Guarding the Badboy

In a quiet night, deep into a secluded place, where there is a-

BOOM! A blast erupted in a building.

"Emergency. Emergency. Please leave the vicinity immediately!" the alarm sounded repeatedly.

A lot of people dressed in their white lab gowns are running and panicking in the burning establishment just to get out and save themselves at what is happening... but no one got out.

Bang! Bang! Tik! Tik! Takatakatak! Swish! Fwoosh! Aaahhh!

The sound of their cries and the continuous fight for their lives are only audible in every corner of the burning building. Scientists who are doing all they can just to escape death at the hands of what they call tailed beasts.

Tailed beasts are the reason why a hopeless situation occurs for people to survive. They were the reason why the explosion happened. They did their best for them to also escape the violent methods on how they are being experimented.

"Aaaaahhh!" a woman shouts before being stabbed with sharp and large needles onto her death. The tailed beast with hair as sharp as needles came in walking in front of the lady she just killed.

Bang! She heard from behind her and quickly, she jumped to dodge it and reached on the back of a scientist holding a gun. The scientist turned to protect himself but he was intimidated by the feathers the girl showed off to him, just like how a male peacock shows his tail to attract a female peacock. Little did that scientist know that those same feathers are as sharp as her needle hair so as fast as before he could close his eyes, he already felt the pain in various parts of his body she pierced and also to his death.

Slash! Bang! When the female tailed beast heard that, she quickly ran on her own two feet to find the exit and escape. Upon running, she ran into another one of her fellow tailed beasts, with ears as long as a bunny and a red crystal gem in between his forehead, controlling the attacker right in front of him lifting him up in the air. He just looked at the scientist in the air, with no expression at all in his eyes even when it seemed like the scientist was struggling up in the air. The scientist looked back at the male tailed beast and at the same time, the crystal gem glowed bright red causing the neck of the scientist to suddenly crack, that ended his life.

The male tailed beast with big ears and the female tailed beast looked at each other, not stating a word but both knew in their stares, there were people behind them that were ready to kill them. But before they could attack, the male tailed beast was able to control them to drop their weapons and the female tailed beast showed her third tail, a long fish tail full of sharp scales. When the male tailed beast lifted them a few inches above the ground, the female tailed beast showed the beautiful sharp scales to the 3 scientists before using those same sharp scales to end their life.

Together, both tailed beasts looked their way around the burning building and because of the long ears of the male tailed beast, they were able to find their way out...

...but before the female tailed beast could finally escape, someone threw a grenade on the exit that the female tailed beast saw, and good thing she was quick in her senses to avoid that. She made a back flip to keep from being blown up and when she landed on her feet, she turned around to use the feathers of her back to protect her from debris.

Bang! A shot from a gun made the female tailed beast use her fish tail to repel the bullet and glared at the man holding the gun. The man ran out of bullets so he tried to refill his gun but the female tailed beast, with her needle hair immediately attacked and the man tried to avoid it but in quantity, some landed on his shoulders and legs. Because of that, the man fell on his knees. The female tailed beast slowly walked toward the man while showing all her 3 tails; her needle hair, her sharp feathers and her long scaly fish tail. Upon approaching him, with the remaining strength of the man, he still tried to shoot the tailed beast in front of him but she didn't let him slip a chance and killed him brutally right in front of her.

Tik! Her attention was quickly caught because of the noise and immediately attacked with her quills and needles at where the noise came from but when she turned around, no one was there.

"Wait!" a woman shouted, showing her hand and peeking while hiding behind a wall. The female tailed beast stood on her ground with her eyes on her.

"I am not here to hurt you. I am not like the rest," the woman said and slowly showed herself right in front of the tailed beast, raising both her hands in the air as a sign of surrender.

The female tailed beast didn't utter a word but using her eyes, she looked at the lab coat of the woman in front of her which the woman noticed. She immediately looked to where she was looking and took something inside her lab coat pocket.

The female tailed beast was ready to attack when she saw the gun the woman was holding but she quickly dropped the gun and kicked it backwards.

