Ten painful minutes passed by as the family sat in the living room. The group remained quiet with only the sound of Charles tapping his fingers on the furniture breaking the silence as they waited for Karen to return. Charity and Charles sat on the couch with Hope sitting on her mother’s lap with her arms wrapped around her. Daniel sat in a different chair, resting his head on his fist as he looked towards the kitchen. But, finally, Karen returned to the group from the kitchen, carrying a large tray filled with a teapot and cups, resting them on a table.

  “I do apologize for taking so long.” Karen took the pot, pouring tea into three cups for their guests. “After I changed my clothes I thought that it was only proper to prepare some tea.”

  “Thank you, Karen. It was very thoughtful,” Charity said.

  “Indeed.” Charles sighed

  The family took the tea off the tray and went to drink it. However, as Hope took a sip of hers she nearly dropped it as it burned her tongue.

  “Blow on it, little one,” Karen said.

  “Allow me.” Charity blew on Hope’s tea.

  As Charity was finished blowing, Hope took another sip and moaned with a large smile on her face.

  “It’s so yummy.” Hope sipped the tea again. “Thank you, Karen.”

  Karen fired a jovial wink at the young girl. “It was a pleasure making it.”

  “But may I ask you a question?”

  “Of course, angel.”

  “What were you doing sitting on that table when you have so many chairs?” Hope burped. “And why did you change your clothes? The red dress was so pretty.”

  “Well, thank you for your comment on my dress, but—“ Karen laughed intensely as she sweated profusely. “The reason why is—“

  Daniel got up from his chair, taking Hope from Charity. “Tell the story later.”

  Daniel swiftly carried Hope to the bedroom and locked the door.

  Daniel stomped over to Charity and Charles. "Now, tell me, why didn't you call first?"

  "We're sorry. But we were in a hurry," Charity said.

  "Why?" Daniel asked.

  "Something's come up. And we need you to watch Hope for a while."

  “It’s that urgent?” Karen asked.

  Charles shook his head yes.

  "But how long?"

  "W-we can't say," Charity said.

  "What is this?" Daniel rubbed his chin.

  "We can't say that either," Charles said.

  "Charity—"

  "Daniel, please," Charity interrupted.

  Daniel exhaled heavily. "Fine. We'll do it."

  "But tell us, where are the little one's clothes, and has she eaten yet?" Karen asked.

  "My employee should be here within the hour with them, and no, we left before dinner."

  "Then I'll fix her something."

  "Thank you both so much," Charity said.

  Later, Hope hugged her parents goodbye.

  "I love you more than anything," Charles kissed Hope on the forehead.

  "I know, Daddy. And I love you too."

  Charity kissed Hope's forehead. "Goodbye, my darling.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  The couple quickly left, holding hands as Karen carried Hope to her bedroom. But as they went, unease traveled through Daniel's stomach as he caught their melancholic faces.

  ***

  Benjamin sat down with Daniel and Karen in their apartment in the morning. The couple sat together on the couch as Daniel threw his arm around Karen’s shoulder and Benjamin sat in another chair.

  "Ben, are you sure you're not holding out on me?" Daniel raised an eyebrow, pointing a finger at Benjamin.

  "No, brother. You know I would never. Not for something as serious as this."

  "And you don't have any clues on their actions?" Karen asked.

  Benjamin nodded no. "Karen, was last night that strange?"

  "Yes.” Karen placed a finger on her cheek. “Something was quite off."

  "How's Hope?"

  "The little one is in shock. I have to stay from work to care for her."

  “N-not to sound rude, but Daniel hasn’t started his job yet. Benjamin coughed. “Shouldn’t he be staying home?”

  "What are you kidding? I've already messed up with this kid.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  Daniel sighed. “It’s fine. I'm stress-eating a friend's red velvet muffins to cope."

  Karen kissed the corner of Daniel's mouth, tasting the muffin crumbs. "And I must admit, you and red velvet make a succulent combination."

  “Well, angel I—“

  Benjamin cried seeing the couple.

  "I'm so sorry, Benjamin.” Karen waved her hand frantically before him. “I don’t know where my head went.”

  “We didn't mean to rub it in your face, man,” Daniel said.

  “It's okay. But, brother, tell me, what must I do to get what you and Karen have?”

  A misshapen smile formed on Karen’s face as she stopped waving her hands. “Dear Benjamin, I don't think you can handle what we have.”

