"Finished."
Miller woke up to the loud sound of a book being closed, opening his eyes to the sudden noise that came from his side. "What?" He mumbled as he looked to his companion, who was on the sofa, "did you say something?" Confusion is clear in his tone.
"Yes," Adam answered, "I just finished the book," repeating once again with a curious tone in his voice, "you should really pay attention to your surroundings," sighing in response with a smile, "anyways, I learn quite a lot of magic, especially when it comes to performing rituals with various purposes."
The boss blinked his eyes in surprise. "Really? Then what is the best one that doesn't revolve around sacrificing others?" He asked with a serious tone, determined to find the solution that doesn't require unnecessary lives to be sacrificed for the greater good. "What is the ritual that you could perform that would satisfy the condition?"
Sighing tiredly, he knew this would make him upset if he told Miller about it, but seeing there was no other choice but to not harm others, Adam spilled the beans: "We need chalk, candles, and a fresh corpse to allow me to perform this ritual."
"But there is one problem," the young man started. "I don't know where to get a corpse that hasn't started decomposing yet. Even though the ritual is easy to do, we need to use someone dead within 24 hours since blood must remain pure, otherwise our spell won’t take effect." His face twisted into worry, fearing how people might react upon finding a corpse outside on drawn pentagram.
Walker's son couldn't believe what he was hearing: "fresh corpse?" An uncomfortable and disrespectful word came out of his mouth as the situation was starting to become grim: "So you're saying the only way to perform the ritual is to get a fresh corpse?"
Adam nodded, "Yes, but I suggest we do it quickly before the blood starts to coagulate and decompose." Pausing for a moment, he turned to the ceiling before inhaling a breath of air, "Worse still, we have to perform it during the full moon, outside." The latter was said with a grim expression on his face as if this situation isn't as simple as it sounds.
There was no other way around this problem; Miller really doesn't like doing this. It goes against his moral compass, and he would never forgive himself if he ever agreed to this, but he has to do it; he needs to save people's lives and prevent the tragedy that is going to strike them. "We'll get the corpse, just don't ask where we would get it."
A raised brow appeared on the young man's face. "Oh, uh, sure?" He responded in confusion, unsure why Miller would be so defensive about it, but he didn't question him further about the matter. "I suppose we have to bring a truck for this?" Questioning her, he then asked, "Are you comfortable going along?"
Of course not, Miller thought. The dead should be respected and never disturbed, yet here he is, planning to go against everything he believes in. "No," he answered, "but if it's for the sake of saving others, then I will do what I have to do." His eyes stared back at Adam. "Besides, I trust you that the ritual will work."
Responding back with a chuckle, "you really believe in me with these types of things?" He couldn't help but be amused. "I suppose your faith is not misguided; I know exactly what I'm doing. If you're willing to do this, then we must do it now." Standing up from the sofa, he proceeded to head toward the exit only to be stopped by the hand grabbing his shoulder.
"Rest first, man," his boss shook his head, "we've been doing nothing but work ever since we came here. You deserve to have some shut-eye." Miller's partner tried to protest, only to be met with a stern look in the eyes: "If you're going to go through this whole ordeal, you need to rest."
Taking a break is something Adam has rarely done in the past; he finds it unusual to be given such a luxury as this. It seems the concept of taking a break is foreign to him. "Uh, are you sure?" He asked, turning around while hesitant to even go along with it.
Retreating his hand away, Miller nodded in reassurance, saying, "Yes, it wouldn't hurt you to relax for a bit. Everyone deserves a reward for the hard work they've done. "Patting him on the back, "why don't we eat first before going to bed?" Suggesting a solution.
Noticing his own stomach rumbling, Adam replied, "Yeah, I think I'll do that," taking a glance at the nearby window, "Is it morning?" Confusion is clearly seen in his eyes as he sees the sun out, not understanding this since he should have finished the book a whole day earlier.
Unless he's missing something.
Shaking his head, Walker's son then scratched his head with a slight smile and said, "You read an entire day; the sun had already rose during the time we were still awake," saying in a calm tone, "Let's eat in the kitchen; you've earned it," patting him on the back once more.
Nodding, he followed his boss from behind as they headed towards the kitchen, where white walls and gray tiles were apparent on the floor. There is a countertop and cabinets above it, along with a sink. There is a stove and a microwave on the countertop, and a refrigerator is in the corner. There is also a small dining table in the middle of the room, where the two men can eat their breakfast. He has to admit that he's surprised by how well-stocked the kitchen is.
As the two sat across from each other at the table, Miller then asked, "So, what do you like?" Wanting to know what type of food he prefers, he said, "We got bacon, eggs, ham, bread, cereal, milk, fruits, vegetables, yogurt, oatmeal, coffee, tea, and much more." Adding up his list, he grinned before telling his partner, "The choices are endless. Take your pick, and I'll make it for you."
