Thia sat on the bed of their cubicle quietly. He had won a crucial match but that was the last thing he was thinking of. Water was all he was thinking of. His thirst now actually threatened to kill him quite literally. So for the lezas to open up and reveal Albert standing there quietly seemed too good to be true.
Albert stood at the entrance looking at the people inside. So far, two had exceeded his expectations and although he had pegged Kim to be the ultimate underdog, he wasn't so sure about that anymore. " You've breezed through the matches rather well," he said loudly, " A little too well. So the management thinks that you're ready for your first group match. Don't disappoint," he concluded coldly and turned to leave. " Wait," said Thia. Albert stood still, listening. " May we please get some cold water to drink,"? Thia asked shamelessly. Thirst was driving him crazy. The others gasped loudly. Albert turned and found Thia in front of him, kneeling. Albert looked at him amused, 'Look at this fool' he thought.
Thia knelt there and waited. Albert looked down on the kneeling boy in disgust. " Why should I"? he asked nonchalantly. This shocked everyone and Thia looked up sadly. " Prisoners have no say in anything," he continued staring deep into Thia's eyes. " Even so its the job of the warden to take care of his prisoners," Shiru said in a quiet yet convincing tone. Thia kneeling before the very people who had destroyed their home snapped her back into realty. There was no room for self pity and for Thia to kneel for a glass of water. She got up from her bed and walked to Thia, trying to get him to stand up. Mwas smiled mentally, his annoying over the top loud sister was back.
Albert looked at the woman and finally realized why Alex was taken by her. She was beautiful and rather assertive, but Albert had no time for this. He looked at her and said," So you do have a spine after losing horribly." Shiru flinched but she grit her teeth and looked at Albert. " I don't believe that is related to this and they have won two matches so grant the boy his wish" she said defiantly.
For a moment, Albert's heart skipped a beat.
He looked at her again and pinched his nose, he really didn't have time for this. He sighed and said," Fine I will give you what you want," an idea suddenly popped into his head," I'll give you ten thousand liters of your precious cold water if you come with me," he said pointing at Shiru. Mwas stood up immediately and went for the man's neck. " Stop", Albert said leaving Mwas frozen mid air with his fists drawn. " Make your decision right now my patience is wearing thin," he said angrily.
Kim sat there witnessing the scene before him. He had wanted to rush to Thia's side but had been stopped by Shiru's sudden intervention. Now this man wanted to take her away? He was not going to let him have his way with them ever again. " How about this. You give us the ten thousand liters in exchange I'll fight the next five matches alone and win in record time", he said stepping in
and standing in front of both Shiru and Thia.
'There he goes again getting all cocky' Mwas thought irritated by the fact that he couldn't move and also knowing fully that Kim was capable of doing what he just said.
Albert looked at the boy. His green eyes lit up in defiance and hatred? It didn't matter. " Are you sure of what you're saying boy, fighting five matches in a row"? he asked quietly. " Yes", Kim replied simply. This was way better than taking some woman to a dumb party he had been invited to. He turned and was about to leave when he said, " You've got a good friend there, release" he said looking at Thia. ' I already know' Thia thought as he made his way to his bed. The thirst temporarily forgotten.
Albert left, smiling.
* * *
Alvin stood in his office. For how long he'd been like that, he didn't know all he knew was the sheer excitement he had felt and the tons of new experiments he had made up as he watched Thia's fight. He smiled maniacally as he grabbed papers and began to write them down. 'Surely father will now take me serious after this' was the one thought that ran through his head as he wrote. " Are you too immersed in yourself that you can't hear anyone coming in," a cold voice finally broke through his concentration, he looked around. There, at the door, was Albert. He quickly threw his hands on the
papers before him. " Off to do human experiments again hm,"? he continued staring at his brother.
Alvin flinched visibly." Wh-what are you doing here"? he stammered. " I came to catch a rat but it seems the rat is busy so I'll catch it later," Albert replied quietly and turned to leave. 'Did he just call me a rat?' thought Alvin as he watched him leave. " One day I will make you pay for everything", he said vehemently.