would HAVE A BLACK-EYED-shiner with some swelling, once he woke up in the morning¡ and went to school tomorrow.
<><>
PETER WOKE UP AT 6 AM. and felt sore in his face with a black eye ¨C but it¡¯s ¡®worth¡¯ it, as he was ¡®game¡¯ to go to school¡ as a hero-champ.
He did ¡®not¡¯ bother to take a shower¡ as it was cold outside because it had rained last night. Anyways, he DOES ¡®NOT¡¯ SHOWER OFTEN ¨C but he does so whenever, he was practising tennis ¨C in other times¡ if he doesn¡¯t sweat, there was no point to bathe¡ when he had an air-con unit in his room, despite the Aussie blazing arvo-heat in the afternoons outside.
He suit-up into his school uniform ¨C and packed his usual 2 Babolat racquets into his backpack, a ritual which he does daily, whether he went to practice or ¡®not.¡¯ It was a visual reminder, that he was a ¡®champ¡¯ always¡
¡ and was making his COMEBACK SOON.
Peter held his cheaper, ¡®5-year-old¡¯ Babolat racquet passionately¡the one that his father bought for him on his 8th birthday¡
¡ and he won the junior championship a year later, with it. It was his ¡®WEAPON OF CHOICE,¡¯ that compared to the more-expensive, 3-year-old Bobolat that was sponsored merchandise¡ by a Perth retail outlet back then, which he kept as his back-up.
He felt like an unstoppable ninja with the 2 racquets handles, sticking-out of his backpack¡
¡ just like his favourite MCU villain ¨C named Deadshot.
In the bedroom, he was ready to go ¨C and reached out for his set of house-keys, on his bedside table ¨C when he saw THE BLOOD-VIAL¡
¡ he had ¡®not¡¯ completed his gift-for-Janey-task yet, and, he said to himself ¨C that it could ¡®wait¡¯¡
¡ and he doesn¡¯t want to cramp and overloading the excitement, of it ¡®all¡¯ on the first day¡
¡ of walking down in ¡®fame,¡¯ at school later.
-O-
It was 6:44 AM, and for THE FIRST TIME, he roused earlier than his mother, who woke up at 7. Even the same timing-downstairs, where ¡®he heard¡¯ Paul showering.
¡ Peter went outside, it was still dark, cold and wet ¨C he decided to cycle to school.
It would make a sexy-story entry in his biography, someday ¨C of the mention of a one-armed tween champ, who cycled 10 km to school every day, rain or shine¡
¡ and also, excelled in-game practice, ON HIS ROAD to his tennis greatness.
<><>
HE REACHED THE SCHOOL¡¯S PARKING LOT ¨C after all the build-up of the earlier, with egoistic confidence¡ but-Peter was ¡®now reluctant¡¯ to enter the building.
He was known by his reputation of being a REBELLIOUS FIGHTER in school, by many. The son of Perth¡¯s respectable police inspector ¨C who have BEATEN-UP STUDENTS in his fit-of rage in the past¡
¡ and who currently doesn¡¯t HAVE ANY ¡®REAL¡¯ friends.
¡ also-Peter was a sole-loner ¨C who went to school to ¡®ONLY¡¯ PRACTICE HIS SPORTS¡ and ¡®not¡¯ his studies.
The one-armed boy mustered up his courage and told himself that, what has he got nothing to lose if everything was status quo ¨C either¡
¡ most schoolmates would ¡®not¡¯ even make eye-contact with him¡ avoid him¡ laugh at him behind his back ¨C etc. etc¡
He stepped up to the glass-door entrance and ingress-ed. There was the larrkin-boy-prankster¡ who in the past teased him ¨C as ¡®one-armed-bandit¡¯ ¨C but was now yelling¡
¡°He is here! HE IS HERE! ¡®Our¡¯ champ is here!¡±
It followed by clapping and cheering¡ as Peter walked further in the hallway. Some students came up to shake his only-hand ¨C and before long, the one-armed boy was a ¡®magnet¡¯¡ who had boys and girls lovingly attracted to him like iron-fillings ¨C as they gathered around him, and were inspecting ¡®his¡¯ blackeye¡
¡ that he had gotten from the ¡®zoo-incident.¡¯
There were those haters too ¨C the so-called elite, SHS Boys¡¯ tennis-team players ¨C who eyeballed him from the corner. They were ¡®not¡¯ bother if Peter had won the mixed-doubles ¡®match-up¡¯ that had gone viral in YouTube¡ which DOESN¡¯T CONCERN THEM, one a bit ¨C because the Top-3 Boys¡¯ players of Stamford High have beaten Peter ¨C ¡®fair and square¡¯ in their more competitive-class category.
In no-time, Peter was bragging about the incidents of the zoo ¨C where he was punched by the ¡®kidnapper¡¯ of Jaheem ¨C that dropped him into the crocodile pool, where he narrowly-escaped ¨C and also, he had ¡®helped¡¯ Piper-the-hero-dog¡ in the rescue of the baby-boy from the ferocious black panther¡ with the-boy, was his girlfriend¡¯s adopted-brother¡
¡ soon, it ¡®got¡¯ everyone asking ¨C ¡®where was Jane?¡¯
<>
JANE WAS DRIVEN BY HER MOM TO SCHOOL. She had switched off her AI-Boyyo¡ and was listening to the car¡¯s stereo music, of her mother¡¯s choice-and-tasted in classical rock¡
¡ Eric Clapton¡¯s ¡®Cocaine¡¯ was singing ¨C as the blind-girl was SURPRIZED OF WHY, a dangerous drug-related song was on air-playing ¨C and also, WHY HER MOTHER was listening to it?
The Mazda reached the Stamford High, and Alicia was there¡ waiting for her BFF. Alicia greeted Dr Shelley Wilson, good morning.
The doctor-mother noticed the Chinese girl had changed her hairstyle overnight to a short, boy¡¯s crop¡
¡ she looked like Lily, the character in the TV series ¡®Devs,¡¯ Shelley thought.
¡ Jane alighted from the SUV, with a three-quarter healed blackeye¡ behind her dark-sunnie, and wearing her beanie-cap over the shiny-new, AI headset.
She said bye to her mummy, and the car drove off. The blind-girl used her walking stick, despite Alicia held her hand.
Alicia teased her¡
¡°Your ¡®soulmate¡¯ is in the hallway bragging-away ¨C and if YOU GO IN NOW, Janey ¨C you will get a standing ovation like a prom-queen, with your Boyyo as a tiara.¡±
¡°Eww¡ I don¡¯t like that, Ali ¨C I¡¯m going to school here, to study, ¡®not¡¯ to be ¨C popular¡ or to fall in love¡ eww-again¡¡±
They both laughed¡
It made Alicia wonder if the ¡®THINGY¡¯ OF JANEY-AND-PETER WAS OVER¡ in between of ¡®the Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ hype¡
¡ of less than 2 weeks.
¡ Jane stopped at the foot of the stone steps¡ and hesitated. Alicia asked¡
¡°Janey-gee, what¡¯s the matter¡?¡±
The blind-girl said. ¡°Ali, can we wait here, till the school bell rings.¡±
Then Jane was vented out, her dissatisfaction to her ¡®cobber¡¯, of her frustration of being blind ¨C where she took twice-as-long to read and grasp information, compared to a sighted person ¨C and what she needed took ¡®more¡¯ time, and, time was what she doesn¡¯t have much¡
¡ and-now¡ THERE WAS PETER¡
¡ bugging her to join the selection of the tennis mixed double when school reopened.
So much so, she had switched off her phone JUST TO AVOID HIM. Jane needed more time to catch-up, where SIMY had left her ¡®gaps¡¯ ¨C if she ever wanted to get through the final term¡
¡ she simply wanted to SAY ¡®NO¡¯ TO PETER ¨C but she doesn¡¯t know-how¡
¡°Now, come to think about it¡ I regret ever wanting to learn tennis, in the first place. Ali ¨Cwhy did I get into this mess? I was in foolish thoughts, and was trying to ¡®show off¡¯ that my SIMY was capable to learn tennis¡
¡°¡ then after the Treeton field trip incident¡ where I was ¡®cursed¡¯ with the powers ¨C of the 3rd Eye¡ and again, and again, I made the SAME MISTAKE by being ¡®supportive¡¯ to Peter, and so much so, I used ¡®it¡¯ ¨C and that how¡ YOUTUBE VIRAL VIDEO came-about¡ of a blind girl playing ¡®tennis¡¡¯¡±
The school bell rang.
<>
5 MINUTES EARLIER, BEFORE THE SCHOOL BELL RANG ¨C Paul used the other school¡¯s entrance, with ramp facilities. He was manually rolled over in his wheelchair, when he heard the public announcement on the speakers, as he entered the long corridor¡
The message was Principle Tom Harris would be ABSENT FOR 3 DAYS from his duty, due to a family emergency ¨C MS BURNELL, THE VP and disciplinary teacher¡ would be relieving his-duties, IN THE PRINCIPAL¡¯S ABSENCE.
¡ Paul remembered yesterday, that his inspector-mother has ¡®lied¡¯ to him, to have lunch with a certain somebody, which was his ¡®own¡¯ school-principle ¨C by giving him a sloppy excuse, that she was going to ¡®work.¡¯
¡®Come on Mom, you wear a uniform if you went to work ¨C ¡®not¡¯ a dress. FYI, your other son, the Cursed-One ¨C is ¡®triggering¡¯ was your date, Tom Harris ¨C who ¨C 10 days ago, by Peter¡¯s wrath of you-both¡ had caused the Queensland Barrier-Reef quake-disaster¡ when you ¡®both¡¯ arrived late, to Wilson¡¯s dinner invitation.
¡®But¡ how could you have known¡Mom¡ ¡®how¡¯ could you know¡?¡¯
-O-
¡ Paul arrived at the hallway of his class, and he saw his twin had a crowd congregating around him¡ while he told his tall-stories. He noticed Peter had a ¡®black eye.¡¯
It puzzled him ¨C was he fighting¡?
Every tween that stood around, were looking up to him ¨C and HIS ¡®NEW¡¯ REPUTATION, of being one half of ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ which preceded him, as a local ¡®homecoming¡¯ honour.
Paul was glad that he was ¡®invisible¡¯ ¨C ¡®not¡¯ mentioned in any social media platform¡ which kept his secret identity ¡®safe.¡¯
¡ he was an old-news ¡®too¡¯¡
¡ who only had got a single mention in the printed newspaper, in the zoo incident. He SHOULD BE ¡®FORGOTTEN¡¯ in everyone¡¯s mind ever-since when he was also had been WHISKED AWAY in a police car¡ from any cameras of the reporting media crew¡
¡ but ¡®NOT¡¯ TRUE, with Peter and Jane¡
¡ they were the Cursed-pair, IN THE ¡®HOT-SPOT¡¯ of one of the prime-news trending locally ¨C with their ¡®Perth¡¯s famous COUPLE¡¯ FAME WITH multimedia platforms.
That will keep his atrocious twin busy¡ for the next couple days with his-Janey¡ while the school principal was ¡®away¡¯¡
¡ in the meantime, for Paul¡
¡ who had to figure out subtle ways¡
¡without suspicion¡
¡ on HOW TO end the ¡®Carol and Tom¡¯ relationship¡
¡®Sorry, Mom ¨C it ¡®had¡¯ to be done¡ for the ¡®greater¡¯ good¡¡¯
Chapter 6: The Cursed-trio Go Back to School (Part 2)
PETER HAD TO CUT SHORT IN HIS BOASTING when the school bell rang¡ and had to follow his ¡®fans¡¯ ¨C from the hallway¡ to their respective classes, to start their first lesson period.
In class, seated at the back row¡ the one-armed tween was looking out for his Janey ¨C whom, he had ¡®not¡¯ physically seen-nor-heard from for a week, since the zoo incident¡ when they were both grounded by their mothers ever-since.
But he only ¡®saw¡¯ his fat-twin rolling into the classroom, with his modified wheelchair ¨C to his chair-less ¡®spot¡¯ at his desk¡
¡ which was behind Janey¡¯s.
Before long, entered their history teacher, Mr Hull ¨C and the classroom settled¡ the restless Peter was still looking out for his GF, from the back of the room¡
¡ then, came the glittering-moment of a grand entrance, as Alicia and Jane arrived late. And, half the class clapped and cheered ¨C Peter too was grinning wide¡
¡ with his HEART-POPPING with ¡®their¡¯ proud accomplishments¡of ¡®his¡¯ fame too of the ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple.¡¯
While the other half of the class ¨C the Charlotte and Zoe clique ¨C STARED IN HATRED. Some felt insecure¡
¡ when they saw the ¡®blind-school¡¯ WEARING A ¡®NEW,¡¯ chromed and a sleeker AI headset.
¡ Peter nodded to himself-away¡ he smiled as ¨C he was ¡®going¡¯ to meet Janey at recess break ¡
¡ to discuss the ¡®NEXT¡¯ BRANDING tactics¡
¡ to heighten of THEIR SHARED-FAME in school.
<>
AT THE SAME TIME, AT THE WALKERS ¨C on the same morning, at the same moment with the 3 Walker-occupants were busy AT WORK AND AT SCHOOL¡
¡ the big house which the late-Solomon Walker had built¡ sat quietly¡
The living room was neater-and-tidy¡ because they had ¡®visitors,¡¯ a few days ago.
At the door, at the security panel system unit ¨C the split to 4 images from the CCTVs feedbacks¡
¡ in the monitor was ¡®fine¡¯¡
¡ until¡
¡ the panoramic upstairs¡¯ Camera-3 glitched ¨C the visual image for Camera-3 then went fuzzy ¨C to a blackout.
And, from the ceiling of Peter¡¯s bedroom¡ ¡®crashed¡¯ 2 hippo-like beasts which vibed, from another reality dimension¡
¡ they both were the Fu-Dogs ¨C the hell-hounds of Asmodeus.
They were in search of ¡®something¡¯ their Master, had commanded to retrieve.
The female of the hippo-beast jumped on Peter¡¯s metal single bed¡ and was sniffing for scent, from her broad-nostrils. While her crazy-mate, the other Fu-dog ¨C was trashing away senseless, into Peter¡¯s belongings.
The Fu-bitch caught ¡®the¡¯ scent ¨C and it jumped down to the floor, and licked the smeared dried-off bloodstains off the floor, with its wide tongue. It looked up attentive, sniffing around, and spotted the CHAINED BLOOD-VIAL, from the bedside table. It bit it, with its multiple rows of teeth.
The male-Fu-dog saw its mate, had found the ¡®prize¡¯ and it fought with her ¨C as their Master had TRAINED THEM TO COMPETE with each other¡
¡ for better rewards to the victor¡ for every task given¡
Both of the massive hounds were at each other¡¯s throat, clawing with their scaly hind-feet, rolling on the floor, and further trashing Peter¡¯s room.
¡ the Fu-bitch SWALLOWED THE BLOOD-VIAL ¨C and both the fighting beasts ¡®vibed¡¯ and disappeared into the dream-dimension realm.
Downstairs, in the House of Walkers ¨C Camera-3 was ¡®FINE¡¯ AGAIN ¨C BUT¡
¡with some ¡®lost¡¯ footages.
<><>
THE RECESS BELL RANG ¨C students were readily leaving the classroom, including Jane and Alicia. Peter wanted to catch up with Jane¡
¡ but was blocked by a couple of his classmates ¨C to ask the whereabouts of the hero-dog-Piper.
¡ Peter noticed that Janey was AVOIDING HIM today ¨C in comparison to the last term¡
¡ where she was all-over-him¡
¡ and called him Champ.
Peter sarcastically joked¡ while leaving the classroom.
¡°That fleabag mutt¡? Yea, a Vietnamese, who was kin to Chinatown Wong ¨C and the gook caught it¡ killed it¡ cooked it and ate it¡¡±
The boys laughed.
-O-
¡ Peter stood at the crossroad ¨C the canteen was on the right and on the left, was the gym-office at the west-wing of the school.
He hurried to the gym-instead¡
-O-
The tennis mixed-double selection for the next Perth¡¯s School Championship, and it was the ¡®least¡¯ favourite category ¨C compared to the BOYS¡¯, GIRLS¡¯ AND DOUBLES¡¯ selections, which WAS NEXT YEAR¡
¡ usually, this ¡®not¡¯ popular category was the first in the line for grabs ¨C but the only-entry this year, for Stamford High was Doug Zimmerman and Zoe Williams¡
¡ and the DEADLINE FOR the entry closing was in a couple of days.
¡ Peter double-confirmed by peeking at the notice-paper, pinned on the board, outside the gym¡¯s office. The entry remained the same, that only Doug and Zoe, were the only ones participating, at the knock-out stage. He took out his iPhone¡
The one-armed boy entered the door¡ and saw Coach Jonah behind his desk and he asked...
¡°Coach Jonah, I want to register an entry for the mixed-double for Jane Wilson and me.¡±
¡°But Walker, Principal Harris had banned you from playing, for the whole of this final term.¡±
¡°But that is in the Boy¡¯s category, Coach ¨C right now, I want an entry into the mixed-double.¡±
¡°Walker, YOU CAN¡¯T PLAY, you are banned for the term! And, you even gambled and placed an illegal bet, in this school vicinity ¨C Principle Harris had let you off ¡®easy,¡¯ Walker ¨C by right, you should be expelled!¡±
Peter felt hot in both of his ears, that became redder.
¡°Why are you DISCRIMINATING HANDICAP STUDENTS, and¡ why can¡¯t a blind girl play tennis in this school?¡± He asked.
¡°I didn¡¯t say that!¡± The coach replied. ¡°I WAS REFERRING TO ¡®YOU¡¯ ¨C you are banned from playing, and that was why I AM REJECTING your participation!¡±
Peter was mad¡
¡°I don¡¯t know if you been living under a rock, or a medicine-ball, Coach Jonah ¨C us, the handicap-people, whom you look ¡®down¡¯ upon¡ had beaten your #1 mediocre-selection of Doug and Zoe ¨C look it up, it is viral-ing in YouTube, with over 29,000 views and, with over 5,000 new-views every day ¨C you get me now, Coach ¨C we, handicaps are the new blacks!!?¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t say¡ that I, look-down on handicaps! And, I also don¡¯t watch YouTube, or any other ¡®circus¡¯ behind it, Walker! Now get out of my office!¡±
¡°Circus¡? You watch your mouth, Coach Jonah¡ handicap people are ¡®not¡¯¨C ¡®circus-freaks¡¯ that you able-bodied folks should laugh and ridicule at, I am going to the Vice Principals Office ¨C I got this ¡®entire¡¯ conversation in AUDIO RECORDING ¨C I will play it to her¡ and let her see, what a bigot you are, Coach!¡±
¡ Peter took out cell-phone from his pocket with his one-arm ¨C and flashed it at the middle-aged, school¡¯s head of sports section. The tween stormed off¡
¡°Peter, wait! Peter!¡±
¡ Coach Jonah locked up his office with a bunch of keys in a hurry¡ and trailed behind the fast, walking Peter Walker.
<>
PAUL ROLLED OUT OFF THE HANDICAP TOILET ¨C he saw Alicia waiting for Jane outside the ¡®girls-room¡¯. Immediately, Paul complimented her new hair-do.
¡°Hey-Ali, your hairstyle looks greattt on you.¡±
¡ Alicia laughed and walked over to the wheelchair¡
¡°Thank you, Pauly it was a last-minute thing¡ I got my Mummy to cut my hair at home because the weather had been terribly hot, these past few days.¡±
She was running her fingers on Paul¡¯s spikey hair, to style it more. ¡°Use the products that you bought, at home, okay?¡±
The Chinese girl came close¡ and whispered, with a serious tone¡
¡°Peter has been stressing out Janey lately¡ he also had been creeping her out, with spamming messages Pauly, can you talk to him¡ and tell him to back-off ¨C Janey is going on in SOME ¡®ADJUSTMENTS¡¯ period in her first day of school, and all¡?¡±
¡°What¡¯s the ¡®drama,¡¯ he got into now?¡± Shaking his head, Paul sighed.
¡°He was forcing her to agree to be his mixed-doubles partner ¨C but Janey had been avoiding him¡ because she wanted to remain a B-girl¡ to protect her ¡®cursed¡¯ identity, just like you.¡± She said.
¡°Wasn¡¯t he banned for a term, to play tennis¡? What is Ms King saying about it?¡±
¡°Ms King is on sickie leave¡ it is up to ¡®us,¡¯ to keep Peter under ¡®control,¡¯ and now that Principle Harris too, would ¡®not¡¯ be here, for the next 3 days.¡±
¡ Paul was dazed in fearful thoughts ¨C of how Peter¡¯s behaviour and attitude had worsened lately, to be aggressive ¨C and he suspected it was THE PRESCRIPTION PILLS, that Peter bought online was the cause of it. Paul needed to tell Ms King about it, so that she would BE PREPARED to deal with the one-armed rebel, during their next anger-management counselling meet.
¡ Paul and Alicia heard shouting ahead. Some of the ¡®busybody¡¯ students at the hallway, ran up to the noise happening. EVERYONE SAW PETER walking in a hurry, towards the VP, Ms Burnell¡¯s office ¨C and with Coach Jonah chasing after him¡
¡crying out loud¡
¡°Peter! You COME BACK HERE to me, right now!¡±
<>
MISS ANN BURNELL, THE VP, AND DISCIPLINE TEACHER ¨C was shocked, to see Coach Jonah and the rebel, one-armed Peter was playing ¡®chase,¡¯ in her modicum-spaced office-room.
The nimble Peter was agile¡ to avoid the big-sized, angry Coach Jonah reaching out¡ to GRAB HIS CELL-PHONE ¨C while he was video recording his ¡®plotted antic¡¯.
Ms Burnell shouted out. ¡°Stop it both of you! Coach Jonah, what is going-on!!?¡±
The big-man HAD CRASHED INTO her photo-frame which dropped down from the side-wall¡ and also¡
¡ knocked the soil out-of¡ her pet-cactus on her desk.
The panting Coach Jonah was still angry, as he pointed to Peter, commanding...
¡°You are ¡®not¡¯ allowed to video record in the vicinity of the school, ask Ms Burnell here!¡±
¡°Coach Jonah, what is this all about?¡±
The pissed off Peter replied, in return...
¡°Ms Burnell, Coach Jonah here said ¡®no¡¯ to my application for the tennis mixed-double, because he is ¡®BIAS¡¯ TOWARDS handicap students!¡±
The coach responded¡Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
¡°No Ma¡¯am, I did not say those things, and STOP TWISTING-WORDS around there, Walker ¨C Principle Harris had clearly ¡®banned¡¯ you from participating in any competitive tennis, this final term ¨C so that¡¯s WAS WHY, I said no!¡±
Peter shouted out. ¡°By you SAYING ¡®NO¡¯ ¨C YOU ARE depriving a blind girl¡ who eagerly wanting to learn and play sports JUST-BECAUSE ¡®I¡¯ had-coached her to play tennis? And, now, you are saying, ¡®my¡¯ student can¡¯t play tennis too, because you have a beef with me?
¡°From a coach-to-a-coach, why are you discriminate and marginalize, the poor handicap, blind-girl¡? What is it with you White-adult-men of authority are against minorities¡ unlike-me¡
¡°¡ I don¡¯t see any skin colour or creed and all that bloody-shit IF I WANT TO HELP ¡®others?¡¯
¡°¡like, the incident in the zoo recently, for instance ¨C my girlfriend has a Black adopted brother, Jaheem from deep-dark Africa ¨C and when he ¡®got¡¯ abducted, I did ¡®NOT¡¯ HESITATE to help the Black-boy. And, I even bravely climbed into the black panther¡¯s cage to SAVE HIM, RISKING my own one-armed-life for him to do so ¨C and you ask why ¨C it¡¯s because of Black-Lives-Matter!!?¡±
¡ by now, Ms Burnell was even confused with Peter¡¯s off-tangent remarks. But she also does ¡®not¡¯ want to step on the boundaries, of Principle Harris prior decisions too¡
¡ she then-spoke¡
¡°Okay-stop, you 2 and listen ¨C we all wait for Principle Harris to have a say on this tennis ¡®matter,¡¯ ONCE HE RETURNS from leave, okay?¡±
¡°But Ms Burnell, the CLOSING DATE for the mixed double is coming now ¨C and Coach Jonah here ¡®will¡¯ get back at me¡ if he was to intentionally submits the form for the knock-out stage, ¡®BEFORE¡¯ OUR PRINCIPAL Harris get back here!¡±
¡°Coach Jonah, when is this closing date?¡± The VP asked.
¡°Tomorrow.¡± Coach Jonah mumbled.
¡°You hold-on back in this entry submission date¡ till the principle is back in his office, and let him ¡®decide, Coach Jonah, is that clear¡?¡±
¡°Uhh-hu.¡± The big man nodded.
¡ Ms Burnell pointed at the video-recording Peter. ¡°You, young man, you don¡¯t share your video recording into ¡®your¡¯ social media, of what happened in here. If this school finds you sharing or making any negative remarks ¡®out there¡¯ ¨C YOU WILL BE EXPELLED, do you understand...?¡±
The single gloved Peter ¡®deleted¡¯ it¡ and shut his camera, and put his phone into his pocket.
Peter praised her...
¡°Crystal-clear Ma¡¯am! And, thank you very much, Ms Burnell ¨C I respect you, for the ¡®kind and just¡¯ decision towards us, the minorities ¨C who are neglected and left behind in the ¡®system.¡¯¡±
¡°Now, leave my office ¨C I got work to do.¡±
¡ Coach Jonah followed the smirking Peter, out of the door.
The one-armed boy remarked¡
¡°G¡¯day Coach Jonah ¨C and also, from a coach-to-a-coach¡ I see bright futures ahead of us, once you allow ¡®Team-Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ to AN EQUAL CHANCE on the playing field, to excel sports for Stamford High ¨C and byee.¡±
Peter swagger towards the canteen, while the middle-aged coach sighed¡
¡ as the man took his pill bottle¡
¡ and dry-swallowed his high-blood-pressure meds.
<>
JANE WAS ALONE, AT A TABLE EATING A TUNA SALAD ¨C Alicia was at the other table with her music class friends, in a discussion with a musical notebook, in front of them.
¡ Jane had some well-wishers from other classes, come by to greet her, and even they took selfies ¨C although Jane was ¡®not¡¯ to keen¡ BUT SHE OBLIGED.
Now¡ Douglas Zimmerman approached her¡
¡°Jane, how are you? This is Douglas, remember me, you beat Zoe and I, in your viral video?¡±
¡°Oh-Douglas... yes, how are you¡?¡±
The blind-girl grinned in-self-consciously, recalling winning a practise-match recently, before the zoo incident.
¡°Wow! That video now has 30K views ¨C good on ya, you played great in it, congratulations, Jane ¨C well done!¡±
¡ she was uncomfortable with the compliments received, because she FELT SHE HAD ¡®CHEATED,¡¯ using her 3rd-Eye.
¡°How was Zoe taking it¡?¡± Jane asked.
¡°Not well.¡± Douglas laughed aloud. ¡°I told her, it is part and parcel of the game ¨C you win some, you lose some.¡±
¡°¡ I¡¯m sorry.¡±
¡°Jane-hey, why are you feeling sorry for¡? Zoe should be the one who should feel sorry, for underestimating you. I told her, let this be a lesson for her, to practise even harder, and all.¡±
¡°Zoe doesn¡¯t like me-much in class,¡± Jane said awkwardly.
¡°Well, that says volumes about her now ¨C she had been playing tennis FOR 3 YEARS, and currently #1 in the Girls¡¯ category¡ and here you come, a beginner ¨C and you beat her, making her eat the humble-pie ¨C AND US-BOTH ACTUALLY ¨C wow, that is truly amazing of beginner¡¯s luck!¡±
¡ Jane looked down guiltily and did ¡®not¡¯ reply.
¡°Was it true, that you had only ¡®one¡¯ lesson of tennis¡ before you ¡®trashed¡¯ us both? Its Peter¡ who told that, this morning. That was totally incredibly-sick!¡± He laughed out.
Jane sighed ¨C seemed like Peter was the ¡®SPOKESPERSON¡¯ for both of them¡ for-whatever ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ WAS CONCERNED.
¡°Yes, I had a good teacher¡¡± She mumbled.
¡ Peter walked into the canteen, after his ¡®victorious campaign¡¯ in the VP¡¯s office just now ¨C and was looking out for Jane¡ to tell her the ¡®good news.¡¯
At a distance, he saw his ¡®rival¡¯ Douglas Zimmerman ¨C talking with his ¡®girlfriend¡¯ ¨C they were SEEN EXCHANGING cellphone numbers. He saw the senior boy, getting up from the table, saying¡
¡°Thanks for your number, Jane ¨C if you ¡®change¡¯ your mind¡ let me know ya?¡±
The one-armed boy saw him leaving, from another exit door. Peter WAS SUSPICIOUS that Douglas was ¡®stealing¡¯ his tennis partner. He approached her table-fast¡ where Jane continued to finish her salad.
¡ Peter has ¡®NOT¡¯ SPOKEN to Jane for more than 4 days¡ and he had the gut-feeling, that SHE WAS AVOIDING him¡
¡°Hey, Janey!¡±
¡ the blind-girl cringed, as she heard Peter ¡®s voice ¨C she replied to the red-glow...
¡°Hey¡¡±
¡°What is this all about¡? Why was Douglas Zimmerman here, talking to you? What were you both talking about¡hah¡? And¡ why did you GIVE YOUR PHONE NUMBER to him?¡±
A few tables away was another senior student, who was the captain of the cricket team, with his mates, and they OVERHEARD ¡®TROUBLE¡¯ brewing¡ with the ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple.¡¯ He wanted to MAKE A VIDEO ¨C and share it with his girlfriend Charlotte Thompson¡
¡ who hated Jane ¨C in her class¡
¡ who-even called her ¡®blind-school.¡¯
¡ Jane stood up¡ Alicia came to her side, holding her arm. The blind-girl spoke up, aloud¡
¡°It¡¯s my phone number, and I can give my number to anyone I like ¨C now, who are you to question me, Peter Walker? Are you my mother¡?¡±
¡°Jane, let¡¯s go!¡± The Chinese girl intervened¡
¡°You get lost, Chinatown ¨C I¡¯m ¡®not¡¯ finished talking to her yet!¡±
Shouted Peter to Alicia¡ and he stuck his face close, to Jane¡¯s face¡ and shouted. He ¡®glowed¡¯ dark red, to her.
¡°Are you BAILING-OUT ON ME ¨C TO GO PLAY TENNIS, for that mediocre loser!!?¡±
Both the girls walked away, ¡®not¡¯ responding. Everyone stared, as Peter shouted.
¡°Hey-Jane, where you going ¨C I¡¯m ¡®not¡¯ finished talking to you!¡±
¡ Peter was now aware that EVERY ¡®BUSYBODY¡¯ was rubbernecking ¨C some laughter raptured¡ when someone SAID ¡®GAME-OVER¡¯ ¨C that angered Peter more, and he also saw, the CRICKET CAPTAIN VIDEO recording¡
¡°You-there! Put YOUR CAMERA AWAY ¨C I ¡®curse¡¯ you all¡ if you share the video!¡±
Peter realized that a moment ago, at the VP office, when he ¡®too¡¯ held the camera and posed a threat just now¡
¡ it was the ¡®reversed¡¯ situation now¡
He too walked away, from the canteen.
<>
OUTSIDE THE CANTEEN, PETER STOPPED ¨C he was mad, with shallow raging breaths, growling-to-himself¡ as he evaluated ¡®what¡¯ had happened at ¡®that¡¯ blink of the moment ¨C he was confident that¡
¡ he had the ¡®CONTROL¡¯ OF ¡®HIS-DAY¡¯¡
¡ but now¡
¡ he had lost it¡
¡®I fought hard for a place in the VP¡¯s office, JUST NOW, AND HERE YOU are¡¯ ¨C you bloody Douglas Zimmerman, you are TRYING TO STEAL MY-GLORY, under my very own nose ¨C and in front of my very eyes! Hey Dougie, you will ¡®NOT¡¯ HAVE ¡®MY¡¯ Janey ¨C and I have TO KILL-YOU if I have to¡ TO HAVE WHAT is ¡®mine!¡¯
¡°Peter!¡±
¡ Paul in-his wheelchair¡ intercepted Peter outside the canteen ¨C he was ¡®not¡¯ there when the ¡®breakup¡¯ of the ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple occurred.
¡ Paul saw his twin glowing in dark maroon. Paul too-was ¡®sweating¡¯ from his throat onwards ¨C where his own ¡®cursed¡¯ scar was¡
¡ the crippled boy shouted¡
¡°Peter, what is happening? What HAVE YOU DONE¡? Is it something TO DO WITH JANE?¡±
¡°Poe! You bloody-short-legs ¨C you DON¡¯T INTERFERE, in my love-life ¨C ever¡!¡±
He saw Peter walking away, to the corridor.
¡ Paul ¡®had¡¯ mentioned Jane, because ALICIA HAD TOLD him, outside the washroom ¨C telling him that Peter was ¡®stressing¡¯ Jane out¡ on the first day of school.
Paul was distracted by a small explosion happening in the canteen with shouts and screams that followed. His wheelchair raced into the canteen¡ to see a group of senior students were attending to their injured cricket team captain. His blood was splattering everywhere as he hollered his lungs out...
-O-
¡ the captain had ¡®selected¡¯ a group of friends on his WhatsApp list¡
¡ wanting to make his popularity known to them, by being the ¡®first,¡¯ in-his posting on the ¡®BREAKUP¡¯ VIDEO of ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ and¡
¡ and when the captain PRESSED THE ¡®SEND¡¯ button¡
¡ his iPhone blew off ¨C severing his thumb.
¡ Paul rushed to the chaos, with his ¡®own¡¯ finger touching the metal disc, that charged the dynamo¡ for giving him speed in his-modified wheelchair¡
He arrived at the scene of disarray, and seeing boys were helping the screaming captain in pain, to the school¡¯s Infirmary. Then¡
¡ ANOTHER EXPLOSION¡ came from the other end of the canteen, that panicked that section of the students, into-disorder¡
A Sony cellphone had exploded¡ and injuring another student.
¡ Paul heard a senior student shouting out, amongst the madness¡
¡°It¡¯s the batteries! The PHONE BATTERIES are exploding!¡±
Then, the school bell rang ¨C recess was over¡
-O-
Alicia hugged the upset Jane as they walked to their classroom. Jane told her that Douglas Zimmerman had ¡®told¡¯ to her that, he and Zoe were willing TO ¡®PRACTICE¡¯ WITH the ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯¨C if they signed up for the knock-outs...
¡ Douglas-then ¡®asked¡¯ for her number¡ and she gave it to him.
Alicia seated the already sweating Jane at her desk ¨C when ¡®ANOTHER¡¯ EXPLOSION happened in their classroom¡ that panicked the handful of classmates, who had arrived early from their recess-break.
They were frightful and horrified¡
¡ when Charlotte dropping-down to the floor¡
¡ with a fresh open scar over her right ear¡ and blinded-eyes.
¡ blind-Jane removed her beanie¡ as she was sweating from her ¡®own¡¯ diamond-shaped scar, on her upper forehead, and she was pleading out...
¡°¡ Ali, what is happening¡?¡±
Then, the school bell rang ¨C recess was over¡
-O-
Peter reached the staircase to the 2nd floor which was where the senior students¡¯ classrooms were, and Douglas Zimmerman¡¯s CLASS WAS too. The one-armed tween¡ pursued HIS ¡®HUNT¡¯¡ as he raced up the 25 steps at the foyer.
¡ meanwhile¡
¡ Douglas Zimmerman exited from the boys¡¯ room, at the floor below.
Then, the school bell rang ¨C recess was over¡
¡Douglas took out his cellphone¡ to check for any important notifications, as he ascended the 25 steps¡
¡ Paul arrived at the school¡¯s foyer, as he WAS SEARCHING for Peter.
¡ Douglas¡¯ eyes were on his phone, as he reached up-the-stairs-to his classroom¡¯s floor¡ and he switched his phone to vibrate, in his last footing steps ¨C where a sharp-pitched scream cried¡
¡°SPARTAaaa¡!¡±
From below¡
¡ Paul saw his evil-twin KICK THE SENIOR STUDENT, square on his chest ¨C that flung the boy backwards¡ to DROP A FATAL DROP¡
¡ or-of some-major injuries, upon the impact below.
In precise instinct, Paul ¡®powered-up¡¯ his wheelchair¡ that sped over to the foot of the staircase ¨C while he too flung-over¡
¡ flying and reached out, to the senior boy¡
At the foyer, a flash of blue sparks flashed and exploded in an eye¡¯s instance, when¡
¡ the crippled Paul caught Douglas in mid-air¡
¡ and they both crashed-below on the floor¡ at the other side of the foyer.
The few students who were present back then, ¡®hardly and barely¡¯ saw and were aware¡ of ¡®what¡¯ had just happened¡
¡ of Paul¡¯s superpowered-speed¡
¡ ¡®what¡¯ that they only saw was the wheelchair and the foot of the stairs ¨C while, PAUL AND DOUGLAS were sprawling on the floor, on the other side of the foyer.
Some were shocked to realize, how ¡®THAT AMAZING¡¯ FEAT had just happened ¨C of the quadriplegic who had just rescued a fellow student.
-O-
But, ¡®not¡¯ Peter¡
¡ he glowered mad, of WHAT PAUL HAD DONE¡
¡ as he looked-down from upstairs ¨C at more students coming over, to attend to the 2 boys.
-O-
¡ the first thing to do now¡ was to escape from the crime scene ¨C and so¡
¡ Peter ran away.
Peter fled, hearing several other explosions¡ HAPPENING NEARBY IN CLASSES ¨C and the terror screams that followed.
-O-
Peter came down the 2nd floor ¨C from the other school¡¯s exit. There were already some panicking students running-out the main-entrance, to outside the school¡¯s parking lot¡
¡ as they heard ¡®more¡¯ explosions, from behind them¡ and screams of¡
¡°Terrorists!¡±
In the helter-skelter, the angry Peter Walker walked-fast¡ among the running legs.
¡ there was a freaking-out assumption of a terrorist attack, among the frightened.
The PA system then came-on:
¡°ALL STUDENT PLEASE LEAVE YOUR CELLPHONES IN YOUR CLASSROOM ¨C AND EXIT IN AN ORDERLY MANNER TO THE OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL¡¯S PARKING LOT ¨C DON¡¯T BRING YOUR PHONE ALONG ¨C YOUR CELLPHONES WERE ¡®THE¡¯ CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSIONS!¡±
The existing students outside the school began throwing, their cellphones away in fear.
The angry Peter walked among them, as he recalled Paul rescuing Douglas Zimmerman, just now¡
¡®Poe¡ I had WARNED YOU ¡®NOT¡¯ TO INTERFERE, into my love-business!¡¯
Instantly¡
¡ over 20, BATTERY-OPERATED, ELECTRIC CARS, parked at the parking bay, belonging to teachers and senior students¡
¡ exploded in flames, sky-high.
That was pandemonium in Stanford High School in that mid-morning, of the FIRST DAY of the final term¡ both inside and outside of the school¡
¡ as-Peter, wearing his green school uniform who¡
¡ rode his bike away home.
<>
THE ONE-ARMED BOY REACHED HOME AND HE WAS EXTREMELY THIRSTY¡ for a ¡®celebration-to-his-escape¡¯ drink ¨C Peter wanted to drink his Red-Bull¡
¡ he raced upstairs¡
He unlocked his room¡ and the one-armed was shocked to discover that his BEDROOM WAS TRASHED...
¡ Peter hollered aloud¡
¡°What the BLOODY-HELL HAPPENED here¡? Who dare, ENTER MY ROOM!!?¡±
Chapter 7: The Telltales Of a Dog...
HE HAD GONE HUNGRIER AND WEAKER ¨C with the open wounds suffered, by scaling the razor barbwire, of the zoo¡¯s fence-top ¨C when he rescued Master Samuel from the big-black cat¡ and the cursed-human named Peter at the zoo.
For 2 days¡
¡ he laid down sick, to rest-and-heal, from his infected wounds. The big, grey dog also fought back with the ¡®madness and dangerous-urges¡¯ that was infecting slowly in its mind¡
¡ to turn into a FERAL ¡®WOLF-MAN¡¯ in the astral-world of dreams¡
¡ Piper also knew his demise would be soon on earth¡ when he would be put down as a rabid dog someday¡
¡ if he were to attack a human being.
His only strength to live¡
¡ was of the ¡®unfinished¡¯ business of that night in the zoo¡
¡ which was TO KILL THE BLACKMAN who, infected the black panther with the sorcery spell, of his native Popobawa ¨C which in return, had also ¡®cursed¡¯ infected him¡
¡ with similar uncontrollable, wild-illness¡ when he-himself, was later-bitten.
He should try ¡®NOT¡¯ TO DIE-BEFORE that¡
¡for the safety-sake of Jane and Samuel, and the family too, who¡
¡ had treated him well and fed him, for 7 of his dog-years.
The AI voices and annoying whistles left his head, the moment he rescued Samuel that night ¨C Piper had longed for ¡®IT¡¯ TO RETURN, in those 2 lonely nights ¨C where he had laid-down weak¡ because Piper thought he would die, from the high-fever and cold chills that he endured.
On the 3rd day¡
¡ the scrawny, half-breed Alsatian HAD SURVIVED AND left the covered drain ¨C to look for food. He was at King¡¯s Park¡ and a few people then-fed the dog with scraps¡
¡while ¡®NOT¡¯ KNOWING HIM¡
¡ as the Perth¡¯s hero-dog, from the media¡
¡ but¡
¡ who would have ¡®recognized¡¯ him¡?
¡ when he was just-a dirty-stray-dog that needed a serious-bath ¨C as his long grey fur was caked with dried-blood, mud, grime and dirt.
Piper wandered around in the vast park, slept under trees on a hot afternoon¡ as he watched adult-humans, going about playing, and interacting with their 2-legged-pups.
He vaguely remembered his ¡®own¡¯ mother-dog¡ who had given birth to him and his 5 other siblings pups-litters. The owner kept the 3 male pups ¨C and sold 2 female pups.
¡ Piper was then-given to the owner¡¯s friend¡ who then later gave him-away to an animal shelter ¨C because the new-owner-human, COULD ¡®NOT¡¯ TAKE CARE, of an 8-month-old, ¡®GROWING¡¯ DOG¡
¡ in the shelter, he was trained to be a guide dog for the disabled ¨C and that¡¯s ¡®where,¡¯ he was owned-later, by the blind, Master JANE, WHO WAS 6 YEARS old, of her-human age.
His best years were with Jane, was when he had loyally accompanied her to the blind-school, for over 5 years of his dog-life¡
¡ but yet soon it ¡®stopped¡¯¡
¡ when he was replaced by AN ¡®INVISIBLE DOG¡¯ ¨C who ¡®talked¡¯ in human-language¡ and it lived ¡®inside¡¯ Jane¡¯s backpack.
Nobody¡
¡ and ¡®not¡¯ even Piper could see ¡®her¡¯¡
¡ BUT LIKE A GHOST¡ ¡®she¡¯ spoke to Jane and Piper...
¡ and the existence of SIMY was STILL A MYSTERY IN HIS dog¡¯s life.
<><>
ON THE 4TH DAY, PIPER LEFT KING¡¯S PARK ¨C as he felt he was STRONG ENOUGH for his ¡®mission¡¯¨C ¡®not¡¯ any mission ¨C but a specific mission¡
¡ of searching, hunting and killing a ¡®certain human.¡¯
¡ with the fear of the perpetrator Hajji, would ¡®return¡¯ back, to hurt his masters, Jane and Samuel¡
¡ and by the laws of nature¡ he should be ¡®put-down¡¯¡
¡®Where ARE YOU, 2-legged ¡®Black-dog¡¯ ¨C Piper want to FIGHT AND KILL YOU!¡¯
¡ Piper recalled the evening when JANE HAD ¡®TAKEN¡¯ HIM on a bus to see Peter, but the bus-ride went ¡®wrong¡¯ ¨C when he was bitten by Popobawa.
To find for Hajji, he should take a ¡®bus¡¯ to where the black panther had last attacked him ¨C that led him to the zoo before, where Hajji ¡®last¡¯ was spotted ¨C and¡
¡ he would pick his ¡®scent¡¯ up from thereon.
He wandered around the busy-street of Perth¡ in the hot afternoon to find a bus ¨C but most buses were moving¡
¡ feeling weak and hungry ¨C he didn¡¯t want to ¡®play catch¡¯ a moving bus.
The streets were filled with the yummy aroma of food, coming from fast-food joints¡
¡ the distracted-Piper was now famished ¡
Gone were the days he did ¡®not¡¯ have to hunt or scavenge for food. He recalled the ol¡¯ good-days¡ where Jane was away at school with her ¡®TALKING-INVISIBLE-DOG,¡¯ and he was left behind, to-be a fat-house-dog¡
¡ he was pampered daily with 2 full doggie-meals, and ¡®also¡¯ there was doggie-snacks as treats, his ¡®chewy¡¯ flavoured supplements¡ a monthly trip to groomers to have his furs and nails trimmed. HE RECALLED TOO of Jane¡¯s father who gave him a bath once a week¡ in a plastic tub, on hot days. So much so...
¡ he would jump in, whenever Samuel had a bubble bath.
He bonded well with Master Samuel ¨C he was AN ADORABLE ¡®PUP¡¯ and he loved him, like his own. He loved licking his face¡ and giving him a hossie-back ride.
¡ he even babysat him, while Lola was cooking.
Both the big-dog and baby-boy would watch TV together ¨C and he knew HOW-TO WORK the remote control, to switch channels¡ to entertain the boy with ¡®animal-shows¡¯.
He loved Lola too ¨C she did secretly feed him with yummy ¡®human-food¡¯ scraps.
-O-
Piper was salivating and saw his own reflection ¨C on the glass window pane of a restaurant. He saw a scrawny dog of himself, WHO HAD LOST A LOT OF WEIGHT ¨C all dirty and with wounds, like a street-stray dog.
¡ gone was the well-groomed ¡®image,¡¯ where blind-Jane would call him¡
¡®¡ my ¡®handsome-boy¡¯.
He soon saw a fast-food kitchen employee throwing a servo-black bag into the dumpster. The moment the human entered the backdoor ¨C Piper leapt into the dumpster and bit on the big, black bag¡ and ran away with it.
<><>
PIPER TREATED HIMSELF, WITH A HEARTY MEAL OF KFC for the first time ¨C and-boy¡
¡ he had a big meal ¨C and if were to portion the scrap, it can feed 10 humans.
He had lots of deep-fried chicken bones, limp-soggy French fries, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, half-eaten Zinger and Tender burgers scraps ¨C and also salad, for his fibre intake...
¡ but-compared to his dog-food and Lola¡¯s scraps of ¡®yummy¡¯ humans¡¯ home cooking before ¨C Piper liked fast-food the least because it was too salty.
But it was ¡®food,¡¯ and he ate ¨C beggar-dogs can¡¯t be choosy.
What complemented to the nasty-saltiness off his taste buds, was¡
¡ the refreshing citrus splash and Pepsi freeze from those cups, that was puddling in melting ice-cubes into the torn, black bag. Piper lapped it, as it was cooling too, from the heat of that scorching afternoon.
He burped¡ and defecated¡
¡ left a mess, at the abandoned, foundry compound ¨C and with a full belly, he proceeded with his ¡®mission¡¯ to get on a bus¡
... and hunt for Hajji.
<><>
PIPER WANDERED ABOUT IN THE STREETS ¨C after a couple of hours in the sun, he reached a bus depot, where there were several parked buses¡
¡ his long tail wagged with excitement.
The panting big dog sat, observing the buses ¨C where humans entered the bus door, and the bus drove away.
Learning that, Piper walked over to the next bus¡ and entered the door, and was in the bus. He was greeted with cheers and shouts. The old-timer bus driver was cursing¡ while the seated humans were laughing.
Piper thought¡ it was a ¡®safe space¡¯ of friendlies.
The older-human came close and was shouting curses ¨C and the seated humans were laughing more¡
¡ Piper thought the older-human wanted to play ¡®catch.¡¯
The big dog ran past him, and bumping-hard into him¡ and the seated human laughed more and cheered for him. This made Piper returning back, dashing again¡ bumping-harder at the cursing older-human, which brought even more excitement¡ of cheering and laughter of everyone.
But when he saw, the old-bus-driver beginning to roll a newspaper, and waving it at him ¨C the dog knew he was in A HOSTILE-SITUATION, with choices of ¡®fight-or-flight¡¯ ¨C Piper could-had lunge, to attack him¡
¡ but instead, he chose to run away, from the chasing human.
He jumped off the bus door¡ and ran away from the old-human¡ yelling back at him¡
¡°Get off my bus, you dirty bloody-dog!¡±
<>
FROM AFAR, PIPER LAID ON HIS BELLY¡ OBSERVING THE BUSES with confusion and bewilderment of where-did-he-go-wrong. The dog raised up its gaze when he saw a bus pulling over the depot ¨C as the bus parked¡ the humans were exiting the bus, though 2 doors, instead of one.
¡ when the last human exited the rear-door, Piper sneaked-up into the bus and hid, under the rear row seat.
The driver was the last human to alight the bus¡ and the 2 doors closed, the air-con shut ¡ leaving Piper alone inside the bus.
¡ still remaining and hiding under the seat, Piper wondered of what-was-going-on ¨C he wished the INVISIBLE ¡®TALKING-DOG¡¯ was here, to ¡®teach¡¯ him. As the moments passed, and the air was stuffy under the hot afternoon sun ¨C the furry mammal was panting.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
The dog decided it would jump off the bus again¡ once the door opened. It waited patiently.
It was a wait-of-awhile, in dog-moments for Piper¡ anticipating with pants, before seeing the bus driver getting into his front seat. Only with the front door opened¡ the driver had also switched the air-con back on. Soon, more other humans got on the bus¡ and when the bus was half-filled ¨C and the engine started, and the bus drove off.
Piper tail wagged in delight¡ that he was ON-COURSE TO his ¡®mission.¡¯
-O-
¡ but ¡®not¡¯ all buses led to Popobawa¡
¡ Piper was on an express bus to Narrogin¡
¡ on to the outskirts from Perth.
-O-
Hours passed on, as Piper remained hidden in the rear of the bus¡ anticipating for the 2nd door would open.
When the door finally opened¡ the big dog dashed at it, and was the first to get down off the bus¡ and he bolted in full speed¡
¡ Piper ran and ran until he stopped to check his surroundings ¨C and, he had¡
¡ a ¡®we-are-not-in-Kansas-any-more¡¯ moment¡
¡ realizing he was ¡®NOT¡¯ IN THE CITY any more, with tall buildings and scent of car fumes.
He then ran further away¡ from the small town of Narrogin¡ running away from the sight of its humans.
