It was half-past eleven. The people who had gone to the supermarket found the house almost clean when they arrived. Lune was cleaning and accommodating kitchen utensils one by one. At this point, he was the only one still cleaning. Charon, Gordon and Myu placed the bags full of food and other products on the island of the kitchen. Minos, Sylphid, Radamanthys and Aiacos were lying in the living room. Cleaning so much had left them exhausted.
The night passed quietly. Gordon and Charon cooked pasta. Gordon turned out to be a good cook. When the food was ready everyone, without exception, devoured their dishes without pausing. They even ate the food that fell from their plates to the table.
When they finished they couldn't believe how full they were. They hadn't eaten like that in over two years. At that time, it was the best feeling in the world.
Pandora was very concentrated eating; her eyes remained closed while doing it. A few tears began to well up, and she strove not to weep. She kept on eating and avoided opening her eyes, and without saying anything, wiped her tears with her sweater sleeve. Lune, who sat beside her, thought of consoling her, but did not know how. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's going to be fine". He whispered.
Pandora had her head down. She was too embarrassed to move, but she couldn't stop crying.
"Pandora, don't cry." Sobbed Queen between teeth. His eyes got watery.
Pandora remained in silence, waiting for her mind to clear. She could hear whispers surrounding her, trying to cheer her up.
Outside the house, the weather got colder and started raining.
Pandora opened her eyes and saw a bright light on the ceiling that warped because of her blurred vision. She turned her head to her right and saw a group of men wearing white robes. She was seated in a reclining chair, in a place with grey and high walls. She turned her head to her right and saw a group of men wearing white robes. She opened her eyes wide, exalted, she tried to move but her body did not respond. One of those men approached her and looked into her eyes.
The man, who was wearing a surgical mask, covered her eyes with a bandage.
"You're not trying anything this time."
Pandora woke up. She settled herself in the bed. She was contemplating the roof of her new room, thinking about that dream. 'No,' she thought. 'A nightmare', which sadly wasn't just a product of a bad dream.
8 o'clock in the morning. Radamanthys was sitting on one of the chairs of the island of the kitchen. He was holding the papers of the school to which Pandora would attend. Gordon danced to the rhythm of Aretha Franklin's ' I say a little prayer ' while cooking a huge breakfast for everyone. He had found a record player inside a drawer, and luckily, some vinyl discs too.
"This omelete is going to be huge!" Gordon said, shaking his hips and moving the spatula.
Aiacos went down the stairs and went to the kitchen.
"Something smells good" he sniffed pleasantly. "What do you have there?" He asked, observing Radamanthys reading the papers.
"I'm concerned because I don't know the streets. Also, it says here that the cut-off date for Pandora to attend is October 2nd."
"That's…"
"Tomorrow. Today is Monday. The classes started two weeks ago!"
"Wow, Will they still accept her?" Aiacos was already grabbing a plate from the cupboard.
"These papers say Pandora is already a student, but she had to fly to Germany for family issues. She needs to be there tomorrow."
"He really had it planned". Gordon said. "I hope the others wake up soon, or the food is going to get cold."
Queen came out of the door that was next to the door that led to the backyard. He yawned and sat down.
"Gordon, you're amazing." Queen was stunned watching the frying pans is full of omelets.
Minos came to the kitchen too. While the others were still wearing basic white shirts as pajamas, he was dressed to go out. He was wearing a brown plain shirt and a gray sweater with jeans and brown boots.
"I'm very hungry. Does anyone want to go with me for a walk to know the nearby streets?"
"I want to go, but I need to talk to Pandora about her new school." Complained Radamanthys
"I'll go with you". The voice of Lune sounded behind Minos." Knowing the streets is a very important task. If you wish I can make some notes for you, Radamanthys.
"Thank you." Radamanthys left the papers on the table and began to eat.
Up the stairs, in the middle of the long corridor, Charon was knocking insistently the bathroom door. Myu was taking a shower.
"Hey, we better not run out of hot water! Hurry up!"
Pandora was going down the stairs and saw Charon. She wanted to tell him she had her own bathroom upstairs, but was a little shy about it. Then went down to the kitchen. She was wearing a dark blue blouse, a white sweater and black pants. Radamanthys just had finished his breakfast when Pandora got there.
"Good morning." He said in a dry tone.
"Good morning".
"We need to talk about your new school".
"Let her have breakfast first." Gordon said serving her a dish.
