The God of Culture was drunk when he came up with the ending to Kimetsu No Yaiba, and wanted to make it up to the people within that world. 

Inosuke Hashibira was given three wishes. 

Thrown into an anime world, he is given missions from The God of Culture. 

Honestly, though, it's Inosuke, who's to say whether it'll get done or not.

ROSALIA : ZzzzzzZZZZZZZzzzzzzz... ummm.... *toss and turns* why do i feel very uncomfortable.... i feel a dark aura around me....*sweats* *slightly opens eyes* *gasps!* Those red glowing eyes staring me with hatered..... Its ALEXANDER! my father! Oh no why is he here now..... according to the novel Rosalia meets Alexander only at the time of her death!... When the hell did the plot change!? Oh no..  I dont wanna die so soon! *Shivers*
*sobs* *cries loudly* "WHAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!" (* Go Awayyyy!!*)
ALEXANDER: "Stop crying! You look like a pig"
ROSALIA: *stops crying* *Stares at him* 💢💢💢 How dare You Call me a pig! i am the cutest baby here and You call me a Pig! *Frowns* " i hauy u" (* I hate you!*)
ALEXANDER: "Tsk! i dont have time to see that ugly face of yours!"    *walks away*
*Clara rushes in*
CLARA : *teary* " Are you okay princess, i was very scared when his Majesty walked in"
*Sobs* *Hugs Rosalia*
ROSALIA: i m scared too ! thank goodness you came *Cries* " Wahhhhhhh! wahhhhh!"
CLARA: Oh No Poor thing she's trembling in fear.. "Its okay princess i'm here no need to worry, His majesty wont harm you"
Rosalia : *Stops crying" i love you clara...I'll never let my so called father harm you, I ll protect you at any cost! *smiles* "i lauy u caurah!"
CLARA: " What did princess say she loves me? Awww i love you too princess!"
ROSALIA: i must plan everything accordingly to escape death...The plot seems to changed which means....i clock's ticking... "Achooo!"
CLARA:" Oh dear! You've caught a cold,princess. Lie down and rest for some time, *put her back in her cradle* I ll bring you something warm to drink."
ROSALIA: "ummmm..... ACHOO! i vall eb vuaiing!" (*i'll be waiting*)

******************************************************************************************

Alexander De Maneva Juvenate - the ruthless ruler of the kingdom of Randall , Known to kill all his offsprings as he wanted to be the only Emperor..... Will laura who reincarnated as his daughter Rosalia be able to gain his love? or will she perish?

Zang's P.O.V

I dont know where he is taking me to. But I swear to god if anything bad happens, i'll kill him. I was watching out of the window. There was silence in the whole journey. Than suddenly Jayden told the driver to stop the vat. First I looked at him , and than outside the window. It was a quite big place with full of nature, childrens playing around. I kind of thought that came to this place before but who took me here before.

Zang : Where are we at?

Jayden : Be patient. You'll know soon..

Zang : No! tell me where are we? I've never seen this place before!

Jayden : Just come, you little pig! you'll know soon.

When i heared he called me pig i got mad. Yeah i was healthy and fat and he calls me pig but now i m not that fat anymore.

Zang : Hey! i m not fat and stop calling me pig.

Jayden : Oo lil piggy is mad.

Zang : Whatever....! but i m not coming with you.

Jayden : Ok , fine than.

I looked to the other side to avoide contacting with him. I thought that he'll tease me again but there was no answer. Than I looked at his side but he was not there. Than i looked forward he was running and waving at me with wide smile on his face.

Zang : Hey!!!.... wait!....where are you going?..... I don't even know this place... wait!

I was running behind him. He did not stop. We were far away from the entrance. He was running and did not stop. So i devcided to stop. I was breathing hard. I looked around if he's there , but there was no signal. I stopped there and looked around the place. It was the area where we played and spend our childhood. My heart felt so happy to see the place after a sveral years ago. From nowhere he just poped up behind me.

Jayden : So, how's the surprise? Do you like it?

Zang : Yeah but how do you find this place and there's no restaurant here that you told to the driver.

Jayden : I knew there's no restaurant here but that was the part of plan.

Zang : Plan?!

Jayden : I wrote the location on paper and handed it to the driver.

Zang : I was there, when did that happened?

Jayden : Yeah you were there admiring the empty roads out of the window.

Zang : Ooo you became clever. (hitting him with elbow)
But how do you know the name after those several ages?

Jayden : I spent speacial moments with you.
Those memorable moments I spent with you, I cannot forget them.

Zang : I think you should remind me later what we have done when we were kids. I m starving , I want to eat.

Jayden's P.O.V

I have a crush on her since childhood. I don't know if she knew what she promised . She did not change a little bit but she's more beautiful than before. Her silky hair, skinny legs, perfect body shape. She's hundred percent my ideal type. I didnt expect that we'll be together again. But watching her begging like a baby is the cutest thing. I just smiled at her every act.

Jayden : What is the hurry now? Lets sit and refresh the memories.

Zang : No... I want ro eat i m hungry

Jayden : I m tired.

I sat on the grass to watch her being teased.

Zamg : I ll die. Stand up, Jayden.

She was pulling me with my arms to let me stand up from the grass.

Jayden : Aii okay i m i'll take you but let go of my arm you are hurting me.

Zang : Oops

I stands up and we walk to the restaurant near the place.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hy readers hope you like my novel. Feel free to share reviews and don't forget to like it.

Every year, such an indescribable birthday gift would destroy my mind. At this point, there were rumors among the nobles that the king might someday give Agrigent to me as a birthday present.
By this time, I was scared whenever my birthday drew near. I didn't even know what I would get any more! I'd rather have the jewels I got on my second birthday or the rabbit he gave me when I was three years old.

"Oh, come to think of it, where's this pig? I brought him out for a walk, I'm sure."

I looked around in a hurry to find Pibbit, but I couldn't see the big guy who loved to show off his strong presence.
Where the hell did that pig go?
Then Elene, who was brushing my hair beside me, replied.

"Oh, he looked at Tosil and followed her."
"Oh, that rabbit!"

The nerve of it to leave its master alone and go after its wife?!
Tosil was Pibbit's wife, and unlike our Pibbit, she was a typical rabbit with big ears and cute ears. When Pibbit was old enough to marry, Ferdel brought a rabbit. Once they saw each other, they fell in love and became parents to four sons and three daughters.
I suppose so, but... Someone should explain why their children all resembled Pibbit. Explain why they did not look anything like Tosil, but only like Pibbit! Was it a genetic mystery? Huh? What kind of hereditary disaster happened here? 

"Lia, stop frowning. Your knight is nervous!"

However, my future was too dark!
I had shown my protestations, but Elene shook her head firmly.
However, she's unusually cold these days. When I was young, she said that I was one of a kind. She said that I was the cutest! I was not cute anymore because I was not a baby anymore, though! Since I'm all grown up, she didn't need me anymore!

"I'm fine."

Since it's awkward for him to be the cause of our fight, he tried to dissuade us. I turned to Elene as soon as I heard him.

"Look, he says he's fine!"

She was scolding me because she got nothing to say!
However, Elene didn't back off even though Assisi said he was fine. She shook her head and placed her hands on her waist.

"Haven't you seen the knight every day? He always says it's okay even though it's not okay!"
"What if it's really okay!?"
"No! It can't really be okay!"