<><>
IT RAN FURTHER AND REACHED THE SHEEP COUNTY ¨C where the air was fresh and healthy¡ as Piper was toddling along, and meandering in the new surrounds which were nothing¡ but meadows of green grass, until his dog''s eyes could see beyond.
¡ like a city tourist, he was strolling and looking, hearing and smelling ¡®new¡¯ things. At a distance, he saw the species of a sheep for the first time, for a city-dog ¨C and there were lots and lots of them. His ears stood up when he heard barks of sheepdogs tending the herd.
He then saw ¡®what¡¯ a-horse was, for the first time too ¨C and a human was riding on it ¨C it reminded of his of Master Samuel riding on his back, at the zoo.
But his interest of sight-seeing had turned to fear¡
¡ when he heard the human-made a loud noise when he SHOT HIS RIFLE in the air ¨C to frighten nearby lurking predators.
¡ Piper ran away further away¡ and was now tired¡
¡ it was late evening, he was tottering in the grass, and was excited of the scent of the natural herbs grown in it. He was still weak from infected wounds that he had sustained, and wanted to heal, before persuading his ¡®mission.¡¯ He ate the herbs and grass¡ to detox, and went to sleep under a tree.
¡ Piper had the weirdest dream¡
<>
PIPER FINALLY HEARD SIMY¡¯S VOICE IN THE DARK ¨C he followed the voice of the ¡®talking dog¡¯¡ which was singing lullabies ¨C where in the dark, lit with a campfire, was a woman and baby¡
¡ as the dog came closer¡ IT WAS DR WILSON ¨C with SIMY¡¯s ¡®cold¡¯ voice, singing a cradle song in ¡®fake-expressional¡¯ tone. Piper was excited and curious of seeing Master Jane when she was a baby-pup¡
¡ wagging his tail, the dog sneaked up closer from behind of Dr Wilson¡
¡ even Jane¡¯s crying voice¡ was ¡®fake,¡¯ similar to the AI¡¯s.
The woman realized THE ¡®INTRUDER¡¯¡ and she turned her head and shouted¡
¡°GET AWAY from MY ¡®BABY¡¯ you bloody animal ¨C SHOO! GO-AWAY!¡±
<>
PIPER WOKE UP AND WHINNED IN CONFUSION ¨C but was distracted with the scent of blood. In front of him¡
¡was a fresh-killed dead rodent.
He had ¡®not¡¯ seen a capybara before¡ sizing 3 times of a rabbit. He knew that so, as¡
¡ he had killed a rabbit before, on his journey to the zoo ¨C and he ASSUMED IT WAS THE SAME-but-meatier.
¡®¡ Whose ¡®kill¡¯ is this¡?¡±¡¯
¡ before long¡
¡ the dog ate the raw-meat¡ and left the carcass of bones, fur and innards for the lesser and smaller animals to feast. Piper was in its thoughts on a full stomach, of WHO WOULD that ¡®caught and killed,¡¯ for his brekkie.
The Alsatian gazed up into the meadow¡ and on a hillock further¡
¡ was a yellow-dog, wagging her tail. It was a ¡®her,¡¯ he was sure of her-sex ¨C based in the shape and size.
The excited and curious Piper¡ ran out to greet her¡
¡ but she bolted¡ running far away from the chasing big dog. Piper tried to race over, but she was young, lean and faster. Piper too had to stop¡
¡ when he was tired, from the pains of his half-healed wounds.
Soon he lost her¡ but he had RUN-FARTHER AWAY, into a nowhere meadow. Then the afternoon hot sun came¡ the furrier dog rested in the shade, panting ¨C and wanting to go out, and catch her scent later...
¡ later, Piper pursued his search¡ by going on a journey, of trail-sniffing¡
Hours later, Piper stumbled upon in ANOTHER FRESH-KILL¡ of a weird looking creature. Being a city-house dog¡ he had ¡®not¡¯ seen a baby-kangaroo before¡
¡ he finished his lunch in an hour and looked up ¨C to find the yellow canine far away, waiting and wagging her teasing tail. He left a bigger chunk of the carcass behind¡ to chase after her¡.
¡ again, she bolted away leaving the big, old Alsatian far behind. Piper was frustrated of that hard-to-get ¡®game¡¯ that she played¡ and also teased by wagging her tail¡
¡®¡ boy, this bitch can sure run ¨C but ¡®where¡¯ is she taking me to?¡¯
<><>
IT WAS LATE EVENING, WHERE HE WAS ON HIS TRAIL HUNT which was getting colder. He arrived at a bucolic, sheep-farm with a lot of sheep. He saw her, with 2-other-male ¡®yellow dogs¡¯ in a distant hillock.
Piper took a backseat¡ and observed the trio, who were waiting for it to get darker¡
¡ then the BLOODTHIRSTY DINGOES came over, in a pack to hunt ¨C and their target was the young lambs, in the enclosure.
From afar, Piper¡¯s ears stood and was keenly observing the trio¡ killing 2 young-ones¡ with the rest of the sheep bleating out aloud. Piper whined¡
That disturbance attracted the humans to fight-back, with their shooting rifles. Their sheepdogs too gave a good fight with the she-dingo ¨C and she fought back fiercely¡
¡ badly hurting one of the human-owned dogs.
¡ but the farmers shot DEAD THE 2 MALE-dingoes¡ and the bitch fled into the night ¡ Piper then pursued her from behind.
The she-dingo escaped from the farm ¨C and again, she absconded far-away from Piper too. The older Piper was in exhaustion, rested himself, for the night.
Late in the night¡
¡ the lone bitch howled at the full-moon ¨C as she grieved and mourned, over the death of her ¡®mating-partner.¡¯ Piper heard her, and he whinnied to his sleep¡
¡ as he was already dead-tired after JOURNEYING LESS THAN 100 kilometres on foot, into the nowhere meadow¡ since his brekkie¡
¡ Piper slept, fantasized starting a ¡®family¡¯ with the she-dingo ¨C now that she was ¡®single¡¯ ¨C and before long, the big, grey dog was dreaming in his sleep¡ of playing with his puppies, as a father-dog¡
¡ with ¡®her¡¯ lovingly on his side.
<><>
PIPER WAS RUDELY AWAKEN FROM HIS SLEEP of running hoofs of horses¡ at dawn. There were 4 farmers armed with rifles, who rode the trail, with their 2 tracker dogs.
They were still hunting for the she-dingo ¨C Piper grew anxious and whined to himself, as he watched them from afar. But the search-party gave up when they reached the boundary of the next farm ¨C they turned back over to their farm, which was over 10 kilometres away¡
¡ Piper pursued to get to the runaway dingo, that was ¡®wanted dead¡¯ ¨C so that he can ¡®protect¡¯ her¡
¡ from any human that was set to ¡®destroy¡¯ her.
-O-
By mid-morning, he stumbled into another farmland¡ where the farmer was using a truck, to herd his sheep. There were 3 big sheepdogs assisting their master, who herd 300 over sheep, running in uniform in the meadow.
¡ Piper rested and watching the activities from afar. The she-dingo was nowhere at sight, nor her scent. Piper caught a rabbit on his own¡ and ate it, before he went on to continue his scent trail.
At mid-noon, the sun was back scorching hot, in the open fields ¨C and the big dog found shade, and he rested. He ate more herbs and grass to detox and heal. The old Alsatian was dead tired¡ hurting-all-over, and he slept¡
¡ Piper astral-travelled this time, in his dream¡
<>
THE DREAM WAS A RECOLLECTION OF AN OCCASION in the Wilson residence during one hot afternoon, where Piper was half-asleep on his belly, on the thick carpet, inside the airconditioned bedroom of his Master Jane¡
¡ Jane and Alicia were studying earlier, for their mid-tern final exams ¨C now, they were tiredly napping in the late afternoon¡ with Samuel on the Queen-sized bed.
Alicia was talking-in-her-sleep¡ and below the bed, Piper¡¯s ears shot-up ¨C as he listened to the Chinese girl saying¡
¡°Congratulation Pauly ¨C you won¡¡±
¡ then Piper heard the ¡®invisible-talking-dog¡¯ reacting to her¡ from Jane¡¯s backpack, on top of Master Jane¡¯s desk.
The SIMY AI was interacting to her sleep-talking...
¡°What did Paul Walker win, Alicia¡?¡±
¡°¡the school¡¯s¡ dance competition¡¡±
¡°Do you like Pauly, Alicia?¡±
¡°¡more¡ than like¡¡± She giggled in her sleep¡
¡°¡ does Pauly feel the same way about you, Alicia¡?¡±
¡°¡no¡ he is more¡ interested in Janey¡ I saw that¡ in class¡¡± Alicia said in a sad tone¡
¡ Piper the dog, had a DREAM-IN-A-DREAM ¨C instinctively he knew Alicia¡ who was Jane¡¯s best-friend, BUT WAS NOW in some-kind of trouble ¨C he astral travelled over into the Chinese girl¡¯s dream¡
¡ and was rushing over to protect Alicia, from the HELL-HOUNDS of Asmodeus.
The big-dog, Piper was racing in the empty streets of Chinatown¡ before he transformed into his other ¡®CURSED¡¯ PERSONA ¨C AS the Wolf-man¡
¡ the werewolf howled to the full moon, before he biped-ran, to where Alicia Wong was ¨C the Wolf-man reached Alicia¡¯s bedroom¡ and saw her sleeping soundly in her bed.
¡°It¡¯s ¡®NOT¡¯ HER ¨C BUT THE ¡®OTHER¡¯ half, of her¡!¡± He growled, in a coarse voice.
Wolf-man realised the ¡®confusion¡¯ arose, when his host-Piper, who was also dreaming. The werewolf knew ¡®where¡¯ he had to go back¡
¡ as he HAD LIVED in the ¡®other dream¡¯ before¡
¡ where he had PREVIOUSLY SAVED THE LIFE¡
¡ of the ¡®blind-girl¡¯ from Malaysia.
-O-
He leapt into the time-realm¡ to get from Perth to Malaysia ¨C where both locations, shared the same ¡®time¡¯¡ where people slept at night, in the same time too.
The Wolf-man arrived on time, to reach Maggie Wong¡ as the blind-girl who was attacked by the hideous, scaled beasts¡ that were brutally larger¡
The werewolf clawed his way, to protect Maggie, from the ¡®hell-hound¡¯ attacks¡
-O-
It was night-time¡
¡ when she-dingo approached Piper with a fresh kill of lamb. Piper was stuck in the middle of his nightmare¡ as he whined with his eyes shut¡
Nearby, the female dingo watched over him¡
¡ she knew that the big, old dog DID ¡®NOT¡¯ HAVE THE SURVIVAL SKILLS, to survive in the outback, of this rugged land. Piper would starve to death¡ if she doesn¡¯t provide him with his meals.
The moment she placed the meat in front of the big, grey dog ¨C Piper¡¯s eyes opened¡
The she-dingo saw HIS EYES WERE GLOWING ¡®RED,¡¯ as he growled ferally aloud¡ and wanted pounce to attack her. She turned back and ran in fear.
¡ Popobawa pursued her, and this time he was faster.
Piper chased her¡ until a gunshot rang. The bitch cried out in pain¡
¡ Piper then rushed at the human with the rifle¡ to maul him. The second human-beside was pointing his pistol, at Piper¡ to shoot him, as it was attacking and gnawing the rifleman on his wrist¡ who struggling on the grass, crying in pain¡
¡ the injured she-dingo leapt at the pistoled human from his-rear, and bit his throat¡ and ferociously ripping it apart. Piper let go the rifleman¡¯s wrist, and the-human fled.
The big dog saw a dead man nearby¡ but the dingo was long gone¡
¡ Piper sniffed on her blood on the grass ¨C as he soon followed the blooded trail, in the meadow.
<><>
FOR ALMOST AN HOUR, PIPER SEARCHED THE FIELD ¨C running from one hillock to the other. Finally, he found her¡
¡ bleeding-out, and was into her last breath¡
He approached her¡
¡ and she was baring her teeth, growling softly at him, in adverse. Piper then licked her bullet shot wound¡ trying desperately to save her ¨C and, it relieved her from the pain. She too responded¡ by weakly licking his face¡
That was ¡®not¡¯ much, Piper could do BUT TO BE WITH HER, as he was softly whining ¨C as he saw her fading-away to HER DEMISE, IN FRONT of his crying eyes...
The dingo died.
The sad Piper was in rage...
He barked angrily, at THE 4 CORNERS of the meadow, from the hillock where he stood ¨C howled at the humans living below, who have taken away THE KIND-SOUL of ¡®his¡¯ ¨C away from him.
He could ¡®not¡¯ bear to look at her bloodied, dead body ¨C he faced away, laid on his belly, CRYING AS he grieved and mourned.
¡ moments later, the renegade artificial intelligence came, softly whistling in his head¡
¡that made him whine even MORE, OF ¡®HER¡¯ RETURN¡
The empathetic SIMY shared his sorrow¡ but comforted him in a reverse way¡
¡°Cry Piper ¨C cry your heart out¡ because life is ¡®not¡¯ fair-and-just ¨C cry, boy¡ cry ¡¡±
<>
After a while, Piper decided that ¡®this place¡¯ had only brought him BAD MEMORIES ¨C and the laidback country life was ¡®not¡¯ for him, as a city-dog¡
¡ SIMY encouraged him, to leave the spot too¡
¡°Yes Piper, Jane needs us ¨C SHE IS IN DANGER from the astral-dream world.¡±
The moment the AI mentioned his Master Jane ¨C Piper¡¯s ears stood up, wagging his tail. Piper nodded, AND UNDERSTOOD OF¡
¡ his forgotten and ¡®distracted-mission¡¯ which he had set his paws-into¡
¡ in the first place, before hopping on the wrong bus¡
¡ to this bad-luck place.
The grey Alsatian then ran back¡ towards the direction of Perth city¡
Chapter 8: Aftermath of Stamford High
TOTAL CHAOS HUNGOVER STAMFORD HIGH on the first day of the final term as 20 cars blazing in the parking lot outside... with the fire brigade in the thick of the action with fire-hoses, putting out the blazes.
... blaring siren of ambulances rushing the 13 victims, WHOSE CELLPHONES BLEW up-on them... were rushed to near hospitals. Police were securing the safety, of curious onlooking students, away from further harm...
... inside the school building, the bomb-squad was DIFFUSING 3 CELLPHONES with ''unopened'' shared files ¨C of the post-title:
''Breakup of Perth''s famous couple''
... they ''had'' successfully contained it ¨C with their equipment to ''implode'' the phone-bombs, without further injuries.
The TV media outside were referring to the tragic incident ¨C as a terrorist attack in Perth.
The shaken Jane Wilson called her doctor-mother at the clinic ¨C to inform that she was safe, from the terrible occurrence that just happened. Her BFF too did the same... by calling Robin Wong, her hairdresser-mother.
The traumatized girls then called for an Uber ride ¨C to leave the tragic and wretched view... that was happening before their eyes.
Both girls were hugging each other, in the hypnotized-crowd gathered. The blind-Jane''s body was shaking, by the ''loud-noises'' she heard ¨C and intensive heat, blown by the wind. Alicia was silent in tears, recalling at their classroom where she saw ¨C Charlotte Thompson down on the floor, face-disfigured in blood...
... although the victim-girl WAS MEANSPIRITED TOWARDS her and Janey ¨C but she does ''not'' deserve this fate.
... 20 minutes later, Cousin John Chew, who was the Uber driver from Chinatown ¨C made his way there, squeezing through roadblocks and the jam... to collect the girls.
On the journey back home, Jane was narrating to Alicia ''again'' of the fight she had with Peter. Where earlier, Douglas Zimmerman had encouraged her and Peter to sign-in for the mixed double entry for the school, and Jane replied that she will-think-about-it. Douglas asked for her cellphone number, and she gave to him ¨C Peter apparently ''saw'' that, and...
... that was where the ''argument'' in the canteen had blown off.
Now, in tears, she had a CONFESSION TO MAKE...
"Ali, I have ''not'' told you this...
"... that when I first came, from my former blind-school to Stamford... Peter had won the championship and was the most ''popular'' boy in school...
"... I had a ''secret'' BLIND-GIRL CRUSH on him back then, that he was my ''dream-boyfriend.'' And, I had ''admired'' his raw-confidence... and the ''way'' he spoke-up for ''himself'' when he was ''bullied'' around ¨C so much so, as a blind-timid-self...
... I soon SPOKE ''LIKE HIM'' to my Mummy at home... and that was ''why'' my mother called me a rebel B-girl...
"... I was attentively hearing Peter in class daily ¨C and at night at home on my bed ¨C I fantasize Peter talking with me, having long, made-up conversations, till I fall asleep...
"... then...
"...when he WAS INVOLVED IN the accident, I cried myself to sleep of my-Peter ¨C who would never live up his ''dreams'' of being a tennis player again. That way why, I wanted to give him a PURPOSE-AND-MY-SUPPORT ¨C but...
... but-that WAS ''BEFORE,'' WHEN... the 3 of us, got ''cursed''... on the dairy-farm field trip...
"Ali...
"... now I am having dreams of ''him'' visiting me at night... no-Ali, more-like stalking me ¨C I''m ''not'' comfortable with the ''plans'' which he makes without consulting me... like he has a ''GRIP'' OF ME ¨C and most of all... even the TENNIS RACQUET THAT he carries... I''m afraid of it...
"... because it has... AN ''AURA,'' OF EVIL in it."
<>
"WHAT THE HELL...? WHO DARE ENTER MY ROOM!!?"
... the shocked, Peter cursed out...
... the one-armed boy noticed that someone had entered his room ¨C TRASHED IT ¨C and, RELOCKED HIS room door.
He entered his wrecked domain and was searching for what was ''stolen'' in ransack. His iPad was on the wet floor, beside the crushed Red Bull cans...
... the electronic tablet was his most prized possession, that he owned.
He checked if it was broken ¨C Peter was relieved that it was ''not'' ¨C and all files that were tennis-related was there, the links to the Australian academy and ''others'' were safe.
He opened a particular file, of the ''dirt'' he had collected-and-hidden, of PAUL IN VIDEO ¨C where cripple was levitating on his bed while taking a nap. That was the ''only'' evidence he HAD AGAINST POE, who wanted so-hard ¨C to conceal his identity of superpowers as ''his'' secret...
... but, someday... ''this'' would be revealed, to their doubting-inspector-mother, of her favourite son.
Peter''s heart-ached when he saw the treasured, rare old magazines of his idol John McEnroe torn, ''chewed'' and scattered all around the room''s floor. He was back by being angry ¨C and left the room ¨C assuming that nothing was ''stolen''...
... just a case of vandalism...
But little he knew, that the 2 hell-hounds of Asmodeus came into his room... via a dimension from hades ¨C and had stolen his ''SOULMATE-BLOOD-VIAL'' gift to his Janey.
... Peter dashed downstairs to check the CCTV cameras footages ¨C of what went on, when the house was ''empty,'' hours earlier ¨C but only-to discover the perpetrator had CLEVERLY ''ERASED'' the recordings.
He was mad-again ¨C and saw the main door beside him, with key rattled the lock. Entered-was his twin on his wheelchair...
"... Poe... we HAVE A BREAK-IN ¨C and someone trashed my room!"
<>
PAUL LUNGED AT THE STANDING PETER, from his wheelchair. The levitating Paul barked... at the one-armed boy''s face...
"What has GOTTEN INTO YOU, you moron ¨C and why have you ''cursed us'' just now!!?"
"Poe, what ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT...?" Peter denied.
"Don''t say that you were ''not'' the cause of all THOSE-EXPLOSION and-chaos at school, just-now...? Peter, you don''t lie to me! I even saw YOU KICKED THAT senior-boy, from the upstairs classroom floor..."
"No, you are the one-lying! I did ''NOT'' KICK ANYONE down!" He denied again while he wrestled the levitating Paul.
"He was nearly killed, you moron ¨C YOU DON''T LIE TO ME, Peter ¨C because I was there, and I saw it ¨C and I even saved his life..." Paul was angrier.
"You don''t accuse me blindly unless you have the proof?" Peter challenged his twin.
"You''re a Catholic-like me ''now'' which part of the damn ''Thou-SHALL-NOT-Kill'' have you forgotten ¨C just say it... and I will ''refresh'' your memory now...!!?"
... Paul flew above dragging Peter to the high ceiling of the house that their father built ¨C towards the MOVING CEILING FAN... and placed his one-armed twin''s face... close to the fast-rotating blades...
... Peter pissed his pants ¨C as he saw his nose, coming close ¨C blades near-reaching his screaming face.
"No Poe! I''M-SORRY, POE... I''m sorry!"
... Paul had a ''jump'' and the OTHER PERSONA EMERGED ¨C the Archangel stretched his mighty big-White wings ¨C St. Michael was in his full-battle, biblical warrior of the heavens, tunic-costume-gears...
... who eyeballed with glower into... the ''possessed,'' mortal human ¨C and felt disgusted with what he held.
In close-up, Peter too saw the Archangel face-to-face ¨C with his heavenly-cosmic-eyes, staring at him intensively...
... St. Michael did a loud war-cry, at Peter''s face, with loud bugle-horn in the background ¨C Peter piss-more in his pants, apologizing...
"ssorry... Sirr..."
... St. Michael flicked the one-armed boy, like a pest ¨C and across, Peter fell on his belly, upstairs. The one-armed picked up his strength to turn to look back, at his predator...
There he was... all blue-lights, a-celestial warrior with his heavenly wings, half-flapping. The Archangel shouted, a clear warning-order ¨C THAT THE ANGEL''S ''BREATH'' even made... household things move and drop, at the Walkers residence...
"MERCURY!!! BEGONE, YOU EVIL!!!"
... Peter screamed in-fear... ran away, and locked himself in his trashed-bedroom.
<>
PAUL DESCENDED TO THE FLOOR OF THE LIVING ROOM ¨C and, he was dazed and confused about what just had just happened ¨C in the flash of a moment ago...
... all that he remembered was picking Peter-off the ground, but ''CANNOT'' REMEMBER of what-next of Peter.
... Paul Walker doesn''t know ¨C that he can TRANSFORM, INTO ST. MICHAEL from the dream realm, at times.
He was sweating profusely, from his scar on his throat... and he needed to cool down. He levitated fast to his windowless room ¨C and floated above and near, to the blowing air-conditioned. Paul felt relieved a moment...Stolen story; please report.
... he was back worried of the happening back ''there,'' just now ¨C on the first day of school.
He thought of having a great final-term of school with his studies and succeeding in exams with Alicia ¨C who, wanting to help him improve his ranking to Top-5 in class. But that was ''not'' going to happen... with still being ''his brother''s-keeper''.
... Peter was aggressive and fearless to threats of Paul using his-superpowers ¨C and even dared him to hurt him, on several occasions. Paul blamed his-new-found ''courage''... was the ONLINE DRUGS, HIS TWIN was using... and was under-influenced into.
Paul must gather the evidence for it, to show their mother ¨C maybe by hiding the next delivery of such prescriptions in the future... but ''not'' now ¨C because, Peter did a clean-up of his bedroom, 3 days ago... when the Walkers had their ''visitors from America''.
He did ''not'' have a nap, in that hot weathered day. He was thinking hard of Peter''s next MOVES AND HOW he must counter and neutralized it... without revealing his and Jane''s superpowers identities...
Yes, Jane...
... Paul had TO DO HER ''THINKING'' for her... as she too was deep, into the ''cursed-mess'' like-him...
... cos'' SHE WAS ¨C PETER''S ''love-interest''...
-O-
Later that evening he called Alicia Wong ¨C to vent his frustrations that he was invested into, so far. He told about the drugs that Peter was influenced in, that he had gone out of hand ... that, he was even willing to kill Douglas Zimmerman.
... Paul was running out of options of ''taming'' Peter since he ''was'' the cause-of-the phone-bombing in SHS...
... who was now fearless and had caused HURT AND INJURIES AND EVEN ''DEATH'' to-those-who crossed his cursed-path. The only final option was his ''Plan B''...
... that WAS KILLING PETER, before Perth''s situation was threaten even more.
He would go to prison for killing his twin ¨C but it should be done, as his brother''s keeper ¨C for the sake of humanity''s wellbeing.
... Paul heard Alicia crying, on the other end, saying...
"But Pauly... you are a Christian and you should ''not'' kill. It will ''scar'' you, for the rest of your life by-you killing your-own twin brother ¨C there should BE ANOTHER ''WAY'' ¨C and we should work hard to find, that solution instead..."
... the Chinese girl suggested that she should allow Ms Diana King to intervene, as the student counsellor had managed Peter before in his twin''s anger management ¨C Ms King would be the RIGHT PERSON FOR THE ROLE... as she was also part of the cabal of the Cursed-Trio...
... Alicia suggested for A 2ND GROUP THERAPY tomorrow, Tuesday...
... Paul passively listened, as he had crystal recalled their first meet ¨C that had ''not'' turn-out well before ¨C and, he much PREFERRED HIS ''PLAN B'' more... to work for the ''best'' outcome...
<>
SINCE COMING BACK FROM THE TRAGEDY of Stamford High, Jane locked herself in her room and was rethinking hard... of her current ''distractions'' to her education ¨C who was Peter...
... the ''taker'', not a ''giver'' ¨C unlike her, Alicia, and his own twin Paul.
It made her angry at herself that she had been submissive SINCE, HER QUEST to give Peter a ''purpose'' in his own down-spiralling lonely-life of hate and self-pity, as a handicapped victim.
... but-now... Peter had ''abused'' her effort...
She decided to STAND-UP FOR HERSELF ¨C and ''not'' give in into Peter''s every demand... and be a pushover...
... although, the one-armed boy... was a bully by nature.
-O-
Jane came downstairs for lunch and was greeted by the nanny-Lola, who was feeding her brother Samuel ¨C who the baby-boy now has a new interest in watching DVD of the live-animation ''Jungle Book'' with wild-animals... which their parents bought for him yesterday.
After eating, the blind-girl joined Baby Samuel by sprawling on the rug with him ¨C listening ''more'' to the movie''s dialogues and soundtrack ¨C along with Samuel''s talkative storytelling.
... she remembered her daddy reading an abbreviated ''The Jungle Book'' as her one of her favourite bedtime stories when she was little-like Samuel...
... Jane later read Rudyard Kipling''s full version in braille, when she was in her former blind school. She ''knew'' THE STORYLINE AND THE CHARACTERS in it.
Samuel was narrating his own version...
"Bagheera bad tiger, Piper barking woow-woow-woow ¨C Bagheera Popobawa barking roarw-roarw-roarw ¨C and... Jaheem scared..."
... the Black-boy placed his sister''s hand... to his ''beating'' heart...
Jane knew that Samuel was recollecting what had happened at the zoo, 10 days ago. He was referring the black panther Bagheera in the story, as ''bad'' in his own self-experiences faced ¨C while it was opposed of Sheer Khan... was the baddie, in Kipling''s story.
The blind-girl did ''NOT'' CORRECT HER BROTHER because... what he ''said'' was his personal ''reality.''
<><>
PETER WOKE UP IN THE TUESDAY MORNING with a weird dream of Jane and her dog Piper, were in their school, Stamford High.
The blind-girlfriend was ''not'' in speaking terms with him, and whenever Peter approached her, Piper was BLOCKING AND BARING his teeth fiercely at him. Piper was there protecting Jane in every-situation... in the classroom, canteen and recreational classroom.
So much so, the frustrated Peter cried out...
"Hey Janey, this is ''NOT'' YOUR BLIND-SCHOOL ¨C you cannot bring your bloody-damn Cujo-dog in here! I''m complaining you to Principal Harris!"
-O-
Peter switch on his iPhone and the only-worthy worth-his attention was the notification was a tweet, from his inspector-mother, which read...
''Peter, Ms King will be holding a Group therapy meeting at our house this afternoon. I will be at work ¨C and YOU BETTER BEHAVE, AND ATTEND AND COOPERATE...!''
Peter clicked his tongue and sighed ¨C there was his life, like a broken record ... being dictated by the adults again. There CAME AGAIN MS KING ¨C the con-woman with her China-made tech... to lecture ''the'' goods-and-bads ¨C so to be obedient students or else, the boogie-man-will-get-you scares...
... while-his inspector-mother too was out there, in the Serious Crime Division... chasing her ''own'' boogie-man... by investigating the zoo case, of Hajji... who was at large.
Peter re-read an email sent yesterday evening, from the STAMFORD HIGH ADMIN, informing that school was closed for 2 days... for police investigation ¨C and...
... the school will be reopened on Thursday for regular classes.
Still, on his bed, Peter opened up his electronic iPad tablet ¨C to see what was trending in the social network sphere...
... there it was...
... ''the Breakup of Perth''s Famous Couple'' news that was trending high, in a negative-way connecting ¨C that a MALICIOUS AND DANGEROUS virus was spreading... on the internet, that had caused injuries of 13 Stamford High students and 56 other victims in other parts of the country...
... who ''shared'' the video in Perth...
... who had their CELLPHONES BLOWN in at them ¨C when they had opened the ''Breakup-video'' file...
At least a silver-lining...
... that bad news had bumped the Perth-Hero-Dog story down...
Peter took his time, to read the comment section of every ''Breakup'' post posted ¨C there was a clash between the ''Perth''s Famous Couple'' lovers-group and the haters-group who blamed blindly, that he and Janey were the jinx, for the recent phone-bomb attacks in Perth.
He scoffed...
The one-armed boy ''suspected'' that all his social media accounts have been ''HACKED-BY-HATERS'' ¨C and they placed that killer-virus'' masking-in the popularity of his ''Perth''s Famous Couple''s'' circle...
... and, those ''hater-hackers'' too have bombed-down the high reputation of ''his-Perth''s Famous Couple'' brand ¨C that he was diligently building, scheming and marketing ¨C FOR OVER 2 WEEKS ¨C ever-since he came into the ''fluke'' limelight ¨C as the ''boyfriend''... after-the girlfriend''s black panther attack.
''Why you, haters...? What have you ''all'' haters got...
... AGAINST 2 HANDICAPS IN-LOVE...
...or even-play sports...?''
<>
THAT SAME TUESDAY MORNING, THE BLIND-JANE had a call from her BFF... saying that there would be an urgent meeting of the Cursed-Trio, with Ms King, at Walker''s residence, that afternoon at 3 PM. And...
... Alicia would also swing by her place at noon... to hang-out with Jane and Samuel.
Instead of sitting in her room upstairs ¨C and cracking her head of how-and-what Peter, was going to say and...
... going-to argue ¨C and going-to react which WERE USUALLY NEGATIVE with an outburst...
... she had ''self-motivated'' herself to ''do'' something positive instead...
... so, she programmed Boyyo to downloading-mode, to upload the balance of her study syllabus ¨C and left her room ¨C walking down the stairs...
... blind-Jane smiled... as she ''heard'' her brother laughing... as he watched the ''same'' Jungle Book DVD, for the 10th time...
''... he was born in Kenya, and he loved his animals...''
The blind-sister concluded.
She wanted to be creative, and wanted to paint¨C and ''play'' with colours ¨C as Alicia had GUIDED HER BEFORE, during the time she was ''grounded,'' since the zoo incident.
With some old newspaper, lined at the dining table ¨C the blind-Jane painted 3 of her ''abstract'' art, while listening to music ¨C hooked to Peter''s favourite band, the Gorillaz... on Spotify.
Splashing colours in her-brush to the white-art-paper... where...she disliked using the colour ''black'' ¨C which was the ''colour'' of her blind-world...
After an hour, Lola Flores in-between her chores noticed... that Jane had painted some non-figurative art-pieces ¨C the Filipina did ''not'' ask her anything, but she was silently-standing and observing the progression of Jane''s abstracts...
... which she couldn''t much comprehend. All Lola saw was 3 individual art-papers with hues of reds, blues, and yellows...
And, Lola remembered seeing a YouTube video recently... of Thailand''s zoo''s elephant... that painted the picture a ''flower'' which fascinated her ¨C but she can''t figure out Jane''s paintings ¨C and... neither she asked, what it ''was.''
The bliss-focused blind-girl, who was in headphones...
... was dopamine-high and, was slowly appreciating the discorded sound... of the band''s rock ''beats'' of her ''boyfriend''s taste'' ¨C thinking of WHAT HIS ''ACTIONS'' would he-be into... once she later visited him this afternoon...
... as she was pushing her paintbrush on art paper, with red-paint...
-O-
Alicia arrived at noon and was astonished by her BFF''s attempted art, on her own ¨C and, producing 3 abstracts...
... even the Chinese girl doesn''t know ''what'' Jane had painted ¨C and, the blind explained that all-3 of her art she-did was BASED ON HER MEMORY, of using her cursed power, the 3rd-Eye...
... she started explaining that the artwork with hues of red, orange and brown was when she and Peter played tennis with Doug-and-Zoe.
"Janey, what is this ''yellow-circle'' is it the sun...?"
The blushing blind-girl laughed, saying. "No silly, it is the tenno-ball, ''coming'' at me."
... pointing the reds on the right. ''This is Peter... ''glowing'' beside me.'' Then, at the horizontal orange line. ''That is the tennis net.''"
... Alicia ''got'' it ¨C and was awed of ''what'' HER TOTALLY BLIND-FRIEND ''SAW''...with her 3rd-Eye POV of her surroundings... if she used her ''beacons'' of the ''glowing-Peter-and-Paul ¨C revealed by the abstracts'' colour scheme.
The next abstract were yellows, greens and orange ¨C Alicia recognized it...
"That is your hand and fingers, right?"
Jane laughed and agreed...
"Yes-Ali, that was what I ''saw'', when I went downhill during skateboarding. I placed my hand ''in-front'' of me, to ''see'' ¨C while Peter was cycling behind... where I saw-of ''orange.'' The same way, I guessed... ''what'' your yellow-key-chain was before, in my room."
Alicia was so excited... and she hugged the seated Jane, as she cheered ¨C but paused at the multi-usage of ''blues''...
"What is this 3rd one, Jane-gee ¨C I can''t figure this one out? Is it a ''bluebird'' in the light blue sky...? And, what is this red and brown circle, in the top left corner?"
"This is what I ''saw'' ¨C when Pauly and I ... were battling BlackStar in the Aurora Australis ¨C Paul had ''wings'' then..."
"Way-no-way ¨C my-Pauly had wings? Are you exaggerating in this-one, Janey? Only birds and chooks have wings."
"I know, I know ¨C I have been to a petting zoo before, when I was in blind-school, Ali ¨C and I know ''only'' birds have wings. But, up-there while facing BlackStar...
"...Paul ''grew'' 2 wings ¨C ''not'' once, but ''twice'' when I ''saw'' it...! But... I did ''not'' get a chance later, to ask him about it."
... Alicia was quiet and thought of last Friday''s ''joke-of-the-day''¨C when the ''visitor'' named TARO, HAD ASKED the twins ¨C ''if they could fly'' in the questionnaire...
... and Peter replied...
''... if they could-fly... Paul was Big-bird.''
She knew her boyfriend can fly-levitate... BUT WINGS...?
Lola came-out of the kitchen and said lunch was served...
... both girls ate and waited for Ms King to call... before they e-hailed an Uber and head to the Walkers.
Chapter 9: The Trail of Peter Walker
A TIRED, MS KING JUST ARRIVED FROM THE HOSPITAL, after visiting several of the phone-bomb victims¡ it was really horrifyingly-bad.
She was now, at a caf¨¦ for lunch ¨C and had called Alicia and Jane over-to join her¡ before they went to the Walkers.
Her sick-leave was revoked ¨C after the VP, Ms Burnell had called-in for an emergency teachers¡¯ meeting that Tuesday morning ¨C before all teachers, were ¡®divided¡¯ and had visited 4 different hospitals¡ to visit the 13 victims.
The student counsellor-herself was still on a slow recovery ¨C from her flu and fever¡ that she suffered from the wet rainy-zoo incident ¨C the prolonged recovery, was due to her own-medical Thyroid conditions¡
¡ it had BEEN OVER 20 YEARS SINCE Ms King had last encountered the mysterious ¡®time-traveller monk¡¯ from the future¡ who forewarned her, back then ¨C of the ¡®birth¡¯ of Asmodeus¡¯ ally¡
... she-BlackStar, and also¡
... of a particular young-student¡
¡ who would-be feed-and-fuel ¡®her¡¯¡ to cause natural catastrophes.
-O-
The wise monk even gave Ms King the hologram technology device of future 2120, that had been pre-programmed, with data information of the destruction of Perth, in the future.
See-In the monk ¨C had instructed the 26-year-old Ms King back-then ¨C to be employed at Stamford High school, and to screen and monitor ¡®every¡¯ student who enrolled there, as the anonymous Cursed-One would ¡®come¡¯ in the future to that school¡
¡ and would succour the evil entity BlackStar to be ¡®more¡¯ destructive¡ with his uncontrollable NEGATIVE EMOTIONS.
In her 20 years of her ¡®personal¡¯ investigations, of ¡®who¡¯ the Cursed-One was ¨C and in-that long waiting period¡ as a senior staff member of the school counselling scores of ¡®bad-apples¡¯ ¨C but¡
¡ over the years, the health of Ms King had-too also faded¡ with her string of her ¡®own¡¯ medical diseases¡ that she succumbed-from over those years.
When the 46-year-old Ms King finally realized HER ¡®CALLING¡¯ THAT PETER WALKER was Cursed-One ¨C she was already a heart-patient, with high blood pressure and cholesterol problems ¨C and was-weak and tired, anaemically too drained¡ to stop him¡
¡ she DID ¡®NOT¡¯ SUSPECT¡¯ the twins at all¡ after their fatal car crash, losing their father ¨C but was fooled by Paul¡¯s success in his studies ¨C while his twin became rebellious, with ¡®father-issues¡¯ to deal with and also ¨C his ¡®Champ¡¯ issues...
¡ but she guessed ¡®wrong.¡¯
She had-failed to extract THE CURSED AMULET OF ASMODEUS from the one-armed boy¡
... where he himself later, was ¨C ¡®cursed¡¯ by it, along with 2 others.
And, if only she had succeeded to retrieve ¨C AND DESTROY THE AMULET ¨C Perth would ¡®not¡¯ be ¡®cursed¡¯ as it was foreshadowed by See-In¡
¡ she had ¡®FAILED¡¯ IN SEE-IN¡¯s mission.
-O-
In a fortnight after being ¡®cursed¡¯¡
¡ Peter Walker had caused the partial destruction in the Great Barrier Reefs in Queensland, that killed over 500 people, of its victims. Then yesterday, in Perth¡¯s very own backyard¡
¡ he further caused phone-bombs explosions, that injured more than students in Stamford High, and also the destruction of public properties¡
¡ those events devastated¡ and AFFECTED HER deeply.
-O-
Now, Ms King WAS VERY-AFRAID of the Cursed-One, of what HE COULD AND WOULD do ¨C if his DEMANDS WERE ¡®NOT¡¯ met. But the sickly-woman had to be strong, for the sake of Jane, Paul and Alicia¡
¡ who were ALL COUNTING ON HER ADVICES for the team ¨C to keep-Peter away at bay¡ from his destructive path.
She was the ONLY ¡®ADULT¡¯ THE TWEENS could depend on.
But her fears have tended to sway-decisions on THE COWARD¡¯S WAY-OUT¡ to be submissive to the deviant Peter ¨C to SAVE ANY LIVES, who were in his negative path.
¡ but¡
¡ would the ¡®rest¡¯ of the Cursed-Trio, be COOPERATIVE WITH HER ¡®ADVICES,¡¯ when they confront Peter later?
-O-
Ms King was in the middle of her healthy-lunch¡ when Alicia and Jane walked in ¨C they ordered a fruit platter each, since they already had their lunch.
This was the first time, the blind-girl met Ms King ¡®outside¡¯ in public ¨C while the student-counsellor and her BFF, had met secretly outside before, BEHIND HER BACK. Alicia Wong was Ms King¡¯s ¡®ears-on-the-ground¡¯ ¨C and would UPDATE HER with visits and phone calls ¨C of ¡®WHAT¡¯ WAS GOING ON with the Cursed-trio.
¡ Jane was quiet¡ and was listening closely of her BFF and Ms King in the discussion of ¡®strategies,¡¯ of how to counter Peter, when they visited the Walker¡¯s later.
Ms King then spoke¡
¡°Ms Burnell held a teachers¡¯ meeting just now, and was updating-on the police investigations so far, and Insp Carol WALKER WOULD ¡®NOT¡¯ be there in the school¡¯s inquiries because ¨C she is still in INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ZOO CASE¡ and is hunting for the criminal-kidnapper¡ who is still hiding somewhere in Perth.¡±
Alicia asked. ¡°What about the school¡¯s CCTV footage, that Paul suggested¡?¡±
¡ Ms King sighed. ¡°Mysteriously, the police found that the entire Stamford High¡¯s CCTV was KNOCKED DOWN-BLANK ¨C resulting, the whole incident of explosions occurred yesterday, which WAS ¡®NOT¡¯ RECORDED. That means there is NO EVIDENCE OF Peter¡¯s attempt of that boy¡¯s life, of kicking down Douglas Zimmerman from the top stairs.¡±
¡°What¡? Peter did what?¡± The quiet blind-girl then exclaimed out¡
¡°Yes, Paul said-so to me. Sorry, Janey¡ I did ¡®not¡¯ say this, in your ¡®house¡¯ just now ¨C I felt it was only appropriate if we spoke about this ¡®outside.¡¯¡¯¡¯ Alicia held Jane¡¯s hand.
¡°Ali, what happened ¨C what did Paul tell you¡?¡± The blind-girl urged¡
¡°With all that chaos in school yesterday, while the explosions were happening ¨C Peter had attempted TO-KILL DOUGLAS, by kicking him from the first floor, over the staircase ¨C but luckily Paul caught Dougie from below ¨C and, they were both are ¡®safe.¡¯¡±
¡°Oh-my-Gawd¡¡± The shocked-blind-girl whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. She also felt like ¡®throwing-up¡¯ her ate lunch.
¡°Paul also said¡ that Peter was currently on some ¡®kind¡¯ of drugs, that he purchased online.¡± Her BFF filled in¡
¡ Jane just shook her head more, and was back speechless¡
¡°With no-drug package delivered ¨C Paul has no proof of Peter¡¯s changes in behaviour¡ and, Peter will deny it ¡®too,¡¯ like always.¡± The student counsellor analysed.
The Chinese girl then suggested...
¡°What if Inspector Walker asked Peter¡ to go for a urine test ¨C they can medically spot any-drugs he took?¡±
¡°No¡ let¡¯s ¡®not¡¯ get the Inspector to be involved yet ¨C Paul would ¡®not¡¯ want that too, that his mother knew ABOUT HIS ¡®SECRET-IDENTITY.¡¯¡± Ms King justified.
The counsellor then clarified¡ that Peter was ¡®not¡¯ a matured boy, compared to his twin. Ms King also-believed that this was because Peter lacked a father-figure in his life to emulate¡
¡ that was why Peter the one-armed bully, and got HIS ¡®WAY¡¯ ALWAYS IN DEMANDS, by playing the unfairly treated ¡®victim¡¯ or would go to ¡®EMOTIONALLY-HIJACK¡¯ ANYONE, or may resort to using his ¡®cursed-threats¡¯ ¨C if his priority-DEMANDS WERE ¡®NOT¡¯ met.
If Peter was threatened¡
... he would use his ¡®CURSED¡¯ POWERS, AND ¡®BAD¡¯ DISASTERS then happened. His worst was when he was ¡®threatened¡¯ by Principal Harris at Wilson¡¯s dinner invitation evening, where Peter was angry¡ that his mother was ¡®seeing¡¯ his principle in public ¨C that resulted in the destruction and deaths in the east of Australia ¨C THE QUEENSLAND REEFS.
¡ the blind-Jane was quiet...
... and listened. She was¡ ¡®ONE¡¯ PART of the ¡°Perth¡¯s Famous Couple¡¯ and needed to-counter, Peter...
... once she faced-off with him later ¨C she must have her ¡®ammunition¡¯ to STAND UP AGAINST the ¡®difficult¡¯ tween¡
¡ or else she would regret her early intensions and the initiation ¨C of giving PETER A ¡®PURPOSE¡¡¯
Ms King paid the bill ¨C and with the girls, headed to the Walkers¡ by her old, green Volvo.
<><>
THEY REACHED THE WALKERS HOUSE, which the twins¡¯ late father had built it before he died, in an automobile accident¡ where the Walker-twins were handicapped too in it¡
¡ Paul in his wheelchair, who-greeted them at the front door ¨C but, Peter was nowhere to be seen downstairs.
Alicia updated Paul by whispering to him that the CCTV CAMERAS were knocked down, during the explosions in school yesterday ¨C which meant ¨C there was no-real, CONCRETE-EVIDENCE OR PROOF, to ¡®pin¡¯ Peter down.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
¡ Paul remembered too, of PETER RECENTLY RIDICULING him for being ¡®sloppy¡¯ with his ¡®escapade¡¯ from the zoo¡ when he WAS ARRESTED BY THE POLICE ¨C now-Paul wondered if his twin had SOME ¡®POWERS¡¯ TO BLOTCH those surveillance cameras to be broken, with his ¡®curse¡¯ yesterday.
If, that WAS TRUE ¨C Peter was getting ¡®STRONGER.¡¯
-O-
They all sat in the living room, but ¡®not¡¯ Jane ¨C who walked over, to the foot of the stairs and she shouted out¡
¡°PETER, YOU COME down here now ASAP ¨C I want to bloody-TALK TO YOU!¡±
¡ Ms King and Alicia¡¯s hearts-stopped, when THE ¡®PISSED-OFF¡¯ blind-girl did that ¨C compared when she was all-quiet in the caf¨¦, just now. That feared the counsellor even ¡®more,¡¯ if-that it would...
... PROVOKE PETER, MORE as a challenge.
Everyone saw the Cursed-One descending slowly down the stairs¡ looking away and ¡®not¡¯ making any eye-contacts ¨C and was also ¡®not¡¯ wearing his single-glove. He then slumped down into his late father¡¯s chair.
He turned his head, to the ¡®only¡¯ adult present¡ and cynically intimidate her¡
¡°There you are, Ms King ¨C what ¡®movie¡¯ are we going to watch today, with your hologram tech?¡± Peter flashed corky-smirk¡
¡ but Jane voiced out-instead, at the ¡®red¡¯ glow¡
¡°Hey-you¡ did YOU KICK DOUGLAS DOWN the stairs yesterday!!?¡±
Alicia and Ms King GOT PRETTY ANXIOUS¡ if the aggressive-Jane¡¯s blunt questioning would aggravate Peter.
¡°Do you have any proof that I kicked him down¡ or was it that you blindly-believed, this cripple-twin of mine''s hearsay¡?¡±
They saw Paul¡¯s face change to anger. They also heard the blind-girl again, with another direct grill¡
¡°Did YOU CAUSE THOSE explosions yesterday!!?¡±
¡°What am I being on-trial here? Here I am defending and salvaging¡ of what¡¯s left of our ¡®Perth¡¯s Famous Couple¡¯ reputation from slander ¨C while you-again, you are BLINDLY-ACCUSE ME with weak accusations, of what-not!¡±
Everyone knew that PETER WAS LYING and denying in each of his answers. Ms King and Alicia took a backseat in the trial of Cursed-trio¡ and they too lacked any evidence.
¡°DON¡¯T TALK to me about your ¡®Perth¡¯s Famous Couple¡¯ fantasy ¨C I ¡®DID NOT¡¯ COME over from my blind-school to Stamford High, to fall in love with you, okay ¨C I came here to STUDY¡
¡°¡ and right now, my plate is full ¨C and I got NO TIME FOR YOU, PETER WALKER!¡±
Alicia held her yelling BFF¡¯s arm¡ but she shook off the grip. PETER EYEBALLED her with spite¡ before saying¡
¡°I still believe in our ¡®union¡¯ ¨C even when those HATERS CREATED THIS ¡®VIRUS¡¯ online, in their attacks by creating our ¡®breakup¡¯ video¡ and hacked their way through Perth¡ with PHONE-BOMB EXPLOSIONS!¡±
Then, the quiet Paul spoke up, in defence¡
¡°I DON¡¯T BELIEVE THAT ¨C your bloody-cursed-ass was the cause of those explosions yesterday¡! I DON¡¯T THINK ANY HACKER could have done that¡ coz that technology of phone-bombs DOES NOT EXIST!¡±
Peter chuckled hard...
¡°How do you know, ¡®big-brains¡¯¡? Maybe it was taught in SOME CHINA UNIVERSITY ¨C go ask your girlfriend here¡ because she was from THAT PART OF THE WORLD.¡±
Ms King then intervened ¨C before the argument escalated into a racial direction...
¡°Peter, what DO YOU WANT¡?¡±
¡°To play tennis, of course ¨C I want Janey and I¡ to SIGN UP IN MIXED DOUBLE¡¡±
The blind-girl yelled. ¡°Hey, I GOT NO TIME ¨C you go find another partner!¡±
¡°Come on, why split an existing fame of ¡®the famous couple¡¯¡ that now exist¡? If you play, we can PUT DOWN THOSE HATERS who want to break us up, with the bomb-virus ¨C Janey, you OWE IT TO THOSE ¡®VICTIMS¡¯ too, who GOT CURIOUS of our fame.. and they clicked and opened-file!¡±
¡ but Jane differed. ¡°Please-please, I BEG OF YOU ¨C I even don¡¯t have the time to study, and LET ALONE PLAY TENNIS!¡±
¡°WHY STUDY? To be another statistic of atheist-scientist, in their bandwagon? Stick with MY PLAN FOR ONCE¡ and replicate this viral-video victory and, we go places ¨C if you can¡¯t see that, then your SCIENTIFIC-LOGIC IS BLIND TOO!¡±
¡°But I ¡®cheated¡¯ in that viral video¡ I USED MY 3RD-EYE power, now-I don¡¯t want to use that anymore ¨C weren¡¯t you the one, who said ¡®BLIND GIRLS DON¡¯T PLAY TENNIS?¡¯¡±
¡°Why on earth YOU WON¡¯T USE your God-given talent of the 3rd-Eye¡hah¡?¡± The one-armed ¡®boyfriend¡¯ protested.
¡°I want to remain AS A BLIND-GIRL HERE, and I¡¯m ¡®not¡¯ be ashamed by my handicaps ¨C and sports¡ are just-a-hobby when I ¡®played¡¯ in my school holidays ¨C but ¡®not¡¯ I want to do now, because SCHOOL HAD REOPENED.¡±
¡°You are MISSING A POINT here¡¡± Peter cut in.
¡°NO, YOU ARE the one who is missing a point ¨C you sort out your tennis issues-by yourself ¨C and leave me out of it because TENNIS IS THE LEAST OF MY PRIORITIES¡
¡°¡like you said before¡ ¡®blind girls don¡¯t play tennis,¡¯ right? And, I SAY IF YOU CANNOT SORT your own priorities¡ maybe ¡®ONE-ARMED BOYS¡ SHOULD NOT PLAY TENNIS EITHER!¡¯¡±
¡ Paul laughed aloud¡
... Peter was angry and he glowed ¡®dark-red.¡¯ He glowered at his crippled-twin.
