The Case of Christmas Gifts

By Hazeljoy

Written in the
NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program.

PDF created on January 27, 2022.

 Table of Contents

Table of Contents 2
Prologue 3
Chapter 1 5
Chapter 2 7
Chapter 3 9
Chapter 4 11
Chapter 5 13
Chapter 6 15
Chapter 7 18
Chapter 8 20
Chapter 9 22
Chapter 10 27
Chapter 11 28
Chapter 12 31
Chapter 13 32
Chapter 14 34
Chapter 15 39
Chapter 16 41
Chapter 17 45
Chapter 18 47
Chapter 19 48
Chapter 20 50
Chapter 21 51
Chapter 22 55
Chapter 23 57
Epilogue 60
About the Author 63
About the Novel 65

2
 Prologue

Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli, Turin

2:37 A.M, December 7

Footsteps echoed as they run, dark and dim, barely any light, sprinting down the hall. "Hey!
Faster" as they open the exit door up to the rooftop, carrying a 70 pound wrapped up bag, the
coated man heaved the bag towards himself until it scraped the wall and tore a hole, without
knowing, something came falling out of the bag.

Without trying to be desperate, he reached out his hand and pushed the emergency door
open, the entrance to the rooftop.

A blustery wind blows their hair and coats, wide light shines down as if it's just only for
them to see, barely clear. Passing the bag back and forth onto the chopper, they realises the
hidden hole.

Sprinting back to exit door, wishing he would make it, a bang came through the door, a
flock of black suited men rushed in, like crows, covering his sight from the door and blocking his
way, arms out, aiming at them, holding the trigger, a bitter voice spoke. 'Do not move.' Without
showing any signs of distress, a moment, gasping for breath, he slowly reach into his pocket,
stretched out his arm within seconds, pulled the trigger and after a seemingly long silence, a
body collapses, he went on with his business and went into the chopper.

Just one floor below, a retired priest staggered across the hall, catching his breath,
losing sight of the coated men. He collapsed down on his knees, trying to conserve his energy,
he leaned back against the wall, wiping his sweat away from his eyes. As his eyelid rises, he
saw dark silhouettes, wondering if he was seeing things. He rubbed his eyes ones more. The
dark silhouettes were still there. Chills ran down his spine as the voice spoke, chillingly close. '
Now tell me where it is.'

' I don't know what you are talking about,' the priest stammered. ' I know who you are
Dar'lion,' glaring at the priest, his hand resting on his gun. ' You and your fellows possess
something that needs to be returned.'

The priest suddenly felt a gush of adrenaline. His secret will be exposed 'You are taking
nonsense,' the priest snapped back.' 'Is it a secret you will die for?' the man was ready, he
crouch down, pushing the gun to his abdomen, trying to threaten him to spill the truth.

After the man pulled the trigger, all the muscles relaxed, his coat stained in red, blood
came flowing down.

Little do the black suited men know, the thing they are seeking for is just in the priest's
palm. They walked away, leaving his body beside the hall to rot.

3
 The priest opens his eyes, I am still alive, surprised, a man who got shot was still
alive. He pulls himself to his feet, looking down on his palm, there it is. Not lost. He has to past
it down to someone, I must. Summoning all his faculties and strength, he found a paper on the
floor, footsteps on it, it seems to him that someone had forgotten it or left it behind. He picked it
up, smiled down to it as if it was his savior. With the remaining seconds of his life, he has to
finish.

4
 Chapter 1

"Hey! Are you still tired? Don't worry it's still December 12 Sunday, but this drink can boost- In
today's breaking news, people all around the world have been reporting that some strange
incident has happened a week before Christmas. People had some suspicions about the
incident, especially parents that - "

George Davies pressing the button on the remote control, the TV shuts off. "I told you not
to keep the television on when you're not watching it".

Brian Harries slowly taking the hat away from his face, awoke slowly. " I'm listening," he
groaned. "Bree, you better stop with that habit, why sleep on the coach when you own a bed?"

Dazed, Brian got up on his couch and looked toward the bedside clock. It was almost
sunset. He stumble away from his couch, feeling every part of his bones cracking inside his
body.

" Where's dinner" stumbling all over, trying to wash his face to at least get himself back
to his senses.

" I'm not your cook Bree. Look, I may be your friend but you can't just tell me what to
do"

Brian's eyebrows started to tense down, turns and pointed at him. " Who says we're
friends, besides, I thought you were unemployed. Not another word, now go cook" Brian still
feeling fuzzing, but clear enough to think. What day is today? A flyer on the bulletin board
caught his eyes, fixed, he pulled in from the wall, grabbed his black leather jacket and his boots,
then head out, slamming the door behind him. "What about dinner?". George shrugged.

Walking down the alley, cycles and old engines past through at his heels, the smell of
fuel and metal stings his nose, covering it with his jacket, he quickly arrive to the end corner of
the ally. Turning left and into the small alley, he arrived at a bar. Smith's Tavern. The bell on the
door rang as he pushed it open.

" Look who's here, haven't seen you in a long time, rough day?" Brian looked up as he
close the door behind him. He sees a man behind the counter wiping glasses using the same old
cloth he used years ago. " My day had just begun" Brian sitting down on one of the wooden
stool right up front. " It's been long, Smith"

" Whiskey as always?" Smith turning towards the whiskies, reaching out. " You know
me." Smith puts a round ice cube into the glass, pours and whiskey and slide it towards him.

" What do you need this time, Bree" Smith putting down his cloth and face Brian to get
a clear vision of his face. Brian reached inside his pocket and pulled out a crumbled flyer.

5
 " What's this" Smith said, showing a slight sign of curiosity in his voice.

" It's Kartus " said with a firm voice.

" Kartus? Why is he here? Isn't he suppose to be back in Italy?"

"This picture is taken in front of the Crown Garden Obelisk" he sighed.

" But why the CGO? "

Brain looked into his eyes, " This is why I came here for, I would like you to do me a
favor, and find out more information about this "

" I'll contact him for you." Brian swing his arms out and stop him from getting his phone
by grabbing his arm firm.

" Don't, if he gets in anymore trouble, it's be troublesome. Afterall, I owe him"

Sighes, " All right, I'll contact you back when I find something useful" Smith tucking
his phone back into his pocket. Brian glug down the rest of his whiskey, slam it on the table,
feeling real fresh now, and got up walking out waving his arm, showing his sign of appreciation, "
If you still have my number that is."

Flyer:

Missing:

Officially Present

Kartus Elpidius Sulla

6
 Chapter 2

In the city of Venice, Italy, the city of canals, the busy man named Timothy Silvestri
carry boxes back and forth across houses and doors. The sound of boats and people in Venice
lightened up his mood. The edge of the box cut his arms as he puts down the box in front of
different doors. The smell of water and the sound of street music fills his sense, his soul sang
with satisfaction of his peaceful life.

He greeted every people that passes through, bowing, with his hat off his head and gently
pressed it against his chest. " Ciao, signor" The wind gently blows against his face, the sun
shines down his curly brown hair that brushed against the sparkly reflected brown eyes.

" What a busy day today" he said, exhaling, wiping out his sweat on his forehead with
his forearm. Lifting another box out form the truck he wonders. Is there something I'm missing
that people here are celebrating? " Signor Signor" trying to stop a random man on the street
"What's all these boxes for? Do you know?" "Ugh" he groaned, swinging his hand back chasing
him away, " have you not read the news paper young man?" News paper. He saw the man was
carrying a stack of newspaper, he realizes he just stopped a man selling a newspaper, perfect,
"Signor, can I have one of those?" "1.4 euros"

Timothy sat on one of the benches that is placed across Doge's Palace. His body
relaxed, he lay back on the bench, opened the newspaper. The bolded dark letters on top of the
page draws his attention, his eyes scan through the page. Rereading it word by word, never in
his life has he encounter something so suspicious, he unconsciously reached into his pocket of
his jeans, like a habit, he rubbed his fingers. Something's missing. His eyebrows sinks down.

"Ciao, Signor." Looking up, the fish was so close to his face, he flinches. " A young
man shouldn't be frowning so hard" a man, judging from his wader and his fishing pole, he
seems to be a fisher nearby. Timothy sighs with relief, "Grazie," smiled, and got up from the
bench.

" Don't forgot that it's one week before Christmas, Merry Christmas!" the fisherman
waved at Timothy as he walked away. One week before Christmas.

HOT NEWS

Delivery man from around the world claim to find it suspicious of people
receiving the same box from the same person. Santa Claus.

Timothy rushed up the pink concrete flat, open the door and rushed in, stepping on unwashed
clothes on the floor. With one swing of his hand, he grabbed his bag and start stuffing everything
he could find within his sight into the bag. He opened his closet, yanked some clothes out, but
before he can throw it in his bag, something fell on the floor, giving a big clunk sound when it

7
dropped on his concrete floor.

Oh, that's it. He picked it up from the floor and rubbed his finger on the cold metal,
like a habit.

Investigatore

Privato

8
 Chapter 3

The air around December is chilly, Brian can feel the chills to his bones, he hasn't bought a new
jacket since fall, so he walked across the alley with his arms wrapping around his chest, it
doesn't really make any difference, but just to trick himself that it's warm. " God. Why did the
temperature just drop so fast at night." He stopped on the other side across the small alley
toward the Tavern, he felt the air slice through his bones as he tried to clear his thoughts.

Kartus Elpidius Sulla is in the wanted list. What have you done?

Brian could not think straight, today is just not his day. He could not help but to feel a
sense of disappointment. He'll never do something like that. Someone must be behind this.

The stair to the underground world is suppose to be a secret way to the underground
world, but with many bandits, gangster, smuggler, or anyone with illegal crimes, it's no longer
been kept a secret. The underground is where they survive, from grambling, drinking and trading
illegal drugs for money.

He walked down the stairs between the houses. He felt the heat hit his face, he's no
longer feeling the knife around his bones, so instead, he put his hands in his pocket, and walked
looking down, trying not to catch any attention. He heard the males cheering loudly on the sides
laughing and drinking. Women welcoming customers by their physical touches.

Brian slipped into a bar, and walked up to the bartender, glared at him, "Manager", the
bartender nodded and goes to the back of the bar. Came out a big looking man, clear scars all
over his body, wearing tight T-shirt that clearly didn't fit him well. " What you get for me Bree"
the man resting his elbows on the table.

" Give me the thing that I told you to keep"

" What's the deal" he groaned.

"10 pounds "

"Ughh, nah mate, ain't taking that, how 'bout we exchange with powder"

Brian pulled out his license and looked at him " Chris Wales, found guilty of insider trading, 10
year of imprisonment, and criminal offense, then charged with felony escape, another 4 years in
prison, who finally got out and you still got the guts to trade with me. "

"Alright fine, but double the pounds"

Brian sighs, he pulled out 100 pounds from his pocket, hold it in his hand. " Hand me
the gift"

9
 Chris looks at the bartender and nod his head, the bartender agrees and came out with
the box in his hand.

" Tell me everything you know about this" Brian command him. " I don't know
Sherlock, everyone has one of those things with filthy wrappings, have you not seen the news"
he laughed. Brian was starting to feel his ears ringing with annoyance, " That's all I want to
know, I'll get going" Brian slams the 100 pound down and walked away.

