Rommel sat at the end of the couch wearing a long, sad face…

*sigh*

He noticed the phone beside him… hesitantly,  he picked it up, and slowly dialed a number. He wasn’t even looking, it’s as if his fingers have a mind of their own, knowing just which numbers to push.

*R-r-r-r-i-i-i-i-i-n-g*

He felt nervous as he heard the phone rings at the other end…

*R-r-r-r-i-i-i-i-i-n-g*

Rommel almost wanting to hang up

*R-r-r-r-i-i-i-i-i-n-g*

Third ring and still no answer, just one more and he will hang up

*R-r-r-r-i-i-i-i-i-n-g*

“Okay, that’s it. She can’t say I did not try,” Rommel said to himself. He was about to hang up when suddenly he heard a voice from the other line.

“We’re sorry, the number you are calling seems to be unattended or out of the coverage area. Please try your call again later. Thank you.”

Rommel  only sighed… he misses his girlfriend. They had a fight two days ago and she asked for breathing space. Now, he realized how much she means to him.

“We’re sorry, the number you are calling seems to be unattended or out of the coverage area. Please try your call again later. Thank you.”

He paused for a while, as he listened to the monotonous voice of the lady at the other line.

“We’re sorry, the number you are calling seems to be unattended or out of the coverage area. Please try your call again later. Thank you.”

Rommel took a deep breath before he started to speak, “Hello Liza. I’m really sorry about the other day, I hope you can forgive me. I miss you, Liza. I need you.”

“We’re sorry, the number you are calling seems to be unattended or out of the coverage area. Please try your call again later. Thank you.” The monotonous voice continued without missing a beat.

Oblivious of the voice on the other line, Rommel went on talking. “Please, Liza. Give me another chance. I promise I’ll change. I’ll be a better man!”

“We’re sorry, the number you are calling seems to be unattended or out of the coverage area. Please try your call again later. Thank you.” The message went on, even as Rommel speaks.

“Please Liza,” Rommel continued to plead, “give me another chance. I beg you, Liza. I love you!”

“We’re sorry, the number you are calling seems to be unattended or out of the coverage area. Please try your call again later. Thank you.”

“Just tell me what I need to do to make you come back to me, Liza. I need you, Liza. I love you. Please believe me!”

“We’re sorry, the number you are calling seems to be unattended or out of the coverage area. Please try your call again later. Thank you.”

“Please Liza,” Rommel’s voice was almost crying… he was in fact crying, “come back to me Liza.”

“We’re sorry, the number you are calling seems to be unattended or out of the coverage area. Please try your call again later. Thank you.”

“Liza, please….” his voice now trembling

“We’re sorry… WILL YOU CUT THAT OUT. YOU KNOW I CAN’T STAND YOU CRYING! AND DON’T CALL ME AT WORK, DO YOU WANT ME TO GET FIRED?!”

“Liza, I can’t stand to lose you. I miss you. I love you, Liza.”

“I love you too, honey. And to be honest, I miss you too, but I just need some time off to think.”

“Please come back to me”

“Okay, you win. I’ll call you soon. Now, why don’t you be a good boyfriend and put down the phone so I can get back to work. You don’t want me to get fired, do you?”

“No honey, I don’t want that to happen. Promise you’ll call me?”

“Yes, I will. Now, can I get back to work?”

“Yes honey, you may. Thank you very much. I love you, honey.”

“We’re sorry, the number you are calling seems to be unattended or out of the coverage area. Please try your call again later. Thank you.”

*click*

He took one deep breath before he closed the box. Carefully, he tucked it neatly inside his closet, under his clothes where his daughter will not find it.

It’s almost time. He drove her daughter to school, and after kissing her goodbye, he went straight to his office.

It was an ordinary day, just like the previous days – home, school, office, home.

He still could not understand though what compelled him to get that box from the store the other day.

That night over dinner, he was happily conversing with his daughter. Asking her how her day was, what she learned in school, as he also told her of his own day’s account.

That was how it has always been. They were happy… just the two of them. He couldn’t ask for more.

Or could he?

After dinner, a brief bonding moment over their favorite show on TV, and her daughter went off to bed. He was left alone in the living room, sitting on his favorite chair.

It was supposed to be an ordinary night… just like the other nights.

But that night, he felt he wasn’t alone. There was someone, rather something, that was there with him… taunting him.

