Chapter 11-Evil Eye
The car stopped as Marik had been asleep and Luanne sat silently as the rare hunters unloaded their bags. She stared at Marik's Millennium Rod wondering what he really is. A kind of wizardry is in controlling minds is surreal and conjuring up this power that is known as the Shadow Realm. He did reveal he knows a fair amount of antiquities and whatever a secret society holds is always linked to sorcery prewritten for one to implement. This meant she must be vigilant in what she sends online. She twiddled her thumbs as she set her eyes upon the neighbourhood familiar to her.
They have definitely arrived, Luanne pressed down the window and started calling out. "Samson, Gideon I'm back!" Marik woke up as Luanne leaned out of the car that was stopped with her hands out. Marik pulled her back as he was surprised she was doing something dangerous.
"What are you doing?" Marik narrowed his eyes.
"Greeting my dogs, duh!" She opened the door as two brisk large dogs came charging towards her.
"Oh, great… I'll be living with mutts, I detest them!" Marik did not like animals, at least had not experienced having pets when he was young. Samson started growling as he caught the Kelb Tal-Fenek canine's attention. Luanne rolled her eyes.
"No Samson, calm down! He is a friend of mine." Luanne said firmly. Then Gideon who is a Karabesh started barking at the unfamiliar Egyptian boy. "Shhhh, Gideon, its okay buddy." Marik then alighted from the car, as he is still in the subject of the dog's disgruntled behaviour. Samson started barking viciously, Luanne attempted to block Samson as he lunged at Marik and bit Luanne's hand. She screamed. She flinched and held her now bleeding hand.
"Hell with this dog!" Marik drew his Millennium Rod and suddenly Samson started whining in a submissively as his paws covered eyes. Gideon on the other hand had a wagging tail kept barking at Marik in a friendly way. Marik looked over to Luanne as Gideon realised his owner had a bite from his fellow friend. "Y-you're bleeding!" Marik pointed his Rod at her to his surprise.
"It's only a- it's nothing" Luanne quickly placed her and behind her back.
"Really? Don't be a fool, let me see your hand!" Marik came forward to her.
"No it's nothing…" Luanne said. She walked towards the door of her home and Marik followed her and Gideon did too.
"Come on Luanne, it's bleeding and I saw it." The boy insisted.
"No, I'm fine!" Luanne's dismay was revealed as a teardrop descended down her cheeks.
"Show me your hand!" The glimmer in his Millennium Rod flashed and she was observing mind control performed on her for the first time. "That's a hound dog with great instincts… lets get that bite treated as soon as possible." Marik sighed and rolled his eyes. Gideon was still excited about Luanne kept barking and rolling.
Marik pressed the doorbell and Jumoke opened the door. "Hi Jumoke!" Luanne grinned shyly.
"Dear Lord, long time no see Luanne and who is this fellow?" Jumoke was bewildered by Luanne's bleeding hand. Luanne then saw Marik pursed his lips and drew his Millennium Rod.
"You do not need to know about Luanne's hands." Marik said in a hypnotic tone, the glow emitted from the relic and for the first time Luanne was not affected by it.
"Look kid, you sho-" Jumoke paused and his eyes blurred "Actually… I do not need to know what happen to Luanne."
"You will tell no one of it or else you will be receiving a free ticket to… the Shadow Realm." Marik smirked as he glanced at the female beside him. Luanne shoved Marik and stormed in. Who was he to make threats to her butler? She heard Jumoke leave the house and start the engine. Gideon followed them in.
Marik cackled as he closed the door. "What's wrong? I just wanted to make sure you're safe."
"You- just…" She paused. "You can't just come in my house and start using the mind sorcery on my family!"
"Why are you blaming me, if you came between your dog and I? I for one did not ask for your protection so it was your fault." Marik shrugged. "So do you have-"
Luanne ran upstairs to her bathroom started washing the blood away, I really wasn't that bad. She lifted the cupboard and first aid was there, Gideon followed too. It wasn't a bad bite, and she wasn't worried, as their dogs had been tested negative for rabies. All her fingers are still intact but Gideon was still distressed so he licked her. She laughed feeling empty, what's the point of treating the wound.
