Flame and Water

Chapter 2 : Evil, A good evil

Rumour dispersed throughout the city of Alexandria like plague of a newly set beautiful morning. Even El Salvador, the busiest town of Alexandria, glanced at it. 'It was his darkest hour, named Jon Cabrera, his body was found lying at the cold pave road at the end of the darkest street of El Salvador, Alexandria, cold and not breathing.'

"The society was sick." Jack Lawton flipped the other page of the newspaper after reading the headlines while sipping his last remaining black coffee. Mike Boston, part of the council once but withdrew his position at young age, gazed at him. Mike doesn't know much about Jon Cabrera's case. It was new to him, but reading the morning newspaper seems pebble thrown at him in irreproachable motion. Jack met his gazed, probably conscious, and opened his mouth as if have something to say but closed it afterwards. The awkward moment filled the air but turned into faint illusion once another man entered the waiting area of Hotel de la Veda. His messy hair, tantalizing dark brown eyes, and godly sculptured face captured everyone's attention. The dazzling light of the window pane provide an exemplified spotlight to the man's frowned face. Jack Lawton stood up once the name of the man registered on his blank face.

"Good morning, Mr Flint." Mr Flint nodded. "Have you ever heard the news?" said Jack Lawton in a very formidable manner, handling the newspaper to Mr Flint. "Probably his death is another show off of the higher councils." He continued. "Just like what happen to Archibald Dixon," he paused, his faced distort in resentment, "poor Alexandria."

"You have to accept Mr Lawton," said Mr Flint, "Archibald Dixon died badly. Might as well accept the fact that he no longer exist," Mr Flint exchanged glanced to Jack Lawton and to Mike Boston and to the rest of the crowd of Hotel de la Veda, "Once the higher councils will eliminate them from their so-called perfect society, we have nothing to do about it. Furthermore, the higher councils are just doing their job as officials," Mr Flint looked over the crowd, "even it cost us a lot." Mr Flint strode over to his workaday room leaving Lawton in confused. The rest of the crowd, including Mike Boston, disregarded the scene like nothing happens.

"Well, that was nothing," said Jack Lawton, his tone in awe. Mike Boston gave him a very distant look and said, "You don't have anything to worry, Jack. Have a good day."

Jack Lawton aligned his fettle Victorian hat and without further ado, he leaved Hotel de la Veda and strode towards De Luca Street. And for the first time, the street was deserted that made him more comfortable. In normal morning, the street is a manifestation of industry and productivity. People were walking and talking, making business there and here. Jack Lawton regarded this street as 'street of beggars' full of ravenous people.

Past nine, Jack Lawton arrived at Alexandria courtroom. The courtroom was quiet despite of the trial that was going on. Fred Crook, his friend, greeted him with a warm smile and gave him a business-like handshake. "What madness drove you here, my friend?" Crook said. He glanced at the front of the court once in a while. "As far as I remember, this place was not belonged to your so called 'fun'. Shall I add Alexandria courtroom one of it?" Fred laughed a bit.

"Don't mind. But did you saw Mr Flint here hour ago?"

"That man? Oh yes, he was here. But I saw him entered the fire exit and never came back. Why?" Fred eyed to the man from the defendant who shouted 'that is not true' and cursing the man at charge. "Did you hear that? That man is a liar. He should be executed." He commented. "And if I were the headmaster, I should put him to death right away."

"Stop, you fool," a man replied to Fred. "You should know that death penalty was long been abolished by the last King of Alexandria and was supported by the union of the higher council." Jack Lawton exchanged glance at the man. He could feel the hatred and disapproval of the man's voice. Perhaps, it was natural that this man hated the abolishment of death penalty. The man was the frontier of death penalty program for almost a year or two. "And hush," he continued, "The higher councils supported the death squad of the king. Irony isn't it".