Chapter 7
It was definitely a Kaiju and it looked mad! Like a vulture, it circled her with its gigantic bat-like wings. With glaring eyes, it stared down at her and opened its mouth. Scarlet jumped quickly out of the way as the acid flew through the air.
‘I can't keep jumping forever. Something's gotta give.’
Then a new attack came as the creature dove for her. Scarlet saw her chance and when the Kaiju was about to hit her she moved quickly to the side, took her elbow, and slammed it into the creature’s back. Dust flew into the air after this hit, but the Kaiju wasn’t deterred for long. Using its half wing half arm the scaled beast hit Scarlet's face with enough force to throw her to the ground.
“Did you just bitch slap me?!”
She didn't really have time for an answer because the Kaiju shot more acid and Scarlet had to quickly move. The winged creature started to fly again and Scarlet knew she'd been in a bad position if that happened again. Quickly she blew flames and just as fast as it was in the air did it fell back down. In return, the creature blew flames back that surprisingly nearly engulfed the teen.
Scarlet's body had hit its breaking point. Her adrenaline was up, blood was pumping, her skin was boiling, and her stress levels were off the charts. Every nerve in her body was giving her the signals that soon she was going to change in more ways than one. Her nail grew longer, eyes dilated, senses enhanced, hair grew thick, and skin tightened to show her well-defined body structure.
‘Ok then,’ She finally thought, ‘let’s fight fire with fire!’
She took a deep long breath before blowing her own flames which counteracted against her opponents. The Kaiju stood its ground for as long as it could, but Scarlet's flames steadily grew larger than its own. Sooner than later there were only Scarlet's flames doing the damage. Then she heard a pain-stricken cry come from the creature. Stopping short she took the time to look at the damage she'd done. The Kaiju was nearly in the fetal position with black and red burns all over. It was evident Scarlet had done much more than she thought she would. Looking into the distance and the surrounding area in general Scarlet didn't see who she was looking for. She walked over to the Kaiju who was now shaking in pain. With a little hesitation, she gentle held the beast in her arms.
“Hey, Finn!” She called.
Finn peeped his head out of the door, “Yeah?”
“Tell your dad I'm sorry about the porch and tell Duncan I'll be with you know who.”
“Oh ok,” with that said Finn saw his friend start running through the thicket.
‘Ok now, where are you.’ Scarlet searched through the thicket for any sign of her father. The tall trees made the forest seem almost dark if it weren't for the sun shining through. She scanned the forest with care until she'd finally made it to the desert’s edge.
‘Slow down Scar. Think he probably wanted you to find him.’ She looked down at the creature who seemed to have calmed down a bit. ‘His breathing slowed. Breathing, that's it,’ Scarlet thought and then took a long whiff of the air. ‘Oh yeah, that's not sand. Better get going before Duncan has a heart attack.’
Scarlet started trekking in the direction of the scent with her fallen foe in her arms. Even with the weight of another being, it didn't take Scarlet long to locate her father. Belloc was sitting in a deflated hollow with his same unamused, uninspired look. Scarlet jumped down into the rather hollow and mentally prepared herself for a conversation with the king.
“You found me,” the mighty king rumbled.
“Yeah and I found this too,” Scarlet bluntly replied.
“Excellent.”
“Not exactly.”
“Hmm?”
“I was attacked while I was with my friend.”
“Then I hope you defended your comrade.”
Scarlet growled, “I did, but that's not the point! You could have had him killed and all just to advance me!”
“And I would have done it if anyone else were with you. If anything it's an incentive to actually win your battles.”
“Are you tell me that you would endanger someone else with this?! Are you crazy? What if it were Duncan?!”
“Duncan completed his training. He knows how to defend himself. He is not as weak as he uses to be.”
Belloc was stirring up her emotions quicker than she could've imagined, “If you ever endanger my brother-”
“You'll kill me? I've heard it all before. Your brother said the same thing once, but just like you, he was too weak at the time to actually do so.”
“Oh don't give me that “I'm weak” bs! Here’s your little friend!” Scarlet almost sat the creature down roughly with her anger stirring.
Scarlet was just about to walk off when “Scarlet!”
Turning around and holding her tongue she answered, “Yes?”
“This is how you win a battle,” Belloc plunged his tail into the Kaiju before him with eyes staring straight at Scarlet's.
A face of shock and horror fell upon her face, “I-I won't do it. I won't kill for you!”
“Then you will never truly advance.”
“I thought Duncan taught you that you don't have to kill to win! What the hell happened to that?!”
“I thought I did too,” a familiar voice said. It was Duncan walking over to his father and sister after landing.
Scarlet tried to face him, “Duncan?”
“Duncan,” the king repeated.
Harshly the prince replied, “I'm not speaking with you. Scarlet unless there's something important you need to talk about we’re going home.”
“Duncan,” Belloc repeated.
“I'm not talking to you.”
“She chose to come freely and you cannot deny her of her birthright.”
“I sure as hell deny mine.”
“No, it is always yours whether you recognize it or not. You are my heir just as much as she is.”
“Yeah except I want nothing to do with you.”
Scarlet tried to chime in, “Duncan-”
“Scarlet,” her brother intercepted.
“He's right. I chose to come and the other Kaiju already know about me. If they come for me I won't have anything.”
“Scarlet-”
“Duncan, please. I know you want to protect me and I know you want everything from the past to be gone, but I need this. Please, Duncan, let me take some charge in my life. I wanted this, I need this.”
Duncan looked his sister in the eyes and he could sense that she was serious. When Scarlet was serious she would go through with anything. Sighing he turned to his father and said, “She’s already given herself to you, but I'm not letting you do to her what you did to me.”
Belloc saw his son and he could tell that something just wasn't right. He decided to keep it to himself for now, “Trust me, son.”
“You made my trust very slim a long time ago.” Turning back to his sister he said, “Come on Scar.”
The two half breeds started walking out of the hollow without looking back. When they were far enough away Belloc gave himself an uncommon smirk. ‘That's my girl,’ he thought.
~
“Duncan.”
“I know what I said, but you're my sister and I'm gonna make sure you're ok.”
“Is this really necessary though?”
“Well,” the lab assistant, Rita, said rolling over with her swivel chair, “it could be.”
“Well not today it looks like,” replied Dr.Patel. “You look like you only got roughed up.”
“Thank God,” Duncan sighed.
Rita rolled over beside Scarlet as she began to sit up on the examination table, “Don't worry my older brothers dot on me like that too. It's just their thing. Just take a deep breath and wonder if you'd do the same thing.”
Sighing Scarlet replied, “I guess.”
“Scarlet,” a familiar voice said walking in, “what are you doing here?”
“Well-”
“She fell,” Duncan interrupted again, “off a really big cliff. I just wanted to make sure she didn't hurt herself.”
Jenna gave him this doubting look but brushed it aside saying, “Well I'm pretty sure she's ok. I mean she is half Kaiju.”
“So?”
“You really shouldn't do on her that much. She's gotta stand up on her own someday.”
“Yeah well until then I will do all the dotting I want.”
“Scarlet tell me I'm right.”