It wasn’t the first time he felt it, but that night, the “something” seemed to be more intense… persistent… stubborn.

Then, he felt that “something” enveloped his very being… he wasn’t his own self anymore.

Standing up from his chair, he went straight to his closet where he kept the box. He picked it up and walked straight back to where his favorite chair was.

Passing by the door of his daughter’s room, he took a peek and saw an angel sleeping… calmly.

He went back to his chair and sat down.

Carefully, he opened the box… got the thing inside it. The light that comes from the outside hit the silver object, making it shine amidst a dark room

Holding it in his hands, it felt cold.

Lifting it up, he observed it from end to end, front and back… he felt it beckoned.

Slowly, lifting it higher until the nozzle touched the side of head… closing his eyes, and without thinking…

*BANG!*

Silence

Is it over?

And as he lay there on the floor… cold… swimming in his own blood… an angel sat beside him crying.

*gulp*

There I was standing in front of him as he is seated on his throne, sizing me up with his baleful stare before he spoke to me, “And what are you going to give me if I grant you this wish of power, fame and fortune?”

“M—m—my…my soul?” *gulp* I replied hesitantly

“Your soul!!! YOUR SOUL?!!! Bwahahahaha! You’re offering me your soul! Bwahahaha!” the prince of darkness said in a rather sarcastic tone

“Ahehe… yes… my soul… hehe…”

“And why do you think I would want your soul?!” he asked, as he stood from his throne and walks toward where I stand

“Bu—but isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? I make a wish and in return I promise to give you my soul when I die?” I asked him

“Bwahahaha!” he now stands towering over me, “Bwahaha! Listen kid, either you’re watching too much fiction or you bumped your head on way down here.”

“Eh?” was my puzzled reply

“In these times, I would hardly lift a finger to get anybody’s soul. Souls are a dime-a-dozen today kid! Everybody’s very much willing to give their soul to the devil, and they are not even aware of it.”

By now, I don’t know if I’m puzzled, I’m nervous or I just want to get out of there

“People have sex, and they call it love. It doesn’t matter if they are not married or one of them is married, all they know is that they are in love and there’s nothing wrong with being in love, right? That is why they keep on doing it, all because love justified their lust.”

“but…” I started to speak…

“Oh, don’t butt in yet, I’m just starting…” he continued, “look at the progress that is happening around… new bridges, roads, schools, buildings – development! Who doesn’t love progress? But every time a new bridge is built, a new building erected or roadways developed, I get more souls, all because the powers-that-be were just getting their ‘fair share.’ I believe that’s what they call in your world S.O.P., and THEY ACTUALLY BELIEVE IT’S OKAY!”

He continued to speak as he walks slowly around me

“Aahh… technology, I’ve never had an able assistant since the dawn of the Internet. And I’m not even referring to those surfing on porn sites and watching nude photos online, those were given, hardly any challenge there. But I’m referring to those very cunning social media. Thanks to them, people would rather chat with their friends, tend to their virtual farms, upload their most recent photos, and even shop online… they are so busy doing all these things that they no longer read the bible… heck! They don’t even pray anymore!”

“So, you see, you are not really in a position to bargain with me offering your soul. What I’ve mentioned to you are just few of your people’s follies, and I can feel that they will keep on doing these things… and the more powerful I will become… AND I’M NOT EVEN DOING ANYTHING! Isn’t that great?!”

“Bwahahaha! Bwahahaha!” his laugher is beginning to annoy me now.

“A-hehehe… I see your point… I – I – I’m really sorry for wasting your time… I better go now,” and I tried to walk away slowly…

“NOT SO FAST! It’s not that easy you know, just by coming to me, you have actually given me your soul. You have lost more than your share of bargain… you people are such an idiot!”

“Wait a minute! You have not given me my wish! That’s not fair!”

“Fair?! Me, the devil? You want me to play fair? Bwahahaha!”

“BWAHAHAHA! BWAHAHAHA!”

(Note: While I’m still not able to come out with a decent story lately, allow me to post here an original story I wrote last year and posted in my Sugar Coated World blog. This story was written when The Struggling Blogger dot Com and Roysville dot Com were still new, and Roysville.wordpress.com still exists. And so it goes…)

It’s 8:03 PM, and Roy’s blogs are all gathered together for their quarterly round table meeting (I didn’t know they were holding meetings – Roy).  House of Puroy stood up from his chair and declared “We’re already 3 minutes late for our meeting, as your presiding blog, I declare that we start with our meeting and not wait for Roysville anymore.”

