Chapter 25: Absolute

"The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum..."

—Noam Chomsky, The Common Good

"Anger ... it's a paralyzing emotion ... you can't get anything done. People sort of think it's an interesting, passionate, and igniting feeling — I don't think it's any of that — it's helpless ... it's the absence of control — and I need all of my skills, all of the control, all of my powers ... and anger doesn't provide any of that — I have no use for it whatsoever."

[Interview with CBS radio host Don Swaim, September 15, 1987.]

—Toni Morrison

"All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant pressure to make people feel that they are helpless, that the only role they can have is to ratify decisions and to consume." —Noam Chomsky

***

Worried about his mother, Xenia hurried back home even though he was now feeling extremely tired after running around and pushing himself past his limits. His legs and feet hurt so much that he wants to take a break and just lie down wherever he stops.

"Xenia?"

While almost there, just several meters away from his house, a voice called his name out of nowhere. The kid put his guard up upon being unable to detect the presence of the person that spoke.

"Hey, it's me," a kid revealed himself out of the tree.

It was Jack. He was alone. Jack had never been alone. He would always be with Mack wherever he goes, therefore putting Xenia's mind to it. Somehow, he has a suspicion about Jack. Although, he could not quite put his understanding into the uneasiness in his heart.

"Jack? Why are you alone, dude?"

It was only then that Xenia noticed the bruised face of Jack upon getting fully closer to him.

"E-Everyone..." Suddenly, he lost his balance. Xenia caught him before he could fall on the ground, assisting him to stand properly. "The townspeople... They— Arlan's family and mine were in danger. I-I ran away with Mack and Pack but we got separated."

"Okay, dude. Take it easy. Relax first and you can tell me everything afterward. For now, let's go back to my house."

He had to assist Jack back home while the weight of his worries became heavier after hearing the bad news from Jack. He wanted to immediately know the answer to his questions but he had to postpone it until they arrived at his house.

"What could have possibly happened."

Once back home, Xenia noticed that Polar and Mond were nowhere to be found.

"Mom! Anna! Hanna! Kanna! I'm back!"

The goat was back on its leash, munching on some grass as if nothing happened. And seeing it somewhat put his heart at ease, lessening his worries.

When he thought no one was home, his three female siblings appeared through the window with joy on their faces.

"Big brother Xenia!"

"Mom, big brother is back!"

"We thought the bad guys hurt you!"

From the window, they got down to greet him at the front door. All three of them tightly hugged him, happy to see him back after the fear of losing him.

"No one can hurt me or you girls! I'll deal with them with my muscles!"

He flexed his slightly built muscles on his arm, which made the three reach out for his biceps just to hang on them.

"Isn't he Jack? What's he doing here, big brother Xenia?"

Anna, Hanna, and Kanna wondered why Jack was with him.

"Oh, my, brother! He is hurt! Did the bad guys attack him too?"

"Nope," he shook his head. "I saw him on my way here. But I think he is hurt, so help me take him inside."

"Alright!"

Once inside, sat down, and was given a glass of water, Jack began to regain his strength. Xenia also decided to take some rest, sitting on a stool he himself crafted.

"We must help Arlan's family! Mom and dad stayed to help them!"

"Help them from what?" Xenia eagerly asked.

His mother was back in her bed, tucked in and covered with her blanket. The three girls reassured him that their mother was fine. Before they went in, he asked where Polar and Mond went but they were not sure.

"The townspeople! A group of ungrateful bastards convinced people that seek their help to ransack the family and force themselves inside the house! Of course, Arlan's father and his brother were against it, so little arguments turned into a scuffle. It should have ended there when someone who had completely lost his mind ran amok, hurting everyone inside the house! So, we must hurry and help them!"

Trails of blood from their wounds were left by both Polar and Mond. When Xenia heard that his friend was in danger, he hastily went out of his house, on his way to Arlan's house.

Bright as the morning shines, lit his path where droplets of blood could be found on the dried leaves, leading directly to where he was heading.

"Big brother Xenia, where are you going?" Hanna exclaimed, afraid that his brother might do something so reckless again. After that, Anna and Kanna stood in front of the house with her, worried about their brother's well-being.

"Get back inside! I'll just go and take a look at what is happening at Arlan's house. The three of you wait for father while tending to Jack. Don't let him go anywhere, and tell him I'll get Pack and Mack for him!"

Using his past knowledge in the current situation was futile. Balmack Island was not written in any textbook he read before nor heard of it somewhere in Quesaint. So, he is unaware of the events going on on the island.

Running through it like there was no tomorrow, Xenia once again tries to push himself to his limit. He knows the consequences of his actions and breaking through that barrier was something he needed to overcome, for more dangerous events will come in the future.

***

"Move out of the way!"

It was a complete disaster! People were running all over the place, avoiding the psychopath that was attacking everyone on his way with a hammer. Smashing through people's skulls puts his evil desires at bay while neglecting the fact that he was killing people without remorse. Sympathy does not even wane him. Sympathy was waned by his actions.

While the greediness of the others tramples each other's desperation, concerned townspeople steeled their resolve, standing against the psychotic bastard.

Many thought that it was the night killer who had massacred and mangled people while showing no mercy. Therefore, someone had to step up and put an end to the madness on the island. But they were mistaken.

"How many has he killed already?!"

"That damn monster killed the Gordon family and those triplets' parents!"

Others did not care whether people survived or not. They only care about the food stored inside the house. Opportunistic individuals took advantage of the situation, taking whatever they could bring with them, and ignoring the cries of others for help.

It has only been a day and yet everyone has already shown their true colors to each other.

"Who's gonna stop me?! If anyone dares, move forward and show yourself in front of me!"

His words encouraged the minds of many, stepping forward were several mortified men who were about to avenge their families.

"Keep the prey coming!"

~