TO KILL IS TO SERVE

Chapter 4 & 5: The Park

This day marks the 5th day of my assassination period and 5th day as well of attending this boring art class. I haven’t been learning anything at all since I have mastered the necessary knowledge about it already.

And it’s Alora’s 2nd day not going to school after the incident between her and that guy and the whole class. I wasn’t even caring much after that but I swear I can feel the tension leaned towards me after I refuted Betty. I anticipated that in this pack of boring little wolves, she is the top-dog. This is a good thing, though. No one’s being a nuisance now; I can finally do my job as peacefully as possible.

“Good f*****g thing I did not kill anyone yesterday, but who knows what will happen now?” I mumbled and stood up, and then I got my bag. If there were no improvement today, I swear I will s***h someone else’s throat already. I have been itching to know something and yet this f*****g setting is not helping me at all. I complained to myself and headed out of the room before the bell rings for the after lunch session but unfortunately, I have seen a figure near the stairs walking towards me.

“The class is yet to start. Where are you off to?” Miss Cherrie spoke as soon as she caught me about to go past her. I groaned internally and rolled my eyes. Should I just ninja myself out from here? I thought, wetting my lips and preparing my irresistible Grei persona. “Hello, Earth to Grei?”

I turned around and faced her as I change my annoyed expression to a bright one. No, I cannot reveal anything about my strength. “Grei said hi.” I smiled and fixed my collar and Miss Cherrie chuckled at me, showing her deep dimples. “Anyway, Miss, I have matters to attend, real important matters. Can you please let me off this time?” I emphasized how important the non-existent matter is while charming her with my fake genuine look.

Miss Cherrie narrowed her eyes and scanned me from bottom to top. “Okay.” She sang, chuckling. “Let’s just talk tomorrow and go to your girlfriend already, lover boy.” She even smirked right after dismissing me. I did not speak another word but thank you and left her after I bid a short good bye.

She’s probably pertaining to Alora and I don’t dare talk back about it again. It’s better to let her assume things for the benefit of my job. She wouldn’t get it either if I were to tell her that I’m getting close to Alora, her genius student, to assassinate her. Or maybe she will.

-

This is the 5th time I have rang the doorbell of the Weller’s. I’m behaving like a real classmate here and I don’t have any plans to sneak into my target’s house… but now I’m already inside. What the heck did I just do? I sighed in disappointment of myself. This is the right time to be cautious and I just f*****g revealed to this family that I can enter one’s house without making any sound. What a nice day to be an assassin. I grumbled and argued with myself. I couldn’t even kill the whole family here if matter become worse for Miss Cherrie knows that I am heading to this residence. I am certain that she was pertaining to Alora earlier.

I walked rashly from the door, towards the living room, trying to make my heels click on the tiled-floor. This is better for I could come up with easier excuses that being silent all the time. “Hello, anybody home? Alora?” I called aloud to complete my worried-classmate duty.

Is there nobody in—My thoughts literally stopped halfway when I suddenly felt a chill of surprise running down my spine. There is someone but not Alora. I confirmed and sharpened my instincts.

I was left with a mouth opened when I turned around and felt the end of the gun pointed on my forehead. My radar worked a second slower! I looked up gently and tried to identify the person. It’s a man, at least 6’3 tall, in his mid 35-40, wearing black suit and white polo inside with red tie, and paired with black shoes. He’s an office worker. And I believe that’s what he wants everyone to think. But f**k, an office worker with a gun will never make sense.

Okay, I shouldn’t move recklessly now. This man might not even know me; so I need to get away as quietly and as peacefully as possible. I hate how my instinct missed a moment wherein a person with a gun is standing behind me already. Am I getting rusty? Maybe I need to get random quick contract from Info since I am longing for the adrenaline of killing and bloodbath now.