"We can talk while I eat." She said in her usual low voice. She sat down and straightened her back.
Gordon had had enough of waiting and had left home. Lune and Minos had gone out as well.
"Aight." Radamanthys said. "You're going to start tomorrow.
Pandora was surprised. She grabbed a lock of her hair and put it behind her ear,then she gave her first bite and waited.
"I- I'm not prepared. Should I buy a notebook?"
"I guess." Radamanthys answered. "It's going to be your first day. I don't think you need to worry too much about that.
Radamanthys' voice tone was hard to decipher. He looked tired. Not so deep inside him, he knew he didn't want to take care of a teenager.
"Listen," Radamanthys proceeded. "Obviously you're not going to talk about the real reason you didn't attend class the first two weeks. You are a normal girl who is from Germany and wants to catch up with the class.
Pandora nodded while he talked.
"I will buy some school supplies." Pandora said finishing her dish. "I can go to the supermarket".
"Sounds like a good idea" Radamanthys got up. "Queen can go with you."
Queen, with a full mouth, looked at him, then at Pandora, and nodded.
"I'll go to change."
Radamanthys went upstairs.
Meanwhile, Minos and Lune were walking along the Forest road. There weren't many cars around. The morning was cold and the sky was gray.
"What a lovely weather" Said Minos sarcastically. "And the view is interesting with all these pines that look all the same.
"Do you think so? I think it looks a little gloomy." Lune added.
Minos looked at him with a serious face and rolled his eyes.
"Of course" He answered.
"Look." Lune said, pointing at a sign. "This zone is called The forest's backbone".
"That would be a good name for a horror movie".
A police car that was coming in the opposite direction stopped at their side. The car window was lowered by the officer inside the car.
"Good morning, lads."
"Good morning, sir." They both greeted at the same time.
"Do you live near here?"
"Yes." Answered Lune.
"We just moved here yesterday". Minos said.
"Aight. Look, I don't want to scare you or anything, but be careful out there. Some strange things had happened." The officer spoke with a lively voice.
"What do you mean?" Asked Lune. "If I can ask."
"Well, I see you haven't watched the local news. A night club was attacked three days ago." He made a dramatic pause. "And by what people say it was caused by some weird folks."
Minos and Lune stared at each other.
"What do you mean with 'weird'" Minos asked.
"I don't like to talk about something I know almost nothing about, but people call them mutants, or monster people. They seem to have super powers or… or something." He began to stutter.
"I see." Said Lune in a low voice. "How many attacks of that kind had occurred?"
"Just two, but this one was a big one. Someone made the place explode. Luckily, no one died!
"And the other one?"
"Robbery. No guns involved, only property damage".
"I see." Said Lune nodding. "We will be very careful then. We didn't know about this."
"This is usually a very peaceful town. But since those 'mutants' are here…" He stopped and sighed. "It is very difficult to identify them, as they look like normal people. Oh, I should go now." He said looking at the watch in his wrist.
"Thank you, officer". Lune said, stepping back.
"See you later, lads. Be careful!"
The car went its way and got lost in the fog.
Pandora was standing in front of a dusty mirror in her bedroom. He began to comb her long dark hair with her fingers while asking herself if she could make it. Someone knocked the door.
"Yes?"
"Uh, it's me, Queen. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, just give me a second".
She was ready. She put on her white shoes and opened the door.
"Let's go". Pandora said.
"Alright. Uh…" Queen started thinking while they went down the stairs of the attic. "What if we take this opportunity to buy some clothes? I don't want to wear generic and plain colored shirts the rest of my life." He gave her a shy smile.
"Good idea." She answered, giving back the same smile.
Suddenly, Myu opened his bedroom door.
"Can I go?" He said smiling.
"Of course!" Queen answered. "Hurry up, I want to get out of here".
Meanwhile, in the garage, Gordon discovered something wonderful. He ran inside of the house and saw the trio in front of the main door.
"Oh, where are you going?" Gordon asked.
"Pandora needs school supplies and I thought it was a good idea to buy some clothes". Queen opened the door.
"Clothes?!" Gordon opened his eyes. "Can I go?"
"Yeah, hurry up."
Gordon walked quickly, but stopped, remembering something.
"Oh, I almost forget!" He put his hand on his head. "There's a car in the garage".
The group went to the garage and saw a semi new blue Ford Sierra. It was free of dust thanks to the blanket that protected it. A common car for common people.
