Treasures of Nightshade Family

Today's events were so intense Atlas didn't have the time to think how long he had been holed there. When he woke up, the first thing that he saw was the extravagant designs and objects of a foreign room. It wasn't the first time he saw this kind of room. However, it was the first time he had been to such a place.

Atlas knew very well that it was expensive. To get such a room like this, even his 3 months' worth of pay wouldn't be enough for a single day. Aside from that, he didn't know how exactly he got there.

Due to the lights, he had to block his eyes with his hands because of the brilliance that was coming from a chandelier, hanging on the ceiling. While trying to cover his eyes, he felt some pain coming from his hand. Needles were plugged inside of it.

Now, he was sure this place was a hospital. Much to his concern, he didn't know what kind of hospital would have had this kind of room. It was just too expensive and extravagant. Period.

He shook his head to clear his mind. Then he clenched his fists, feeling much stronger than ever before. Taking a deep breath, Atlas sensed that he could fight the bull-like creature multiple times without getting exhausted. And, even without relying on the feather's boost, he was confident that he could bring it down without suffering the same consequences.

It was something he had in mind. However, it didn't mean he could 100 percent defeat such a beast. Battles were about quick-decision making. One wrong moved, and everything would fall down to pieces. Anyone could lose their life because of a single decision.

Hence, without fighting the beast, it would just be his wishful thinking.

The feather glowed on his chest. "Welcome back."

Hearing the familiar voice that was neither a male nor female, Atlas knew he was back. Everything that happened so far seemed surreal. Contemplating the things that happened so far, Atlas looked lost. Although the battle was over after five minutes; however, to him. It was far from normal. Thinking about it, when he was fighting in that world, everything appeared endless and real. And, right now he was back to reality—no, he was back to his world where he truly belonged.

He knew that everything there was 100 percent real. The lives he took weighed very much, but he had to do what he ought to do. And what was done could never be undone. He knew full well it was something he asked for. So he had to carry this guilt, knowing it would forever...

He tried to look unburdened and unperturbed. However, his hands never stopped trembling.

It wasn't out of excitement. It was out of guilt of having killed many creatures with life. To him, they would be monsters, because they looked very different from what humans looked like. The cries before their deaths marked and tarnished his very innocence. He was mentally struggling to cope up with the things he did.

"Ugh." He felt his stomach churned when he remembered the scene, where he wreaked havoc and reaped lives like it was nothing. Atlas had to hold his mouth as he stopped himself from vomiting. Bullet of sweat formed on his forehead as he barely stopped his stomach from throwing up by flexing it as hard as possible.

"You would have been killed if you hadn't taken their lives," the feather consoled him. "Besides, it was enjoyable, right?"

"No!" Atlas said, "It wasn't. I didn't feel anything at all. Except, for the screams of mercy. I came knocking to their doorsteps and took their lives as if they were worth nothing!"

"So what? Are you backing out?" It said. "This is the price for what you asked for." It continued, "Remember this feeling, and have it ingrained in your head."

"Don't tell me what to do!" he shouted. "I know full well what I have gotten myself into."

"Full well?" the feather mocked. "Well, just to let you know. You just saw the tip of the iceberg... just the tip of it, oh, Great Atlas."

"You know what?" Atlas asked. "Your name is really ironic. Don't you agree, Hope? Might as well call it Despair..."

Silence rained throughout the room. Atlas looked outside and he saw the clock hanging on the wall. Atlas remembered something very important that his face became pale from shock.

"Oh my god!" he shouted, "The kids!"

Ignoring the needles that were punctured into his body, he got up, leaving them hanging on their own. Then he looked around the room to check if someone was around. But, no one else was present. He was alone inside a VIP room. Although it was a very luxurious room, he did not have the time to enjoy the view, nor the accommodation. He walked near a giant mirror and gazed at it. In the reflection, he saw that he was still in his rugged clothes. It was grayish cover-all. There were large holes in them. Specks of dirt were also very prominent. It was the type of clothing used by construction workers on a construction site.

Atlas touched his face--it was smooth. He didn't know who did it, but it was good. He didn't care what he looked like. Right now, Atlas felt pretty much horrible with his lack of awareness. But, deep inside he knew everything was inevitable.

He let out a sigh as he thought about the kids, that was waiting for him in their school. "They must be feeling lonely right now."

Atlas walked before a window and looked outside. The glittering lights of the city looked like stars from above. Vehicles were like fireflies as dozens of them sped past the blocks and the highways. The city was magnificent sights behold where he stood. He touched the glass and let out a deep sigh.

"I wish they could see this. They would really be ecstatic."

After contemplating for a moment, he shook his head shaking all those empty thoughts. Then he decided to leave the hospital. He didn't want to leave the place because he wanted to. But, because he had to. He didn't want to trouble more people than he already did. To be precise, he didn't want to make a further connection that he had with them. They were unnecessary.

For Atlas, it would be him, his sisters, and nothing else.

Atlas left the hospital without anyone noticing his departure. It was as if the people that walked around never saw him leaving. He looked back at the building and saw the name on top of it. The name of the hospital was Holy Ground Hospital.

"It does look "Holy" inside," Atlas thought.

Later on, he sprinted to his siblings' school to check if they remained. But much to worry, the school was already closed. Lights were off, gates were closed, and guards were roaming around, checking certain places. They were on their duty.

He walked to them and asked. "Hi, good evening."