Finally got out, feeling the chilly air that he can breathe, stings his nose. His phone
rang, he felt the vibrate in his pocket of his jacket, he pulled it out shivering, answering the call.

"Come to the HQ on December 13 and by no later than 7 a.m." It hung up. It's
tomorrow. He sighed and put his phone back into his wallet, looking up at the orange sky, he
breath fog, "Just another day of work" he said, looking back down.

He waves and got on the cab. " River Thames, Victoria Embankment London
Metropolitan," "that's a long way lad" the driver looked over the rearview mirror of his car, " I got
plenty."

10
 Chapter 4

Timothy carried himself on to the water cab, he flings his bag on his seat, as his foot landed on
the boat, it shakes back and forth, struggling to sit on the seat, the cold water flows in and
soaked his shoes.

"Marco Polo Airport"

The captain start the motor and went on. As it swims, he past through fog and mists. It's
winter. The taxi stops, he peaked up front, seeing a row a boat lining up to drop their passengers
off. Some doesn't look like they're from here and some has familiar faces.

"Ciao Silvestri" a familiar face waved at him from afar. Timothy looks at her but couldn't
say anything back with their name stuck right above his head. The women walks closer to him,
"you look great as always, alla prossima" kissed him on the cheek, and giggles back with her
friends, turning back and forth. Well it's not the first time I've been through this. He smiled back
and turned, minding his own business.

On the passenger seat, he saw someone struggling to put his luggage into the overhead
bin. Timothy got up his seat and helped the man. "Grazie" with a soft low voice, his face is
covered with his brown hooded coat. Timothy tilted a little enough to see his face, but the man
flinches and covered it up. "Oh, mi dispiace" Timothy backs up, and goes back to his seat. The
man nodded and sat beside him.

After an hour and a half few by, Timothy woke up from the sound of the man's snore. He
rustled back and forth to find his comfort position to sit, it's not like I don't have the money to
book a business class. As he was adjusting his position, he cracked his neck, then, he realised
that the man was sleeping. He turned and gently brushed the hood away. White beard, pale skin,
old wrinkles, and, he paused, scratches, bruises and dark eye circles. Well, I guess everyone is
having a hard time.

The man stopped his hand from going on, and with a soft tone but with screaming eyes
said, " Giovanotto, keep your hands to yourself. "

"I understand" Timothy looks down, feeling awkward. But looks up again.

" Mi scusi, but my I ask for your name sir?"

The man glanced at him, " Kartus, Kartus Elpidius Sulla "

Kartus

"Passengers please fasten your seatbelts, we are almost to our destination. London"

As the plane landed. Timothy got up and stretched, he can hear cracks all over his body, like an

11
old man.

"You seems to be older than me" Kartus scoffs. Timothy frowned and bumps his
shoulder as he grabbed his bag out of his seat and walked out. "Youngsters" he grinned.

Timothy got out of the plane, he looked back, thinking that the old man will still be with
him, but he was not there.

His phone rang, vibrating in his pocket, he grabbed his phone and press the green bottom
to answer the call. The deep voice answered "Come to the HQ on December 13 and by no later
than 7 p.m." the voice hung up before he could answer back. December 13, that's tomorrow.

As he walk out the of the airport, he waved his hand and called the cab " To River
Thames, Victoria Embankment London Metropolitan in the city of Westminster" The driver pulls
and drove away.

He looks out the window, looking around at the scenery of London. It's so different. His
eyes follow the Big Ben as he past through, despite that he slept on the plane for more than an
hour, he still felt drowsy, and oddly peaceful feeling in London, he goes back to sleep.

12
 Chapter 5

The dim pale man walked out of the airport. The man named Kartus Elpidius Sulla look at the
sunset and the scenery of the LCY. With his fist crumbling the letter in his pocket, hid his face
under his hood. The suppression of emotions in his head, almost drove him crazy. What a
beautiful sunset, so cruel that it stings my solemn heart.

" You wanna ride?" A cab stops right in front of him.

Kartus snapped back " Yes sir, to Crown Garden Obelisk"

" The CGO?! What are you planning to do there? Are.. Are you one of the member?" The
driver sounded scared, he stuttered.

Kartus smirks " Yes, I am." He had no choice but to lie to get to his destiny. My old
friend, forever, I will avenge. Dar'lion de Avengaline.

They arrived to the CGO, Kartus got down the cab, reaching into his pocket to grab his
money, the cab droved away with fear.

" Are you one of the CGO members?" said one of the man in black suit

" Dar'lion told me to come here" Kartus answers covering his face with his hood. The
suited man bends over trying to confirm his face, but Kartus flinches and walked in the building,
assuming that he past.

Kartus arrived to the 7th floor of the building. He slowly walked toward the office and
knocked. The door opens, the man in black suit greeted him instead. The man welcome him in
the office, as Kartus stands there the good featured man, with expensive watch, fine branded
work suit and a nice shiny black shoe, working on his paperwork. " It's rare to find you here
without informing me Kartus" the man said with a firm voice, showing no sign of distraction, his
pen did not stop.

" It's not rare, you expected me to come here"

" Well, fine, then cut to the case, as you can see, I'm busy"

" Dar'lion is dead"

" What?" his pen stopped, his glance turns to Kartus. " Dar'lion is dead?" Kartus nodded
in silence. He suspiciously glare at Kartus.

" Did you do it?"

" What? No! He is my old friend, how can I kill him?"

13
 " Where is the last place he went"

" This building"

" Then who else are we suspicious of, the only person who is not the member of the CGO
is you and you are the only one who can come in and out easily. Am I wrong"

" Dar'talor, I didn't come here to argue with you, I came here to inform you and seek for
your help to find the one who killed him. You are the only one that I can rely on, because you
are his brother" Kartus begged

" I don't see a friend in you, but instead, I see a murder. Then how do you know that he is
dead, when nobody knows."

" He wrote me a letter inside the gift"

" Show it to me. Prove it"

" I- I can't" he clench his fist inside his pocket, with the letter on his hand. He can't show
it. He can't let anyone know. Carry on Dar'lion's will and intention without putting any burden on
anyone.

Dar'talor glance at him, he frowned and clench his teeth. " Capture the murderer" the
black suited men grabbed his arms and lock them together. Kartus didn't resist. As he was
being captured away the office, Dar'talor sighs. His mind is blank, only grief filled his mind and
heart, he felt his tears lining up inside to come rolling out, he tries to hold it in, but it came out
instead.

Kartus got arrested, and was lead down the the CGO building. Camera all over the place,
printed and written as news papers. It was sent to the whole town. Until it reaches Brian Harris.

14
 Chapter 6

Brian arrived up the London Metropolitan Police force at around 6:54 a.m. He got out the of cab,
stretching and smelling the early morning fresh air.

"That's 46.11 pound"

"What? You know that that's a lot of money for one ride ey?" he snapped back.

"I drove the whole night just to come to this place" the driver yelled back. Brian looked at
his watch, 6:56, he have to run. Brian sighs, what a way to start my day. He pulled out his
wallet, and squeeze the money onto the driver's palm.

"Your first pay for today sucker" He slammed the car door and start running up the
building.

As he ran up the building he bumped into someone, curly brown hair, shiny brown eyes
and a pretty face. Doesn't seem like someone from the UK. " Mi scusi " the man said, just a
little higher than him, his voice so soft, a pretty face, a thick italian accent. It was the brightest
view he'd ever saw, he was just like a madman running just now, but after bumping into him, he
felt like roses.

" Do you know where the head office is signor?" Brian can't help but stare, it's the
prettiest creature he'd ever seen in his life.

" Sir?" Brian finally snapped out of it.

" Oh, excuse me, um" clearing his throat. "I'm heading to the head office right now, I can
lead you the way"

As they speed walk along the hall the man said softly, "So that's the eye of London."

Brian heard him and turn his head sideways " Is this your first time here in London?"

"Yes signor"

" Brian Harris "

" Cao Brian, my name is Timothy Selvistri" he answered back

"Why are you here in NSY?" Brian asks

" Oh, that, I got summoned from the Headquarter so I flew from Italy"

" You got summoned too. I see, I can never know what in the world in that old man's
head is thinking, summoning us in such hurry, usually he will summon us a week before our

15
mission." Brian explained in such annoyance.

"You've gotten talkative Bree, it's been so long with your mouth filled with words" a deep
voice vibrate into his ears. He jumps back and rubbed his ears to feel if it's still there. The old
man with his secretary and a police officer at his back.

" What you got old man"

" It's nice to meet you sir" Timothy walks up and kiss him on the cheek.

" Oh, what a mannered young lad we've summoned" the old man blushed

" Just cut to the case, stop wasting my time." Brian getting more annoyed.

" Then let's bring this to my office"

Brian and Timothy followed the old man to his office. They opened the door to his office,
couch and a console table in between. Behind those, is his work table.

Brian and Timothy sat on the same side of the couch. "I haven't introduce myself haven't
I" the old man walked up with 2 cups on tea, placed in front of them and sat on a different side
of the couch. " I'm Oscar Hall, he calls me Oz" his head tilting to Brian's side.

" My name is Timothy Silvestri sir" smiling siping on the tea he was served.

"Oh, cut to the case, I told you I don't have time for this" Brian cuts

" Ok, ok," Oscar rest his elbows on his knees, whispering so silently only they can hear.

" Bree, I want you to listen carefully and stay calm alright?" Brian nodded.

" Dar'lion is dead. We found out just yesterday" Oscar said calmly, trying his best not to
frown.

Brian stared at him, he blinks, nothing came through his mind, he have so many
questions in his mind, he wants to say it but it's blank. He laid back on the couch, brushes his
hair away from his face, and brush his face. Oscar looks at him without saying a word, wants to
comfort him, but it'll just makes it worse. He knows that Brian is trying to suppress it again.

Brian sits up and ask to confirm his ears "Dar'lion is dead?" it came out soft, grieving
shaking tone. He knew he couldn't suppress it but still do. Oscar nodded slowly, with a slight
frown in his eyebrows. It's the first time he've seen Brian so sad in a long time.

Timothy, sitting beside Brian, doesn't know how to react, so he put his arms around and
patted his back. But Brian pushed his arms away. " I need some time" he got up and walks to
the door, but right about when he's going to open the door Oscar said, " Now that Dar'lion is
dead, the case where people are receiving gifts from Santa Claus may be related to his death. I
want you to find out all about this and who is behind it. This is why I also summoned this young
man, Timothy to keep you company."

Brian stopped and stands there, turning back to them, "And, why him? We have so many

16
detectives here"

Timothy pulled out a metal out of his pocket. Private Investigator of Italy? "Italy is where
Dar'lion is from and I bet Timothy fits you best." Oscar laid back. Timothy nodded and smiled at
him, giving him a look of Nice to meet you, Brian Harris.

17
 Chapter 7

Brian doesn't know how to react, so he scratched the back of his head and bounced back
onto the couch.

Timothy fell silent. The man on the plane, he seems suspicious. He don't know if his
information would be a help for them.