“You probably are since Aunt Isabel says that too.”
~
“Duncan.”
“What?”
“Why are you being a helicopter?”
“Because…”
“Because you don't want her to get hurt. Duncan the girl is gonna want space eventually. You can't tag along with her forever you know?”
“Yeah, but until then I'll tag along as much as I can.”
“Duncan.”
“Isabel?”
“Your mom did that to you and you hated it.”
“Mmm….I know.”
“Well, then you should give her at least some wiggle room.”
“Fine, like I said I'll tag along as much as I can. If she doesn't need me then I'll give her that space.”
“Well, you better before she starts demanding.”
“Yeah right.”
“Duncan she's only six. Just give it a few years.”
~
Thinking about Isabel’s words Duncan knew what he needed to do. He wasn't gonna admit it though.
“Told you,” Jenna said.
“That little runt always agrees with you.”
“Maybe because I tend to be right.”
“Keyword is tend, meaning sometimes, meaning not always. Come on Scar, you've got school tomorrow.”
“Yay...my favorite.”
‘I can't keep jumping forever. Something's gotta give.’
Then a new attack came as the creature dove for her. Scarlet saw her chance and when the Kaiju was about to hit her she moved quickly to the side, took her elbow, and slammed it into the creature’s back. Dust flew into the air after this hit, but the Kaiju wasn’t deterred for long. Using its half wing half arm the scaled beast hit Scarlet's face with enough force to throw her to the ground.
“Did you just bitch slap me?!”
She didn't really have time for an answer because the Kaiju shot more acid and Scarlet had to quickly move. The winged creature started to fly again and Scarlet knew she'd been in a bad position if that happened again. Quickly she blew flames and just as fast as it was in the air did it fell back down. In return, the creature blew flames back that surprisingly nearly engulfed the teen.
Scarlet's body had hit its breaking point. Her adrenaline was up, blood was pumping, her skin was boiling, and her stress levels were off the charts. Every nerve in her body was giving her the signals that soon she was going to change in more ways than one. Her nail grew longer, eyes dilated, senses enhanced, hair grew thick, and skin tightened to show her well-defined body structure.
‘Ok then,’ She finally thought, ‘let’s fight fire with fire!’
She took a deep long breath before blowing her own flames which counteracted against her opponents. The Kaiju stood its ground for as long as it could, but Scarlet's flames steadily grew larger than its own. Sooner than later there were only Scarlet's flames doing the damage. Then she heard a pain-stricken cry come from the creature. Stopping short she took the time to look at the damage she'd done. The Kaiju was nearly in the fetal position with black and red burns all over. It was evident Scarlet had done much more than she thought she would. Looking into the distance and the surrounding area in general Scarlet didn't see who she was looking for. She walked over to the Kaiju who was now shaking in pain. With a little hesitation, she gentle held the beast in her arms.
“Hey, Finn!” She called.
Finn peeped his head out of the door, “Yeah?”
“Tell your dad I'm sorry about the porch and tell Duncan I'll be with you know who.”
“Oh ok,” with that said Finn saw his friend start running through the thicket.
‘Ok now, where are you.’ Scarlet searched through the thicket for any sign of her father. The tall trees made the forest seem almost dark if it weren't for the sun shining through. She scanned the forest with care until she'd finally made it to the desert’s edge.
‘Slow down Scar. Think he probably wanted you to find him.’ She looked down at the creature who seemed to have calmed down a bit. ‘His breathing slowed. Breathing, that's it,’ Scarlet thought and then took a long whiff of the air. ‘Oh yeah, that's not sand. Better get going before Duncan has a heart attack.’
Scarlet started trekking in the direction of the scent with her fallen foe in her arms. Even with the weight of another being, it didn't take Scarlet long to locate her father. Belloc was sitting in a deflated hollow with his same unamused, uninspired look. Scarlet jumped down into the rather hollow and mentally prepared herself for a conversation with the king.
“You found me,” the mighty king rumbled.
“Yeah and I found this too,” Scarlet bluntly replied.
“Excellent.”
“Not exactly.”
“Hmm?”
“I was attacked while I was with my friend.”
“Then I hope you defended your comrade.”
Scarlet growled, “I did, but that's not the point! You could have had him killed and all just to advance me!”
“And I would have done it if anyone else were with you. If anything it's an incentive to actually win your battles.”
“Are you tell me that you would endanger someone else with this?! Are you crazy? What if it were Duncan?!”
“Duncan completed his training. He knows how to defend himself. He is not as weak as he uses to be.”
Belloc was stirring up her emotions quicker than she could've imagined, “If you ever endanger my brother-”
“You'll kill me? I've heard it all before. Your brother said the same thing once, but just like you, he was too weak at the time to actually do so.”
“Oh don't give me that “I'm weak” bs! Here’s your little friend!” Scarlet almost sat the creature down roughly with her anger stirring.
Scarlet was just about to walk off when “Scarlet!”
Turning around and holding her tongue she answered, “Yes?”
“This is how you win a battle,” Belloc plunged his tail into the Kaiju before him with eyes staring straight at Scarlet's.
A face of shock and horror fell upon her face, “I-I won't do it. I won't kill for you!”
“Then you will never truly advance.”
“I thought Duncan taught you that you don't have to kill to win! What the hell happened to that?!”
“I thought I did too,” a familiar voice said. It was Duncan walking over to his father and sister after landing.
Scarlet tried to face him, “Duncan?”
“Duncan,” the king repeated.
Harshly the prince replied, “I'm not speaking with you. Scarlet unless there's something important you need to talk about we’re going home.”
“Duncan,” Belloc repeated.
“I'm not talking to you.”
“She chose to come freely and you cannot deny her of her birthright.”
“I sure as hell deny mine.”
“No, it is always yours whether you recognize it or not. You are my heir just as much as she is.”
“Yeah except I want nothing to do with you.”
Scarlet tried to chime in, “Duncan-”
“Scarlet,” her brother intercepted.
“He's right. I chose to come and the other Kaiju already know about me. If they come for me I won't have anything.”
“Scarlet-”
“Duncan, please. I know you want to protect me and I know you want everything from the past to be gone, but I need this. Please, Duncan, let me take some charge in my life. I wanted this, I need this.”
Duncan looked his sister in the eyes and he could sense that she was serious. When Scarlet was serious she would go through with anything. Sighing he turned to his father and said, “She’s already given herself to you, but I'm not letting you do to her what you did to me.”
Belloc saw his son and he could tell that something just wasn't right. He decided to keep it to himself for now, “Trust me, son.”
“You made my trust very slim a long time ago.” Turning back to his sister he said, “Come on Scar.”
The two half breeds started walking out of the hollow without looking back. When they were far enough away Belloc gave himself an uncommon smirk. ‘That's my girl,’ he thought.
~
“Duncan.”
“I know what I said, but you're my sister and I'm gonna make sure you're ok.”
“Is this really necessary though?”
“Well,” the lab assistant, Rita, said rolling over with her swivel chair, “it could be.”
“Well not today it looks like,” replied Dr.Patel. “You look like you only got roughed up.”
