“Oh no, this girl is obedient and works in accordance with her duties.” Jeff replied while looking at my face.

My anger subsided soon. I remembered when I was chatting with Adrian, complained about the condition of the Chimera Island.

My Ace was in Jeff’s hands!

“So, you should work immediately boss. This is in accordance with your knowledge, isn’t it? while my knowledge doesn’t have such absurd research. Please do it, boss.” Jeff continued and made me even less moved.

“Yeah, you should follow the command from the center, kid. This is to reduce your interaction with the dangerous residents at this island. When I was in the capital, Rado also acted because of you!” Lord Jonah scolded me again.

“It’s also because Codi is careless, Lord Jonah. Rado’s revenge appears. So when there was a chance, Rado took revenge without thinking. Rado became like that because he was resentful by the treatment of the guards who often beat him and especially Codi who often made him the target of taekwondo kicks, Lord Jonah.” I explained.

“You don’t know Rado, kid! Rado is stronger when his stress is triggered and his ability will be greater when he is stressed. The power of electro kinesis is getting greater.” said Dragono.

“Enough, now you immediately do your work, began to be observed the wolves because only in a maximum of 24 hours, three were killed and only one living of the four people. What for microphone equipment is added? If it isn’t for your job, kid. What lack of support is for you?” Lord Jonah said while rubbing his chin.

“Yes, Lord Jonah. Thank you for your support.” I answered forcefully. I thought what kind of support forced me to see a terrible thing.

“Shush, you shut up kid! Listen to this!” snapped Dragono, pointing to the LCD screen. There was Travis screaming.

“Hey, who’s here called Vicko?”

“He’s in the corner of the cell. Even if you scream until your voice runs out, he won’t answer either.” answered Henry, who was in the cell after Kenrock.

“Who are you? Why are you here?” Travis asked back.

“I’m Henry, I’m just a poor person here. Who are you, bro?” Henry asked while leaning back on his cell.

“I’m Travis Carington. I hear that tomorrow I will be duel with the name Vicko. I want to know what he is great at.” said Travis firmly.

“Wow, Travis Carington? How did you get here? Vicko is so great, bro. he’s a former army instructor, the king fights here. And you, who are you tuft hair?” Henry asked toward the next cell.

“Me? I’m Kenrock, this is really sneaky. I didn’t expect there is a place like this and tomorrow I will be fight with the name Leman.” Kenrock said.

“I don’t care who my opponent is. Although the devil in hell, as long as I have a command knife, I’ll cut his neck later.” answered Travis.

“Hey, what’s Leman here?” Kenrock started shouting again.

“Leman’s cell is number two from the corner, his nickname is Fakir and he likes to be possessed here.” Henry answered.

“It doesn’t matter to me. Whoever is my opponent, tomorrow I guarantee he only has the name. Then who is in the cell next to you, Henry?” Kenrock asked again.

“He’s Rado, the electro kinesis. Yesterday he made two soldiers here almost died, one foot of soldier burned and one soldier fainted for a moment.” Henry replied.

“Good, I hope all the soldiers here will die. Then what is your ability so that you can be here, Henry?” Travis asked.

“I deceived Mr. McPherson.” Henry replied, looking down.

“Oh, you’re Henry Wilkinson! You’re the one who made McPherson almost go bankrupt. Your head is valued 500,000 USD by him. You’re crazy, if I can get out of here, I’ll take you. You still keep the money out there, don’t you?” exclaimed Kenrock while beating the iron trellis.

“All the residents here are crazy, huh?”

I shuddered to hear the conversations of the men in the cell, imagining that tomorrow they will be stiff corpses covered in blood and only one was alive.

“Eh, it looks like someone is cold here, may go to the kitchen for some hot tea.” Jeff’s voice sounded. Apparently he saw me trembling.

“Lord… Please permit… to return to the room, Lord Jonah.” I stammered to farewell.

“Moi, that your item is in the guard post, let’s takeit.” said Mrs. Rose poked my elbow and led me out of the main guard post where Jeff was sitting every day.

The soldier on guard, namely Soldier Doni handed a brown medium box to me.

“Here’s your order, Miss.”

“Thank you, Mr. Doni.” I said while accepting the box.

I walked toward my room with Mrs. Rose. I felt my face turned red and my eyes glazed over, felt almost falling. I held it back by biting my lips.

Mrs. Rose embraced my shoulders. Luckily the distance between the front guard post and my room was only a few steps.