“Pardon my intrusion, sir. But may I ask–”

“Who are you?” The gun was hard-pressed onto my forehead. His quick reflexes and strong grip will leave a nozzle mark on my flawless forehead. “I asked who are you and why did you snuck into my house? Do you even still think of living a life?” The pressure came to me that the thought that I’m probably more skilled than him slipped from my mind for a moment or two. He just gives off his aura of being serious and frightening. I don’t fear him pulling the trigger, though. I can just shay away when that happened. But the thing is, is he used to kill people with his gun? And if this is his house as well, then…

“Sir, is this Weller’s residence?”

“Who are you, I asked. Why are you asking me back, you little brat?” His tone sounds irritated. He must be tired from work and now he’s going to work again since his fragrance smells of that from the shower. Decoying yourself as an office worker? That must be pretty heavy and confusing for someone who works under the government. I thought and prevented a grin to surface my lips. Or someone who works with a gun with strict discipline. Of course I dare not to say that out loud.

I raised my hands and knelt to show my purity and innocence, which I am aware that I don’t have both. “I’m sorry, sir. I was just looking for my classmate from art class. I am Grei Grazer from the art workshop. If I were inside the Weller’s house right now, which is the place I asked from Miss Cherrie, may I ask if you’re the father of Alora Weller?” Firstly, I am sure that this is Alora’s house, I’ve read the basic information about her and secondly, what the hell is wrong with assassins who ask others for their target’s place? I believe Miss Cherrie assumed that Alora has given me her address, so she did not ask if I know.

I heard the sound of his gun getting inside its leather case. He did not even load it, why the f**k did I get chills? I looked up and had my eyes met his. Those are the familiar stares I’ve been seeing for three days. “Do you have no manners, kid? Why did you slip in when you can call from the outside?”

I stood up and bowed my head to the father of the Weller’s household. “I am very sorry for the disturbance I may have caused but I have buzzed the doorbell numerous times and yet, received no response. Forgive me for assuming but I thought something must’ve happened inside already if Alora weren’t living with anyone.  I know I’ve mindfully committed a mistake of trespassing, yet again, I ask for your forgiveness.” I said, with a tone of an intelligent kid.

In my deduction, Alora’s father must be someone working in the government, specifically in the police department, and people like them find it amusing to hear and meet people with background of someone highly favored. Unless, he’s not like the money-maker Mister Park.

“I understand, kid.” He held my shoulder and put me to stand. “Alora doesn’t talk much about people around her, so we were worried if she’s getting bullied and had no friends. Good thing you chose to visit her this time. She’s in her room, most certainly sleeping. If I may recall, she asked for two days off from her art classes.”

I nodded, “Thank you, sir. If it isn’t much of a trouble, may I ask why?” I asked completely trying to get off of the idea her father has about her being bullied. She indeed is, Mister Weller.

“Apparently, she had an argument with her best friend again, and every time that happens, she would just flee temporarily from Manasseh’s sight. Manasseh is a great kid, so he surely understands.” He fixed his tie and slid something out of his pocket – his phone ­– and stared at it for a bit. Best f*****g friend? Manasseh? I blinked in silent disagreement. “Now, I’m already late for work. I’ll leave now. Feel free to go upstairs just don’t do anything nasty. My daughter knows how to defend herself.”

And he flew away after laughing with me.

What a very interesting man! I thought. He’s very neat-looking, but I could see a bad trim of hair on the right part of his head. He couldn’t be an office worker with that hair. He sounds a bit bossy but when it comes to Alora, his voice tones down. He is really good at changing the pitch and tone of his voice like he mastered it well. He hides his gun in his bag but it has its very obvious leather case with a hook for the belt. And I bet he knows, if he is really an office worker, that a gun on the belt is not permissible. He doesn’t wear watch and has to peek at his phone just to see the time. Watches are very handy for office persons and I know such a perfect job where wearing a special watch is a must. And that special watch is actually too obvious. Maybe he has one and doesn’t want to show it out to reveal his true identity.  His house is huge but surprisingly almost empty, although based on his neat personality; it is not a question at all. But the question is: there obviously are people in this huge house, why are the lights off? Well, of course, the last thing: he walks just like me—soundless, careful and quick. I didn’t even hear him coming right at me. I hope this is not what I think it is but I couldn’t run from my own hypotheses. What a world I live in. I smiled as I complete my deduction.

