256 Salacia, The BloodChild of the Sea (1/2)
Day 40 – 11:22 PM – Northeast Side, Outer District, East Port Settlement, Barangay Dinahican, Infanta, Quezon
Even though he was still cautious, the old man invited Mark inside their humble home.
Since he was invited to enter, Mark would not hesitate to. But first…
Mark turned his head towards the bystanders that heard what he had just said about the Cristobal Family. His glowing red eyes stared at the people in a threatening manner. Not only that but they were able to feel a sort of heavy pressure in their minds as his eyes landed on their bodies. The people could not help but turn away as they felt the danger. It seemed that these people were really used to being under such threatening manner and were sensible enough to know what they had to do. This time, they only need to shut up about what they had heard or their lives might face peril.
Nodding at their reactions, Mark entered the house casually and the old man closed the door.
Looking around, the house was really small. The living room in Mark's house was even bigger. There was only one single bed with a mattress while a cardboard slightly covered with a tattered blanket was on the floor beside the bed. Obviously, the two children slept on the bed while the old man slept on the floor. On one corner of the house, a makeshift stove made of three pieces of charcoal stained hollow blocks was made. There was only one stool and a small table in the house due to the lack of space. As for their source of light, an old tallow lamp could be seen on the small table.
The whole house seemed to be cleaned as much as possible but since they were cooking using firewood inside the house, the underside of the roof and other places in the house had traces of thick soot.
”Sorry if our house is small and I can't offer anything. Please sit here.”
Pulling the only stool in the house to give to their guest, the old man cautiously and respectfully spoke. The old man then sat on the bed and called over his grandchildren. Still, the old man was keeping the shotgun to his side but it was a reasonable thing to do. Although he invited Mark into his house, his intentions was still vague.
It was not like it mattered to Mark though.
Mark turned at the two children. The older one was a girl about nine years old and the younger child was a boy about seven. Strangely, the boy had scars on his arms and face.
Unexpectedly, the older sister was holding the [BloodChild] with bare hands without any kind of protection. Normally, it was rather impossible since the [BloodChildren] had a high tendency to attack.
This made Mark smile a bit. The [BloodChild] was surely treated good to open up like this to these people. Still, Mark was surprised inside for another time. The color of the [BloodChild] was not red like the normal ones. Grayish white, it was the color that the [BloodChild] had.
Seeing Mark looking at the slime on his granddaughter's hands, the old man spoke as his grandchildren sat to his side.
”Can I confirm one more time? Are you really not one of the men from the Cristobal Family? If not, what are your intentions to visit us this late.”
Looking back at the old man, Mark replied.
”I have no connection to them or anyone living within this settlement. I'll be frank. I came to this settlement to take that back.”
Mark pointed at the [BloodChild].
That made the faces of the two children bitter. The older sister then spoke.
”Take it back? Did it perhaps belong to mister? We accidentally found it by the shore near the port when we accompanied grandpa to fish.”
That was another surprising thing. From the site of the plane crash to the shore of East Port Settlement, it should be more than fifty kilometers following the Ungos River and the shallow coast line. If what the girl said was true, then, this [BloodChild] probably travelled more than that distance to arrive there randomly. The experiences that this [BloodChild] had might be the reason that it turned into this color.
To the girl's question, Mark shook his head.
”She doesn't belong to me. She belongs to her home where her brothers and sisters are waiting.”
”Home… Brothers and sisters…” The girl muttered and glanced at her little brother before turning back to Mark. ”If that's why, I'll return it… no, her. She's a girl right? Mister said so.”
”Are you sure Layan? You really like it right? Rather than a pet, you treated it like your sibling. Alois even got jealous about it one time.”
The old man asked the girl, Layan. Hearing his grandfather, Alois who was not talking since the start blushed.
”It's fine grandpa. Alois and I know how hard it is to not be with Father, Mother and Older Brother anymore. Salacia might also feel the same.”
The girl smiled but the loneliness in her eyes could not be masked at all even in the dim light of the lamp.
Mark's eyes lit up this time. The girl had a mature mind compared to her age and a kind personality, it was no wonder she was able to tame the [BloodChild] on her hands who was apparently named as Salacia.
”Salacia, huh… The Roman Goddess of Salt Water is it? It's good choice for a name. Did you give it to her?”
Mark looked at Layan who looked surprised.
”Mister knew about it? Mother always told us stories about mythologies around the world. That is where I got the name.”
Layan stood up in an enthusiastic manner. Alois had a helpless expression while their grandfather shook his head with a bitter smile. It seemed that this was not a new thing.
Realizing that she had made a blunder in front of their guest, Layan timidly sat down. However, it seemed that her fear of Mark who was a stranger was totally gone now.
”Alright. I decided.”
Mark spoke which made the three suddenly look at him. Ignoring their stares, Mark faced Layan.
”I'll take Salacia back. However, I'll ask you something.”
”W-what is it?”
Layan was flustered.