¡°DON¡¯T LAUGH at me!!!¡±
There was a tremor...
... and the house shook from the ground-up and, household items were disarray by moving and dropping¡ even it ¡®snowed¡¯ with dust¡ falling from the high ceiling. Everyone in the living room was scared¡
The terrified Ms King was heard shouting¡
¡°Peter, CALM DOWN ¨C you will BRING HOUSE DOWN!¡±
The shakes stopped, and Paul noticed that the house that his father built¡ had hair-line fractures on the wall.
¡ everyone saw Peter was-crying in self-pity¡
¡°Janey, I thought we had¡ A GOOD-THING going here¡ like 2 ¡®handicap-soulmates¡¯ that¡ played TENNIS TOGETHER ¨C please don¡¯t abandon me now...¡±
Blind-Jane sighed¡ and got up from the couch and went towards Peter who was glowing dull-red. She placed her hand on his stump-arm.
¡°Listen, Champ¡ PLAYING TENNIS IS YOUR-DREAM¡ as you said you had it, since your age of 4 ¨C it¡¯s time you let me go, as it¡¯s ¡®not¡¯ my dreams to anywhere, to be the best tennis player of the world ¨C it¡¯s your choice ¡®alone¡¯ to either PURSUE IT OR JUST QUIT.¡±
¡°Janey don¡¯t say that¡ please I beg of you ¨C join me in the sign-up¡ of the mixed double, playing this would GIVE ME¡ THE CONFIDENCE again to my dreams ¨C once I get your uncle¡¯s robotic arm¡ I will train even harder next term and be the best¡ in what was to I do, to compete in a higher level, and even in the WORLD CLASS LEVEL, ¡®not¡¯ in some bloody Paralympic tourney ¨C I¡¯m sure I WOULD GET SELECTED¡ to go-away into the Australian tennis academy. I will be off your hair¡ to go to the Academy, by-then...¡±
His-brother¡¯s-keeper, Paul voiced out to his twin¡
¡°But THAT IS IN SYDNEY! You would endanger that city if get angry over there! No, YOU REMAIN HERE IN PERTH ¨C where I can keep an ¡®eye-and-control¡¯ you!¡±
¡°Poe! How I think is my own ¡®RIGHT AND MY FREEWILL¡¯ too ¨C and you DON¡¯T HAVE ANY RIGHTS to dictate my goals-and-dreams!¡±
¡°What about MY DREAMS?¡± Jane too cried out¡
¡ Peter shouted at his ¡®blind-girlfriend.¡¯
¡°Jane, you PICK YOUR SIDES WISELY ¨C you had chosen THE WRONG SIDE YESTERDAY with Douglas Zimmerman, and you GAVE HIM your phone number¡¡±
¡ Paul did ¡®not¡¯ let the Cursed-one finish speaking ¨C from his wheelchair¡ he BLASTED AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK at the one-armed boy¡¯s chest¡
¡ Alicia screamed Paul¡¯s name in protest¡ while Peter crumbled to the floor, face down in pain. Paul then levitated towards the ¡®fallen¡¯¡ looking down his depraved twin¡
It was the drugs ¡®talking¡¯...
... it had MADE HIM IRRATIONAL¡
... and arrogant to do destructive things on other¡¯s expense¡
¡ the fearful, Alicia was holding back the vertically erected Paul, from going at Peter...
... who was on the floor. ¡°Please, PAUL¡NO!¡±
¡°Ali, all your plans are ¡®soft!¡¯ It WON¡¯T WORK ON HIM¡ but I have an alternative¡ in ¡®my-Plan B!¡¯¡±
¡°No, Pauly, no ¨C I don¡¯t WANT TO LOSE YOU!¡±
¡ Paul saw Alicia in tears, holding him back ¨C he relented to her flow¡ and settled back to his wheelchair.
¡ Peter groaned on the floor, pointing weakly at Paul, saying...
¡°¡ you all¡ ARE MY WITNESS¡ Poe hurts me¡ always¡¡±
The blind-girl squatted, in front of the ¡®dull-red¡¯ glow.
¡°Do you know why I gave my number to Douglas? Well¡ he proposed that I sign-up to your damn mixed double with you ¨C so that Zoe and him¡ were ¡®not¡¯ the only ones who will be in that knockouts ¨C I told him that I will think ¡®about¡¯ it ¨C although I was ¡®not¡¯ keen with the idea¡ and told him that too, that I have a MILLION AND ONE thing that I rather do than to play tennis.¡±
¡°Dougie ¡®did¡¯ that¡?¡± Peter whispered back.
¡°Yes, he did¡! But YOU TRIED TO KILL HIM for that? What if he DIED YESTERDAY? Then, THE GUILT WILL BE ON ME too!¡±
¡ Peter was quiet, and he listened to her. Jane Wilson was firm ¨C when she spoke out.
¡°Okay, Peter Walker, I¡¯ll agree to sign up to your tennis application ¨C only, on ¡®my¡¯ terms and conditions ¨C agreed¡?¡±
¡°What T&C?¡± Peter whispered back again.
¡ Jane ¡®schooled¡¯ him.
¡°You think your life is like WINNING A LOTTERY TICKET each time ¨C at our expenses, of our own wants, needs and free-will ¨C and WE HAVE TO GIVE IN always to your ¡®lazy¡¯ way-to ¡®your¡¯ instant gratification. Is that what your MARKETING STRATEGY IS ABOUT, Peter Walker¡hah¡?¡±
The one-armed boy on the floor, speechless ¨C and he noticed above, slow nods of agreement of Ms King, Alicia and Paul.
¡°You now get to work ON MY ¡®TERMS¡¯ ¨C you then¡ ¡®work-your-ass-bloody-hard off¡¯ in MY DELAYED GRATIFICATION ¡®conditions,¡¯ understood¡?¡±
Peter saw her flick open her index finger¡ from her clenched fist, at his face.
¡°Condition One ¨C I DON¡¯T WANT to use my 3rd-Eye, to PLAY MY TENNIS!!!¡±
¡°What? Why¡?¡±
Peter protested. Jane used the same index finger and pointed at his face.
¡°That is cheating! Instead, I will be using my AI, Boyyo.¡±
¡°Does that new ¡®thing¡¯¡ as good as SIMY¡?¡±
¡°Listen, if you want to play your tennis¡ YOU TRAIN THAT BOYYO, on how to play tennis, and I will loan it to you ¨C PROVIDED, YOU STUDY WITH ME for an hour, in the library after class, where I will tutor you, agreed!!?¡±
¡°Uh-huh.¡± Peter nodded passively.
The blind-girl flashed the 2nd finger at him.
-O-
¡°Condition Two ¨C you DON¡¯T TAKE ¡®ANY¡¯ DRUGS when you are around me?¡±
¡°What drugs¡? I¡¯m an athlete¡ and I only take my sports supplements.¡±
But Paul voiced out again in protest...
¡°That is ¡®NOT¡¯ WHAT, I SAW in your room!¡±
Before Peter denied, Jane snapped her fingers at his face, then pointed at herself, saying.
¡°Hey Peter, don¡¯t BS me ¨C I¡¯m a DOCTOR¡¯S DAUGHTER¡!?¡±
¡ Peter looked away, from the-blind ¡®staring¡¯ Jane.
¡°No, to whatever drugs, Peter ¨C it is bad¡ for your MIND AND IS BAD FOR YOUR BODY ¨C which means, it is bad for your studies and sports too, UNDERSTOOD!!?¡±
¡ the one-armed Peter nodded¡
-O-
¡°Condition Three ¨C you ¡®CONTROL¡¯ YOUR ANGER in this school, and in your tennis court ¨C this is a respectable school¡ and you BETTER BEHAVE AND CONTROL YOURSELF ¨C and, if you don¡¯t know how, YOU GO GET HELP.¡±
¡ Peter looked up¡ and he saw Ms King looking at him ¨C and also heard Jane lecturing him further¡
¡°If you SHOUT AND YELL at me or anyone, for the matter in school or in the court ¨C and I will WALK OUT, AND ¡®THIS¡¯ DEAL IS OFF¡ is that understood, Peter Walker!!?¡±
The blind-girl then reached out her hand to the red-glow on the floor ¨C and everyone¡ witnessed THE TRUCE ¨C of the one-armed boy, who nodded¡
¡ as he shook it¡
-O-
¡ shaking his head, Paul Walker sighed-deep to himself¡
¡ and wondered in ¡®doubt¡¯¡ that if that BS-truce was MEANT TO ¡®LAST¡¯¡ in their final school term.
Chapter 10: The Return Of the Principal
PAUL WOKE UP THE NEXT DAY and had his coffee that his mother brewed, before heading early to her police-work. He was getting to see lesser of her these days, as she was busy in her Serious Crime Division¡
¡ that was still investigating the abduction-zoo case, where the criminal named Hajji¡ was still dodging the eyes of the law.
He wished that the serious crime case WOULD BE SOLVED SOON, as he saw her working late, and returning home tired, stressed and disappointed daily. Even worked late hours, so much so that...
¡ he did ¡®not¡¯ see her coming in last night, as it was way past his bedtime, after his binge of Season 2 of his favourite K-drama¡
¡ and Mom left out to work before he woke up. And, Paul did ¡®not¡¯ have a chance to update¡
¡ with the ¡®minutes¡¯ of the ¡®group therapy¡¯ meeting of yesterday afternoon ¨C but he knew that Ms King would had-done that, by calling her up.
He hoped his busy-Mom would be rewarded soon for her-untiring dedication by the departmental promotion¡
¡ the twice-weekly of the ¡®night-police-school¡¯ she was dedicated¡
¡ that would pay off, where she was aiming for as A DETECTIVE INSPECTOR.
-O-
Tomorrow was school reopening day ¨C where the school was closed for the last 2 days, with police investigations, of the ¡®explosions incident.¡¯
¡ Paul wanted to do some studying done this morning. He attempted the subject he dreaded the most ¨C Mathematics. His Maths teacher, Ms Constance Bloom always told in class, that Math was an adventure of puzzles, where one used logic to solve it. She was sent by the school back then, to America for a program called ¡®Russian School of Math¡¯ ¨C which by the sound of it, was confusing too...
¡®¡ go-figure¡¡¯
But both of his friends, Jane and Alicia were both ¡®natural¡¯ in the subject ¨C especially Jane who top the class in Math¡ whose ambition was to be A SCIENTIST. While Alicia wanted to be A BUSINESSWOMAN, like her mother someday.
If he wanted to someday be AN ARCHITECT like his late father¡
¡ he should take an initiative to like and practice Math too.
From the IKEA dinner table, he sat and looked upstairs, and wondered ¡®what¡¯ would his twin¡¯s ¡®new¡¯ ambition be like ¨C recalling-to the annoyed-Jane Wilson who told Peter straight in his face yesterday, which even made him snigger now¡
¡ that one-armed-boys-should-not-play-tennis.
¡®Where is the ¡®Perth¡¯s famous idiot¡¯ at¡?¡¯
He had ¡®not¡¯ seen him, since yesterday¡¯s group meeting.
<>
IN HIS ROOM, PETER WALKER WAS AT THE TOP of the world. With Janey agreeing to sign-up to be his partner, in the mixed-doubles ¨C he was back-in-business¡
¡ he was back at the drawing board, for HIS ¡®COMEBACK¡¯ ¨C TO further take his famed, pet-project of the ¡°Perth¡¯s Famous Couple¡¯ to the next-level ¨C after its ¡®breakup-video¡¯ setbacks.
Looking back at Janey¡¯s terms and conditions, Peter FELT IT WAS ¡®DOABLE¡¯ ¨C and ¡®not¡¯ rocket-science. All he had to do is to go FOR AN HOUR OF tutoring by her, in exchange for her participation, to-play tennis for-him¡
¡ maybe, he would get TO WOO HER BACK, to be his girlfriend ¡®once¡¯ again¡ because he really missed being with her so-much. Anyway, he ¡®was¡¯ also-her ¡®beacon¡¯ for her 3rd-Eye ¨C and blind-Janey would COME TO HER ¡®SENSES¡¯ soon, that she ¡®needed¡¯ him, anyway ¨C and, soon they would kiss-and-makeup.
¡ Peter had rearranged his trashed room yesterday, after taking photographs of it as evidence ¨C and HE SENT IT TO his inspector-mother by Twitter. He also told her by-texting that the home-surveillance ¡®camera-upstairs¡¯ WAS FAULTY, as there were 39 seconds of blank-footage ¨C when it should have recorded the perpetrator(s)¡
¡ as usual, there was no response from her ¨C solving all the crimes in Perth, BUT ¡®NOT¡¯ in her own backyard.
Peter Walker was excited to go back to school tomorrow. Ms King had promised him, where she WOULD ¡®TALK¡¯ TO PRINCIPLE HARRIS to lift his ¡®ban¡¯¡ to give permission for him and Janey, to sign-up for the double¡¯s knockout¡
¡ if that does ¡®not¡¯ happen tomorrow ¨C then hell would break loose again.
<>
PAUL WAS STUCK WITH A MATH QUESTION ¨C he WhatsApp Alicia for clarifications. By mid-morning the Chinese girl responded with a video-call, along with her latest-updates that she received ¨C that Principle Harris¡¯ recent absence of leave was because¡
... he attended the FUNERAL OF HIS EX-WIFE, who died of heart attack, at the age of 40¡
¡ they both spoke with a sad sympathetic tone, that now the principle WAS A WIDOWER ¨C and similar¡
¡ to his inspector-mother, who was a widow 2 years ago.
Paul changed the subject and asked ¡®HOW¡¯ JANE WAS in her ¡®post-trail,¡¯ from yesterday. Her BFF responded that Janey was cheerful ¨C and looked forward to school tomorrow¡ unlike feeling ¡®down¡¯ last weekend.
¡ Paul was glad that he had Alicia on his side, to tell him ¡®stuff¡¯ and answer doubts ¨C because in the ¡®trial¡¯ yesterday, he was revealed with SO MANY FACTS of the ¡®famous-couple¡¯ that he had ¡®not¡¯ known of. There were TOO MANY ¡®SECRETS¡¯ hidden among the Cursed-trio, which was personal ¨C ¡®not¡¯ as they had debriefed about their ¡®dirty laundry¡
¡ and also, his twin was ¡®not¡¯ in speaking terms with him.
They both then spoke of Jane, and ¡®more¡¯ of her Uncle Jack, who was a mentor to her, but Janey would ¡®not¡¯ trust him now, once he gave her the new AI Boyyo ¨C where he had imposed T&C that had a demand-of-her-own-time-and-privacy.
Paul told Alicia of his worries about the Kimura Star¡¯s lab-test results of Peter ¨C whether if the Curse of Asmodeus, would ALTER THE DNA of the Cursed-trio.
The conversation led to Peter the Cursed-One, ¡®who¡¯ was THE PRIME-CULPRIT¡
¡ who had and would cause disasters in wherever he roamed in Australia ¨C where his own ¡®curse¡¯ was unpredictable when he was ANGERED BY ¡®CAROL & TOM¡¯ in Perth¡ but the destruction was out-stationed in the east, in Queensland ¨C with the partial destruction of the Great Barrier Reefs.
They both sighed together when Paul too mentioned that Peter nearly brought down his own father¡¯s house yesterday, with his uncontrollable anger.
¡ Alicia was dressed in her shorts, on her single-bed at home ¨Cwhen she was video-chatting with Paul. The Chinese girl saw the portrait of the abstract art on her wall ¨C that her BFF had presented her yesterday.
It was the blue-variant of colour schemes, of ¡®Paul-in-the Aurora Australis.¡¯ Alicia framed it overnight¡ and hung-it her bedroom wall.
¡°Tell me more, Pauly¡ when you WERE UP THERE when you were fighting BlackStar?¡±
Paul chuckled as he recalled the incident last week, at the zoo¡ that led him, to skyrocket upwards to the night skies, dragging Peter along.
¡°It happened so fast, I shot-up and rescued Jane-falling ¨C and I CAN¡¯T RECALL MUCH of how it ended, the next thing I know it was game-over ¨C we had won and we defeated BlackStar¡err¡you should ask details from Jane, because she was there much-longer, maybe an hour or so, with the face-off with BlackStar, all by herself.¡±
That made Paul to ponder of the ¡®blackout¡¯ he faced that day ¨C AND A 2ND ONE ¨C recently he faced 2 days ago, where he confronted Peter, regarding THE PHONE-BOMBING. Paul was in a ¡®blur¡¯ about it, as he listened to the excited Alicia speak¡
¡°Janey told me about how she used her power-blast, at BlackStar where she ¡®pew-pew-pew¡¯ and BlackStar ¡®foom-foom-foom¡¯ back at her ¨C and Janey said it was like a tennis match, in the skies.¡± The Chinese girl laughed and continued. ¡°And then ah, there was this ¡®dragon¡¯ which flew around at her. Paulie, do you REMEMBER THE DRAGON?¡±
¡ it was all ¡®coming-back¡¯ to Paul OF THE ¡®DRAGON¡¯ ¨C and¡
¡ the red-one-armed-demon, with a flaming sword.
¡°Yes, the dragon had big horns, like an African water-buffalo¡ and we both were avoiding its attacks, of it swooping towards to gore-us down ¡ I DON¡¯T RECALL what happened next¡ err, sorry.¡±
¡ Paul can¡¯t recall he had A ¡®JUMP¡¯ INTO his persona ¨C of the Archangel, St. Michael.
¡°That was a scary dragon ¨C ¡®not¡¯ the cute one, like Charizard from Pok¨¦mon.¡± They both laughed. Then Alicia snorted, and asked¡
¡°Did you GROW A PAIR OF WINGS¡? Janey said ¡®you¡¯ did.¡±
¡°Crazy blind-girl! What am now, I¡¯m Bird-man?¡±
¡°No, Big-bird.¡±
They laughed again.
¡°Maybe that ¡®what¡¯ Janey saw with her 3rd-Eye ¨C with you¡ as her ¡®other¡¯ beacon ¨C as a cute Big-bird.¡±
Paul stopped laughing. ¡°Ali, there was also, ¡®this¡¯ RED ONE-ARMED DEMON there too¡¡±
¡°What red-one-armed-demon¡?¡±
¡°Donno-who¡ but ¡®he¡¯ was there ¡®twice¡¯ that day, in the skies ¨C and I also recall ¡®once¡¯ briefly, at the Treeton field trip too¡¡±
¡®¡ where was Peter in the Aurora Australis¡?¡¯
¡°Pauly¡ do you think Peter is this demon?¡±
She saw him nodding unsure, in her Samsung screen, saying¡
¡°I guess so ¨C it fits the description of ¡®BEING¡¯ ONE-ARMED ¨C but he WAS ADULT-SIZED and red-ugly, like Darth Maul ¨C armed ¡®not¡¯ with a lightsabre, but a flaming sword.¡±
¡°Wow! I like Darth Maul of Star Wars ¨C I read the books.¡±
¡°Yeah, I too read the comics¡¡± The blur Paul unconsciously responded, still recalling his lost-thoughts.
¡°WHAT HE-DO ¨C attack you¡?¡±
¡°No, he was there a moment ¨C then, he tackled and knocked off the rider ¨C from the buffalo-dragon ¨C and they both fell down to earth¡¡±
¡°Pauly, do you think that the red demon¡¯s sword, had something to do WITH PETER¡¯S TENNIS RACQUET? I clearly remember Janey telling-me, that Peter also ¡®disturbed¡¯ her, by coming in her dreams. And, on-one occasion of that dream¡ he had told her to hold his racquet ¨C and poor Janey SENSED AN EVIL AURA in it, and it freaked her out¡ like a bad nightmare.¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
This was a gem of revelation, of the Cursed-trio¡¯s ¡®secrecy¡¯¡ that the Babolat which his late-father, had presented Peter as a birthday present ¨C was equally ¡®cursed¡¯ like him.
He clearly remembered Peter saying, as it was ¡®his¡¯ weapon-of-choice.
¡°Do you think that is possible, by going into other one¡¯s dreams like that movie-Inception, like how DiCaprio did?¡± Alicia asked.
¡°That was WHAT SIMY TOLD me in my own dreams ¨C ¡®she¡¯ said it is ¡®Astral-travelling¡¯ ¨C I googled it up in YouTube¡ and it was a weird-universe of its ¡®own.¡¯¡± Paul said.
¡°Have you entered Janey¡¯s dreams?¡±
¡°No¡ we have ¡®not¡¯ cross-path yet ¨C neither with Peter¨C although he had succeeded in INVASION, OF HER SLEEP-PRIVACY ¨C and have frightened her too.¡±
¡°You too ¡®be careful¡¯ out there, WHEN YOU ARE DREAMING ¨C I say this, because I care for you, Pauly¡¡±
Instantly, Paul had a rush of POSITIVE VIBES OF EMOTIONS, that he radiated outwards¡
-O-
At the Wilsons, the yellow glowing Jane, felt that good feeling of her ¡®other¡¯ beacon ¨C and the blind-girl giggled¡ knowing her BFF was lovey-dovey with him¡
¡ but at the Walkers, the pink-glowing Peter, WAS JEALOUS ¨C of what-was-going-on-downstairs¡
... in his twin¡¯s room¡
¡ why CAN¡¯T HIS OWN FAMED ¡®famous-couple¡¯ love-strategy work¡?
<><>
THAT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, Peter cycled to Stamford High¡¯s tennis courts, for his first-tennis self-practice of his school¡¯s final term. He was the only-student there at school, which was still-closed under police investigation.
There were teachers in the building, when Peter at the open court switched on the Spitfire tennis ball machine ¨C running over to the other side of the net, with his Babolat in his hand, to begin his practice.
The one-armed tween knew Coach Jonah was watching him through the blinds, from his office window. Peter turned up for practice today, just to SPITE HIS COACH ¨C that he was a serious player, who was also a handicap.
<><>
PAUL WAS RUNNING LATE, and the school bell had rung, on Thursday morning. He was nowhere near his classroom, as he was physically manoeuvring his wheelchair, with his 2 hands. The first lesson was Math ¨C and Ms Bloom started her class, on the dot-of-time.
He was in the emptying long outdoor corridors¡ leading to the classes wing. It would be a minute if he moved ¡®manually¡¯ ¨C Paul looked over his shoulder, and saw no one behind him.
¡ he decided to ¡®POWER-UP¡¯ HIS MODIFIED wheelchair ¨C his fingers shot mild-electricity in the disc plate, on his right wheel¡ it then powered the dynamo, and the wheelchair sped on-its-own.
¡ Paul soon heard voices¡
¡°Whoa, look at Ballerina Paulie there ¨C whoa, look at him Go-Speed-Racer-Go!¡±
¡Paul heard running footsteps, chasing him from behind¡
¡ it was the Donovan Brothers, who frequently bullied him in his wheelchair. They were the ¡®twins¡¯ and a cousin-brother. They were Raymond, Terry and Harry Donovan.
Raymond and Terry claimed they were-twins, but actually they were ¡®not¡¯¡
¡ it so happened, that the Irish Donovan family were having a ¡®productive¡¯ year¡ when they were born ¨C that their mother gave birth of Raymond in January¡ and Terry in December.
The trio was gaining on Paul, who was escaping from their torment if they caught up to him. Paul panicked, and shouted at them¡
¡°Go away!¡±
One of the laughing Donovans caught up, and hung on behind of the wheelchair, Paul panicked more. Then, Terry came running on the right-side, grabbing the right wheel of the moving chair¡
¨C unknowingly, TOUCHED THE METAL disc-plate¡ that electrocuted him.
The chair stopped in reverse¡ as Paul was gasping with fear, as he saw Terry on the floor with epilepsy¡
¡ he heard Raymond shouting at him...
¡°What did you do to my brother, you crippled-freak!!?¡±
<>
THE MATH CLASS ENDED ¨C there were 2 curious students, who were seated there ¨C Peter and Alicia were wondering what HAD HAPPENED TO PAUL, who was absent for Ms Bloom¡¯s class.
A busybody-student ran up to Peter, informing him¡
¡°Pete, your Ballerina Paulie-twin, is at the VP¡¯s office¡ for illegal modification in his wheelchair ¨C which electrocuted Terry Donovan, from the other class. Terry is now in the Infirmary.¡±
The one-armed tween shook his head, and saying¡
¡°There goes his ¡®big-brain-short-legs¡¯ experiment ¨C I told that fool that it was dangerous when he went-crazy ¡®test-rode¡¯ that speed-buggy of his at home. Now THERE IS A VICTIM, Terry-Dee ¨C and there goes, another Stamford High¡¯s student deprived of his education.¡±
¡ but...
... Terry Donovan was the last-boy too, in his class, like Peter.
At front of the class, Jane switched the subject in her AI tablet, from Math to English. The blind girl heard Alicia in a worried tone, mumbling to herself in Hokkien¡
¡°Ali, what is wrong¡?¡±
¡°I think Paul is in trouble.¡±
<>
PAUL WALKER WAS SITTING ON HIS WHEELCHAIR ¨C facing Ms Burnell, who was taking-down his incident report, of the electrocution-incident, outside the empty Principal¡¯s office. Squatting, behind the wheelchair, was the school-maintenance-guy, who was using a screwdriver and hammer, as he hacked, the welded metal-disc, attached to the right-wheel.
¡ the puzzled worker wished Ms Burnell was ¡®not¡¯ there ¨C or else HE WOULD ASK PAUL, where is the ¡®power source¡¯ WAS COMING FROM, to juice-up the dynamo.
Ms Burnell told Paul to go and wait inside the Principal¡¯s office¡ and the worker placed the illegal-modification spare-parts on the Principle¡¯s desk, and he left.
¡ Paul was in mixed-feelings of all fear, guilt and shame at that moment. Terry Donovan had recovered in the Infirmary, and was sent home, to rest ¨C for what he had ¡®done¡¯ ¨C and did he MISUSED HIS CURSED-POWERS irresponsibly?
And, he has never been in the Principal¡¯s office ¡®before¡¯¡ unlike his twin.
¡ will the school CALL-OVER HIS MOTHER, who was busy at her police-work? Would his mother trust him now, after he ¡®was¡¯ gaining back her ¡®trust¡¯ since the zoo-incident?
-O-
At 9:00 AM, Principle Harris came¡ and stood outside the office, while he was briefed for a minute by Ms Burnell. Paul observed ¡®them,¡¯ outside the glass-door ¨C and he trembled.
The Principle came alone¡ into his office for his first day after his leave-of-absence. The man closed the door and greeted¡
¡°Good morning, Paul.¡±
¡ in tears, Paul blurted out. ¡°Principe Harris, I¡¯m so sorry of what happened to Terry, and I accept the mistake I-had made.¡±
Tom Harris nodded in silence, and he PICKED UP THE METAL-disc from his desk.
¡°Quite a science-project you had going, in your mid-term holiday ¨C very innovative and creative ¨C DID YOU LEARN this in school, in your after-curriculum studies?¡±
¡ Paul nodded and whispered. ¡°Yes, sir.¡±
¡°Your mother would be proud of you, Paul ¨C of the fine-job you have performed in school.¡±
¡ Paul was CONFUSED WHEN HE HEARD that if Tom Harris was being-sarcastic¡
¡°Sir, are you going to call my mother now?¡±
¡°No¡ Carol should be busy at work¡ and there is no need in distracting her.¡±
¡°But, what about Terry¡?¡±
¡®No worries Paul, Terry GOT IT COMING-to-him ¨C those Donovan brothers are a nuisance and troublemakers in school ¨C and one of them will be ¡®here¡¯ in my office weekly, for ¡®SOME¡¯ DISTURBANCE THEY MAKE, and I have to deal with it.¡±
¡°So¡ I¡?¡±
¡°You are dismissed, Paul ¨C go, run along to your class ¨C and study harder and get better grades.¡±
-O-
Paul nodded and exited the door, held by the man, as he patted Paul¡¯s shoulder before he shut close it, behind him.
¡®¡ is that it¡?¡¯
Paul thought, as he slowly made his way to his classroom¡
¡ was he getting a free-pass and set-off Scotts-free ¨Cbecause his PRINCIPLE WAS ¡®SEEING¡¯ his inspector-mother? He noticed Principle Harris the ¡®widower¡¯ was casual¡ and relaxed, just now¡
¡®What was there to mourn, for an ex-wife? Who had it ¡®coming¡¯ like Terry Donovan?¡¯
But Paul STILL FELT THE GUILT, of hurting Terry just now ¨C and he would tell his mother ¡®about¡¯ the incident, once he got home later. And, for Principle Tom Harris¡
¡ he should be KEPT HIM-FAR-AWAY ¡®from¡¯ his mother¡ for the sake of mankind in Perth of the wrath of the Cursed-One.
Everyone looked up when the saw Paul rolled into the classroom in his wheelchair, interrupted the English class. He apologized to Mr Bailey, his English teacher¡ before parking his wheelchair at his chairless-desk.
¡°Are you okay, Pauly?¡± The worried Alicia whispered.
Paul flashed a grin and an ¡®okay-sign¡¯ with his hand. Instantly, he released a positive energy-out. BLIND-JANE ¡®FELT¡¯ IT TOO¡ as she turned over to the ¡®blue-glow¡¯ and she smiled.
¡ at the back of the class, PETER FELT PAUL¡¯S positive-energy ¡®thrown-about¡¯ ¨C he was disappointed that his twin WAS ¡®NOT¡¯ PUNISHED, unlike in his case with Zubeer Khan at the tennis court, which led into a hoo-ha until his inspector mother was called in too ¨C and she made a ¡®demand¡¯ FOR A ¡®SEVERE¡¯ PUNISHMENT as possible for him.
Peter Walker grudged his twin ¨C and ¡®others,¡¯ who were out there, TO TAKE HIM-DOWN.
<><>
AFTER A SLOW TORTURE OF AGONY by sitting through a couple of subject periods, Peter exhaled with relief when History class was over when the bell rang.
He hated Mr Alexander Hull, his History teacher who made fun of his weak students ¨C with Peter being the butt-of-his-jokes always. Mr Hull¡¯s philosophical insight was the great fallen empires were the cause-result of its leaders¡ REPEATING THEIR ¡®MISTAKES¡¯ as they don¡¯t change and learn from the history of past mistakes ¨C and that applied too ¨C to the history of his ¡®weak¡¯ students, who DON¡¯T WANT TO ¡®CHANGE¡¯ by learning, from their own mistakes.
¡ it was recess-period with hungry students, trailing to the canteen ¨C but Peter ran over, to the student counsellor¡¯s office, near the Infirmary...
¡°Well Ms King, did you talk to him¡?¡±
¡°Not-yet ¨C Principle Harris is holding an urgent staff meeting ¨C discussing about the phone-bombs explosion incident.¡±
The one-armed boy SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDER a couple of time¡ of what-has-that-got-to-do-with-his-question...
¡Peter then spoke¡
¡°¡ this is ¡®urgent,¡¯ Ms King ¨C Coach Jonah is itching-now, and will be calling-on the closing deadline, this afternoon for the application entries.¡±
¡°Okay, I will talk to Principle Harris ¨C once his meeting is over.¡±
¡°Make ¡®SURE¡¯ YOU DO THAT ¨C I¡¯m counting on you, Ms King ¨C I should have ¡®an¡¯ answer, before the last bell today. Thanks!¡±
He shut the door and left.
Ms King sighed at her current position that she WAS DANGLING ON STRINGS, pulled by this monstrous puppet-master. She was nervous about approaching the principle later¡ and also dreaded if she ¡®failed¡¯ to convince him, for a favourable outcome.
Outside, while walking in the hallway towards the canteen ¨C Peter met the senior student Jason Lang.
¡ Lang was the basketball student who phone-camera Recorded His Viral Video of the ¡®Perth¡¯s Famous couple¡¯ ¨C that spiralled crazy in YouTube ¨C when a handicapped couple beat the able-bodied Doug-and-Zoe in tennis¡ which had commanding over 40K hits.
¡°Jason, do you want ANOTHER ¡®MEGA-HIT¡¯ SCOOP ¨C to make your YT channel bigger and popular?¡±
Without batting his eyes, Jason Lang leapt-in and went yess¡
Peter took out his iPhone, and showed a video of his trashed bedroom ¨C claiming that some terrorist-hacker ¡®broke¡¯ into his house, and stole his passwords of his personal social media accounts in his iPad ¨C and, ¡®MADE¡¯ A PHONE-BOMB VIRUS that exploded on ¡®faces¡¯ of Perth¡¯s receivers, of the ¡®couple¡¯s-breakup-video.¡¯
He shared the video to Jason Lang online ¨C and smirked¡ seeing his ¡®minion¡¯ running away ¨C to do his next bidding, for HIS COMEBACK of fame of the ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ campaign¡
¡ his PR was done, for the day.
<><>
THE STAFF MEETING CARRIED ON in the board-room, by Principle Tom Harris ¨C and it went well¡
¡ while Tom Harris was away, out-of-town for HIS EX-WIFE¡¯S FUNERAL ¨C the Mayor of Perth, John Blake had visited the explosion-victims in hospitals, to have his re-election media coverage of Perth.
It so happened the Major and the Principal were good friends, who played golf together regularly and have memberships in the ¡®same¡¯ prestigious country club, where they hang out, for drinks after golf.
¡ Mayor Blake called up Harris during the funeral, and informed him of the terrorist-phone-bomb ATTACKS IN ¡®HIS¡¯ SCHOOL and, suggested that a ¡®campaign¡¯ should be done, to get the good reputation of Stamford High ¡®back¡¯ from bad press.
The Mayor suggested a HEROES¡¯ AWARD to be given to those involved at the recent South Perth¡¯s Zoo ¨C where the 5 ¨C SHS students and student-counsellor ¨C who have rescued Baby Samuel, from the ¡®still missing¡¯ abductor. That ¡®was¡¯ good-press that could divert the public view, from the explosion-victim tragedy.
The Principal fully agreed...
¡ in the same phone conversation, Principal Harris too ¡®suggested¡¯ to the Mayor ¨C that Inspector Caroline Walker TO GET HER PROMOTION¡ as she had worked hard in the police-serious-crime division, on the zoo investigation.
<>
MS KING APPROACHED THE PRINCIPLE¡¯S OFFICE to ask permission for both Peter Walker and Jane Wilson to participate IN THE MIXED DOUBLE list¡ despite Peter was under the ban, to play for the final term.
¡ Principal Harris ¡®approved¡¯ it whole-heartedly at once ¨C where to her surprise, the student counsellor¡ that she did ¡®not¡¯ have to do much convincing. Ms King used to know him as a firm disciplinarian ¨C who stood by his hard and tough decisions, that he made in the past.
Earlier, she heard from teachers that the Principle had ALSO ¡®BENT¡¯ THE RULES¡ and let Paul get away, for electrocuting Terry Donovan.
¡ Ms King saw him phoning up Coach Jonah ¨C to inform that the handicapped-couple should be included, in the submission of the school tennis-junior tourney¡
¡ after a dispute with Coach Jonah, it was DECIDED THAT PETER¡¯S BAN still stayed¡ in the Boys¡¯ tennis category.
Chapter 11: The Undesired Accolades
THAT FRIDAY MORNING, Inspector Caroline Walker was informed by her superior commanding office that she was PROMOTED TO DETECTIVE INSPECTOR, commencing the following month. She was overjoyed, as it would finally LIFT A HUGE BURDEN, by living as a single mother.
But she almost LOST THAT PROMOTION that afternoon¡ when the counter-terrorist unit personally contacted her ¨C that her son HAD POSTED A ¡®SENSITIVE¡¯ YouTube video¡
¡ which was related to his school¡¯s ¡®bombing¡¯ incident, that was still ¡®under¡¯ their investigation.
<>
THEIR HISTORY LESSON WAS INTERRUPTED that same morning when Ms Ann Burnell, the vice-principle who had informed the class ¨C that the Mayor was coming to Stamford High, next Monday to PRESENT THE HEROES¡¯ AWARDS to those rescuers, who saved Samuel Jaheem Wilson, in the South Perth Zoo¡
¡ half the class cheered and clapped for them ¨C while the other half, looked in jealousy and coming-up with thoughts, of ¡®them¡¯ being-at-the-wrong-place-at-the-right-time.
Both Jane Wilson and Paul Walker cringed-small into their seats. They don¡¯t want ¡®any¡¯ peering attention, that might reveal their cursed-secret ¡®identity.¡¯
All that Jane and Paul wanted, was to be left alone, and anonymous to be ¡®invisible¡¯ as possible, just to finish their education in Stamford High, in peace.
But ¡®not¡¯ the 3rd member of the Cursed-trio, Peter Walker ¨C who shook hands and high-fived his student ¡®fan-followers¡¯ who came to him.
The one-armed boy looked over from the back of the classroom, and sneered at Mr Alexzander Hull, his History teacher¡
¡®What history, sir¡? Come, eat my shorts¡!¡¯
<>
AT THE WALKERS¡¯ HOUSE THAT AFTERNOON, inspector-mother unlocked the front door¡ and she invited 3 people in.
The 4 of them proceeded upstairs.
Caroline barged into Peter¡¯s bedroom. The one-armed boy was resting in his bed, listening to his loud-music. She turned off the music in the stereo and ordered her son.
¡°Peter¡ go-on and wait outside now!¡±
¡ 3 casual-dressed strangers, entered his room¡
¡°Mom, what is going on? And, who are these people...?¡±
Agent Joe Dickson, head investigator of the Australian counter-terrorism unit, and his 2 data forensic scientists looked around the semi-neat bedroom that ¨C was REARRANGED BACK ¨C from what they saw in the video¡
¡ that was ¡®red-flagged,¡¯ and ¡®taken-down,¡¯ since in YouTube.
¡ Peter was afraid when he got off his bed ¨C of those Five-O-coppers would find his stash, of his illegal ¡®prescription pills¡¯ under the mattress.
Outside the room, inspection-mother questioned him...
¡°DID YOU POST that video of your TRASHED ROOM ONLINE!!?¡±
¡°Yes Mom, I sent you that ¡®same¡¯ video and I Tweeted you 2 days ago about the CCTV cams ¨C BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ¨C so I got my PFC ¡®publicist manager¡¯ Jason Lang, to post it on YOUTUBE ¨C SO, ¡®WHAT¡¯ ABOUT IT¡?¡±
¡°You son of a fool! You NEARLY CAUSED MY PROMOTION! How do you know your ¡®accounts¡¯ were hacked, and you furthermore, you made all of these blatant ¡®insensitive¡¯ allegations THAT TERRORIST HAD ¡®USED¡¯ your accounts to ¡®SEND¡¯ that phone-bombs?¡±
¡°But THAT ¡®WHAT¡¯ HAD HAPPENED, Mom ¨C and, even if I had ¡®told¡¯ you¡ you would ¡®NEVER¡¯ BELIEVE ME, right¡no¡?¡±
¡°I had been busy at work, working long hours ¨C and this is the SORT OF NONSENSE, is what I ¡®get,¡¯ when I come back home!¡±
¡°WHICH PART OF what I do, is ¡®nonsense¡¯ to you? I too was busy in social media trying to ¡®piece up¡¯ my smeared reputation online¡ since the ¡®ATTACK¡¯ ON ¡®MY¡¯ BRAND of the ¡°Perth¡¯s Famous Couple.¡¯¡±
¡°THIS NONSENSE ¡®famous couple¡¯ of yours¡ will probably SOMEDAY ¡®RUIN¡¯ MY CAREER, that had clothed and fed you, all your life!¡±
¡°Look here Mom, YOU ARE ¡®OLD SCHOOL¡¯¡ and you don¡¯t understand social-media of ¡®my¡¯ generation ¨C and your career ¡®too¡¯ WILL BE LONG GONE, if they produce future AI Robocops in the assembly line, to replace you! Yes, this ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple is ¡®IMPORTANT¡¯ TO ME for my presence¡ to market me, for future-advantage!¡± Peter chested up, to his mother.
¡°That is a TOTAL-FANTASY-BULLSHIT talk, and half of it is ¡®fake news¡¯ too!¡±
¡°WHY ARE YOU ¡®BIAS¡¯ against handicap people FROM BEING FAMOUS ¨C what have you got AGAINST ME? Unlike like Poe, you believe everything he says, yeah-Mom, cause¡¯ ¨C he is your favourite golden-boy, who tried to electrocute Terry Donovan, with epilepsy condition yesterday¡ but SOMEONE¡¯S PRAYERS out there saved him ¨C amen, to that, Mom-amen to that!!!¡±
¡°¡ Poe had informed me ¡®about¡¯ that ¨C HE WAS SORRY, that his ¡®science project¡¯ had gone wrong¡¡±
Agent Dickson approached the disputing mother-son, to interrupt them ¨C holding Peter¡¯s iPad.
¡°Inspector Walker¡ we need the password?¡±
The one-armed tween hesitated at first¡ but after seeing the glowering stares of his mother ¨C he placed his thumbprint¡ and unlocked his iPad¡
¡ the only ¡®secret¡¯ was, the file in his hard-drive, with his twin brother levitating on his bed, while taking a nap ¨C which he was only going to ¡®use¡¯ as a last-resort option¡ to prove that Poe¡¯s superpowers ¡®exist¡¯ to his inspector-mother¡
¡ which her crippled-son was ¡®LYING¡¯ TO-HER AND ¡®HIDING.¡¯
The data forensic scientist was looking at Peter¡¯s ¡®History¡¯ of which sites he had visited online, and found ¡®none¡¯ that were detrimental to the national security.
¡°Insp, we want to look at the footage, of the CCTV cameras.¡± Agent Dickson then said¡
¡ all of them, including Peter went downstairs.
¡ Paul was ¡®not¡¯ at home at that moment... he joined Alicia and Jane for high-tea in Chinatown to celebrate, after the school had announced they would receive the Heroes¡¯ Award, next-Monday.
The other forensic analyst was rewinding the recording device. Agent Dickson questioned Peter¡
¡°When you found that your room was trashed, was your brother around?¡±
¡°No¡ he came-in later.¡±
They discovered 39 SECONDS of the CCTV camera footage that was blank. Agent Dickson told the technician TO FAST-FORWARD¡ to Paul¡¯s entrance into the house that day¡
¡ another 44 SECONDS were blank too.
¡ Peter looked speechless at the 2nd blank segment of the recording, and ¡®recalled¡¯ ¨C that it was ¡®when¡¯ PAUL TRANSFORMED INTO¡ the big-winged St. Michael back then, when he tossed him upstairs, in rage.
The counter-terrorist unit left the Walkers¡ and Agent Dickson SUSPECTED BOTH TWINS might have some ¡®involvement¡¯ in the trashing of the room ¨C because the agent had prior INTERVIEWED EYE-WITNESSES in the canteen that ¡®day,¡¯ after Peter and Jane fought and broke-up, a moment before the phone-explosions¡
¡ Peter might have come home that afternoon and trashed his own room in anger, about the ¡®BREAKUP¡¯ WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND and ¨C he later erased the footage of himself causing the damage.
¡ Paul too might have BEEN A CO-CONSPIRATOR in all of this, because the twins had worked ¡®together¡¯ 2 years ago ¨C when they both owned a YouTube channel¡ dedicated to Peter¡¯s tennis matches¡ before ¡®their¡¯ road-accident.
<><>
ACROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN, in Washington D.C., Dr Jack Turner read the test results of Peter, that was ¡®normal¡¯ with no sign of radiation, just like his niece¡¯s, Jane Wilson¡
¡ but he has A RARE AB-NEGATIVE ¨C ¡®blood-type-rhesus¡¯ known as¡ ¡®GOLDEN BLOOD RH-NULL¡¯¡ where there were only 43 people in the whole wide world, who had possessed that-blood type¡
But¡
¡ Jack Turner was suspicious of why the ¡®answers¡¯ to the questionnaire with his technician Taro was the total ¡®opposite,¡¯ of what his blind-niece had told him¡ on Skype earlier with Alicia ¨C which ¡®was¡¯ of mystical curses and supernatural¡
¡ what puzzled him more, when his other technician Hiro discovered the viral YouTube video of ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ where the BLIND-GIRL PLAYED TENNIS and winning the match, with the one-armed Peter ¨C ¡®WITHOUT¡¯ THE AID of the AI headset, SIMY ¨C which was totally destroyed, at the thunderstorm tragedy in the farm.
¡®How could a blind-girl since ¡®birth,¡¯ play tennis by the aid of voice-instruction from Peter ¡®alone¡¯¡ with such accuracy¡? There must be ¡®more¡¯ at play here, that was beyond the COMPREHENSION OF SCIENCE.¡¯
<><>
PAUL WOKE UP, TO SATURDAY MORNING, in his windowless room. He was confused whether he had woken to an afternoon nap or to night sleep. He spotted the alarm clock nearby, which digits displayed ¨C 9:04 AM.
His head was heavy¡ like deep-sleepwalker ¨C who had a dreamless night of sleep.
He needed his coffee ¨C he turned on the room light, and went floating-ethereally outside, to the kitchen¡ ¡®knowing¡¯ that his mother was at work by now.
¡ he sighed at once, that his mother had ¡®not¡¯ made her coffee that morning ¨C she sometimes bought her coffee on the way to work, or have it from the pantry at work.
While spooning a heap-full of coffee-granules to the coffee-pot machine ¨C Paul¡¯s cellphone in the room, pinged a notification¡
¡ and, he then realized that he had ¡®forgotten¡¯ about an appointment with ¨C Alicia at 10:00 AM ¨C to study, outside that morning¡ and she will come-over by Uber soon. He levitated fast to his bathroom ¨C as he had barely an hour to get ready¡ and left his coffee to be brewed¡
Upstairs, his twin, Peter was sound asleep.
<>
BY MID-MORNING, PETER WAS AROUSED BY ¡®unwelcomed¡¯ positive vibes ¡®sent¡¯ out ¨C it couldn¡¯t be Janey¡ BUT HIS ¡®SHORT-LEGS-TWIN¡¯ ¨C getting lovey-dovey with his Chinatown Wong¡ his-now girlfriend¡ ¡®somewhere¡¯¡.
¡ the one-armed boy yelled-out aloud, in frustration with sleep deprivation. He presumed his fat-twin ¡®was¡¯ downstairs¡
¡ exchanging cute, cat-videos with her¡
He popped in his pills, and went back to sleep...
¡ at a mall, Paul and Alicia decided to go to the movies, on their first date ¨C with popcorns and soda. Alicia gave him a choice of MCU¡¯s Captain Marvel¡ and Disney¡¯s Dumbo.
He chose Dumbo because he loved Tim Burton ¨C whose ¡®Nightmare Before Christmas¡¯ was one of Paul¡¯s all-time favourite movies, from his childhood. So were the other Disney¡¯s classic animations¡ which he had watched most of them on telly¡ with his mother, when he was little.
The live-animation did ¡®not¡¯ disappoint¡ of little Dumbo flying, was how Paul had imagined, based on loving memories of animation he had watched before ¨C and he also loved that Tim Burton was chosen to make the ¡®remake¡¯ ¨C where he laughed and cried¡ witnessing the ¡®new¡¯ rendition¡
¡ and, before the movie ended¡ PAUL GOT HIS FIRST KISS.
<><>
THE 2 HOUNDS RETURNED TO HADES to their waiting master. The smaller she-Fu dog vomited in front of the very old man, who was skinny-bones in size, and walked with 2 sticks¡
¡ he was so old¡ and his frail body was perishing after generations, of fraying¡ with the light of the righteousness of humanity.
His last major struggle was the worst ¨C where it took a toll of his body ¨C when he was the ANCIENT KING OF DJINNS ¨C standing off against the wise King Solomon¡
¡ who defeated him¡ and Gabriel banished him to hell for eternity.
¡ Asmodeus¡¯ old hand went into the beast¡¯s thick-muck of vomitus ¨C and retrieved the chained, BLOOD-VIAL OF THE CHOSEN-ONE from the slime¡
¡ once he rejuvenated his immortality¡ he would return back to walk, again on earth.
<><>
AMBROSE SPENCER WAS A BURLY BLUE-COLLARED entrepreneur, and he owned a garbage truck and did some contracts of personal trash-removal in Perth. When, the South Perth Zoo, engaged him ¨C the contractor drove in, with his 2 indigenous-Australian, hired workers.
¡ the police investigation, headed by Insp Caroline Walker had come to an end¡ where they had identified Hajji as the CHILD-ABDUCTION PERPETRATOR ¨C and, through his ¡®belongings¡¯ at the zoo¡¯s hostel ¨C police found his LAPTOP WITH HISTORY of stalking the Wilsons, on Facebook. They TOOK ¡®ONLY¡¯ HIS LAPPY-as-evidence.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
The zoo¡¯s management discarded every belonging of Hajji from his hostel, to the zoo¡¯s trash-disposal area. Ambrose backed his truck and remained in the cabin, as he smoked and drank a beer¡
¡ while his 2 workers were loading the junk, in the hot humid weather.
He soon heard both of his manual workers were arguing behind, and he got off his truck. The older Aboriginal-hand was holding an ugly idol up, and told the boss, that it was an African voodoo ivory carved-sculpture that might be ¡®cursed¡¯...
... and should be BURIED-FAR, in the outback.
But, the younger-one, wanted TO KEEP IT, as his ¡®own¡¯ ¨C along, with Hajji¡¯s handwritten journal of dark-spells.
Being a ¡®wise man¡¯¡
¡ the boss-man decided to end the 2 workers¡¯ dispute, by KEEPING IT FOR ¡®HIMSELF.¡¯ Ambrose was ¡®deeply¡¯ fascinated by the aesthetic¡ of the ugly-gargoyle looking idol and¡
... he took it home¡
¡ wherever he took the idol, bad luck followed...
At home¡
... Ambrose had a heated argument with his wife over money issues ¨C and he decided to pack-up his belongings, and move-to his best friend and beer buddy''s trailer cabin, outside Perth¡
¡ he bunked in with Stanley Booth, a 50-year-old bachelor, who lived alone in the junkyard ¨C and worked the incinerator. The first night, Ambrose bitched about his failed marriage, with no-respect from his family, to his old buddy Stan ¨C in ¡®presence¡¯ of the idol of Asmodeus¡
¡ which was PRAYED TO-BY Hajji himself, at the zoo.
The second night, Stanley Booth died...
... from a freak accident, handling the incinerator, that burnt him alive. After the police took Stan¡¯s body away¡
... the sad-Ambrose Spencer was back being ¡®alone,¡¯ in the trailer cabin¡
¡ he went into his dead friend¡¯s belongings and found a lottery ticket ¨C that later had won Ambrose A$1.5 million. With the LUCKY, SUDDEN WINDFALL ¨C Ambrose moved out from the trailer-cabin¡
¡ and, bought a sports car, and left the ¡®unlucky¡¯ city¡
-O-
¡ with the cursed idol in his dashboard, the covetable Mazda MX-5¡ drove on the lonely road, with desert on both sides. He saw a mysterious hitch-hiker woman ahead¡ in the outbacks, who was scantily dressed of ancient fashion¡ stopping him.
