“Why should I be the one doing the baby sitting!?” Keen, my senior at work insensitively complained while I was with there to hear his words clearly.

I still have to get my things from my room since I will be temporarily living with the boss and the others for my safety. The boss wanted to send Keen with me as a precaution. The guy was so against it but he still went along with it in the end.

Boss lent me a glove to cover the demon’s mark in my right hand. Keen also gave me a cap so that my face will not be easily recognized if by chance a Possessed sensed us. “Possessed” is the term they use to refer to those who got demons inside like us.

On the other hand, Keen was wearing a hooded jacket to somehow partially cover his face. I noticed that he was way taller than me while we were walking side by side.

“Fuck! Are we there yet?” 

“No, it is still a little further.”

“Tsk!”

“If you are so against it, you can just wait in a cafe or something then I’ll go to you once I got my things.”

“What are you taking me for, Huh?” He became even more annoyed.

“What? I thought you don’t want to come with me?”

“I fucking don’t!”

“Then why are you so angry then?”

“Letting you go alone would be disastrous for the both of us.”

“What do you mean?”

“Listen here brat, I don’t trust you by a bit. If something happens to you then I’ll be in deep trouble.”

“Oh? You care about me that much?”

“What the fuck are you saying? The chief will eat me alive!”

“Oh I see.”

“So I am coming with you until we get back to the office whether we both like it or not, you hear?”

 “If you are going to do so in the first place, why did you argue with the boss a moment ago?”

“Letting him know my opinion and not doing what I was ordered to do so are two different things, like heaven and hell. I also admit that he was right about having someone come with you”

“Then why are you against the idea in the first place?”

“It is true that someone should go, but I don’t want it to be me. I don’t like you, you hear?”

“Sure.” I faked a smile.

I knew that already even without him saying. The feeling is mutual. He acts so high and mighty as if he is my boss even when he is not. He speaks like a damn gangster and it feels like he is always trying to pick a fight. But based on the conversation just now, he can be reasoned with despite the horrible attitude.

“So hey, how did become the boss’ assistant?” I tried to start a conversation.

“Don’t even try getting chummy with me.”

“We still got a way to go, why not talk a little?”

“I don’t want to. You won’t understand either since you’re just a brat”

“Sure, sure you jerk.” I whispered

“Hey I heard that!”

“And so?”

“You might be forgetting something here, I am your senior!”

“But you called me brat first!”

“But you’re really just a brat! There is no harm in telling the truth!”

“Then I am also just stating facts.”

“Why you!” Keen clenched his fist and was ready to punch me when he stopped half-way then sighed. “Fuck, just talking with you drains me up.”

He really is mature enough to control his temper, I was scared he was about to hit me for a second there.

“Hey brat, stop for a minute. I’m gonna check something first.”

“Sure.”

Keen then rested his back in one of the buildings at the side of the street then pulled out his phone. I just followed then stood beside him.

 “See that guy there in a violet suit?” He asked me quietly while fiddling with his phone. I looked around and I saw the one he was pertaining to.

“Yes, the one near the store.”

“He’s a Possessed, better stay away from him when you see him, you hear?”

“Sure.”

“You know another way we can take?”

“Yes, follow me.”

We then turned around and followed another route. Although it will take a bit longer, I guess it is safer than taking the risk of being found. I think the boss sent him with me because he knows he is capable, I guess he did the correct decision.

After a while of walking without speaking with one another, we reached our destination.

“Goal!” I said then raised my right arm.

“Hurry up, I’ll wait for you here.”

I nodded then I went inside my room. I opened the door and everything was the same as when I left it. I got my clothes, supplies, laptop, and other things that I think that I will need and shoved it all in a backpack. After I was done, I left the room and I was surprised at what I saw.

“What took you so long?” Keen yelled as he was on the ground. 

He was being attacked! Or rather being feasted upon? Surrounding him were five dogs, two large ones and three small ones.

I think attacked is the right word for it but it sounds so hostile. It seems more like the dogs like Keen so much that they attacked him? Something like that. A dog was tugging his jacket, one was biting his shoe, another was pulling his hood and two were licking his face.

The high and mighty Keen was taken down by dogs, what a sight to behold.

“Hey what are you smiling there for, give me a hand here!”

“Sorry but it is fun to watch!”

“Why you! Are you helping or not!?”

“Dogs hate me though. It hurts my feelings whenever they reject me...”

“Do you want to have your face smashed that badly?!”

“Fine.”

I went closer then pet the head of the dog that was pulling his jacket. The dog then looked at me then suddenly whimpered then ran. The others noticed and followed the first dog that fled.

“Fuck, you weren’t lying when you said the dogs don’t like you.” He muttered as he stood up.

