Chapter 9: Chapter IX: Daybreak

Life. It's such a strange thing. Sometimes I wonder why God does nothing about man; about us. Why is the universe crafted to be the way it is? Endless questions that I never got answers to.

Inhale… exhale.

I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling. The sound of wind from the outdoors was bliss. I stood from my bed and stepped out to the entrance of my home. The beautiful rays of the rising sun illuminated my living room.

I stared out the window, looking down at the city below me. Sometimes I daydreamed about what kind of human I would be; what life would be like under the constant threat of hunger, thirst, and money. It all sounds so… surreal to me. 

The sound of footsteps descending the stairs caught my attention. I turned and faced the source of the noise.

"Morning, boss," Mackie said to me with a look of joy.

"Mackie," I said playfully. "I am not the boss to you right now. Simply call me by name."

He looked at me and rolled his eyes. "Right. Let me rephrase that. Morning Sanaga."

"There you go," I said with a smile.

He walked to the couch and turned on the flat-screen television on my white walls. "What's with the get-up?" he asked.

I looked down at my white suit and tie. "You know I can't look like the boss in the public eye."

"You're going out?" he raised his brows. 

I rubbed my gloved hands together, "No," I said, shaking my head. "We're going out."

He lit his cigarette and chuckled. "Gonna feel lonely without me?"

"Yes," I said, suddenly next to him. "I enjoy the company of my friends. And you," I placed my finger on his wrinkly cheek with a smile, "Are like a son to me."

"Alright," he lowered my hand and looked back at the television, leaning back. 

We sat and shared a comfortable silence. The window to our left opened when I snapped my fingers, letting the smoke escape. 

"Hey, boss," he said.

"Sanaga," I corrected.

"Right. Hey, listen. You're not worried about those two or anything?"

I leaned forward and smothered my cigarette into the ashtray on my glass table. "Not at all. I know Kazrazan and his men will handle the situation."

"Right," he nodded. "But I have a thought."

I wrapped my arm around him, looked at him with white eyes, and gave him a toothy smile. "Share your opinion, my son."

I could see that he was in contemplation for a moment before speaking his mind. Almost as if he was worried I wouldn't like what I would hear.

"I think… I think that we shouldn't go after them."

"Oh?" I said curiously. "Why do you think that?"

"I just don't think it's worth it, y'know? I mean, the two that were killed weren't even that important. They were just goons that liked to mess with people."

I stared at him, still keeping my smile. "Mackie," I said more firmly. "Letting this go by is not an option — goons or not — they were still a part of my family, and those that harm my own must be met with proper judgment."

"Right," he nodded his head.

"And besides," I grabbed my long, white hair and smacked his face, "The demon that is with the human shares the same essence I do. Why I can't just leave that untouched."

Mackie nodded his head again.

"This morning, Kazrazan called me to tell me he took care of her. That is all who I really wanted gone," I rested my feet on the table. "As for the human. I wish to meet him in person."

He looked up at me with confusion. "Why?"

"I wish to grant him an invitation; have him join our family."

"You're crazy," he said, shaking his head. "You killed his wife and expect him to be one of us?"

"Yes," I nodded. "He is a man that would work well with us. I just have to… convince him that we're not as bad as we seem."

"Je-"

"Welp!" I blurted, cutting him off. "Time to get out there and catch some rays! As you humans say."

I jumped to my feet and jogged to the front door. "Mackie! Make haste!"

"Like I said," I heard him say under his breath as he slowly removed himself from the couch. "Crazy."

We entered my white limo and drove past the gates. We went down a road paved through a forest. I enjoyed the sight of the green, luscious trees; I even kept a forest behind my house, just so I could walk in nature on the times I'm not 'Boss.'

We entered Lana's and aimlessly drove around the city. Mackie was on the phone talking to someone. "Yeah. Okay. I'll see you in a few. Alright, love you too."

He hung up and gave me a severe look. "I gotta go to church. My mother wants to see me."

"Church?" I questioned. "She's a woman of faith, I see."

He stared forward, observing the cars in front of us. "That doesn't bother you, does it?"

