A/N: This chapter was somewhat difficult to write, had to do some research about certain psychological traits about split personalities and their development on the person. Of course Dib won't be crazy or something like that. I really don't mind receiving low reviews; I just wanted to write my story. Figure it out because I killed Zim; I didn't kill him on purpose, it's because he didn't have a place on my fic. To the people who are reading, don't worry, Tak and Gir will appear later; perhaps in the end or the 2nd part.
Well on the show:
-Disclaimer: Invader Zim and their characters belong to Nickelodeon and Jhonen Vasquez, and I gain non profit out of writing this story.
Misanthrope
Chapter 5
Secret Faces.
The halls were filled with stains, large stains of redden liquid escaping through every crack of the walls, staining the very same dust floor in what Dib was walking around. The hall was endless with a little spot of dark light glistening to the very end, shrinking more and more as he advanced. His patter of his feet resounded through every corner along with the resonance of metal hitting against metal. Looking down to his astonishment he find the he was carrying Tot clothes. The same very black clothes; the strange markings were actually camouflage patters against his heavy and strangely light at the same time, like something flexible form. In his right hand was the pistol grip of a rifle with a sling across his shoulders. Noticing four holsters containing four different pistols strapped to the same black jacket and some sort of blackened knife strapped to a light green harness with more pouches fixed to the belts. His hands were covered with black full gloves; he felt a heavy weight behind hitting his buttstocks every time he took a step forward.
To his surprise he found that he couldn't move or even stop himself, not even his eyes darted from the grayish pebble of light. The grimy walls shifted again dripping more blood to the floor. He felt his face turn into a full grin, a person was in his way darkened by the almost absent of light. His body stopped and he could now grace the feature of a girl with platinum blonde hair, blue eyes and the maddened glint of her mouth twisting into a big smile. Twined to the lips were vertical black lines widening her smile. Stitches covered the angelical face of this girl, from her hands, horizontal in her neck, vertical in the left side of forehead to the eyebrow; the biggest one was the one twisting her smile from her ears to the corner of her small and stunning lips.
His body stopped and faced this ghastly beauty. There was heaviness in his left hand. "Hit it" His mouth moved with a voice cold enough to bring chills to his brain. His head moved towards an almost destroyed window which reflected his face. The same blackened eye with the upright scar showing in his features. But his eyes were different, they were colder and even the brown honey one didn't brink any comfort to Dib, they felt different like they were not his own. His left hand moved towards his face, and something was placed into his head, the blindness disappearing seeing through slits of blackness. The girl nodded and smiled before exiting to another room followed by screams of agony. Another figure went through to the hall and stopped besides him. It was dressed in the same clothes, but the figure was slender, with beautiful curves, sized breast and long legs. The black dressed woman wore a mask covering her face….the same face platted of Tot; a drawn skull was painted into the metal. The skull have big and deformed eye sockets against the small slits of the face plate, the jaw missing with long and pointy teeth to the end of the mask. Behind her head was some sort of ski mask with leather straps holding the face plate in place.
She was well armed with a rifle in her hands, two pistols in shoulder holsters and a smaller weapon behind her back. The clothes were tight enough to define her figure; her whole legs were covered by some sort of black protectors, including a black vest, shoulders and forearms protectors. She nodded and found his body nodding back. Both cocking their weapons, light was replaced by a rusty door that the blackened woman kicked it open. Blinding radiance receive them both as they raised their weapons. The sound of automatic gunfire resound through Dib skull before everything went black.
XXXXXXX
"Let me go, please. I won't tell anybody!" Whined Zita as Gaz dragged her through the dusty halls. While her voice annoyed Gaz, she didn't stop walking until she reached the dead end of the abandoned area. About to open the double door, she stopped when Zita tried to yank free her arms while she clinched for dear life to the door frame. Frowning annoyingly, Gaz kick one of Zita legs making her fall out of balance; gripping her opportunity, Gaz gripped the thrashing teen into her shoulders and kick her way in into the forsaken lecture hall. Making her way down the scenery casually, she threw backwards the battering girl into one of the cine style chairs and sat besides her. Ignoring Zita imploring looks, Gaz drawn her gun and shoved into the tear stained face of Zita. The terrified teen seeing that she was going to die, make a final effort to free herself, giving a kick to the chest of the surprised Gaz, she broke into a run towards the scenario.
Huffing in exasperate annoyance, Gaz ran to one of the lines of chairs jumped into mid air and catapulted herself to the wooden floorboards cutting the exit of the shocked Zita. "Why don't you make this easier upon yourself? I could the painless way…but on the other hand…I could do a better using this into your body" Said Gaz showing her a palpable bloodthirsty scalpel, the cold look reflecting into the shiny metal.
"YOU ARE INSANE!!, like your brother" Gaz huffed in anger and hit Zita into the temple with the butt of her gun. Blood flooded through the wound as Zita screamed in pain grabbing her blemish brow. Gaz just unruffled walked to her, showed Zita hands away and took hold of her aching nose. With a movement of her hand the nose was snapped in place with a resoundable crack and a yell of pain and surprise from Zita. Wrangling around, Zita faced again the canon of the PPK silencer into her cheek. The blood from Zita temple dripped to her eyebrow to the other cheek and tickle to her chin.
Gaz bring down the hammer, cocking the weapon. Zita tried to cover the face in her hands. "No please, don't…pl…please don't kill me. Let me go I won't tell anybody. PLEASE!!. I won't tell please. It was just that bastard".
Intrigued she lowered her weapon. "Who?" Inquired Gaz. Zita hands smacked over her mouth in surprise, she wasn't suppose to say it. "Who's him?" Pressed again Gaz. Zita trembled, her lips quavering. "WHO-IS-HE!! Screamed Gaz at the top of her lungs. Zita jumped in surprise, and before she knew she was doing she blurted out…"TEACHER PELGUS!!"
Smirking to herself, Gaz crouched besides the trembling Zita and caress her cheek with an apologic smile. The teen shuddered at the contact and look away. "Please…just let me go I wont tell anybody…please" Beg Zita for her life. To her horror Gaz face felt apart taking the purity face with her in a scowl and an expression of pure hate that consumed her features.
"No, you won't" Gaz just gave her a lopsided grin and pulled the trigger as Zita clenched her eyes shut and screamed in desesparation.
