In This World, : What Becomes of Us

by the Lovely Trishelle

  Yours truly,

  Concerned Citizens

  Out of complete frustration, Jin crumbled the letter and threw it. As it fell through the air, it lit into purple flames, before it disintegrated. Left with no evidence of the letter’s existence. Due to the victim’s relationship with the captain, Jin’s first court arraignment had been fast-tracked for the next morning, from where he would transfer to the county jail.

  11:59 PM, Tuesday, September 20th, 2016

  Later that night, a remarkable distance from the court house’s entrance, appeared the barrel of a sniper rifle as the mysterious figure sets up his equipment.

  “You’ll pay, my dear friend, you will pay.”

  Who could it be?

  8:30 AM, Wednesday, September 21st, 2016

  The next morning stood Jin and Leon outside the courthouse. Jin had not felt well since the night before, his skin pale and pasty. He ignored the letter’s warning, until this morning. Not far behind them stood Captain Barrowitz, to assure Jin’s arrival. A quiet set over the scene when a whistling noise neared.

  Before anyone knew what happened, Jin was dead. Every officer in the vicinity drew their guns on high alert. Leon wiped his face to realize there was blood on it. In a panic, he checked himself, only to find Jin splattered against the wall. As a wave of realization set in, relief washed over everyone’s face.

  11:07 PM, Saturday, September 9th, 2017

  Being only days before their birthdays, Mia sits alone, thinking of how much has happened in the last year. As tears roll her face, she walks to her room shutting the door behind her. With as many differences they had, Mia still loved and missed her mother. From the kitchen, Ishigo entered the living room.

  “Mia, I couldn’t let you suffer the pain and weight that comes with taking someone’s life. You’ve suffered far too much for far too long,” said Ishigo.

  No matter what, the guys loved her, and they had different skills they used to show her how far they would go to keep her safe.

  The Cat

  Gigi Meshuto

  2:38 AM, Sunday, September 10th, 2017

  Light shined through the bottom of Mia’s door, when it opens, out walks a mysterious woman. Long curly locks of coal, midnight colored cat ears atop her head, gleaming purple eyes with a thick black eyeliner, purplish-red lipstick upon her thick lips, honey-colored skin complexion, and behind her vivacious Latino curves swung a midnight colored tail. She was in shape, muscular, but feminine. In a creepy sense, Ren sat alone on the couch.

  “Hello, sexy.”

  “Seriously, meow?” asks the woman.

  “Gigi?” asks Ren.

  She hisses and growls, answering him without words, Ren laughs. Entertained by himself, Gigi walks out the front door slamming it behind her.

  7:08 PM, Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

  Seven months ago, Mia was getting ready for the Valentine’s ball; the boys convinced her to go. They thought it would be a good distraction after everything that happened. Several dresses later, Mia settled on an icy blue and white lace, with an enormous white bow wrapped around her waist. The dress was elegant and handmade but appeared as if snow and ice forged the dress for Mia, just for tonight. Accessorize with silver and crystal from shoes to clutch, to jewelry, and her icy blue makeup.

  “Mom, I can’t believe it’s been five months,” said Mia.

  “Mia, are you ready?” asked Ishigo, as he knocked on the door.

  “Yeah, just give me a minute.”

  Ren yelled from the living room, “Come on, babes!”

  “Hold on,” said Mia.

  A few more minutes pass.

  “Ugh, she’s taking forever.”

  “Ren, I’m sure she’ll be out-,” said Ishigo, distracted by Mia’s entrance.

  “What?” asked Ren.

  As she walked into the living room, the guy’s jaws dropped.

  “Wow,” said Ren.

  “Does it look okay?” asked Mia.

  “You look ravishing,” said Ishigo, as he took Mia’s hand.

  With Ishigo’s words, Ren’s head snapped around at him, taken with Mia’s grace, and Ishigo’s try to flirt.

