20/XX-A. Written In Red (Remastered)

“The water is a bit light, isn’t it?” Noah gently opened the deck of the Ark and peeked outside.

“It’s natural. It’s only the first day.” Michael reassured Noah and his family about the coming of the Flood.

Noah can see the plains at the west side of the Ark. People seemed to be celebrating from over the trenches.

It only has been about six hours since the rain started to drop and a mountain of noise can be heard echoing in the plains to the trenches.

“Is there no way we can save them as well?” Noah realized that God’s plan was basically the overall starting point of humanity from wickedness once more, but-

“I’m sorry. I cannot fathom God’s plan for the humankind, but what I do understand is that He loved the humans more than anything that He created.” Michael sighed as he glanced to the west of the Ark as well.

“More than anything? Then-“ Noah tried to retort, and attempted to suggest opening the Ark to anyone who wants shelter, but-

“But, seeing how Father hated evil and He gave man a hundred and twenty years to turn around from their wickedness, I can say that He is at His tipping point.” Michael’s words bore importance to the whole purpose of the Great Flood, which was God’s tipping point.

“Why did evil exists anyway?” Ham raised his question for the first time.

He also wondered as the whole family glanced over the plains.

“If I had to guess the intentions of the Almighty, then I’d say, evil exists to emphasize good. We wouldn’t know good if there’s no evil.” Michael answered cryptically, for the family, they didn’t fully understand the answer, but it gave them hope.

“Before Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, they’re only living to exist.” The angel continued.

“Living to exist? Isn’t that the reason of living?” Japeth grew closer as he inquired as well.

“Before, I thought of the same thing, but…” Michael glanced over to the animals inside the Ark.

“Being able to appreciate good from evil, love from hate, and family from strangers… those are the real reason for existence. Don’t you think?” He smiled and grinned as he glimpsed back to Noah’s family.

“Right!” Noah smirked and hugged his sons and daughters as well as his wife agreeing with Michael’s words.

The family chuckled in hope and love as the water pours outside the Ark.

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The four children eventually returned to the University to continue their studies, but as the days go by, they had no choice but to address the issue between Arthur and Edward.

One dinner on their weekend…

“Today on the London Evening News, a college student from Harvard University has been reportedly missing for two days now, and the authorities are still investigating on her whereabouts. If you have any idea or if you have seen this girl, Miss Diane Williams, please call our emergency hotline, or the hotline dedicated for missing people, 116-000.”

SFX: [Background sound while the family were eating]

The silence in the room put a heavy feeling to everyone who were eating at the table. Then, Arthur, upon hearing the evening news, stopped eating, and laid down his utensils on the table.

He glanced at the television and right then and there, he was able to identify that missing girl from the dorms.

“Is she… one of your classmates?” Matthew knew the topic about crimes were sensitive to Arthur, even if he was just listening to the news.

“No, she’s not one of our classmates, but she’s in one of the female dorms. I’ve seen her a few times.” He answered apathetically, his eyes full of contempt, unmoving, and gloomy.

“Don’t involve yourself unnecessarily – just let the authorities handle this.” Edward sliced off a big chunk of the steak that he has on his plate and munched it in front of Arthur as he confronted him about giving tips to the police.

This statement infuriated Arthur even more than what usually leaves Edward’s mouth. “Whether I use my talents for good or against evil is not your business, even if you are my father.”

He snapped, throwing his napkin in his plate, and violently jumping out of his dining chair and storming upstairs to their bedroom.

Edward only sighed and continued eating.

The tense atmosphere didn’t help much, then, Arthur slammed his bedroom door closed as he plunged into the queen-sized bed face first.

“Dad…” Johnny struggled to get a word in, but he wanted to break off the heavy air surrounding the dining table.

“I’m fine. We’re fine.” He smiled awkwardly.

“I’ll talk to Arthur.” Jackson volunteered, maybe from someone who just lost their parent.

He may give advice on how to appreciate those who are still alive.

After dinner, Jackson and Johnny, along with Eddie climbed upstairs to the twin’s bedroom.