Click…
Gaz blinked and looked at her gun in strangely confusion. When she saw the problem she chuckled darkly. A tingle began to rise in her throat, she tried to suppress it, but the jiggle spread through her tongue and finally through her gums. She inhaled deeply as she tried to break the sensation into her mouth. Her shoulders began to tremble and her mouth was twitching upward. Zita saw this strangely as she retreated to a nearby wall and how Gaz trembled.
A sound reached Zita ears. It was the horrendous noise she ever heard of, she had never been so scared in her life. It was even worse than been on the floor at gunpoint.
Laugher.
A frantic laugher spread through the entire auditorium. It was so loud than Zita felt drilling into her skull, spilling her ultimate fears to the outside. Zita bring down her hands to her ears in a frenzied attempt to stop the loud cackle to her brain. She couldn't stand it.
"STOP!! STOP IT!! NOOOO!! PLEASE!! NO!!"
Her screams fell on deaf ears, Gaz just kept laughing, tugging her hand to her forehead high facing the rugged ceiling, the sets of giggles staining the air. Zita remembered the high pitched laugh of the children, their pulls of their hair, the bruises, the pointing, the constant mockery of the others, their mistreat faces as they poke fun at her.
"Hey look its pickle face"
"Let see if her hair paints the board"
"Winkle face!!. Winkle face!! Winkle face!!
"Eught!!.She stained my arm with her filth!! Go away hanky face. HAHAHAHAHA!!
"HAHAHAHAHA!!"She couldn't stop. She had never laughed so hard in her life. She hate laughing at public, much less laugh at something as meaningless as humor in this drenched world. But she couldn't stop laughing. It was just too funny; her face was even funnier. Zita face was priceless with her eyes full of tears as she rocked back and forth sobbing loudly. In that instant she knew that her life was over, she had become what she had been doing to others all this years…an empty shell of her former self.
The irony struck hard at Gaz who laughed more and more as Zita fell limp to the site with her teary eyes open sobbing and muttering gibberish tongues. Now taking off the safety of the gun, her tongue trembled more as she struck her hand to her mouth to stiff another set of almost insane laugher. Pointing with almost shacking hands, her stomach burned from the giggles. She looked at the broken expression on Zita face once before aiming, the gun relaxing in her hand. Zita just kept begging and sobbing at Gaz feet.
She was about to kill another of the people involved in Dib almost murder. To put to rest another corrupted soul…but she was not there anymore. In her tear filled eyes, was reflected something that held Gaz to put the trigger and blow her brains out…pity. She couldn't believe it, never in all her years, not even in video games she had forgiving a living creature, especially someone with a terrible crime as Zita.
So why she couldn't press the trigger?
No rest for the wicked.
The gun felt heavy in her hands and with a sigh she retracted the hammer and put the safety on. Sighing again, she stared at Zita with an unreadable expression on her face.
"Im going to let you out of the hook Collins. But if I ever see you even at 10 feet of Dib. Im going to kill you on the spot and set you ablaze" She gave her a lopsided smile. Ignoring the thanks you and the hug at her legs she looked at her in the eye before taking some distance at her. "But that doesn't mean your going from this scarred".
The happy smile from Zita face fall apart and the next thing she knew was something hitting her face and then everything turned black, the world fading away. Gaz wipe out the blood from the butt of the gun into the old ragged curtains before holstering her PPK and drawn the scalpel from Dib's coat. She would mark her as her own success in a word that Zita had enjoyed the others to suffer, the very word that everyone of these people enjoyed so much. Ignoring the blood running down her temple she took the scalpel into her hand and rested close to her forehead. With precise and accurate cuts, she carved her way into Zita head, pausing occasionally to see how her work was planted. The blood poured down her face now to her lips and dripping to her clothes. She augmented the pressure on the cutting instrument to ensure that Zita will be scarred for life and never be free of this word. The face twitched over and over again.
Finishing the last cut, she verified that her job was now complete. The only thing that needed this to take effect was only…time and she didn't lack of time. She would wait to see the results. When she looked at her own hand that were drenched with blood covering the leather glove she grimaced, took them off and dump them into the crack of the scenario, same with the bloodied scalpel. Investigation was top priority now that she found string wielder. She smiled, gave Zita a last look with a wave of her hand and walked up the exit closing the doors behind her as they echo away.
XXXXXXXX
"What a psycho" Tell one officer to another as they check the body of the deceased Torque. The body lay there with the blasted pieces of limbs, brains gray matter and blood splashed in the fountain rock like a contemporaneous painting of macabre decoration. The water was a deep crimson from the flesh liquid staining all the officers with grim concern and horror as the crime investigators checked the body. Currently Anne was sipping her seventh cup of coffee with trembling hands. Scott had been shipped back to home because of the aching of the old man chest, hopefully he will be okay by the next two or three days for service again. Before going he added in a cheerless tone, not even in 'Nam happened this shit Im out of here; saying this he left with a wave of his hand and he was gone. She was currently sitting in a bench nursing her coffee like an Aztec treasure.
Anne had been since the backup at noon, maybe 1 or 2 of the morning. She yawned like the one hundred times and closed her eyes only to be awakened by a tapping on the shoulder of another investigator. Huffing with annoyance and lack of sleep she looked at the investigator, armed with a block of notes and a pencil.
Sighing again she sipped her coffee. "Wha da ya want?" The survey-man cleared his throat and opened the block before shooting out a question.
"Are you Annabel Marlin Richards?
Anne sighed again in annoyance. "For fuck sakes. YES I AM. I HAD BEEN ANSWERING YOUR SHIT FOR SEVEN HOURS NOW!!"
The officer just looked surprised at her behaviour, but continued none less. "Where did you saw the suspect?" Inquired him again.
"Near that bridge". Signalling with a nod from her head toward the bridge. "Office Scott Markels and I heard shots and we separate into the park. Five minutes later I found the body when I heard the voice of Scott of what happened to be the first encounter with the suspect. The assailant fired upon Scott but the Kevlar managed to save his life while I chase after the shooter".
"Did you saw his face?"
She shook her head. "No, neither Scott. The gunman was carrying a hooded coat that hided his face. In fact not even the hands were visible. He was armed with a 12 gauge shotgun used for murdering the teen in the spout" She sipped again her drink.
The officer made another set of notes before looking her at the eye. "Did you shoot at the assailant?"
"Yes I did. I managed to hit the suspect in the chest area I believe. He stumbled towards the railing after all, but not even a trace of the blood was found beside the murder victim". Sigh. "After all the rain did a very good job of wash away the evidence".