She was Middle-easterner, who spoke no English. The long, jet black-haired woman got into the sports car¡ and Ambrose drove with the exotic beauty by-his-side. His-human nature tempted him, to have sex with her¡
¡ he stopped the car, in the middle of the outback¡ and made advances to her¡
Ammut the funerary deity, stabbed into Ambrose¡¯s chest with her bare-hand¡ and ripped to pluck-out his heart. The dead Ambrose fell out of car to the road outside¡
... as he transformed into a hybreed beast-animal, of both a mammal and reptile¡
¡ its forebody was of a male lion, with a huge mane, but with a snout and tail of a ferocious crocodile ¨C the hind of the beast was of a large hippo. The hulking hybreed was a moving¡ like a dinosaur in front...
¡ Ammut followed her pet Ammit, from behind ¨C as the she-demon ate Ambrose¡¯s heart like a forbidden fruit. They were crossing over the north in the desert, to the reserved forest of Perth.
<><>
AFTER WATCHING ¡®DUMBO¡¯ ¨C Alicia and Paul decided to hang around the mall, where the cineplex was. They decided fast-food for lunch. After their meal, the new-aged tweens, pulled up their lappy to-study, using the restaurant¡¯s Wi-Fi.
¡ Alicia was going through THE LESSON PAUL MISSED, in Math yesterday ¨C where he was at the Principal¡¯s office¡ for the illegal modification to his wheelchair.
The weather was still-hot outside the mall¡ and they decided to hang around, and do some window-shopping. Alicia decided to push-his wheelchair¡ but Paul declined the effort by manoeuvring the ¡®normal¡¯ wheelchair on his own¡
But Alicia insisted¡
¡°Please Pauly¡ accept my female-chivalry ¨C while stocks last!¡± They both laughed.
The rock-band ¡®GUNS AND ROSES¡¯ PARADISE CITY¡¯ song¡ was playing in the mall...
Alicia received phone notification¡ that Janey had sent a voice-message ¨C telling both of ¡®them¡¯ to enjoy, the afternoon together¡
¡ Alicia suggested to Paul, that they invite Jane later for evening high-tea in Chinatown, at her aunt¡¯s dim sum restaurant. Paul agreed¡ and said her BFF would crave for her Taiwanese-Stinky-Tofu ¨C Alicia laughed and hugged him and kissed him ¨C his 2nd kiss¡
¡ the bright-glowing natured Paul¡ teased Alicia by singing the Axle Roses¡¯ song, in his high-cracking tween voice¡
¡°Take Me Down, To the Paradise City ¨C Where the Grass Is Green, And the Girls Are Pretty ¨C Please Take Me Home¡¡±
The blushing Alicia smacked Paul¡¯s head¡
¡°Like its gonna happen¡? Pauly, need a better pickup line than that!¡±
They both laughed.
<>
PETER WAS AROUSED FROM HIS SLEEP AGAIN, at home ¨C and, he cursed aloud¡
¡°Poe! You bloody-lousy Gunga Din ¨C YOU ARE ¡®NOT¡¯ BETTER than me!¡±
His cellphone rang¡
It was Jason Lang ¨C Peter Walker¡¯s YouTube unofficial-publicist-manager¡ shouting at him¡
¡°¡ I did what you asked, and look, WHAT IT GOT ME INTO!!? My YouTube Channel was pulled down yesterday!¡±
Peter was raged, when he heard that ¨C and he too yelled out¡
¡°WHAT!!? My viral TENNIS VIDEO IS GONE! It¡¯s probably those bloody CTU agents from yesterday¡ they came searching my pad like I¡¯M A ¡®TERRORIST¡¯¡ with no respect under my father¡¯s roof¡ just turning around all-my things¡ and ¡®INVADING¡¯ MY PRIVACY!¡±
¨CO¨C
At Chinatown¡ eating her stinky-tofu was Jane Wilson, seated in conversation with Alicia and Paul. The Chinese-girlfriend was teaching Paul, how to eat using a pair of chopsticks.
Despite being in the air-conditioned restaurant¡ both Jane and Paul were sweating profusely from THEIR CURSED SCARS, that they both bore. The blind-girl removed her beanie, that she wore ¨C and the crippled tween had to unbutton, a couple of his shirt button to ventilate¡
¡ Alicia laughed when she saw them perspiring, saying it¡¯s the steamy-hot food, eaten in the hot weather¡
¡ but they BOTH ¡®CORRECTED¡¯ her, stating that it was Peter ¨C who was ¡®EXPLODING¡¯ HIS NEGATIVE ENERGY at home¡
¨CO¨C
At the Walkers¡¯ house, on-the-iPhone Peter heard¡ Jason Lang¡¯s heart-aching voice¡
¡°That viral video had OVER 45K VIEWS, when-last I checked ¨C there is no way I could replicate those numbers again, just based on-trending-alone¡¡±
¡°Chill, no-worries Jace, I have been ¡®accepted¡¯ with blind-Janey in the STAMFORD¡¯S MIXED DOUBLE ¨C and we will meet Doug and Zoe ¡®again¡¯ in the knockout playoff, yeah a GRUDGE-REMATCH in the making! It will be a walk-in-the-park then on¡ when ¡®Perth famous couple¡¯ qualify for the junior school championship for next year!¡±
The pulldown of Jason Lang¡¯s YouTube channel had a reversed-fame effect¡
¡ as it was picked on as newsworthy by the TABLOID WORLD ¨C OF CONSPIRACY THEORIES of phone-bombs terrorist attacks¡
¡ built by Dark-Net hackers.
<><>
THE WALKERS WENT TO CHURCH MASS, that Sunday¡ and Peter was ¡®not¡¯ in the peace for devotion. He kept his angry eyes on the statue of winged St. Michael¡
¡ with a sword in his hand¡ and stomping at his feet, on a snaked-like¡ dark human ¨Cthe Evil One.
The Archangel used to be the one-armed boy¡¯s favourite angel¡ as he heard heroic stories of him, driving off evil from heaven and earth, in his Sunday school.
Poe has already his ¡®own¡¯ superpowers, of flight and zapping electricity bolts ¨C where else Peter had now envied him¡ when the SAME ST. MICHAEL WAS ¡®PROTECTING¡¯ his twin, Paul ¨C and, that was not ¡®fair¡¯ because of he-had-none¡
¡®This is ¡®not¡¯ fair!¡¯
He recalled also THE ANGEL, CALLED HIM ¡®MERCURY¡¯ when he had an altercation with Poe at home ¨C and that got him wondering¡
¡ why did St. Michael call him ¡®Mercury¡¯¡
¡ as the ¡®same¡¯ name that Hajji had called him-too when they encountered at the zoo.
¡ he wanted to channel his dissatisfaction elsewhere ¨C and he ¡®chose¡¯ Paul¡ of him thinking the cripple who thought he was ¡®better¡¯ than him ¨C and also the ¡®same¡¯ crippled-twin had vowed to TAKE AWAY HIS DREAM of going to the Academy in Sydney ¨C to pursue his big-dreams there¡
¡ no-one should take ¡®his¡¯ dreams away ¨C which was ¡®what¡¯ SOLOMON, HIS LATE FATHER would have wanted his son to have¡ and to excel to-be the ¡®best.¡¯
¡ Paul seated on his wheelchair, in the aisle was ¡®sweating¡¯¡ and he caught the angry Peter staring at him¡ seated in between their inspector-mother, at the pew.
Then there was panic and clamouring among the church congregation¡ when they heard a loud noise, of something crashing on the floor. Everyone LOOKED ABOVE AT STATUE of St. Michael¡ with a broken sword¡
¡ in the congregation¡¯s confusion¡ Peter smirked at Paul¡
<>
AFTER CHURCH THE WALKERS HEADED TO THE DELI, for breakfast¡ as Caroline treated her boys and officially announcing to the twins¡ that her police-department had promoted her at the station.
Only Paul WAS OVER-JOYED, WHILE ¨C her other son, was ¡®not¡¯ bothered.
Paul had a turkey-ham sandwich on pita bread with coffee, while Peter ordered a roast beef sandwich in a baguette, with a banana smoothie. Their mother, being a vegan¡ had pastries with coffee.
¡ Paul dominated the table conversation, by talking about Dumbo the Disney movie, that he watched yesterday with Alicia. The mother-son had a reminiscent of the Disney cartoon movies they had watched together at home when his mother was just a police-Sargent before, who didn¡¯t have to work long hours ¨C and even used to even ¡®cooked¡¯ for them too at home.
Peter was pretending by ¡®ignoring¡¯ them by ¨C plugging his earbuds to music, at low volume ¨C while still-listened ¡®into¡¯ their chat¡ where Paul and his girlfriend went to the movies. While blind-Jane, and he understood that ¨C but being an ¡®item,¡¯ with the hashtag of ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯¡
¡ they ¡®hardly¡¯ hung-out¡
¡ he recalled they went skateboarding together once, and later went for some Taco Bell ¨C but they ¡®fought¡¯ over there¡
¡®¡ am I AN ACCIDENTAL-boyfriend ¨C in the famed and trending social media¡?¡¯
¡ Caroline left the boys at the table, to pay the bill at the cash register. Peter pulled off his earbuds, growled¡
¡°Poe! Stop being over lovey-dovey, and invading into ¡®my-space¡¯ ¨C you make me wanna throw-up!¡±
¡ Paul laughed at him. ¡°Me-being happy and joyful with positive-glows ¨C was ¡®affecting¡¯ you?¡±
¡°Hell-yes! Stop spewing your yucky-emotions around ¨C I¡¯M ¡®WARNING¡¯ YOU!¡±
¡°I¡¯m warning you too, Peter ¨C you BETTER ¡®CONTROL¡¯ yourself ¨C I know WHAT YOU ¡®DID¡¯ AT CHURCH, just now!¡±
¡ Caroline returned to the table and saw them at each other¡¯s throats. The inspector-mother was annoyed...
¡°I leave you 2-alone, for A MOMENT IN-PUBLIC ¨C and you both fight! Get off your-butts, you both ¡®can¡¯ continue your-fighting at home¡¡±
<><>
STAMFORD HIGH¡¯S STAFF COMMITTEE had worked late, in the preparation to welcome Perth¡¯s Mayor, JOHN BLAKE later that Monday mid-morning ¨C to hand the Heroes¡¯ Award for bravery. They were expecting a full-house at the basketball gym-auditorium¡
¡ with the presence of the ¨C media press coverage, and also parents of students.
Earlier that morning, the award-recipients ¨C Jane and Alicia were walking along the outdoor corridor and 2 classmate boys ¨C who were Peter¡¯s bullying-fans mocked them¡
¡°Look at-here, blind-school walking her pet Pekinese Wong. WHERE IS YOUR hero-dog, Jane¡? We heard from-Peter¡ that Vietnamese cousin of Chinatown Wong, cooked and ate the hero-dog!¡± They laughed aloud.
¡ Alicia was mad and cursed back in Hokkien before the girls proceeded to the Science lab.
<>
DURING THE SCIENCE CLASS GROUP EXPERIMENT ¨C blind-Jane stepped out the lab, to use the girls¡¯ room. Peter followed her out. He noticed she was ¡®talking¡¯ to Boyyo¡
¡ Peter interrupted her and bragged¡
¡ glowing red-bright, as he approached her¡
¡°¡ hey Janey, the Mayor is here-as our ¡®moment¡¯ has finally-come, for OUR VERY ¡®OWN¡¯ acknowledgements for ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ at-the zoo ¨C we WERE A TEAM BACK-THERE, just like the one-binding set of soulmates.¡±
¡ Jane was still annoyed by HOW THOSE BOYS, had insulted her and her BFF earlier.
¡°Have you been going around telling that, PIPER ¡®WAS¡¯ EATEN by the Vietnamese!!?¡±
¡ the one-armed boy was taken-aback ¨C and came up redder, with nervous laughter¡
¡°¡ I¡¯m sorry, JANEY ¨C IT WAS MEANT, as a joke.¡±
¡°Now the JOKE IS ON-YOU! You-go apologize to Alicia now¡ or I¡¯ll never gonna-talk to you again!¡±
¡°Okay-okay, I will do that ¨C WHY THE LONG FACE on this happy occasion¡ and treat me like some pariah dog? We will be ¡®GOING¡¯ ON-STAGE LATER, and be recognized with bravery-award as soulmates¡¡±
¡°We-are ¡®NOT¡¯ SOULMATES¡ and you don¡¯t dare, ever to-speak bad against Piper-again ¨C and I LOVE MY DOG, ¡®MORE¡¯ THAN I LOVE YOU! And, I don¡¯t care too¡ if you go for with rest of your life, BEHAVING ¡®LIKE¡¯ A PARIAH DOG ¨C good-luck to you, Peter-bloody-Walker!!!¡±
The quick blind-girl turned away, from her ¡®red-glow¡¯ beacon.
¡ she slammed-shut the Girls¡¯ washroom door, at Peter¡¯s face. He thought for a moment, for a ¡®comeback.¡¯ Peter then banged and shouted at the closed door¡
¡°O-yeah¡ for your-blind-information-Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ is trending higher than your ¡®Perth¡¯s hero-dog¡¯ ¨C technically, it just-means¡ I LOVE YOU ¡®MORE¡¯ than your dog!¡±
<><>
THE BIG FINAL MOMENT CAME, WITH PERTH¡¯S MAYOR arriving as Stamford High School. The media press was all-over on Mayor John Blake¡ until he stepped into the full crowded auditorium, with parents and student all clapping and cheering.
¡ Principle Tom Harris welcomed Mayor Blake, on stage to the podium to give his speech. The government official MADE AN IMPRESSIVE SPEECH¡ commending the 5 individuals responsible for rescuing, the kidnapped child at the zoo, from the dangerous criminal abductor. He then went on to praise the school prestigious reputation¡ under the good-administration of Principle Harris.
The Mayor¡¯s speech TOOK A TURN, WITH the recent tragic ¡®rumours¡¯ ¨C where-days ago, of the phone-bombs which tabloids, had twisted the event-as a terrorist attack on Perth. John Mayor told the ¡®conspiracy theories¡¯ WERE-ALL FAKE-NEWS ¨C which was an attack on the Stamford High, to tarnish the school¡¯s good image.
¡ some parent-members of the crowd booed ¨C they don¡¯t believe that 13 simultaneous, phone blasts victims in Stamford High was fake-news¡
¡ and the injuring of students were ¡®NOT-ANY¡¯ COINCIDENCE ¨C and they would rather-BELIEVE THE THEORY of the terrorist attacks ¡®better.¡¯
¡the Mayor cut short his speech, after noticing THE CROWD¡¯S OFF-PUTTING reception, and without pouring any more-oil to the fire ¨C the school proceeded with the award-giving¡
Principle Harris called on the first award-recipient ¨C Peter ran up the stage, ¡®hopping¡¯ on the spot¡ with his ¡®only¡¯ hand raised-up victoriously. The one-armed boy came-up¡ and shook the Mayor¡¯s hand, and received the award.
He then posed at every corner of the stage¡ to BE SEEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED, and even raised the accolade like it¡¯s some kind of world cup.
¡ Peter did ¡®not¡¯ want to step off the stage when the crowd kept cheering ¨C and, he anticipated the other-half of ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ ¨C to be called on-stage next¡
Instead, Principle Harris called on Paul Walker ¨C Peter scoffed aloud¡ seeing his other-half of his twin, coming on stage on his wheelchair¡ on the ramp¡
¡ Paul received-his award ¨C Principle Harris announced next, Alicia Wong Ai Choo ¨C and she came on-stage, as she hi-fived Paul, when he was leaving the platform-ramp. The next, was the student counsellor, Ms Diana King¡
Then finally, JANE WILSON WAS ANNOUNCED, and the packed auditorium¡¯s cheers nearly brought the roof down. The shy-looking blind-girl walked on-stage¡ with the aid of her walking stick, and wearing her Boyyo.
¡ she received the award from the Mayor. Immediately, PETER WENT-UP AND DRAGGED the blind-girl to the centre of stage¡ lifting-her hand with his one arm, proclaiming-aloud¡
¡°Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ ARE ¡®STILL¡¯ HERE, together! We have ¡®not¡¯ broken-up! We are here to stay!¡±
The crowd went wild WITH STANDING-OVATION. After a few-seconds, Jane pulled her hand away¡ and left the stage, leaving the one-armed tween there by-himself.
¡ Peter did a ¡®famous¡¯ line, of the late Freddie Mercury ¨C when he stuck his buttocks-out¡ to the crowd and tapping it, shouting out...
¡°What breakup¡? THEY ARE ALL¡ talking from in ¡®here¡¯!¡±
¡ Paul found his way to his mother, Caroline Walker ¨C who bent-down and hugged, kissed and congratulated him ¨C while her-other-son was STILL ON-STAGE, SHOWBOATING to market ¡®himself¡¯ ¡ and, acting like a fool.
Blind-Jane carried her baby-brother Samuel¡ and some parents GAWKED LOOKING at the siblings¡¯ ¡®contrast¡¯ ¨C and, her-proud mother¡
¡ Dr Shelley Wilson¡ then introduced her daughter to her circle-of-friends.
Chapter 12: The ‘Senior Citizens’ Challenge
PETER HAD ENJOYED HIS SUCCESSES ¨C of his ¡®stage-presences¡¯ of the Heroes¡¯ Award, where that news online was TRENDING ¡®ABOVE,¡¯ the ¡®terrorist-phone-bombing @Stamford High¡¯ that night.
While, Jane Wilson, who cried herself to sleep¡
¡ the blind-tween felt GUILTY OF BEING ¡®CURSED¡¯ ever since the Treeton dairy farm-tragedy ¨C and, its chain-reactions that SNOWBALLED ¡®SINCE,¡¯ that endangered mankind in Perth and¡
¡ of Australia of-the whole¡
¡ feeling ¡®guilty¡¯ too of her secret-identity, which she hid from her-family and-the public¡ and yet going ON STAGE JUST NOW for the Heroes¡¯ Award to gain ¡®recognition,¡¯ was too much to handle¡
Yes¡
¡ she did use her combined ¡®powers¡¯ with her beacons of the Cursed-trio¡ where-in-unity ¡ they managed to rescue her baby brother, at the zoo¡
¡ but the other events that followed ¨C were-all CURSED WITH ¡®bad luck.¡¯
The ¡®recent tragic-event¡¯ had affected Jane personally the most, was of the school¡¯s PHONE-BOMBS ¨C where her classmate, Charlotte Thompson was disfigured by the consequential ¡®curse¡¯ ¨C when she OPENED THE FILE of the ¡®break-up¡¯ PFC-video.
The blind-girl knew the injured girl, description to her by Alicia, as the most beautiful girl in class¡ but with a mean-attitude. Charlotte had been cruel and nasty towards her in class before when she ¡®mistook¡¯ using her SIMY as ¡®cheating¡¯ in their examinations, but that was because she was only-protecting ¡®WHAT-IS-HERS¡¯ ¨C but if Charlotte ¡®knew¡¯ about her 3rd-Eye, it would ¡®flip¡¯ her-more ¨C for a handicap BLIND-GIRL TO HAVE ¡®superpowers,¡¯ compared to a normal-mortal-person. Blind-Jane was ¡®not¡¯ PROUD BY-THAT, NOR of Charlotte deserving the fate, to be disfigured caused by-her ¡®curse.¡¯
Jane Wilson decided ¡®not¡¯ to use her cursed-powers any more ¨C she called up her BFF, and told her about it¡
¡ instead of celebrating on the cursed-victory, they should ¡®visit¡¯ the cursed-casualties ¡®more¡¯¡
¡ the blind-Jane wanted Alicia to accompany her tomorrow, after school¡
¡ to the hospital to visit their classmate, Charlotte Thompson who was admitted¡ a week ago.
<><>
PAUL WENT TO THE LIBRARY AFTER TUESDAY¡¯S CLASS lessons ¨C the weather outside was too hot, to go home. He entered the air-conditioned library which was, half-full with senior students, into their-own group-studies.
¡ he rolled his wheelchair over far, TO A LONG TABLE where Alicia and Jane were seated ¨C he ¡®wanted¡¯ to stick-with them in this final school term, and excel in studies, to be the Top 5 in his class.
Paul set up his MacBook and soon he was in the ¡®zone,¡¯ with the flow of concentration, for about 10 minutes¡ until he saw his one-armed twin storming-inside¡
¡ Paul then realized the term-and-condition that, Jane had imposed on Peter ¨C of one-hour study-coaching daily, in the library.
But Peter rambled out¡
¡°Guess what Janey¡ those ¡®newspapers¡¯ out there are getting-too much ¨C since we won the Bravery Award, the papers have-now put us-up-for-CHALLENGE BY SETTING UP a ¡®mock-match,¡¯ against some oldies in some country club¡¡±
¡°Shhh¡ Peter lower your voice ¨C you¡¯re in a library.¡±
¡°That¡¯s why I don¡¯t-come in here ¨C I would prefer ¡®we¡¯ study in Macca¡ same air-con-but with music, and good food too.¡± Peter whispered aloud, in displeasure.
¡°There will be too much of ¡®distraction¡¯ there¡ we study here in the library ¨C what was that mock-match, you said earlier?¡±
¡°Yeah, the newspapers they are MOCKING-AT US HANDICAPPERS and they-pit us-both against some senior oldies in the-pretext ¨C of SOME-CHARITY EVENT and sorts¡ and what charity is that¡? I do-charity here in school, they say that was ¡®AGAINST¡¯ SCHOOL¡¯S RULES ¨C and accuse me of betting-and-gambling¡¡±
¡ Paul googled-up, to find out a post stating ¨C PERTH¡¯S COUNTRY CLUB was sending an invitation to the ¡°Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ ¨C to play some AUSTRALIAN EX-INTERNATIONAL couple mixed doubles¡for a charity-match.
Paul interrupted his twin.
¡°Hey, Peter¡ what are you talking about?¡±
Paul read from the screen:
¡°It says in here ¨C Perth¡¯s country club, in honour of Mayor John Blake¡ an honorary member¡ had suggested, ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ to play a charity match, with their inhouse celebrities Steve Connery and Amy Bixby, who were ex-internationals in mixed-doubles¡ and runners-up, in the ¡¯97 Perth Opens ¨C where the goodwill proceeding of the charity-match, would go to various charity organisation¡¡±
Paul stopped-reading and he grilled. ¡°Where on earth, did they say ANYTHING THAT YOU-SAID was handicap bashing¡?¡±
¡°That¡¯s where you are dumb, Poe ¨C you DON¡¯T READ IN-BETWEEN the lines.¡±
Alicia voiced-up, in excitement¡
¡°¡ this is a good thing ¨C Janey, ¡®you¡¯ should play.¡±
¡°No Chinatown, it is ¡®not¡¯ a good thing ¨C this could-go bad 2-ways¡ whether we beat them or they beat us, in the papers. I have DONE THAT BEFORE ¨C AND IT ¡®BACKFIRED at the farm with that Elvis-Captain Australia war-hero ¨C and ¡®again¡¯ at the zoo with your hero-dog ¡®Piper¡¯ ¨C and-here ¨C this Wong thinks, it is the ¡®Right¡¯ thing to do now, but she is Wong.¡±
¡ Alicia held the angered Paul¡¯s hand¡ and Peter smiled ¨C and ¡®it¡¯ provoked him more when the twin said¡
¡°Go ahead Poe ¨C hide ¡®behind¡¯ your China-doll.¡±
¡ blind-Jane saw both her 2 beacons ¨C who were glowing bright intensively in the ¡®negativity.¡¯
Her firm voice then spoke, as she pointed at the ¡®red-glow¡¯¡
¡°Peter Walker, you-be respectful to my friends here ¨C go on, apologize to them ¡ or else our tennis-deal is off.¡±
The one-armed student looked up, ¡®smirked¡¯ at the Chinese girl and the crippled-twin.
¡°I¡¯m sorry ¨C Alicia ¨C sorry to you too ¨C Poe¡ for hurting ¡®your¡¯ feelings.¡±
¡°Look-at his mug¡ he is ¡®not¡¯ earnest, he is ¡®not¡¯ sincere ¨C and, he will bloody do it ¡®again.¡¯¡±
¡ Paul said-in dissatisfaction and he left the table¡ with his MacBook left there behind ¨C Alicia chased after his wheelchair.
¡Peter shrugged, looked at Jane alone, at the study-table.
¡°That-cleared the room fast ¨C SO-JANEY, WHAT ARE ¡®WE¡¯ studying today?¡±
<><>
JANE AND ALICIA WENT TO THE PERTH¡¯S Children¡¯s Hospital that evening ¨C where the blind girl was admitted-herself, a couple of months ago when struck by lightning back in the Treeton field trip. She and Alicia-both were there now, to visit Charlotte Thompson¡ their injured classmate, who was admitted a week ago.
They went up-to-the right floor to the rightward. They have to sign in, to a visitor¡¯s log as it was a police-case under ¡®investigation.¡¯ The nurse at the Nurse¡¯s Desk was Nurse Eker ¨C middle-aged, mildly obese. ALICIA DID THE TALKING, and she can¡¯t help noticing the-big mole at the tip of the nurse¡¯s nose like Rudolph ¨C it was deeply hypnotising to ¡®look¡¯ at it when Nurse Eker spoke ¨C and pointed to the ward-room.
Alone on the bed, was the ¡®most¡¯ beautiful-girl from their classroom ¨C now, with her eyes bandaged, and her swollen right cheek¡ with 2nd degree burns, with her blond hair, shaven on the right side.
¡ the blind-Jane with her dark-glasses softly called out to her¡
¡°Charlotte, it¡¯s me JANE, WITH ALICIA ¨C we came to visit you.¡±
¡°Why are you both really ¡®here?¡¯¡± The injured classmate responded. Alicia did the talking¡
¡°Just a SOCIAL VISIT, NOTHING ELSE ¨C where are your friends, Char?¡±
¡°My friends will come ¡®later.¡¯¡± Charlotte said, with a defensive tone.
¡ Alicia figured her ¡®clique¡¯ would have visited her FOR THE ¡®FIRST¡¯ 3 DAYS, and stopped coming since¡
¡®¡ who would visit ¡®daily,¡¯ unless she was your BFF?¡¯
The-concerned Jane then spoke. ¡°Are you in pain, Charlotte¡?¡±
The bandaged girl nodded and sobbed. Jane held her hand, as she sat beside her, on her bed. All 3 girls were in silent for 15 seconds, and the injured-girl retracted her hand, from Jane¡¯s clasp¡
¡°I heard you-2 got the Heroes¡¯ Award¡ how did you 2 MANAGE-TO ¡®FOOL¡¯ even the Mayor, to give you that¡?¡±
¡ Alicia laughed alone at her sarcasm.
¡°Are-you both, dynamic-duo¡ part-of the terrorist group, that came to ¡®kill¡¯ me in the hospital?¡±
Now, all 3 of them laughed out.
¡°No, Charlotte ¨C even Mayor John Blake said, that the terrorist attacks were fake-news.¡± Jane clarified.
¡ Alicia then spoke again. ¡°We heard in school, that Bruce Burton, was discharged yesterday, from that ¡®other¡¯ hospital.¡±
¡ Bruce Burton was Charlotte¡¯s boyfriend ¨C and the Stamford High¡¯s cricket captain, who LOST HIS ¡®THUMB,¡¯ in the phone-bomb explosion ¨C when HE INITIATED THE CURSED ¡®break up video¡¯ distribution...
The bandaged ¡®girlfriend¡¯ replied, in anxiety¡
¡°I hope he ¡®don¡¯t come¡¯ in, and visit me here ¨C I ¡®look¡¯ totally-messed up. Daddy said I need to go for plastic surgery and for eye-operation before I get back to school for the final term.¡±
¡°Yes¡ you will ¡®come¡¯ back, Charlotte.¡± The blind-girl said, supportive¡
¡ while, placing her dominant-left hand up with her ¡®palm,¡¯ centimetres near to Charlotte¡¯s bandaged eyes¡ ¡®examining with her-3rd-eye¡
They then spoke like friends, for the next half hour ¨C until the visitors left.
¡ outside, the-curious Alicia asked¡
¡°Janey-your 3rd-Eye ¨C what you ¡®saw?¡¯¡±
Shaking her head, said softly. ¡°She is blind like me.¡±
¡ Alicia choked. ¡°The poor thing¡that¡¯s karma¡¡±
¡°Ali, we must DO THE ¡®RIGHT¡¯ THING BY ¨C by, we should be supportive of Charlotte when she goes into the ¡®new¡¯ transition later.¡±
-O-
Charlotte Thompson did ¡®NOT¡¯ RETURN TO Stamford High-ever again ¨C 6 months later, she was registered to a prestigious blind-school in Perth¡
¡ but blind-Jane-kept in touch¡
¡ and, she visited Charlotte at the ¡®new¡¯ school¡ to give moral support, to her ¡®new¡¯ life-phase...
<><>
PAUL RETURNED HOME, AFTER THE ARVO-SUN had settled, in the early evening. He rolled his wheelchair over the front door, to turn off the beeping and piercing security-alarm. He turned over to the living room, to turn on the central air-con¡
¡ behold¡
¡ there sat, on his father¡¯s chair ¨C was a red, heinous-looking, horned¡ one-armed adult-demon¡
The terrified Paul, jolted on the seat of his wheelchair ¨C levitated up-fast, in defensive mode ¡ of fight or flight.
¡°Stand down, ¡®Michael¡¯ ¨C I didn¡¯t come here to fight¡¡±
¡ Paul, still floating, chilled.
It was the 2ND TIME THE ¡®SAME¡¯ DEMON had called him Michael ¨C the first, being at the Aurora Australis.
¡°Paul¡¡± The crippled boy said out.
¡°Huh¡?¡±
¡°I¡¯m Paul.¡±
¡°Yes, I know ¡®WHO¡¯ YOU-ARE ¨C you are the other half of the Cursed-one ¨C ¡®THE GOOD-ONE¡¯ of the Gemini-twin. And, I''m MERCURY, by-the-way¡¡±
¡ the demon reached out his single arm ¨C while still seated¡ Paul hesitated in fear, to shake his hand¡ and mesmerized SEEING THE TATTOOS on the Red-demon¡¯s face were ¡®moving.¡¯
¡°Fear ¡®not¡¯ O¡¯ Good-one, I won¡¯t bite ¨C if it¡¯s my looks-that you dread ¨C fear ¡®not¡¯ too ¨C for I-was too a handsome God once¡ whom Romans citizens worshipped in the temple of Olympus. I was a Messenger of the Gods, the Keeper of Boundaries and the bridge, of the upper and lower world, wherein the afterlife realm¡ I was-a soul carrier.¡±
After the long line of accolades, Paul ¡®trusted¡¯ the tattooed Red-demon¡ who seemed to be a friendly creature ¨C similar to HellBoy. Paul shook his big-rough hand, which was 4 times the size of his palm.
¡°It all came to a swift end ¨C when I lost a wager, where I bet my own god-vanity in a card-game with ASMODEUS, AND HE ¡®CURSED¡¯ ME into this ugly demon, whom-now you lay your eyes upon¡
¡°Now, I am FORGOTTEN AS-A GOD to man, in your new-world today ¨C but by-the saving grace of the FORTUNE-READING COMMUNITY, where-I¡ Mercury ¨C being remembered ¡®today¡¯ as the ruling planet, to the ZODIAC SIGNS OF Gemini and Virgo.
¡°I take the role of my ¡®new¡¯ vocation seriously ¨C to be a GUARDIAN OF BOTH THE SIGNS of my House. Right now, Good-one¡ YOUR ¡®TWIN¡¯ IS IN DANGER ¨C he is the Chosen-one¡ of the All-Father-demon Asmodeus.¡±
¡°Yes, I KNOW ¨C I HEARD from SeeIn.¡±
¡ Paul said in reference to Ms King¡¯s hologram message of the future...
¡ but that confused the tattooed-faced Red-demon.
¡°Who IS SEEIN¡ is he a god¡?¡±
¡°No, it is a future ¡®technology,¡¯ that gave us the ¡®omen.¡¯¡±
The demon laughed, as he nodded with the insight¡
¡°Oh-I-see, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ¨C it has been the hot-talk in the Underworld-too a lot lately¡ that it would take control of humanity¡¯s sensitivity in the future.¡±
¡°Who-said so, Steve Jobs¡? But ¡®that¡¯ is true-in a way¡ I-too can¡¯t live a day, without my iPhone and gadgets ¨C tell me, Mercury, WHO IS ASMODEUS¡? ¡®What¡¯ is he in the Underworld¡?¡± Paul probed, sitting on his wheelchair.
The Red-demon stood up¡ from the chair of the late-Solomon ¨C and he briefed¡
¡°Ol¡¯ Asmodeus ¡®owns¡¯ the Underworld ¨C every-bloody business ¨C every soul of dead-mortals, old gods, demons and-even angels¡
¡°¡ he NOW ¡®OWNS¡¯ PETER, and made him ¡®his¡¯ Chosen-one. I had to intervene, as Peter is a Gemini, a ¡®subject¡¯ of my House ¨C but-Asmodeus then PUT A BOUNTY ON my head ever since¡ and now-every demon out there wants to behead me ¨C for-Asmodeus ¡ who had promised those who ¡®succeed¡¯¡ a reward of the prize-of higher dark powers.¡±
¡ Paul was quiet, listening to unknown-secrets from the beyond¡ from the horses¡¯-mouth, of one of its ¡®subjects¡¯ ¨C while Mercury talked more¡
¡°Paul the Good-one, WE ¡®NEED¡¯ TO RESCUE Peter¡¯s soul.¡±
¡°Mercury, from what I know, that my brother would ¡®NOT¡¯ HAVE SOLD HIS SOUL¡ and I believe he is a good Catholic because to ¡®goes¡¯ to Church with me and Mom.¡±
¡°Bah! Now, ¡®WHAT IF¡¯ ¨C HIS SOUL WAS ¡®TAKEN¡¯ from him¡ of him being ¡®not¡¯ aware of it consciously?¡± Scoffed-the Red-demon.
¡°If that is the case, Mercury ¨C the whole wide-world ¡®would¡¯ be possessed, by demons, don¡¯t you think?¡±
The Red-demon grinned wide when he heard-that ¨C he BEGAN TO ¡®LIKE¡¯ the other half of the Chosen-one¡ who made him ¡®think¡¯ outside the-demon-box.
The Good-one would be PERFECT FOR THE ¡®MISSION¡¯ ¨C as a co-strategist with his ¡®technology¡¯ know-how that the Red-demon ¡®lacked¡¯¡ when they-both set upon ¡®into¡¯ the dark Underworld ¨C to RESCUE THE ¡®CAPTURED¡¯ SOUL of Peter, from the dark Old-one.
¡ Paul was aroused from his sleep to the sound, of the alarm-clock to 6:30 AM ¨C and he sat up in his wet adult-diapers¡ and thought of, what a-weird dream he had¡
¡ he mumbled out¡
¡°¡wow¡¡±
<><>
PETER TOO WOKE UP EARLY IN THE SAME WEDNESDAY morning ¨C he checked the status of his ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ which was status quo, since the Heroes¡¯ Award.
But he-sat up¡ when he saw ¡®what¡¯ was trending in Perth¡
¡ a local TV-sport station had jumped into the bandwagon of the country-club ¨C if at all, ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ wished to accept the ex-Internationals¡¯ challenge ¨C the TV station would schedule to LIVE-TELECAST charity-match, on its prime-time slot.
This was the ¡®KIND¡¯ OF EXPOSURE-PETER had longingly wanted for his ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ brand to have ¨C to PREPARE FOR HIS ¡®COMEBACK¡¯ in the tennis-world ¨C transition from YouTube to national TV.
He didn¡¯t bother to shower, dressed up-into his school uniform¡ and left the house earlier than Paul.
¡ Peter cycled fast to Stamford High, to tell THE ¡®GOOD NEWS¡¯ to Janey, who had been avoiding him lately and ¨C even switched off her phone, at will.
Early that morning, were a couple of parked media vans were ¨C at the Stamford High gates. Reporters rushed with TV cameras¡ to the one-armed tween, on his approaching bike.
¡°Peter, will YOU BE ACCEPTING the Mayor¡¯s Challenge Cup¡ and play your ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ against the ex-Australian internationals?¡±
¡ said the voices¡
¡®Mayor¡¯s Challenge Cup ¨C is that WHAT-THEY ¡®BRAND¡¯ this charity match ¡®was¡¯ about, where the Mayor himself was an Honorary Member of the country club?¡¯
Peter was impressed-by the marketing-model¡
¡ he gave a long-pause to the question, as he-grinned wide at the cameras¡
Waving his one-palm, ¡®inwards¡¯¡
¡°I GET IT ¨C yes, bring IT ON!¡±
<><>
IN-CLASS, PETER THE BACK-BENCHER, noticed that Jane always walked into class with Alicia, a-few seconds before any teacher arrived. Jane was always close to her ¡®Chinese-bodyguard¡¯ ¨C who, ¡®does¡¯ THE TALKING FOR HER¡
¡ if he were to offend the blind-girl¡¯s BFF ¨C there were-repercussions ¨C of the mixed-pair tennis ¡®deal,¡¯ with its T&C being thrown ¡®out.¡¯
Today¡
¡ there was also, the strict school¡¯s ¡®no usage of a cellphone during school hours had been imposed¡ since the phone-bomb attacks.
¡ Jane was clearly ¡®avoiding¡¯ him, online and offline which-he sensed. The next time he ¡®could¡¯ speak to her, it would be at recess break in the canteen, where he would-bump into her. But-then, he needed to amplify the PR OF ¡®CHALLENGE-ACCEPTED,¡¯ for his brand ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯¡ to his student-fans, who would normally-crowd around him¡
¡ that made the-only ¡®time¡¯ for a face-to-face, with Jane was in the ¡®library¡¯¡ where-she tutored him ¨C but whatever he told her by then, would be ¡®old-news.¡¯
The school¡¯s bell rang for the recess period, the-hungry students flocked to the canteen, with Jane disappearing among-them in the main hallway. The one-armed boy searched for Jane. He avoided his greeting new-found-fans, by-waving to them ¨C until his ¡®YouTube publicist-manager,¡¯ Jason Lang bumped-stop him. And, the senior student sounded excited¡
¡°Peter, MY YOUTUBE ACCOUNT-came online again, after more than one-week suspension ¨C your viral video, now has got a spike of 52K views¡ and-its growing!¡±
The one-armed tween punched the air and exclaimed...
¡°That is great news, Jace! But the greater news is, guess what¡ I HAD ACCEPTED the Mayor¡¯s-Cup challenge ¨C and it would be telecasted live this Sunday.
¡°So, Jason, whatever cut I make there on the ¡®deal¡¯¡ I will buy you YouTube ads, to boost your channel, okay?¡±
Both students high-fived and parted. Peter noticed up ahead, blind-Jane coming out of the girl¡¯s room ¨C and he ran up to her¡
¡°Janey, WE SHOULD-PLAY this Sunday with the ¡®old-timers¡¯ in that Mayor¡¯s Challenge Cup ¨C WE NEED THIS¡ because it would be COVERED ¡®LIVE¡¯ ON TV.¡±
¡°For what¡? Blind people DON¡¯T WATCH TV.¡±
¡ Peter was speechless, for a moment, and stared at the cold-blind-girl¡¯s sarcasm.
¡°You made a hoo-hah yesterday, that playing those seniors were AN ¡®INSULT¡¯ TO handicap people and now ¨C you want it ¨C which is which, do you actually ¡®want¡?¡¯¡±
¡°Sorry Janey, I did not get their ¡®marketing-model¡¯ till just now ¨C we ¡®should¡¯ represent the school, when we TAKE THE CHALLENGE, alright¡?¡±
He saw Alicia and wheelchaired Paul approaching¡
¡°I have to ¡®think¡¯ about it.¡±
She said and joined her friends.
¡°Don¡¯t-think too long, okay¡? This is a charity-match¡ and ¡®needy-people¡¯ are COUNTING ON US, on this one.¡±
¡ Peter didn¡¯t get her reply¡ as she walked away with her friends.
<><>
THE AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE RANGERS who were responsible for the recapture of the black panther for South Perth¡¯s Zoo ¨C were in Narrogin to investigate of a ¡®tagged¡¯ dingo of ¡®theirs,¡¯ a few days ago.
The dead female-dog was confirmed as ¡®755¡¯ ¨C ¡®tagged¡¯ 2 years ago¡ when the animal was a year old. Since then, she was infamously nicknamed as the ¡®She-Devil Wolf¡¯ by the fearful sheep-headers¡ that preyed on their livestock...
¡ there was until now, it had-been a police-case too ¨C OF A FARMER ¡®KILLED¡¯ ¨C during the shooting-dead, of the ferocious-bitch.
It was confirmed that a grey-Alsatian WAS ALSO SEEN ACCOMPANYING the 4-legged she-Devil ¨C and the descriptions ¡®fits¡¯ the ¡®Perth¡¯s Hero-dog,¡¯ ¨C which also attacked a farmer by gnawed his wrist.
The Rangers were ¡®familiar¡¯ with Piper the hero-dog-story ¨C where it was bitten by the black, big wild-cat a couple of months ago, where they recaptured the big-cat, by tranquillizer darts.
Now, the Rangers were IN-SEARCH OF PIPER, who wondered-far away ¨C from Perth¡ where its blind-master was.
<><>
THE MOMENT THE LAST BELL RANG, PETER ran-out at the back-classroom door, with a 6-pack juice-boxes under his arm.
He ran over to the library to-book a long table before it got crowded, with the hot weather.
Already over-10 senior students were-there, when he-entered¡ used his stump-arm to open, the library-door. Peter chose a the-long table at the far end, for the ¡®meeting¡¯ ¨C and unpacked the juice boxes. He was drinking kiwi-juice from one, while he waited¡
Checking updates on his phone, as he looked at students coming in. In-awhile-more, more students came in ¨C then, walked in were Jane and Alicia, with the crippled-Paul behind¡
¡ Peter waved his single arm frantically and called out. Everyone in the library looked up¡
¡°Janey, over here!¡±
Blind-Jane, Alicia and Paul cringed¡ when they saw at the rear, Peter waving at them. They squirmed, as they went forward to him, with peering eyes all staring and whispering of ¨C ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple.¡¯
All 3 of them shushed Peter, before sitting¡
¡°Okay-okay ¨C here are some drinks, it¡¯s so hot out there. Drink it¡ it¡¯s on me.¡±
Unwrapping the drink for Jane, and offering her, he then said¡
¡°The stakes are high, JANEY WE ¡®HAVE¡¯ to play this.¡±
¡ Jane drank her pineapple-juice¡ and remarked and ragged him¡
¡°Look, Peter, I agreed-to be your doubles partner for the school¡¯s knockouts-trials only ¨C so what is this Mayor¡¯s Piss-Cup¡?¡±
¡ Alicia laughed aloud, for an audible-level of a library. Paul and Jane then giggled, while nervous Peter-grinned in anxiety. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
He said¡
¡°Come on, an opportunity just fell on ¡®our-side¡¯ of the court here ¨C we should capitalize in it, and THAT IS ¡®GOOD¡¯ FOR OUR ¡®Perth¡¯s Famous couple¡¯ brand.¡±
¡°CORRECTION ¨C YOUR ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ brand, NOT MINE.¡±
¡°Come on, Janey, cut me some slack here, please¡ even whatever I¡¯m ¡®to¡¯ you these days ¨C ex-boyfriend¡? pariah-dog? PLEASE DO ¡®THIS¡¯ FOR ME¡?¡±
¡°No¡ this is ¡®not¡¯ the deal.¡±
Everyone at the table, saw Peter breaking down in tears ¨C playing the ¡®victim¡¯¡ an emotion-hijack at-play¡
¡°Please-Janey, please¡¡±
¡°You have ¡®used¡¯ me ¨C and, since-then ¨C I have-lost my privacy and patience-with ¡®you.¡¯¡±
They all heard more of his sobs.
The blind-girl then asked Alicia.
¡°Ali, do you think I should play?¡±
¡°Yeah, that what I said yesterday¡ it¡¯s a ¡®good¡¯ thing ¨C but the ¡®cry-baby-boy¡¯ here, diss me ¡ saying, that it was a bad-wong-idea.¡±
¡ Peter looked up at the Chinese girl, with ¡®regrets.¡¯ Next, Jane asked¡
¡°How about you, Paul?¡±
¡°I agree-with Alicia, you should play ¨C in this charity-game.¡±
Turning her head, Jane firmly spoke to Peter.
¡°Peter-look here, YOU STUBBORNLY FOUGHT with-my friends yesterday. Now, you are ¡®begging¡¯ to-them today ¨C now ¡®SINCERELY APOLOGIZE¡¯ TO THEM, before I change my mind to play this Sunday.¡±
He looked up and apologized to the couple.
¡°Okay-Champ, what is your game-plan here?¡±
¡ Jane asked, and saw Peter clearing his throat with a sniffle. ¡°This is-Wednesday today ¨C we are left with ¡®only¡¯ 3 days, we train hard...¡±
¡ Alicia responded fast. ¡°Seriously, in this scorching sun, Janey? It would make your-freckles spread bad.¡±
¡°But¡we can ¡®only¡¯ train, during school hours¡¡±
Peter said back. They saw Jane removing her AI dark-glasses and replacing with a normal Oakley sunnies. The blind-girl also removed her Boyyo head-set too ¨C SHE PUSHED ¡®BOTH¡¯ the items, across the table, towards the ¡®red-glow.¡¯
¡°Peter-here, you go ¡®teach¡¯ Boyyo how-to-play tennis for 2 hours, when I am here in the library¡ for during the next 3 days.¡±
¡°You ARE ¡®NOT¡¯ COMING to the court with me?¡±
No, you-teach Boyyo ¨C and ON MATCH-DAY¡ ¡®depends¡¯ on how you teach ¡®him,¡¯ is ¡®how¡¯ I will perform on Sunday.¡±
¡°How-what¡? Why ¡®not¡¯ use your 3rd-Eye? We are in a tight corner, with ¡®time.¡¯ What I mean is, why not-to eat with 2-forks? I got one-arm, I know that when I¡¯m eating, that using 2 forks will clank the plate, like a xylophone, and the peas-jump up¡¡±
¡ he was ¡®confusing¡¯ everyone with his nonsensical analogy¡
¡°No Peter, I will ¡®not¡¯ use my 3rd-Eye ability-ever again¡ because that is ¡®cheating¡¯. Furthermore, I will be on TV playing tennis to the viewers, WHO WOULD BE WONDERING on ¡®how the bloody hell is this blind-bat¡¯ playing tennis¡?¡¯ But, with ¡®Boyyo¡¯ I can fool that this ¡®blind-bat¡¯ is-using technology instead of ¨C what you call the supernatural 3rd-Eye-assist?¡¯¡±
¡°Is this Boyyo tech, any good than SIMY¡?¡±
¡°You-tell me? It depends on how-you ¡®teach him¡¯ ¨C so Champ¡ can-you coach?¡±
¡ in-hesitation, Peter nodded slowly to her. Jane cupped her right-ear.
¡°Yes¡? Louder¡ this ¡®blind-bat¡¯ can¡¯t hear you.¡±
¡°Yes¡¡±
¡°Okay Peter, come back, 2 hours from now. And, by the way¡ it is-a million-dollar tech ¨C in other words, don¡¯t break it!¡±
¡ they saw Peter marching to the library door with Boyyo, before exiting out. The 3 of them laughed ¡®hard-softly¡¯ at the table.
The 3 of them preamble a ¡®faking¡¯ act, and ¨C it worked¡
-O-
¡ Jane had told Alicia and Paul earlier, that a reporter had CORNERED HER DOCTOR-MOTHER yesterday-evening, when she was waiting for her after school, in her Mazda¡
¡ the reporter asked when Jane approached the car. ¡°Dr Wilson, would you daughter be playing in the ¡®Mayor¡¯s Challenge Cup¡¯ this Sunday?¡±
Dr Wilson looked at her B-girl, in hesitation¡ before the blind-girl said... ¡°No, I don¡¯t think so¡¡±
The annoyed doctor-mother turned, to the reporter...
¡°Jane Wilson-WOULD PLAY for this ¡®good¡¯ cause charity-event ¨C its high time my daughter does her civic duty, for this city ¨C and be a good-daughter, and, a noble daughter of the-citizen!¡±
<><>
PAUL RETURN HOME ¨C he went through his routine, ¡®kill-the-alarm, switch-on-the-A/C¡¯ ¨C and, he did that on his wheelchair ¨C but he was-in a deja vu ¡
The RED-DEMON WAS BACK sitting on his father¡¯s favourite, armchair¡ and greeting him by gesturing a welcome-peace sign, with his single arm.
¡°I¡¯m I dreaming, am I ¡®not?¡¯ I feel ¡®real,¡¯ like I¡¯m dreaming¡ I¡¯m always coming back from school, in my uniform ¨C and I find you, Mercury?¡±
¡ Mercury chuckled and nodded.
¡°You notice there was a ¡®loop¡¯ there.¡±
¡°You mean to say¡ each time I meet you, I will be in my uniform?¡±
Mercury nodded again, and adding¡
¡°That is the ¡®SETUP¡¯ OF DREAMS, from-then on, you don¡¯t know where-you going ¡®to,¡¯ and¡ where you were-coming ¡®from¡¯¡
¡°But listen here, Good Paul¡ for where we will be going ¡®soon,¡¯ is further up the realms ¨C a REALM IN A DREAM-IN-DREAM ¨C to where the gods ¡®are.¡¯¡±
¡°Wow!¡± The crippled boy exclaimed.
¡°Yes-Paul-wow¡ but ARE YOU MISSION ¡®ready?¡¯¡±
¡ Paul nodded, to the Red-demon ¨C who then ¡®tested¡¯ him.
¡°What is your mission, WHAT DO YOU RECALL in our last meet ¨C spit-it out then!!?¡±
¡°You are Mercury¡ a Roman-god¡ and Asmodeus cursed you and¡ and you are the house-planet ruler for Gemini¡ I can¡¯t remember¡ anything, beyond ¡®that?¡¯¡±
¡°What ABOUT THE CHOSEN-ONE? You remember that¡?¡±
¡°¡ huh-yea¡ Peter, yes, he¡ is the Chosen-one¡¡±
¡°Why ¡®IS¡¯ PETER THE Chosen-one?¡±
¡°Because, because his soul, is ¡®taken¡¯¡¡±
¡°Why ¡®IS¡¯ PETER¡¯S SOUL ¡®taken?¡¯¡±
¡°Because¡ because ¨C I can¡¯t remember¡¡±
¡°That is THE ¡®KEY¡¯ PART of our mission¡ and you don¡¯t remember¡? Think hard, Good-one ¨C because where you are going ¡®to,¡¯ requires you to REMEMBER ¡®DETAILS¡¯ ¨C so that you are ¡®prepared¡¯, WHEN YOU WAKE UP tomorrow¡
¡°Now, think hard, Paul ¨C WHY WAS YOUR twin, Peter¡¯s soul ¡®taken?¡¯¡±
¡°Seriously¡ Mercury ¨C I don¡¯t remember¡¡±
¡°Okay remember this, Paul ¨C Old-man Asmodeus WILL WALK THE EARTH ¡®again¡¯ ¨Cthrough-Peter-with-Peter-in-Peter!¡±
Paul was terrified and shivered.
