Chapter 3
CAELUM I blew a sigh, deciding that I should let my feet lead the way. I sneaked at the couple who are fighting over diaper duty, and sniffed on the argument, puffing more chaos. Ha! Serves them right. They can fight all day for all I care. What matters is my beats and the arguments they have. I take my words back; I love this life. My next stop was the restaurants. Not here for the food for my body, but for my soul. They are the source of every heated argument, from jealousy to misunderstanding to chaos. Getting into work, I push the man who is holding his girlfriend on his arms so that they trip. It seems that the situation is not worse so I made a move with the girl’s hair and make it tangle over the foot of table of the couple nearby. This is getting heated! Couple A was bickering and it didn't help that couple B were also joining in, rapid French spouting from their mouth as they fought over whose fault it is. I took a plentiful of sniff before a puff of white feather floated on the space in front of me. Blinking, I frowned at it and shoo it away with my steel arrow. Still frowning, I took notice of the golden arrow that is now protruding on the chest of the girl from the couple A. It can’t be! I have to get at least five beats today. I can’t loose something as important as this. Feeling my nostrils flare up, I stomped my way out of the restaurant and glared at the half dot near my seventh heart. I swiped at my bracelet to make it turn to a watch, making it look normal from the eyes of the humans. What a game changer! I paced down the alleyway and smiled as I reached my perfect place, Destin – where devastation is found and broken hearts overflow the bin of rejection. It was my own version of heaven. I was about to enter the club when a stupid girl in a lousy costume, consisting a golden crown of leaves and what seems like fishing nets hugging her petite but curvaceous body, looks at me. She was quite pretty. Her red hair that escaped her braid fans her face, and she tucked it behind her ear, blushing. I frowneded I stood there, frozen on the spot as humans passed by, rushing. The woman in front of me bit her lip and tucked her hair again, fingers shaking, looking a bit shy. A human shoved her roughly to the side but she doesn’t seem to mind. My scowl deepened and I swallowed. She continued her assault, her eyes zeroing on my throat. What a perverted girl! Distracted, I took a step back when a car drove pass and in an instant, she was gone. The deafening protest of the man's vehicle made me cringed as I await for the girl's body to collide with the metal, to lay lifeless on the road and to contribute maybe a little smidge of red on my beats. Shaking my head, I bit my lip, thinking that she was only a hallucination. I’ve been dreaming about that mysterious girl again, making me think about stupid things. I was about to take a step again when she reappeared, about a meter in front of me. She opens her eyes, shocked–her face is dotted with freckles, her red hair appearing more vicious as she stood there staring at me with those bright green eyes I have known to have stared to, every night, for a millennia. I remain standing there, still frowning, feeling like my mind had evade me but worst comes to worst when she smiled shyly, bowing her head. My body convulsed that I have to take a deep breath and calm myself. What is this feeling? She looks down at her feet, before directing her wide eyes back at me as the arrows on my pocket and the pipe on my hand caught her attention. I believed that it's impossible for her to notice that through the mist of allurements I have sprayed on myself, hiding it away from the humans’ curious eyes, but then she could be something, right? I shake my head as I thought about her being something else. It can’t be. I am just being paranoid. Geez. My thoughts had preoccupied me for a moment that I hadn’t realize the fact that she was gone, the traffic now moving faster. I took a sniff and smiled, the humans’ heat from the club beat steadier upon my wrist. Sneaking from the back door, I took a seat at the far back of the club and wait for the music beat to go higher–thumping away with the music, their hearts felt like my second skin, my outer shell, serving as my own. It was definite and sure, like how my life depended on the beats. I pulled the three steel arrows from my inside pocket and let it drift from skin to skin as I make my way to the middle. I am close to attaching one of the arrows to the chest of my selected victim when a golden arrow flew past from my nose, barely missing it. It embedded itself on the chest of my victim and blossomed. Angered by this, I didn't dare to look around the room in case I spotted her