Rio Grande City…

  Located in an abandoned construction site...a place where various tubes and metal beams lie on the floor and many machineries are abandoned.

  Inside the building...The Chuco Clan had Daniel tied up with a post with his hands behind his back...the sun is setting creating enormous shadows…

  “So...how long are you going to keep me here...I am getting hungry…” Daniel comments in calm tone, he understands his situation but takes it calmly.

  (PPUUMM)

  Apá walks towards him and kicks him; “I thought I told you to shut up...sheesh you’re annoying...I think you don’t understand the situation you’re in...you’re going to die…”

  Tito and Bofo only sit there looking at him. Chuy is sleeping again. Daniel spits blood and chuckles:

  “Me dying? That’s something stupid…”

  “Shut up, you made us do this...why did you give us the wrong answers...ever since you came...you ruined our reputation...and now you will pay…”

  “Me...ruining your reputation? I think you got the wrong idea...you never had a reputation to begin with?”

  “WHHATT?” Apá and the others look at him with anger. Daniel continues to speak; “You think you are cool because you slack off...are often tardy and never do your homework? Don’t make me laugh...you are such an egocentric group…in other words losers…”

  “That’s not true…” Apá begins to doubt.

  “Don’t listen to him Apa…he’s only playing with your head.” Tito shouts as he has doubts as well. Daniel looks at Tito; “Tito…the smart one…I know you’re pretty smart, however…I bet you were bullied by your older brother because you prefer playing chess than soccer…am I right?”

  Tito is left frozen as he thinks; “He’s right…how did he know that?”

  Daniel smiles as he thinks; “I have to make a more time…” Daniel looks at Bofo; “Bofo…the strongest of the group…I must say that you’re strong…but because you’re strong…other kids fear you…and call you a gorilla am I right? That’s why you hang out with these losers…because you feel safe here…”

  Daniel continues to speak; “Have you ever looked around you? Everyone in class is afraid of you...I bet you think you impose respect but instead, you impose fear and dislike...nobody likes you...you are slackers that don’t deserve to pass...that’s why I deliberately gave you the wrong answers...Try to think, who aside from you guys have ever spoken to you?”

  Apá, Tito, Bofo and Chuy who open one eye remain silent. Apá has his doubts as he thinks; “He’s right...that look on everyone's faces, mom and dad...they work so hard and yet...yet...no...it’s all his fault…”

  “I don't know your past or why did you guys make a group and obviously, I don’t care...but you guys should stop this, there is still time…”

  “SHUT UP, I WILL KILL YOU AND GO BACK TO OUR NORMAL LIVES…” Apá takes out a knife, Daniel looks at it and asks:

  “Pretty interesting, but let me ask you, have you ever killed someone?”

  -AAUUGGH- Apá looks at the others, the others shake their heads meaning that no one has ever killed someone before.

  “Do you know what it feels like to kill someone or something? I bet you don’t right...It's a feeling that you will never go back...you know...you are not the only ones with problems here…”

  “SHUT THE FUCK UP...DANIEL DI FIORE...I WILL KILL YOU” Apá prepares to stab Daniel, his hands are shaking because he has doubts.

  “DO IT APA…WE DON’T WANT TO BE HERE ANY LONGER…” Tito and Bofo shouts, Apa sweats as he’s breathing accelerates; “SHUT UP! WHY DON’T YOU GUYS DO IT!”

  “I’ll do it…” Chuy stands up and grabs the knife. He makes a sinister smile; “I want to kill him…”

  Daniel chuckles: “I see…so you’re beat you up huh…I can see that look at your face…” Chuy stops as looks surprised; “How did you know?”

