The Invitation

It's been, what? A week since the others decided to move to another country. We that were left are still adjusting. We're still not used that only the eight of us will be eating lunch together from now. The once big and noisy group of friends are now a little bit silent. I am not sure if the others that were left will be able to make it noisy and fun.

I seldom go to our HQ, I don't like the silence that greeted me once I enter the door. The silence that I dreaded to have a couple of months ago is not appealing to me anymore. I just felt so alone after my friends leave. At this moment all I can feel is missing her more.

I decided to skip my class again and here I am now lying lazily at my sanctuary looking at the clear blue skies thinking different things. My friends that are out of the country and the ones that choose to stay here. Most of all, I am thinking about Shandra and what's happening to my life right now. I still don't know what to do.

I sigh, get up, and decided to go home although it's still early. Before getting in my car I glance at the creepy mansion on the opposite side and frown. I don't know why but my heart started to pound faster. I shake it off and drive home.

Raijin is still not home when I arrive, her class is not yet done. I go straight to my room, take off my clothes and drop myself to the bed. My phone rang when I almost drifted to sleep. It's my Dad telling me he will be coming home with Mom this weekend. This means no more slacking in my studies once they're here. I put my put on the bedside table after talking to Dad and noticed the envelope on top of it. It looks like an invitation. I opened the envelope and check the card only to be shocked by what I read.

Chase,

You are invited to The Mansion this Saturday evening at 7:00 in the evening.

The Grand

Dark Circle Organization

P.s: Be smart and don't tell anyone.

I read the invitation for I don't know how many times but still, I can't believe it. I know that I promise myself before to uncover the mystery of the said mansion but not like this. Slowly, I feel the uneasiness and nervousness crept into my system.

Just what the heck is this?

Saturday came but still, I haven't decided if I will ignore the invitation or check it out. I have 4 hours left to decide yet I don't know what to do. I can't tell my friends regarding the invitation since I don't know if it is safe to do that. And most of all I am oblivious of this Dark Circle Organization. I tried to gather information regarding the organization but I found nothing. It seems like it doesn't exist or maybe, just maybe DC Org. is an underground organization and known only in the black market.

I spent three hours looking at the creepy mansion here in my sanctuary. After a few months, I am here not to reminisce the happy and sad memories with Shan. I am here to gaze and study the said mansion to decide whether I will later tonight or not.

There's nothing wrong with the surrounding. What I saw every time I look at it are still the same. I sigh, still undecided until there are only thirty minutes left. When I haven't noticed anything peculiar I decided to check it out. Well, I will die of curiosity if I won't check about the invitation. Besides, it's a great distraction, since I received the mysterious invitation I haven't thought of Shandra all day. My curiosity is so focused on what is at hand right now.

Ten minutes before seven I arrive at the creepy mansion's towering gate, contemplating whether to buzz or turn back to where I came from. But before I can do the latter the vast gate opens as if inviting me to go inside. I kick my motorbike to start and drive to the large driveway up to the mansion's front door. I can't see any person visible yet the hair in my nape is standing with feeling that someone is watching me intently.

I breathe deeply to compose myself and to relax before getting off my motorbike. Let's get this on! I mentally chanted in order to gain my confidence. I don't have any idea what will happen to me so I need to gather all of my confidence or I'll stumble before going inside the large house.

Like the gate, the front door opened before I can announce my arrival. This place is thoroughly monitored, not letting anyone pass their eyes. Unlike the gate where there's no single soul, when I entered the opened front door, an old man but still looked strong welcomed me.

"Welcome to The Mansion, Young Master Scamper," he greeted a half-smile. "I am the butler that taking care of this house, you can call me Mr. Cane."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Cane," I offered my hands for a handshake.

"Follow me, please," he motioned.

I followed him to where I thought is the receiving. But instead, it was an empty dark room. When I turned around to where Mr. Cane is to ask, he was no longer there.

"Hey, Mr. Cane where are you? What's the meaning of this?" I hissed.

I look for the door where we came in but I can't find it. It magically disappears just like Mr. Cane. I am now trapped in a closed room. I look around the room looking for a hint where I can possibly come out but I can't find even a hole except for the exhaust fan in the room. What do they want from me for them to hold me inside an empty room? Crap, what should I do now?

I jump in surprise when the lights of the room were turned on. I covered my eyes with my hand when the lights hit my face until I heard someone speak.