The blogs settled on their seats with the announcement.

Present in the meeting are REFLECTIONS, Sugar Coated World (SCW), Money OnLine (MOL), Be Inspired Now! (BIN), The Struggling Blogger (TSB), Subukan Taya Ing Kapampangan (STIK), more than just copy-paste (MTCP), Letters To Mama (Letters), the 3 new blogs, Etsetera! Etsetera! (ETC), The Struggling Blogger dot Com (TSBdotCom), Roysville dot Com (RVdotCom), and of course, the presiding blog, House of Puroy.

After calling the roll, House of Puroy said “Okay guys, our main agenda for tonight’s meeting is to officially welcome to our roster our 3 new brothers, Etsetera!, The Struggling Blogger dot Com, and Roysville dot Com.”

Everybody gave the 3 blogs a big round of applause in approval… everybody, except…

*BLAG!*

“I don’t get it!” said TSB, who could no longer hold his silence, as he stood up and slammed the table with his hands. All the other blogs were surprised by his action.

“Why on earth do Roy needed to create The Struggling Blogger dot Com?! Am I not good enough? Haven’t I done AND DELIVERED of what was expected of me?” (I’m not hearing this – Roy), “Why?! Why?! Why?! can anybody explain it to me?”

He faced TSBdotCom and said “Do you really think you can replace me? Do you really believe you are better than me?”

“Hey! Loosen up!” replied TSBdotCom, “we’re on the same side”

“Yes, why are you so cranky?” asked SCW, “that’s my job!”

REFLECTIONS approached TSB and said “don’t be so sensitive… it’s not what you think. You’re being too emotional.” TSB looked at him and said, “look who’s talking!”

BIN who was always a respected member because of his wisdom said “REFLECTIONS is right brother… it’s not what you think. We’re not here to compete with each other, it’s not a question of who is the better blog and who’s not…” he continued, “we are here to complement each other… to support each other. We all have our specific purpose, no blog is above the other.”

“Why do you always have to be positive?:” replied TSB, he faced the group, “yes, BIN is right, we all have our specific purpose, and we’re doing it perfectly. But I can’t see how TSBdotCom’s purpose is different from mine. Don’t you think I have a reason to act like this?”

“Look brother,” TSBdotCom tried to reason, “once again, we are on the same side. Yes, you are right, we may overlap on our purpose, but I don’t think that’s reason enough to hate me! I’m not here to compete or replace you, and I definitely don’t mean to show that I’m the better blog and that…”

*PAK!*

TSBdotCom was not able to continue whatever he has to say because a quick right landed on his chin. The next thing he know, he was on the ground with his feet raised in the air.

He quickly picked himself up as he wiped the blood from his mouth… “I can see you’ve been writing too much of Pacquiao.”

“And there’s more where that came from!” TSB said.

“You know, just for that, I’ll definitely show that I am indeed the better struggling blogger and you’re nothing but a has been. I’m tired of all these bullying. I’m no pushover you know… I’ll put you in your proper place!” TSBdotCom warned.

Undaunted, TSB whip back “that won’t change a thing…” and in his best Cherrie Gil peformance, pointed at TSBdotCom and said “you’re nothing but a second-grade, trying hard, copy-blog!”

But before he can throw his glass of soda, TSBdotCom beat him to the punch as he threw a bucketfull of water, who suddenly appeared from out of nowhere, at TSB which caused him to loose his balance.

All hell was about to break loose, when the two blogs, now already in fighting stance approached each other, when House of Puroy shouted “Hey! That’s enough, cut it out!”

“Aren’t you two ashamed of yourself?! And you call yourselves blogs! You don’t know how to communicate!”

“Look,” as he addressed TSB, “if Roy’s intention was to replace you, he would have deleted you or already redirected you when he created TSBdotCom, and you’ll be sent to kingdom come. But he didn’t! Because he knows and realizes you contributions, and he believes you can do more. If he thinks there should be two struggling bloggers, we should support him. Let’s trust Roy on this one, shall we?” (That’s my boy! – Roy)

“And you!” he pointed at TSBdotCom, “you maybe a dot com, with beautiful theme, a comfortable web host and all, but that doesn’t mean you can throw your weight around here. You’re still the new guy you know. You better behave yourself!”

