Fragment #1 - Dance With The Devil

Lost between the borders of good and evil

Wondering if this life was even real,

Weird chills and shivers, one began to feel.

Suddenly a figure appeared in a shroud,

In darkness, his words echoed ever so loud.

"If you dare, come closer and take a chance,

Won't you give me the pleasure of one dance?

Do not fear for I am not violent,

Why are you the one who is silent?"

Hearing the voice the little boy jumped,

The boy walked to the figure and raised his arm.

The figure chuckled, and revealed themselves,

The dance was with none but the devil himself.

•••••

"Tell me something interesting about that kid."

The woman asked the question. Judging by her appearance, she seemed to be in her mid twenties. Her long crimson hair was tied in a ponytail. A round pair of glasses were sticking out of her face. Apparently the color orange, which was the color of her coat, bode nicely with the her hair color.

"One thing's for sure, that kid's weird as hell." The old man replied.

"He never says a single fuckin' word to nobody. He's always sittin' there with those books of his." he replied while grooming his mustache.

The man was halfway bald with a gigantic moustache on his face. He was wearing a purple blazer, which was unbefitting to his appearance. Just like his remaining hair, his mustache also started to lose their color. His skin was akin to a wrinkled piece of sheet. Judging by his appearance one could easily guess that he was a man in his late forties.

"So he likes to read huh?"

"What can I say? He's a bookworm. He's always turnin' papers, writin' shit and other crap. I don't get any of 'em."

"What kind of books does he read?"

"I dunno. I can't really understand a single fuck of whatever that language is."

"I see." said the woman.

"The other brats don't really get along with 'em. They bully the living crap out of 'em every chance they get. Words can't tell how concerned we are for 'em." the man continued.

"Oh, is that so? And how does he react to his peer's?"

He rolled his mustache again, with just a bit more force this time.

"Well, if I must voice my opinion, that kid is an absolute oddball. He doesn't do a single thing. He just takes the beating like it's nothin'. I've never seen him cry, never seen him smile. Like his expression never changes, ever. His face is like a fuckin' doll. Even after he gets his ass kicked, he's apathetic to it."

"Hoh~ What an interesting kid."

"I dunno, ma'am. Everytime I see that stone of a face, I keep gettin' this eerie feeling. Reminds me of those children from horror films. His eyes are not of a living person. They don't have life in them. Honestly, sometimes I think those eyes are made out of pure darkness. Everytime I see 'em, they send shivers up my spine." he stopped grooming.

After hearing this, the woman enlarged her her smirk.

"Do you know the reason what made him like this?"

"R-right. I don't really know the details. But rumor has it that he's lost his entire family right in front of 'em. No, that ain't correct. The word I'm looking for should be...

...slaughtered." explained the man after a brief pause.

"The orphanage workers often gossip about 'im. Some say that he's gone nuts from the shock. Others say that the boy's tuned into stone, a sculpture. He's hardened himself to the very core of his soul. He's like an empty shell, like an actual flippin' dead body walking."

"Oh, that's so unfortunate of him!"

"Y'know, for real though. I really feel bad for that kid. Not only did he lose his entire family, but to witness them die? I'm sure it was like hell." he looked down as he said those words.

"And? What happened next?" she continued with her usual monotonous tone.

"....." In reply, the man could only stay silent. After witnessing the insensitivity of that woman, who wouldn't be.

"Don't keep me waiting, Emir-bey. Just tell me everything that you know."

"T-that's all I have, ma'am." the man, who's name was apparently Emir, replied.

"Hmm, is that so?" she sounded disappointed, but her face screamed otherwise. It was an excited one, as if she had finally found the item that she had been looking for a long time.

She stood up from the chair.

After stretching her body and letting out a moan, she finally spoke...

"Bring the kid here. I want to personally meet him."

"R-right. Miray!" Emir shouted. A few seconds later, young woman who also happened to be in a suit, entered the room.