  “So, were you guys rushing me to stand in the living room?” asked Mia.

  “Ladies, first,” said Ishigo.

  8:08 PM, Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

  After a twenty-minute drive everything went dark, a light in the distance led them to a Tibetan village. The navigation confirmed it was the location, but it made no sense. It was if they drove through a portal accompanied by an unknown stowaway. As they exited the car, the village disappeared leaving them in darkness, once more.

  Their surroundings shifted, transforming into an elegant ballroom. With many dancing their nights away, no one noticed the three appear. Unsure if this was a hologram or if they teleported somewhere unknown. The classical music played the entire time; it brought a relaxed mood over the three.

  “Mia, can I have this dance?” asked Ishigo.

  “Or do you prefer to dance with me, my lady?” asked Ren.

  Both dressed in tuxedos, with twinkles of love gleamed in their eyes, Mia giggled at the offer of their hands. They managed once more to make her feel like a princess.

  “I’ll dance with both, but you must flip a coin to see who goes first,” said Mia.

  She tossed the coin into the air, the three of them watched gravity flutter it back. Mia caught the coin covering it. She removed her hand and the coin showed it was heads, Ishigo’s choice. Once more Ishigo extended his hand to Mia, this time she returned with hers. Ishigo pulled Mia close, twirling her into his arms.

  To gander at the scene of them dancing, was to see them engulfed in each other’s gaze. Ishigo and Mia filled with thoughts of each other as they glided across the dance floor. They kissed, interrupted by Ren, who insisted it was his turn. Mia gave Ren her hand, and he whisked her away and glanced back at Ishigo to smirk. Ishigo frustrated had walked off and found a seat, plopping himself. Ren surprised Mia because he knew how to dance. She found herself as lost in Ren as she was Ishigo. He swung her with each turn, the world behind them was a blur.

  Their lips inched closer, lost in each other’s eyes. Just as their lips met, Mia closed her eyes, she felt something rip her backward, pulling her away from Ren. She opened her eyes to darkness as Ren faded into it. For Ishigo and Ren, a black void opened out of nowhere and sucked Mia right in, and Gigi, but no one knew she was there.

  It confirmed the people at the ball saw them too. The void ended the event with an evacuation, a few remained, familiar with Ishigo. Gigi and Mia found themselves to have traveled through the portal ending on an unfamiliar beach. There were no clouds in the sky, but lightning struck everywhere. Time froze forever plaguing the land to stare at a sunset halfway finished.

  Gigi ducked into the bushes to see as Mia levitated. Her clothes disintegrated, and Mia unconscious as she floated through the air. The color of her hair changed from a shade of red to bright purple, giant black wings sprouted from her back, and clothes sewed itself around her body to form the most elegant white and purple gown. A gown fit for a queen with a crown to match. Mia’s hair braided itself into an up-do surrounding the base of the crown.

  The last blinding light unveiled gold and amethyst items materialized into existence. A collar around Mia’s neck, cuffs around her wrists and a cat head designed staff. As Mia’s toes touched the ground, she struck the staff sending out a beam of light. The light sent them back to the ballroom where Gigi noticed she was in human form. She scattered to find something to cover her naked body, Gigi could find nothing other than a tablecloth she draped around herself as a towel.

  Mia looked terrified and confused of everything at that moment.

  “What’s going on?” asked Mia.

  Gigi pointed to herself, “Meow?”

  “Can you help me? My name’s Mia, and I’m lost.”

  “Okay, this will be hard for meow to hear,” said Gigi.

  Gigi
rubbed her hands over her face as she talked to herself.

  “How about we start with your name?” asked Mia.

  “Gigi, meow.”

  “That’s funny, my boyfriend has a cat-,” said Mia.

  “It’s me, Ishigo’s cat, Gigi, meow.”