Within a long silence, Brian finally spill something out. " Kartus was captured yesterday
too"

Oscar raised his eyebrows, " Kartus was captured? Oh, what a mess we're in"

Oscar looks at Timothy, " you seem to have something to say" Oscar chugging his tea
down.

" Uh, yes sir."

" Spill it" Brian, sounded cold and firm as always.

" I met him on the plane today, I ask him his name so he just told me." Timothy
announced while continue sipping his tea.

" You met him on your way here?" Brian said.

" Yes"

" Did he have something on him? Something odd that doesn't seem normal" Brian turned
his body and faced him.

Timothy thinking back. An old man, wearing a coat in winter, asking for help on the plane,
and his face. His face.

" He didn't want to show his face for some reason."

" He doesn't want to show his face? Then, something is going on. It's his bad habit" Brian
continued.

" You know Kartus sir?" Timothy asked

" Psh, of course." Brian paused. His tone turned into a little kid, missing his parents, "
He's like my guardian."

" Your guardian? Are you from Italy too?" Timothy asked without showing any signs of
any other intentions.

18
 " Timothy, you may stop there for today. " Oscar cuts in. Timothy looks puzzled, Oscar
gave him a look. He realises that he said something that should be have been said.

" I'm sorry si-" Without letting him finish his sentence, Brian got up.

" I'm not a kid, besides call me by my name Tim"

Timothy was stuttled, he looked up and meet his eyes. He smiled, " Ok Brian"

19
 Chapter 8

In the dark cell, chains ripping his skin off his body, he struggles in the dark alone. His solemn
emotions turn numb, his friend’s face turns blurry every time he thinks about him. My dear friend
Dar’ lion, I have done nothing wrong, please forgive me. Kartus alone in the cell, whispering in
his ears all by himself. Until an officer passed by holding a flashlight, clanking on every cell with
a stick, checking the prisoners. Kartus' mind turns white, hours in the dark felt like years, he
sees the light pass by. Never thinking that his instinct would lead him off the ground, he crawled
to the front of the cell, facing the officer and pleased.

“Please, I didn’t do anything wrong. You have to let me out or else you will be in great
danger.”

The officer didn’t budge to move his body, but with his eye he looked at him. Kartus
flinched and tears ran down, he didn’t say anything to hurt his feelings, but he knew that his
eyes screamed, filth.

Curled up the corner, he thinks to himself. What have he done to deserve to be in this
state, from the time where Dar’ lion gave him the letter, he can’t go back. What is he to sacrifice
himself to protect his little secret.

His stomach growls, eating all his organs away in him. He hasn't eaten since yesterday,
luckily, like have just flown to heaven, a dry bread was in his cell. He crawled up to pick it up,
he looked across his cell, with his eyes adapted to the dark, he saw a figure of a woman, eating
the half pieced bread. I wanted to show his gratitude, but of all the things he’d been through, his
voice will not come out. He ate the bread, and closed his eyes, never knowing the time he went
to sleep.

“Pss” a voice called. Kartus woke up by the sound of the women, his senses becoming
sharper despite being in a dark cell for so long. From the temperature, he can guess that it’s
early in the morning, but still dark outside.

“ You have to get out,” the woman whispers. Barely hearing anything she'd said, he
replied, “ How ‘bout you.”

She shakes her head, “ I’ll be better here, I don’t have anything left if I go out, so hurry,
before the sun rises.” She threw something into his cell, it sounded like metal from the sound it
dropped on the floor. It’s a pick.

“How?”

“I’ve been here long, I know some cheap tricks. Get out, turn right, there should be a
whole on the wall that I’ve made, it’s covered with a rock, crawl out from there.”

Karuts starts picking his lock as soon as she finishes her instruction. He's never picked a

20
lock before, and never in his life have he been in prison. Great, a priest escaping prison. Right
now, he doesn't care if he is a priest, his goal is to find his way out and save the world.

He got out, using his eyes to thank the woman, he tiptoed across the dark prison hall. At
the intersection, he sees lights shining across the hall, he hides behind one of the thick walls in
front of the cell. How can he escape? He then sees a big rock on the edge of the wall, like she
said on the right side of the hall. He slowly crept behind the sleeping guards and try to pull out
the rock. It doesn’t seem to move. He tried searching his coat for the pick he got from the
women, but it was gone. He gave it back to her unless she needed it in the future.

“ Oh no” he tried using his finger to pull it out, his nails to scratch the surface, finally it
was out, but it gave a hard thump on the floor. He flinched. Turning his back towards the guard,
he gave a big sigh of relief.

He crawled out and put the rock back up. As he turned his way outside, a gust of wind
hit, the smell of grass gave him chills, he saw his own shadow.

The sun is almost rising, the shift is starting. Before he could stand up, the alarm of the
prison screams. He started sprinting across the tall grass, when he looked back, men in uniform
with a walky talky started chasing him from behind. He couldn’t see the path that’s covered in
grass, so he tripped over his own coat.

Stumbling and rolling over the grass, his mouth filled with dirt. The officers chasing closer
and closer, he could hear their calls, he stood up and started running. Until he sees the road, but
before he could get free, he has to climb over a fence.

Kartus bite his teeth tight, climbs over the fence. His skin shredding into pieces, his coat
tearing apart, but finally he got down on the other side. Without looking back, he ran to the
closest, narrowest alley and hid behind the wall. The officer ran past him, screaming and talking
into the machine they’re holding. A big sigh of relief came out, covering his face with his coat,
he walked deeper into the alley.

21
 Chapter 9

Brian and Timothy came out of The New Scotland Yard without knowing what to do next. They
stand in front of the building, staring in blank space. One staring down on the puddles and the
other getting out his weed from his pocket.

“You smoke?” The thick ‘K’ from his Italian accent captured Brian’s attention. Brian turn
full body facing him. Leaning on one leg.

“ No. No I don’t smoke actually,” throwing his weed on the ground.

“ What are we going to do now” Timothy rubbed his hands on his jeans, trying to not feel
awkward.

“ Oz called Smith to come pick us up” His hand on his waist, flicking his lighter on and
off.

“ Who’s Smith?”

“Smith Johnson, just a owner of his tavern” Brian sees a familiar car driver closer to them
behind Timothy, “speaking of the devil,” he pointed with his face. Timothy turned back and the
car stopped beside the road.

Smith lowered his windscreen down. “ Get up boys” with his Brummie accent, Timothy
still standing there, without knowing a word he was saying. Brian pushes him into the back seat
and got on sitting beside him.

“ It’s odd to find you sitting in the back seat with someone else Bree” Smith smirked

“ Focus on your driving, we got two licenses here” Brian snapped back at him, while
Timothy got out his phone.

“ Signor Smith, could you turn on the radio, I think it’s on the news” Timothy leaning up
front, making sure that Smith hears him.

“Simth, alright, sit back” he pressed the button and the radio turned on.

“ Ah yes, Smith,” Timothy whispered.

“ On today’s BBC news, police officers of the CGO prison has announced that a man
named Kartus Elpidius Sulla went missing early this morning. The head of the CGO has also
claimed that Kartus Elpidius Sulla killed his own brother to live and had something relating to the
Christmas gift that everyone has been receiving.”

Brian eyes turned wide, without saying anything, he turned his head facing the
windscreen, looking out the glass. Smith glanced at the rear view mirror to see if Brian is okay. I

22
know he’s not okay.

They arrived at the tavern 20 minutes later. Brian got down the car first and walked into
the tavern. Timothy got out and followed him in, but Smith stopped him.

“Young man, give him some time, it’s been hard for him to hear that Kartus has killed
someone” Smith looking into his eyes, serious. Timothy couldn’t waver.

“ Is the man that they claim Kartus killed named Dar’lion?” Timothy asks.

Smith was shocked by the news, it’s his first time hearing this. “Dar’lion is dead?”

Timothy nodded. “Then that makes sense why he felt so sorrowful” Smith sighs.

“ Dar’lion raised Brian like his son, and Kartus is his friend, so Brian called him his
guardian.” Smith explained while leaning back on the car.

Timothy turned, “ What about his parents? Why did he come to London when he’s from
Italy?”

“ I have known him since he was young, he was a very young boy when I first met him, I
was 16 back then. I saw a small kid, standing behind a priest, glaring at me, it’s my first time
seeing a little boy with such fierce eyes, like a defense. The priest that he was with at that time
was Dar’lion, he was the one who brought him here. ” Smith continues, “ His parents died
when he was young, but young enough to remember how they died.”

“ Who killed him?”

“ We don’t now”

“ And how did they die?” Timothy sounding sorry

Before Smith could open his mouth, Brian came out with a bottle of whiskey in his hand. “
Take me up, give me a room, do you want me to go back to that nasty whole with that nasty
brat” Brian stumbles.

Smith sighs and holds Brian still. “How could you get drunk so fast?”

“You” Brian pointing at Timothy, “ why in the world can this creature be shining”

Smith was shocked by what Brian has said, his jaw dropped and his eyes wide, looking
at Brian and back at Timothy, he scoffs, “ I’ve never seen this side of you before Bree”

Brian was out cold, Smith has to drag him up his Tavern to the guest room. Timothy
standing on the door looking at them.

“ You guys seems close” Timothy started

“ He was 14 when he came, and we lived together until he was 17. He was chosen by
Oscar and he had gone on missions so we haven’t seen each other for a few years now.”

“ Um” Timothy felt cold sweats. “ The things that he just mentioned was just because he

23
was drunk”

“ Surely, I couldn’t even imagine those words going through his brain. Was he like this
when you guys first met?”

“ You was staring at me, I thought he hated me”

“ He just looked like that, it must be fate” Smith covered Brian up with a blanket and
placed the bottle down on the table beside. He walked up to Timothy and patted on his shoulder,
“ Take care of him, I think you are someone that can help him”

Timothy smiled, “ Yes. I’ll try. And, where do I sleep?”

“ I’ll bring you some sheets for you so you can sleep on the floor next to Bree’s bed.”
Smith winked.

Timothy felt his goosebumps.

He sat down on his sheets, thinking about all the information he has heard today.
Dar’lion’s death. Kartus wanted. Christmas gift. Relating to Brian. Brian’s parents. Italy. That
means Kartus knows Dar’lion’s death first, he went to the CGO before anyone receive the
information. Something must happen between Dar’lion and Kartus.

“ Yes something must happen between them” Brian suddenly spoke up.

Timothy was so startled and jumped back. “ Am I saying all those out loud”

“ No, but I can tell you’ve been puzzling all those up”

“ Did you know all of those already?”

“ Well, it’s been pretty obvious when they announce that Dar’lion died and Kartus was
captured.” Brian turned in his bed.

Timothy looked at Brian. This is why Oscar brings him in at such a young age. But
Timothy suddenly realised something that he thinks even Brian doesn't know. Why does Santa
has to send gifts to everyone? It’s a secret code.

“ Brian, it’s a secret code”

“ What do you mean.” Brian paused and something clicked. Right, a code.

“ Someone has planted something in one of the gift” Brian got up on his bed.

“ Planted something? Like what, a bomb?” didn’t thought that Brian would be this
insightful

“ I smell trouble coming” Brian lay back down on his hands.

Timothy lays down on his sheets, trying to think of something to say, but couldn’t. Maybe
it’s because he doesn’t know how to comfort him. He sighs.