  “Oh I know…I can see that you have fear in your eyes and that’s why you want to be sleeping all the time…because you don’t want to be part of this world…”

  Chuy let’s go of the knife; “Y-Y-You’re wrong…”

  Daniel looks at Diego (Apa); “Finally there is you…Apa…a kid that has everything…a loving father…a loving mother…who’s rich and has everything in the world…and yet…he feels rebellious because he has so much attention…”

  “W-W-What the fuck! Have you been spying on us…or how do you know that? You freak…”

  “…” Daniel smiles at him; “You’re a loser…”

  “Damn you…you don’t know anything about us…about the fear we feel every day…about us being ignored and thrown away like trash…you know nothing…”

  “That may be…but you don’t know what real fear is…” Daniel chuckles as he looks at the ceiling a pair of red eyes.

  (BEEP BEEP BEEP)

  Soon Daniel’s watch begins to beep, he smiles; “Time’s up...now you will learn what true fear is…”

  “What the hell are you sayi….”

  “AAAHHHH” Apá and the others hear the scream of Chuy. Tito and Bofo turn around with fear; “CHUY?”

  “BOFO, WHERE DID HE GO?” Apá looks frightened. The area is really dark, and nothing can be seen. Suddenly something moves in the shadows and attacks Tito. “AAAHHHHH”

  “TITO!” Apá and Bofo run towards Daniel; Apá grabs him from his neck and exclaims; “What did you do?”

  “Me? Nothing...as you can see, I have my hands tied up…”

  (RRRAAAWWWWRRR)

  “AAAPPPPAAAA HEEEELLPPP”

  Apá and Bofo look at each other with fear, from the ceiling a Sombra lands to the ground.

  The Sombra has a large body with circular patterns. It has a wolf head with yellow eyes, and muscular body and four arm. The two upper arms have Tito and Chuy.

  “WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?” Bofo screams. Daniel looks at their frightened expression; “Oh, so you can see it huh...your mana levels are high...that’s good...that thing is my problem...”

  The Sombra gets closer as both Apa and Bofo take a few steps back. Daniel chuckles; “Remember there's always someone with greater problems than yours…”

  “Tito, Chuy…” Apá trembles in fear, he looks at Daniel who is calm; “Hurry up and save them or you will be eaten alive…”

  (RRAAWWW)

  The Sombra roars and heads towards Bofo, Bofo picks up a shovel and attacks it. -PPUUUMM- The shovel breaks and the Sombra grabs Bofo.

  “AAAHHHH”

  Apá falls back and moves backwards. The Sombra notices him. Apa trembles as he sees his friends on the Sombra’s arms:

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  “SOMEONE HELP...DANIEL...HELP ME…”

  “Why should I? You wanted to kill me remember…”

  Apa gets into his knees and begs for his life:

  “I’M SORRY, I WASN’T REALLY GOING TO...WE JUST WANTED TO SCARE YOU THAT’S ALL…”

  “Hahaha, but you are the one scared here…”

  The Sombra drools as it slowly closes the three of the members to its mouth. Apá looks at Daniel and unties him; “Please help us...they are my friends and I want to save them, but I am a chicken, a worthless good for nothing...Daniel please…”

  Daniel shakes his head:

  “You know, you look pathetic like that...but I guess you have honor, and you care about them...I will help if you promise me to follow my orders…”

  Apá looks at his friends who are being eaten, he nods in agreement; “Yes, I promise…”

  “Perfect, it’s a deal then…” Daniel puts on his glasses and grabs a two steel poles with both hands. He walks towards the Sombra and says; “HEY YOU UGLY.COME AND GET ME...”

  Daniel throws the first pole and stabs one of its arms.

  (SSSLLLAASSHHH)

  The Sombra who had the three on its mouth spits them, and heads towards Daniel. -PPPUUMM- Daniel evades its attack, the Sombra continues to attack him multiple times with Daniel dodging the attacks with ease.

  “Are you guys alright?” Apá asks the three. “Apá what's going on?” Tito asks him. He looks at Daniel; “I don’t know but he’s going to save us.”

  The four of them, including Chuy who is fully awake, see Daniel fighting the monster. Daniel is enjoying the fight because he is smiling:

  “Hehe, this is fun…”

  Grabs the pole and prepares and to attack; “Now to finish this beast.