  Mia laughed with an odd expression on her face. From the sound of Mia’s laugh, Ishigo and Ren rushed over to them. As he approached, Ishigo realized Mia’s powers awoke. On one knee, he bowed to Mia. Everyone, but Ren and Gigi knelt to pay respect to the awakened queen.

  Ishigo peered up to spot Gigi, who stood still, “Show the queen respect.”

  His words sent Gigi and Ren on their knees in embarrassment.

  “Please stand, guys,” said Mia.

  Everyone stood up as to follow Mia’s command.

  “My loves, please explain what’s going on?” asked Mia.

  “You have awoken,” said Ishigo.

  “Yes, that means?” asked Mia.

  Ishigo asked Mia to wait while he spoke with Gigi as they walked to a secluded space. He questioned Gigi on everything, considering she was in human form and Ishigo was not in danger.

  “I snuck into the car before meow left, and when meow got sucked into the void, I was with her. After she transformed, we ended up back here, and meow looked as I do now,” said Gigi.

  Their conversation finished, they walked back over to everyone. Mia and Ren had many questions, and Ishigo was not sure he could answer them. After a few questions, they decided it best to continue this at home where they could be more secluded and comfortable.

  “This will be a long night, meow,” with Gigi’s words the car doors slammed closed. They began their way back home with a wide dressed, Mia, and wrapped in a tablecloth, Gigi. The poor girls sat in the back and stared out the windows. Thus, marked the start of their supernatural journey, where it led none of them knew.

  9:50 AM, Sunday, September 10th, 2017

  “Still smoking?” asks Gigi.

  “Yes, at this point I’m not sure I’ll ever quit,” says Ishigo.

  Gigi joins Ishigo at the café style table. They sit in silence as they admire the scenery before them. Stuck between realms to wonder if things will stay the way they are.

  9:47 PM, Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

  Seven months ago, after a tight and frustrated car ride, they arrived home. As they pulled to the security box, Hizon noticed their glum faces periled with exhaustion.

  “Good evening, how’s everyone’s night?” asked Hizon.

  With no words exchanged, Ishigo pointed at Mia.

  “My queen, I was unaware of your awakening,” said Hizon.

  Hizon saw the growing frustration and without further words spoken he opened the gates for them to pass. Once they parked the car, they made their way through the lobby to the elevator, but not without everyone they passed bowing. Mia uncomfortable with everyone’s reactions buried her face in Ishigo’s back as they entered the elevator. The four had never been happier to reach their apartment, closing the door as fast as they could behind them. Everyone separated to change in their rooms, aggravated she could not, Mia dragged herself into the living room and plopped on the couch. Not long after, Gigi, Ishigo, and Ren followed.

  “We’ll explain what we can,” said Ishigo.

  “Okay, but not before I make food,” said Ren.

  Their stomachs roared with hunger.

  “Agreed,” said Gigi and Mia.

  Twenty minutes passed, Ren appeared from the kitchen doorway, he carried two pies of pepperoni pizza. Ishigo not far behind brought paper plates, plastic cups, and soda. The girls cleared the coffee table and helped them. A brief time after, Gigi questioned if everyone was ready to start this long night. In agreement they delayed enough, Gigi began.

  “Let’s start with eye color, meow,” said Gigi.

  Mia and Ren leaned forward.

  “As a part of the supernatural realm, we have the same eye color. It’s been a key identifier for spotting supernatural beings. The humans assume it’s a genetic disorder or disfigurement, but the only genetic part is our inhuman ancestry. That doesn’t mean it’s hereditary,” said Ishigo.

  “That explains a bunch,” said Mia.

  Next Gigi explained about the varied species, Ishigo’s mouth was too full to speak. It was easier to tell what they were, then try to explain every species in existence.

