《The Hunter》


 1 Prologue

    A young woman sprinting in the alley between abandoned factory building. She is breathing heavily because she had been running a while from her pursuer. "What a bad luck!" that what she thinking right now. This all starts when her engine car suddenly broken when she passed road in a nearby industrial district, her phone cell out of battery power, and it happens in the middle of the night! After waiting around 30 minutes and no signs of other cars passing by, she decides to find public phone or help from nearby factory securities. She can''t stay in the car until sunrise because of the weather in this mid-fall season already cold enough that can make her frozen in his car.


    And that''s when her misfortune starts approaching her. She sees something she shouldn''t see. She witnessing a man kills a fat middle-aged man with a gun! Although the distance between her and the murderer quite far, around 100m, she can see the spark from that man''s muzzle gun, which equipped with a silencer, releasing bullets that piercing fat man chest several times. Despite her efforts to cover her mouth, her surprise voice still makes the murderer noticed her presence and aim his gun to silence the witness. Luckily, she''s not stupid enough to stand still there and waiting to be killed. At the moment the killer aimed his gun, she already starts running like being chased by a ghost, away from that forsaken place.


    She also not dumb by trying scream for help because that only makes her pursuer knowing her position. She also discarded her high-heel shoes because it''s only slowing down her run. She tries to run to the nearest factory that has lamps light on only to discover that factory has high fences with a chained lock. Desperately shaking to open the fences, she realized that''s useless when some bullets hit fences near her, creating some spark. She knew that killer still after her. Running is the only way she can do if she wants to stay alive. She starts to running again toward the dark side of the factory complex, hoping can find a place to hide and her pursuer will lose her track. Her bare sole feet''s start to bleed from broken glasses and sharp pebbles on the street, but adrenalin rush and endomorphin hormones in her brain made her able to ignore the pain that usually feels hurt for a woman like her.


    Vaguely, she sees an alley between two factories building with box and crates scattered along the alley. She starts racing toward the alley, hoping that in this dark alley, her pursuer can''t find her and she can hide there until dawn. She finds a niche between garbage damp and stack of boxes, squirm her body there, and try to control her heavy breath, praying the killer won''t notice her hiding there.


    Suddenly she can hear footsteps approaching her hiding places. Sometimes the steps stopping, as if the owner of the feet searching for something in nearby places, before continuing to walk. When the step sound getting near to her hiding places, the woman keeps praying in her mind "Please¡­please¡­do not look this way. I don''t want to die in this place. I still have many things I want to do in this life. Please God saves me, I promise I will be a good people, I will give more charity¡­please, don''t let me die in this place". When the steps are passing her and walk further from her hiding place, the woman feels a bit relieved, she thought the killer did not notice her hiding there.


    A cold voice turns her back to bitter reality. "Get out! I know you hiding there!".


    "What! Does he really know I''m hiding here?" the question crossing the woman''s mind.


    "I know you hide near garbage damp. Come out and we talk, I promise I won''t kill you"


    "Bullshit! If he did not want to kill me then why he shooting at me? But he really knows my hiding" the woman start to panic. She did not trust the killer words about not killing her but she also knows she can no longer hiding there. Her brains working hard, try to racking any options that she has.


    "How can I trust you not killing me if you have your gun aimed at me?" the woman finally try to negotiate with the killer and buying times to escape.


    "I''m not. You can see it yourself" said the killer.


    Although the killer promised not aiming his gun at her, she not immediately trusts the words he said. She slowly raises her head, take a peek at killer''s position. He stands not far from her hiding place, around 10 meters. His arms crossed his chest, with right hand holding the gun. She can''t clearly see that man appearance because overshadowed but she can see that he''s a tall man with burly builds. When the half-moon in the sky no longer blocked by the clouds, its rays give dim illumination to the alley.


    With the additional light from the moon, she can see the killer''s face. He''s a man around 40''s with a scary scar on his right cheek. His eyes glare her with contempt and his mouth reveals a sinister smile.


    "You''re not going to shoot me right?" said the woman timidly.


    "No, I''m not¡­until¡­." Ack! The killer hasn''t finished his word '' until you see my face'' when suddenly a box flying toward him. The woman that not believing a single word that the killer said, grab a box from the stack, throwing toward the killer, and hurriedly run again from that place.


    Sadly, her feet betray her attempt to run away from that place. She stepped a bottle and slip with her face hit the ground hard. When she tries to get up, a bullet shot near her head, make her frozen.


    "Stupid woman! Did your parent never teach you not to cut in when someone talking?" the killer sneered. "Now turn your back and show your face!"


    The woman can''t do anything except do what the killer told her. Slowly she turns her back so she can see the killer.


    "That''s better. Now I can finish what I was said before. What was I said before is I won''t shoot you until you see my face. Now you have seen my face, I can proceed to shoot you. Be grateful that you''ve seen the face of people who kill you so you will not become a vexed ghost!" the killer finished his words with a loathsome laugh.


    The woman dumbfounded. What a cocky attitude that killer had. If he wants to kill, then just take a shoot! Don''t torture people with verbal sarcasm like that. She ever cursed the villain in the movie when they talking too much before killing their victim, give an opportunity for the hero to come. Now, she''s in the same situation, but she knows there''s no hero will come to save her. She also knows it''s useless to beg the killer to let her go or spare her life because the dead man won''t tell.


    "You can pray if you want. Don''t worry, I will not shot your pretty face, so you can die with your beauty intact. I will give you quick death with a shot in your heart".The killer still uttering some nonsense words. He seems to enjoy torturing his victims with his words, make them in despair and begging for mercy before he finishing them.


    The woman tears start to flow from her eyes. She knows that she''s in a hopeless situation. There''s no one there who can help her escape from the death. Closing her eyes, she prays that God will take care of her parents. She feels sorry she can''t make them happy and give them grandchild that they wish for. Then some whistling sounds can be heard. She knows that is the sound of the bullet leaving the killer guns. She gnashed her teeth, preparing to receive any pains that she will experience.


    "Huh? Why don''t I feel the pain? Am I dead already? But why I can still feel the ground under my back?" the woman wonder why she still not dead.


    When she opens her eyes, there''s a man wearing long black trench coat stand with his back against her. The fedora hat and standup collar from the coat blocking her sight from seeing the man face. Some whistling sound can be heard again. It seems the killer try to shoot the man, but the man didn''t move even an inch. Until the gun producing a clack sounds, indicating there''re no more bullets in the gun.


    She raises her back from the ground, tries to sit and have a clear view. Slowly, she tries to move away from that place, still in her sitting position. From a different angle, she can see the killer''s pale face, still aiming his empty gun at the man.


    "Who¡­who are you? What do you want?" said the killer with trembled voice.


    "Me? My name is not important. What I want is to save the damsel in distress here and get my prey" said the man in the black trench coat.


    The killer observing the man in front of him. He wore a silver mask that covers up his face, a fedora hat sits on his head, covering his hair, a long black trench coat covering the man body up to his knee. A pair of boots is on the man feet''s. The bullet that he had shot, floating in front of the man, like hanging with invisible thread.


    Suddenly the killer startled. He remembers what people within his clique start to fear recently. Fedora hat, silver mask, black trench coat, that''s marks of a person that recently, shaking the underworld. That person nickname is ''The Hunter'' because his habit to hunt villains like robbers, killer, rapist etc. Many villains had met their demise in his hand. His appearance''s like a grim reaper toward bad guys.


    Aware he''s not a match against ''The Hunter'', that killer start to escape from there. He turned his back and running away.


    The Hunter just sneered, he flicks his right hand, and the bullets that still floating in front of his chest suddenly flashed toward the killer and piercing his body. A short shriek can be heard then with ''BADUMP'' sound, the killer''s body fall to the ground lifeless.


    The woman watches the scene with blank eyes. She just experiences a near-death situation, and what happened really beyond her mental strength. She didn''t aware that man in black trench coat already turn his back toward her and approaching.


    "Miss, are you alright?" said the man. But she did not respond.


    "Hello¡­..?" the man waves his hand in front of her face.


    The woman startled, her consciousness return, now she can see the man stand in front of her.


    "Whaa¡­what happen?"


    "Are you alright? Are you injured somewhere?" asked the man.


    "I¡­I am alright... I guess, but my feet suddenly feel hurt"


    "Let me take a look" the man squatted and take the woman feet "Your feet bleeding, you stepped on glass shards, some shards still attached there"


    He put his palm in front of the woman''s foot-sole and the glass shards that attached there suddenly like iron pulled by a magnet, fly toward the man''s palm. After that, the man pulls a handkerchief from his coat and make an emergency bandage on the woman feet.


    "Can you stand?" the man stand and offer his hand to help the woman stand.


    "I try...¡­.ouch!" the woman standing with a painful expression on her face.


    "It seems not" the man sighed, "Excuse me then," said the man while grabbing the woman waist and carry her in princess carry.


    "Aaahhh¡­.what you''re doing?" said the woman panicking


    "Take you out from here of course, or do you want to stay here?"


    "No!.....I''m just shy if you carry me this way," said the woman blushing.


    The man sighed. He must be thinking that women are troublesome. There''s no one here and you ashamed to whom ah? He put the woman down and turns his back against her.


    "Get on my back"


    The woman hesitates a while before getting into the man back. She understands with her injured feet she can''t walk far from there.


    "Hang on," said the man when he feels the woman already lean on his back.


    WHIZZ


    Suddenly the woman feels like her body being dragged forward with high speed. She afraid getting fall, thus she just leans herself in that man back quietly, and close her eyes.


    "We arrived," said the man.


    She shocked, it''s only a moment since the man piggybacks her from the alley, now she already near her car that she left on the road.


    "You can go home now," said the man.


    "But the engine is broken"


    "Get in and open the engine cover"


    The woman followed the man instruction. She gets into the car and opens the engine cover lock. The man goes to the front of the car. She can''t see what he''s done there until he says


    "Try to start the engine"


    The woman put the key on the starter and ignites the engine. With some growl sound, the engine starts to work.


    "It works!" the woman shouts happily from inside the car. But no answer can be heard from the front. The woman put her head out from car window but she did not see anyone. Curiously, she went out from the car and checks it out. There are only her and her car which ignited with engine cover up. The man who just helps her can''t be seen any more like suddenly vanish into thin air.


    "Where''s the man gone? I don''t even thank him properly¡­..ugh, I''m such ungrateful person". The woman shuddered when she looks the area around her, she felt uneasy to be alone in the dark and quiet road. She put the engine cover down and enters the car hurriedly.


    "What should I do now? I can''t be here too long" the woman thinking about what she going to do next.


    "Okay, I should go to police station and report this incident," said the woman after taking a deep breath.


    Then she drives her car to the nearest police station and reported what happened to her. In the next hours, the industrial district becomes lively, sirens from the police car and ambulance breaking the silence of the night. Some media crews also can be spotted there.


    Next morning, many newspapers reporting about the incident in their front pages. They already investigate and wrote about the victim identity and the killer that found dead at the crime scene. The victim is a leader of drugs dealer organization and the killer seems to be a hit man that hired by the organization''s rival. One biggest newspaper even reported in the detailed story, including the appearance of ''the mysterious man'' and what more interesting that at the end of that reportage there''s a sentence in capital letters: THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME.

 2 Experimen

    Several years before the incident in the industrial district


    Stamfort Medical Research and Development Center.


    Experimental Building west wing seventh floor.


    Professor Robert Brown watches the microscope carefully. He observing molecular movement on the specimen that he just put on the microscope, his forehead frowning, the result is beyond what he expecting.


    "Failed again!" he pulls the specimen out from the microscope. He picks another specimen and put a drop of liquid that he takes from a beaker with a pipet. He inserts it again on the microscope and analyzing the result.


    "This one also failed," after looking the result in the microscope."Damn! If this keep continued, I''m going to lose the fund. My sponsor will not happy if I''m can''t show them any progress" he sighed.


    He pulls out the specimen out from microscope again, and then move to another table filled with many labs tools, glasses, beaker, and bottles. He stared at a compound of chemical that still brewing over the burner. "If this catalyst also failed, I don''t know what else to do".


    And he heard the lab''s door knocked and someone open it. Without look whose coming Prof. Robert already knows who the visitor. The person who just entering the labs is his assistant, Prof. Marcus Greener, that just meet with their sponsors.


    "How''s the meeting?" asked Prof. Robert.


    "Not good. If we want to keep our fund, we must show major progress, if there''s only minor progress, our fund will be halved. And if we can''t show any progress at all, they will shut down our research".


    Hearing Marcus explanation, Prof. Robert stamps his feet furiously.


    "God damn it! We are in the critical stage of our Alzheimer''s cure and they want to shut us down? Don''t they know we already make a breakthrough last year? We''re able to revive degenerated brain cell from Alzheimer patient''s brain sample! No one else able to achieve that within this century. What a greedy bunch!"


    "But we still can''t control the progress of the specimen Prof. Robert. Our guinea pigs did show progressive brain development, but in the end, their head become bloated and blew up like watermelon get hit by a hammer!"


    "That''s why I''m saying we''re in a critical phase of serum development! If we can develop a right catalyst to block rapid development of brain cell after a certain time, our research will be completed!"


    "I''m afraid we don''t have enough time for that Prof. Robert. Our sponsor wants us to show our progress within this week or they will do what I''ve just said before".


    "One week! Only one week? What they think we''re doing? We make medicine, not clothes! Scientific progress can''t be achieved in short time. Do they know how long the world must wait until they believe earth revolving around the sun after Copernicus explains that?"


    "I know that Prof. Robert, but our research need fund, and they have it. I''m afraid if they withdraw from our research, there''ll be no other sponsor willing to funding our research"


    Prof. Robert feels dejected. His years of research is about to vanish within a week in the time when he thinks it almost succeeds.


    "Marcus, I think we need to do something radical!" said Prof. Robert.


    "What do you mean by radical Prof. Robert?"


    "Our current experiment has been done on animal brains. There''s a difference between animal brains and human brains. Maybe that difference makes our progress is slow. I think we need to test it on real people".


    "WHAT!!! Are you out of your mind Prof. Robert? The serum sample''s effect on the animal already that horrible and you think to test it on the human? You gotta be kidding me"


    "I''m damn serious!'' said Prof. Robert staring at Prof. Marcus eyes, "Do you think I''m crack a joke with this face? Look at me. Look at you. We''re no longer young anymore. How many years do you think we''ll need to start over again if this research stopped?"


    Prof. Marcus startled hearing that. He and Prof. Robert already being a partner in research for years. Not only at this Alzheimer cure research, but also on other research projects. He also understands the stubbornness of Prof. Robert. Once he said he wants to do something, he will not stop until that thing is done. But he also can''t refute what Prof. Robert said about their age. He already 56 years old this year and Prof. Robert will be 61 years old. This research can be said as their last stake in their science life. If they succeed with this research, fame, and money will come to them, but if the research failed, they only can be back as a teacher in university.


    "I understand Prof. Robert, but how are we going to test it on people? If something horrible happens to them, how we take the responsibility?"


    "We don''t do it in formal ways you fool. We can''t ask normal people to take our test without telling then what we going tested on them and the side effect. We do it on trash of society. Those homeless lazy bumps are suitable for our testing candidate. No one will feel lost if they die, moreover, we also help society for cleaning this world from trash like them hahahahaha" Prof. Robert laughs sinisterly.


    Prof. Marcus feels a cold shiver run down on his spine. He just witnessing how desperate people can do desperate action like this.


    "Then, how are we going to get these people, Prof. Robert? We can''t just drag them from the street and get them into labs. There are security guards and surveillance camera which records our action?"


    "I''ll change the serum from injected type into oral administrated type. After that, mix the serum with cheap booze then give it to that bumps. I''m sure there''re no bumps will reject any booze in this cold winter time".


    "When you going to do that Prof. Robert?"


    "I''ll change the serum type right away, but not me who do that"


    "Then who will do?"


    "Of course it''s you! You''re the one who deals with the talk, surely you have interaction skill with people. You don''t think I''ll do it all alone right?"


    Cold sweats start dripping in Marcus'' head. Actually, he thinks about not involved with this human experiment as far as possible and blames Prof. Robert if everything goes south. But his situation now like trapped in the quagmire, he can''t longer become a bystander in this experiment. Prof. Marcus sighed,


    "Alright, you make the serum and I''ll get some booze to mix"


    "Great! I know I can count on you" said Prof. Robert while patted prof. Marcus'' shoulder.


    Prof. Marcus going outside to get some booze, when he return with several bottles of cheap whiskey, Prof. Robert already finished making oral administrated serum.


    "Good! Put those whiskeys here. I''ll mix the serum with them" said Prof. Robert.


    Prof. Robert opens the whiskey lid carefully and pours the serum into it. After putting some notes in his journal, he closes the lid.


    "Prof. Robert, what are you just put into the whiskey? Ask Prof. Marcus.


    "Serum with catalyst C23B14, serum with catalyst C24B14, serum with catalyst C23B15 and last serum with catalyst C24B15. I don''t want to waste time by testing them one by one. We''ll give them for the bumps in four different locations" explain Prof. Robert.


    "How we know it would work?"


    "No, we don''t know. But as long they don''t die, that means the serum is safe for human body. Then we can continue with the formal human experiment. We can also show this safe side of serum to our sponsor as our proof of progress"


    "When we will start Prof. Robert?"


    "Right now! You change your clothes with old ones. Try to act like homeless bumps too, so they will not suspicious. I''ll get my car, we meet in the parking lot".


    After 10 minutes they both meet in the parking lot. Prof. Marcus already changes his clothes from white lab coat into a dirty old trench coat, which Prof. Robert don''t know where he found that. They ride Prof. Robert''s car to downtown. When they passing 4th street, they saw couple homeless trying to warm themselves in front of camp-fire. After parking the car near that place, Prof. Robert gives a sign to Prof. Marcus to act.


    Marcus gets out from the car. He acts as if he''s an old man with a limp leg. He approaching those homeless with dragging one of his legs.


    "Gentlemen, do you mind if this old man warms himself in your fire? Ask Marcus to the homeless.


    "No ¡­ no, we don''t mind. Please make yourself warm here" one of those homeless replied.


    "We never see your faces in this neighbor¡­are you new here?" asked one of the homeless


    "Just arrive here yesterday, hitch-hike truck. Actually, want to go south but no truck gives me a lift there"


    "Try at the truck stop at Willow street brother, maybe one of those truck driver there willing to give you a ride," said one of the homeless giving advice.


    "Thank, I''ll try. Anyway, I have a bottle of whiskey here. Do you want to take it?" Marcus pulls a bottle of whiskey from his coat and shows it to the homeless.