24
 “ Hey, don’t think about comforting me, I don’t need it. I-” before he could finish his
sentence they all heard a bang down stairs. They heard Smith yelling and crashing through the
tables.

Timothy and Brian got up and ran downstairs and checked what happened. Four, five
men are in the tavern, Smith on the ground trying to resist their pressure on top of him.

“What do you think of doing. Barging into people’s territory just like that” Brian coldly
walked down the stairs and grabbed on one the men’s arm that was pressing against Smith.

“ Brian, calm down, you are not sober yet” Timothy sounded sarcastically worried.

Brian pretends he didn’t hear anything that Timothy has said. He went for a strong pull
and a push, the officer stumbled up and crashed down on his back.

“ Who are you guys” Brian asked

Two of the officers in front shared glances and nodded. “Is anyone here named Brian
Harris”

“ What about him” Timothy replied in a split second. Trying to sound as cold as possible,
but wouldn’t dare to compete with Brian’s coldess.

“ We were ordered to find Brian Harris, who is related to Dar’lion de Avangeline and
Kartus Elpidius Sulla. They wanted to investigate you.

To investigate me as a culprit. “ I want to talk to your boss,” Brian reached out his hand.

The officer looked at him for a second, checking on him. Then gave a call, handed over
to Brian.

“ It’s me” a voice said

“ Dar’talor, are you actually suspicious of me?” Brian replied, knowing right away who he
was.

“ I knew you’d recognize my voice. I send a little message, sorry if I disturb your beauty
sleep. This is the only way to reach you, you wouldn’t answer my calls if I called you right away
right.” Dar’talor sounded like he’d just plan everything in his mind.

“ See you tomorrow at 10 morning, don’t you dare disturb me again.” Brian snapped back
and ended the call. He shoved the phone toward the officer and shooed them off.

“Brian, who’s Dar’talor?” Timothy asked.

“ Dar’lion’s brother” “He’s suspicious” Brian sighed.

“ You have a strong intuition as always” Smith got up from the floor, holding on the chairs
to support himself.

“ Prepare a recorder for me, and get ready for tomorrow Tim, this will be your first and last

25
seeing him spilling out the peas.”

26
 Chapter 10

A man sitting on his bed in his sleeping robe, the moonlight shines through the big glass window
beside. Inside the dark cold room, it gave the man shivers but he was never bothered about it.
His grief filled his heart and mind, wondering and thinking of any possibilities that he could go
back and rewind what he did, this is guilt. Wishing Dar’lion would forgive his brother for what he
did to him. His eyes roll across his dark eye sack. The man grabbed his phone and pressed
numbers, the phone rang.

The cold voice spoke “ It’s me”

“Dar’talor, are you actually suspicious of me?” The voice replied back, but in a way that
he never expected he would hear. A very pure voice. Is he drunk?

“ I know you’d recognize my voice,” Dar’talor replied. Just listening to the pure innocent
voice makes the edge of his lips rise. “I send a little message for you, sorry if I disturb your
beauty sleep. This is the only way to reach you, you wouldn’t answer my calls if I called you
right away right.

“ See you at 10 morning then, don’t you dare disturb me again.” As cold as always, he
ended the call right after he finished. Dar’talor sighs, as cold as always. I’m sorry.

He threw his phone away on his bed. Then lay down spreading his arm. Sighing, thinking
of how he can tell him about his tomorrow. Should he confess his guilt, so he can be free from
feeling suffocated, but if he does, his boss will show no mercy to him, Brian and mostly Kartus.

His heavy eyes were forced to close, his brain shut down below the moonlight. He feels
like drowning and sinking into his own bed. Without thinking about what to say tomorrow, he
decided he should just see.

27
 Chapter 11

Brian stared at the blank space. Sitting on his bed with a blanket covered up, he looked around
dumbfounded, knowing nothing, until he saw Timothy on the floor sleeping on his sheets, curled
up. Then suddenly all the memories just flashes through the back of his head. Shit, he cursed. I
should've done that. Dar’talor’s words crawled through his mind. He sighs, getting up from his
bed and walked downstairs.

Massaging his head, “ You cleaned this?”

“Couldn’t sleep all night.” Smith smiled while cleaning the glasses. “Where's Timothy?”

“ Still upstairs.”

“ I’m here” Timothy coming down the stairs, yawning and scratching his belly.

“ Go on with your business and let’s go.” Brian grabbed his leather jacket that was
hanging on one of the chairs from yesterday, and got out of the tavern.

While Brian was waving to call the cab, Timothy came out of the tavern and rubbed his
palms against his arms. He’s wearing a dark green winter coat, with fur on the hood.

“ Where are we going?” Timothy asked.

“ Are you joking, I told you we’re going to find Dar’talor today” Brian unbelievably.

“ Who’s Dartalion?” Timothy asked.

“ Right. He’s Dar’lion’s brother” Brian said, realizing that he hasn't told him the details yet.
Getting on the cab, a phone call from Dar’talor came.

Brian picked up his phone, “ I told you that-”

“Change in place, come to Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester” Dar’talor cuts before Brian
can finish. He ended the call.

“ Dar’talor? What he said” Timothy slamming the door.

“ He wants us to go to Alain Ducasse,” Brian replied.

Timothy looked at the driver “ Alain Ducasse”

“ At The Dorchester?” the driver asked, pulling his gear.

Brain nodded. Why did he suddenly want to go there? He’s up to something.

They arrived at the restaurant. Got down the cab and the man in a green suit bowed and

28
opened the door for them.

Brian walked right in and Timothy bowed back. Inside, a lady came up and ask “ Are you
gentlemens Mr. Brian Harris and Mr. Timothy Silvestri?”

“Uh-”

“Yes we are” Brian said firmly.

“ Please follow me. Mr. Dar’talor is waiting for both of your arrival.” The lady walked, and
both of them followed. The lady arrived at the 417 and 418 room of the Dorchester Suite, she put
the lock in the hole and the door clicked.

“ Please, Mr. Dar’talor is waiting inside.” Then she walked away with the key in her hand.
Timothy glanced at the key as she turned to the corner and disappeared.

Brian walked in suite, he saw Dar’talor sitting on the classic couch, with his legs cross
sipping on tea. The trays of desserts and tea cups on the living table. Brian sat down on the
other side of the couch. Timothy looked around, amased, then dropped beside Brian.

The cold atmosphere filled the room, Dar’talor waved at the men, and they went out.
Timothy hadn't experienced this tension in a while, the familiar feeling of the cold air, dry dust
filled the room. He could hear every sound in the room ticking, trying not to swallow to make a
sound. His body tensed up, but without thinking, his eyes became cold, his heart stopped
beating fast, his muscles relaxed and his mind clear, like his own instinct that was trained a long
time ago, was being pulled out again.

“ So what” Brian laid back and crossed his legs and arms, without showing any signs of
pressure.

“ Please, try this, it’s Yorkshire tea” Dar’talor lean toward the table and grabbed the tea
pot. At the time when he’s about to pour on Brian’s cup, Brian put his hands over the cup,
covering it. Dar’talor paused and smirked, layed back down.

“ I have questions,” Brian said.

“ Go ahead” Sipping his tea.

“ Where is Kartus.” Brian glared at him fiercely, knowing that his glare doesn’t affect him,
but still does.

“ I don’t know what you are talking about” Showing a sign of wavery in his voice.

“ Tell me where he is?” Brian said, but in more command.

Dar’talor starts to lose his control, he sits up and leans towards them, his brows straight
down. “ I told you, I don’t know, he escaped”

“ Then why don’t you find him” Brian replied in a split second, not bothered. This will
pissed of Dar’talor for sure.

29
 “ I tried but I couldn’t find him, what other questions do you have.” Dar’talor, starting to
raise his voice.

“ Hmm, did you know that there’s only one man who could kill Dar’lion” Brian smirked.

Dar’talor flinched. He took a deep breath and calmed himself down. “ And who is that?”

“ Let’s see. Someone who has the ability to get any information he wants with just one
hand gesture. Someone, who has the ability to open and close the gates of the CGO. Someone
who knows his everymove, and what he thinks. So that means, someone who is close to him
since birth” Brian talked casually, looking into his eyes.

Dar’talor clicked his tongue, and pulled out a Glock 17 9mn pistol with a silencer on it
then pulled the trigger. Brian ducked down and Timothy jumped behind the couch and blocked
himself with a pillow. Brian saw a wooden chair beside the kitchen table, he ran, lift the chair and
threw it toward Dar’talor. The bullet from the gun destroyed the chair and was flown into pieces.

“Hey! Over here!” Timothy holding the door open and calling Brian. Without looking back,
Brian slid under Dar’talor’s leg and puched him hard in his liver. He ran toward Timothy and
slammed the door behind him.

“ I thought the key was with the lady” Brian panting, gasping for air.

“ I know, so I slid the card between the door when it’s about to close. And well, I just slid
the card over the lock and it opened” Timothy shrugged.

“ Ha” Brian chuckled.

Timothy looked at Brian and smiled too. “ Let’s report to Oscar about this”

“ Yeah, but first, we have to find a way out of this hotel first.”

“ Right”

30
 Chapter 12

Kartus stumbled across a quiet bar and ended up at the Blind Spot London. His body and coat
were torn at the edge, especially his feet, not knowing how long he had been walking for the last
few hours. He knows that he is in a bad state, but despite all the things he has gone through,
this was nothing but a scratch on the surface. Luckily he had lost the CGO officers, or else he
would’ve been in much bigger trouble. His drink was made as he ordered, a big glass of beer.
The quiet vibe of the bar calms his nerves down, it feels safe when this place is very hidden.

“ You look like you've come back from a war lad,” a man said, walking up to him.

Kartus feels annoyed, and shifts to the side, avoiding eye contact. “What if I just did”

“ You know, when you’re having a rough day, it’s better to have someone to drink with”

“ You're not from here or you” Kartus sounding suspicious.

“ Oh right, I’m from Birmingham” the man sat down next to him, close.

“ What do you want from me.” he moved away again.

“ I just want to have a nice drink with you,” this time, his hand starting to slide around his
waist.

Kartus flinched and got up, “ I don’t know what you’re doing to an old man right now, but
I’d better get going.” Slammed the money on the table and walked out of the bar. I just wanted a
little drink to numb the pain.

It’s almost midday, he hasn’t eaten anything since yesterday, except the half dry bread.
His stomach pains him, he wants to eat but has no money on him. He has to know where to go,
he didn’t know why he was here in London, he wanted to seek help but couldn’t.

Kartus continues to walk for a few mile, his legs are killing him, his body aching, and his
mind drowning. The old man stood beside the street, waiting for a cab to stop, but no cab did.
Until two young men ran across the street, and bumped into him, falling on his back. The young
men yelling at him, as his vision starts to blur and fades away.

31
 Chapter 13

Brian and Timothy crept down the exit stair of Dorchester hotel. When they reached the
first floor, they walked at a normal pace, pretending to talk to blend in. Staff walked by and gave
them glances and looked at how bad they looked. Bruises on both of their faces, forcing a smile
every time a staff walked by and greeted them.

“ Hey! Stop them!” Dar’talor came rushing down the stairs, pressing on his abdomen
where his liver was damaged.

