Keiko sighed in disappointment at Sammy’s actions. He made the mission far more complicated.
“And what does our mom have to do with this?” Jesse further questioned.
Keiko had to think quickly. “Sammy was not trying to kill you; he nearly shot at you to scare you and lure Maggie out from hiding. The bullet isn’t even real. It’s rubber designed to look like a bullet. This gun is merely an imitation.”
Keiko walked over to the gun on the ground, picked it up, and handed it to Jesse. Sure enough, it was a phony.
“No…where are you taking us and where is our mom?” he asked angrily.
Keiko spoke her next words sternly. “I suggest we get going. Master isn’t going to like the fact that we are late.”
“Master?” Jesse and Maggie said in unison.
“Yes, Master. Your mother is with the Master; and if you want to see her again, I suggest we leave now. Listen, we can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
“What’s the hard way?” Jesse asked.
“I knock you both out with a tranquilizer, which I don’t want to do, then I throw you both in the trunk,” said Keiko.
“What’s the easy way?” Maggie asked, joining the conversation.
Keiko kneeled down to Maggie and said, “If you come quietly, I will make this less emotionally painful.”
Maggie looked up at Jesse as he squeezed her hand. They both nodded their heads yes.
“Then let’s go, children,” said Keiko.
Before exiting out the front door, Keiko stopped short to assess the damage. She smiled at Maggie, “I can do something like you can.”
She looked at the door and focused on it. The door lifted from its spot, hinges, bolts, and nails followed and began repairing itself. Within a couple of seconds the door was back to normal. The dent from Sammy kicking in the door was gone. Maggie stared in silence and in fear, not understanding her situation. Jesse, by this point, was overwhelmed with the black magic. Keiko kneeled down to Maggie and held out her hand to her. She was still clenching tight to Jesse.
“I promise I won’t hurt you. You, Maggie, are special and we are willing to help you with your gifts. You will just have to trust us,” she said, smiling.
Maggie dug her face into Jesse’s shirt; she gripped tighter trying desperately to disappear. Jesse held Maggie closer, protecting her from Keiko.
“Give it some time; this will all change,” Keiko stated nonchalantly as she led them out the front door.
5
Master
“Yes, Master, we have Angel and the children. It was just as you said. She had no idea what was going on,” Keiko said to the voice on the other end of her cell phone.
“We are boarding the plane now. We should be there in a couple of hours.”
Those were the last words said before she hung up her phone and placed it into the top left breast zipper pocket of her leather jacket. Jesse and Maggie boarded the private plane quietly. Maggie was given a strawberry ice cream cone in hopes of calming down her nervousness. She let the ice cream drip away, not even tasting it. In the end, she handed the melted mess to the flight attendant to dispose of it. Jesse observed and absorbed his surroundings as much as he could. He was secretly in awe of how huge and luxurious the plane was. He worried where this journey would take them; were they flying domestically or internationally, or off the grid? Either way, he desperately hoped his mother would be waiting on the other side.
Keiko patted Maggie on her head as she passed and asked with a smile, “Did you enjoy your treat?”
“No, Ms. Keiko, strawberry is my favorite; but it’s too cold for ice cream, and I’m not very hungry,” she answered quietly.
Keiko smiled brightly, “Mine is chocolate, and don’t worry, it’s never too cold for ice cream, especially where we’re going.” Keiko loved children. She loved their innocence, their curious minds, and how they were such eager little beings. They are ones that will always forgive because they have not yet experienced the true hurt and pain that the world offers. She longed one day to have children of her own; if it were ever possible. Kids brought out her soft side, especially when she was trying her hardest to be a stone-faced assassin. There was something about Maggie that she felt a strong connection to. She wasn’t sure if it was their similar gift, but the vibe between them was like an electrical current she could not shake. Maggie’s presence put her senses on high alert, more than it did with her Master. Keiko found herself constantly checking on Maggie and making sure the staff was accommodating. She felt the need to protect her from harm, like a knight protecting the queen. Keiko was encountering a strange feeling, and she was anxious to address it with the Master.