again. I know better than to stir away from those stupid creatures. Putting the arrows back on my pocket, I huffed as I step out of the club. I didn't even had the chance to accomplish my beat! I nodded at Newman who had open the door for me and quickly headed inside the elevator. Annoyed, the scent of adultery and jealousy did nothing to improve my mood as I kick my own door open. I throw the arrows on the couch together with the allurement vials and my pipe, collapsing down on the carpeted floor, spread eagled with no care in the world as I face the television, munching on the apple I had stolen yesterday. I was momentarily dazed, playing with the core of the apple on my hands as I go over the events that had happened today. I was too distracted that I didn't realize the knock coming from my window. I frowned. What the bloody arrows is that? I think this is the same fucking bird I have tried to kill last week but it bloody gotten away. “I’ll get you this time, aye? Just wait!” Pulling myself up, I hastily ran to my room and was surprise as I open the traditional window covering my glass ones. I can’t believe my luck today. There–smiling at me as the gold glitters on her skin contrast with the freckles sprinkled on her cheeks–was the girl. The dazzling green eyes and the fiery red locks wasn't helping the situation at all. I just can’t wrap my mind on this. She happily waved at me with her golden arrows and speak, "There you are! I was looking everywhere for you.” I felt her breath fan my face and the intoxicating scent of vanilla made me dizzy. I need to act fast or else this freaking thing will overpower me. Snarling, I stuck my tongue out at her and pushed her with all my might, smiling as I heard her protest. Well, that my folks, is a cupid.Chapter 4 RUBIN“Don’t yeh mention this stupid selection ever ‘gain, George. I am warning yeh!” I paused, trying to strain my ear, not believing my ears of what I am hearing. Of those seventeen years I have spent living with them, I have never heard Aunt Lilia argue with my Uncle George like this–very unlikely for her to lash out so early considering that she was a morning person. “I am warning yeh, George, not a word of this to her!” “Lilia, dear, you don’t understand–”“What point do I need ter understand? Rubin stays ‘ere as long as she likes. I don’t care what yer mother says, or yer blasted brother–end of discussion.” Her paddling feet made me retreat back upstairs to my room but she saw me, a wrinkle in between her furrowed brows. “Rubin! Have yeh been eavesdropping?” Her solid blue eyes were freezing me on the spot that I have to avert my eyes and shake my head ‘no’. Aunt Lilia appeared in her fluttery pink apron that hug her rather plump body I’ve grown to love ever since
Chapter 5 RUBIN“Heather, Dew,”“Here, miss.”“Hearthrowe, Isabelle,”“Here, miss.” I rolled my eyes as I hear my cousin’s voice that resembles a poisoned honey. Ugh.I let go of the door silently, cringing as it creeks, while I hasten, proceeding up the middle row. “Hearthrowe, Rubin,” Professor Bow look up from her list and saw me halfway through the room. She reckoned me to a seat next to my cousin Belle and repeat my name, “Hearthrowe, Rubin?” “He-Here,” I cleared my throat and huffed, “Here, miss.” Professor Bow gave me a kind smile, mentioning the students on her list and finishing it with Zeal, Rose. “Good morning my dear students!" I glance at Professor Bow as she flew up the platform, her bright yellow wings trailing behind her along with her long white robe, resembling a wedding trail. "Today, we are going to have the Sagittis : focusing on the art of making arrows. Everyone, please bring out your sets." My fellow students shuffled on their seats as they took their twigs
Chapter 6RUBIN“Get a move now, George!”“But Lilia, she is still sleeping. I do not–”“What? Tell me more of yer lame reasons, aye? We know we cannot delay. She have a hard time alrigh’, but she has to prepare. Like righ’ now!” I could hear a set of feet shuffling across the floor and I hastily turn my back against the door, biting my lip as I hear it open. "Rubin, I know yer awake. Yeh don't sleep with yer mouth closed." Oh, okay then. I opened my mouth, and continue to pretend to be asleep. "Francesca Rubin--""Okay, okay. I'm up, already! Don't get your knickers twisted up your bottoms, Aunt Lilia." Well, that earned me a pillow zooming on my direction and hitting me on the head. I collapsed on the bed dramatically, snickering. “A-a-ouch!” I put both of my hands on my forehead, pretending to be hurt. Aunt Lilia shakes her head at me before throwing another pillow. Uncle George sat down on my bed and gave me a smile, “I’ve heard what happen, I can’t believe you finish as first.
