ch. 30 It's been a long night

Sept. 17 1988 8:43pm, Otter Vets

"Yup, somethings up." I walk in and I find myself in a penthouse suite. Well furnished, open plan design where I can see the living room and kitchen area. There's a spiral staircase going up the second floor.

There were potted indoor plants adding a splash of green to the earth tone motif. There's a soccer ball size fish bowl at the center of the coffee table. In it, there's a blue gold fish swimming about.

I made my way to the balcony where there is a small swimming pool surronded by potted plants and a few small palm trees.

The sun is still up. I check the view and saw a skyline of tall buildings. Not far from me I recognize one of them, the New York Empire State Building. I screamed internally, 'F*CK!'😱

"Nice view, right?" I turn around to see the Alex Pettyfer look alike walking in with a bottle of beer and a can of Coke. He came over and hands me the Coke. Then he lay down in a lounge chair.

I'm not surprised. I just took the Coke, opened it and took a sip. "Ahh"... I nonchalantly replied, "A little too high for my taste ,Mister...?"

"Mister? Hah!.. You're older than me, man. Heck! I'm not even been born yet!" The guy said. It sounded like a joke but I didn't laugh.

I calmy and politely said, "Then you should go back to where, or more appropriately, when you came from, Sir."

He just smile and waved me off with his left arm saying, "Don't worry, dude. Your concerns don't apply to me. Relax."

I was gonna ask further when I saw his left hand is missing. Instead there's a hook. From what I can 'see', that thing is loaded with magic. I just follow his whim and exhale and tried to calm my heart and mind.

I sat on another the lounge chair. I don't want to lay down. I need to pin my legs against the ground so they won't shake. I took another sip of coke and asked, "Why do you want to meet me then, Sir."

"Don't call me sir. My name used to be Josh ..or is it proper to say going to be Josh.? Hmmm.. I never talked casually again after I got this hook... I'm kinda forgot how to interact properly with others...." He kept mumbling to himself and I feel that this guy might not be in the best state of mind.

"I'm not crazy dude." He sigh and continued, " Just call me Marethyu. If you see the hook, I'm Marethyu. If you don't see the hook, just call me Josh. Ok?" The guy's sanity seems to be back.

"Ok Marethyu, so what's up?" I just went with the flow at this point.

He replied, "Nothing much, I just realized some unusual movements. Mainly animals. When I checked where they where heading, I found you."

I got scared by what he said.'The heck. Agh.. I became a magnet for disaster!'

"Relax, only I can see it and Dora. But I decided to intervene before it got worst and the world send you all it wish to bring back. The sooner you choose your last contracted beast the better." Marethyu paused to take a sip of beer and added,"Of course, I'm not forcing you. I just picked something that I believe you would like. The choice is still yours."

I nodded excited and a bit apprehensive about what he have chosen. "Is that all, Marethyu?" I asked.

He remained quiet for a while then asked, "How are you liking our world so far?"

I pondered for a bit and replied,"I can't say it was the world I asked for. But I'm happy that I got a chance to be part of it."

He nodded and smile at my reply. He waved his hook arm and said, "It's on the coffee table. Remember, it's your choice if you keep it and whatever power it possess. Just don't loose your self."

He added, "Also, don't feel pressured. Whatever you get, Dora can handle it. That old lady can still scare the sh*t out of me."

I remained still for a moment an ingrained what he said to my mind. I then stood up and bow, "Thanks." And quickly made my way back to the penthouse living room.

I look at the fish bowl with the blue goldfish. I didn't check with Siri. I might hesitate if I realize what bloodline it had. I gently grabbed it and made my way to the front door.

I turn back to see Marethyu standing up but immediately fading away like he was never there. I came back to my senses and open the door while holding the fishbowl with one hand.

When I pass through the door, I'm in my house facing the living room. I checked, I'm still holding the fishbowl then I notice two bags on the floor. It was mine and Luke's.

I closed the front door and went straight to the training room. There I find Nana sipping tea in a makeshift living room in the center. I made my way to the coffee table and gave her a kiss on the cheeks. I placed the fish bowl on the table, poured myself a cup of tea and lazily sat on the couch opposite hers.

I take a moment to calm my nerve while sipping tea.

"How's your evening, Dear." Nana broke the silence.

I sigh, "Eventful."

She nodded and smile. She gave me time to compose myself. I then asked, "Were there really a movement of animals going towards me?" I started with this question because I still find it odd. I've been seeing animals with extinct bloodline for a year now but they were mostly at pet stores.

She explained, "Yes Dear, it started with pet stores in our area suddenly or coincidentally acquiring exotic pets. The wildlife parks and zoos in Devon and in the UK have been contacted by conservation groups around the world and offering animals to house in thier zoos. I'm afraid that if HE didn't intervene, some migratory animals will arrive in Devon."

'Well we really can't have that. Haaa.' I just sigh and asked,"It didn't concerned you, Nana?"

"No Dear. I'm bias. It's for my grandson. If the world wants to woo you until you make a choice you like, I won't stop it." She said that while straightening her posture and raising her chin up slightly. Its like she's saying,"Only the best for my beloved grandson!"

She added, "And I'm pretty confident in covering things up."

I chuckle at her antics. I took another sip of tea and found my eyes looking at the fish bowl. 'Haa.. I might as well... Siri.!'

Me: Is there any magical or special in the ancestry of this goldfish?

Siri:....!.....!....!....!....!...!..."龍"bloodline detected.

I'm actually expecting it. But I question myself, "Can I really handle that thing?!'

~end chapter ~