"Not at all," I assured him. Worshipers of the higher power do not bother me. Other demons despised their ilk with a burning passion. That's what separates me from the rest of my kind.

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We pulled into a driveway. The church was brown and made of brick. It stood quite tall, reminding me of those Cathedrals. The surrounding area had a few trees and some humans resting in the shade beneath it. Oh, and I can't forget the grass in front of the building.

Mackie opened the door and glanced over his shoulder, "I'll be back."

"Take your time," I responded with a wave.

After I watched him enter the church, I exited my vehicle and strolled around the premises with my hands resting behind me. The wind blew, and the trees responded with their own language. Humanity took for granted the land they inhabit — not Mackie; of course, he was a saint.

As I returned to the front of the church, I saw two humans resting under the shade. A man and his woman. "Hello!" I said with excitement as I approached them. They looked at me with their soft little eyes.

"Hi," the woman said casually. "Are you a member of the clergy?"

"No, my dear," I responded. 

"What do you need?" the man asked.

I turned and met my eyes with his. "I just wanted someone to talk to," I sat in front of them and crossed my legs. "My son is in there, and I am waiting for him."

"That's nice," he responded. I watched his woman scan my attire. Curious?

"I don't want to sound rude," she said. "But what's with all the white?"

"Oh," I looked down and removed my hat. "I just love this color. The purity, the beauty, it is such an entrancing color to behold, and I just had to become one with it."

They looked at each other and chuckled, "You have quite the spirit," he said. "There's not a lot of people like you out here."

"Unfortunate. The beauty of nature and its colors is often overlooked."

"Yes," she agreed. 

I pulled my sleeve back and checked my watch. "He should be out soon. I will leave you two be." 

"Leaving already?" she said, a bit saddened.

"Yes, madam. I have to get ready for my son's return."

I stood and bowed before them before walking back to my car. I looked over my shoulder and waved, but… what was that? A man stood behind them, glancing over the tree. Disgusting, it was another demon, not one of mine. This one must be pretty brave to approach holy ground. 

I sat in my car and watched it. Those hollowed eyes and gray skin, no class, no soul. After a few minutes, they stood, began to leave, and passed through the demon.

He followed.

"Come," I said in his mind. He stood straight and quickly looked around. "The limo behind you. Approach it."

He turned, looked at me, and approached my car with a smile. "Sit," I said invitingly, patting the seat.

He phased through the limo and sat down with his hands resting in his pockets. "A kindred spirit," he said wickedly.

"Same species, yes," I agreed. "But I do not like your class, sir. I can fix that."

He narrowed his eyes and looked annoyed.

"Join my Syndicate. We have a place for someone like you."

"Wait," he laughed. "Are you that guy the other spirits talk about? The mafia leader?"

"Yes or no, pick," I said with impatience.

He chuckled and shook his head, "No thanks. I fly solo."

"Wrong answer." I gripped his throat and threw him at the windshield. A crack formed but fixed itself. He tried to bite me — feral animal — I punched him in the stomach. He was knocked back, his head hitting the window. 

"Now, just who do you think I am!" I laughed. "Some low-life trash like you?"

Before he could act, I changed my eyes back to normal. The white turned to a crimson red, and my pupils turned vertical. The interior lost its color, and we were in a black abyss. "If you won't join, I'll kill you here."

He shook in place. The confidence he had was shattered in a mere instant. Hilarious.

"I am your master now," I held out my hand, "Kiss it."

He grabbed my wrist and pressed his lips upon the top of my hand. "That's a good boy," I grinned. "Now, say I'm your master."

"I-" he hesitated. "You are my master."

"Now," I grabbed his head and gave him the needed information. "Move to the location I have given you. Oh, and get a suit. Your rags will not do."

He sprinted out of the car and vanished from my sight. I leaned back and waited for Mackie. He entered my vehicle a few minutes later with a red kiss mark on his cheek.

"Sorry that took so long," he said, scratching his head.

"No worries. I hope your time was fruitful."

He smelled the air and his face contorted. "Someone die in here? "

"Almost," I grinned. "Now, let's be off. The beach might be a good spot to rest. What say you?"

"Sure," he leaned back. 

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