Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Past the Point of No Return

The twins stood by the large glass pane window dressed in uncomfortable Christmas sweaters. They watched as a group of young children walked into the grand house. All dressed in colorful sweaters, except for a teenage girl who wore an elf outfit with a glowing hat to match.

"Today's our last day, so don't waste my time," Yang warned eating the Christmas cookies he didn't share with the guest.

"It won't take too long," Yani assured his brother and looked back at the brightly colored tree. Where the boxed presents were neatly placed under it. Some were for Yani and Yang but most of them were for Michi. Not including one that Yani made for his younger friend and Mich.

Aki ran downstairs dressed as a reindeer and his brother was dressed as an elf. "Merry Christmas everyone! Including you miss Amber," Aki giggled waving to all of Michi's friends and the teen named Amber. To Yani, he was very jealous to see Aki smiling at them. He wanted him all to himself. From what he could hear, they were all going to play a game of hiding and seek.

Yani's eye twitched seeing Aki so happy with everyone else. He soon smirked, knowing just how to make their plan work perfectly. "Time's up~ I'll make first my move," Yani innocently walked towards Amber, his hand gripped onto her skirt to gain her attention. He held her hand and pulled her into an empty room far away. Yang was already waiting for them, a black gem held tightly in his hand.

"Hey look, you two are adorable in all but I gotta babysit all of them. Not just you," she explained as she attempted to walk away. But stopped as Yang's gem glowed brightly. Concealing the entire storage room in bright white.

"Yani? Yang? Where are you guys? We're about to play hide and seek," Aki looked around the first floor in search of the missing twins. He walked into the kitchen with his glowing antlers and saw the light was on in the empty room. He knocked on the door politely and waited for a response.

The door opened, revealing Amber and the twins. She walked out without a single word and headed into the entrance room where all the other children were. But Yani was unsure what to say, his orders were to always put himself first, but he couldn't help but fear for his friend's safety.

"I'll keep my promise to you..." Yani assured Aki and walked past him and stood beside his brother. Aki was confused by his sudden reminder but didn't think too much of it. So he ran back into the room and had Amber cover her eyes while everyone else hid. "Don't forget your Orders," Yani spoke harshly to the girl. In response, she showed the kitchen knife she concealed and gripped it tightly in her trembling hands. The twins walked outside to keep themselves out of the way and sat down outside on the snowy porch.

In a few minutes, they already heard the screams of the parents and smiled knowing it worked. "Once they are eliminated we have to burn the evidence. Don't hesitate or you'll make him mad," Yang warned, watching the snowflakes fall. "Our transportation will be ready shortly after I give the report." He glanced over to see Yani's knees up against his chest and his face buried deep into his snowman sweater. "You've changed. You were warned not to open up to them, especially that Aki kid. But if it makes you feel any better, here's a small chance he'll be all right." The twins heard more screaming, this time from the children.

They headed back inside to see how the progress was. Some of the children were lying dead in a pool of their blood. Checking the other rooms, they found Amber kicking at the locked closet door. Yani stood by and watched, while Yang decided to start the fire in the father's study. Which quickly burned up the red drapes and made its way to the ceiling.

By the time the door was broken open Yani saw Aki burst out and ran behind Yani. While she got her hands on Michi who stared straight at Yani's face.

"You were right all along, Michi. I'm not human. It was fun watching you try so hard to convince your silly parents and friends. However, it's time for our departure." Yani smiled at him. "I will admit, you're very smart and observant. So I pulled some strings to reward you specifically. However, you won't see it until you open your eyes again."

Tears streamed down the terrified boy as he struggled under the brainwashed girl. "Give back Aki! I swear I'll kill you one day I'll-..."

"Now do away with yourself, miss Amber," Yani ordered heading back down the burning stairs. The flames flickered around and burned fiercely around him. Even though the fire terrified him, he kept a straight face. It was that this was the only way to cover their tracks.

There was a sudden crash from behind followed by a shriek.

"P-please! S-someone! M-mommy! Daddy!" Aki's cries startled Yani from his deep train of thoughts. He peered over the railing and saw Aki buried under rubble from the ceiling. "I-it hurts!" he sobbed as the flames caught fire to the pile. He screamed through his heavy coughing as the smoke and dust filled his compressed lungs.