    "Alright! Thanks a lot, old man" said one of the homeless whiles receiving the bottle "How about you?"


    "Nah, I''m good. I still have another bottle for me" Marcus shows another bottle of whiskey that he keeps in his coat, "Enjoy yourself, gentlemen. I''ll go to try that truck stop as you just suggest".


    "Okay, thanks for the booze old man," said the homeless with the cheerful tone.


    Marcus walks limply away from there. After making sure nobody follow him, he gets into Robert''s car.


    "So? How it''s going?" ask Prof. Robert.


    "Done. Can you raise the heather? It''s so damn cold out there" said Prof. Marcus while shivering.


    "Good. Three more places and we''re done. You doing great"


    "Can I ask salary rise?" asked Prof. Marcus sarcastically.


    Prof. Robert not answering that. He just drove his car to another place. After repeating the same drama three times in three different locations, they finally return to the lab.


    Next day, there''s nothing in the news. Prof. Robert decides to do another experiment like they did last night. They try another type of serum which differs from the first time. Prof. Marcus still plays as the actor and Prof. Robert as the driver.


    Three days later commotion breaks in the city. Around a dozen of homeless found dead with swelling head like those who had Hydrocephalus sickness. Authorities act quickly by making a quarantine zone for the homeless. They collecting all homeless in the city and put under medical examination surveillance to prevent any unknown contagious diseases.


    Meanwhile in Stamfort Medical Research and Development Center.


    Prof. Robert sits on his office, he looks gloomy. He knows that his experiment ended in failure again. Prof. Marcus who also in his office, sit on the sofa, did not say anything. He also knows that what they have done in recent days is futile.


    BAAMMMM!!!


    Suddenly Prof. Robert smashed his fist to the table. Not only smash the table, he also throws all papers and book in his table. Prof. Marcus did not say anything, he knows Prof. Robert just venting his anger.


    "DAMN IT! GOD DAMN IT! Why when we almost finishing our research, there''s always someone blocking our way? DAMN!"


    Prof. Marcus still silenced. He knows what Prof. Robert means is the authorities. After they put all homeless in the quarantine zone, Prof. Robert no longer able to find homeless to be his experiment subjects.


    "Why don''t they let those useless people die for science? That worthless scumbag did contribute nothing to society, why? Why? Why I can''t find anyone useless for my experiment again?"


    Prof. Robert still throwing tantrum and rant for a while until suddenly he stops speaking and his mouth makes an eerie smile.


    Prof. Marcus surprised with this sudden change. When he followed Prof. Robert''s line of sight, he found that Prof. Robert staring at a young man that cleaning the corridor. Prof. Robert''s office located in the labs made from glass wall, of course, he can see all area in the labs and its surrounds.


    Oh no! Prof. Marcus starts to panic. Prof. Robert did not think to make that young cleaning service as experiment object right? I must confirm it!


    "Prof. Robert, you don''t think to test the serum to him right?" ask Prof. Marcus.


    "That''s my intention"


    "NO!!! He''s employee here. If something happens to him here, police will investigate us"


    "This will be the last. If this still failed, I don''t know if I still have ways to complete this research"


    "Still NO!! He''s different with those homeless bumps. How if he has a family? Have parents? Have wife and kids?"


    "I bet he doesn''t have a family. Looks! He so ugly, I even doubt if he has a girlfriend" said Prof. Robert.


    The young man they talking about, indeed not a handsome person. He has burn marks that big enough in his right cheeks, giving a scary impression for those who saw his face.


    "He maybe still has parents!" Prof. Marcus still tries to persuade Prof. Robert.


    "Why we do not confirm it? Let''s have a deal. If he doesn''t have anybody, we use him as a test object. If he has a family, consider our luck is bad. How?"


    "Alright, if you insist," said Prof. Marcus.


    "I''ll bait him with some works. After his work over you offer him drinks and pour our latest serum model to his drink, okay?"


    "Whatever¡­."


    Prof. Robert gets out from his office and calls the young man.


    "You over there! Come here! I need to talk with you" said Prof. Robert


    "Me sir?" asked the young man with unbelieves expression.


    "Yes, you. There''s nobody else in this room right? What''s your name?"


    "My name? My name Reid Blackstone sir"


    "I need your help. I want to move some material here to my car in parking lot. Can you help me deliver them to the parking lot?"


    "Sure sir. Where''s the material?"


    "Follow me" Prof. Robert led Reid to labs storage and pointing some boxes there "Can you move it?"


    "Okay, but I need your help to push elevator button sir"


    "Hahaha I can do that. Take some boxes first, be careful, and don''t drop it"


    "Yes," Reid grabs some boxes and stacks it in his hands and follows Prof. Robert to the parking lot.


    After come and go three times, finally, all boxes in the store have been moved to Prof. Robert''s car.


    During this move Prof. Robert tries to digging Reid information. He actually an unmarried orphan, who lives in an orphanage as a helper. He had to work as cleaning service in Stamford for two months. Prof. Robert feels excited when hearing this.


    "You must be tired young man, would you like to drink something?" offer Prof. Robert.


    "Coffee please, if not troubling you" answer Reid.


    "Marcus, give this young man a cup of coffee," said Prof. Robert winking at Prof. Marcus.


    Prof. Marcus sighed, he takes a cup and fill it with coffee from coffee-makers and pour the serum secretly.


    "Here''s your coffee young man, and this is a reward for your hard work" Marcus handed the coffee and $ 5 bills to Reid.


    "Thank you sir!" said Reid happily. $ 5 equal to his salary for 2 days. He drinks his coffee in one gulp so he can continue his cleaning work.


    "If there''s nothing else, excuse me. I''ll continue my work" said Reid


    "Sure, you can go. Thanks for your help" said Prof. Robert.


    Reid continuing his work under Prof. Robert and Prof. Marcus'' gaze.


    "Do you think he''ll be okay Prof. Robert?" asked Prof. Marcus in low voice.


    "I don''t know. I hope so. Our last experiment shows the result in 2 days. Let''s observe how he doing in these 2 days".


    They both still talking when suddenly Reid fall unconscious in the corridor.


    "This is bad!" when they checking Reid condition, they found Reid already breathless.


    "Do CPR! Quickly!!" Shout Prof. Robert.


    Prof. Marcus does CPR to Reid as Prof. Robert order, but after doing CPR for some minutes there''s no sign at all.


    "CPR not working! We losing him!" said Prof. Marcus in panic.


    "Hurry hides him. Don''t let anyone see him like this. Put him in storage!"


    They both lift Reid body and moved it to storage. It''s become spacious after the boxes were moved. After close the storage door, they discussed on how to handle Reid''s body. Their discussion is so intense until they don''t aware a security guard followed by 2 men knocking at labs door.


    KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!


    When security guard knocking a bit louder, they become aware that there are people on the lab''s door. Prof. Marcus comes to meet the security guard.


    "Mr. Marcus, I''m sorry to disturb you, but these two gentlemen want to see you," said the security guard.


    "Are you Mr. Marcus Greener?"


    "Yes, that''s me"


    "My name is Detective Ramos and this is my partner Detective Enrique. We come from City police station to ask some question" said one of them while showing their respective badges.


    "Police? What do you want to ask?"


    "Do you know a man named Phil Redmont?"


    "Phil Redmont? I don''t know any man with that name"


    "Really? We found your fingerprints on his belonging"


    Marcus''s face suddenly pale. He spends most of his time in labs, impossible to give anything with his fingerprint to anyone else, except....


    Those whiskey bottles!!!


    That''s the only thing that has his fingerprints. He surely doesn''t know those homeless names because he doesn''t ask their name. This Phil Redmont guy probably one of those homeless.


    "Officers, I don''t know anything! It''s not my fault he''s dead"


    "Huh? We didn''t say anything about his death but how you know? Mr. Marcus, we have to take you to the station for questioning"


    "I''m innocent! I''m just doing what Robert told me! I''m not killing anyone!"


    "Robert? Is that guy over there? Enrique, get him! We take them both for questioning!"


    Police officer Ramos and Enrique take them both to the police station. Marcus with his guilty conscience finally singing about what he and Prof. Robert just did. Next day, newspaper headlines full of reports about this incident. They put the big letter in their front pages: "MYSTERY SWELLING HEAD SOLVED!", "ILLEGAL EXPERIMENT ON HUMAN BEING DISCLOSED", "POLICE ARREST MASTERMIND BEHIND THE DEAD OF HOMELESS", "SCIENTIST ARRESTED FOR MASS MURDER".

 3 Bounty

    Stamfort Medical Research and Development Center


    After Prof. Marcus and Prof. Robert taken by police, the labs become quiet. No one seems to be around there. And nobody has an idea to look at the storage room, where a body of Reid Blackstone laid there. The body was laid on the floor unmoved, seems breathless when suddenly the body shuddered heavily like being shaken by a quake in high intensity. After shuddered a while, his body arching forward and release a heavy cough. Coughing sound can be heard for some minutes followed with heavy panting sounds.


    Reid sits on the floor, he breathing heavily. His face was pale with eyes wide open and mucus flow from his nose and mouth, he also looks disoriented.


    "Where ¡­ where am I? Why am I here?¡­. Ugh ¡­ my head feels heavy" said Reid while holding his head by his two hands. After his breath becomes calmer, Reid tries to remember what happened to him.


    "Argh¡­ can''t remember anything. My head gets dizzy when I''m tried to remember" said Reid shaking his head, tried to remove his dizziness.


    He stands up slowly, trying to stabilize his wobbly legs. After he feels he can walk, he steps one by one to janitor quarter. When he arrives there, his supervisor still there doing some paperwork.


    "Mr. Ashford, I''m feeling sick. Can I take a leave now?" said Reid in a weak voice.


    "My God Reid! You look terrible! You should go to the hospital" when the supervisor, Mr. Ashford, see Reid''s condition he surprised. Reid''s face looks very pale with a bit reddish eyes.


    "Do you have a fever? C''mon I take you to the hospital" Mr. Ashford offers Reid to take him to the hospital because he worried about his subordinate health. Reid is one of his crew which most competent, never came late to work and never complaint either. He also never slack when workings make Mr. Ashford satisfied.


    "No Mr. Ashford, I don''t want to go to the hospital. I just need some rest because my head feels so dizzy. After taking some Aspirin I will better"


    "Are you sure you only have headache boy?" Mr. Ashford still doubting Reid condition.


    "I will be fine after some rest Mr. Ashford"


    "Alright, you don''t have to work today and I''ll drive you to home. But If tomorrow you still feel sick, you must go to the hospital. Okay?"


    "Okay, I will" Reid doesn''t want to refute Mr. Ashford suggestion. He just wants to get home and rest.


    After dropping off Reid in his orphanage, Mr. Ashford returns to his work. Reid walks sluggishly to his small room in this orphanage.


    Arrived in his room, Reid pours a full glass of water and drank half of it. After putting down the glass on the table, he walks to the small cupboard above the sink to get some aspirins. He takes 2 aspirins and gulps it down immediately, but after swallowing it for some minutes, suddenly a heavy headache attacking Reid''s head. Walk tottering to the table, Reid''s vision blurred as his hands reach out far, try to grab the glass on the table. When he feels the glass was on his hand, Reid drank it in one gulp and walk to the bed to lay his self. What Reid didn''t realize is, there'' still some distance between his hand and the table. The glass just flies to Reid''s hand when he tries to grab it, but Reid doesn''t know it. His head already dizzy and his vision is unclear. The next moment, Reid lay unconsciously in his bed.


    Next morning, when Reid wakes up, he feels his head is a lot better than yesterday night. But he still doesn''t understand why he sleeps while holding the glass. After taking a wash and brush his teeth in the sink, Reid comes out from his room. In the corridor, he meets with Sister Christina, a nun which works as the caretaker of the orphanage.


    "Good morning sister Christina" Reid greet her


    "Good morning Reid. You look pale, are you sick?" said Sister Christina when she saw Reid''s face. It'' seems last night effect didn''t completely disappear from Reid. She put her palm on Reid''s forehead.


    "A little warm. You should not overwork yourself, Reid, I know you want to raise some money for this orphanage, but don''t burden your body with that" said Sister Christina gently. She has been managing this orphanage for 20 years, even before Reid was entering the orphanage.


    "I just want to help this orphanage sister," said Reid. He knows this orphanage is not government subsidiary, but privately owned by a church and depend on donation for its funding. With many abandoned kids under their care, the orphanage must strive hard to earn their funding and manage it.


    "I know you do. But you also should keep some for yourself. Save some to do plastic surgery to remove your burn scars for example" said Sister Christina while rubbing the scars on Reid''s cheek gently. She knew where this scar comes from. When the orphanage caught on fire when Reid still 7 years old kid, he bravely enters a room that burns to save his fellow orphanage kid that trapped in that room. He manages to save his friend but his cheek was hit by a burning wood log that fell from the roof. It leaves a big burn scar until now. Because that scar no one wanted to adopt Reid as an adopted son.


    "I don''t need it, Sister, there are other things that need money than just small scar of mine"


    "But if you don''t remove that scar, no girls would willing to marry you," said Sister Christina in a sad tone.


    "It''s alright Sister, I don''t think about married someone or make a family on my own. This orphanage is my family right now"


    Sister Christina sighed. Without the scar, Reid will be like another fine young man, unfortunately, Reid himself doesn''t want to remove his scar.


    "Then I''ll pray that Lord will send you a girl with kind heart, who can see the goodness in your heart than your appearance"


    "Thank you sister" Reid can''t refute Sister Christina word and only reply it with a bitter smile.


    "Come, let''s have breakfast together. Other children maybe already waiting in the dining room"


    Reid nodded and followed Sister Christina to the dining room.


    -------------------


    [Back to present time, couple days after the incident at Industrial District]


    Daily Metropolis office.


    Burt Bradford entering his office with a cheerful face, he even whistles a song with his mouth. He''s in the good mood because his newspaper sales increased significantly recently. He stops and said to his secretary that sit in front of his office.


    "Sally, if Miss Scarlett Johnson arrive, tell her to come in my office, also, call Jerry to come as well"


    "Yes Mr. Bradford," said his secretary take the intercom to call Jerry.


    About ten minutes later, Scarlett Johnson comes into Daily Metropolis, when she about to sit at her desk, Sally called her.


    "Miss Johnson, how''s your leg?"


    "Oh Sally, good morning! My legs are okay although the bandages make me uncomfortable when walking. I can''t use my high-heel shoes either because the doctor says I can get sprained ankle if I force to use high-heel"


    "Really? Poor girl. Anyway BB calling you. He wants you in his office when you arrive" BB is shortening for Burt Bradford, their boss.


    "He did? Did he want to give me a raise?"


    "Who knows? But with his stingy attitude I don''t think so" said Sally chuckled.


    "Alright, I''ll go there"


    "Jerry already inside too" add Sally


    "Um" Scarlett only nodded, before she entering Burt''s office. Inside the office, Burt still has a conversation with Jerry. Jerry is the art editor for the Daily Metropolis.


    "Ah Miss Johnson, you come finally. Please have a seat" said Burt when he sees Scarlett come into his office.


    "Good morning Mr. Burt and Mr. Jerry. Is there anything important that need to discuss with me?" asked Scarlett.


    "Good. I''ll be straight to the point. Your exclusive reportage on the incident at Industrial District has brought a significant increase in our sales, so I decide to ¡­." Burt paused his speech, he thinks for a while.


    "Give me a salary rise sir?" Scarlett asks with glimmering eyes.


    "That not what I''m gonna said. I decide to make you as special investigator reporter to this ''mysterious guy'' in your reportage. You know what this City lack of? They need a hero! Crime rate tends to rise every year and police only said they do their best to solve this problem."


    "You don''t give me a raise? I really need to replace my old car sir. I almost lost my life because my old car''s engine suddenly broken before that incident"


    "If you can make a reportage on this ''mysterious guy'' I''ll consider it. Also, we can''t call him ''mysterious guy'' forever. We need a name that will remember by people. You have any idea, Scarlett?"


    "I already proposed Silver Mask or Black Shadow, but BB reject it," said Jerry


    "Hummm ¡­. When he talks to that killer he said they are his prey maybe name ''The Hunter'' will suit him," said Scarlett.


    "No. We need an elegant name for this heroic guy. I want people when hearing his name will remember how he in the shadow, watching all those bad guys silently, and when the time is ripe, he''ll act in such cool action. Don''t you agree?"


    "Yeah¡­but"


    "No, but, I want his image is like a beast sneaking in dark and silently caught his prey, no, he''s not beast, this won''t fit, it''s more like a hunter watch the game from afar and when the prey did not aware his presence, he snapped it. Yes! Like that! I think The Hunter fit with the image. How do you think about my choice?"


    " ...¡­.. "


    "Also we need the picture of him. We can get more readers if we can have his photograph put in the front page with headlines together. What do you say, Jerry?"


    "I agree with Mr. Burt, but unfortunately we don''t have any information about him at all"


    "Alright, let make a bounty on his picture. We''ll give $ 500 for every picture of The Hunter, No! We give $ 200 for every picture that we consider good. We don''t need any blurred picture of any disguised people claiming their self as The Hunter. You''ll be work together with Miss Scarlett who ever see real The Hunter to sort originality of any picture submitted. She''ll know which one is fake and which one is real"


    "Okay," said Jerry


    "And put this bounty on front pages tomorrow. I want to get The Hunter picture as soon as possible"


    "I''ll arrange that"


    "So, what are you waiting in my office? Get to work out there!" Burt shooed Scarlett and Jerry out from his office.


    Next morning in Daily Metropolis front page there''s an article about The Hunter and reward for submitting The Hunter picture, "GREAT REWARD FOR ANYONE WHO CAN BRING ''THE HUNTER'' PICTURES TO DAILY METROPOLIS".

 4 Almost Die

    Back to several years before,


    Couple days after Incident in Stamfort Medical Research and Development Center.


    When Reid feels better, he continues his work as cleaning service in Stamfort Medical Research and Development Center. When he arrived at janitor quarter, his supervisor Mr. Ashford greet him


    "Young man, are you feeling better now?"


    "Thanks, Mr. Ashford, I''m feeling better and ready to work"


    "Good, continue your work as usual but you don''t have to clean west wing seventh floor, just do first until the sixth floor".


    "Why is that Mr. Ashford?"


    "That section is sealed for investigation. Just leave it be"


    "Okay, I''ll start to work then" Reid leave the janitor quarter to changing room and put cleaning service uniform and start his work as cleaning service. His routine as cleaning service in night shift continues as usual. He still doesn''t remember what happens to him that day as if that incident never happen in first place.