“Thank God,” Duncan sighed.
Rita rolled over beside Scarlet as she began to sit up on the examination table, “Don't worry my older brothers dot on me like that too. It's just their thing. Just take a deep breath and wonder if you'd do the same thing.”
Sighing Scarlet replied, “I guess.”
“Scarlet,” a familiar voice said walking in, “what are you doing here?”
“Well-”
“She fell,” Duncan interrupted again, “off a really big cliff. I just wanted to make sure she didn't hurt herself.”
Jenna gave him this doubting look but brushed it aside saying, “Well I'm pretty sure she's ok. I mean she is half Kaiju.”
“So?”
“You really shouldn't do on her that much. She's gotta stand up on her own someday.”
“Yeah well until then I will do all the dotting I want.”
“Scarlet tell me I'm right.”
“You probably are since Aunt Isabel says that too.”
~
“Duncan.”
“What?”
“Why are you being a helicopter?”
“Because…”
“Because you don't want her to get hurt. Duncan the girl is gonna want space eventually. You can't tag along with her forever you know?”
“Yeah, but until then I'll tag along as much as I can.”
“Duncan.”
“Isabel?”
“Your mom did that to you and you hated it.”
“Mmm….I know.”
“Well, then you should give her at least some wiggle room.”
“Fine, like I said I'll tag along as much as I can. If she doesn't need me then I'll give her that space.”
“Well, you better before she starts demanding.”
“Yeah right.”
“Duncan she's only six. Just give it a few years.”
~
Thinking about Isabel’s words Duncan knew what he needed to do. He wasn't gonna admit it though.
“Told you,” Jenna said.
“That little runt always agrees with you.”
“Maybe because I tend to be right.”
“Keyword is tend, meaning sometimes, meaning not always. Come on Scar, you've got school tomorrow.”
“Yay...my favorite.”
Chapter 8
“Ok spill,” Jenna had called out Scarlet to stay after gym.
“About?”
“Come on Scarlet. Your brother is hiding something from me and you know I have to know.”
“Jenna I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Scarlet-”
“Sorry,” the young Kaiju cut her off, “I really don't know what you mean. Anyways I've got biology and Mr.Colombo doesn't exactly like late students.”
Scarlet ran off into the locker room with the other girls as Jenna stood frustrated, ‘Damn.’
~
Scarlet walked into her home to find a surprise, “Duncan?”
Duncan was at the kitchen counter looking through a photo album, “Hi.”
“Aren't you supposed to be at work?”
“I took a day off.”
“Another?”
“The first one was your fault.”
“Fine,” Scarlet sat her backpack down, “whatever, look we better be having chicken flavored coal tonight. I saved your butt again.”
“First off again, second you can cook that yourself.”
“Yes again. The last time was when you almost went all Kaiju with that girl that you never went out with again. Look Jenna asked me about what you weren't telling her at the lab the other day.” Duncan just gave her the evil eye before returning to his book, “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I told you I took a day off.”
“Duncan,” Scarlet said moving over to analyze the book for herself.
Duncan wasn't even halfway through the album as it appeared that he'd lingered in the section labeled “2-5: Toddler Years”. Scarlet knew why he'd stayed home all day; Duncan was scared that she'd have another day of harsh training. Looking fondly at the pictures of what was his tiny sister he mumbled, “I’m your brother, can’t I worry about you?”
“Well yeah, it’s just...when you worry all the time is the problem.”
“As you always say, I don’t worry I angst.”
“You’re thirty-two Duncan, you don’t angst.”
Duncan flipped to another page in the book where he found pictures of their little outings from time to time. There was one at the petting zoo, one at the carnival, another at the circus, but there was one in particular that bought back a vivid memory. It was the picture of them camping when she was eight.
~
“Scarlet! Why would you do that? You know it burns!”
“But, Duncan it doesn’t!”
“....You have no burns.”
“Duncan, please! Why doesn’t it hurt anymore? Why don’t I burn?”
“Because Scarlet….you’re already hot enough to handle it.”
“I don’t understand...is it...is it because of daddy?”
“...”
“Duncan?”
“Yes, Scarlet! It’s all dad's fault, ok?!”
“...I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry! Come here...just please, don’t stick your hand in flames ok?”
~
“Do you hate dad?” Scarlet awoke Duncan from the flashback.
The question caught him off guard a bit. There was the side of him that wanted to teach Scarlet the right thing and then the other that wanted to scream his real feelings. He responded with, “No, I don’t hate him. He’s our father, but I hate the things he does and I hate his attitude.”
They turned to another page that was blank. The title read “Mommy and Me Moments”. Scarlet then asked, “Did mom ever tell you why he left?”
“No, I think she only speculated, but she wasn't sure. I'd asked her God knows how many times, but there was never a sure-fire answer.”
“Do you know why he left me?”
“If I’m honest I'm not completely sure. The only reason that ever made sense to me was that…” He saw Scarlet’s eyes and they had a sibling moment of just knowing, “you know what I mean. Maybe you'll be the one to get some answers out of him.”
“Yeah...maybe.”
Just a few hours later as it was getting dark Scarlet sat in her room. She was chewing on a piece of coal when she got to her knees and pulled a box from under her bed. She opened it and found all the stuff she’d been hiding from Duncan since she was about ten. Inside were newspaper articles, some Kaiju samples from M.E.G.T.A.F, a couple of books entitled ‘Dawn of the Monster’ and ‘A Guide For The Curious, Vol.8: Kaiju’, and finally her mothers necklace. Scarlet picked it up with her clean hand and examined it for the up-teenth time. It never seemed to bore her when she looked at it; something about was just so drawing.
‘I guess it’s only fitting to wear it now that he’s back,’ Scarlet thought.
Then she had that itching feeling you get in your nose. She took in a deep breath before sneezing a few flames. The teen closed her eyes for a moment as she rubbed her nose and when she opened them she saw a faint glow on the gem. Scarlet looked through her open door in hopes that her brother wasn’t close by and with luck he wasn’t. She sat back down with the box and blew a small breath of fire on the rock. The fire dissipated quickly and revealed very small symbols that only stayed visible for a few seconds.
Scarlet eyed the symbols, “What the heck?” She continued to blow flames onto the necklace piece to examine it thoroughly. “This is weird, but I bet dad knows about it,” she said to herself.
She started her examination again when she happened to look down a little farther than before. It was then she saw a dark spot where there was normally never a dark spot. A small part of her wanted to scream a little, but the other part wanted to just stare. Her attention turned towards the spot as she put the necklace and the box back under the bed. She yelled, “Duncan!”
“What?!”
“I..uh...I got my period!”
“Say what?!”
“I got my first period!”
The male Kaiju quickly walked into the room with a mouth full of foam and a toothbrush, “You’re kidding?” Scarlet just shook her head no to which he said, “I’ll be right back!” In what was almost no time Duncan flew out the front door for a convenience store.
Scarlet pulled the box back out and took the necklace and “A Guide For The Curious Vol.8: Kaiju” thinking, ‘I’ve got just enough time to do some studying. Now, where is that chapter on special trinkets?’