  Benjamin rose from his seat. ”I'm going back to the dorms. Call me if you need me.”

  ***

  The knight was on patrol in the city amongst the shouting citizens and booming car horns as the day inched closer to its end.

  “I think I’ll check on Keiko later. Can’t be too safe.”

  The ground shook as a pillar of smoke roared at least ten meters into the clouds.

  Daniel ran to the pillar as sirens rang. He arrived, seeing a bank in fiery ruins as the thick black smoke and red embers washed over the land. But five criminals quickly emerged from the haze carrying several large money bags, sprinting from the crime scene. Daniel dashed over, impeding their path with playful bravado.

  "Well, boys, pick your poison. A standard arrest from the coppers or a beating from me."

  "We choose neither."

  The criminals swiftly ignited superhuman powers. Three summoned pulsing energy of yellow and red as the other two took the form of monstrous boars to Daniel's shocked eyes.

  Daniel staggered backwards. "I see you've been taking your vitamins, too."

  "Well, knight, choose your poison.” The criminal fired an energy blast that pierced through a wall. “Shot to death by us or impaled by our friends' horns?"

  "Neither.” Daniel cracked his knuckles. “Let's go."

  Daniel and the criminals quickly charged at one another, meeting in a collision that shook two city blocks with mighty shockwaves. And with them, a pillar of smoke twice as large as the last swiftly shot into the clouds, signaling the beginning of a great battle.

  Meanwhile, Benjamin stood alone on the sidewalk of a busy street, still shedding tears. Still, as he wiped his eyes, he hailed a taxi. As one came, he readied to enter but froze as Mako Tyrant ran up behind him.

  "You're mine," Mako shouted.

  "E-excuse me? Who are you?" Benjamin asked, sweating bullets.

  "I want the taxi. Exactly what were you thinking about?" Mako raised an eyebrow.

  "N-nothing. I didn't understand."

  Benjamin swiftly opened the Taxi's door, allowing Mako to enter first. But she stood in place, waiting for Benjamin to go in first. However, as a minute passed with Benjamin still standing by the door, Mako groaned loudly.

  "What is it?" Mako screamed.

  "What do you mean?"

  "You opened the door, but you're just standing there."

  "Well, I want you to go in first."

  "Why?"

  "Because a gentleman always lets the lady go first."

  "I—" Mako closed her mouth as her face became red.

  Mako swiftly entered, and Benjamin followed as the Taxi drove off. However, going through the city, the car quickly stopped as it met a colossal traffic jam, stretching several kilometers ahead.

  "Where did this come from?" Mako asked.

  The car's radio buzzed to life.

  "Just in from Star News Network, the knight is in a brutal battle with five assailants. The authorities have redirected traffic to minimize casualties, causing massive traffic jams. We will convey more details as they come in," The reporter said over the radio.

  Mako slammed her head on the Taxi's window, hearing the news.

  "Don't worry, miss, the knight will handle those hoodlums in no time.” Benjamin hit the air with a playful punch “During the Mar-jam incident, he saved my entire class and taught the crooks a lesson."

  "Brilliant." Mako sighed.

  "Isn't it?" Benjamin fired a light-filled smile.

  "So mar-jam? You must be quite intelligent."

  "I-I just work hard."

  Mako giggled. "And modest."

  Mako looked at Benjamin, examining him from top to bottom. She noted every detail from his shy half-smile and his brown eyes. And she slowly grew a smile, sliding closer to him, inches from Benjamin's face.

  "Seeing that we'll be here for a while, want to talk? My name is Mako."

  "S-sure, my name is Benjamin Jones. What do you want to talk about?"

  "I'm curious about the gentleman thing."

  "Oh, Father always taught us to be thoughtful of others. That's how I show it."

  "Well, he must be proud."

  "I hope so. He passed away a few years ago."

  Mako's eyes widened. "I'm sorry."

  "It still hurts sometimes, but we've all learned to grin through it."

  "That's a lesson I've had to learn. My father, my biological father, died when I was a child."

  "That's awful."

  "I've learned to grin through it by visiting some buildings around here that remind me of our happy memories."

  Benjamin held Mako's hand slowly, trembling like a leaf."I-if I may be so bold, I think we both found someone new to talk to."

  Mako quickly took Benjamin's other hand, touching his forehead with hers, making him blush.

  "You'll need to be much bolder than this going forward." Mako smiled at Benjamin.