Puppet

CHAPTER 36:


“I feel happy,” Kiyoshi smiles up at Luke, “That went better then I thought.”

Luke nodded in agreement as he joined Kiyoshi in the many blankets. “You’re boss is a wonderful man, I must admit.”

Kiyoshi gives Luke an astonished grin. He nods his head and cuddles up next to Luke. The strong immortal was warm, and this made Kiyoshi feel suddenly sleepy. He slowly began to hum his mother’s song as he drifted into dreamland.

Luke listens closely to Kiyoshi’s humming. In his own head, Luke sings the lyrics. He’s been singing them often, getting to know them. Luke knew something no one else did. Those lyrics were magical, powerful, and Luke had a feeling they meant something important; something special. He, however, did not wish to concern Kiyoshi with this until he was positive. Switching off his light, Luke laid his own head on the large white pillow he shared with Kiyoshi, and soon he, too, slowly found sleep.

--

“Well good morning lovebirds,” Topper snickers as he stirs his coffee, “How was your night? Do anything kinky?”

“Topper,” Kiyoshi glares as Luke hangs their two coats behind him, “Please don’t make our homosexuality into a series of jokes. Our relationship is serious!”

“Okay, okay,” Topper shot his free hand up apologetically, “I’m sorry! Still, it was so funny walking in on you two smooching. Damn, I wish I owned a camera. That would’ve been a priceless shot!”

“Damn it, Topper!”

“Okay, okay,” Topper skips over to his desk, “I’ll stop!”

Kiyoshi turns to Luke and frowns. “Sorry about him…”

“I’ve known him almost as long as you have,” Luke smirks, “It’s quite alright.”

Kiyoshi turns to Akina, who was busy chatting on the telephone. Kiyoshi wanted to talk with her. He knew he had to. He casually walked up to her and waved. She slightly waved back, and hung up the phone. “Good morning Akina,” Kiyoshi greets, “How are you doing today?”

“I’m good,” Akina smiles, “How about you?”

“Great,” Kiyoshi grabs a pencil from the desk, and begins to play with it as a distraction, “Um—I’m sorry that I never told you about—about Luke and I…”

“Don’t fret about it,” Akina speaks, giving Kiyoshi a surprise, “I must admit I was
a tad jealous seeing what I did. I felt confused, and angry, but now I do understand. You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

Kiyoshi turns to glance at Luke, who was already hard at work. Kiyoshi gave a nod and blushes. “Yes,” Kiyoshi smiles down at Akina, “I do love him.”

Akina nods her head, and gives off a tiny giggle. She takes a sip of her juice and
sets it back on the coaster. She rests her chin over the top of her hands and smiles up at Kiyoshi. “I’m happy for you, Kiyoshi.”

“Thank you,” Kiyoshi glanced over at his workstation, “Well I better get to work.”

“Yes,” Akina smiles as Kiyoshi walks to his desk, “Kiyoshi, you’re still my friend.”

--

Dark boots stopped in front of the OOP building. Above those boots were a pair of light blue jeans, followed by a brown jacket hiding a white shirt with blue tie. Soon, the man’s face came into view.

Ra smirked at the building. His hands rested in his jean pockets, and his silvery
white hair hid underneath a flat hat. His empty black eyes peered in through the window. He was not at all surprised to find both Kiyoshi and Luke working away inside. He gave a chuckle. “So it begins…” Hacking some spit onto the spotless sidewalk beside him, Ra removed his right hand from his pocket and entered the building.

Ra wanted to barf. It smelled too damn pleasant in this building. The smell of computer paper and fresh coffee did not please his nose. He gave off a disgruntled grunt but kept steady. He glanced over at Kiyoshi, who was working on a computer. His eyes then gazed over to Luke, who had made his way over to Kiyoshi and was handing him papers. Other then them, there were only five other people in the room. He glared at the pink-haired girl, who was calling at him with the words “May I help you?” over and over, hoping he’d get a clue. He gives a smile, tips his hat, and walks over to her.

