The Founder's Daughter

Chapter 06

I almost jumped in surprise at the sudden appearance of a boy who, judging by his looks, looks the same as my age. I got so used that the only human I knew and saw was my father. That's why I couldn’t help it but to get surprised that there’s another human who’s trying to talk to me.

When I reacted, “Another human?”I almost felt like I made a fool of myself. For him, who was used to encountering humans on a daily basis, must have thought that I was some kind of an alien who hadn't seen a human before.

“Obviously,” he responded as he shot a confused and funny look on his face. “I am not a monster. Monstrous cannibal can't go underwater, after all. For some reason, they were terrified of water. Those things have been terrorizing humanity for years and you didn't know about that?”

“This guy sure talks a lot,” I thought to myself. I responded, “You couldn’t blame me. I was locked inside our mansion when the apocalypse striked. I didn't even know about those creatures if it weren't for Jake who told me,” I explained with a frown.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t know,” he said.

“That’s because you never asked and we just met. Anyway, Jake saved me from a mid-level cannibal. I still lack knowledge about the outside world because I lack experience too.”

He gave me a look that said that he didn't believe me then suddenly, he chuckled. “What are you? A character from fiction novels?” he said. “That only happens in fiction, you know?”

“Well, monstrous cannibals and colonizing the under water seems impossible too, right?” I answered.

“You're not wrong about that. So, mind telling me your name and your story?” he asked as he sat down next to me. I moved so he could have a space to sit down.

“I'm Cali. I was isolated for years and almost became one of the monstrous creatures.” I answered.

To say that he looked surprised was an understatement. “Whoa. What happened?”

“I'll tell you if you introduce yourself,” I told him. “And if you can give me my own room too. I was actually sharing my splitting image and I don’t want to be her roommate. She's rude.”

He looked confused at what I said. He doesn’t seem to believe me. “Are you sure? Ciarra don't usually behave rudely,”

“She showed otherwise” I responded and shrugged.

“I'm Santiago, the captain of the first squad of AMCO,” he finally introduced himself.

“I didn’t expect that I’d meet the captain. It’s nice to meet you, Santiago,” I said and smiled at him. “By the way, I was just wondering who Ciarra is?”

“Well, she’s your roommate and the daughter of AMCO’s founder. That’s why she’s pretty powerful and be careful not to mess with her,” he said, almost sounding like a warning.

“It sounds to me that you’re scared of her, for you to warn me not to mess with her,” I remarked as I crossed my arms together under my chest and looked at him. “I wouldn’t mess with her if she was on the right side but unfortunately, she was rude earlier so I had to fight back.”

“I see that you’re a brave one,” he said. “Considering that you’re homeless right now, you’ve got the guts to fight back against the founder’s daughter.” Santiago was smiling, but it was obvious that he’s getting pissed off by my stubbornness, and so was I.

“Why wouldn't I not fight back when she's in the wrong? I don't care if she has power or what. If she's wrong, she's wrong. I am not letting anyone step on me!” I told him, almost yelling.

He raised his hand up the mid-air in front of me, as if he was trying to stop me from my sudden outburst.

“Whoa, chill, tigress!” he said then he dropped his hands and sighed. “Do whatever you want. Don’t tell me that I didn’t warn you.”

“Thanks for your warning but I can handle myself,” I said then I sighed deeply. “You know, I don’t want to think about that girl. I have bigger problems than dealing with her.” I said, feeling frustrated and lonely.

His face softened and I could see a hint of sympathy. I don't like it when someone is pitying me but I know that he was trying to be nice. “I can lend you an ear, if you want?” he offered. Everything’s getting heavier and heavier in my chest and I might break down if I didn’t let out these buried emotions. That’s why I decided to take that offer and vent out to him. I heaved a deep sigh and as the memories came running back, I began becoming emotional.

I told him everything.

“I'm sorry that you had to go through all that. Where is the mid-cannibal now?” he asked. “I mean, your sister.”

“I am not sure but my dad finally decided to end her life. However, he wanted to do it alone. Jake knocked me out and when I woke up, I'm already here in Aqua City. When I woke up, my dad's not with me. It seems like he stayed up on the land to finish my sister. I am not really sure what happened to my sister after I blocked out,” I paused for a while and sighed deeply. “I just hope that my father is fine.”

For a while, Santiago fell silent but then he continued to speak. “It must have been hard for you.”

I looked down at my feet and nodded. In almost a whisper, I answered, “It really was,” I looked up at Santiago and forced a weak smile. “Thank you for listening. I really appreciate it. You seem like an "okay guy".”

He chuckled.

I blinked twice and asked, “What's funny?”

“Nothing. It's just that…I never met someone as blunt as you.” he said.

“Was that a bad thing?”

“Sometimes, I guess because being super blunt meant being insensitive, apparently.”

“I don't think I am super blunt.”

“I just met you so I really don't know.”

While we were talking, I heard Tessa’s voice calling my name. Santiago and I stopped talking and then we both turned our gazes to Tessa.

“Cali! There you are!” she said. She’s not allowed. Behind him, jogging was Gail.

“We've been looking all over for you,” Gail said. “We went back to your room but we only found Ciarra. Ciarra said that you left the room when you saw her. “

As they reached us, they stopped. I stood up from my seat and so was Santiago.

“Why did you leave like that?” Tessa asked as she placed a hand on her hip with her one brow raised at me.

I narrowed my eyebrows and said, “Because she asked me to. Plus, I would like to take a walk and possibly find more details about Aqua City and the monstrous cannibals.”

“Oh, alright,” Tessa responded.

“By the way, can I get a room? I don’t really want to share with that rude girl and I know that the feeling is mutual,” I requested, in hopes that they would agree. But just before Tessa and Gail answered, Santiago suddenly spoke.

“Why don't you go back to Ciarra's room and try to get along with her?” Santiago suggested. I was about to open my mouth to answer when I heard Jake’s voice. Suddenly, my eyes lit up when he finally came.

“Hey, Cali!” he called out.

I ran up to him. ”Jake! Where is my dad? I am super worried about dad. What happened to him?” I asked, feeling worried. “Did you find him?”