Man of Fiction

Magda gave Emily a tight hug at the Gallop Port bus stop. The brunette hugged back, showing how grateful she actually was for the sleepover.

After giving up on The Sorority Girl marathon, the high school friends decided to go on Magda's FlickHome account to watch Mob Boy Order. They went back on one of the best fights and episodes, talking over the show's audio. She lost count on how many times Magda told them off for being loud. So they continued their fangirling at Magda's bedroom, watching Emily's downloaded episodes on a secret folder that she had on her laptop.

Because of this, Emily completely forgot the bitterness that she once had for Magda Travey. All that mattered was how fun she was having with an old friend. It was also nice to have someone who shared the same interests as she did, even though the messy redhead got to watch it later in her life. Time certainly had an odd way of changing people. With the case of Magda, Emily was pleasantly surprised.

"Thank you for having me," Emily said, gratitude showing in her brown eyes. She also held up the acquired novel, 'Mob Boy Order: The End of Mob Mentality'. "Thank you for this, too."

"No spoilers, but you're going to cry." Magda said, eagerly. Emily Rose managed a smile, in spite of what Gareth said about his last memory of his world. Her phone buzzed in her jean pocket, and Emily's fast hand went straight for it. The monk did not reply to her message last night, so she became hopeful for his delayed reply.

But it was not Gareth who texted her.

Magda noticed Emily's immediate change in attitude. The brunette's brows furrowed and her mouth formed the deepest frown that she could ever muster. She was very upset at who decided to text her, after all these years. "Who messaged you?" Magda dared to ask.

"...It's my mother."

She parted ways with Magda and made her way to the undesired destination. She let the fresh wind of Gallop Port brush her face, so she could cool down before the meeting. Emily has not received news from her mother--or her family, for that matter, ever since she moved out to Opal City two years ago. A major dispute occurred between them, and it all started in her senior year of high school, when her mother decided to remarry. She wanted to be happy for Mrs. Rose newfound romance, but Emily could not get along with the man that she chose.

Tension came crashing down without warning, on their very first encounter with Mr. Pemble. He had a different view of things, an extreme view. When he moved in at the Rose Household, he urged Emily's mother to declutter their home. He was able to convince her that doing so would get rid of all the negativity that they carried in their things. She then went to work and got rid of most of Emily's childhood things that still sparked joy. That night, Emily returned home to see an almost bare bedroom. Her treasured possessions, including a broken music box that her father gave her on her fifth birthday, were all sold or donated without her consent. Emily wanted to explode, but she controlled herself knowing that her mother was finally happy. She did not want to be the start of dissension of her household.

Years after their marriage, Emily became preoccupied with finalizing her thesis but she noticed things becoming awry in her mother's new relationship. Once in a while, she would hear her mother argue with Mr. Pemble. She ignored it at first, but one morning she greeted her mother's bruised face. The frightened young Emily wanted to intervene, but confronting such a serious matter was difficult when her mother clung to her second husband like a velcro strip.

Months kept going by, and she still could not grasp what Mrs. Rose saw in Mr. Pemble. She never had a positive interaction with the man, either. Every word spoken to her were variations of reprimands and criticisms, telling her she spoke too much or too loud, and that she wasn't being a proper woman. Mr. Pemble was also frivolous, flaunting his wealth whenever he had any. He would bring his mother to fancy dinners, parties, galas, and concerts. But he would not bring Emily Rose along. He always told her that she could not be included because of her schoolwork and her responsibilities. She could only let it pass, because she did not want to be the enemy.

The last straw came when she heard Mr. Pemble yelling in the kitchen, one day. She got home from her first job and she heard him spew tons of insults at her mother, telling her that she and Emily were not doing enough to keep the house orderly. Anger welled up inside of her, when she heard that. Her own biological father provided that house for them. He allowed Mrs. Rose to keep the house, even after the divorce. The house never belonged to Mr. Pemble, and he acted like a foreign invader declaring that the land of the natives was his. It was never his.

Her own mother never saw it that way, however. She only bowed her head and accepted everything that he said. Every insult and control, she took it all in like a mindless slave. It maddened Emily Rose. Her mother may be willing to submit to his iron-fist control, but not her daughter. Night fell and she packed. Emily found her apartment at Opal City, and was ready to meet with the landowner that same night. She wanted to leave without telling anyone, but Mrs. Rose caught her holding the front door's knob. She begged Emily to stay, convincing her some more that everything Mr. Pemble did for them was for their own good. But the young girl was not convinced and could not allow herself to be gaslighted any longer. She walked out of her childhood home and took a bus to Opal City, not looking back.