Both men started running at full speed, looking back, staff and guards starts running at
them, chasing with a baton on their hands.

“ Oh my! Mamma mia che disastro!” Timothy running, while whipping out his italian.

“ I don’t know what you’re saying but yes, it’s a mess!” Brian shouts back, running along
Timothy.

“ Brian look out!” Timothy shouts, Brian turned as fast as he could, seeing the green men
blocking the doorway, they stopped and hit them on the vagus nerves at the back of the neck.
Both men fainted and collapsed on the floor. They look back, the officers are still running
towards them, like a mad dog. Timothy reacted, pulling Brian on his sleeves as he was trying to
lay the men down on the floor.

“Brian, faster!” Timothy yelled. Brian ran too, following Timothy out the hotel. They ran
for4 minutes, didn’t realize that they were in St. James’s.

They’re still running, still hearing the voices calling, the footsteps on the back of their
heels. Closing their eyes, panting, both men couldn’t feel their legs from the flight response
kicking into their nerves. Until, they both crashed into an old man, torn cloth, pale white skin,
white beard.

“ Hey!” they shouted, trying to wake up the old man that has just collapsed.

“ What should we do?” Timothy, gasping for air, holding the old man.

“ Take him to a hotel nearby,” Brian commanded.

“ But where? I don’t know London.”

“ Fine, go to Resident Victoria,” Brian pointed in the direction. “ Go find a cab, that’ll take
you 5 minutes”

“ How about you, what are you planning to do?” Timothy carrying the old man on his
back.

32
 “ I’ve been fighting on the streets everyday when I was young you know” Brian smirks,
taking off his jacket and tossing it towards Timothy. “ I’ll catch you up later”

“ Ok, buona fortuna” Timothy turned and got in the cab that was parking nearby.

Brian smirks and looks toward the men that’s running toward him, swinging the baton
back and forth like sky dancers.

He cracked his neck, “ Come on, I haven’t done this in a while” talking to himself.

The officers charged at him, he blocked and hit the hand of the officers, the batons fell
out while they cried in pain. He kicks the back of the knee to stop their movements. I’ve learned
this is to protect myself from adults. Suddenly, he felt a hit on his head, his eyes rolled back
and collapsed down on his face. He felt several kicks on his ribs. He struggles to get back up,
not feeling his leg and arms to pull himself up, memories flashing in front of his eyes. “Loser.” “
You couldn’t even fight.” Laughters. Pain.

“ Brian, my son, you have to be brave in order to survive. Come let me teach you” A
gentle voice rings in his head.

Why do I remember all this? Brian got up, shaking his head in order to come back to his
senses. A baton swung at his face, he caught it with his bare hand, kicked them in their
abdomen and punched their jaws, two, no, three collapsed on the floor unconscious, one crying
for help holding his knee, and the rest ran off.

Brian spits on the ground, the taste of blood in between his teeth, his nose stings and his
head dizzy. He didn’t know how he was still able to stand after he got hit so hard on his head.

A cab came right up, the driver pulled the window down. “ Your complexion looks horrible.
An italian sounding boy told me to come pick you up”

“ Did he double the check” Brian panting, his eyes still rolling finding his balance.

“ Well, sort of” The driver looks away. Brian knew that a world like this wouldn’t do this to
him, gladly, he didn’t put his hopes up yet.

Six minutes later, Brian gets down the cab and stumbles up the glass door. Pressing on
his ribs to keep it in place. The Nadler Victoria. He urges to fall, but still brings himself to walk
just thinking about Timothy waiting inside.

The door slid open, Timothy, who was sitting in the lobby, got up and ran towards him.
Brian sees Timothy, he drops and closes his eyes.

33
 Chapter 14

Brian could feel his ribs stabbing his own organs, his head feeling like it's about crack open. His
body melts down as Timothy holds him.

“ I got you,” Timothy said in a soft soothing voice. “ The old man’s resting upstairs, I’ll
bring you there”

Brian heard him, but couldn’t find the energy to reply.

“ It’s ok, you don’t have to, just focus on getting some rest” Timothy walks him up the lift
and arrives at the hotel room. He places Brian on the king size bed, takes off his shirt, and
starts cleaning his wound.

Timothy wrapped his chest and his head with an ace bandage he got from the hotel’s
first aid.

“ Where’s Kartus?” Brian finally talked.

“ Right, you mean that man.” He finally noticed the old man. “ He’s in the room on the left”

Brian got up. “ Ouch” holding his head. “ I have to talk to him.”

“ No, not now, he’s resting”

“Then let me take a look at him”

“ Ok, but stay calm” Timothy holds Brian out of the room and opens another room.

“ He’s in a bad state,” Timothy said, feeling sorry for Kartus.

“ What happened to him?” Brian clenching on Timothy’s hand. Holding his emotions back
from what he just saw.

Kartus laying down on the bed, unconscious, the edge of the coat torn, his skin bruised
and scraped, his feet swollen, but worst, his complexion looks just like a dead man, so thin, so
thin that they can see a dip on his face.

Brian releases his hand on Timothy’s, and limps towards the bed. He sat beside Kartus
and caressed his cheek. He frowned, tears rolling out his eyes and slid down his chin, dripping
onto the ripped coat. The dim light of the dusk crept through little holes and into the room. Brian
clenching his fist, and sobbed.

It’s the first time Timothy has seen Brian express his feelings out of his chest. He knows
Brian likes to suppress it, but after seeing Kratus in person, he couldn’t keep it in. Timothy
looked at Brian and frowned with him. He wants to say something but remembering what Oscar

34
told him not to, he patted him on the back instead.

“ Brian, you need to get some rest yourself” Timothy said

“ Why do you think he’s going to this extent to do something so risky?” Brian said,
ignoring his words. He didn’t sound cold, nor soft, but a child, who misses their parents.

“ I don’t know. Maybe he cares for you, he wants to protect you” Timothy said.

“ But I’m not a child anymore” turning to face Timothy

Timothy sat down beside Brian, Brian following his gaze. Timothy puts his hand on top of
Brian's to calm him down.

“ People say that parents that love their children will do everything in their power to keep
them safe. Like the mother of a cub. You don't have to wonder, don’t have to keep everything to
yourself, you don’t have to think that it’s your fault to put them in danger. You’ve received a lot
of love, from your parents, Kartus, Dar’lion, Oscar, Smith and even I, who'd only known you for
a few days. You carry more lives than you think. They sacrifice themself for you, so don’t let
those sacrifices be worth nothing, try proving your worth by saying thank you to them.”

Brian looked at Timothy, his tears stopped running down.

“ You can fall, you can get lost, you can cry. But just remember that you will always get
up and run again.” Timothy continues.

“ But what if I fall and can never run again?” Brian said.

“ Then I will be there for you. Oscar, Smith, you are not alone” Timothy said. He wanted
to go back in time and say those words to himself.

“ What are you saying to me” Brian said, sounding upset.

“ Because I’ve been through it myself” A bitter smile on Timothy’s face. Brian froze and
couldn’t say anything back to him.

“ Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” Brian got up, he couldn’t feel his legs from sitting so
long, he stumbled and almost fell. Timothy reached out his arms but Brian brushed him off.

“ I can walk by myself,” Brian said.

“ You know that I just told you to lean on me sometimes,” Timothy said.

Brian smiled in relief, “ Did you get yourself a room?”

“ I got it covered,” Timothy said. And Brian goes back to his room.

Timothy’s smile goes down. He turned toward Kartus and put his hands into his pocket.

“I know you’re awake old man, stop pretending to sleep if you’re not”

Kartus got up, “ A very sharp young man, I see.”

35
 Timothy sighs and shrugs. Tapping his foot like he’s in a hurry.

“ Thankyou”

His foot stopped. “ I don’t need to hear that from you, I just did what I had to”

“ Well, young man, hmm, Timothy isn’t it. Nice to see you again. So, what do you want to
say, staying here when telling Brian to get off”

“ You seem to be keeping something from us” Kartus was shocked by what Timothy has
said. How did he know that I was keeping it from them?

“ What a sharp young man, I couldn’t believe it’s that young boy who cried and hid behind
Brian. He used to call you Timmy” Kartus chuckles.

“ That was 18 years ago, I was just 6 back then” Timothy sighed again.

“ Did Brian know yet?”

“ Of course not. God, why can’t you just shut up, cut the chit chat and listen to what I
have to say” Timothy scolded.

“ Is that how you treat your own dad?”

“ What are you hiding from us?” Timothy ignored.

“ What do you mean?”

“ You can’t hide anything from me”

“ It is a note from Dar’ lion” Kartus gave in.

“ What does it say”

“ To protect Brian and”

“ And what”

“ Something involving the gift”

“ Let’s hear it” Timothy pulls the chair and sits in front of him.

“ Our church is in danger”

“ The church? How?!” Timothy was surprised.

“ A bomb is planted on one of the gifts. Dar’ lion picked up a flyer that fell off the day
when they set off to send gifts. Not a lot of people know about our church so the only man I can
thinking of is-” Before he could finish his sentence, Timothy continued as if he just read his
mind.

“ Dar’talor”

36
 “ Yes” Kartus looked down.

“ He was very suspicious today, so I thought he was involved too.”

“ He hated his brother from a young age. Jealousy is the word”

There’s a sudden knock on the door. Brian slowly opened the door hugging his pillow. He
looked like he just got out of the shower. Timothy quickly got up and walked towards him.

“ Why are you still not resting? You shouldn’t move! Your ribs are broken”

“ I’m hungry” Brian takes his glance off Timothy and peeks inside the room. He saw
Kartus sitting up. Brian pushed Timothy away and rushed inside and held onto Kartus.

“ Why didn’t you tell me that you were awake!”

“ Oh my dear, Brian. It’s been a long time” Kartus hugged him. Smiling.

Timothy felt relieved that Brian was happy. He glared at Kartus, Kartus saw his glare and
released Brian.

“ My boy, rest for today and tomorrow, and work the day after.”

“ Yea, I was thinking about that too” Brian turned and looked at Timothy.

“ What are you guys talking about while I am gone?”

“ Nothing, just um, catching up,” Timothy shrugged.

“ Catching up?”

“ You know, things you do between father and son.”

“ Father and son!” Brian looked like he encountered an alien. Looking at Timothy and
back at Kartus.

“ Kartus?” Brian said.

“ Oh right, I didn’t get the chance to tell you yet. This is my son, Timothy Silvestri”

Brian’s jaw dropped. “ Wait so, the boy you introduced me to when I was young is your
son, Timothy Selvistri!?”

“ That’s right,” Timothy said. Kartus smiled so bright until Timothy gave him a death
stare. I told you not to tell him yet. Kartus shifted his eyes and looked outside the window to
live.

“ So you’re the small boy who’s scared of almost everything?”

“ Well, not almost everything, but right, I am that boy,” Timothy said.

“ So you’re Timmy.” Brian was still surprised. Timothy’s eyes widened, he haven’t heard

37
the name Timmy for so long, it sounds warm, nostalgic, like the way it used to be.

“ Well aren’t you boys hungry?” Kartus clapped for attention.