The plane was fully furnished with soft beige leather seats, cream carpeting, a huge 60” T.V. mounted to the cabin wall and a small kitchenette. There were stairs that led to an upper level that similarly resembled the main level except it contained a shower and a bed. Keiko gestured the children towards the upstairs level. Before Jesse took another step he asked, “Where are we going?”
“We, my dear boy, are traveling to a remote island in the Caribbean sea. We will be on this plane for about five hours,” she replied.
“I just want to know how long we are going to continue these shenanigans. I still haven’t gotten any answers. Where is our mother and why are we being kidnapped? None of this is safe for Maggie,” said Jesse sternly.
Keiko glared directly at Jesse and responded in a serious manner, “All your questions will be answered when the time is right. You will see your mother on the other side. That is a promise; and don’t worry about Maggie, she will be safe. You, however, will have to worry about yourself. I don’t like you very much, and bad things happen to people I don’t like. So, be careful, boy.” Keiko shoved past Jesse, grabbed Maggie’s hand, and led her upstairs. “Now come along,” she ordered over her shoulder, showing him how little she thought of him.
There were four flight attendants on board the plane, three women and one man. Two were assigned to each floor. Once upstairs, Jesse and Maggie immediately took their seats next to each other. Keiko walked over to Maggie and helped her adjust her seat belt. “Now, you know the rules on the plane right?” Maggie nodded yes. “We travel with our mom all the time on a plane.”
“Well this plane is different. You can play games, get food, and take off your seat belt when it’s safe. And most importantly, you have permission to annoy your brother to the point that he wants to jump off,” Keiko smiled. Maggie slightly giggled but kept her cool, “I don’t like bothering my big brother; he’s my best friend,” she said, smiling at Jesse. Jesse continued staring at Keiko. She smiled and walked over to the flight attendants and spoke softly. “Make sure neither of them goes downstairs during this entire trip. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” they replied in unison.
“Be careful with them both, especially the little girl. The child is extremely powerful. One false move and she will take down this entire plane.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they repeated.
Keiko made her way down to the lower level to meet Sammy who walked in carrying Angel over his shoulder.
She pointed to an empty seat. “Place her right there. Between the combination of the blow to the back of her head and the sedative we injected her with, she should be knocked out for most of this trip. If she awakens, I’ll hit her again with another sedative.”
Sammy dropped Angel on the chair like a bag of tools. He proceeded to tie her down with multiple belts. Within seconds her feet, hands, and neck were restrained to the seat. Sammy moved so swiftly that by the time Keiko took her seat he was finished.
“Are you sure you just don’t want to punch the back of her head again and knock her out instead of wasting the sedative?” Sammy grinned.
“No, one thing you have to understand about her species is that they are sensitive creatures. I don’t want to kill her. That will just result in her coming back in another body. I don’t have tim
e to search around the world for her again. These damn things sure know how to hide,” she replied, annoyed.
Angel was seated at the window. Keiko planted herself next to Angel on a cozy aisle seat, while Sammy took the seat opposite Keiko, facing each other. Keiko and Sammy both strapped themselves into their seats and waited for the flight attendants to prepare for take-off. Once the flight attendants grabbed their seats, one of the pilots opened the door of the cockpit and scanned around. He spotted Keiko sitting on the aisle and made his way over to her. The pilot stood 6’3”, lean, with smooth bronze skin, brown eyes, and full lips. His goatee was neatly shaved, as was his skin-tight fade. He smiled a pearly white grin at Keiko and bent to kiss her on the cheek.
“My love, I’m happy to see you’re safe,” he said in his smooth low voice.
Keiko looked affectionately at her lover and placed her hand on his cheek. She then moved her fingers to his lips and pressed down slightly. “I always come back to you, my darling. Were you worried?” she responded in a cool whisper.
The pilot looked at Keiko, amused, took her hand, and kissed it, “I always worry.”