The arrow shot Assisi.

"You're the same! You overindulge her too much, and because of that, she thinks everything's okay! Doing that ruins a child!

A man was getting scolded at the age of 30. 
I wanted to give him the title of "The dignified black knight" as an epithet, but it would inevitably result in crushing the dreams and hopes of all the knights, right?

I have come, I have been born, I have gone crazy.

This new life of mine with an impossibly long name, Ariadna Rerg Ilestri Frei Agrigent.

I was born into royalty but into jealousy and hatred due to the position of my father.

My father is a madman?

The tyrant who had climbed his way up to the top with blood and bones beneath his feet.

Can I survive with him as my father?

The Emperor is a very dangerous creature.

But he is still my father. Ai...

------
© YUNSUL 2014 / D&C MEDIA

Aizel was left standing all alone dumbfounded by Xian, it took him a few seconds to recover from the shock.

What was his majesty plotting to do? He is acting very weird earlier. He doesn't normally come here for nothing and it's impossible for him to come here for just a mere breakfast.

Thinking about all that had happened earlier Aizel subconsciously touched his forehead and a slight blush appeared upon his cheeks.

No, he must not let his guard down. He never knows what kind of plan his majesty is plotting to. He had been plotting a way for him and his family to fall into ruin for a few years. It's impossible to suddenly change his attitude towards them. It's just impossible.

....

After finishing all his work for the day Xian as promised headed straight to the Rece Palace for his dinner with his Queen. Thinking about how his queen looked when he kissed his forehead made Xian smile.

Ah, ah, my queen is really cute. That bastard is really blind not to treat this beauty with more respect. He rather flirt with those  creatures who hide their faces with heavy make ups and strong perfume.

Arriving at the Rece Palace he once again found his queen waiting for him outside making him frown but thinking of how the original treated his queen he can do nothing but to sigh.

" My queen" Xian called, making the other shivers. " Didn't I tell you to wait inside earlier? It's very cold outside and look at the way you dress, you don't even wear a Cape to keep you warm, do you really wish to be sick ? Let's go inside " Xian said, removing his Cape and warping it to his queen while guiding him inside the Palace.

Noticing the food served Xian smiled at his queen." let's eat? We can warm ourselves with a cup of hot soup. "

Aizel nodded following the other to the table.

While eating, Xian noticed that his queen only eats a small portion of the food. Looking at his queen's appearance again Xian put some meat in his queen's bowl.

" You should eat some more my queen. Look at you. You're nothing but skin and bones, a man like you need to put some more meat in your body. Here eat this and this they're quite good."  Xian said, putting some more into Aizel's plate.

" You're majesty this is too much, I can't eat all of these. "

" Alright, we'll stop with just these for now, we'll slowly build up your appetite, sudden increase in food intake might be bad for your health. We'll slowly put some meat in you my queen. Besides you don't have to worry about getting fat even if you become as big as a pig you'll be the cutest pig in the world. " Xian said, smiling at his queen. Yes his queen is so beautiful that even if he turns into a pig he will be the most beautiful pig world.

After their dinner Xian let his queen take a bath first and he comes after. Relaxing at the tub his fatigue slowly leaves his body. Nothing really beats a good bath.

After finishing his bath Xian headed towards the camber to rest. Well that was the plan, until he saw his queen waiting at the bed with a very thin layer of fabric covering his body. Xian could help but shallows his saliva.

No, no, no, he can't do this. He walked toward the bed and covered his queen with the blanket. Hugging him in the process.

" MY queen, you don't have to do this. Don't you know how tempting you are the way you looked right now? If you continue doing this…. I might not be able to control myself." Xian said kissing his queen's forehead.

" you don't have to control yourself" Aizel said looking down while blushing

Xian felt his control suddenly snapped. " Well then, since it's you who seduced me, don't blame me later."

Xian kissed his queen hungrily as he pushed him to the bed.

Xian admits that this is not the first time that he is doing it with a man. Back in his past life he had relationships with both sexes. He was having a rough life back then, he needed to do everything to succeed. He had been driven to the corner having no other choice but to bet to the unspoken rule of the society.

It's funny that he did everything in his past life just for him to have a good life only to be killed by his own brother.

It was almost morning when Xian and his  Queen finished their nightly activities. Xian couldn't help but play with his queen's hair while smiling. His queen really is beautiful even with all the suffering he went through he's still pure with no stain of corruption.

Xian once again smiled and kissed his queen's  forehead.

Xian died drowning, but he still haven't accept his death. Given a second chance in life, he woke up one day in a body of a tyrant king.

His Alive! What his Queen want to kill him.

Xian: My Queen, you cannot kill me.

Queen: Why not ?

Xian: If you kill me, then who would satisfy you at night?

Queen: ...

Early the next morning, Ling Fan saw Shensheng and asked, "How was it? Not your-uhm-business but your meeting Tian Cai."

Shensheng sighed, "He is beyond complicated.  His mood swings are worse than a woman. First he says yes, then says no.  Finally, this queen had to bring out some real power."

"I thought you said your Silent Killer has no effect on him?"

Shensheng grunted.  "That was one surprising thing I discovered...the profoundness of that Toe Jam that allows him to resist my Silent Killer."

Curious, Ling Fan leaned over, "Well what is it?"

"Little Child, you still yet have some innocence.  If you are exposed to the true horror of this Toe Jam, your-your soul will be forever scarred. Master must protect you."

Suddenly, Shensheng chortled.

"What-What's so funny?"

"Little Genius, he-he called you Little Killer.  He thought you had something called the Evil Eye and it was his duty to save the city from you. Otherwise you would grow up to be the twin sister Damien never had. He informed me he was going to kill you."1


Ling Fan's face blackened.

How in the world was killing her funny?


Through gritted teeth Ling Fan asked, "Who's this Damien?  Why compare us?"*1

"The son of the Satan."

Seeing Ling Fan's confused look, Shensheng continued, "On Bright Star World  you have a legend of Malesfor the Evil God, do you not?"

Ling Fan stiffened.  Looking about, she said, "Your-Your not supposed to mention his name out loud. Or he'll strike you dead."

Ignoring Ling Fan superstitious reaction, Shensheng said, "Damien would be like the Son of Malesfor."

Ling Fan shot to her feet, slamming her fist into her palm. Whap!! Cracking her knuckles, she hissed, "I'll cut him.  He dare's compare me to the Son of Malesfor!!"

"Master has already made him see the bottom of the well.  You would only be wasting your time trying to hurt him.  It's like a pillow hitting an iron wall."

"Tell me, how?  How, did you make him pay?"

"I transported his soul into the body of a fly."

"You what!!??"

"Master has an innate skill called Divine Transporter. Any little bastard offends me, I transport them into a fly and swat them to death with my tail."

"I call bull crap!" Ling Fan said in disbelief.

"Divine Transporter!"

Ling Fan's vision twisted and blurred.  When she regained focus, a snout the size of a mountain and two saucer sized eyes filled her vision.

"Humph! How is it? The feeling of being a fly? Should Master end you?"

"Ling Fan was wrong! Ling Fan was wrong!"


Her vision distorted again and immediately she knew she returned to her body.  In horror, she looked at the Divine Pig.

Queen of the Cosmos...NO! QUEEN OF HELL!!"