My dearest target’s father is a police, probably has a higher ranker that even I could not have a will to guess. First, there is Manasseh, and now, Mister Weller. How much more thrill can this rollercoaster offer me?

-

Alora is completely awake but chose to ignore me and my effort to ring the doorbell multiple times earlier. She’s just right there, brashly throwing all her pillows to me, naming me a thief, a r****t, a p*****t, and a burglar. I cannot believe what I am seeing right now. This is like the real dark side of the moon—her moon. I was expecting a darker side for the other side of her moon, but this is too f*****g bright for me.

“What the heck are you doing here?” Still in her multi-colored, stained pajama, she threw another pillow to my direction. It’s already afternoon and she is still in her pajama. I bet she’s this type of girl who doesn’t bathe when not going to school. “Get out of my house, you stalker!” And she sounds like a whole different person right now while calling me names. How could someone–who is not an assassin–be completely different at home?

“Hey, stop.” I caught the last pillow that she threw and sighed. “I was too bored in there; I figured that I had to go see a certain someone’s scribbles.” I replied and threw the pillow back to her. Bull’s eye! It hit her face. I chuckled and walked closer to the bed. “I’ll leave shortly. Let me rest first.”

Alora groaned and glared at me, slightly blushing. “Why did that old man even let you to come inside my room? What is he thinking? We’re not even friends, how could he!” She sounds frustrated while rapping. After all, I surprised her and I think she doesn’t like surprises.

“You’ve got a cool office dad, girl.” I added and she turned to me with a compromising look. You just confirmed everything that I deduced. I smiled as I thought. She changed her expression to a calmer one and gestured her hand for me to go out.

“Go now. I don’t have any paintings for you to look at. Don’t bother me like we’re close or anything. I’m going to sleep.” She lied down and hugged her pillows, back facing me. She’s all of a sudden, this talkative. She barely says ten words or more at school when it’s not about art and yet she’s been talking a lot now.

“Are you really an artist?” I asked and she turned to me with a questioning face. “How can an artist not display her paintings on her walls? Plus your art corner is too tidy to be true!” I added as I noticed that there is no single painting on her room walls. Her ‘art corner’ doesn’t look like it is being used at all. If I were a fully pledged painter, I’d display all my paintings on the wall and stare at them for hours. But heck, I’m an assassin. Although the possibility that she has her own art room in is not being crossed out. She’s an artist who’s still honing her skills. There is no way that she doesn’t have a colorful room for her artworks.

Alora got her back facing me again after ignoring my questions. She’s back at it again, ignoring me and my way to know her more.

“So, draw me.”

Three words, eight letters, I’ve said it…and she began her little pillow fight invitation again.

“How dare you? I will only draw someone that I’m going to live for the rest of my life, except for Miss Cherrie. Walk away now before you feel my wrath, you heartless! And again, we’re not friends, okay?”

Why am I heartless now? Why do you suddenly sound romantic? And what’s with us being not friends, again?

I chuckled and held the next pillow that she’s going to smack me with. I shouldn’t give her pillows back anymore. “Okay, okay. I understand your part as an artist. Although I never thought that you still have that romantic girly side.” I leaned forward and smirked and watched her get flustered for less than a second. “Why don’t you let me draw you first, then? You can draw me afterwar—”

“Go home.”

“Okay, I was just kidding. I’ll wait for you downstairs.” I beamed and stood up, reaching for her phone placed on the side table. “We’ll be going somewhere.” I rushed out of her room before she says anything. “Be quick!” I added and closed the door.