Arthur was already asleep, near the window, hugging the huge, ancient book that he always reads at bedtime.

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow.” Jackson and Eddie went out of the room and walked in their room to rest. Johnny slowly shut the door of their bedroom and jumped over the bed to sleep as well.

“What am I supposed to do, Matthew?” Edward sighed, as he stayed in the dining table while Matthew washed the dishes in the sink.

“Master, you have to convey your messages clearly to your son, without anger.” Matthew uttered his sincere advice.

“I just…” He sighed again. “How can I talk to him without him getting angry?” His desperation shows with his facial expression, as if the hand waving was not enough.

“Maybe you can show him the fruits of your labor, your work, the reason why you had to do those things.” His butler chimed in a good suggestion once again.

“I have something in mind.” His eccentric smile crept Matthew a little bit.

-------------------- // --------------------

Morning came and Edward’s eyes and Arthur’s are filled with black spots and bags, as if they had not slept through the night before.

“Does it help if you act this way every time you see him?” Eon awoke inside him as he raged with wrath against his own father.

It was the first time he felt rebellious as a human being.

Eon’s words weighed too much that he pondered all night what he needs to do to deliver his message to his own father calmly.

“Good morning!” Matthew breezed through the house, and prepared the classic English breakfast – baked beans, eggs, and sausages, not one for a patient with a heart condition but a little can suffice, Arthur was not a big eater anyway.

“Your jolly attitude really brings light to this household, Matt.” Edward held his hands against his temples as he has migraine going on from insomnia last night and drinking too heavily.

“I’m glad that you noticed, Master.” The butler smiled as he laid down the cutlery preparing the dining table for their breakfast.

Arthur struggled to keep his head held up as he became sleepy in front of the table.

Sitting in the far corner of the table, and a long distance from his father who was seated at the other side, his head seemed to fell slowly as his eyes closed.

“Art… are you okay?” That night was tiring for the both of them.

Arthur didn’t resist the temptation of sleep, and in time, Matthew caught his head and lay on the dining table as the kid silently snored to sleep.

The family proceeded to eat breakfast quietly while Arthur was still sleeping on the table.

“Matt, carry him back to the bedroom after we eat, kids, you wash the dishes, alright?” Edward hastily drank his first cup of coffee and broke the break to eat.

“Yes, dad!” Johnny and Eddie answered in unison.

“Mister Smith, I… uhm… since everyone is free today, I suggest that we can visit the amusement park here, maybe Warmer Brothers, or the London Eye? It’ll help to quell…” Jackson’s suggestion gave Edward some idea to lighten up the load.

He hinted that suggestion whilst looking at Edward and back to Arthur.

“That’ll be great! Kids, and Matt, you prepare the food, and I’ll contact the amusement park for reservations, let’s just leave Arthur sleeping for now that we’re preparing, alright?” Edward’s spirit got lifted up as he further gnawed the bread in his hand.

-------------------- // --------------------

Though Arthur was already twelve years old, due to a tight diet his body’s stature may be classified as malnourished, but his physical appearance reflects an older teenager due to Marfan syndrome.

Edward carried Arthur piggy-back style back to his bedroom as soon as Matthew tried to pick him up baby-style.

“I know that… that my job is really putting a weight on your heart, but right now, this is what I can do.” He softly spoke as they went up the staircase.

Edward soundlessly crept inside the twin’s bedroom with Arthur at his back, and laid him out on the queen bed carefully. Like a ghost, he slipped out.

The day went by slowly as the four prepared their picnic, and Edward called out one of his contacts and reserved their tickets on the Warmer Brothers.

“Hey…” Edward silently grabbed the door knob and as it rattled, Arthur suddenly awoke in his gentle slumber, and he rushed at the other side of the door and stopped it from opening.

“Who are you?” Arthur’s welcome charade startled Edward, but he thought it was funny and just simply replied with, “It’s me, Edward, your father.” He chuckled at the other end of the door.

“No, you’re not.” It was still Arthur’s voice, but the way he answered…

“Arthur?” Edward tried to push the door forwards.

