Episode 4

Armina’s POV

The whole day Jester and I were embalming guests. I was still getting used to the whole friendship thing and also I was trying to figure out these strange feelings I’ve never felt before. “Cremate? Heh heh heh.” I heard Jester giggle. “Hey, Little Maroon! We get to cremate this guest! I haven’t done that in quite some time!” He called out. I walked back to the front of the casket. “Grab the other end, would you? And help me carry our guest to the cellar.” Jester instructed. I nodded and we began carrying the casket to the cellar. It was heavier than I thought but I could still pick it up. We got to the cellar and we put the coffin down. “Heh, heh heh, I haven’t cremated a body in a few years. I hope this machine still works.” said Jester.

I stayed silent. He opened the hatch on the wall and put some coal inside the medium sized hole in the wall and closed the hatch. “See that lever?” Yeah?” I replied. “We’re gonna pull it down and watch our guest burn into ashes.” He said followed by a creepy smirk. “Alright.” I said. I placed my hand on the lever and Jester unexpectedly placed his over mine. “Ready? Pull!” He exclaimed. We pulled the lever down and watched as the flames rose. I watched in awe as the coffin and body slowly turned to ashes. We sat on the ground next to each other watching the show. This would take some time and I got an idea. “I’ll be right back.” I said and ran upstairs. I came back with my backpack that has thousands of candy and DEW MNT cans. I quickly sat back down and opened my bag. “What’s in there? Sweets?” Asked Jester.

“Exactly.” I confirmed. I handed him a large bag of gummies and a can of DEW MNT. He looked at them like they were some kind of animals. “Try it, they’re really good!  Promise!” I said. Jester slid his fingernail across the top and opened the bag of gummies. I watched as his face lit up when he took his first bite. “Oh my, I’ve never tasted something so sweet! I love it!” He cheered. “Told you! He then tried opening the DEW MNT. “How do you open these?” He asked. “Grab the end of the tab, now pull it upwards and it should open.” I explained. Jester opened the DEW MNT with ease and took a sip. “Oh my that’s good!” He cheered.

Jester and I sat in silence watching the body burn and eating candy. After it was finally done, Jester took out a jar and carefully put the ashes inside. “Now what?” I asked. He looked over at me and gave me a wide grin. “Now we close up shop!” He replied. I looked at my cell phone, it was 9:22 pm. “Oh.” I whispered. He laughed and I followed him upstairs.

After closing up shop, I laid down on a closed coffin looking at the ceiling. I was thinking about my dream last night. I miss my dad and Rhoan. I have no way of seeing them and I can’t call or text them because, well, what the hell am I supposed to tell them? I’d do anything to see their faces. I wish they would find a wormhole and appear at the graveyard I was at when I first came here. My thoughts were interrupted when I felt a long slightly sharp fingernail poke my face. I turned my head and saw Jester trying to get my attention. “You alright? You zoned out there for a moment.” Jester asked.

“Huh? Yeah. I’m fine.” I reassured him.

“Tired?” He asked.

“Yeah.” I replied. I got off the coffin and we walked upstairs. I laid down in the coffin bed thing and again Jester wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him. He closed the coffin lid almost all the way but still left it opened a tiny bit so I could breathe. Something green glowed. Then I remembered Jester has bright  green eyes. “Are- are your eyes… glowing?” I asked “Heh heh heh, yes, isn’t that lovely?” He replied. I nodded in response, “Hee hee hee, goodnight, Little Maroon.” Jester hummed, then kissed the back of my head. Again. I smiled a little.

“Good night.” I said patting his hands that were wrapped around my waist. Here come these sick feelings again. Yeah, that’s what I’m gonna call them. Until I figure out what they are.

The next day, I woke up in The Jester’s arms. He was still sleeping so I decided to try to fall back asleep. After laying there for like 2 hours I heard the bells ring letting you know there’s a customer. I gently nudged Jester. “Oi there’s a customer.” I said. Jester groaned.”Wake up!” I said a tiny bit louder. He sighed as we both got up. “Jester? Are you here?” I heard a child's voice call from downstairs. I assume that it is Kuran Pandemonium, from how similar the greeting he gives Jester in the book.

“Coming, my lord!” Jester called. He hurried up and put his boots, sash and hat on before rushing downstairs. I stretched then put my shoes back on. I quickly whipped my hair around to get all the tangles out. I don’t even need to brush my hair. I quickly but quietly went downstairs to see Jester talking to Kuran. “You know my price, my lord.” Jester grinned. Kuran sighed in frustration, but then Izayoi noticed me walk in even though I had barely walked out through the doorway. He looked at my hoodie then back at my face. Kuran glanced at Izayoi then his gaze met mine. “Jester, who’s that girl?” Kuran asked. “This is my friend, Armina Mai Maroon! She’s moved in with me. Armina, This is Lord Kuran Pandemonium and his guard/butler Izayoi Xiolin.” Jester introduced. “Uh-hi.” I muttered. “Hello, Armina.” Kuran greeted nodding in my direction in acknowledgement. “A pleasure meeting you, Lady Armina.” Izayoi greeted her with a small bow. “Now, where were we?” Asked Jester. Kuran looked at Izayoi. “Very well, my lord. Please wait outside.” Izayoi said. Kuran and I waited outside for a few moments. “So, what brings you here?” I inquired. “The kidnappings. Surely Jester’s told you about them.” He replied.

“Oh, yeah. He did.” I said. I looked around making sure the kidnapper wasn’t watching us. Kuran and I are out in the open with no adults. Just then we heard Jester laugh so hard that the sign fell and the whole building, maybe even the whole street, shook. Izayoi then let us back in.

Jester’s POV

“These killings are even more brutal than the Reaping Smile kills. You see, the children end up getting their stomachs sliced open. The killer then rips out their teeth and tongue. He finally finishes them off by tearing out their eyes and pouring salt and broken glass in their sockets before leaving them to suffer until death.” I explained. “As for young girls he… has some fun with them you could say.” I explained. I walked over to Kuran and hovered over him.

“You best watch yourself, little lord, you wouldn’t want to end up here as one of my guests now would you?” I said in my calm yet provoking tone. “I assure you that I will not become one of your guests.” said Kuran. Izayoi and Kuran left soon after and my Little Maroon came back from the back of the shop. Though I couldn’t see her, as my back was facing her, I could sense her. She has such a sweet, delicate and dark presence. She’s definitely way different than other humans. I really love that about her. There’s just something about her that’s alluring.

It can’t be love, can it? It must be. I’ve never felt this way for a human girl or any girl. I need to take my mind off this love debacle. “Let’s have some lunch then, Little Maroon.” I suggested. “Alright.” She simply replied. I placed my hand on her shoulder as we walked into the kitchen. I had made ham sandwiches and we ate in complete silence. I however stared at Armina the whole time and I’m pretty sure she was staring at me as well. I wonder what her eyes look like. I won’t go asking her because I know she’ll want to see mine. I sighed to myself as I watched her eat. I noticed the ring on her left index finger. The one with the weird dragon symbol. “Say, I forgot to ask you- that symbol on your ring, what does sit mean?” I asked. “There’s this book I love called Dragons Calling Heart and this is the symbol on the dragon’s eyes.” She replied, going farther to explain the story behind the ring. “Very interesting. You make me sound boring.” I said with a fake frown. “Bro, you’re nowhere near boring.” Armina reassured me. “Keheheh, I know! I was only joking.” I giggled.

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