~Rage and Sorrow (Part 1)~

Morning came as Ethan sat on the bed, thinking of an excellent plan to obtain the Key successfully. He could not develop something suitable for everything he could think of, and he’s afraid that Drake might know his moves.

“That bastard son of a bitch, he’s cunning and smart enough to comprehend each of my moves by now. I have to get rid of him first before I can penetrate to that flame bitch. There’s got to be a way to kill him or maybe at least loosen his edge off.” Ethan smiled and transformed into the lady servant, and went off the room.

He went directly into the kitchen to pretend to work while observing and gathering information inside the mansion.

“I have to get some information, and for me to be able to obtain that, I have to get close to them, first,” Ethan said to himself.

“Can anyone bring these foods to 'the' Anderson’s room, please?” Rose asked.

“Lucky!” Ethan told himself.

“I’ll take care of that, ma’am.” Ethan smiled as he volunteered in the lady servant’s appearance.

Together with seven more servants, he brought the food for everyone inside 'the' Anderson’s room in disguise. He successfully infiltrated inside the room without being noticed as the demon himself. He looked around and saw six of his former SBGs teams scattered in the area. Some of them are watching the early news, and others are having conversations with one another while some are having a nap at the corner. They clearly haven’t got a good rest, for they indeed took turns for their watch. They were waiting for their meal together with their coffee as they quickly grabbed some as the servants gave them to replenish lost energy and awaken their senses.

“Where’s that Scott bastard that I’m looking for?” Ethan said inside his mind.

Clem, together with Drake, suddenly came out from Lez’s room.

“There you are!” Ethan softly murmured as he moved closer to them to hear their conversation.

“Clem, could you ask someone to give this letter to my friends at school?” Drake asked Clem with a letter for his friends Jay, Dave, and Dan telling him he can’t hang out with them to buy them shoes as he promised but include his debit card inside the letter for them to use and buy on their own.

“Certainly, sir!” Clem said as Ethan, with his tray of food, approached. “Oh, how about Clara here, sir. She knows your friends too well, for she served your friends before when they were at the pool last time they were here at this mansion.” Clem suggested.

Ethan now knows the name of the lady servant she killed.

“Okay! Clara, right?” Drake asked.

“Yes, sir! How may I help you?” Clara replied.

“Can you remember my friends' appearances if you saw them?” Drake questioned.

“Yes, I can, sir,” Clara replied with full of confidence even though Ethan never knew how they looked.

“That’s awesome. Then could you bring and give them this letter during their lunchtime for me?” Drake requested.

“Absolutely, sir!” Clara obliged as Ethan found a plan on how to disable Drake.

“Thank you, Clara!” Drake showed gratitude as he gave the envelope to Clara.

“Clem, send her with a driver at school around 10:30, so she will arrive there before 12. I'll call my friends to meet her at that time,” Drake instructed.

“Well noted, sir!” Clem replied.

“Would you like to have your meal, sir?” Clara asked Drake.

“Yes, please, get inside the room, Clara, and I’ll be there in a minute. My sister and my girlfriend might be waiting for you inside. Please get to them first.” Drake said as he went to talk with Jef and Nicole.

Clara went inside the room and saw Al and Lez sitting on top of the bed while having a conversation while Mike was on a single couch with a pillow having a nap.

“Good morning, Lady Medea, Lady Lez. Would you like to have your meal?” Clara asked.

“Certainly, thank you. Just put it on the table.” Al requested as Clara obliged.

“I would love to play with you, my princesses, but not for now. I have to take care of some businesses first before I take you on.” Ethan conversed inside his head.

“Mike? Mike!” Al called, but Mike was in a deep sleep.

“What’s your name again?” Al asked.

“It’s Clara, ma’am,” Clara replied.

“Oh, Clara, what a lovely name,” Lez commented as she smiled.

“Clara? Could you wake that sleepy head beside you?” Al requested talking about Mike.

“Sure, ma’am,” Clara said and began to wake Mike.

“Sir? Sir! Sir, wake up!” Clara called Mike as he tapped his shoulders and shook him afterward.

