Chapter 7 - Stalker

A strong breeze blew past, blowing Nadine's hair. In front of us was Geffen; the Arcane City. The sun was rising. I hadn't had any sleep at all.

I slowly drove the motorcycle inside Geffen's gates. The street lights had just closed. The sky had turned from a dark shade to a deep, blue tone. A heavy mist patrolled the streets.

I needed to find an inn. I was sleepy, hungry, tired, and would've just slept on the spot had it not been for Nadine riding with me. I drove over to the southern area. There, a small inn lay, its lights still open. I parked the motorcycle nearby and woke up Nadine.

"Where are we?" She asked.

"Geffen." I replied.

I quickly led her to the inn and held the door open for her. I walked over to the counter where I found a sleeping man, who was obviously the owner.

I tapped the counter lightly. The man didn't budge. With my remaining ounce of strength, I decided to bang on it once more, as hard as I could.

He awoke with a startle and quickly stood up, facing me.

"What do you—"

"—a room."

"Do you have—"

I threw him a few zeny, and he pointed to the stairs. I just looked at him menacingly. He didn't even notice and just counted the zeny I gave him.

"What?"

"Aren't you even going to show us to our room?"

"No."

"Greedy old bastard!" I bellowed as I raised the machine gun and pointed it at his head. He, on the other hand, just looked at me, paralyzed with fear. I was definitely not in the mood, and just wanted to finish the job, but Nadine pulled my arm down.

"Re…no. It's not worth it. You're tired. You need rest." She said softly.

I lowered my gun, but kicked the door hardly, breaking it into several pieces. The man just stared at it, mouth wide open.

I didn't have time for him. I needed rest. I quickly ran up the stairs and opened the first door I saw. To my shock, I saw a couple, having the time of their lives.

"For heaven's sake! At least lock the door!" I bellowed, slamming the door shut.

I then opened the next door I saw. It was, at least, vacant, but it was a mess. The bed was in terrible condition, there were clothes everywhere, the cabinet was open…but it would have to do. I ran to the bed and instantly fell asleep.

Later that afternoon, I woke up. I got up from the bed and rubbed my eyes. To my surprise, the room was sparkling clean – literally. As if someone waxed the floor and washed the clothes – whoever they belonged to. Could it be Nadine?

Then the answer walked right into the room.

"Oh, you're awake." A young man with a red shirt and a brown cape said to me. His eyes were intimidating, and he wore a black, pointy hat with a pentagram at the end. A wizard.

"Who the hell are you?" I demanded.

"I'm Gustav. The….one who originally rented this room."

I was so embarrassed. No wonder there were clothes everywhere. It was his. And he had to clean it up for me, a person he hardly knew.

I walked over to him with my hand behind my head, saying, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't know. You see, we came in quite—"

I stopped as I saw Nadine holding on to his arm. Had they been going out while I was asleep?

I quickly grabbed her and walked over to a corner where Gustav wouldn't hear us. "We'll be just a minute!"

"What the hell are you doing with this guy?" I demanded.

"He showed me around Geffen, and he treated me to lunch. Why?"

The veins in my body were about to burst. Was she two-timing me!

"You cannot go out with him!" I hoarsely exclaimed.

"Why?"

"Because…" I was at a loss of words to say. We've only been together two days, and that incident with the crepe, the damn crepe.

"I'll be going….I'll be exploring…yeah, that's it. Exploring. I'll be exploring the place. See you around!" I said, kissing Nadine quickly on the cheek and waving my hand to Gustav.

But what I really wanted to do was see what was up with the two of them. I'd have to stalk them. I quickly ran down the stairs and opened the door, then closed it, creating the illusion I went out already. I then ran under the stairs, and hid there, waiting for them to come down.

Minutes later, I heard footsteps. They were coming down. They slowly walked over to the door holding hands.

I knew it! There was something up with them! I slowly followed them, then glanced to the right, where the man was. He just glared at me, a vein pulsing on his forehead. Beneath the counter, I could see the old, broken door. Apparently, he got a new one.