"You-You did the same to Zhao Tian Cai?" asked Ling Fan.

"This Queen was forced too. Little Genius sure is a handful.  Yesterday he resisted two of my innate skills."

"Two? What else did you do to him?"

"Divine Defecator!"

Abruptly, Ling Fan keeled over, as her gut gurgled. In horror, she was desperately looking for the nearest latrine.

"Release!!" commanded Shensheng.

Pointing to the Divine Pig, "What Nether Hell born skill was that!?"

"As you experienced, my Divine Defecator causes one to—ahem--release until I command otherwise."

Ling Fan spat, "And Zhao Tian Cai resisted that!??"

"Like you, this Queen brought him to his knees. But with shear will power, he resisted and stood back up...Little Genius is really a Little Monster."

"How-How did he resist that?"

"He resisted by not resisting," replied Shensheng.

"EWWWWWW!!"


Wang Chuntao hurried in, "Young Miss it's good that you're awake.  Old Patriarch is calling for you.  He says, he will take you now to tour Savant City."

"Oh, let's go!!"


Finally, I get to see Savant City.

Trailing behind, Shensheng squealed, "Robes!! Buy this Queen robes!"


Quickly Ling Fan discovered everyone was waiting for her.

"Sister Tang, Elder Bing you both are coming too?" she asked.

Elder Bing nodded. "Yesterday, my whole residence was obliterated.  I was only able to save my last jar of Thousand Flour Wine."

Tang Xifeng said, "Young Miss, Tang Xifeng lost everything in the barracks as well."

Ling Fan smiled exuberantly.  Wasn't this the famed besties outing, shopping with the girls? When had she ever done such a thing on Bright Star World?"

"Sisters, as a greeting gift, this Young Miss will buy you new clothes as well as masks."

"Eh?"

"Masks?"

"Young Miss, this?"

Shooting a look at Shensheng, she said, "Nobody can predict when that beast will attack.  With the masks we'll as least have some chance of resistance."

"Young Miss is wise," said Elder Bing.

Wait, did I just called a six year old wise?

With a wave of her fist, she said, "Us Fierce Fairies, let's go SHOPPING!!"


After meeting Ling Wenyan at the gate, the group headed out.  Upon arriving at the market, Ling Wenyan's eyebrows knitted.

"Grandfather, what's wrong?" asked Ling Fan.

"The Market quarter is normally busy at this hour.  For barely a fly to be fluttering about its possible that.."

A passing citizen said, "Sir, be on guard.  Small Disaster King is roaming about shopping."

Sighing, Ling Wenyan said, "This?  Fan'er its best we return tomorrow. We could be inviting a calamity by running into Zhao Tian Cai again."

"Grandfather, Granddaughter isn't concerned.  What are the chances of bumping into Zhao Tian Cai the very next day? I promised new sets of clothes and masks for my sisters."

"You want to buy everyone masks?"

"Yes...after meeting Senior Zhao Chen, anyone can deduce that beast's attacks are not ordinary."

"Fan'er you words have the ring of foresight.  Grandfather agrees, our Ling Clan guards need masks as well.  Come...Grandfather knows the perfect shop.  Afterwards, we can indulge in tea at the Paradise Tea Pavilion," said Ling Wenyan, leading the group forward.

They were about to enter the main shopping corridor when Shensheng said, "Disciple, there we must go over to that butcher's stall."

Ling Fan glanced over.  It was a butcher's stall specializing on pork meet.  Next to it, was a pen full of pigs waiting for the chopping block. Turning to Shensheng in shock, she said, "I've seen all kinds of hungry, but to even eat your own kind?"

Ignoring Ling Fan's questions, Shensheng trotted forward.  Snorting, she said, "Hurry!  There's something good over there."

Grumbling, Ling Fan ran after her.

Ling Wenyan said, "Fan'er wait for Grandfather!  Everyone follow!"

When Ling Fan caught up, she found Shensheng by the pen.  On the other side was what could only be described as the ugliest pig like creature she'd ever seen.  Ling Fan couldn't even recognize if its eyes were aligned properly. Interestingly, it along with all the other pigs were lowering their heads to Shensheng.

"Are they all bowing to you?" asked Ling Fan.

"Would you not bow to your progenitor?"

"Progenitor? Does this mean you are….?"

"Yes, this Queen is the Mother of all Pigs."  Shensheng chortled, "It's as I surmised...we-we struck gold."

"What gold? Where?"

"This one before me...hehhehehee...it shall be this Queen's mount."

"Mount!? You had me run over here for a mount? Is it really even a pig...it's so ugly that..."

"Sssshht!  Quiet, don't-don't ever talk bad in front of it," said Shensheng.

Ling Fan rubbed her glabella.  This early in the morning and the mother of all headaches was already coming.

"Tell me why not?  What so special about-whatever it is?"

"Heee…this one has the bloodline of the Heaven Devouring Boar. Raised well not only can it be a mount, but it can be the guardian beast of your Ling Clan. However.."

"Yes, Yes However?"

"Heaven Devouring Boars are notoriously sensitive. You say even the slightest bad thing to them...it's a headache like no other."


Ling Fan shot a look at Shensheng.  

Your the headache! Bigger than the highest mountain.


Sensing something wasn't quite right, Shensheng curiously looked at Ling Fan.

Under the Divine Pig's scrutiny, Ling Fan looked away. After several moments of silence, Shensheng said, "Well...well aren't you going to buy it?"

"Fan'er, you just can't run off like that.  Grandfather, learned how you really like your pork…," he said, pausing looking about the stall and pen. Continuing, he said, "It appears you DO really like your pork."

Everybody was giving Ling Fan a strange look.

Pointing at the ugly-duckling of a boar, Ling Fan said, "Grandfather, I want to take this-this-this boar home as a pet."


Everybody looked at each other.

Wasn't that the ugliest boar of the whole bunch? She wanted IT as a pet?"


Twiddling his beard, Ling Wenyan asked, "Fan'er, you-you really want this thing?"

He was imaging Ling Ming's reaction.  

Father, what did you buy her now?


Gritting her teeth, Ling Fan said, "Grandfather it's the cutest little thing."


Shensheng nodded, "That's it..keep showering the little one with praises.  In order for it to fully bond with it's master, it needs to feel loved."


"It's so adorable that Granddaughter can only take it home."


Ming'er this Old Man can only be a doting grandparent.  

Turning about, he yelled, "Butcher! You there, we want to take this one home."

"Master, truly is a pork connoisseur.  Wild Boar meat tastes exquisite. I'll chop this one up for you real well.  To which manor should I send the meat to?" asked the Butcher.

"You misunderstand, she wants this boar as a pet."

The Butcher's eyes constricted.  Glancing quickly at the ugly-duckling, he said, "Master, can you repeat your words, my ears aren't hearing right."

Patting Ling Fan's head, "My Granddaughter has taken a liking to that boar and wants it as a pet.  How much to buy it?"

"Master, forgive me but this is a first. Never has a customer requested to purchase a pig as a pet from my humble self," said the Butcher. 

"How about I give you 10 golds and you send it ALIVE to my Ling Clan manor?"

"Master, consider it done. I'll send it over personally."

Handing over the monies, Ling Wenyan said, "If they inquire about it at the Manor, say that it was a special purchase by Miss Ling Fan."