When I arrived at the room, I sat on the edge of my bed, I burst into tears.

Mrs. Rose who was in front of me, sat next to me and patted my shoulder.

“Be patient, Moi.” Mrs. Rose tried to console and calmed me.

“Mrs. Rose saw Jeff’s harassment and contempt for me, not to mention the task of the center to observe the behavior of humans who are going to die tomorrow. What kind of task this is! Using Moi for terrible things, have known that Moi is a kid, but told to do so.”

Mrs. Rose closed the door of my room, so that the sound of my crying could not be heard.

“Be patient, Moi… be patient… Oh yeah Moi, today is Curly’s birthday and you said you bought a gift for Curly, may I see?”

I crouched down and unpacked the box, looking for gift that I would give to Angel.

Ah, this was… a black plastic package with an expedition sticker on it. I opened the outer wrapper and pulled a pretty pink dress with a pattern of small flowers.

Mrs. Rose amazed,

“Wow… what a beautiful dress, Moi.”

“Hihihi, yes. Who chose it is…” I began to smile.

“Curly will definitely like your gift, Moi.” said Mrs. Rose put the dress on her body. 

Mrs. Rose little swayed when she watched the dress adhering to her body.

I nodded. 

“Angel needs love, needs supportand needs a touch of affection. It will take a long time to recover her mentally. But yeah, we have to start now, don’t we? I hope this gift able to foster her confident that she is valuable and worthy of loved.”

Mrs. Rose looked at me for a long time then she said, 

“I appreciate your kindness, Moi. Work in Chimera is stressful like this, but you still spread goodness even doing it with your heart, not only professionalism. I’m really proud to know you, Moi.”

I laughed, 

“Ah, what the heck, Mrs. Rose. I’m a runny girl how come getting compliments like this.” 

Mrs. Rose smiled and folded Angel’s pink dress. 

“Are we going to give this gift now, Moi?”

I nodded, 

“Moi think so. It’s a shame we don’t have wrapping paper for wrapping it.”

Mrs. Rose put the dress back in the box. 

“Without wrapping paper, Curly will be happy, Moi. She often received gifts with beautiful wrapping paper, but it didn’t please her, even didn’t want to touch it. You remember it, don’t you?”

I remembered the beginning of my meeting with Angel. Yes, the girl who was always frightened and looked depressed, only piled gifts of various sizes, various colors of wrapping paper in the corner of the room floor, without opening it.

“Come on, to Curly’s room.” invited Mrs. Rose to me.

Actuallymy body wanted to lay relaxed in the room and I was also very curious to continue reading Risty’s book. However, imagined the face of Angel who was always scared, depressed, and feeling like to make her happy made my spirit pump up again. 

I nodded,

“Okay, Mrs. Rose. It’s almost noon now, it’s not good if at night we just say a birthday to her.”

I fixed it and found out whether papa Gepardi’s handkerchief was in the box package. When I unpacked I found the camouflage scarf that I knew it was dad’s military attribute.

I put the scarf in my pants pocket, who knows if Angel’s mental or Risty’s health was ready, I can ask them about daddy, whether in the past or the future.

It was strange, that day felt as tense as the darkness of the night, even though the sun was shining bright. It felt tense when we walked along the aisle to Angel’s room.

“Next month, I’m also having a birthday, Moi.” Mrs. Rose said with a joking face.

“Then?” I asked pretending not to understand, I made my lips pout. 

Mrs. Rose elbowed me, 

“Ahem… ahem… that’s the code, Moi. Ah, don’t you understand?” Mrs. Rose turned her body pretending to sulk.

I laughed, 

“For you, Moi will be so confused to look for a gift. Mrs. Rose is clearly more fashionable than Moi. What I’ll give, you have had all. Ah yeah… Moi’s birthday in 5 months later, Mrs. Rose.” I said.

Mrs. Rose laughed, 

“That’s the easy gift. I have a red ribbon polka-dotted. I’ll wrap the Henry with ribbon and then I’ll give it to you. The next scene is free to do anything.”

I laughed again, 

“Geez, Henry is the gift? Gosh…” I covered my mouth with my hand while giggling.

“Whoa, just imagining you have blushed red, so happy.”

“I’m not happy, Mrs. Rose. Moi just surprised Mrs. Rose can think like that. Moi and Henry have a lot in fate similarity. Actually in my heart right now there is someone who might be waiting for me there.”