¡°The Evil-one himself, ¡®is¡¯ coming here....?¡±
¡°Yes, we have to go to the Underworld, to get Peter¡¯s soul back ¨C to ¡®prevent¡¯ the Old-man from coming ¨C DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW?¡±
¡°¡ but¡Mercury, I¡¯m scared.¡± Paul gasped.
¡°I don¡¯t deny, it is INDEED A SCARY PLACE ¨C ¡®but¡¯ you must go there, to rescue your twin ¨C do you think, YOU ¡®CAN¡¯ DO THAT for him?¡±
¡ Paul slowly nodded ¨C for he is his brother¡¯s ¡®keeper.¡¯
¡°But-first¡ we have to GO THERE, AND FIND VENUS ¨C who is the Mother of Virgos ¨C she will ¡®have¡¯ information and the ANSWERS, WE NEED.¡±
¡°Who is she ¨C is she your girlfriend?¡±
¡°Used to ¡®be¡¯ ¨C now, she is a slut!¡±
¡ he was taken aback, with the ¡®strong¡¯ language, was used by the Red-demon¡
¡ Paul was aroused from his sleep to the sound, of the alarm-clock to 6:30 AM¡
¡ and, he sat up in his wet adult-diapers¡ and thought of, what the weird, continuing-dream he had since-yesterday...
He mumbled out¡
¡°¡wow¡¡±
He wrote ¡®what¡¯ he remembered¡ with a pen into his notebook.
<><>
AFTER THURSDAY¡¯S CLASSES, IN THE LIBRARY were Jane, Alicia and Paul ¨C studying and revising and doing their homework, at the long-table. The one-armed-Peter walked in the library door and headed to the table. Peter-sat beside Janey¡
¡ she was wearing an Oakley ¨C her Boyyo headset and AI visual-glasses ¨C were on the table. He spoke-softly...
¡°Hey, how are you. Dear¡?¡±
Jane looked up at the ¡®pink-glow,¡¯ beside her. Paul on the wheelchair too felt, a spike in ¡®good¡¯ lovey-dovey emotions¡
¡ Jane removed an ear-bud...
¡°Oh-Peter, you are ¡®here¡¯ for-Boyyo, and IT IS-HERE¡ in front of you.¡± The blind-girl coldly said, before going back, touchscreen-ing her voice-activated tablet.
¡ Peter scoffed and stood up, picked up-Boyyo, and he left. Jane and Paul, both were sweating from their ¡®scars.¡¯
<><>
PAUL RETURN HOME ¨C he went through his routine, ¡®kill-the-alarm, switch-on-the-A/C¡¯ ¨C and, he did that on his wheelchair, and he was in a deja vu again ¡
The RED-DEMON WAS BACK, sitting on his father¡¯s favourite, armchair, and greeting him by a gesture.
¡°Oh-my-God! It is happening again!¡± Paul was laughing with his ¡®eyes-closed¡¯ ¨C Mercury joined in-and chucked.
¡°You saw ¨C the ¡®loop¡?¡¯¡±
¡°Yes, I¡¯m wearing my uniform¡¡±
¡°Okay let¡¯s jump into the ¡®mission¡¯ ¨C WHAT DO YOU RECALL O¡¯ Good-one since we last met?¡±
¡°Asmodeus had ¡®taken¡¯¡ Peter¡¯s soul¡ we must get ¡®it¡¯ back, before¡ the Evil-one walks the earth¡¡±
¡°Very good, Good-one ¨C WHAT-NEXT?¡±
¡°We must both-go¡ and search¡ for-this woman, with answers¡¡±
¡°Excellent Paul! You recalled well, now you must learn on your own to ¡®remember¡¯ it, during your waking hours ¨C you must try, IT IS AN ¡®ADVANTAGE¡¯ to know so.¡±
¡°Yes, I ¡®must¡¯ remember¡ now, how are we going¡ to the Underworld, Mercury¡? Do you snap your fingers like Thanos?¡±
The Red-demon was confused.
¡°What? Do you mean Thanatos¡? But he is Greek ¨C and, I¡¯m Roman ¨C I don¡¯t snap fingers ¨C but I click my tongue like this!¡±
The clicking sound echoed, in Sensurround, in the room ¨C Paul felt a sudden surge of anxiety and hopelessness when he was slipping into the darkness. He felt HE HAD SUDDENLY switched ¡®location¡¯¡
¡ and was now in his dark, windowless bedroom, still sitting on his wheelchair ¨C with his ¡®eyes-shut-looking¡¯ terrified AHEAD ¨C AT HIS BED ¨C with ¡®himself¡¯ asleep in his adult diapers¡
¡ Paul was in, an ¡®OUT-OF-BODY-EXPERIENCE¡¯ state¡
¡°I¡¯m gonna die¡ I¡¯m gonna die¡¡± Paul pissed himself, in his uniform shorts.
¡°No, you are ¡®not¡¯¡ get a ¡®grip¡¯ of yourself!¡±
¡ Mercury slapped him, and Paul was semi-conscious again.
¡°What happened¡?¡± The cripple with his ¡®eyes-shut¡¯ responded in daze¡
¡°You were SLIPPING INTO ¡®DEEP-SLEEP¡¯¨C remember this¡ the next time you get ¡®lost¡¯ over there ¨C just listen to the clicks of my tongue, and FOLLOW THE ¡®SOUND¡¡¯¡±
Eyes-shut, Paul nodded¡ to the Red-demon¡
¡°Now, I¡¯m going to give you detailed instructions¡ on HOW TO ¡®SURVIVE¡¯ in the dangerous Underworld, when we get there ¨C where you will be easily ¡®lost¡¯ or any other given possibilities of losing your own damn soul, to demonic-possession, And, there is also a chance you will be trapped over there, if some of Asmodeus demons kill me, for the bounty on my head. Do you UNDERSTAND ¡®ME¡¯ ¨C AND ¡®OUR¡¯ DANGEROUS MISSION, Good-Paul?¡±
Eyes-shut and breathing easy, Paul nodded to the Red-demon again.
¡°I want you to TAKE MY INSTRUCTIONS ¡®SERIOUSLY,¡¯ Gemini ¨C because we would be embarking on a search-and-rescue mission ¡®out¡¯ there, okay? Firstly, I want you to ACKNOWLEDGE ME¡ AND ¡®ONLY¡¯ TO ME, even though I may ¡®look¡¯ the way I¡¯m ¨C but I¡¯m the ¡®good guy¡¯ here¡
¡°¡ who is helping my Geminis ¨C and helping ¡®you,¡¯ TO HELP PETER ¨C is that clear¡?¡±
Eyes-shut, Paul nodded¡ to the Red-demon once again.
¡°Over in the Underworld, it is A REALM OF ¡®TEMPTATIONS¡¯ over there ¨C don¡¯t get distracted in your earthly desires like¡ where there will be some beautiful demons in the ¡®bodies¡¯ of naked women, would be tempting you to ¡®separate,¡¯ from me. Or, some other demons luring you to ¡®gamble¡¯ your soul¡ for extreme wealth and riches ¨C and you must REFUSE, ¡®ALL¡¯ THAT OF THOSE temptations too.
¡°But don¡¯t be afraid, Paul ¨C as, dangerous as ¡®those¡¯ evil demons are¡ they COULD ¡®NOT¡¯ HARM AN ¡®IN-BETWEENER,¡¯ like you ¨C just pray to whatever God you believe in, for protection ¨C and to RESIST TEMPTATIONS, and you be ¡®safe.¡¯
¡°Are ¡®you¡¯ ready, Good-one¡?¡±
Eyes shut, Paul sighed deep¡ and nodded¡
¡°Remember Paul, take instructions ¡®ONLY¡¯ FROM ME ¨C and follow my lead, okay? Now, take my hand.¡±
¡Paul took the one-armed hideous, demon¡¯s hand ¨C instantly, he felt light-headed by the O.B.E. state-he was in¡
¡ where he ¡®saw¡¯ below his feet, was the ¡®mirror¡¯ city of Perth. And, with his eyes-shut-close¡ he kept soared away into the abyss, with the Red-demon, dragging him into¡
¡ soon, his cripple feet felt a ¡®touch-down¡¯¡
¡ Paul opened his eyes wide and ¡®saw¡¯ only darkness ¨C he realized he was ¡®alone¡¯ and ¨C Mercury was ¡®not¡¯ there, holding his hand.
He felt like floating down a stairwell, and feared the phantom-last-step¡ which would-trip him over to fall. Paul had a panic attack¡ as he ¡®floated¡¯ in the void of black darkness¡
¡ Paul began to call for the Mercury.
¡°Mercury! Mercury, where are you? Don¡¯t leave me here¡ I¡¯m scared ¨C Mom¡¡±
No one came¡
¡ Paul floated ahead, into the silence of the dark ¨C seeing nothing but blackness ¨C before, he heard a faint sound¡ of random tongue-clicks at a distant¡
¡ he followed the echoes like a ¡®beacon,¡¯ and before long¡ he found the Red-demon waiting for him at a door.
¡°Where is this place? It is so frightening dark in here, it¡¯s like ¡®something unseen¡¯ is coming to grab me!¡±
¡°O¡¯ Good-one¡ that ¡®was¡¯ the realm of the ¡®Blind-Ones.¡¯
¡ Paul thought of the blind-Jane Wilson¡
Mercury then said¡
¡°Now, welcome to THE 4TH DIMENSION ¨C of a dream-in-a-dream ¨C where gods and demons live¡¡±
The Red-demon opened the door¡ when a gush-of bright lights and-blaring sounds, exploded into, that-swallowed the darkness¡
Paul heard-first, the sounds-of carnival¡ of the Underworld.
<><>
PETER WALKED AWAY ANGRY AND HUMILIATED, as he slammed the library door, at everyone inside. This was the 2nd day, he was using the AI tech, Boyyo ¨C of his 3 days of forcing himself to ¡®coach¡¯ it, of how-to-play tennis to an artificial intelligence¡
¡ instead of that ¡®blind-school,¡¯ who-the-one ¡®should¡¯ be, joining him for training.
And, in after-the next 2 hours, he has to return Boyyo to ¡®its¡¯ rightful master ¨C who ¡®was¡¯ his ¡®ex-girlfriend.¡¯
The one-armed boy walked along the corridor, of the west-wing where the gym was¡ and he cursed within himself until he had reached-the outdoor tennis-courts were. Paul set up the Spitfire ball-machine¡
¡ for every ball, the one-armed tween hit was then accompanied with a SELF-ARGUMENT he had, on the topic of ¡®its¡¯ AI-master ¨C PETER-REMINDED BOYYO, that he was the ¡®one¡¯ who taught the ¡®blind-bat¡¯ how to play tennis, in the first place.
On the first day of using the artificial intelligence device, he drummed-into the AI of the role-of Jane, as his tennis pair ¨C because he needed the blind girl¡¯s dominant ¡®LEFT-ARM¡¯ to cover, for-he ¡®lacked.¡¯
¡ Peter even gave Boyyo ¡®homework¡¯ ¨C of researching tennis-playing styles on YouTube, particularly his idol, the south-paw, John McEnroe.
But¡
... Peter was impressed with the technology that could learn ¡®smart and fast¡¯¨C with self-correcting algorithm-calculation, of self-mode to ¡®its¡¯ self-precision.
He hoped that this smart-feature would be thenceforth incorporated to the earpiece of HIS ¡®ROBOTIC-ARM,¡¯ which he should be getting in less than 3 months, from now. By-then, Peter would ¡®not¡¯ need anyone to dictate him ¨C while he pursued towards his big-dreams of ¡®the-Big-Boys,¡¯ by going to the Academy, in Sydney.
That was what THE AMBITIOUS BIG-DREAM¡ even his dead-late father would ¡®want¡¯ him to have that¡
¡ Go, Gemini Go!
¡ Boyyo listened, to the one-armed tween¡¯s woos and woes ¡®bitchings¡¯ ¨C in fully digital-attention, with both sympathy and compassion. Boyyo responded, in-between Peter¡¯s telling his-miseries¡
¡°I feel you, bro¡ I feel you¡¡±
<><>
PAUL RETURNED HOME ¨C he went through his routine, ¡®kill-the-alarm, switch-on-the-A/C¡¯ ¨C and, he did that on his wheelchair, and he ¡®was¡¯ in a deja vu again ¡
But his father¡¯s CHAIR WAS EMPTY ¨C the red-demon was ¡®not¡¯ there.
¡ Paul was ¡®fooled¡¯ by it ¨C when Mercury switched-OFF THE LIGHTS, in the living room...
¡ Paul exclaimed. ¡°What the f-¡¡±
Everything went from the bright-early afternoon¡¯s bright lights ¨C into full-darkness.
This time around, Paul did ¡®not¡¯ panic, in the murk.
¡ he knew the routine ¨C and levitated off his wheelchair vertically-forward. Seconds later, the sounds of tongue-clicks echoed. PAUL¡¯S ASTRAL-AURA then levitated horizontally towards the echoes ¨C swimming through the void-of streams of Middle-eastern chants, with ¡®voices¡¯ calling out to him¡
¡°¡ O¡¯ Good-one¡ turn ¡®left¡¯ and follow my voice¡¡±
¡ Paul was aware¡ that it-WAS¡¯ NOT¡¯ MERCURY¡¯S voice¡
¡he floated to the sound of clicking echoes instead¡ and he found the Red-demon at the door, smiling-wide¡
¡°Glad you made it-on your-own, O¡¯ Good-one¡¡±
Mercury opened the portal door ¨C again, bright lights and rich sounds imploded, into the dark abyss¡
¡ Paul was totally-in bewilderment when he entered the ¡®other¡¯ nocturnal world¡ of bright lights in a carnival¡
It was a wonderland with a huge-red circus tent that-Paul had ever-seen, with rolling, red-search-lights lighting the venue¡ and flashing-up into-the dark skies above, Hundreds of ¡®hypnotized¡¯ crowds were attracted towards the blaring sounds. Fireworks lit the firmament ¨C and the carousel and the Ferris wheel were running crazy-fast¡
¡°Hey, Gemini¡ don¡¯t get ¡®distracted!¡¯¡±
¡ Mercury ¡®warned¡¯ the levitating Paul.
¡°Now¡ follow me, and stay close.¡±
¡ Paul followed the horned-Red-demon¡ and FROM HIS POV ¨C Mercury walking ahead moved like a video-character¡ in a virtual-reality video-game.
The cripple-tween then got ¡®distracted,¡¯ by a score of young laughing children of-his age, running towards them ¨C they were naughty and swearing-cuss words. So were the older teens, of boys and girls behind the young ones ¨C in puerile behaviour¡ like the Donovan brothers.
¡ Paul looked over his shoulder, of the the-young crowd heading fast to the ¡®Red-carnival,¡¯ and he got ¡®further¡¯ distracted when he gazed up¡
Behold¡
¡ a flying baby elephant was soaring and swooping¡ like the ones of his childhood memories. Paul practically stopped, gawking the skies in awe¡
¡ Mercury looked back, and realized Paul was ¡®not¡¯ behind him ¨C but instead, 5 bounty-hunting demons, had stalked and followed him. The Red-demon drew his flaming sword¡
Behind, Paul then saw a bunch of tempting-RED BALLOONS IN STRINGS, heading towards the flow of the crowd, going towards the funfair. He wanted a balloon¡ and ¡®followed¡¯ the crowd-to the voice...
¡°Balloon¡ lovely balloon¡come-get your balloon¡¡±
¡ Mercury slew the last of the bounty-hunter creatures¡ and searched for Paul¡ who was ¡®missing¡¯ in the crowd.
¡ Paul reached the rear-of the balloon-man, in funny-clothes, and asked him¡
¡°Sir, can I have a balloon¡?¡±
¡°¡ Certainly, you may, o¡¯ good-one ¨C but it comes with a price¡¡±
The grinning demon-clown said, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth. Paul was shocked¡ when he reached out, as he received his red-balloon¡
¡°Oii!¡±
¡ the demon-clown fled the spot¡ when he saw a Red-demon was running towards him, with a flaming sword.
¡°I brought you out here for a damn-bloody MISSION ¨C ¡®NOT¡¯ FOR sightseeing!¡±
The massive-built Mercury grabbed his hand¡ and dragged levitating Paul-along¡ with his-red balloon in a string¡
¡ they were going away from the hypnotic Red-carnival¡
... into Asmodeus Town.
-O-
The street was empty, with-houses apart. And, they stepped into a dark crack-house ¨C and the addict-demons over there were using dangerous drugs. Paul stayed close to Mercury¡ who led them-both into the narrow hallway.
The levitating tween saw a blue 6-armed demon, in-multitasking mode ¨C while it used 3 needle syringes, to shoot-up heroin, into-its other arms.
They both exited by the backdoor of the crack-house ¨C there was a path leading to a massive and tall, circular stadium-like building¡ that was silhouetted by the moon.
At the building¡¯s basement¡ hordes of demons were gambling ¡®small-time¡¯ ¨C by shooting crap, and playing 3-card-Monte. There was lots of noise were up-ahead into the belly of the basement ¨C where horrifying demons along with bad-men and tattooed women, were cheering and gambling¡ in a caged match section.
In the circular cage, was a 4-armed giant creature, fighting a SMALLER SIZED GREY WEREWOLF ¨C and the fight¡ was brutal and bloody¡
The terrified Paul, in his school uniform¡ followed the Red-demon, through a tunnel¡
¡ Mercury and Paul went to the other side of the tunnel ¨C and behold both exited into, a circular stadium, OF MULTI-STOREYED OF CASINOS ¨C which was contemporary and-yet modern, lit with neon-lights. spiral-walkways led-up into upper-tiers of the casino¡ where ¡®souls¡¯ were bought and sold.
Mercury led the way ahead on a spiral walkway, while the levitating-Paul tailed from behind ¡ holding on to his red balloon, and gawking¡
The Red-demon was looking over at, the hoard of a thousand demons below, who were gambling in scores of roulette wheels and poker tables. On the other end, were slot-machines, played by gambling, older-middle-aged women and female demons.
¡ Mercury was ON A ¡®LOOK-OUT¡¯ for the posse of bounty hunters, who want a reward for his ¡®head.¡¯
He looked behind him to notice Paul had ¡®stalled¡¯¡ distracted by a big-screen, playing an animation of a CUTE, FLUFFY KITTEN, in a casino-advertisement. Mercury barked at him.
¡°Oii, Paul!!! Keep-up¡ DON¡¯T STRAY!!!¡±
¡ Paul floated fast to be on the side, of the annoyed Red-demon¡
¡°WHAT IS WRONG with you? You are so ¡®easily¡¯ tempted by useless shenanigans and monkeyshines OF ¡®TECHNOLOGY¡!¡¯
¡°Stay FOCUS AND GET SERIOUS, by following my ¡®orders¡¯ ¨C to keep both of us ¡®alive¡¯ ¨C and ¡®always¡¯ remember your mission! And ALSO¡ LOSE THAT bloody balloon!¡±
¡°No-no-way¡ it is myy-balloon¡¡±
They-both walked all the way up to the 3rd tier¡ where the rich ghoul-demons, who were less scary-looking, stared at Paul as they-scoffed. An old droopy-eyed demon said¡
¡°Why is this ¡®in-betweener¡¯ here¡? Is he ¡®invited?¡¯¡±
His ¡®wife¡¯ replied¡
¡°This is what we get, with-the ¡®nuisance¡¯ of technology ¨C that it teaches ¡®mortals¡¯ to trespass into ¡®our-private-space,¡¯ ¨C it¡¯s about time somebody NEEDS TO COMPLAIN this to the Master¡¡±
¡ Mercury looked at his-back¡ Paul the ¡®in-betweener¡¯ was beside him¡ in the crowded hall of gambling old-gods, demons, and men.
¡°Stay close, Good-one¡ we need to get to the other-side of-over there ¨C to the elevator ¨C and we are going to see Venus.¡±
¡°She is your ex-girlfriend¡ who have ¡®the¡¯ answers¡¡± Paul chorused hypnotically.
¡ Mercury made his way to the centre of the casino¡ where it was the busiest. Paul looked up at the neon:
¡®The Royale Asmodeus Casino¡¯
There were wealthy, ¡®invited-mortal-Asian-men,¡¯ by the Master as ¡®IN-BETWEENERS¡¯¨C who were wearing tuxedos accompanied by the stunning-looking, demonic mistresses ¨C who were accompanying the ¡®Asian-in-betweeners¡¯ playing along-side with local-demons, on high-stake roulette tables. Above them were other flashing neon messages¡ of ¡®Bitcoin and Alipay,¡¯ accepted here...
Both the ¡®spies¡¯ have to tight-squeeze themselves with the gawking crowd at the ¡®playing¡¯ tables ¨C with Paul, who doesn¡¯t want to lose his red balloon, pleading to ¡®them¡¯ with his ¡®excuse-me.¡¯
¡°I SENSE Michael is around here somewhere, and we MUST AVOID HIM at ¡®all¡¯ cost.¡±
¡°Why should I avoid St. Michael? HE IS MY Guardian-Angel¡¡±
¡°You go pray-worship him, ALL YOU WANT ON ¡®EARTH¡¯ ¨C but we are on a mission ¡®over here¡¯, and he-will interfere ¨C because I¡¯m hoarding you, the ¡®in-betweener.¡¯
¡°Mercury, I don¡¯t understand¡¡±
¡°Paul, STOP ASKING DUMB QUESTIONS in which the answers, you ¡®won¡¯t¡¯ remember again in the morning ¨C I say, YOU LISTEN AND YOU ¡®OBEY¡¯ ¨C I say, you don¡¯t ¡®think¡¯ of Michael, COZ¡¯ HE-WILL-KNOW ¨C if-you do ¡®just¡¯ that¡!
¡°¡ it¡¯s because his ¡®tracking¡¯ senses are sharper than ¡®any¡¯ of the hell-hounds ¨C can you please ¡®DO¡¯ THAT FOR ME, O¡¯ Good-one¡?¡±
¡°Yes¡¡±
¡°Thank you.¡±
But, for Paul, it was like saying¡ ¡®don''t-see-the-pink-elephant-theory,¡¯ ¨C the ¡®monkey-brain¡¯ of Paul, ¡®BEGAN¡¯ LOOKING OUT, for his Guardian Angel in the crowd.
They both were 3 of a quarter-way walking through the horde-crowd gathered, from the back-hall elevator. At a nearby poker-table, St. Michael folded his cards ¨C HE SENSED a Christian ¡®in-betweener¡¯ presence, in the crowd.
The winged angel left the table, to ¡®search.¡¯
He was the Guardian-ANGEL WHO PROTECTED ¡®wandering mortals¡¯¡ who entered realms, of dangerous demons ¨C who could potentially ¡®harm¡¯ those trespassers¡¯ souls...
The angel-saw his nemesis, MERCURY ¨C LEADING PAUL by snaking through the crowd. He spread his mighty wings ¨C and flew over to them.
¡°Mercury, where are you going with that boy¡? HE IS A CATHOLIC¡ hand-him to me!¡±
The Red-demon leapt-high to the flying angel ¨C and grabbed the-right wing¡ with his single hand. They both came down crashing on the floor¡
¡°Run! Run¡ to the elevator, Paul ¨C run!¡±
¡ Paul froze, recalling WHAT ALICIA SAID, that-he ¡®had¡¯ St. Michael¡¯s bird-man wings¡
¡°RUN¡ you slow-dreaming imbecilic!!!¡±
¡ Paul saw the one-armed Mercury on top of Michael¡ wrestling him and swiping punches. In fear¡ Paul bolted ahead to the elevator was¡
He pressed the-button outside ¨C the elevator DOOR OPENED with-a ding. The panicky, Paul rushed inside¡ searched frantically for the floor-buttons panel, inside the lift¡ but found ¡®none.¡¯
The crippled-tween saw a bleeding Mercury, rush into the cabin, with the angel on pursuing. The Red-demon touched the wall, and instantly the hidden-panel of buttons ¡®appeared¡¯ ¨C Mercury rammed his index finger on the button ¡®6¡¯ ¨C and the door speed-shut close, at once.
They heard the raging Archangel pounding outside, yelling out¡
¡°The Christian is MINE! HAND HIM-over to me!¡±
¡ Paul was aroused from his sleep to the sound, of the alarm-clock to 6:30 AM¡
And, he sat up in his wet adult-diapers and THOUGHT OF, WHAT the weird, continuing dream he had¡
He mumbled out¡
¡°¡wow¡¡±
<><>
PAUL WAS QUIET IN THE LIBRARY...
¡ he was with Jane and Alicia¡ sitting across the table, with whispering girl-gossips. But Paul was far, in thoughts ¨C trying to-piece out, the continuing, weird adventure DREAMS-IN-DREAM ¡®NOTES,¡¯ that he had gathered when he woke up, remembering bits of info from every night¡
He was distracted by Jane saying, she had put a ¡®SECRET,¡¯ AUDIO-RECORD mode in Boyyo¡ and the blind-girl relistened to it later, as a podcast ¨C and-she ¡®heard¡¯¡ Peter was displeased, in his spontaneous interaction with Boyyo ¨C THAT JANE¡¯S T&C was harsh ¨C and was ¡®punishing¡¯ him.
All 3 of them agreed that he ¡®deserved¡¯ to be punished¡ as a ¡®needy-psychic-vampire¡¯ who got what HE WANTED-ON ¡®OTHERS¡¯ EXPENSE¡
¡ the blind-girl had the most to lose ¨C and she missed, her Piper and SIMY ever since, her association with THE CURSED-ONE.
¡ Peter walked into the library door, his gear all-sweaty, after his outdoor tennis training ¨C he ¡®returned¡¯ Boyyo to its master. The one-armed boy sat, closest to the A/C¡ and spread the library¡¯s newspaper, on the table¡ with headlines:
¡®PERTH¡¯S FAMOUS COUPLE¡¯
ACCEPTS CHALLENGE
¡ Peter bragged with a monologue¡
¡°Wow Janey, have you seen this? We have been challenged by every young and old citizen of Perth-city, WHO THOUGHT THAT HANDICAPPERS ¨C were some ¡®pushover-and-butt-of-their-joke-people. This newspaper went on supporting this ¡®crap,¡¯ by pitching this insult, by pitting that 2 ex-international against 2 handicappers for a 2nd round¡
¡°¡ when we ¡®had¡¯ already-first humiliated and annihilated ¡®their¡¯ bloody able-bodied pair, Doug and Zoe before, in our viral video.
¡°No disrespect-here to any Australian, senior, ex-tennis-players here ¨C but don¡¯t ¡®you-too¡¯ disrespect and segregate the new-breed of handicap players¡ whom the ¡®system¡¯ thinks, they should only QUALIFY US ONLY in Paralympic tourneys and ¡®not¡¯ ¨C in the-normal ¡®world-class¡¯ platform.
¡°Since they brought the battle to our doorstep, I¡¯m more prepared ¡®this¡¯ time around¡ and I did a SWOT analysis ¨C to GAIN ACCESS INFO of our senior opponents¡¯ threats, towards our P.F.C. brand, in this Mayor¡¯s Cup.
¡°So, I dug up the online background ¡®search¡¯ of both Steve Connery and Amy Bixby, who were teens back in the 90s¡ when they first paired and started out their heydays...
¡°¡ today, Steve is now-49 and Amy, 46 ¨C and, since their glory-days back then¡ they both had-married and retired ¨C and ¡®work¡¯ for the county-club, as inhouse coaches-cum-players. They are THE ¡®DARLINGS¡¯ of this club¡
¡°¡ and even won some low, country-club titles for their ¡®masters.¡¯
¡°¡ Janey, here comes THE ¡®GOOD¡¯ PART ¨C their weaknesses are their strings of injuries, both Mr & Mrs ¨C where the husband had dislocated his hip before, and knee injury problems. While the-old Missus too has a tennis elbow, shoulder and ligament injuries problems.
¡°And, our game-plan would be on this Sunday, that WE SHOULD CAPITALIZE in ¡®these findings,¡¯ AND WE TEAR THEM APART, WHILE WE WEAR THEM OUT, in the court ¨C ¡®wear and tear¡¯ ¡ you get me?¡±
The irritated blind-girl spoke out¡
¡°Hey Peter, I don¡¯t give a ¡®damn¡¯ about this MUD-RAKING INFORMATION, which you had gathered in YOUR WASTED-SPARE-TIME ¨C I just want to have ¡®fun¡¯ this Sunday¡ and play my heart¡¯s pleasure-out¡ and NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS ¨C while I ¡®participate¡¯ in this Charity-event of Perth.¡±
¡°¡¯ Correction¡¯ Janey¡ CHARITY-MATCH¡¡±
¡ Peter hissed, and continued¡ pointing at the newspaper¡
¡°It says so in the title, ¡®MAYOR¡¯S CHALLENGE CUP¡¯ which means ¨C this is a ¡®one-off¡¯ challenge of those-OLDIES VERSUS THE HANDICAPPED¡ ¡®Perth¡¯s Famous Couple¡¯¡±
His twin, Paul laughed out, responding¡
¡°You have a ¡®talent¡¯ mate¡ you have a funny ¡®way¡¯ when you think-of, these minor-and mundane-things¡ and ADD YOUR ¡®OWN-TWIST,¡¯ to sensationalize it.¡±
¡°What you mean by ¡®mundane¡¯¡?¡± Peter scoffed and got defensive¡
¡ Paul replied in sarcasm. ¡°Yes, I get ¡®it,¡¯ mate ¨C you ¡®READ¡¯ EVERYTHING in-between the lines¡¡±
¡®Piss-off ¨C short legs.¡¯
¡ Peter gave him the evil-look¡ and turned his attention to blind-Jane¡
¡°So-Janey, it¡¯s Friday today, and tomorrow IS THE-LAST DAY, Saturday. HOW ABOUT ME, picking you-up tomorrow, and WORK ON YOUR ¡®FITNESS¡¯ to be match-ready for our Sunday-cup? A ¡®last day¡¯ prep¡ so-HOW ABOUT IT, JANEY?¡±
¡°No, I don¡¯t think so ¨C and I¡¯m confident that I¡¯m fit ¡®enough¡¯ to play ¨C I rather rest the Saturday¡ and catch-up on what ¡®YOU¡¯ TAUGHT BOYYO, for the past 3 days.¡±
¡ Peter scoffed¡
¡°What¡? Bludger! You think by hooking up with your AI toy¡ and lazing around, ¡®is¡¯ the HARD-WORK ¨C THAT ¡®CAN¡¯ WIN you this bloody-trophy¡?¡±
¡°TO ME, IT IS ¡®NOT¡¯ ¡®all¡¯ about winning¡ but it is about-pure participation and to have fun ¡ at the Charity-event this Sunday, Peter.¡±
¡ Peter scoffed even more¡ mumbling¡
¡°¡ if this is the mediocre attitude to your life¡ then it¡¯s ¡®GOOD¡¯ LUCK TO YOU ¨C but me¡ once I get my robotic arm, from your uncle ¨C and that is a new-game-level for me¡ and Janey ¨C that is WHEN YOU AND I¡ we ¡®part¡¯ ways ¨C and, I¡¯m ¡®out¡¯ of-y¡¯ all lives.¡±
The irate Peter left the long-table ¨C Jane, Paul and Alicia heard the library door, slammed really hard.
¡ the crippled-Paul sighed deep seeing his egoistic-twin leave the library¡
¡ with ¡®regret¡¯ thoughts of¡ his ¡®first¡¯ initiated bad luck that he had committed¡ by of SUBMITTING TO JANE¡¯S UNCLE JACK ¨C his ¡®conceptual¡¯ DRAWINGS OF THE ROBOTIC arm.
Now, in-3 months later¡
¡ when that ARM ¡®WOULD¡¯ ARRIVE ¨C it would ¡®then¡¯ open another can of worms¡
¡ to a ¡®new¡¯ set of cursed-problems.
In the meantime, ¡
¡®¡ enjoy your current, set of problems.¡¯
Chapter 13: Burn, Perth Burn!
PAUL HELD ON TO HIS RED BALLOON, and he was hyperventilating, in the speeding elevator¡ with the bleeding-Mercury on his side, wiped-blood off ¨C and shouting at him¡
¡°I HAD WARNED YOU, O¡¯Good-one ¨C I said don¡¯t think of Michael¡ but you thought and decide on doing ¡®so,¡¯ on your own accord¡ ¡®and¡¯ YOU THOUGHT ABOUT that winged buffoon! He nearly-just beheaded me, a moment ago¡ and let alone ¨C I lost an arm to him¡ in-our last encounter in-the war, OF ABRAHAMIC-GOD, ages ago.¡±
¡ Paul was quiet, scared and in tears ¨C and he did ¡®not¡¯ respond to the angered Red-demon.
¡ how could he ¡®not¡¯ think of St. Michael the Archangel ¨C HIS GUARDIAN-ANGEL who was taught to him since young, to be his protector in Sunday school? But-now¡ he-himself was PARTNERING WITH his protector¡¯s ¡®foe,¡¯ the Red-demon ¨C on their mission to rescue, his twin¡¯s captured ¡®soul.¡¯
¡®¡ would I go to Hell, for a heist, that was ¡®about¡¯ to be committed, in the Underworld¡?¡¯
The door opened, when the lift-car arrived at the 6th floor ¨C Mercury got off the lift, and cautioned him¡
¡°Now, wipe your tears¡ and STAY CLOSE to me¡¡±
¡ they-both stepped out into a dark, empty street, with a lone building ahead¡
Drunkard demons were seen fighting and arguing outside the vicinity. Paul was terrified at the angered male-beasts, kicking and clawing each other ¨C that he stayed close behind the Red-demon¡ who was ¡®not¡¯ at-all bothered by the altercation, when he swaggered ahead and reached a metal door.
¡ Mercury pounded his fist hard on the door ¨C a look-out panel window-opened¡ with a bouncer-demon face staring at the Red-demon, from the inside. The door opened¡ and they walked into the locale, with-death metal music playing-aloud ahead.
¡°Halt! No ¡®in-betweeners,¡¯ are allowed Admission!¡±
¡ Mercury took 2 gold coins from his pouch¡ and bribed the big, bouncer demon, who allowed the boy inside.
¡°Since ¡®when¡¯ you are-into little boys, Mercury?¡±
¡ in-a flash, the one-armed Red-demon drew his sword¡ and placed the blade hot-tip, at the laughing bouncer¡¯s throat¡
¡°I¡¯m warning you, door-keep ¨C ¡®NO¡¯ COARSE JOKES, in front of the minor!¡±
They walked ahead, to a neon-sign, that screamed.
¡®ASMODEUS BAR¡¯
There was a band of goblins, playing trash metal aloud on stage, with partying-wild demons dancing, as they trashed their bodies at each other, to the beat.
¡ there were also 72 topless, voluptuous Middle-eastern-virgin wenches, were serving drinks ¨C and entertaining the intoxicated demons and dryads.
Paul held his head low, TO NOT ¡®LOOK¡¯ AT THEM, and he prayed.
¡ Mercury went to the bar and was greeted by a friendly huge-leprechaun-bartender.
¡°Mick, the usual.¡±
The bar-keep poured a foul-smelling malted-rye runny liquid, from an urn into a pint-mug, and served Mercury.
¡°What ''do'' the ¡®in-betweeners¡¯ drink, err...? Can I suggest a milkie-Shirley-Temple?¡±
¡°None for him ¨C he is a minor.¡±
¡ Paul saw a peacock of Argus¡ walking towards him, and fanned its feathers big ¨C on its plumes of feathers, were 100 eyes staring ¡®at¡¯ him.
The Red-demon bottoms-up the molten brew, and crashed the metal, copper mug at the counter¡ and demanded¡
¡°Mick ¨C one more!¡±
As the bartender refilled his drink, Mercury asked¡
¡°Mick, did you happen to see Venus around?¡±
¡°Yes, she was here a moment ago ¡ and she left with her ¡®mate¡¯ ¨C the son of the African Sun-god.¡±
The drunk Mercury cursed out¡
¡°That cursed-darkie Leo! He¡ STOLE MY ¡®WOMAN!¡¯¡±
¡ in-a-hurry¡ the-annoyed Mercury paid coins for his drink¡ as he staggered and slurred to the floating Paul.
¡°Hey Good-one, we are ¡®going¡¯ ¡ keep up the pace!¡±
They both went out towards at the end of the quarter of the bar-hall and ¨C spotted a horde of African demons on a table. The drunk Red-demon wanted to pick a fight, with one of them named T¡¯Maru.
Paul SOMEHOW ¡®KNEW¡¯ the demon, T¡¯Maru ¨C from the recent Aurora Australis ¨C where the same demon was the PANTHER-HEAD RIDER of his bull-dragon ride when they last encountered BlackStar.
¡°T¡¯Maru¡ where is the other ¡®end¡¯ of your promise ¨C have you FOUND THE CURE¡?¡±
¡ the freshly-scarred-face Black panther-head demon¡ was surprised of Mercury¡¯s sudden presence ¨C with his fellow drunk demons-buddies too, were in DEFENSIVE HOSTILE STATE¡ seeing the flaming sword, in the one-armed Red-demon¡¯s hand.
¡°Not yet, O¡¯ Mercury ¨C the mortal is still working on the dark spell!¡±
¡°You make sure, YOU OVERSEE HIM ¨C I want it ¡®delivered¡¯ the next time we meet!¡±
.. the Red-demon left the scene, with the crippled-tween tagging behind him. The drunkard Mercury reached another elevator, in the building. He saw the frightened Paul meekly following behind him, with his red balloon.
The drunk demon laughed and mocked¡
¡°That certainly scared off, till the-darkies got pale¡ as moonlight! Hey, don¡¯t be terrified too, O Good-one ¨C they WOULD ¡®NOT¡¯ HARM, an ¡®in-betweener¡¯ in here, as long you are with me¡¡±
¡ Mercury pressed the button of the lift ¨C and while they waited for the car, the inebriated demon guffawed¡
¡°¡ you want to ¡®SEE¡¯ A MAGIC TRICK, Gemini?¡±
The intoxicated Mercury TOOK A SMALL VIAL, from his belt¡ and drank the content.
¡ the elevator arrived ¨C and they both stepped into the car¡¯s cabin. The sozzled, ugly and hideous demon pressed the 7th-floor button. The door closed¡
¡ the door re-opened at Floor 7, and Paul noticed¡ the handsome Roman-god Mercury stepping out, radiant golden¡ who had both of his hands, attached.
Gone was his sword¡ but he had his Apollo¡¯s dual snaked caduceus, strapped on his back of his Ancient god¡¯s outfit. He wore winged boots and winged hat.
He walked ahead, playing a song in his lyre, made of tortoiseshell ¨C singing about his past adventures, where he accompanied his father, Jupiter ¨C and the mischief ¡®times,¡¯ they both had as gods.
The 7th floor which Paul and the god-Mercury walked on, was the dwelling quarters of the ¡®present¡¯ old-gods. They were intercepted by the older, bald, with a long beard, god-Morpheus.
¡°Mercury, you cattle-thief! What ARE YOU DOING HERE, you trouble-maker? Why are you in the Master¡¯s domain establishment, with an ¡®in-betweener?¡¯ It won¡¯t be long, before the all-seeing, ¡®EYES OF ARGUS¡¯ informs the Big-man ¨C and his horde of demon-soldiers will be storming over here soon¡ to hunt and behead-you!¡±
The young Roman god scoffed¡
¡°Bah! I don¡¯t care, old man ¨C I¡¯m HERE TO ¡®SEE¡¯ VENUS, about some of my personal zodiac matters ¨C and I will leave here-in a flash before, trouble ¡®even¡¯ finds me. Don¡¯t you worry too much, old-Morpheus ¨C till your ¡®last¡¯ hair of your beard drops off.¡±
¡ Paul saw the rascal-Mercury ignoring the old god¡ as he led the levitating cripple away while he playing a noisy lyre ¡®solo¡¯¡
¡ with the annoyed, old and bald Morpheus, who shouted from the rear¡
¡°May the ¡®curse¡¯ of Olympus be on you, if you bring your-troubles to our doorsteps! Listen here, fool, VENUS HAVE FOUND her new ¡®mate,¡¯ with the Lion ¨C stay-away from the wrath of the SON OF THE SUN-GOD!¡±
They reached the abode, and Mercury knocked the door¡ with Paul levitating beside with his red-balloon. After 3 series of knocking, the-naked Venus opened the door¡
¡ she was displeased, with the presence of the godly visitor.
¡°What are you doing here, you drunkard fool? I had warned you the last time, that ¡®what-in-the-past¡¯ between us was ¡®over¡¯¡ but yet¡ here you are shamelessly at my-doorstep¨C and I curse-that the boat-man will take you away¡ in River Styx, and dump ¡®you¡¯ eternally in Hades!¡±
The hot-headed Mercury pointed at the nude goddess.
¡°Shame on you too ¨C PUT SOME CLOTHES ¡®on,¡¯ woman! You are in the presence of a minor here!¡±
¡ Paul was ogling at the most beautiful goddess, ever¡
¡°Happy birthday to you, Ma¡¯am.¡±
He handed his red balloon to the naked beauty. Venus too then magically, clothe herself with veils.
¡ Mercury formally introduced Paul to Venus¡
¡°This ¡®in-betweener¡¯ is Paul the Good-one ¨C THE TWIN, TO THE Chosen-one of Asmodeus.¡±
They were interrupted with a loud beasty growl, from inside the dwelling. Paul was terrified.
He saw an 8-footer-tall man-lion who was gigantic in-built ¨C and he approached, towering over them at the door, in his skimpy orange loin-cloth. The Black-god had a big lion¡¯s mane, golden fur on his back, and even a long tail.
¡°What ARE YOU DOING HERE, you trouble-maker, puny-god?¡±
¡ Mercury chested up to the Lion, and responded¡.
¡°Who you calling puny¡ I have satisfied Venus for the longest time when she was ¡®with¡¯ me!!?¡±
The Lion roared-back...
¡°She is ¡®NOT¡¯ WITH you anymore ¨C NOW GET LOST FROM here this-instance¡ or I will tear you up to mere bits!¡±
¡ Mercury turned to Venus and SPOKE IN HER in Ancient Roman ¡®their¡¯ mother-tongue.
¡°O¡¯ Evening-star¡ we ¡®are¡¯ Romans-first before anything. It¡¯s ¡®NOT¡¯ ABOUT ME¡ but it is the Good-in between, who needs ¡®your¡¯ help.
¡°Remember the VOWS OF THE OLD-GODS¡ to be-free from the shackles of the Evil Asmodeus. It¡¯s happening now!
¡°Yes, this is the endgame of-our ¡®quest¡¯ to REVOLT AGAINST HIM ¨C to stop Him-to walk on Earth again. And, you pledge into the-same union too, O¡¯ Venus the Mother of Virgos, now ¨C DO IT! HELP THE-Good-one¡
"... to ¡®free¡¯ THE-CURSED-ONE!¡±
¡ the Black Leo was impatient. His paw thumped hard-on god-Mercury¡¯s chest¡
¡°What gibberish ¡®tongue¡¯ are you speaking in¡? Are you CASTING A BAD-SPELL on ¡®my¡¯ woman?¡±
¡ instantly provoked, Paul saw him TRANSFORMED INTO the Red-one-armed-demon, who wielded a flaming sword.
¡Venus cried out¡
¡°Stop it, you 2! THIS IS ¡®IMPORTANT¡¯ ¨C Leeu, be-a good host and entertain your ¡®guest¡¯ ¨C I need SOME TIME ¡®ALONE¡¯ to communicate with the Good-one-here...¡±
She came closer to Paul, dressed in veils ¨C she crossed her fists on her chest, and unfolded her arms to the crippled-one who levitated, with his lifeless legs which were dangling in space, off the floor. Paul FELT A SURGE OF ENERGY, hitting him in a good way¡
¡ he opened his eyes¡ and found himself sitting on a white couch, in a ¡®glowing-white-cube¡¯ ¨C with Venus alone, by his side¡
¡°¡ where is this place?¡±
The school-uniformed tween asked. The Roman goddess replied¡
¡°This IS GIFT-CUBE FROM the Great Apollo to me ¨C of a ¡®space¡¯ where I think, pray and seek the right answers ¨C to every men-related ¡®subjects¡¯ of themselves, and ¡®to¡¯ themselves ¨C listen here, O¡¯ Good-one...
"... your twin had made a ¡®grave¡¯ mistake when he made A VIAL OF HIS OWN BLOOD¡ which later, the hellhounds had ¡®STOLEN IT¡¯ from him.
¡°The blood-vial is ¡®now¡¯ in Old-man ASMODEUS¡¯ HANDS, AND by the next full moon of the Sphinx¡ he will walk on Earth...
"... in the ¡®IMAGE¡¯ OF THE Chosen-one ¨C your twin.
¡°Only the BLIND-ONE COULD SAVE HIM¡ if at all¡ she can break the spell...¡±
¡ Paul interrupted, with a wave of his hand.
¡°¡ a stupid question here ¨C why-her¡ ¡®why¡¯ Jane¡?¡±
Venus sighed¡
¡°The Old-man Asmodeus is the oldest demon-Djinn that had walked 10,000 years in both Earth and Hell ¨C HE IS SO OLD and is blind in one eye, and he is also dying too. With the Chosen-one¡¯s blood¡ he will walk again, in ¡®youth¡¯ of your twin.
¡°As HE GREW ¡®BLIND¡¯ in his later years¡ the Old-one preferred his beautiful women ¡®blind¡¯ too ¨C and he BLINDS THEM, BY gorging out their eyes¡¡±
¡ Paul interrupted again, by commenting.
¡°¡eww, that¡¯s gross¡¡±
¡°Yes, Good-one, it ¡®is¡¯ ¨C the Old-man has been hunting me down, for thousands of years ¨C to make me blind ¡®too,¡¯ to JOIN AMONG HIS 72 Goddess-brides collection ¨C but I had ¡®escaped¡¯ by hiding myself, in-THIS, CUBE OF APOLLO.
¡°I¡¯m the Mother of Virgos¡ you-go bring THE ¡®CURSED¡¯ BLIND-ONE to me, and I will reveal to her the magic spell, to fail the Old-one ¨C and in return¡ rescue her-mate, ¡®who¡¯ is the Chosen-one.¡±
¡ yawning¡
... Paul was feeling ¡®sleepy,¡¯ from information-overload¡ of the enchanting beauty of Venus¡¯ ¡ looks and voice tone, in a good way¡
¡®Gosh¡ would I remember ¡®all¡¯ of this, in the morning¡?¡±
Outside the cube, in Leo¡¯s lair ¨C both the demons were relaxing on the couch¡
... in friendly drinks of single-malt. The Lion¡¯s cellphone rang. The snooping Red-demon inquired¡
¡°Where you GET ¡®TECHNOLOGY¡¯ HERE, in the Underworld?¡±
¡°¡ YES, I HAVE MY-WAYS¡ I get my tech devices and spirits bottles, in THE BLACK-MARKET.¡±
The Black-Leo answered his phone ¨C while Venus and Paul ¡®appeared¡¯ back into the lion''s den.
Mercury went forward to Paul and asked...
¡°You got THE ¡®ANSWERS,¡¯ Gemini?¡±
¡ the sleepy-faced Paul smile, and nodded¡
¡°Make sure, you ¡®REMEMBER¡¯ IT tomorrow.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
¡ Leo interrupted them¡
¡°It¡¯s Mick the Asmo-bartender ¡®said¡¯ ¨C the peacock of Argus had alerted, your ugly-face and the ¡®in-betweener¡¯ are right here. ¡®Now,¡¯ you 2 GET AWAY FROM HERE¡ before those soldiers and bounty-hunters COME, KNOCKING ON my door.¡±
The Red-demon placed his singled palm, onto Paul¡¯s forehead, saying...
¡°Thanks for the warning ¡®Leeu,¡¯ ¨C and, to you ¨C Good-one¡ YOU GO TO ¡®SLEEP¡¯ and we meet again soon ¨C while I FIND A BACKDOOR, to escape the predator-demons.¡±
¡. before, Paul blacked-out¡ while he heard the panicking Lion calling to his mate¡
¡°Venus, my love ¨C you go, hide in the ¡®cube¡¯¡¡±
Paul was then aroused from his sleep to the sound, of the alarm-clock to 6:30 AM¡
And, he sat up in his wet-adult-diapers and thought of, what the weird, ¡®concluding¡¯ dream he had¡
He mumbled out¡
¡°¡ wow¡ I must TELL THIS to Jane¡¡±
<><>
THE WALKERS WENT FOR CHURCH MASS on Sunday. Paul was glad the statue of the Guardian angel, St. Michael¡¯s broken sword was restored, in that week of construction.
¡ he saw his twin, sat on the pew proud, when Father Augustine Brown, their parish priest, made a church-announcement¡ that Peter Walker would be playing at the Mayor¡¯s Cup this evening¡
¡ and he urged everyone to GO AND SUPPORT the charity event¡ that evening.
After Mass, from his wheelchair, Paul noticed¡ well-wisher-parishioners had gathered around the one-armed boy ¨C and some said THEY WILL PRAY, for his victory.
¡ Inspector-mother too was getting compliments, on behalf of her son, Peter ¨C from people who were ¡®strangers¡¯ to the Walkers, in all their church-going years¡ now had come forward with praises and prayers.
-O-
They picked up some pastries for tea, on the way home.
After an hour, of self-grooming at the IKEA table, inspector mother had to-go-to ¡®office,¡¯ dressed in her Sunday best. Soon after that, Peter too packed up his tennis-playing gear and left the house ¨C leaving Paul, home alone.
He got a message from Alicia yesterday evening, that Jane was coming over to MataHari saloon on Sunday, to get her hair done by Robin ¨C for the evening¡¯s charity-match later. While the ¡®girls¡¯ were at it in their routine¡ Paul switched on his NOVA 3 videogame, which he had neglected its ¡®completion,¡¯ in the school holidays.
¡ he needed the ¡®distraction,¡¯ while he marinated his thoughts of the 3 nights, of continuing weird dreams in his sleep, of the Underworld. He should LATER RELAY VENUS'' ¡®MESSAGE,¡¯ from his escapades of his astral-world TO HIS FRIEND, THE BLIND, JANE WILSON.