Yani made his way upstairs and knelt beside Aki. He held his hand out to the distressed boy. "I'll keep our promise, but there will be a slight change. Become my loyal servant, and I'll show you a world you so wanted for so long," he promised. Aki whimpered for a moment before taking a hold of his supposed friend's hand and was pulled out with ease. A black rose tattoo appeared on the hand that Yani held and soon faded. A painful wave of discomfort coursed through Aki's veins. "This contract shall last until your death. Have a strong mind and keep your will to live." Yani opened a portal and assisted Aki through it.

[That night, I remember master was severely punished for bringing me home. His real mother pulled me and Yang away as we watched Yani be dragged to be punished for being so disobedient. All I could hear was his screams and struggle to break free. I don't even remember when the punishment ended, but I recall going to him the moment his father left.]

"Y-Yani?" Yang mumbled in fear, tears streaming down his face and staining his mother's side. Out of instinct, Aki shoved the mother back and ran into the room. Horrified to see Yani laying face down on the dirty ground. Dried blood stains were splattered on the white walls. Looking at his back, he saw his skin whipped raw, parts of his skin were broken.

"Yani!" Aki screamed wanting a reply. He grabbed Yani's wrist and didn't feel a pulse. His heart raced Thinking the worst happened. Until he heard a groan and saw his pained back rise and fall with each shallow breath.

"Aki... I'm sorry... you had to see this.." Yani apologized as his cold pale fingers grasped Aki's sweaty hand. "I don't Yang to see... can you please clean this?" he asked in such a weak voice.

After everything that happened in such a short amount of time. Aki couldn't explain why he was so quick to help the one who ruined his life. By the wall was a black box and hastily opened it, seeing medical supplies he was familiar with.

"Remember to call me 'master' or ' prince' otherwise my father will punish you too..." Yani warned as he bit into the sheets to suppress his urge to scream. Aki was nauseous from the overwhelming smell of fresh blood. As much as he wanted to throw up, he continued to clean his back and wrapped his wound up.

[I should've been yelling at him. I should've told him that he had just ruined my life. He took away everything that I knew and loved. Why should I help? But I just as he said because it was all I could do. Michi wanted to save what he loved and Yani did as well. Were their goals the same? Or the exact opposite? Even as I write this, I still change the answer...]

He tried to pretend they were playing house to make his mouth move. "Sh-shall I take you to your room, master?" Aki asked him as he started putting the supplies away. Yani slightly nodded as he carefully stood up while Aki supported him. Despite the fact Yani was heavier than him, Yani was just as or weighed less than Aki. Due to reasons, he didn't know at the time.

Aki kept his balance as he carried his new master out of the room and with Yani's guidance, found his bedroom and helped him lay down. He looked around the room and saw many blueprints, sketches, and books scattered everywhere. "Your room is a mess, when did you last clean this place?" He asked noticing the thick layer of dust.

Yani carefully rolled onto his side. "I guess a year ago," he responded, still trying to keep his pain under control. "I'm sorry. I know you'll never forgive me. I ruined your human life, in exchange for a life I promised you'd love. But I'll do everything I can, to make it up to you..." he whispered before passing out.

[I still remember his words. At the time, we both had different levels of mortality. If a zebra was crying over the loss of his family, would he forgive the lioness that ate them? Probably not. Would he forgive her if the lioness said she did it to feed her starving children? I believe that it wouldn't matter because they had the same goal. To keep their family safe. The zebra would be lying if he said he didn't understand. Yani was protecting his family. I just failed to do the same.]

Looking around the dim room, Aki sighed and wiped his damp face. "This... is my new life..." He admitted before taking off his tattered sweater and used it as a pillow. Aki fell asleep with ease due to the amount of shock, trauma, and exhaustion he went through.

[Journal #8]

[I was only twelve when this all happened. Writing in this journal was the only way I could remember my past. It's almost time to start another day of servitude! Praying that today's not too bad. Yesterday I had to stop master and Adkin from getting into another fight!

~Aki Purcell]