Virgil and Ethan
Antique excerpt (unedited)
Virgil felt the hard slap of Desiderio's hand when she tried to leave the shop. She fell down on the sofa. She felt blood trickle down from her mouth. She ignored the pain of the slap and wiped the blood with the back of her hand . This was the first time she was ever slapped in her life, even Ethan never did this to her.
And she didn’t like being slapped! Instead of becoming afraid, her anger exploded. She stood up and faced Desiderio.
The man's eyebrow rose.
"You would get hurt again if you try to leave the shop, Virgil." he warned.
"Sorry to disappount you. But a single slap won't stop me from doing what I want. I may have an old woman's body but I still have a very stubborn streak. No one tells me what to do, especially a bully like you Desiderio."
She attacked with her closed fist, making Desiderio aware of the coming punch. As expected Desiderio easily caught her fist with his own larger hand.
"Don't waste your strength-"
Virgil smiled before hitting Desiderio between the legs with her knee! She never had any intention of punching the man. It was just a feint. She's an old woman right now, and her punch would barely affect Desiderio. Her real intention was to get near the man so she could hit him where it would hurt the most.
Desiderio's eyes bulged. His body bent over. Virgil immediately brought down her left elbow on his neck. Desiderio fell face down on the floor. She was about to give him a kick to the side when she felt Adria's power!
Adria's power slammed her body to the wall! Her old body screamed in pain but she forced herself not to cry out even when she slid down to the floor.
"Don't kill her Adria!" shouted Desiderio. "We need her alive!"
Virgil tried to get up, but her body refused to move. All her strength seemed to have been spent already. Her old body was never really good at physical exertions.
She glanced at her hand. It was slowly getting smaller, younger. She's changing to a little girl again. Damn! This body was much weaker than her old one!
Desiderio laughed.
"You should stop fighting Virgil. Your child body won't be able to take my punch right now." he turned to Adria, "Find me something to tie her up."
A few minutes later, Virgil found herself bound by plastic strings they often use to tie the antiques they sell in the shop. Her mouth was now gagged by rags used to clean their displays.
She felt helpless and weak! Her situation angered her but she knew that no matter how much she struggles, she would remained bound.
Desiderio effortlessly carried her in one arm and brought her to the ground floor of the antique shop. Adria followed in silence.
Before reaching the front door of the shop, Desiderio turned to Adria.
“Leave a note to Russel. Tell him we have his sister and that we will call him soon to tell him our demands. And-"
Desiderio's further instructions were cut short when the shop door opened. Ethan calmly walked in.
After a moment of surprised silence, Ethan spoke.
"Can I ask what are you planning to do with my wife?” he looked directly at Desiderio, “Is this some sort of kidnapping? Are you a pedophile?"
"You must be Ethan. The one that deals with ghosts.” commented Desiderio. Virgil felt his hold on her waist tighten.
"And you are?" arrogantly asked Ethan.
"Rector Desiderio. I suggest you step aside and let us pass. If you are interested to come with us, I won't stop you. Your wife refused to negotiate with us, but if you want to talk and make a deal, I am open to it."
"Desiderio..." Ethan's eyes fell on Adria. "And her?"
"She's Adria, a demon hunter. Don't try saving your wife or acting like a hero. Adria is much stronger than you and could easily kill you in a second."
"I see, So,you're the ones that man called Maffeo was talking about." Ethan smiled.
Desiderio studied Ethan.
"We could be friends or we could become enemies Ethan. It's your choice." he advised.
Ethan stepped aside, giving space to Desiderio and Adria to pass. Virgil once again felt betrayed by Ethan. If her mouth wasn't gagged, she would have spouted obscenities to the man she once loved!
Desiderio's face broke into a wide grin. He took out a calling card from the pocket of his shirt and threw it to Ethan's direction. Ethan easily caught the card and started reading it.
"Call us if you are interested to negotiate. Just hurry before Russel takes over your body."
Desiderio and Adria walked passed Ethan and out of the antique shop.
Virgil's anger toward her husband doubled. After ten years, he hadn’t changed a bit! He was still the same selfish man who put their family in danger. He would still sacrifice her life so he could save himself from danger! But in spite of the anger, Virgil also felt the pain of his betrayal. Again and again, Ethan had betrayed her. He again showed that he never cared for her at all. That her life was never important to him.