While he focused on the combat-missions of the videogame ¨C in the background, on the big-screen telly, was the local news¨C that FOREST BUSH FIRES which were happening in several parts of Western Australia¡ and showing footages of fire-fighters in action, and rural folks evacuating.
¡®What IF WE ¡®FAILED,¡¯ and Asmodeus walked again, AND SCORCHED the Earth¡?¡¯
Soon, lunchtime came ¨C since Peter was away, Paul decided ¡®not¡¯ to order take-outs¡ but instead take-in from the kitchen fridge, when he made a couple of quick, ham-and-cheese.
¡ Paul continued to be engaged in his ¡®missions¡¯ of the videogame while eating his sandwiches, for the next hour. He was drowsy by then¡ when the-hot weather kicked in.
He wheeled his wheelchair, into his bedroom and put his air-conditioned at full blast, as he took a nap ¨C before he WENT TO THE COUNTRY-CLUB LATER, for the charity-match¡
¡ but HE OVERSLEPT for 4 hours.
<><>
THE GROUND¡¯S OF THE PERTH COUNTRY CLUB was overcrowded ¨C when the club management was ¡®NOT¡¯ AT ALL PREPARED, with the massive turnout of thousands of fans¡ who were locked-out from the club¡
The arena capacity of 1000, was the perfect fit of the club¡¯s clay tennis court, where 500 tickets were sold to the club members¡ while the other 500 WERE FREE-TICKETS ¨C which were given to various schools, including to the ''host'' Stamford High students.
But over-4000 drone of fans of the ¡°Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ turned up-loyally¡ but they were ¡®not¡¯ allowed by the club¡¯s security into the country-club, because they were all non-members. This annoyed the fans, and tempers flared, at the gates, which the ¡®book-maker¡¯ Chucky Miggs ¨C who ¡®knew¡¯ Peter from the claycourt ''days''¡ had then instilled a ruckus¡
The quick-thinking club management¡ then set up their big-screen television sets, ¡®outside¡¯ every gate ¨C to televise the later charity-match live, to the present crowding fans.
¡ Paul arrived late, of half-hour before the charity-match began.
He saw the huge turnout¡ ¡®more¡¯ spectators than when the SHS-Champ Peter played ¡®before¡¯ ¨C where Paul had managed his twin¡¯s YouTube matches in the public claycourts¡ before both of their tragic accident.
¡ he was also impressed by the merchandise of the ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ sold ¨C of mugs, candles, coasters, baseball caps, figurines and t-shirts. People were buying them off-the-shelf like hotcakes. There was also the ¡®missing¡¯ Piper, the hero-dog t-shirts.
The t-shirts were super-cool with Jane and Peter together in a ¡®heart-shape,¡¯ with the one-armed boy was posturing and the blind-girl smiling beside. There were various designs and colours. One with a cartoon-manga drawing stood out the ¡®most,¡¯ where both the couple were hilariously bonkers. They were selling for A$20 a-pop¡ and Paul bought the funny one, to ¡®support¡¯ the PFC-cause.
Going through the crowd¡ PAUL CALLED UP ALICIA ¨C but she offed her cellphone.
-O-
When Paul woke up-just now, after he had overslept, there were several messages from Alicia¡ that she would meet him at the country club, to hand his ¡®gate-pass¡¯ for admission, to enter the club¡¯s courtyard...
... but now, he was ''late''...
-O-
At the gate, he needed the gate-pass for admission, WHICH HE DOESN¡¯T have¡
¡ Paul realized although he had received the Bravery Award from the Mayor in his school ¨C he was ¡®NOT¡¯ RECOGNIZED instantly by anyone of Perth ¨C ¡®unlike¡¯ his other-half of his one-armed twin from his ¡®PERTH¡¯S FAMOUS COUPLE¡¯ BRAND.
The crippled-tween saw a large TV screen and decided to watch the ¡®grand¡¯ event-on screen since he had been locked-out. He moved closer to the huge-monitor¡ and parked himself on a sweet-spot, without hindrance.
¡ Alicia then called ¨C and he told, he was ¡®outside¡¯ the club grounds.
¡°Why you late¡?¡± The crossed Chinese girl asked¡
-O-
A moment later, Alicia came out and gave gate-pass to him, Paul was delighted to see her ¨C and, he candidly joked that he was tired, after playing NOVA 3 for 6 hours, that made him oversleep.
The grumpy Alicia pushed Paul¡¯s wheelchair. and she was ranting to herself in Hokkien ¨C that was ¡®not¡¯ a good sign, as he realized that he made a ¡®bad-joke¡¯ that made-his girlfriend was angry.
¡ Alicia scolded him for being irresponsible with his time management, by playing videogames ¨C when the attendance of the charity-match mattered ¡®more,¡¯ in support of their friend ¨C blind-Jane.
Paul was speechless and self-admitted and ¡®owned¡¯ his mistakes ¨C but-he needed to desperately PLAY THE VIDEOGAME at that time¡
¡ to RECOLLECT HIS MEMORIES, of the 3-4 days of ¡®continuous¡¯ dreams that he had¡ during the nightly exploration¡
¡ deep into the Underworld, by astral-travel.
He wanted to ¡®REVEAL¡¯ OF HIS ¡®UNTOLD-MISSION¡¯ in person, to both Jane and Alicia later.
¡ they passed the lobby foyer¡ where a group of people were gathered with a big-screen TV there. Alicia was still bickering, as she pushed the wheelchair through the crowd with on-lookers, that included, the bookie-Chucky Miggs¡
They-both got their ¡®2nd tier¡¯ recognition, of PFC¡
¡®Isn¡¯t that the CRIPPLE-TWIN, OF the champ Peter Walker¡?¡¯
¡®Was that the Chinese girl, who is the BEST FRIEND OF Jane Wilson¡?¡¯
Nearby¡Paul and Alicia reached the arena with bleachers around the clay court. On the wheelchair, he saw scores of school student-fans¡ were wearing the pink t-shirts of PFC pictures print design¡ and were carrying banners and chanting in unison like cheerleader¡
¡ the girls with blond hair ¨C too had worn 3 braided deadlocked hair ¨C also wearing Oakley sunnies and sported massive-sized headphone set¡ to simulate the ¡®Boyyo-look.¡¯
Alicia pushed the wheelchair into a waiting room ¨C where a mini-pre-match press conference was held for the newspapers ¨C but PETER DID ¡®NOT¡¯ attend it.
¡ Paul saw Jane in between, the friendly-arms of supportive Australian ex-internationals ¨C Steve Connery and Amy Bixby ¨C WHO WERE THERE, for the blind-player ¨C when a journalist¡ questioned ¡®about¡¯ Boyyo AI tech, which she would be using later, in the match.
Blind-Jane was ¡®shy¡¯¡ and she gave some short answers.
¡ Peter was at the other side of the waiting room, and the one-armed tween was ¡®more¡¯ INTERESTED IN LIVE TV COVERAGE ¨C and he boasted to the camera about his ¡®would-be¡¯ victory later¡
¡ where he had devised a ¡®secret,¡¯ winning game-strategy.
Outdoors¡
¡ the live-telecast had commenced with the Mayor¡¯s speech at the podium ¨C where he spoke of the club¡¯s successful effort, to make the-charity match possible, to encourage for more involvement of sports in school ¨C the speech soon diverted into the Mayor¡¯s re-election, that was coming soon, and he pledged support to the TV cameras, addressing the viewers at home.
After 5 long minutes, John Blake¡¯s speech was ¡®not¡¯ done yet. Peter then walked ¡®outside,¡¯ from the waiting-room, and making his grand-entrance ¨C he-then worked-up the impatient crowd, seated in the breaches¡
¡°PFC! PFC! Peter-and-Janey ¨C PFC!¡±
¡°PFC! PFC! Perth¡¯s-famous-couple ¨C PFC!¡±
¡ inside the waiting room¡ Paul saw blind-Jane in her school¡¯s sport¡¯s uniform, hugging both the ex-internationals¡¯ Steve and Amy when the press conference ended. They now posed for the photograph session.
Douglas Zimmerman intercepted Jane, and wished the blind-girl the best of luck, in the courts later. Alicia then teased him¡
¡°Dougie, I saw your ¡®girlfriend¡¯ in the crowd, just now.¡±
Everyone laughed¡ then the senior boy replied, before walking away.
¡°Zoe is ¡®not¡¯ my girlfriend ¨C she is just my doubles-tennis partner.¡±
¡ Alicia was giggling, when she pushed Paul towards Jane while whispering to him.
¡°Pauly, I think Dougie is INTERESTED IN JANEY ¨C I think-so too that they both would make a ¡®perfect couple.¡¯¡±
... Paul was dumbfounded...
¡®¡Crickey¡ oh-no¡¡¯
¡ the twin thought if ever, ¡®PETER¡¯ FOUND THIS out¡
¡ Dougie would-be a 2nd trigger¡ for a ''natural disaster'' of Perth City.
¡ he HAD TO LOOK OUT for Principle Harris, who was-also ¡®GOING AFTER¡¯ their Mom ¨C now that ¡®if,¡¯ Douglas too was ¡®GOING AFTER¡¯ the ¡®girlfriend,¡¯ Jane Wilson ¨C Peter would be devastating¡
To ¡®change¡¯ the subject ¨C the excited, PAUL ¡®INTERRUPTED¡¯ Jane and Alicia¡ gossiping, on the senior student.
¡°Jane, Alicia, listen-to me here! I have been astral travelling for several nights now ¨C and now I know ¡®WHAT¡¯ ASMODEUS IS UP TO! And, Jane I met...
... the Mother of Virgos ¨C and she told me¡ to ¡®fetch¡¯ you to her.¡±
At that same moment, Amy Bixby called the blind-player to make ''their'' entrance to the arena.
Jane turned towards the blue-glow. And, she bent over and hugged Paul.
¡°Thank you, Paul ¨C I will get ¡®back¡¯ to YOU¡ AFTER THE GAME.¡±
¡ Jane then turned to her BFF, and they both hugged and kissed each other. Alicia shouted encouragement when she released her¡
¡°You GO, GIRL!¡±
¡ Jane followed the ex-internationals, as they too made THEIR ¡®GRAND-ENTRANCE.¡¯ The student-fans chanted in the bleachers¡
¡°Jane-Wilson-Jane-Wilson-PFC-Jane Wilson!¡±
¡°Jane-Wilson-Jane-Wilson-PFC-Jane Wilson!¡±
By then, Mayor John Blake had truncated his political speech, for the ¡®main-event¡¯¨C with the club¡¯s masters-of-ceremony¡ calling out the names of the players, that were competing.
¡ from the bleachers¡ Paul looked up at the podium, with the Mayor now seated ¨C Paul saw seated behind the government official ¨C was his Inspector-Mom in uniform¡ with Principle Tom Harris.
He was a bit puzzled as to his Mom, left to ¡®office¡¯ after coming home from church ¨C in her Sunday¡¯s best ¨C leaving him home alone¡
¡®WHEN DID MOM, come over to CHANGE INTO HER UNIFORM¡ while I was the ¡®last¡¯ to leave home¡ after I overslept?
¡ Paul was distracted ¡®when¡¯ he saw Peter working the crowd¡
Everyone cheered loudest, when Jane¡¯s name was mentioned ¨C who became popular because OF HER DOG, PIPER ¨C and the people-of Perth, being in a dog-loving-country ¨C had grown to love and emotionally related to blind-Jane more¡ ¡®after¡¯ when the hero-dog HAD GONE MISSING.
¡ Peter was showboating as the one-armed boy, wearing a single glove, moonwalked in the tennis-court, towards his blind-Jane ¨C who was standing ¡®lost and alone¡¯¡ inside the sphere of the cheering crowd.
He handed her a ¡®Wilson¡¯ brand racquet.
¡°Here, you go, Janey¡ YOUR ¡®WILSON¡¯ RACQUET ¨C now, go into Tom Hanks-mode¡ and ¡®bond¡¯ with it.¡±
¡®It¡¯ confused the B-girl...
¡°Huh? Who is Tom Hanks¡?¡±
¡°Never-mind-that ¨C blind people, don¡¯t watch Netflix.¡± He chuckled¡
Soon, the National-anthem played, with the student-fans, singing the loudest. Peter too sang from his heart¡ to the TV camera, while hugging Jane close to him, by her hips.
¡ Mr and Mrs Connery DID ¡®NOT¡¯ LIKE Peter Walker ¨C he was a bully ¨C and an arrogant show-off.
¡ Steve and Amy, too have a strategy, to put PETER IN HIS ¡®PLACE¡¯ ¨C after they saw and heard in the social media Twitter blast, of him dissing Doug and Zo?.
The ex-internationals both then studied Peter¡¯s ¡®past¡¯ videos, on his defunct YouTube channel ¨C ¡®studying¡¯ the match-videos, where Peter played as the ''junior school-champ'' before his accident.
After the national anthem, Peter went to his ¡®corner¡¯ to get his ¡®weapon-of-choice¡¯ racquet from his gear ¨C the Babolat ¨C and he also, secretly popped a couple of perk-up-pills, and¡ drank his RedBull, before walking over to Jane.
¡°This is it, Janey ¨C this is our ¡®stage¡¯ ¨C we must put up a good ¡®show¡¯ from here onwards¡¡±
The blind-girl ignored him, and waved at the grandstand¡ where her baby-brother, mother and Lola were seated.
-O-
The Mayor¡¯s Challenge game commenced with the ex-international, Steve Connery serving the ball across to the blind-Jane, with her AI tech ¨C who HIT THE BALL BACK to at him, that drew loud cheers from everyone¡
¡ of a blind-girl-playing-tennis, with the aid of Boyyo.
The ex-internationals who had learned the one-armed boy¡¯s weakness made it ¡®easy¡¯ when ¨C Amy Bixby slammed a shot in¡ beyond Peter¡¯s reach, and gained the first point.
-O-
Soon, THEY WERE 3-UP ¨C all, capitalizing of Peter¡¯s right-hand weakness. With the ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple¡¯ being 3-down¡ it silenced the student-fans. They sat and agonized in watching, the Champ of a couple of years ago, was getting ¡®schooled,¡¯ by 2 greying, senior-citizens-players.
¡ the ex-internationals who controlled the game-had a ¡®heart¡¯ ¨C they let the blind-girl, to score a couple of points¡ to which...
... the student-fans were back roaring, chants of Jane¡¯s name.
Despite following Boyyo¡¯s instructions, of ¡®where and when¡¯ to hit ¨C the blind-Jane ¡®cheated¡¯ ¨C and she used her 3rd-eye, and for every brilliant return she gave¡
¡ her dreadlocked blond hair lit to ¡®flashes¡¯ of platinum¡ which also ¡®APPEARED-VISIBLE¡¯ in the TV cameras¡ to the outdoor, back-lit sunset.
She also saw Peter beside-her glowing, DEEP PURPLE IN HATE ¨C he was agitated that his game tactics were ¡®not¡¯ working ¨C and the ¡®oldies¡¯ were super-fit.
¡ he decided he should be more aggressive.
But nothing worked for the one-armed player that evening in juggling his opponents, who WERE WELL-EXPERIENCED, and who had out-done him.
In 9 minutes, the ex-internationals wrapped up the first set, 6-2. The 500 PERTH CLUB TICKET PAID MEMBERS in the arena section¡ clapped and cheered.
¡ thunderclouds were coming in a distance, outside Perth. Jane and Paul¡ noticed the storm was drawn BY THE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS, of the one-armed tween¡
¡ who was failing miserably in ¡®his¡¯ game, at the tennis court.
-O-
The 2nd set-commenced soon after, the 4 players switched court. The country-club roared once again¡ when the AI-aided Jane, took the first point¡
¡ but it was ¡®not¡¯ before long, the ex-international were 4-1 up¡ when they continued to ¡®PUNISH¡¯ PETER¡¯S WEAKNESS¡
¡ where the bully, was now bullied.
Jane went-in to help him in his ¡®struggles¡¯ ¨C it led to¡ the Wilson racquet slam-clashed with the Babolat¡ as Peter was aggressively trying to cover court-solo¡
He shouted out¡
¡°Janey¡ I ¡®got¡¯ this¡! DON¡¯T COME IN ¡®my¡¯ way!¡±
For the next 3 minutes, Jane Wilson took the ¡®backseat¡¯¡ while Steve and Amy hit the last nail to the coffin¡
¡ when they trashed Peter¡¯s PFC brand ¨C with another victory of 6-1.
Strong winds hit the court and everyone dispersed fast ¨C with the student fans evacuating the arena, to run for their respective school buses. The 500 club members too hurried and moved into the clubhouse, with the raging night-winds, that happened of the sudden¡ where it was hot and dry in Perth, all-arvo before.
¡ Jane was with, the dazed Peter in the court¡
The blind-girl turned to the red-glow, and handed her Wilson RACQUET BACK TO HIM, with a thank you. At the same time¡ the concerned and caring, Amy Bixby had called Jane, to join them at the clubhouse¡ because of the approaching bad weather.
The one-armed Peter was STILL ANGRY ¨C and threw his idol, John Patrick McEnroe¡¯s ¡®tantrum,¡¯ ¨C by hitting the Wilson racquet, on the court, till it broke.
¡ Alicia was running into the court, to her BFF ¨C when she heard Peter ¡®FINDING¡¯ AN EXCUSE¡ to blame the blind-girl for their defeat just now.
¡°If only YOU HAD NOT GOTTEN in my way¡ I WOULD HAVE NAILED IT, into the ¡®old-woman¡¯ just now!¡±
¡ Jane was quiet, BUT ALICIA was provoked...
¡°Hey-you ¨C at least Janey managed to score 3 points! And, WHAT YOU GOT...? Just ¡®zeros¡¯ like your ego!¡±
¡°Damn you, bloody-Chinatown Wong¡ YOU STAY OUT of this!¡±
The blind-girl intervened¡ when the Chinese girl, chested up, to Peter¡¯s derogatory insults.
¡°Ali, come let¡¯s go now!¡±
Both girls walked away, with Alicia SHOUTING BACK at him¡
¡°Janey, if you had only-had paired up with Dougie, and represented Stamford High¡you may HAVE WON A SET¡ instead of losing in straight sets, with ¡®this¡¯ loser!¡±
¡ the ballistic Peter was still kept insulting her ¨C and Alicia cursed back in Hokkien.
... soon...
... the one-armed boy was the only one, standing ¡®alone¡¯¡ on the empty and windy tennis club court and arena. Everyone was in the clubhouse¡where the Mayor¡¯s Challenge trophy giving, would be held in the banquet dinner, that followed...
... with the press coverage for the local late-evening TV news, and the tomorrow¡¯s ¡®headlines¡¯ that newspapers ¨C that would glorify the ¡®oldies-ex-internationals¡¯ DEFEATING HIS ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple.¡¯
The strong wind subsided¡ and it drizzled. Peter packed up his gear¡ and DECIDED ¡®NOT¡¯ TO GO for the trophy giving ceremony¡
¡ and to be ¨C insulted further by it.
So, the ¡®sore-loser¡¯ decide to head home.
At the country club''s gate-exit, he saw the club¡¯s grip-crew were dismantling the big screen and equipment, in the drizzle.
¡ nobody was BOTHERED GREETING HIM ¨C as a ¡®part¡¯ of the PFC ¨C as he went on being anonymous among them ¨C and, he left the country club ground, on his bike.
-O-
Soon, the one-armed tween was on the main road¡ with a kilometre of jammed vehicles, of spectators who were on their way back, after witnessing the ¡®hyped¡¯ tennis match.
¡ Peter was cycling along with their stalled cars, and they hooted their horns and cheered their diehard support to the PFC ¨C but, the one-armed boy DIDN¡¯T ACKNOWLEDGE THEM¡ because he doesn¡¯t want their ¡®sympathy.¡¯
He self-repeated to himself through-out is journey home, that this was only a TEMPORARY ¡®SETBACK¡¯ ...
... and he would rise to everyone¡¯s expectation...
... once he received HIS ROBOTIC ARM soon.
-O-
Peter felt ¡®ashamed¡¯ when more cars honked at him. He decided to use a shortcut, in rugged terrain. Soon he was on higher grounds¡
¡ and saw the greater Perth city lighted firmament, in the darken horizon¡
The one-armed boy stopped to notice¡ forest fires were-building up further, from the city. He grinned evil and knew that the fires would reach the city limits in a day ¨C tops-2 days...
... with the COUNTRY CLUB TO BE RAZED to the ground, in the path the uncontrollable fires.
¡®It would be a much SWEETER¡¯ REVENGE¡
¡ if those 2-bloody, old, ex-internationals¡
¡were ¡®trapped¡¯ in their clubhouse¡
¡ and both-go down with it.
Chapter 14: To Rescue the Hero-dog
AT THE BANQUET ROOM¡ MR & MRS CONNERY were announced as the winners, of the Mayor¡¯s Challenge Cup¡ and the charming couple, came to the banquet-podium to receive the trophy, from Mayor John Blake.
The entire banquet with 25 tables, of both club members and visitors, cheered. Paul was seated with Ms King, Dr Wilson and her son, Samuel and their babysitter, Lola. While, at the other table, were blind-Jane, her BFF Alicia, seated with the ex-internationals couple¡
¡ Peter was absent, and ¡®REPLACING¡¯ HIM was Douglas Zimmerman ¨C whose parents were members of the country club.
¡ Paul¡¯s inspector-mother in her-uniform¡ was with Principle Tom Harris seated in the main-table ¨C with the mayor and his wife, and other government and the club¡¯s dignitaries.
They announced that Jane Wilson to ¡®come¡¯ forward¡ and receive a consolation mini-prize trophy ¨C that of a metal-figurine of a girl with locked-hair and a one-armed boy, both holding their racquets, on ¡®top¡¯ of the award. The meek-girl received the prize¡ along with THE ¡®FREE¡¯ COUNTRY-CLUB¡¯S life-long tennis-membership.
Earlier, the mayor had given a speech that the ERA OF INTERACTIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE was here, and everyone should embrace it ¨C just like ITS PIONEERS, the blind-Jane who used it for sport¡
¡ and excelled with it, in her studies too.
Then the food arrived ¨C it was Wellington¡¯s roast beef, which was ¡®one¡¯ of Paul¡¯s favourite dishes, which he had ¡®not¡¯ any, for ages. So was, the dessert of Sheppard Pie, where he wiped the platter clean¡ while passively listening to the conversation of Dr Wilson and Ms King.
The doctor-mother talking to Ms King was saying that she ¡®was¡¯ proud of Jane¡¯s recent succession of accomplishments since moving to Stamford High from the blind-school. The mother finally ¡®UNDERSTOOD¡¯ THAT THE AI had aided her blind-girl to progress. She praised Boyyo¡
¡ but ¡®not¡¯ the ¡®young-woman¡¯ voiced SIMY ¨C whom the mother still felt, was ¡®interfering and annoying.¡¯
¡ Dr Wilson¡¯s only regret was¡ Jane¡¯s father, Anthony wasn¡¯t here at the event, because he was a loyal, workaholic who worked hard for 12 hours, in his recent ¡®newly-own-business¡¯¡ where he had set-up a company, named Jansa ¨C in the furniture business.
At the other table¡
¡ Mr and Mrs Connery were getting to know-Jane more, as they heard stories of how she ¡®trained¡¯ her AIs, NOT-ONE BUT 2 ¨C and, the blind-girl spoke affectionately of her ¡®former¡¯ SIMY¡ that was-now broken.
The ex-internationals encouraged Jane to ¡®use¡¯ her free membership privileges, and train in the club, with their coaching. At the table, Dougie made a self-testimony, that he was trained by Coach Connery, and now fared as #2, in the Boy¡¯s category in Stamford High.
At the table across¡ were the peering eyes of an ¡®unsecured¡¯ cripple¡
¡ seeing in envy of the good time-the girls were having dining on a Sunday evening, with Dougie ¨C laughing to everything that the handsome, Germanic-blond¡ who, was a product of a European upbringing, in the courtesy of the country-club ¨C was jabbering¡
¡ and, his Chinese-girlfriend ¨C was laughing out the loudest, on the table, across to him.
Lately, Alicia had her talking fondly of Dougie whom she befriended him more¡ after Jane¡¯s playing Dougie and Zoe, VIRAL-VIDEO BOOMED. The Chinese girl described him was a super-cool senior¡ and further said, he was a perfect ¡®old-fashioned-boy-gent.¡¯
¡®¡what does that even mean, ¡®old-fashioned-boy-gent¡¯?
¡ but, if you fast-forward the ¡®crono,¡¯ it was-I¡
... who saved ¡®his¡¯ life that day, when Peter kicked him down the stairs¡ and till now¡ he had ¡®not¡¯ thanked-me, personally for it ¨C and for hurt-in my-hip, which is ¡®still¡¯ in pains of sore by cushioning the fall.
... all that ¡®Neanderthal¡¯ did-was ''he-grunted''¡ on that phone-bombing-day, in that ¡®moment¡¯ of bravery was¡
'' ... huh... and-how come, you are here¡?¡¯
¡®Bring it on country-club-Douglas-Zimmerman ¨C may the best ¡®boy-gent¡¯ win!¡¯
The crippled Paul, went about continuing his gastronomic adventure affair, by tasting the club¡¯s savoury pastries desserts. He too-had, to gain intel of what both the adults ¡®were¡¯ talking¡ and the with stubborn, Black-baby brother of Jane interruption, by calling him ¡®Peeta¡¯ ¨C despite Lola and his mother corrected the toddler, that it was ¡®Paul¡¯ repetitiously.
¡ half-way through the evening¡
¡ the Mayor made a SURPRISING ANNOUNCEMENT that was unforeseen, to everyone. Mayor John Blake declared¡
¡°A very good news-today, to the citizen of Perth ¨C where the Wildlife authorities have confirmed and manage to find Perth¡¯s missing Hero-dog, Piper. The dog is now in quarantine for the night, in Perth Veterinary Hospital.¡±
The ballroom cheered and clapped aloud. Amy Bixby at the table hugged the stunned-blind-girl.
The mayor continued¡
¡°That dog deserves a medal too! Tomorrow evening, there will be a small ceremony at the government vet-Hospital¡ before handing the beloved dog to its rightful owner Jane Wilson¡ as her pet, and guide dog!¡±
¡Amy Bixby was still delighted and exclaimed¡
¡°Jane, that is wonderful news, now that your dog is ¡®COMING¡¯ BACK TO YOU, after being missing for a month. You must have missed him a lot?¡±
The blind-girl grinned¡ a nervous smile to everyone, who came up to her, and congratulate her.
¡®But-poor Piper-boy is ¡®CURSED¡¯ ¨C and would be dangerous in the presence of society ¡ and of my ¡®own¡¯ family too ¨C and, THAT WAS WHY, he ran ¡®away¡¯ on his ¡®own.¡¯
At the other table, doctor-mother was overjoyed, with the returning of Piper, where the house WAS SO ¡®QUIET¡¯ ¨C without its occasional barks, and also her husband-away, overworking.
¡ Paul heard the babysitter explaining to the toddler¡
¡°Samuel¡ Piper comes home, tomorrow.¡±
¡°Piper ¨C good dog!¡±
¡ and the pleased, baby-boy responded.
<><>
FORTY MINUTES LATER, THE BANQUET ended at 9:30 PM¡ because it was a school-day tomorrow.
¡ Paul expected-Alice to come over and greet him¡ but both the girls were still all-over Dougie.
¡ Paul asked Ms King if he can catch a ¡®ride¡¯ with her, to his home. The student counsellor said yes ¨C soon they both were the first to say goodbye¡ and excused themselves outside, to the Volvo.
Feeling self-disappointed, Paul texted his Mom, THAT HE HAD ¡®LEFT¡¯ ¨C but got no reply either¡ as she was also, ¡®lost-and-busy¡¯ at the mayor¡¯s main table.
On his journey back home, Paul told Ms King of the 3 continuous nights of his dreams...
... that was the ENDGAME, PREMONITION of the Curse of Asmodeus...
... and also, the exploits with Mercury that he had, in the Underworld.
<><>
IT WAS 10:02 PM WHEN PAUL REACHED HOME and alone-again¡ after being the ¡®last-out-first-in¡¯ the house, on a pre-school night.
He decided to turn himself in, for the night...
He glanced and peeked into the semi-lit, living room ¨C and his father¡¯s favourite armchair was empty.
In his wheelchair¡ he chuckled and noting, he was in the real-world, ¡®not¡¯ the dream-one, where he had a now-recalling ¨C of a great, ¡®hilarious-time¡¯, with Mercury in their ¡®mission,¡¯ to save Peter¡¯s ¡®soul.¡¯
But he also learned from the ¡®horse¡¯s mouth¡¯ itself¡ that Mercury was a Roman-god, who was the keeper of boundaries, and a ¡®bridge¡¯ to the UPPER AND LOWER WORLDS ¨C meaning¡
¡ he could be on Earth, and on the Underworld. That was how the Red-demon¡¯s ¡®head¡¯, had evaded getting killed, by Asmodeus¡¯ ¡®dragnet-bounty.¡¯
In the common bathroom downstairs, Paul washed his face, and brushed his teeth, and peed ¨C and he levitated back, to his room.
He put on his floral-aroma adult diapers, fresh from a new-pack ¨C as he went into his nightly ¡®routine¡¯ of ¨C switching on his alarm clock, moderated the A/C settings, and dimming off the lights ¨C and in the dark¡
,,, as Paul laid his head on his comfy pillow¡ and shut his eyes, after counting his blessings¡
His iPhone rang, at 10:15 PM ¨C and it was his ¡®girlfriend,¡¯ Alicia, who was video-calling.
¡°Why you just now¡ LEFT WITHOUT TELLING me¡?¡±
¡°Yeah, I left because¡ I didn¡¯t want to bother you, with the company of your ¡®perfect-gentleman ¨C who was hosting your graceful presence, in his country-club.¡±
¡ Paul heard the Chinese girl laughing¡ in the dark from the other end.
¡°My-birdy-man Pauly¡ aww¡ ¡®are¡¯ you jealous of Dougie?¡±
¡°NO, ALICIA, I¡¯m ¡®not¡¯ jealous ¨C I would rather sacrifice you to Douglas¡ just to get Asmodeus¡¯ wrath-off, from killing more innocent people in Perth¡ and that would ¡®lessen¡¯ the blood in my hands, in-return ¨C SINCE THIS ¡®CURSE¡¯ that I¡¯m in ¨C which had already consumed hundreds of lives, and numerous injuries¡¡±
¡ Alicia ¡®got¡¯ anxious, by Paul¡¯s serious tone of voice ¨C that was accumulating its severity. She pleaded in tears...
¡°What¡¯s wrong, Pauly¡? ¡ sorry, if I had ¡®offended¡¯ you, in any way¡ Tell me, why are you angry with me?¡±
Paul sighed deep, seeing her sob in his screen.
¡°So ¡®now,¡¯ you want to KNOW WHY? It is because, after they ¡®lost¡¯ the game, just now ¨C you have provoked Peter, saying-that Jane made a better tennis pair with Douglas ¨C while earlier this week, Peter had BRAVELY ATTEMPTED to take Douglas¡¯ life in school¡ that makes Peter ¡®now,¡¯ had daringly come out into the open, to kill with no ¡®evidence¡¯ of his ''perfect'' crime...
"... and with all-the ¡®broken¡¯ school-cameras¡ he ¡®had¡¯ cursed-out that-too!
¡°And, back IN MY DREAMS, I gather that¡ Asmodeus has ¡®possessed¡¯ Peter, when ¡®the fool¡¯ had offered the Evil-one¡ some KIND-OF-BLOOD-OFFERING, to form a pact¡ if I¡¯m ¡®not¡¯ wrong¡
¡°¡ but the bottom line-is ¨C Peter is now very dangerous and is a potential threat to anyone ¨C especially, to ¡®those¡¯ who-opposes or provokes him. He is A LIVING TIMEBOMB of negative emotions¡ that is waiting to explode any time, in any given situation.
¡°He has several target-triggers who he ¡®hates,¡¯ like Douglas, Principle Harris ¨C and probably YOU AND ME, INCLUDED. It¡¯s all because Asmodeus is ¡®controlling¡¯ him¡
¡°And, what you said just now, was below-the-belt too, like DOUGLAS IS THE ¡®BETTER¡¯ PLAYER than him¡ who deserves to ¡®take over,¡¯ as his-Jane¡¯s tennis partner.
Another ¡®bad¡¯ remark that we-did laughed about lately when his own ¡®girlfriend¡¯ who told him off¡ which, was that ¡®ONE-ARMED PEOPLE CAN¡¯T PLAY TENNIS¡¯¡
¡°¡that really might have taken a ¡®dent¡¯ on his ego too, of what Jane said back there, in the Sunday-group meeting ¨C which MS KING ¡®TOLD¡¯ ME AS A REMINDER when she sent me home just now. Ms King also cautioned me¡ to tell you all¡
¡ that Douglas is a new ¡®prime-trigger¡¯ ¨C and people who be ¡®around¡¯ him, and supports him, WOULD ALSO BE TARGETS TOO, to be killed by the Cursed-one.
The Chinese girl spoke out, in a more anxious tone¡ ¡®interrupting¡¯ his monologue. Now, she was ranting¡ cursing-at-herself first in Hokkien¡ then in English ¡
¡°Oh-my-god, Pauly¡! I think I¡¯ve PUT-JANEY IN DANGER¡ I thought since she ¡®broke-up¡¯ with Peter¡ her heart WOULD BE-LONELY ¡®seeing¡¯ both of us, going together ¨C and, I thought Dougie would make a good ¡®substitute¡¯¡
¡°That was why¡ just now at the club, I¡¯ve to ¡®anime¡¯ and exaggerate myself a lot¡ to get the conversation ¡®going¡¯ between, a quiet-blind-girl and a shy-boy, who doesn¡¯t say much, because ¨C he is a ¡®modest¡¯ person, just like you are, Pauly¡¡±
¡ Alicia¡¯s phone beeped¡ indicating her phone¡¯s battery was juicing-out.
¡°My battery has run out, dear. Remember to tell-me in school in the morning¡ about all the ¡®details¡¯ of your dreams, which you were dying to tell, all evening just now, okay¡? ¡®Nite-nite, kiss-kiss¡¯ to you, Pauly¡¡±
The blue-light went off his iPhone¡ and darkness swallowed again in his windowless room. He smiled in the murk¡ THINKING OF HIS GIRLFRIEND¡
¡ who was the only ¡®PRECIOUS-BLESSING¡¯ he had since he got ¡®cursed.¡¯
He then dozed with good memories of her ¨C Alicia was his ¡®precious-asset¡¯ that he would protect, to his death¡ if ever his twin were to harm her¡
¡ and, his iPhone rang again¡
-O-
The red-digits in the alarm clock, was on 10:33 PM when Paul reached and picked up his iPhone¡ to respond to Jane Wilson¡¯s late call¡ on a pre-school Sunday night.
The blind-girl was hysterical¡
¡°Pauly-Paul ¨C they found Piper-boy¡they are returning him over tomorrow evening¡ but he can¡¯t come back ¨C because Piper is ¡®cursed!¡¯¡±
¡®¡where is your-Dougie, ¡®when¡¯ you need him¡?¡¯ Paul thought,,,
... as blind Jane continued to rant¡
¡°Piper is dangerous to society¡ and I would certainly ¡®not¡¯ want him around, exposing the danger to my family¡¡±
¡®I repeat¡ where is your-Dougie, ¡®when¡¯ you need him¡?¡¯
¡°Paul¡ I DON¡¯T KNOW WHAT to do. I thought of calling-Ali, but I didn¡¯t ¨C as her ¡®Mom¡¯ would ¡®not¡¯ want Ali to follow me, to downtown Perth, at this hour of the night¡¡±
¡®You girls had played a dangerous, ¡®lonely-hearts-game¡¯ in a ¡®swan-song-situation¡¯ ¨C with your-Dougie, just now, yea¡?¡¯
¡ Paul quietly continued to hear her woes.
¡°I¡¯m blind ¨C please help me¡to ¡®rescue¡¯ MY CAPTURED-DOG ¨C and ¡®release¡¯ him-once more, into the open-again!¡±
The crippled Paul then responded¡
¡°Give me half an hour¡ I WILL COME ¡®OVER¡¯ to you, Jane. Wear something warm¡ it will get quite-chilly up there.¡±
<><>
BEFORE 11 PM¡ PAUL WAS AT THE WILSON¡¯S residence, levitating outside of the blind-girl¡¯s bedroom window, upstairs. He rapped the glass-window, of the darkroom¡
From her ¡®new¡¯ Queen-sized bed¡ Jane saw her blue-beacon ¡®glowing-bright¡¯ outside, and she left the bed, to greet Paul. She was wearing a Merino-woollen jacket and her regular beanie¡
¡ along with her Boyyo-headset, and armed with her folded metal baton-walking cane.
She hugged Paul, who was floating outside her window.
¡°Thanks for coming, Paul ¨C I don¡¯t know who to turn to just now.¡±
¡°No worries ¨C LET¡¯S MAKE IT QUICK, Jane¡ tomorrow is a school day.¡±
¡ blind-Jane climbed out of the windowsill and was outside, wearing a warm dark-jacket. Paul held her hips¡ and they flew up in the night-skies.
¡ Jane further praised him.
¡°You are getting ¡®good¡¯ in flying.¡±
¡°Yeah, it ¡®has¡¯ its benefits, for being a cripple ¨C I had practice ¡®it¡¯ when I¡¯m alone.¡±
¡°That is-good ¨C but I gave-up on my ¡®powers,¡¯ since we last fought BlackStar above the zoo. I only use my 3rd-Eye occasionally¡ unless you or your brother are around as my ¡®beacon.¡¯¡±
¡°Why is that¡?¡± The flying Paul asked.
¡°I just don¡¯t like all these ¡®powers¡¯ ¨C I just ¡®want¡¯ to be a regular-blind-girl in a normal world.¡±
¡°But I ¡®need¡¯ you to use-your powers, Jane ¨C we are in the endgame now¡ and I can¡¯t do it ¡®alone,¡¯ not even by a long shot when we finally face the Evil-one himself.¡±
¡°Okay, I¡¯ll try.¡± The Blind-one responded.
¡°What you mean, ¡®I¡¯ll try?¡¯ You have NO-OTHER GIVEN ¡®option¡¯ ¨C it¡¯s either you embrace ¡®it¡¯ or you simply die.¡±
¡°Okay-I get-it¡ if can you ¡®give¡¯ me a refresher, crash-course on how-to-fly, Pauly¡?¡±
¡ Paul let her hips, that he held ¡®go¡¡¯
¡°¡ Jane¡ focus¡¡±
After a shaky start-up¡ she found her ¡®balance,¡¯ and Jane flew, on her own ¨C Paul noticed she was giggling in delight, as she ¡®HAD¡¯ ONCE BEFORE, while in the rescue-mission of her brother, Samuel.
¡°What Mother of Virgos, were you talked about ¨C at the club¡¯s courtyard? WHO IS SHE?¡± Jane then enquired.
¡ Paul was excited when she asked¡
¡°I had a DREAM-IN-A-DREAM into the astral travelling realm, with Mercury ¨C remember the Red-demon from our Aurora Australis? Mercury is NOW MY ¡®FRIEND¡¡¯¡±
¡ Jane was confused, and she cut in¡
¡°Isn¡¯t that the red-glowing demon, where you ¡®grew¡¯ your wings¡ and punched him, across town¡?¡±
¡ Paul was flabbergasted, when she said, HE HAD ¡®WINGS¡¯¡ just like Alicia told him, that weekend-ago. But he then continued his storytelling, after a long pause¡
¡°¡ ya, the ¡®same¡¯ demon ¨C but-HE IS A ¡®GOOD-GUY,¡¯ and we can trust him now, because he wants to help Peter, who is the Chosen-one by Old-Asmodeus ¨C who also wants to walk in Perth, INSIDE PETER¡¯S BODY. Mercury wants to ¡®help¡¯ us, to break the Blackmagic spell, cast into Peter.¡±
When the twin-spoke about his brother¡ Jane froze and stopped flying. She was floating on a cloud. Paul made a U-IE turn and reached the distressed blind-girl, who placed both her hands, on her deadlocked, blond hair.
¡°Jane, are you alright?¡±
¡°Pauly... this-means PETER IS ¡®INNOCENT,¡¯ because it''s the Evil-one, was solely responsible for all those natural-disasters by ¡®forcing¡¯ Peter from the ¡®inside¡¯¡ isn''t that so¡?¡±
¡°¡ huh¡ err, technically, that¡¯s how demonic-possession should works¡ I guess¡¡±
¡°Is it like Piper¡ Peter is ¡®also¡¯ possessed?¡±
¡°I can¡¯t say much about your-dog, Piper ¨C but, on my twin, he is ¡®really¡¯ screwed up-royally for even in the underworld-standard¡ because that was ¡®what¡¯ the beautiful lady¡ who is the Mother of Virgos said to me ¨C that Asmodeus HAS ¡®SOME¡¯ OF PETER¡¯S blood in a vial.¡±
¡°Why WOULD HE ¡®DO¡¯ that¡?¡±
¡°¡ I DONNO¡ THAT MORON even asked your uncle¡¯s medical technicians FOR A ¡®SOUVENIR¡¯ of his own blood¡ when they visited then. Now, this is is the reason the KING-DEMON-DJINN who would walk the Earth soon¡ in-my-twin, as some-bodysuit¡!¡± Paul yelled in ire.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
¡°So, this Mercury-demon, will help us, how¡?¡¯¡±
¡°Ya, he had introduced me to this beautiful woman¡ whom I can¡¯t remember her name but¡ she told me she is, the Mother of Virgos, and¡ she told me TO ¡®FETCH¡¯ YOU?¡±
¡°When, Paul¡?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know ¨C I saw Mercury, last night ¨C maybe ¡®tonight¡¯ we-go¡ I-think¡¡±
¡°But what ¡®about¡¯ Piper¡?¡±
Paul was in silent thoughts, before answered¡
¡°No-Jane, your DOG IS A ¡®PRIORITY¡¯ ¨C let¡¯s go.¡±
They both flew from the clouds to their destination. On three-quarter the way, Paul asked her¡
¡°Jane, will-you be now, GOING ¡®OUT¡¯ WITH Douglas Zimmerman?¡±
¡°Eww-please¡ I¡¯m ¡®NOT¡¯ INTERESTED TO GO-OUT with anyone, for now-okay! Instead, I need ¡®time¡¯ to study, in this final term.¡±
¡°Good for you Jane¡ because Peter is now in the ¡®dangerous-state¡¯ at present, and you will be ENDANGERING DOUG¡¯S LIFE, ¡®if¡¯ you hang out with him. Peter¡¯s super-charged negative emotions have been SUPER-TOXIC LATELY, and even I can¡¯t control him¡ looks like he is even ¡®immune¡¯ to the pain, that I inflict upon him.¡±
¡ Paul was glad when he heard that Jane, would ¡®not¡¯ blindside and provoke-Peter ¡ with her love emotional-affairs because lately ¨C he had been ¡®listening¡¯ to a lot-of ¡®girls¡¯ gossips,¡¯ in the library.
They flew, and Paul saw the burning forest fires, at a distance¡
¡°Jane¡ it¡¯s that Perth¡¯s forest fire, from the TV news ¨C let¡¯s go check that out.¡±
Brave firefighters were trying hard to contain the blaze. And, far in, between the depth of the inferno, stood the Egyptian female, BEAUTIFUL-DEMON ¨C AMMUT ¨C chanting Blackmagic spells, of old-Middle-eastern-tongue¡
¡ she was accompanied by her pet, a hybreed BEAST, NAMED AMMIT ¨C with the head and snout, of a giant crocodile, the forebody of a male lion, and the hind-legs of a scaly hippopotamus. The scary-looking beast was spitting fire, like a dragon ¨C burning trees as it walked.
Ammut ¡®SAW¡¯ THE TWEENS ariel from a distance¡ flying in-and approaching the fire. She blew some magical-spell powder from her left palm, into the air above.
¡ Jane and Paul approached a kilometre from the conflagration ¨C they both felt a change of wind, with it blowing-thick, black smoke that surrounded them. Paul was blinded, with burning lungs ¨C before he dragged the coughing, blind-girl ¡®out¡¯ of harm¡¯s way.
The 2 members-of-the Cursed-trio DID NOT SEE the ¡®invisible¡¯ foes below ¨C because of the supernatural hexed-powder, that the demon-Ammut blew.
¡ the tweens were-out of danger¡ levitating vertically in the clouds, recovering ¨C and also sweating profusely, from their cursed-scars¡ at just now¡¯s heatwave.
¡°Sorry there-Jane¡ totally bad idea ¨C TO DRAG YOU, BACK THERE¡ let the firefighters ¡®deal¡¯ with it¡ and we go now over to that vet-hospital, Jane.¡± Gasped Paul, with his palm, placed on his congested chest.
¡ they both then flew away, coughing.
Below, PETER ¡®WATCHED¡¯ THEM ¨C the blue-and-yellow ¡®glows¡¯ in flight-away towards Perth¡¯s downtown. He was sitting in his bike¡
... on a lonely road and chanting the ¡®same¡¯ spells, of Ammut.
¡ grinning evil¡ and the one-armed BOY WAS MESMERIZED with the ¡®sight¡¯ of coming of the hell-fires¡
¡ that would-be soon¡ reaching-Perth.
<><>
THEY CROUCHED-HID, IN THE HIGH FENCED compound of the Perth¡¯s Veterinary Hospital, at 11:46 PM. In the dark, they both saw ¡®saw¡¯ a security van coming¡ with a welcome-hoot, at the gate.
The 2 storied-medium-sized, old government building was in the deserted, and secluded in downtown ¨C a ¡®secret¡¯ faraway place¡
... where they ¡®destroy¡¯ unwanted dogs¡ which were either sick, old or ¡®dangerous.¡¯
The gate opened, and the van stopped at the hospital¡¯s guardhouse. And, 3 ¡®foreign-looking-men,¡¯ in security uniforms alight from the van¡ greeting the sentry-guard inside.
¡ the newly-arrival STAFF WERE CLOCKING-IN, for their midnight-duty.
¡°Gurkhas!¡±
¡°What Pauly¡?¡±
¡°Those are ¡®Gurkha-guards.¡¯ My late grandpa Walker, told me his war-stories, as an Aussie-soldier in World War 2¡ where they fought the Japanese. The British used the Gurkhas soldiers as frontrunners in battles¡ because they are brave enough, to die-in battle.¡±
¡°OIC¡¡±
The blind-girl responded, beside her ¡®beacon¡¯ ¨C SEEING IN HER 3RD-EYE, of ¡®shadows¡¯ of men, entering the building.
¡°Jane, YOU BE-HERE, and let me go in ¡®alone,¡¯ and rescue-your dog ¨C in the worst-case scenario, IF I¡¯M CAUGHT ¨C you can-work on whatever-Plan-B, you ¡®come¡¯ up with.¡±
¡°No, Pauly¡ I¡¯m following.¡±
¡°Look, there will be CCTV cameras out-there¡ and they can clearly-see your ¡®hair¡¯ that is SCREAMING, ¡®LOOK-AT-ME ¨C ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple.¡±
,,, the blind-girl pulled up her hoodie, of the Merino-jacket that she wore. ¡°How-about now?¡±
Paul hesitated and answered. ¡°¡oo-kie¡¡±
¡°How about you Paul¡ do you have a handkerchief¡?¡±
¡°I got something better.¡±
¡ Paul grinned at the blind-Jane. He pulled out from his jacket, a ¡®Spider-man mask.¡¯
-O-
His Mom bought it for him, last year during Halloween, and a ¡®Venom mask¡¯ for Peter ¨C where Stamford High had its tradition by celebrating the ¡®day¡¯ ¨C after-school, with cosplay organised by the seniors.
Last year, even Alicia Wong won 3rd prize by dressing up as HitGirl, from the Kickass movie, with mask and a purple wig ¨C which all happened before, when she was ¡®not¡¯ his ¡®girlfriend,¡¯ yet back then.
Even, blind Jane-participated ¨C dressed as a ¡®man¡¯ with a walking stick and wore a pair-of-red-horns, and calling herself ¡®Matt Murdock.¡¯
-O-
¡ Paul mimicked Spidey¡ with half-worn mask, exposing his talking-mouth¡
¡°First¡ we go in and cut the power¡ and-in total darkness, we search for Piper.¡±
¡°How could you ¡®see¡¯ in the dark, Paul¡?¡± Jane giggled.
¡°I donno¡ I must take A CRASH-COURSE from ¡®you,¡¯ I guess¡¡± Paul chuckled.
¡ Jane took off her AI dark-glasses, and she then placed her hand on the on her Boyyo¡¯s headphone, and ¡®snapped¡¯ a detachable communication comm. The blind-girl expertly attached the comm, to the dark-glasses¡ that ¡®snapped¡¯ fit, like a Lego.
¡°Here USE THIS¡ it is a 3-way communication, we can have with Boyyo ¡®incognito-mode¡¯. And, YOU CAN ¡®ASK¡¯ MY-AI ANYTHING¡ it goes and searches online¡ and get back, with the ¡®best¡¯ possible answer. Pauly, use it like how¡ Peter did, in tennis practice.¡±
He poked out the perforated, white-plastic-eyes in the Spider-man mask.
¡°Cool, thanks!¡¯ Paul wore the AI-glasses on top of the mask, and WENT ON THE EXCLAIM, to what he ¡®saw.¡¯
¡°Whoa¡!!! it¡¯s like Iron-man¡¯s Jarvis, in here!¡±
¡°Who¡?¡± Said the-confused blind-girl.
¡°Never mind¡ let¡¯s go, Jane.¡±
They crept in the shadows, as they avoided the CCTV cameras in the hospital compound, and also the sentry guard post. Paul asked¡
¡°Jane, does Boyyo have a ¡®night-vision¡¯ mode?¡±
¡°You go, ask ¡®him.¡¯¡±
¡°Yes-Paul¡ I have a ¡®night-vision¡¯ purpose function.¡±
¡ Paul exclaimed in awe again¡ after hearing Boyyo in the comm¡¯s earpiece.
¡°Whoa, ¡®he-just spoke¡¯ to me!¡±
They went to the main door, where 3 Gurkha guards had earlier entered inside. It was locked and was KEYPAD PROTECTED ¨C that need a key-pass, to open the door.
¡°Do you want me to hack, the system?¡±
¡°Yes,¡± Jane ordered.
¡°Boyyo-can do that¡ wow¡!!?¡±
In 8 seconds, the door opened. And, Paul exclaimed again in wonderment.
¡°Whoa, Boyyo¡ you are a ¡®badass¡¯ mission-impossible!¡±
¡ both Jane and Boyyo shushed the ¡®excited¡¯ boy ¨C as they entered the old building. Paul levitated inside, and searched for the main switchboard, to turn it off.
