What a Confusing Generation

Michael's POV

I still can't believe that someone might actually be after my life! I mean, I have led a pretty harmless life and I can proudly boast having very less foes, so it's a nasty shock when Sofosys presented his suspicions before me. His words make sense, afterall, I still can't find an alternate explanation for whatever happened that day. 

A deadly poison, he said. I shudder at the very thought. What if I had that cold drink instead of Cassadrei? I don't possess her healing powers so I might have died! Or, would that creatures moaning save me?

I look at the purple vial that Sofosys gave me before I left. Since poisoning is a threat, I need to pour one drop of this purple liquid into everything I eat from outside, this liquid would detect any sort of poison and the food item will turn red and I would be forewarned. It's an efficient system, and I can't help but marvel at the Goblin ingenuity of the invention. Does that mean Goblins are inherently suspicious creatures, or are simply cautious enough because of their constant feud with each other?

I am still suspicious about the Petrywinkler though. Even if Cassadrei assures me that the creature is harmless, I have witnessed it's wrath first-hand and I can't shake off the suspicions that it has something to do with all the terrible thing that's happening. I am not one to believe in omens, but the creature seemed like bad luck right from the start. Even though it might have saved Cassadrei and cured her swiftly, even though it behaves like a completely normal and loving pet, I can't shrug off my apprehensions. 

As I walk across the market, looking for soup and noodles, I come across Shawn. It takes me a moment to register his face, Shawn is the guy who plays baseball and is in my Biological class. He isn't exactly a bright student, but he's extremely athletic and therefore popular among the ladies. Even now, I see him walking hand-in-hand with Martha, a basketball player from College. He stops right in my track. I don't like his grin.

"Hey, Mike...is it? Shawn." He extends his hand that I reluctantly take. 

"Well?" I ask him meaningfully.

"What bro? Just wanted to talk to you about some stuff."

"What stuff?" I said confused, what can Shawn want from me? We have never spoken in my life and apart from the fact that we take a class together, there's absolutely nothing in common between us. I didn't even know that he was aware of my existence until this moment. 

Hiding my musings, I reply, "Well Shawn, I think you are mistaking me for someone else. I mean, I don't think I am the kind of person whom you would want to talk to."

I am embarrassed by the lack of self respect I possess. 

"No, no...you are absolutely the right person I want to talk to." Shawn gives an unsettling smirk and continues, "You are Jake's roommate, right?"

"Yes." I gulped. 

"Very well then." He said, inching dangerously close to me, "Tell him to mind his own business and stay away from Linda. Otherwise, there will be consequences." 

I don't like the glint in his eyes. 

I look at Martha, hoping for some kind of retort. Afterall, she's hanging out with him and he's threatening some random guy about keeping his distance from another woman of his interest. Martha shouldn't be pleased. However, one glance in her direction reveals the boredom shrouding her face. I am really flabbergasted. Did she hear nothing? Can she be this dumb?

I can really never understand my own generation.

"Michael! Wait up!" I hear Cassadrei's voice perusing me. What is she doing here?

Shawn gives me a malicious grin but he doesn't leave. I am starting to get irritated now. 

"Hey! Michael, thank God I found you. Oh..hey Shawn." Cassadrei says, panting as she gives me a look of skepticism. 

Shawn smiles, "Hi Cassie. I was just asking your boyfriend to tell Jake that he should stay the hell out of my businesses."

We both turn red at the mention of "boyfriend" and start protesting simultaneously, but the grin over Shawn's face doesn't pass. 

I wish I could punch him. But seeing his stature, he is almost twice as tall as me, punching him might not be my best idea. 

"You are no one to interfere in Linda's life!" Cassadrei retorts. 

Shawn looks at her menacingly, I suddenly become protective and pull Cassadrei behind me. 

"Hey, hey... there's no need for a feud. You can always bring the topic up with Linda, can't you? After all it's her choice. And moreover, Jake and Linda broke up and if you really want her back, maybe you should try being a good person instead of a complete jerk!"

Shawn glares at me in fury. I feel surprised at my own defiance and behind me, Cassadrei beams with pride. Why do I feel good about that?

The large purse that Cassadrei's carrying starts to make a vigorous noise, to everyone's surprise. 

"What's in it?" I ask... already knowing the answer. 

Cassadrei looks at me sheepishly. 

The violent noise increases as the bag starts jumping up and down. 

"Okay, okay calm down... I'll get you out. No need to be so agitated!" Cassadrei says in a soothing voice but the chirping only gets louder. 

Shawn and Martha look at it curiously. 

Then suddenly, the Petrywinkler bursts out of it and lands on the ground, that ethereal glow emanating from it as it growls at Shawn. 

"Oh my God! What a cute puppy!" Martha coos, suddenly interested. She approaches the Petrywinkler, trying to pet it. I instantly intervene. 

"Er... don't. He's not yet well trained and he might not be the most friendly. It's better that you keep your distance." I warn her. 

Cassadrei looks at me furiously, but it's no time for an argument. The creature is positively dangerous and we can't risk people knowing it's true origins. 

Then, all of a sudden, The Petrywinkler jumps at Shawn, growling menacingly as it tries to climb up and attack the poor guy! 

Cassadrei catches hold of him in time. Even she is dumbstruck at the peculiarity of the Creature's behaviour. 

"Bad, bad Cookie. You don't do that!" She chides the creature who seems to be pointedly ignoring her, concentrating on growling and trying to pounce upon Shawn. 

Shawn looks visibly shaken, his face has turned ashen and as he speaks, his voice quivers, "Just because you didn't like what I said, you turned this tiny beast upon me! I'll remember this. Come on Martha, let's not waste any more minutes with these losers."

We heave a sigh of relief when they exit. Then, turning to Cassadrei, I fume, "See what it did! I told you this Creature is dangerous. Why did you bring it out in the open?"

"No need to be so rude!" Cassadrei answers, her face red with shame, "he is not harmful! I have said this so many times, why do you have to blame him for everything? I understand his behaviour today was peculiar but there must be some reason for it. I think it's Shawn. He's a terrible person, he exudes negative energy and Petrywinkler's can detect that….they can identify individuals better than us. Maybe, that's why he launched an attack on Shawn. "

I can't refute her theory, Shawn is really terrible. But, that doesn't mean that I have to agree with her and support the Creature's misdemeanor. 

"Why are you here anyway?" I ask her, "Aren't you supposed to be resting, after tomorrow's...er.. incident?"

Cassadrei looks at me angrily, "Yes, I should. But I felt so bad quarreling with you yesterday that I thought I might make it up to you. But, you know what, forget it! Come on Cookie." With that she turns around and leaves as suddenly as she did appear. 

I don't understand why she should be mad at me, given the fact that I am only trying to protect her. I wonder why am I even trying so hard? Why do I find myself caring so much? Time and again, it has been proved that caring too much for someone ends up in getting hurt and I am the living breathing proof of it. First, my mother, then Victoria and now that I am with Cassadrei, weird things start happening with her.  She ended up getting poisoned! 

I can't help but wonder if I am the one who is cursed, that people close to me always tend to get hurt and it indirectly hurts me.