Puppet 2

CHAPTER 8:


Shing’s wound had healed. He smiled innocently up at his two shaking friends. They had feared the worse, but by the time Shing began to breath again, the two plunged upon him; embracing him in a multitude of hugs.

“I’m cursed,” Shing had laughed, “Remember?”

“You,” Wan-Yan’s voice stutters, “Damn you are one lucky bastard!”

With the help of Katsumi’s arm, Shing slowly comes to a stand before brushing the dirt off his pant legs.

Wan-Yan blocks a yawn passing through his lips. “So now what are we gonna do? Well, first can we get the hell outta here?”

“First I’m going to take you two home,” whispered Shing, “And then I’m going to go talk with Yao. He knows I can’t get hurt. He’ll know I’m coming.”

“This isn’t fair,” Katsumi then shouts, “Why does he have to treat you so poorly?”

Katsumi frowns. She gives Shing a worried stare. In secret, she had a crush on the young Chinese man, but she never felt brave enough to tell him how she felt, “I want to come, too.”

“No way is that happening, “Shing frowns at Katsumi, “Unlike me, you two can get hurt! My brother could kill you, if he wanted. Luckily he hasn’t!”

Katsumi wanted to argue, but she knew Shing was right. She could only lower her head, and give Shing a small nod.

Without another word, Shing grabbed Katsumi around the waist, and then took hold of Wan-Yan around the chest before running off at full speed. He was Katsumi and Wan-Yan’s everyday transportation. Hell, it beat going by vehicle.

--

Soon Shing had dropped his two friends back where they belong; at home. He stood now, in front of his own home, ready to confront his older brother. Taking in a deep breath, Shing turned the small silvery knob, and entered the small house.

Inside it smelt of cigarette smoke and alcohol Yao enjoyed both. Shing enjoyed neither. He despised the smell of this house, but knew it was the only place he could afford to live. He did have a job working in the mechanic business, for he was strong and could handle heavy machinery, but it did not pay him enough to get a house of his own. Someday, though, Shing knew he would bid good riddance to Yao and leave for good.

“Shing,” came a shout from a darkened room, “Shing is that you! Get in here…now!”

This was it. Shing slowly made his way towards the dark room where his brother awaited his presence. Taking a step into the dark room, Shing found Yao sitting on a black leather chair. A half-smoked cigarette rested between the tips of Yao’s left hand’s pointer finger and thumb. Some ashes fell to the dirty floor.

Yao was a handsome Chinese man, though he had a sinister appearance. His black hair fell in a curly manner to his shoulders, and his hair appeared oily. His eyes were a ruby color, staring coldly over at Shing. He also had tiny hairs growing off his chin, but was not yet forming into a beard.

As Shing stared motionlessly at his elder brother, Yao figured it’d be best to show off the shiny object he held in his hand. Raising it high, Yao showed off the necklace Shing had found earlier that night.

“Would you take a look at this? Shing, I ask you—what is this, exactly?”

Shing, while shrugging his shoulders, replied softly: “A necklace?”

“Wow,” Yao smirks, “Great observation, but where did it come from? It came from you, little brother.” Shing stayed still as Yao got to his feet, “I wanted to thank you for collecting this for me. I know how difficult it can be, sometimes, for you to take on all that my pals tell you to do. But you know I hear you were—going to give this now to your older brother, but to the patrol officers. Is that not correct?”

Shing stayed silent. He slightly lowered his head, already knowing he’d be punished for attempting what he was. He always managed to silently curse to himself, feeling stupid for ever thinking he’d get away with anything.

Shaking his head disappointedly, Yao gently sets his hand over his little brother’s cheek. “Shing—Shing—Shing, what am I to do with you? When I told mother and father I’d take you in, I promised to treat you as if you were my own son. Have I not done that? I’ve fed you, given you a bed to sleep in, a tub to bathe in and there’s even this nice roof over your head. All I ask in return is a few favors.” Yao paused, thinking his little brother would have something to say, but Shing never spoke. “Glad to see you understand.”

