Right after school, I left with Keika to go to her house. Going in the evening might be a bit of a problem. This week had already seen a curfew and there was no telling when the next one might come.
A breeze carried the sweet smell of the cool air and some leaves to me. Each autumn day brings us closer to the winter.
"It's funny, right?" Out of nowhere, her words caught my attention.
"What is?" I asked her.
"Evenings and nights are the times when people have most social activity. Or at the very least, that was what my sister says was the case before the demon surge," Keika said.
I have heard similar things from other adults. Before the demon surge, society's behavior pattern and social activity were much different from what it is now.
'People weren't afraid to go out at night.'
'Festivals used to be celebrated in public, and on a screen.'
'Weddings weren't online.'
If you ask me, I haven't seen a wedding that wasn't online. Every major event I can think of which requires the participation of a group now happens on a screen.
"It feels like a world we haven't seen," she said.
When the demon surge happened, she was very little. It is hard to remember those details. But I understand the fact that I have grown accustomed to spending time by myself indoors. What older generations try to tell us is that this behavior isn't normal.
And they feel sad every time we fail to relate to them. Demons have changed our society in ways we cannot think of.
There is always a discussion going on in the news on how we go back. How do we go back to the life we are supposed to live? But that is not the primary concern. Demons have done a lot more than disrupt people's lives. This might be an issue but it is certainly not a priority.
Keika's house was located in one of the posh regions of the fifth district in Asnad. The place was well-maintained and seemed secure. And once in a while, you could see the security patrolling the roads.
"Let's go in. My sister should be waiting for us," she said.
The smell of roses had reached my nostrils even before we were inside the main gate. The garden was full of grass and beautiful plants and trees.
"That must take a lot of time to maintain properly," I said.
"It does. But my sister likes it so it's all worth it," she replied.
She rang the intercom in front of the door.
'Who's there?'
'I am back from school, sis.'
'Come in. Is your friend here?'
'Yes'
The door opened to reveal a person who I could guess was in her early twenties. She wore casual clothes and her hair was tied into a ponytail. These two looked alike.
"Hm?"
For a second I got this weird look from her that I couldn't describe. It must be my imagination.
"Hello, my name is Eric."
"Hi. I'm Maya. Come, sit."
I was the recipient of good hospitability. Within a few minutes, I got comfortable.
After some time and talking on casual topics, we went down to business. The real reason why I was here.
"You're an investigative journalist, right?" I asked her.
"Yes. I was accepted recently," Maya replied.
"Can you tell me more about your job?"
"Sure. Ask me anything."
"How do you operate?"
"Well, I have my first project already. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose the specific details. It is a policy. But it goes more along political lines is all I can say."
"How big is your information network?"
"Everyone has a different approach to it. Generally, you're supported and recommended by senior journalists and that helps you in talking to people who otherwise would have a busy schedule," she said, "but once you have written some articles and made a name for yourself, it is easy to get connections inside. As long as there are people who will support your cause, everything is fine."
"Doesn't this job have its own hazards?"
"It does, indeed. Politicians can be up to some unlawful work. And if you happen to threaten them in a way they do not like, things might as well take a not-so-good turn for you."
"The reason you do not share your projects before it is completed."
"If an article happens to be too sensitive, the author might not even share it as theirs even after it has been completed."
"How does it have authenticity?"
"This is our company's policy. They back the article when they refuse to tell the author's name. And I am thankful for that since it makes sure that whatever happens no harm will come to her," Maya said looking towards Keika who was in the kitchen fetching some snacks.
This job can take a dangerous turn. From what I gathered, Maya seems to care more about her sister's safety rather than her own.
"Your parents?"
"They were a victim of the surge," she put some ice in the glass.
That is a polite way to say that demons ate them alive.
"I've taken care of her ever since." Maya pointed towards Keika in the kitchen.
"Doesn't she miss them?"
"She has me, so it hardly matters. I've been her mom and dad."
A moment later, Maya turned to me.
"Do the two of you happen to be close?"
"We're friends."
"Hmm. You seem to be the only friend of hers I didn't know about."