    Several days later in the orphanage.


    In that morning Reid was sweeping the orphanage yard while some children play with a ball near him.


    "Brother Reid! Come and play with us!"


    "Yeah! Please brother Reid, accompany us play" ask those children to Reid.


    Reid smiling to hear their request, these children like his little brother too because they also raised in the orphanage together with him.


    "Alright, big brother will accompany you play after finishing sweeping the yard okay? Play among yourself for a moment and be careful, don''t let the ball go to the street"


    "Okaaaayyyy brother!" those children said in unison and continue their playing, while Reid continues to sweep the yard.


    Some minutes later when Reid about to end his sweeping works, suddenly screeching sound can be heard from the road nearby orphanage. It seems the ball was kicked too hard and goes to the road. One of the children tries to retrieve it without noticing a car passing the road from afar. Reid shocked, he drops the broom in his hand and chases the kid, tries to pull him out of the street. But the car is already near the kid, Reid only can close his eyes and put his body as a shield while his left-hand clutches the kid tightly into his chest and his right hand stretched toward the car as if trying to block it.


    What Reid didn''t see is when his right hand stretched to block the car, the car''s speed suddenly decreased greatly and stopped only a few inches in front of Reid''s hand.


    Reid still closed his eyes waiting for the car to hit him, did not aware that crash never happen because the car stopped until he hears the driver''s voice,


    "Hey, kid! Are you alright? Anybody hurts?"


    Reid opens his eyes and realizes the car already stopped in front of him and the kid in his hand already start to crying. He stands up after checking his condition and the kid condition either.


    "I am alright sir, and this kid too. Your car stopped in time"


    "Consider yourself lucky kiddo, I''m not sure either if I can stop the car in time. Next time don''t let that kid loose from your sight and play on the road. I almost have a heart attack you know!"


    "My apologies sir, it is my fault, I don''t know if this kid suddenly runs in the road," said Reid with lowering his head.


    Sister Christina who heard commotion in front orphanage also came out. After Reid brief her about what happen also apologizing to the driver. The driver, who don''t want to make the matter longer, accept their apology and continue driving his car.


    Sister Christina after the car has gone, staring the kids with firm eyes,


    "Children, did I already said many times not to play on the road?"


    Those children only silent while lowering their head until one of them step up and speak


    "Sister, it is not Ricky fault. It is me that kick the ball too hard. But I did not do that intentionally"


    Sister Christina smile, she did not blame anyone for this accident. But she praises the courage of the kids to talk the truth and did not blame others for their own mistake.


    "Sister did not angry with you Leon, I know you didn''t intentionally. Just ask apology to Ricky alright? He very scared with this incident"


    The kid called Leon nodded, he comes closer to Ricky and extended his hand "Ricky I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to make you scared. I''ll be more careful next time"


    Ricky just nodded and accepts Leon''s hand. They make shake hand. Ricky turn his body and said to Reid


    "Brother Reid, thank you for saving me"


    Reid smiles and rubs Ricky''s head, "Next time be careful when crossing the road okay. Look left and right first before you crossing road"


    "I will, brother!" said Ricky.


    "Alright children, time to take bath and after that we have breakfast," said Sister Christina to the children


    "Yes, sister Christina," said the children in unison and they enter the orphanage to take bath.


    "Reid, come with me to my office. There''s something I want to talk with you"


    "Yes, Sister," said Reid and followed Sister Christina to her office.


    After they arrived at Sister Christina''s office,


    "Reid," said Sister Christina after takes a seat in her desk. "Take a seat"


    "Yes," Reid sit in front of Sister Christina.


    "Do you know you almost die today?"


    "I know, I''m sorry Sister, It''s my body moved by itself to save that kid"


    "I''m not blame you Reid"


    "It''s my negligence that almost makes one of the children die sister"


    "It''s an accident, don''t blame yourself Reid"


    "I can''t forgive myself if that kid die in front of me, sister"


    "I know, just don''t too hard on yourself. Nobody injured in this accident. That''s good"


    "I''m just lucky that car stopped in time sister"


    "I think it''s not just luck. I believe God protecting you Reid, for all your good deed you''ve done"


    Reid smile wryly hearing that. He can''t refute when Sister Christina talk about God. He just don''t know how to answer, so he just silently nodded.


    "I think your biological parents make big mistakes when they left you here Reid. If they know you''ve grown into such good young man that can be proud of, they must regret it" add Sister Christina.


    "Please don''t mention them, Sister. Our relation has been cut off since they left me here. If they have a little care to me at least they should show up once and tell me their reason left me here" said Reid with sorrowful voice.


    "I''m sorry Reid, I don''t mean to make you sad. I mention them because I want to give you something"


    Sister Christina pulls drawer in her desk and takes something from inside.


    "This necklace is the only thing left with you when you come in this orphanage" Sister Christina give Reid a necklace with black stone pendant.


    "I give you name Blackstone also because of this pendant. Now this necklace and its pendant are yours. Keep it well Reid".


    Reid accepts the necklace with shaking hands. He never thought that his parents will leave something to him.


    "Thank you, Sister Christina"


    "Don''t thank me, Reid, it''s yours for the first time. Now let''s get breakfast, the children must be waiting for us right?"


    Reid nodded and following Sister Christina to the dining room.


    [Back to present time]


    Several days after Daily Metropolis put the bounty for The Hunter pictures.


    Burt Bradford sitting in his office, there are also Jerry and Scarlett Johnson. They discussing the progress on The Hunter investigation


    "So, Miss Johnson, how''s your investigation going?"


    "I''ve searched all mysterious death in this City for last year and find some incident that under title ''unsolved'' that''s means the way they die can''t be explained. For example, a man dead because a bullet shot through his back, when police doing the ballistic test, the bullet come from that man''s own gun. This can''t be classified as suicide because no one can shoot their own back. Fingerprint test on the gun show no other people fingerprint except the man owns fingerprint"


    "The killer can wipe his fingerprint or use gloves to hide it and place the gun on that man hand after use it"


    "I haven''t said the interesting part yet. The bullet is a small caliber, but the bullet gets through deep in this man body. To get through deep usually the gun must fire in close range, and if the gun was shot in close range, there are burn marks surround the wound and gunpowder residue on the clothes, but those things did not exist. As if the bullet shot from long range, but if shot from long range, it''s impossible to get through so deep in the body".


    "I see, but one case is not strong enough to be evidence"


    "Oh, there are still other cases. There''s a man with broken bones in his chest. All his ribs shattered like being hit by a heavy truck but there''s no wound, no bruises, no scars at all. It looks like this man bones made from glass, that so fragile and easy to break"


    "Now that''s I called weird. Jerry! How''s about the pictures?"


    "No good BB. We received some pictures and video from the surveillance camera, but the quality is so poor. Most of them only show a man wearing the black trench coat, which we can see many of them during fall and winter season. No one can bring clear picture about neither his face nor his body".


    When they still discussing, Sally the secretary knocking the office door and reporting,


    "Boss, there''s a young man here want to see you. He said he brought some pictures of the hunter!"


    "Send him in," said Burt immediately.


    Soon, a young man with clumsy looks entering BB office. He holding a case in his armpit.


    "I heard you have the hunter picture boy? Let me take a look" said Burt.


    The young man handed the case in his hand to BB, and Burt start to look at the pictures inside while commenting,


    "Crap ¡­. Crap ¡­ mega crap ¡­ crap" said BB and put the picture one by one on the table.


    The young man looks dejected, it seems he expecting to get some good money from the pictures


    "$ 100 for those crappy pictures," said BB in rigid tone.


    The young man didn''t say anything. He just collecting the pictures on the table and put them back in the case. He looks unhappy with the offers. When he about to pick the case, Burt snap it.


    "Alright $ 200, and if you get another better pictures I will buy it"


    The young man looks pleased and nodded. Burt writes something on the check and handed it to the young man.


    "Here''s your payment, you can cash it at the cashier in front. What''s your name kid? And how you get this pictures?"


    "My name Peter Patter sir, I get these pictures accidentally when I was at the bank that afternoon when some men with guns suddenly break in, knock off the security guards and destroy the surveillance camera and told to all visitor and bank employee to squat at floor. I was holding my phone at that moment and use it to record the robbers, maybe can help the police later. That was the time that guy show up, with only one flicks from his hand, the robber smashed against the walls. Although the robber managed to shoot him once but he seems not affected. All that happen in very short time and all robbers have been incapacitated"


    "Your name Peter Patter? What a weird name. Whatever! If you can bring more pictures I''ll buy it"


    The young man silently cursed in his heart, ''my name is not what I make for myself you know!'' and said


    "Can I be photographer in your newspaper sir?"


    "You want a job? Freelance, you can be a freelancer for my newspaper. Now get me some other pictures out there" Burt shooed the young man.


    After the young man leaves, Burt shows the picture to Scarlett.


    "How do you think? Is this him?"


    "I think this is him. Although not very clear, I''m certain this is the man I meet in the industrial district" said Scarlett after look at the pictures carefully.


    "Good! Jerry, take this picture and fix it. Make it look better and put on the first page tomorrow with the headline ''THE HUNTER: HEROES OR MENACES''".

 5 The storm is brewing

    "What do you mean by menaces??" said Scarlett in a high tone. She can''t accept the man who saves her considered as villains.


    "Miss Scarlett, I''m editor in chief, it''s my job to decide what to put on the front page," said Burt coldly.


    "But he''s not villains" Scarlett rebuked


    "That''s in your opinion because he saved you once. But if you ask policeman''s opinion about him, I''m certain they will consider him as Vigilante. He acts without law. He acts as police, act as attorney, and act as judge and even act as executor. Tell me, Miss Scarlett, if people let loose without law, what will happen in this country?"


    "Ugh¡­ but still, he''s not bad person" Scarlett still try to defend him.


    "Let the people decide it. Our obligation as a reporter is presenting facts, not opinion. Don''t forget that Miss Scarlett. Now, why don''t you go search him, make an exclusive interview, dig his history, ask his motive, finds if he had a grudge against criminals, go"


    "Alright ¡­ I''ll try to find him" said Scarlett and then leaving Burt''s office.


    Scarlett sits on her desk, she''s in deep thinking. The computer in her desk already dimmed because of no activities for long times. Finally, she pulls the drawer of her desk and pulls something out from inside. It''s a dark-colored handkerchief that used to bandage her leg during the incident in Industrial District. The doctors who treat her wound actually want to dispose of it but Scarlett prevents him. She washes it clean and keeps it as a memento. It''s only an ordinary cheap handkerchief that can buy everywhere. Scarlett already investigates the handkerchief and found no clue from it. She embraces the handkerchief tightly in her chest, her lips uttering a whisper, "You, my hero. Can we meet again? I want to see your face, I want to hear your voice again, and I want to thank you properly..."


    -----------


    [Back to several years ago, couple days after car incident]


    Reid still works as cleaning service in Stamfort at night shift. The world economic currently at the recession time, making life become harder, as the price of daily necessities slowly climbing up. This situation also impacted for the orphanage, they must use their little funds wisely and cut unnecessary expenses. Reid who aware of this situation, try to find an additional job to raise some money for the orphanage. One day when he returns to orphanage from job search, he saw a man in suit leave the orphanage, and get into his fancy car. Reid feels curious about the man, he seems not coming for adoption business because usually, those who want to adopt children from orphanage come in pairs. To sated his curiosity, Reid decided to meet Sister Christina.


    KNOCK KNOCK!


    Reid knocks at Sister Christina office door, and there''s answer from inside"Come in please".


    After opening the door, Reid greeting Sister Christina


    "Good afternoon Sister, may I know who''s the man that just visiting us?


    "Good afternoon Reid, do you mean the one with the suit that just leaves?"


    "Yes, that''s one"


    "Hmmm ¡­ he''s just a people from Sunrise Real Estate. They make an offer to buy our property"


    "They want to buy our orphanage? Did you accept it, Sister?"


    "Of course I refuse it. Where we will live in the orphanage were sold?" said Sister Christina smiling.


    "I''m afraid you accept it and use the money to build a new building for an orphanage in somewhere else," said Reid with wryly smiling.


    "That''s even crossed my mind once, but after I''m thinking further, it''s better to refuse it. This orphanage although a little in run-down condition, located near the City. We have school and clinic nearby. If we want to relocate, we must search the good place and suitable environment, I''m just too old to do all of that things".


    Reid nodded. Relocating this orphanage indeed not an easy task and they don''t have enough sources to do that. There are also memories that Reid want to keep in this orphanage, that''s why he feels reluctant to relocate.


    "Glad to hear that sister, this orphanage is like my own home. I feel hard to separate with it"


    Sister Christina chuckled hearing Reid words, she understands Reid has some bounds with this orphanage.


    "So, how''s your job seeker Reid? Do you find a job?" Sister Christina changing the topic.


    "Not yet sister. There are not many jobs for only high school graduate like me. There''s some freelance job like being waiter. But when I try to apply, the owner said I''m not suitable for the job"


    Sister Christina sighed, Reid''s face indeed troubling him to find a job that requires handling people.


    "That''s alright Reid, maybe God has His own plan for you. Just don''t make it breaking your spirit"


    "I''m not sister, now please excuse me, I will back to my room"


    "You can go, Reid"


    Meanwhile in Sunrise Real Estate


    The man who just visiting the orphanage arrive the in Sunrise Real Estate building and go directly to director''s office. That man stops a moment in front of the director''s door. There''s a nameplate hanging on the door "Sloan Ruthford ¨C Director", after hesitating a while the man knocking the door.


    KNOCK KNOCK


    "Come in" there''s reply from inside. The man opens the door and comes inside. There''s an old man sitting on the desk, busy reading and signing documents on his desk.


    "So, you failed huh?" that''s what the old man said when then man entering his office.


    "How do you know dad?" the man just finishing his words when suddenly an astray flying toward him. Luckily he evades it on time if not, the astray will smash his head. The astray flew and smashed the wall finally, make broken sounds.


    "Don''t call me dad in the office. You call me director, or boss or Mr. Ruthford. Understand?" said the old man with a strict tone. "Of course I know you failed if you come empty handed like that. If you succeed you already handed me that land certificate".


    "That''s not my fault sir, that old nun is so stubborn although I already increase the offer," said the man trying to defend himself.


    "I know. Dealing with religious people will never be easy" the old man, Mr. Sloan, sighed. "But you''re my son Jimmy. Soon or later you will inherit my company and you will deal with any kind of people".


    The man actually Mr. Sloan''s son named Jimmy, and the successor of Sunrise Real Estate ownership. Mr. Sloan stands from his chair a walk toward a table that covered with black cloth. He removes the cloth carefully and gives a sign to Jimmy to come closer.


    "Look at this Jimmy," said Mr. Sloan pointing at the table. There''s a miniature building over the table. "This is what we want to build after we acquire the land of that orphanage. We already possess all nearby land around the orphanage and after we have all the land, there will be condominium and mall to build there. The location is strategic, near public facilities and stable, the crime rate is rather low than other places. That makes the ideal site to build this luxury condominium".


    Jimmy observing the miniature carefully, the location of the orphanage indeed vital for their construction project. It is a must to have land for the project.


    "Please give chances sir, I will get that orphanage land for you"


    "Alright, I give you another chance. You can use our ''hard to sell'' properties in suburb city as part of the exchange with the orphanage but don''t exceed the fund limit I give to you"


    "I will do my best sir"


    "I give you 3 months to finish the deal, can you do it in 3 months?


    "I won''t disappoint you, sir!"


    "I give you advice then. If you can''t do it in a soft way, then do it in a hard way. You can consult Schonberg for that, he''s my right hand and used to deal with hard way part" Mr. Sloan patted jimmy''s shoulder "I''m waiting for your good news, not the failure. You know my temper"


    Jimmy feels a cold shiver down on his spine. Obviously, he knows what the meaning of the hard way and know who Schonberg that his father talking about. Rather than an employee of his father, Schonberg more likely his father''s bodyguard with his bulky and muscular body.


    "I hope we don''t have to use the hard way sir"


    "We don''t know Jimmy. According to my experience, there''re always people who didn''t tempt with money, once they say no, they won''t budge even an inch. That''s why there is exist the hard way"


    "Ugh, I understand sir. Excuse me, I will look for those ''hard to sell'' properties as the bargaining chip"


    "You go. Don''t forget we have dinner at seven to celebrate your mother birthday. Bring something nice to her too"


    Jimmy nodded and leaves Sloan office.


    A few days later Jimmy comes to the orphanage with new proposals.


    "Sister Christina ma''am, please reconsider our offer. We willing to raise our offer 10% from our last offer for this property"


    "Mr. Ruthford, this is not about money, I already manage this orphanage for more 20 years. There are a lot of memories I have here, also if we take your offer, where we will put these children on? We must look for another building to make a new orphanage. Moving these children under our care also not a simple matter".


    "Ma''am, we understand your problem. So, if you are not interested in 10% increase in our offer, we have another proposal for you" said Jimmy while pulling another document from his briefcase "Please take a look ma''am"


    Sister Christina takes the document that Jimmy handed to her. She read thoroughly what''s written there before take a deep breath and talk to Jimmy


    "Mr. Ruthford, I''m afraid I can''t give you a direct decision. I need to talk about this with some people first. Do you mind to leave this proposal first and come back later for the answer?"


    "No, no at all. I can come back again in few days. How long you need ma''am? Two days? Three days?"


    "You can come again three days later Mr. Ruthford"


    "Fine! I''ll come 3 days later, I hope I can hear a positive answer from you, ma''am"


    They both shake hands and Jimmy leaves the orphanage. After Jimmy left, Sister Christina sits restlessly in her desk. She doesn''t want to sell this orphanage but the proposal that Jimmy left have caught her interest. Finally, Sister Christina made up of her mind, she stands from her chair and walk to the window and open it. She talks to the children that play outside the window.


    "Leon, can you call Reid to come to my office?"


    "I will call him right away sister" Leon start to run to Reid room


    "Thank you".


    After a while, Reid arrives at Sister Christina office.


    "Sister, you called me?" asked Reid


    "Yes Reid, I need to discuss something with you. Please take a seat".


    After Reid sit, sister Christina handed him the proposal that left by Jimmy, "Please take a look at this. Tell me what you thinking after you read it".


    Reid takes the document and starts to read it. Sometimes his forehead frowned while reading it. After finishing reading it, Reid didn''t say anything yet. He just holds the document in his hand and thinking something.


    "Sister, this document is part of exchange properties for this orphanage right?"