“Now, why don’t you two shake hands and end all this nonsense”

“I’m sorry bro,” TSB said, “I’m sorry too bro” replied TSBdotCom, as they shook hands and hug each other. Everybody clap their hands and were so happy that it’s all over.

Roysville dot Com, who was silent all throughout the proceedings, breathed a heavy sigh of relief and blurted out “Oh boy! I sure am glad that Roysville is not here toni—”

*BLAG!*

The door suddenly swung open, and everybody looked towards the direction of the door and saw, standing there was… Roysville who looked straight at Roysville dot Com as he spoke, “you were saying?”

House of Puroy put his hand on top of his head and said, “Oh brother! not another one…”

To be continued?
(I don’t think so! – Roy)

“And this even have realistic engine sound!” Nico bragged, as he showed his new radio controlled car to his classmates in school. Gerry could only watch in envy as Nico’s toy car runs around them.

The school bell suddenly rang, Nico quickly picked up his toy and they all ran to their rooms.

That night at home, while waiting for their dinner to be prepared by his mother, Gerry approached his father, “Dad, Nico has a new toy. He brought it in school today, it’s a radio controlled car. Can I have one too Dad?”

His father puts Gerry on his lap and said, “Son, we both know that Nico can afford to have all those beautiful toys because his father is a seaman. I’m just an office clerk Gerry, my salary is just enough for our daily needs,” he continued, “tell you what, this weekend after we go to the mass, we’ll go to the park and we’ll fly kites together. How does that sound?”

“That would be great Dad!” replied Gerry, who’s always looking forward to a weekend of kite flying with his father.

Meanwhile, Nico was playing in his room. Trying to do some tricks with his new radio controlled car, making quick turns, sudden stops, trying to make the car run fast… everything that he thinks he can do with his toy car. But he is silent while playing alone.

His door suddenly opened and his mother entered his room, “Why are you not yet sleeping? It’s late? You’ll be late for school tomorrow?”

“When is Dad coming home?” Nico asked his mother.

His mother sat beside him in bed, “Nico, you know your father has to be on the ship. That’s his job as a seaman.”

“But I miss him Mom!” Nico exclaimed.

“I miss your Dad too, but we really need to make some sacrifices for us to be able to buy everything we need. You know what? For your birthday next month, Dad said he’s going to buy you that toy robot you always wanted! See, if you’re Dad isn’t on the sea, he might not be able to buy you that.”

Nico didn’t reply and he just looked at his mother, who tucked him in his bed and said, “go to sleep now son, there’s school tomorrow,” as she kissed him goodnight.

Gerry and Nico live in the same subdivision. They are actually the best of friends, they would go to school together and go home from school together. That’s why Gerry knows all of Nico’s new toys, even those he doesn’t bring in school.

Nico, also knows of Gerry and his father’s weekend activities. He always sees them at the park flying kite together every time he rides his bike around the subdivision.

In their young minds, each one wishes they have each other’s father. Nico wants a father whom he can play with especially at weekends, Gerry wish his father is a seaman too so he can have all those great toys.

During one of their breaks in school, while the two boys are having their snack, Nico tells his friend, “You know? I really envy you.”

“Huh?!” Gerry was surprised, “envy me?! It is me who should be envious of you! You have all those great toys! My Dad couldn’t even buy me one of those toys!”

“I may have beautiful toys,” replied Nico, “but my father is not here, I can’t play with him because he is in the sea. I always see you and your father fly kites in the park during weekend, I never experienced that with my Dad. That’s why I envy you.”

Gerry looks at his friend, he can see his sadness in his eyes. His 10-year old mind understands how his friend feels, and he suddenly appreciated his father better.

That night in their house, Gerry approached his father, “Dad…”

“What is it this time?” his father asks.

“Could it be possible…” Gerry hesitated, “What?’ asked his father again.

“Can Nico join us in our kite-flying on Sunday?” he was finally able to ask.

“Sure son, Nico can join us.”

And Gerry hugged his father very tight.

“Are you sure this is the right door?”

“Yes! I’m definitely sure it’s the right door! Go ahead and knock!”

“But you said that on the first two doors too! How sure are you now?”

“Hey! The doors all look the same, can you blame me? Now, I’m sure about this one. Do you want to see her or not?!”