Chapter 7RUBIN"Rubin, I know. I'm sorry, if I say that but we love you so much and we don't want you to end up with the same fate as your father. And if I might add," Uncle Cedric sigh, his hands still on my face. "Well, we do not know... we have not confirm it but," Uncle George’s voice trembled as he continued "we–I mean, I–think that your mother is still alive." That made me stare at my uncle, examining his eyes of any trace of tricks or maliciousness but I saw nothing. With a watery smile, I captured the both of them in my arms and cried. After a few moments, Aunt Lilia told my Uncle to go off since she is going to prepare me for the ceremony. I had my bath, consisting of precious oils and scents from the tree blossoms, allurements essential for my mission. After I had finished my bath, I help myself on some plain white cotton dress, the sleeves shrug down on my shoulder like wings as she hang the nets on my back.Oh wings! I'm going to have my wings today.I wiggled my shoul
Chapter 8RUBINLet me get this straight, the entrance to earth is through a door. I can’t believe it was just behind a door! I carefully put my foot down on the platform and was shocked when the crowd of people come bustling out of the door with me. They carried me out, muttering about clothes and businesses and how I’m so slow. Once I am down on my feet, I look back and see the door quickly closing. The arrow on the sides began moving upwards and I was momentarily struck with curiousity as I look at it.What a fascinating door it was! I wonder how humans master this locomotive magic that they have– I might be able to learn it as I settle here on earth. Shaking my wings on my back, I smiled and turn around, observing the humans as they talk so differently. They almost sound like bees, buzzing.It wasn't really annoying , in general, I find them very entertaining!“I can’t believe this,” I bounded towards them, delighted of what I am seeing. I lingered next to the hustle and bustl
Chapter 9RUBINI drift through the crowd, smiling at them. Though, as time pass by, I grew tired of smiling and my lips turned into pouts. Why are these people ignoring me? Am I invisible now? But how? I haven’t tried to put some enchantments on me, yet. I started crossing the street and stared at my reflection in the mirror. Well, I am pretty much visible still, so why are they ignoring me?Maybe they just do not care.This is what Gaeans do all the time: they live to work in order to survive. Not like us, Erosians, who are free to roam and do whatever we like. I pity them sometimes. Still feeling down, I decided that I should probably start taking my job, seriously. It is better if I get to finish my job earlier so I can have more time to search for my mom. I wonder if she is still alive. Would I recognize her even without remembering her face? I have to find her even though I am not certain of her whereabouts. I know it will be hard since I have no idea how and where to start bu
Chapter 10RUBINI held on the lamp post as I struggled to stand. I regret looking behind me to see one of my wing fluttering hopelessly while the other hang on my back like an over size cape, limp and wet with pink liquid– Erosian blood. I look around to see the streets empty, the crowd gone because of the sudden rain.To my great luck, the rain poured harder upon me, soaking me through. I sigh and pulled my wings closer, hoping to provide warmth to my drenched body. I thought rain is pretty sight here on earth like how they tell it in the books, but now I know that it isn’t. Specially when you were kicked out or should I say, pushed down? I shivered as thunder rumbled in the distance, already regretting my decision of chasing after the guy. Oh, please don’t make it rain harder!I was so used to being safe and sound back in Eros watching over earth as it rained. I had longed to experience the feeling of raindrops on my skin but now, I do not know if I should be crying because I cou
Chapter 11RUBINI stared at her for a moment before looking back at the man near the doors. He is not going to chase me away if I ever did try to get in, right? He won’t even notice me for I will be discreet and I am best in doing that. I look outside the window–rain is still pouring and in here is much better; I feel safe and warm even if the staffs are not so welcoming.I decided to follow my instincts and move away from the desk. I sneakily to the stairs, occasionally glancing on my back before running up the steps. This felt like creeping outside the castle during curfew hours. I am very good at this, I am sure I can do better. I ran up the stairs–ever winding and stretched beyond, I am afraid that my legs will fall off. I reach the third floor when the corridor split into two–I started going for the left wing. 350.343.325"HOLY CUPID!" I slap my forehead, irritated of my own silliness. It seems that I am going on the wrong direction, bloody arrows. I quickly turn and ran t