The strong shove of the door surely stupefied Arthur on the other side as it banged on his body head-on.

The collision brought him to his knees and he held his head close in his hands, as he struggled to clear out the blur from his eyes.

“Buddy, you okay?” Edward rushed in as there was enough space to slither inside the bedroom.

Arthur tried closing and opening his eyes, and his eyes adjusted to the sight of his father’s worried face.

“Father.” His voice, faint, yet strong, unwavering, and confused – Edward held out his hands and tenderly picked up Arthur.

He lightly shook off the dust from Arthur’s pants, and smiled softly to the bewildered child.

Still out of his mind, Arthur followed Edward downstairs, only to see Johnny, Eddie, and Jackson with their formal outfits, and a basket for food and drinks with Matthew preparing the ice cooler at the kitchen.

“Where are we going?” Their faces full of smiles, Arthur tensed his shoulders and held onto the railings of the staircase. He was expecting a weird answer, but-

“Let’s visit an amusement park.” Jackson reached out his hand to Arthur, smiled ear to ear, Arthur could only sigh in response, but… smiled back.

“Alright.” He agreed begrudgingly, but smiled with his bright eyes.

Arthur wasn’t the one outside, one of his icy-blue eyes turned greyish to whitish on the bottom part, that meant only one thing – Eon was the one controlling the physical or ethereal body, and Michael was the one encased in the soul.

Michael was still conscious, but Eon was in control.

The drive on the way to the amusement park became too quiet as Arthur tried to recover some sleep in the car.

“Dad, if you have any ulterior motive of coming here, I… I suggest that you try to throw it away, Arthur, he- he hates pretenses and hidden agendas.” Johnny whispered in his father’s ears.

“I just want to spend some time with my children, is that not a good reason? Or is that a hidden agenda?” Edward leaned in and talked softly back.

Johnny just smiled gleefully.

“Hey, I can see it from here!” Eddie’s excited voice startled Arthur that he woke up from his lovely sleep.

He sighed as he wiped his face and joined the three on the sunroof of the car.

It was quite a sight, the sun setting down, and the lights covering the city, the children running by the sidewalk of the amusement park, and their happy smiles as they held their parent’s hands.

Everything that his eyes glimpsed uplifted his mood.

It was as if the world was smiling at him. It was the first time, Eon didn’t feel wrathful.

And he smiled back – without any reservations.

All night, they enjoyed seeing the sights, the rides, and many more.

The tense air between Arthur and Edward did not dissipate entirely, but it got lighter as the night progressed.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Arthur?” It was an honest question, and Eon doesn’t hear any malicious thoughts from Arthur’s father.

“I am enjoying myself.” Eon moved his lips, quickly and nonchalantly, he answered Edward.

“I’m glad.”

A few more moments in the night, the children became hungry.

Though, they prepared food, snacks, and drinks, it was still tempting to try out what the amusement park has to offer.

Johnny dragged Edward down the food stalls.

Eddie and Jackson walked along with Matthew at the food court. And Arthur told the pack that he wanted some time to explore the place by himself.

At least that’s what appeared to the eyes of everyone.

Eon noticed with his eyes of Oracle that one part of the amusement park exude darkness more than the others – fear, regret, anger, all welling up on that one particular place- the maid café.

He wanted to explore the place to see what’s been stored in the building.

Upon entering the front door, he was welcomed with girls with revealing clothes. He didn’t appear to be young so he was allowed in.

“Welcome, our dear customer!” Two of the cosplaying maids tried to cling on to him but he signaled his decline to such frivolous service.

He calmly observed the people going in and out of the café, some girls had bruises on their faces, evidence of abuse, some were able to cover the abuse with their make-up, but the others were told to wear rabbit masks to camouflage the bruises and wounds.

Eon even heard crying and sobbing at the back of the café, drowned out by the people, the customers, and the pop music going on in the background of the establishment.

Agitated by what’s going on with the place, ironically, he calmed his heart, and settled down at the table facing the personnel’s door towards the office.

Eon realized that force and power cannot move these people and will incur the wrath of God.