Mr. Pemble and her mother did not bother to seek Emily Rose out after that. A month later, she received news that they were going to have a vacation at Lacras. The vacation eventually turned into a permanent residence. Mr. Pemble sold off their Gallop Port home and she saw her mother living a new life in the East, before she deleted her from her SoPop feed. She never thought that Mrs. Rose would be back home at the same time she was.

Emily Rose stood before Gallop Cafe. Memories of cramming and doing homework there because of Mr. Pemble's tantrums or his interference with the Wi-Fi, came flooding back to her. It was her only safe space, that her mother knew very well. She braced the small establishment, and she immediately saw her mother after entering.

She was relieved to see her mother looking healthy and radiant, in spite of the parasite that she was dedicating her life to. Mrs. Rose wore a long, flowy, and light blue maxi dress that reached her ankles. This accentuated her tall figure and curves, very well. Her brown hair was tied in a very neat ponytail, which reached to her waist. There were no signs of recent distress on Mrs. Rose bright and porcelain face; only hues of vibrant pinks on her cheeks and lips. Mrs. Rose walked towards Emily and enclosed her in a gentle embrace. Her daughter could only give a light pat on the back and a small smile. Mrs. Rose accepted her response and offered her a seat.

"You look well," Mrs. Rose began, sitting down. Her voice has always been soft, but this time it was more airy and delicate. Mr. Pemble probably had all the time to train his wife on what volume she should set her voice in and she has finally gotten accustomed to it. Emily pushed that thought down. "You, too." she managed to say. "Looks like the Lacrassan life is treating you well."

Her mother smiled brightly at the response. "It's such a beautiful place," she persuaded. "There's more trees and parks there, compared to the West. It's also more safe, and the people there are much more disciplined." Emily nodded and called the waiter. She ordered two cups of coffee and two plates of her mother's favorite seafood pasta dish. "I heard you're working for a hotel, now." her mother mused. "That's a good job, it pays better than the writing job you went on about when you were younger."

Emily stabbed the shrimp on the pasta, as soon as it arrived. She usually heard those kinds of things from Mr. Pemble, but not her own mother. "It's fine, I guess." she said, pushing down the anger.

"Did you receive Wilhelm's allowance this month?" her mother asked. Another stab. She did not want to be reminded that she was still financially dependent on them. At least for her rent payments. Emily nodded again as she forcefully placed food in her mouth, feeling the sharpness of her fork poking her tongue. "That's good." her mother said, not paying attention to her daughter's body language. As usual. "I travelled all the way back here for some bank errands. Then Mrs. Travey told me that you were at her place, catching up with Magda. So I contacted you, so I can talk to you about a major life change."

"Which is what?" Emily asked, her brown eyes fixated on her fork swirling the next bite of noodles.

"I'm pregnant."

The swirling stopped. Emily set her utensil aside and looked at her mother for the first time. Mrs. Rose grinned at the news, hoping her grown daughter would find it exciting. But Emily Rose was horrified. She could not bear the thought of any woman having the child of a tyrant. Mrs. Rose added the word, "Again!" to her news, making Emily more confused than ever.

"What do you mean?" Emily asked, not matching with her mother's zeal.

"When we moved to Lacras two years ago," her mother explained. "I got pregnant, which is why we decided to stay there. After your brother was born, we decided to apply for citizenship there because Wilhelm and I saw how developed the East was. Now we are expecting our next child!" Emily could only stare. This was not happening, she thought. She could not have had a brother, all this time. And she was going to get another sibling. Another Mr. Pemble spawn.

Mrs. Rose noticed that her daughter was clearly not as positive as she was about the news. "That's why, you should move to the East." she urged on, taking both of Emily's hands in hers. "Come home with us. Wilhelm wants you there, too. So we can be a family again."

Emily pulled her hands away from her so hard, that she knocked her mother's coffee off the table. The splash and hit caught the attention of the other customers and servers inside Gallop Cafe. Her mother's bright face turned dull, saddened by her behavior. Emily decided that she lost her appetite, for the food and for her mother's delirious imagination. She got up from her seat and stormed out.

