Chapter 70 - Below the Tip of the Iceberg
Hearing the sink being turned off, the three females turned to Jin. He dried his hands and closed the dishwasher door. Turning around, he looked at them with a mildly annoyed expression. A small silent staring passed between them before he blinked.
"Are you going to finish your dinner mom?"
"...I think I'll just have something from the pantry...I don't feel that hungry."
"Okay," the sophomore said with a blink.
Walking to the table, he picked up the plate then went to the counter. While he was prepping it to be put in the refrigerator, Samantha walked toward one of the cabinets. It was adjacent to the counter and waist high. Opening it, there were snack and bag items inside. Retrieving something, it looked like the shape of a wrapped bar. Grabbing a small green metallic cylinder can, she turned around.
"Well...I'll leave you girls with Jin. I'll be in the living room vegging on the couch if you need me," Mrs. Ainsley commented.
"..." the three teens responded with head nods.
Watching the woman go into the next room, they heard her sit heavily on the furniture. The sounds of the TV coming to life came shortly after. Ami and Renee turned toward the sophomore as he walked toward the refrigerator. Opening it and placing the leftover inside, he looked at them with the door held open.
"You two want anything?"
"A hot chocolate," Selbith answered without hesitation. It made the junior blink in surprise and look at her.
"You like hot chocolate?"
"Yes...I seem to prefer its taste."
"With or without the fix'ins?"
"...the what?" Ami asked confused.
"She means any toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, syrup..." Jin began then stopped seeing her face. It didn't change expression as if she were processing what both were telling her. Thinking of another way to explain, something came to mind.
"...do you want what the diner served?"
"Yes."
"Okay," the male teen responded with a nod. He turned toward the other female.
"You want anything Renee?"
"I'm okay...unless you have deserts," she replied. He closed the refrigerator then opened up the freezer.
"There is...ice cream sandwiches...carton of vanilla-chocolate swirl...and sherbet pops."
"I'll take a sandwich."
Retrieving and handing her the frozen treat, he turned around and went to another cabinet. Retrieving items and seeing him preparing the hot beverage, Renee began to eat. Looking at Ami, she went to the table and sat at a chair. Moving to the opposite side, she sat down across from Selbith. After a minute or two, Jin came back with a mug in his hands.
Placing it in front of the teen in pjs, it had a small mound of whipped cream. Ami grasped it and tendered her drink to taste it. Swallowing, she placed the drink down and looked at him.
"It is similar to the diner's version...it will do," she stated then took another sip. It seemed to help her relax a little more.
"Good to hear," Jin commented. Pulling the chair at the end of the table out, he sat down. A small silence passed between them before the junior student spoke.
"That was pretty daring to take your mom out when she looked ready to unload," Renee commented after swallowing.
"...thanks..." he replied not smiling and looking at the table.
"Did she blow up at you?"
"...kind of...I said something that set her off."
"Like what?" she asked in a low tone and leaned forward.
"In talking with her about what happened...I said that maybe what she was doing was not all that big of a deal...she yelled at me."
"...that does not sound too helpful..." she remarked seeing him frown a little. "Do you feel guilty saying that?"
"No...because she is hiding."
"Hiding?" Selbith repeated then leaned forward. "In what terms?"
"Both of us have secrets. We don't want to tell each other about them. Thus, we both have trust issues with one another."
"...trust issues...within family...is normal?" Ami asked curious.
"..." both Jin and Renee responded with silence. The female teen shook her head then looked at her.
"Usually that depends on what other family members have done. Like what Jin's mom stated...trust is hard to earn, but easy to take away."
"...but with just secrets...that is no different from the commonwealth to royalty," the rail thin teen mentioned then took a drink of her beverage.
"Yeah...but it is amongst family...it's different," Renee stated looking at the table. Looking over at him, he looked deep in thought. Seeing him blink, he lifted his head up and sat back in the chair.
"It's fine...some secrets are better left untold."
