Matthew sat across the dinner table. Sitting across from staring daggers at him was April. Oliver was right beside her rubbing his temple.
Matthew scratched his neck and said,
"Look it's not a big deal..."
April slammed her hand on the table. Matthew flinched and quickly added,
"Okay, it may be somewhat of a big deal, but trust me. I can take care of myself."
"NOO!"
April erupted with anger. Oliver put a hand on her shoulder trying to calm her down.
"Matthew, do you have any idea what working with ACA means?"
Oliver asked calmly as he stared at his son.
"Once you join you can never leave. Do you want to spend your youth fighting monsters and risking your life for some old fool?"
Matthew didn't answer. But from his expression, the answer was obvious.
Oliver pinched the bridge of his nose and said,
"This is about your mother isn't it."
"Yes."
Matthew didn't deny it. He has always been searching for her. Unlike everyone else, he never believed his mother died that day.
There were no traces of her. Secondly, Matthew saw her helping people from the monsters before he lost consciousness.
But sometimes the simplest of the explanation was the most painless one.
Not for Matthew though.
"I know what I saw that day. I know she's alive."
Matthew looked directly at Oliver and said with conviction.
"And I will find her. No matter what."
Oliver clenched his jaws. Father and son were locked in an intense stare as neither looked away. Until a sigh left Oliver's mouth as he broke the gaze and walked away.
Matthew rubbed his eyes and looked at April,
"It's not that I won't be staying home. You'll just see me less." He tried to assure her.
April groaned.
"I would rather see you all day. You..."
"April. I promise I will be careful. I have always kept mine haven't I?" Matthew cut her off with a grin. April just sighed.
"What I'm gonna do with you? Fine! Fine! Do what you will."
She also left the room. Displeased but approved of his endeavor nonetheless.
Ann unexpectedly came to the dining room and started punching him in the arm.
"Hey cut it out." Matthew although protested made no effort to stop her.
Ann didn't say anything just lightly hit him again and again.
"Jeez. It's not like I'm going to die or anything." Matthew tried to rub her head but she moved away gave a hmph and ran off to her room.
'I should buy something for her. Otherwise, she's gonna keep pouting at me.' Matthew made a mental note of that.
He took out his phone. And checked the commission once again. The one he accepted. Almost all E-grade missions had an average reward of 3 Drm. So it was on the expensive side. Better pay so Matthew chooses this one.
[Commission grade E: Explore the unknown crypt (open). (5-20 drm)]
[Details: Reach Olmo city by 10 pm and gather before the Silang Cemetery by midnight.]
Matthew watched the time as it read 6:33 pm. If he leaves by 8 he will reach Olmo via public bus.
Matthew honestly had no idea what to do.
In hindsight, he should have asked Heikel more about this before starting the journey.
Although he knew he could get the information out of her. But this could be a learning experience. So Matthew didn't bother and started preparing.
Matthew gathered a few snacks. A few bottles of water, a flashlight, two matches, a multipurpose tool, a few batteries, a few feet worth of rope, some painkillers, a basic first aid kit, and two energy bars.
As the time reached 8, Matthew finally was ready for his first mission. His father didn't come out to see him off, while April stuffed his backpack with more food. Ann was in her room still pouting.
After saying he would take of himself for the tenth time to April, he set off.
Matthew quickly made his way to the streets. Crossing the road he reached the booth at the end of the street.
Taking out his citizen card, Matthew pushed it to the clerk through the opening near the counter. A deep voice rang out,
"Destination."
Matthew couldn't see the person as the newspaper blocked his view. But he answered anyway.
"Umm- Olmo City?" Matthew has traveled before. Generally with his family. This was his first time alone.
"Reason." The man's voice rang out. He was still reading the newspaper.
"That's some good articles you must be reading." Matthew blurted out.
'Way to go Matthew. Piss off the guy that's the only option to get a ticket out of the Kail.' Matthew wanted to smack himself but the voice simply replied.