"My colleagues just gave it to me for my safety. I don't even know how to use it," said the woman that made the female tailed beast loosen up, but still with glare in her eyes not letting her guard down.

"While they are not still here, you need to go," warned the woman. "All of you tailed beasts don't deserve to be treated that way so I will let you escape. Hurry!"

The female tailed beast didn't utter another word, but the woman was shocked when the tailed beast attacked so she closed her eyes.

But she did not feel any pain and heard the collapse of several bodies at her back. She looked at it and was surprised to see two scientists full of needles, sharp feathers and fish scales pierced through them.

She just looked back at the female tailed beast trying to remove the debris blocking the exit. The female scientist looked at the tailed beast with pity and compassion. She sees how despite the fact that they are indeed beasts, they are also part human, that's why they can blend in with the people around them and hide their tails.

Bang!

8 tailed beasts were able to escape from a yet still burning and destroyed building. The tailed beast didn't care if there were people who experimented them that were able to escape. What's important is that all 8 of them are complete and they have their freedom. They promised to each other that never again, humans must not know who they really are...

...except for one scientist.

***

"Please, I beg you..." she said shakily while looking at the tailed beast right in front of her. "Just this last request..."

The woman smiled at her even though her mouth was full of blood and her white lab coat stained with her own blood. There were tears in her eyes and looked at her pleadingly...

"Please... keep my son... safe."

***

**

"...keep my son... safe. His name... his name is..."

**

I opened my eyes in no time.

Kriiing! I even got ahead of my alarm clock. Even though it was loud, I was stunned staring at the ceiling before I even looked at it and turned it off. I slowly got up from my bamboo bed and as I sat down, I was stunned again, my eyes full of worry.

She didn't even mention his name. How can I find him?

I looked at the small table just next to my bed where my alarm clock is, and another thing that might be the way for me to actually find the person she was referring to.

I looked at the clock again and was slightly surprised that a few minutes had passed so I immediately got up to go to the bathroom and take a shower. Then, I dressed in casual clothes and went out of my little hut house made of patchwork wood and galvanized iron and locked its door.

It was too early to wait for the jeep to get to where I will be going so I just walked. It's good for me to be able to exercise as well. But in less than 10 minutes, I also reached the town, Barangay Dyes. It's a few kilometers away from Barangay Tres but why I reached it in only 10 minutes, that is one of my abilities as a beast.

I'm walking on the side of the road now and there are some people exercising that I pass by and they just always pass me even though I already said I was a beast. Right now, I look like a human with long and thick black hair att least waist length and with its thickness, I can't tie it and sometimes I don't comb it anymore. People will often look at my weird hair so sometimes I wear a cap. It can't even hide it because of the length but it's one of my way not to be noticed.

When I arrived at my destination, in front of a building with a name posted that was not illuminated at the moment because it was still closed, I immediately went to the back and knocked on its door first.

A small hole opened from the door and two eyes appeared. I just smiled and waved at her.

"Good morning Ma'am," I greeted her.

She closed that hole first before opening the door once Ma'am appeared to me.

"Good morning to you too Xania," she greeted back to me. "You're too early today."

"Just doing my job Ma'am," I replied.

"Come in," she offered. "It's good that you can help in fixing some equipments here in the kitchen and the dining area."

I went in and immediately saw one of my coworkers looking at a cardboard box. He looked at me after I entered.

"Ah, good morning Xania," he greeted me.

"Morning Axton," I greeted him.

"You're early today."

"Yes. Ma'am already said that."

"Why is that? Do you have to do something here this early?" he asked.

"Can't it be that I just want to help Axton?" I answered him.

"Haha," he laughed. "It's unusual for you Xania kaya nakakapagtaka talaga. (It's unusual for you Xania so it's really a wonder.)"

"Anong sinasabi mo diyang 'unusual'? Huwag mo nga akong englishin Axton. Ang hirap na nga sabihin pangalan mo, English-englishin mo pa ako. (What are you saying 'unusual'? Don't speak English to me Axton. It's already hard to say your name and now you're speaking English to me.)"