"Did you try to follow the suspect through the sewers?"
Anne frowned. "What the hell I was supposed to do? I was ordered to wait for backup to secure the area and those idiots appear here one hour later!" She drank her hot coffee in a one big gulp. "Where was that thing of protect and serve? And when I asked where they were, they say that they were attending other matters. I can't believe that shit"
The officer held his hands in rout. "Miss please calm down. We know you are upset being your first day of work happen like this. But we need your help to catch this murderer to prosecute him. Calm down"
"Calm down?. CALM DOWN!!. What the hell is wrong with you people? I had been held against my will for more than eight hours. Im soaked, cold and with a headache of the entire country. It could be better…I don't know if you let me SLEEP!!. My turn ended 5 hours ago….
The crime investigator could only smack his hand to his ears in an effort to stop the surge of insults and complain from the young woman. Never in all his life had heard so much bad words coming down from a mouth. "OK OK, you win just please shut up…you are not the only tired around here. Most of us hadn't sleep in days". He sighed before rubbing his eyes. "But I need your testimony, same with your superior. When the stress burns down your system come down and seek me". The man tuck a white card with his personal number, email and direction into the wildered hand of Anne who had a big scowl on her face.
"Calm down okay…I tell the boss, you need some sleep, take a few days off" Anne nodded and kept the card in her hands a little before slipping into her uniform pocket. The officer left to talk to another people. Anne sighed and dumped the empty cup into the trash can. Watching for the last time the murdered hacked body of the teen and how his eyes still shined even in raze against the coagulate blood from the body. She shook her head with closed eyes and left the scene before anyone saw her.
XXXXXXX
The mixed voices swinging in the air awakened Dib. Gazing at the white ceiling while checking his surroundings, only a nurse was there to greet him. Seeing him woken from his slumber, the nurse smiled and went out the door saying something to the people who woke Dib. The door bust open with Lissa and Membrane running to great him. Lissa launched herself hugging Dib and sobbing in her shoulder. While his sore body was hurt a little he couldn't stop himself for hugging her back. His father gave Dib a reassuring squeeze in the shoulder which was more affection he had shown in a very long time towards him. There was another person behind the door watching the reunion with annoyance.
It was a woman dressed in nurse attire, but in place of the white of this hospital, the uniform was an olive green. Even at this distance Dib could read the tag Head Nurse Hendgert…Lissa's mother. Dib had known her after the dismissal of Lissa. Apparently she had been scared from her parents to meet him…something about Lissa mother that was extremely strict and cold mannered good devoted mother, often over-protector. Lissa father was great to Dib standards; it was all the things that Dib wanted into his father…attentive, good hearted, quite the comic one and of course loved his children with all his might. Lissa also have a little sister called Clara that was cute and self attentive towards his attention but annoying at Lissa personal opinion.
The woman stepped through the room. A trait that Lissa shared with her mother was an extremely good looks and beauty. Even at 39, Helen Hendgert was truly stunning with her long auburn hair, lightly tanned skin, pale green eyes and a beautiful body decorated with good curbs, an ample breast and backside. What do you expect from an old woman would be hanging open mouthed with her splendor.
Lissa parted her head to look Dib in the eye. "I was so worried…oh God thank God you're alright" Lissa hugged him again. "Cant…breath…hurts" Whispered Dib while Lissa separated herself and muttered an apology. The young nurse returned with Dr. Messer who look quite pleased and shocked from his speed recovery event normal humans levels couldn't reach this accelerated rate, he will find some time to speak with Professor Membrane alone after this. Dib asked some water to kill his sore throat while Rinnah happy to comply got his wish.
"How do you feel Dib? Does its still hurt?" Asked Lissa with concern, Dib just shook his head.
Shifting his weigh he met her gaze. "No. Strangely I feel sort of…fine. Like I was never hurt before, Im just a little sore"
Lissa sighed contently and kiss him on the lips right in front of everybody. Lissa mother gasped enraged, Membrane look in astonishment, Rinnah looked away with flushed cheeks and the doctor mere smiled. "I hope you can leave the hospital soon" Mumble Lissa while she caressed his cheek and tugged softly at his ear. "After this I will give you something that will leave you grounded to the bed for some time" Whispered sexily Lissa at Dib ear. The statement make him happy but laugh at the same time from the corny phrase.
"I wish I had a paycheck everytime something goes wrong in my life" Dib answer looking out of the window, feeling sore. Lissa grins before wrapping her arms around Dib shoulders. "Well…its not money. But I have your reward right here" Dib grins back and kissed her lips again, proving his tongue with hers. Lissa sighed contently and laid her head in his chest.
The headnurse had enough and decided to stop her daughter.
"Good morning Dib I hope you feel alright soon…Lissa can I speak with you?" The woman spoke clearly as the water with a smooth and beautiful voice, clenching daggers at Lissa who understood the indirect.
"Yes mother…be right back Dib" With another look she left the room with her mother. Dib stared in concern before tugging his attention to Dr. Messer. The doctor checked his pulse and other medical exams while Membrane just watched with deep interesting Dr. Messer suspicious conduct. Swallowing a smirk he nodded towards the doctor who smiled and nodded back. While Rinnah and Dib paid no attention to both labcoats mans; Rinnah checked Dib pulse and gasped. Never in all her life she had seen this fast recovery…he should be sickly white and a slower pulse than normal, even the bags under his eyes and the skinny cheeks disappeared. Puzzled by her discovery she had the desire to check his wounds but stopped herself with the warning gaze of Dr. Messer.
"Dear, give this young man his medicine, Professor Membrane and I had things to discuss. I will see you in lunch time" Rinnah nodded watching as Membrane and the doctor left the room closing the door again. Dib opened his mouth and swallowed the pill, receiving a pleased smile and a giggle from Rinnah. He couldn't explain it but watching her young face he found smiling back in response.
In another hall…
Her mother hadn't said a word since they left the room. She was worried often when seeing the serious expression on her mother she mean business. She had always been overprotective with her children, while she didn't find that a bad thing sometimes it was annoying and sometimes…well she still have some scars. Helen stopped and signalled her daughter to sit into a waiting room that was totally empty. Lissa met her mother gaze with a nervous glare.
Helen sighed, she hates doing things like this…but it was for the best.