“Ah, I know. That’s the person who sent you a message in WhatsApp when we were on the helicopter, isn’t it?”

I nodded,

“Ah, Moi doesn’t know. Man isn’t easy to guess. Could be, Moi’s love is unrequited. He was unaware of Moi’s existence at all. He considers me the same as his other female friends. When Moi saw that reality, Moi’s heart refused to admit it.”

Mrs. Rose embraced my shoulder, 

“Which one is handsomer between that boy and Henry?”

I let go of her embrace, 

“This isn’t a handsome problem, Mrs. Rose!”

Mrs. Rose laughed. She took Angel’s gift and stepped ahead of me. 

“Sure, Henry is handsomer, isn’t he? I’ll bet.”

I protested and chased after Mrs. Rose.

That was when in my head came Henry’s voice, 

“Moi… Moira…”

Henry was telepathy on me. 

I was so surprised. What if Mrs. Rose found out that Henry was telepathy on me? She would ask questions. I slowed my steps. Mrs. Rose walked a few steps in front of me.

“Moi.” Henry called again.

“Yes, Henry.” I replied telepathically too.

“You know, near my cell… eh, my room there are two new residents!”

“I knew Hen. There was a device in the form of a microphone installed above. I’ve seen and heard them both, Kenrock and Travis, even when you talk. I heard everything.”

“Oh, apparently Lord Jonah from the capital has added microphone, Moi. Oh, Moi… Outside I have enough funds. I can live comfortably outside. I want to be with you leaving here and we enjoy the world together.”

“We hope for the best, Hen. Hopefully we all can get out of here.”

That moment I realized that the room around me was so quiet. I stood in front of Angel’s room, with my right hand on my forehead. A pair of eyes Mrs. Rose looked at me.

When was position of Mrs. Rose like that?

“Eh, Mrs. Rose… uhm… we’ve arrived, huh? Sorry, Moi is a bit dizzy, Understandably Moi is monthlies.” I stuttered.

My concentration was gone. My telepathy with Henry was interrupted immediately.

“Don’t be spacing out too much.”

“Ok, now you give the gift to Curly while I sing the happy birthday song.” whispered Mrs. Rose. One of her eyes winked at me.

Mrs. Rose knocked on the door and I opened the door.

My left hand held Angel’s gift and hid it behind my back.

That girl as usual sat on the floor. Doll Gonzo lay in her lap.

“Why are you sitting on the floor again?” scolded Mrs. Rose

“Come on. Sit on the bed, Angel. It’s cold there.” I said softly while reaching for Angel’s arm. 

That girl obeyed. She stood up and then sat on the bed. Her face looked tired and haggard.

I lifted the parcel I was carrying. 

“Taraa… Happy Birthday, Angel!” I said.

“Happy birthday, Angel… Happy birthday, Angel…” Mrs. Rose began to sing a birthday song. 

I and Mrs. Rose sang together while clapping our hands.

After singing, I and Mrs. Rose took turn to hug and kiss her right and left cheeks.

A beam of light flashed in Angel’s eyeballs that were originally dim, almost without the light of life. Her eyes began to widen.

“Oh, geez. Is this my birthday? I really don’t remember. I’ve never been given a birthday greeting by anyone.”

“In the past when I was living with my parents and at school, nobody remembers my birthday. Even I hope never be born.” Angel’s voice was slow and choked up when she said it.

Mrs. Rose held out the gift and Angel accepted it without hesitation. She hugged the gift on her chest.

“Come on, please open the gift.” I said.

Two tears came from Angel’s eyelids. 

“All my life, only insult and bully that I received. I was considered a crazy girl and also be treated by the people closest to me roughly. Only today I receive attention, sincere love like this.”

“My teacher and school friends all turned away from me and thought I was a crazy girl. My only friend is Gonzo. I really never thought anyone would still remember my birthday, even giving me a gift. I’m even disgusted by my birthday. Exactly when I had a birthday my pain showed up, bad treatment to me… I remember everything.”

“But today is very different. Thank you Moi, Mrs. Rose. I’m really… ah, really touched.”

“Never mind, Angel. You’re special, you’re beautiful, you’re good and you deserve to be loved. It’s your birthday, cheer up and forget your past.” I said while hugging her again.

In my mind, flashed my birthday. Every year always there was a cake with candle that I blew together with my mom and little brother William. I didn’t know if I can get out safely from this Chimera and gather with my family again.