“Hello sir,” Akina smiles, “What can I do for you today?”

“What can you do for me,” Ra rubs his chin, “Let’s see. Why am I here again? Oh—yes…”

Ra turns to see an elder man coming out from a door on the side. It said Chief, and Ra knew he had just hit the jackpot.

Without giving anybody time to think, Ra swiftly made every single object, including the computer and telephone on Akina’s desk fall to the floor with a shatter. Akina gives off a sharp yell as she is flung into Officer Wakehiko. They both are pushed against the wall and fall to the ground.

“Alright nobody move,” Ra shouts victoriously, “I’m taking control of this place!”

It was so fast. Kiyoshi was frightened; his body turned chilly. Luke had pushed his body behind Luke’s, but Kiyoshi was unsure if he felt safe. There, standing in the middle of their workplace, was Ra.

“Why Kiyoshi and Luke,” Ra laughs, “What a pleasure seeing you here!”

Each officer gasps as the doors suddenly lock shut by themselves. The drapes fall and shadow them all inside.

“Ra,” Luke hisses, “You—you…”

“Oh Luke,” Ra cackles, “Please stop, you’re embarrassing me. I don’t need an introduction. Now let’s see here…” Ra glances at the others in the room. He points to Topper, and to the other three officers, “You four, over there…” Ra points towards where Akina and Officer Wakehiko were thrown over. The officers and Topper gasp in fear as their bodies suddenly throw against the other side of the building by some invisible force. They winced in pain.

“No,” Kiyoshi cries, “Please don’t hurt them!”

“Kiyoshi,” Akina speaks stuttering words, “What’s—g—going on?”

“Now let’s see,” Ra gleams, “Who shall be victim number one?”
Everybody’s eyes widened in complete fear. Ra evilly smirks at the mortal laying before him. He slowly licked his lips and snickers.

“You bastard,” Luke shouts, “What the fuck are you thinking?”

“Oh come now Luke,” Ra points his hand at a female officer with black hair in a bun, “Just allow me to have a bit of fun.”

As the woman’s head explodes off her body, Akina’s locked in scream resisted her, and came out just as soon as the blood splattered over her face.

Officer Wakehiko and Topper stare with their mouths hanging open. They do not scream, but they are overcome with befuddlement, and panic. The same went for the other two male officers.

“You…” Kiyoshi couldn’t speak. He didn’t know what to do. He turned to Luke, but Luke was in the same predicament.

Luke knew he could not take Ra; not yet. He needed more time, but Ra wasn’t giving that to him.

“That’s it Luke,” Ra snickers, “Build up that anger of yours. Let your own special power out.”

Luke’s back tensed. Ra was doing this on purpose. He wanted Luke to unleash everything deep inside of him. Luke suddenly felt afraid. He was terrified of Ra, but suddenly he began to feel almost more terrified of his self. Turning his head, Luke could see confusion written all over Kiyoshi’s pale face.

“Still not moving,” Ra cackles, “Well then…” Akina, Topper, and Officer Wakehiko watch frightfully as a pair of sharp scissors rise from the floor. They couldn’t believe their eyes.

“Holy shit…” Officer Wakehiko managed to spit, but held his tongue after those words.

“Well then,” Ra snickers, “Part two…”

The scissors moved faster then a speeding bullet. They plunged straight into the bald male officer. The scissors passed through his heart and stuck to the wall on the other side. This made Akina scream out again, and tears began to pour down her red cheeks.

“Fuck…” Topper coughed out, “Jesus—fucking Christ!”

“That’s two down,” Ra snickers, “Shall I make it three?”

Kiyoshi tried to move forward. His legs were more wobbly then Jell-O. He grew dizzy and fell to his knees. Luke normally would’ve kneeled beside Kiyoshi to help him, but he, too, was struck with some dizziness. He, however, managed to stay on his feet. He could feel this strange, almost electrifying feeling form throughout his body. He began to panic at this feeling, and was unsure whether he could handle this sensation or not.

