CHAPTER 1: Come home.

*What goes through the mind of a killer? What emotions rampage the heart of a killer? Well for those of you who are reading this, then you must be interested in my story. Allow me to explain. *

Dark brown hair slightly long, trimmed up to the upper part of the neck. Side-swept bangs, some slightly covering his eyes, and a bundle tied at the back of his head holding the hair in place.

The unnatural sky-blue color of his eyes seemed to glow if one looked directly into them. He often seemed neither happy nor sad, nor bored. His face looked normal, except that he didn't make a habit of laughing or, when he did which was rarely, it was only short and brief.

He was tall. Not very muscular but his manly physic was visible. On his right ear, he had three piercings and a cross-leather adjustable bangle bracelet on his left arm. He wore a deep blue shirt the first two buttons open exposing his collar bone, a pair of well-fitting black trousers, and leather boots. From his outfit, one would surmise he was only a teen, eighteen years old.

The activity of the pub on the Adventure's guild was only reaching its apex. Dancing, flirting heavy alcoholic drinks passed around, were they professionals? His head was on the table on a lone bench at the counter. His eyes closed with the general look of a drunk drowned in alcohol but his ears were active, he was never sober than that moment.

The door was pushed open, lightly. But the heavy rattle of the bell sent all gazes to the door. Pin drop silence full of anticipation. The client who entered was a young lady wearing a white cloak. Maybe a widow?

Her tracks stopped in the middle, and she looked around. All eyes are on her. She was the kind of customer that would pay good, for the kind of unscrupulous businesses they traded. An Aristocrat.

"Am looking for Jack Boris," she said, her voice a bit soft but with a flair of confidence.

At the mention of the name, the crowd broke into wild laughter. Murmurs filled the room, she looked around wondering whether she had amused them.

"Miss, am afraid you are looking to hire the wrong person," said a man stepping up and the crowd came to silence, "out of everyone in this establishment, he is the worst. The lowest rank with more losses than wins."

"Regardless," she said.

"Are you perhaps his wife or lover?"

"I am no such thing," she said.

The crowd had already lost interest with only a hand full of people still addressing her. The man shrugged and pointed at a wasted young man at the counter. She thanked him and walked to the young man.

"Jack," she whispered with no response she shook him.

"Such a free spirit that one," said a man, "by the way Jack, you never said you had a girlfriend."

The crowd laughed at this remark. He woke up with an agitated confused look on his face. He turned to the crowd and the girl. This brought more laughter to the rowdy crowd.

"Guess I'll take him home then," she said putting her hand round his neck.

They walked out as the crowd cheered on her beauty and his luck.

"Make sure you take care of that one Jack," their distant laughter dying down.

Outside, behind an alleyway, Jack bent and vomited all the alcohol he had drunk. A noxious feeling grew and he regretted taking that stuff. He then straightened his back but could not hide the sickly look on his face. She pulled back her hood and looked into his eyes.

He looked different, the last they met she was taller than him. Now, he seemed to have gained a few inches.

"Are you fine now? Erick," she asked handing him her handkerchief.

"Why are you here?" he asked curtly ignoring her words.

"Really. after all that while of being a part, that is the first thing you say to me? What happened Erick, you look different," she said.

"Go home Jhana, leave me alone," he said

"I won't, I have a mission from Father, come home with me,"

"Is that how it is? I have no home, I paid my debt to the Oldman."

"This isn't about the debt, It's about what we owe you, it's about the past and also the future."

"It didn't seem that way when I left. As usual, you all want something from me, some want people killed, and some want favors, all just want and want. You know what, am sick of it."

"It's about the succession ceremony!" said Jhana at last.

He looked at her fairly surprised. It was the first he was hearing of it, but a succession ceremony only meant one thing.

"What do you mean, is the Old man dying?"

"We don't know, he is calling everyone in the family, there is going to be an event for the final selection,"

"I am not even a son, I am just a kid he picked up on the street."

"We don't know father's end game, but he said he wants the family home by October."

"Well, in that case, you can go and tell him to screw himself, I won't be there," he said walking away.

"Please," she said holding the sleeve of his shirt.

He looked ahead then pulled his hand away.

"I said I won't."

"I can't take no for an answer," she said.

"If that's what you want then do as you please." He kept walking. Behind him, Jhana followed.

* * *

The slums of Shvine were the definition of unscrupulous. The streets were overcrowded and full of activity. Even in the dead of the night, light from the pubs, inns, brothels, and hotels illuminated the streets. In turn, making night markets available. This was where Eric made his home.

