I took Jane to a nearby park - a place that was frequently frequented by the siblings before Alex died, gestured for her to sit on a nearby bench and went to find a hot dog stand for grub - a ketchup one for Jane and a mayo, mustard for me. After coming back, I took a seat and handed the results of my hunt to Jane.
She looked at the hot dog and took it without a sound while I bit down into mine. Damn it, Alex you bastard, who eats like this? I know that you knew just how much I hate mayo and yet insisted that this is how I am supposed to eat hot dogs in front of your little sis. When I die, if I ever die that is, I'll beat the shit out of you on the other side for this mockery of food! I thought, grimacing, but trying to act like I was enjoying it.
"Is it good?" After staying silent for a while, Jane finally spoke, sadness etched on her face.
"Delicious!" I answered, with a wide smile and a slightly twitching eye.
"I see…" She lowered her gaze and went silent for a second, then spoke again. "Do you know why Alex always ordered mayo, mustard?"
I stopped for barely a moment, then asked, trying to act innocent. "What do you mean, sis? How would I not know why I always order it? I simply like it, that's all."
She slowly shook her head. "He probably hasn't told you this, maybe he was embarrassed, or something… Did you know, Alex, just like me, hated mayonnaise. We grew up poor and something as simple as a hot dog was a luxury to us when we were little." She began explaining. "I used to be so ravenous that, after eating my own, I'd always covet his share as well and, as a kind and caring older brother, he would always share."
"As we grew older, he devised a scheme to save his food for himself while not denying me by changing his sauces from ketchup to mayo and mustard. Since I disliked spicy food and simply detested mayonnaise, I never asked him for his share and he got to eat as well." She gave me a questioning look. "Can I ask you, mister, who are you?"
"What do you mean? I'm Alex." I said. "Sure I changed a bit, but can't you see that it's me?"
Jane shook her head. "My brother was very kind and resourceful, smart and slightly mischievous. He hated violence and conflict, always trying to mediate, he was a really good person. You on the other hand - a man brimming with confidence, cruelty and malice may have the same face, the same innocent smile and the same knowledge, but you are definitely not my brother, so who are you and what is it that you want?"
I looked at Jane, then at the hot dog in my hand, tossed it into the nearby trash can, sighed and said. "No wonder you are the bastard's sister, you saw through our meticulous planning in mere weeks. Impressive."
"As for who I am, you may think of me as a friend of Alex, someone that fought with him in many life or death battles, someone that was betrayed with him and someone that rose with him. A friend forged in battle, or, at least that is what I'd like to say." I leaned back on the bench looking at the sky.
"In reality, it was a friendship of convenience - an unspoken agreement of cooperation in order to survive. That bastard was the brains, while I was the bait. Hell, he even used me as a test subject…" I added. "You might think that your dear big brother was a goody two shoes, but in reality, the only reason that he didn't exhibit cruelty before was because of a lack of power. Trust me, the kid was brutal."
"So… He really is dead…" Jane seemed crushed.
"If he was still alive, he would be the one here instead of me. Playing house with the Longs is truly tiring, yet the bastard pushed this whole mission upon my shoulders. Even in death, he is truly shameless."
A single tear rolled down her cheek. "You speak of a mission, are you here to take revenge on the Long family?" She asked.
"Not quite." I answered. "My first and foremost priority is to protect you and your mother, but since it's only you now, the job has gotten a bit easier…"
"I see that you can uncover the positive side in anything, mister… How good for you." She jested bitterly.
"I simply got used to it - to death that is. If you knew just how many people that I cared about have joined that brother of yours, you would understand. In the face of countless deaths, what is one more?"
"So why not kill me too then?" She asked, totally dejected. "I have no one left in the whole world. No one cares about me, I care for no one, just kill me and alleviate your worries."
"No thanks, if that brother of yours ever heard about that, he'd haunt me for the rest of my days. Trust me, with his determination and withs, the boundary between life and death is meaningless, so I'd rather not risk the trouble. Besides…" I stopped for a while to collect my thoughts."
