Freeze, Flight, Fight!

He once again stepped foot on the Upper Ground. It was surprisingly relaxing. After spending so much time in that burning hell hole he called lair, the fresh scent of polluted air was a great welcome.

Just like before, he strode along with the creatures called humans. No one noticed his presence as he wanted it. As he takes in his surroundings, he thought that humans can improve a lot. It was just a decade or two when human-invented what they call DVD. A round object that when inserted into a specific machine will produce a moving picture.

But now, humans don’t need that. Everything has become convenient. They were now watching the moving picture in a box fit in their hands. Humans are so busy. Is what he thought.

He passed by a mirrored wall and saw his reflection. He stopped to inspect himself. The Upper Ground and the humans changed so much. But he remained the same. It was still the same grey orbs that project no emotions, the same five o’clock shadow on his face, and the same posture as the day he falls.

He was busy staring at his reflection that he failed to see a bustling young woman going toward him. She was clutching her bag to her chest while running barefooted. She was running like time was chasing her, so when she collided with him, she didn’t spare a second to look back and just shouted her sorry.

His eyes grew big. That didn’t just happen… right? He was unbelieving. Someone, some human just collided with him. A human girl. A running human girl that shouldn’t have happened. No one should see him nor collide with him and yet, there is one.

It should have bothered him. It should have except it didn’t. Not when someone is calling him. Not by his name but by his nature. It was nearby, just a little walk down the alley. He followed the call. It led him to a café. People gathered around at the front of the café’s entrance. He passed through the crowd and saw an interesting scene.

“You stupid little devil! I already warned you. DO. NOT. TOUCH. MY. THINGS!” a short stout man yelled at a young and timid-looking man in front of him.

“Sir, it’s not like that. I-I was j-just checking…” he didn’t have the chance to continue his words when the man kicked him in the chest.

“And now you have the guts to talk back to me, you little shit! I will teach you a lesson!” the stout man began kicking his employee in every place he can.

The audience started whispering. Some whisper fake sympathy. Others whisper how should the employee act in front of his boss and others just simply watch the scene unfold. But none of them made the call. It was not the beaten employee or the stout man, nor one of the audiences.

He proceeded inside the café. Some people had turned to see the scene from the window. Some didn’t mind. His eyes wander until he saw the girl who made the call. She was silently sitting at the farthest part of the café. Her hands were on her lap, fidgeting. She was hesitating.

He smiled, even though the girl looked innocent and humble her intentions didn’t go unnoticed by him. She just needs a little push. Someone to give him courage. Her desire was strong enough to make a call and she was just lucky that he was nearby.

He stepped beside the girl. She doesn’t need a good nudge. Just a slight touch and her worries will be over. A man sat in front of the girl. He was handsome and lean. He spoke with confidence. Too confident for a guy breaking up with his girl.

“I’m sorry, Jane. But I think we need to stop this” the man has no remorse.

He snorted. He is like an open book. He can be easily read. He placed his hand on the girl's shoulder. That simple gesture changed the girl’s attitude. She smiled sweetly.

“It’s okay. It’s no big deal. Well, it was a relief for me. I knew about your infidelity. I just happen to own something as proof. So, it’s fine.” She stood up.

“What do you mean?” the guys asked with confusion.

“I just didn’t happen to videotape you with a guy the day before yesterday. Oh, and I almost didn’t send the video to your family. But changed my mind. Bye, Chris” with that the girl left leaving the guy with a pale expression.

She passed the commotion outside but didn’t give a single glance. He sighed. It was just how humans are. They will call you when in need but wouldn’t give anything in return. He then again resumes his pace. There’s no use in crying over spilled milk.

His thoughts wander as he walked. He remembered the first human who, change the direction of his life. She was a beauty because He didn’t make mistakes when creating her. She was almost perfect, a human-created in His image. But what He missed was her heart.

It was dark. Luring him to fall. Once he did, he can’t even pick himself up. He was exiled and he felt wronged. But that doesn’t change the fact that he was also at fault. So, he ended up enjoying his stay on the Lower Ground and he had the privileged to roam around the Upper Ground without a limit.

He stopped in front of a church, where a children's choir was singing a worship song. He stopped to listen for a while.

“…In my Father’s house

There’s a place for me

I’m a child of God

Yes, I am

I am chosen

Not forsaken

I am who You say I am

You are for me

Not against me

I am who You say I am

I am chosen

Not forsaken

I am who You say I am

You are for me

Not against me

I am who You say I am…”

It does not make sense. How does human think about so shameful things to one another and then praise what they call the Almighty? How can He love those creatures so much that he sacrificed himself for them?

That act didn’t change the human's attitude. He shook his head. He wouldn’t be able to understand those creatures. Especially Him. No one would. Even if he is the right hand.

He walked again, without any destinations. He would wander until he gets tired and rest in a place or maybe he would go back to the Lower Ground for a refreshment. Not that there is a refreshment there.

✒✒✒

“Hey, Amilia! What are you standing there for?” Amilia turned to her friend.

“What are you looking at…? Oh! Isn’t that Drake Collin” Lizzie nudged her at her side.

“I’m not looking at Drake. The one beside him, who is that?” Lizzie jokingly squinted her eyes beside Drake.

“There’s no one beside him. Don’t tell me that there is a ghost there” Amilia rolled her eyes upward.

“On his left, Lizzie. Stop scaring yourself” Amilia continues to stare at the boy.

Something was off about him. She just can’t point a finger at it. It was a rare case for their school to accept a late enrollee, especially during the end of the semester.

“Oh, the new guy. Stacey said that he’s weird” Lizzie opened her notebook.

“Don’t be so judgmental, Liz” when she found what she was looking for, Lizzie showed it to Amilia.

“His name was Zephyr Rutherford, it was weird” Lizzie quoted.

“Just because it’s not a household name doesn’t mean that it was weird. And why do you have a note?” Lizzie shrug. She decided to just end the conversation since it was not going the way she wanted.

“Anyway, Physics is coming soon. Do you have notes? Let me borrow” Amilia sighed. There’s no hope for her friend.