"Lissa Im disappointed in you. You didn't even call us, your sister had been asking for you and even your father called. You disappeared for two days. I almost had to call the police believing you were kidnapped or worst" Lissa made a motion to defend herself only to be stopped by a deadly glare and a held of her mother hand.
"But mom…"
"Don't you dare to speak back. We had gave you everything…everything and this I how you pay us? By escaping with this crazy boy. What the hell were you thinking? He's not worthy of you. He'll ruin your life, he's just a filth coward. Men just want one thing, and when he got what he wants he'll dump you"
"You don't know him like I do. He cares for me. He…he-he LOVES me. And I don't care what you say. I'll stay with him whatever you like it or not"
Smack
Lissa held her angry reddened cheek looking at her mother in surprise. Looking at her made her anger built. Helen just walked casually besides her with a reassuring squeeze in the shoulder. "Im just doing this for you. You'll be thanking me eventually. You must realize that this boy…
The natter rankle of her mother longer forgotten, her anger was building at high levels. Never in her life had she been hostile towards her mother. She received respect always and her strong character was recognised in her home and community. But with the stress, lack of sleep, entire hours of constant worries and sorrow…she found that she couldn't stop herself.
Everything blurred…
She didn't knew it. But when she snapped, Lissa slapped her mother hard enough to bring her down to the floor and kicked her in the stomach. Helen could only grasp her pained stomach and face looking at surprise at the fury redden face of her daughter breathing heavily
"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!" Shouted Lissa running away from her and the hospital. Helen could only cry silently watching the disappearing form of her daughter and asking herself what went wrong…
XXXXXXX
"Would you like some whiskey?" Heilss offered the good Professor who nodded. Serving some fine quality alcohol in short glasses followed by a strange red liquid and two ice cubes. The amber liquid looked quite tasty even for Membrane standards. Sipping the amber liquid, Membrane sighed contently, burning the heavy stress in his system.
"I take you were part of the Evolus Project…Professor?" The doctor smiled when Membrane almost chocked on his drink. Membrane paled a little at the mention of the name.
"Don't worry Professor I have S clearance into the Mentis organization. In fact I was the one who approve your project exactly sixteen years ago…I can see that it was a success on both accounts" Said the doctor watching every of his movements.
Membrane could only shudder at the last word, seeing the golden ring in the older man hand with a coat of arms and a big medieval style S in the center. "O-of course-e doctor-or" Could only muttered Membrane nervous at seeing a high ranking man in the society he was part of. Currently he was C rank, just promoted after his all his success inventing many things including the world famous Super Toast and multiple experiments. The biggest experiment so far was still going into investigation, but the apparently success of the project have earned rake among ranks. But at what cost? He lost the love of his life and the respect of both his children…the only thing that remind of her and the unfinished project.
"The experiment seems to recover quickly as we expected. The enhanced regeneration system works fine and in augment with lesser time of working. I see also that his apparent delirium on his childhood disappeared as well. The second phase of the other subject had not changed that much. Only now that she can express more emotion besides anger at everything and now some concern for the other subject besides a façade world its present…this is good news professor, good news indeed. It had surpassed everything we expected to new levels". Rattle the scientist with a proud gaze over Membrane.
"Think of the possibilities. In ten years imagine what would change within the project. Im eager to see all the changes and enhancements activated to five hundred times of normal humans. It will be the new beginning of a new race. A new race that both subjects will be making possible with their union"
Membrane just cringed. "Will you take them away from me?"
The doctor just shook his head. "No…you made this possible, the merit goes for you. The children will be at your care and I expect to be that way. If you please you can watch them closely and no with a flying TV" Snickered Heilss at the last part. Membrane eyes dropped to the floor thinking about how bad as a parent he was.
"The project now it's your top priority, forget everything else. This will be your highest success, the evolution of mankind it's at your hands Professor" Cooed Dr. Messer.
"What if they refuse the final phase of union? Asked Membrane with concern. The doctor just waved a dismissal hand.
"Nonsense. The project will be completed by all means necessary, even if we need to drug them to have intercourse it will be done for the greater good of humanity". The doctor gulped the last of his whiskey licking his lips after.
Could I do that? Sacrificing the remaining love I had for a process as meaningless as this. Oh! Riza what I must do. You died because of me; I don't want to repeat this burden in our children. Mused Membrane with self hate. If he agreed to this then everything at hand will be sacrificed and the mind of the union of Riza and him will be lost forever to the good of mankind if that was the correct term to this. It should be madness and cruelty.
His feet didn't budge, his gaze lost on the cold eyes of the doctor and his mouth could only mutter the words he had been trying to avoid. "It will be done Körran(1)" Said Membrane not believing what came from his mouth. The doctor could only smile approvingly.
"Good now check on the other subject in the night I will see that my assistant maintain the other busy…the girl can stay until his recovered if she please. I need to see the results myself. And remember professor… Scientia est ops mens(2)"
Membrane nodded. "Adsuesco assuesco pro clementia(3)" He answered back before gulping the last of his whiskey. Putting the empty glass on the table, Membrane muttered a goodbye and left the room without another word.
Heilss sighed and relaxed in his long leather chair gazing out the window decorated with the auburn scenery. The goal could be achieved now but the community needed to wait a time before going to the final phase of the experiment. The doctor stuck his hand into the labcoat pocket to find a device with a single red button on it. Rolling the object in his hand he pressed the button with his thumb.
Five minutes later an exhausted Rinnah walked into the room, closing the door behind her and sitting in one of the chairs in front of the desk. "What do you need doctor?"
"Little Rinnah how is the patient?" The doctor poured more amber liquid into the glass followed by two ice cubes and red liquid, sipping his drink casually. Rinnah shifted her weight before answering.
Sighing she looked back at the expecting doctor. "He's doing fine. In fact more than fine. He recovered 200 of the initial blood loss, the tissue and blood vessels but I believe some scars will remain after. Even the tissue on his cheeks regenerated…I had never seen anything like it"
"Of course you don't. He's a better success than you are. You merely live if it wasn't for some enhancements in your body. Sadly your physicals augmentation didn't work as we expected. You barely walk straight, but without you the project couldn't not be initiated without the proper…experiments. If your parents could look at you right now they will be truly disappointed that the work of their life ended in a mere failure" The professor sipped his drink again.
Rinnah could only look away with tears staining her eyes. "That's not true. I-I still alive. You said that I couldn't survive a year. But I had lived twenty years without accident. I can still do it" Muttered Rinnah, Heilss rolled his eyes and laughed softly.
