The Children Of Thalia

Decisions

He gritted his teeth. I interpreted his expression as holding something very painful. Does he sympathize with those people? Or upset about his failure?

"U-2 killed three people on the spot, he himself committed suicide. Four people died in prison. I killed two people."

Surprising. I heard it from Val. Even so, I was still surprised to see Ansel's trembling hand as he told it.

"Hey, Theo," He continued speaking again. "You must be wondering, right? Why am I, my team of average 17 or 18 year olds, dealing with a class problem*****international?"

"That really amazes me."

Ansel rested his back on the chair, staring at the empty sky before telling a story. "Two years ago, when I was in first grade, two of my friends were murdered."

"Eh?"

"It was because of my own arrogance, I was indeed the one who deserved to be blamed. I was too rash, assuming the enemy I was facing was just an ordinary criminal. I'm stuck. My team is surrounded fast. I'm the only one who survived." Ansel then bowed, immersing his face into his palm. "Their faces, their voices, their words before they died, all of them are still in my head to this day, haunting me every night like the whispers of the night. I did not sleep for some time, until now even my sleep sometimes not soundly. I want to finish them off, the people who point their gun muzzles at my friends. That's why I formed this team. Wild Dogs, a secret squad of the Helder's lawless Security Division. Even the formation was done in secret. The people you met yesterday were not the ones who originally signed up with just a certain amount of justice in them. They were the ones who said "ready" when I asked if they were ready to bet their lives or not. Although I was sure that I had the strength to not let anyone die again, the truth was that I was late to react yesterday. In the end I still can't do much alone."

I-i understand. He's just like me. When my mother died, I thought of all the ways that I wouldn't lose anyone again. I still have Lizzy, which I must take care of as my mother's last wishes. But then I realized that I couldn't do it all by myself. When Lizzy got sick, I realized I couldn't do anything. That's when I decided to meet Old Man Jirca for help. But in reality, I can't do much. Old man, our father died before my eyes.

"I have one question: why did you force me to join the Wild Dogs? You know for yourself that the squad you've created contains people who are ready to risk their lives. Why do you think I have the same determination?"

"I don't know." Answer Ansel spontaneously. "But I know that you love your brothers very much. I saw it when you saved Lee in the hallway back then. You might misunderstand one thing. The people of Wild Dogs are indeed willing to lay down their lives when necessary, but every member, every one of our personnel is also obliged to take care of each other's lives. When someone is ready to sacrifice, the other members must try hard so that the person is not sacrificed. That's the real principle of Wild Dogs. That's what I saw when I recruited a new member."

"What if there had to be a sacrifice? What about their families? Friends, people close to them?"

"That's why I asked them if they were ready to sacrifice or not. Not just about themselves, but also their family, friends, the people closest to them. There is one thing in common with the Wild Dogs people: our lives were once made a mess by the same side. That's why I want to recruit people who feel like they'll do anything to keep that life, even if they have to pay for it with their lives."

He's really right on point. I don't know how the other members' lives are. But when he saw it again, Ansel found out that his two friends were killed, so he would do everything he could to not let the people closest to him die. I'm sure he recruited me because of that. He knew I would do anything for my brother, for my brothers. I understand, because when I pushed Val back, I thought it was okay if I died, the others would live. I don't know if it's called determination or just my stupid thoughts that are resigned. But if Ansel said all the Wild Dogs had the same thought, no wonder they were all strong people.

"Then, what about killing? No offense, but you killed two people that time."

Hearing my question, Ansel smiled. So calm, soft as the surface of the water, but so dark and cold as the bottom of the sea. I could even feel my neck goosebumps when I saw it. I-i understand. He's been through a lot, worse than just killing criminals.

"I don't justify murder, let alone I'm just a seventeen-year-old. I did not justify what I had done, but I also never felt sorry. Theo, if you look at what I've seen, hear what I've heard, feel what I've been feeling for these two years, you'll have the same resolution. Killing includes the light deeds I have done. I've done more things that will make you doubt which side I'm actually standing on."

So. Now I understand how Ansel's morals work. He does not justify murder, but if necessary in a very urgent situation, he will kill. His thoughts were not like that of a seventeen-year-old. What has he really been through?

"I can't say if your morals are good or not. But I'm sure I had the same principle." I let out a long sigh, then leaned against the cold metal bench. "When I got shot back then, I thought either I killed them, or they were going to kill my sister. I didn't realize, it was more like instinct. Maybe the name Black Dog is right for me. In the end I gave myself up to the instincts of a savage beast. But well, I get it when you say there's no regret. It's horrified if I remember again, but I don't feel sorry."

