Dark Mortals

☆♡Book Lover☆♡

"Well hello there Esme dear. Long time no see." Mrs Kishi smiled warmly at her.

Mrs. Kishi was the thirty-five-year-old, short-haired, plump and motherly librarian who had been working there for the past ten years.

"Yeah. It's good to see you too Mrs Kishi. I've been busy with my homework and studies. But you know how much I love books." Esmeralda said energetically.

Most of her happiness and energy just came from seeing the books.

"Ah. Just like your mother. She has always been like a younger sister to me dear. So, now tell me which book you want. Nancy Drew, book number 174?" Mrs Kishi poked Esmeralda's cheek lovingly, remembering the book the young brunette had half-finished during her last visit.

"Yeah."

"And that is,'' She took a long pause trying to find the book. ''Yep found it. A taste of danger." Mrs. Kishi took out the book from the shelf behind her and showed it to Esmeralda.

"Yep. That one. Thanks, Mrs Kishi." Esmeralda smiled at her and took the book.

The library was really beautiful, lovely and cosy. It was a bit small. It was Mrs Kishi's home library which she had turned into a public library.

There was another public library bigger than this but Esme liked this one more. It gave her the cosy feeling of home.

A slight movement made them turn around. Esmeralda's stomach did excited flips when she saw Andres emerge from a shelf of books behind them, carrying a tiny heap of books.

His eyes landed on the duo and his face broke into a boyish grin.

'Dang, that smile of his.'

''Hey, Raiden. What's up? Never saw you as the bookish type.'' he teased Raiden who just laughed.

''Oh nah.'' he waves his hand dismissively. ''I may not be, but she is.''

Esmeralda planted a smile on her lips when Andres looked at her, the smile still plastered on his face.

''Oh yeah. Of course Esmeralda, our two times debate champion.'' he chuckled.

She desperately tried to hide her blushing face, which she got from hearing his compliment.

He has noticed her.

''Well alright then. I'll get going.'' Andres waved them bye, walking towards Mrs Kishi.

She then went and sat on the furry swing hanging from the ceiling. It was her favourite spot.

While Raiden was waving to the people walking by through the other side of the window, Esmeralda was completely emersed in her book. The population of the town was small and so was its size.

People knew each other quite well.

But the Immortals not only saved their town but many other towns, cities and even countries as well.

Literally, everyone in the town knew each other very well.

Esmeralda opened the book with a wide smile on her face. She began reading the book, occasionally telling Raiden to stop screaming greetings to the bypassers because they couldn't hear him through the glass.

After about half an hour when Esmeralda finished a bit more than three-fourths of the book, Raiden took a wooden stool and sat next to Esmeralda.

For a while she just read the book, not worrying about her surroundings, even oblivious to Raiden for a few seconds.

Esmeralda looked at him from the corner of her eye when she heard him deliberately clear his throat. She knew that look. He was about to discuss something important. And she knew what important thing they were gonna talk about was.

She let out air through her nose and put the book marker between the two pages and closed her book.

"Yeah?" she asked him in a low voice.

"Esme, you know what we have to do now right?" Raiden put his hand on hers and squeezed it lightly.

"Yeah. He contacted Mama again. We're gonna have to try to steal their transformers again. And maybe even the formula that the Immortals use." Esmeralda lowered her voice slightly, cautious to not let Mrs. Kishi hear them.

"We'll steal their transformers this time again but what is this formula that we are gonna try to steal?" Raiden asked.

"I don't know what exactly it is. It is kinda like a chemical or something like that which the Immortals use to give their recruits powers. It's the same formula that Mama used to bring a few alterations in our DNA and all give us powers. That's all I know about it." Esmeralda shrugged.

"Right." Raiden put a finger on his chin probably not really understanding everything his best friend just said.

"Anyways, once we reach the headquarters Mama will explain to us every detail of the plan. The Immortals, as we all know, have night patrol duty. They patrol from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. That's when we attack them and steal their transformers. Mama told me a bit about the plan but not everything."

"Hmm sounds good huh? What do you say?" Raiden asked her.

"Well, at least it sounds way better than Papa's scolding when he finds out about our true identity," Esmeralda said in a very sad tone.

She could almost picture her father's sad and heartbroken face when he finds out who his beloved wife and daughter actually are.

Villians.

"It's okay doll. We both know that we never wanted this. We are being forced by him. If we don't do as he says you know what's gonna happen right? We are doing this to protect our loved ones." Raiden put a hand on her shoulder and nodded in understanding.

"I hate him. Pathetic guy." Esmeralda shook her head in disgust.

Raiden chuckled lightly and took hold of her arm, "Well time to go."

"Aw man. So soon?" Esmeralda pouted.

"Yeah. You gotta do your homework too right? And by the way, Avatar will be on the TV at five. You don't wanna miss it right?" Raiden smiled at her.

"Nope. It will get over by seven thirty or so. We'll go to the headquarters and Mama will explain the plan to us in about ten minutes. We will be right on time to encounter them and steal their transformers." Esmeralda smiled cheerfully.

"Yep. Now let's go." Raiden pulled her hand as they both went to Mrs Kishi and Esmeralda spoke up, "Mrs Kishi, here you go. I'm gonna come tomorrow to read this book again."

"Sure honey. Bye, kids."

_______________

Esmeralda and Raiden were on their way back home.

"I'm afraid Ray."

"Why Esme?"

"What if the Immortals or Papa find out about us? It would be terrible."

"They won't angel. Don't worry. We'll handle it."

A silence fell between them as they had nothing else to talk about. Esmeralda was really scared and stressed.

Such fear and stress weren't good for a young teenager like her. She was living a really hard life. It wasn't easy to be a villain, have a mother who is the commander of the villains and then have a father who is just the opposite.

"Don't be scared Esme. Your father loves you and your mom a lot. I have seen it in his eyes. The way he looks at you and his wife. His eyes are filled with love. So much love. God forbid if he ever finds out about our true identity he will be sad, heartbroken and angry at you both. But he can never stop loving both of you. Always remember that Esme."

Esmeralda looked at Raiden with an undetectable emotion.

"Thanks, Ray. I love you."

"I love you too doll."