  (GYYAAHHH)

  Suddenly, Daniel hears the voice of girls at the entrance. -TCH- “Why are they here?” Daniel covers the pole with red mana, and instantly slashes the Sombra purifying it. The Sombra disappears, Daniel with great speed heads to the entrance.

  “DANIEL WAIT…” The Chuco Clan followed him at a slow pace.

  At the same time, the three sisters are in a dangerous situation.

  “Mariana, Abril...stay behind me…” Fabiola who has her lance pointing at another with a similar figure.

  (RRRAAAWWW)

  “Fabiola, I’m scared…” Mariana says with tears in her eyes. -TCH- “What is going on, a Sombra here? When it isn’t even completely dark? What is happening?”

  “Talk about bad luck…” Abril chuckles as she trembles as well.

  “No time for jokes Abril…” Fabiola gathers mana in her lance.

  The Sombra charges to attack the sisters. - GYYYAAHHH- The Sisters split up. The Sombra follows Mariana. Fabiola notices it; “Oh no…it’s after her…”

  (SSSLLLAASSSHHH)

  The Sombras manages to scratch Mariana’s leg.

  “MMMAARRIIIAANNNN!” Abril carries her and runs to the exit. Fabiola prepares to defend them; “I swear with my life that I will protect you two…”

  (SSSLLLAASSHHH)

  Suddenly, a metal pole covered in red mana passes right through Sombra’s head. Suddenly, a red beam disintegrates the Sombra instantly.

  “What are you three doing here?” The girls here have a familiar voice. They see on top of the pole, Daniel standing there, he has a serious expression as he jumps down:

  “Why are you here? It’s a dangerous place and I don’t want Father Clemente to scold me..”

  “DANIEL!” Mariana and Abril scream with relief. Fabiola looks at him as the Sombra disappears; “When did he…” -TCH- Fabiola looks at him with anger:

  “The girls and I saw your backpack and got worried, we only came to see if you were alright but we were attacked by a Sombra…”

  “Of course, you were, I summoned that thing here...”

  “You…what?” Fabiola feels anger. Daniel continues to speak; “I purposely increased my mana to summon those Sombras here, but I didn’t expect us to be followed… you were a little miscalculation...You three had bad luck and you shouldn’t be sticking your nose in other people’s problems…”

  (SSSLLLLAPPP)

  Fabiola slaps Daniel so hard, dropping his glasses; “Shut up, we only came because we cared about you...we were worried, how can you be so insensitive...you’re nothing like Uriel...he would have checked if we're alright, I bet you didn’t notice that Mariana hurt her leg.”

  Daniel looks at her with anger, he looks at the girls who have tears in her eyes and sees Mariana’s leg. He picks up his glasses; “You idiot, don’t ever compare me with Uriel, you said it yourself, I am nothing like him…”

  Daniel walks towards Mariana and Abril, he grabs his backpack and takes out a bandage; “Are you two alright? I’m sorry that you got dragged into this...I am sorry for the miscalculation…”

  “N-n-no it’s okay, we’re sorry…” Mariana blushes as Daniel puts bandages on her leg. Abril sighs with relief; “Thank God you appeared just in time…Daniel…thank you”

  “Don’t thank me…I don’t deserve it…” Daniel looks at Fabiola; “If you ever hit me again...I will let the Sombra eat you alive…”

  “Shut up, next time, I will beat them without your help…”

  “I would like to see that…”

  “You idiot...”

  “Daniel…” Daniel turns around and sees the Chuco Clan; “Oh it’s you guys, I thought you have already left…” Apá walks forward with an intimidating face. Abirl and Mariana whisper; “The Chuco Clan? Why are they here?”

  The Chuco Clan head towards Daniel; “What the hell was that? What was that monster?”

  “That was Sombra…a monster who eats people…and my job is to hunt them down…”

  “Daniel…don’t tell them about that…that’s secret…” Fabiola exclaims. Tito steps forward; “So you’re saying…that you’re like a Space Ranger? And you hunt down those monsters all the time?”