    "Yes, you right Reid, the man you saw couple days ago come with the new proposal"


    "What''s Sister opinion?"


    "I don''t know Reid. That''s why I called you. I need your opinion about this"


    "This proposal actually interesting. They even offer a bigger house for the exchange to this orphanage. Moreover they also willing to cover the relocation expenses and give some compensation money. Sister, I can''t say that our orphanage in good condition. There are holes in the roof and raindrop leaked from there. Some part of the building also already moldy and worn out. If the children can get a better place then I don''t mind it".


    "I know you would be said that Reid, you always thinking about others first then yourself" Sister Christina smiling.


    "But Sister, I want to see the place they offered for exchange first. I''m afraid if the reality is different with the picture they give to us"


    "Alright, you can go, take my camera to take the pictures of that house. I also want to see it" Sister Christina takes an old digital camera from the drawer and handed to Reid.


    "I''ll get going now, Sister. The address is a little bit far from here. I wish I can back before dark"


    "Okay, be careful Reid"


    Reid nodded and leaves the orphanage by his old bicycle. It''s would take over an hour to reach the place as written in the proposal. When the day almost dusk, Reid return to the orphanage. His face looks gloomy and full of sweat. After he takes a bath and changes clothes, he reporting his founding to Sister Christina.


    "Sister, please take a look at the pictures," said Reid while handed back the camera to sister Christina.


    Sister Christina takes the camera and starts looking at pictures that Reid had taken there. A shocked expression can be seen on her face when she looks at the picture.


    "Reid, this is¡­this really the building they offer to us?"


    "Yes, sister. That''s what they offer to us. This proposal actually a scam"


    Reid starts telling Sister Christina about what he saw in that place. The building used to be a two-floor villa for resort complex in a suburb area, but because of lack of support facilities, such as stores, schools, clinics etc. which gives the impression of the remote and desolate area, one by one occupant there moved to more lively places. Moreover, after couple years from its build, City government decides to move City cemeteries into the nearby area, giving a more eerie feeling.


    Sister Christina sighed, she glads asking Reid opinion first before making a decision. After getting a clear view of the proposal, she finally made up her mind, "Reid, we can''t accept this proposal. I decide to refuse it".


    Three days later when Jimmy come for the answer, Sister Christina firmly refuse the proposal. Jimmy who think his proposal is good enough, lose his patience. He''s yelling at Sister Christina before leaves the orphanage "YOU GONNA REGRET THIS, OLD WOMAN".

 6 Evil intention

    Jimmy after his proposal rejected by Sister Christina, leaves the orphanage furiously. He goes to Sunrise Real Estate building to meet Schonberg. Schonberg seems already knows what Jimmy will tell him, so when they meet and discuss about the orphanage, he just sits calmly, listening to what Jimmy told him while drinking his coffee.


    "Mr. Schonberg, my father highly praise you about how you handling people who hard to deal with. Can I depend on you for this orphanage?"


    Schonberg didn''t say anything, he just raises his two fingers.


    "Two? Will you settle it in two weeks? Or you ask for two million?" said Jimmy confused.


    "Two days! I need two days to investigate first" said Schonberg calmly and leave the meeting place.


    Two days later they meet again


    Jimmy start questioning Schonberg immediately after they get sit down.


    "So Mr. Schonberg, what do you found?"


    Schonberg didn''t answer, he just pulls a cigarette and light it. After some sniffs then he starts to talk


    "I investigate whether or not that orphanage gets influenced by someone or any party to refuse our offer. Usually, if there''s someone who knows about that orphanage land value and wants to sabotage our construction plan, they will provoke the orphanage so they will not sell their land to us or buy the land for their self. In this case, I don''t see any other party try to buy or get close to the orphanage"


    Schonberg paused for a while, smoke his cigarette before continue to tell his finding.


    "I also investigate the people in the orphanage, three females adults, 1 young man and 15 children which age ranged between 2-10 years old. Three female adults consist of three Nuns, one act as manager, one as the cook and one as secretary or administration. The manager lives in the orphanage while two others came in the morning and leave at 4 pm".


    After taking a sip of his coffee, Schonberg continue his report,


    "The manager seems to have most authorities for the orphanage. If she said she doesn''t want to sell then orphanage will never be sold to anyone. But if she replaced by another person, maybe the new person will listen to our offer and be willing to sell the orphanage. The other two adults did not have significant roles in the orphanage and can be neglected. The young man seems an orphanage occupant since a child and lived there as a helper, doing menial works for the orphanage. Nothing to be concern from him".


    Jimmy dumbfounded hearing this. The man called Schonberg is not just a simple muscular man. Behind those muscles, there is also a smart brain. He didn''t expect this. No wonder his father praises him highly.


    "Mr. Schonberg, do you mean if she doesn''t in charge of the orphanage, we have a chance to buy the orphanage?"


    "Exactly like that"


    "How we will do that? We can''t ask the church to replace her right?"


    "No, we can''t. But there are some ways to make her replaced" Schonberg said calmly


    "What is that Mr. Schonberg?"


    "We can destroy her reputation. Like, make an anonymous call reporting there''s child abuse in that orphanage. That''s not a rare case because there''re many child abuse cases in all around the country. If her reputation plumped, the church will replace her with other people to avoid scandals. If child abuse didn''t work, there are also corruption issues that can be used. Just tipped newspaper about this, and they will spread this without we do tiring efforts"


    "That''s wonderful Mr. Schonberg. How long this will take effect?"


    "Can''t say how long exactly, maybe half years? There would be an investigation about that and that takes time"


    Jimmy feels dejected. He doesn''t have half years. His father only gives him 3 months and it''s already less than 3 months.


    "Is there any other methods Mr. Schonberg?We don''t have half years to wait"


    "Didn''t I say there''re some ways? Of course, there are other methods. Like forcing them to move"


    "How is that possible Mr. Schonberg?"


    "If there''s no building there, they must move to another place right?"


    "No building ... You mean to burn the orphanage?"


    Schonberg nodded calmly like he has used to burn building before.


    "But I wouldn''t recommend this method. Because too risky. Although there''s fire incident at the orphanage history, if this arson did not execute carefully, the suspicion will be directed to us as the party who interested with orphanage properties. Moreover, there would be casualties in this fire. Are you ready to deal with that Mr. Jimmy?"


    "No, I just want the land, not those children live," said Jimmy.


    "Then I will tell other methods. This method is to make the manager no longer able to manage the orphanage"


    "You mean ¡­. Kill her?"


    "No, just make her hospitalized for couple months. But if she died in the process there''s nothing we could do"


    "Please tell me in detail about this method Mr. Schonberg"


    "Seems you choose this method Mr. Jimmy, alright I tell you the detail. I already observed that manager habit. Sometimes she went to do groceries purchase in nearby stores across the street from the orphanage. We will standby in the car parked near there, and when she comes out and crossing the street, we just rammed her with the car. BAM! then it''s all over. If she lucky, she just hospitalized for couple months, and if she dies, just consider it''s her bad luck. There''re always car accidents every day in the City anyway". Schonberg ended his explanation with a sinister laugh as if human lives have no worth in his eyes.


    Jimmy''s eyes shone, this indeed a good and feasible plan to get the orphanage land.


    "What we should prepare for the plan, Mr. Schonberg?"


    "Some cheap cars with fake plate number, and driver who willing to do this and keep his mouth shut. Don''t worry, I''ll handle this"


    "When we will proceed this plan?"


    "Soon. When all we need ready" said Schonberg "Now excuse me, I will make preparation for this"


    "Thank you, Mr. Schonberg. I depend on you for this matter".


    After Schonberg left, Jimmy was alone in that room. He laughs heartily since he certain that orphanage land will fall into his hands.

 7 Scarletts effor

    Let''s back to present time.


    Scarlett Johnson sits anxiously in her desk. It''s been a week from reportage about the Hunter and she doesn''t get anything further. She tapped the desk with her finger tries to figure out a way to meet or contact the Hunter. Put an advertisement in the newspaper? That equal inviting swindler, trickster, and frauds to claim their selves as The Hunter. Relying on her informant on the street also useless, they just want some money for the unreliable info, most of the info she gets from there is crap or obsolete news.


    Scarlett sighed, her brains working hard to think another way to find the Hunter. Suddenly, an idea flashing in her mind. He always shows up when someone needs his help or there''s crime in progress. Why not pretended to be in danger again? She can hire a man to act like he wants to rob her, or maybe want to **** her. But after thinking again, her plans have many flaws that bound to fail. First, how if he knows this is just an act? If he knows she trick him and get angry, wouldn''t it only give the disadvantage to her? Second, if the act not too convincing, he probably will not show up. Third, what if there is another person that will help her not the Hunter? Would they accept her explanation if this just an act? What if the police arrest the man she hired? She''ll be the jokes through the entire City if that happens.


    This plan finally discarded from Scarlett thought, it''s just too risky and low chance of success, not worth to try. Scarlett tries to recall once again what happened that night she met the hunter. First, her car suddenly broken in the middle of the night, at that time she sure there''s no one else nearby since she waits for half an hour for someone to passing by that road. Second, she goes to find help or nearby public phone in the industrial district. She certain that she not meeting anyone along the way. Third, she saw a middle-aged man get shot by a killer and she run from there. Wait a minute, there''s something weird there. That''s it, if the hunter really helps the weak from injustice, he should prevent the killer from killing that middle-aged man unless he hasn''t been there at the moment or he already know that both killer and the victim are ''not worth to help'' person.


    Scarlett scratched her head, the more she thinks about the hunter, the more she gets confused. Her curiosity rise to the peak and her journalism instinct screaming in her head ''I Want To Know Him!!" unfortunately, there''s no one there that can satisfy her needs.


    Her stare ends up at the stack of documents on her desk. That documents contain all data related to the appearance of the Hunter which confirmed by the eyewitness. Another idea crossing her mind. She opens her computer and loads the City map, then she pointed one by one all crime scene in the documents. After finishing her mapping, she looks carefully at the point that spread in the map. At a glance, it seems that all event happens in the random area, but after she looks carefully, almost half of them happen in a certain area, The Slum, an area which has highest crime rate with many brothels, casino, underground fight, bars, and nightclubs. A place which feels like heaven for criminals.


    Since he so hard to catch, so hard to follow, why not waiting in his place. He can go as far as he wants but he must find his prey in this area. But Scarlett also aware how dangerous this area would be. She can''t go there alone. At least she must bring someone to accompany her. So Scarlett try to ask one of the male reporters in Daily Metropolis to accompany her


    "Hey, Mick. Do you have free time tomorrow?"


    "Hello sweetie, do you want to ask me to date?"


    "Actually I want to ask you accompany me to go to some places?"


    "Really? Where to?"


    "To the slum!"


    "Ugh, I just remember tomorrow I have an appointment with my dentist"


    "How about the day after tomorrow?"


    "Day after tomorrow I can''t. I already promised my mother to take her see opera"


    " ...... "


    One rejection did not make Scarlett give up, she tries to ask another man.


    "Yo Sid, can I ask you a favor?"


    "Sure honey, just say it"


    "Can you accompany me tomorrow?"


    "Where you want to go?"


    "To the slum"


    "Sorry I can''t. I must put my car in car shop for routine maintenance"


    "How about the day after tomorrow?"


    "I have an appointment with my source for an article"


    " ...¡­.. "


    One rejection didn''t make her give up, two rejection didn''t make her stop. She tries another male employee in Daily Metropolis.


    "Hi Ryan, can you help me tomorrow?"


    "Hey dear, what can I do for you?"


    "Accompany me make reportage in a certain place"


    "And where''s that certain place?"


    "A place with lots of brothels and casinos"


    "The slum? Please dear, if you ask me to accompany you to cinema or zoo I will gladly go, but not there"


    " ...¡­. "


    Three times rejection did not make Scarlett surrender, she still trying to ask few more men to accompany her to the slum. Unfortunately, the news about she asking a companion to the slum already spread in Daily Metropolis and all males in there start to avoid her and treat her like a plague.


    Failed to find companion make Scarlett return to her desk dejectedly. She slammed her beautiful buttock in the chair while grumbling something


    "What a bunch of gutless people here. Are they man or not? Why they so hesitant to go to the slum? Why there isn''t any manly person like him in this place? Shall I go there alone?"


    Scarlett pulls the drawer in her desk. There are some self-defense tools there like pepper-spray mace and stun gun. If she really going there alone, she will need those tools to protect her. With a heavy sigh, she takes them all and put them in her bag. She already made up her mind to go to the slum area!.

 8 Into the trouble

    Next day, Scarlett prepared to go to slum area alone. She already packed the pepper-spray mace and stun gun in her bag. During the day, she already surveys the slum by strolling the area by car and marking certain places that will be visited by her. She counts the appearance of the hunter, 80% are during the night day, so she is back to slum area when the sun is set.


    When the dusk approaching, Scarlett still choosing what kind of clothes she will be wear to the slum. She didn''t want to become center of attention there, so she picks some old clothes from her storage. For shoes, she picks an old sneaker that she used to do jog in the morning, high heel shoes are out of her choice, well she learns something after the incident in the industrial district anyway. For upper clothes, she picks a casual women pants and regular shirt with a jacket to cover it. A pair of glasses also put on her face.


    After wearing those clothes and fitting in front of the mirror, Scarlett checking the content of her bag. Self-defense tools are ready, the recorder is ready, the phone also in there, lipstick, face powder and small mirror like what women usually carry also can be found. Nothing else can be done, Scarlett clenched her fist, and it''s now or never.


    ------------


    Scarlett drives her car slowly in the slum area. The view at night very different than the view at day. Neon lamp shinning glamorously everywhere, women with heavy make-up and sensual dress standing along the streets waiting for their customer. Burly and brawny men can be seen in bars entrance. Some of them even whistling at Scarlett when she passed them. Scarlett stops her car in a spot that she already marked during the day. Her target is a bar called ''Joe''s Bar'' located in the corner of the street with a wide alley at the back of the bar, that the place where she parking her car.


    There''s a steel door in the back of the bar, probably for employee entrance and goods delivery. Scarlett stands in the back door, she hesitates whether she enters through the front door or back door. When she still thinking which door she should use, a man voice came from her back.


    "Miss, if you have business here, you should use the front door. This door only for employee"


    Scarlett startled, she didn''t notice there are people behind her. When she turns her back she can see who''s talking to her. The person who stands behind her is a young man holding two crates of beer. In his expressionless face, there is a burn scar that large enough in his right cheeks. His cold eyes stare Scarlett like she disturbing his work.


    "I ¡­I ..I looking for someone" said Scarlett in a wavering tone.


    "You can use the front door"


    "Can I use that door?" asked Scarlett while pointing the back door


    "That''s only for the employee. Listen, miss, I know you''re not from here if you don''t have an urgent matter, I suggest you leave this place as soon as possible"


    "How .. .how do you know?"


    "Isn''t it obvious? Women here wearing heavy make-up and shower their bodies with perfumes. You''re not. If you insist looking someone here, you can ask the bartender. But I warn you most of this bar visitors are people with shoddy characters".


    After saying that, the young man enter the bar through the backdoor with those beer crates. Scarlett tries to chase him but can''t open the door. It''s seem locked from inside. Since there''s no other choice, Scarlett decides to enter from the front door.


    When Scarlett entering the bar, she can feel the gaze of people in the bar aimed at her. While trying to be calm, Scarlett walks to the bar counter along with some whistling sound from every corner. At the bar counter, she sits calmly, makes a smile to bartender then try to start a conversation with the bartender. But before she opens her mouth to ask, the bartender already spoke to her


    "What''s your order?" said the bartender with a cold gaze.


    "Err¡­actually I looking for someone," said Scarlett.


    Other visitors that hearing her looking for someone start to speak some vulgar words


    "Hey, honey! Are you looking for a man that can please you? That''s me!"


    "Don''t believe him, his thing is small and never last long hahaha"


    "Yo babe! You looking for someone to beat your cheating boyfriend? I''ll do it with one-night stand payment"


    Those vulgar words keep flowing along with laughter from the bar guest. Bartender only silenced and stare at Scarlett before he speaks again


    "This is a bar, place for people to drink"


    "One glass beer then," said Scarlett.


    The bartender doesn''t speak anything and grab a glass and pour the beer from a keg before give it to Scarlett. She tries to drink it a sip, it''s bitter and the taste is awful. Typical of cheap beers.


    "Boss, do me a favor, I''m looking for a man, maybe you ever see him"


    The bartender still quiet for a while before said something


    "Nothing is free in this world miss"


    Scarlett understands what the bartender means. She took 10 dollar bills from his wallet and offer it to the bartender. The bartender took it and asks,


    "Who do you looking for?"


    "I''m looking for this man" Scarlett pull the hunter picture from his bag and show it to the bartender.


    The bartender took the picture and look for a moment before throwing it back to Scarlett and speak three words.


    "Never see him"


    "What? Please boss look again" Scarlett still try to persuade the bartender that makes her not aware that other guest in the bar already swarming around her when some of them look at the picture in Scarlett''s hand.


    After her effort to persuade the bartender failed, Scarlett just aware that she already surrounded by other guests in the bar. One of them is a tall burly man with height almost 2 meters. That man pointing at the picture in Scarlett''s hand.


    "Girl, what your relationship with that man?"


    "Ah, I don''t have relation with him" Scarlett start to panic seeing so many men circling her.


    "Don''t lie to me! If you have no relation why you search him?"


    "I¡­I''m a reporter, I want to write an article about him" Scarlett try to take his self-defense tool from his bag.


    "Bullshit, do you think I''m a fool. You must be his girlfriend!" accuse the giant.


    "No, I''m telling the truth. Let me go or I''ll use this" Scarlett put up her pepper-spray in front of giant''s face.


    "What''s that? Mouth spray? Hahahaha"


    Seeing the giant did not scare with her spray, Scarlett sprayed it to giant''s face. Sadly, the giant seems feeling nothing for the spray. He snatches the spray from Scarlett''s hand and shows it to his friend.


    "Look, new mouth spray" he sprays the pepper mace to his mouth and continues talking "Mouth spray with Tabasco flavor hahaha"


    All his friend laugh hearing that, while Scarlett pulls the stun gun from his bag and wave it in front of the giant.


    "Back off or I use electrocuted you!"


    "Girl, how many toys you brought here? You want to use it, then use it" the giant challenge Scarlett to use her stun gun.


    "You asked for it!!" said Scarlett while stabbing the stun gun to Giant''s belly. Unfortunately, this stun gun also did not affect the giant much. He only feels like being tickled.