I heard some loud thumps from her room when I’ve reached the living room. Her room’s just up there, how could she sleep when there are visitors downstairs? That would be uncomfortable for me and my sensitive ears; although I never get visitors and I don’t plan on receiving any.

-

“Are you freaking serious, Grei? This is k********g!”

“It is not. You’re the one following me. How could this be k********g? Did you lock your house?”

“I did.”

“Good.”

“Wait, wait. You’re off-putting me. How could I not follow you when you have my phone? This is stealing, okay? Or a*******n!”

“The police won’t listen to you if you indecisively accuse a person.”

“Where are we going, you creep? Don’t drag someone who’s not friends with you anywhere, really.”

She is nagging me while following me and calling me creep. Her pitiful personality at school stays at school, huh? Where the heck is the Alora of few words?

“I’m going to give you inspiration to draw. Since it’s not me that you’re interested to paint, I’ll give you one then.”

She stayed silent after that but she’s actually murmuring about me. I can hear them even with all these motorcycle noises. This subdivision is full of motorcycle users. I thought, looking at each motor that are passing.

“Please don’t curse me, Alora. Be a good girl.”

And she did it even louder. Maybe this is how she really was before, whenever she’s with Manasseh and Hanie. Now I wonder if the Alora I see every day at school is the dark side of the Alora Moon. Both sides are real, but not both sides are visible at the same time.

“Here we are.” My eyes swiftly scanned the whole place to check if there were a threat, which is my natural instinct, as a hitman.

Alora stayed silent for a second and I looked at her awed face. “This is… a park just right in front of the main subdivision gate? How come I have never seen this one before?” She exclaimed with eyes widened in surprise.

I figured. I laughed and patted her head. This man-made park was constructed last year before Christmas, if I remember well, and those times were still the darkest times in Alora’s timeline. Imagine spending the first Christmas without a friend because you just murdered her. I looked away, grinned and looked back to Alora with a softer smile. “I know right. I bet my life that you’ve never been here before, as well.” She elbowed me and rolled her eyes. “Feel free to roam around and check and get inspiration to draw for me—”

“In order for you to leave, you friendless.” She corrected and ran towards the small park. Where did she get the audacity to call me friendless after opening her eyes to see something she couldn’t before?

I sat on the nearest bench as I watch her runs around, checking landscapes and positions. “Don’t go too far, you’ll get lost like a kid!” I chuckled when she turned to me just to glare. She looks like a free sparrow, running like that.

A familiar vibration from my pocket wiped the gentle look on my face. What a bad timing, as always. I peeked at Alora first before getting my work phone and answering the call.

“Reisun.” The number wasn’t registered but I already recognized the voice changer used. I tapped the microphone twice, indicating that I could not talk for I f*****g working at the moment. “Oh, you’re out now, I see.” The other line added. “Okay, I’ll give you the details so that we could talk later, okay?” I tapped the microphone once. “Same place, 9PM. This is an urgent client. Ciao.”

And the call ended. I was just thinking of getting a quick contract earlier, and here it is now. Can Info read minds? I smirked. His timing is always awkward, but I can say that angels who deliver good news are never off-timing.

“Friendless,” I pretended to jump out of my seat when Alora tried to surprise me from behind. I tried to lessen my cautiousness to seem more real but I always end up just acting on it. “You look like you’re actually thinking of something to draw right now, boy.” She chuckled and sat beside me. She is now taking some initiatives to talk to me. Finally, I don’t have to cut someone else’s neck out of frustration now that I am moving forward. I imperceptibly nodded to myself. “You nearly fooled me into thinking that you’re into art.” She said but her voice faded as she continues the phrase.

I sighed and turned my body to her. “You don’t know everything, so stop assuming.” And I crossed my arms. She glared at me and exhaled while rolling her eyes away. “Are you done looking for inspiration, then? Shall we go home now?”

“We shan’t yet!” She demanded and even gestured ‘no’.