Brian looked at Timothy, a moment of silence filled the room. Then, it was killed by their
laughter. Karuts’ heart melts and the numbness has gone away. I wish the time could last
forever at this moment.

38
 Chapter 15

After Timothy and Brian ran out of the suit, Dar’talor felt his right abdomen pounding and
bursting inside him. He struggles to get up and after, I have to chase them. He stumbles, feeling
his liver start to get numb, he ran out to follow them, but lost. The only thing he could do, is to
run down to the first floor, that’s the place where they can only escape. He waited for the lift, but
it was too slow for him to catch up, so he opened the exit door instead. Running down the stairs,
reached the 1st floor, two more steps to open the exit door, he felt his numbness spreading
through his legs, he dropped, pushing the door open and commanded the officers to chase
them.

“ Are you alright sir?” A staff member came up to him.

“ Tell them to bring me both of them” Dar’talor got up, pressing against his abdomen.

“ I thought you had the keys” He glared.

“ Yes, I do sir” The staff looked down.

“ Then how can they get out!” He shouted, so furious, the lady could see his ear painted
in red.

“ My apologies sir, I should’ve stayed a little longer until they both get in”

“ Now my life is ruined, it’s ruined because of you! And them” His anger filled the hall, the
lady looked across the hall and gave a sign to the counter. Call the hospital.

“ I have to catch them no matter what” He said

“ I have to catch them” he repeated

“ I have to,” he said one last time, then fainted on the floor.

“ Sir!” The lady shouted. “ Call the ambulance!”

After the chaos, Dar’talor found himself in a hotel room. He opened his eyes and looked
around.

“ Where am I?”

“ You are in Park Plaza Westminster bridge london sir” The same lady spoke, standing
beside the bed.

“ Who wrapp me up like this?” touching his wrapped up abdomen.

“ We hired a doctor from St. Thomas Hospital. He was checking on you while you were

39
out sir.”

“ Good,” He groaned. “ Did they capture them?”

“ No sir, we found the officers out beside the St. James street.”

“ Bloody!” He cursed. “ Find them. We can’t let them loose, and don’t let them expose
me.”

“ Yes sir, I will do that right away.” She calmly exits the room. Opened the GPS on her
phone and clicked, Direction. Blue line showed across “ There you are. I found you.”

She went to the room she booked in the same hotel. Got in and locked the door. She
packed her bag and changed her clothes, black jeans, black boots, black shirt, and back jacket.

As she walks down the hotel and out in the dark, nobody can see her, blending into the
darkness, following the GPS direction in her phone. It’s going to be a long way.

40
 Chapter 16

Brian woke up on his bed, feeling delighted. He hasn't been able to get a good sleep for such a
long time. Hasn’t got used to the feeling of a light ming and body. He looked around the room,
realizing that his head has already healed from yesterday’s massage from Timothy. He scoot
over and sit ups, seeing Timothy sleeping beside him. You said you would take care of it but
you forgot to book your own room. Brian chuckles, he shuffles out of his bed without waking up
Timothy.

“Ciao, good morning,” Timothy shuffles.

“ Get out of bed, you lazy bum”

“ Well, you haven’t got out too” Timothy looked at him, about to laugh.

Brian reached out his legs, try to kick Timothy. Timothy glanced, turned and rolled out of
bed.

After a thud on the floor, the doorbell rang. Timothy on the floor, making eye contact with
Brian.

“Who do you think will come here in such an early morning?” Timothy slowly got up.

“Go get dressed, I’ll get the door” Brian stood up and walked toward the door. He looked
at the peephole, he wasn’t sure what he saw, but looked familiar, a young lady, blond curly wavy
hair, wearing all the black from head to toe.

“ It’s the lady with Dar’talor from yesterday.” Brian said to Timothy. Timothy didn’t
answer. Brian walked to the toilet and saw him shaving.

“ What?” Timothy said, looking at the reflection of Brian in the mirror.

“ I said, she’s with Dar’talor yesterday.”

“ Is it the girl with the key?”

“ How do you know?”

“ Well, it’s just a hunch. And logic” Timothy paused between. “ I don’t think she would be
dangerous so you can let her in”

“ I’m not asking you permission.” Brian pouts.

“ Well you asked so,” Timothy shrugged, putting on his clothes.

Brian walked up to the door and slightly opened it. Suspiciously asking, “ Who are you”,

41
with a cold voice.

“ I’m from the CGO”

"We don’t welcome people from the CGO” Brian closes the door.

“ Wait” She stopped at the door with her foot. “ I can help”

Brian looked at her, “ come in,” And closed the door.

Both men sat on the black sofa, big enough to fit both of them. The lady dragged the
chair and sat in front of them.

Bran looked over her shoulder, seeing her bag on the bed.

“ What do you need from the CGO” Brian said

“ It’s not about the CGO. I wanted to help” the lady said.

“ Details”

“ About the gifts, I think I know who it is”

“ Dar’talor?” Timothy said.

The lady nodded.

“ Why would you help us.” Brian sitting back, still not convinced.

She took a deep breath and said. “ I work at the CGO. As an information collector though,
I usually stay up late to organize the news, information, etc. Then one night, I heard the
helicopter on the rooftop of the building, and I was curious, so I went up, but as I went up, the
helicopter was gone.”

She took another deep breath, her fingers started to fidget. “ When I’m coming back
down, there was an old man lying on the floor, wearing a brown coat. I went to see who it was, I
thought it was Dar’talor for a second, but the man looked a little different. Until the next day, I
was clear that it was someone else who died. I saw Dar’talor calling someone, I heard he was
going to Dorchester hotel so I followed and dressed up as one of the staff.”

“ What’s your point in saying all that” Brian said.

“ One night, I heard him talking to himself in his office, grieving and mumbling his guilt”

“ Now that makes sense” Timothy said.

“ So, why do you want to help us?” Brian said.

“ Because I want to take revenge for my father, who was killed by his own brother” she
sounded really angry.

“ You are Dar’ lion’s daughter?” Brian shocked.

42
 “ Yes I am”

“ Wow, I’m not surprised anymore by now. You are Kartus’s son and you are Dar’lion’s
daughter. What a small world”

“ How come you know who my father is?” she asked

“ Well, um, that’s a long story but he took me in. So basically, he was the one who raised
me. But, how come I didn’t get to see you back in Italy?”

“ Oh that. He sent me here in London, so I can study here.”

“ What’s your name signora?” Timothy asked, reaching his hands out.

“ Luna, Luna de Avengline.” she puts her hand onto Timothy’s and receives his kiss.

Brian got up and walked across the room, and reached into her bag.

“ Hey! No, don’t” She tried to stop him, but it was too late. Brian pulled out something that
looked like a strap with pads. Silence and heavy air filled the room. Brian put it back, pretending
not to see anything. Luna got up and stomped over to her bag and throw it into the small closet.

“ I will be following you guys starting from today. That means I will sleep here tonight”
She said, pouting her lips, wavering her eyes not to look at Brian.

“ You mean sleep, here. Here?” Timothy looked at her, confused. “ But where?”

“ Well of course, on the sofa” she pointed.

“ No I mean, I can’t let a girl sleep on the sofa” Timothy said, even more confused.

“ Let her sleep wherever she wants,” Brian said, pulling out a pen and a paper.

“ Do you know Kartus?” Timothy asked.

“ Yes, of course I do”

“ He’s right beside”

“ I just went there, thinking that it was your room.”

“ How was he” Brian asked, while writing something down.

“ He’s sewing his coat together,” she shrugged. Brian chuckled.

He finished writing, and showed it. “ It’s a letter to Oscar”

“ Why don’t you just call him?” Timothy asked.

“ Dar’talor is from the CGO, he can do anything to track us down, even if it’s hacking in our
phone.” Luna answers. Timothy and Brian looked at each other then her, in surprise,

43
 “ Thought you were an office girl, who sits there doing something without using her brain”
Brian said. She scoffs and pulls out a handgun from her bag, the same model, but with a
silencer on.

“I prepared these for you boys”

44
 Chapter 17

On the break of dusk, Timothy, Brian and Luna has been sitting on the floor for so long they
couldn’t remember when. They had their plans perfectly set on the table. Luna took a big sigh of
relief, got up and stretched.

“ I’m gonna go check on Kartus,” Luna said, yawning.

“ I’ll tag along” Brian also got up.

“ Don’t leave me behind” Timothy got up next.

The three young adults walked out their room yawning, and opened the room next door.

“ Kartus, what have you been do-” Luna paused, noticing that the window was open, the
bed was empty, his coat and needles were left behind.

Brian moved Luna out of the way so he could see the scene clearly. “ He has been
captured”

“ Dar’talor” Timothy ran back to his room, grabbing his phone. Luna was dumbfounded,
seeing both mean moving so quickly, like they’ve been doing this for their whole life.

“ You’re right, we’re on the second floor, they could easily swing down here.” Brian on the
window edge, looking down.

“ Careful, you’ll fall.” Timothy holds Brian back on the waist, preventing him from falling.
Brian got back in and walked out of the room, followed by Timothy and Luna.

“ Leave the plan aside, and let’s focus on saving Kartus first” Brian said.

“ Let’s get in first, people will hear us” Luna shushes.

In the room, they huddled around in a circle on the floor. With just the light of sunset shining into
the room.

“ I don’t think it’s a good idea to rescue Kartus,” Timothy presented.

“ What are you saying?” Brian argued. “ I thought he was your dad!?” saying it as quietly
as he could.

“ I know, I want to save him, but I think that’s what Dar’talor wants us to do, to fall into
his traps” Timothy said.

“ That’s right, I’m with him,” Luna raised her hand.

45
 Brian sighed, “ Alright, fine”

“ We’ll follow our plan, we have to go to Italy first '' Timothy gave each of them a mini
headset and a spare phone. “ Use this phone to call any one of us instead, so he wouldn't track
us down.”

“ You mean our church?” Brian asked.

“ Yes, and we will have to go bomb hunting.” Timothy raised his finger up. Smirking.

“ You mean a bomb is planted in our church” Luna crossed her arms.

“ Sî, Kartus told me yesterday”

“ What?! You never told me.” Brian said, upset.

“ He doesn't have to tell you everything you know” Luna snapped back at Brian, still
crossing her fingers.

Timothy didn’t know how to react, his movements were awkward. “ Ah, um, sorry, I didn’t
get the chance to tell you yesterday, I wanted to tell you but I think it’s better for you to rest”.
Timothy said, scratching his head, trying to find the right words to answer his question.

“I’ve booked a flight tomorrow” Timothy showed them the ticket on his phone.

Brian and Luna took the picture and saved it into their phone.

“ Are you sure that Dar’talor couldn’t move right now” Brian looked Timothy into the eyes.

“ Yea, probably, he’s in Park Plaza, injured.” Luna said.

“ Ok, but I don’t want Oz to know about him yet” Brian said to Timothy.

“ Alright, I understand” Timothy answers back with a gentle voice, knowing again Brian is
trying his best not to burden anyone else again. He put his hand onto Brian’s and smiled at him.
It’s okay, I’m here for you.

“ Alright, now that Kartus is not in his room, one can sleep in that room” She pointed to
the wall on her back. She grabs Timothy’s hand that’s resting on Brian’s, and pulls away.