One of the guards turned to him. "Yes? How can I help you?" He was slim and shorter than Atlas that he had to look up.

"Have you seen two little kids? They are twins."

"Twins?" The guard frowned trying to remember something. Then he turned at the other person, who was guarding the school while holding a flashlight. "Buddy, have you seen twins around here?"

The other guard looked like a grandpa because of the white strands on his hair. The guard tapped the cap on his head, and then he thoroughly checked Atlas from head to toe.

"Oh," he said, "you look familiar. Have we met before?"

"Good evening, sir." Atlas politely greeted the guard. "I'm looking for my twin sisters. You've probably seen me around here since I have always picked them up from school."

The guard with the white hair gave out a hearty laugher, "Oh, so that's why you look familiar."

Atlas smiled and spoke while placing his hand on his waist. "They're this big. The other one has red hair and the other has white hair."

"I have seen them," the younger guard said. "They were waiting there for quite some time. I asked them earlier if they were waiting for someone. They said that they were waiting for their brother."

"It's them. Where did they go?"

"So they were waiting for you?" Asked the older guard.

"Probably around 6 they went with the beautiful lady. The lady told us that they were her guardians and that their brother would probably be late to pick them up."

"Beautiful lady?"

"I think it was one of the teachers here—"

"It was Mellisa, Mellisa Gate" the old guard corrected. " She one of the new teachers here."

Atlas connected the dots. It seemed that his neighbors took care of the twins.

"Mellisa?" Atlas thought.

"Is she your neighbor?"

"I think I might have someone with that name. Thank you very much for your time. I very am thankful." He shook their hands before dashing away.

Shocked by the sight, the two guards looked at each other before simultaneously saying, "He's a hell of a runner!"

Today was the twin's birthday. Atlas felt horrible as he thought of a scene of them waiting on the school's gate all alone, not knowing whether the person they were waiting for, would pick them up or not. He knew they always wished for a father and a mother. Although it was difficult, he poured his best to be both for them. It was a huge responsibility. However, he had to do it.

Forgetting about them, Atlas felt terrible. It wasn't the first time that he was late. But, not this late. It was already 8 PM.

Atlas had been praying for their safety since the time he realized what he had done.

Later, when he got home, Atlas looked and felt that his small flat, which was his house, was cold and dark. He tried opening the door, but it was locked. Atlas had to use his key to open the door. tick. When it opened, he hurriedly went inside to check if the kids were already home. His heart, which was like a ticking bomb, was beating furiously when he found out that no one was home. He didn't know what to do, so he began shouting, "Emma! Elsa!"

Out of a sudden, the door just right beside his home opened. A gorgeous lady came out. She had blue eyes and black hair. Her figure was comparable to Vanessa. Even tho she wore no makeup, she was still one of the beautiful girls Atlas had laid eyes on. She was Melissa Gate. The person, who kept on giving and making food for them since they moved here. Behind her, two kids were trying their best to hide. They seemed to have cried, as their eyes were quite red.

"You don't want us anymore, right?" The child who had red hair stared at him behind her.

"We're a burden right?" The other child who had seamless blue hair seconded.

He stayed silent as he walked towards them. But they tried their best to hide behind Melissa. The lady smiled as she looked at twins with her gentle eyes, gesturing them. "Come, both of you have been waiting for this, right?

"I'm so sorry."

They ran straight to Atlas as they cried. "Please, don't leave us! I promise I won't eat your share and I'll eat less."

"What could I possibly do with the two of you?" Atlas had to laugh.

The twins would be identical if it were not for their hair.

Elsa looked at him with stars in her eyes, "I'll take care of you when I grow up."

Emma, the one with fiery hair, put her hand on her chest. "I'll take care of you as well."

They looked at each other and laugh. "We promised!"

Atla's eyes went hazy, "Wait, I got something in my eyes."

"Are you okay, Atlee?" They asked. "Are you hurt?"

"Yes, I'm fine." He wiped it away. "Look! everything is fine. Yes… everything is fine as long as your fine." He hugged them and laughter rang forth in the dark place. To him this place was perfect.

He looked at the lady and nodded. "Thank you."

He nudged the littles creature who were like kittens. They looked at the lady and bowed. "Thank you, Aunty."

"It's okay." She said with a laugh. "I had fun with them. They are very cute."

The two kittens looked at Atlas. They looked very smug that he had to laugh with their antics. "Yes, you two are my treasures, after all. Happy birthday."

After yawning and stretching, they smiled hugged him on his neck as tight as they could before falling asleep in his embrace. He poked their chubby cheeks before getting his hand slapped away.

'They must have exhausted waiting for me,' he thought. Their old habits were still the same, and he found it lovable. "Aren't they the cutest?" He said with a laugh.

"You really love them, don't you?" Melissa smiled looking at him.

"Family is the only thing I got." He never took his eyes away from them. Soon, a drop of tear ran down from his eyes without him noticing.

Vanessa offered a handkerchief to him, "Life must have been hard."

Atlas declined before smiling. "Thank you... I'll be taking them to their room."

"I'll help you." Melissa offered a hand.

"It's okay. I can do it."

Atlas stood up, carrying Emma in his right hands and Elsa on his left. Melissa witness how gentle he was to his sisters. Staring at his retreating back, Melissa held onto the handkerchief. She seemed to feel the heavy burden on his back.

She mumbled, "Just let me know if you need a helping hand."

"Thank you." His gentle but firm voice was full of resolution, and it mended just right with the atmosphere.