    "What? You want to tickle me with that?" the giant grab Scarlett wrist which holding stun gun in her palm. When Scarlett try to use her other hand to break free, the giant also grabs her other wrist. Now the giant holding both of Scarlett''s wrist and pull her up, make Scarlett''s feet no longer step on the ground. Her stun gun also dropped to the ground because her hand becomes powerless.


    "Let me go bastard! Put me down! Heeeelllppppppp¡­.anyone help meee" Scarlett start to screaming and ask for help, but nobody seems cares about her plea. They just laugh loudly seeing the way the giant holding Scarlett.


    "Fellas, now it''s time for body searching. Let see if she still have another toys" said the giant in humiliating tone.


    "Noooo!! Please don''t. let me go, please. I beg you, let me goooo" Scarlett panicking when she heard what the giant said. She can''t imagine her body being touch by many hands of the guest in the bar. She screamed louder when she felt the hand start to rubbing her calf, her thighs, her buttock, and some hands start to groping her breast. When she about to cry, suddenly


    PUFFFF


    And the light was out. The bar was in pitch black. Cursing sound starts to spread when Scarlett feel the giant grip on her wrist was loose and she about to fall to the ground. But before she reaches the ground, Scarlett feel two strong hands grab her waist and shoulder, then carrying her. When she about to scream and struggle to get free, a man whisper sounding in her ears


    "Don''t struggle. Don''t scream. I''ll take you out"


    Scarlett doesn''t have any choice but to obey him, she tries to stay still in her savior carry and can feel her being moved from inside bar. After sometimes, they arrive in the back door. Outside light can be seen from the door''s crack. That man put her down, so she can stand, and open the door


    "Get out! Leave quickly" then he shoves her out from the door, and close the back door after Scarlett get on outside the bar.


    "Hey!" Scarlett a little confused with this sudden situation. She wants to speak with her life-saver but there''s nobody there. The back door already closed and locked, and the light already on again in the bar.


    She has no choice but leaves the bar as the man told her. After entering her car that parked not far from there, she starts the engine and leaves slum area.

 9 New Power

    Back to several years before


    When Sunrise Real Estate about to begin their evil intention.


    For some days after that, Sister Christina did not go out because she must do many administration works. She only gets out as far as orphanage yards, watching the children playing there.


    That day the weather is fine. The sun shines brightly on the east horizon, giving its warmth to the earth. Reid was on orphanage roof, fixing the holes there, so it would not leak during the rain. Everyone in the orphanage was in good mood, including Sister Christina. When she goes out to the orphanage yard, she saw Reid still fixing the roof. An idea crossing her mind, Reid had been work hard lately, I should reward him with something.


    "Good morning Reid"


    "Good morning Sister"


    "How''s your doing there? If you feel tired just get down and rest for a while"


    "I''m alright Sister. I''ll finish this soon"


    "You''ve work hard. Do you want something to eat? I''ll tell the cook to make it"


    "Anything is fine sister"


    "You like fish right? I''ll buy the fish at shop there and tell the cook to make special dish for you"


    "Okay, if that''s not trouble you Sister"


    Sister Christina returns to orphanage to take her purse and basket. After that, she crossing the road to go to fish shop nearby. As usual, she always looks at right and left before crossing road. There''s no car heading to her, only some cars parked in roadside. When she feels it safe to crossing, she walks to the other side of road. What she doesn''t know is, when she step out from orphanage and stand in roadside, one of the car parked in roadside starting its engine.


    Sister Christina didn''t realize a car suddenly speeding toward her. She just casually walk, because she sure there''s no car passing this road. When she hears roaring sound of a car engine, it''s already close to her. Shock make her freeze in the middle of the road, she only can close her eyes and pray to God to give her painless dead. She just opens her eyes when she feels a hand grab her waist and pull her to the roadside, the sound of car engine just passed her quickly and disappears in the next crossroad.


    She can''t believe in her eyes when seeing the hand that grabs her waist is Reid''s hand. She remembers clearly Reid still in the roof when she crossing the road. How come he already beside her?


    "Reid, is this really you?"


    "This is me, Sister Christina"


    "How ¡­ how you''d be here? Didn''t you still fixing the roof just now?"


    "That''s ¡­ That''s I don''t know either Sister. From the roof, I see a car heading toward you in fast speed. I want to shout to warn you but my voice didn''t come out. All things in my mind are to get near you and drag you from the road"


    Sister Christina stares at Reid''s eyes. His eyes still like what he has from child age. A pair of eyes that reflecting honesty and bravery. That''s the kind of eyes that she looking at now. She knows Reid didn''t lie to her, he doesn''t know how he can save her either.


    "Don''t mind it, Reid, I''m glad you able to save me. Let''s pray and thanks to God for His protection"


    Sister Christina making a prayer sign and smiling to Reid.


    "Since you already here, can you accompany me shopping?"


    "Sure, but are you alright Sister?"


    "I''m fine, just a little shocked, that''s all"


    "I can do the shopping for you"


    Sister Christina wave her finger in front of Reid''s face


    "No No No, young man, I teach you something. Shopping is women''s pleasure, don''t even try to disturb it. When you married someday, and accompany your wife to shopping, you must patient with your wife"


    Reid only smiles wryly hearing this. Sister Christina seems still hoping that he finds a girl and get married someday. It''s still a dream for him thou.


    "Alright, I''ll carry your shopping basket, is that okay Sister?"


    "Um. Let''s go"


    Meanwhile in Sunrise Real Estate,


    Schonberg receiving a phone call from his lackey. His face was gloomy when he heard what his lackey said. He squeezes the phone handle into pieces after his lackeys hung the phone. Jimmy that with him in the room, surprised seeing that.


    "Mr. Schonberg, what happens?"


    "They failed"


    "You mean the one you tasked on orphanage? How?"


    "Yes, that one. That young man from orphanage save her in the nick of time"


    "Can we do this plan again?"


    "No. They''ll be more cautious with this. We must use another way"


    "What do you plan Mr. Schonberg?"


    "Since the accident plan failed, we had to use the other plan, the arson plan"


    "We''re going to burn that orphanage?"


    "Yes!"


    [Back to present time, the day after Scarlett going to slum area]


    Scarlett never feels so lazy to go to office like today. Last night incident in Joe''s Bar still leaving a trauma to her. Now she understands why her colleague so unwilling to accompany her to the slum. But she must go to the office or BB will cut her salary for absence. After taking a bath and breakfast, she goes to Daily Metropolis. When she arrives there, her colleague still tries to avoid her, but she doesn''t care too much, she just goes to her desk, put her bag down, and sit. Then start to think what she going to do today.


    When she still thinking, her phone ringing, and a text message appears. When she opens it, the sender is Sally. When she looks at Sally, she just gives a sign for Scarlett to read what Sally sent.


    ''Scarlett dear, do you really going to slum area?''


    '' I do. Why?'' Scarlett reply the text


    ''You''re going there alone?''


    ''Yes, why you asking this?''


    ''nothing, just curious. What happens there?''


    ''I''ll tell you later. Too lazy right now''


    After this reply, Sally didn''t send her text anymore. She just approaching other male employees, showing her phone and the male employee pays her 5 bucks. She does that to over 20 male employees in Daily Metropolis. Scarlett astonished with what Sally doing when Sally returns to her desk, she can''t hold her curiosity any longer and ask Sally.


    "Sally, what is this all about?"


    "About what?" Sally pretending didn''t know anything


    "You taking 5 bucks from everybody"


    "Oh, that''s one. Well, we make a bet among us. Whether you''ll go or not to slum area. All of them bet you will not go, I''m the only one who bet you will go. And you''re my lucky star, I get so much money from this bet, thank you"


    "WHHAAATTTT!!!!" Scarlett almost can''t believe what she just hears.

 10 When Scarlett meet Reid

    They made me into betting object, how dare they are. I''ve almost experienced the most humiliating event in my life at that slum area you know? And you make me as gambling things, I don''t believe it.


    That thinking makes Scarlett so angry that she stomps her feet and leave Daily Metropolis. Well, as a reporter she doesn''t have to stay all the time in the office. She can go outside to collect news material. She gets into her car and drives to her favorite coffee shop near Sunset Lane. She used to go there to calm her mind. The barista in that coffee shop already accustomed to her order, so when Scarlett arrives there, she doesn''t need a long time to wait her order done. A cup of Java coffee presented in her table in short time with some snacks.


    While sipping the coffee, she put the earphone to the recorder and start listening what she has a record last night at Joe''s Bar. However, nothing significant was recorded there. With a heavy sigh, Scarlett turns off her recorder. Her investigations about the hunter whereabouts meet another dead end.The hunter didn''t appear when she was in danger, instead, another man had helped her. Her curiosity rise when she remembers that man. This is an unexpected thing to be found there. In the nest of all decadence and moral degeneration in the slum area, there is still a person with kind heart. Scarlett tries to remember the voices that whispered in her ears when he helps her. She somehow ever listening to this voice somewhere. Scarlett tries hard to remember where she ever hears this voice with domineering tone, finally, she remembers that voice. That voice similar to the man she met at the back door of the bar.


    Scarlett smiles, she finally has something worth to write. That man exists in the slum is unique, like a diamond in the muds. She doesn''t waste much time, immediately send the message to her informants to collect data and dig information about that man. After couple hours, one by one information entering her phone inbox. Start with his name, age, place and works and other personal data being gathered.


    Scarlett writes down and arranges that information in her notes. After all the information has neatly arranged in her notes, she read it carefully.


    "Hmmm¡­. Mr. Reid Blackstone, age 21 years old. He''s 2 years younger than me. Live in church orphanage since child until now. Works in there as a helper, with other jobs in various places. Currently, work as a delivery crew at a beer company. His body remarks are large burn scars in his check which result from a fire in that orphanage when he was seven. His personality is good, calm and peaceful. He did not have any criminal records".


    Scarlett looks at her note again. There''s Reid address in her note and she considering if she should go there or not. After thinking a while she decides to go there, and meet with Reid. He helps her once, so she feel at least must say thank you to him. She drove her car to the orphanage, and when she arrives there, she parks her car on the roadside near the orphanage. She didn''t immediately get out from the car. She sits inside and watches the orphanage first for a while. There''re a lot of children playing in the orphanage yards. She also sees a young man among them. He has a burn scar on his cheek.


    The children play joyfully with him. Sometimes he carries to children on his shoulder and walks around the yards. The happy laugh can be heard from the yards. Scarlett smiles, she the only children in her family, sometimes she wonders how it looks like to have brother or sister in her family. Seeing the children there play happily among themselves, a little envy comes in her heart.


    So, after watching for a while, finally, Scarlett get out from her car. She walks slowly across the street heading toward the orphanage. When she entering the orphanage yard, the children stopping their play and stare at her with full curiosity. One of them asked her,


    "Sister, do you looking for someone here?"


    "I want to speak with Mr. Reid there," said Scarlett with a smile


    "Brother Reid! This beautiful sister want to see you!" that kid shouting to Reid


    Scarlett faces getting a bit blushed. She already hears many people, especially man, said she''s beautiful. But hearing that from a kid giving her another sensation, because she knows children didn''t like to pretend like adults, and what they said is sincere, coming from within their heart.She saw Reid put down the children on his shoulder and told them to play with themselves and after that come to meet her.


    "Good morning miss, do you want to see me?"


    "Ah yes, pardon me for the intrusion. My name Scarlett Johnson and we meet yesterday"


    Reid doesn''t say anything and only titled his head like trying to remember something. Scarlett a little bit irritated with this, it''s just one night passed and he already forgets her? Her pride as a woman that called beautiful a bit hurt with that.


    "Last night at the back door of Joe''s Bar" Scarlett tries to help him remember.


    "Ah, that gutsy miss back there. I''m sorry, would you like to talk inside? It''s not proper to receive guest and let them stand in the yards like this"


    "Can we talk in there?" Scarlett point at the chairs in orphanage veranda.


    "Sure. Please¡­" Reid welcoming her to sit in the veranda.


    After they sit there, Scarlett continuing her talk.


    "Sorry, I haven''t introduced my name. My name is Scarlett Johnson"


    "Hello Miss Johnson, my name Reid Blackstone, but I guess you already knew it"


    "Call me Scarlett. I come here want to thank you for your help last night"


    "Okay, Miss John ¡­. I mean Scarlett. But I don''t do anything there"


    "You don''t have to hide it, Mr. Reid, um ¡­ you don''t mind calling you Reid, right?"


    "I don''t mind, but really, I don''t do anything big. And please leave that Mr. things, just call me Reid"


    "Alright Reid, maybe for you it''s not something big, but for me, it''s something that maybe I can''t repay for a lifetime"


    "Really ¡­ I only advise you not to enter the bar. That''s nothing big about that which need you to repay the favor"


    Scarlett chuckled, this young man really pique her interest to the max. Either he pretending or he really humble and low profile, she must admit that he good at that.


    "I''m not talking about our conversation at backdoor Reid, I''m talking about your help at the dark"


    "I don''t understand what you talking about"


    Scarlett smiled, it''s not easy to make him admit that he help her. It seems flank attack didn''t work, she must use the frontal attack to break him. A direct statement without beating around the bush, to expressing her mind.


    "Reid, my profession require me to be a good listener. Although it''s only three sentences, I will know who''s speaking if I ever heard his or her voice before"


    Reid rises both of his hands, but not over his head, just as high as his chest while shaking his head. It seems he understands it''s useless to deny anymore.


    "I must praise your hearing ability then. Still what I do is just take you out from that bar. Just a coward act that use darkness to escape. Not a heroic action"


    Scarlett smiled. She gets confirmation that young man in front of her is her savior last night. She doesn''t care anything else.


    "Reid, cowardice or heroic I don''t care about that. No matters what means you used, you save me. That''s the fact and I''m very grateful for that". Scarlett saying that while bowing her head as the sign of respect and gratitude.


    "Please raise your head, Scarlett. I just do what I should do"


    Scarlett raises her head, she can see that Reid being a little shy and awkward with her gratitude. Somehow this gives her a warm feeling that different from the first time they meet. When they meet for the first time Scarlett feels a bit scared, especially when look at Reid''s scar. But now that scar didn''t give her an eerie feeling. That scar now looks like a scar that soldier get from battles, proof of their bravery.


    "If there''s something I could do to return this favor, please don''t hesitate to ask me, Reid. Here''s my card, you can contact me at that number"


    Scarlett gives her business card to Reid. He accepts it, take a glance and insert it in his pocket.


    "Okay I will"


    "Can I come again next time?"


    "Sure, this orphanage isn''t my own, I can''t forbid you to come"


    "If I come to see you, would you see me?"


    "Ugh ¡­ if I''m not out for working, why not"


    "Can we be a friend?" Scarlett raises her hand


    "Alright. We''re a friend," said Reid accept her hand and make shake hands.


    Scarlett smiled. She already makes her first step to make relation with Reid. There''s no need to rush to dig further information about Reid, she can do it later. After some pleasantries after that, Scarlett bid goodbye to Reid and leave the orphanage.

 11 Awakening the power

    After leaving the orphanage, Scarlett feels her heart in a good mood. Having pressured for couple weeks make this meet with Reid, like giving water for a thirsty person. If she can find more about Reid, Scarlett thinks she can make a good story about him. Maybe this story will not as spectacular as the hunter, but it''s worth to read. While driving she turns on the radio on her car and listening to the music that they played. The song was quite famous at this time, sung by a young singer with a young rapper. When the song they sing said..."Scars on my body so I can take you wherever ¡­ like I want you forever", Scarlett chuckled when heard the words ''scars'' because made her remember Reid again. And she ended singing along the way that song.


    Let''s back to several years before


    One day after attempt on Sister Christina failed. She sit behind her desk in the office, her eyes closed and seems like thinking on something. Yesterday ''accident'' has some impact on her calm manner. It''s not people that want to hit her that become her thinking, but it''s about Reid. She remember the first accident that involved Reid and Ricky previously and yesterday accident that happen on her. On both accident, Reid save them all in an unexplainable ways. Is that only coincidence? It''s too good to called coincidence. Sister Christina knows Reid didn''t lie to her, because she raises him since child, and she knows Reid''s attitude and manners. ''Maybe he doesn''t if he have certain power'' that''s what she thinking ''but if he can''t control that power, something bad can happen to him''. After thinking again, Sister Christina decides to have test on Reid to make him understand his power and able to use it properly.


    She asks a child to call Reid to come in her office, and not for long, Reid already appears in her office.


    "Sister, do you calling me?"


    "Yes, Reid. Please have a seat"


    "Is there anything you want me to do?"


    "Actually I only want to ask you about something"


    "What is it, sister?"


    "Do you remember when Ricky almost get hit by a car on the street?"


    "Well ¡­ I remember that. Why sister?"


    "Do you think that car just stopped at the right time?"


    "Ugh, if you ask that I''m not sure either, sister because I close my eyes"


    "Alright, then yesterday accident, how you explain why you could suddenly appear near me?"


    "That''s ¡­ I don''t understand either"


    "Do you know the word ''telekinesis and ''teleportation'' Reid?"


    "I''ve ever heard that words but don''t understand what is that"


    "Well, telekinesis is a mental power that makes a person able to move any object without touch it. And teleportation is an ability that makes the user able to move into another place within seconds"


    "Do you mean I have that power sister?" Reid almost didn''t believe what he heard.


    "That''s the only possible explanation about how you can move from roof to the road in a second Reid"


    "But I don''t know how I get this power and how to use it either sister"


    "How you get this power, I don''t know either Reid. But think that as God blessing for you, Reid. Your kind heart maybe destined to help many people in the future, that why God gives you that power. However, remember this deeply in your heart Reid, that with great power, there''s also the big responsibility. You must use your power only for good deeds if you use it in a wrong way, which will cause you to lose yourself"


    Reid smile wryly hearing that. While scratching his head, he answers it


    "I will not misuse that sister, how I will misuse that if I don''t even know how to use it"


    "You''ll know how to use it when you know how to awakening that power Reid"


    "Is that means I can use it whenever I want it if I know how to awaken that power sister?"


    "Yes, of course, you will. But you have to train it to initiate and control the power first"


    "How to do that sister?"


    "Teleportation and telekinesis are mental powers, that''s mean need your mind to focus for the power to appears. Let''s try one by one and in a slow manner first. Reid, sit relax and take a deep breath, exhale the air slowly. Focus your mind at a place you want to be"


    Reid does as Sister Christina told him. He closes his eyes, inhales the air and exhales it slowly, he focuses his mind on his room. After a few minutes, he opened his eyes, and he still at Sister Christina office.


    "It''s not working sister"


    "It just a first try Reid, don''t give up easily. What''s the place in your mind?"


