Chapter 16: Drought

"The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction." —Rachel Carson

"The essential act of war is destruction, not necessarily of human lives, but of the products of human labor. War is a way of shattering to pieces, or pouring into the stratosphere, or sinking in the depths of the sea, materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable, and hence, in the long run, too intelligent." —George Orwell, 1984

"Those candle flames were like the lives of men. So fragile. So deadly. Left alone, they lit and warmed. Let run rampant, they would destroy the very things they were meant to illuminate. Embryonic bonfires, each bearing a seed of destruction so potent it could tumble cities and dash kings to their knees." —Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1)

***

The groundbreaking news shook the whole island and put their carefree minds in disarray and anxiety. Words about the murder of Samara's whole family circulated more quicker than how normal gossip reached one ear to another.

Every single one of the Balmackians has to say. Their fear of getting murdered grows exponentially as the threat of the killer looms over their lives. No one knows who the killer was nor anyone was safe from the psychotic maniac roaming around at night slaughtering families when it started as a single victim.

"This must be the work of the devil!"

What was revealed to everybody that decided to take a look at the dead bodies was the gruesomely sickening sight, which would turn everyone's stomach upside down when they see it. None of those people that went and took a look came out not feeling ill. They would at least feel horrible and like they were gonna throw up. Only a psycho would go in and go out without feeling anything from seeing the state the four people were in.

"Someone must be so mad at Samara's family for them to do this kind of gut-wrenching act!"

"Does this mean the killer is still on the loose?! T-Then, we h-hang an innocent child to his death?!"

"S-Stupid! It's n-not us that hangs him! He owned up to the crimes! It was his own fault for doing so!"

And they all tried washing their hands clean from the sin they committed against Ergas. A grave mistake was done, and no one was brave and mature enough to own up to their faults.

"It's still uncertain," Grenoble moved one of the dead bodies, Janna's to be exact and saw all the bruises on her face. "Ergas could be the killer, and someone was just holding a grudge against Samara. But for them to include her children is terrible."

All of the work needed to be done to clean the bodies and move them was done by Grenoble and his men. They do the investigation, autopsy, and all of the work most people in the field do. It was a boatload of work, but no one would do the job for them, so someone has to do it.

"This massacre must be done by two or more individuals. I could be wrong."

Xenia's bottled anger rose to the tip upon hearing about the news. What he was so upset about was the fact that everybody agreed on hanging an innocent child to bring justice after blindly accusing and forcing Ergas to confess to the crimes he did not do.

"How I wish I had my ability!"

Xenia's and his feelings combined together were so overwhelming, it makes him want to murder everyone. This was the first time Xenia felt the need to kill someone just to ease that madness inside of his heart.

"Did my soul and Xenia's soul merge as one? Is that the reason why his feelings affect me so much?"

He would be as angry as he was if one of his friends died back when he was still Desmond. However, his feelings won't push him to think of ill intentions toward the people responsible for the murder. He would always find the chance to somehow forgive people, though not fully, but still.

"If so, then this hatred in my heart right now is coming from him."

His heart could not find the ability to forgive every Balmackian for what they did to Ergas. Their persecution of Ergas pushed the kid to the edge, causing him to eventually own up to the crimes.

"Because I don't want to acknowledge this much anger in my heart. Yes, I am very upset. However, having the urge to kill every single one of them is not like me. Revenge is sweet, but it is not always the answer for slaking the drought of vengeance in someone's heart.

He went on with his daily routine. Whenever Xenia has time, he would practice throwing nails and metal forks to trees he made as his target. The trunk of the poor tree was engraved with shallow holes and cuts from Xenia's training.

"I've only seen it online before. I didn't know that this would be so hard."

For three days, Xenia has been training and maintaining a healthy body with a balanced diet and good enough sleep.

After he was done practicing his throwing skills, Xenia would then proceed to feed Bandit and Mischief, who would bring him some coins as compensation for feeding them, or paper bills, which are definitely more convenient than receiving spare change.

"You two are both smart. There's just a little problem with the two of you."

Again, Bandit and Mischief were both tilting their heads as though they could understand what he was saying and were trying to listen to what Xenia had to say.

"Caw?"

"Sometimes, you birds don't obey my words. I know that the two of you do not want to form a master and slave bond. However, it would be great if the two of you could be so cooperative with me. I'm willing to protect you, Bandit and Mischief, so I'm hoping that the two of you are the same."

"Caw!"

Xenia sighed, "I am also hoping that both of you understand me."

Their friend died yesterday, and here Xenia thought no one would show up in their playground when both Zeb and Franzia arrived with a basket being carried by the siblings.

Xenia noticed their puffy eyes from crying, but they seemed fine now. When the two of them realized that he was there, they smiled and waved for him.

"Zeb, bring out the cloth," Franzia told her younger brother after they both put down the brown basket they were carrying all the way from their home. "Xenia! Come join us! Where are Jack, Mack, and Pack? Are they not coming?"

Their playground was one of the few spots on the island where trees do not grow closer to each other. In fact, the trees left a circled area, which then became the kid's playground.

"Ergas' death should not always put me down."

Xenia headed towards Franzia and Zeb in the middle of the playground where beneath their feet was soft Bermuda grass that grew right before it could reach the trees. And when you look above, you'll see the slanting branches of trees filled with leaves and small fruits that shade us from the scorching heat of the sun.

"A picnic?" Xenia asked, seeing Franzia and Zeb bring out sandwiches and fruits from their basket. "Oh, so that's it."

"Yes," Franzia said shortly, motioning for him to sit down beside them.

Different types of fruits were available to eat. From seedless grapes to large quantities of smelly but definitely tasteful jackfruit. If you're not a fan of both, there was a whole watermelon. Although it was the size of his head.

"Must have been so heavy."

"Anything just to fulfill a dead friend's wish. It's too bad that the triplets are not here to share this much food with us."

Ergas once told them that he would like to have a picnic where they could eat varieties of food and then drink some super cold juice right around in summer. It was so simple and silly, but none of them laughed at it. In fact, they all thought it was a great idea, so they actually made plans. However, now that Ergas' was dead, their plan has been moved earlier to fulfill his wish, even though he was not there with them to enjoy everything.

Franzia poured them a cup of ice-cold mango juice, and each had a taste of the food they brought.

"This sandwich is delicious. Ergas would have liked this."

And the three of them went silent, feeling the warm breeze of May that was about to end in their skin as feelings of loneliness and sorrow were stagnant in the atmosphere.

None of them must cry. They know that Ergas would not like it. Therefore, they eat away their sense of sadness and wash the drought of their throat with the cold beverage present in their eyes. Such an appaling picnic yet fulfilling picnic it was!

~