After they closed the door, I looked outside the window, waiting for them to get a good distance away from the place.

"They're walking horribly slow" I whispered to myself as I motioned towards the door and twisted the knob. Once again, the man glared at me.

"What the fuck is your problem, old man?" I bellowed. The two looked back, and I closed the door immediately, afraid they might see me. Then, after a few seconds, opened it again. They were getting too far away, and I had to catch up.

I eyed "my" bike and thought if I should bring it. I knew I shouldn't, because obviously, they'd hear me.

I looked back at them. They disappeared! Oh My God! Where'd they go? Now I knew I had no choice. Geffen was a large city, too large a city to cover in an afternoon. I mounted my bike and started driving.

The first place I thought of going to was the famous Arcane tower, obviously in the center. I stared at the gargantuan tower. Orbs were revolving around it.

But who cares? They weren't anywhere around here!

Then I remembered my gun. Out of ammo. A useless thing….unless I want to bonk people to death. Which I don't.

I went over to the weapon shop, on the other side of the city. People were now flocking the streets, rendering my bike almost impossible, if not impossible to maneuver. I would've loved to just run them over…but I'd make too much commotion.

I dismounted my bike and walked alongside it. The weapon shop was already in sight.

I took a few steps, and almost tripped. In front of me were stairs. Insanely long stairs, going down. I looked for the weapon shop. It was on the other side.

My mouth opened wide. I was beginning to hate Geffen. Too huge. "Huge" Would even be an understatement. Try gargantuan.

I had it. I wasn't going to walk over there on foot. I took out my bone wand and pointed it at the air. Black wings sprouted from my back, and I began flying. Strangely though, the people didn't seem to mind.

Well, this was after all, the arcane city!

Why the hell hadn't I thought of that before then?

I landed by the weapon shop as my wings retracted. Strange though. That spell was suppose to conjure angel wings; not demon wings. I must've made a mistake with the incantation. Nevertheless, it got me here, so…who cares?

I walked up to the door and opened it. Inside were a lot of people looking at a variety of weapons.

I walked over to the "guns" section, where a variety of guns ranging from handguns to rifles were. I must be the only priest in this section. I was.

Heck, I was the only person there. Come to think of it, I haven't seen anyone else carrying guns, save for Kaizel.

I picked a shotgun identical to Kaizel's. I really didn't know much about guns. I bent down and looked at the different ammo. They weren't at all like those metal ones I've seen in movies. They were more like gems. Triangular colored gems with some glowy things inside. I took some red, blue, purple and green. Not knowing what each one does, but at least I'll have something to shoot.

I walked over to the cashier and lay down my items. She looked at me in a strange way.

"What?" I asked. It must've been the fact that a priest like me was buying a gun.

"Fourteen million zeny."

"WHAT?" I bellowed.

She gulped so hard I could hear it as she repeated, "Fourteen million zeny."

"Fourteen million zeny?" I repeated, everyone in the store now looking at me.

I felt around my body for some money. Nothing. In my shirt, my pocket. Nothing. Even my socks. Then, I noticed something card-like in my pocket. I took it out.

Strange. I didn't remember the Sanctuary giving me a credit card. I didn't even know they had their own credit card!

I lay it down on the counter and pushed it to her.

"The Sanctuary?" She questioned, apparently, none of the priests have ever used this. The card wasn't known.

"The Sanctuary." I repeated. That's what it said on the card.

"The Sanc—"

"THE SANCTUARY, DAMN IT!" I bellowed. Everyone looked at us again.

She swiped it, and I took my stuff. Before I left, I could've sword I heard her muttering stuff about me.

I pushed the door open, the bells on the ceiling jingled as I did. And once again, I was in the sea of people.

Then I saw them. By the…toy store? What the heck. Probably, Nadine wanted some stuffed toy Gustav was stupid enough to buy for her. I ran towards them, not caring if I bumped anyone.

Again, they were holding hands and were now moving on. I locked my eyes on them. I would follow them no matter where they went!