"Miss Ling Fan...this humble one will remember well."


"Fan'er come on the shop is just ahead," said Ling Wenyan.  Leading the group away, his face was slightly dejected.

Did I just purchase the ugliest animal in the Third Heaven?


Ling Fan sighed, giving Shensheng a dejected look.

What did you make me make my Grandfather do?


In comparison, Shensheng was happily trotting forward.  

Soon..Soon...this queen will have a mount!!


As the group entered the shopping corridor, a hooded man looked at two scrolls as he watched the Wang Sisters.

As I thought, it is them!  


Keeping a safe distance, he started following the group.


Soon after, Ling Wenyan lead Ling Fan and her Fierce Fairies into a shop.  Largely empty, the owner looked dejected until he saw a potential customer.

Quickly, he ran over and bowed, "Welcome to Chin Clan's Custom Clothing. How may this one be of help?"

Clearing his throat, Ling Wenyan said, "My granddaughter and her guards are the ones with requests.  Do you have a place for those that wait? Whatever they want, you can use my Black Bank jade card."

The owner eyes gleamed brightly.

Big Fish!!

With cupped hands, The owner graciously accepted the card.  Upon clapping his hands, several assistants swarmed Ling Fan and the fairies.

"Master, if you follow me.  We have a place where you can enjoy refreshments."



"Go ahead, purchasing masks is an exercise in futility.  You do realize, as I go stronger so does my Silent Killer.  At some point,  not just your skin, but your clothes and those masks will just erode," commented Shensheng.

"There is some time before you gain that power.  Why wouldn't I just kill you now?"

"Just a gnat courting death. Killing this body releases me from reincarnation.  Humph! I'll return to my Divine Place in the Cosmos, recall who killed me, swat my tail and just destroy their world."

Ling Fan hissed.

"Would you rather be my disciple or my enemy?" asked Shensheng with a snort.

"Disciple!  Ling Fan will just be your disciple!"

Shensheng nodded with gratification.

Just as this Queen thought.


An assistant bowed before Ling Fan, asking, "Young Miss.  How may this humble one help you first?"

"Please attend to Elder Bing and my guards with whatever needs they may have.  As for myself..."

Ling Fan paused, to bring out an old worn nose mask.  Continuing, she said, "This used to belong to my mother, is it possible to find one like this?  Better yet, make one?"

Gracefully receiving the mask, the assistant said, "Young Miss, our shop certainly does carry such masks but they are typically for males.  Thus, finding one that specially fits the contour of your face, is not possible. Also, such masks are designed for protection during battle.  Appearance wise, they may not be to your liking."

"Then, we'll need to have custom-made masks."

"This one understands.  Please wait a moment, while I invite our head seamstress over," said the assistant. 

Within a few breaths later, a refined elderly lady came out. Following her was the previous assistant and a 10 year old girl.

"Young Miss Ling Fan, may I introduce Head Seamstress Mo Lian and her disciple Mo Lai."


Shensheng grunted with a sniff. "Those two-they're related."

Ling Fan rolled her eyes.

Not only are you blind but you're deaf as well.  Clearly through the introduction they're related.

Shensheng grunted again.  "Make this Queen a mask as well."

Her eyes still rolling, Ling Fan asked, "Why-Why would you want a mask?"

"It's because you humans stink. You'd be surprised how many of you don't take baths."

Ling Fan started rubbing her glabella.


"Young Miss, are you unwell," asked Head Seamstress Mo?

"Ah that-er-uhm I just remembered something that I have do later."

"Young Miss, that's a great relief.  My understanding is that you would like a custom made mask?"

"Actually Head Seamstress Mo, it's not just one.  All of us here need masks as soon as possible.  In addition, most probably our Ling Clan guards will need them as well."

Head Seamstress Mo, her daughter and the assistant gasped.  

Big Order!!


"Grandfather will need one as well!"

In response, Head Seamstress Mo clapped her hands, "Tut-Tut-Tut, call out all our assistants.  Get measurements from everyone! Young Miss, please state any requirements like type of fabric, color and features."

Ling Fan paced about, mulling on the question.  Some breaths later, she replied, "The first and foremost requirement is the masks must be able to block smell. So there should be nose plugs."

This?

Flabbergasted, Head Seamstress Mo asked, "Young Miss, did I hear you correctly."

Ling Fan said, "Head Seamstress Mo, you may not know but our Ling Clan manor resides next to the Zhao Clan.  Truth, be told, all kinds of foul smells from the Zhao Clan manor find their way over into our manor. In fact, only one wall separates my courtyard from whatever things occur over there."

"So is like this," said Head Seamstress Mo with understanding.  Simultaneously, her assistants peered at Ling Fan as though she was a tragic victim.


Shensheng snorted, "Shameless, disciple. How dare you place blame on Little Genius?"

"And you want me to say we need those masks as protection from your Silent Killer? And who's the one using Senior Zhao Chen's courtyard as her personal latrine? MHM!? MHM!?"

"What do you think about worms?" asked Shensheng.

"Worms?" 

"You keep talking and Master will be happy to let you know what the inside of a worm is like…MHM!? MHM!?"


"Young Miss Zhao, although this one understands your needs—er--nose plugs may not be so practical? Do you have other requirements."

"For the men, the masks may be the type used with battle armor. Us Sisters...however, we need something more practical.  For example, a mask that's easily carried and can be worn within two breaths. And of course, it looks aesthetically pleasing."

"Young Miss, could you allow us some time to perform design considerations?"

"You may have some, however, can you provide a temporary solution?"

"Mother, didn't the shop just purchase several rolls of Star Spider Silk. If daughter recalls correctly, is has properties that naturally resist gaseous poisons.  Could we not make temporary masks out of that," said Mo Lai.  


Ling Fan's eye lit up.

That's exactly what we need!


"Indeed, however Star Spider Silk is expensive," responded Head Seamstress Mo.

"Spare no cost, we'll buy all of it! We absolutely need those masks," blurted Ling Fan.

Shensheng snorted, pacing about.

Groaning softly, Ling Fan said through gritted teeth, "Also, we need a mask and robes for my pet pig.  Please see that she is properly measured as well."

"Eh!!"

Reina, The Cutter, former Gang Leader of the largest gang on Bright Star World; discovers she has transmigrated into the 6 year old body of Ling Fan.  Moreover, she learns she was purposely brought over by Zhu Shensheng, The Divine Pig, Queen of the Cosmos. Designated as probationary disciple, Ling Fan must prove herself worthy of becoming Zhu Shensheng's true disciple. Zhao Tian Cai is the 5 year old super genius next door and Zhu Shensheng has her sights on him as her future disciple. Furthermore, Reina must fulfill her promise to find the original Ling Fan's murderer and protect the Ling Clan. Unknowingly, these childhood neighbors are fated for love across the multiverse.

Hei Er (not his real name), 27 years old, unmarried.

Ever since he could remember, he had been trained as an assassin—though he actually wanted to be an artist. Destruction was boring; what he really wanted to do was create.

He grew up a lonely orphan and wandered the outskirts of this town, until finally (and inevitably, one would say) the Waning Principle Sect picked him up and adopted him. Though now he had people, but he still had no family, as everyday he would train in total darkness, and learn the skill of killing. All he had was his mind and the various imaginary friends  accompanying him when the black was too much to bear.

