CHAPTER 10: DWELLING IN THE PAST

Leila stared at Chris’ face, she could almost see Melissa in him. Chris, without a doubt, is her son. Melissa always says that they should protect Chris if ever something happened to her and Christopher. Leila would often dismiss their conversation by saying that all of them would surely live a long life. She even remember saying a week before they died that Melissa would still see her grand children’s children. She didn’t expect that they would really depart early.

She immediately broke down after hearing the news. They are her good friends, she treats Melissa as her older sister more than her own kin. She couldn’t imagine how it feels for Chris. He’s still young to be an orphan.

“Melissa saved my life.” She said as a response to Chris’ question.

“I used to have a trashy life back when I haven’t arrived at Fantasia. My family already abandoned me, I’m in a very toxic romantic relationship and I do all sorts of illegal things to survive. I knew that I don’t have any hope, I was honestly just waiting for my death. That's how worst it is.” She said while looking at her half empty plate. Chris suddenly felt guilty, maybe he shouldn’t have asked. It sounded too personal.

“One day I tried to pickpocket someone but she immediately caught me,” She smiled, “I’ve been really good at doing that so I was too stunned that I was discovered.” Fidel chuckled. Leila really did have good skills in stealing stuffs unnoticed. She made good use of her street skills to their job. It is also his first time hearing Leila’s story but he isn’t surprised anymore.

“My thoughts that time were ‘damn, now I’m going to spend few more years in the jail’. I tried running away as soon as I regained my composure but that person asked me something that I never heard in my life.” Leila pointed her plate, “Your mother asked me if I was hungry. No one have ever bothered to ask me that question so I was stunned the second time. She repeated the question and said that she would treat me a meal.”

Chris felt his chest tightened, now he misses her mother so much. If there is a reminder that his mom mentioned so many times, it was to never skip meals.

“All my life, people would only throw insults at me so for someone, who’s a complete stranger, to show kindness to me is something that I would never forget. I tried robbing her and do bad things to her, but she repaid it with kindness. Melissa changed my life for the better. She asked me all sorts of things while I was busy exhaling food, for the record, it was my first meal that day. Melissa asked me where my family was and what I do for living. I could’ve been stuck in jail by now if that woman is a police because I confessed everything to her.” Leila laughed as she remembers how silly she looked that time.

“She invited me to join Fantasia. I laughed at her and revealed that I didn’t even finish highschool but she explained that they don’t choose people by academic standards but by abilities and skills. That very day, she was able to persuade me to go and train and that is how I entered Fantasia. She made me realize that someone like me could still have a purpose in life and that I could still pull myself up from the misery I've been to in my entire life.” Chris looked at Fidel and he looked like it’s his first time hearing the story since he’s very attentive.

“Your parents might’ve hid the truth from you but they are not different people just because you didn’t know some things about them. They are the same good hearted parents of yours. They did it to protect you and that is what we are also going to do.” Leila said seriously. Melissa only asked one thing to her when she have done everything for Leila.

“Thank you.” Chris muttered. He didn’t know how much of what they said were true, he still can’t give his full trust but he is thankful, “Thank you for being good friends to my parents, and also for saying this to me. I was actually guilty, my parents couldn’t take care of me like they used to. I’m well aware that it also for me, but I couldn’t help but to feel…neglected. I feel so sad that I couldn’t spend a lot of time with them but I felt so petty when I discovered their real work.”

"Don't be. You're still a child, being 18 doesn't mean that you're going to be an adult in a snap. You're just yearning to be with your parents and that is normal." Fidel answered.

--

The ride home was quiet until the demon appeared beside him.

“How was it?” Damien asked but Chris didn't respond, obviously because he cannot talk to thin air.

The demon grinned and continued asking him series of questions. Chris took out his phone and answered him through typing.

“Can you bother me later?” he typed.

“No. I want the updates now.” The demon insisted. Chris had to keep his straight face or Fidel, who's now driving might notice and ask.

He has no choice but to give the demon some bits of what happened. Damien looked unimpressed.

“So they told you their stories, and you just believed anything that went out of their mouths...”