She walked as fast as she could, letting the beating sun hit her. Then she heard her mother crying out to her. "Emily please!" Her frantic mother begged, running after her. "Please let's start over!"

"No!" Emily shouted, stopping on her furious tracks. She faced her with the anger that she has kept inside for so long. "As long as he's behind you, I'm not going back!" she confessed. The people inside Gallop Cafe continued to watch them from their transparent walls, but she did not care. She was not going to put up with her mother's subservient doormat personality any longer. She too, no longer wished to comply with the abuse.

"He's changed, Emily." her mother pushed. Emily scoffed at the same excuse she heard long ago. "I mean it! He regretted all the things he did before, especially to you. That's why he wants you to come with me, so we can finally have a peaceful life."

"Nothing is peaceful with him." Emily told her. "There is nothing but selfishness and pain! Why can't you see it?"

"I love him, and I'm willing to stick through thick and thin as he changes for the better." Mrs. Rose said, looking at her seriously. The brunette wanted to howl in laughter.

"Then why didn't you do the same for dad?" Emily asked, fearful of what her mother was going to say afterwards. "He made one mistake and you never gave him the same infinite chances that you're giving to your new husband!"

"Wilhelm may have not been perfect but he remained faithful to me--to us, unlike your own father" Mrs. Rose defended, her tone rising for the first time. But everything that came out of her mouth was nonsense for her. "But dad loved you!" Emily countered. "He wouldn't give up his own house and money for you, if he didn't!"

"No, your dad loves you." Mrs. Rose corrected, shaking her head wildly. "Everything he did during our divorce, he did it for you. He never loved me but Wilhelm does. He did everything that your father never did."

"Yes, like belittling me and slapping you on the face." Emily sassed.

"He's not like that, anymore!"

"If you really love him, then fine! Stay with him!" the young brunette finalized. Years have gone by, and there was nothing she could do to get into her mom's head. When there are people like Magda who could change with time, then there were people like her mother; people who stubbornly stood against it.

"I'm no longer putting up with your nonsense. I'm sorry, but have a nice life in Lacras." With that, she ran back to the bus port, where an incoming bus to Opal City was waiting for her.

*****

Alaric's blind date was not going very well, for him.

On Saturday evening, he received a call from his aunt at Gallop Port. She checked in on him and she suddenly told him about the young girl who was anxious to meet the detective at Opal City. He reluctantly accepted the invitation, without realizing that he was going to regret it.

He merely walked with the young woman at the park, all afternoon. They exchanged a few words, but all he knew was that she was a surgeon, with brown hair that was a shade lighter than Emily's. She was also the daughter of one of his dear Auntie's friends, which explained how they got in contact. She was a nice girl, but she was no conversationalist. They walked around until they both became bored with each other. "I have to go back to the hospital," she blankly said, not looking at him. Well, this date was a total bust, Alaric thought.

"Let me give you a ride," he offered, trying not to sound sluggish. Apparently he failed, because the surgeon lady still did not want to look at him. "It's okay," she persisted. "I can take the bus home."

"I thought you said you had to go to the hospital."

He watched her eyes grow wide at the mistake. "I uh, practically live at the hospital!" she defended. "I tend to mix work and home, a lot."

"I see," Alaric said, no longer feeling chivalrous. "Safe travels, then." The girl faced him, barely giving him a smile. He nodded goodbye, and watched her brisk off. He sighed deeply, feeling as if he could finally breathe. Work was much better than dating.

His phone rang, and he wanted to groan. He was going to get an earful from his aunt, very soon. But to his surprise, he saw Emily's name blinking on his phone screen.

"Emily, what is it?" he said, picking up.

"Please help me!"

He froze.

"What's wrong?" he asked, walking out of Opal Park. His free hand reached for his car keys and his mind started to construct a safety plan.

"It's Gareth!" she said. "He's missing!"

It was not the help that he expected, but Emily still needed him. He got in the car and started the engine. "Are you certain of it?" he interrogated further.

"He's not at the apartment and he's not answering my calls." Emily said, panic in her voice. "He went to work, yesterday. I don't know if he was able to come home."

"Where are you?" he said, driving.

"I'm at my apartment."

"Meet me at the front entrance, we're going to Mavon City." In less than ten minutes, he arrived at the Sunrise Apartment, where a sobbing Emily was waiting. As soon as the car stopped in front of her, she opened the door to its passenger seat. She sat down and wiped her tears. Alaric gave her time to compose herself and he drifted his car to Mavon City.