Mike finally woke up from his deep slumber.

“Oh, hey, what’s up?” Mike asked as he woke up.

“Good morning. Lady Medea requested you’re your attention, sir.” Clara told Mike.

“Oh, so what’s up, Al?” Mike asked.

“You told us earlier to wake you up when the coffee arrives,” Al said.

“Oh, yeah. I am so tired and haven’t got any good sleep last night. I need coffee to reawaken my senses.” Mike replied while yawning at stretching his arms while Clara prepared their food on the table slowly and gently to hear their conversation.

“Oh, good morning, guys! Thought you were still asleep.” Drake greeted as he entered the room.

“Drake!” Lez called.

“Yap? What is it Lez?” Drake asked.

“About last night. I forgot to tell you something.” Lez started the conversation.

“What was it about?” Drake followed his question.

“When Ethan was about to attack us. He used a different knife to kill the last guard with us. It was the same kind of knife that Chris used against me at school when he attacked me in the bathroom.” Lez said that made Drake worried for a while.

“What? You mean he had the knife that Chris used against you?” Drake clarified.

“No! I mean. The knives are different, but the blades are of the same kind. The black blade that could hurt me and make me bleed.” Lez explained.

“But he could that be? How did he know that?” Drake asked.

“Yeah, Drake, I remember Ethan was there at the time you and Hattie were talking about the Key’s weakness. He must have overheard that.” Al stated.

“Yeah, you are right. Damn it! He must have overheard us that time.” Drake frustratingly exclaimed.

“So, what are we going to do now?” Lez asked for she worries more for her parents’ life.

“The best way for your parents for this time would be to travel far away from us Lez. To keep them safe that no one should ever know where to find them except us. And for that, you have to convince them and yourself to be apart from you for a long time.” Drake suggested, which made Lez cry, for it would be the first time she and her parents would get separated in their lives.

“I know it will be tough for you Lez, but it’s for their own good. So long as they are near you, they will always remain the demons' main target to obtain what they long for, and that is the Key within you. As long as we can’t complete our task on sealing the gate, they have to remain away from you so that they will be safe.” Al commented as she hugged Lez to comfort her.

“Yes! I know that; I just kind of feel awful for them putting their lives in danger because of me being the Key. It’s my fault that they are being targeted now by those demons. And I can’t do nothing about it except getting them away from me as far as they could just to keep them alive.” Lez cried herself away for the thought of her parents being away is better than being in danger.

“No, it’s not your fault Lez. You were never a fault. Being born as who you are is never a fault for everyone, especially your parents. They’ve loved you so much that they’ve searched the truth behind you, even not knowing the danger they might face along the way. They just wanted to help their daughter, who requires the realization of her true self. They never thought of you as a fault, not even once, for they never abandoned you even if you are their adopted child with a supernatural problem from the beginning. You did not choose to be like this, and it’s just fate. But we’ll beat this fate with all of us together.” Drake said as he joined to embrace Lez.

“We'll always be here for you Lez. That’s a promise.” Mike said and went to bed to hug Al.

“Hey, Why you….” Al slapped Mike’s head for being an annoyance to her.

“Aw! That hurts.” Mike said, scratching his head that made Lez laugh a bit.

“So, when all is settled with your parents, we have to get them out of this place as soon as possible,” Drake suggested as Lez nodded at him.

“Is there anything I could do more from here, sir?” Clara asked.

“Oh, sorry about all that, Clara. I forgot you are still here. Yeah, come with me outside, and I have something to add as your task.” Drake said as he went out of the room with Clara.

Meanwhile, happening down in the Tech room, Nate, together with the mechanics, already finished the prototype of the enhanced stun gun that they’ve been waiting for to try.

The gun's first trial was a failure; it shot but never discharged electricity to its target, so they made another adjustment to the weapon. The second trial was also a fail, it did fire its shot and released electricity at the target, but it only lasted for five seconds which would not be enough to make the demon leave its host. It needed to last more than twenty seconds to be an effective weapon against the demon Leviathan.