He wanted to be a sculptor; creating his friends—his pillars of support—for everyone to see. So one day, when children just like him stumbled upon them, they would know they weren't alone.

"Aren't you a slippery one?" Hei Er sneered at Shou, who kept dodging his attacks. Though he was calm on the surface, his heart raced uncomfortably.

He knew he wasn't the strongest—In fact, he had always slacked off while training—but he still reached the 4th stage! And he was the graduate of the 34th generation of assassins, the Hei Generation!

Though he heard he was the last surviving one, since everyone else had been hunted by someone from the 36th Lan generation... Ah, how scary... Well, it didn't matter anyway!

"Hei Er!" Ah Liang screamed, "return to my side!"

"But Sir, I cannot allow such disrespect from this mongrel."

It didn't matter precisely because he now worked for Ah Liang. It was him who pulled him out the sect. Thus his only connection with his dark past is his name, which he kept only to remember his roots. And for that, he will always be eternally thankful.

To see someone mocking his benefactor—and with such childish taunts—he could not bear it.

As he kept lashing out, he felt himself get into a rhythm and his attacks flowed smoother—Wait, rhythm?

Now that he listened closely, there indeed was music playing. Who was so audacious to play on his instrument at such crucial time?

The youth stopped jumping around. He rested his hands on his hips and shouted at the sky. "Alright, I'm done warming up. That was a good exercise, you can do what ever you want now, Si."

And just like clockwork, the whole shop started to mysteriously shake (and no, not because of Ah Liang). 

What he then saw, shook his mind to its very core! 

Through the wooden walls, several round creatures flew out. They were the size of his hand, with half their body being two beady eyes. They looked like blobs of water, but with four stubby nubs, presumably as hand and feet.

The creatures floated out the walls, the floor, the door, the lights, the plants, the desk, the cores, the paper, the bookshelf, the water, the windows,  all manifesting out of nowhere—all different colors. The music kept resounding in the store, with the creatures cutely wriggling around to the beat, shaking left and right as if dancing.

"..." Hei Er tightly gripped his sword in bewilderment. Ah Liang hid behind his other bodyguard, terrified of these unknown beings.

The creatures seemed to be performing, twirling around, moving their body, and creating shapes like synchronized swimmers. As they did so, they slowly neared Hei Er.

He immediately felt his hair stand on all ends, and his sweat running backward. In desperate attempt, he took his sword and slashed downward with his strongest move— "Listless Sword March!" —and hit a red blob.

Before he even smile, the creature started inflating and promptly exploded! The shock-wave hit Hei Er square in the face, and he was forced back. With no time get his footing, another red blob exploded and he was sent flying. From below, a green blob shot out a piece of wood, while a brown blob hit him with a stone from below. The yellow blobs shocked him with lightning, the white blobs burned him with light, the blue blobs threw him around through manipulating water in his body, the turquoise blob shot ice-needles, and finally, the violet blob choked the air out of him.

He was pummeled from all sides, giving him no break at all; he could not even land on the ground and was tossed around to the beat of the string music. 

His last thoughts as his mind faded out was, 'Ah, if only I could have had so many friends when I was small...'

Everyone watched in terror, the cute little creatures mercilessly destroying the poor Hei Er. They all had expressions of shock as they curled up and trembled in fear.

After a few minutes, which felt like years, the blobs stopped beating him up. With a bow, they excused themselves and disappeared from where they came from, leaving only a fainted Hei Er on the ground.

The whole place turned silent.

Si declared proudly, "See, I held back, right?"

"Did you now?" Shou closed his eyes and massaged his temples. "You went too far you idiot!"

"Hueh [???] Why, he's still alive, right?" Shou's shout caught her off-guard. "I made sure to choose the cutest defense system! It's the Song of Tsukomogami. Ah, a Tsukomogami is spirit within tools that have existed for centuries and the song calls them out. It's great!"

"I know what a tool spirit is you dolt. I'm saying just because you leave the person breathing doesn't make it okay!" He paused. "Also, how can there possibly be so many tool-spirits?"

"Ah~ you're mean! Calling me an idiot is uncalled for! I created them just now, don't take them away from me!"

Shou sighed. "Fine, let's keep them for now, because they are interesting." He then strutted to Ah Liang and company, on his face a gentle smile. "So, which one of you wants to start the instance? Ah, don't worry, I will reimburse you for that guy over there."

Ah Liang stared at 'that guy', whose mouth was foaming with his eyes rolled back. "I think... I will come back another time."

"Huh, why?" Shou innocently tilted his head.

'Why don't you take a guess!' Ah Liang almost screamed out, but he contained himself.

An Bai who stayed silent the whole ordeal, stepped forward. "Actually, I would like to give it a try."

Ah Liang's eyes almost popped out as he saw the pig offer himself for slaughter. "Have you grown tired of living?"

"Relay, Fatty Liang. You said it yourself, I can't always stay as number 3 in The Circle. I can see that this shop has potential."

The Fatty Liang grabbed him by the shoulder. "I fear you may have misinterpreted my words. Should I slap you to wake you up?"

"If you touch my face, our decades of friendship ends here. Don't forget you are a stage below me." He came closer to Ah Liangs face and whispered, "Don't be like that. Your gut was right. No one can deny that this shop is hiding something enormous. I'm just taking your tip. Come on, it's a one in a lifetime opportunity."

Ah Liang squinted his eyes. He then sighed in resignation. "...All right."

The bodyguard understood his duty immediately. "Then... I shall test that artifact for you." He swallowed his saliva and almost felt like crying. He hit his chest to pump himself up. He forced a smile, trying to stay optimistic. As long as he could help his employer, that was his job!

The  two rich men looked at him as if he was already dead.

"...Sir, could you not stare at me like that?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Well then, good luck."

The bodyguard nodded and walked to the core. He placed his hand above it and promptly fell unconscious.

"Hiii~" Ah Liangs face turned pale. "I knew it, we should have left! Another one taken out! Ah, mommy, save me! My bodyguards!" He screamed so loudly, Shou had to calm him down.

"Hey big guy, why don't you take a deep breath and just look over there." Shou pointed at the screen that had popped up.

'What now?' Ah Liang peeked through his fingers and saw a pale blue light emitting out the core. The light depicted his bodyguard who had just fallen asleep. The man looked befuddled as he turned his head several times. "This..."

"I told you, right?" Shou explained, "The man right here has entered the illusory world."

"What! Impossible!" Ah Liang leaned forward, his belly shaking. As he looked at An Bai, he saw his friends mouth hang low. "You're telling me he is in there right now?"

The bodyguard in the game perked up. "Boss Liang, is that you I am hearing?"

"Oh Lord, he answered!" Ah Liang gasped in shock. He ran to the screen, seemingly wanting to pounce at it. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes sir! This is amazing!" The bodyguard nodded vehemently. "It's like I've been teleported! The air here is incredibly fresh and I feel more nimble. I think it's because of the dense Spiritual Essence in the air."

The two rich man couldn't believe their ears. Right after, the introductory page appeared in front of the bodyguard, and as they read it, they could not believe their eyes either.

What was that? Karma? Fate? Earning rewards by reaching a 100%? 

An Bai jumped forward. "Boss, open a core right now!" Ah Liang followed right behind. The Hei Er incident already forgotten.