She looked at the table of contents which read:
Kaiju History...5
Kaiju Categories...15
Kaiju Locations...20
Kaiju Culture...23
Kaiju Items...34
Kaiju In Pop Culture...40
Kaiju And The Future...55
She flips to page thirty-four and began searching for the stone. Finally, she thought she was going to the last page, but, “It’s gone.” The page was ripped out and only the ends were left. Scarlet swallowed thinking, ‘Did Duncan find the box or...no it couldn’t have been anyone else. Could it? I...I have to talk to him.’
Scarlet pulled out her phone and dialed in the number her brother thought she didn’t know. She listened to it ring once, twice, three times, and just when she thought there would be an answer the voicemail box answered instead. The teen waited for the beep to send her message, “Hey, it’s Scarlet. Look...I’ve got mom’s necklace with me and I found something on it that I think you know about. It’d be nice if you could just get this message and we could talk, but from what I’ve noticed that’s not your thing. You know what I don’t even know why I bothered, bye.”
Then she dialed someone else's number. Someone she knew would pick up, “Garnet, I need a favor.”
“What is it?”
~
“So, I found out what kind of rock it is,” Garnet informed as the trio headed down the halls the next day. “It’s poudretteite or a red diamond both are extremely rare, but from the picture, you sent it looks more like a diamond.”
“Maybe your dad proposed to your mom like that,” Finn suggested.
Scarlet smirked, “I feel like he wouldn’t considering he already knew human traditions. Then again he’s not so fond of those.”
The three turned the corner and immediately noticed the three jocks standing in front of their lockers. It was Zane Steele and his buddies, Terrance Ofter and Vinny Glades. All three of them were dating the queen bees Dominic, Rosetta, and Charlotte; they were as Piper would say “The Male Plastics”. Zane walked up and poked Finn on the forehead, “I’ve still got a bone to pick with you.”
Scarlet grabbed his hand before he could retract it, “No, you have a bone to pick with me.”
“You,” Vinny sarcastically questioned, “aw, tell me, sweetie, what do you have to do with this?”
Scarlet eyed Vinny at the tone of his voice, “Well you’re little honey’s were messing with my friend here and all I really did was stand up for her. Now, if you would please examine the situation rationally and not with your pride or ego’s that would help.” She grabbed both her friends hands as the three boys stood dumbfounded as the three walked (scratch that Scarlet dragged) pass them to their lockers.
Zane, unlike like the other two, walked over the Scarlet who was already quite annoyed just by his presence. He got only a few inches from her face and whispered, “You better be glad you’re a chick.”
Scarlet didn’t even turn to face him when she said, “If that’s the only reason why then I’m highly disappointed. Garnet, Finn, let’s get to class.”
The three started walking away and just as they hit the corner Finn said, “Damn Scarlet, the kitchen wasn’t too hot for them you made it too hot for them!”
During the first period while Ms.Kato was going on and on about rhetorical writing Finn passed a note, ‘So do you think it's some ancient Kaiju language’
Scarlet wrote back, ‘Probably since it didn't look like anything else’
‘Why don't you just ask your dad’
‘He's chock-full of secrets and I highly doubt if it's important he'll tell me’
‘Ask Piper then if he doesn't say anything since she seems to know so much’
‘What makes you think she knows anything about this’
‘She knew about the rats in the vents last year months before anyone else’
‘If you say so Finn’
The two teens jumped when they heard “Ms.Rosenblatt! Mr.Rogers!”
“Yes Ms.Kato,” they groaned.
She then tipped down her glasses and asked the dreaded question, “Would you like to share your little messages with the class?”
Finn looked past Scarlet and asked, “That's a question and from what you've taught us when asking a question that means there are options so, I would like to ask what are our options.”
“Very well Mr.Roger’s the options are read them to the class or hand me the paper so that I may read them myself.”
Scarlet walked up and handed her the paper with a huge sigh. Finn looked worried, but not as worried as Scarlet wasn't showing. She tapped her foot the rest of class and when the bell rung she packed up as quickly as possible, but it was no use. Ms.Kato tugged on sleeve right before she could make it out the door.
“Ms.Kato,” Scarlet calmly said, “I'm sorry for passing notes, but I've gotta get to class.”
“I understand that Ms.Rosenblatt, but due to my position and my own concern I recommend you see the counselor,” the older woman said with a strong recommend.
“The counselor? You're kidding right?”
“Not at all,” she started writing down a note, “Room A9, Dr.Carol S, I'm also giving you the number to her room.”
“Ms.Kato I don't think that's-”
“It's not required, but I would suggest,” emphasis on the suggest, “that you do so before it is.”
Scarlet unwilling took the paper and said, “Thank you.”
“About?”
“Come on Scarlet. Your brother is hiding something from me and you know I have to know.”
“Jenna I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Scarlet-”
“Sorry,” the young Kaiju cut her off, “I really don't know what you mean. Anyways I've got biology and Mr.Colombo doesn't exactly like late students.”
Scarlet ran off into the locker room with the other girls as Jenna stood frustrated, ‘Damn.’
~
Scarlet walked into her home to find a surprise, “Duncan?”
Duncan was at the kitchen counter looking through a photo album, “Hi.”
“Aren't you supposed to be at work?”
“I took a day off.”
“Another?”
“The first one was your fault.”
“Fine,” Scarlet sat her backpack down, “whatever, look we better be having chicken flavored coal tonight. I saved your butt again.”
“First off again, second you can cook that yourself.”
“Yes again. The last time was when you almost went all Kaiju with that girl that you never went out with again. Look Jenna asked me about what you weren't telling her at the lab the other day.” Duncan just gave her the evil eye before returning to his book, “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I told you I took a day off.”
“Duncan,” Scarlet said moving over to analyze the book for herself.
Duncan wasn't even halfway through the album as it appeared that he'd lingered in the section labeled “2-5: Toddler Years”. Scarlet knew why he'd stayed home all day; Duncan was scared that she'd have another day of harsh training. Looking fondly at the pictures of what was his tiny sister he mumbled, “I’m your brother, can’t I worry about you?”
“Well yeah, it’s just...when you worry all the time is the problem.”
“As you always say, I don’t worry I angst.”
“You’re thirty-two Duncan, you don’t angst.”
Duncan flipped to another page in the book where he found pictures of their little outings from time to time. There was one at the petting zoo, one at the carnival, another at the circus, but there was one in particular that bought back a vivid memory. It was the picture of them camping when she was eight.
~
“Scarlet! Why would you do that? You know it burns!”
“But, Duncan it doesn’t!”
“....You have no burns.”
“Duncan, please! Why doesn’t it hurt anymore? Why don’t I burn?”
“Because Scarlet….you’re already hot enough to handle it.”
“I don’t understand...is it...is it because of daddy?”
“...”
“Duncan?”
“Yes, Scarlet! It’s all dad's fault, ok?!”
“...I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry! Come here...just please, don’t stick your hand in flames ok?”
~
“Do you hate dad?” Scarlet awoke Duncan from the flashback.