Benjie has no choice really, hesitantly he knocks at the door… timidly at first, but it gets aggressive as he knocks some more.

“Looks like nobody’s home” he said.

“Just keep on knocking,” Vernon prodded him, “I’m sure somebody’s inside.”

Benjie was about to knock again when the door swung open, and in front of them stood a shirtless man in his early 60’s who looks so grumpy and isn’t so happy to see them.

“What is it?!” he asks.

“Ah, sir… is this the house where Miss Victoria Magabon lives? Here’s a picture of her sir, you might re…”

“Nobody lives here by that name. Now go away, I’m busy!” the man replied without even letting the boy finished, and slams the door close.

“Wow! Talk about grumpy!” Vernon blurted out.

“You said this is the right door! Which one really is it?!” Benjie demanded

“Look,” Vernon explained, “this is an 8-door apartment row, and they all look the same. My informant said it’s in one of these doors. We’ve been through three, we’ve only five to go, how hard can that be?”

“Geez! Some guys just don’t have any sense of appreciation!” Vernon whispered quite loudly

“What was that?” Benjie asked.

While they were having an argument, the door on the fifth apartment opened, and out came a lady in her late 40’s. Apparently she heard the noise and was wondering what the commotion was all about.

“Excuse me boys,” as she approached them, “I can’t help but hear you two. Is there any problem? Can I help you?”

“Yes ma’m!” Benjie replied excitedly, “I’m looking for Victoria Magabon, here’s her picture. They said she lives in these apartment, can you tell me which one ma’m?”

The woman looks at the picture and then at the boy.

“My goodness! Don’t tell me… are you Benjamin?”

“Y-yes ma’m. But please call me Benjie”

“My, you’re so big now. How times really fly so fast… look at you!”

“A-Are you Victoria Magabon? Are you my mother?” Benjie asked the woman nervously.

“No, my name is Margaret. I’m a friend of your mother. She used to live in this apartment with me,” the woman replied.

“What do you mean used to?”

“She moved out last week, she heard some people were asking for her. She freaks out whenever she learns of someone looking for her. The wife of one of her customer threatened to have her killed because she claimed your mother destroyed their family,” Margaret explained.

“Can I butt in?” said Vernon, who doesn’t want to be just an audience, “why would his mother destroy other people’s family?”

“You don’t know your mother’s job, do you,” said Margaret, “she was a prostitute and she goes with every man who fancy her, as long as they can sustain her caprice. It’s not like she wanted it, but she can’t live without the lifestyle she was so accustomed with.”

“My father said she went to live with another man because she can’t give her a luxurious life, he never said about my mother being a prostitute,” Benjie said, holding back the tears in his eyes.

“Aahh… your father is a good man. I can see he raised you well. Your mother would’ve been proud of you”

“So where does she live now?” asked Vernon, “I’m sure you know where we can find her, right? Can you tell us please?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know”

“What do you mean you don’t know?!” Vernon argues, “Come on, quit playing games with us! You said she’s your friend! Surely, you know where she went!”

“She didn’t tell me. She doesn’t want anyone to know really. The threat that she received has caused her to become paranoid, she doesn’t tell anyone wherever she goes,” Margaret explained.

“I guess there’s nothing we can do now,” Benjie said, as tears finally trickled down his face, “let’s go home Vernon. Thank you for your time ma’m.”

“Wait!” Vernon isn’t about to give up yet, “can we just leave a number? Just in case she comes visiting you, can you at least give her the number? Pleeeease?”

“Yes, I’ll do that,” said the woman as she gets the piece of paper containing the number from Vernon.

At the road, while Vernon was driving, “That was really a bummer bro! I mean, we were so close! If only we got here a week earlier, we could have caught her.”

Benjie was just silent, his eyes looking out the window…. he was thinking….

“Now, we have to start all over again,” Vernon continues, “and I need to pay more informants again to gather information. But don’t worry bro, even if I use the last of my allowance I’ll find her for you bro. What are we brothers for?”

“There’s something wrong,” Benjie blurted out, “I just can’t put a finger on it…”

Meanwhile, back at the apartment… Margaret is looking at a picture of a baby… she was crying…

“I’m sorry my boy… how I wanted to embrace you, to kiss you… but it’s better that you don’t see me anymore… it’s better this way my son. You’ve grown to be a fine young man…. I’m proud of you… I love you Benjamin… I’m really sorry…”

He looked around and sees nothing… yet he can hear footsteps… he can sense someone breathing… so close

The alley is too dark, and the moon hiding behind the evening clouds isn’t helping.