Marik listened intently from downstairs; he should just go up just to check on her. He had his arms crossed as he looked out of the window, he could see the dog that was responsible for the bite. He went upstairs and found Luanne just placing her hand in cold running water and Gideon playing fetches with her other hand. The house was definitely empty beside him and Luanne. He leaned towards the doorframe. "Have you stopped the bleeding?" Marik sounded menacing and Gideon sat still and Luanne's heart skipped. She looked at her hand and remembered why she was up here. For the first aid but didn't see the need for it later.
"It's not bleeding anymore, and it's actually very minor. Oh and I'll apply antiseptic…" Luanne realised Marik was rolling his eyes and shaking it at the same time. With his rod in his hands he noticed the small pool of blood in the sink. "Well actually I kinda thought I would let it flow a bit before wrapping it with… toilet paper. I ran out of… first aid supplies…" In truth she wanted to be alone and contemplate on many things. She did have plenty in the first aid kit and Marik scowled at her. He turned off the tap and sat beside her on the ledge of the bathtub.
"I seriously think you have a mental problem because, anyone would know loosing blood, you'll become anaemic." The Egyptian boy began to rummage through the bad and saw the antiseptic cream and bandage. He wrapped it and even Luanne. Gideon then licked Luanne's cheek and she laughed; Marik really detested affectionate beings and he mentally growled. In turn Marik felt a sticky tongue on his cheek, it was Gideon and Luanne giggled. Marik in turn couldn't help but smile and reluctantly patted her dog.
"He likes you, just a way to say thank you. Come to the kitchen, I have to start preparing for Christmas feasts." Luanne stood up.
"I like to see you try with one hand. You still owe me a Kushari and believe me I will have my way." Marik challenged her. "Your family doesn't seem to be here yet, perhaps you are meant to be elsewhere, I don't mind spending a quiet day with you."
"Huh? Oh yeah I was meant to be at the charity event until you kept me for searching for your card. " Luanne stood up and went down stairs
"For that I am grateful but your work not accomplished you if you haven't forgotten out little deal we made a few days ago and it is much more urgent than your normal routine." He followed her.
Luanne opened the fridge and carefully. "What to crack down on cards illegally and get my arse locked in jail for you? No, I think I have done enough and the fact that we took Mr Feisal was bad enough." Marik forcefully closed the fridge and shoved Luanne to the bench.
"You will tell no one of our event. Now that your father is in national radar and if find out you have that you have disclose our little stunt, I will destroy whatever you hold dearly." Marik said gravely, it scared Luanne; she felt a container of uncooked rice and pushed it down. This diverted both their attention but that didn't stop Marik being less intimidating.
"I'm not sure where you're steering with this threat…" Luanne whispered.
"You see, Rishid to you but Odion to me. He may have met you out of kindness as a friend a few days ago and he is my loyal servant, but I am no friend of yours. I have been misrepresented from the time we met. I am not what you like to think of as just an 'entrepreneur', I have destiny to fulfil with-"
"Oh I get it, family issues… hey I pack the book your sister gave you. Look if you have a personal issue with people around you, you don't have to tell me. Anyway I want you to please enjoy Christmas for once." She smiled trying not to cry. Nope too late a tear flowed down.
"Don't change the subject, Dear Luanne. You have given your allegiance to me in the shadows, so don't you be fool as to a threat or blackmail my quest." Marik is gripping Luanne's chin to make eye contact. She flinched as the teenage Egyptian boy locked eyes with her. "I didn't think so… now if you may, pick up the rice, you would not want you family to starve would we?" Marik smiled triumphantly.
"So you think I'm ludicrous?" she whispered.
"For helping me, no, as long as you fulfil your end of our little bargain. I will help you with duelling a little." Squatting down to pick up the rice first. Luanne paused a tried her best to pick up the rice too.
"S-sure…"
"I always have my ways and I assure you, it won't be counter productive. Trust me…" Marik grinned.
Moments later her family returned home. Annabelle their housemaid carried a huge bag of groceries and so did her parents. The twins dashed as they opened the door and yelled, "Merry Christmas". Luanne had finished her Kushari and it was on the table with some omelettes. Samara, Luanne's mother was always calm about anything as she saw Luanne's hand bandaged. As usual Wati and Nubit aren't always at home. Badru went straight to his room.
"Annabelle how was your trip?" Luanne asked her.
"Aye, it' tis been good. Not as hot as 'ere in Egypt. You've been good ma'am?" Annabelle unloaded the groceries. Samara and the twins were busy setting up their belated Christmas trees and presents.