The question caught him off guard a bit. There was the side of him that wanted to teach Scarlet the right thing and then the other that wanted to scream his real feelings. He responded with, “No, I don’t hate him. He’s our father, but I hate the things he does and I hate his attitude.”
They turned to another page that was blank. The title read “Mommy and Me Moments”. Scarlet then asked, “Did mom ever tell you why he left?”
“No, I think she only speculated, but she wasn't sure. I'd asked her God knows how many times, but there was never a sure-fire answer.”
“Do you know why he left me?”
“If I’m honest I'm not completely sure. The only reason that ever made sense to me was that…” He saw Scarlet’s eyes and they had a sibling moment of just knowing, “you know what I mean. Maybe you'll be the one to get some answers out of him.”
“Yeah...maybe.”
Just a few hours later as it was getting dark Scarlet sat in her room. She was chewing on a piece of coal when she got to her knees and pulled a box from under her bed. She opened it and found all the stuff she’d been hiding from Duncan since she was about ten. Inside were newspaper articles, some Kaiju samples from M.E.G.T.A.F, a couple of books entitled ‘Dawn of the Monster’ and ‘A Guide For The Curious, Vol.8: Kaiju’, and finally her mothers necklace. Scarlet picked it up with her clean hand and examined it for the up-teenth time. It never seemed to bore her when she looked at it; something about was just so drawing.
‘I guess it’s only fitting to wear it now that he’s back,’ Scarlet thought.
Then she had that itching feeling you get in your nose. She took in a deep breath before sneezing a few flames. The teen closed her eyes for a moment as she rubbed her nose and when she opened them she saw a faint glow on the gem. Scarlet looked through her open door in hopes that her brother wasn’t close by and with luck he wasn’t. She sat back down with the box and blew a small breath of fire on the rock. The fire dissipated quickly and revealed very small symbols that only stayed visible for a few seconds.
Scarlet eyed the symbols, “What the heck?” She continued to blow flames onto the necklace piece to examine it thoroughly. “This is weird, but I bet dad knows about it,” she said to herself.
She started her examination again when she happened to look down a little farther than before. It was then she saw a dark spot where there was normally never a dark spot. A small part of her wanted to scream a little, but the other part wanted to just stare. Her attention turned towards the spot as she put the necklace and the box back under the bed. She yelled, “Duncan!”
“What?!”
“I..uh...I got my period!”
“Say what?!”
“I got my first period!”
The male Kaiju quickly walked into the room with a mouth full of foam and a toothbrush, “You’re kidding?” Scarlet just shook her head no to which he said, “I’ll be right back!” In what was almost no time Duncan flew out the front door for a convenience store.
Scarlet pulled the box back out and took the necklace and “A Guide For The Curious Vol.8: Kaiju” thinking, ‘I’ve got just enough time to do some studying. Now, where is that chapter on special trinkets?’
She looked at the table of contents which read:
Kaiju History...5
Kaiju Categories...15
Kaiju Locations...20
Kaiju Culture...23
Kaiju Items...34
Kaiju In Pop Culture...40
Kaiju And The Future...55
She flips to page thirty-four and began searching for the stone. Finally, she thought she was going to the last page, but, “It’s gone.” The page was ripped out and only the ends were left. Scarlet swallowed thinking, ‘Did Duncan find the box or...no it couldn’t have been anyone else. Could it? I...I have to talk to him.’
Scarlet pulled out her phone and dialed in the number her brother thought she didn’t know. She listened to it ring once, twice, three times, and just when she thought there would be an answer the voicemail box answered instead. The teen waited for the beep to send her message, “Hey, it’s Scarlet. Look...I’ve got mom’s necklace with me and I found something on it that I think you know about. It’d be nice if you could just get this message and we could talk, but from what I’ve noticed that’s not your thing. You know what I don’t even know why I bothered, bye.”
Then she dialed someone else's number. Someone she knew would pick up, “Garnet, I need a favor.”
“What is it?”
~
“So, I found out what kind of rock it is,” Garnet informed as the trio headed down the halls the next day. “It’s poudretteite or a red diamond both are extremely rare, but from the picture, you sent it looks more like a diamond.”
“Maybe your dad proposed to your mom like that,” Finn suggested.
Scarlet smirked, “I feel like he wouldn’t considering he already knew human traditions. Then again he’s not so fond of those.”
The three turned the corner and immediately noticed the three jocks standing in front of their lockers. It was Zane Steele and his buddies, Terrance Ofter and Vinny Glades. All three of them were dating the queen bees Dominic, Rosetta, and Charlotte; they were as Piper would say “The Male Plastics”. Zane walked up and poked Finn on the forehead, “I’ve still got a bone to pick with you.”
Scarlet grabbed his hand before he could retract it, “No, you have a bone to pick with me.”
“You,” Vinny sarcastically questioned, “aw, tell me, sweetie, what do you have to do with this?”
Scarlet eyed Vinny at the tone of his voice, “Well you’re little honey’s were messing with my friend here and all I really did was stand up for her. Now, if you would please examine the situation rationally and not with your pride or ego’s that would help.” She grabbed both her friends hands as the three boys stood dumbfounded as the three walked (scratch that Scarlet dragged) pass them to their lockers.
Zane, unlike like the other two, walked over the Scarlet who was already quite annoyed just by his presence. He got only a few inches from her face and whispered, “You better be glad you’re a chick.”
Scarlet didn’t even turn to face him when she said, “If that’s the only reason why then I’m highly disappointed. Garnet, Finn, let’s get to class.”
The three started walking away and just as they hit the corner Finn said, “Damn Scarlet, the kitchen wasn’t too hot for them you made it too hot for them!”
During the first period while Ms.Kato was going on and on about rhetorical writing Finn passed a note, ‘So do you think it's some ancient Kaiju language’
Scarlet wrote back, ‘Probably since it didn't look like anything else’
‘Why don't you just ask your dad’
‘He's chock-full of secrets and I highly doubt if it's important he'll tell me’
‘Ask Piper then if he doesn't say anything since she seems to know so much’
‘What makes you think she knows anything about this’
‘She knew about the rats in the vents last year months before anyone else’
‘If you say so Finn’
The two teens jumped when they heard “Ms.Rosenblatt! Mr.Rogers!”
“Yes Ms.Kato,” they groaned.
She then tipped down her glasses and asked the dreaded question, “Would you like to share your little messages with the class?”
Finn looked past Scarlet and asked, “That's a question and from what you've taught us when asking a question that means there are options so, I would like to ask what are our options.”
“Very well Mr.Roger’s the options are read them to the class or hand me the paper so that I may read them myself.”
Scarlet walked up and handed her the paper with a huge sigh. Finn looked worried, but not as worried as Scarlet wasn't showing. She tapped her foot the rest of class and when the bell rung she packed up as quickly as possible, but it was no use. Ms.Kato tugged on sleeve right before she could make it out the door.
“Ms.Kato,” Scarlet calmly said, “I'm sorry for passing notes, but I've gotta get to class.”
“I understand that Ms.Rosenblatt, but due to my position and my own concern I recommend you see the counselor,” the older woman said with a strong recommend.
“The counselor? You're kidding right?”