"Really?" the junior said looking at him. "What kind of secret do you have that you'll not tell your mom about?"
"..." he replied looking at her. Blinking, he kept his stare and pointed at Ami.
"...me...?" Selbith asked blinking in surprise.
"Yeah...I would agree with you on that," Renee agreed with a head nod.
"Is that because of what I am?"
"...if you are speaking about as a Grim Reaper from game..." the sophomore started then looked at her. "Partially."
"...I see..." Ami responded then nodded. "That would be overwhelming."
"Are there any other secrets?" the female student asked putting her forearms on the table.
"...mostly from what happened playing the game...and the after affects from certain areas," he stated then visibly shivered from the memory.
"Do you have nightmares from it?"
"Hantu-Kopek made sure of that," Selbith stated holding onto the mug a little firmer.
"...who...?" Renee asked blinking.
"She is a nightmare demon from E.V.E...one of Satan's right hand demon's," the sophomore stated and looked uncomfortable.
"She was the one that created a rift portal to send you to that damnation place above the clouds," Ami explained.
"...!?" she reacted veering back with surprised recognition. "...was that...the monster in Pandora's Box that-"
"Yes...I don't want to remember it," Jin replied and crossed his arms over his chest.
"...that's hella creepy...I don't know how you managed to get through..." the junior stated looking uncomfortable. "That thing contacted me when I was at Aero-Island...she sort of broke me and had me screaming in the middle of the rest park area."
"..." Selbith commented looking at the half-empty hot chocolate. "Han-Ko was locked in the deepest cell of Pandora's Box. The Hell King took all of her demonic and life energy to keep her subdued. In the attempt to control her and keep her in submission, Satan created the creatures and monsters from her powers and life. As long as they roam the areas inside Pandora's Box, she could never receive her powers and life force back."
"However...something was vastly different when Jin and I where there. Inside...everything was connected to go from one area to the next...the original structure was not that. It was more of what castle was in the sky," she continued looking puzzled and contemplative.
"So basically...each monster that was killed, their essence fed back to Han-Ko?" he asked and saw her nod.
"It fed the demonic energy back to her...but not life energy...fear and horror is what gives her youth."
"Sounds like what a horror movie is," Renee added feeling goosebumps on her arms.
"As for the interior structure...it is possible that the programmers...or creators...modified it prior to us being transported there," Jin offered as a possibility.
"That would make sense...since they were targeting you," the junior mentioned.
"..." Ami spoke looking up from her mug. Looking at him, the sophomore blinked.
"Jin...I want to see the realm...from a different point of view."
"...you mean...play the game?" he asked a bit surprised.
"If that is what you mortals call it...then yes."
"You do realize that you can only play as a human," he pointed out.
"...regrettably...yes..." Selbith stated with disappointment and a sour face.
"Are you going to play too? Or are you still not going to?" the female student asked looking at him.
"I'm not. Not only do I not have my headgear, but I think admin finally terminated my account completely."
"What!?" Ami reacted with shock. It caused both other teens to flinch a little from the small outburst.
"You are...no more? But you are here."
"Well...the character I was in the game has been erased."
"For what reason!? I demand to know!" Selbith demanded looking upset and dismayed.
"Whoa-whoa...calm down. Gamco Inc., the organization of the creators, have been trying to delete my account since the beginning. Ever since you and Eve invaded my helmet the first time, they have been trying to remove my character...and me."
"Eve put a curse on you so that you could never be taken by her 2nd Adam..." she stated then sat back down. "I thought she was being her usual whore and narcissistic self...it is possible that she was trying to get Adam to look at her again."
"And use him as the bait?" Renee asked gesturing a finger at Jin.
"It is possible."
"Do you know what happen to the 1st Adam?" he asked. "Eve never mentioned much about him other than that he was in the mountains somewhere in the game...unless that is just a story and there is not 1st Adam at all."