"Foolish girl, the only thing that kept you alive is your mulish will to live and this…
The doctor sharply grabbed the uniform upper fabric and tore it apart from the surprised yell of Rinnah as she struggled to close the undergarments. The doctor smacked her face and tore the remaining fabric. Rinnah lay still crying silently, her torso was smooth and milky quiet the beauty you expect from a delightful girl such as this…but apart from that they were countless stitches across all her body joining parts of flesh against flesh. Scars all across her body covered in black vertical stitches, some of them joining limps and the other joining her torso with her legs. Vertical, diagonal, straight, curves, down, up, right, left; they were scars and stitches everywhere. In her back was tattooed a giant oak tree of life. Half dead half alive completed with celtic runes and scripts, roots dispersing down her body to her bottoms and parts of her lower legs. In the top of the tree was a coat of arms with a single inscription…Qui ago peto nex procul a melior pretium(4)
"I gave you life. Life when it didn't exist. The only thing you can do it's reciprocate the favour…obeying the organization and our goals. You should thank me Ms. Schlachtung. If it weren't for me-
"If it weren't for YOU! My parents would still be alive. How can I be thankful when the man who give my life take away everything". Sob. "Tell me
How can I smile again? I can't do this anymore. It's all a fake"
The doctor shrugged "Like I said you are a failure. But you still have uses…and if you want to continue living" Soft laugh "You need us too like we need you…like the sketch you are"
"You mean man. You take my happiness away. Just work and work. How could conduct the cruellest things in a child? Hadn't I suffered enough?"
The doctor threw his head high in the air and laughed "Stupid girl you own everything to us. It's the price of progress. Progress made real because of you. Humanity will remember your suffering for them. And if I have to find another set of parents and experiment with their children…well I'll sacrifice them in the name of science. It's a small price to pay for"
Rinnah shook her head sadly.
"You see little Rin if it weren't for this and your almost inexistence ability to blemish, your limps will be scattered across the room" Laugh signalling to her stitches "But don't worry your failure it's still useful. Now get out of my sight" The indifference of Heilss carried more tears and sadness to Rinnah. She just grabbed another spare uniform out in one small closed inside the office and closed the door behind sniffing and cleaning her tears with her hand. The other nurses didn't even eyed Rinnah or even tried to take away her sadness. She just went out crying silently for the bathroom.
XXXXXXXX
In the darkness of the auditorium Zita awakened. Her head hurt badly, her limps ached; in fact everything hurt. With a groan of pain and exhaustiveness she stood up looking at her surroundings. She didn't remember much that happened; only that Dib psycho sister was involved. Something tickle to her cheek, wiping around the liquid she gasped rolling the red fluid between her hands. Touching her face again, she discovered to her horror that her hand was wrapped in redded velvet liquid, her face, and clothes were drenched in blood. Her forehead hurt like hell and only when she touch it she could trace bloodied carving in her flesh. She was horrified, the memories returned in full force. She couldn't stand it and vomited in the floor. She felt sick, everything was spinning around; with unknown strength she ran…ran until the blood spilled around…ran and ran. She couldn't stop, the people stared back bewildered.
The concerned faces turned into mocking faces…laughing and laughing. She screamed trying to ease the loud crackle. Sarah found her at last hugging her while Zita tried to yank free away from her grasp.
"Zita, Zita. Oh, god what happened to you?" Concerned for her well being and intrigued while Zita tried to free herself. The blood stained Sarah clothes, but she didn't care concerned for her friend. The tears mixed with the blood.
Zita could only continued fighting. "Get away. LEAVE ME ALONE. Don't hurt me. LET ME GO! LET ME GO! LET ME GO!! LET GO!!" Loud Sobbing. "Let go…please" Zita whimpered while the bewildered people looked at her bloodied form. "Oh my gosh. Call an ambulance! You are going to be alright hang in there" Sarah whispered to Zita that was weakly trying to get away as the blood dripped to the floor. In the distance sirens could be heard mixed with sobs and screams of sorrowful anguish…
XXXXXXXX
Success
That was the only word that passed through Gaz mind, hearing the sobbing of Zita. She was hiding behind one of the lockers looking with grin satisfaction the scene upon her. She could only laugh softly. The people were now helping Zita out of the school. Including the principal and other teachers. That gave her time to lockpick the principal office and hack away the teachers records until she found the direction of Physics Professor Frank Pelgus. Sighing contently she printed the information and leave everything the way it was before and leaving the room with a smile on her face. Passing people could only stare scared at the demonic grin on her face. But that was the least of her concerns now.
XXXXXXXX
"Can I least watch some TV?
"Of course you can Dib. The remote should be besides you"
"Well here we go…"
Uh shut up Beavis you Bunghole
HE-HE-HE-HEHE Wow HEHE Check this out Butthead FIRE! FIRE FIRE!!
We interrupt this program to inform breaking special live news…
"Crap" Muttered Dib, Rinnah just rolled her eyes. Membrane came before giving some goodbyes, a shake of hand and left for work again. He really couldn't ask anymore than this…
XXXXXXX
"C'mon man hurry up with that crap"
"Shaddap man. Im giving my best here" Three men were sitting in a van connecting some complicate equipment. The first man finally plugs all systems, while the other connected a TV camera and a microphone to the central. The suit man with an exaggerated hair cut (A/N: Some sort of Donald Trump haircut) who gave an annoyed huff taking sharply the microphone to the annoyance of the camarographer and the tech.
"Common hurry up you two. I had to make an impression here" The reporter whined. The crew speed up the process without the exasperation feeling disappearing. "K, all set here. Check the systems Yo!" The man gave the other a nod activating the expensive looking equipment. "Ok, all set. The camera's set?"
"Ye ye, this thinhg it's connecded, pass yer camera man". The camera guy got into position,
"YO. Ten seconds"
"How's my hair?"