"Did you call me, Emir-bey?"

"Yes. Go to the library and bring that bookworm kid here. Make sure that he's presentable before coming." he gave instructions to the assistant.

"I will, sir. Excuse me." she said before she rushed out of the room.

After waiting for approximately two minutes, a knock was finally heard on the door.

"C'mon in." said Emir.

The door slowly opened as a small figure revealed themselves. He sluggishly approached the people inside the room.

The boy seemed to be within ten to twelve years of age. He had a small and skinny build with an unnaturally pale skin. His hair was dark black, shining as the light reflected on them. The hair overgrew quite a bit, starting to curl up a little due to not combing for a long time. Surprisingly, his ruffled hair made him look even cuter.

"Oh, what a cute boy! Hello!" the woman screamed in an amused tone.

In reaction to that, the boy kept staring at her with a confused look. Emir laughed in amusement.

"Hahahaha. It's useless. This brat wouldn't talk to anyone."

"It's okay. Let's give him some time." she said to Emir.

She knelt down on the floor, close enough to the boys eye level.

"Let's start over again. Hello. My name is Aozaki Touko. Nice to meet you!"

The boy simply nodded as a reply.

"I came here from Japan to personally meet you. You know, you're a really cute boy. Can you tell me what is your name is?"

The boy still remained in complete silence.

"Nice try ma'am. But I bet you, he definitely won't tal-"

"My name is Levent." the boy finally spoke.

"....."

Emir was flabbergasted by the boy's sudden response. He was not expecting that.

"Oh, so you're name is Levent. Nice to meet you, Levent-kun!" Touko replied.

"Wait wait wait. So now you decide to fuckin' talk, eh? I bet it's because of that beautiful nee-san over there. You're quite the sleezer, aren't ya, Levent?" he grumbled.

"Now now, I'm flattered that you think that I'm beautiful. But let's just be glad that he's finally talking to us, more specifically me." Touko giggled.

"Sure. Whatever."

And so, with a huge smile on her face, she then turned back to Levent again.

"So Levent-kun. Look how much you've grown! Can you please tell your nee-san how old you are?"

"....." he did not reply.

"Um, Levent-kun?"

"....." he merely stared at her, uninterested.

"And there he goes again. He's an oddball, I tell you! He's like a broken doll." Emir snickered.

"Moshi mosh~ Earth to Levent-kun~" Touko waved her hand in front of him.

"A request, if I may?" the boy suddenly asked out of nowhere.

"Ah.. Yey! You finally spoke!" she couldn't hide her excitement.

"I mean, sure. Anything for you." the woman replied in a relived tone.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I want you to answer a few questions, if that's okay with you."

"Okay? Go ahead. I will try to answer it with full honesty." Touko replied while fixing her glasses.

"Then..." Levent opened his mouth. After listening to him, everyone inside the room could only stand still, surprised.

"Come again? I don't think I understand your question." Touko replied, seemingly confused.

"Who are you? What is your business with me?" he repeated.

"Ahahaha... Well-" Touko gave a nervous laugh after listening to that boy's question again.

"Oi, Levent! Have you completely lost it? Who the hell asks questions like that to someone who came to meet you!?" Emir scolded Levent.

"Calm down, Emir-bey. His confusion is understandable." added Touko.

"But-"

"It's okay, Levent-kun. As I said before, my name is Touko Aozaki. I originally came from Japan. When your father was visiting my country, he and I were the best of friends." Touko replied with a cutesy tone. Of course, Levent only grew apathetic towards her.

"Then why did you pretend that you don't know me?" he asked with dropping a beat.

"Well... It's because..." she stammered.

"I really didn't know you until recently. Your father only told me that he had two children, but that's all. It was only recent news that made me run all the way here."

"Is that so?" he replied.

After a long pause of silence, Levent finally parted his lips.

"And? What is your reason for being here now?"