"Oh Xania," he said once he suddenly put his hand on my hair and messed it up. He seems to be the only creature that can do that to my thick hair without even hesitating to touch it. Maybe because it's one of his abilities as a beast. He has a strong hand so he is the one who carries these heavy things. And even though he's older than me, I don't call him kuya (older brother) because he doesn't want to.

"Oh my gash Xania bells!" a voice suddenly shouted that startled me.

Before I knew who it was, she hugged me with many of her hands and immediately parted.

"You're finally here!" she smiled happily at me.

"Ah good morning Ate Willow (Big sister Willow)," I just smiled at her.

"Oh yeah. It's still early today," she looked at the watch she's wearing on one of her six hands.

Yes you don't read that wrong. She has six arms and hands, two are holding her waist, two are holding glasses and a plate, one of her right hands is lifting a box while her other left hand is where the watch is worn and there she's looking the time.

"Uhm Ate Willow..." I said nervously. "...the box might..."

One of her hands started to lose balance so...

"Woah..."

"Ate Willow!" I panicked and was ready to take the box but it also stopped suddenly in mid air because there were vines holding it.

"Be careful, Ate Willow," said the speaker as he returned the box to Ate Willow's two hands with those vines. "You're really clumsy sometimes."

"Huhu thanks Yune," Ate Willow said.

"Morning Yune," I greeted.

He looked at where I was standing and suddenly a smile etched on his lips.

"Ate Xania, you're already there," he said cheerfully and gave me a hug at the same time. "Good morning!"

Hay, they're really the same as Ate Willow.

"Aray!" Yune moaned suddenly and parted with the hug.

"See I told you. How many times have I reminded you already?" I said.

"Yeah I know. You're really prickly Ate Xania," he said as he looked at his arms. "Fortunately, my vines are now holding the eco bags I bought so they were not injured. "

"At least you learned," I said.

"Yune, have you bought all the missing ingredients yet?" asked a voice as she showed herself at the door.

"Ate Oriana," Yune said. "How did you know I was already here?"

She suddenly slithered her snake tongue. "I sensed you."

"Ah right," Yune smiled.

"And Xania as well," as she looked at me. "Morning," she greeted.

"Morning Ate Oriana," I greeted back.

"Let's go Yune," Ate Oriana ordered. "We have a lot of things we need to cook. "

"Be right there Ate," Yune replied. "Let's just talk then later."

"Sure Yune," Ate Willow smiled. "Good luck. "

"Me too Ate, I'll go on ahead," I said. "I'll just check in the dining area if-"

"Xania!" suddenly, a voice shouted calling my name as she came running and stopped at the door panting.

"Iris," I greeted.

"What is it this time again?" Ate Willow asked. "Did you break another plate or glass with Lizar? You two really-"

"No Ate Willow," Iris replied. "I just need Xania now."

"Why?" I asked.

"Just come," once she pulled me by my arm.

When we arrived at the dining,

"See that?" Iris said as she showed me what was going on.

I can't explain how I'm going to feel from what I can see now. Lizar is just standing on the ceiling now. What's new?

"What about it? What do you want me to do?" I asked.

"Take him down there with your quills Xania," Iris replied.

"You're such a cheater Iris," Lizar complained. "It is forbidden to call a companion."

"Heh shut up," she angrily told him and suddenly she stuffed him with sticky things she calls frebbles coming from her neck.

"Ops," Lizar dodged as he's hung on the ceiling. "Miss me," he replied foolishly smiling.

"Eish. Annoying. You'll really see later Lizar when you get down there," Iris threatened him. They really look like children even though they are almost the same age as me.

"Come one Xania," Iris begged me. "Attack him with quills so that he can come down and I won't be forced to throw frebbles at him. The ceiling is getting dirty."

I sighed at what she said. "Isn't it that Lizar will be the one to clean those anyways?" I asked.

"What? Who says who?" Lizar answered from the ceiling. "I didn't say for her to use her frebbles just to bring me down here. It's her fault so Ma'am Safira will scold her."