Ansel's smile turned more peaceful. "really. It was also the determination required for Wild Dogs. The determination not to hesitate to surrender to the instincts of wild animals in urgent situations. Most people are always hesitant in deciding what they should do in a precarious situation, because they have no idea what will happen if they choose one particular option. But for Wild Dogs, if the only option is to become a monster, then be a monster."

"..... Because what you're fighting is also a monster, right?"

"Fright."

Now that I remember, I wanted to ask about this from that time on.

"Hey, who exactly is behind them? These attacks aren't just the work of a regular criminal group, are they? There's receivers, there's half-men, all the assailants have illegal weapons, all dead silenced. Who's behind all this?"

"I can't tell you." Ansel replied firmly and coldly, but I expected it.

"I don't think the person who told me about the existence of the secret-special squad of Helder's security division would hesitate to tell me another little secret."

"This and that are different. If you find out about this secret, you should be ready to be targeted by stray bullets."

"I've had enough knife blades all this time." I took a long breath. Now is the main topic. "My family, are they safe now?"

Ansel looked away, "I can't say. Didn't I explain that Wild Dogs work in secret? Even Helder worked without cooperation with the police or the military. We can't give you bail."

"I guessed it." I leaned forward, playing my fingers as I continued. "The police came to me yesterday, asking for information. I told you what I needed to tell you. You're safe, me, the orphanage kids didn't tell me a damn thing about you. They also offered Val a protection program as the eldest, but Val asked me first."

Ansel looked at me sharply. "And what's your answer?"

I grinned wide like a wild animal. "Of course I refused. Like Helder or Wild Dogs, I don't trust them too much. But that gives me one more question: how do I protect Val, Lee, Lizzy, and the others?"

"I have one." I turned my gaze to Ansel, returning the look of her eyes full of seriousness with my gaze which people said could kill with a single look. "Your offer, does it still apply?"

As if hearing lightning, Ansel fell apart instantly. He couldn't hide his grin, but he kept trying hard to stay calm. "Heh... huh, you finally changed your mind?"

"After everything that happened, I thought I should change my gaze a little. I want Lizzy to live happily, but what does it mean if she's surrounded by danger? I want him to live in a world without major conflicts, and I'm ready to sacrifice anything."

"Heh-heh, good determination." Ansel looked down, trying to hide his grin. "At least my efforts have not been in vain."

"Congratulations to you, but I also have a condition that I want to fulfill. I'll take the entrance exam normally, not by invitation or anything, in exchange, I want reassurance for my family."

Ansel's grin faded a little when I said that. "Heavy requirements, yes. You know that the security division has limited resources, right?"

"I know, but I'm sure you know a little bit more about me, too."

"Oh, for example?"

"My real full name is Theodore Radley Asera."

After hearing that, Ansel really could not help but laugh.

"HAHAHAHAHAH, you were right about that. But just so you know, I found out after a week. I didn't expect to see another Asera."

I didn't want to use it this way, but okay, it's been working all along then it doesn't matter. I opened a hand to him. "Then, we're in agreement?"

Ansel received my handshake tightly. "agreed. Do I need to tell him?"

"You haven't reported anything to her?"

"I don't think you want him to know about you."

Surprising, but good work. It's a little troublesome if he knows what I'm going to do. "No need, I'll talk to him later."

Finally after almost an hour, I got back up, patted my slightly dusty clothes, then stretched my waist. "Maybe it's time for me to go back to my room. I'd like to lie down for a while."

"Oh, wait a minute." Ansel's call made me turn around again.

"What's wrong?"

"On that, I think it's better that you have a picture of who your enemy really is."

".... Who?"

The young man shook his hand, telling me to come closer. He whispered something into my ear, just one word, but it made me really feel a piercing cold wind.

"LOST."

I stood up again with wide eyes. I know who they are, at least a little information about them. A demon from the past, a group of destructive demons. I heard a lot about this from my late mother. If what Ansel said was true, then Thalia was not okay.

"That's all you need to know" Ansel said after returning to sit back in a relaxed manner. "Stay careful, they are dangerous opponents."

I smiled faintly, but the fear still felt heavy on my shoulders. "The danger may feel very trifling."

"Hahaha, you're right."

I turned around again, it was time to go back to the room. "See you later, Senior Ansel."

"See you later, Asera."

...* * * * *...