Shou did as told, and soon after, the three people had entered the illusory world.

"Hmm, doesn't it feel like we are starting to get popular?"

In a remote alleyway stands a store. No one truly understands what it is selling, but people traverse it anyway.

"I hear the place fulfills your wildest dreams," says a female who wants to remain unnamed. "People who enter never wish to leave."

"The store-owner is a jerk—the prices are expensive, the staff is rude and you serve yourself," another male explains, "what, I'm still going though."

"I'm just here to look at the cute girls," says—well, his opinion doesn't matter, anyway.

"Listen, whatever you do, don't mess with the immortal siblings there. Who that is? The store-owner and his sister, of course! Why we call them that?" The person shudders. "Because we couldn't think of a fiercer name yet."

Within the store, an inconspicuous youth sits at the counter. In his head rings a cold voice, "Quest completed, ask Host to prepare for the next one."

"Eh, but I don't wanna."

"Quest issued, asking Host to check."

"Meh, I don't like it, give me something else."

"Non-compliance will lead to death."

"Sure, I'd love to see you try."

"...Please just do the quest."

Welcome to the Store of Fates! Dear customer, would you like to change your destiny too?

..................................................................................

Updates everyday!

After being shocked out of my life and confused why I was blessed with such a cute appearance, I finally got dressed into my school clothes which I was helped by my now brother, the one and only 
Most handsome man!
Golden Maknae!
Member of BTS!
JUSTIN SEAGULL!
*cough**cough*
Sorry, JEON JUNGKOOK!
I mean, what could I say? To be awarded with such a dream life, I must sincerely thank the person who did this all for me; God? Allah? Buddha? Zeus? God Jihyo? Whoever it is, thank you so much, you have gave me the best second chance at life and I will gladly take it and make full use of it; I will not let you down! 
??? POV:
This kid sure is funny thanking me. When was the last time that ever happened?
BACK TO JOSHUA/JAEHYUN:
I slowly walked downstairs...with my hand latched onto Jungkook's...I don't know why...but it was heartwarming and I felt safe when I was near his presence; I could tell he was going to be an amazing big brother. Now, that leads me to another question, where on earth was Jungkook's older brother, Jeon Junghyun? And plus, how old am I and Jungkook?
While these questions kept replaying in my head, Jungkook had finally led to me to the dining room where two plates of delicious food; sorry, heaven was waiting for us. 
"Jungkook, how could you let your brother sleep so late and you,Jaehyun, how could you not follow or listen to your brother's instructions!" Jungk-,my apologies, our mother angrily and worriedly scolded us.
"Sorry Mum." Jungkook nonchalantly replied.
"Sorry Mummy" I replied, for some reason, in possibly the cutest way one could possibly muster with  tears developing in my eyes. Don't ask why.
Whilst seeing me put on the cutest face mankind has ever created/seen whilst "crying", my mum's heart shattered and she picked me up, rubbing my face against hers, saying"It's alright baby, Mummy's only trying to do the best for you, okay? As an apology, how about we grab some ice cream on the way back home?" she seemed to have just disregarded my brother...well, unlucky you, Jungkook, it seems I'm the favourite.
"Okay, mummy!" I replied in my fake cute voice and expression, again earning another rub from my mum and a hug...a few hugs...isn't she just a bit too possessive?
"Well, let's get eating boys, mummy made this special breakfast  for both of you because it's your first day at school. You both need to behave well, okay?" Mum said whilst getting ready to go to work...now that it occurs to me...this is a pretty big house...were Jungkook's parents loaded? How did I not know? Plus, what's her job?
"Bye mummy" me and Jungkook replied, hearing the closing of the front door.
After that, Jungkook turned over to me with the warmest and most adorable smile, watching me eat the breakfast...I think he forgot he was supposed to eat too...

What does it feel like to be stabbed by the idol you admired ever since you were young?

Well, Joshua knows...

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kingw0lfy/? or just kingw0lfy.

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/w0lfie6 or just wolfie6.

PS: Cover art ain't mine.

The icy wind blew down Blackstock Road in Finsbury Park. It was three-thirty and dusk. Danielle pulled up her fur-trimmed collar against it as she stood waiting for a number four bus to take her to Holloway Road. She bent over the pushchair and checked Jackson's gloves were still on. She pulled them up and tucked them inside the cuffs of his coat. She knew he was watching her. She looked at him when she finished and kissed his cold cheek. 

'Who's going to see Father Christmas?' Jackson grinned, his eyes watering from the cold. She tickled him through his padded all-in-one suit. He squirmed and giggled. Danielle looked up to see a woman who had come to stand at the bus stop. She was watching them, pity in her eyes. Danielle scowled at the woman as she bent back down to Jackson and pulled his hat further down over his ears. Danielle had Jackson out of the buggy, and the buggy folded in an instant, as soon as the bus arrived. She held his hand and pulled him up onto the bus. 

The driver winked at Jackson. Danielle swiped her oyster card and deftly made her way through the vehicle, leaving the buggy in the luggage rack. She sat Jackson on her lap and pulled out a tissue. He squirmed as she wiped his nose. He watched her. She mouthed the words 'good boy.' 

They alighted halfway along Holloway Road and Jackson stood on the pavement waiting as Danielle took one seamless kick and flex of the buggy to make it ready for him. Jackson was slow getting into it; he was straining to look past Danielle and pointing to the window display across the road in the department store where a massive animated Father Christmas was waving at him. Jackson waved back, star-struck. Danielle looked at her watch. She had a half hour to kill. She crossed the road and stopped outside Simmons department store. Danielle pretended to look at the window display as Jackson sat watching Father Christmas wave his arm and mouth the words 'Ho ho ho'. But her eyes went beyond the display and she searched the cosmetics counter. She watched a woman working on one of the counters that she just knew was Tracy; she felt it inside. She'd stopped at the window many times in the last two weeks. Now she felt a flutter in her stomach. She didn't want to be spotted too soon. She wanted things to go as she had imagined, and so she kept her head down and pushed the buggy on, steering it through the street towards the Christmas market. 


The cosmetics department of Simmons was hectic in the build-up to Christmas. The atmosphere was good. Tracy loved coming into work to be rushed off her feet. With so much talk of hardship and recession, takings had been down all year. This was her chance to try and prove to herself and to her bosses that, given the opportunity, Tracy Collins could sell ice to Eskimos. 

She looked at her watch. It was ten minutes to four. She looked across anxiously at her colleague Jazmina on the other side of the make-up counter. They were both so busy; how could she possibly leave? Tracy had watched the shoppers pour in through Simmons' doors – all day it had been a steady stream. She had kept her eyes open for someone who might be Danielle. Once she could have sworn that it must be her when she saw a blonde woman who looked like a younger version of herself, immaculately turned out, bubbly, pretty, a little overweight, pushing the cutest-looking child: all golden curls, immaculately dressed – and Tracy imagined that could be her daughter and grandchild. But no, they had bought their special Christmas purchases of perfume and make-up and they had disappeared from her counter.

