The Being Named Kira

Matilda's Account

Chapter 6 : Matilda's Account

"Leone," Kira whispered while tugging Leone's shoulder softly.

Leone lazily looked up to her.

"What do you call that red gas dancing in Mr. Gregg's house?"

"Oh, that's fire. Haven't you ever seen fire? I thought you have in your planet."

Kira gazed at it, more enchanted by the minute. "Fire. We have but it isn't red, it's blue."

"Blue?" Leone chuckled in remembrance. "So the one in your planet is really hot after all."

"Yes. It can burn things easily," Kira said fondly.

At this time, everyone nearby got a bucket or two to calm down the burning house. It was very chaotic yet one thing is reassuring to everyone: Gregg Harrison had rid himself for all of the townsfolk.

"Hey, Leone, is your planet's fire hot?"

Leone thought for a moment then smiled. "Let's just say it's hard to survive our fire."

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"So let me get this straight," A stubby middle aged man paced back and forth with his fingers on his chin. "The both of you are cousins, thrice removed in each's family trees?" he said unsure with a wave of his arm.

Leone and Kira were in the police's office for some further interrogation. The room was small with little decorations but a whole lot of butterfly collections.

"More or less," Leone replied calmly. Clearly they were dealing with a blabbermouth adult.

After the untimely predicaments that happened last night, everything was back to normal. It was this talkative cop that took the kids in his office to sleep for the night. Newly inducted Chief Brian O'Malley smiled from ear to ear when he got to talk to the kids about his idea for them.

"My God. It's a miracle the both of you still know you're related in blood. You should've seen the look on my mother's face when she discovered I've married a woman who was our 15th distant cousin. Our family reunion was never the same again," he guffawed at his own private joke.

When he saw Leone's unaffected face, he cleared his throat then went near to Kira.

Chief O'Malley bent down then happily announced to Kira's ears, "Kira, dear, I see you've got quite a fascination with butterflies."

Kira turned to look at the chief rather dazedly. "These creatures are called butterflies?" 

"Or long known as Flutterbies."

"Flutterbies?"

Kira's eyes glittered in curiosity, this sparked the haughty side of the chief. "Yes, before the people saw these magnificent insects fluttering by..."

As Chief O'Malley was lecturing Kira about flutterbies, Leone looked down at the chief's desk. His and Kira's folder was in the center. The two were in a town's program called "Temporary Roofs for the Losts". The townspeople were to provide a home for lost kids for two to three days. This would give more time for the police to report the kids to a nearby city.

It was a convenient outcome for the pair but one thing is unfortunate. The two's first home is Matilda's, the ever loyal ally of Gregg. Uncertainty was surely ahead for the two.

"I don't mean to interrupt, Chief O'Malley," Leone coughed a bit and said politely,  "But I think it's best for us to go now. It's really rude to make Mrs. Sutcliffe wait for us any longer."

"Oh dear me, is it really that late already?" The chief's eyebrows scrunched in realization. "I am sorry for keeping you for long, my dear boy. Yes, yes, you better go now to Ma'am Sutcliffe's. She ain't a rather patient fellow."

"Thank you for taking care of us, Chief O'Malley. I enjoyed our talk about flutterbies." Kira smiled sincerely to the chief.

"Well, my dear girl, if you come and visit me soon, I'll teach you all about the metamorphosis of flutterbies." The chief pointed his finger delightedly at a cocoon.

"I'll be most delighted."

"We're going now. Thank you for your hospitality, Chief O'Malley. We appreciate it." Leone held Kira's shoulder and directed her to the door with him.

Once they were out, Chief O'Malley peeked through it. "You're most welcome, Leone. Do me a favor and meet my daughter, Deniss, sometime soon. She's our only baby, it'd be a treat to have her make new friends."

"We'll be looking forward to meet her, Chief O'Malley."

"Goodbye, Kira. Leone, take care of your cousin, won't you?" 

With this, Leone smirked a bit then nodded.

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"Leone? What are 'cousins'?" Kira asked as they made their way to Matilda's house.

"People you are somehow related to."

"Are we cousins after all, Leone?"

Leone looked at her for a second then grinned and ruffled Kira red curly hair. "Somewhat near that, Kira."

When they got to her doorsteps, Leone used the huge door knocker.

Matilda emerged with her ever enthusiastic glow. "Oh, you kids are already here. Come in, come in. Would you like some tea and sweets?" She ushered the kids in to her home.

The two settled in her couch with tons of sweets in front of them. Matilda was serving them jasmine tea with sugar. "I've heard all about your situation. Apparently Chief O'Malley signed you kids to a silly program by this town for children like you two."

"The Chief explained the benefits of this 'silly' program to us," Leone said with a hint of frustration.

"Well, did he now?"

"Yes, and he's quite proud that he innovated it," Kira added whilst sipping her tea.

"My Gregg could've provided tons of lost kids with enough shelter," Matilda uttered rather unappeased, set down the kettle then sat down.

Leone and Kira looked at each other then Kira spoke up, "M-Matilda, do you know what happened to Mr. Gregg?"

"I am fully aware of my beloved's state. Currently he's really passive since you kids arrived." Matilda took a chocolate covered almond then ate it slowly.

"Matilda, has no one told you? Not even the police?"

"Told me about what?"

"About Mr. Gregg."

"What about him?"

"He's dead, Matilda," Leone said gravely, his shamrock eyes not wavering a bit.

The old lady looked at him questioningly then waved him off. "Clearly you have been gossiping with the cops and my neighbors, Leone. Such senseless lies are spread nowadays."

Kira put down her tea then tried again, "But, Matilda, Mr. Gregg is really dead now. He burned his house and himself."

"You people are lying. Haven't you two know that lying to an elder is preposterous since the old can see through the young."

"Matilda, he's gone. There's no need denying it."

"I am not denying it one bit, m'boy."

"How could you say that, Matilda?"

Matilda stared at the two like a vulture with its preys, an evil smile lingering on her face. 

"I just saw my Gregg last night in here, standing as lively as ever."