"I do not know. I was never involved nor told of his story. That she-devil was made, not born as one."
"What do you mean?" the junior asked finding the subject matter intriguing.
"If I remember correctly...Adam killed Eve due to their quarrel about saving their children," Jin commented with recollection.
"Yes...instead of going to the realm above the clouds, hell accepted her first," Selbith continued. "Satan saw her vengeful spirit and decided to brand her as a devil/succubus."
"That explains her behavior and mannerisms," he remarked followed by the female student affirming verbally.
"Anyways, back to what you were saying. So you want to go back into E.V.E...what are you trying to figure out or see?"
"..." Ami stated after taking a sip of her lukewarm beverage. "I don't know...but I must see for my one eyes...what has become of it since separation."
About to ask another question, Renee's cell phone vibrated. Pulling it out and flipping the screen open, a message icon was shown. It was from her mother stating which street was she suppose to turn to. Looking at previous texts, she indicated the road name. Asking for more of a indicator of which street, the junior looked at Jin.
"My mom is on the way, but she wants to know if there is a way to tell which street to turn."
"After leaving the suburbs, 3rd street on the right," he commented. Watching her relay the message, she closed her phone.
"Mom said she will be here in a couple of minutes," she stated.
"Guess we can wait in the living room."
Nodding their heads, the three teens left the kitchen. Entering the next room, Samantha was lying on the couch. Getting closer to her, she had her eyes closed and was breathing as if she was sleeping. Jin looked and saw that the only two rooms that had doors open was his room and the guest room. Waiting a little bit, Renee's phone vibrated again.
"Mom's outside," she stated from reading the message on her phone. Closing it and looking back at the two teens, she looked at the sophomore.
"Thanks for inviting me over."
"Welcome," he said with a head nod. "I'll escort you to where your mom parked."
"Oh...being the gentleman hmm?" Renee asked with a smirk. However, it faded seeing that both he and Ami did not break their stoic face.
"Let's just say...I haven't got over a paranoia yet," Jin mentioned then started heading toward the front door.
"..." she replied blinking and seeing him get his shoes on. Following him, she got her shoes on as well. Grabbing her bag from school and feeling ready, she saw Selbith walk to them.
"I will watch from the inside."
"You make it sound like there is people lurking out there."
"From what has happened so far...that is the paranoia," the male teen corrected then looked at them. "Ready?"
"..." Ami answered with a nod.
The junior gave a slow nod. Watching him unlock the front door quietly, he opened the door softly. Walking outside, she followed to stand on the porch with him. Hearing a mild squeak, the door closed behind them with little amounts of sound. Observing around, the lights of the house illuminated the surroundings only to a certain distance.
Seeing two powerful lights on the road, it belonged to a station wagon. Seeing it as one of her family's cars, she indicated that was where her mom was. Jin nodded while scanning around slowly. Moving down the steps to the ground, Renee followed him closely. Thinking about what was said and how he was acting, she reached out and held his left arm a little.
"If you are doing this to scare me...I'll kick your ass."
"...kay..." he replied impassively. As he walked, he continued making slow sweeping motions with his head.
"..." the female student grunted a little in annoyance.
Despite feeling fine, a little bit of being apprehension came. Part of it was from how he was acting. The other was from how dark and unsettling the open fields were. Though the moon was in the sky and casted dull illumination, there were too many shadows all around. A nervous thought of something stepping out from the darkness came and went. Reaching next to the driver side of the car, the window rolled down.
A small cloud of what appeared like smoke came out from the inside. Not able to see the features of person, the inner cabin ceiling light was turned on. It illuminated the appearance of a woman. Dressed with a tank top on and visible bra straps, her hair was brown with blonde highlights. Seeing one of many versions of e-cigarettes between her fingers, she took another drag. From Jin's perspective, she seemed mildly alluring from the punkish vibe.
"Hi mom," Renee greeted stepping closer to the car door.