Gordon sat behind the wheel. Queen sat in the co-pilot's seat and Myu and Pandora sat in the back seats. The tall man turned on the engine.
"Wow, do you know how to drive?" Queen asked.
"Well, I must remember something." Gordon laughed, fixed the front mirror and put on the seat belt.
"Uh-"
Before Myu could say something, Gordon stepped on the pedal and the car moved, first braking with violence, but then it went on normally.
Radamanthys got out of the house thanks to the noises that the card had made, but he thought it had been the noise of a car that had passed in front of the house. He was wearing gray pants, a gray sweater, white tennis and a white shirt. He started to jog through the street. Just a normal man exercising in the morning.
Charon walked out of the bathroom feeling clean and nice. He went down the stairs humming a song. Ignoring the fact that Myu almost leaves him without hot water, he was in a good mood. He went to the kitchen, turned to the right and jumped of surprise when he unexpectedly saw Pharaoh standing there, holding a bowl of cereal.
"You scared me!" Charon put his hand on his chest.
The boy smirked as he chewed and went up the stairs.
"Dammit, I swear this youth…" He cursed while he walked to the stove.
"Who are you talking to?"
Charon leaped to the side, with his hand still on his chest. He saw Aiacos.
"Stop appearing like that!" He yelled. "Can you appear and disappear or something?"
"Sorry." Aiacos apologized, but deep inside he was laughing. "I can run fast".
Aiacos opened the refrigerator and took a can of yellow cheese. He put it in his mouth and pressed. Charon opened his mouth in disgust.
"Oh, right." Aiacos savored slowly. "Radamanthys and Lune had a conversation yesterday while we were cleaning. Do you want some?" He extended the can to Charon.
"No… thanks. What did they say?"
"The money we have now is not going to be here forever, of course, so we must look for a job. No matter how simple it could be."
"Oh, I thought about that too. I mean, it is inevitable to need more money. We are many people after all."
"Let's continue this conversation when everyone is here". Aiacos pressed the can one more time and savored again. He left it in the refrigerator and closed it. "I'll go wake up the others. It's already 10 o'clock."
"Yes, you do that". Charon was still disgusted, but proceeded to have breakfast.
Gordon, Myu, Queen and Pandora arrived at the shopping center. The place was pretty big; a little crowded and had several planters in the middle of the corridors with beautiful palms and flowers. The floor was made of white marble. It had two floors, and from where they were standing they could see the food court.
Queen was amazed for being there. He took a fast look at all the stores.
"Let's walk." He commanded without taking his eyes off the shop windows.
"Where can I buy school supplies here? The place is pretty big." Pandora asked doing the same.
"There must be a stationer's here." Gordon said.
"Can we go there first?" Myu pointed at a striking clothing store. "The outfits in the mannequins look interesting".
"Great decision, Myu!" Queen made them walk faster.
"I mean, I'm not a fashion expert, but..." Myu shrugged his shoulders.
Pandora stared at Myu for a while. He noticed it and looked at her.
"Excuse me, but can I ask you a question?" She asked timidly.
Myu smiled sideways. "Is it about my eyes?"
"Yes. I'd like to know how you do it so people won't stare at you. Were you born with them?"
"I can create an illusion for them to see them as normal eyes."
Pandora raised her eyebrows in a sign of astonishment. "Then your skill is to make illusions?"
"Something like that. Actually, it's quite strange. I can control insects, create illusions, and even float. "He paused and took his hand to his chin. "I'd say they're fairy powers."
"Fairy powers." Pandora repeated.
"I don't really remember anything before that lab, so I don't know if I was born this way."
Pandora nodded and looked down. She didn't remember anything about her life before the lab. The voices of Queen and Gordon took her out of her thoughts. They were already inside the store. The two of them were discussing about clothes and what they should buy.
They spend at least two hours buying clothes. They even bought clothes for the others. Queen had bought shirts and pants of many colors and patterns. He got excited and also helped Pandora with her outfits. Pandora had chosen long skirts, jeans and sweaters. All of them had dark colors that contrasted with her pale skin. Queen tried to convince her to buy another one with a different color, but he just could make her buy a blouse with dark blue and lilac stripes. They bought crop tops, jackets, coats, sweaters, jeans and pants. Buying shoes was going to be a tough job, so they left that for another day.