Frowning, Adam folded his arms as he was trying to remember what he enjoyed eating, but alas, he can't seem to find peculiar food he considers his favorite as everything his wife cooked is always delicious and unique. "Uh, I don't know. Your guess is better than mine." He shrugged.
Sighing, the Afro-haired young man shook his head and said, "Alright, I guess I'll make us some pancakes with bacon and eggs," making his choice as he stood up from his seat, "Anything else you want?" Asked for his preference, hoping his partner had a preference for something.
"I'll take some bacon and eggs," he stated, "that's all, really," saying in a polite manner that he was trying his best not to sound ungrateful. "Thank you," Adam added, giving his boss a small smile and appreciating this small act of generosity.
Miller smiled back at him, turning to where the pots and pans were stored. After washing his hands, he reached into the cabinet and pulled out what he needed as he began to make their food, making Adam watch his boss do his thing, wondering how his family was doing. He misses them so badly, but he knows that they are safe. Even though it does not stop him from worrying about them.
"By the way," the young man's voice cut through his boss's attention, "where is my dog?" The black-haired young man asked, wanting to know his canine friend's whereabouts, "I want to make sure he's okay," finding it strange that Pumpkin is nowhere in the house, but then again, Adam doesn't remember seeing his precious pooch when he came to this house.
Sad expression plastered on his face while still continuing to cook: "He rarely comes out from his room." The poor dog misses his owner: "I had brought him to the vet because he would not move or eat for days." He explained, "The veterinarian said that his body was under stress due to your absence and that he needs time to recover."
Guilt, sadness, remorse, and anger at himself for allowing this to happen. Adam is furious for letting this happen to his pet dog. "I'll go to him, he says, standing up from his seat. "Where is he?" questioning his canine companion's location, not wanting to do nothing but let the poor guy suffer.
"Upstairs, the guest room," Walker's son replied, "he's been there all day; he has not come out of his room for any reason." He continued, "I think he is waiting for you to come back." A look of melancholy graced his lips. "Go meet him; I'll finish cooking the food and call you."
Adam nodded his head in response to the information he had received. He wanted to hug his pet and make sure he was okay. As he exited the kitchen and headed towards the stairs, the young man wanted to punch himself in the face for not even acknowledging his dog's existence after coming back here.
Reaching the second floor, he turned to his right and made his way towards the guest room. After opening the door, he saw his precious little Pumpkin laying down on the bed, snoring away as it had woken up from the noise of his arrival. "Hey buddy," Adam greeted the dog with a smile on his lips as he approached his pet. "I'm sorry for leaving you."
Pumpkin quickly jumped out of the bed and ran up to his owner, placing his paws on Adam's knees, barking joyously as he could not contain himself at the sight of his owner, extremely excited and relieved that he was finally back.
Adam knelt down to pick the corgi up into his arms and said, "I've missed you too," embracing him as tears started flowing out of his eyes. The little dog licked his cheeks, causing him to laugh while hugging his friend. "But I think it's better if you stay with him; being with me would only get you killed." Reasoning with the dog being hugged like a pillow.
People these days don't care much about their pets, seeing them as simple animals that are beneath humans to the point they will abandon them and throw them away if they're no longer needed, or worse, sell them to illegal traffickers for money.
This is one of the reasons why Adam loves his pet more than anything in this world. Because dogs and cats are worthy of empathy or affection just like humans are. Animals are not objects or slaves but beings that have feelings, wants, and needs like people.
The main reason why he loves them more than his own kind is because he is notudgmental, , abusive or manipulative. Only showing love and understanding towards their owners, no matter what, as long as they show respect to them. Dogs are the greatest creatures on earth; they are loyal to their owners no matter what happens; they never judge them or betray their trust; and most importantly, they will never leave their owners no matter how cruel the world becomes; they will always be by their side.
Letting him go, Pumpkin placed his paws on his owner's chest, licking his sobbing face. Adam chuckled and stroked his head. "I'm alright, buddy," he whispered softly. "Everything's fine; there's no need to worry about me," he assured his pet.
Pumpkin whined and sat back down, watching the conflict scene unfold before him and expressing his own sadness and melancholy about the situation. The little dog laid his head on his paws and closed his eyes, whimpering softly while doing so.
"I'm sorry," Adam said again, patting the top of his pet's head, "but I can't keep you with you for the time being." He doesn't want to hurt him or any of his loved ones; even though Adam wanted to keep Pumpkin with him, the current predicament he is facing is dangerous, and he can't afford to lose him.
He doesn't want to lose anyone anymore; the guilt and pain from his past are too much for him to handle. "You have to stay here; it's safer for you," he muttered lowly, looking down at him. "I don't want anything happening to you." He sighed from the pain building up in his heart.