I saw Mrs. Rose helped Angel open our gift box.

Angel opened the gift enthusiastically. Her eyes appeared perfectly rounded when the gift was opened.The treatment to my gift was very different than the other gifts that she received that were still intact piled up in the corner of her room. 

The girl’s face exuded excitement when she took a flowery dress from her box. 

“Moi, this is… beautiful… very beautiful.” Angel’s voice choked because of happy.

“I like it too. Especially the flower patterns, it’s like spring.” said Mrs. Rose

I was really satisfied enjoying the view in front of me. Angel circled with the dress stuck in front of her body.

“But… do I deserve to wear this dress?”

“Of course, why not?” answered Mrs. Rose.

Angel stopped circling, 

“I’m not a princess. I’m just Curly, the ugly curly hair. This dress is not suitable for me.”

I tried to laugh and give positive suggestions to Angel. 

“I’m not a princess either. But look at me, I tidied my hair well and my clothes are cool, didn’t I?” I said while was stylish and dancing a little.

“We are not noblewoman, but what’s wrong with us looking beautiful? It is our self who is responsible for beautifying ourselves. If it’s not us who care about our appearance or beauty, who else?” I continued while moving my hands to dance.

“I’m pretty too, aren’t I, Curly? Look, my high heels. All day I wear it. My legs sometimes cramp, but I feel prettier and more confident when wearing it. So I keep wearing it.” said Mrs. Rose added.

“It’s your birthday. Don’t look the past again. Today is a very special day, you must look beautiful. Let me help you try it.” I said.

“Moi, Mrs. Rose, you are really very good close friend to me.” said Angel softly.

I and Mrs. Rose helped put the dress on Angel. Felt Angel’s body wasn’t so rigid anymore, maybe the effect I had in therapy at the pool a few days ago.

Finally Angel’s new dress was worn, I opened Angel’s wardrobe, behind the wooden wardrobe was a large mirror, as wide and as tall as that wooden wardrobe door.

Angel’s eyes widened when she saw herself in the mirror, 

“Mama…” she said softly.

I thought Angel saw the figure of her dead mother reflected from the mirror. Angel smiled, her body circled, unexpectedly she began to sing.

“I pray you’ll be our eyes…

And watch us where we go

And help us to be wise in times when we don’t know…”

I surprised when Angel sang the song “The Prayer” which was popularized by Celine Dion.

It turned out that Angel’s voice was so clear. I put my hand in my mouth and compassion appeared in my heart.

Angel continued singing by holding the hem of the dress and dancing round and round.

“Let this be our prayer when we lose our way

Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace

To a place where we’ll be safe…”

My eyes filled with tears, the lyrics of the song were like my longing for a safe place, as well as that might be what Angel wanted and missed.

Mrs. Rose stood and hugged Angel and then sang along.

“I pray we’ll find your light

And hold it in our hearts

When stars go out each night”

“Let this be our prayer

When shadows fill our day

Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we’ll be safe”

Mrs. Rose chimed in Angel’s voice. They sang together accompanied by a small dance, one of Angel’s hands holding the hem of her dress.

“Sogniamo un mondo senza più violenza

Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza

Ognuno lo la la mano al suo vicino

Simbolo di pace, in fraternità

La forza che ci dà

We ask that life be kind

È il desiderio che

And watch us from above

Ognuno trovi amor

We hope each soul will find

Intorno e dentro sé

Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer

Let this be our prayer

Just like every child

Need to find a place, guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we’ll be safe

È la fede che

Hi acceso in noi,

Sento che ci salverà.”

My tears spilled, I could not hold back when I saw Angel ending the song “The Prayer” with Mrs. Rose. I stood up from Angel’s bed and clapped. Angel bent down and saluted for my applause while still holding the hem of her dress.

She smiled, her white teeth glittered and Angel smiled happily.

I welcomed Angel and hugged her.

“Oh Angel… at the daytime you made Moi cry.”

Angel responded to my hug too, we dissolved in the compassion of female friendship.

“Angel is very thankful Moi, Angel has never been so happy in Angel’s life. You’re a good friend of Angel.” Angel whispered in my ear as we hugged.

“Where do you learn the song? It’s a difficult song. And Angel’s voice is very good.” I praised while wiping my tears.

“Angel’s Mama a year before dying always sang the song when was sad while dancing, then Angel’s memory appeared, when Angel saw the mirror with a dress as beautiful as this.” Angel told the story of the song.