The Six

Chapter 1

Today was supposed to be a normal day for the Penafiel siblings. Until, they saw their father being kidnapped by a sumo wrestler. It was a Saturday, which meant no work. Also, since it was summer, they had no worries about anything. Sam and Jean decided to take their children to the mall. It was a while since their last family time. With all of the work that Sam does as an English teacher and Jean as a production assistant. They haven’t spent time together with their kids.

“Dad, can we eat first before we watch the movies?” said a girl with glasses. She wore a black dress with sandals. She was unnaturally pretty with those clothes. Since, her mother forced her to wear those clothes. This made her uncomfortable. “Yes, Carlene but let’s buy your brother and sister their T-squares” said Sam.

“I still don’t get it why Majella could wear what she wants.” said Carlene to her mother.  “She doesn’t” said Jean “it’s just it would be overkill for her if I made her wear a dress. Besides I bet your crush will like it when you wear girly clothes.” Carlene blushed as she shouted “MOM!” Jean raised her hands in mock apology.

A young boy and young girl, much younger than Carlene, were walking alongside the couple. The girl wore a shirt that said “Trust me, I’m an Engineer” and jeans. She was more athletic than Carlene, she was leaner and her tanned skin proved her hard work as an athlete. Sam looked at the girl and said “I hope you learned your lesson about hitting your brother with your T-square, Majella.” Majella sulked while the boy chuckled.

The boy was bulky. He wore his varsity jacket and jeans. If he weren’t wearing glasses and holding a calculator, people would think he’s a jock. Jean gave him a look and said “and Elijah, I don’t want you doing that to your sister again. She may look as tough as nails, but hitting a girl is a terrible thing to do.” “She hit me first!” protested Elijah. “You called me a pig!” cried Majella “Really, guys stop it! You’re scaring May!” said a voice at the back.

Two girls walked forward together. The one who spoke was older than Majella and Elijah, She almost looked like Carlene except she had bushy hair and wore a white dress. However, unlike Carlene, she wore sneakers and wore a lot of beaded bracelets. This made her look very eccentric to look at. But her family didn’t mind, they’ve gotten used to her ADHD. While the girl named May looked younger. May was smaller and rounder, as she is the youngest of the siblings. “Haha, very funny Nea” said May in a sarcastic tone. Everyone laughed as they walked inside a known bookstore to buy the things they need.

“Now” said Sam as they got inside “get the things you need, lets meet at the counter in about 15 mins.” All of the kids nodded and zoomed out of view, leaving Sam and his wife alone. “May’s going to college this year” sighed Sam “Seriously, should we really let her stay in a boarding school, Jeanine?” Jean gave him a meaningful look and said “I’m sure she will do fine. Besides, you didn’t have trouble when you went to boarding school.” Sam blushed and said “That was different.”

Jean kissed him on the cheek and said “I married a very caring and loving father and husband, but you have to give your kids breathing space, I’m sure May will be fine.” Sam nodded. “You up for baby number 6?” teased Sam to his wife. She punched Sam and said “I may not even look Chinese anymore. My eyes will grow wider! I will ‘dishonor my family’ once again!”

They both laughed since they remembered how hard Sam went through when it came to Jean’s family. She looked younger, like the time he first met her. He took her hand and walked to a magazine rack where Jean started rummaging for magazines.

Sam was checking out Arnis sticks near the racks. He had forgotten when the last time he held a weapon like this was. It was 10 or 20 years ago, maybe? It felt like a very long time, but just like before, it felt natural on his palm.

 As he checked out the sticks, he froze as he saw two men in suits walked in the book store. Following them was a fat man in a mawashi, the clothes a sumo wrestler would wear. All of them wore a bandana on their arm that had an Eye.

He walked towards Jean, still holding the Arnis sticks on his hands, who was now holding a magazine to purchase, and said in a low voice. “They’re here.” “Who?” asked Jean. “The Eye” said Sam, then he said in a stern voice “Get to the kids and meet me at the car park outside.” Jean nodded and walked casually as she looked back she saw her husband talking to the sumo wrestler.

Jean knew those men and “The Eye” that meant they were in danger. She first saw Carlene reading a book about a boy wizard. She tugged her and said “Find your siblings and follow me.” Just as she said those words, they heard a gunshot and people were stampeding to the exit. One of the runners was Nea, “MENEA! Come here!” cried Jean. Menea looked back and ran towards her mother. “Where’s dad” asked Menea. “We don’t have time to ex-” then they saw Sam flying towards a cabinet full of vampire books.

“Dad!”Menea shouted as Elijah, Majella, May, and Carlene rushed towards them. “Go!” shouted Sam as his head started to bleed. The sumo wrestler threw a cabinet toward him but he moved just in time to dodge it.Jean took the hands of May and Majella as they ran to the exit while Carlene, Elijah and Menea ran after her.

They reached the carpark and drove home quickly. Carlene spoke immediately as May started to cry “Mom, what’s going on?! Dad is-.” “I know”Jean said. “We have to go back for him” said Menea, who was now doing all she could not to act childish. Jean shook her head and said “We can’t go back because…” bit her lip as she said “Your dad is part of the Six.”