Chapter 3

The rain started to die, and it was only drizzling.  Jack and Clochette were sitting on a sofa, and Jeff was sitting on another one.  All of them were watching Jackass 2 together while waiting for the rain to halt – or rather, wait until a certain level where it won’t soak them while walking in the rain with just a few footsteps.  Clochette were in Jack’s arms, and she was leaning against his broad and muscular chest.  She looked towards her left; and looked out of the window.

“Guys!  It’s drizzling now!”

Jeff looked, and jumped out of his sofa and shouted, “Booya!  Aight, who wants some grub?  I was hungry, and I’m still hungry!”

“Why don’t you run towards the closest restaurant and grab something to eat yourself?  I’ll meet you there with the car.”

“Yo!  What you sayin, man?!  You some kinda racist or what?!  Or are you just plain re-tarded to notice that the closest food outlet is like a few kilometres away?!  Goddamn it, Jack.  How the fuck did you pass Maths?!”

“Firstly, I doubt any of this has to do with Maths.  In terms of kilometres and the location of the closest food outlet, I think this would be related to Geography.  Which you happen to ace in, by the way”

“Damn it!  I told you, man!  No givin’ me them fancy “literature wordplay” when I’m with an empty stomach!  You don’t wanna mess around with a bald dude when he’s got an empty stomach!”

“Oh?  Well, save that energy up, man.  Don’t beat the shit out of me, but save it up for the distance you’re gonna be walking.”

Clochette giggled, “Hey guys.  Chill.  We’re all hungry, so why don’t we go get something to eat now?  Besides, at this rate, we won’t get that wet,” she said, as she used her right hand to slap on Jack’s strong chest lightly, “Sweetie, go get the keys, will you?  I’m hungry too,”

“You got it, baby,” said Jack with a sweet tone and a charming smile.

Jeff grunted, “Now, how come she says something simple like that, and you go runnin’ off to get the damn keys?”

“Simple.  She was polite, and you weren’t,”

“Fool!  You sayin I’m not polite?!”

“Explain why I didn’t get the keys.”

“Because you’re one arrogant mother fucker, that’s why!”

“So what if I am?  Explain why Elena left you?”

A brief moment of silence settled upon them.

“Aight, fool.  You win.  Just go get the damn keys, will ya?  Geez, it’s so friggin’ hard to get some food to eat nowadays with y’all around.”

Jack turned stopped, turned around and stared at Jeff after he squealed his last few words.

“.. I’m just sayin, man.”

“You’d better be just sayin’, man.”

Jack went into his room, and he felt his headache’s pressure building up again in his head, “Ugh.. This is plain torture.. How long more is this going to last..?”  He shook his head vigorously and the pain was reduced.  He focused himself after the headache, and he managed to see his room properly.  On the table beside the bed, which he stood in front of, were the keys to his car.  He took it, along with some money beside it and kept it in his pocket.  Before he left, he took a glance of the a framed picture.  Taken along with Clochette behind him in a grassy field, giving the widest smile he has ever seen.  He put his thumb on the picture; tracing Clochette’s chin, and smiled.  “What would I do without you, baby?”

Remembering all the times, how his girlfriend was always there for him, no matter what problems they were.  Somehow, most of them were related to his frequent series of headaches.  In fact, he nearly died because of the unbearable pain – if it wasn’t for Clochette, who brought him to the hospital.  He was in a coma for 2 weeks, and Clochette was right by his side everyday without fail.  He didn’t know, until Jeff told him.  While he was vulnerable, his guardian angel was there to take care of him.

Suddenly, a faint feminine yell snapped him out of his thoughts, “Jack?”

“Yeah, sweetie?”

“Fool!  Who the hell do you think you’re calling sweetie, white ass?  I’m hungry man!  What’s the matter?  You got car keys stuck up your ass now?  Or you were too hungry till you ate them or what!?  Come on man!  I hate babysitting a bitch who’s not mine at all!!”

Jack sighed, “Coming, Jeff.”

“I think I know why you got the name Jack, Jack-Ass.  Goddamn, you arrogant bastard!  Leavin’ your main beee-yatch for me to look after while we’re all starvin’ to death!?  Some fuckin’ sweet-ass boyfriend, you are!”

“I’m seriously going to chop and slice your balls one day, if you don’t shut up, Jeff!”

“Try me, Mr. I-Love-Stalling-My-Friend-And-Bitch-When-They’re-Hungry!  And yeah, you will, after I assassinate Osama Bin Laden, that is!”

Jack walked into the living room and groaned.  He saw Jeff giving him a stare that he sees everyday, and Clochette, covering her giggles, listening to the debate session between two close friends.

“Come, let’s go.  I just realised I’m starving too.”