"No Reason. No ticket."
"I have a reason. I'm a Free Agent. I have a commission at Olmo City." Matthew took out his phone. It had all the credentials of his Free Agents status.
But the man didn't move. He was still behind the newspaper. Matthew rubbed his neck as he stood in silence.
The man finally said,
"Bus number five."
Matthew nodded and waited for the ticket. A few minutes passed by.
"So- uh...can I get the tickets?"
"Paid at the Bus." The man concluded. Matthew opened his mouth to say why he couldn't have said that. But he restrained himself and went to the bus stop.
It took less than five minutes for a red bus like any other come to his stop. The driver opened the door and waited without even looking at him. Matthew got up and looked at the screen on the door.
The price was set at 1drm to Olmo City. Matthew paid and walked inside. The bus was empty. Not surprising since the people of Kail very rarely leave the town. Or maybe because it was around 8 pm. Whichever the reason, the streets looked deserted.
Matthew walked on before finding a seat in the middle. He put the bag on his lap and rested his head on the side and waited for the bus to start its journey.
With a slight jolt, the bus started.
'So this is it huh.' Matthew felt butterflies in his stomach. Matthew opened a few buttons on his shirt as he was having a hard time breathing. Matthew felt a chill run down his spine as his eyes darted around. He clenched his bag tighter as a way to calm himself down. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in and out. Repeatedly.
Before long, Matthew drifted off to sleep. As the bus kept on going.
...
A cold air rushed in as it ruffled Matthew's hair. The pale glow of the carved moonlight illuminated the streets. The scenery turned from town to suburbs and soon vast land of empty fields. There were a few patches of trees and distant blinking lights somewhere in the distance. A faint deep purple glow was visible across the horizon, merging with the blank night sky.
Apart from the lonely moon, the sky held nothing but darkness disappearing into the endless void.
Matthew however was too deep in slumber to appreciate the scenery of his surroundings. As the cold in the air increased slightly, Matthew instinctively tried to avoid the wind. Only for his head to rest at an awkward angle. As his head bobbed slightly, from the shadow beneath Matthew, two long elongated black arms emerged.
They slowly reached up to his neck before one headed for the window.
It quietly closed the window. And the other one gently nudged his head to a more comfortable angle.
After ensuring his comfort, the hands slowly slithered back into his shadow. Blissfully unaware of this interaction, Matthew continued his deep slumber.
[Next Stop. Olmo City]
Matthew jolted awake from a sudden announcement. He rubbed his eyes as he glanced at his watch.
10:45 pm.
''Ah! I slept all the way." Matthew yawned lightly as he stretched his arms when he glanced up. His heart nearly jumped out of his mouth as he saw a young boy sitting right across from him.
His black hair and pale skin gave off a sickly vibe. At the age of around 5, the boy looked lost. He stared at Matthew unblinking.
Matthew tried to distract himself but that unblinking stare creeped him out.
He put the bag on his side and glanced around. Apart from the driver, no one else was on the bus.
"You lost little guy?" Matthew asked out of politeness.
"I lost my mommy." The boy sniffled as he spoke.
'No shit.' Matthew kept his thoughts to himself.
"Oh? When did you last see your mommy?" Matthew fumbled around his bag, took out a chocolate bar, and gave it to the boy.
The boy took it as he answered,
"I don't remember anymore."
He sniffled as Matthew felt the boy was bout to cry.
"I want my mommy!"
Matthew quickly kneeled. Putting a hand on his shoulder Matthew spoke softly,
"Hey. Hey. It's okay. It's okay. Don't cry."
Matthew smiled as he patted his shoulder. But,
'His body...it's so cold.' Matthew moved closer sat beside the boy and hugged him lightly.
The boy extended the chocolate bar. Matthew opened it for him as he ate silently.
"What's your name, little guy?"
He looked up,
"Mommy said, I must not tell my name to strangers."
'That didn't stop you from taking my chocolate.' He couldn't help but muse. Then again, no one can resist chocolate and food.