They were walking to Desiderio’s parked car when Virgil heard Ethan's voice call out to them.
"I have made my decision Rector Desiderio."
Desiderio and Adria both turned to look at Ethan.
"Have you decided to come with us?"
"No." Ethan made a crooked smile. "By the way, you should never turn your back from your enemies, especially if it's someone like me who believes than in fighting there is only one rule, and that is to win."
"Are you challenging us to a fight?" Desiderio gave Virgil to Adria.
Ethan crossed his arms on his chest, showing great confidence.
"The battle is already over. The only question remaining is, do you two want to die or do you want to live?"
"Your powers can't beat us,. You are nothing but a ghost fighter and we are not ghosts Ethan."
"Ghost fighter? I know. But you seemed to have forgotten that ghosts are also called souls. Demons and other malignant beings do not have souls. But humans do.” Ethan's expression became serious. "What do you think would happen if I take out your souls from your bodies?"
Desiderio's face became ashen.
Ethan glanced at Adria. Adria's hold on Virgil loosened. Adria dropped Virgil and began clutching her own chest as if in pain. She started gasping for air before falling down on her knees.
Virgil suddenly realized what's happening to the demon hunter. Ethan's paper talisman was sticking on Adria's back! She would not be surprised if another talisman was also on Desiderio's back! Ethan had tricked the two. Allowed them to pass him by, so he could secretly put his paper talismans on their bodies!
"W-What-" Desiderio couldn't believe what he was seeing. Adria was now face down on the ground and was having spasms!
"I will give you a simple explanation, " said Ethan, "Your companion is dying because I am slowly pulling her soul out from her body. I could also do it to you!" he pointed at Desiderio.
Desiderio immediately fell down to the ground. His face flushed red, his breath becaming haggard while his hands tried to clasp his neck trying to make air pass though it.
Ethan laughed aloud.
"You guys are stupid! You underestimated my powers, thinking that it only works on ghosts. Unlike the two guys who share my body, I do not have to follow any rules especially when I am dealing with people like you."
Ethan went to Virgil. She felt his hands carefully untie the ropes around her. He also took out the rags gagging her mouth. Anger flared in his eyes when he saw the swollen side of her mouth. He glared back at Desiderio.
"No one hurts my wife!" he shouted.
Desiderio's body began convulsing!
"Ethan!" Virgil shouted.
"He deserves to die!"
"Damn it Ethan! You have enough sins already, don't add more!"
He took a deep breath. Calmed himself. Desiderio's seizures stopped.
Ethan took Virgil into his arms and carried her before facing the two people lying on the ground.
"This should serve as a lesson to the two of you and your other friends. We have no fight with you, and if you would leave us alone, I will let you live. But if you ever show your faces again or approach any member of my family, I will instantly ripped out your souls from your bodies and kill both of you . And not even my wife Jil, could stop me then!" he warned them.
Ethan carried Virgil back into the antique shop. From the glass window, Virgil saw Desiderio and Adria slowly get up and clambered back to their car. The car sped away into the darkness.
"They will still come back." she couldn't help but comment.
"And next time, I will kill them." Ethan promised.
She studied the man. She felt something different in him. This wasn't the first time he had saved her. But in those situations, he had no choice. If he did not save her, he would also get in trouble.
Ethan sat her in the counter . He also took out the first aid box that was always present in the shop and began treating her wounds.
"So, what really happened here Jil?"
"Why did you chose to save me Ethan?"
He didn't answer for several seconds.
"I have my reasons. But if I tell you, you won't believe me. We would just be wasting time arguing. Let's talk about those people who came here to the shop and hurt you."
"What you did today won't change my opinion of you Ethan."
"I know."
"I can never forgive you for what you did to me and our family."
A deep sadness filled Ethan's eyes.
"I understand Jil."he looked away.
"But..."Virgil took a deep breath and forced herself to say the words she needed to say, "Thank you for saving me tonight."
Ethan's eyes went back to her. He bagan to smile.
She pointed a finger on his chest.