“ Brian, you seem tired today so me and Timmy can leave you alone to give you some
alone time”

Brian leaned back and sighed. This is getting rough, in many different ways,

46
 Chapter 18

The man in the hotel room, wrapped with an ace bandage, could barely move, inserted with IV,
filled his rage and anger. He spills his drink when it doesn't suit his taste, throwing teacups to
the guards when it reminds him about them. With so many emotions filling his head, anger leads
him.

“ Why that girl, that woman, that bloody bitch betrayed me. She betrayed me” He barks
like a hound.

“ I wanted all of them dead, before they could kill me” He ordered a guard that was
standing at the doorway.

“ Didn’t you hear me! I said. I want them dead! No actually. Stop right there” He placed
one of his hands on his forehead, and the other giving a wave to stop the guards from moving.

“ Go capture Kartus but leave the boys out. Then book me a flight to Italy tomorrow, I
know where they’re going”

47
 Chapter 19

The sun shines on to Brian’s face. He opened his eyes and squinted, blinding by the morning
sun. He slept pretty soundly yesterday from overthinking the process all over again. Wishing
that it would not fail. But something tells him that it’s rather fishy, like calm before the storm. He
got up, noticing that his bed was empty, it’s the first time he’d felt emptiness sleeping alone.
Usually he’s better off sleeping alone but not now. He brushed his teeth, shaved, and changed
into the same cloth he wore two days ago. He packed his stuff and got out of his room, deciding
to go down to the lobby and wait for them.

As he walks out the door, Timothy opens the door at the same time. Luna holding onto
his arms. Brain frowned a little, but got on with his business.

“ Ciao Brian. How was your sleep yesterday?” Timothy walked up to him and asked.

“ We don’t have time for chit chatting, the flight is in two hours.” Giving off the same cold
vibe he gave the first time they met. Timothy paused and stayed silent, and followed him
behind.

They ate and called the cab.

“ To Heathrow Airport” Luna said, closing the door behind them. Luna sat behind Brian
and Timothy at the back seat, squeezing close to Timothy.

An hour later, they arrived at Heathrow airport. Three carrying their bags in, through and
across the airport. On the passenger seat, Luna sat on the right side of the plane, while Brain
and Timothy took the middle.

“ Pss, Brian. Can I change seats with you” Luna leaned toward and whispered.

“ I don’t see why should I” Brian lay on his chair and relaxed. Timothy looked at Brian,
chuckled and saw someone familiar at the corner of his eyes, he turned but saw no one that he's
looking for. Maybe I’m imagining things.

Timothy put his palms on Brian’s face, telling him to close his eyes and sleep, knowing
that he didn’t sleep well yesterday. He closed his eyes, and fell asleep from the warmth of his
hand.

Half an hour passed, Brian felt a swoosh across his face, he opened his eyes and saw
Luna’s sleeve. He turned toward Timothy and saw Luna helping him wipe his sweat off his
forehead.

“ What’s the matter?” Brian asked, rubbing his eyes.

“ I don’t know, look at him, he looks bad.” Luna said, worried.

48
 Brain got up and took his hand. “ Timothy, are you okay”

Timothy got up, startled. “ Oh, ha ha, um, it’s just a nightmare, don’t worry about it.”

“Tim” Brian said, locking his eyes on Timothy.

“ It’s nothing, it’s about a man scaring me when I was little” Timothy laughed it off.

Both Luna and Brian sat back down and sighed.

“ Timothy, you told me not to burden everything to myself. You know that I am here for
you too” Brian said.

“ I know very well, but you also, still keep something away from me, right?” Timothy
looked back at Brain. “ You’ve stopped calling me Timmy like you used too”

“We’re not kids anymore, and besides, you have a lover to call you that” Brian averts his
eyes.

“ Lover?” Timothy looked very confused. His brows are unequal, tilting his head
sideways, trying to think of something that makes him talk that way. “ I thought I am pretty
insightful and smart but when it comes to you, I just can’t.” He chuckled.

“ You don’t have a lover?”

“ I do you mean I do,” Timothy laughed.

“ Isn’t Luna your lover? I mean, your parents know each other”

“ No no, if it’s about last night, she didn’t do anything, besides I am not even her type”

“ Then what did she do?”

“ She’s just asking me for advice. She wants to flirt with men in Italy.” Timothy laughed.
He could see Brian’s ears turning red from embarrassment. He thought to himself for a second,
before he could reach his ears, the pilot announced that they were in Italy.

“ Get up boys, it’s time for our real mission to start”

49
 Chapter 20

“ Sir, the champagne you ordered” the airhostess walked up and poured his champagne in
the glass. Dar’talor twirls and smells his champagne, feeling relaxed. Putting his legs up and
pressing a button, the chair moved back that stretched his body back. He closed his eyes and
fell into darkness, “Dar’talor, my brother, protect my kids for me.” The sound rings inside his
head, he couldn't’ resist seeing the image in his eyes. He struggles to make it stop, he did
everything in his might to wake himself up. My brother, I’m sorry, I couldn’t protect them.

“ Sir!” the sound of the airhostess woke him up. He flinched and opened his eyes.

“ Are you alright Mr. Dar’talor?” The air hostess bought a towel so that he could wipe his
face.

“ Thankyou” he took the towel and wiped it. He took a deep breath and exhaled to clear
his thoughts. It was just a dream.I have to find them.

After more than an hour passed by. The pilot announced their destination. He got up, and
walked out of the airport. He looked around Italy, but then, for a second, suddenly, in the corner
of his eyes. He saw a very familiar silhouette, he turned and blinked twice to clear his vision.
Again, an illusion, I guess I was just haunted.

The black car stopped, he got in the back seat. “ Sistine Cathedral.” The driver started to
step on the pedal and the car moved away.

50
 Chapter 21

Three people got down the airplane, carrying their bags and their plans in their head, wishing it
would go smoothly. Timothy senses someone following them behind, but turns, and sees
nothing. He’s sixth sense is kicking in, telling him that he’s in danger, but couldn’t make any
move to not scare both of them. Brian realized that Timothy is acting really anxious about this,
but doesn’t know why.

“ We’ll be okay, I got your back” Brian patted him on the shoulder.

“ I’m here too,” Luna said.

The three of them sat on the bench waiting for the cab, but they all saw someone familiar
sitting behind them. With his hoodie down, big silhouette, grey hoodie, and black jeans. They all
seem to notice but ignored thinking that it’s because they are nervous.

“ Once everything is over, let’s go sightseeing in Italy. Oh, and Timothy can take us
around” Luna bending over.

“ Is this your first time here?” Timothy asked.

“ Do you forget that I was Dar’lion’s daughter? I was born here, but I don’t even remember
this Leonardo da Vinci International airport.” Luna frowned. “But it’s alright, I don’t have regrets,
we’ll just have to end this, and move on.”

Brian smiled, he thought to himself how lucky it is to meet Timothy and Luna at the same
time. He realizes that the world isn’t as bad as he thought it would be.

The cab pulled over, they got on and shut the door.

“ Take us to Sistine Cathedral, ti ringrazio” Timothy said to the driver. The car drove away
the airport, Luna and Brian looking out the window and awing the view and the atmosphere of
Italy. They feel peaceful, but can’t let their guard down. As they get closer to the church their
smiles slowly fade, their eyes on guard, their muscles tense.

The cab stopped and they got down.

There was no one there, so they went into the church, as they closed the big door behind
them with a loud thud, they looked up and saw the nostalgic empty hall, the beautiful picture all
over the wall and ceiling they’ve seen for years, the big empty hall that they usually placed in.
The echo of the hall gave them peace and home. But as they approached the door like- beautiful
big concrete carved wall, they saw the cross in front of a big painting. But a man sitting on the
stairs, wearing the familiar brown coat, but this time, a new one, white beard, pale white skin. He
stood up and walked toward the three of them, they flinched and moved back.

51
 “ Who are you?” Brian spreads his arms out in front, guarding them.

“ I’m sad that you didn’t recognize me Brian. I raised you my boy” the old man moved
closer.

“ Dar’loin?” Brian said, squinting his eyes to take a clear look.

“ Not right”

“ So you’re Kartus” Brian said, moving back as he moved closer. “ What are you doing
here”

Kartus pulled out a gun.

“ Kartus. What are you doing. Put that gun down.” Timothy said.

“ You don’t even call me dad already” Kartus lifts his arms out.

Suddenly the church door opened. Dar’talor, in a suit, walked in, almost running.

“ Dar’talor? What are you doing here?” Kartus quickly puts his guns away. “ Are you
finding our brother too?”

“ Don’t give me these bloody bullshit coming out of your filthy mouth” Dar’talor also pulls
out the gun, pointing at Kartus. Kartus puts his arms out, giving a sorrowful expression.

“ Dar’talor!” Brian cuts in. “ Put that gun down now!” He pulled out his gun, pointing at
Dar’talor.

“ Oh, I see. You haven’t told them about your true self yet don’t you” Dar’talor mocked
Kartus. Trying his best to trigger his anger to reveal himself.

“ What do you mean?” Brian asked, slowly lowering his guns down. But Timothy lifts his
arms again, supporting him, pointed at Dar’talor.

“ Don’t trust him yet.” he whispered into Brian’s ears.

Luna hid behind the two men, trying to think what to do. The bomb.

“ The bomb.” She whispers to them both.

“ You go find the bomb, I think it’s wrapped in a gift box. Take this” Timothy handed her a
mini headset.

“ You can hear everything is said here, so don’t worry, I will tell you when I think the
bomb starts ticking.” Timothy said.

Luna nodded, grabbed the head set and ran away. “ I will tell you both if I find it.”

Brian and Timothy nodded back at her, smiling. She smiled back too.

Turning their head back focusing on the guns, Brian saw Kartus’s expression changes.

52
 He pulled out his guns and pointed at Brian.

“ No Kartus.” Dar’talor said calmly. “The kids didn’t do anything wrong” He slowly raised
his arms up and put his guns down on the floor.

“ Kartus? What happened to you? Did something happen?” Brain frowned.

“ Dad?” Timothy looked at him.

“ Don’t call me your dad, I’ve never considered you as my son” Kartus smirks.

Timothy’s eyes widen, his arms trembling as he supports Brian’s arm. Brian felt it.
He looked up at him, seeing his expression. Brain was shocked, he looked just like on the
airplane, innocent, and pure, like a kid that doesn’t want to lose his father. Oh, I know that
feeling. Brian brushed his hand, trying to calm him down just like he did to him. Timothy looked
down and smiled, with his eyes watering.

“ I’m here,” Brian smiled.

Kartus smirked, seeing them distracted by their weakness, he pulled the trigger. But
before the bullet could reach them, both of them fell down by something crashing into them.

“ Are you alright?” The big man with a grey hoodie looked down at both of them and said,
with worry.

“ Smith?” Brian and Timothy looked at each other, confused

“ Why are you here?” Brian asked.

“ It’s a long story, I’ll tell you later but for now, we can’t trust Kartus, but instead, trust
Dar’talor” Smith got up and looked at Kartus. “ He lied to all of us.”

“ Dar’talor? Could you explain what’s going on please. I don’t know anymore” Brian sitting
on the floor, looking at him.