The group found a stationer's and they went in there. Pandora toured the aisles looking for at least two basic notebooks and a backpack. When she was formed in line to pay for the supplies two middle-aged women stood behind her. They were talking in a low worried voice.
"I can't believe this is happening". Said one of them. "Those criminals are ruining the peace in this town. My granddaughter was in that bar during the attack."
"Is she okay?!" The other woman put her hand on her chest.
"Yes, she is. Thank God. But now, the authorities need to give us answers. How can they get rid of those monsters? Hmp! Super powers? That's ridiculous! I still can't believe it.
"I heard the police are going to start investigating these mutants more. They must be put in their place."
Pandora stood still until she got to the cash register. She had heard everything. She came out of the store and saw the boys sitting in a planter eating ice cream. They were surrounded by many shopping bags.
"Are you all right?" Queen asked to see her so serious.
"Yes, I am. I just heard something".
"We didn't buy you an ice cream because we didn't know which one you'd like." Said Myu.
"And what happened? What did you hear?" Gordon asked.
Pandora told them what she had heard. She felt that that place was not entirely safe for them. What if people found out? She thought. For a moment she felt that everybody was watching her. Everybody knew what they were.
"No place is safe for us." Myu said with a deep look. "Remember we escaped from that place. I doubt they'll leave us alone."
"But that doesn't mean we can't try to live normally!" Queen tried to appease what Myu had said. "Mr. Hades is doing his best to make us feel at home".
"Yes, but... If something happens... We will need to use our abilities to protect ourselves. Then people will see us as we are." Pandora clenched her fist.
"We are human beings suffered in an unknown place for more than two years. Innocent people that just want to live in peace. We haven't committed any crime! No one can blame us for protecting ourselves!" Gordon almost breaks his cone thanks to the intensity.
"It's okay, man." Myu tried to calm him down.
Pandora had her head down. He was right. She sighed and shook her head slightly.
"We must go. We shouldn't let this eat us away." Pandora took a couple more bags to help them.
They got up, took the shopping bags and pulled out of the mall.
It was seven o'clock at night. Radamanthys, Minos and Lune were returning home on foot. They had gone to tour the city and had learned the name of several streets. Lune had noted down everything in a little notebook. They had also entered a café bar to rest, where they had heard interesting things from the bartender.
"Mutants." The bartender said nervously.
"Mutants?" Radamanthys gave his whiskey a sip.
The café bar was comfortable, cozy and there weren't many people there. The place wasn't very big, and was divided into two areas. Two tables were taken in the restaurant. The three men and the bartender were the only people in the bar area.
"Y-yes. Listen, I don't think I should talk about this". The man looked both ways and continued whispering. "People say mutants could be anyone."
"Really?" Lune asked.
The bartender nodded. He served Minos more whiskey.
"They are among us. A lot of people say they are... Dangerous".
"Since when you think mutants started to appear here?" Radamanthys asked.
"I don't know exactly. Maybe a year ago." He massaged his mustache. "The first attack was five months ago, but, I've heard rumors."
"What kind of rumors?" Minos took a sip of his whiskey. He looked at the people near them out of the corner of his eye just in case someone was listening to them.
"You know, people said that they had seen... things, like, people acting strange before the attacks occurred. They say the mutant population has increased. God knows how and why. "
"Looks like we're going to have to watch our backs." Said Radamanthys. "We must also find someone who gives us more information.
"I already thought about that". Lune was writing on his little notebook. "We could go to the area of the attack. The nightclub."
"When?"
"As soon as we can."
"My feet are killing me" Minos complained.
"We are very close." Lune said, frowning at him.
They got to the house dragging their feet and found everyone sitting in the living room eating pizza and watching TV. There were empty shopping bags on the floor and a considerable mess of crumbs on the coffee table.
"What is this mess?!" Lune complained. He went to pick up the shopping bags.
"We saved pizza for you." Aiacos said.
"Oh, thank you!" Minos quickly took a piece of pizza and ate it.
"Lune, be careful with the bags!" Queen said. "We bought clothes for everyone.
"What?" Lune opened one of the bags, the one who didn't feel so empty. There was a brown jacket. Radamanthys peeped too.
"You're welcome." Queen smiled.
"You better eat now. The pizza is getting cold." Valentine said.
Radamanthys and Lune sat down in the living room. The blonde man remembered something. He gave a bite to a piece of pizza.
"Aiacos."
"Hm?" Aiacos has his mouth full.
"Let's talk about that now".
