"Do we look like murderers to you? I angrily asked. I was surprisingly annoyed with his defeatist attitude.
He sighed and look at me like im the most clueless person in the world. "You think once you get to other side you won't be forced to kill? You're truly naive. There are creatures out there that are way stronger than us. And a moment of hesitation can cost you your life."
"So you're just going to give up living?" I can't believe that I'm affected by his words.
"Did you expect me to beg? That will never happen."
"Is begging such a bad idea when life is at stake? And Why do you assume that your comrades here just want to die? They've been fighting to survive all those years and you just decided hey lets just die together like losers. You're maybe their leader but you have no right to assume things on their behalf. Its their fucking life not yours. And If you want to die then die alone." I shouted.
"Don't be too hard on him. Dying in the hands of your enemy is not really a bad thing. And besides they weren't really given any choice in the first place, " the ghost commented as she closely studied Nagid. He didn't look away and instead he also stared back.
"Kill me now. That's what you want, right?" he challenged the ghost.
"Well if I want your group dead I would have killed you earlier already. And don't pretend that you don't want to live. You accepted defeat right away after I threatened your life. If you tried to resist you do know that I would have gladly killed you. Unlike Niccolo, I don't mind getting my hands dirty."
"I would mind though," Akana said.
"He might have murder your father," the
the ghost reminded her.
"I dont think he's the type who would murder people needlessly."
"He killed my comrades." Janus differed.
"Shut up or I will kill you myself. You have no damn opinion here," the angel threatened.
"We're wasting time discussing their fate. You already got the key. Just leave them to me." Joseph already interjected.
"You're not coming with us?" I asked.
"Why would I? Miftah might come back here."
"Did he tell you anything about returning? Or maybe anything important that I need to know?" Kai asked suddenly.
"Not really but this is the only one of the two places where he can possibly come back."
"Wheres the other one?"
"This same place but not on a loop. I was born there. And nobody knows about it. That's why it's the place we chose to bring Niccolo, the baby."
"Are you planning to trap them here?" the ghost asked.
"I can't do that. They have a key holder. And it's too much work to constantly keep an eye on them."
"So what's your plan?" she again asked.
"I'm going to manipulate their memory, what else?"
He approached Janus. "Your allies were killed by the devil, the angel and Niccolo in battle. You were spared because Nagid saved your life and Kai showed you mercy. You were able to escape..."
"Stop." Velvet interfered.
"What?" Joseph asked, a bit annoyed.
"Don't tell him we escaped."
"Why not?"
"Because we're sent here to die. The council never intended for us to survive this mission. They won't believe we escaped."
"Why would they do that?" I asked.
"They just want to know your ability. Their real plan is to kill you once you were able to cross to the other side. And besides we have no chance to escape him." She said then looked directly at the angel like she's accusing him of something.
"She has a point." the angel agreed, smiling.
"Okay i'll just erase the part where you all escaped. Anything else?"
"Is my parent already inside the loop?" I asked Joseph.
"Yes, why?"
"I just want to see them for the last time."
"What do you mean for the last time? You will surely be back." Akana said.
"Well many people want me dead so i'm not really sure."
"They're in a small eatery just beside the church." Joseph informed me.
"Thank you." and hurriedly left. I didn't even bother to ask permission and they didn't try to stop me.
My parents just finished their meal when i arrived. They look quite happy.
"Now im hungry and very tired. You're so fast." Akana complained.
"I didnt tell you to come along." I said but the truth is i did try to slow down so she can keep up when i realized shes following me.
"Whatever, i'll just get some food. You do your thing." After that she left me alone. She must have probably realized that I want a bit of privacy.
I then approached my parents who were looking at some hand woven scarves.
"Excuse me sir and miss." I tentatively talked to them. My mother smiled at me while my father looked at me with slight skepticism.
"Yes? What can we do for you young man?"
"Uhmmm im kinda lost i was hoping if you can tell me where the public restroom is." I scolded myself and cringed a little. Public restroom of all places.
"The church you can go there." My father suggested.
"I already went there but Their restroom is currently out of order." I lied, another slight cringe.
"Well we do live near here. If you can still hold it a little longer come with us to our house." my mother offered. My father attempted to object but my mother slightly elbowed him to the side. I smiled a little. My father can never say no to my mother.
"Really? Thank you so much."
"Follow us." he said.
I eagerly followed them. The nearby house is actually a thirty minute walk. Luckily nature aint really calling me. Atlast we arrived.
"Our house is quite small i hope you dont mind." he apologized as we enter.
"Its totally fine sir you have a very nice place."
"Stop calling me sir I'm not anyone's boss. Call me Lando instead. Our age aint exactly that far off anyway."
"And my name is Martha. Are you from a near barangay?" She asked while she directed me towards their restroom.

I pretended to pee. I didnt answer right away. Im still thinking of a believable story. After a while I decided to just tell her the truth.
"Im from Manila and we went here to look for our friend." I told her as I come out of the rest room.
"Were you able to find your friend?"
"Not yet but we were able to find new one."
"That's still good then." she smiled again.
"You're really are a good person." i blurted out.
"Thank you. You also seem to be a really nice man."
"No I'm not. I lied to my parents about my real situation in Manila. I kept asking for money so they had to work extra hard just to sustain my needs. And theyre not even complaining."
It's never too late to right your mistakes. After all you're still young. From now on make it a goal to make your parents proud." My father advised. I didnt realized he was listening to our conversation.
"You're right. I hope its really not yet too late. Thank you for being so accomodating to me."
"No problem."
"I hope you dont mind but can i both hug you?"
They look at each other obviously surprise by my request. But after a few seconds my mother walks towards me and gave me a big hug.
"Goodluck in finding your friend and i hope youll have a better relationship with your parents." she said.
My father finally smile and then hugged me too.
"This is a bit awkward and honestly weird but a hug is free anyways."
"Thank you. Thank you so much." I got a bit teary eyed.
I would have hug him a little longer but someone knocked. My mother opened the door. It was Akana.
"Sorry to disturb your little family bonding but we need to go Niccolo." she informed me.
I awkwardly smile at my parents and slightly glare at Akana.
"Oh you two are friends." She cant help but stare. My mother is a curious woman.
She probably noticed that Akana has gotten a bit shy.
"Im sorry for staring. This is the first time ive seen a foreigner. Forgive me. I might have made you feel uncomfortable."
"Thats okay im used to it."
"Im sorry but we have to go now. Thank you again." i already heard the devil's voice asking us to return. My bionic ears are already working.
"Wait i want to give you something." My father brought out a bunch of ripe bananas. "I just harvested these yesterday." I was about to say no but Akana immediately took it from him.
"Thank you so much mister."
"But youve just eaten." I slightly protested.
"We need food. We have lots of mouth to feed in the forest. And its kinda rude to say no to a very gracious couple. Am i right miss?"
"Yes we insist that you accept our gift."
"See?" I just sighed at her.
"Okay fine. Thank you again Lando and Martha. Goodbye I hope to see you again." I finally bid my farewell.