Together, they left the unit, locking up their doors and padlocks, only then they proceeded to the elevator.  Once again, the three of them are facing the same daily problem – looking for a place to have dinner.  Jeff was the type of guy, who’s a freak for Chinese food, and he would usually have it 5 times averagely in a week, and he wants to have it again on that day.  Clochette, on the other hand, would be into Japanese sushi, since they’re delicious, yet based on low fat due to eating them raw.  Jack, would just stay as the middle man, and agree to wherever they would want to go because he’s the driver.  But then again, he would appreciate it if they gave him a chance to experience his favourite steaks again.

“I’m tellin’ you, there’s no way I am gonna have sushi again!  That shit never keeps you full and it’s a waste of money!”

“Come on, Jeff.  You know it yourself that the instant noodles they cook contains chemicals that will clog up your veins one day!  It’s bad for health”

“You and your stupid crap health talk.  Jack, where the fuck are we going for dinner?”

“Uh, how about we go have some steak at The Slaughter House?” answered Jack.

Jeff stared at Jack with his wide eyes again, “The Slaughter House?  That’s even worse!  We’re on BUDGET, Jack!  Steaks costs a bomb,”

Clochette continued after Jeff, “Yeah!  And besides, the artificial colouring that they use to make the steaks look fresh would..”

Jack sighed again, and letting them resume their debate, but this time, against Jack’s decision.  He always knew  that when it comes to food decisions, he would never win.  They got out of the elevator, and headed straight for Jack’s car.  Yet, they have not finished deciding on whatever they wanted to eat.  Jack started his car, reversed out from his parking lot, and headed straight for the entrance.  Finally, Clochette gave in to Jeff, and they were heading towards the closest Chinese food outlet in Chinatown.

Chapter 2

            Meanwhile, in a forest, on the outskirts of Jeff and Jack’s rented apartment in Sallance, was a man running deep into the forest.  A skinny old farmer, who was running away from an insanely fast shadowy figure with glowing yellow, dimmed eyes.  He didn’t have much stamina, and he couldn’t get far.  Along the way, he avoided exposed roots so he wouldn’t fall.  As he ran, he huffed and puffed, feeling a little bit dizzy due to the running.  But finally, he made it through.  He turned his head back to catch a short glimpse, and he saw nothing.

            He stopped, he rested both of his hands on his knees as support to try and relax, catching his breath and he thought, “What the hell was that..?”  Wiping his sweat off his forehead, still trying to figure out what was that figure who was chasing after him.  By the speed, he can tell that this thing is inhuman.  After a couple of deep breaths, he was able to stand up normally again, and he looked around his surroundings – trees.

            The farmer could not see anything else but trees and the soiled ground.  The soil turned into mud due to the heavy rain.  The farmer looked ahead and saw a bridge.  Through his eyesight, he could see a round ball of darkness, getting larger and larger.  Not realizing that it was headed the farmer’s way.  He looked again and exclaimed, “What the..?!”

            He turned around, and ran towards the direction he was earlier running from, but he was blasted by the speed impact of the ball of darkness, trapping the farmer in a realm surrounded by darkness.  Helplessly, he looked around for a way out, then shouted, “Who are you?!  What do you want from me?!”

            A shadowy figure with long silver hair slowly descended from above, the farmer saw him and started trembling in fear.  He had pale skin, light blue eyes and a sharp chin.  He had rugged black slacks, and a long black cape that flapped along with the wind as he descended.  He stared at the farmer with his eyes, and blinked.

            The farmer shouted in pain, as daggers appeared in front of the man with silver hair and dashed towards the farmer – piercing both of his palms and feet and spreading them wide, nailing him towards the floor.  The farmer struggled as much as he could, but nothing could get the daggers to budge one inch.

            Both of the man’s feet touched the ground, with a deep echoic voice, “I want information.  If you co-operate, you shall not feel pain.  But, if you refuse..”

            The caped man smiled.  By doing so, it instilled fear into the farmer.  The smile only had one meaning – death.

The caped man, slowly walked towards the pinned farmer and asked, “Tell me.  Where is he?”

            “Where’s who?!”

            Letting off a short sinister laugh, he smiled again, and the daggers went in deeper into the soil until there’s an inch left of the blade that can be seen, which caused the farmer to cry in pain, “I don’t who you’re talking about!!  Argh!  Please, stop!  I have no clue who you’re looking for!!”

            “… I have always disliked the fancy wordplay by humans.”

            The farmer, still crying in unbearable pain, “No!  I seriously do not know!”

            “Last chance!” shouted the caped man, drawing his 5 feet blade, pointing it to the farmer.

            “I don’t know!  Oh God, help me now!” said the farmer, begging for mercy.

            The caped man grunted and drew his sword behind his shoulders and said, “Liar!  I’ve been told he lurks around this town, Sallance!  And I only believe, you’re telling a lie after all this while.”

            “Seriously!  I do not kn..”

            Without hesitation, he plunged his sword into the middle of his chest and the farmer shouted in pain, for the final time.