 'You go . . .' her colleague Jazmina said as she wrapped a package for a customer, pulling the ribbon into swirls with the blade of some scissors. 'It's five to four – you said you had an appointment?'
 'You sure?'
 Jazmina nodded – she looked as excited about it as Tracy. Tracy had not told Jazmina exactly who she was meeting but she knew it was important and Tracy wanted to look nice for it. Jazmina had jumped to her own conclusions and believed that Tracy had finally decided to ditch boring Steve and find herself a new man and was about to embark on a steamy affair. 

Tracy turned the mirror round on the counter and checked herself: her lippy was still intact. She looked at Jazmina one last time to make sure. Jazmina nodded eagerly. 
'You look great – just go for it . . .' 
'I'll be as quick as I can,' said Tracy with a frown. She wondered if she'd missed something with Jazmina.
 'You take an hour; you're entitled,' Jazmina replied, giving Tracy the 'don't think for one moment I won't cope' look. 'Just enjoy yourself – you only live once.' 
'I couldn't possibly. I'll be back in half an hour – promise.' Tracy grabbed her coat and bag and slipped out from behind the counter. She left the shop, turned right then right again and onto the busy crossroads that marked the start of the German Christmas Market. She walked past the sweet counters and the mulled wine and looked around her. The place was heaving with mums pushing prams. She passed a stall selling Christmas-themed jewellery next to Santa's Grotto. The sound of Bavarian carol music pervaded in the air, along with the smell of burnt caramel, mulled wine and Bratwurst sausage. At the exit from Santa's Grotto she found her way suddenly blocked by a young mum pushing a little boy with Down's syndrome. In his hand he had a pink pig. His face was flushed. Tracy looked back up from him to the young woman, who was staring at her, waiting. Tracy smiled, tried to pass. The young woman moved the buggy to block her again. 
'Tracy?' 
Tracy's heart stopped. Was this the daughter she'd given up when she was fifteen? Was this the little girl whose existence had haunted her for twenty-one years? 'Danielle?' Tracy did her best not to look shocked. 'And this must be Jackson?' She recovered fast, bent down to talk to Jackson, who stared up at her in awe, fascinated by her bright red lips and her inch-long eyelashes. 'Who have we got here?' Tracy tapped her fingernail on the pink pig. 
Jackson held it aloft for her to see. 'Peppa Pig,' he said, turning back towards the Grotto and pointing, struggling to sit up and turn around to show Tracy where he'd been and where the pig came from. 'Father Christmas give it to me.' He held the toy up in front of her face.
 'We got here early,' Danielle explained. Tracy stood and took a few seconds to take a good look at Danielle. She wasn't as she imagined she'd be. As far as Tracy could make out, she didn't look like Tracy at all. Danielle was skinny and dark and two inches taller than Tracy. She had her hair scraped back in a ponytail and not a scrap of make-up on. Tracy's mind was in a spin – the baby in her arms. The birth, the terrible wrench she felt at giving up her baby. Was this her baby? How could she be sure? 

'You lucky boy. You must have been awfully good to get that.' Jackson nodded, large proud nods of his head. Tracy smiled awkwardly. 'We better find somewhere that's not so noisy to talk. I only have half an hour – I'm sorry. It's the busiest time of year.' She was apologizing again. 'I've left my colleague to cope alone.' They walked past the Christmas stalls. 'Can I get you a coffee?' 
Danielle shrugged. 'Okay.'
 She pushed the buggy forward until they found a bar that had a few busy tables and a side stall selling coffee. They stood in the queue. 'Glad you could spare the time,' Danielle said as she pulled "Jackson's hat down further on his head. Tracy was momentarily flustered. She'd promised herself she wouldn't get emotional. She would stay calm, stay focused. She had so wanted her daughter to be living the dream – Tracy's dream. She wanted her to have the perfect life. It was what Tracy had made the ultimate sacrifice for, after all. Did this girl look like she was living the dream ? thought Tracy. No she didn't. She looked lost, tired, pale and cold.
 'I mean – I'm glad you decided to meet me and Jackson.' 
'Of course,' she said. 'I would have tried to find you as well but I didn't want to . . . intrude . . . you know what I mean?' Tracy tried to relax her mouth, her frozen smile. She could feel her face was so tense "that she must look like she was about to cry. Danielle stared back at Tracy with a confused look of pity and anger on her face. Tracy breathed deeply, tried a new smile. 'I didn't think I had the right to . . . You had your life.' Tracy got to the front of the queue and ordered coffee. She turned to Danielle and pointed to Jackson: 'What about him? Does he want anything?'
 'No. He's got his drink.' 
'What about something sweet for him?' She smiled at him. 
'No. He has to watch his weight.'
 'We can get him out of the buggy if you like. There's a kids' skating park just at the end of the stalls.'
 Danielle didn't answer. They collected their coffees. Tracy carried Danielle's for her while she pushed the buggy and they moved off towards the end of the Fayre. They walked towards the sound of laughter and music coming from an area that had been a car park and was commandeered for use as the kids' ice rink. It had been iced over and kids held on to metre-high plastic penguins that guided them around the frozen playground helping them stay upright. There was a queue but Tracy had already decided it was as good a place as any to talk. She knelt down the talk to Jackson. 

'Would you like to skate with the penguins?' He nodded and pointed excitedly at the skating rink. 'Is that okay?' She looked up at Danielle who nodded. 'You'll have to take him on though?' said Tracy. 'I'm not really dressed for it.' 

Tracy bought the tickets; she paid for one adult and one child. They sat at the side waiting for their turn. Tracy had the privilege of a box to sit on as she sipped her coffee and watched the children skating around the frozen rink. Tracy took the opportunity to study her daughter's profile. 

She was looking for traces of her own. Their colouring might be different: Danielle was darker, but still somehow reminded Tracy of herself, the way she'd been all those years ago when she'd fallen pregnant at fifteen. A skinny girl, just a slip of a thing, thought Tracy. Looks like she could do with a good meal. People used to say that about Tracy – not now of course! Something else . . . Tracy's heart surged a little – yes – Danielle had her father's nose, his chin. Yes – she looked like him.

 Danielle turned from squatting beside Jackson, who was playing with his gloves.
 'I didn't think you'd want to see me,' she said as she glanced Tracy's way, held her gaze for a second and then turned back to look at Jackson. 