“No,” Ra asks, “Not yet? Well—how about after this?”

Akina cries out again. Another humble officer looses his life to this vicious man. This man, however, had his stomach explode. Akina turned her head away from the falling intestines. She felt sick. The stench of blood began to enter her nose.

“That’s three,” Ra sighs, “Oh pooh I was hoping this would be more thrilling. Come on Luke, what the hell are you waiting for? One by one these weak mortals are going to die! Unless you unleash your true self, they will!”

Kiyoshi was befuddled. He had no clue as of what Ra spoke of. His own flood of tears dripped off his chin and to the floor. He gave off a sniff. “Luke, what—what is he talking about?” Kiyoshi turned to stare up at Luke, but something was different. Kiyoshi fell to his stomach at the sight of Luke.

Luke’s entire body was shaking. This strange power seemed to rise from out of Luke’s body. Kiyoshi was nearly traumatized by the sight. This—this was not Luke. This was not his Luke. Something was dead wrong! “Luke,” Kiyoshi quivers, “What’s wrong, Luke?”

“Perfect,” Ra smirks, “He’s nearly there. Let’s see now…” Ra turns to his three final choices: Akina, Topper, or Officer Wakehiko. Ra’s eyes land on Akina, “Darling, you have such a beautiful face.”

Topper and Officer Wakehiko go to protect Akina, but they are both thrown against the wall. “I—I knew it,” Officer Wakehiko hisses, “You, you’re an immortal.”

Ra begins to clap. “Bravo, the old geezer got it!” Ra finishes his clapping. “Excellent job…” Ra takes a glance at his surroundings. He smiles at a pocket knife. “Perfect.”

Akina watches as the pocket knife rises into Ra’s hand. Her body was shaking heavily, as if she were trapped in an Antarctic blizzard. She could no longer control her body. She was too dead scared to move.

Behind Ra, Kiyoshi began to struggle to stand, but failed. “No! Please Ra, don’t
kill her! Don’t kill Akina! Don’t kill my friends! I’ll do anything!”

Ra turns his head to the struggling Kiyoshi. He gives a wider smirk and turns his attention back on the three mortals. “So, I saved the best three for last.” Ra’s grip on the pocket knife tightened. He gave Akina his best death grin. “Oh beautiful,” Ra’s voice turns cold, “I’m going to enjoy doing this to your pretty face.”

Akina let out small whines. She could see Kiyoshi trying to crawl over to her. “Ra…” Kiyoshi screamed, but Ra ignored him. Ra raised the pocket knife, raising both Akina’s and Kiyoshi’s fear, “Ra…” the pocket knife falls, “No!”

Akina goes to shield her face with her arms. She waits, but nothing happens. Moving her arms, Akina, Topper, Officer Wakehiko, and Kiyoshi all stare surprisingly to see Luke kneeling before her.

He balanced his body with his right hand as his left hand dripped with his own blood. The pocket knife had gone through his hand. He was kneeled on his left knee and his right leg was lifted up. His face was lowered to the ground.

Ra nearly gasped. Luke had moved so fast, Ra didn’t even sense him. Ra gave out a long, drawn-out laugh. It echoed off the walls. “Well,” Ra sneers, “So you’ve finally decided to come out, have you?”

“Don’t you--don’t you dare…” the new Luke mumbled.

His voice was not Luke’s. His voice was colder, deadlier, more chilling.

Kiyoshi was frightened. What had happened to Luke? What had happened to his love? He could only lay there, praying for some answers.

Ra was wondering what Luke was trying to speak. With a smirk, Ra asked: “What? I didn’t quite catch that…”

“Don’t you dare,” Luke lifts his head up at Ra, “Don’t you dare hurt my friends!”

Luke’s eyes were filled with rage, filled with this anger Kiyoshi has never witnessed before. “L—Luke…?”

Ra was the only who saw what Luke had become. With a grin, Ra gave Luke his own raged glare. “Good boy…!”

*End of Chapter 36*