Keiko smiled and moved her hand to her lap. “I’m here now, so all your worries can cease,” she responded lovingly. The pilot grinned at her again and walked back to the cockpit. She had butterflies in her stomach; the feeling of being in love was wonderful and frightening all at the same time. She sat up straight and watched him walk away. As soon as the door shut, she closed her eyes, until Sammy spoke up.
“You know, even with whispering I can still hear you two,” he commented, pointing to his ears. “It’s one of the best incentives of being what I am. I can hear things from miles away. You want to know what I think?” he asked.
“No!” retorted Keiko.
Sammy ignored her rushed answer and proceeded, “The man is all wrong for you. I feel he’s ruining your image. You’re a real badass woman who needs a badass man to complement you, not some average human who probably can’t hold his own in a fight.”
Keiko drew her attention to Sammy. She was two seconds away from choking him until his eyes bulged out again, as she once did before. However, that behavior landed her in plenty of trouble with the Master. Instead, she crossed her arms calmly and took a deep breath, deciding to work on her 1-5 breathing tactics.
Sammy and Keiko had a love-hate relationship, and today she hated him.
“Do you mean I need someone like you?” she asked in irritation.
Sammy was getting under her skin. Not only was he sloppy in accomplishing the day’s mission, but he also criticized her relationship as if he was appointed the love doctor. He laughed and straightened his tie.
“Oh God, no! I’m too good for you,” he calmly stated.
Keiko rolled her eyes, feeling slightly enraged. Keep it calm, Keiko. Remember what Chum Chum taught you during anger management. Go through your five steps, she reminded herself.
“You need someone like Andrew the Guard, now he is a real badass. You two are made for each other,” Sammy stated confidently.
Keiko couldn’t help but laugh. The thought of Sammy’s comment completely shifted her attitude towards him. Not only was Sammy a screw-up but he was also a big, dumb, funny screw-up.
“Andrew the Guard smells like ten used toilet bowls and his teeth…goodness…I’ve never seen anything so rotten,” she said in disgust.
“That’s what makes him so badass―the awful smell, the crappy teeth―it all proves he’s been places,” Sammy replied.
She couldn’t help but laugh harder, “Ewwwwww, it only proves that he’s dodged the two most important places in the world, a dentist and a shower. He’s disgusting!”
That was a known fact about Andrew the Guard, Master’s first in command and leader of all the guards. He was smelly and his front three teeth were missing, while the rest were rotting. He never bathed or groomed himself. He came from an era where he fought for honor, loyalty, and justice. He was not from royalty, but from a family of ruthless soldiers who learned nothing from a young age but to kill and slaughter for the honor of their King and Queen. He was always first in command for the monarchs that he served, for he proved to be intelligent, strategically capable of misleading the enemy, strong, and fearless. It’s a title he’s kept, even after transforming into what he currently is.
The tale of how Andrew joined Master is one that is constantly shared among the line. Master shadowed Andrew for years, waiting for the opportunity to end his human life and bring him over as his own. He wanted him to lead his army and be part of a more honorable brotherhood, one that will benefit him. Andrew led in combat for long periods of time and was never given the proper gratitude he deserved. Master felt the Rulers whom Andrew served were taking advantage of him. He was the only soldier that was fearless enough to lead armies into the lion’s den and win. The powerful aura that he held was something Master needed to have him.