    "It''s my room sister"


    "Try to a more specific place in your room Reid, and focus harder like you desperately want to be in your room"


    Reid following Sister Christina instruction. He closes his eyes again and starts to breathe in an orderly manner. This time he tries to be on his bed, he focuses on how comfortable that bed would be after he returns from hard work. And after more or less five minutes, he hears knocking sound and he opens his eyes.


    What surprised him is he actually lying on his bed, and the knocking sound is someone knocking at his door. When he gets up and open the door, he can see Sister Christina standing there with a smile on her face.


    "Congratulation Reid, you made it on your second try. I thought it would need some days for you to able awakening your power, but you made it in one day"


    "Sister, I''m not dreaming, right? I was in your office before but when I open my eyes, I already here"


    "No, you''re not dreaming. Want me to pinch your cheek to make you wake up?" Sister Christina chuckled hearing Reid''s confusion.


    "What happens there, Sister?"


    "You''re just suddenly vanish from the chair you sitting at. Just like that. And because I know where you want to go, I go to your room and knock the door"


    "I really moved from your office to my room? This is unbelievable"


    "In God''s eyes, there''s nothing impossible Reid"


    "I still can''t believe I can do that sister"


    "You should train that power again Reid, try with not closing your eyes, maybe you''ll believe that you can do that"


    "But I can''t do it in place with many people sister"


    "Ah, you right about that. You find a place where nobody around and try your power there. It''s safer for you"


    "Okay, I''ll do that"


    "Good. I take my leave now, if you have trouble or anything to ask about your power, just come and see me Reid"


    "I will Sister"..

 12 Training his ability

    After receiving guidance from Sister Christina, Reid starts to train his power. He follows Sister Christina advised not to show his ability to the people, so he training his ability at night when everyone else already sleeps. First, he trains his teleportation ability in short distance for the beginning. The destination is between his room and Sister Christina office for the start. After he has grasped how to use this power, Reid starts to increase the distance, now he tries to move between his room and the orphanage yards. This training took over two weeks for Reid to move smoothly between places.


    With Sister Christina guidance, Reid also training his other ability, that is telekinesis. For the starter, he told by Sister Christina to move small objects like pen or glass from the desk. The first try, the object didn''t bugle an inch even Reid already focusing his mind on the object.


    Second try¡­failed


    The third try ¡­ failed


    Forth try ¡­ failed


    The tenth try ¡­ failed


    Seeing Reid failed many times, Sister Christina gives her advice to Reid


    "Reid, try other ways than before. Don''t stay on the same ways that proven didn''t work. Rather than make the object move by your stare, try to grasp it by your hand from afar, try to make a pull of the object to your hand"


    "Okay Sister"


    Reid takes a deep breath. He is standing around five meters from the pen in the desk. He slowly reaches out his right hand toward the pen. He stares the pen sharply, his right hands shaking like an enormous energies passing through his right hand. One minute''s passing by, the pen that lying still in the desk suddenly shaking and shift its position from the desk. Bit by bit the pen moved to the edge of the desk, and finally with a roar from Reid, the pen flying toward Reid''s right hands, and grasped tightly.


    Sister Christina clapped her hands after seeing Reid succeeded to pull the pen to his hand.


    "That''s great Reid, you''ve made it. Next training tries to use bigger object and longer distance. Also, try not just pulling but also push the object. Remember my advice, don''t reveal your ability to anyone and don''t use it before you completely mastering your abilities"


    "I understand that Sister" Reid nodded with acknowledgment


    "Good. Now keep training and don''t hesitate to ask me if you have difficulties. Although I''m not the knowledgeable person about this matter, maybe I still can one or two bits of advice"


    "I will"


    Reid continues his training with a further distance from the desk. Days by days passed by, Reid ability to move object also increased. Now he can make an object with weight less than one pound to fly into his hand. For the heavier object, like chair or table, he only can drag it closer to him. But Reid keeps on training no matter how the result, and within two weeks, along with his progress in teleportation, Reid also succeed to lift the chair and make it floating in the air for some minutes.


    Fortunately, in these two weeks, the weather is raining heavily, make not many people do activities outside their houses. That makes Reid can training his ability without anyone notice him. And without they realize, this weather condition also prevent those scumbags from Sunrise real estate to execute their plans to burn this orphanage.


    Time flies fast, its third weeks since Reid start training his ability. As usual, in this late night when everyone in orphanage already sleeps, Reid start training his ability again. His favorite place to move is the orphanage rooftop and big tree in the yard. The weather was fine that night, with almost full moon make the night isn''t too dark. Reid is standing in the rooftop, watching the scenery from above. His attention shifted to a car that stopped near the orphanage. There are two men inside that car, after waiting for a while they both get off from the car and stand at the roadside watching the orphanage.


    From the place he stands, Reid can see the face of those two men but can''t hear anything from there. So he moved to the rooftop of a building near those men standing. He''d training hard these three weeks and move to this distance isn''t difficult for Reid right now. From his new standing point, Reid can hear what they talking about.


    "Boss, Is this the place you want me to burn?"


    "Yes. That place is your target. Can you do that?"


    "With the right price, you can order me to burn anything boss, even if you ask me to burn White House I''ll do it if the price is right hahaha"


    "I hire you because you''re the best in this field. As long as that place flat with the ground you''ll get your payment. I don''t care what methods you''ll use for that"


    "Don''t worry boss, you hired the right person for this job. So, when do you want this job to be done?"


    "The faster the better. We don''t have much time dealing with this orphanage"


    "Okay. I''ve seen the target. I''ll prepare some tools for that"


    "You see enough? Don''t you want to see its surrounding too?"


    "Nope. I''ll do it myself later"


    "Alright, let''s head back then"


    Both men get into the car, start the engine and leave that place. Reid, who listen to their conversations secretly feels his blood like boiling. How dare they want to burn the place he loves so much? Unconsciously he rubs the scar in his cheek, he can''t imagine if fire really happen again in the orphanage and there''s a kid who will suffer like he had with this scar.


    Cold night winds reminiscent him where he standing at. In that place, people can see him clearly if they look above. After taking a deep breath, Reid decides to return to his room to think about what should he do to prevent this upcoming disaster.


    Should he inform Sister Christina about this? Or should he report to the police about their plan? The latter choice seems impossible since he doesn''t have any proof at all about their plans. Inform Sister Christina only make her worry and maybe make her do unnecessary things. After thinking hard and consider any consequences of each option that he has, Reid finally decides to handle this matter by himself.

 13 Haunted

    After deciding about what he going to do with the people who want to burn the orphanage, Reid preparing himself for whatever will come to the orphanage. In his room, there''s something that he prepared for that. There''re ropes, some old bed sheets, the broken skeleton from biology class, red paints, and some other stuff. He also prepared black shirt and pants, also a wide black handkerchief.


    And after the night come, Reid put all the stuff he prepared before in his backpack and start monitoring the situation from his favorite spot, the rooftop. His prediction was right, the man from the previous night show up. But he didn''t do anything, just walking around the orphanage and just watching from distance.


    Since he didn''t do anything, Reid also didn''t do anything to him, but Reid already alerted by this man appearance. Reid knows this man visit this time only to observe the orphanage and will do his action later. So he just watches what that man doing and noted in his mind all things that man did during his observation. Next night Reid still patrolling in the roof, but nothing happened that night, so he just practicing his ability to spend the night time.


    Finally, when the next night has come, it''s a moonless night. The weather that night is cold and dark without moonlight. Reid, that already in his post, saw the man come with his car. He parks his car a little far away from the orphanage. He gets out from his car and pulls a jerry can from the trunk. After scrutinizing the surrounding and see no one around, he comes close to the orphanage. He didn''t go to the front door but take around to the back side of the orphanage. When he arrives at the back door, he put the jerry can to the ground and checking the door lock. The door was locked, so he pulls a small bag contains many small tools, take some tools from there and start to lockpicking the door. What he didn''t realize is, when he squatting to lockpicking the door, the jerry can that he put on the ground, suddenly shift bit by bit away from him and after some distance, its fly above to the roof.


    After he done lock picking and managed to open the door, he surprised when seeing the jerry can that he put on the ground not far from him is no longer there. In his confusion about his missing jerry can, suddenly he saw something white flashing into the big tree in the backyard. The man feels his back hairs start to stand from eerie feelings. To encourage himself, he pulls a knife from his pocket and starts to approach the big tree. He can''t shout a word because afraid someone will wake up because of that. So he just calls with a low voice, "Who''s there! Show yourself".


    His eyes focusing on the big tree, unaware there''s a rope approaching him in the ground, like a snake after its prey, slowly creeping near his feet. The man still calling with a low voice, when the rope already coiling around his feet, and when the man wants to step forward ¡­


    WHAMMM!!


    That man fell forward with his face hit the ground hard. After finishing its job, the rope sneaking away to nearby bushed before the man realizes, leaving the man cursing around because of his fall. The man looks at his feet to see what make him fall, and see nothing there.


    "Fuck! What was that? I feel like stumble on something but there''s nothing in my feet". The man rubs his nose that feels hurt because of that fall. His eyes checking his surround and can''t find anything that can make him stumble. He grips his knife tighter when he suddenly grating sounds from nearby bushes.


    "Who''s there? Get out or I kill you!" although the man tries to act tough he can''t hide his tremble voice.


    The man stands up slowly and walks toward the bushes. He repeats his words before but there''s no reply from the bushes. He almost some steps away from the bushes when suddenly a skull emerges from the bushes. Its white bones can be seen clearly even though the night was dark. There''s red liquid flowing from its empty eyes sockets and lipless teeth. Its sudden emerging makes the man stunned in his place. He wants to scream but his mouth like locked with glue, can''t be opened. His body shivers endlessly and his grip on the knife also loosened, make the knife falls to the ground.


    After the skull emerges, it followed with a pair of bony hands come from the bushes. Those hands wave to the man as if want to invite the man to come closer. The man''s body shiver gets heavier, cold sweat flows heavily from his head, his eyes open wide like almost jump from its socket. His legs tremble hard like a malaria patient and some liquids flow wetting his pants. When the skull opens and closes its mouth, making clack sounds, CLACK ¡­ CLACK ¡­ CLACK ¡­the man reach his limits. He runs fast and jump the orphanage fences like a professional athlete, doesn''t care his pants ripped wide when he makes the jump. He enters his car, starts the engine and speeding to leave the place.


    Reid who watches this scene can''t hold his laugh and laugh heartily. After he laughs to his heart content, he cleans up the backyards and locked the door again and go to his room to sleep.


    Next morning in Sunrise Real Estate


    Schonberg receives a phone from the man he hired to burn the orphanage.


    "Hello boss, it''s me"


    "You''ve done your work?"


    "No boss, I can''t do this job. I''ll return your money but don''t ask me to go there again"


    "WHAT??? Aren''t you say said you can even burn White House if the price is right? Are you ask for more money?"


    "It''s not about money boss, please find another person to do that. I don''t want to go to that place again. That place is haunted"


    "What do you say?"


    "That place is a haunted orphanage, boss, believe me. I''ll transfer back your money and we never talk again. Bye"


    "Wait¡­wait"


    Tuuut ... the man already hung his phone.


    Schonberg looks the phone in his hands. He can''t believe what he had heard just now. Haunted? What kind of idiotic excuse is that? Furiously, he smacks his phone to the floor.

 14 What exactly happen there?

    Schonberg didn''t give up. He already promised to Jimmy that he will make the orphanage sell their land to Sunrise Real Estate. He looks for another people who willing to do his dirty job. And two days later he got the person he wanted. That man promises him to make the orphanage become cinders. Too bad, Reid always alerted because he knows that bad guys from before will not give up easily.


    The new guy that Schonberg hires is not smart and tactful in arson field. He is just a crude guy with brute strength that afraid no one. If the previous guy observing the situation first, the latter said he will do it immediately after Schonberg shows him the place he should burn. Their conversation about that didn''t miss from Reid''s ears. So when the night comes, he already prepared to welcome this uninvited guest.


    After midnight, a minivan stops near the orphanage. That brutish man comes out from the van carrying two jerry cans in each hand. There''s no one around the neighborhood at this time, only sometimes police car that does patrol passing by once a while. Reid already spotting the man coming from his site in the rooftop, this time he will do something different from the last time.


    When the man entering the orphanage yards from the front gate, suddenly he feels the jerry cans in his both hands become heavier. He frowned and murmuring,


    "What the heck, is this cans become heavier or just my feelings?"


    The man pumps more strength into his arms to lift the jerry cans, step by step he comes closer to the orphanage and heading to the backside. When he arrived there, sweat already all over his body. While whipping the sweat with his hands, he exclaimed his wonder


    "That''s weird, I only lift this two jerry cans, why I feel so tired? Am I got a cold?"


    That man didn''t know that Reid secretly applied some pulls to the jerry cans, make its weight bit by bit increased, so when the man stop, its weight already ten time folds from its original weight. The man pulls a lighter from his jacket pocket and tries it several times. He nodded satisfied after seeing his lighter working normally and put it back in his pocket. Then he open one of jerry can lid and ready to pour it on orphanage walls. The jerry can still as heavy as before but the man didn''t mind it, all he wants is finishing his job as soon as possible.


    After emptying one jerry can, he opens the other jerry can lid and pours it to other orphanage''s wall section. Finishing emptying the second jerry can, he put his hand to his pocket to get the lighter. He didn''t realize when he busy pouring the jerry can content to the walls, the lighter secretly slipped away from his pocket. The man starts panicking when he doesn''t find the lighter in his pocket. He searches every pocket in his body, jacket pocket, pants pocket, but all in vain. He didn''t find his lighter in there.


    "God damn it. I just try that lighter a while ago and now it''s gone. I''m sure I put it back in my pocket but I can''t find it everywhere"


    That man is grunted endlessly while keep searching his lighter. That''s when someone tugging his shoulder from behind and a bony hand holding a lighter stretched toward him. That man was glad he gets his lighter back


    "Thanks. I''ve looked for that everywhere". Although he was a crude man, he not forgets to say thank you. And when he about to light the lighter on, he remembered something ¡­.


    "Huh? I don''t remember seeing anyone near here?" and the man slowly turns his back, and ¡­.


    TAAADAAAA!!!


    A skeleton is standing right behind him. One of its bony hand waving to him as if says hello. That man face become pale, sweat start dropping from his forehead and he can only say some broken words from his mouth,


    "Ma ¡­ ma ¡­ ma ¡­ mamaaaaaaaaaa!!!"


    Before he fainted and falls. His guts are actually smaller than the previous arsonist.


    Reid, who is orchestrating this show from above only sighed. He doesn''t expect that man to faint in the spot. Now he must drag this man back to his van before he regains his consciousness back. After putting the man back in the driver seat of his van, Reid is waiting patiently in the nearby roof, to see what this man will do after his consciousness back. After a while, the man sobers up from his faint. He shocked to see he was in his van. When he still tries to reorganize his memory, he hears a knocking sound on the windows. He turns his head to see who''s knocking the windows. And what he sees is ¡­..Something that makes his eyes almost jumps from its sockets. He sees the previous skeleton that he saw in the orphanage yard, now standing beside his van, knocking the windows glass with its bony fingers


    Without thinking about anything anymore, the man ignites the van engine and drive fast from that place. He so nervous that almost hit the traffic sign near the crossroad when turning the van.


    Next morning, Schonberg tries to call the man he hired to burn the orphanage. After a long waiting finally, he gets connected with that man''s phone. But the voice on the phone is not the voice of that man, instead, it''s a woman voice.


    "Hello, who is this?"


    "Hello ma''am, I''m tried to call my friend Howard, but seems I''ve dialed the wrong number. I''m sorry ma''am"


    "No, you''re not wrong, this is Howard''s phone. He can''t answer right now and I''m his mother"


    "Oh, so like that. May I know why he can''t answer my phone ma''am?"


    "He''s currently not feeling well and in the hospital right now"


    "I see, and then I''ll call him later ma''am. Thank you"


    "You welcome"


    Schonberg hung the phone. There''s a big question mark in his head. Two people he hired to burn the orphanage were failed. What exactly happens there? The first person he hired, act like a scared person and the latter act like a sick person. He tries to figure it out but come with no conclusion about what happened there.

 15 Understanding other power

    Schonberg grunted after making that phone calls. "What a bunch of waste. What makes so difficult to burn an old orphanage? Haunted? If that place haunted nobody dares to live there."


    He''s thinking hard for his next plan. Both of his plans to burn the orphanage failed, and he doesn''t believe coincidence about that failure. He can sense something amiss behind that failure, but he not sure what is that. Should he send another person to burn that orphanage again? What if he failed again like before? Or should he use another plan?


    "Young master Jimmy will be displeased if he heard this failure. He already nagging me many times asking about my progress with the orphanage. If I tell him I failed, not only make him upset but I also lose face in front of the big boss. Should I handled this matter personally?"


    Schonberg scratches his head, he thinking hard but still can''t come with a viable solution. He even thinks to send some thugs there to threaten them, but it''s too risky because can be traced back to Sunrise Real Estate as the mastermind.


    Let''s leave Schonberg with his thinking, take a look at Reid after those failed arson attempts.


    That morning Reid wakes up a little late. Last night works to prevent the arson make him lack of sleep lately. After washing his face and open his room'' door, he surprised to see Sister Christina already standing in front of the door.


    "Good morning Reid, I was about to knock your door when you open it"


    "Good morning sister, do you need anything from me?"


    "Not really, I''m just wondering why you haven''t shown up this morning. Your eyes a bit red, are you sick?"


    "No sister, I''m fine, just a little lack of sleep lately"


    "Why is that?"


    "I''m training my ability a little longer than usual"


    "Oh, I see. Just pay attention to your health too, Reid. C''mon, other kids already waiting to have breakfast together"


    "Okay Sister".


    They both going to the dining room where all children in the orphanage already waiting for them. After saying their prayer, the children eat their breakfast in a delightful manner. When the breakfast over, the children returning the dish they''ve been used to the kitchen and going out to play. It''s only Reid and Sister Christina in the dining room. They also already finishing their breakfast and enjoying some tea there while discussing something.


    "Reid, besides teleportation and telekinesis, do you feel another power inside your body?"


    "I don''t know Sister if you do not mention that to me, I never know I have that kind of power. Why do you asking that Sister?"