No sweat. He’s tough, he’s a mean guy, and everybody fears him.

He put his hand in his jacket and pulled out a sharp six-inch silver that has been his companion for the last five years of scaring people out of their wits, until he gets what he wants – money, clothes, jewelries, sex, and sometimes even just to see frightened eyes.

Holding a tight grip on the dagger’s handle, he turns around in the hope to surprise an unsuspecting attacker… yet he saw nothing. No movements, no shadows.

“Hah! I scared him!” he said to himself, so he continued to where he is going… but when he turned around he saw a figure in front of him.

He saw his face, “You!” but before he can react, a swift motion lands a baseball bat right on top of his skull…

As he lays on the ground and blood freely flowing from his head, he tried to look once more at his attacker… only to see another bat assault coming to him. Darkness.

“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!” laughter fills the dark alley, “that should teach you not to mess with me! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

“Ho-hum…” Ricky yawns and stretched after clicking the ‘Publish’ button. He has just posted another creation in his short story blog.

“There,” he said, “I can sleep now…” and soundly he did.

The next morning, while walking on his way to his work, he saw people gathered in an alley opening. Curiosity got the better of him and went to see what the commotion was all about.

He saw three policemen scanning the ground for some evidences… and right in their middle was a dead man lying, his face almost covered with blood… wait! He recognizes the man…

It was the man who attacked him just two days ago and robbed him of his hard-earned salary… he can’t be mistaken… it was him!

And beside the dead man, there was baseball bat… with blood all over it.

Ricky had goose bumps… he felt cold… he left the crowd immediately and went on his way… all the while the scene keeps on flashing in his mind.

In his work in a 24-hour convenience store, Ricky can’t seem to concentrate. As he was arranging the bottles of juices in the shelf, one slipped off his hands… and in his attempt to capture it, he hit those on the shelf… and more bottles fell, one after another… all broken, and a few broken glasses even pierced Ricky’s body, hurting him so bad.

His boss quickly rushed to the sound of breaking bottles and found Ricky in the middle of it, “You idiot! Look what you done! Get out of my store! You’re fired! Get out before you wreck the whole place! Get out!”

“But sir,” Ricky pleaded, unmindful of his wounds, “I need this job, please….”

“I don’t care! Get out!”

And he pushed Ricky out of the store, still with some pieces of broken glass in his body.

Ricky went home… hurting, and without a job.

“I’ll go back tomorrow. Maybe he’ll have a cooler head and he would take me again,” he said to himself.

The next day, he went back to the store. But even before he can approach his boss, he already saw him.

“What are you doing here?! Didn’t I fire you already?! Get out of my place! Get out!”

So Ricky just went home… thinking of what could happen to him now.

To take his mind off his problem, he went to his computer, logged on the internet, opened the control panel of his short story blog, and clicked ‘Write a new post.’

He feels like writing a story… and he did, as if his fingers have a mind of their own… keying in every letter as the story develops right before his eyes…

“No! Please! Don’t kill me! I beg you! I have a family! Please forgive me! I’ll take you back in my store I promise, just don’t kill me please!” the character in the story begs.

“Too late Mr. Santos… you had your chance yesterday. But now… just pray that you have saved enough for your family….” and he strangled him with the rope he’s holding… tightly… choking him to his death…

The next morning, Ricky woke up early. He thinks of going back to the store and ask his boss again. But when he arrived at the store, it was closed.

He knocked, hoping that somebody would be inside… soon his friend Danny came out.

“Why are you close?” asked Ricky “Where’s Mr. Santiago? I’ll ask him to give me another chance, I really need the job.”

“Sorry Ricky,” Danny replied, “he can’t give you a chance no more… the man’s dead. They said, he died in his sleep last night. Must be a bad nightmare… what’s strange though was that they said they found a rope beside him in his bed. The man must have choked himself to death, don’t know.”

“So we won’t be open for a few days, sorry buddy,” Danny continued.

Ricky walks home… his face blank… shocked…

Two events couldn’t just be coincidences?

He reached home still shocked… dropped himself on the couch and thought about what’s happening… yet he couldn’t understand anything…. everything’s vague… senseless.