Master’s opportunity finally arose during a long, drawn-out battle in Italy in 1859. Andrew was pierced in the stomach by an enemy’s sword, despite his bravery and skillful fighting. His attacker landed the fatal wound through sheer luck but suffered an agonizing death as Andrew, in a final act of war, plunged a knife into the man’s skull. It was the day Commander Andrew was to fall; it was the day of his death. Andrew managed to drag himself across the snowy ground to a nearby tree, away from the mass of men fighting. He placed himself in a sitting position, his back against the tree. He held his wound tightly, gasping for air, trying to suck in every bit of last oxygen he could. The sounds of the battle around him became faint. He hardly heard the screams of falling soldiers. Andrew dug deep inside his cloth pouch, which was attached to his black leather belt, and took out a letter. It was handwritten by a 7-year-old child and stated: “You are strong, you are my protector and my loving father. Come home soon, father. I miss you,” with a sad face drawn below. Andrew stared at it, blood pouring from his dry, cracked mouth and dripping onto the note and his bearskin cloak. He shed a tear, knowing that he would never see his daughter Elizabeth again. He would never see her grow into a woman, marry, or bear children. He would not be able to protect her; and upon his death, the enemy will come for his family, rape and kill his wife, and force the children into slavery. Andrew screamed in anger, clutching the letter tightly to his chest.
“This will NEVER be the end of me,” he screamed in rage.
He placed the letter back into his pouch. He attempted to get up, determined to continue fighting for the sake of his family only to fall back down on his bottom, as he gasped in pain. He extracted his sword and tried to use it as a crutch to raise himself again, but he was too weak. The blood from his stomach wound was pouring profusely over his brown trousers, the red color staining them to a dark black. He was failing and his vision was becoming blurry. Andrew leaned against the snow-covered tree once more and tilted his head back in defeat. He could feel the faint droplets of snow falling freely on his long, matted blonde hair. His throat was parched and his legs began to feel numb. His body temperature was turning from warm to icy. He breathed heavily for what seemed like minutes but was only seconds. Death was nearing.
In the distance, Andrew could see a figure walking toward him. He could see a fur cloak blowing in the wind, but his blurry vision and the snowy fog in the coldness made it impossible to get a clear view. It was difficult to determine if this figure was an enemy or a friend. Either way, he closed his eyes and waited patiently, listening for the footsteps to grow closer. Once he sensed the presence near him, he raised his sword quickly in defense and opened his eyes.
“Are you here to finish me off?” he demanded.
Master was surprised that Andrew still had fight in him. He admired that; it made him more eager to win him over.
“If you’re asking if I’m here to finish your human life, then the answer is ‘Yes!’” replied Master, grinning.
Andrew stared at Master, trying to make sense of the conversation.
“I�
��m here to grant you an opportunity of a lifetime.”
“Is that so,” Andrew coughed. “My life is ending in case you haven’t noticed. But entertain me, fool. What is your offering?”
“To live again and serve by my side,” he propositioned.
Andrew lowered his sword and squinted his eyes. His vision became clear, and he could see a young man staring down at him. He was beautiful, lean, strong, and clean. His honey-golden skin was flawless, and the long black hair falling to his shoulders was silky and straight. Not one drop of dirt was on his attire. He wore a bright white fur cloak with a hood that rested pristinely on his shoulders, a dark linen shirt, black trousers, and tall leather boots. The latch on his belt was engraved with golden symbols that Andrew did not recognize. He was a foreigner in his eyes. Who dares walk around in the middle of war wearing gold, thought Andrew.
Andrew couldn’t understand where this young boy came from. There was not one drop of blood or dirt on his clothing during this fierce battle, nor did he smell like the death that was falling around him. Andrew shook his head and began laughing hysterically. Blood dripped down again from his mouth as he tried to suck in his laughter and reserve his last breath to speak.
“Young boy, I will NOT fight for you. Go away. I’m done serving for high bullshit kings and their simple-minded sons. I am preparing for the afterlife. In my afterlife, I’m hoping to be a peaceful farmer, where I will wait patiently for my family to join me. Now run along BOY. I want to die in peace,” he explained shooing Master away and chuckling to himself.
Master felt amusement. He smiled mainly because he had not been called a “Boy” since his human existence. Andrew maintained his humor in even the most distressing situations.
“You will not make a great farmer. People like you are not made for planting seeds and growing crops. People like you are fighters for life and the afterlife. It is in your blood, my friend. I can smell it.”
Master knelt down and used his right index finger to wipe the blood off the side of Andrew’s chin. He slid the bloody finger in his mouth.
Trapped Inside Humanity Page 6