Puppet

CHAPTER 25:


Soft footsteps echoed from within the shadows. Each immortal slowly turned their heads in hopes that it was their leader returning from his mortal job. Ivalyn had her arms wrapped over Teo’s shoulders. Teo sat on an old stool. Rod and his lovely Etsu were sharing a few pieces of ripe kiwi. Chen was in her shadow spot. They all kept their eyes forward as a brand new Luke immerged from the shadows.

Luke was greeted with a swarm of gasps. They were almost too shocked for words when they noticed that something about him wasn’t right.

“Luke,” Ivalyn slowly whispers, “W, what did you do to your hair?”

No longer flowing to the middle of his back, Luke’s hair now stopped just below his shoulders. It looked almost spiky on the bottom from being cut with a knife, but it had this very sizzling look to it.

Luke casually walked over to the bowl of fruit on the table. He grabbed for an apple. “Just had a little accident, that’s all.”

“With what,” Teo laughed, “A butcher’s knife?”

Ivalyn gave her puppet a slap on the shoulder.

“Ouch,” Teo glared up at his puppet with confusion, “What was that for?”

“Something like that,” Luke spoke, “Does, does it look okay?”

“Oh of course,” Ivalyn smiled, “It is a good look on you Luke.”

The others nodded in agreement. Though the style looked messy, it actually gave Luke a sharp look. He thanked his fellow group. Taking a bite of the apple, Luke headed back for his bedroom chamber.

“Oh man,” Teo spoke as soon as Luke was gone, “And I always thought Luke liked having his hair long.”

Sitting back in her dark corner, Chen nervously bit at her thumbnail. She let out a small hiss. “So did I…”

--

Entering work that next morning, Luke was given with the same amount of shock from these mortals like he was given by his immortal group. They all awed over his new haircut.

Akina stared worriedly as Luke made his way towards her desk. “Luke,” Akina whispers, “I love your new style. Are you up for work today?”

“Don’t worry,” Luke smiles at the lovely mortal, “I’m not injured. I can work.”

--

Entering the OOP building, Kiyoshi could feel his stomach turning in knots. He wished that it was a day off. He knew Luke would be there. It wasn’t like Luke to miss a second day, even after what had happened to him. Kiyoshi wanted to apologize again. He needed to apologize again.

Hanging up his jacket, Kiyoshi headed towards Akina’s desk. He stood before her. She looked up at him and nearly toppled over. He was actually up close to her! “Akina,” Kiyoshi began to whisper, “Is Luke here yet; I need to ask him something.”

“Well aren’t you a dense,” Akina spoke rudely, though she wasn’t sure if she meant it, “He’s standing right beside you.”

Turning his face, Kiyoshi’s blue eyes widened at the sight of a brand new Luke. He hadn’t even noticed the man had been standing right beside him. Now Kiyoshi felt both ill and embarrassed. “Luke,” Kiyoshi stuttered, “I…umm…”

“It looks as if Topper isn’t here again,” Luke speaks rapidly; “It’ll just be you and I again. I’ve requested we stay put and just work here.” With this said, Luke moves to his own little working area.

Releasing a saddened sigh, Kiyoshi walks to his own desk. However, neither noticed that they were being given a quirked stare by Akina. She was lost, and wondered why the two seemed so distant all of a sudden.

“It’s almost as if,” Akina spoke, “They’re lovers.” Covering her mouth, Akina let out a giggle as the phone began to ring, “Yeah right. Listen to me, I sound so insane. Hello, OOP, what’s your emergency?”

--

The day was almost over. Kiyoshi was packing up to end his shift. He never noticed that Akina was slowly pacing herself to reach him. Her arms were shaking. This was her chance. She needed to talk with him. It’s been a long while. She soon reached him. He looked up at her. Their eyes locked. “Um,” Akina spoke softly, “hi.”

“Hi,” Kiyoshi answered back, “Did you need something?”

Suddenly becoming chilled by invisible air, Akina rubbed her arms in a swift manner. “Kiyoshi,” Akina said, “We can’t keep avoiding each other. That night we went out; I know it was a long while back, but we keep distancing ourselves from each other. I was wondering if we may possibly try that date again. I’ll hold the kiss at the end.” Akina let off a giggle. She tried sounding funny with that last sentence, but Kiyoshi did not want to try to get it. He gives Akina a little smile.

“Akina,” Kiyoshi speaks, not realizing that Luke was listening in with his strong immortal ears, “I’m sorry, but I don’t think things would work out between us.”

“Oh,” Akina was slightly taken back. However, she had a feeling that perhaps it was for the best. She knew it’d take a while for her crush on Kiyoshi to fade, but there were plenty of fish in the sea. She was sure she’d fine another guy. “I understand.”

Kiyoshi could almost see the sadness heating out through Akina’s body. He silently watched her move back over to her desk. He held his self together, though. He already had one mess to deal with. Two would be inexplicable.

--

Without saying goodbye to Luke or Akina, Kiyoshi grabbed his jacket and headed out for home just as soon as his time was up.

Ignoring the wind’s fierce screams scraping across his reddened face, Kiyoshi swiftly boarded his motorbike, started the ignition, and took off without delay. He flew for home with no stops. He went a little past the speed limit, but was not stopped by any officers. Nighttime was less traffic time, anyway.

Once his apartment came into view, Kiyoshi slowed down. He came to a halt; hovering about an empty space. He gently lowered his motorbike down. Once the motorbike was shut off, Kiyoshi lifted his self off of it, and zoomed for the big doors of the apartment. Greeting a passing neighbor with a quick wave, Kiyoshi entered the opened elevator and leaned back just as soon as the button for his floor was pressed.

“Safe,” Kiyoshi mumbled, “Another day over with.”

Once the elevator doors were opened, Kiyoshi walked the remaining few steps to his room. Taking out his keys, Kiyoshi walked up to the door; unlocked them, and opened the door wide.

It was too late to run. Kiyoshi’s eyes widened as a mysterious, strong hand grabbed hold of his front shirt. Kiyoshi wanted to scream, but no sound came out. He stared motionless as the hand dragged him in.

*End of Chapter 25*