He was deep in his thoughts when somebody knocked at the door… loudly…

“Hey Ricky! Open up! Open the door!” it’s Mrs. Penny, his landlady

As soon as he opened the door “So, do you have the money now? You’re three months overdue and I need the money! Where’s my money?!”

“I’m really sorry Mrs. Penny,” Ricky explained, “but you see, I’ve been robbed the other day, and I got fired and… “

“Oh! Don’t give me that crap! If you don’t have the money, I want your ass out of here by tomorrow. I have already talked to some people with money and they want to take this place. Got that?! Tomorrow, out!”

“But Mrs. Penny,” Ricky tried to reason to her…. but she already turned her back and walked away.

Ricky couldn’t believe what’s happening to him… three bad lucks in a row… what will he do now?

Seems like everything’s hopeless for him, he couldn’t see any solution to his problem…

Wait a minute! There’s a solution!

Ricky’s face lights up, and he now wears a grin on his face. He went to his computer and accessed his blog… and clicked ‘Write a new post’

He tied the old lady on the chair tightly, she couldn’t move… “Please… what are you going to do? Are you out of your mind?”

As if not hearing anything, he poured gasoline all around her… and all over her…

“Please stop… don’t do this! Please, I beg you! Stop!” the old lady begged….

“When did you say you need the money?” he replied, as he lighted a matchstick and threw it on the old lady…

“Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

“Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha!” his laughter filling every walls of his makeshift laboratory inside their house as he sits in front of his computer, “bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!” each one getting louder than the previous laughs. “Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

His son who was just playing nearby got curious and approached him, “What is it dad? Have you devised another diabolical plan to conquer the world? Did you create a new mutant? Do you have a new evil invention? What is it dad? Ha?! Ha?! Ha?!” he asked excitedly.

He looked down at the boy, quite puzzled and irritated as he speaks, “of course not my boy! You know I don’t work on Sundays!”

“Then why are you laughing so loud?” the boy asked.

“Because, hi-hi-hi!, beca—hi-hi-hi” the doctor trying to control his laughter, “because, somebody sent me a funny joke in my email, ha-ha-ha!” as he burst in laughter again. “Do you want to hear it boy? ha-ha-ha!”

“Nah! I’m not in the mood for jokes right now” the boy replied as he turned away from his dad.

His name is Bryan, a 10 year old boy. A fourth-grader who always believe in his father and hopes that someday he will succeed in creating an invention that will help him conquer the world. And there’s a reason for that, he wanted to use his father’s invention to get back at Billy, a 12 year old sixth grader who is always picking on him in school.

His father? Let’s call him Dr. Evil Genius, although he would like to address himself as the square root of all evil! A scientist with a genius mind, but with an obvious lack of literary prowess, hence the stupid moniker he gave himself.

He has already made numerous attempts in the past to conquer the world with his inventions, but each attempt would always lead to failure as they always seem to backfire on him… before they even get out of his garage.

That’s why nobody ever heard of him yet.

His last attempt however seemed to be his most successful thus far, for he was able to create a genetically enhanced swarm of mutant fleas, intelligent enough to follow his every order, and were able to analyze situations and implement plan of actions to make the doctor’s quest a success.

But it was foiled by an enterprising fellow who offered the fleas a better deal than the doctor could give. They are now travelling around the world, performing in flea circus.

Vicky, Bryan’s mother, has had enough of the doctor’s insanity and decided to leave him. But she has two concerns, she already attempted to run away before, but each time the professor would be able to track her.

She was also worried about Bryan, because she realizes that the doctor won’t be able to take care of him well, and for some reason, she can’t take him with her.

But she found a solution on her problem that will allow her to look after her son still, even after running away from her husband. For she has found the perfect hiding place that not even the evil genius mind of the doctor would even consider looking at – the next door apartment.

And so, the mad doctor continues to go through his e-mails, occasionally bursting in laughter. Bryan no longer pays attention as he knows it’s one of those silly jokes again. So he just continued playing with his toys.

They were in that situation… each one minding his own business… when suddenly…

“Tiiitttt!!! Tiiittt!!!! Tiiittt!!!………. Tiiittt!!!” an alarmed went from off from one of the doctor’s equipment.

“What is it Dad?” Bryan asks excitedly, “I thought you don’t work on Sundays?”

“I don’t son… I don’t” as he stood up to check where the alarm was coming from…

To be continued….