TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS: First of all, thanks for having the time to read this. As you can see, there're still no brave souls who dare to post any comments or reviews for my story. For those who are still confused about this crap, this is the story of the intertwined tales of the characters from the fairy tales that we had known since we were children. I altered their names so that it would be a little tricky for the readers to guess who these characters are from the original fairy tale. So, once again, I am grateful to you, probably my sole reader. Haha. Comment, review and feedbacks are very much appreciated. :)

Chapter IV: WHO

Ali

"Ali!" Father Simon called as Ali was about to put the garbage on the trash bin. He was one of the few people in town who could look him straight and not a trace of disdain on his face.

Ali looked up on the front steps of the orphanage where the priest had been standing. Ali squinted as a ray of the rising sun hit him in the eye. He dropped the garbage on the trash bin and covered it with its lid. "Good morning, Father," Ali said as he ascended on the steps. The priest was wearing his usual black and a look of concern was painted on his face. "Is there something that I can help you with?"

"I am not particularly sure if you can solve it alone, my child. There is a problem, see," he let out an exasperated sigh. "Come in and join me for a cup of coffee."

Ali followed Father Simon on the hallway of the orphanage. Some of the younger kids were being thought how to read and write. The older ones were helping in tidying the place. They kept the children there in order for them to be safe; taught them everything about manners, reading, writing, and chores that can help them in surviving the crucial world outside. And when they turned eighteen, they have to go. Ali thought that it was just right. They couldn't just enjoy the free boarding the orphanage had to offer. As for him, he was seventeen. He never really lived in that place. He always wanted to be on his own. When Father Simon found him few years ago, he was in the middle of trouble. The policemen found him holding an expensive jewel which was taken from a shop. Ali did not steal it. A man with a mask on his face ran past by him on the street that evening. His eyes sparked as an idea hit him when he saw Ali. He gave Ali the jewel and then he fled. Ali was cursing that man as the policemen found him insisted on pressing charges against him. But it gave him relief when Father Simon arrived. As if the heaven heard his plea and sent someone to rescue him.

Ali sat down on the chair opposite Father Simon in his office. The priest was silent. His white eyebrows were frowning. Ali studied his face. The priest's feature was so familiar to him to know that he was not angry but upset about something.

"What is it, Father?" Ali asked.

Before the priest could answer, someone knocked on the door. A boy who seemed to be the same age of Ali walked in, carrying a tray of coffee and bread. He was wearing an old brown beret. The priest continued in speaking to Ali as if they were not interrupted.

"You know the storage at the back of the orphanage, do you not?" The priest asked. Ali nodded, watching the boy setting the stray and its contents on the table. "Well it has been days since I first investigated the disappearance act of the goods in it."

"Will that be all, Father?" the boy asked.

"Yes well, ahm, thank you….err," the priest said, a little confused.

"Charlie," said the boy.

"Charlie," the priest confirmed, smiling as the boy retreated and went out of the door.

"Father, I didn't know-," Ali started explaining in a hushed voice after the boy had left, but the priest held up his hand to silence him.

"I know you have nothing to do with this. You're a good lad."Ali offered a shy smile. He hoped that it covered the guilt he was feeling inside. The priest fixed Ali with his knowing stare. It betrayed no emotions. He couldn't predict what was inside the priest's mind. Ali almost looked away. "I want you to guard the storage by any means that you know."

Ali raised his brows. For a shot moment, he thought that Father Simon knew that he became Rider at night. He smiled at the ridiculous thought and nodded. "Yes, Father, I would be delighted to do that."

That night, Ali sped up on his way to reach the woods where he usually met his co-workers. An inkling welled up on him that one of them was targeting the orphanage. Of course he couldn't just ask who was behind it all. They would find out his identity and it would be a disadvantage to him, knowing that he was exposed and they were not.

"Something bothering you?" Chowder asked Ali. Ali shook his head. Chowder noticed that Ali was not in the mood to be adventurous. He thought for a moment to send his friend home. He could ruin their stunts on that evening if he did not try to pull himself together.

"Listen-," Chowder started as he faced Ali who was sitting quietly on the log, staring pensively on the electric bonfire.

"Everyone," said the latecomer, Silver. "I've heard there was someone attacking the food storage in the orphanage. Did anyone of you break in there?"

There was silence. They were looking at one another. Ali straightened up. Silver saved him at that moment. He was figuring out how to break the news. But even though the first problem had been answered, there was still another problem to be solved. How can he be in two places at once?

"Silver," Crimson said. "It seemed like you don't know how this small organization works. Orphanage stores street children. Street children are part of the inferior population. And we are here to help he inferior population. Why would anyone from this group try to steal something from the orphanage?"

Silver couldn't answer for a moment. Joker on the other hand looked at him, "Are you working on the orphanage during daytime?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"No!" Silver answered in an instant. "And even if I do, what harm could it be if you said so yourself that we're here to help the inferior population."

Ali knew that there was nothing wrong with that. But it would be careless to let the others know about his identity. They could frame him if they get caught. He knew, honestly, that he did not completely trust his colleagues. He was not sure about their loyalty and about personal interest.

Before he went to bed, he paid a visit on the storage room that he was supposed to be guarding. He parked his bicycle on the ground and removed his motorcycle mask. He picked the lock of the door, but it easily came off. He was half expecting it. Surely, the culprit came back to get food earlier that night. It was the only thing that he had to see. He only came to the orphanage to see if the thief went back to the scene of the crime and to make sure that all of his colleagues were telling the truth. He turned around, walked small steps towards his bicycle and swung his leg to ride on it. He was about to go when a bright beam of light caught him in the face. Ali shielded his eyes from the light.

"It's you," he heard the voice said. Ali suddenly panicked. He remembered that he did not put his mask on. What was he thinking?!

"Lower that light or I'll throw a dagger on you," he said angrily.

The person lowered his flashlight. Charlie, the boy from earlier took a few steps towards him. "Don't worry, I'm a friend."