"Hey hon. Is this a new boyfriend? Done with the other one?" her mother asked after exhaling.
"He is a friend mom," she replied with a frown.
"Uh-huh," she stated then looked at the male teen. "So who are you?"
"My name is Jin. A friend of Renee," the sophomore answered with a neutral face.
"..." the woman responded looking hard at him for a couple of seconds. She took another hit in which Jin noticed that her finger nails were colored emerald green.
"Mom?"
"Let me get a closer look at you boy," the woman said and motioned him to come closer.
"..." he spoke. Blinking once, he nodded then stepped closer to the car door.
Standing about a foot or two away, the smell from the smoke was not as intense as cigarettes. She didn't reek of the smoke; however, there was a perfume smell. It reminded him of how some of the seniors at school would have a fragrance except the woman's seemed more mature. His thoughts were broken up by a hand cupping his chin and lifting up a little. Her face came close to his as she continued with staring hard at him.
"Mom!?" the female student exclaimed irritated.
"Hush hon...you know kid...you remind me of someone."
"...I do?" Jin asked only raising one eyebrow.
"...yeah...what's your pop's name?"
"...Alex..."
"Alex who?" she continued. Her head backed away a little while she still cupped his chin.
"...Ainsley..." the sophomore answered. Both teens saw her mother recoil in surprise.
"...no way...no freaking way..." the woman reacted and moved his head in different positions. Looking at a couple of angles, a look of amazement came over her.
"...?" the two students responded with Jin scratching the back of his head.
"...holy shit...HA..." she reacted with mirth.
"May I have my face back?" he asked with a neutral face.
Though she let go of his chin, she unbuckled her seatbelt. Both teens backed up as her mom opened the car door and stepped out. Standing next to the teens, she was half a head taller than him. Seeing her completely, the punkish vibe emitted more. Jeans with ripped holes, Vans tennis shoes, and large leather belts with metal studs that was more for show than to hold her pants up.
"What's up mom?" Renee asked and stood beside Jin. She didn't like how forward her mother was being at the moment. The woman just gave a smirk and looked at him. Without saying anything, she reached out and grabbed his right shoulder. Pulling him to her, both were chest to chest.
"Tell your pop," she began and had a mischievous smile. "...Tiffany Sander said hi."
"...!?" her daughter reacted with surprise.
"..." Jin responded with raising his other eyebrow. Blinking a couple of times, his face rest and had a deadpan one. Sighing out loud, he flinched from feeling another hand grab his other shoulder.
"Your dad never reacted like that whenever I was up on him," she stated leaning closing to his face. Despite her still having the mischief looking face, it didn't seem too threatening.
"G-Get off of him!?" Renee stated loudly and pushed her mom away. Thinking she would resist, Tiffany backed up and then started to chuckle and hold herself. Looking back at the sophomore, he still had the deadpan face.
"I'll tell my dad...but I won't get up on him."
"Hahaha," the woman laughed then smirked. Instead of answering, she opened the driver door.
"Get in the car hon. It's cold out here," she stated entering the vehicle.
"..." Renee grunted in irritation from what she saw. Turning toward him, he looked at her and blink.
"Sorry for my mom did."
"It's alright...for now."
"So my mom and your dad..."
"I really don't want to know...this rollercoaster discovery day is getting too much."
"That's for sure," she replied. Both teens jumped from the car horn blaring.
"Quit your flirting."
"Shut up mom!" Renee turned and shouted. Seeing a rare mirth expression on her face, she blinked a couple of times. Turning back around, he looked surprised.
"Sorry. I'll see you soon," she stated. Seeing him give a head nod, she turned around and went to the front passenger door. Opening it and getting into the seat, she heard her mom called Jin over.
"Yes?"
"Did Renee leave you without an embrace? Shall I give you another with something extra?" Tiffany asked with a sly smile. Renee's eyes widen from shock of what her mother just stated. Looking at him, he gave a familiar response.
"..." Jin replied with an eyeroll. "Whatever."