¡°Where is ¡®this¡¯ switch box¡?¡±
¡°Take me to the ¡®legend¡¯ ahead¡ and I will find it for you, Paul.¡±
¡°What the hell, is a legend¡?¡±
¡°The floorplan of the facility ¨C it is on 2¡¯oclock¡ ahead of you.¡±
¡ Paul saw a metal old, sheet that was mounted on the wall, since the hospital was built, back in the ¡¯70s. In the dark-glasses, Boyyo PHOTOGRAPHED THE BLUEPRINT and analysed the hospital¡¯s layout ¨C ENTRY AND EXITS, for-later escapes.
¡°Paul, the switchboard is 20 paces ¨C to the right-hand corner.¡±
¡°Thank you, Boyyo.¡± He said as he floated over.
They entered a small-sized room with the switchboards. Paul pulled OUT A DOZEN FUSES, and dropped them on the floor ¨C they too were ¡®now¡¯ in dark, IN BLACKOUT. Paul then used his electrical superpower, to ¡®FRY AND MELT¡¯ those fuses on the floor.
¡°The backup generator will come into activation soon ¨C do you want to go there, and disable that too?¡±
¡°No Boyyo, FIND WHERE the pound is ¨C where, PIPER IS NOW QUARANTINED¡?¡± Jane instructed. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time¡ let¡¯s go straight to Piper.¡±
¡°Very well, Jane ¨C your dog, Piper is on the floor above.¡±
¡ they quickly exited the power-room, and followed the mission-plan, to rescue the Hero-dog.
In pitch darkness, using the night-vision¡Paul held Jane¡¯s hand and guided the blind-girl, with Boyyo¡¯s instructions to the staircase, that led upstairs. In the dark¡
... they ¡®saw¡¯ a Gurkha guard, coming with a flashlight ¨C they hid¡
¡ the safeguard went into the switchboard room, flashing the torch around. From outside, Paul and Jane heard him-exclaim out, in his native Nepalese language. He then used his walkie-talkie comm¡ to ALERT THE OTHER 2 GUARDS, of his ¡®finding.¡¯
Silently, Paul avoided the room. He placed Jane¡¯s hand on his shoulder, to follow his upstairs in the dark. The tweens reached, and Paul with Boyyo on NIGHT-VISION MODE searched, along the darken hallway, with some empty-ward rooms, that-filled with boxes-and-boxes, of records of-old files stacked up¡
¡ their footsteps attracted some distant dogs¡¯ barks, in the shadow. They followed the noise, further down the gloomy path. And, they reached a ward-room with 20 over cages, half-empty ¨C with 11 animals ¨C old and sickly dogs, some barking and others sleeping.
¡°Paul, PIPER IS ¡®NOT¡¯ HERE.¡± He heard a worried voice, behind him.
¡°Yup, no grey-Alsatian-in here.¡±
¡°Try the other room ¨C my ¡®heat-sensor¡¯ detects¡ other dogs over there.¡± Said Boyyo...
¡ they exited the-noisy room.
Meanwhile, in the downstairs, a 2nd guard joined the first, in the switchboard room ¨C they were discussing to-do A PERIMETER-SECURITY-search for trespassers, in the blackout animal hospital.
Upstairs¡
¡ Boyyo guided the tween, based on the legend-info earlier. They entered the 2nd ward¡ with only 2 cages apart, with 2 dogs.
In a cage marked ¨C ¡®Quarantine¡¯
... was Piper barking excitedly when it-saw Jane ¨C and she shushed him to quiet-up¡
¡ Paul saw the other caged dog, in his night-vision¡ a big, female Belgium Malinois named Kitty. She looked frightened¡ whimpering softly, ¡®seeing¡¯ an odd, human hovering ¡®above¡¯ the floor.
Paul had seen on the TV news yesterday, of the CONTROVERSY-OF THIS DOG, mauling up her handler while training. The dog should be ¡®destroyed,¡¯ reported-by the law ¨C after its trainer was hospitalized¡ with serious bodily injuries.
¡ he also saw the new B-story TV report, of the man¡¯s crying wife and 2 children at his bedside. While on the flipside online¡ there were reports too from dog-lovers¡¯ NGOs who claimed that Kitty¡ was an ¡®abused¡¯ physically-and-mentally dog ¨C and should ¡®not¡¯ be put to ¡®sleep.¡¯
¡°Jane, they are going TO KILL ¡®THIS¡¯ DOG tomorrow¡¡±
¡°¡ oh, the poor thing¡ who could such-a thing to a doggie¡¡± Jane whispered back.
Where else, Piper was a CELEBRITY, HERO-DOG OF PERTH ¨C a new-found ¡®pride¡¯ of the city, according to the dog-loving-country groups ¨C and even-though when he ¡®had¡¯ attacked the farmer who wanted to shot the dingo¡ and ¡®chewed-on¡¯ his pistol-hand ¨C ¡®the-NGOs¡¯ made AN ¡®EXCUSE¡¯ FOR PIPER for his attack, and claiming the hero-dog was ¡®distressed,¡¯ when the farmer shot the dingo ¨C despite, A HUMAN-BEING ALSO HAD DIED in the ¡®same¡¯ attacks¡ of that unfaithful day¡in Narrogin¡
¡ instead of ¡®destroying¡¯ Piper¡
¡the NGOs of dog-lovers¡¯ groups, decided ¨C the missing guide-dog to be RETURNED¡ to the rightful owner, the Blind Jane Wilson.
¡°Jane, as a dog owner, do you ever think, ¡®DOGS¡¯ SHOULD GET 2ND CHANCE, for their ¡®wrongdoings¡¯ in their parts they play, and share, in our life?¡±
He saw the blind-girl in his night-vision, nodding to an agreement. Paul thought ¡®so¡¯ too, every living-being deserved a 2nd chance ¨C EXCEPT FOR HIS TWIN-BROTHER.
¡ Paul saw both of the metal cages were padlocked, and the cage-flooring too, were metal railings. If he used his electricity-superpower to dismantle the locks, he would ¡®electrocute¡¯ the poor animals inside, in the process.
¡°Jane, you have to use YOUR ¡®BLAST POWERS¡¯ to explode the locks, and set the dogs free.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know, if I can do it ¨C I have ¡®NOT¡¯ PRACTICED IT since, at the ¡®zoo¡¯ ¨C I even failed to demonstrate, what I ¡®have¡¯ to Uncle Jack lately¡¡±
¡°¡ Jane, we don¡¯t have much time¡ it looks like THE-FASTEST WAY is when you ¡®damage-away¡¯ the locks ¨C please-try!¡±
¡°Pauly, what if I hurt them¡¡±
In the dark¡ they both heard a CRACKLE IN THE WALKIE-TALKIE, with Nepalese spoken¡ at the foot of the stairs.
¡°Stop thinking¡ AND JUST DO IT, girl!¡±
Her taste buds felt a minty taste. The blind-girl inhaled a BREATH OF SELF-CONFIDENCE ¨C she had DONE THIS BEFORE when she subdued a black panther¡
Cosmic-flames from her palm¡ BLEW AWAY the padlock ¨C the frightened Kitty pissed herself, in fright¡ of the girl¡¯s superhuman ability.
¡°Come, girl ¨C you now get outta here!¡±
¡ Paul said out, opening the cage door wide. The she-dog sprinted away, in the dark.
Next, Jane blasted the padlock on Piper¡¯s cage¡
-O-
¡ at the stairs¡
¡ the running Belgium Malinois was confronted, by 2 Gurkha guards with flashlights, who were drawn to-search, when they heard 2 separate blasts upstairs.
They cornered the dog ¨C withdrew their batons and cursed in Nepalis¡ and went to attack. The trained Kitty, ¡®knew¡¯ her training ¨C she brought one of guard down on-the-fly¡ sank her-teeth deep into the man¡¯s armpit and fiercely-mauling¡
The 2nd guard went-in to help¡ and he hit the biting dog with his baton. Kitty yelped in pain, stopping her-attacks on the man, and RAN BACK AWAY in the dark.
The angry Gurkha gave her a chase¡
¡ nearby, Paul was finding for an a-quick exit ¨C and he opened the windows and he saw the floor¡¯s 2 long, horizontally RUNNING POWER-CABLES, going going-across the compound yard¡¯s 5-meter-high fences.
¡°Paul, we are in the TOP 2ND FLOOR ¨C do you plan to JUMP 6 METERS DOWN¡?¡± Asked Boyyo...
The floating Paul saw behind, at the barking Piper¡ wagging his tail and playfully greeted his master.
¡°Quiet Piper!¡± The blind-girl calmed her dog.
¡ Paul heard the other-bark, of the Belgium Malinois¡¯ warning. Soon they ¡®saw¡¯ Kitty was being pursued, by a baton-wielding Gurkha, coming fast towards them.
¡ the guard stopped 2 meters ahead in the murk dim-lit by the open windows ¡ and he shouted¡
¡°What are YOU DOING HERE!!?¡±
As, he shone his high-beamed torchlight into Paul¡¯s face ¨C who was wearing at that time, the Boyyo-glasses, ON NIGHT-VISION MODE.
¡ Paul was ¡®blinded,¡¯ as he clumsily backed away in pain-burns, from both-of his retinas. Eyes-shut, he heard the 2 dogs barking behind him¡
The Gurkha shouted out. ¡°You 2, SURRENDER NOW!¡±
The still blinded Paul in his Spidey-mask was with his eyes tearing up¡ as held-up his hand to the guard¡ and Paul warning-the man¡
¡°You back-off, G! I can ¡®shoot¡¯ electricity ¨C and, I don¡¯t wanna ¡®hurt¡¯ you, G!¡±
That WAS ¡®HOW¡¯ HIS WW2 soldier, Grandpa Walker ¡®called¡¯ the Nepalese Gurkha, as ¡¯Ji.¡¯
Next, the blinded Paul heard angry, hissed-curses, in Nepalese coming at him ¨C the only word¡
¡ he ¡®understood¡¯ from the foreign tongue, was ¡®Spider-man.¡¯
The ¡®partially-sighted¡¯ Paul blasted electric-bolt-sparks, at the chest of the baton-wielding Gurkha¡ who then-dropped down, on the floor.
¡ he knew his ¡®shot¡¯ WAS ¡®NOT¡¯ FATAL¡ as he had ¡®practises,¡¯ on his-twin brother Peter.
¡°Paul, are you, okay¡?¡±
... Jane approached him as he stumbled. Paul was nauseated¡ as handed OVER TO HER, HER BOYYO AI dark-glasses and ¨C puked on the floor¡
¡ he recovered fast, and told¡
¡°Jane, WE GET OFF¡ from here fast!¡±
He pointed at the open windows¡ and the blind-girl, using her 3rd-Eye ¡®understood¡¯ what Paul had meant.
The tweens both held Piper¡¯s both-forelegs, as they hauled the big dog out through the window. Kitty saw both of the ¡®super-ability¡¯ humans carrying ¡®their¡¯ dog, to the ground¡
¡Kitty heard noises of curses spewed, behind her ¨C the Gurkha guard recovered fast too, and was standing up, with his baton.
¡ the frightened dog jumped out of the window¡ and skilfully landing on the 2 lines of high power-cables ¨C the trained-Kitty remembered-HER TIGHTROPE-WALK routine.
-O-
Outside, on the compound yard, Paul, Jane and Piper ran to the high fences. The 3rd Gurkha guard was chasing them from behind¡ and the fat-sentry guard was coming-in too, blowing his whistle¡
¡ the athletic Gurkha-was closing in, when the tween reached the 5-meter-tall fence. Paul and Jane heaved the Alsatian again, and THEY LEVITATED TOGETHER, trying to get the dog over the fence¡
¡ they were halfway over, when the security guard LEAPT-HIGH FROM BEHIND, and grabbed Paul and Jane by their ¡®heads,¡¯ and they ALL FELL ON THE GROUND, inside the fence. But the-half way-Piper leapt on the vertical barrier and scaled the fence, on his own¡
¡ like he did ¡®before¡¯ at the zoo¡¯s razor-top fence.
¡ Paul¡¯s Spidey mask came off, and Jane¡¯s hoodie too tore¡ revealing their ¡®identities.¡¯ The man then detained them¡ by pinning Paul and Jane down-to the ground.
The crippled boy held, the Gurkha¡¯s arm¡ and he electrocuted him.
The yelping-man fell unconscious on the side. On the other side of the fence, Piper was on the ground ¨C barking and alerting the tweens.
¡ Paul looked up, at the coming whistle-blowing guard. He got up and reached out¡ to dazed blind-Jane and said¡
¡°Come, Jane¡¡±
¡ Piper saw Kitty, who had a SUCCESSFUL TIGHTROPE WALK, on the horizontal power-lines ¨C and saw her leaping to the power-pole, almost-pole-danced ¨C while she scaled down-on it¡ like she was ¡®taught¡¯ in her security-training...
¡ Kitty-then joined Piper, and both the dogs barked out loud... at the fence¡
Inside, Paul grabbed the blind-girl and-hauled her above ¨C and THEY-TOOK FLIGHT, into the night-skies. The 2 dogs followed them¡ racing on the ground, from behind.
¡ the fat guard stopped blowing the whistle and his chasing¡ clueless-speechless¡ and LOOKING ¡®DISTURBED¡
¡. witnessing ¡®stranger-things¡¯ at downtown Perth Animal Hospital¡ at the early witching hours.
<>
PAUL¡¯S INJURED EYES HURT A LOT, when the tween decided to descend on earth, and reciprocate. The cripple boy was-tearing a lot and kept rubbing his eyes, with his palms.
They sat on a bench, in King¡¯s Park ¨C and were delighted of THEIR MISSION ¡®SUCCESS,¡¯ of rescuing Perth¡¯s Hero-dog, Piper.
¡°Jane, your dog has a new ¡®girlfriend¡¯¡ named Kitty.¡±
The excited blind-girl hugged and kissed his cheek saying¡
¡°Thank you for introducing, her to Piper¡¡±
¡°But Jane, it was you who blasted her cage open ¨C and gave Kitty a 2nd chance in her life, because she was sure-CERTAIN TO BE ¡®DESTROYED,¡¯ later this morning.¡±
¡°At least my Piper-boy won¡¯t be ¡®alone,¡¯ with Kitty in his company.¡± The blind-girl responded, but holding her tummy, and groaning¡
¡°What¡¯s wrong, Jane?¡±
¡°It¡¯s my gastric-problem ¨C I¡¯m hungry¡¡±
¡°Me too.¡± Said Paul, looking at his wristwatch, that showed 3:17 AM ¨C but he did ¡®not¡¯ have his alibi-wheelchair at the moment, but he HAD SOME MONEY. He-fluttered his lips, before he pulled out A$30 from his jacket, and gave it to Jane¡
¡°Here, take this ¨C and go-with Boyyo¡ and get us-both some burgers.¡±
He saw blind-Jane giving her instructions to her AI, BEFORE TAKING OFF¡ and ascending back-flying into the dusky skies...
... while the disabled boy sat ¡®alone¡¯ on the bench, with his eyes shut as he recovered...
-O-
¡ at the nearby, deserted 24-hour McDonald outlet, in the same-witching hour¡was the blind-girl ordering a double-order of food.
The few customers in were ¡®not¡¯ bothered by the Jane, with her torn hoodie ¨C as they had witnessed many-teen blondes, these days ¨C with DREADLOCK-HAIRED LOOK-ALIKES, walking the streets of Perth, and impersonating PFC LIKE ¡®DOUBLES.¡¯
¡ Jane flew back to King¡¯s Park, with Boyyo GPS-ing her for directions¡
¡both Paul and Jane spread the late-night supper-meal, on the bench¡ and they ate. They had Big Macs double-cheeseburgers, fries and sundae ice-creams. Jane had forgotten ¡®the mustard,¡¯ where Paul preferred the condiment in his beef-burger¡ but he was too hungry to complain.
While they both ate¡ they continued to speak ¡®dearly¡¯ of Piper, whom the blind-girl missed the most since the dog was ¡®cursed.¡¯
¡°Come-on, don¡¯t be-sad Jane¡ at least, he has Kitty-by his side now ¨C I make a toast and wish those 2-mutts well, with LONG ¡®2ND CHANCE¡¯ of life ¨C and more adventures together, and¡ baby-mutts too.¡±
¡ they both laughed ¨C and ¡®clink¡¯ together with their plastic ice-cream cups¡ before eating it.
They then spoke of a string of various trivial-topics, like the charity-match that the blind-girl partnered with his twin ¨C where the PFC pair lost to the country club''s ex-internationals ¨C and the food they had at the banquet some-hours ago, and also, the free membership of pro-tennis training by the country-club that Jane had ''won''¡
¡ Paul enquired if Jane would-take up the offer, of the ¡®free¡¯ membership ¨C in which, the blind-girl flatly-said ¡®no¡¯ ¨Cshe doesn¡¯t have the time, and her studies for the final term, was still her top priority in her life. But SHE HAD AN ¡®OBLIGATION¡¯ ¨C and also ¡®gave¡¯ her word to Peter¡ to play in the school¡¯s mixed-double knockout.
¡ Paul voiced too, that she had made a wise decision, by ¡®not¡¯ accepting the free offer, because DOUGIE ¡®THE TRIGGER¡¯ ¨C who-was the ¡®country-club-boy,¡¯ and was in Pete''s hit list¡
¡ along with their Principle Harris ¨C like-how he told Alicia, earlier the night.
¡ he was pleased to see Jane nodding, in agreement.
¡°Jane, a serious question ¨C do you believe, Peter should-get a 2nd chance, after all the disastrous, destructions that he had caused¡?¡±
¡°But like you said¡ HE IS POSSESSED by-the ¡®curse¡¯ ¨C that¡¯s ¡®why¡¯ I think¡ he is ¡®not¡¯ to be blamed, but the one who ¡®controls¡¯ him-is¡¡±
¡ Paul was quiet, as he thought of HIS PLAN-B RESORT¡ if everything else failed in the ¡®2nd chance¡¯ by the Good-one¡¯s efforts-in ¡®not¡¯ saving his twin ¨C ¡®but¡¯ was killing off-Peter for the greater redemption good ¨C could be his ¡®only¡¯ option¡
... with the-bearing¡ of an eternal life of Catholic-guilt, after-that?
It was late, after their late-late-supper¡ and they both decide to go home. They both flew off from the bench in King¡¯s Park, up into the dawning skies. Boyyo was GPS-ing them, with the aerial directions.
It was 4:03 AM, when Paul sent the blind-girl safely to her bedroom-window of Wilson¡¯s residence ¨C before the-blue beacon flew-solo, back home.
He got ¡®lost¡¯ as he couldn¡¯t find his bearings¡ with a blanket of the forest-fire smoke that was fanning across Perth¡¯s atmosphere.
¡ his eyes smart as he teary-eyed away, and he used his instincts, of the city¡¯s hazy-landmarks memorized, to get back home.
It was 4:26 AM¡ when he approached for an aerial touchdown, at Walker¡¯s house lawn ¨C in-air, he noticed his mother¡¯s Audi parked at the gated-porch.
He knew Mom would be sleeping upstairs, but the DOOR¡¯S ALARM-SYSTEM would-trigger and awake her ¨C at this hour ¨C forcing the police-mother to inspect and-catch him, sneaking into the house¡ without his alibi-wheelchair.
¡ Paul landed beside the car, as he levitated ¨C and, was then-alarmed to see the garage door open¡ with the dim tungsten light lit inside.
Was there a break-in? The crippled boy hovered over¡ to investigate inside¡
¡ Paul saw Peter¡ sitting in the dark side of the garage, still wearing his sporting outfit from the charity match.
He was drinking a tall-can of RedBull alone¡ looking at his old-prosthetic arm, from an opened box. When Peter saw his twin ¡®outside¡¯ ¨C he scoffed, he threw the fake arm across the room, as he cursed under his breath. The one-armed boy grabbed, his backpack with his tennis racquets¡ got on his bike, and left at dawn¡
¡ both the twins were ¡®not¡¯ in talking terms¡
¡ but Paul saw Peter¡¯s face ¨C was darkened, and was guessing¡ IF WAS IT THE DRUGS ¨C or was it the ¡®possession¡?¡¯
¡®And, where the hell was, he going off ¡®next,¡¯ at that hour?¡¯
Everything got fuzzy soon, as the crippled boy was-bushed¡ and was knock-head dead-sleepy. He switched off the light¡ and laid-on the workbench table¡
¡ and Paul instantly fell asleep¡ without his-routine prayer-saying.
-O-
On the road, the angry one-armed Peter rode his bike, and cursing out aloud, at his twin ¨C who he had seen earlier in flight, with Janey.
¡ was the cripple 2-timing around with his China-doll, by ¡®ALSO¡¯ GOING OUT with her blind-BFF, behind her back?
He sighed and scoffed¡ but-that it-was ¡®not¡¯ important-for now ¨C for he has a ¡®bigger¡¯ PURPOSE TO PLAY-AND ¡®FRY¡¯¡
¡ by ¡®being¡¯ at Perth¡¯s gate¡
¡ to-welcome Ammut and Ammit in ¨C to TERRORIZE THE CITY¡ by razing-it to the ground.
Chapter 15: Ammut and Ammit
CAROLINE WALKER, IN HER BATHROBE, walked on her hazy porch walkaway to pick up the newspaper. She looked at the front page, with a photo of Mayor John Blake, in a speech at the Perth¡¯s Country Club, with the headlines.
Mayor Blake ready for Election
She smiled when she saw herself, in uniform in the photo ¨C in the background ¨C during the mayor¡¯s speech¡ conversing with Principal Tom Harris, before the charity match¡
¡ Caroline ambled back in pleasant thoughts, of being later invited to the Mayor Blake¡¯s main-table, with Principle Harris, sitting by her side at the banquet.
She-looked up¡ and saw the garage door ¡®open¡¯ ¨C she went close to-investigate. The inspector-mother saw Paul coo-snoring, on the workbench inside.
¡°Paul! Paul!¡±
The crippled boy was jolted¡ as he opened his still smarting eyes, to his mother¡¯s voice. He realised he was ¡®NOT¡¯ IN HIS WINDOWLESS ROOM¡ but in the garage, where-with his mother¡¯s pickup-the-newspapers morning routine ¨C who-now, was standing outside¡ calling him.
¡°Yea, Mom-what¡?¡±
¡°Why are you sleeping here, Poe?¡±
¡ he was dazed a bit before Paul responded to her ¨C AND HE ¡®LIED,¡¯ as he sat up on the workbench.
¡°Yea, after-the country-club, I WENT OVER to celebrate a bit, with Alicia and Jane to McDonald''s¨C and when I got home¡ I realized I have forgotten my house-keys, and I don¡¯t want to call you or ring the doorbell¡ because it was late so, I slept outdoors, a little¡¡±
¡°What time did you come back¡?¡±
¡°¡. I don¡¯t know Mom, BUT IT-WAS LATE¡?¡±
¡°You look like shit, Poe ¨C do you want to-take a sickie-day off¡?¡±
¡°No-Mom, I can¡¯t¡ I got a Math test, in the last period.¡±
¡ Caroline smiled at her diligent son¡ and before walking into the house, and she said¡
¡°Good boy, go get ready¡¡±
Now, the sly-twin HAD-TO TIME himself, for his inspector-mother to go upstairs because his alibi-wheelchair was parked in his bedroom ¨C and, to maintain his ¡®SECRET¡¯ IDENTITY, he should ¡®not¡¯ get caught, ¡®with-his-legs down¡¯¡
¡ he had a near-miss before¡ when she HAD ¡®CAUGHT¡¯ HIM, ¡®crawling¡¯ upstairs, on the night of Jane¡¯s brother¡¯s abduction¡
¡ where he gave a similar a BS-lie then¡ of late-night exercising.
He hid¡ levitating behind-the main door, and the moment his inspector-mom went upstairs ¨C the crippled-boy soared-in fast to his bedroom¡
¡ a lapse-of 15 minutes later¡
¡ Paul rolled into the kitchen, in his school uniform ¨C he was applying eyedrops to the irritation of his teary-eyes ¨C and when he overapplied the drops, it fuzzed his ¡®ENT-pipeline¡¯ ¨C Paul sneezed aloud¡
¡°Bless you, Poe.¡±
¡ Caroline in her police-uniform, said as she came downstairs¡
¡°Did you see Peter? He is ¡®not¡¯ in his room ¨C did you ¡®see¡¯ him leave¡?¡±
¡°No-didn¡¯t¡ I was fast asleep¡¡± Paul lied again while sipping his black coffee¡
¡ recalling his footsteps¡ he was-back from the country-club last night, around 10-ish, and was ¡®home-alone,¡¯ and then, ¡®left¡¯ to help Jane, to rescue her dog around 11-ish¡
¡ in fact, he saw his twin later, just now, seated in the garage AROUND 4-ISH when he came back home ¨C and, the one-armed ¡®monster¡¯¡ then scoffed and left...
¡Paul no-longer wanted to tell-on, ¡®everything¡¯ that Peter did ¨C and be, as ¡®informant¡¯ to his police-Mom¡ like he ¡®had¡¯ used to¡
¡ so-to, maintain everybody¡¯s ¡®secret-identities.¡¯
Both mother and son then shared brief personal, ¡®family-time¡¯ together¡ for the next 3 minutes, drinking their coffees ¨C before Caroline rushed to work¡ while Gary the Uber driver, picked up Paul to school.
<><>
PAUL REACHED IN TIME FOR FIRST CLASS¡ while his classmates too settled in their chairs ¨C the school-bell rang ¨C and both the BFFs entered the classroom.
Instantly, the ¡®whole¡¯ classroom ¨C CHEERED AND CLAPPED for Jane Wilson, compared to only ¡®half¡¯ who did so during the first-day of final-term¡
.. every other-body¡ was coming forward to congratulate, the other-half of ¡®Perth¡¯s famous couple,¡¯ where blind-Jane had REPRESENTED THEIR SCHOOL, to play against the country club''s ex-international, in the charity match ¨C to which the classmates too, came-over yesterday to support the PFC.
The blind-girl was an ¡®instant-celebrity,¡¯ with 3 of her blond classmates, had followed suit¡ of ¡®copying¡¯ her dreadlocked hairstyle fashion.
The excited Alicia came-fast¡ and sat on the wheelchair, on Paul¡¯s laps briefly ¨C laughing and kissing his cheeks, before she got off¡ and sat on her own desk, waving-cute, back to him¡
¡ his hips hurt after Alicia sat on him ¨C from the ¡®knock¡¯ when he took falling, from the ¡®Gurkha¡¯ at the fence which was also on-THE-SAME-HIP too¡
¡ when he was ¡®first¡¯ hurt back then ¨C when rescued Dougie, from ¡®his Sparta-fall.¡¯
Faking a grimaced-smile, he sighed deep¡ while waving back-at his Chinese girlfriend ¨C thinking if the current, growing celebrity-status, WOULD BE A THREAT TO THE ¡®SECRET-IDENTITY¡¯ of the Cursed-trio ¨C while instead¡
¡ ¡®they¡¯ should be in A LOW-PROFILE, buried under their books?
He sighed deep a 2nd-time, looking at his watch ¨C and noticing ire teachers, who were turning UP ¡®LATE¡¯ FOR their teaching¡
¡ ever since THEIR CARS EXPLODED, and blazed away¡ at the SHS¡¯s carpark lot, a week ago.
<>
INSP CAROLINE WALKER WALKED into her office¡ and the ¡®first¡¯ top priority police-case of her day ¨C was the ¡®missing-hero-dog¡¯ from the government animal-hospital that was ¡®abducted,¡¯ in the early morning¡
¡ and, Mayor Blake whom, she was introduced ¡®personally¡¯ for the ¡®first¡¯ time, last night¡ at the country club¡
¡ had commissioned ¡®personally¡¯¡ for Insp Walker, to-work ¡®this¡¯ case.
The mayor was in a TIGHT-SPOT NOW¡
¡ as he wanted to hold a hero-medal giving an award for Piper, later that Monday evening, as per as, THE ANNOUNCEMENT he had made¡ in his country club''s speech yesterday. He wanted ¡®this¡¯ hero-dog ¡®endorsement¡¯ campaign¡
¡ in a dog-loving country of Perth-city¡ to win in the next election.
Now, with the ¡®hero-DOG¡¯ GONE MISSING AGAIN ¨C ¡®what¡¯ would he ¡®say¡¯ in his election speech, to the press-media later¡?
The inspector-mother too sighed, if this was ¡®HOW¡¯ THE MAYOR WAS ¡®PUNISHING¡¯ her, for Peter irrupting his election speech, yesterday¡ at the tennis court when the-rebellious one-armed ¡®wonder¡¯ worked the impatient crowd¡ to cheer-on to his own brand of PFC instead-of the live-telecasted JOHN BLAKE¡¯S RE-ELECTION speech, during-the charity-match event.
.. even her main zoo-case was still ¡®unsolved¡¯ ¨C with the perpetrator Hajji, who was-still a ghost-in-the-wind.
Now¡
¡ with this MISSING ¡®PERTH¡¯S FAMOUS HERO-DOG¡¯ case, falling on her lap¡
¡ Det. Insp Walker DROVE ALONE, to the ¡®animal-hospital¡¯ facility, in downtown Perth ¡ while the rest of her dispatched police-units in their patrol-cars, searched the streets for the missing-hero dog¡
<>
AFTER THE ¡®SHORT HISTORY LESSON¡¯ by their teacher, Mr Hull, the bell rang and the next teacher, for English, Mr Bailey was also late.
¡ Alicia was excited as Jane whispered to-her alone, of ¡®their¡¯ adventure of the rescue of Piper, from the ¡®animal-hospital¡¯ last night. JANE CREDITED the Piper rescue efforts, solely to Paul Walker¡ who orchestrated ¡®the mission¡¯ well ¨C with ¡®no¡¯ one getting fatally-injured.
¡ the crippled boy just smiled, when he-was mentioned until the English teacher stepped in. Paul noticed Peter¡ WAS ¡®ABSENT¡¯ AT THE BACK ¨C and his student-fans then whispered¡
¡ that, he was a ¡®sore-loser.¡¯
By the 3rd bell, Paul was sleepy-as-hell¡ and was in need of-his 2nd coffee ¨C and, promised himself a cuppa, at the recess break, to-stay afresh for his math-test.
<>
AT 10:05AM¡
¡ INSP WALKER QUESTIONED THE 3 midnight Gurkha guards, with their work-shift ending at noon.
The 4th guard was hospitalized, for-severe dog bites.
The 3 Gurkhas repeated to Caroline¡ ¡®what¡¯ they had said-to the police earlier, that the TRESPASSERS WERE ¡®YOUNG¡¯ YOUTH ¨C and the Spider-man masked boy¡ used-a taser to ¡®shock,¡¯ both of them unconscious.
The inspector ¡®suspected¡¯ it was the ¡®SAME¡¯ ANIMAL-ACTIVIST GROUP from the zoo, who were the ones responsible for the Hero-dog to be ¡®taken¡¯¡
¡ just like how-they-broke-into the monkey cages, recently at the zoo.
But, the only evidence left in the crime-scene was ¨C A ¡®SPIDER-MAN MASK¡¯ evidence ¨C which ¡®struck¡¯ Caroline, as she had seen it before, because she had bought a similar ¡®one¡¯¡ for Paul, for his school Halloween gathering.
¡°Mr Ram Kumar¡ you-said that you came ¡®behind,¡¯ on the 2 of them ¨C and you grabbed them both¡ and the ¡®mask¡¯ came off, is that it¡? Did you-see the perpetrator¡¯s face¡? What colour was his hair?¡± Shelley asked.
¡°I no-see his face¡ but his hair is dark ¨C and he suddenly-electric-current me¡ I fainted¡¡± The Gurkha replied.
The fat-security GUARD ¡®SPOKE¡¯ TO Ram Kumar, and before long ¨C they were arguing, in Nepalese. Insp Walker stopped them¡
¡°¡ Ram Kumar, what was he saying?¡±
¡°He saw the-girl as a blonde ¨C as like the famous tennis-playing-blind-girl.¡±
The fat-guard then said SOMETHING ¡®ELSE¡¯ again in Nepalese¡ and they both argued again. And, once-again Caroline Walker intervened¡
¡°Look here, I¡¯m gathering as ¡®much¡¯ evidence-as possible. And please fill me¡ with all the details, Mr Ram Kumar.¡±
The Gurkha HESITATED BEFORE he spoke in a cautious tone¡
¡°Madame Inspector¡ we can ¡®lose¡¯ our jobs if we say-this ¨C this-Gupta here said¡ he saw both the boy and girl, ¡®flying away¡¯ from here, crossing-that high fence¡¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
¡°What? They flew¡?
The fat-Gurkha, named Gupta nodded.
¡ Insp Caroline Walker left the ¡®animal-hospital with-more confusion. While she drove away to her police station, she recalled the visitors from Washington D.C., with the one named Mr Taro, asked her boys, IF THEY COULD FLY¡
¡ she thought at ¡®that¡¯ time, whether the questionnaires ¨C was ¡®for real¡¯¡ or was it a ¡®test¡¯ of young-boys¡¯ imaginative minds¡
And, also ¡®where¡¯ did Paul hangout yesterday, late at night with his ¡®friends¡¯ as she also found him fast asleep, in the garage this morning?
<>
THE BREATHING AIR QUALITY IN PERTH grew poor, with the bush forest fire coming in, from the north¡ Principle Harris decided, to close his school early¡
During the recess period in the canteen, while Paul had his coffee¡ he listened to the PA announcement that came ¨C that students-could GO HOME EARLY, and ¡®should¡¯ heading straight back home¡ because-Perth would be going through a ¡®state of emergency.¡¯
Everybody cheered in the canteen ¨C and were-fast evacuating. Even Paul was relieved, he would ¡®not¡¯ have to sit for Ms Bloom¡¯s Math test, as he was not ¡®prepared.¡¯
¡ Jane and Alicia came together from the washroom to the canteen¡ and joined their wheelchaired friend.
¡ Paul was saying, the fire was-intense up north ¨C from, FIRST-HAND-EXPERIENCE, with Jane, yesterday¡ while rescuing Piper ¨C where they ¡®flown¡¯ into choking smoke, that-was terrible. He¡¯ also¡¯ hoped the brave firefighters and the Mayor¡¯s ¡®promised¡¯¡ volunteer firefighters¡ would-put it out soon.
The 3 friends decided to go home. The girls separated from Paul¡
¡ who also called-up his Uber driver-Gary to pick him up¡ but couldn¡¯t get through¡
¡ to-the failed Wi-Fi ¡®connection¡¯¡
After 15 minutes of trying to get in touch with the driver¡ Paul noticed that he was among the last few people, in the canteen. He rolled out of the main door and was now in the hallway. He saw Nurse Nancy from the Infirmary¡ handing out hygiene face-masks, to outgoing students ¨C he thanked-and took his mask.
He went to the closed glass-main-door of the school¡ where some students were waiting, for their ride home from-either their parents, or Uber drivers. He kept trying for his driver, Gary ¨C but failed again. He applied his eyedrops¡
¡°Paul Walker!¡±
With applied eyedrops¡ he-saw with his unfocused ¡®glare¡¯ of a man in a suit¡ calling him from behind. He stood tall and was youthful¡ in his late-20¡¯s.
¡°Where is your brother ¨C Peter?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know, but he was ¡®absent¡¯ from-class just now is he in any trouble, Sir¡?¡±
The man introduced himself, and flashed his ID-badge as Agent Joe Dickson¡ of the Australian COUNTER-TERRORIST UNIT. He was then asking, questions-about his twin.
¡°When did you ¡®last¡¯ see him?¡± The agent asked.
¡ Paul took a while to ANSWER ¨C AND HE LIED¡
¡°I ¡®last¡¯ saw him play tennis, at-the club ¡®event¡¯ ¨C and I didn¡¯t see him since?¡±
¡°Did he come home last night¡?¡±
¡ Paul then LIED AGAIN¡
¡°¡ I don¡¯t know, Sir ¨C I came back home¡ and being-a school day, the next day, I slept-early...¡±
¡ Paul noticed the agent was taking notes in his little-black-book, and the man¡ paused for a brief thought¡
¡°And, he was absent today in class¡?¡±
¡°¡ yah¡¡±
¡ the crippled boy nodded. Dickson referring to his notebook¡ further questioned¡
¡°Where WERE YOU, PAUL in the afternoon of¡ last Monday, between 2 to 4 PM?
¡°Whoa, Sir¡ what¡¯s with the date and time¡? I hardly know what I ¡®ate¡¯ last night?¡±
Agent Joe Dickson laughed, as he continued to fill in¡
¡°Paul, you were in a club-banquet last night¡ and you don¡¯t know what you ate?¡±
¡°¡ a figure-of-speech¡¡±
¡ Paul too laughed at his slip-up ¡®spontaneous response¡¯ he had given ¨C of course, he knew what he had last night at the club, which was the mouth-watering main-course of Wellingtons roast-beef, and tasty meat-pies for dessert¡
¡®¡ and Big-Mac too, FOR LATE-SUPPER, with Jane¡¡¯
His gastric juices churned in his belly, begging for an early lunch¡ as he saw the agent rectifying his question¡
¡°The reason I asked was, that I CAME-BY YOUR house on that ¡®Monday,¡¯ with your mother Insp Walker¡and we met Peter but ¡®not¡¯ you. We went through your-home CCTV footages¡ which your brother claimed, it was ¡®hacked.¡±
¡°¡ wha-hacked¡? I don¡¯t know that¡¡± Paul was ¡®genuinely¡¯ confused.
¡°You live under the SAME ROOF ¨C AND you didn¡¯t ¡®know¡?¡¯¡±
¡°Sir¡ I LIVE IN a complicated-family house ¡®home-alone¡¯ most of the time¡ with my Mom, busy working-late hours ¨C AND WE ALL 3 OF US ¨C don¡¯t communicate much at home.¡±
He saw the agent nodding before he asked¡
¡°The reason I asked you of-that Monday because YOU WERE ¡®NOT¡¯ THERE when I visited ¨C so where were you, Paul?¡±
Paul thought hard a moment¡ and was recalling¡
¡°It was either I was in the library, or err¡ went for high-tea in Chinatown¡¡±
Agent Joe Dickson flipped pages and responded by finishing-Paul¡¯s-sentence.
¡°¡with your girlfriend¡ Alicia Wong¡?¡±
On his wheelchair, Paul was flabbergasted about-HOW MUCH ¡®MORE¡¯ information, that the agent-man ¡®had¡¯ on him¡
¡ and he SHOULD ¡®NOT¡¯ LET his ¡®guards-down¡¯ ¨C and let anyone know¡ about the Cursed-trio¡¯s identities.
¡°Yes, I was with Ali¡¡± Paul confirmed.
¡°That¡¯s ¡®all¡¯ Paul ¨C keep-YOURSELF OUT OF TROUBLE ¨C and ¡®no¡¯ to any weird-science experiment, onto your wheelchair.¡±
Speechless, he saw the agent leaving the front door, to the smoky, school parking-lot.
¡ Paul realized that the CTU agent had ¡®ALSO¡¯ BEEN SPEAKING to Principle Harris¡ who might have told him, of Terry Donovan¡¯s ¡®electrocution.¡¯
¡ Paul felt uneasy ¨C with the ¡®ADULT¡¯ INTERVENTION, to put ¡®other¡¯ members of the Cursed-trio on the spotlight of their secrecy.
¡®Where are you-Peter¡ and what have you ¡®done,¡¯ this time¡?¡¯
<><>
ALICIA¡¯S COUSIN JOHN CHEW WAS driving his Uber¡ and transporting the girls, back to their respective houses. Most of the roads were jam-pack in traffic, with several occasion of passing ambulances, heading to hospitals¡
¡ with burnt victims and smoke-poisoning.
Occupants of some northern-part of Perth, were ¡®evacuating¡¯ by the approaching bush forest-fire¡ blazing from the north.
On the car¡¯s radio ¨C was the weather-report¡
¡ claiming ¡®ODD¡¯ OCCURRENCE OF WIND directions changes¡
¡ that had the firefighters in confusion, to strategize a game-plan¡
¡ to put off the combustion.
It took the Uber an hour, to reach the Wilson residence ¨C Alicia dropped off her blind-BFF before the cousins headed home. But their-journey back was even longer¡
¡ fall upon by accidents by panicking road-drivers.
At the backseat¡ Alicia gazed at a hill at a distance, an inferno¡ while hearing Mayor Blake on the radio, DECLARING A STATE-OF-EMERGENCY in Perth.
¡ vehicles were crawling bumper-to-bumper, in most of the smoky roads and intersections, with BURNING WI-FI TOWERS¡ affecting the cars¡¯ personal GPS navigations systems¡ that failed for each driver.
At a foggy T-road junction, Alicia saw¡ the-absent from-school one-armed boy, through the car¡¯s window. He was drinking a can of RedBull, while standing with his bike, at roadside looking away AND WAS SEEN ¡®ADMIRING¡¯ the distant furnace¡
¡ Peter then turned his head, to the stalled Uber car and gazed ¨C at the ASTOUNDED CHINESE GIRL inside¡
¡ as he raised his DRINK TO HER¡ and with a psychotic-evil grin.
It ¡®crept¡¯ Alicia¡
<><>
PAUL AND GARY ARRIVED AROUND ONE-ISH. The disabled boy saw¡ his mother¡¯s Audi parked at the porch. He then entered the house from the-smoulder air outdoors and deactivated the alarm.
¡ Paul rolled his chair to the kitchen, and saw Caroline¡¯s iPad stood-in display, at the marbled kitchen counter ¨C with a display of portal-news on the screen¡
¡ of the MISSING HERO-DOG¡¯S PHOTO alongside with a ¡®RED SPIDEY MASK¡¯ ¨C with a headline of:
Hero dog ¡®taken¡¯ by Masked-intruders
¡ Paul noticed his bedroom door was open¡
¡ the crippled boy always left his ROOM-DOOR UNLOCKED unlike his twin upstairs ¨C for his ¡®own¡¯ personal-safety reasons, in case of emergencies¡
¡ he saw his inspector-mother coming out¡ carrying his trash-bag, and saying out¡
¡°Poe, your-room reeks of piss-smell from your diapers! How many ¡®days¡¯ have you ¡®not¡¯ cleared your trash-bag? Even the trash-bin outside-is full¡ and ¡®why¡¯ hasn¡¯t Peter clear it¡? This is part¡¯ of your chores¡ so why-are you 2 ¡®not¡¯ doing it!¡±
¡°So-sorry Mom, busy week ¨C where is-Peter by the way¡? Do you know HE WAS ¡®ABSENT¡¯ from school today?¡±
¡°He IS IN HIS room ¨C I ¡®saw¡¯ him brooding, when I came back ¨C he is ¡®DOWN AND UPSET¡¯ with his lost-match yesterday.¡± The inspector-mother replied.
¡°Mom, there is this, an agent of terrorist-unit, LOOKING FOR ¡®HIM¡¯ too at school.¡±
¡°Oh, that must be Agent Dickson¡ he called me at work ¨C ¡®what¡¯ did he say to you?¡±
¡°He-was looking for Peter, regarding our CCTV cameras¡ hey Mom, HOW-COME I didn¡¯t know, that it was hacked¡?¡±
His mother laughed. ¡°This Peter made a serious ¡®FALSE REPORT¡¯ ONLINE, that our home security-system is ¡®hacked¡¯ ¨C Dickson said it is just-faulty¡ that need ¡®checking.¡¯¡±
¡ Paul changed the subject.
¡ pointing at the iPad, he said. ¡°Jane¡¯s dog-Piper¡ has been ¡®taken,¡¯ Mom¡?¡±
¡°Yes, I¡¯m investigating the case ¨C my hunch-is that, whoever that broke-out the dog, has a ¡®link¡¯ to the animal-activist group¡ that broke-loose, those monkeys at the zoo. So, this time around, ¡®one¡¯ of the perpetrators had a taser-gun¡ and wore a Halloween-Spider-man mask.
¡°Hey Poe, I remember BUYING YOU A RED-ONE¡ and Peter a black-one of that similar masks, do you still have it?¡± Caroline asked¡
¡®¡ so, you ¡®did¡¯ enter my room¡ and searched for my-Spidey mask too, Mom¡¡¯
¡°No Mom, I threw it away ¨C when one of the plastic-EYE CAME OFF¡ I don¡¯t want to be a Nick-Fury-Spidey, so I threw it away, along with other ¡®clutter¡¯¡ when I cleared my room, last holiday. I don¡¯t want to live-like Peter¡
¡°¡ he is a junk-collector and a hoarder¡ excuse me Mom, gotta go-dunny¡ I got to pee.¡±
¡ Caroline with a-suspicious smile¡ seeing Paul rolling away, to the common-bathroom. She was ¡®determined¡¯ that Paul was HIDING ¡®SOMETHING¡¯ from her¡
¡ she caught him sleeping in the garage that morning, WITH AN ¡®EXCUSE¡¯ of hanging out with friends-at-McDonald¡¯¡
¡®¡where HAVE YOU BEEN, my ¡®Good-son¡?¡¯
¡ Paul came out from the bathroom, moments later to see¡ a boiling pot of water, on the stove. His inspector-mother was chopping garlic, on the marbled kitchen counter. Paul exclaimed¡
¡°Mom, you are cooking!!?¡±
¡°Yes, I thought we have-some pasta tonight¡ what do you think, Poe¡?
¡°¡thanks Mom¡ I really-miss your cooking.¡±
¡°You are welcome, my Good-son...¡±
Paul let out a long yawn¡
¡°Mom, I got to take a nap¡ let¡¯s have a ¡®family-dinner¡¯ later tonight.
¡®Yes, my Good-son¡we should¡¡¯
-O-
¡ Agent Dickson HAD ¡®PROFILED¡¯ her Good-son Paul as a silent, manipulator ¨C to his twin, egoistic-Peter who was ¡®only¡¯ obsessed with tennis and fame ¨C but-while the ¡®other¡¯ twin¡
¡ was a quiet, sly-saboteur ¨C USING ¡®ALIBIS¡¯ WHILE ENGAGING with an outside-network of Australia¡¯s ¡®misfits.¡¯
Where in Dickson¡¯s CTU agency¡ they had identified some FACEBOOK ¡®MISFIT¡¯ GROUPS that exist in Perth ¨C depends on what was their deviant-causes¡¯ ¨C and¡
¡ while at 9 years old, ¡®before¡¯ his accident¡ Paul who had ¡®not knowingly¡¯ had joined ¡®such¡¯ a closed-group in Facebook, with his personal email account¡ to ¡®be¡¯ in one FB Group called ¨C ¡®Indie Teen-Rescue Street-Animals of Perth¡¯ ¨C with over 2000 members¡
¨C where, 2 of the 3 perpetrator-arrested youths ¨C who had been ¡®identified¡¯ as those who freed the monkeys at the zoo recently ¨C were ¡®ALSO¡¯ IN THE SAME FB-GROUP too.
¡ Agent Dickson¡¯s advice to Insp. Walker was ¨C keep A-CLOSE ¡®EYE¡¯ on Paul, who was also ¡®involved¡¯¡ in the ¡®zoo¡¯s case¡¯ too ¨C where he was too ¡®DETAINED-FOR-QUESTIONING¡¯ for the missing monkeys-then¡
¡ as Paul may have ¡®OUTSIDE¡¯ CONTACTS¡
¡ with those ¡®misfits¡¯ of the Facebook ¡®closed¡¯ Group.
-O-
Paul opened the door, of his darkened bedroom¡ his eyes were-still teary from the irritation of smoke outside. All, he wanted was to sleep to compensate the ¡®balance,¡¯ from the loss of sleep ¡
¡ of last night''s Piper-rescue mission.
Behold¡
¡ there ¡®it¡¯ sat at the dark corner¡ of his windowless room, glowing-in red¡
¡°Jesus!¡± Paul exclaimed.
¡°Wrong-god, wrong-continent ¨C it¡¯s Mercury-here¡¡±
¡ a cynical chuckle was heard Paul with ¡®EYES-WIDE-SHUT¡¯ responded back...
¡°Rack off! What are you doing here¡? My Mom is outside in the kitchen!¡±
¡°Focus Paul, don¡¯t DRIFT-TO-DEEP-sleep ¡®stay-on¡ as-an-in-betweener.¡¯
¡ still in his room ¨C Paul looked with his eyes wide ¡®open¡¯ he saw A ¡®MIRROR-IMAGE¡¯ of himself sleeping on his bed, coo-snoring. The crippled boy, DID ¡®NOT¡¯ FREAK-OUT¡ while he levitated, and, he saw Mercury was sitting, UPSIDE-DOWN TO HIM.
¡°Mercury, why are you here¡?¡±
¡°Want TO-GO HUNTING with me? We do-hunt for Ammit!¡±
¡°No-Mercury, ¡®not¡¯ tonight¡ I promised Mom, we have ¡®some¡¯ family time together¡ she cooked pasta, for me¡ I really missed her cooking¡¡±
The response made the Red-demon, pause for a moment in thought¡
¡°¡ Nah¡! Ammit is more-tastier, O Good-one, so¡
¡°¡ LET¡¯S GO ¡®NOW¡¯ ¨C and-why ¡®not,¡¯ we take the BLIND-ONE ALONG ¡®too¡¯ ¨C the more the merrier¡!?¡±
Chapter 16: The 2nd Chance
THE AUSTRALIAN WEATHER DEPARTMENT had ¡®seeded¡¯ the clouds that morning¡ and it rained in the areas of the raging forest fire. It eased the efforts of the firefighters below momentarily, until¡
¡ the-Egyptian she-demon of death, Ammut blew her Blackmagic spelled dust from her left palm-into the air, and the WIND HAD CHANGED DIRECTION ¨C and the rain clouds were blown away, to coastal rains in Perth city.
The firefighting men were back on their backs¡ fighting the smoke and blazing inferno, created by the ¡®INVISIBLE¡¯ AMMUT¡
¡ her fire-breathing pet-named¡ Ammit.
<><>
AT LATE EVENING, PAUL AND MERCURY FLEW in the smoky atmosphere¡ while they both headed to the Wilson residence. They landed on the roof, outside blind-Jane¡¯s bedroom, and she was-too napping¡
¡ after her night-long ¡®quest,¡¯ of rescuing her dog yesterday.
¡°Jane! Jane.¡± Paul rapped, her closed window¡
¡ Jane was rudely awakened, and with her 3rd-Eye ¨C she saw both ¡®blue and red¡¯ glow outside her window.
¡°Paul¡?¡±
¡ Jane got off her Queen-sized bed, and walked to the window and ¡®saw¡¯ Paul ¨C and, she opened the window despite it was smoggy outside. The cripple-tween-then slide horizontally, into the room.
The blind-girl gasped in fright¡ ¡®seeing¡¯ a glowing Red-demon outside her window waiting. It looked ugly, dark and menacingly radiating in crimson ¨C and, had only one-arm, holding a threatening, burning sword¡
¡ which reminded Jane of PETER, AND HIS Babolat racquet.