            The caped man grunted and kept his blade.  The daggers disappeared, and the darkness slowly faded, revealing the forest they were in.  The caped man cracked his neck, looked around his surroundings, opened his arms and recited:

The night is young, the skies are grey,

The man I’m looking for, stands in my way.

I will walk this path, and death shall be scattered,

Until the path is cleared, he will be discovered.

            After doing so, a dark aura surrounded him, and his feet weren’t touching the wet grounds anymore.  He drifted along the path; which led to Sallance.

            It was a stormy night, the house was lit up with lights.  Jack was doing the usual; playing some tunes on his acoustic guitar.  He has always admired the rain and dark clouds; as it gave him some time to relax and think over what he has achieved.
            “Sweetie?”, a faint voice called out.
            Jack turned around and saw Clochette, leaning against the kitchen door, “Are you feeling alright..?”
            “.. Yeah.  I’m good.  It’s just that this headache of mi..”
            Clochette, with her wavy dark brown hair and slim body, walked towards the sofa that Jack was on, and sat on his left.  She took her fingers and ran it through his dark, wavy hair, and said, “Hush now.  I believe that none of us would want to know about that headache of yours, right?”
            Jack was silent.
            Slowly, Clochette lightly touched Jack’s right side of his broad jaw, and slowly turned his face; making them have eye contact.  Both of their dark brown eyes were set upon each other.
            Jack let off a sigh.
            Clochette gave off a half-smile and went slowly kissed him on the lips.  She said, “Remember what you always told me.  We’re always in each other’s hearts no matter what and..”
            “.. Not even distance can be a factor.” Continued Jack.  “I know.  After all, I was the one who said that to you, baby.  And no matter what happens, I’ll always..”
            “.. Be with you.”
            Jack smiled.  Jack put his guitar aside, and held his darling Clochette by the cheeks, and kissed her on the forehead.
            “I love you,” admitted Clochette.
            “I love you too, sweetie.”
 

            Suddenly, a loud voice bombarded the romance from 5 feet away, “Hey!  You two done wit’cha smoochin’ already?  I’m gettin’ hungry.  Why, I’m so hungry, I could even munch down on one of ‘em Bigfoots.  And I mean, one of ‘em BIG Bigfoots!”
            Jack sighed and answered, “Jeff, will you just shut up?  I don’t think you’re that hungry.”
            He marched out with a towel tied around his waist, exposing his dark well-built chest, and said, “Fool!  Didn’t you just hear what just said?”
            “Yeah.  But you didn’t say which part of the damned Bigfoot you say you would eat.  So I’m just assuming you’ll just eat their feet.” Jack answered.
            “Fool!  Don’t you be playin’ one of ‘em mind games on me, man.  High school’s fuckin over!  We in college, man!  Who gives a shit if I said the wrong crap?”
            “Okay, fine.  Have it your way, man.  I’ll just leave you in the forest and you’ll find one of ‘em BIG Bigfoots, by yourself, since you said you wanted to eat them.  Howabout that?”
            “Oh-ho.  Don’t be I’m Mr.-I-have-the-car-and-I-am-king-of-your-balls dude.  Seriously, when are we gonna have some grub?  I’m hungry.”
            Clochette giggled, “As long as the rain isn’t this heavy, ping pong head.  If we go under this condition, we’ll be soaked before we get into the car!”
            “Hey!  Now, you don’t be dissin my head.  Baldness is U-NIQUE.  And it’s pride, you see.  And you wanna try having this ping-pong ball in your blabber mouth, girl?”
            Jack stood up, “Hey man!  Cool down, she didn’t mean it.”
            “Fool!  Ask your main beeee-yatch to shut her pot hole, man.  Seriously, I don’t know why you have to bring her into this apartment lot we’re renting, man!  Whatever.  When you bitches gonna get ready?”
            Jack replied, “Well, if the attire’s going to be a semi-naked guy with a towel, covering his instrument of population and a shit hole that’s bigger than his mouth, I guess I’ll get changed then.”
            A moment silence fell upon them for a few seconds
            “… Dudes, you just wait here.  I’ll go get something to wear.” Jeff said, and turned away from the corridor, heading to his room.
            Clochette stood up, and hugged Jack from the back, “He’s so cute.”
            “Yeah, and a serious pain in the ass at times.  You know, I think that stomach conquers his mind, body and soul.”
            Jeff shouted from his room, “By the way, Jack.  My instrument of population is the best shit in this world!  Why, it’s the best till I can have Clochette screamin’ my name!”
            “.. You know, I take back whatever I said.  His arrogance is like the size of his penis.”
            Clochette giggled, held Jack a little bit tighter around the waist and gave him a peck on his cheeks from the back, “Let him be.  Besides, without him, you wouldn’t have a place to stay.”
            Jack laughed, “Nor will what’s left of my life will be fun living.”
            Clochette frowned a little bit behind Jack's shoulder, held Jack a little bit tighter and laid her head on Jack’s back.