"See what I am telling you? Annoying. He make me want to irggh," Iris said angrily at the same time her soft hair like clouds turned black like a storm coming because of anger.

I just sighed and did what Iris wanted. It might rain here inside the café in no time. I controlled my hair to attack quills where Lizar was.

"Hey wait!" at the same time he avoided my attacks. "You're really unfair Iris. Xania's quills are so painful."

"Why don't you just come down?" I asked. "The shop will open soon. "

"It's Iris' fault," he complained.

Ting, ting, ting! Clang, clang, clang!

"Woah," he was already losing his balance on the ceiling but he still hadn't fallen. "Come on Xania."

I used sharp feathers on him but he also avoided it.

"Are you going down or..." I looked at him seriously. "...shall I call Ma'am?"

When I did that, both were shocked.

"Don't call her Xania," said Iris since she's right next to me. "That's why I called you."

"Okay here I go. Sheesh," Lizar said and jumped down on the floor. "You're scary sometimes.

I sighed in relief and turned to the cashier.

"Geoffrey," I called to him so he looked back at me wearing a poker face.

"I know you're busy counting money but can I have a favor?" I asked.

He gave me back a look first before looking at the ceiling and without a word that even though I hadn't said what the favor was, the crystal on his forehead suddenly glowed red and actually controlled the quills and feathers left on the ceiling and it fell on the floor.

"I will not control the frebbles," Geof said sparingly and went back to his work.

"It's okay. It's the fault of these two anyways," I replied while looking at Lizar. "While there's still time, do your job before Ma'am sees that Lizar."

"Pssh that's why I was on the ceiling earlier because I was cleaning," Lizar replied. "Why won't Iris do it?"

"Hey for your info, I'm not the beast with the ability to climb the ceiling," Iris replied. "If you hadn't just challenged me a while ago, there wouldn't be any frebbles on the ceiling today."

"Just do it Lizar," I said to stop their quarrel. "Don't worry. I'll help too."

They paused at their place and suddenly Iris clung to my arm.

"Thank goodness Xania is really kind," Iris said softly. "Unlike this guy."

"Tss, girls," Lizar snickered as he took a bucket of water with a brush and jumped off the floor to cling his feet to the ceiling where there were frebbles. I immediately attacked a fish scale on the wall next to him to hang a bucket of water.

"You're welcome," I simply said.

"Whatever. Thank you," Lizar replied.

I just smiled and helped with the things that needed to be done inside the dining area. Iris was wiping tables and chairs as I was mopping the floor.

Fortunately, we also finished what needed to be done in the dining area when,

"Okay. 10 minutes left before we open," Ma'am said suddenly so we looked at her. "Good job guys."

"Ma'am Safira," Lizar smiled and with joy, he jumped from the ceiling holding the bucket as he approached Ma'am. "When you say good job, does that mean I have a raise Ma'am?"

Oh Lizar. Ma'am gave him back a poker face.

"You think I haven't heard what happened a while ago?" Ma'am asked him as he stopped in his place in no time. "I should have reduced your salary because of that," Ma'am said seriously.

"No Ma'am uhm don't be like that. That won't happen again," Lizar begged.

"Sucks to be you," Iris whispered while she's next to me.

"You too Iris," Ma'am said suddenly so Iris was surprised.

"What Ma'am?!" she said in shock.

"I also heard about the frebbles in the ceiling," Ma'am said. "Didn't I tell you to be careful when using your tails?"

The two bowed in shame. "Yes Ma'am Safira," the two replied.

Ma'am released a sigh. "But since you two cleaned up and fixed what needs to be done here in the dining area at the right time, I won't reduce your salary."

Joy immediately crept into their faces because of the good news.

"But you still don't have a raise," Ma'am said immediately, which the two went back to being sad.

"All right. The three of you, go change into your uniforms," Ma'am ordered. "We'll open soon."

"Yes Ma'am," the three of us replied and first arranged the equipment we used and walked over to the locker.