“Not at all,” she started writing down a note, “Room A9, Dr.Carol S, I'm also giving you the number to her room.”
“Ms.Kato I don't think that's-”
“It's not required, but I would suggest,” emphasis on the suggest, “that you do so before it is.”
Scarlet unwilling took the paper and said, “Thank you.”
Chapter 9
Scarlet pulled out her key from her pocket and twisted the lock with a sigh. She was still thinking about the note from Ms.Kato I'm her pocket.
‘Counseling, yeah right,’ just as she was about to open the door a scent wafted into her nose. It was Kaiju, but not Duncan. She slowly opened the door to find that there was no one in the kitchen nor the living room. Scarlet laid her backpack on the couch and followed the scent down the hall. When she got to her room the scent was the strongest, but no one seemed to be around.
“Whoever you are I know you're still in here so, you might as well come out,” Scarlet peered around again until she noticed her closet.
Something seemed off, but she couldn't tell what. Then she realized something and quickly dove under her bed for the box. She pulled it open to find everything where it was left. With a big sigh, she slid it back under and turned her attention again to the closet. Scarlet slowly moved closer until she was able to turn the light on yet still there was nothing to find. A thought crossed her mind, ‘If it's him then he's probably looking for the necklace I better wear it in case he comes out.’
Scarlet went back, took the necklace from the box, and hung it on her body before announcing, “If you want it Belloc come and take it!”
She left her room in an effort to retrieve her backpack but instead found the red-skinned king tapping his nail as he sat at the kitchen table. His face was in the usual unamused look and his black nails made a loud tapping sound. “First off,” he began, “I am your father and you will address me as such. Secondly, we need to talk.”
“How long have you been here?” Scarlet asked as she sat down across from him.
“Don’t change the subject. Now, I need the necklace.”
“I’m guessing there’s something special about that writing then and you’re not gonna tell me for whatever secret Kaiju reason.”
The king gave a small smirk, “You’re very intuitive, but I need the necklace, Scarlet.”
The clock ticker for about a solid ten seconds until she replied, “Why can't you just be honest with me? If you answer me I'll give you the necklace.”
Belloc's face went from complete unamusement to slight disappointment, “Would you really just hand over a family heirloom to satisfy your emotions? Learn this now child emotions are fickle things and if you let them control your choices you'll find yourself with more baggage than before. At the least be strategic and satisfy both your actual needs and desires.”
“You’d know wouldn't you?” She then stood up and put the necklace around her, “You should really be proud though because you didn’t answer my question.”
Just then the door opened and Duncan walked in immediately asking, “How do you know where we live?”
“Simple tracking son, you should know that,” the king stood up, “but since you were wondering I was just leaving.” He walked passed Duncan, stopped in the doorway, and shifted into his human form, “Scarlet we’re training this weekend starting at dawn. Don’t be late.”
With that, he shut the door and was gone.
~
Scarlet yawned as the sun was peeking over the horizon. She stretched as she looked around for her father. The desert was quiet, but she could smell his scent. She looked up, she looked down, and all around, but nothing. She yelled, “Bell...father what are we doing today?!”
Just then the ground erupted and before she knew it Scarlet found herself on the ground. She looked up and found the king brushing the dust from his hair. Scarlet sat up as he grudgingly said, “I should be giving you a lesson on tracking, but fortunately for you, we're doing strength exercises.”
Scarlet gave a painful smirk, “I don't know how that'll work out for you. My strength fluctuates.”
“I know, your brothers did too, but by the time I got to him he was a little more balanced.”
“Balanced?”
“Yes,” he got into his fighting stance, “this will sound somewhat “crazy” daughter, but your strength at this young age is dependent upon two things: what you learn and what you have confidence in doing. So in all things be confident.”
The hybrid mimicked his stance, “I can kinda get behind that. It's crazy but believable.”
“Good,” Belloc goes for a blow on the ribs, but Scarlet dodges. The two go back and forth for some time. Scarlet dodging majority of the time and Belloc dishes it out. The king was growing impatient though and growled thinking, ‘This is meant to test your strength, not your dodging ability’.
Finally, Belloc grabbed the princess’ wrist, “If you don’t fight back now I will make you.”
Scarlet stared him in the eyes as his grip began to crush her wrist. The pain went soaring up her arms, but Scarlet held strong. She could see the veins on her hands bulging and shaking, but all she could think was, ‘I won’t let him see me in pain let alone cry. That’s what he wants!’
Belloc’s face showed annoyance as he continued to tighten. Scarlet put her head down and bit her tongue as her breathing continued to become heavier. Her whole body began to shake when eventually one of her knees hit the ground. Belloc lent in and whispered, “I’m not afraid to break you.”
Scarlet took a deep breath, “I know…” she gripped her numbing hands, “I’m not either!”
The hybrid lifted her arms and threw the Kaiju king over her head as hard as she could, but he still held on and like a cat landed on his feet. Belloc returned the favor by pulling her up with much more force than she’d done to him, but she too landed on her feet and didn’t continue the cycle. Instead, she took her knee, hit it as high as it could go, and sent her father head flying backwards. He cracked his head back with his eyes glowing through his hair, “That’s more like it.”
Scarlet continued her assault with a kick to the ribs, a knee to the chest, and even a good shin jab, but he wouldn’t budge. Scarlet then realized that she almost didn’t feel her hands and took a big, pain-stricken gulp. She looked her father in the eyes and remembered all the times she wished and prayed he was there, all the trouble her brother went through for her, all the broken-hearted moments in her life, but that’s when she also got the strange feeling of thankfulness. With a grin, she pulled their hands closer to her chest and started spinning. Scarlet kept going and going no matter how hard it was to get father off the ground. The sand was being kicked up and the air could be heard in both their ears. The two began forming a small dust devil, but Belloc’s feet still weren’t fully off the ground. The pain was beginning to become unbearable so, in the middle of another twist slung her foot out and finally kicked up her father’s feet. It wasn’t too long before his nails could be felt slipping from her wrist. Through all the wind Scarlet yells, “Are you proud of me now?”
Just then Belloc’s grip slipped and he was sent flying across the desert. Scarlet shook her hands back to life as the dust began to fall. All of sudden there was a sharp pain on her foot; looking down she saw it was a lizard and turned around to pick it up. The lizard-eyed her for a moment but was pushed off her hand by a much stronger, hotter breeze. A small chill went up teens spine, but before she could turn around his hand grabbed her. Scarlet looked around the dark and hot area to find nothing and her slight claustrophobia started to set in. Her breathing got heavy and he palms got sweaty, but somehow she managed to grab the sides of fist and push. Even with her hands not yet fully recovered Scarlet managed to open his fist. The two were staring at each other eye to eye; the only difference was that Belloc could read her face or rather sense her emotions and Scarlet could not. He loosened up his one hand and dropped her into the other. He narrowed his eyes saying, “I have something to show you.”
He propped her on his head and the two proceeded to go down into the Kaiju Lair. The journey seemed somewhat longer than usual, but then again Scarlet had no idea where they were going. Scarlet tapped her fingers on his scales when she heard a low sound come from below her. She stopped tapping for a second and then started tapping again only to hear that same low sound. Sighing she asked, “Do you feeling my tapping?”