"There were many times when I felt the same as you do now. All alone, unwanted, uncared for, hollow to the world, ready for death. Sure, I did falter once or twice, but I still held on. No matter the pain or anguish you feel now, it will pass when people that you care about and that care about you will enter your life. I am a testament to that."
"And for how long will I have to wait?" Jane asked warily.
"That isn't for me to decide." I answered honestly. "For me, every time, it took between a few months to ten years." I could see the dread in Jane's eyes. "But… If you wish, I can introduce you to some people. They are the ones that helped me out of the place you are in now, so they might be able to help you two."
"Thank you, but…"
"Before you refuse, you should know, they are nothing like anyone you've ever seen before. They aren't even from this world, so if you miss this chance, you might never be able to see anyone like them again." I continued.
A slight smile creped onto Jane's face. "There is no need to jest, mister, your previous stories are already far fetched, but having someone from another world? Isn't that a bit much?" She asked.
"If I showed you my face - my real face, would you believe me then?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" She asked, raising her eyes and looking at me. "Why would I care how you looked before your plastic sur…" She stopped, her eyes locked onto my gradually changing features. "What in the…"
"I never had plastic surgery." I calmly said. "This is a small fraction of my power, have you ever seen anything like it?" I changed my face back.
"What is it? Some sort of strange mask, or maybe nanobots?" She asked.
"None of the above. It's my blood." I said calmly. "You do remember me saying that your brother used me as a guinea pig, right?" She nodded. "Well, I don't really understand what he did, but since that day, I became far more powerful and kept growing as the days passed. Nowadays I am starting to doubt whether or not my body is still mortal or not."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I can reattach severed limbs like Lego, or simply regrow them on a moment's notice, wounds close instantaneously, my skin is as tough as iron, my strength surpasses that of a bulldozer and speed exceeds that of a sports car. And, of course, there is the fragment of divinity…" I added casually.
"Now you really are going over the top." She sighed. "No wonder my brother's and your friendship was one of convenience, since he would never willingly hang out with a braggart like you." She began laughing and I joined in.
After a hardy laugh, I finally asked. "Are you feeling better now?"
"Yeah, thanks for that." She gave me a warm smile.
"Will you come to meet my friends then?" I asked. "They are all good people. Sure they're unruly and chaotic, but as long as you're under my protection, neither one of them will lay a finger on you."
"You speak as if they might eat me, or something." She jested.
"One of them might try, but that's not the worst thing that she can do." I said with a hint of urgency. "Whatever you do, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT agree to film a video of any kind with the pink haired one. Trust me, that might be worse than being eaten…"
Jane laughed again. "Okay, okay, you have to tell me, what's so bad about filming a video with her? You tube has strict guidelines for the creators, so it can't be anything too bad."
"Who said anything about you tube?"
Jane's eyes widened. "Oh… Oh no…"
"Oh no indeed." I smiled and patted her head. "But if you want… The video would be a real banger."
Jane shoved my hand off of her head. "That's not even funny!" She said, clearly not amused.
"I know, I know, just messing with you."
"Well, whatever…" She pouted. "Brother hasn't sent you here just to protect me, has he? What about the Long family? Are you going to gain their trust and sabotage it from the inside?"
"I was told to judge them." I answered. "If I judge them to be fit - I'll let them go, but if they are judged to be guilty - I won't take their lives, but they will lose everything else." I looked at Jane. "Are you okay with that?"
"I don't care, but how will you do that?"
"Let's just say that I have a very powerful subordinate in this world. To him, the mere Long family is nothing."
"Yeah, right… Whatever." She stood up and extended me a hand. "Let's go to your place, I'm eager to meet those people from another world."
Join me on patreon at patreon.com/BonsaiCat for early access to new chapters or buy my book 'How to rule a fantasy world' on Amazon. It's the same stuff that you read here, but I fucked up with the naming and the book is already out, so fuck it, let's go with this name for the book. I appreciate all of your support and your forgiveness for my utter incompetence. Best regards, BonsaiCat.