“I don't, but I have to know if they have any motive in killing my parents.” Chris answered.

“Chris.” Leila called.

“Yeah?”

“Are you sure you didn't want to move to a safe house? We are actually very worried about you being alone.”

“Sorry but I still think I would do fine staying at home. Besides, if the killers really want to kill me too, it would've happened already.” He said it as a challenge. If the killer is among Fidel and Leila, then he surely hit a nerve with his statement.

“You don't know how criminals think Chris. We're still investigating, and the list of possible perpetrators is still long. Our job garnered us a lot of enemies that wanted revenge.” Leila answered in a serious tone.

“Then I'll update you time to time. I really want to stay at our house.” The adults assumed that it's because Chris didn't want to part to the place where his parents memory lingers. It is, but the real reason is that he would surely be under surveillance if he stayed in a safe house.  It would be difficult for him to garner information is he's been guarded. Plus it would be extra hassle if he cannot freely talk to Damien.

“Fine, but we ask you to be careful and stay vigilant to your surroundings.” Fidel answered.

"Is that a threat I am hearing?” Damien commented.

“Thank you for respecting my decision." He answered, not minding the demon's remarks.

“But remember to call us if anything happens okay? Don't worry about bothering us because you're not!” Leila reminded.

“Of course.” Chris answered.

The demon sighed, “You just wasted your time talking to them.” Damien rested his elbow to Chris' shoulder and stared ahead.

“Oh, both of them have killed before.” Damien suddenly said. Chris' eyes widened and almost blurted out, good thing that he managed to restrain himself.

“How did you know?” He quickly typed on his phone.

“Well I could see it.” Chris felt himself sweating even with the air conditioner working fine. Is one of them the killer, or maybe both of them?

“Are they the one who killed my parents?” He hurriedly typed. He wishes that no one would notice his sudden anxious face.

“Hmm...” Damien took a good look at the people in front. Chris' heart is already thumping hard.

“I don't know.” Chris almost yelled, he got nervous for nothing. He wanted to throw a fit and push the demon out of the car. He closed his eyes tightly to calm his anger.

“It doesn't work that way. Besides, it doesn't necessarily mean that they killed by their own hands. It could be passive, they could be the reason that someone died. Might be intentional or not.” Damien explained before Chris explodes in anger.

“So there's still a chance that they killed my parents...” he typed again.

“Yep, but could be wrong too.” Damien shrugged.

The demon snorted, "your face is funny, you look so disappointed!” Of course he is. He thought he'll know the truth!

“Do you really think it will be that easy?”

“If you can't help me then what's the point of being contracted to you?” Chris mocked. He wouldn't let himself be ridiculed by the demon.

The demon looked amused instead of insulted, "you're learning how to properly taunt. It's good to know that you're finally learning something from me and stop being cocky. You won’t even get a single info from Fantasia if I didn't steal that flash drive." Chris bit his lower lip, a habit he suddenly acquired after being contracted with Damien.

“Chris, is there something wrong?” Leila asked as she stopped when the lights went red.

He faked a smile, “Nothing.”

“Are you sure? You look anxious.”

“I-it's just that I missed so many things in the school but my friend promised me to lend me his notes so it's all good now.” He lied and he’s starting to get better at thinking at it.

“I see, we won't stop you if you want to go back to school already but we could also talk to your school if you needed more time. Your well-being should be your priority.” Leila added.

"No, it's okay. I'll go back soon." he lied, he didn't want to. He'd rather find the truth than sit on his desk and listen to class lectures like nothing happened.

He still can't understand this process of moving on. It seems impossible for him.

--

“That's actually a good idea.” Damien said as soon as the car drove away.

“What is?”

“You, going back to school.” Chris stared at Damien like he's a crazy guy.

The demon sighed, “Of course you don't get it... Look, there would be nothing to do if you just mope around here. If you go to school and act like you're trying moving on then they wouldn't suspect you of doing something behind their backs.”

Chris contemplated for a while and understood that Damien has a point. He checked the time and messaged Kurt after seeing that classes are already over.

He saw Kurt calling right after Chris’ message is ticked off as read.

“You’re going back to school already?!”