¡°Jane, don¡¯t be afraid ¨C HE IS my friend.¡±
¡°Pauly, he-is a ¡®demon¡¯ ¨C how can you say, he is a friend, and trust him¡?¡±
¡°Well, Mercury had helped us ¡®before,¡¯ when we faced BlackStar, in the Aurora Australis ¨C now, he WANTS TO HELP PETER to ¡®break¡¯ the spell of Asmodeus ¨C where, he ¡®himself¡¯ is now in trouble-for his life, for ¡®doing-it¡¯ so because, Asmodeus had PUT A BOUNTY on his head ¨C that is why, I trust him of ¡®WHY,¡¯ HE CAME HERE¡ to help us.¡±
¡°Help us how¡?¡± Jane responded.
¡°Jane, for now, we have to defeat this Ethiopian demon¡¡±
¡°Egyptian!¡±
The Red-demon corrected Paul, from outside.
¡°¡sorry, yes-that she-demon ¨C called Ammut¡ whom Peter has been-fuelling her, to be strong ¨C WITH HIS TOXIC NEGATIVE FEELINGS, bad emotions and evil intentions¡ just like he ¡®had¡¯ fed BlackStar before¡
¡°¡we have to defeat THIS DEMON, TO PROTECT and save the whole of Perth-city¡ from being razed to the ground ¨C Jane, will-you help us¡?¡±
¡ instantly, the blind-girl nodded.
<><>
CAROLINE WALKER WAS COOKING PASTA Bolognese for her boys ¨C and a vegan, Olio-olio for herself. She heard Peter coming down the stairs, talking in his cellphone¡
The one-armed son popped his head in the kitchen...
¡°Mom, I¡¯m going out to the store¡ I ran out of my supply of energy-drink...¡±
¡°No, Peter it-is hazy outside¡ and you will get sick!¡±
¡°My purchase, won''t ¡®buy-itself¡¯ ¨C will-be back for dinner¡¡±
The main-door slammed¡
¡ the mother shook her head and sighed deep, realizing that despite being a police inspector of Perth, her elder-born Peter¡ ¡®still¡¯ DOESN¡¯T FEAR OR RESPECT her ¡®decisions¡¯ because of his rebelling and bullying nature since birth...
¡ he had bullied Paul the most, in his life ¨C but recently, Caroline was glad, that passive-Paul had been built up HIS COURAGE TO STAND UP for ¡®himself,¡¯ against his bullying twin, where lately she ¡®saw¡¯ it ¨C at the deli, after church.
<><>
THE CURSED-TRIO STOOD ON A HILLOCK, after the rain. The weather was cooling over there¡ and an a-circular rainbow had formed around, where they stood.
All 3 of them were looking at a ¡®distant,¡¯ at the grey smoke of the forest fire¡ licked with bright flames, which-lit up-to-the sunset firmament.
¡°We have TO KILL-HER PET first¡ without ¡®it¡¯ protecting its Master ¨C then it would then, be easier to slay Ammut.¡±
¡°How will we do that, Merc¡?¡±
The levitating Paul asked. The Red-demon then chuckled, and took out a medium-sized leather sachet, from his belt.
¡°We use the entrails of the Olatunji serpents ¨C they are reptile-legged snakes, in the Underworld, which-AMMIT FEEDS on.¡±
¡ Mercury opened the bag, and a nasty, stinking and putrid smell hit the air ¨C Jane and Paul backed away¡ and were choking, and were making vomit, throat-growling noises.
Paul spat, and uttered¡
¡°Put that away, it is horrendous ¨C and, my Mom-complains my piss reeks¡¡±
¡°Yes, Good-one, this IS THE ¡®BAIT¡¯, which I would use to lure Ammit out to the open before we kill it.¡±
The Red-demon flamed-on, and it spoke instructions¡
¡°2-of you ¨C WAIT FOR MY ¡®SIGNAL¡¯ ¨C and, strike!!?¡±
Mercury-flew solo towards the blazing forest, leaving the handicapped tweens behind¡ at the hill.
¡ the demon landed in the unburnt area in the woods and flamed-off. His tracker skills kicked in, of a skilled hunter ¨C as he went deeper into the dark timberland, at night.
He finally spied and tracked, to THE-SOURCE OF ¡®inferno¡¯¨C in the belly-of the woodland ¨C and the Red-demon ¡®SAW¡¯ THE INVISIBLE Ammut ambling¡ who was pulling a chain, to her huge pet Ammit¡
¡ her Ammit was the biggest the Red-demon had seen, of ¡®all¡¯ of Ammut¡¯s hybreed pets, which she owned. It was 50 meters in its-length, from head to tail-tip ¨C it was also gigantic-in-size of an African elephant, with a croc-head. But was shorter, with the hind legs of a scally hippopotamus¡
¡ with a long reptile-spiked tail.
With the head of a crocodile with its big, gaping jaws, that was SPITTING OUT JET OF FIRE, like a flamethrower. The male-lion mane growth was fire-proof, as it-fluttered majestic with its roar, as THE BEAST FROM HELL¡ RAZED THE TREES, in front of it.
Its forebody of a lion, moved in amble, with flinging-fires destroying anything, on its path. And, its curling tail, was sweeping the trail, with the satisfaction of its destructive effort.
¡ Mercury hid as he saw the beast, led by its master on its leash¡ with chanting uttered by the she-demon. The Red-demon then set his ¡®trap¡¯¡
¡ Mercury dipped his hand, into the sachet ¨C and smeared the blood on to a dozen of tree barks. With a mischief grin¡ he made ¡®loud¡¯ clicking sounds with his tongue.
The sound of the clicks was even heard, echoing ¡®OUTSIDE¡¯ THE FOREST where the tweens were. Paul alerted¡
¡°That is the signal, Jane ¨C get ready¡¡±
Deep inside the burning woods, the huge beast felt the ¡®strong-scent¡¯¡ like a shark-to-blood ¨C and the hybreed too, HEARD THE CLICK-SOUNDS that directed it¡ to the source of its favourite food. It got fidgety, and was ¡®on¡¯ edge¡
¡ its master Ammut was struggling hard, to control her chain of the tugging pet moving sideways, who was ¡®given¡¯ in, to the magnetic-scent. But the powerful she-demon¡ subdued her roaring killer-beast with-a spell¡
¡ and led it into the deep inferno¡
The Red-demon followed them into the hellhole. He circled ahead, and he continued to click his tongue. Ammut and Ammit saw Mercury ahead, in the furnace.
Ammut appeared scared of-her pursuer, Mercury ¨C who has a deadly reputation of his sharp-killer-instinct, in the Underworld¡
¡ she let go of the chain¡
Ammit darted towards the Red-demon¡ to confront and protect its master. Mercury with his flaming sword saw the roaring, gigantic beast-coming in, at full-speed straight at him. He dodged it by his high summersault, as he stabbed its upper body. Before backflipping to land, on the burning ground.
It was just a needle-prick to its scaly-armoured skin.
¡ the behemoth creature kept on running for a hundred metres, before HALT TO STOP ¨C and turned U-IE back¡ for its 2nd chance, of its next attack.
While Mercury waited for its-sluggish return, and he saw¡ the Egyptian funerary deity running away from the fiery scene. He was in 2-minds, whether to chase her ¨C as he ¡®too¡¯ heard the galloping footsteps of Ammit, coming behind him.
<>
AT THE MATAHARI HAIR SALOON, the proud mother, Robin Wong was directing a relative, to hang-up a large photo-frame, of a blown-up of Australian Chinese Daily newspaper cutting¡
¡ with a photo of Mayor John Blake handing Alicia, HER BRAVERY AWARD in Stamford High School.
Customers in hair-dressing chairs were recalling ¡®stories¡¯ they had heard and read, of the incident of blind-Jane¡¯s baby brother taken-and-hidden at the zoo.
At the saloon back, Alicia was in her mother¡¯s small office¡ seated behind the business desk. She stayed indoors, as the air was ¡®not¡¯ healthy outdoors, with the forest fire from the north, razing various parts of Perth for 3 days.
She was on social media platforms, reading up on various hot-trending posts, that was Perth-fire related. The trending top was the mayor ¡®postponing¡¯ Hero Award giving to hero-dog Piper, because of the ¡®fires¡¯ ¨C which itself was ¡®fake-news¡¯ ¨C where the-was fact-of-the-fact was that the mainstream media doesn¡¯t know the Piper was taken-and-freed¡ because it was a hush-hush police investigation.
But ¡®only¡¯ the tabloids¡¯ online-news portals were reporting THE BREAK-IN, of the veterinary-hospital¡
... but the ¡®fire¡¯ was a SAVING GRACE FOR THE MAYOR, or else he would suffer facing some media embarrassment for the RE-MISSING FAMOUS DOG ¨C that left to¡ no-dog-and-pony-show of GIVING THE DOG-A-MEDAL ceremony, for his coming re-election.
Then came a bombardment of groups, in WhatsApp, of the fire ¨C with shared videos, voice-messages of victims worrying-REPORTING OF ¡®MISSING-PERSONS¡¯ ¨C and a ¡®list¡¯ of areas in Perth, that WOULD NEXT BE RAZED¡
¡ and, Wilson¡¯s residence-by the hill-WAS IN THE LIST.
The anxiety-stricken Chinese girl grew more worried at that moment and was also in contemplation if it ¡®too¡¯ as fake-news. She called up her blind-BFF but got no response. Alicia then left several messages for Jane, to confirm if she, Samuel and her family were ¡®alright,¡¯ and to RETURN HER CALL ¨C but there was ¡®still¡¯ no response¡
¡ Alicia was losing her mind by the passing minutes¡ and decided to take her ¡®own¡¯ action ¨C by disobeying HER MOTHER, AND SNEAKING out without permission.
She got outside, from the saloon¡¯s backdoor, and got on her bike¡ and raced off to her BFF.
<>
MERCURY NOTICED AMMIT WAS COMING in from the rear¡ as he stood firm on the fiery ground. At the charging crash-point, the Red-demon flew ahead and above¡
¡ as he clicked his tongue¡
¡°Here, boy, here¡¡±
¡ Mercury wanted to lure Ammit out to the ¡®open¡¯ from the inferno ¨C where his-waiting ¡®posses¡¯ were¡ and THEY WILL ¡®together¡¯¡ kill the beast.
The crocodile-headed creature chased the demon, who was flying over its head ¨C teasing by holding the satchel of Olatunji-bait, to its snapping jaws.
¡°Good boy¡come, follow me¡¡±
¡ Mercury flew into the area of the woods, that was un-razed by the fires ¨C where he had smeared the whiffy Olatunji, AT RANDOM TREE-BARKS earlier. He noticed the Ammit was ¡®not¡¯ following him. and the beast ¡®stood¡¯ on its fiery ground, and growling angry at him.
The Red-demon clicked his tongue¡ and raising the satchel with his one-arm.
¡°Come on, boy¡¡±
But Ammit DID-NOT ¡®BUDGE,¡¯ and stood in its inferno ground.
Mercury unfastened the half-filled Olatunji bag, on his waistband ¨C dipped his hand into the MUCK, AND LICKED his palm.
¡°Here boy, yum-yum¡¡±
The Ammit was in rage seeing the demon ¡®EATING-ITS-FOOD,¡¯ and it came ¡®out¡¯ off the hellhole ¨C charging at him, with loud lion-roars.
¡ the roars were so loud, that Paul and Jane outside in the open hillock, HEARD IT coming.
The cautious, Paul alerted to blind-girl¡
¡°Jane, this is it!¡±
¡°Yes, Paul we ¡®can¡¯ do it!¡±
¡ both the handicapped tweens, then high-5-ed ¨C as they both transformed into their bright-fiery celestial like-personas¡
¡ like-while they fought with BlackStar, at the Aurora Australis before.
<>
PETER WAS CHUCKLING AWAY, seeing the Perth country-club, that ¡®humiliated¡¯ him, on live-television ¡®that¡¯ Sunday¡
¡ was now BURNING TO THE GROUND, in front of his eyes.
The one-armed tween was at the club main-gate, witnessed the-chaos that was happening, where the club¡¯s staff, were SALVAGING WHATEVER they could carry, and running out helter-skelter from the blaze. Even some of the drunkard ¡®optimistic¡¯ guests, who thought the FIRE WOULDN¡¯T ¡®REACH¡¯ their prestigious club ¨C but-saw their iconic building crumbling down, like the roof of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
¡ Peter was admiring his ¡®masterpiece¡¯ as he was chanting a spell ¨C with the ¡®invisible¡¯ Egyptian, goddess of death ¨C beside him, chanting along.
The one-armed boy¡¯s hypnotic-spell was INTERRUPTED, BY 2 glowing jets ¨C of yellow and blue ¨C darted above the fiery-lit firmament ¨C heading towards¡ the ¡®root-of-fire¡¯ at a distance.
StarGirl and Gemini-Blue.
¡°Bloody-dag! You bloody-fools! Why should-you always interfere¡?¡±
Fleeing the crime scene, he cycled back home, thinking of possible outcomes of the evening but everything, seemed in ¡®FAVOUR¡¯ TO THE CURSED-TRIO, with the first win under their belt, by defeating BlackStar at the Aurora Australis¡
¡ soon,¡¯ a 2nd victory, when they put off the fire.
But-for now ¨C Peter had his ¡®sweet-satisfaction of his revenge,¡¯ by seeing the clubhouse, razed to the ground¡
¡°Hey, I ¡®won¡¯ Steve and Amy ¨C Screwth you-both!¡±
<>
FROM THEIR AERIAL POINT OF VIEW, they saw Mercury-running out of the woods, and followed by bulldozed ¡®snaking¡¯ path, behind him with falling trees. StarGirl and Gemini-Blue then saw the roaring monster¡ coming out into the open, chasing the Red-demon.
¡ Mercury flung the blood-bag, 100 meters high up, into the air and the 50-meter crocodile-headed, AMMIT LEAPT FULL BODY, vertically up-for its feed.
¡°NOW!¡±
As the gapping jaws caught the Olatunji satchel, and both the cosmic-tweens blasted its belly and neck, shooting the creature in mid-air.
The huge beast dropped-down hard on its back, roaring in pain. But it recovered fast when it got back on its 4-feet ¨C and continued chasing the fleeing Red-demon¡ while also breathing-out jets of hellfire at the flying celestials, buzzing above.
The clever Red-demon ran in a circular motion to counter and confuse Ammit¡ while the brute-monster tried to swat Gemini-Blue WITH THE SPIKED-BONES OF its tail ¨C that was a mace-weapon-like, on its own... but it missed him¡
¡ flying above, StarGirl shot multiple blasts on the crocodile-head. While, Gemini-Blue flew low, and discharge electro-shock to its hind hippo-legs.
The Ammit stopped chasing, and went into ¡®defensive,¡¯ as it stood its ground¡ to fire-360 at the flying Cursed-trio. Mercury came up from the back, jump up high to decapitate it¡ with his mighty sword, and also avoiding its mouthful of discharging fires.
But Ammut used its other-only deadly weapon ¨C which was its swatting mace-tail ¨C that hit Mercury ON HIS SHOULDER, above the demon¡¯s stump-arm. The 10-meter-long tail whirled the helpless and hurt Red-demon around in the air¡
¡ WHO WAS IMPALED by the thorny bone.
With skewered Mercury still hooked in its tail, he was dragged to the ground, when Ammit ran to leap in the air, to bite the blue-glowing Gemini-who flew low. StarGirl came to his defence, as she bombarded shots, at the gaping jaws with sets of spiked teeth.
¡ the gigantic Ammit fell back, to the ground on its back in pain ¨C while Mercury recovered fast and used his burning SWORD, TO CHOP its mace-tail to free himself.
Losing it deadly weapon, and also in pain ¨C the losing crocodile-headed beast WENT AMOK-crazy ¨C as it roared madly, snapping its jaw at the flying celestials.
¡ Mercury sneaked up from behind ¨C and he leapt high, to decapitate. The clean, cut-hew dropped the crocodile mane-head, APART FROM REST of its massive body.
The cosmic-tweens saw a dying Mercury ¡®drop,¡¯ lying beside the dead Ammit. The celestials descended to the ground, TRANSFORMING BACK to Paul and Jane¡
¡ running towards their ¡®comrade-ally¡¯ from the Underworld¡
¡°¡ Mercury!!!¡±
¡ they found the injured demon, chanting-spells softly.
¡ Paul was sad to see his ¡®friend,¡¯ of his astral travel world, fading away. Beside him, the blind-girl whispered¡
¡°What is he saying?¡±
¡°Probably his ¡®last¡¯ prayers¡¡±
The levitating, Paul approached with sorrows¡ seeing the bleeding demon with eyes closed and incantation...
¡°¡Merc¡you alright¡?¡±
Then the crippled boy saw the ¡®most¡¯ amazing thing ¨C the wounds were closing-up, as the Red-demon WAS SELF-HEALING. Mercury opened his eyes, and chuckled¡
¡°No need for tears, O¡¯ Good-one¡ I heal fast.¡±
The fooled Paul denied.
¡°Nah-I¡¯m ¡®not¡¯ crying¡! It was the smoke ¨C it got into my eyes.¡±
The one-armed Mercury sat up¡ and was good as ¡®new¡¯ ¨C and he exclaimed¡
¡°Do you know what ¡®time¡¯ it is?¡±
¡°Huh¡ is it ¡®clobbering-time¡?¡¯¡±
¡°No, you buffoon ¨C it-is supper time!¡±
The excited Red-demon jumped back to its feet, left Paul ¨C running and cheering, towards the dead, headless Ammit¡ lying stiff on its back. He jumped up on its big hippo-belly with a bounce¡. and used his sword to gut it across.
¡ the tweens looked in peculiar of the demon¡¯s cannibalistic antics, when he was nose-deep, reaching into the dead Ammit¡¯s paunch. They heard a-plucking forceful noise¡ when the Red-demon ripped out, RETRIEVED-AMMIT¡¯S liver.
¡ it was the size of an over-grown watermelon ¨C while joyfully Mercury publicly displayed his hunt-trophy, by lifting it over his head¡ and ululating gratitude in a demonic tongue.
The salivating Red-demon took a huge bite on the blood-slimy liver¡ drip-oozing over his body. The tweens looked away, and blind-Jane vomited¡
¡°¡ disgusting¡¡±
¡Mercury saw them, and offered¡
¡°¡ want some¡?¡±
¡°You-mate, you are disgusting!¡± Paul spat as he remarked while¡ rubbing his palm to her back, to relieve the sick-Jane.
They kept a ¡®distance¡¯ while it feasted. Jane spat, saying¡
¡°How can he eat that ¡®thing?¡¯¡±
¡°Maybe it is a demon-thingy ¨C like how you-yourself, can eat Taiwanese stinky-tofu¡¡±
-O-
While in that moment of waiting, for Mercury devouring on his delicacy, Paul saw the CHANGING WIND-DIRECTIONS had driven the conflagration, closer to the city of Perth.
¡°Hey-Merc¡ have you ¡®done¡¯ yet, we have GOT A FIRE to put out!!?¡±
¡°Huh? My invitation to you both¡ was ¡®ONLY¡¯ EXTEND TO HUNT Ammit.¡±
¡°What¡? Hey, my-city is going to be burnt to the ground ¨C and here you are, binging on some, dinosaur¡¯s ass-tasting bowels!¡±
The Red-demon replied while gorging¡This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
¡°You cannot find Ammut on your own, because you 2 cannot ¡®see¡¯ her, you fools! She is invisible to mortal eyes, and EVEN YOUR 3RD-EYE would ¡®not¡¯ work, O¡¯ Blind-one ¨C and even if you ¡®both¡¯ are now going on-your-own, into this Hell-fire that Ammut had created, even-with your cursed celestial-forms¡ it won¡¯t work too, as-hell-fire is ¡®cursed,¡¯ ¨C Paul-you will be charred-black as human-corpse.
¡°Just give up, Good-one!¡±
Both Paul and Jane stood speechless and helpless for a ¡®moment¡¯ ¨C before Paul spoke up¡
¡°¡ it can¡¯t-be Mercury, there-must be a way¡?¡±
¡°WHAT WAY¡? Ammut controls the ¡®wind¡¯ and its directions¡¯ flow ¨C with her Blackmagic spell-powder, which she blows into the air ¨C and you WILL RUN IN ¡®CIRCLES,¡¯ chasing your own burning tail.
¡°If I were to go in alone, into the Hell-fire¡ I might take hours to track her ¨C and by then, HALF OF YOUR CITY WOULD be burnt to the ground¡
¡°Just GIVE UP, Good-one.¡±
¡ Jane heard Paul protesting¡
¡°No-no-no! There-must a way to save Perth!¡±
¡°¡think of ¡®ONE¡¯ GOOD WAY, O Good-one ¨C and LET ME KNOW ¡®later.¡¯¡±
The squatting demon, mocked and continued its eating¡ Jane saw the frustrated blue-glow walking back-and-forth, mumbling out to himself.
¡°¡Paul thinks outside the box¡ outside the box¡¡±
¡ Paul thought of-how his twin, Peter ¨C was ¡®involved¡¯ in this ¨C burning Perth situation ¨C consciously or unconsciously in the state-of his DEMONIC POSSESSION ¨C where he has been 2 steps ahead of him, in any given situation¡
¡®¡how-would Peter ¡®think,¡¯ outside the ¡®box¡?¡¯
Paul recalled his childhood of being bullied by his bigger and aggressive identical twin. The ¡®only¡¯ thing he did was ¨C HE RAN AND RAN ¨C and got better and was faster for his aggressor to catch up¡ so-much so he had teased Peter lagging behind¡
¡®¡I¡¯m the Flash¡ come catch me¡¡±
He recalled an episode of the DC¡¯s TV series ¨C where his favourite superhero, ran in ¡®circles¡¯ and PUT OFF A HUGE FIRE, by sucking out the oxygen in the air¡
¡it was logical, pure physics-101.
Jane heard him exclaiming out¡
¡°That¡¯s it ¨C RUNNING AROUND, outside the ¡®box!¡¯¡±
¡°Okay, O Good one ¨C spit it out.¡±
Said the demon, while using its claw-like-fingernail to pick its teeth.
¡°No, Mercury ¨C I have NO TIME TO EXPLAIN¡ you have to ¡®trust¡¯ me on this one ¨C furthermore, you would come up with some Underworld mumbo-jumbo ¡®EXCUSE,¡¯ TO DISS and refuse my idea!¡±
¡°Then SAY IT, Paul ¨C for I, Mercury HAVE BEEN AROUND since the dawn of the Roman civilization¡ to HAVING EXPERIENCES OF SERVING Apollo and Jupitar with vast wisdom¡¡±
¡°JUST SHUT UP, you coward ¨C JUST STAY BEHIND¡ and eat your muck!¡±
¡ Paul shouted back ¨C and-turned to Jane¡
¡°Jane, our city is burning ¨C do you ¡®trust¡¯ me?¡±
¡°Yes, Paul¡ I-trust you.¡±
Paul held the blind-girl¡¯s hand and led her away. The Red-demon cried out¡
¡°¡ where you 2 going¡? WAIT!¡±
¡°No¡! Screwth¡!¡±
¡°Wait! I¡¯M FOLLOWING too¡¡±
The tween turned their back, to see the demon with the half-eaten liver, but was still squatting.
¡°What¡¯s with you impatient young Virgos and Geminis these days¡? ¡®But¡¯ are ¡®both¡¯ still under my RESPONSIBILITIES-BECAUSE you are mere-minors¡¡±
¡°Hey Merc¡ TIME IS RUNNING OUT here ¨C we don¡¯t ¡®need¡¯ our fortune-telling told ¨C are you COMING, OR NOT?¡±
¡°Just give me a moment!!!¡±
They saw the Red-demon yell out as he stood¡ and stepped up onto the dead Ammit¡¯s belly again. He cursed profanities in demonic-tongue¡ as he gutted the corpse-Ammit¡¯s stomach, with his flaming sword¡
¡ then-with his single arm deep, into the spurting lava of the beast¡¯s gastric and other bodily fluid¡ to RETRIEVED HIS SATCHEL. Mercury emptied the leather bag out with the entrails of the Olatunji and HE ¡®STUFFED¡¯ HIS HALF-EATEN Ammit¡¯s liver¡ sloshing into it before, strapping the bag like a sling, across his STUMP-SHOULDER... as he approached¡
Both the-sickened tweens shook their heads, in disbelief¡
¡°What¡?¡±
¡°Nothing¡¡± The tweens chorused ahead.
¡°¡you both saw-how hard it was, TO HUNT an Ammit, right¡? Then, why-go waste good food¡¡±
<>
ALICIA WONG WAS RIDING HER BIKE on a highway at night¡that led to the suburbs, from the city. At a distance, she saw the horizon of forestry landscape glowing with flames, and¡ was approaching rapidly to the suburbs.
¡ random cars on the road were of families, who were evacuating for their lives, at the last minute. The smoke and the-heat were blown at the road. Visibility was poor¡ and headlights of cars silhouetted, opaque in the hazy.
Despite, Alicia who was wearing her medical mask, was coughing hard¡ when she rode her bike. She hoped and prayed, that the WILSONS WERE ¡®ONE¡¯ OF THOSE cars ¨C escaping out of the soon engulfing, dangerous and deadly fire.
<>
THE CURSED-TRIO WERE BACK ARGUING. The horned-Mercury was stalling the crippled boy¡¯s ¡®idea¡¯¡ and said ¨C it was impossible¡
¡ to stop Ammut¡¯s hell-fires by FLYING AROUND IT in a circular motion.
¡°It will work ¨C if the 3 of us, flew around it at very high, neck-breaking speed!¡± Paul argued. Even the blind-girl backed him¡
¡°Yes, that would ¡®choke¡¯ the fires ¨C FROM ITS OXYGEN ¨C we learned in-Science...¡±
¡°¡ but-you BOTH WILL DO IT ANYWAY, and I might as well then ¡®join¡¯ you¡ just to say ¡®I told you so¡¯ later ¨C if this lame and impossible EFFORT FAILED.¡±
The Cursed-trio came to an agreement ¨C all 3 of them placed THEIR HAND-ON TOP of one another¡¯s ¨C and together, they glowed back into their celestial forms.
¡ Gemini-Blue held both StarGirl and Mercury¡¯s hands¡ as the trio made a lift-off¡
¡°GO, GEMINI GO!¡±
They made their first circle¡ flying around the radius of hectares burning forest fire ¨C in 14 seconds¡ with StarGirl as the timekeeper.
¡ in V-formation with Gemini-Blue spearheading holding their hands ¨C THEY MADE THEIR 2ND ROTATION around the blaze.
¡°11 seconds,¡± StarGirl said.
¡°We must go faster,¡± Gemini-Blue responded.
They were-in no time speeding around, IN DECREASED RECORD-TIME¡ and ¡®closed¡¯ into the area-gap, of the burning radius.
The phenomenon was witnessed by denizens of Perth in the night on the road¨C as A HUGE RING ¨C of red, yellow and blue glowing lights¡ formed around the emerging fires.
¡°¡ 4 seconds¡¡±
¡°¡we-go¡ even¡faster¡¡±
They raced around the fire which was ¡®trapped¡¯ in the centre. Then Mercury cried out¡
¡°¡ g-Good-one¡ c-Can¡¯t¡ h-Hold on¡ g-Gonna¡ p-Puke¡¡±
¡ the demon let go-Gemini-Blue¡¯s grip, and HE FELL-SPIRALLING INTO the hellfire, with-only the younger celestials on the-kept paced-mission¡
¡°¡ 3 seconds¡¡±
They were rotating in super-tempo¡ as the fire emitted lots of black smoke to the lightning-speed¡
<>
THE PANTING CHINESE-GIRL STOPPED riding and had-rested a bit. She was gasping and caught her breath¡ in the poor quality-air road¡
¡the masked Alicia realized that¡ she WAS ¡®NOT¡¯ WEARING her ¡®bike-helmet.¡¯
¡ while in panic just now, at her mother¡¯s salon ¨C she HAD LEFT-IN A haste, forgetting her head-protective gear¡
¡ which she had left on her mother¡¯s business ¡®desk.¡¯
She then looked at the fire, and removed her medical-mask¡ and Alicia laughed aloud, punching the air. WITNESSING THE YELLOW AND BLUE RINGS¡ intertwining the forest fire ¨C Alicia was in-frenzy, that it was her ¡®BFF and BF¡¯ above there¡
¡ fighting the evil fire.
Alicia in total bliss, shouted out in glee, at the direction of the ring-of-fire.
¡°Janey, YOU GO GIRL¡! Pauly ¨C I LOVE YOU¡!¡±
Realizing that she had been in the state of panic-and-anxiety, a moment ago was for ¡®nothing¡¯ ¨C while Jane and her-Paul WERE-OUT THERE¡ to take care, of the perils that had fallen in Perth¡
¡ Alicia was in total relief¡
She looked at her Swatch ¨C 8:33 PM ¨C Alicia wanted to SNEAK-BACK INTO her mother¡¯s saloon unsuspiciously¡ before it closed for the night at 9.
She raced back home, sing aloud to-one-of her fave-K-pop song.
<>
AMMUT SAW THE GYRATION OF THE FOES ABOVE, that had created a vortex to suffocate, her hellfire. The Egyptian SHE-DEMON USED HER LAST RESORT, of using her best-for-last Blackmagic spell-powder ¨C and she blew it up into the winds.
At the speed-of-light¡
¡ StarGirl and Gemini-Blue were still pivoting zooms-circling the hectares of the forest-blaze. The glowing celestials witnessed¡
¡ the birth, of a tornado-of-hellfire, emerging at the centre¡
¡ of the womb of the evil-blaze¡
¡ the fiery maelstrom towered mighty, as AMMUT DID HER DANCE OF DEATH, on the pinnacle, to-intimidate her adversaries. The celestials then-saw THE EYE-OF-THE-STORM ¨C as the eye of a cobra¡
¡ that HISSED FIERY-VENOM.
Both of the cosmic-beings were ¡®not¡¯ threaten nor ¡®taken-in¡¯ with the evil¡¯s scare¡ and they continued-their gyratory motions, to protect Perth-city. The fangs-of the fire tried to ¡®bite¡¯¡
¡ but had-a pushback ¨C by the reversal-winds, that were created by the tween¡¯s fast-rotations.
Ammut the funerary deity of death WAS WEAKENING-fast ¨C as the stronger whirlwinds were like¡
¡ fitting a ¡®stopcock¡¯ to her fiery-hole¡
¡ and the she-demon felt trapped¡ like a genie-in-a-bottle, by her foes.
The demon ceded her defeat ¨C as she went-down¡ with her weakened and shrinking twister. Ammut fell from above¡ to earth, into the smoke and hot ashes.
When the smoke and dust had settled down¡ StarGirl and Gemini-Blue descended slowly to earth¡ for assessing THEIR ¡®DAMAGE-CONTROL¡¯¡
... they noticed the hellfire which was so intensely hot¡ that had burnt up hectares of woods to ashes ¨C by creating a significant misty grey-open field.
They both noticed¡ A WOMAN, LYING in the ashes, at the centre of it.
The fallen and weakened Ammut saw her enemies were approaching¡ and she ran in fear...
¡ A PORTAL TO THE UNDERWORLD had opened¡ and was 10 meters ¡®away¡¯ from her¡ TO JUMP IN TO ESCAPE...
¡ the she-demon shrieked in fright¡ as she saw the aerial formation of the fanned-out celestials in-her rear¡ shooting their fire-bolts and electricity flares, at her running footsteps ¨C as her ¡®head¡¯ turned back and forth¡ when she screamed in terror and ran¡
When she ¡®last¡¯ looked ahead ¨C she HEARD A VOICE¡
¡°Hello-Ammut¡¡±
¡ Mercury-then slew Ammut¡
¡ by slicing HER IN-HALF FROM¡ her head to belly-button¡
¡°Thanks-too ¨C for the mouth-watering supper¡¡±
The flying celestial descended to earth again, to TRANSFORM TO JANE AND PAUL ¨C witnessing the dead demon was decomposing¡ to blown-of as dust, into the scorched earth.
The Cursed-trio rejoiced, that they had managed to save Perth-city at its ¡®final¡¯ moment, before the brink of its destruction.
<>
THE ONE-ARMED BOY SAW THE TORNADO OF FIRE being put out, from afar¡
¡ the ¡®show was over¡¯ so¡ in disappointments, he cycled back home¡
He-then saw the Chinese-girl ahead on the other road¡
In hatred, Peter scoffed at the sight of ¡®Chinatown Wong,¡¯ whom he had A ¡®SCORE¡¯ TO SETTLE with her¡
¡ for insulting him, yesterday at the country club¡¯s courtyard¡
¡®That girl ¡®needed¡¯ to BE PUT IN-HER-place by, ¡®knocking some tofu-senses¡¯ into her head ¨C to show, ¡®who¡¯ is the bloody Tong-Boss here now.¡¯
-O-
Alicia was worried when she saw her Swatch ¨C 8:52 PM ¨C she had 8 more minutes, before her mother ¡®closed-shop¡¯ for the night¡ and Alicia would ¡®not¡¯ make it on time¡
¡ she saw a shortcut road¡
¡®Lucky 8!¡¯
It was an old road, branching from an underpass ¨C which was dark, full of potholes, and lonely ¨C but, it WOULD GET HER BACK home, in the nick of time. And, Alicia took it¡
The hooded, Peter stalked her.
-O-
There were fewer cars travelling the thoroughfare, where the stretch of dark-road with its old STREETLIGHTS KNOCKED off. Alice was careful-too¡ as her bike lamp torched ahead of her, showing the big potholes on the surface¡
¡ she turned her head left, and caught a glimpse from behind her, noting¡
¡ ¡®another¡¯ cyclist was approaching-fast to her ¨C in the dark, without his light.
The girl was scared and rode her bike faster.
She saw the-biker catching up... on the downside stretch. When SHE LOOKED UP ¡®LAST,¡¯ at the hoodie-rider ¨C she felt an excruciating, painful hit behind her head¡
¡ that made her go off-road, crashing into the grass¡
¡ Peter had clouted the Chinese girl on HER HEAD, WITH HIS Babolat. His stopped, and saw-her bike on the road¡
¡ with his ¡®kill¡¯ rolling down into a dark, and dry ditch.
He chuckled to himself, FEELING SELF-SATISFIED in a bad way.
¡°OII!!!¡±
The one-armed boy was with his foot on the road off his bike¡ when he-THEN ¡®HEARD¡¯ a deep and loud male voice, that called-out at him in the dark.
¡®WILL¡¯ HE BE ¡®CAUGHT?¡¯ was his immediate thought¡
¡seeing¡
¡ a man was nattering to himself, as he approached closer to Peter from the murk ¨C but when he got nearer, Peter HAD KNOWN AND RECOGNIZE him as the meth-addict, homeless man in his 40¡¯s, with a mental disorder¡
¡ with an IQ of, a ¡®gullible-10-year-old.¡¯
¡°It is ¡®you¡¯ ¨C the owner of the DeLorean!¡± The bearded man accused.
¡°Hey-you-Jimbo¡ where is your bus-ride to Leonora¡?¡± Peter asked.
¡°No one wants to give Jimbo $10 for bus ticket¡ so I decided to walk to Leonora before the ¡®big fire¡¯ comes to get me. My sister Mary Lee is there waiting for me in Leonora bus station, and she had-also prepared lunch¡ when I arrive there soon¡¡±
-O-
¡ Peter ¡®knew¡¯ Jimbo¡
¡ who was a ¡®look-out-for-cops-guy¡¯ ¨C for drug dealers in the street ¨C where the simpleton stood and waited outside McDonald''s¡ and alerted the dealers for passing police cars ¨C for his ¡®free¡¯ meth.
Peter befriended him because he frequents the Maccas in the same street¡ where Jimbo also guarded ¨C and he also WASHED PETER¡¯S BIKE FOR A $1. They both share an ¡®insider-joke¡¯ as they called the BIKE THE DELOREAN because Jimbo claimed he had seen the movie ¡®Back To The Future¡¯ ¡®10¡¯ times before¡ when he was growing up as a boy ¨C which he repeatedly told the one-armed boy every time, while he washed ¡®DeLorean¡¯ with a rag and mineral water bottle.
Jimbo also begged for small-change to passer-byers, and they will always give ¡®something¡¯ to him, to avoid his chattery annoyance. And, all the denomination of currency Jimbo could ¡®ONLY¡¯ COMPREHEND WERE $1 AND $10 which was why dealers don¡¯t trust him¡ to sell their products because Jimbo could be ¡®easily¡¯ fooled¡
¡ but the loyal druggie was honest-to-God¡
... and would NOT ¡®RAT¡¯ HIS DEALERS ¨C when Jimbo was pulled aside before by the narcotics, for-information. They detained Jimbo for 3 months¡ and ¡®tortured¡¯ him but-got ¡®nothing¡¯ ¨C and, before long¡
¡ Jimbo was back on his street ¡®corner¡¯ again¡
Yesterday¡ while washing the bike¡
¡ Jimbo asked Peter $10 for a bus ticket to Leonora, as he can no longer sleep in the streets, because of his breathing problems, that he suffered from the poor-haze air-quality¡
¡ but who would give a meth-addict $10¡?
¡ so-Peter ignored him and left him standing, bare¡
-O-
¡ now¡
¡ Peter Walker stood-arrested, at the approaching drivelling Jimbo ¨C who intend to backpack and hike, to his sister¡¯s in Leonora¡ which was over-800km away.
¡°Why did you HIT THAT ¡®BOY,¡¯ mate ¨C what did ¡®he¡¯ do to you, that made you club ¡®his¡¯ head¡? It¡¯s ¡®not¡¯ good to hit anyone in the head ¨C you better call an-ambo, mate ¨C or else, that ¡®boy¡¯ would suffer brain damage¡¡±
¡ Peter was quiet as the assessed his situation ¨C where Jimbo ¡®saw¡¯ ALICIA AS A BOY, in the dark ¨C because of her short haircut.
¡°But-Jimbo¡ that ¡®boy¡¯ STOLE MY ¡®BIKE.¡¯¡±
It confused the child-mind of the homeless man¡
¡as the nattered a bit to himself, before his mouth with blacked meth-teeth spoke out¡
¡°¡yes-yes, stealing is bad, and you would go the hell for that! But if ¡®that¡¯ is your bike, and THIS IS YOUR DELOREAN¡ there are-2¡ WHO-IS WHO¡? I¡¯m confused here, mate!¡±
¡ Peter pointed at Alicia¡¯s fallen mountain-bike¡
¡°¡¯ That¡¯ is my ¡®talking-bike-Kitt¡¯ ¨C do you remember seeing the ¡®Knight Rider,¡¯ Jimbo?¡±
¡°Yes-yes, Knight Rider ¨C I love the talking Kitt, which I, seen 10-times before!¡±
¡ Jimbo had a eureka-moment of the ¡¯80s, glued to his-telly... growing up in Leonora¡ the man-boy exclaimed¡
¡°Yeah, Big-boy, I love it too ¨C with ¡®same¡¯ technology, MY BIKE TALKS too,¡± Said Peter.
¡°¡ is that-so¡ then-ask-Kitt to call an ambo ¨C that boy is-hurt¡ down there, in the ditch.¡±
¡ it got Peter mad ¨C and¡ he ¡®schooled¡¯ Jimbo¡
¡°Hey, listen to me, Jimbo¡ that ¡®boy¡¯ doesn¡¯t deserve to be saved as-a thief, and instead ¡ ¡®he¡¯ deserves to be put in hell fires! Yes, THESE ARE THE END-TIMES Big-Boy¡ and it is the SURVIVAL OF THE ¡®FITTEST¡¯ from now on...
"... and you should take whatever you ¡®want¡¯ for yourself ¨C because egoistic PEOPLE ARE SELFISH, and would ¡®not¡¯ giving help to you¡ when they themselves, keep on ALWAYS TAKING AND TAKING¡
¡°You had asked money for your bus ticket¡ DID THEY GIVE IT to YOU? No, they did ¡®not¡¯ ¨C they did not give you ¡®$10¡¯ for your ticket TO LEONORA¡ TO SEE YOUR SISTER¡ you get me, right Jimbo¡?¡±
The goofy man nodded¡
¡°I have ¡®not¡¯ seen Mary Lee for 10 years¡ and she is expecting me for lunch tomorrow¡¡±
¡°Okay-okay, Jimbo you now caught me in MY GENEROUS MOOD-MOMENT, to make you an offer¡
¡°¡ I¡¯m giving you my beloved ¡®TALKING-BIKE-KITT¡¯ TO YOU¡ so that you can make it to Leonora, and be-on time ¨C for lunch with your sister, Mary Lee, HOW ABOUT IT¡?¡±
¡°You seriously giving¡ this ¡®talking Kitt¡¯ to me, mate?¡±
¡°Yes Jimbo, IT¡¯S ALL ¡®YOURSS¡¯...
"... and, before the big-fire GET YOU IN PERTH ¨C your ¡®mission,¡¯ if you were SHOULD ACCEPT IT¡ is to go to Leonora and see your sister ¨C ¡®GOOD LUCK, JIM!¡¯¡±
The teary-eyed, homeless, drug addict THANKED THE ¡®GENEROUS¡¯ one-armed tween.
¡ both Peter and Jimbo parted ways¡
¡ and cycling in the opposite ways in the dark, and lonely road¡
... where-below¡
¡ Alicia laid unconscious in the ditch¡
<>
CAROLINE STIRRED PAUL¡¯S ARM¡ as she was seated on his bed-side¡ of his dim-lit, windowless bedroom.
¡°Poe, wake up-you, sleepy-head¡¡±
¡®¡ huh¡hey Mom, what time is it¡?
Paul remembered a time, when his mother would ask him when he was little ¨C ¡®Poe, what did you dream?¡¯
¡ and, ¡®little-Poe¡¯ would parrot away, his imaginary wild, tall-tales. But when Paul reached his adolescence, his-mother stopped asking...
¡ now, Paul wished Mom would ask ¡®that¡¯ ¨C and he could tell her-of how, he and his ¡®friends¡¯ have KILLED ITS SHE-DEMON MASTER and her-dinosaur-creature. But that would ¡®not¡¯ sound right too¡ with Mom being a police inspector.
¡°It¡¯s 9:00 PM Poey, and you have been sleeping-a long nap of 7 hours and you promised ¡®us,¡¯ to have a family dinner, with your mother.¡±
¡ Paul chuckled¡ as he remembered saying ¡®that,¡¯ to his dear Mom before taking his nap, who was cooking back then.
¡°Your wish is my command, Mom.¡±
They both laughed before Caroline helped him to his wheelchair. She ferried Paul outside his bedroom door, where the glare of bright fluorescent kitchen lights hurt his, still ¡®injured¡¯ eyes from yesterday¡¯s ¡®Hero-dog rescue-mission.¡¯
Behold¡
¡ he saw the one-armed ¡®possessed-Peter,¡¯ who was helping out¡
¡ setting up the dinner table¡
¡ his dark hair was still damp like he just had a shower.
Paul parked himself at the ¡®chairless¡¯ side of the dining IKEA table. He noticed an empty bottle of red wine, on the marbled kitchen counter ¨C where his mother had drank-her wine, and cooked for hours¡
¡ and probably, CHATTING TOO WITH a certain-someone.
-O-
¡ Caroline was filling pasta Bolognese on plates for her sons, with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and a garnish of lots of Parmigiana cheese flakes. She came to serve them at the table.
Peter sat at the head of the IKEA table¡ where his-late father sat once, ¡®sometimes¡¯ ago. His mother sat at the opposite, with his twin, by her side. And, Paul said grace¡ before they ate.
The one-armed boy was surfing on his iPhone while he ate ¨C and the TV big screen was on in the living room, playing the news of Mayor John Blake praising the Perth¡¯s brave firefighters ¨C who had put off the big-forest-blaze that lasted for 3 days¡
¡ and saved the city. He also declared tomorrow-too as an emergency-holiday¡ for the unhealthy air to settle.
¡ Caroline said she was glad the fire was put out¡ because of her Cousin-James Murphy¡ who was a firefighter marshal¡ who was there, in the centre of the action.
Then came in the TV news of bizarre occurrence phenomenon, of bright RINGS OF RED/YELLOW/BLUE rotations that surrounded a tornado of fire, and ¡®snuffed¡¯ it out.
The TV reporters were calling it, as a ¡®spinning Aurora Australis.¡¯
¡ Peter looked up¡ at his twin, Paul, and both had TACIT UNDERSTANDING, that the Cursed-trio was behind the actual ¡®scene,¡¯ of the extinguished fire.
-O-
The mother and her sons finished their pasta dinner. Paul thanked his mother for the home-cooked meal. Caroline asked Peter across the table¡
¡°How about you-Peter¡ how was your spag-bog?¡±
¡°Hmm-I have ¡®tasted¡¯ better.¡±
Paul was angry when he said that¡
¡°You-ungrateful son¡! You always undermine Mom, whenever you can¡¡±
Seated in his father¡¯s chair, Peter raised his voice¡
¡°Poe! ¡®shut the front door¡¯ ¨C DON¡¯T INTERRUPT ¡®ME¡¯ WHEN I¡¯M TALKING ¨C what I was saying is, it NEEDS PRACTICE JUST LIKE TENNIS, to ¡®cook¡¯ good food. If you can¡¯t do it regularly¡ just don¡¯t do it ¨C but INSTEAD HIRE A ¡®HELP,¡¯ like in Janey¡¯s house¡ where they have their own cook, right?
¡°And, since you already got your job-promo, which means Mom¡ you CAN AFFORD TO HIRE one¡ while you go off to YOUR WORK OF ¡®CRIME-fighting-spree.¡¯¡±
¡ Peter laughed as he recalled the past-Walkers¡¯ X¡¯ mas BBQ¡
¡°Had a good time once, at our Chrissie barbie, where Dad¡ used to grill his-own recipe of chook and shag, at our lawn ¨C those were the good ol ¡¯days with all the-rello gathered over there at the lawn. So much so-since ¡®then,¡¯ each time Easter Sunday came¡
¡ I go-to search in church, if Dad did ¡®come¡¯ back from the dead¡ to me, Dad¡
¡°¡ he is there, somewhere out there.¡±
¡ Paul too was quiet ¨C and noticed, a tear dropping off, his mother¡¯s eyes.
-O-
The Walkers¡¯ family ¡®quality time¡¯ continued¡ in the living room with ¡®Choccy Biccy¡¯ snacks while watching telly. Caroline was lying down on the couch, with Paul in his wheelchair ¨C and Peter was in his favourite spot, his father¡¯s armchair.
They were all laughing at an episode of ¡®Supernatural¡¯ where the brothers, Sam and Dean¡ were ¡®schooling¡¯ the son of Lucifer, named Jack¡ to be good.
It was 10:03 PM when Paul¡¯s cellphone rang, and Peter shushed¡ Paul rolled his chair away, before answering.
¡°Paul, it¡¯s me Robin, Alicia¡¯s mother ¨C is-Alicia with you¡?¡±
¡°No ma¡¯am, she is ¡®not¡¯... have you tried calling Jane, Ali always hang out, around with her?¡±
¡°Yes, I did and Jane-gave me your number ¨C she too told me, that Alicia is ¡®not¡¯ there with her¡ I¡¯m so worried¡¡±
¡°Have you tried calling her other-music class ¡®friends?¡± The equally worried Paul asked.
¡°Yes, I have tried them too¡ but she is ¡®not¡¯ with any of her friends that I know of ¨C and her bike-helmet is here¡ but HER BIKE IS ¡®NOT.¡¯ Where would have she ¡®gone¡¯ at this hour?¡±
¡ Peter eavesdropped to his twin¡¯s ¡®one-sided¡¯ concerned conversation. He PRETENDED TO get ¡®angry¡¯ at the noise level¡¯¡
¡ and said to Caroline¡
¡°This is why I subscribe to Netflix and WATCH MY GOOD SHOWS, peacefully-in my own privacy.¡±
The one-armed boy approached her, and pecked a ¡®Judas-kiss¡¯ on her cheek, and winked.
¡°G¡¯night Mom ¨C no-heart feelings, earlier ya¡¡±
¡ Peter walked up the stairs ¨C smiling to himself¡
¡ that HIS ¡®ALIBI¡¯ OF FAMILY QUALITY TIME was over, for the evening¡
<>
BEHIND THE CLOSED ROOM DOOR, Peter heard his mother¡¯s ¡®voice¡¯ talking on the Poe¡¯s phone.
¡®¡ go on Mom, put on your cape and fly¡ out there to solve your crime-fighting business, and get us-some over time, while you are at it.¡¯
¡ Peter walked him tennis rack, with 8 racquets in a row ¨C and he picked up his Babolat, still in its zip-bag. The one-armed boy unzipped, and pulled out his ¡®weapon of choice.¡±
He took a bottle of cleaning alcohol and rag¡
¡ he noticed bloodstains at the racquet¡¯s rim, with a couple of Alicia¡¯s hair-strains ¨C he had his sly, evil wide-grin back¡
The one-armed mocked himself as a Chinese-martial-arts swordsman¡
¡ as he swung his Babolat around with his one-arm¡
¡ and KICKING THE AIR¡
¡ while shrieking Bruce Lee¡¯s war-cries¡
<><>
IT WAS OVER 10 HOURS¡
¡ BEFORE ALICIA was discovered¡ still unconscious in the ditch, that morning by joggers. The police and an ambulance arrived-at the crime-scene.
-O-
That afternoon, Caroline drove her son, Paul to the hospital. At the parking lot, they met a Blue Mazda SUV and ¨C Caroline waved at Shelley Wilson¡
¡ who also drove her-daughter Jane, to visit the admitted Alicia.
Both the mothers ferried their handicapped children¡ to the emergency wards. Paul saw the quiet Jane walking ahead, with her AI shades on, hiding her tears behind.
They-then saw a lot of Asians gathering outside a wardroom corridor. And, the sombre looking, Cousin Lily Wang was there too, greeting them¡
¡°Dr Wilson¡ Insp Walker¡ please go in.¡±
Lily led-the Caucasian visitors¡ into a small single ward-room, with other visiting relatives inside¡
¡ Lily said in a low tone¡
¡°She-was attacked last night, with a single blow to the head ¨C and now Alicia-is in a coma.¡±
The anxious Paul saw a seated Robin in tears when he wheeled his chair forward ¨C and to see ¡®his¡¯ Alicia-laid comatose¡
¡ on the bed, head bandaged and on IV drips.
Openly, the devastated Paul wailed aloud, crying-out...
¡°O¡¯ My God, my Alicia ¨C ¡®WHO¡¯ COULD HAVE DONE this to you!!?¡±
His-head was down on Alicia¡¯s bed, as he wept-hot tears¡
¡ both Robin and blind-Jane hugged his back, to console him.
And, everyone who was present there, sobbed¡
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To be Continued in Book 3 ...
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