"Fine, Fine. Yo film that shit up"
"And three, two one…Yo're live man"
"This is John Ireland from CBS new reporting live in a shocking murder at San Tomas Park. A dismembered body was found inside the park fountain, after the police was informed of shots fired in the zone. The teen was identified as Torque Geruch. The star quarterback of Newark Memorial HighSkool football team. Famous by the most amazing touchdowns in the history of sports of California. The police informed that a man dressed in heavy black clothes was found firing on the deceased body after murdering the victim with a shotgun. The police fired at the man but he escaped through the sewers. Police are looking exhaustibly for any suspects in the area…but none had been found. The apartment of the victim was found in a complete mess of destructiveness, which the police confirm as a fire fight between the victim and his murderer"
"Small caliber cases were found inside the apartment along with blasted pieces of furniture, demolished walls and parts along with spent 12 gauge shotgun shells by the police reports. A finger was also found in the emergency stairs of the building belonging to the victim, along with blood stains all over the place. The police don't have clues at the moments about what happened, as nobody claimed to see the murderer. This strengtheners the theory about been a professional hit.
"The police are currently questioning the neighbours of the poor victim. He was a great student who helped others to achieve their goals…in the end this cost him his life. The mother was send to a hospital after she received a nervous attack. He will be remembered…Back to you Claire"
"Thanks John. I give the family my most sincere condolence. May God protect them and I hope the police punish this man for taking away such a valuable community member. More details at Ten o'clock. In other news…
Click
Dib couldn't watch anymore. It was too much to take in at once. In apart he had a grim satisfaction that one of his oldest tormentors disappeared. The though just scared him to no end. Not even such a person like Torque deserved to die in such a horrible and he didn't enjoy this. A part of him was glad while another was horrified. He tried to kill him…perhaps this was his punishment for trying to take a life. He fucker deserve it Concluded Dib. The denial feelings fade away, he could now enjoy the though of this bully gone forever. He laughed softly.
Rinnah could only watch weirdly by his behaviour. But decided to not mess around and ignored it. Compensate
"So…eh…how are you feeling?"
"Been better"
"Does it still hurt?"
Um…no, not exactly. It kinda feels numb. Like the pain wasn't there before"
"Really?" Asked Rinnah with glee interest.
"Yeah. I know you're interested in my care. But why the sudden concern?"
Rinnah looked away. "It disturbs you? Im just trying to be friendly" For some reason the shrill voice of Rinnah annoyed him, some he find a neutral answer for that one.
"No, it just…never mind. I just fell fine. Had to thank you though. If it weren't for your attention I don't think my time here would be so enjoyable" Said Dib with a smile. The face of Rinnah illuminated so much that Dib think her face would melt.
"Oh thank you. You are making me blush" Giggle. She hugged him and kissed his cheek."Where's Lissa by the way?" The question took Dib by surprise. Not only because he hadn't though about it, he hadn't seen Lissa for some hours now, worriness clouding his mind.
"You know…now that you mention that. I hadn't seen her for some hours. Don't know where she is?"
"Oh…I saw her talking to another nurse. But she wasn't from this hospital".
Dib nodded. "She's her mother. She's the head nurse in another hospital. They…they seems to not been on friendly terms. They are always arguing about something; her father tries to ease the fights but he's almost always apart working for his family. She's very strict but a caring mother, if that lessens things a little" Dib explained, while Rinnah listened warily.
"She should be thankful that she had caring parents who love her" Rinnah looked away.
"Don't you have parents?"
Rinnah shook her head, sighing sadly. "They die when I was very young. Dr Messer was kind enough to take me under his wing. Had to do some favours for him…to re-repay the kin-kindness he offered all this time" Rinnah looked away. In her eyes hate was reflected, an emotion he had embraced for some time now.
"When my mother die…I was just six or five years old. My sister loved our mother. When she die…all the light that was left there disappeared, leaving just a little girl with anger issues. She hates all her eyes touches" Sigh. "Even me. I think she could understand more the fatalities of life. Like when you see that the living could extinguish like blowing a candle. I couldn't understand at first where my mom was going until I saw the open coffin. I tried to wake her, but she was so cold so unmoving. She felt like touching plastic under my fingers" Dib looked at his hands. "My father told me that god had taken her away. That she wasn't between us anymore. I can still remember that day…
Flashback. Ten years ago…
The day felt cold, really cold. Like when you try to open a freezer and frosty air hiss you in the face. The first thing I though was that I really didn't like walking in cemeteries. My mom was carried in the coffin by some people I don't remember. My father was besides me taking my hand; his face was a mask of coldness. But I knew he was destroyed in the inside. My sister…well my sister was in a mood I hadn't seen before. She was always whiny to my mother, always trying to cause trouble, shoving me. And making me jealous of the closeness she had with my mother. But she was just there with her eyes closed, almost unmoving if it wasn't for her light walking besides me. She was really happy around my mother, laughing all the time with her. Same with me. I used to make her laugh too…but sometimes it was just my suffering that brought joy to her. Eventually we stopped with people all wearing black.
It was raining. The mood felt terrible, I swear that even the rain water was black. Too depressing. The people made space and coffin was placed in a big hole with metallic supports. A priest came told a few words. And everyone gathered around the coffin to said goodbye.
"Daddy where's are they taking mommy?"
The professor looked at the ground. "She isn't between us anymore son. "She's gone…"
"Gone? But she's right there in that weird box. Wake her daddy I want to go home, I don't like this place" I whined. I could hardly understand what was happening at that time. My father sniffed, and change the umbrella to the other hands so he could wipe away his tears. I looked at my sister to seek her help. But she just sit there silently watching.
"Gazy. Help me . Daddy don't understand. Help me wake her and then we can go home and eat some ice-cream. C'mon Gaz" My sister didn't move a muscle even when I tugged at her black dress. I tried eventually to drag her grabbing the skull necklace my mother gave it to here. That was when everything went to hell between us.
Smack
Something hurt my face. I could only watch my sister opened her eyes showing her fury. Her tears were washed away by the gloomy rain. "She's dead Dib. She isn't going to wake up. She isn't in heaven or that crap. She's going to be buried her and then the worms will fest with her flesh. And then only bones will remain here. Not her smile, her eyes or her voice again. Grow up already. Stupid Dib" I could only watch agape the bombshell she thrown out. I was devastated, I just laughed like it was some sort of sick joke.
"You're not going to scare me. I bet she's laughing now behind us. Let's go and find here. C'mon dad. Lets find mommy". I tried to jerk my dad out of his trance. He just buried his face in his hand and cried, I really hadn't see my father crying. The other people looked at me with pity, some of them shaking their heads in sadness
"Dad? What aren't you moving? C'mon lets go home. I want to go home with mommy"
Gaz stood only there. "C'mon dad. Please I just want my mommy." I found then in the cold ground. Gaz had pushed me to the ground. My clothes stained with the mud but I was too confused to even get up.