He walked in the middle of the streets rubbing shoulders with people every once in a while. In the far, he avoided the calls of the "ladies" who wanted his attention. One thing he was thankful for was having a "bodyguard" in the form of Jhana. Usually, they would surround him, and he always had a hard time dealing with them.

"Why is she still following me?" he wondered.

"This is no place for you damned Aristocrats pigs," a voice retorted behind them.

A huge man stared down at Jhana. He had a look of annoyance on his face. He was drunk, anyone could tell from the stench of alcohol in his mouth.

Jhana was about to sprint into action, but before she could Erick's hand pressed against hers. He pulled her closer to him and glared at the huge man, he jeered and walked away.

"You better not show off that pretty face of hers here kid," said the man as he walked away.

He did not know how long he had held her hand but there was a grave silence between them. The only thing that was heard was his footsteps as he hit a puddle of water. He then turned suddenly, he took her off the ground.

"It's muddy," he said, "your shoes are not suited for this terrain."

She looked at her open leather sandals and had to agree. A few specks of mud soiling her feet.

"Thanks," she said, her face turning red. "we both know I am a country girl."

"You look so different from back then. It's almost as if you have always had a perfect childhood. You are not the same little girl I saved back then,"

"I am older than you remember," she said her face puffed up.

He seemed to smile a bit while quietly walking on. The terrain change a bit, as they crossed the slums. He put her down on the more suitable road. The houses were slightly well developed a few story buildings all around but the crowd in the streets persisted.

Workers closing their stalls. Carriages passed the bright light from pubs with shouts of men and women dancing to the rhythm of the violin. Claps, laughter. All these were the norm in the entertainment District.

From time to time a woman called Erick. As he turned, he felt a pinch on his arm and instantly regained his composure. Jhana looked at him annoyed that he was swayed by calls of the night. None the less she felt a delight to be there.

He walked into the compound of a tall building. The walls seemed fairly old but looked sturdy. They took the stairs and she noticed the writings chipped on the wall. One in particular said. "The end is nay."

"How are you, Jack," a young lady greeted them as they passed by.

"I am fine," said noticing she was dressed well, "you going to work?"

"I have a customer," she said and smiled cheekily noticing the girl behind him, "Oh I see how it is, you always turn me down but decide to get one from outside."

"Am afraid she is my family," he said.

"Hmm, that's cute. Anyway, I have to go, don't want to be late."

"Take care out there," he said.

Jhana watched as she walked away singing merrily. She then looked sternly at Erick.

"She seems nice," she said, "It seems you are quite popular."

They walked up more steps. There were clothes hung on the sides and water flew about as the wind blew, chatting as some women waited for their turn in the stove. There was a spectacle on each floor they passed.

They reached a house, at the topmost and the furthest in the corner. Flowerpots hung around and at the balcony, the streets below looked exciting.

"It's rather small," she said.

"It's comfortable,"

Inside, there was little furniture, only the essentials, a small table, a chair, a bookshelf a bed, and a kitchen on the opposite side. There was a nice scent of newness and she noted his room was clean and organized.

"Talk about lack of taste," she said.

"That's cruel, considering that you followed me," he said taking his shoes off.

"You left me no choice!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just come in, It's late anyway you might as well stay the night."

She took off her shoes and walked in. She placed the cloak on the coat rack on the side. She then sat on his bed as he lit the oil lamp. She seemed genuinely impressed. Her hands brushed the sheets and she felt warm contrast to the icy cold outside.

"Sorry, but I won't be staying, now that I know where you live I can always come back."

"Please don't, you will only bother me."

"That's rude, why are you so insist on staying away from your family,"

"Your family, not mine. By the way a more pressing concern, how are we going to sleep."

Reality.

"As the gentleman . . . "

"Am not sleeping on the ground. I know, we will share the bed like we did as kids."

"I said I am going home remember, soon someone will be here . . . "

"Sorry to say this but no one will come, that was the main point of going through the slums. Now can you squeeze in . . . "

A while later.

Both were in bed. She felt agitated as his hands were around her slim waist. He was warm, and he seemed to lack muscle in his body, but she could feel the beat of his heart twice faster than normal.

"Brings back memories," he said.

"If you try anything I will kill you,"

"Ouch, I remember about back then you were the one who would slip into my bed."

"Erick . . . " she called then was reluctant for a Moment, "Come home, please. For me."

Quiet. The night passed in silence.