"This is all your fault Lizar," Iris complained as we walked.

"It's me again. Why does it have to be always me?" Lizar replied.

"Because it's true. I'm quietly doing my job and then all of a sudden you challenged me like a child. "

"But you agreed. And who looks more like a child between the two of us anyways?" Lizar teased.

The anger in Iris's hair was obvious. "What did you say?" Iris glared at Lizar.

"There you two go again," I said so they would stop. "Stop fighting all the time. We still have work to do."

"Hmph," they both avoided looking at each other as Iris entered the girl's locker room and Lizar entered the boy's locker room. Oh these two. It's always been like this. They are even my companions in the dining area.

When I entered the locker room, Iris and I changed into our uniforms for work. We came out of the locker room wearing maid uniforms while Lizar looked like a butler.

"Okay is everything ready?" Ma'am asked as we first assembled here in the dining area and left our respective jobs.

Yune and Ate Oriana are in the kitchen and they are both now wearing aprons. Ate Willow also wore an apron but she was in the dish washing area. Axton was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans and a blue cap. Geoffrey, on the other hand, also dressed like Lizar even though he's only at the counter most of the time and the three of us; Iris, Lizar and I are in the dining area.

"Looks like we are ready," Ma'am said as she looked at her watch which was only a few minutes away before 8. She's also dressed like a maid uniform but very different from Iris and me for being the manager. She looks more professional and formal.

"We will open in 3... 2... 1... hit it Geoffrey!"

Bzzt! Even though Geoffrey was far from the switch, he used the crystal of his head again to turn on the light of our café name.

Hounded Pastry Café

Kling, kling! The sound of chimes opening the café door signaling that a customer has entered.

"Good morning to you, Sir," Lizar, Iris and I greeted with a smile and bowed in respect.

"Let me guide you to your seat," Iris smiled and the customer happily followed her.

When a woman came in, we also greeted her and Lizar spoke.

"Just follow me Ma'am so I can guide you to your seat," he smiled as he offered her his hand. There was no hesitation that the woman followed and I could still see the redness on her face from what Lizar had done.

I just smiled as I watched the two. Even though they look like children every time we fix things here, they are able to be professional every time we work.

Okay, me too! I will improve!

We did our work late into the night. Fortunately, not many accidents and mishaps have happened today. There are only a few customers who will complain but we resolve it professionally.

"Time check, it's eight o'clock," Geoffrey said from the counter so I glanced at the café clock as I put some cups and plates in a basin to take to Ate Willow. There are only a few customers at this time but almost all of them are students who seem to want to stay up late.

Later on,

"8:30," Geoffrey said suddenly so the three of us looked at each other and did what had to be done. At that time, every customer who is still here in the shop, we will tell them that the café is open only until 9 o'clock so that they can finish what they need to finish. Others are stubborn and fortunately Ma'am taught us not to stoop down to their level but when they are really stubborn, Ma'am Safira is the one who will take charge.

It was only 8:50 in the evening and fortunately there were no more customers so we closed the door. We arranged chairs and tables while Geoffrey was busy at the counter counting money.

"Hay good thing we're done," Iris brought out a sigh as she leaned close to the counter.

"Hay..." Lizar sighed as well as he sat on one of the chairs. "I'm tired."

"We still have a lot of things to finish before 10," I said.

"Wait. 5 minutes," Lizar said.

"Just a moment really Xania," Iris said. "I'll be the one to bring the dishes to Ate Willow. "

"All right. I'll finish mopping this floor," I said. "You can go back to change your clothes."

"Thank you Xania," Iris smiled at once she stood up and brought the basin full of dishes.

"I'll also go to the back in case Kuya Axton needs help," Lizar said as he stood up from his chair. "You can do the rest, right?"

"Yeah I can do it," I replied to Lizar.

"Thanks," as he walked away.

As I mop, I see the chair floated where Lizar sat and sat neatly on the table. I just smiled because of that and looked at Geoffrey at the counter.

"Thanks Geof," I said. He answered me with a nod.