"WHINER!! SHE'S DEAD. SHE'S NOT COMING BACK STUPID. SHE'S DEAD!! SHE'S DEAD" Gaz broke down sobbing loudly and hitting the ground and then she fell crying loudly to the ground. My eyes spilled tears. I really couldn't believe it. I move between the mass of persons and yank free the coffin trapdoor. She lay there, with a peaceful face. Like I watched her sleeping sometimes tired of playing with us. I shake her trying to wake her but she didn't move.
"C'mon mommy lets go home. This isn't funny anymore. Lets go home. Mommy? MOMMY!!" I tried to open her eye lashed but they didn't move. I tried to open her mouth but the lips were sealed shut. I tried to yank her by the hands. I hug her believing that she'll hug me back like all those time when she faked been dead and then she hug me and tickle my tummy laughing with her.
Sniff, Sniff…
"Are you okay Dib? Please you don't have to do this"
"No…its…sniff…okay I have to take this out of my chest"
I looked puzzled. I really didn't understand what was happening. The sudden realization that this couldn't be a joke send shivers down my spine, colder that the rain drops in my clothes. My father jerk me out of the coffin and forcedly closed the door, bolting it shut. "Bury her now. Please…just do it" The cemetery crew nodded and lowered the coffin to the big hole. Sealing her away forever. I tried to free myself. I screamed, kicked, cursed and even bit my father hands. But he didn't move hugging me with all his force. I want it so hard to reach for my mother. I hugged my father sobbing loudly in his chest. Then my dad grabbed my sister from the ground and hug her too. She cried as hardly as me in my father chest. He stumbled weakly to the floor holding us there, in the cold of the night.
Then I really understand that she was finally gone from or lives forever. Everything went to hell. My father was now married to his job. Never having time for us. Sometimes we didn't saw him for weeks or even months. My sister was the most affected of us. She changed…changed so much that I barely recognise her. Her mod darkened, destroying any other happy memories in our house and obsessing with a video game portable console that dad bough her to ease the pain. There wasn't anybody there so we had to raise ourselves. No goodnight kisses and warm caresses. Just the coldness of our home.
"That happened ten years ago. I miss her…but now I understand that life it's too easy to change and could end in any second" Sigh. "I wish at least Gaz was here comforting me. But aint gonna happen" Dib looked at the window. He felt strangely better now, like a ton of bricks had been lifter of his shoulders.
"She was here you know" Dib jerked toward Rinnah face. "Who?"
Rinnah smiled sniffing and wiping her tears with a handkerchief. "Your sister was here. I saw her in the room when you were unconscious. She stayed the first day with you father and Lissa. She looked really sad and I saw her crying some times. I tried to cheer her up. But like you say, she didn't even mutter a word. I just gave up eventually. Then she left in the morning" Rinnah explained.
"She was crying?" Dib couldn't understand. Gaz was never sad or happy, just angrier and annoyed at everything. Rinnah nodded. "She was here. Then she left. I caught up with her. I tried to convince her to stay. She watch me with cold eyes and said she had things to take care of. I was too scared to move and then she left". Rinnah looked ashamed at Dib.
Dib just smiled. "Its ok Rin. Im happy that Gaz was here. But sadly I didn't saw here" Sigh. "Well at least I know that she cares about me" Dib smiled and Rinnah smiled back.
"Dib"
"Yeah?"
"Can I sleep in the chair?"
"Uh…sure thing"
Rinnah hop in the chair giggling happily and close her eyes exhaling in relaxation
"Sleep well Rin"
The girl didn't answer. But Dib grinned watching her young face smiling in her sleep. If he could paid more attention he wouldn't miss the twitching of her eyes and small tears sliding down her face…
XXXXXXXX
Three hours later…
A house was in her sights now. She had planned carefully her escape, where she could put the body and then the final message writing in blood but things not always get as planned.
DING-DONG
The bell called to a lady who opened the door for Gaz, who mentally sigh seeing it wasn't Pelgus. The woman was puzzled at first, but looking at the beautiful honey and warm eyes she assumed that it was one student of her husband.
"Can I help you young lady?"
"Yes…its the Pro-professo-r home? I had to bring-g some homework-rk for him"
The lady smiled. "No dear…Im afraid that he had gone for a hotel near the airport. He has to travel tomorrow" The girl face fell to the floor. The woman was struck by pity.
"Oh…ok it just…it's my final assignment. Oh god. What Im gonna do? My parents will beat me" Sob. "How can I be so stupid" The girl cried. "No I can't go back to my house Im gonna die" The girl continued crying. The woman squeezed the girl shoulders.
"No No dear. Calm down, you poor thing. Im going to give you his address. Im sure Frank will be glad to receive you. Wait here" Saying this, the woman sprinted to the phone. Gaz laughed to herself and grinned, maybe watching soup operas wasn't a bad idea after all. The woman came back and Gaz made sure to put the saddest face she could muster.
"Here. This is the address of the hotel. He's in the suit 343. Im going to call him to open the door for you"
"Thank you. Thank you. I don't know what to say" The girl replied whipping her tears and sniffing.
"Don't thank me girl. I hope everything goes alright" The woman patted her head. The girl launched at her form at hug her saying thank you, thank you over and over again. The woman smiled
"Thank you. I won't forget this. Im sure ill repay the favour somehow"
"Just your happiness it's enough" Replied the woman
"Thank you again. I swear ill repay this kindness"
"Nonsense. Just go dear. Good luck"
"Goodbye miss…uh"
The woman patted her head. "Im Laura"
The girl giggle too. "Thanks Miss Laura" The girl smiled, waved and she took off running with a smile in her face, turning into a demonic sneer while the woman wasn't looking.
"Ahhhh! Youth this time. She reminds me of me" The woman sighed contently, happy with herself for helping the girl. With another smile she returned to her home unaware that she handed over the keys of the life of her husband.
XXXXXXXXX
"Shit Im gonna be sick" The little number back there was funny as hell seeing that it was easy to fool a person just crying fake tears and talking like a whinny idiot. She put another black parka in her closed after dropping carefully Dib coat. She left her pistol in the secret compartment and any other sharp object. After all this hotels had metal detectors. And how could she explain what a young girl was carrying a silenced PPK for. She changed her boots for another pair, this one with metal teal toe and green fabric covering some areas with the casual black leather, another pair of black leather gloves (A/N: Too much leather 0o), the same leather pants, white and black stripped training bra and tugged her purple hair in a pony tail, covering then her form with the heavy black parka and left her home.