“No, I feel your worry. What is there to worry about?”
“Other than this new location I’m going to nothing. I’m just thinking.” They sat in only the sound of his footsteps for about another minute when Scarlet asked, “Where were you?”
“Taking care of a few things.”
“And you couldn’t even write a letter, or call, or something? If it was to protect us I won’t ask any more questions, but I just want some kind of explanation.”
“Secrets have power, and that power diminishes when they are shared, so they are best kept and kept well. Sharing secrets, real secrets, important ones, with even one other person, will change them.”
The quote made her spirit burn, but she returned it, “No legacy is as rich as honesty.”
Just then they’d made it to their destination. Scarlet’s eyes grew wide as she looked around at a room full of all the treasures one could imagine. The number one thing that surrounded them was gold, but there were also Jade, Rubies, Jasper, Spinel, fossils, and other items such as jewelry, weapons, and surprisingly some clothing. Something else caught her eye though
Scarlet jumped down in awe, “I thought you only had one hoard?”
A chuckle escaped from his lips, “I have many child.”
Scarlet went over to a pile and picked a large diamond, “At least you hoard pretty things.”
Belloc went and layed on a pile as he watched his daughter explore for a few moments, “Pick anything you want.”
“What?!”
“You heard me.”
Scarlet quickly put down the kimono, “What do you want? You’d never give up anything from this place.”
The king narrowed his eyes and slowly said, “You know what I want.”
Scarlet looked down at the necklace and again said, “No, I don’t know why this is so important to you, but it was mom’s and she gave it to me. You can make do whatever or bribe me I don’t care I’m not giving it up.”
~
“Geez Scarlet you look worn out,” Garnet said with concern.
“That’s because I am. The great King of the Kaiju had me with him for nineteen of the twenty-four hours of the day all weekend,” she dumped her books into her locker.
Finn scratched the back of his head, “You’ve been workin’ then huh?”
“No kidding,” just then the three heard footsteps approaching them.
It was Piper, “Hey guys!”
“Hey!”
“You look really...wet,” Garnet pointed out.
“Oh yeah, I just got out of the shower...Finn,” she started shuffling through her backpack before whispering, “I got that extra strong pepper spray you wanted.”
Just before Finn could grab it Garnet grabs his hand, “What’s wrong with you?”
“Well for starters I don’t have the body of a jock.”
“Finn, you know I’ll handle it if I have to,” Scarlet said and Garnet shook her head in agreeance.
“You guys don’t have to do that. I don’t want anyone getting in trouble.”
Garnet objected, “We don’t want you getting in trouble!”
“Um,” Piper poked her head in, “may I suggest another solution?” She shuffled around in her backpack again, “I figured you might be a little apprehensive about this so, I got this instead.” The brunette pulled out a book that read Self Defense For Beginners.
The teenage boy eyed his two friends before saying, “Fine, but I’m still keeping the pepper spray for emergencies.” Garnet just sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Anyways did you guys hear about the field trip?” She looked around to find curious faces, “I’m guessing not. Well, we’re supposed to be going to the Human History Museum on Friday and, even bigger news, that’s the day after they unveil the Humans and Kaiju exhibit.”
Scarlet perked up with more curiosity, “Piper you’re kidding?”
“Nope Mr.Yelchin believes it’ll be a “Wonderful opportunity to learn about the world we currently live in”.”
‘I think it’ll be a little more than that…’
“Well, I should probably be getting to class. You know how Ms.Kato hates people being late,” Piper waved goodbye.
“Wait!” Scarlet stopped her, “who’s chaperoning?”
“Well other than Mr.Yelchin there’s Mr.Colombo, and I think Coach Jenna. Why do you ask?”
“Just curious.”
‘Counseling, yeah right,’ just as she was about to open the door a scent wafted into her nose. It was Kaiju, but not Duncan. She slowly opened the door to find that there was no one in the kitchen nor the living room. Scarlet laid her backpack on the couch and followed the scent down the hall. When she got to her room the scent was the strongest, but no one seemed to be around.
“Whoever you are I know you're still in here so, you might as well come out,” Scarlet peered around again until she noticed her closet.
Something seemed off, but she couldn't tell what. Then she realized something and quickly dove under her bed for the box. She pulled it open to find everything where it was left. With a big sigh, she slid it back under and turned her attention again to the closet. Scarlet slowly moved closer until she was able to turn the light on yet still there was nothing to find. A thought crossed her mind, ‘If it's him then he's probably looking for the necklace I better wear it in case he comes out.’
Scarlet went back, took the necklace from the box, and hung it on her body before announcing, “If you want it Belloc come and take it!”
She left her room in an effort to retrieve her backpack but instead found the red-skinned king tapping his nail as he sat at the kitchen table. His face was in the usual unamused look and his black nails made a loud tapping sound. “First off,” he began, “I am your father and you will address me as such. Secondly, we need to talk.”
“How long have you been here?” Scarlet asked as she sat down across from him.
“Don’t change the subject. Now, I need the necklace.”
“I’m guessing there’s something special about that writing then and you’re not gonna tell me for whatever secret Kaiju reason.”
The king gave a small smirk, “You’re very intuitive, but I need the necklace, Scarlet.”
The clock ticker for about a solid ten seconds until she replied, “Why can't you just be honest with me? If you answer me I'll give you the necklace.”
Belloc's face went from complete unamusement to slight disappointment, “Would you really just hand over a family heirloom to satisfy your emotions? Learn this now child emotions are fickle things and if you let them control your choices you'll find yourself with more baggage than before. At the least be strategic and satisfy both your actual needs and desires.”
“You’d know wouldn't you?” She then stood up and put the necklace around her, “You should really be proud though because you didn’t answer my question.”
Just then the door opened and Duncan walked in immediately asking, “How do you know where we live?”
“Simple tracking son, you should know that,” the king stood up, “but since you were wondering I was just leaving.” He walked passed Duncan, stopped in the doorway, and shifted into his human form, “Scarlet we’re training this weekend starting at dawn. Don’t be late.”
With that, he shut the door and was gone.
~
Scarlet yawned as the sun was peeking over the horizon. She stretched as she looked around for her father. The desert was quiet, but she could smell his scent. She looked up, she looked down, and all around, but nothing. She yelled, “Bell...father what are we doing today?!”
Just then the ground erupted and before she knew it Scarlet found herself on the ground. She looked up and found the king brushing the dust from his hair. Scarlet sat up as he grudgingly said, “I should be giving you a lesson on tracking, but fortunately for you, we're doing strength exercises.”
Scarlet gave a painful smirk, “I don't know how that'll work out for you. My strength fluctuates.”
“I know, your brothers did too, but by the time I got to him he was a little more balanced.”
“Balanced?”
“Yes,” he got into his fighting stance, “this will sound somewhat “crazy” daughter, but your strength at this young age is dependent upon two things: what you learn and what you have confidence in doing. So in all things be confident.”
The hybrid mimicked his stance, “I can kinda get behind that. It's crazy but believable.”