"Welcome to stage one. In order to be welcome in here, The Mansion, everyone needs to pass the stages of the test. You need to pass all of it or you may end up dead."

I gasp at what I heard. Shit! What have I gotten myself into? Silly of me to end up in this mess. It's really true that curiosity kills the cat. And in my case, it is literally.

A touch screen monitor appears in front of me, something is written on it. It needs information, personal information. I heave a deep breath and entered my name, I don't have a choice but to do so. A message appears, welcoming me to what they called Dark Circle Org. and I am technically part of it.

One side of the opened and I hurriedly came out from only to see that I am in a new room. When I turned back, the side of the room that opens were already closed with no sign that it was opened for a moment. I sigh and prepare myself, maybe this is stage one.

Stage one is about intelligence, asking me different info regarding persons, places, or things I'm not aware exist. Stage two is all about decision-making and mind challenges. What the heck! What's the connection of this informations with the DC Org.?

Stage three is a battle. Five men are waiting for me. According to them, they are DC Org's subordinates. Even if they are ordinary subordinates, you can tell that they are not easy opponents. It takes almost fifteen minutes to defeat them. I gained some bruises from the fight but I decided to continue. I refuse to die by giving up. If ever I'll die in the end, the most important is I fight. Even though I did not know why I am here and fighting.

Before I proceed to the next room, one of the guys I fought gave me a warning. My next opponents are from the elite group of DC Org., he said. If am correct, I will be fighting with the best subordinates from the org.

Two people are waiting for me next door, they will be my opponent, a woman, and a man. They both wear black sunglasses that covered half of their faces, it is most likely look like a mask. Judging by their looks and aura, that guy that warned me is correct, they are not an easy opponent but a tough one. This will be the fourth stage and the final stage.

I readied myself for the attack when the man stood up from his sitting position on the floor. He walks towards me and offered his hand for a shake, which caught me off guard. Why does this guy treat me likes this? I sigh, there's nothing wrong with being nice right? So, I accepted his hand.

"So, you are the Scamper, huh!" he let go of my hand. "It's nice to actually meet you in person. I'm Pisces from Stella and the girl over there is named June from Monath. We are both Keys though from different departments and we are your final opponent."

"I see, but why the formalities?" I ask with a knotted forehead.

"You deserve all the formalities, Chase Scamper," the woman butt in, also stood up from sitting on the floor. "But you can only get our respect being one of us or being His chosen once you prove your worth."

I look at her confused, "What do you mean being his chosen?"

"That questions will be answered once you pass this test, along with your other questions," Pisces answered. "You want to go first, June?" he turned to the woman.

"Sure," June replied and look at me grinning. "Ready now Scamper?"

I nodded and positioned myself for the attack. She jumps and throws a fist in my face, I block it with my arms cross. But instead of hitting my cross arm, I feel her fist hit my stomach. Shit! It hurts. I stumble back because of the strong impact of her fist. I groaned in pain. She kick me before I can recover and if I was not able to avoid it, I will surely land on my chest. If this woman is this skilled, then the man that is currently watching is much more skilled.

I become alert and studied the woman's move while she is continuously giving me a punch. Just like the first time, when I thought that her fist will hit somewhere and tried to block it, it will hit a different of my body. That's how fast she moves. I relax and focus on our fight, I can't afford to lose this one.

I readied myself again for her continuous attacks, a combination of kicking and punching. I did not the pain every time it hits me. I am waiting for a chance. When I was about to be hit in the face I quickly guarded it with my arms but eyes never left her other fist. Because I am guarding my face, the other part of my body is open but before her fist landed on my abdomen I was able to catch her wrist. I quickly put some pressure on it and put it behind her, my other hand sneak to her neck and press some nerves rendering her unconscious. A technique that Shandra taught me if I want to end the fight quickly. I was breathing hard when I released her unconscious body to the floor.

"I bet she will be annoyed when she wakes up," Pisces said, lifting June up, and carrying her on the side. "I guess it's our turn now or do you want to rest for a bit?"

"No need. I want this to finish as soon as possible," I stated. Though I am not sure if can still fight him. I'm exhausted from the previous fights and I can feel my knees weakened.

I staggered backward the moment he attack me. I was not able to dodge his punches. I groggily stand up and throw a punch at him. But he just simply dodges it like it's child play. I was lucky that I was able to land a few on his face and body but I know that my punches and kick had no power at all. A strong punch landed on my stomach is the last thing I remembered before losing consciousness.