  “I’m a Grimalk Shifter and Ishigo a Resurrection Warrior. Grimalk Shifters, meow, can shift between different feline species and one human form. The first time we transform into a human is the form we will take the times followed. Before your awakening, I gained restrictions, unless Ishigo needed my aid I couldn’t take human form, meow. For Ishigo, Resurrection Warriors can summon spirits of past warriors to borrow their skills. Only able to summon one spirit at a time because the magic’s strength drains their energy. Left vulnerable once the connection severs, it becomes easy for someone to kill them, meow,” said Gigi.

  “Does that mean you know what we are?” asked Mia.

  “Yes and no. You’re the Queen of Light, destined by a prophecy to be the savior, hence why everyone keeps bowing, but your species is a Magical One, meow. Magical Ones used to be one of many enchanter bloodlines to serve the Royals, which was an honor. Ren, we will not know until he’s awoken,” said Gigi.

  Gigi liked to stand when she explained things; she felt it was more efficient.

  “Can either of you tell me why this happened tonight?” asked Mia.

  “Mia, please sit,” said Ren.

  “Yes, an emotional state prompts an awakening. For me, it was the perils of war, and Gigi, it was her need to help me. What happened tonight, only you could know,” said Ishigo.

  “I realized how much I love both of you, and when sucked into the void, fear overwhelmed me with your fates,” said Mia, as tears rolled her face.

  Ishigo and Ren jumped up and rushed to Mia, both wrapping their arms around her as they tried to avoid her wings. With exhaustion still plaguing Mia’s face, the guys suggested she turn in for the night. She got fresh air before bed, and Ren followed Mia outside to the balcony. Mia sat in one of the beanbag chairs outside; Ren stood in front of her before he dropped to his knees.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Mia.

  He placed his head sideways on her lap.

  “I love you, Mia Inatoka. More than you could ever know, and no matter what happens I’ll always protect you. I may not be as strong, or supernatural as Ishigo, but I’ll do anything for you.”

  “What brought this on, Ren?”

  “You weren’t the only one terrified today. When that void sucked you in, I felt powerless and thought I’d lost you forever.”

  Ishigo and Gigi went to the back balcony, and as soon as they stepped out the door, Ishigo lit a cigarette.

  “Now I know you’re stressed, meow,” said Gigi.

  “How is that funny? And don’t start,” said Ishigo.

  “I haven’t seen you smoke in a while, meow. Didn’t know you still carried a pack around,” said Gigi.

  “I believe I’ve fallen for her,” said Ishigo.

  “No matter what, I devoted myself to you, meow, but don’t forget the mission,” said Gigi.

  He flung his cigarette butt over the rail as Gigi stood up to go inside, leaving Ishigo to stare up at the moon.

  11:00 PM, Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

  Meanwhile, somewhere in time and space, there lays a soul in eternal slumber. Dressed in white, she wore a gown that shimmered like the stars, pure as snow were her wings and bright as the moon her halo. As she lays there in peace, someone approached. The figure was an Elder, Elder Kita Inatoka, who was there to wake the soul, for her destiny awaited her.

  “Who are you?” asked the soul.

  “I am the current Elder for the Inatoka Clan, and your time to wake is now,” said Elder Kita.

  Without question, she grabbed the Elder’s hand. Something must have happened if they were summoning her afte
r death.

  “What do you ask of me Elder?” asked the soul.

  “Mia has awoken, you are to return to Earth and become her guide. Once her training is complete, you shall take your rightful place at the table,” said Elder Kita.

  Once more without question, the soul walked towards the door, before she realized, she was through the gate landing in Mia’s room.

  11:07 AM, Sunday, September 10th, 2017

  Walking out onto the balcony as Mia holds two cups of coffee, “Morning, Ishigo.”

  Ren not far behind walks up and throws his arms around her waist.

  “Good morning, gorgeous.”

  That night had been Ren’s night with Mia, but he never neglected to brag in the morning. They often acted similar to two dogs marking their territory. To prevent arguments and to stop the guys from sneaking into her room, she gave them specific nights they spent together. It bothered them, but it helped Mia keep the place under control.