"Levent!" Emir shouted before Touko gestured him to stop. Like a loyal pet, he sat back and started pinching his lips in frustration.

"Before your father and I parted, he made me promise that I would take care of you in case he wasn't there." she took a brief pause.

"After I heard the news, I was truly shocked. Not only your parents, but your little sister was a victim too! Hearing that, I couldn't hold my tears anymore. Honestly, how cruel can this world be? That's just too much! I'm truly sorry for your loss, Levent-kun." she looked down.

But, Levent didn't show any reaction to that information. He was apathetic to everything she was saying. All that he was focusing on was the answers he desired. Nothing else mattered.

"So you want to take me with you, is that correct?" he muttered.

"Yes. Levent-kun, I promise I'll take good care of you. From now on, you don't have to worry about a single thing anymore. What do you say, Levent-kun?" Touko raised hand towards the little boy.

The boy continued to stare at the raised hand for a long time. He was contemplating about what decision he should make. So much so, that he forgor that time exists.

It was awkward... definitely.

"Oi, don't leave her hanging, brat!" Emir roared.

"Haha... It's okay. Let him think. It's his decision after all. Let's not rush him, shall we?"

"Ah, right. Sorry."

Suddenly, Levent walked ahead and raised his hand. The bewilderment of both the adults were undescribable. As the hand closed gap between hers, her smile grew bigger and bigger.

"Way to go, brat!" Emir murmured to himself.

"....."

However...

"Huh?"

Levent stopped his hand only a few centimeters apart from Touko's.

"Levent... kun?"

"Aozaki-san..." he opened his mouth.

"Dōshite son'na kamen o kabutte irun desu ka?"

This caught both of them off guard.

"Huh? The hell did he say?"

"....." Aozaki was silent.

"What did you tell her, Levent?"

He did not reply. Because he knew that his massage was heard loud and clear.

It's fair to say, those words worked like magic.

"Heh..." Touko cracked a devilish grin. It was then when she finally started showing her dark nature. With a jolt of her fingertips, she dropped her glasses.

"Ha ha...

Ha ha ha....

HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!"

Touko started laughing breathlessly in front of the boy and the old man like a manic.

"What the-" Emir was understandably confused about her. Nothing made sense to him anymore. "What did Levent tell her?", "Why is she laughing like a moron?", "Is this a joke?". His thoughts were filled with questions like this.

After while, Touko stopped laughing, looking directly at Levent.

"So you've already noticed, huh? Very well... I'm quite shocked to see you immediately pointing out this 'mask'. Am I that bad of an actor?"

"Your mask was too transparent, That's all."

"I must say, you didn't fail to amaze me, Levent. I guess I must take lessons from you then. So... What is your answer, Levent-kun~!" she asked him.

.....

"What if I said that I refuse to go with anyone, especially with you." he replied.

"Then you'll be breaking your beautiful onee-chan's heart....

But too bad~ you can't possibly do that. You don't have a choice, Levent-kun. You see, now that I'm your legal guardian, I have every right to take home you with me."

"As expected. Good for you then."

"Oh? You're not surprised?"

"Is there a reason to be?"

"I see... So, what's your answer, for real?" she asked with a sharp glare.

Levent closed his eyes for a moment, reminiscing all the events that had happened prior to her arrival.

The day before he left, the day when he returned, the day of their funeral. Apparently she was always there. This consequent meetings was by no chance a coincidence, he was sure of it. Was there anything he could do to prevent that fate?

"Hah." he sighed.

"Fine. I'll dance with you." saying so, he took her arm.

Touko smiled. "Good boy." she said while patting him in the head. Then she picked her glass and put it on.

"Well then Levent-kun, I hope we live a great life together."

"Sure." he replied.

There was no enthusiasm in his voice. He simply didn't care. There was nothing he could do other than accept his fate.

That day the little boy signed a contract with the devil.

[Author: Crap! I butchered it, didn't I?]