I wanted to write another chapter before I have to go back to school. So I did. This chapter is a bit more serious than the others but it could still be funny… Kind of… It's still in the book format, though. There are some spoilers for Separate Ways in this chapter, but nothing too major, though. Just some little things that you probably won't even notice. I also filled a minor plot hole or two and gave a name to Salazar's left hand! Yay!

Chapter 4

You couldn't wait until you would have enough time to read some more of your book. No longer were you trying to find out about the authors' lives; all you wanted to learn at this point was that Saddler was joking, ha ha. He fooled you. Finally, though, you had some free time. You opened it up once again to see… "More blood! Why is there always blood on these pages!" you shout to no one in particular. This looked a little different though… You aren't a doctor, but by your limited knowledge it looked like someone was coughing up blood.

Saddler!

Yes, Salazar?

What the fuck is wrong with me and what the hell did you do?

What ever do you mean?

I think you know exactly what I mean, Osmond!

Whoa, you think to yourself. Salazar's really pissed about something… Wonder what happened?

I don't think I do, friend. Care to tell me what it is you think I did?

I don't know what you did, that's why I'm asking you!

Ramon. Calm. Now, calmly, tell us what you're talking about because if we don't know, what good does it do you?

Okay, fine then. Calmly. I've been coughing up blood all damn morning and I think it has something to do with Las Plagas! Care to start sharing your unlimited knowledge, Lord Saddler.

You allowed yourself a smug smile before continuing to read.

I believe that Luis could better answer this than I. After all, I don't know what kind of reactions you humans have to the parasite…

You didn't know what kind of reactions we would have? And you still injected us with it!

Well, I knew you weren't in any danger of dying. After all the ganados didn't die from their parasite.

So you're saying that we're just like the ganados?

Not at all, mi amigo. I'm merely stating that they are weak and they have a weaker parasite. You are all stronger so you get a stronger parasite. I figured it would be the same…

What do you mean by a "stronger parasite"?

Rather than just turning you into the ever-expendable ganados, I transformed you both into a higher being, such as myself. I plan on doing the same with Krauser, Luis, and, once we kidnap her, the president's darling daughter. And, before you even ask, Ramon, when I say 'higher being', I mean I gave you a parasite that would fortify your strengths and settle your weaknesses. For example… I gave Mendez a centipede-like creature, to make him even taller and I make him swifter, which was his weakness before I took care of it. And you, Salazar, your dogs are your most precious things, correct?

You're not retarded Saddler. You can figure it out.

Adorable… I injected you with the same egg as they have. So once your parasite matures, you'll be able to enjoy the Colmillos' company once more without needing to worry about being attacked. And as far as your weakness goes, I gave you a cocoon of sorts to protect you from any direct attacks. And plus, Vurdugo y Vurduga should be able to guard you sufficiently.

Those two 'body guards' you gave me scare me to all hell. I need to find robes or something to cover the both of them because they're absolutely frightening creatures…

They won't attack you if it makes you feel any better. And they'll follow any order you give them and they are under my orders as well, they won't attack you unless you or I were to order them to.

That makes me feel oh so much better!

Okay, let's not fight. Salazar you're over-reacting to this whole thing. I happen to know that my villagers have coughed up blood after they got injected with Las Plagas, as well. I'm just curious as to why I haven't gotten any of the symptoms yet…

It's because you were injected two days later then Salazar was, Mendez. So you'll be like this in two more days.

Ah, Luis. Right on cue.

Don't worry about it so much Salazar; it's a normal reaction to the parasite. Also if you get dizzy, pass out, hallucinate, notice that your eyes change colors, or feel like you don't have any control over your actions, they're just more symptoms so don't worry too much… And just out of simple curiosity, what kind of Plaga are you going to infuse with me?

The smartest one that I can find, of course. But it would need to also have some amount of physical power because that is what you lack, Dr. Sera.

If you don't mind, Lord Saddler, I'd like to borrow Salazar for some tests so I'll be less blind in the future. Knowing Krauser, he'll want an explanation on everything before he does anything.