“Well, the third try is a charm,” Nate said before he fired the gun at the target, and this time, it was a success. It was firing at 100,000 volts at five milliamps in 30 seconds at a max distance of 15 meters with a dual shot which you can release after the first shot. Surely that would be enough to take the demon out but not to kill the host simultaneously.

The team is happy about it and tried to make another one with a different voltage and amperage this time, just in case the prototype failed with the demon. They informed Drake all about their success and plans.

………………………………………………………………………………..

Ten minutes passed eleven, and Clara was on her way together with a driver to meet Drake's friends on her way to school. A call from Drake to Jay to inform them about the change of plan.

Ring! Drake as the caller ID from Jay’s phone.

“What’s up, dude? Where you at now?” Jay answered the phone.

“Jay! Look, man, I have to tell you something.” Drake replied.

“Oh, is it important? Come on, let’s hear it out.” Jay replied.

“Are the guys with you right now?” Drake asked.

“Nope, not yet. But I’m going to meet them later for lunch.” Jay replied.

“That’s cool. Look, I’m sorry to tell you this, man, but I can’t be with you guys today as I promised. We got a lot bigger problems we are facing right now about the demon problems we had.” Drake explained.

“Oh, it's okay, dude. No problem. I know and understand what you are facing right now, and that is more important than what you need to solve first. Don’t get bothered with us bro. I just wish we could help you with those demon problems, but to think about it, we could only be a dead weight rather than a big help, so we’d rather stay away from those kinds of problems.” Jay explained and understood as a true friend of Drake.

“Thanks, man! I do appreciate it. But instead of me, I did send for someone, and she might be waiting for you guys outside. I gave her an envelope with the letter for you guys. I also include my debit card in there, so have yourselves a treat from me. Besides, a promise is a promise.” Drake happily gave them that news.

“Wooh, really, bro? For real? That was unnecessary bro but thank you. I can’t wait to tell Dan and Dave about this.” Jay said.

“Yeah, enjoy your treat. You earned it!” Drake replied.

“Thanks again, bro. Hope to see you soon. We missed our captain and ace a lot hanging out with us just like good old days.” Jay heartily said.

“Me too, bro! Me too.” Drake said, remembering their happy days together and ending their call.

Meanwhile, Clara was waiting for them outside. She never knew what they looked like, for Ethan never saw them at all. It will be the first time Ethan will meet Drake’s friends.

“Yo! Clara!” Jay called as three students were approaching Clara.

“Hello sirs, Good day!” Clara greeted them.

“Sirs? Did you forget about us, Larz?” Dave said.

“I think she did, bro. she has forgotten about your ugly face. Haha!” Dan mockingly said at Dave.

“Yeah, right, as if you’ve got that good looks, bro.” Dave mocked back at Dan as they both mockingly laughed at each other.

“You’re the one Drake sent here?” Jay asked.

“Yes, sir, I’m the one sir Drake sent here to assist you,” Clara confirmed.

“Sir? Larz, what’s wrong with you? Did you forget our names?” Jay said as Clara stayed quiet for a moment.

“Okay, I’ll repeat our names, but this name you should remember it, okay? Jay said as Clara nodded to agree.

“Okay, my name is Jay, this one on my left Dave, and the other one on my right is Dan. And if you call us all together, do not call us sirs. Call us boyz, remember that?” Jay said.

“Yes, sir! And here’s the envelope Sir Drake wants me to give to you, sirs.” Clara replied.

“Really? Were back at that sirs again?” Dave said.

“I’m sorry, boyz,” Clara said as she smiled.

“Yeah, boy! You got it right.” Dan said while laughing.

“Hey Larz, where’s your driver? I thought you were with a driver.” Jay asked as he checked out the car, but no one was there.

“I am the driver, sir,” Clara replied. But the truth is Ethan killed the driver by consuming his soul as they were on the way to school and dumped his withered body on the side of the street where no one had seen it yet.

“Oh, so that’s why you’re wearing the corporate driver suite today,” Dave said.

“Yes! Exactly.” Clara replied.

“So, where are we going now?” Jay asked as they all went inside the car.

“Wherever you want to go, boyz,” Clara said as she looked back and smiled at them.