Matthew smiled and said,
"Well, my name is Becker. Now that you know my name, we are not strangers anymore."
The boy nodded.
"Mommy calls me Klein."
"Well nice to meet you, Klein..."
Matthew continued to talk with the boy when the bus suddenly stopped.
[Olmo city]
The announcement came as Matthew looked at the map. He was at Olmo city bus station. He held the boy's hand and put the backpack on. Matthew got down with the boy.
The Olmo city stop was a deserted one.
Behind Matthew was a dense forest as the bus went forwards on the highway.
To the opposite side was a lone cab and far distance was a dimly lit Olmo City.
'Great place. No. Fantastic place.' He couldn't help but mock the place.
Matthew walked forward but the boy held him down.
"Mommy told me to find help for her."
The boy suddenly said to Matthew.
'Oh, now you remember Mommy.' Matthew tried to pry his hand open and said,
"Oh! Did you remember your mommy?"
He couldn't help but notice something.
'Even the atmosphere is getting cold now.'
"Yes. She sent me to find help. But I forgot and got on the wrong bus."
The boy started to drag Matthew. He was heading towards the jungle.
"You must come to help. Mommy needs help."
'Nope.' Matthew refused. Not to his face because he had a feeling it would backfire on him.
Matthew tried to pry his hand but the boy was surprisingly strong.
"Okay. I'll do it."
The boy froze on the spot. He looks at Matthew who once again kneeled and patted his shoulder,
"I'll help you. So don't worry."
"You...you're not going to run away?"
The boy looked confused.
'Kid you have no idea how much I want to.'
Matthew on the outside smiled and said,
"Why would I do that silly?"
"Uh..."
The boy was stumped. He didn't know how to respond.
"But I have a very important matter to attend to. How about when I return from that town I help you?"
The boy stiffened and shook his head and started to drag him again. Matthew quickly added,
"Klein. You said your mother was in trouble right?"
The boy nodded. Matthew tried his hardest not to step foot in the forest.
"How about I go to town, get some help, and bring them here with me?"
"After all two is better than one is it not?"
Matthew smiled as the boy stopped. He was already in the boundary.
Matthew was just one step away from entering the forest.
"You'll bring another one?"
"Of course." Matthew knew this was it.
"If there are two of us, won't we be able to help her more?"
The boy thought for a moment and gave a firm nod.
"So what should you do now is to let me go and wait for me to return."
The boy once again shook his head.
"What if you don't come back? What if you lie to me?"
Matthew caressed his head.
'It's wet. But it's too thick to be water.'
"I'm not lying. I promise. I always keep my promise."
Matthew saw the boy loosen his grip. He took a step back into the jungle as the shadows hid him from view.
"Okay. But remember you promised."
Matthew nodded and turned around to walk away when,
[Remeber to keep your promise and don̴̰̂'̶̭͝t̵͖͋ ̴̿͜t̷͈̍e̵͙̅l̵̹̍l̷͓̈́ ̷̼̓t̸̺́h̸͓͘ẽ̴̤ ̴͚̀d̶̨̅r̷͕͠ĭ̵̗v̷̯́ę̶͆r̸͈̎ ̸̟̽y̴̨̆ȏ̴̥ü̴̟r̷͎̉ ̵̑ͅr̷̝͋e̴̱̽a̸͇͝l̴͓̈ ̶̠͝n̸̤̆ǎ̴̩m̵͍͐ẻ̸͇!̸͙͆]
The voice of the boy slowly distorted into a growl. There was no warmth or hint of humanity left behind.
"Thanks for the tip, Klein." he didn't dare to look back but gave a peace sign and hurried along.
'Should I throw the doll at him? Nah!'
He rather save it for something else.
After successfully getting away Matthew patted himself on the back mentally as he sat inside the cab and said,
"To Silang Cemetery."
'Let's see what's your deal you son of a bitch.'
Matthew felt an unnatural amount of self-confidence after that encounter.