After I did the mop, I returned all the equipment to the cleaning room. When I returned to the dining area,

"Did I forget anything Geof?" I asked him.

"No Ate Xania," he replied.

"Ah good. Let's go back," I said.

We went to the locker room to change and then we went to the room where a door that goes to the back of the café. All six of them are already here and have changed into their casual clothes and they are obviously chatting with fun. Geoffrey and I are the only ones left.

"Is everyone here yet?" Ma'am asked suddenly so we looked at her.

We each replied to hwe that we were complete.

"Good. I just want to say good job everyone for a job well done today," Ma'am said.

We applauded with joy.

"Because of that, I will give you your salaries for this month for you deserve it."

After Ma'am said that, we were happy and were given envelopes one by one.

"Spend it wisely," Ma'am told us.

Others even opened the envelope to make sure the money was correct while I just pocketed the envelope.

"Take care of that later," Ma'am said as she looked at her watch. "It's almost 10."

Each of us fell silent.

At 9:50 pm, all the lights in the shop were turned off even though there were still nine of us in the room.

When it was 10... the door at the back of the café slowly opened and one by one, we came out. They called us tailed beasts and we look different now because at this exact time, our true forms come out naturally. Each of us also has a different number of tails depending on which barangay we are going to.

After we left, Yune went to Barangay Uno, Geoffrey to Barangay Dos, I to Barangay Tres, Iris to Barangay Kwatro, Lizar to Barangay Singko, Ate Willow to Barangay Sais, Ate Oriana to Barangay Syete, Axton in Barangay Otso and Ma'am Safira in Barangay Nuebe.

I am the 3 tailed beast because of my three tails; my hair is brownish black like a porcupine animal, the second was the black blue peacock feathers on my back and a sharp and spiky fish tail.

Today, we go separately and secretly into the woods or the sea not only to look for food, but also to hide. We each have our own personal things to do at these times as I sometimes pass by my house to leave some belongings and go back to the forest so I don't get caught in my house. The important thing tonight is that no one will see any of our beasts until 12 midnight.

It was 12 in the evening and I was right next to my house so I went back to being human and entered my house. I picked some fruits from the woods that were delicious to eat for breakfast tomorrow. When I was able to change into my pajamas, I immediately went to bed to sleep.

Her face begged me as blood flowed from her mouth.

"Please protect him. His name is..."

I woke up again in no time because of that.

Kriiing! my alarm clock sounded again. I got ahead of it again. I slowly got up and sat down, even though the alarm clock was still ringing, my face was full of worry as I was again dazed by the thin blanket in front of me.

My conscience stills bug me because of that. I looked at my alarm clock again and turned it off first before I looked again at the object next to it.

I'll do it. I promised her that I will do it and I would not disappoint her. The only problem really...

...I don't know where to start.

I was walking back to Barangay Dyes and as I was walking, I remembered that. What should I do?

Because of that, when I arrived at the café, it bothered me while we were still fixing it.

"Hey Xania," Iris tapped me so I was surprised and looked at her. "You've been just dazing there since a while ago. Is there a problem?" she asked.

I tried to smile at her just to hide my worry. "I'm fine-"

"Xania!" someone called me suddenly so Iris and I turned to Lizar.

"Ma'am called you to her office," he said.

"Oh my gash. Maybe Ma'am will give you a raise Xania," Iris said suddenly. "Good for you."

"Yeah. Good for you," Lizar said sarcastically.

"You're just jealous," Iris said.

"Pssh," Lizar averted his eyes.

I immediately went to Ma'am's office and knocked.

"Come in."

When I opened the door,

"Ma'am, you called me?" I asked.

"Yes. Come and sit down," she said in turn so I did what she said.

When I sat down,

"I hope I didn't disturb you with your work," Ma'am began.

"Ah no Ma'am. Iris and Lizar can do it anyways," I said shyly.

"I hope so," Ma'am said. "But anyways, I'm here to talk about your concern..."

I was a little surprised.

"...about the person you're looking for."