  “You could say that…my job is to hunt them and keep them from idiots like you…”

  “Then you let yourself get captured…so you can protect us?” Bofo asks Daniel. Daniel nods in agreement; “It was the only way to keep you safe…”

  “You mean…you let yourself get captured and beaten up and waited for the right moment to attack that thing?”

  “I apologize that I waited for the last moment but I wanted for Diego to realize that he was wrong…”

  After a few moments, Diego with tears in his eyes bows his head; “So you’re a great person…you always wanted to protect us…please…guide us…”

  “No…you tried to kill me…remember…”

  The Chuco Clan falls into their knees; “We’re sorry doing this to you…we were wrong…” Diego continues to speak; “All of my life, I wanted to be rebellious…I wanted to be special…I wanted to feel excitement…but what we experienced today…I was wrong…there really is evil in this world…and fate brought us with you…it chose us to be the ones to fight them…”

  “Huh?” Fabiola looks confused. Daniel nods: “That may be the case…”

  Suddenly Apá bows his head, the others do it as well; “Thank you...for saving us…from now on...we will follow you...Jefe (Boss)...right guys?”

  “YES! WE WANT TO BECOME YOUR DISCIPLES!” The other three say it at the same time, Daniel sighs and puts his backpack back on, he walks towards them; “You know…I can erase your memories and your lives will go back to…”

  “No…please don’t do that…” Chuy steps forward, everyone is surprised upon hearing him speak; “I want to remember this…because…I want to change as well…I don’t know what that monster was…but Daniel…if we forget about this experience, then we will never truly change…we want to help you…we want you teach us…”

  “Teach you? You know that it’s dangerous and you could get yourself killed…”

  “We know…but we want to be like the Space Rangers…please be our boss…and guide us…Jefe…”

  “Don’t call me Jefe…” Daniel chuckles: “You guys are weird…normal people decide to forget traumatic experiences you know…but alright…I won’t erase your memories…and you will become my agents…”

  “Understood, Jefe…”

  “Daniel what are you doing? You know it’s against the rules to recruits people from outside…” Fabiola exclaims as she and the other sisters look at him worried. Daniel sighs; “Remember that I am not part of any group…so I can do what I want…”

  “Wait…do you mean you did this on purpose?” Fabiola looks at Daniel’s smile; “Maybe…”

  (BADUMP)

  “That look…it feels evil…it felt like looking at a wolf…” Fabiola takes a step back. Daniel walks past Fabiola; “By the way, this is payback for slapping me…” Daniel continues to walk, Fabiola turns around thinking; “What does he mean?”

  Daniel throws something in the air, she grabs it and with a surprised face says; “Wait...that’s…”

  (GGYYAAHHH)

  Mariana covers her eyes. Abril laughs pointing at Fabiola:

  “Oh…so you still have them…what a baby…”

  “Incredible, thank you Jefe…” The Chuco Clan thanks Daniel as blood comes out of their noses because of what they are seeing.

  Fabiola looks like she is holding her skirt, she turns around and sees her bear panties showing to the boys. She immediately gets red and quickly cover herself:

  “GGYYYAAHH DAMN YOU DANIEL!”

  (RRIIINNGGG)

  Daniel receives a call, it was from Valerie; “Daniel, are you alright? Did something happen? We received an S.O.S from the Sisters…”

  Daniel turns to look at everyone and sighs; “Nothing in particular…don’t worry everyone is safe…”

  He turns around and sees Naomi, a classmate, coming out from an alley, Daniel notices that she has food with her; “Valerie, don't hang up…”

  Daniel catches up to Naomi. He notices the girl entering an abandoned house. Daniel sees inside and notices a girl next to her. The girl has a black robe with white hair.

  Daniel smiles and speaks with Valerie; “Valerie, do you believe in sheer luck?”

  “What are you talking about Brother?”

  “Nothing, let’s just say...luck was on my side...I found my target…” Daniel hangs up and laughs:

  “Excellent…who would’ve thought that a girl like her hides such secret…”