"..." her mother reacted with a wider smile. Reaching and grabbing his collar, she brought him to be nose to nose with her.
"Cheeky boy aren't you."
"..." he responded with a frown.
It caused Renee's mother to give a snort. About to do something, something caught her attention at the house. Looking at the front door, there was a narrow glass side beside it that was as tall as the door. A rail thin silhouette in black was seen with light behind it. Though the features were not distinguishable, there were two white beads for where the eyes would be. Blinking, it was gone.
"Hmph," she said and let go of him. Giving him the same mischievous smile, she stared him down.
"When you get a chance, come to our place...we would love to have you."
"..." both teens spoke where the sophomore felt his back feeling itchy. "...thanks..."
"See you Jinny," she parted and rolled up the window.
"..." Jin frowned more and started walking back to the house.
Looking back, the station wagon made a 180 degree turn. Getting to the porch and looking back, he raised his hand as the car drove back toward the main road. Going up the steps and heading toward the front door, it slowly opened. Standing behind it was Selbith. She was staring at him intently.
"Who...was that?" she asked not moving from her spot.
He walked up in front of her and moved enough to close the front door. Being as quiet as possible, the door didn't make much of a sound. Looking at her and giving a perpendicular finger across his lips, he looked at the couch. Seeing that his mother was still lying there, he looked back at Ami. To her surprise, he leaned forward to be face-to-face with her.
"...don't say anything...but you know how my mom got from...my dad keeping secrets?" he breathed the words.
"...yes...?" Selbith whispered back feeling a little alarmed from the subject.
"...there's more..."
"...you mean...the thief's parent...is also a-" she began when he covered her mouth.
Seeing him dart his eyes to the couch, small hairs on her neck started to stand up. Slowly turning her head to look in the same direction, the woman was still lying on the couch. About to tell him that she was still asleep, he continued to gaze intently at his mother. Looking back at her, his mother slowly sat up. Turning her head a little, she had a look of drowsiness on her face.
"What are you two doing at the door?"
"Renee's mom came to pick her up," Jin answered removing his hand over Ami's mouth.
"Oh, that's good," Samantha replied then stretched. "Were you two whispering something?"
"...yes..."
"Oh," Mrs. Ainsley replied with a small smile. Looking at them, both teens were staring at her stoically. What seemed odd was that their heads were turned toward her direction while their bodies were still facing each other. Thinking the young Felmort was being forward, she stood up.
"Care to share the gossip with me?" she asked walking toward them.
"..." Jin replied biting his lip. Seeing movement to his left, Ami had walked to stand right behind him. Blinking and looking back at his mother, she looked at them with a questioning gaze.
'...damn it...' he thought from the awkwardness that was brewing.
Driving back home, the station wagon was about to go through the suburbs. Punk music was playing on the radio with the volume low. Renee was ambivalent while looking out of the passenger window. She was shocked to know that there was a connection between her mom and Jin's father. Also, she was agitated from how uncharacteristically forward she was with the sophomore.
"Something eating you hon?" Tiffany asked taking another hit with her e-cig.
"Why did you do that to him?"
"Jealous?"
"What!? No!"
"Mmm-hmm," her mother said with a smirk. "I wanted to see how he would react."
"...react to what?"
"See if his reactions were the same as his pop's reactions."
"...were they...?"
"No...but I like him already," Tiffany mentioned with a smile. "He's not weak sounding, sarcastic, and stand-offish. He goes to your school?"
"...!?" Renee reacted blinking in surprise. "...you like him?"
"Is that so bad for me to like someone who is your...friend?"
"...no...I just never heard you give approval so quickly before."
"...hmmm...if he is an upgrade of his father...then I want you to invite him over."
"...!?" the junior reacted again recoiling in surprise. "...uh...why exactly if you'll tell me?"
"..." Tiffany answered with taking a drag. Exhaling out, a mischievous smile came to her face.