Tracy didn't know what to say. She looked down at Jackson; he was pointing at the penguins in delight. 'My goodness.' Tracy shook her head. 'Why on earth not?' Danielle shrugged. She looked down at her coffee and didn't answer. 'How old is Jackson?' She was struggling to think of safe ground. 'Four.' 
'And he's at school?' Just started this term. He goes in the mornings. He's working up to all day.'
 'Does he enjoy it?' 
'Yeah, he likes it a lot. He's quite shy. He has difficulty communicating sometimes. People don't understand what he's trying to say. School's done a lot for him, brought him out of his shell. He doesn't see many people besides me.' 
'What about his grandparents – the couple who adopted you, Marion and Gerald? The Fosters?'
 'My mum Marion died last year. My dad, Gerald, doesn't talk to me. He doesn't want anything to do with me or Jackson – never did.' 
'Oh dear; I'm so sorry to hear that.' 'My mum was lovely but she was sick for so much of my life. She got one form of cancer after the other.'
 'Oh . . . I'm sorry. It must have been hard.'
 'You never had any kids then?' Tracy shook her head, didn't know what she should say. She was searching for a tissue in her bag. 'Will you?' Danielle persisted. 'After all, it's not too late, is it?' 
'No, I suppose not; Steve and I – we're just not in a good position to right now, financially. Steve's my husband. We've been married for fifteen years. He works for a storage company. Things are not easy for us, financially – well, it's a difficult time for everyone, isn't it?' It had crossed Tracy's mind that if Danielle should ask for money Tracy better make sure she understood that there wasn't any to be had. 
'Is there ever a good time to have kids?' Danielle asked. 
'No, I suppose not. So you never see him then – your dad?' 
'No. I haven't seen him since he chucked me out when I got pregnant.' Tracy felt an overwhelming surge of pity – it hadn't been like that for her when she got pregnant. Other people took over the problem for her. They took it away.
 'I'm sorry, Danielle, really sorry.' 'Yeah . . . I went to live with Jackson's dad but he wasn't the best either.' 'Where do you live now?'
 'I have a flat, housing association. It's a high-rise and the estate's old, bit rough. But it's ours for as long as we want it. Jackson and I have been in there nine months now.' 'But, Jackson's dad? Surely . . .'
 'Yeah – well, we're doing fine, aren't we, J?' She squeezed Jackson's leg to make him giggle. Tracy was struggling to stay calm and to understand what was happening. She had rehearsed this meeting so many times but none of the times resembled the reality of it. Jackson's turn came to go on the ice. Tracy stood and straightened her coat. She took Danielle's empty cup from her and stacked it inside her own.
 'I'm really sorry I can't stay longer. I have to go back to work.' Danielle looked at her with the wounded eyes of a child, quickly obscured by a practised indifference.Sure. Thanks for coming. You have my number. It's up to you if you want to see us again.'
 'Yes of course; I'd love to.' Tracy said it but she wasn't sure she meant it. 'I'll ring. Sorry. It's all a bit of a shock, isn't it? I'll phone you later if that's okay?' When she looked back she saw Danielle leaning over Jackson, he was straining to get out of the buggy and take his turn on the ice; Danielle was watching Tracy as she walked away. Tracy couldn't wait to get back to Simmons and the Christmas rush. There were dozens of Christmas orders to box up and tie with ribbons. Jazmina would be desperate for her return. Back at Simmons, Jazmina didn't bother asking Tracy if things had gone well at her appointment – she could see by her face that they hadn't. Tracy would normally have been in her element, bustling behind the busy counter, but she found herself staring out of the window past the back of the animated Father Christmas; her heart wasn't in it; nothing felt right and there was so much to think about. Memories came flooding back: they were painful and they made her eyes well up. They were things she hadn't allowed herself to think about for many years. She watched the mothers push their buggies up to the window and the kids waving at Father Christmas and she couldn't help but feel devastated. Danielle held tight to Jackson as he gripped the penguin and pushed his way around the ice very slowly. He was getting in others' way as the older children whizzed past and swerved in front of him. He ignored it – he was happy. Danielle moved around the ice rink in a dream, trying to get her head around the meeting with Tracy. She wasn't sure that they had really connected. Danielle had expected some sort of deep affinity, an unspoken bond. Tracy was nice enough but Danielle felt like she was being talked to as if she'd come to buy a mascara – as if she were a customer. Tracy smiled a lot, was polite, but she did what she had to and then she left as fast as she could. Danielle wondered if she'd ever hear from her again.It was nine o'clock when Simmons finally closed for the evening. It had been slow the last hour and there were only so many ribbons Tracy could curl ready for decorating Christmas boxes on her shift the next day. All the shelves were replenished; everything was laid out in order and in sequence and in its place. Tracy walked with Jazmina back to their bus stop where they separated and caught different buses on their opposite ways home. Jazmina lived in Camden, Tracy headed north to Hornsey Rise where she and Steve lived in a ground-floor flat that they rented. Tracy sat on the bus listening to the music coming from the iPod of the boy sitting next to her. She turned to look out of the steamed-up windows and thought about Danielle. Tracy was having a hard job understanding what had motivated Danielle to look for her. Danielle was a tough young woman, prickly – sharp-tongued. She felt let down. She had so wanted it to be wonderful. She had so wanted it to be easy. The reality was that it was awkward and difficult. But Danielle seemed to want something from her. At the same time she was an angry young woman. Angry at Tracy and angry at everyone. It was her and Jackson against the world, so far as Tracy could see. Tracy had a lot of thinking to do. Is this what she wanted – a single parent with a Down's syndrome child, living in a high-rise on benefits? Did Tracy need that in her life? Someone who didn't even seem to like her very much? How was that going to work out? She could just walk away now. Maybe tell Danielle that the most she could give her was the occasional tenner for Jackson. She could hear the sound of the television coming from the lounge as she opened the door. The flat was only a little warmer than outside – no matter how much they spent on heating it, it was cold and damp and the landlord did nothing about it. But Tracy did everything she could to make it a home. She stood in the hallway, hung up her coat and took off her shoes and examined the gap where Steve's shoes should have been. She pulled on her fluffy slippers then went into the lounge where Steve was watching the television, the remnants of his dinner on a tray on the floor beside him. She leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek and pick up the tray. 
'Steve . . . I don't know why you can't pick up your tray and take it out to the kitchen.' Steve didn't move. He grunted. 'And Steve, there's mud or some dirt walked all through the flat.' She didn't use the dreaded term 'dogshit'. 
'Did you forget to put your slippers on?' She looked accusingly down at his feet and his dirty shoes, then went back to the door and came back with a pair of Homer Simpson slippers that she'd bought him the previous Christmas. They were just meant to be a joke but she'd been really trying to have a little dig at him – it hadn't worked. He took the slippers from her with an irritable sigh and put them on his feet. Tracy also sighed, but she hid it beneath a sweet smile as she took his shoes and put them next to the front door then she went into the kitchen and came back with a bowl of soapy water and began scrubbing the stains off the carpet. After a few minutes Steve went out to the kitchen and Tracy paused from scrubbing to listen to the familiar sound of the fridge opening and the clink of a bottle touching another.
 'Steve, can you pour me a glass of wine please, love, and is there any of last night's dinner left?' Steve didn't answer. Tracy heard the pop of the wine bottle and Steve came back in and handed her a glass while she was scrubbing at the brown stain on the carpet.
 'Can you put it on the table please, love? I'll be finished in a minute.' He didn't answer as he took his beer back to the chair. 
'I didn't hear what you said about dinner? Is there any out there for me?' Tracy came to stand in front of him.

There is a time to LOVE ,
A time to HATE ,
A time to HEAL ,
 .  .  .
And a time to KILL.


On a freezing cold winter's day, the body of a young women is pulled from an icy canal in London . To D.I.Dan Carter it looks like a tragic accident rather than the work of a murderer . But D.C.Ebony Willis is not so sure . Why has the women's face been painter with garish make - up and wrapped in a plastic bag?

Meanwhile cosmetic saleswomen Tracy Collins receives a phonecall . It's been twenty years since she gave up on her daughter for adoption , so when Danielle gets in touch , she hesitantly begins to Kindle a relationship with her and her grandson Jackson but when Danielle suddenly disappears , Tracy is plunged into the middle of a living nightmare .


With the discovery of another body , it becomes clear that Danielle is in grave danger . There is no time to lose and Ebony Willis must take on the most challenging assignment of her career — to play the role of the killer's next victim.

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