“ It’s a long story, Dar’lion told me to protect you. But I failed to do that. I thought leaving
you guys alone would protect you away from this bloody man right there, but I was wrong, I
should’ve moved faster.” Dar’talor looks back at Brain smiling, like he’s talking to his own son.

Brian wanted to cry, he wanted to release everything he has kept inside for years. But he
took a deep breath, and stood up. His eyes cold as dry ice, his face unwavered, his stance
firmed, showing no signs of fear. He pointed his gun toward Kartus. Timothy stood up beside
Smith behind him.

Kartus would never forget the face of what Brian looked like when he’s undefeatable. So
he flinched and took a step back, he started to sweat, cold sweats, but he stopped himself from
showing defeat.

“ You were always like this. Just like Dar’lion, both looking at me with your bloody cold
eyes.” Kartus said. Brian didn’t flinch, move, nor blink. Still pointing his gun at him, with his
dead eyes.

53
 “ What do you mean” Brian said in a deep cold voice.

“ That’s right. It means what it means. I killed Dar’lion” Kartus laughed to shake his
nervousness.

Timothy looked at Brian’s back, holding onto his gun just his case.

“ Bzzz, check check, Tim, Brian, I found the bomb.” Luna talked through the mic from
the head set.

“ Okay good, try your best to diffuse it.” Timothy said, “ Right now Brian’s-”

“ I know, you don’t have to tell me. I heard everything” Luna cuts him.

“ Are you okay?” Timothy was worried.

“ I’m fine, I told you I don’t have any regrets. I just want avenge for my father. But why
Kartus. Are you okay?” Luna asks him back.

“ I’m. I’m not actually” Timothy answered.

Brain heard everything from his headset, his eyes flinched, but went back cold. He
wanted to put down his gun and run back and take him away somewhere far away. But he
couldn’t, he thinks that Timothy also has the rights to deal this with his father.

“ I can’t diffuse the bomb” Luna panicked. “This is fake”

Timothy looked at Smith, Smith tilted his head. “ The bomb is fake”

54
 Chapter 22

Luna runs down the church after Timothy handed her a head set. She walked up and down the
stairs. Finally she reached a big hall, filled with benches people could sit on. The cross of Jesus
and six candles, three on each side. She kneeled in front of the cross, put her hands together,
closed her eyes and started praying. Please forgive my dad, my dad is a good man. Please
save my lovely friends from darkness, and make them happy. Please father, I don’t have any
regrets and let me end this in a good way. Amen.

She stood up and walked across the benches, scanning through every row. She saw a
small green gift box. She dashed right through the benches and tried squeezing in between as
fast as she could. But, she sensed something was wrong, something’s missing. She opened the
box, she sees clock, not ticking, she noticed that something is wrong with his bomb, but she
pulled out her plier, knowing that her first priority is to stop the bomb.

She clicked unmute on her mic, “ check check, Tim, Brian, I found the bomb”

“ Okay good, try your best to diffuse it” Timothy told her. She never diffuses the bomb,
but her father taught her enough to give her some idea of how.

“Right now Brian is-”

“ I know” She heard everything from her head set. She wants to rush back to them and
stabb Kartus on his heart, but she knows better. “ You don’t have to explain, I heard everything”

“Are you okay?” She heard his voice wavering. I’m not okay. She wanted to kill the guy
who killed her father.

“ I’m fine, I told you I don’t have any regrets. I just want avenge for my father. But why
Kartus?” She sighed, “Are you okay?”

“ I’m. I’m not actually” She knew he wouldn’t be okay, since Kartus is his father. She
nodded and tried to cut the wires.

She lifted up the wires and found it strange that it was so light. Her eyes followed the
wires, she saw the wires had already been cut.

She clicked her tongue. “ Tim, I can’t defuse the bomb. This is fake”

“What? It’s fake?” Timothy said in panic.

“ Yea”

“Then there must be a real one somewhere else. Maybe somewhere very hidden,
somewhere no one could think of” Timothy said.

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 “ Alright, I’ll find it.” Luna got up and ran out the hall. Somewhere no one can think of.

The round ceiling.

She ran, looking back and forth, finding the way to the round ceiling.

“ I remember it somewhere here” She pants, gasping for breath.

Where. Where. Where

“ There it is” she walked under the round ceiling, bright orange light shining through the
glass window and the top. She looked around but saw nothing on the ground. Somewhere very
hidden. She thinks. She looked up, a little square box, hanging down the circle glass on a string.

“ Bloody hell” She said through her mic. “ I found it”

“Where?” Timothy shocked

“ Dome frescoes,” she said calmly. “ I’ll defuse it”

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 Chapter 23

Brian stood firm, still holding the gun in his hand, pointing at Kartus. His cold chills filled the
space, Dar'talor, Smith, and even Timothy never experienced something so cold, dense and
heavily pressured by someone. The one who could do this, is to experience something terrible in
life. Kartus didn't know what to do, so he backed away, tripping on the stairs. He tripped and fell,
a small remote fell out of his pocket. Brian saw the remote, Timothy started running.

“Stop” Brian yelled, clicking off the safety trigger on the gun. “ Don’t you dare pick that
up”

Kartus smiled, “ Why would I?” By the time his mouth stopped talking, he grabbed the
remote and clicked it. Brian shot his legs so he wouldn't be able to run away.

“ Luna! Quick! Defuse the bomb, he clicked something!” Timothy yelled into the mic to
make sure Luna could hear.

“ I’m working on it!” Luna said. “There’s still time until it explodes”

“ Why would you do this Kartus?” Brian’s eyes started to waver, he couldn't maintain the
cold atmosphere. I am also a human being. “ Why would you kill Dar’lion?”

“ You asked me why? Because all of you looked down on me. None of you looked at me,
none of you paid attention, none of you” Kartus laughs and cries.

“ What are you spouting nonsense about?” Dar’talor said back. “ We never did that to you”

“ Oh, you just don’t understand the feeling of loneliness, worthlessness, and being an
outsider. Always the outsider” Kartus continued. “ I was the one who killed your parents”

“ Why would you?” Brian lowering his gun, his eyes starting to water.

“ Because Dar’lion never focuses on me. He always talked about Christine and John,
Christine John, Christine John, bla bla bla” Kartus starting to gasp from blood loss. “ Then, I saw
a little boy underneath your mother’s arm, covered in blood, his eyes burning with anger, hatred
and revenge. I thought you would come with me. But then, Dar’lion picked you up instead.
You’ve become just like him, cold furious eyes, firm and unwavered. I got so jealous. So I killed
him.” He looked at Brian in the eyes. “ And, I wanted to kill you too”

“ Kartus! How dare you!” Dar’talor walked up to him and grabbed him by the collar. Brian
dropped on the ground, he’s been with a murderer for so long. He’d loved a murderer for so long.
He’d been covering up for the murderer. His heart sank, he started gasping for air, he felt his
lungs stuffed, like he just ate cotton. Timothy ran towards him.

“ Hey! Brian, deep breath in and out, calm down. It’s not only you who feel this way. I

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feel. Sad. But he’s long gone. He’s not the Kartus we know” Timothy picking Brian up.

“ I, I don’t know. I can’t go on. Why would he lie” Brian cried.

“ Ouch!” A cry from the headset.

“ There’s only a few seconds left,” Kartus grinned. “ A few seconds left and we’re all
gone”

“ Luna! Are you alright!?” Timothy covers his ears to hear her clearly form the headset.

“ Yea, I fine, there’s still seventeen seconds left”

“ Hurry up! We don’t have time!”

“ Yea, I know, just shut up, I’m concentrating. You know what, there’s no way to defuse
this!”

“ What!?” Timothy yelled

“ Tell everybody to get out! Now!” Luna yelled as fast as she could. “ 14 seconds!”

“ What about you!?” Brian yelled.

“I’ll just jump out the window from here!”

Brian and Timothy looked at Smith and Dar’talor, their eyes moved towards the door.
Both men nodded.

“ Go!” Dar’talor said, picking up his gun from the ground. “ I’ll distract him, I’ll catch you
guys up later!”

Timothy holds Brian up. The three men ran towards the door as fast as they could, like
animals desperate for survival. They opened the door. Luna jumps out the window. Then, there’s
a fire exploding inside out. Luna flew and rolled down the curved concrete and dropped down.
Smith sees her falling down, he sprints and catches her. They both collapse on the ground.

“ Oh hey handsome” She waved her hand at Smith.

“ Wait, what about Kartus and Dar’talor!?” Brain looked back at the chapel, the concrete
falling apart, the door breaking, fire burning inside. The sound of sirens filled the streets.

“ I’m sorry, but they’re both gone,” Timothy said.

“ No, it can’t be” Brian said.

“ It’s okay to cry” Timothy hugs Brian.

Brian hugged him for comfort, his tears couldn't stop coming out, Timothy too, couldn’t
resist the urge to cry, losing someone precious to him the first time in his life.

After the fire was stopped by the fire fighters, they were told Dar’talor and Kartus were

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both burned into ashes, and they couldn’t find the remanings. The four of them were sent to a
nearby hospital to rest. Smith and Luna got several broken ribs from the fall and the impact.
Brian has to heal his old rib injury and his mental health. Timothy got a burn on his right leg from
the explosion, from being a shield for Brian, and his mental health.

A few months later, the four of them are released from the hospital and separated. Luna
desperately follows Smith wherever he goes. Timothy, back to Venice to find his grandmother.
Brian went back to London to report his mission to Oscar. The christmas gift has stopped, they
later found out that Kartus was the one who send the gifts and is the one who planned to bomb
the church and kill everyone who’s involve. Brian hasn’t got over what happened to them.

The Case of Christmas Gifts. Case closed.

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 Epilogue

Brian came down from the cab, wearing his brown leather jacket, black jeans and boots. He
dragged his luggage into the airport. Heathrow Airport. He got on the plane and landed at
Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.

“ What a familiar sight” He walked across the airport and out.

“ Hey Bree, how’ve you been?” A girl walked out of the red car and sat on top, crossing
her arms.

“ It’s been a while, Luna” Brian smiled.

“ Wow, look at that smile though” Luna elbowed him. “ I have a surprise for you” she
winked.

She knocked on the window of her car, a man came out and closed the door. Smiling at
him, he knew who it was just in one glance.

“ Ciao bello, como sei stato?”

“ Sto bene, e tu?” Brian smiled and walked towards him.

“ I see you getting better at your Italian.”

The deep familiar voice, soft, and soothing, he looked up and the man shines brighter
than anything in his eyes.

“ Well, I’ll be traveling here in Italy alot now, because of you Timmy” Brain scuffs.

“ I haven’t heard that name for a long time now” he chuckled.

“ Where’s Smith?” He asked Luna.

“ Well, um, you see, I, last night” Luna looked away.

“ I see,” Brian cleared his throat and got in the car. “ Well, lead the way driver.”

Luna sighed, “ Yes sir” and got in the car. Timothy sat beside him in the back seat.

"Now that Christmas is over, a new mission begins.”

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About the Author

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 About the Novel

A week before Christmas, people around the world starts to receive random gifts from
the "Santa Clauses". Rumor spread like wildfire, until if reaches a detective who have
a week to find the truth.

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