"Oh, yes." Aiacos cleaned his hands with a napkin.
Radamanthys lowered the TV volume. Sylphid, Pharaoh, Myuu and Valentine, who were watching Mad Max 2: The road warrior stopped watching TV and looked at Radamanthys severely.
"Sorry, lads, but we need to talk about how we are going to survive once we start to run out of money". Radamanthys separated his legs and put his hands together between them.
Everyone looked at each other. They had thought about that, but didn't want it to happen. Radamanthys proceeded.
"Ok, because we can't just stay here and do nothing forever I suggest we start looking for a job". He gave a bite to his slice of pizza.
"Why the sad faces?" Aiacos asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms.
"It's nothing." Valentine shook his head. "You're right, Radamanthys. I mean, this is the real world after all. "
"Thank you, Valentine."
"Pandora will focus on her studies. She starts tomorrow at seven." Aiacos said.
"I can take her in the car". Gordon said.
"What car?" Radamanthys raised his head.
"We have a car, it is in the garage. That's how we went to the mall today".
Radamanthys raised his eyebrow. Life was easier now.
"We have all this week to look for jobs." Aiacos proceeded. "No matter how small or easy they could be. Just go."
Everyone nodded with lack of enthusiasm. They really had no choice. If they were going to live together they had to help each other with the money. Lune finished eating and got up.
"Now, could you clean up this mess?"
The night fell and the lights went off little by little. Pandora accommodated her belongings and prepared her outfit for tomorrow, which consisted of a black short-sleeved knee-length dress, a blue denim jacket and black boots. She was still a little nervous and fell asleep half an hour later.
Six in the morning. Pandora woke up thanks to Gordon's yells, who was in the kitchen. Pandora got up from bed and watched the morning through the circle-shaped window. She took a bath, got dressed, combed her hair and applied a little make-up. She went downstairs running, got to the kitchen and saw Gordon dressed in sportswear holding a pan.
"I'm sorry. I hope I'm not too late."
"Just in time. Now, have your breakfast."
Gordon had cooked two eggs with german sausage. Radamanthys got to the kitchen wearing a black jacket, a white long sleeved shirt, jeans and black boots.
"Gordon, I will take Pandora to school." He grabbed a sausage. "Please, wake up the others. Open the gym if you want.
"Yes, sir!" Gordon clapped.
Five minutes later, Radamanthys was turning on the engine of the car. Pandora finished brushing her teeth, ran towards the car and got in.
A couple of minutes later they were getting out of the forest's backbone. Pandora was watching the streets through the window. She was sitting in the co-pilot's seat. A couple of minutes more later, they were in the touristic zone, where there were a lot of restaurants and stores.
Meanwhile, in the house, Gordon was in the middle of the hallway where the majority of the boys were sleeping. He was holding a frying pan in one hand, and a ladle in the other. He began to hit the utensils together making a solid clack that penetrated strongly into the ear, making everyone jump out of their beds. He did the same thing in the underground bedrooms where Sylphid, Valentine and Queen were sleeping.
Radamanthys stopped the car. They were in front of an historical looking building, built with big gray bricks, as if it was part of a castle. Pandora got out of the car.
"Thank you, Radamanthys".
Radamanthys nodded.
"I'll be here at 2 o'clock. Or maybe someone else. Just be here in time." Radamanthys was going to start the vehicle, but he stopped when he remembered something. "In case something happens and no one can come for you, take a bus. Ask for the routes."
Pandora nodded. Radamanthys started the car and went away.
Again, in the house, Aiacos, Minos, Lune, Myu, Queen and Charon were awake. They looked like they were going to fall asleep on their feet. Gordon was in Pharaoh's bedroom trying to wake him up.
"We must do exercise! Come on!" Gordon was pulling Pharaoh's sheet. "I will make breakfast for everyone!
Pharaoh got up slowly and rubbed his eyes.
"Damn it, Gordon, just wait a bit." He yawned and hugged the sheets.
Lune peeped into the room and checked the bedside table.
"Hey, go and wash that bowl, don't be messy."
Pharaoh rolled his eyes and buried his face in his hands.
Almost half an hour later, Sylphid woke up at the same time as Valentine and went upstairs together, then made their way to the gym. Sylphid didn't look so happy because of the way he was woken up.
"Welcome to the club". Pharaoh said to Sylphid.
Gordon turned on the record player, put his hands on his waist and smiled.
"Let's get physical."