They Called Me FIVE

LANCE

We had to do all the running and sprinting against all odds.

If the forest burning wasn't bad enough, we had the Madel's inn engulfing in fire. That should attract attention. And we all bolted before the crowds' noses found it's way to our scents.

Magnus is carrying Sam in his back. Sam was totally against it. He said it feels weird. He said it made him feel like a kid. A toddler joggling swings to his Papa's shoulders.

Magnus ignored his protests. Not caring for other people staring at us.. Or the whispers that floats. I wrap Seven in a cloak and covered her head. Made her look like a big lump in my back.

Jesper is in charge of hauling our duffel bags - it was really pure luck Magnus manage to stuff his shoulders with them. Darting at the perfect moment to retrieve Seven while I'm facing Alpha Beast.

"So where are we going again?" I ask.

"Paris." Jesper answered.

"But we're in the middle of nowhere." I said.

And that's right. We really are. We've been walking for hours now. Keeping off the streets. Taking breaks on side streets, stuffing our mouths with little snacks we manage to ration.

The water is the problem. Magnus forgot to take the bottles. Saying he did not know what they are. They look so transparent and creaky and totally suspicious he wasn't sure what kind of poison was inside.

I told him it's water. Nothing else. And then he make this distant facial expression. As if to say 'Oh, okay. But I still don't understand. So whatever.'

Somehow Jesper led us to a place where smokers, party goers and gangsters hang out at midnight. The walls are graffitied with a bunch of middle grades penis clipart.

The buildings above, probably from the aircons keep leaking droplets to where we squeeze ourselves into. I keep on reminding myself that their not lava.

That my dream has got nothing to do with where are now. The shadow I met when I first came to the afterlife told me so. That I was one of the souls trap behind those gates.

"Jesper where are we leading us?"

I squint above me. I see rusted emergency stairs and dripping square blocks of aircon and windows with flower pots hanging. The sun will come down soon. The wind can't penetrate through this stinking place. The ground on our feet are littered with flattened soda cans, fast-food wrappers, beer bottles and cigarette butts.

I'm worried about Seven at my back. Afraid if the humid is worsening her wounds. I want to take off the blanket from her but Jesper stops me.

Saying a girl having Seven's physique and pretty face with unique eyes will attract attention. At first I don't understand. Magnus didn't too. But when we pass one bar, with two or three buffy men dragging wasted girls into the worn down motel room I get the idea.

Except for those wasted girls, I haven't seen any ladies around. Jesper seems an expert in this parts. He led us too many twist and turns of the alleyway before he creep inside a small trapdoor at the ground.

I snort. "Great. Another basement." Magnus glared at me.

"You live here Jesper?" Magnus asks Jesper.

Jesper grin. He tried the key to the chained lock but it didn't fit.

"Damn. They change the lock again." He cursed.

"Who did?" He didn't answer. He pause for a minute. Tap his fingers to the door. On all fours, he bend his head down. Listening for any movements on the other side.

When he confirmed no one's inside, he tweak the chains, the sides begin to rust until it came off naturally. Clanging to the side. He cleared it off and opened the door.

I can't see anything beyond. Just a dark rectangular space much deeper than I thought.

"Wait here." He said. And he jumped. I poke my head inside. Trying to listen if he drops safely or got injured.

Looks like he did reach the ground safely. His foot tapping softly. I heard him scuttle around. Familiarizing his way until he found the switch.

And it came on. He fetch a wooden stairs at the side to help us came down. I go first.

"Careful, careful. Move to the left a bit. Seven will hit the ceiling." Jesper instructed.

I did. And I came down safely. Next was Magnus. I was thinking Sam had fallen asleep at his back. He didn't. He was awake. His eyes drowsy and his head wobbling.

I can tell he's trying to get some sleep in Magnus shoulder. But knowing Magnus... I don't think a ride on his back is that smooth.

I take the opportunity to look around. Jesper climb back up and closed the trapdoor. I hear the chains clanking on the other side and I can tell. He's using his blessings again to put the chain back.

Of course, for another precaution measures he place another chains on the inside. Locking it in place. He smiled smugly to himself after that. Flaunting how genius he was.

There's a bathroom, a tiny living room with sofa, no tv, a small makeshift kitchen counter with gas stove and utensils. There's also two beds on the side. With a stack of foam on the cabinet. For guests to sleep in.

"Jesper?" I called. He walks over to the kitchen and open the fridge for food.

"Yeah?" He open a meatloaf and flip the pan to the stove.

"Can we put Seven and Sam in the beds?"

"Yes, of course go on."

I take one glance at the bed to know it's not healthy to sleep on it.

"Jesper? The bed is filled with dust."

"Oh right, hold on." He turn around, flip his fingers and the bed change arrangement little by little, dispersing the dusts, until it became new looking again.

"You're blessing is really cool." Magnus mused. Jesper winks.

"Thanks." He pause. "It had it's own merits and disadvantage. But yeah, it's useful in times like this."