    "Well, after I recognize your ability, I also make a study myself about the supernatural force that involving mind power. Telekinesis and teleportation only a portion from many abilities that involving the power of the mind"


    "Really? Please tell me about that Sister" Reid''s interest peaked when listening to Sister Christina speech


    "Okay, I tell you what I know, one by one. First is mind reading, this ability enables the user to know what''s on the mind of another person. For example like we both here, before I speak what''s on my mind, you already know what will I''m saying about. That''s called mind reading, do you interested Reid? Or want to try if you have this ability?"


    "This ability indeed amazing but I also somehow feels like intruding someone privacy if I have this ability and use it to other people"


    Sister Christina chuckled, that''s really sound like Reid that she knows since kids, and he always respected other people.


    "I know you''ll say that Reid. Just for your knowledge, that kind of ability has existed somehow. There are still many other abilities, should I continue?"


    "Please Sister"


    "Second ability is called pyrokinesis, this kind of ability enables the wielder to control the fire and make the wielder fire-resistant. This kind of ability sometimes is hard to control and causing damage to its surrounds if the wielder unable to control his or her fire"


    "I thought I ever hear about that. Sister, do you see fantastic four or hell boy movies? Is that pyrokinesis power work like that?"


    "Sorry Reid, but I don''t watch movies. So I don''t know how pyro kinesis described in those movies. But in church old records, there''s written about people who wield that power"


    "What happens to those people, Sister?"


    "They called witch and were hunted by Church for heresy long time ago. You know about Witch of Salem story, right?"


    "Ugh, I''ve read that Sister. Do you think that witch actually a person who has mind power like me?"


    "Who knows Reid, basically people afraid with something strange and fear with unknown power. No wonder if someone who looks different from majority gets bullying and harassing"


    "I understand that Sister, but I think I don''t have this pyro-kinesis power like what you tell me. Is there any other ability Sister?"


    "Of course there are. Another one is called Clairvoyance, this ability enables the wielder to see the past or the future or both. Those who have this ability usually working as a fortune teller, but most of them usually fake one"


    "Like those who use a crystal ball to make prediction Sister?"


    "Sort of, but genuine clairvoyance wielder didn''t need any medium to use their power. Sometimes, just sleep and see the past or future in their dreams, or maybe just sitting like us here and suddenly they have a vision about what will happen or what already happen even if they not looking at the event directly. So, do you ever have a dream about something that will happen in future Reid?"


    "I guess not Sister. I even hardly remember what I''ve dream last night after wake up for couple hours"


    "Alright, I still have other things to do. If you want to know more, try to search on internet or library Reid, but don''t tell anyone about your ability if you search on internet"


    "I know Sister, don''t worry"


    After this conversation Sister Christina back to her office while Reid taking the dishes used in breakfast that still left in the table to the kitchen to washed.

 16 Learning other power

    After that conversation with sister Christina, Reid wondering if he can get those abilities if he training his power like the power that he already leaned, like teleportation and telekinetic power. But to wield a power, he should know the power first. And as sister Christina suggested, Reid start to find the references of those kinds of power in the library, although there''s internet which can help him search what he''s looking for faster, Reid is not accustomed to the internet, moreover, he doesn''t have his own PC. With the book in the library, he can come and go even the library was already closed with his teleportation power.


    He always brings some book from the library to his room, read it the whole night, and return it to the library the next morning before the library open. From that book, Reid learns many things that happen in the past, and how scary that power if misused. For example, Reid read about a man named Rasputin which with his clairvoyance ability able to give him the power to influence the Russian last Tsar from Romanov dynasty. The other example is Joan D''arc for the vision ability, and what tragic end which caused her to die in the age of nineteen.


    Reid boarding his reading by start reading unsolved phenomenal that recorded in the book. He just realized there are many occasion which can''t be explained by science. Like self-combustion, where people suddenly get burned without any fire nearby. Reid believe this is some kind of uncontrolled pyro kinesis ability, which makes Reid take extra precautions when he will train this ability later.


    This reading activity surely makes Reid become lack of sleep, which caught by sister Christina eyes. She gives Reid a friendly reminder to Reid''s health


    "Reid, lately you look sleepy and your eyes always red, there''s also eye bag on your face. What are you doing lately?"


    "I read a lot of book before I sleep, Sister"


    "Oh, do you interesting to study another ability, don''t you?"


    "Hahaha¡­I just curious with those abilities that sister mention before"


    "Alright Reid, I do not prohibit you to read, but you must know that although you have those abilities, you still a human being, made from flesh and blood, not from steel and wires. You can get sick if you did not take care of your body carefully, you should eat well and rest well too"


    "Yes, sister. Thanks for your reminder"


    "Hmm, did you have any progress with your abilities?"


    "Unfortunately I haven''t sister. I just read to get a gist about other abilities that sister mention before"


    "It''s okay Reid. Rome also not build in one night, you should keep practicing to perfectly master your abilities"


    "Yes sister"


    Thankfully, for these several days, there''s no single incident happened to the orphanage.Reid also almost read all the books related to witchcraft in the history, still, it doesn''t give him answer how these people in the past who called witch or wizard acquire their power. Crave for the knowledge, Reid starts to take books that related to modern science. For start he takes many books of physics and chemistry like combustion system and chemical compounding.


    ''If in the past people called supernatural power as witchcraft, maybe because they don''t understand the physic principles that used by that supernatural phenomenon¡­ I hope modern science can answer or at least give me basic principles for this supernatural phenomenon''¡­that''s what Reid''s thought.


    Reid diligently read all those books and has some understanding about physic laws that govern this world. Like oxygen needed to make a fire, hydrogen is flammable gas and water consisting of oxygen and hydrogen atoms.


    "Interesting, two combustible gases when combined create something that can extinguish the fire. If water can be broken down into oxygen and hydrogen molecules, maybe people will not worry about scarcity of oil as fuel. With electrolysis water can break down into oxygen and hydrogen but need electricity to do that¡­wait human body also produce electricity, even nerve system also using body electricity to deliver brain command¡­interesting. If I can use body electricity to break down the water vapor in the air then make some heat to ignite the oxygen and hydrogen¡­I can create fire just from the thin air!"


    Reid''s commenting this after reading many books about physics and chemistry. He didn''t realize that his brain now can thinking and processing information faster than before, thank for the incident in that lab, he just didn''t realize it yet. If he studies in formal school maybe he will be called a genius because of his brain capacity to process information faster than normal human being.

 17 Experimenting

    After understanding some basic physic laws about combustion, Reid is itchy to testing what he had learned so far into real action. For testing the new ability, he chooses a desolate place where no human residence nearby. The place where supposed to be the replacement for the orphanage that offered by the Sunrise estate is his choice. There are no people around, and if something bad happens, then only Sunrise Estate that will burden the damage. Since they already trying to do some harm to the orphanage, Reid didn''t feel guilty if something bad happens there.


    Equipped with some candles and lighter, Reid tries to practicing to master fire control or pyromancy. First, he lights the candle and takes several step distance from the candle. The second thing is trying to extinguish the fire from afar using his power. He chooses to learn this ability first in case there''s another arsonist try to burn the orphanage, with this ability he can extinguish the fire before the fire burn the orphanage. Reid stretches his hand toward the candle, make a round shape with his hand and start imagining that his hand is the sphere that covers the candle and that sphere is blocking the oxygen from entering the sphere.


    After first, second, third..and many trials been made and time being spend, finally the fire in the candle can be extinguished without blowing it up. Those trials already make Reid feels exhausted and full with sweat all over his body.


    "Phew¡­finally. But is that really my ability or it because the wind blowing the candle and extinguish the fire? I need to practice more and more and find more effective ways to practicing. This practice really tiring me out"


    After finish clean up the practicing site, Reid uses his teleportation ability to return to the orphanage. He needs to rest because he must look good for a new job interview tomorrow since his contract with his last job already over.


    Next morning


    "Good morning Reid"


    "Good morning, sister Christina"


    They exchange greetings when they meet in the dining room for breakfast.


    "You surprisingly wake up early today, Reid"


    "Ah yes, I have a job interview today. So after finish with my daily routine in here I will go to the job interview"


    "Oh, that''s great news. Where is this job interview take places?"


    "Ruxton International hotel, sister. My former foreman gives the recommendation to apply for a cleaning service job in there"


    "Hmm¡­good luck Reid. Being a cleaning service is not a bad job, that even better than become a drug dealer, thief or robber, although they get big money from that, it''s not a work that God blessed"


    "I know that sister, don''t worry, I will not take that kind of job"


    "I''m just concern because nowadays, young people only think how to get rich in a quick way, and didn''t consider where the wealth comes from"


    "Hmm¡­they must never meet people like sister Christina and get guidance like me"


    "Hahaha¡­since when you start to talk sweet like that Reid?"


    "I just said the truth sister, not sweet talk"


    "Alright¡­alright¡­. I hope other kids in here also will become a good man like you Reid"


    Reid face become red because sister Christina praise, to hide his shyness he shifts the conversation


    "Sister, are you done with the breakfast? I''ll wash the dishes right away"


    "Ah yes, I''m done. You can get the dishes Reid"


    Reid piled up the dirty plates and brings it to the kitchen to wash it as usual after they have breakfast. Sister Christina only smiles while watching Reid''s back that walk to the kitchen.


    "Good boy¡­.with his ability, he can get money and become rich easily but he chooses not to do it. He can go into bank''s vault without anything can block him and take all the money there, but still, he not doing that. He''s like a knight in the modern era. I wonder what he will be later after he can master all his ability completely later. I hope I still have time to watch it"


    After finish washes the dishes, Reid continues with his daily duty in the orphanage. Sweep the orphanage building''s floor and after that clean the yard from dry leaves that fall from the nearby trees. Then he takes a bath and put the best clothes he got and going to the job interview with his old bicycle.

 18 Who is she?

    The job interview that Reid attends today goes smoothly. His good references and clean criminal records help him get the job. The Ruxton International Hotel is a prestigious hotel that many celebrities and big characters from the business world, political worlds or influential person spend their money to stay when they have business in the city. Of course, they only recruit people with clean and clear backgrounds. Reid feels happy because he can get this job without any problem.


    His job there is cleaning service department, cleaning the room is the main task while cleaning outer part of the hotel is the second task. Cleaning the room include changing the bed sheet, clean the bathroom, clean the garbage left by the occupant etc. while cleaning the outer part including garbage dumping, clean the door and windows, etc.


    Let''s leave Reid with his happiness from getting a new job and return to the present time.


    It''s been several days after Scarlett visit Reid in the orphanage. She already busy with her job as a reporter, going here going there collecting news for her newspaper. Sitting in her desk leisurely after finishing her report, she thought what she should do next. She takes her notes and flips the pages to see if there''s something she can do with that. Her eyes fixed on the page that contains Reid''s information that she acquired from her informant. Scarlett''s mind goes to a shy young man that saves her from the incident in the bar. A young man who caught her attention because of his fine attitude.


    "It''s been a while since I met him. Should I see him again?"


    Scarlett''s mumbling for herself.


    "What reason should I use to visit him? I can''t say because I want to see him right? He might misunderstand that I like him"


    Scarlett''s cheek becomes a bit blushing when thinking about that. She''s a normal woman, have a date with some men before but no one ever gets her attention more than just a friend. Her job also makes her has less time for romance. Reid''s action when saving her in the bar is like a prince riding a white horse save a damsel in distress to Scarlett.


    "Ah right, I can bring some candies and cookies for the kids in the orphanage. I can use that for a reason to meet him there"


    After deciding what she will do, Scarlett leaves her office with reason looking for news. She stops her car in a nearby shop to buy some candies and cookies before heading to the orphanage with her car. When she almost reaches the orphanage, she saw a luxurious car already stopped in front of the orphanage.


    "Huh? Who is that? Which rich people visit this old orphanage this time? Usually, rich people bring some reporter when they do donation so they will get a positive publication from that. But I don''t see any reporter or other cars besides that luxurious car"


    Scarlett''s reporter instinct makes her stop her car a little far away from the orphanage but still in the distance which makes she can see what happen in the orphanage.


    From that luxurious car, comes out a young girl. She looks at the orphanage before step in and approaching the orphanage. She knocks the door and when the door opens, it was Reid who opens the door. Scarlett can see Reid smile and talk something to that young girl before taking her hand and let her enter the orphanage house.


    "Who¡­who is she? Why Reid looks so intimate with her? What is their relationship?"


    Those questions come across Scarlett mind. Envy and a bit jealousy rose from her heart. Scarlett decides to cancel her visit and watch that young girl carefully. Scarlett is full with curiosity about that young girl who visit the orphanage.

 19 Scarlett gets jealous

    To satisfy her curiosity, Scarlett willing to wait for the young girl leaves the orphanage. She prepare her camera to get her picture once she coming out from the orphanage. Scarlett must wait for more than one hour before that young girl comes out. And while she waiting, the candies and cookies she brought along already moved to her mouth.


    That young girl comes out from the orphanage with a happy face. She holds both of Reid''s hand before saying goodbye to him and enters her luxurious car. Scarlett watches Reid waves his hand when that young girl leaves with her car.


    "Who is she? Why is she so intimate with Reid? What is her relationship with Reid?"


    That thinking fills Scarlett mind while she secretly following that luxurious car from behind. Scarlett keeps following that luxurious car to the downtown where that car stops in Ruxton International Hotel and that young girl enters the hotel.


    "Ruxton International Hotel? Only celebrities, influential people and big shots can afford to stay in this hotel, so she''s not just an ordinary rich girl. Damn! This hotel also has strict rules in protecting their guest privacy. I can''t just enter there while showing my press card, they will not hesitate to throw out people who have no business there. Ugh, my only clue is the photo that I secretly took back there in the orphanage"


    Sighing when thinking she can''t get any information from the hotel, Scarlett decides to return to her office and looking for information about the girls using her photo. Sitting on her desk again, Scarlett transfer the picture from her camera to her phone and send the picture to her informants. Usually, within an hour, her informant will bring her the information she needed. But this time, after two hours waiting, there''s no single information enter to her phone from her informant. Scarlett frowned her eyebrows about this kind of situation


    "What the heck is this¡­why not my informant sent something to me? Is she so mysterious like the Hunter? Why took so long to find information about her?"


    Scarlett gets depressed with no information coming, so she spends her time eating snacks in her desk while staring the young girl photo on her computer screen. When Sally''s passing her desk, she surprised when seeing Scarlett''s face.


    "Scarlett dear, what happen with you? Did your boyfriend dump you?"


    "You know I don''t have a boyfriend, Sally"


    "Really? But you look just like a girl that just dumped by her boyfriend. Or maybe another woman snatches your prince charming?"


    "You know I don''t have anyone I like too, Sally¡­.not yet"


    Scarlett feels a bit guilty with her last sentence. Sally question remind her about how intimate that young girl with Reid.


    "Oh, you are not thinking married with your job right?"


    Sally can''t help but keep teasing Scarlett. Scarlett''s face getting gloomy when Sally mentions marriage.


    "You start to sound like my mom who always asking when I''m going to marry, Sally"


    "Hahaha¡­am I? Well, you should take one guy to your mom and introduce him as your boyfriend. Maybe she will quit asking that question"


    "Don''t want to. I don''t want to give false hope to that guy nor a chance to get me using my mom"


    "Hahaha¡­alright, happy hunting then Scarlett dear¡­eh, why you put her pictures on your computer? Are you making an article about her?"


    Sally noticed that young girl''s photo displayed on Scarlett''s computer.


    "Huh? You know her Sally?"


    "Just the name and face. She''s Mary Elizabeth Thorpe, daughter of Howard Thorpe, CEO of Thorpe Industries from England"


    "What? That Thorpe Industries?"


    "Yup, that Thorpe¡­you know they start their jewelry industry from a small diamond mine in South Africa which later grow into a big company and have many branches in other industries too"


    "And the daughter¡­what do you know about her?"


    "She''s not their biological daughter, she adopted. But I heard since they adopted her, she brings luck to her adopted parents. No wonder her parents spoiled her so much, so what kind of article you made this time? Her secret boyfriend maybe?"


    So, she''s not US citizen¡­no wonder her local informants can''t give any information about her. But how Sally knows so much about her? That was Scarlett''s thought.


    "Huh? Secret boyfriend? I''m not gossip reporter Sally, and how do you know about her?"


    "What a pity. Rumors say she has a boyfriend that hidden from the public. Of course, I know that I follow gossip from celebrities, hahaha"


    Scarlett no longer pays attention to what Sally said. Her last word about that young girl has a secret boyfriend really shocking Scarlett. Reid¡­is he the secret boyfriend that Sally mentions before? A flash of jealousy feeling starts to rises from Scarlett''s heart.

 20 Scarletts though

    Although Sally still talking some words again, Scarlett''s mind already somewhere else and can''t hear what Sally talking about. Since Scarlett no longer respond to her words, with a ''humph'' Sally left Scarlett alone on her desk.


    Well, currently Scarlett''s mind is full with many questions, like ''is he really her secret boyfriend'', ''how they know to each other'', why she looks so happy with Reid'', unfortunately, there''re no answers for those questions.


    Thinking too much without having any answer only makes Scarlett depressed. Since her work time already over, she decides to return to her apartment. Still, during her way homes, those questions keep haunting her. To change her mood, Scarlett turns the radio in her car on.The radio station is currently playing the song from the old time. Start with a piano sound, the song fills Scarlett''s car cabin¡­


    ---


    Oh how wrong can you be?


    Oh to fall in love was my very first mistake


    How was I to know I was far too much in love to see?


    Oh jealousy look at me now


    Jealousy you got me somehow


    You gave me no warning


    Took me by surprise


    Jealousy you led me on


    You couldn''t lose you couldn''t fail


    You had suspicion on my trail


    ---


    Scarlett frowned when hearing this song.


    "What?? Now even the radio is mocking me?"


    Scarlett twists the searching button to search for another station. Another song with fast beat played in the other radio station. Scarlett tapped her finger in the steering wheel following the tune.


    ----


    Tomorrow we can drive around this town


    And let the cops chase us around


    The past is gone but something might be found


    To take its place... Hey jealousy


    And you can trust me not to think


    And not to sleep around


    If you don''t expect too much from me


    You might not be let down


    ----


    "What?? Not again, please? Why those radio station playing the song with jealousy theme?"


    Furiously, Scarlett turns off the radio in the end, and back to her thought again.


    "Am I really jealous with that girl?"


    Scarlett muttered lowly.


    "But seeing her holding Reid''s hand makes me uncomfortable¡­is that¡­I really start to like Reid?"


    Scarlett almost smacks her head to the steering wheel.