“Why?” I arched my brows. She reacted as if I were the one being stubborn. “Do you like it here?”

Alora looked at me and tilted her head. “I like it with—”

“With me here?” I cut her off, chuckling slyly. “Alora, Alora, you cunning lady. I thought we’re not friends?” I teased her and elbowed her gently. Alora rolled her eyes and shoved my hand off. She’s unexpectedly accepting all my attacks since earlier.

“I like it with the kids playing here.” She pointed the playground filled with [filthy] kids. I particularly don’t like kids. “I have always wanted to have siblings but—” She paused and glared at me again, “Yes, thank you for reminding me that we’re not friends. It’s just that I like them looking so fun.” She added and stared softly at the kids again.

There are two weird things about this girl. Firstly, her moon spins too much and too fast. Secondly, her moon spins. I’ve been seeing her bright and dark side of the moon, now. I wonder what’s next.

“I don’t really like kids. I get pretty annoyed by their little too honest mouths.” I butted in to reply. “I hate that they’re too genuine.” In this life and reality, no one can be too genuine anymore. Every one of us is a monster of our own.

Alora fell silent, so I shifted my gazes on her and caught her covering her mouth. “What’s with you?” I asked and she laughed. I thought she’s just too shy to talk but she is actually warding off her laughter.

“Well, the more we are together, the more you sound cheesy.” And she chuckled behind those hands covering her mouth. “I didn’t envisage you to be irritated with kids since you’re also irritating.”

“Foul, Alora Weller.” I scorned jokingly.

“Well, because you seriously are.” She countered.

She laughed as if she’s not teasing me. She laughed as if she’s really enjoying the time. I am curious if she’s also enjoying those times of being aloof and unfriendly in class.

“Okay, then. So, do I irritate you at school?”

“Nope.”

“For real?” I asked again, exclaiming.

“I find you irritating even though we’re not at school.”

I groaned and crossed my arms on what she replied, as I pretend to be hurt by it. I deserve a f*****g award for being a charming, cool and funny boy-next-door. I nodded at the idea, yet again, not showing it out.

She began laughing, with real tears she’s wiping off of her cheek. Are those the true tears of joy, my colleagues are always asking me about? I asked myself as I remember. “But I hope you won’t find me rude, though. I was just having fun teasing people since it’s been so long…” Her voice shrunk again as she continues.

“Don’t you have friends?” I asked and she stopped for a while, and then turned to me. “Sorry, I wasn’t intending to rub the wound with alcohol but—”

“I had.” She replied and smiled awkwardly. “In all my life, I only had two.”

Manasseh and Hanie, I know. Something really happened, then. I am f*****g excited to find out but it will sound unprofessional if I were to push her to talk everything all at once. I have to protect my damn assassin pride.

I smiled and stood up, and then brushed off some dirt that must’ve been stuck on my pants. I shifted to Alora and extended my hand, offering to lift her up. “Let’s go. It’s getting dark. I need to take you home and take my leave as well. I still have something to do.” She surely needed some time and space after saying that because she seemed tired right after that little drama. Normal humans are so fragile and it almost seemed like she is normal—like she did not kill someone as Mister Park accused.

“How about the painting?” That was unexpected. Was she actually expecting to draw me something?

“You can not do it since I’m already leaving. But if you still want to, you can hang it on your wall. I’ll see it next time, since I’m your friend now.”

She took my hand and stood up. “I don’t put anything on my wall, though.” She sighed through her nose and brushed the dust off of her shoulders and pants. “I don’t like dirtying my walls since my old man painted it for me.”

“Make an art out of those walls, then. Your father would like them colorful for sure.”

I saw her giggle before walking ahead of me. “Catch up. You still need to send me back home, thief.” She said while her back’s faced on me. “And we’re not friends yet, really.”

“You need to go to class.”

“I’ll go on Monday, boy. It’s Saturday tomorrow!” And she chuckled.

At least I have done something before the first week ends.