Conan Morata

Chapter 7

Thursday morning and Conan felt something different in the environment. It was unusually quiet and the atmosphere lingers eeriness.

It was like a heavy storm was coming and everyone were unprepared.

Regardless of that weird feeling, Conan felt extremely excited because it was their yearly so-called mini festival that was being held in their small plaza.

There were parlor games and feast. Every household's had their own contribution for the meal. Since this was only happens once in a year, everyone was generous for the preparation of the occasion.

Conan went out and saw a group of men who were cutting meats and women preparing for ingredients that they bought in the market place.

Kids were running and laughing around, taking advantage of the festive mood.

He spotted Mrs. Jones with her peers. Her laughs was so loud and funny making the ladies around her to laugh as well. Everyone were enjoying themselves. The only thing that they can combat poverty were silly jokes and good laughter's. 

Conan decided blend in to the group of men. He doesn't have a friend because they all see him as weirdo. Aside from that, it's also his choice. He don't want to get associated with teens at his age. 

He prefer to be surrounded by adult as he was so engrossed to take about their life's perspective. He wanted to learn from them, the veterans of surviving life. 

He don't have time to play around and waste time. His body may not grew the way he likes, then he will make his mind and perception be matured and nurtured enough. And adults tends to be fond of him as well. They were like seeing a great man within that small and thin body.

"Conan, I heard that Tera is looking for some fighters that he can train. I clearly remembered that you said you like him. Why don't you give it a try?" old man Poro stated.

Conan who was igniting the logs shifted his eyes to Poro's direction. He stared at his frail hands and arms afterwards. 

"I don't think I can handle underground fights. I might get killed on my first fight," he laughed a bit.

He was taking consideration about it before but seeing the state of his body, he wasn't cut out of it. 

"Tera wouldn't put you in a fight without training. You see, teens are now getting fascinated to join that kind of life. They make plenty of money, gain connections and guaranteed protection."

He was right. They were in need of new fighters and he heard that beginners only have a month of training before they'll send them inside the ring. He doesn't have any knowledge in basic martial arts and he doubt that he'll change drastically in just one month.

Although he knew that everyone starts as a beginner, that doesn't the case in the underground organization. Naive and inexperienced person like him doesn't have a stand in a place like that.

He wasn't making excuses, he was just being rational.

"Well, it's still your decision but I was just thinking that you need it to get out the grip of those yakuza's." Old man Poro shrugged his shoulders.

Conan didn't argue anymore for he had already decided his mind.

The whole day filled with joyful atmosphere. Everyone forgot all the problems that they were facing even just for a day. The celebration continued till midnight. Some were already drunk while the others were still having a good time.

Conan was busy packing some leftovers on the table when he smelled a faint scent of gas. He looked around untill he spotted a woman who was running towards them. With the help of the moonlight, he saw her pale and scared face.

Some already noticed her and started asking.

"Evacuate to a safer place! I saw a horde of armed men coming here! They—"

She didn't get to finish what she was saying when a loud explosion was heard. All their eyes fixed to the houses that was now on fire.

It didn't took time when they started screaming. Their laughter's and cheers earlier were now turned into hysterical screams and cries. Everyone were running to places. Conan dropped the food that he had pack, eyes growing wide as he stared at the fire that was eating their houses.

"Take your valuable things and hide! Protect your children!"

Conan struggled to go back in his house to get some important things. He stumbled with people who were in hurry to hide. He doesn't know what was happening. The only thing that was on his mind was that they were in danger and they need to evacuate.

The continued advancement of fire threw everyone in chaos. 

He rummage to his drawers to find his wallet, get a bag and put some clothes inside it. He was about to go out when a fierce gun shot echoed in the air.

"Run! Runnn!"

"Oh my god! Did you see my daughter?!"

A lump formed in his throat. He never thought that this day will come and at the day of their celebration even. The ferocious fire reflected in his teary eyes. Everything that they had built for years was now turned to ashes.

It was hard to take, to digest that they were hunting them like some animals. He wiped his tears and help the kid who was crying and injured due to the outbreak.

"Let me go! I need my momma!" she struggled in his gripped.

"Don't worry, I'll take you to your mother." He doesn't know the kid but he'll find her a good place to hide.

The continued gunshot was making him tremble. The thought that they were shooting innocent people makes his stomach churned and seethe in anger.

They've already suffered enough! Why can't they just leave them alone?!

His heart leaped when he saw dead bodies upon reaching the dump site.

"Hey! Get those kids!"

Conan sweat profusely as he don't know where to go. To be honest, there's no even place to hide in their area. It was an open space but if you're courageous enough, you can jump on the 14 feet tall seawall but the safety isn't guaranteed too.

The kid that he was holding bit his arm causing him to let her go.

The man who was chasing them caught up and secured the girl who was about to ran.

Shit. Conan kept cursing inside his head when another armed men came rushing to them.

"Take that boy!"

His eyes search for something on the ground and pick a metal rod and before the man can touch him, he hit his knees with all of his might.

The man yelped in pain and went on his knees to the ground. 

"You damn kid," he hissed, pulled a piston on his waist and shot his leg.

"Fvck!!" Conan's body fell on the ground while clutching his bleeding leg. His eyes went wide and his screams mixed in the loud chaos. It felt like a red-hot bullet was being seared to the depths of his muscles.

"Damnit, Ray! Why did you shoot him?! We are ordered not to harm them!"

"I didn't do it on purpose! That was just my instincts!" 

Conan's vision started to fogged and his ear started to ring. He was about to passed out when he saw a figure behind the man who was holding the girl.

He heard the sound of a breaking skull and a loud shout saying, "Pull yourself together, Conan! Everyone are trying to break through the entrance! You need to go there and live!"