Chapter Two: Crisis Of The Sinful

Koori No Miko: I just want to thank x1nfernal (did I get your name right???) and BrideOnFire for the wonderful reviews they gave me. Arigato, minna-san! To x1nfernal, Julia will be coming soon, so don't worry! To BrideOnFire, yes, I'm aware of the fact that Nina is Steve's mother. But then, he's only a test tube baby that was a result of the cryosleep thingamajig. I'm sorry if we think differently, but I like to challenge myself by making use of really far-fetched pairings. Imagine if I pair Steve and Anna! Won't that be gross (sorry, Anna fans!)?!?! Or that pesky, annoying childish kid...I'm sure you guys know whom I'm talking about. Or Miharu Hirano – cough, cough. But let's go on to the part that you've all been waiting for. Please feel free to send me reviews! They will be much, much appreciated.

Jin stood silently at his balcony, gazing up at the crescent moon.

What does the crescent symbolize? He asked himself. The full moon is the symbol of transformation and rebirth, such as which is associated with werewolves. The half moon pertains to partiality, as is to its shape. The new moon symbolizes the new beginning. But the crescent is something I can't figure out. In short, the unknown.

"Man, I don't feel like myself at all", he muttered. "Before, I never wasted my time with such petty things like staring at the moon. Then again, I used to have a lot of goals".

He took a sip of port wine from his wineglass. Right after he managed to get out of the forest, he went back to the city and booked a room at a hotel.

"Shit", he muttered, smashing the empty bottle of wine on the balcony railing.

He leaned back, not knowing what to do. He knew he wanted to find out the origin of the devil gene, but he had no idea where to start. He couldn't just barge into G Corporation's HQ as if it was a normal, everyday thing to do. It wasn't possible.

"I hate how this is going", he said, burying his face into his hands.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Who the hell could that be so late at night?" he asked, obviously annoyed.

He threw open the door and sighed.

"What the hell do – hey!"

A girl with pigtails jumped at him and wrapped her arms around him.

"Jin! Jin! Jin! Jin! Jin! I've finally found you!"

"Xiaoyu", Jin remarked, surprised. "How did you find me?"

"I asked practically every clerk in town in the city if they saw you!" Ling Xiaoyu chirped.

Jin peeled Xiaoyu off him without even bothering to be gentle. He was in no mood for affection, even if it came from a childhood friend.

"Are you all right, Jin?" Xiaoyu asked, concerned.

"Never been better", Jin replied sarcastically.

"What is it that troubles you?" Xiaoyu asked him softly.

"It doesn't concern you", Jin said shortly.

"Please tell me", Xiaoyu begged. "I can help".

"You're too young to understand", Jin muttered, turning his back on her.

"I'm eighteen years old, Jin!" Xiaoyu protested. "You never told me that before!"

"Well, I've changed", Jin answered coldly.

"But I don't want you to change!" Xiaoyu argued.

"It's not your decision to make", Jin retorted. "It's mine, and mine alone".

Xiaoyu kept her mum. Jin had indeed changed. He was much different from before.

"Jin, we'll always be friends, right?" she asked hesitantly.

But Jin's answer shocked her to the bone.

"...I don't need friends anymore".

"Jin!" Xiaoyu exclaimed. "What are you talking about?!?!"

"I hate everyone!" Jin burst out. "People in this world are all the same! My father doesn't give a fuck about me and my grandfather only cares for the shitty devil in me!"

"What about me?" Xiaoyu asked, her voice trembling.

"You're just a kid!" Jin snapped. "I don't need help from an idiot!"

Xiaoyu was stung. Tears started streaming down her face.

"Oh, the little crybaby is hurt!" Jin yelled sarcastically. "Do you want your mother?"

That did it. Xiaoyu flung open the door and ran out of the room.

"At last, she's gone", Jin muttered in relief. "I wasn't in the mood to socialize".

He returned to the balcony and finished his wine. Upon seeing his car keys lying on the table, he got an idea. He picked them up and grabbed his jacket.

We'll see who gets the last laugh, he thought as he pressed the 'DOWN' button of the elevator.

When the elevator arrived, he got inside and rode it to the basement. There, he got into his black Porsche and gunned up the engine. As if in a hurry, he pulled out of the hotel parking lot and drove out onto the freeway. Since there was no traffic aid watching over the traffic flow at twelve midnight, he had all the freedom to do what he wanted. There were also no cars at all on the freeway he had chosen, igniting the adrenalin flowing through his veins. He stepped on the gas pedal and increased his speed to 200kph. He didn't stop until he reached the part under construction. It had been forbidden for drivers to use that lane since the railing hadn't been placed yet.

"Now, for the grand finale", he said quietly.

He swerved into that lane and purposely drove his car over the damaged part of the freeway. He felt the impact as his car rolled down the cliff. After that, nothing...

To Be Continued...