Mission 1, Part 2 - Mr.Smartass.

One is to wonder if you will even get to kill a rat, working with this guy. Surprisingly enough, you refrained yourself from punching him back. You can say what you want and make people believe you’re an asshole who doesn’t give a shit about anyone but the truth is you are a good boy. The truth is, you do give a shit.

 

Right now what you give a shit about is the fact that your “friend” doesn’t seem like he’s in the mood to help you with the rats. Sure, the young man brought his sword with him and followed you outside but he isn’t looking for any of the rodents as of now. Mister sassy is whistling instead, arms crossed behind his head, his nose up to the sky.

 

Oh how you’d like for a bird to pass over and shit on his face. Really, you wouldn’t even feel bad for him. You’d laugh.

 

    -          Hey, if you keep whistling like that, don’t you think you’re gonna alarm the rats?

 

The chubby boy stops his whistles and shrugs.

 

    -          Walking is more than enough to alarm them. At least if I whistle they won’t think we’re looking for them.

    -          Are you also hoping for them to fall from the sky, smartass?

 

The boy laughs.

 

    -          You’re all work and no play, huh.

    -          Yeah well I’d like to be done with the task as quick as possible.

    -          Then don’t go wander in the occupied areas of the city, dickhead.

 

You stop and turn around to look at him. If your eyes could speak, they would be screaming many words, half of which would sound like death threats and that guy must have read your thoughts as if you were an open book, for a smirk draws itself on his lips. He’s enjoying this. It is so easy to tell. He’s making fun of you right now and it doesn’t please you, not at all.

 

    -          They’ll be looking for food and the food is where the people are, you reply before turning around to resume walking.

 

But the boy isn’t following you. Ah, is he choking on you already? Wait. Maybe not. You hear him scoff and you turn to give him a cold stare. He’s not even looking at you, as if you’re not even worth his time.

 

    -          Exactly.

 

Oh, he agrees with you now? That’s a first.

 

    -          This is why the rats over there are going to be hard as fuck to catch because they know they’re not supposed to be there. I mean c’mon just think about it for a minute. Don’t you think they kind of know they’re stealing food? How’d you feel when you’re the one stealing, huh? On your guard and ready to run. I can guarantee you won’t catch many of them fuckers over there. Unless you want to spend the rest of the day running around like an idiot only to come back with one kill or two and that’s not counting the cops who’ll be more than happy to give us the chase I mean look at us, they’d be blind not to notice our weapons.

 

So he wasn’t agreeing with you after all. However, he got a point. The cops would most likely give you the chase, especially since they’re constantly on the lookout for you. You let out an annoyed “tch” as you cross your arms, putting on airs.

 

    -          So what do you suggest mister know-it-all?

    -          I suggest we find their nests and to avoid you wasting time and energy thinking, I’ll come up and say chances are that we’ll find that North East.

    -          The ruins?

    -          What, is that surprising to you or something? My guess is: that’s where they come from the beginning.

 

You sigh and walk past him, intentionally bumping on his shoulder just to be an ass as you make a turn to head North East. You could swear you saw him smirk and you are right about that. He is smirking. He’s still making fun of you.

 

As the two of you walk and as the streets become more and more desert, more and more overstock with trash and waste, your teammate speaks again. And you swear you wish he would’ve kept his mouth shut a bit longer.

 

    -          So, what’re you gonna bring as proof for the bitch?

 

There he is again, insulting your aunt. Pissed off, you take your weapon and with a quick move you throw the chain towards him, aiming for his side. Startled, the boy reacts rather quickly, blocking the blow by taking half of his sword out its sheath. It is with a herculean effort that you refrain yourself from attacking him again.

 

The guy doesn’t even seem to care about your attack anyways. Don’t waste your time on him, is what you tell yourself as you keep walking.

 

    -          Bringing back tails.

    -          Yeah, that’s one way to do it.

 

He doesn’t seem convinced. You roll your eyes with a sigh.

 

    -          I take it you have a better idea?

    -          Yeah, bring back the ears.

    -          Why?

 

You’re not sure you understand his plans. Why the ears? The boy smirks again. You can feel the damn smile behind your back. He really is enjoying himself isn’t he. You realize that guy loves to think and he’s fucking proud of his brain on top of it. And as much as it irritates you, you must admit he’s good at the task.

 

Better than you in fact.

 

    -          How many rats do you think your aunt wants us to kill?

 

Oh, he made an effort not to insult her this time, how sweet of him.

 

    -          How should I know? A lot?

    -          Yeah that’s my guess too. Now suppose you tell her you only took one ear from each rat you killed, when in reality you took both.