That is a surprise to me as well. I thought Maya would know about me since my coming here was planned in advance.
Why would Keika not tell her?
"I apologize if there is a misunderstanding. We've known each other for some time and as of what you asked, my guess is as good as yours."
I told the truth.
"Keika."
"Yes?"
"You didn't tell me about Eric before he came here. Care to tell why?"
"Hey, I kind of forgot. I have too many friends, and he came to me one day asking to meet you. I'm sorry," Keika said. Her way of speaking felt weird and she did not maintain any eye contact.
That felt like deception to me. Maya seemed to have picked up on that as well, but she refrained to go on any further as it might have ruined the atmosphere.
"You want to be an investigative journalist?"
"Yes," I nodded.
"Why tell me?"
"I need to get there as soon as possible. I need your recommendation."
"I just joined myself. I do not possess the authority to recommend you for a job such as this one. Besides, you're too young." Her concern was understandable.
But I had no intention to back down from it.
"I could work with you," I proposed an alternative solution.
"Why?"
"If I cannot work directly, I would like to work with someone through which my work would reach where it belongs."
Keika had stopped to listen to our conversation.
"What's your reason?"
"Do I need to tell you?"
"If you want to work, then yes."
"What are you saying? He's just-" Keika's attempt to intervene was quickly silenced.
"I just finished explaining how dangerous this job is. No one would take it without a proper reason and motivation. Care to tell me now, Eric?"
At this point, I have to open up if I am to move her heart.
"I lost my family, never seen them since. I have spent weeks in an unknown forest running away from demons, and nothing else. Have you seen a demon eat? I have, right in front of me. While I was hiding, the demon was eating my friend. There were people beside me when I started running, but they all vanished one by one. No words could describe the sheer horror they felt while being eaten alive. Before they died, they knew what was going to happen to them, and could do nothing to stop it or dilute the pain. A demon likes to eat you alive, it doesn't like a dead body's flesh. It likes the taste of skin, so it would chew your skin out before moving to your flesh. The sad part is you're alive to see this happen to you. I've seen people try everything. Pray, hide, betray, kill, and commit suicide. Just to get away from them, but they still come. I refuse to not act and sit still while such a fate awaits me. Demons need to go for they have destroyed our lives and taken our souls."
Only after I had said everything I realized my eyes were blood red perhaps I had gone a step too far and appeared a bit intimidating.
Silence ensued. Both girls were listening to me without moving. Keika had a look of disbelief on her face. Maya, who is more aware of these things probably understood just how much of reality I had seen.
"No need to look like that Keika, the government does everything to hide the truth from the people. They just tell a demon killed people, but never show how. Censors have seen a huge rise in their usage. And it's not just demons who are the problem. This world is full of people who like to use demons for terror." Maya sipped her tea.
"They deserve the same fate under a demon's teeth," I told her as a matter of fact.
"You need a degree in Journalism and law to be able to become an investigative journalist."
"You have one?"
"I am pursuing one now. The network allows us to study for the degree while working part-time. I publish small articles as of now, I will get into the core of the job within a few years."
She handed me a tissue to wipe my tears.
"Could you please...allow me to join?"
"I will see what I can do. Demons and their smuggling although the most fields of investigative journalism are equally dangerous. I won't allow you to do something you are not supposed to."
So it is a no in the end after all.
"That said, I will give you a chance. If you can bring something that is worth putting out in front of the people, I will consider your offer."
That was all I needed to hear and I bowed down to thank her. No words were needed.
"You should go now. Before it's evening."
"I cannot thank you enough."
What I told her was the truth. But the reason I had put forward for wanting to work with her was not. Under all that anger and desire for revenge I presented, there was a lie hidden. I don't want any of this. I want to live a life where nothing much happens. I can sympathize, but I am not the right person to do the things I said.
"No need to mention it."
My lie had worked, it wasn't easy but for now, it looked like I had appeared as I had hoped I would. If I start getting into factual things more, there's definitely something an investigative journalist would find suspicious.
After exchanging greetings, I stood up to leave.
"You mind if I come with you for a bit?" Keika asked me.
What possibly could be on her mind right now? I had no clue.