28 The Young Man

The day was peaceful, I was enjoying my daily dose of caffeine while I read the history of a city named Wolas. The barista suddenly came and handed over a freshly baked wheat bread I ordered a couple of minutes ago. I thanked the waiter and looked at the bread. Its aroma danced around my nose and the hint of butter further pleased both my nostrils and my morning. Without wasting any seconds, I took the bread but instantly dropped it once I realized it was still hot.

"Bad idea, "I said to myself.

I took the steel bread knife and cut the bread into tiny pieces. Using the metal fork, I picked it up and stop momentarily near my lips to blow at the bread to lessen its heat. Now satisfied, I ate the tasty bread and enjoyed its delicious flavor.

"What a good morning." I sighed and touched the warm morning sunlight. The songs of the birds outside enhances the feeling of euphoria. If only this moment can last forever.

"HE'S HERE!" A familiar voice screamed outside, the doors of the cafe opened and I saw my friends hurriedly running towards my table. I groaned once they arrived, my quiet bright morning experience was instantly put to the sidelines.

"Good morning to you too Zion. I see that you're excited to see us as well." James sarcastically commented. I looked at him badly, as if saying "Not now" using my facial expression. He instead gave me a cute innocent grin that made my heart skip and my cheeks suddenly warm.

"Good god of the sea, how many cafes are in this town?" Theo exclaimed as he gasps for air. He sat down on the table and his eyes instantly landed on my bread. I rolled my eyes and gave it to him, which he greatly appreciated and ate. His eyes wandered again and soon landed on my cup of coffee, but this time I swooped it quickly before he could even look at me to beg.

"What do you guys want? If somebody died, I am not getting in on your crimes." I joked. I sipped my coffee as I watch them one by one all sat down on the plastic commercial chairs they dragged from another table.

"We have some situation Zion, and I think you want to brace yourself from this news we're gonna share," Jessie said. Folding her arms as she leans back on the chair. I looked at her confused and quite scared. Here I thought they came to see me because they need me to do some reality-bending. Now seeing all of my friends looking so serious and intimidating, I can't help but wonder what's this news they're going to tell me.

"W-What's the news all about?" I hesitated. I didn't know if I was ready to hear this news.

"Okay, I can't do this. James, you tell him." Jessie declared, letting out a huge sigh at the end.

James, who was sitting at the far opposite corner, whipped his head towards the direction of Jessie to stare at her and said, "Wha-Why me?!"

"Umm, because, both of you are very close now? If anyone in here is gonna tell him the news, it's you or Theo. Since Theo is not here, then it's you." Olivia chirped, looking adorable at her cute ponytail matched with a red ribbon on her hair. My eyes looked around and were surprised to see that they were right, Theo was not present. I didn't even notice Theo was absent at our little meetup.

"Uh, Zion and I are pretty close too," Layla called out. The Iron Lady pouted her lips in disappointment.

"Guys, I don't care who's going to tell me, just give me this groundbreaking news. I've anticipated long enough." I said to cut to the chase, although I was serious that the anticipation is killing me, I tried to hide it so that they won't know that I have little patience. Both James and Jessie simultaneously sighed and look at each other, Jessie nodded and James began to speak.

"Earlier at dawn, someone knocked on Jessie and Colt's apartment. Colt was asleep so Jessie answered it. When she opened the door she saw a rugged young man wearing a torn black coat." James started. I, interest now peaked, leaned on closer to James to hear him better.

"Is it one of the goons at Hellviana tracking us down?" I asked rather specifically.

Colt shook his head and said, "If it was, both Jessie and I will not be here telling you."

"Then who is this person then?" I questioned, the suspense slowly getting me, if not it already got me.

Suddenly a waitress came by breaking the suspense that was building up rather comedically. She placed two americanos in front of us, she noticed us all lookingat her. She instantly realized that we were in a middle of talking, so she apologized and awkwardly walked away with the tray she used to carry the drinks.

"Finally, my drink is here." Theo declared. He took one americano and happily sip it. He took the bread that I gave him and dunked it on the coffee and ate it.

"Anyways. The young man wanted to see you personally Zion, he keeps on asking where you were but I didn't trust him so I didn't told him. He keeps on asking the question and he was very persistent. Just before I slam the door shut at his face, he stopped it and push it wide open without using his hands." Jessie explained, she raised her left arm and show me a bruise on her arm she said she got when she was pushed back by the young man.

"This means that he's just like us. An extraordinaire that may or may not be one of the students at Hellviana as well." James added an information.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, at first I was incredibly happy for this stranger that he somehow got out of that hellhole, but the more I thought of it, the more I became hesitant and doubtful at this stranger.

"So, this young man, somehow got out of Hellviana and managed to sneak or defeat their forces alone?" I asked. Both Jessie and James nodded, a confirmation that made me more doubtful and hesitant to trust this stranger.

"I know, it sounds suspicious, but Jessie didn't had a chance to ask him if he was alone or not. He quickly ran away the moment I came down to check on Jessie when I heard a sudden noise." Colt suddenly spoke up.

"That's my fault, I'm sorry." Jessie apologized. Colt saw her that she was disappointed at herself so he hugged her to comfort her. He whispered that it wasn't her fault and that reassured her. I looked at them and felt both happy and disgusted at their act of affection, it was just too early for me to see lovebirds showing their affection at each other. I was also a little bit jealous. I want someone to comfort me as well.

"Can you at least describe him, Jess? His face, his height, anything that makes him stood out in this town?" Octavia spoke up. I didn't know that Octavia wasn't informed at this news, I thought I was the only one who didn't know.

"I couldn't see his face becauseof his hood, but I did picked up some of his featured. He's slightly taller than James, but shorter than Colt, he's skinny but has a well build body, he's posture is a little weird, and he smells like he hasn't showered in a while." Jessie explained.

"So, he's a hobo?" Theo, who somehow drank all of the coffee in a short amount of time, spoke up. He was much more energized than before he drank the coffee.

"He also said something just before he ran Zion." Jessie said, ignoring Theo's comment at the stranger.

"Who is it?" I asked, feeling a little nervous.

Jessie looked hesitant for a second, her eyes was filled with uncertenty and restraint. Her face said "F*ck it", she finally said the last thing the young man told her just before he left.

"He said...He said he's your younger brother Ryker."