"He works at the grocery, right?" he asked, entering a highway. He thanked the Heavens that it was Sunday. There was no work, giving them the clear and congested roads. Crying Emily's head nodded along with her shaking shoulders. "Then we can talk to his boss when we get there," he told her, calmly. "That's our possible lead."

"I should not have gone to Gallop Port, yesterday." she wailed.

Alaric's brow raised. "You went home?" he asked. "What was your business there?"

"I met up with Magda," she sobbed. "I gave Gareth my spare keys, so he can go home on his own. I kept texting him, but he wouldn't reply. I thought he was too busy with working, but he wasn't answering today either. It's all my fault. I should not have left him alone, until I knew he could handle himself."

"It's not your fault," Alaric said, Jericho's words of wisdom looming over his buzzed head. But he also took note of the detail that her male companion was not that familiar with the West, after all. "Gareth can handle himself, so you don't have to worry. We will find him." He patted her shoulder, lightly. His words did not commit any offense, and Emily soon relaxed in her seat. His partner's advice seems to be working, Alaric thought. Soon, they parked at the front of Mavon Mart. Emily got out of the car, without a word. She headed inside and looked for the grocer. Alaric simply followed.

"Oh you're Gareth's friend." Manny said, appearing from a tower of newly-delivered crates. "Welcome back!"

"What happened to Gareth last night?" she demanded.

Manny's pleasant face became confused. "We went out for drinks at Downtown Mavon," he answered. "I think he went home two hours after, but I'm too drunk to remember." Downtown Mavon was very far from the usual places that she and Gareth went to, they both realized. She turned to Alaric, who nodded at her. "Thank you, sir." Alaric said, exiting the grocery with his friend.

Alaric drove to Downtown Mavon, which was pretty far from the market. He checked the time and saw it was nearing five in the afternoon. He knew that the social space was going to get packed as soon as the night fell. They had to look for Gareth, before then.

They arrived at the wide space, the kiosks were lighting up and the vendors were setting up the food and merchandise they were about to sell for the upcoming evening. The janitors brought out the grills, long tables, and wooden benches that were made for the guests. Fortunately, there weren't many customers present. Emily's worried brown eyes searched for the missing monk. He was still nowhere in the plain sight.

"He might have tried to go home by foot." Alaric deduced.

"But which way could he go???"

"Are you looking for someone?" An old janitor asked, passing by as he swept the leaves.

"We're looking for a young man," Alaric said, showing his detective identification card. He knew he didn't have to do that, because it was only meant for official investigations. But he naturally brought it out, whenever he had to ask some questions. "He's my height, blonde hair, tan skin, and green eyes. What did he wear, Emily?"

"He wore a black jacket, a shirt, and jeans." she replied.

The janitor nodded. "Ah, I saw a young man who fits that description." he said, his fingers giving them directions to the place he saw him. "He sits at the bench, in front of a laundry shop. He hasn't moved an inch, all day."

Alaric and Emily ran to the laundry shop, which was a bit far from the local food yard. Alaric recalled the janitor's finger pointing right, so he guided Emily to that direction once they reached the end of the street. Soon, they found the laundry shop and a silent Gareth.

Emily sighed and ran towards him, kneeling down to meet his eyes. "Gareth!" she said. "Gareth, are you okay?"

He wasn't answering.

Alaric moved closer to examine the man, himself. He sat with his legs wide open and his arms propped on each knee. Just like what the janitor said, his position told them that he has been there for a while. His tired green eyes were staring into space, with bags forming underneath. His lips looked poorly chapped, showing signs of dehydration and sleep deprivation. The expression on his face was the most disturbing for him. Gareth looked angry, like he wanted to hit something. But he also looked broken, like he watched someone he cared about die in front of him. While the detective tried to think of possible scenarios that made him behave unreasonably, Emily bravely reached for his sullen face.

"You're burning up!" Emily cried, both of her hands clasping down to his neck. Gareth did not pay attention to any of her interactions, at all. It was like she was not there, at all. Something was definitely wrong with him.

"Alaric, get the car!" his friend said, not taking her eyes off of the blonde man. "He needs a hospital!"

The detective sprinted away for the requested vehicle, ignoring the tightening of his chest when he saw Emily holding onto the depressed Gareth.