"But don't ever think that this is the start of a friendship between us!" she snarled. "I will still watch every move you make. Because I still do not trust you Ethan." she warned her husband who continued smiling.
And she didn’t like being slapped! Instead of becoming afraid, her anger exploded. She stood up and faced Desiderio.
The man's eyebrow rose.
"You would get hurt again if you try to leave the shop, Virgil." he warned.
"Sorry to disappount you. But a single slap won't stop me from doing what I want. I may have an old woman's body but I still have a very stubborn streak. No one tells me what to do, especially a bully like you Desiderio."
She attacked with her closed fist, making Desiderio aware of the coming punch. As expected Desiderio easily caught her fist with his own larger hand.
"Don't waste your strength-"
Virgil smiled before hitting Desiderio between the legs with her knee! She never had any intention of punching the man. It was just a feint. She's an old woman right now, and her punch would barely affect Desiderio. Her real intention was to get near the man so she could hit him where it would hurt the most.
Desiderio's eyes bulged. His body bent over. Virgil immediately brought down her left elbow on his neck. Desiderio fell face down on the floor. She was about to give him a kick to the side when she felt Adria's power!
Adria's power slammed her body to the wall! Her old body screamed in pain but she forced herself not to cry out even when she slid down to the floor.
"Don't kill her Adria!" shouted Desiderio. "We need her alive!"
Virgil tried to get up, but her body refused to move. All her strength seemed to have been spent already. Her old body was never really good at physical exertions.
She glanced at her hand. It was slowly getting smaller, younger. She's changing to a little girl again. Damn! This body was much weaker than her old one!
Desiderio laughed.
"You should stop fighting Virgil. Your child body won't be able to take my punch right now." he turned to Adria, "Find me something to tie her up."
A few minutes later, Virgil found herself bound by plastic strings they often use to tie the antiques they sell in the shop. Her mouth was now gagged by rags used to clean their displays.
She felt helpless and weak! Her situation angered her but she knew that no matter how much she struggles, she would remained bound.
Desiderio effortlessly carried her in one arm and brought her to the ground floor of the antique shop. Adria followed in silence.
Before reaching the front door of the shop, Desiderio turned to Adria.
“Leave a note to Russel. Tell him we have his sister and that we will call him soon to tell him our demands. And-"
Desiderio's further instructions were cut short when the shop door opened. Ethan calmly walked in.
After a moment of surprised silence, Ethan spoke.
"Can I ask what are you planning to do with my wife?” he looked directly at Desiderio, “Is this some sort of kidnapping? Are you a pedophile?"
"You must be Ethan. The one that deals with ghosts.” commented Desiderio. Virgil felt his hold on her waist tighten.
"And you are?" arrogantly asked Ethan.
"Rector Desiderio. I suggest you step aside and let us pass. If you are interested to come with us, I won't stop you. Your wife refused to negotiate with us, but if you want to talk and make a deal, I am open to it."
"Desiderio..." Ethan's eyes fell on Adria. "And her?"
"She's Adria, a demon hunter. Don't try saving your wife or acting like a hero. Adria is much stronger than you and could easily kill you in a second."
"I see, So,you're the ones that man called Maffeo was talking about." Ethan smiled.
Desiderio studied Ethan.
"We could be friends or we could become enemies Ethan. It's your choice." he advised.
Ethan stepped aside, giving space to Desiderio and Adria to pass. Virgil once again felt betrayed by Ethan. If her mouth wasn't gagged, she would have spouted obscenities to the man she once loved!
Desiderio's face broke into a wide grin. He took out a calling card from the pocket of his shirt and threw it to Ethan's direction. Ethan easily caught the card and started reading it.
"Call us if you are interested to negotiate. Just hurry before Russel takes over your body."
Desiderio and Adria walked passed Ethan and out of the antique shop.
Virgil's anger toward her husband doubled. After ten years, he hadn’t changed a bit! He was still the same selfish man who put their family in danger. He would still sacrifice her life so he could save himself from danger! But in spite of the anger, Virgil also felt the pain of his betrayal. Again and again, Ethan had betrayed her. He again showed that he never cared for her at all. That her life was never important to him.