Through Oracle, one touch of the vinyl chairs, he scanned through the history of the establishment, and learned each girls’ names.

“What can I get you, young man?” A cute waitress approached him with a menu in her hand.

“I regret my decision earlier. Can you seat and eat with me?” Eon lured in the waitress, he saw her hands shaking but he had to put up an act.

The pervy manager of the café was looking towards them, Eon can feel the manager’s eyes protruding and doubting him.

“I’ll be glad to. What food can I get you?” She reached out her hand, and opened the menu.

She forced herself to lean forward and expose her cleavage as she felt the eyes of her manager from behind her.

The waitress tried to act cute, but as Eon grabbed her hand, and she leaned back as she was startled by the teenager.

“You’re quite bold.” Her tone changed suddenly, and she felt that she was disrespected.

Eon didn’t understand manners, but he just wanted to see with his eyes the bruises she has under her sleeves – the main reason of the grabbing.

“I do apologize, I… became intrigued.” His answer poured oil to the flames, though he said sorry, his tone of voice was kind of arrogant, but nonetheless, since he did, the waitress had no choice but to let it go as she didn’t want to make a scene.

“It’s okay. So, what can I get you?” She tried to compose herself.

She appeared to be unfazed, but still shaking from that experience.

“Is it really?” He wanted to hear her heart’s desires.

“Yes.”

“Okay, I don’t like meat, but anything you select that’s sweet would be good.” He smiled, but as the girl received it she interpreted the smile as something creepy.

“You’re saying you want my recommendation, is this correct?” She wanted to confirm it once more.

“Yes, two of what you what recommend.” He closed the menu and reached it back to the waitress.

“Sure. I’ll be right back.” She grabbed the menu back and ran towards the kitchen at the back of the counter.

The kitchen was open, and any rudeness from the waiter or waitresses or any revenge to the customers were discouraged by keeping the kitchen open.

A few minutes has passed and the waitress returned, and-

“Here it is, two of my recommendations. This is our best-selling milkshake – White almond chocolate milkshake. What I like about this is that the sugar used here are melted marshmallows, isn’t that amazing?” She smiled gleefully, but Eon can hear the thoughts of her heart – wrath, and humiliation.

“Can you sit with me and maybe we can eat it together?” The manager overheard the request of the teenager and approached the table with a cunning look in his smug face.

“Ahhhh… we do have special services, but are you willing to…” He signaled the two of his fingers, scratching together, the one that says ‘money’.

“Yes.” Eon leaned to the side, and pulled out Arthur’s wallet, and the golden Visa debit card. “Here.” He gave it to the manager and the evil man happily hopped back to the counter with the card, as he pulls out the small version of an automated teller machine.

“So?” The waitress hesitated sitting. “I’m Sophia.” She sheepishly introduced herself as he slipped on the table, and sat on the vinyl chair.

“Art.” He offered a hand shake. She visibly gulped as she covered the fear in her eyes, she stretched out her hands and took the handshake.

The two of them sipped the milkshake quietly.

Eon tried to contain his curiosity but it was clearly showing as he kept his eyes fixed on Sophia.

The girl tried to divert his attention, by keeping quiet, but it seems that what Eon was doing was too uncomfortable for Sophia, she raised her concern.

“It’s a bit uncomfortable being the center of attention between the two of us.” She whispered under the noise of the restaurant.

“It’s okay. It’s just you and me, and you don’t have to be so awkward.” Eon didn’t understand what was going on, but he continued to stare blankly at the girl.

As they finished their drinks, and as Sophia returned the glasses back at the kitchen, the manager, Robert, approached Arthur with the Visa Card in his hands, and as they swiped it at the teller machine, Eon leaned in and whispered to Robert’s ears.

“I have taken a liking to Sophia there, if you are willing, can I buy her remaining time here on the café, I’ll give you about five times that, if you can let Sophia enjoy the amusement park with me for those remaining hours of her shift.” The mention of money tickled Robert’s ears, his eyes glimmered like glitters, and without any room for negotiation, he agreed hastily.