    -          That’s cheating.

 

You fight against yourself not to smile but your eyes shine with malice.

 

    -          Exactly.

 

Unlike you, your friend doesn’t refrain himself from showing a wide, conceited smile.

 

    -          And if she asks why the ears?

 

He shrugs and walks past you.

 

    -          Tell her it’s because they’re easier to rip off.

    -          Alright, smartass. Let’s do this your way.

    -          I heard rumours about you being seen with a bunch of dogs. Is that right? He asks as you both set foot on the edge of the ruins.

    -          Why?

    -          Are they near?

 

Your pack of dogs should’ve been a secret, as much as the building you live in, which is close by as a matter of fact. How does he even know about that? You underestimated him. That guy knows more than he lets people think he does. Is he an informant? There is no way to tell but now you know he’s not as ordinary as you thought he was.

 

And maybe he’s not as lazy as you think either.

 

    -          Some of them might come if I call them from here.

    -          Do it.

 

You call the dogs and your voice reverberates against the building’s walls in song-like echoes. Minutes later, you both hear the sound of claws running against the pavement and soon you see half a dozen dogs arriving from every corner of the street. Those are your most faithful dogs, the ones who always come when you call. Seeing you with someone else doesn’t seem to please them and they start barking and growling at your comrade, who doesn’t even seem to care.

 

And you stop to wonder: is that guy afraid of anything at all? Most would’ve taken a step back, at least. However that guy didn’t even flinch. He didn’t even blink. As a matter of fact he doesn’t even pay attention to your pack. He walks past them as if not even conscious he could’ve been bitten and as he does so the dogs show their teeth. That’s when you stop them with a “Tsst”. They sit down.

 

    -          They’re going to help us catch the rats or at least push them out of their nests. Then all you’ll have to do is throw your chain and knife at them.

    -          What about you?

 

He shrugs with a sigh. Oh, now you can see it: he doesn’t want to help. Well too bad for him you’re not gonna let him sit and watch you do all the work.

 

    -          I hope you intend to use that pretty sword of yours.

    -          What do you want me to do with a sword against a rat?

    -          Cut them in half.

    -          And risk damaging the blade if it rubs on the floor by mistake?

    -          If not to get rid of the rats then why did you brought the damn thing with you, mister wanker?

    -          I’m not stupid you know, wandering around with you means we’re gonna get in trouble sooner or later. The sword’s for the cops, not the rats.

 

You don’t know what holds you back from strangling that guy. Admiration maybe? Though you’d never say it out loud because even though he’s smarter than everyone you know, he’s still an asshole and a jerk.

 

But you’re not stupid either. You won’t let him get away with his hands and clothes clean. If he’s not gonna do the killing, then he’s gonna do the dirty job. You grin.

 

    -          Fine then. You’ll take care of the ears.

 

He gives you an annoyed look. Oh, how good it feels! That will be your revenge.

 

And what a sweet revenge it is…

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

 

Choking warmth clenches your throat as you step in the forge. Your aunt isn’t working on weapons anymore. You feel shivers down your spine as you see her nimble hands work on making a new batch of hairclips. You take a deep breath.

 

God she’s scary. You can feel the stress build up in your chest. You need to be convincing. At least you’re good at this, you’ve got quite the poker face.

 

    -          So, how did it go?

 

You let a bloody bag fall on a small table saturated with tools.

 

    -          What’s that? She asks putting her hairclip aside.

    -          Ears.

    -          And why do you bring me ears? Oh, do you want me to do like that girl I heard about? You want me to make rat soup?

    -          No thank you. I thought you’d like me to bring you proof that I was a good boy and did what you asked.

 

Endza’s gaze softens. You did it. You defused the bomb. You’re not in danger anymore. Those hairclips won’t be for you.

 

    -          Oh but I know you are a good boy, Mana! she sings.

 

She jumps in front of you like a child playing hopscotch and you can’t help but smile. That is, until she catches your dreads to pull on them for no reason.

 

    -          I know you’re a good boy because you’re as scared of me as your father was! Now get off my lawn, I’ve got work to do.

 

She won’t be telling you twice, now’s your chance to escape more unrewarded labour. You quickly drop a kiss on her cheek and you hurry to the exit.

 

You did it.

 

You pleased the devil.

 

As you quickly walk away, you suddenly hear an explosion, followed by swearing coming from the forge. Darn! You should’ve checked in the bag before bringing it to her!

 

You should’ve seen it coming.

 

Sheitan was being far too docile.

 

The only thing you can do now is run for your life.