    "No¡­no¡­no way. I only met him once and he''s younger than me"


    Scarlett tries to make a denial excuse to her feeling


    "But¡­.people said ''love is blind'', if someone really loves a person, he or she will not see the age differences"


    These contradictive thoughts keep crossing Scarlett''s mind until she arrives at her apartment. When she opens her apartment''s door, only an empty room is welcoming her. This makes her recalled the image when that young girl arrives at the orphanage and Reid open the door for her. Scarlett''s imagination gets wilder as she starts imagining what if Reid is the one who welcomed her when she returns from her office. Not just hold her hand but kiss her and give her a welcome hug.


    A horn sound from the car that passing the street near Scarlett''s apartment, brings Scarlett back to reality. She realizes that she standing in front of her apartment room with the door open.


    "Sigh¡­what happened to me?"


    While taking a deep breath Scarlett enter her apartment, put off her shoes, put her briefcase on the nearby table, and goes to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. While drinking that water, Scarlett is thinking again.


    "Why I''m acting like this today? This isn''t like me at all"


    After finished her glass of water, Scarlett goes to the bathroom. She fills the bathtub with warm water, and while waiting for the tub filled with water, Scarlett takes off her clothes and take a look of her body in front of a mirror.


    "I''m not ages yet, right? There is not even a wrinkle on my forehead or my eyes. My body also not bad, there''re no excessive fats on my belly or my thigh. I should not feel inferior to that girl"


    Without she realize, Scarlett already starts a competition between her and that young girl, Mary Elizabeth Thorpe, over a young man named Reid.

 21 Scarletts resolution

    After satisfied watching and examining her body in front of the mirror, Scarlett enters the bathtub to start bathing.While washing her body with soft and fragrant soap, Scarlett thought still wandering around. She''s thinking of a way to defeat her rival, a young girl named Mary Elizabeth Thorpe.


    "Hmm¡­ if I challenge with wealth, obviously I will lose. I can''t buy anything expensive to get Reid''s attention. If I challenge with age, she''s way younger than me, that''s obviously my loss.All I have is my maturity as a woman, and maybe my wide information knowledge as a reporter"


    Scarlett still thinks further about her weapon to defeat her rival.


    "That''s right! I have to know my rival first before I will able to defeat her. I must start collecting information about her"


    This thought makes Scarlett stand front bathtub and leave the bathroom, but a moment after she left the bathroom, she comes back to rinse her body from the soap.


    "Ahahaha¡­ Today myself is really not the usual me at all. I get too excited until forget to wash my body from the soap"


    After washing her body and wear a bathrobe, Scarlett starts to sit in front of her computer. She starts gathers any information she can get from the internet about her rival. She did the research like doing her reportage on the news until she surprises herself. Well, let''s leave Scarlett with her effort to compete with Mary, let''s see how Reid doing.


    To know Reid relation with that young girl, let''s back again to the time when Reid start working at Ruxton International Hotel, several years before.


    That''s a fair morning in the orphanage dining room when Reid enters it. Sister Christina and other kids already gather in the dining table.


    "Good morning Sister, good morning kids"


    "Good morning brother Reid"


    The children reply Reid greeting with a cheerful tone.


    "Good morning Reid, are you going to work this morning?"


    "No, Sister, I get a night shift for my first week. So I will go to the library after finish my duties here"


    "Oh Okay, be careful on your work Reid, don''t get tempted with something that not belongs to you"


    "Don''t worry sister, I will not take other belongings even though I have a chance to do that"


    "That''s good Reid. Did they pay you well?"


    "It''s better than before, sister"


    "Good to hear that Reid¡­well¡­you know, this month, our orphanage expenses a bit more than usual while our income is stable without any raise. Some kids will have to attend activities in their school and need money for that"


    "Just tell me how much you need, sister, I think I still have some savings there"


    "Ah, I''m embarrassed to think I must burden you with orphanage difficulties, Reid"


    "Don''t say like that Sister, this orphanage is like my home and kids here like my brother and sister. If there''s something I can do for them, I won''t hesitate to help"


    "We talk about that in my office, Reid not in here"


    "Okay Sister"


    After breakfast and wash the dishes, Reid come to see sister Christina in her office


    *Knock Knock*


    "Please come in, Reid"


    Reid open the door and enter sister Christina''s office


    "How do you know it''s me, Sister?"


    "Your knocking sound never change, Reid. That''s how"


    "Haha¡­habit indeed hard to change, right sister?"


    "That''s right Reid, please have a seat"


    Reid sit on the chair in front of sister Christina''s desk


    "So, tell me about the problem, sister"


    "Well, actually I feel ashamed to burden you with this matter Reid, but I don''t know anyone else to share this problem"


    "Please sister, if I able to help, I will voluntarily help you"


    "Alright Reid, even if you can''t help I can understand because of this problem related to money. Some children will have field study on their school and must pay some money for that activity. Of course the orphanage will cover those expenses, unfortunately, we lack funds right now"


    "How much you still need to cover that field-study expense, Sister?"


    "Two hundred dollars, Reid"


    "Let me see my savings first sister. If there''s still lack, I will try to find a way to cover it. When is the last day for field study payment?"


    "Three days later, Reid"


    "Okay, I go to my room first to take my money"


    "Sorry to trouble you Reid"


    "Don''t mind that Sister, I''m glad if I can help"


    Reid leaves sister Christina''s office to take money from his saving. Although most of his money from his work donated for the orphanage, Reid keep a small amount for his own use. When he returned to sister Christina office, his face seems a bit gloomy


    "Sorry sister, I only have this much"


    Reid handed the money in his hand to sister Christina who counts it because it consists mostly of small money.


    "One hundred forty-two dollars"


    "Yes, it still needs fifty-eight dollars more"


    "Don''t be sad Reid, although still not enough, this already helps a lot. We still have three more days to collect the money"


    "Yes sister, please use that money for the kids"


    "I will Reid, Thank you"


    "I will excuse myself sister. After sweeping the yard, I will go to the library"


    "You can go, Reid"


    Reid leaves sister Christina office and do his routine job cleaning orphanage yard as usual before he took his old bike to go to the public library.

 22 Helping people

    While pedaling his old bike to the library, Reid keeps thinking how to get additional money to help sister Christina. He takes a relatively quiet road that leads to the library in downtown. In the middle of the way, Reid sees a small truck parked in the roadside with its engine cap open and the driver stand in front of the truck. It seems the truck had trouble and can''t run and the driver tries to fix it. Although Reid doesn''t know much about car engine, he still stops to see if there''s something he can do to help the driver. He stops his bike and asks the driver about his problem


    "Sir, do you have a problem with your car? Can I help you?"


    The driver, a middle-aged man, looks at Reid for a second before he answers his question while continue fixing his car.


    "The engine suddenly stops working when I''m passing this road. You know how to fix a car engine, young man?"


    "Sorry sir, I don''t know anything about car engine. Why don''t you call tow car?"


    "I left home in a hurry and my phone was on low battery at that time. Now my phone completely dead and I can''t call anything, all I can do now is try to fix it"


    "I see. Can you fix it, Sir?"


    "I don''t know, young man, I already try to fix it for half an hour and no luck. I already try to ask help from any car that passed this road, but they just go without stopping to help me. You''re the first one who offers help although don''t know anything about car engine"


    "Mmm¡­I think there''s a garage about one kilometer from here Sir, we can push your car there and let them fix the engine"


    "If only two of us that will be tiring us to death, young man. I''m no longer young and I no longer as strong as before"


    "No, Sir, you just drive and I give the push"


    "Huh? Only you? No offense, young man, although you look have some muscles there but to push a car for one kilometer¡­.are you sure can do that?"


    "Let''s try it first, Sir¡­maybe we can find a public phone along the way and you can call tow car from there"


    "Alright¡­but don''t force yourself too hard, young man"


    "I know Sir, can I put my bike on your truck?"


    "Sure"


    After Reid put his bike on the truck, the driver enters the truck cabin and start to drive while Reid giving a push from behind. Slowly, the truck is moving forward on that road. They didn''t encounter any public phone along their way, but somehow Reid manages to push the truck until near the garage he mentions before. After stopping the truck in front of the garage, the driver comes out from the truck cabin and approaching Reid who sweating all over his face


    "Young man, I don''t know how you do that, but you really can push this truck to the garage. Amazing! If I''m not seeing with my own eyes, I would not believe it. You had a strong power in your body, young man. Thank you very much"


    "Haha¡­you welcome, Sir. I just used to work hard, Sir, nothing special. Since you already arrive here, then I bid goodbye"


    Reid takes his bike from the truck after wiping the sweat and ready to continue his plan to go to the library.


    "Wait, young man! Please take this"


    The driver takes his wallet and takes a piece of dollar bills.


    "It''s okay, sir, I help you voluntarily and not expecting any payment for my help"


    "No, you must take it, young man. This money is something I must pay when I call the tow car. Consider you''re the tow car and take my car here. You must not refuse this money"


    The driver keeps pushing the money to Reid. Reid reluctantly takes the money since the driver so insisted on that.


    "Well, if you say so¡­.thank you, Sir"


    "It''s me who should thank you, young man. Anyway, I don''t know your name yet, may I know your name?"


    "It''s Reid, Sir. Reid Blackstone"


    "Okay Reid, I''m William Smithson, you can call me Bill. Nice to meet you"


    "Nice to meet you too, uncle Bill. See you again then"


    "Hahaha¡­Goodbye Reid"


    Reid starts pedaling his bike heading to the library. No one knows that Reid uses his physic power to push that truck to the garage, still using that power to move a heavy object for such long-distance make Reid sweating all over his body. When Reid takes a look to the money that Bill gives to him, he really surprised because Bill just give him $ 50 just to push his truck to the garage.

 23 First day in Luxor Hotel

    Arrived at the library, Reid is heading straight to the science section. The librarian there already knows Reid as their regular visitor and gives him a warm welcome.


    "Hello, Reid¡­comes to read as usual?"


    Reid looks at the middle-aged librarian who wearing thick glasses and gives him a smile before reply to his greets.


    "Good morning, Uncle¡­Yes, I come to read science books again"


    "Okay, you know where those books located ¡­ makes yourself comfortable"


    "Thank you"


    Reid continues his walks to the science books section. The old librarian looks at Reid''s from behind with admiration gaze. Many things from Reid that make him impressed, when Reid reading in the library until the closed hour, he''s not just leaving after the library closed but voluntarily help the librarian to rearrange the books that left on the table to their respective shelves, especially for books that placed in the top shelves. That really helps the old librarian who no longer has a lot of stamina to climb up and down the ladder to put the books on the top shelves. This makes Reid and the old librarian had good relationships and sometimes they have a conversation when the library does not have many visitors. From their conversation, the old librarian knows that Reid is not continuing his study after graduating from high school, still, Reid comes to the library to study by himself. His will to keep study although no longer at school make the librarian admire him because the mostly young man at his peerage uses their time to have fun, clubbing, dating, shopping, gaming, etc.


    Reid spends his time to read on the library until the clock shows it almost time for Reid to back to the orphanage and go his new workplace at Luxor International Hotel. After saying goodbye to the librarian, Reid takes his bicycle and back to the orphanage to change clothes and go to work.


    "Welcome back, Reid"


    Sister Christina greets Reid when he arrived in the orphanage.


    "Thank you, sister. I''m home, but I''m will going out again to work. Ah right, I get some money when I was out, please accept this money to help kids study field expenses, sister "


    Reid handed the money he gets when helps people before to sister Christina


    "Thank you, Reid¡­ When you leave, just be careful on your way and your workplace"


    "I will, sister. Thank you"


    After changing his clothes, Reid is heading to his new workplace, Luxor Hotel. Along with other new recruit workers, Reid was assembled in the staff room for a short briefing by his superior. His superior is a middle-aged man around his forty, Mr. Heinrich, who already work for Luxor Hotel for five years.


    "Listen, you guys! Our hotel is a first-class hotel that serves many important figures. Politician, celebrities, business big shot, you named it. We''re in a service business, servicing our customer is our job. Don''t expect our customer to be like ordinary people, many of them have eccentric behavior, weird preferences, but don''t laugh at that. Even if they spit on you without reason, you should bear it.


    Some of our customers also prey object for the journalist. They come here because we guarantee their privacy here. So, those who have duties in the front door, keep this in your mind, don''t let any paparazzi get close to our customer, don''t give any information about our customer either. As long as our customer didn''t make any scandals which can harm our reputation, let them do as their wish. If someday you see a popular actor enter one of our rooms with a woman, just pretend you don''t see it. Once again, we''re workers of service business, not public moral officers.


    And for those in the cleaning section, if the customer said some part of the room is not clean enough although you already clean it, don''t rebuke. Just politely apologize and clean that part immediately. And also never touch anything belonging to our customer. Our hotel didn''t tolerate any thievery at all, all mishap conduct will be processed according to the law. If you caught stealing something from our guest, it''s not just you get fired but also will be sent directly to the police.


    Those in the laundry section, please be careful when handling customer order. Please read carefully the instruction on the clothes. It''s not the same as if you damaged our hotel property, if you damaged our hotel''s properties, at least you only got your salary cut. But if you damaged our customer property because your own recklessness, you''ll compensate with your own money.


    The last thing, please work hard and diligently. No slacking off, no half-heartily works, follow the conduct and you''ll be alright. Dismiss and go to your respective post"


    With that sentence, the briefing is over and all new employee heading to their respective workplace, including Reid.


    "Hey, you! You with the scar on your cheek"


    Suddenly Mr. Henrich called someone from the new employee flock. Reid who the only person which had a scar on his cheek stop walking and turn his back to face Mr. Heinrich


    "Me, Sir?"


    "Yes, you. Which department you belong to?"


    "It''s cleaning service department, Sir"


    "You clean the kitchen and backside of the hotel. If you had to clean the room and front side, put some mask on your face. That scar of yours is not pleasant to see"


    It''s a harsh remark on Reid in his first day of working but Reid already used to it. Being looked down or get harsh remark because his scar is not something strange for Reid.


    "Yes, Sir. May I leave now?"


    "Just go"


    Mr. Heinrich waves his hand to shoo Reid from the staff room. Reid walks out from the room and heading to his workplace. Although his first day working in Luxor Hotel start with something unpleasant, Reid still work wholeheartedly without complaining.

 24 The new evil plan

    Back to Sunrise Real estate.


    "USELESS!!!"


    A shout and an astray is flying toward Schoenberg who stand near Jimmy''s table. Fortunately, Schoenberg is quick enough to dodge from incoming astray, if not, his forehead surely will get hit hard. The astray keep flying and hit the wall, causing loud noise before fell in the floor. Jimmy''s secretary, hearing the noise from Jimmy''s office, open the office door to see what happen. But she immediately closes the door after seeing Jimmy''s scary face. She doesn''t want to become Jimmy''s other target to vent his anger. This habit of throwing things when angry seems inherited from his father.


    "I don''t know why father thought so highly about you, Schoenberg if you can''t get the land certificate from a rundown orphanage. Are you really good or just a waste, really?"


    "Young master, I already did what I could do¡­"


    "NOT GOOD ENOUGH!! You did nothing but sit on the office all day"


    Schoenberg rebuttal is irking Jimmy. It''s been a couple of months since he gives Schoenberg order to get the orphanage''s land certificate. But the certificate he wants isn''t ever arrived at his desk until now.


    "If you really can''t do that, just resign and I will find other people who more capable than you, Schoenberg"


    Hmph¡­big mouth. Likewise, you can do that, you only know some street thugs, what they can do when some expert I hired before all were failed. That''s what Schoenberg silently thought.


    These couple of months he didn''t do anything like Jimmy accused. After the first and second attempt fails, he tries to contact and hire another person to do arson on the orphanage. But Reid who stays vigilant is able to destroy his plan. This third arsonist is not even better than the previous two. He''s wetting his pant and fainted after seeing a skeleton dancing happily in the dark corner of orphanage house. Since this arsonist comes by foot, Reid had to drag him far away from the orphanage and left him lying unconscious in a certain dark alley. The fourth attempt, Schoenberg already finds difficult to get men who willing to do his dirty works. After three consecutive failures, rumors start to spreads in the underground world that there''s certainly haunted orphanage exists in the city. Since the previous person he hired are had quite a name in underground work and yet still failed, Schoenberg can''t find other persons who can be called an expert in arson field. He only can get common street thugs who willing to do his dirty works.


    On the fourth attempt, he sent three people at once. Even he sent more men, Reid still easily handled these bad guys. Even though they used to do the crime, retort with violence, intimidating street peddler, bullying little kids, once they saw a skeleton flying around the orphanage, they faint on spot in front of orphanage entrance. And in the end, Reid must drag them all and dump them near garbage bin in a nearby alley.


    Well, garbage come garbage out. That''s what Reid murmuring while dragging those three scumbags. And after the failed fourth attempt, Schoenberg is out of manpower. Rumors about haunted Orphanage getting spread wider and no arson or thugs want to deal with business there. For the next month, Reid is a bit relaxing because Schoenberg still thinking hard about a new method to acquire the orphanage land certificate.


    "Oh, but I work under your father, young master Jimmy. Whether or not I''m resigning it''s depended on Sir Sloan. And if young master Jimmy confident able to handle this matter by yourself, please do so. I would gladly to step back and leave this matter to young master Jimmy or better people who Young master Jimmy choose"


    Hearing Schoenberg wants to withdraw from this project make Jimmy startled. Well, actually he only talks and not really wanted to dismiss Schoenberg from the project. Only his arrogant attitude makes him able to utter such words to Schoenberg.


    "Ha¡­.please don''t take it to your heart, Schoenberg. I''m sorry, I just stressed because the project not show any progress and vent my anger to you"


    "Venting anger by throwing things to other people is not a good habit, young master. If that astray hit my forehead, at least I will get a bump on my forehead right now"


    "Ha ha¡­.blame my father for that. He''s the one who gives an example of how to vent anger. Anyway, please don''t leave me on this project."


    "Since young master already admit make mistake and apologize, I guess I also should not prolong this matter anymore"


    "Thanks, Schoenberg¡­.Did you have a plan to get the orphanage land certificate?"


    "I''ve tried all safe ways to make the orphanage willing to surrender their property without making us connected with the attempt, but it all failed. I can try more extreme ways to handle this matter but I''m afraid we can''t hide our interference in this matter. the other party will know that we will be behind what will happen to them later"


    "Let me hear that plan first, Schoenberg"


    "Alright, this is the plan..."


    Schoenberg starts telling Jimmy about the plan he had to get the land certificate from the orphanage. Jimmy listens to Schoenberg explanation carefully and trying not to interrupt his words. After Schoenberg finish explained his plan, Jimmy thinking for a while before starts to speak again


    "Okay, let''s do that way, Schoenberg"