“Of course! Sure!”

“Charge it on my card.” Eon smirked in the trap he set that the beast took willfully.

“Sophia!” A glass shattered in the kitchen and as it rung around the establishment, Sophia hurriedly came out of the kitchen and apologized to Robert, panicking, and her sweat visible on her face.

“I’m sorry, I was startled by your shout, I-” Before she can say that she was the one who shattered the glass in the kitchen, the cunning man butted in.

“You don’t have to worry about that dear.” He loudly announced it, and leaned in to whisper in her ears. “Our customer here wants to spend time with you in the amusement park. The rest of your shift is paid, and you can come back on the closing of your shift.” His stern voice at the end of that statement made her shake a bit but still, she wanted to maintain her dignity in public.

“Cool.” Her voice was shaking as well.

She clung onto him, and rested her head on his shoulder as they walked out of the establishment.

As soon as she realized that the eyes of her manager were out of reach, she shoved him to the other side.

“What’s wrong?” Eon wondered about the cold treatment.

“How old are you?” Sophia’s eyes were burning with anger. Eon can hear her heart’s murmurs.

This perverted man-child!

“Why do you care?” He replied arrogantly once again.

“Shut up and answer my questions.” She came on too strongly, but she wanted to assert her power over him, she wanted to be in control, at least, for now.

His eyes wondered from afar, and felt insulted because of this, he wanted to grab his attention, and as she stepped forward to grab his face, he spoke, “Can we try sitting over there?” He pointed at the bench nearby.

He slowly sat and sighed. He crossed his legs, and straightened his shoulders and chest and inhaled and exhaled.

He didn’t seem threatening. She thought to herself as she slowly approached the bench herself. She sat at the other side, far from him and his hands can reach.

He began the questioning to determine what his role would be to liberate them from the abuse.

“How long have you worked on the café?” His voice changed from scruffy or manly to a gentle and soft one.

What do you expect me to say? “Are you trying to know me better?” She still had doubts that he’s up to no good.

“I wouldn’t have dragged you out of that hell, just to be met with doubt.” His soft voice seemed to contradict his arrogant words.

Their eyes met for the first time, and Sophia felt she was safe telling him about her story.

“I’ve been working there for about a year now.” Her voice reflected grief and anger at the same time.

“Were all of you abused?” The next question rattled her to her core.

“Was it too obvious?” Her eyes full of pity and despair.

“Not that much. Your make up seemed to be working.” Eon responded courteously.

“It wasn’t like that at first, but…” She cross her arms, it’s as if she hesitated to tell him the truth.

“But?”

“ARTHUR!!!” Johnny waved from afar, with sandwiches and drinks full on his hands. He carefully ran towards the bench with Eddie and Jackson.

These idiots…

“Let’s go.” Eon grabbed Sophia’s hands and they sprang up to their feet and ran towards the Ferris wheel on the center of the amusement park.

The three stopped following as they spotted Arthur holding hands with the girl.

SFX: Huff, huff, huff, huff

“I think we lost them.” Eon tried to catch his breath. He’s out of shape, no, the physical body was out of shape.

“Why are we running?” Sophia panted and gasped for air as well.

“Come on! Step in!”

The view from up the Ferris wheel was worth it. The lights striking Arthur’s face amazed Sophia even more that he started trusting the guy that dragged him out of that abusive place.

“Pf…pffttt… hahhahahhhaa…” The scenic place was quite ruined by that laugh, but Eon just had to ask, “What… what are you laughing at?” He smiled in curiosity.

“Me…”

Eon moved his hands, and the Ferris wheel got stuck, the operator announced that they’re having technical issues, and that they’re doing their best on repairing it as soon as possible.

“What? That’s…” She sounded a bit disappointed, but… nonetheless, she felt more safer with Arthur than in that place.

“Isn’t this great?” The angel smirked and chuckled a little.

“What’s great about being stuck?” His smile irritated Sophia a little bit.

“You can see everything if you’re stuck.” He glanced outside of the Ferris wheel, and glimpsed of the city night lights that shone the brightest.