“Yes, my heart was crushed!,” I emoted.

“S-sorry...”

“What did you say?”

“Fuck! You’re just messing with me! Let’s go!” Keen uttered as he started walking and pulled his hood up. “I feel so sticky, ugh!”

“You do know that you can just smash one of the dog’s face, right?”

“Why would I do that?”

“That was the easiest thing to do to make them leave!”

“Are you serious!? It’s not like they bit me.”

“But you hated it, right?”

“I did, but hurting them should be the last option.”

“I see, if it was me I will kick them right away.”

“Now I see why the dogs don’t like you.” He said with a little giggle.

As we walked, Keen saw another Possessed so we took another route. The short trip home became longer due to this.

“Hey, how come that you know they are a Possessed? Can you sense them?”

“I can sometimes but I mostly memorized the faces the chief already identified. I’ll share you the file later.”

“Wow! You are suddenly being kind, did you hit your head or something a while ago with the dogs?”

“Why you! I was only gonna share it with you so I do not have to act as your chaperone every time you go out, you hear?”

“Sure, but is it not me who saved you just now?”

“Urgh! I really don’t like you, you brat.”

“Same, you jerk.”

After a long travel, we finally arrived at the office.

“Hello, we are back.” I greeted as Keen and I entered.

“Glad you two are still intact.” The boss replied without taking his eyes from the newspaper he was reading.

“Keen! What happened? Did you get in a fight?” Barbara asked in a concerned voice

Keen was just silent as he looked away.

“Kind of... by dogs.” I replied while holding off my laugher.

“For reals? Ya got messed up by dogs!? That is so stupid!” Gary who was lying in the sofa interrupted with a hysterical laughter.

It was the first time I saw the guy called Gary awake. He had a buzz cut and has noticeable side burns. He was also wearing a coat and tie, holding a top hat and a cane. He looks desperately dressed like a gentleman but his actions were not fit to it at all.

“Fuck you! Why the hell are you only awake at times like this?” Keen scowled.

“But that was just so stupid of ya!” Gary continued laughing while holding his stomach.

“Why you!” Keen then went closer to Gary then pulled his collar towards him. “You want to get your face smashed, huh?”

“I wanna see ya try” Gary replied with a smirk.

“Ehem” The boss interrupted. “I hate to break up your fun but Barbara found a new information. Take it away”

Miss Barbara stood up from her seat then began to talk.

“Alright boys, I got news that there is this bar where guys go to get a drink but most of those who go there do not return. Police already investigated and searched the bar but there was not a single body or evidence found.”

“There is always a chance that the Possessed are involved in matters like this. I’m going there tonight, who wants to come with me?”

I raised my hand to volunteer and so did Keen.

“Hey brat, this is way beyond you. You should just go to your room first and drink some milk.”

“But why? I want to see how you guys do things. Besides, playing with the dogs seemed to suit you better, you jerk.”

“Okay, you two are coming with me. Just to make sure, are you already in the age to drink?” The boss asked as he looked at me.

“Of course! My body liquid is composed of half blood and half liquor!” I replied.

“I guess ya are more of a man than someone I know of.” Gary interrupted then took a side glance at Keen.

“Huh? Are you fucking referring to me?” Keen replied with a glare.

“Who else in here can’t hold his liquor? I am sure as hell it ain’t me!” 

“You really want me to smash your face, huh?”

“By the way, who are ya? Ya look like those guys that raise cute little monsters, trap them in a ball and make them fight!” Gary asked me.

“Oh, I am Cray, nice to meet you, Gary.” I introduced with a slight bow.

 I did not really get what he said about looking like someone who raises monsters. He must have a screw loose or something.

“Likewise, Cray. Ya seem like a more decent guy than this dog bait here. Glad to have ya around!”

“Who the fuck are you calling dog bait!”

“Anyway, I’m gonna sleep for now. It will be a long night. Call me if anything happens.” The boss uttered as he stood up then went upstairs.

 “Okay see ya later, I’m gonna take some zonkers too.” 

“You’re gonna sleep again? You just woke up?” Miss Barbara asked.

“There is no such thing as too much sleep. Anyways, good night!” Gary uttered as he lied down and covered his face with his top hat.

“I guess I’ll go to my room too to organize my things.” I uttered.

“Better not be a dead weight later, you brat.”

“Sure.” I replied as I went upstairs then to the room that I will be using for now. 

It was a standard sized bed room with my own bathroom, a bed, and a cabinet. I put my things to where they should be then I lied down on the bed to rest my sore back.

I guess being associated like this with various people is not that bad. Although we don’t see eye to eye yet, maybe this turn of events is not really that bad.