Of course, you may. Have fun.

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Okay, Salazar, now that Saddler isn't over my shoulder reading every letter I write down I can actually tell you what's going on.

Alright then, Luis. What's going on?

Saddler has complete control over every person that he's injected with Las Plagas. To him, you, Mendez, Krauser, and myself are nothing more than little puppets he can play with.

That sounds so wrong on so many levels…

And I'm not even a hundred per cent sure that I don't mean it in that way. The point is we're both in danger. I've managed to not get injected yet because Saddler needs me to do research on Las Plagas and create new types of those damn parasites.

Why are you telling me this? I mean if Saddler really does have complete control over my actions, then what if he has me squeal on you?

That's a risk I'm willing to take. Now listen to me very closely, Ramon. You only have three days before your parasite matures. Or at least, you have three days normally…

What do you mean?

I've created a pill that can slow down the development of the parasites. Here. They're yours. Take three of them every five hours and before you go to sleep take six of them.

Are you sure I won't O.D. if I do that?

I'm sure. These pills can buy us more time to find a definite cure for you and Mendez. I'm not sure how long that will take, but I'll be working around the clock.

Thank you, Luis.

No problem. Now, there's a bigger issue at hand than the maturity of your parasite.

What?

Saddler.

You think?

Pay attention! Saddler has nearly complete control over the parasite and it's only a matter of time before he can control you.

That's what these pills are for, right?

True, but I'm not a hundred per cent sure of how well they can stop Saddler's strangle hold…

Well, there's only one way to find out, am I right?

Apparently. Now this is something you might already know, but I'm sure Saddler doesn't want you to…

What?

Your family has had the ability to control Las Plagas for 13 generations.

But I'm the 8th castellan… We only go back 8 generations, Luis.

You are the 8th castellan, but that doesn't mean that your family didn't exist before you own the castle.

You learn something new every day…

This is something I know you know, because you talk about it constantly. Eight generations ago, your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, Ramon Salazar the first, locked away Las Plagas so your family's had little reason to teach you this ancient skill. You are the only human who can control these monstrous things.

Uh… No, Sadder can control them too.

A) I said 'human', and 2) he can't control them naturally like you do. You know that staff that he has?

Yeah…

That's how he can control them. So if you were to take the staff away…

Then he couldn't control us!

Exactly! There's one little problem with that though…

How did I see this coming?

Saddler can inflict a lot of pain without even touching you. I've seen him do it on some of the villagers. I'm not quite sure how, though… If he raises one of his arms, run. That's the only advice I can give you.

What about you?

I've still got some research to do here.

You don't need to finish your research, you know. You can just leave.

Not exactly. I can't give you much information on who it is I'm working with, because truthfully I don't know much more than you do. All I can tell you is if you meet a woman named Ada, tell her where I am, okay? Here's a picture of her.

Ada, hm? New girlfriend?

I wish.

If I see her, I'll point her in the right direction.

One last thing.

What now?

If you do see her, don't trust her and definitely don't tell her who you are, she has orders to kill you.

So what's my motivation for hunting this chick down?

I don't want you to go out and hunt her down, all I'm asking you to do is IF you see her, just tell her where I am. Okay? You might want to change your clothes… You sort of… Stick out. And knowing Ada, she'll recognize you in a heartbeat if you're in that get up.

Fine. I'll change. And don't worry about me Luis; I'm nearly 20. I can handle myself.

Ramon watch out for the…

OW! Shit! That hurt!

Wall… Ai yi yi, Dios, todos estamos muertos...

Just FYI, Luis's last line was "Oh, God, we are all dead…" Or at that's what my translator said. I don't know I don't actually speak Spanish so I hope it's at least close enough. I wanted to end this on a semi-happy/funny note. And give you a bit of foreshadowing! My next few updates'll probably be more spaced out because high school is a bitch… Hopefully I won't force you to wait a whole month, though. As usual, feel free to send me a review.

Paz fuera! (Peace out!)