"Your Kushari you make is better, ah yes I don't have to make more Lua Lua. Eh, who is dat boy dere?" Annabelle looked pointedly at Marik who just entered the back door. Marik came in with his Millennium Rod tucked under his belt and walked towards Luanne.
Marik chuckled and replied, "Indeed, Luanne makes the finest Kushari."
Marik ignored Annabelle but eyed on her intently and coldly. Refusing to greet the maid. He smirked with his arms crossed and glanced at Luanne who was waiting for Marik to introduce himself. In his thought he laughed at the petty woman. "Pathetic! Annabelle is it. She is mine to keep. Keh keh keh." The short maid was taken aback at his lavender gaze and started spurting out. "Masha' Allah! Sunnah! Chasmi bud dur! Repeatedly while fanning herself.
"Annabelle, what's wrong?" Luanne asked in surprise.
"Luanne, you have your hamsa and cast der evil gaze away, away and be gone." Moments later Annabelle quickly walked away from the kitchen and saw the Egyptian boy's smirk stretched. Then Samara also came in to find out what the fuss is all about. Annabelle then came back to hand Luanne a bracelet with a hand shaped pendant.
"Annabelle, would you stop this superstition under my roof?" Samara was cross. "Whatever it is, if you do not want to stay here for dinner all you have to do is tell us."
"I'll cook and-" Annabelle ceased talking and Samara gestured to go upstairs.
"You must be Luanne's friend. I remember we spoke over the phone. Anyway I sincerely apologise for this inconvenience and rudeness." Her mother sighed and then Samara and Annabelle went to up.
"It is fine Mrs Khait, Name is"
"Namu, and ah yeah." Luanne budged in.
"I will help Luanne finish cooking." Marik smiled. Later smirked as they left Luanne and him in the kitchen. Luanne bit her lower lip, as she nervously was about to apologise to Marik for Annabelle's rudeness.
Marik pretended that he fell victim to a verbal assault. "It's fine, it's just an old senile superstition… thanks again for making my name up." Marik sighed pondering Annabelle's demise.
"Respect Annabelle for goodness sakes! Oh, no sweat Namu, what do you mean?" Luanne asked
"Ayin Harsha. Old Lady syndrome…" Marik said in Arabic hoping Luanne understands.
"The Evil Eye, yeah that is an old wives tale." Luanne laughed.
"Perhaps but I only complimented you for a Kushari." Marik said sheepishly and grinned hoping she'd knows what it is. "One doesn't have to believe a curse for a curse to exist, it just does." Marik articulated.
"Did you curse me though?" Luanne asked sceptically.
"Why would I ever do that, it's not like I need anything from you,"
"The contract…" Luanne said As-A Matter-Of –Factly.
"They are two different forces and I will only use the 'evil eye' on someone I want to get even with if were to happen."
Marik was deep in thought about this childhood, the day where secretly sneaked out of their home underground. They were protecting a sacred tomb of the ancient king. It was his fate of curiosity of the outside world above ground, a forbidden desire of his clan to step outside and breath the air beyond their roof. It all became a tragedy when the Elder Ishtar whom Marik refuse to associate him as his late father found out about his own son and daughter disobeyed him. Even worse, the adopted son of his deceased wife covered for them and punished Odion severely. Most of what he forgotten was the true murderer whom his family was sworn to protect a secret and help remember the identity: The Pharaoh.
"Who is that person?" Luanne shyly said. Marik's thoughts were snapped as she gazed up at him.
"The person that I will get even with you mean?" Marik calmly asked, surely he isn't going to reveal his haunting past to her, at least not yet. He aimlessly boiled the vegetables that were already at the counter.
"Is it me that you want to get even?" Luanne nervously asked as she walked up to Marik.
"You have forgotten our conversation a few moments ago. I don't need to get even you. I have my way already, with proper incentives…. However, the person I want to get even with, oh actually more like eradication for someone's identity who have betrayed my clan and I am still finding this person." Marik said casually and realised he wasn't meant to reveal anything.
"Oh, it's a personal issue, then I won't ask further then. I-I mean." Luanne said sensitively and walked right up to Marik and gave him a sweet hug.
"I think you are quite ludicrous in giving up on an information that may be important to you." Marik chuckled as he turned off the stove. "I will reveal it when the time is right and don't ask Odion about my past, now if you may call your family for dinner." She looked at the table and saw their work being paid off.
