Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 53

A long sigh was heard in the silent bar. They just continued to ignore Shane who was the only one talking the whole time, "Bored na 'ko~ hindi pa ba tayo aalis?" tanong nito habang matamlay na nakasandal ang likod sa sandalan ng kaniyang upuan.

Asta flipped the page of the book she's reading as she rest her cheek on her knuckles, "Hindi tayo aalis hangga't hindi pa sinasabi ni Zai."

Shane groaned out of boredom, "Apat na araw na tayong nandito."

"We can't do anything about it. Zai wants the guy." Ero casually said as he clean his scalpel and other medical equipments on the table. Nakapatong ang mga ito sa isang malinis na tela.

Asta sarcastically smirked, "The guy seems uninterested though. She's been pestering him ever since."

Pagkatapos no'n ay muling namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan nila. They all closed their eyes to calm themselves when Shane let out an annoying long sigh again. Sinbad glanced at his direction, "Shane, why don't you mix some herbs again? That will keep you busy."

Shane grabbed his bag underneath and put it on the table, "Fine.."

Ilang minuto ang nakalipas bago nila narinig ang pagbukas ng pinto. They watched Zai as she walk to the counter. May mga confetti ito sa ulo at balikat. Asta chuckled, "He got away from you again?"

Zai removed the confetti on her shoulders and hair as she sits on a stool in front of the counter. Naglapag naman ng tubig si Aida sa harapan nito. Aida leaned her back on the counter as she put a cigarette between her lips. "Just give up, kid. Bonzo wouldn't come with you. I don't know how but it seems that your words affected him."

Asta nodded, "She's right. Why would you want that guy to abandon his humanity anyway? That'll only make him more troublesome."

Zai grabbed the glass and brought it to her lips, "I don't need a guy who wants to act humane so desperately. I don't need a human, I need a monster." she drank the water and put the glass down on the counter after drinking all of its contents. She then squinted her eyes, "He has already crossed the border. There's no turning back."

Aida sadly smiled, "It seems that you've read him better than me."

Muling tumahimik ang silid pagkatapos no'n. Until Zai decided to stand up, "Where's the orphanage?" she asked as she walked to the door.

Nagtaka naman si Aida rito pero sinagot na rin ang katanungan nito, "It's in the eastern side of the town."

Zai didn't say anything back and just left. After leaving the bar, Zai jumped on one roof of a house then jumped to the other towards the east. She continued heading to the east and she stopped when she's finally in front of an abandoned building. It looks more like a church.

Pumasok siya rito ay napansin ang mga luma at sira-sirang mga bagay. Maski ang bubong ay sira-sira na rin at pumapasok ang sinag ng araw sa mga ito. Zai continued walking until she reached a very wide room. Sira na rin ang bubong na tumatakip rito kaya nakita niya ang kabuuan nito. It really looks like a church.

She looked at the end of the room and saw the person she's been looking for. Nakaupo ito sa mga kahoy na nakatambak sa altar. Ang mga siko nito ay nakapatong sa kaniyang mga tuhod habang nakatingin lamang ito sa sahig.

"Aida told you about this place huh.." saad nito habang nakayuko pa rin ang ulo. Zai walked to him and stopped just a few meters away.

Zai stared at him, "Isn't it about time you accept my invitation?"

"I don't need it." mabilis na sagot ng lalaki.

Zai smirked, "What you don't need is the desire to stay human," Bonzo remained quiet and Zai continued speaking, "It was your decision to be a demon, why regret it now?"