Godfire: The Split Soul

Footsteps echoed loudly in the hallway behind Jinx’s door as morning came.

Cassy yawned as she rose from the chair she had slept in, stretching. "Hhhaa. What a night."

A bone-crackling sound echoed around her when she closed her eyes, her heavy breasts squeezing against each other.

She walked to the bathroom and came back with water dripping from her face. She glanced at the door, then at Jinx. "She’s still asleep?"

Cassy neared Jinx’s bed, then pulled a chair and sat down. Pam. Pam. Pam.

She tapped Jinx’s cheeks three consecutive times, then smiled when Jinx’s eyes flared open.

"Is it yet morning?" Jinx asked, drowsiness filling her voice.

"Yes. We missed today’s training," Cassy stated, slightly lowering her head.

Jinx rubbed the back of her palm on her eyes, then sat up. "I know. I just had a stressful day yesterday."

After three minutes, Captain Jin and Officer Jinwoo entered, followed by a man wearing a black T-shirt.

"This is her," Officer Jin stated, pointing toward Jinx’s direction.

Jinx’s heart rose the moment she saw Black’s smiling face. ’What is he doing here? How did he—’ Before she could continue, she tilted her gaze toward Cassy’s bombastic side eye.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Jinx asked, her head leaning back.

Cassy didn’t say a word. She simply smiled, then stood up and went to greet the man. "Hello," she said, extending her arm for a greeting, but keeping her eyes locked at the center of the man’s trousers.

"Hello," Black responded. "I’m—" He paused when he saw Jinx shaking her head, then smiled. "Is she okay now?"

He quickly diverted his words, then trod toward the bed. Cassy stood there, her hand still hovering in the air, waiting for the handshake that never came.

He spent ten minutes around Jinx, asking her questions about herself and also about her brother, Kai.

When Black was about to leave the room, Cassy cleared her throat, catching the young man’s attention.

"You’ve asked of her but didn’t even ask of me," Cassy teased a little, but the tone of her voice sounded deeper and sarcastic.

"Oh, my apologies." Black smiled, then moved his right hand forward for a handshake.

"You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?" Cassy asked, while focusing on Black’s brown eyes.

Black smiled, then gave Jinx a quick glance, then shifted his attention to the brown-haired lady. "Maybe. The world is round."

"It’s round indeed." Cassy laughed, then slowly loosened her grip on the man.

"Seems I didn’t even ask your name." Black gazed at the slightly reddened eyes of Jinx, then giggled.

"Oh, I’m Cassy. But you can call me by any name you want." Cassy lowered her gaze back to the center of the man’s trousers, then licked her lips.

"Really?" Black leaned back, feeling a bit shocked.

"Yeah. My family chose to call me Cassy. So you can also give me yours," Cassy uttered, then blinked.

"Alright." Black pulled back, then walked back to Jinx, then gave her a forehead kiss.

"I will be waiting for you when you get discharged."

Jinx blinked, her cheeks softening.

"I didn’t get your name?" Cassy called to the man when he moved toward the door and pushed it open, one leg raised.

"Ask her, she will tell you." Black smiled, then closed the door behind him.

Silence ruled between Cassy and Jinx even after five minutes had passed. And when the echoing footsteps in the hallway faded, they all looked at each other with wide eyes.

"WHO IS THAT?" Cassy asked in a loud voice, her eyes turning dull.

A faint smile tore on Jinx’s lips. "That’s B.B.C."

The medical bay went about its daily routine as the military nurses and other patients roamed the other rooms.

Inside the training yard, Merlin stood there, watching the raised dust that had footprints in it.

He inhaled deeply as two green leaves got plunged and flew in his direction.

"Yung Chin K is really someone special."

As if in response to his thoughts, soft footsteps echoed from behind him. And when Merlin turned, he saw Kai closing in on him from a distance.

"Hello, sir," Kai greeted, then placed his hands at his back.

"Hello, Yung Chin K." Merlin shifted his gaze from the boy, then looked back at the birds on the tree ten feet away.

"You did well yesterday," Merlin said, then giggled.

Kai’s face turned slightly pale. "Did I?"

Merlin glanced at him, then shook his head. "You did worse than any man could have ever done."

He opened his mouth, then began to inhale the sweet scent from the queen of the night tree.

"Follow me." Merlin moved two steps forward. "There is someone I would want you to meet."

Kai reluctantly followed the man. They walked through the training yard’s entrance, joined the passing soldiers, then halted at the front of the new medical bay.

Merlin released one hand from his back, then placed it on Kai’s shoulder. "Heighten your mind, because what I’m going to show you is beyond imagination."

’I should heighten my mind?’ Kai thought once, then followed.

Just as he climbed the first three staircases, he caught Black sliding into his taxi.

’Isn’t that Jinx’s friend? The one who was a lecturer at Vamus College?’ Kai paused and watched the taxi exit the RedBull gate.

Merlin also paused after reaching the top, then called to the boy. "Is something wrong?"

"No. No." Kai shook his head as he responded. He ran back to Merlin. The black glass door of the ten-story building swung open after Merlin pressed a remote he had pulled out from his pocket.

Inside was like a world of science. Cameras spread across the walls, and the walls themselves seemed to be inhaling every single bit of air in the hallway.

Kai’s eyes darted in every direction they took in the room.

Merlin paused and turned to Kai the moment they reached a white twelve-foot door. "Are you ready?"

Kai swallowed hard, then answered, "I am ready."