| Part one: Out of the ordinary It began in a playground. It was the middle of the day and children were all about; fighting for the swings, playing tag around the slides. It seemed like an ordinary playground with ordinary kids… A single factor stood out: a young girl, so to speak. If you didn’t look carefully, she wouldn’t seem out of the ordinary at all. But you have to look at her face, to see the difference. A mild face, it was, but her pale gold eyes gave way to something mysterious. And anything mysterious is unordinary. She was in deep thought, as she sat lazily on the tire swing. What she thought of, might had something to do with the mellow tune she hummed. Either way, her train of thoughts ended when a man, out of the ordinary, walked up from behind and sat on the other side of the tire swing. When she felt the thump of the other person on the tire, she took her time in turning around to see whom it was. He did not meet her gaze; in fact, it was only his back that she saw. “Excuse me?” she asked politely. He did not stir. She became a bit tempered. “Hello? Can I help you?” As quick the wind itself, he spun around and cupped her chin with a hand. Dark, glistening hair flowed away from his face, revealing sharp, gray eyes. “I hope you can.” He whispered to her. She shoved his hand away. “Are you some kind of pervert?” “Of course not.” He gave a slim smile. “I hope you don’t expect someone dressed in a black suit to rape you.” She got up from the swings and gave him a look up and down. “Well, it is, unbuttoned all the way.” He chuckled and rose as well. “Why do you stand out?” “What?” He walked up to her and from her point of view, seemed to loom over her like a bird of prey. He asked again. “Why do you stand out?” “I do not.” She simply replied, a little bit fearful of the man. He face turned grim. “Do not lie to me. I know and you know it deep within your heart. By lying to me, you lie to yourself.” He took one of her hands into his. The girl pulled her hand away as would a person from a fire. “Who are you?” “Oh please forgive me,” He stepped back and bowed, “I am called Balthazar, at your service.” “Um, okay…” She turned around. “Bye!” He stared, dumbfounded, not expecting her to run off. “W-wait!” He chased her and got hold of her arm. “Let go! I want to go home!” She tried to get away. “Marron! I’m not going to hurt you! Just listen to what I have to—” The girl stopped fighting before he finished his sentence. She looked up into his sharp eyes and he with her pale eyes. “How, how did you know my name?” He let go of her arm and instead, extended his hand. “Come with me, please, and I’ll answer all your questions. We need you Marron.” Hesitantly at first, but she gave in and accepted. “Let’s take the bus.” He suggested. |