They were walking to Desiderio’s parked car when Virgil heard Ethan's voice call out to them.
"I have made my decision Rector Desiderio."
Desiderio and Adria both turned to look at Ethan.
"Have you decided to come with us?"
"No." Ethan made a crooked smile. "By the way, you should never turn your back from your enemies, especially if it's someone like me who believes than in fighting there is only one rule, and that is to win."
"Are you challenging us to a fight?" Desiderio gave Virgil to Adria.
Ethan crossed his arms on his chest, showing great confidence.
"The battle is already over. The only question remaining is, do you two want to die or do you want to live?"
"Your powers can't beat us,. You are nothing but a ghost fighter and we are not ghosts Ethan."
"Ghost fighter? I know. But you seemed to have forgotten that ghosts are also called souls. Demons and other malignant beings do not have souls. But humans do.” Ethan's expression became serious. "What do you think would happen if I take out your souls from your bodies?"
Desiderio's face became ashen.
Ethan glanced at Adria. Adria's hold on Virgil loosened. Adria dropped Virgil and began clutching her own chest as if in pain. She started gasping for air before falling down on her knees.
Virgil suddenly realized what's happening to the demon hunter. Ethan's paper talisman was sticking on Adria's back! She would not be surprised if another talisman was also on Desiderio's back! Ethan had tricked the two. Allowed them to pass him by, so he could secretly put his paper talismans on their bodies!
"W-What-" Desiderio couldn't believe what he was seeing. Adria was now face down on the ground and was having spasms!
"I will give you a simple explanation, " said Ethan, "Your companion is dying because I am slowly pulling her soul out from her body. I could also do it to you!" he pointed at Desiderio.
Desiderio immediately fell down to the ground. His face flushed red, his breath becaming haggard while his hands tried to clasp his neck trying to make air pass though it.
Ethan laughed aloud.
"You guys are stupid! You underestimated my powers, thinking that it only works on ghosts. Unlike the two guys who share my body, I do not have to follow any rules especially when I am dealing with people like you."
Ethan went to Virgil. She felt his hands carefully untie the ropes around her. He also took out the rags gagging her mouth. Anger flared in his eyes when he saw the swollen side of her mouth. He glared back at Desiderio.
"No one hurts my wife!" he shouted.
Desiderio's body began convulsing!
"Ethan!" Virgil shouted.
"He deserves to die!"
"Damn it Ethan! You have enough sins already, don't add more!"
He took a deep breath. Calmed himself. Desiderio's seizures stopped.
Ethan took Virgil into his arms and carried her before facing the two people lying on the ground.
"This should serve as a lesson to the two of you and your other friends. We have no fight with you, and if you would leave us alone, I will let you live. But if you ever show your faces again or approach any member of my family, I will instantly ripped out your souls from your bodies and kill both of you . And not even my wife Jil, could stop me then!" he warned them.
Ethan carried Virgil back into the antique shop. From the glass window, Virgil saw Desiderio and Adria slowly get up and clambered back to their car. The car sped away into the darkness.
"They will still come back." she couldn't help but comment.
"And next time, I will kill them." Ethan promised.
She studied the man. She felt something different in him. This wasn't the first time he had saved her. But in those situations, he had no choice. If he did not save her, he would also get in trouble.
Ethan sat her in the counter . He also took out the first aid box that was always present in the shop and began treating her wounds.
"So, what really happened here Jil?"
"Why did you chose to save me Ethan?"
He didn't answer for several seconds.
"I have my reasons. But if I tell you, you won't believe me. We would just be wasting time arguing. Let's talk about those people who came here to the shop and hurt you."
"What you did today won't change my opinion of you Ethan."
"I know."
"I can never forgive you for what you did to me and our family."
A deep sadness filled Ethan's eyes.
"I understand Jil."he looked away.
"But..."Virgil took a deep breath and forced herself to say the words she needed to say, "Thank you for saving me tonight."
Ethan's eyes went back to her. He bagan to smile.
She pointed a finger on his chest.
"But don't ever think that this is the start of a friendship between us!" she snarled. "I will still watch every move you make. Because I still do not trust you Ethan." she warned her husband who continued smiling.