“Now, that’s what I would like to hear,” Dan shouted.

“What’s that smell?” Jay asked.

“Sleep tight, boyz!” Clara said as she put a gas mask on her face.

The group suddenly felt dizzy and sleepy as their vision started to blur, and slowly they fell to sleep.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion where Drake and everyone were having lunch at the dining room with more guards surrounding the area,

Ring! Drake’s phone began to ring with Jay as the caller ID.

“Hello, bro! What’s up? Have you met Clara? Did she give you the envelope I wanted you guys to have?” Drake happily asked as he smiled while on the phone.

“Yap! I gave it to them, Drake.” Ethan said on the phone.

“Who is this?” a sudden change of tone from Drake’s voice was heard by everyone in the room as he later switched his phone to speaker mode so everyone could hear. They all began to feel worried as he asked who the person behind the line was.

“You know who I am, boy! Or you want me to make you remember?” Ethan replied.

“Ethan?! Where is Jay? Where are my friends, you bastard?” Drake shouted as he quickly stood from his seat and moved away from the table. He continued to talk with Ethan on the phone while walking towards the corner of the room. Everyone stopped eating and stared at him as the conversation continued.

“Relax, Sir Drake, I haven’t done anything to them… yet.” Ethan sarcastically said.

“You bastard! If you’ve done anything to them, I’ll promise you I will tear you apart.” Drake’s fury started to ablaze inside him. Everyone stood up from the table as Lez and Al moved closer to Drake.

“I know what you can do, but you don’t know all I can do to you and your friends if you fail to follow my instructions.” Ethan threatened Drake.

“Go on with it, demon. Make your terms, but I will assure you one thing if something happens to my friends. I will pulverize you, Ethan.” Drake threatened back Ethan.

“I’m scared. Hahaha! Fool! Meet me at 7:00 pm tonight. I’ll message you the place for us to meet. Don’t you dare bring anyone from your team. I want you to be alone this time so that I can crush you into pulp. If you won’t, I don’t know what will happen to these friends of yours. Hahahahaha.” Ethan mockingly laughed at Drake as he cut their conversation.

“Damn it!” Drake shouted as he punched the wall firmly with great speed that he never realized because of his pure rage. The wall had a big dent and cracks on it like it was smashed with a sledgehammer in full swing. Drake’s fist began to drip some blood as it stained the wall.

“Drake?” Lez called Drake as she began to cry in worry for her boyfriend. She had never seen Drake that angry before that made her even afraid to come closer at him. Al just stood in her place, frozen, as she watched her brother in a rage.

“I’m sorry, guys. I just need to be alone for a moment. Just leave me be for a while.” Drake said as he went out of the room, walked straight, and sped himself up into the beach.

Al came closer to the crying Lez as she comforted her and gave her a warm embrace as she cried on her shoulders.

Drake screamed at the ocean due to his uncontrollable rage as images of his friends appeared within his mind. He wanted to know their condition, but he knew deep inside that his friends were never safe neither unharmed by the hand of the demon Ethan. The suffering faces of his friends kept flashing on his mind as he punched the sand in the ground, as he cried himself out.

“I will never forgive you, Ethan, if you do any harm to my friends.” He swore to himself while looking at the huge hole he created in the ground by punching it. Both of his hands dripped blood on the sand as the ocean water erases its trace when it hits the sand on the beach.

Al commanded to search for Clara’s real body in her room and found her lifeless withered body on the corner beside the door.

Drake stayed for a long while watching the waves as he calmed himself down while the sun slowly set. Lez, on top of the cliff together with Mike and Al, finally found him after their long search. They hastily climbed down the stairs then slowly approached Drake to see how he felt.

“Drake?” Lez softly called his name as she saw him sitting on the sand.

“Hey,” Drake replied in a calmer voice as he turned to see Lez, Al, and Mike behind him, then turned his face back towards the sunset as he threw a stone at sea.

Lez sat down on the sand beside him as Al sat down on his left while Mike stood up behind him.

“We’ve been looking everywhere for you. We’ve never expected to see you here.” Lez said while looking at her boyfriend’s gloomy face.