She walked to the taxi station until a colour man receive her.
"Destination?"
"Comfort Inn Hotel, how much?"
"Lets see…its kinda a long way to there so…thirty bucks" Gaz annoyed at the extra bullshit of the man put out her wallet and paid the money slamming the bill in the counter, the man jumped slightly and called quickly for a taxi driver to take away the scary child. When she was gone the man could only sigh in relief.
"Shit man. Remind me to never had kids" The other man beside him could only nod.
XXXXXXXX
The ride was a quiet one. The sound of the city at night could only calm Gaz watching the orange colours decorating the streets. Finally after forty minutes of silent riding she arrived at the hotel. In the distance the hotel was illuminated by lights with a fresh and soft pink colour and near the sea with some distant noise of airplane turbines. The taxi left her in the entrance with the driver waving at her while a bell boy opened the cab door.
"Here we are little girl. Have fun" The man gave her a happy grin; she just gave him the middle finger left the taxi enjoying the shocked face of the man. She entered the hotel, looking at the beautiful surroundings and people moving everywhere.
"Can I help you miss?" Asked one of the female receptionists. Gaz nodded. "Yes. I need to go for suite 343. My teacher Frank Pelgus is there" Gaz explained.
"Give a moment….ah here it is. Yes he called to say that a girl was going to bring something for him. Hey Bill, take this girl to the 343 pronto" The man nodded and gestured for her to follow. Gaz complied and took the elevator with the bell boy…or bell man or whatever he is, mused Gaz.
"Here it is. Follow the left hall, second exit. That should be the 343. Here's the spar card for the room" Informed the man to her while she nodded, grabbed the car and left in search for the room.
She silently walked the halls. Like the reception, it was decorate it with many paintings and beautiful colours while a soft tune played in the ambience. It made her more relaxed. "339, 340...here it is 343" Eyeing the card she decided to nock the door politely, presentation is all. After some moments a tanned man receive her. She eyed the man comparing him with the school records photo and confirmed as him as the teacher. "Good night. Are you girl that my wife send?" Frank asked a little annoyed.
"Yes sir. I had my brother assignment here. From your physic class. He was hurt in school was responsible enough to do his homework in the hospital" The girl explained. Pelgus watched the girl hands for any sort of books or notes but there wasn't anything there, besides a par of leather gloves in the child hands.
"What's the name of the student?" Asked the teacher. The girl face change drastically, lips curled back, teeths bared and a cold gaze.
"Dib Membrane, my brother" The girl said. Pelgus paled at the mention of the name.
"Ne-never head of him before. You sure his in my class?" Say no Say no, Shit!!
"Yes. He was the one you sent to the hospital…professor" Frank gasped and tried to bolt the door shut, only to be stopped when Gaz put the metal toe in the door. "Why so nervous? Are you hiding something?" The man tried again to bolt shot the door with both hands, banging the door. Gaz just calmly observed and grinned sadistically. Having enough she kicked open the door breaking the man nose in the process. Frank screamed grabbing his nose in pain. Gaz made herself at home punching the man in the stomach. Gaz giggled like a school girl. For anybody else, her laugh could be joyable…for Frank was like hearing Death laughing at your face.
"Ahhh! Whad do you want? Money? I have 600 . TAKE THEM!!" The man held his stomach in pain signalling for his wallet. To his horror the girl laughed again and calmly walked towards him.
"Money? This covers that you tried to kill my brother? He almost died because of you, I had to take made you all pay!!" Gaz exclaimed. The man made a run for the telephone. Gaz just smiled and jumped besides the bewildered man snapping the man fingers between her hand and showing the other to his mouth. Fran k screamed in pain, trying to free his broken hand out of Gaz grasp. Desesparation clouding his mind, Frank could only jerk more times bringing more pain to his body. Gaz kicked the man in the chest, sending stumbling toward one of the sofas in the room. While the teacher laid there whimpering in pain, Gaz calmly entered the little kitchen and grabbed one of the sharpest kitchen knife she could find. She eyed the edge and walked toward the sobering Frank.
"It was you…you-you killed one of Zita's goons" The man signalled with a trembling hand. Gaz just chuckled darkly.
"C'mon, you sure this wasn't coming to you? Nobody fucks with my family. I really don't care what you did it. The case is…you did it. And I can't really take that. The thing is that he's my brother. My annoying brother but my brother. So I had to take your balls as a souvenir professor" Gaz laughed maniacally causing Frank to back off to the window in fear. Gaz raised the knife in the air and bring it down against the man boxers. Frank closed his eyes, but the pain didn't come. Opening his eyes he found the knife had stopped from mere millimetres from his crotch. Looking up he saw the demonic grin of Gaz as she laughed hard as this was the best joke she had ever heard. Gaz laughed, the man had just wet his pants, it was simply too funny. She wiped her tears and held her aching stomach.
"Im sorry ok? I just couldn't stand it" Frank whined, standing across the big window. Gaz just shook her head.
"If I had been with him more than twelve years, then you don't have tolerance…professor. The man grabbed his throbbing fingers.
"I swear I didn't know. Im sure there can be a peaceful way out of our troubles" Frank implored. He shuddered as Gaz thrown her head laughing. "Oh…professor you are too funny. It's the best joke I had ever heard of" Gaz words came smooth and calm, making Pelgus tremble in frightening horror.
"I think its enough laughs for today. But as they say the best way to go it's with a smile" Gaz grinned at the last words and raised the knife. Frank backed away pressed against the glass, scared for his life blanching with fear. The knife sliced through the air and the throat of the quivering man with a single clean slash. The man choked on his own blood, before he could stumble to the floor. With one powerful kick, Gaz send the man crashing throw the ceiling window. She stood there unmoving, until she heard a big crash, screams of horror and a car alarm sounding loudly.
Satisfied with her work, she indifferently left the room and the mess around her launching the knife from the broken window. She left the hotel walking towards home, her job completed, forgetting the loud sounds of screams and sirens around her.
XXXXXXXXXXX
A/N: Another chapter, well I enjoyed writing this chapter. Some soup drama, revelations and maybe something else. Wait for the next chapter will ya?
From Venezuela
D4rK
(1): First One on Icelandic.
(2): Knowledge is power for the mind.
(3): Power used for the good of mankind.
(4): Those who live, seek Death at a better price.