“Good,” Belloc goes for a blow on the ribs, but Scarlet dodges. The two go back and forth for some time. Scarlet dodging majority of the time and Belloc dishes it out. The king was growing impatient though and growled thinking, ‘This is meant to test your strength, not your dodging ability’.
Finally, Belloc grabbed the princess’ wrist, “If you don’t fight back now I will make you.”
Scarlet stared him in the eyes as his grip began to crush her wrist. The pain went soaring up her arms, but Scarlet held strong. She could see the veins on her hands bulging and shaking, but all she could think was, ‘I won’t let him see me in pain let alone cry. That’s what he wants!’
Belloc’s face showed annoyance as he continued to tighten. Scarlet put her head down and bit her tongue as her breathing continued to become heavier. Her whole body began to shake when eventually one of her knees hit the ground. Belloc lent in and whispered, “I’m not afraid to break you.”
Scarlet took a deep breath, “I know…” she gripped her numbing hands, “I’m not either!”
The hybrid lifted her arms and threw the Kaiju king over her head as hard as she could, but he still held on and like a cat landed on his feet. Belloc returned the favor by pulling her up with much more force than she’d done to him, but she too landed on her feet and didn’t continue the cycle. Instead, she took her knee, hit it as high as it could go, and sent her father head flying backwards. He cracked his head back with his eyes glowing through his hair, “That’s more like it.”
Scarlet continued her assault with a kick to the ribs, a knee to the chest, and even a good shin jab, but he wouldn’t budge. Scarlet then realized that she almost didn’t feel her hands and took a big, pain-stricken gulp. She looked her father in the eyes and remembered all the times she wished and prayed he was there, all the trouble her brother went through for her, all the broken-hearted moments in her life, but that’s when she also got the strange feeling of thankfulness. With a grin, she pulled their hands closer to her chest and started spinning. Scarlet kept going and going no matter how hard it was to get father off the ground. The sand was being kicked up and the air could be heard in both their ears. The two began forming a small dust devil, but Belloc’s feet still weren’t fully off the ground. The pain was beginning to become unbearable so, in the middle of another twist slung her foot out and finally kicked up her father’s feet. It wasn’t too long before his nails could be felt slipping from her wrist. Through all the wind Scarlet yells, “Are you proud of me now?”
Just then Belloc’s grip slipped and he was sent flying across the desert. Scarlet shook her hands back to life as the dust began to fall. All of sudden there was a sharp pain on her foot; looking down she saw it was a lizard and turned around to pick it up. The lizard-eyed her for a moment but was pushed off her hand by a much stronger, hotter breeze. A small chill went up teens spine, but before she could turn around his hand grabbed her. Scarlet looked around the dark and hot area to find nothing and her slight claustrophobia started to set in. Her breathing got heavy and he palms got sweaty, but somehow she managed to grab the sides of fist and push. Even with her hands not yet fully recovered Scarlet managed to open his fist. The two were staring at each other eye to eye; the only difference was that Belloc could read her face or rather sense her emotions and Scarlet could not. He loosened up his one hand and dropped her into the other. He narrowed his eyes saying, “I have something to show you.”
He propped her on his head and the two proceeded to go down into the Kaiju Lair. The journey seemed somewhat longer than usual, but then again Scarlet had no idea where they were going. Scarlet tapped her fingers on his scales when she heard a low sound come from below her. She stopped tapping for a second and then started tapping again only to hear that same low sound. Sighing she asked, “Do you feeling my tapping?”
“No, I feel your worry. What is there to worry about?”
“Other than this new location I’m going to nothing. I’m just thinking.” They sat in only the sound of his footsteps for about another minute when Scarlet asked, “Where were you?”
“Taking care of a few things.”
“And you couldn’t even write a letter, or call, or something? If it was to protect us I won’t ask any more questions, but I just want some kind of explanation.”
“Secrets have power, and that power diminishes when they are shared, so they are best kept and kept well. Sharing secrets, real secrets, important ones, with even one other person, will change them.”
The quote made her spirit burn, but she returned it, “No legacy is as rich as honesty.”
Just then they’d made it to their destination. Scarlet’s eyes grew wide as she looked around at a room full of all the treasures one could imagine. The number one thing that surrounded them was gold, but there were also Jade, Rubies, Jasper, Spinel, fossils, and other items such as jewelry, weapons, and surprisingly some clothing. Something else caught her eye though
Scarlet jumped down in awe, “I thought you only had one hoard?”
A chuckle escaped from his lips, “I have many child.”
Scarlet went over to a pile and picked a large diamond, “At least you hoard pretty things.”
Belloc went and layed on a pile as he watched his daughter explore for a few moments, “Pick anything you want.”
“What?!”
“You heard me.”
Scarlet quickly put down the kimono, “What do you want? You’d never give up anything from this place.”
The king narrowed his eyes and slowly said, “You know what I want.”
Scarlet looked down at the necklace and again said, “No, I don’t know why this is so important to you, but it was mom’s and she gave it to me. You can make do whatever or bribe me I don’t care I’m not giving it up.”
~
“Geez Scarlet you look worn out,” Garnet said with concern.
“That’s because I am. The great King of the Kaiju had me with him for nineteen of the twenty-four hours of the day all weekend,” she dumped her books into her locker.
Finn scratched the back of his head, “You’ve been workin’ then huh?”
“No kidding,” just then the three heard footsteps approaching them.
It was Piper, “Hey guys!”
“Hey!”
“You look really...wet,” Garnet pointed out.
“Oh yeah, I just got out of the shower...Finn,” she started shuffling through her backpack before whispering, “I got that extra strong pepper spray you wanted.”
Just before Finn could grab it Garnet grabs his hand, “What’s wrong with you?”
“Well for starters I don’t have the body of a jock.”
“Finn, you know I’ll handle it if I have to,” Scarlet said and Garnet shook her head in agreeance.
“You guys don’t have to do that. I don’t want anyone getting in trouble.”
Garnet objected, “We don’t want you getting in trouble!”
“Um,” Piper poked her head in, “may I suggest another solution?” She shuffled around in her backpack again, “I figured you might be a little apprehensive about this so, I got this instead.” The brunette pulled out a book that read Self Defense For Beginners.
The teenage boy eyed his two friends before saying, “Fine, but I’m still keeping the pepper spray for emergencies.” Garnet just sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Anyways did you guys hear about the field trip?” She looked around to find curious faces, “I’m guessing not. Well, we’re supposed to be going to the Human History Museum on Friday and, even bigger news, that’s the day after they unveil the Humans and Kaiju exhibit.”
Scarlet perked up with more curiosity, “Piper you’re kidding?”
“Nope Mr.Yelchin believes it’ll be a “Wonderful opportunity to learn about the world we currently live in”.”
‘I think it’ll be a little more than that…’
“Well, I should probably be getting to class. You know how Ms.Kato hates people being late,” Piper waved goodbye.
“Wait!” Scarlet stopped her, “who’s chaperoning?”
“Well other than Mr.Yelchin there’s Mr.Colombo, and I think Coach Jenna. Why do you ask?”
“Just curious.”