10 Stranger

My father used to say that every good thing in the world would always have an opposition. If not, we would know no real victory.

I should have listened to his advice and followed my instinct instead of falling into a trap.

Regrettably, I had to conclude that relying on someone else for my safety would never happen again despite someone being a supposedly all-knowing mechanism.

"No hard feelings, Exo."

Riley's voice echoed. He had me imprisoned in a small boxed cage with black walls. The moment I stepped out of the elevator, these walls rose and shut me away from Fifi.

I heard her squealing her protest and realized too late that we were both in a terrible situation.

I didn't want to give in to my fears, and I had no intention of letting Riley believe he got me cornered.

Contrary to what was obvious, I'd like to deny it.

"Are you kidding? I already died once. Dying for the second time seemed like an interesting experience."

There was a chuckle.

"I hope we don't come to that. Killing you is not one of my intentions."

I scoffed, clapping my hands thrice, and laughed.

"You think you could make me buy that? Alright then. Would you care to explain why this is necessary?"

"It's simple." There was a pause.

He was probably enjoying watching me and my reactions. I could only send my consolation because I won't give him the show he wanted.

"If Nirvana declared their favorite, it was only right for the opposing side to pick theirs."

Riley's response left me confused. What the hell?

I was brought back to the conversation with Nichen, the Divine's right hand. He mentioned favorite in plural form, thus indicating that I wasn't alone.

Does this mean Riley has been sending back the former ones that had been called to the in-between by killing them?

"Consider me intrigued, Riley. But I still don't understand the point of locking and separating me from Fifi."

"No worries. We won't be able to harm her. Aside from the obvious reason, Rex actually held a special place for her in his tiny imaginary heart."

I was about to curl my hands into fists. The frustration was building inside of me and seeing that there was no other way out unless Riley released me.

My hope was that he was true to his word and won't harm Fifi. Although I doubt he could actually do it either.

But, what am I doing? Am I incapable of evolving without Fifi's help? How does that work anyway?

Dammit! I have more questions than answers, and my idiotic decision to fall for his lies got me trapped and endangered Fifi.

It's not the time to despair. I need to think.

Unfortunately, nothing came to mind at the moment except to keep Riley talking.

"You expect me to believe you? Brother," I actually emphasized the word 'brother' so that I was sure Riley was raising one of his thick brows. "I'm not as gullible as you think."

A formidable silence echoed in my surroundings. I must have hit a chord with the brother thing. But after all that he had done, I could hardly care.

"I could say the same. The next thing you would want me to do is to prove to you that your companion is alright. The only way to do that is to release you or let her join you in your tiny prison."

I pursed my lips, pocketing my hands while chuckling at his deduction.

"I see. You caught me."

Riley clicked his tongue.

"There's no other way out for you, brother. But I do have a proposal which could free you in an instant. Are you interested?"

"Do I look like I have a choice?"

"Of course you do. My, my. I would never dream of being like the Divine and taking away your freedom to choose for yourself."

Right.

I was itching to talk back to him with as much sarcasm. But the bigger part of me was imagining breaking his neck and sending him into the dark abyss.

Can I do that?

Am I allowed to do that?

I mean, dumb as I may seem, I wouldn't want to have Nichen sending me back and deciding I deserved to be part of the souls who would forever float in the in-between.

In short, I have to play it safe unless a miracle happens.

Cutting to the chase, I don't really believe in miracles. This whole Nirvana's favorite crap? I don't even buy it.

If it was the case, something should have already happened eons ago.

A vibrating phone suddenly broke through the tension I was feeling.

Bzzt. Bzzt.

Bzzt. Bzzt. Bzzt.

I'm ninety-nine point nine percent sure that it was mine this time. I had to fish out the thing inside the sling bag.

The caller ID's name had me dumbfounded for a minute, and I just stood there staring at the screen like an idiot.

"Hey, Riley."

"Uh, I should respond to that?" He snickered.

I wanted to smack him in the head, and I probably should once I make it out of here.

I swear.

Both on my parent's grave and mine.

But just so I remembered, I don't think I have a grave.

Do I?

Did someone bury me like a decent human being?

"Ah, crap. I should have made friends when I should have." I muttered.

"What? Are you finally planning to kill me?"

I scoffed, laughing like mad, before pressing the answer button on the mobile device in my hand.

"Brat! Do you know what time it is?! Come home this instant!"

"Pri-"I shook my head, needing to correct how I address this woman."I was on my way to come home but, this strange guy took me as a hostage. I don't even know where to begin explaining. I swear I was going home right after school."

"I don't need your lame excuses! Come home, right now!"

"Uh, well, if you don't believe me, I should ask him to talk to you then." I lifted the phone away from my ears. "Hey, Riley! Brother, care to explain to my mother why you're holding me up? By the way, I had you on voice record earlier, so if you would be so kind as to help me out here. I'd gladly appreciate it."