Staying in front of Shing, Yao held the necklace up again. He gives it a smirk, and a pleased nod. “This is definitely quite the little treasure you found, Shing. It is sure to be of some value. Of course, I removed the torn picture of that couple. It doesn’t matter, though. They are dead!” Yao turns back to Shing, whose eyes were now staring into his own. Yao chuckles, and he places the sharp, cold necklace to Shing’s neck, “But you still need to be punished for not thinking this belonged to me.”

Giving out a wince from pain, Shing tried to stay calm as Yao ran the sharp necklace down his neck, leaving behind a bloody trail. “Ahh…”

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Yao only laughs, as he stops once he reaches neck with shoulder. However, as soon as he had finished cutting his brother’s skin, the wound slowly healed, and Shing was back to his normal self. “You truly are a demon,” Shing sighs, “This is why our parents despise you!”

Though Shing always healed, Yao enjoyed hurting him. At this, Yao knew he could hurt his brother as many times as he wanted.

“Now,” Yao pushes a strand of his hair behind his shoulders, “I have another offer for you. Another task, I should say, if you’re up to the challenge? Oh—wait! What am I thinking? Of course you’re up to the challenge.”

Shing was upset. He just wanted to go into his room, and fall asleep. He wanted nothing more to do with his brother’s insane errands and tasks. But he knew he had to accept, or deal with the consequences. “What is it that I must do?”

“Hmm,” Yao pats Shing’s back, “Glad to see you’re behaving. Now—listen very carefully. There’s this secret—a secret hidden deep in the forests that had grown rapidly close to Otake. You know?”

“Yes,” Shing nods, “I know that forest. No one ever goes in there…”

“Yes,” Yao smiles, “They say that there’s a monster living in those woods. They claim the monster is not an animal, but something far worse. Animals have been found with missing body parts, and blood stains the grass below.” Yao smirks and Shing has a bad feeling. “Shing, I want you to take a look around the forest. You cannot get hurt, so you shouldn’t have a thing to fear, correct?”

Shing did not answer right away. He gave his self a moment before taking in a deep breath and releasing it slowly. “Yes brother,” Shing glares, “As you wish. I’ll go and try to unlock the secret of the forest.”

--

It did not take Shing long to travel to the forest. Along with his healing curse, and incredible speed, Shing was also gifted with the ability of flight. He enjoyed flying, though it was difficult at first to get used to.

Looking below, Shing slowly flew down into the dark forest. As soon as he had landed, Shing heard the noises of many different wild animals. He heard snorts, chirps, hoots, and even some growls here and there.

Standing his ground, Shing began to walk. His brother, Shing felt, was such a dumb-shit. Shing wasn’t even sure of which way to start. North, South, East, or West—the forest traveled on for miles. He was unsure of what he was looking for, too.

Well, it appeared Shing’s luck was coming about. He grew sight of what appeared to be a home made of wood. What was it doing all the way out here? Shing wondered this as he made his way closer to the home.

Shing saw no lights on by the time he made it to the small deck. The steps had creaked with each step he took. He was shivering by now, but he told himself it was just from the coolness of the blowing wind.

Stepping up to the small window, Shing took a glance inside. He saw nothing. There was no sign of anybody.

Moving over to the door, Shing looked around before seeing if the door was unlocked. It was. Allowing the door to widen, Shing took a step inside, leaving the door wide open.

Glancing about, Shing noticed a small kitchen with a tiny silver refrigerator. It sat next to a yellow-painted stove. There didn’t seem to be much technical appliances around, which shocked Shing. He’s heard of those types who still prefer living the life of those years, and years ago, but he never expected stepping into one’s home. That is, if anybody was even living in the place.

Shing soon noticed a door leading into a separate room. He cautiously walked over to it, and silently pulled the door open. His nose was greeted with the stench of dead. His eyes widen as he stare face-to-face with the corpses of dead animals. They hanged there on the ceilings by their hooves and feet. They were skinned; hanging there bare and bloody. “What in the…?”

Finding his voice caught dead, Shing heard a creak behind him. He wanted to turn around, but found he couldn’t move as a very low, angered voice spoke to him. “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?”

*End of Chapter 8*