Faith

" Cutting my hair the same style as yours, does this action have any meaning? " Ethan asked, looking at the wide open mirror in front which reflect him and Zeke, he stare at Zeke's unwavering eyes focus solely on his hair from that very reflection as he find that there seems to be no difference from looking at it straightly and looking at it in reflection, it's extremely sharp. His question wasn't answered, not even a nod, as though Zeke didn't hear a thing, pondering.

' Mirrors never lie.' Ethan thought. But as he look at his own reflection, a strange feeling struck, like he's not that person at all. "That reflection of a child sitting on a chair getting his hair fixed, do you think he looks quite pathetic?" Ethan asked another simple but confusing question to Zeke.

Zeke answered " ? Yes." bluntly, immediately. Grabbing Ethan's wrist and measuring it with his hand. " So thin, so fragile, so pale that I can see your veins." Zeke heave a sigh and let go before looking into Ethan's back through his shirt then looking at his eyes again through the mirror " So many bruises everywhere, yet you're unwavering, like it never pains." then he shrugged. " Looking pathetic but I bet you wouldn't even flinch if you witness a massacre."

" That's true, but I'd report it." Ethan said with a slight smile on.

" Why'd you report your own crime?" Zeke asked jokingly. With a half smile forming on his face.

" Because they will be a part of it when they arrive." Ethan go with the flow of Zeke's joke.

" Hah! You do know how to answer, I like that! " Zeke chuckled. Then silence. " Child, Now tell me why would you come here without a weapon nor money if you were to buy a slave and get attacked later? " He finally asked.

" Oh, I was planning on abusing your power, use your name to get me what I want and leave without loosing a peny or a limb." Ethan answered honestly, SO FUCKING HONESTLY.

Zeke was speechless, or rather, flabbergasted. Not even once was anyone able to use him for their benefits, not even his father, the previous head of the Hendrix, but to think his grandson would be bold enough to reveal it himself before actually doing it, he laughed out loud, hysterically.

" Tell me, what might you want be." Zeke asked, quite amused and interested. Changing Ethan's bloody shirt with the ones he picked-up after wiping off the blood on him.

" The first one to be sold." Ethan answered.

" Aren't you afraid I might not give it to you?"

" You might see me as often as possible if that ever happens."

". . .Is that a threat I hear?". ' It does sound like it, however. . . I would prefer that.'

" Think as you wish."

" HAHA! Seriously, what is this? A Mobius strip or perhaps a treadmill? Talking to you gives off a feeling like walking on them." Zeke laughed once more for the third time today and for a few century. " Well, enough about that. Can you tell me why such a similar face to mine have quite a big bruise on its right cheek? " Zeke's expression suddenly became serious. He poke Ethan's bruised cheek but Ethan didn't even react a blink.

". . . A friendly fight. . .? " Ethan answered with a shrug as he walk towards the mirror and take a look at himself. ' Messed up. . .' he thought about himself. Lesser half of his hair pushed backwards with a gell as the other side on the right is hiding one of his near-golden eye, he wears white T-shirt that complement his white pants, with that all in all is what we call a masterpiece, but with a giant bruise on one of the two cheek, it truly looks like a messed up art piece.

" That is one big lie you got there. Can a friendly fight even lead to ones gum bleeding and three teeth falling?" Zeke said as he stand behind Ethan and pat his shoulder. Both looking at their reflection at the giant mirror, looking like a father-son.

" It cannot be helped, I did hit a sensitive spot."

" . . .You seem quite happy for someone who had their whole body beaten up."

" Because this just means that I don't have to hide anymore. Some interesting stuff will start popping up one after another."

" Ohh. . .Hide from what? And what kind of interesting things might happen? " asked Zeke.

" Who knows. . . Even I myself cannot pinpoint it."

There's a knock on the door

" Sir, I'm going in with the kid." A man's voice stopped their undying conversation.

Zeke already had someone pick her up after hearing Ethan.

" Come in." Zeke ordered and the guy came in with the female child with a messed up appearance beside him, he's grabbing her hand tightly and harshly, not letting her escape. She was short and malnourished.

" You can have her." Zeke said to Ethan.

" ?. . .She's always been mine."

Zeke gestured the guy out of there and he did. " That's harsh." said Zeke, acting like he's disappointed.

" Should I say 'thank you' then? Or are you actually not giving her to me after sending her all this way?"

" HAHAHAHAHA! Of course not! I'm giving her to you, or do you actually plan on buying her with your non-existing money?!" Zeke laughed.

". . ."

Ethan carried the small child's body in his arms and walked out of the door. Her malnourished body was the same as a seven years old, hair as dark as the night sky yet as long as her future problems, eyes as tired looking as an office worker,and mouth that haven't eaten for a while, lips as dry as a dessert, and finally, face that can only be described in one word—pitiful. She's ten but her height and weight are the same as 6-7 years old child.

" When can I see my grandson again?" Zeke asked.

" Who knows. Probably when a certain someone finally think about their family?" And just like that, Ethan left the store, leaving Zeke with an ominous smile.

A few moments later, a letter came to everyone who has a Hendrix on their names— a letter about an absurd family union were sent. . . And here, Ethan with Faith hasn't even arrived yet at their new home.