Chapter 4

The Officer and the Cake

After I send the application I started roaming around. I don't know the place but it's part of my rebellion.

I can't help but smile everytime I think about sneaking out. It excited me so much and the feeling was so euphoric.

Grandpapa's stories that made me tremble in fear was no match to how I feel right now. At first I was really scared, but then after I wander around a bit, I get the hang of it. I feels so independent. Aside of getting used to the new environment, I'm also learning how to communicate with other creatures. I feel really normal.

Grandpapa used to tell me that most of the villagers are hot-tempered and ill-mannered. I guess grandpapa yet again exaggerated his stories.

The place was really nice. I saw a lot of delicious foods and cool materials, the only problem I had was that I don't have any money. And later on, I have come to realize that I'm stupid for not bringing any money on me and how important it is. Of course I have to bring money, I never had money before since we didn't need it.

Waaah! My mouth water as I look on the cake in the bakery. I thought cake is a rare food, I've only eaten of it once in my life, never thought that I'd see these much of cakes.

"Hey!" a loud voice called me. He made me jump on my feet. The baker-demon looks so scary, not only that he was huge, he was also carrying a knife.

Sheeze! I am now trembling in fear, afraid that he might flick my forehead and break my bones.

"Please sir, spare me!" I cried, shaking in fear. I hug my body to protect myself from harm.

Sheeze. Sheeze. I should've stayed home!

"What kind of cake do you want?"

"No sir, don't flick my he--what?" I ask surprised. I slowly raise my head to see that the baker had a smile on his face.

"Stop carrying the knife Arnold, you are scaring the lady!" a woman said behind him. Both of them look like middle age vampire, I can tell it from their one inch horns. The huge man smiled at me as he scratch the back of his head. The woman smiled as me as well, she was a demon as well. She must be the baker's wife. "We notice you are looking at the cake," the woman said, I smiled awkwardly, embarrassed how truant I look. "You seemed hungry, do you want to try some?" she asked.

"Huh?" I ask surprised. That easy? "I-- I don't have any money ma'am," I shyly told them.

I was surprised when she took my hand and guided me to enter their bakery. She told me to sit down.

"What flavor do you like dear?" she ask sweetly.

My stomach grumbles, excited to taste the cake. "I don't have any money madam," I told her again sadly.

"It's ok sweetie. It's my treat. I see that you are new in this village. And also, I'm Betty and this is my husband Arnold. You are?"

"My name is Isabela madam. Umh, it's nice to meet you." I said shyly. Betty giggled.

"I'm guessing the purple one is your favorite?" Arnold said as he placed the well-sliced cake in front of me. Oh gosh, I feel like I've been attacked by a rabies at how much my mouth is watering right now.

"Eat," Betty said. I was about to dig in when I saw that the vampires from outside are looking at us, I can also hear their whispers as they try to pass by.

I look at Betty with questions in my eyes. "Why are those vampires looking here?" I ask. I notice how her features change to sadness and ashamed. "I bet they're wondering how tasty your food is madam," I smiled. I took a spoonful of cake and shove it inside my mouth.

WAAAAHHHH!!

I'M IN PARADISE!

With still a food in my mouth I said, "This ish sho freaking good mo'om, shsir. Dish mush cosst a lot! WOoOw! Thish is sooo good." I shove another cake. I threw all my table etiquette. "Yaamiii!"

Betty and Arnold gave me another slice of cake, reason why I was so full. Arnold and Betty doesn't have any offsprings and they have been waiting for 50 years to get pregnant, but sadly they couldn't.

I was shock when they gave me a box of cake. I thank them so much before going home.

"Go home safely Belle!" Betty reminded me. I wave back to them and made a 180 degree of bow, to show how much grateful I am of their kindness.

"Come back tomorrow!" Arnold yelled.

"I will, thanks!"

I still want to roam around but it's getting darker. Although, I might not be able to come back in the village since I know they will punish me but I have a box of cake and I wanted to bring these to my family. Wanting them to taste how delicious the cake was. Although I'm still upset in them.

Yuri and Andy might like these cake. It's a guarantee since its really delicious.

There are a lot of people inside the house, I hurried in to know what's going on; everyone seemed so worried.

"Andy!" I called when I saw Andy with a sad expression. Everyone looked at me and I became surprised when grandmama, grandpapa, mama, papa, Levi, Sheil, Andy and Yuri ran up to me and hugged me.

"Where the hell have you been brat?" Grandpapa hissed worriedly.

"I thought you ran away," mama cried.

"I'm just wandering around the village," I told them.

"All by yourself?" papa ask in distressed. I nodded.

"Ate, we are so worried. Kuya Levi called some of the officers to help us find you, they thought you ran away." Andy said.

Oh my. I guess I didn't expect I cause this much trouble.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to wander around alone..." I told them.

"Issa, you have to tell us where are you going. You don't know this place, you don't know this people. How are we going to find you if you get in trouble? Or someone wants to hurt you?" Sheil state, concerned can be heard in her voice.

"Yes, I understand." I told her.

The officers walk towards us.

"I see your daughter has returned home," one of the officer said. He looks like the leader among 7 of them.

"Yes, we're sorry for the bother." Mama said.

"Umh, I bought cake. Do you guys want to have some?" I asked. Wanting to divert the attention of the troubled I make.

"Wow Mrs. Carlos, I didn't know you have such a nice thoughtful daughter..." One of the officer said, his eyes looking at me.

Eh. He must be talking about Sheil, I'm not thoughtful, I made them worried. The leader accosted him which made him shut up.

Levi cleared his throat, as well as papa.

"Where did you get the cake?" Grandmama ask but was interrupted by the thunder, followed by a heavy rainfall. I saw how Mama and Sheil and some of the water bender officers made a foundation of shields to protect us from getting wet.

Benders cannot nullify or stop the nature.

All of us went inside the house. The house is big enough for all of us to fit in.

They entertain the guess more and stop asking where I got the cake, good thing that the cake is huge enough to eat. I didn't eat mine anymore since Yuri and Andy was asking for more and I gave them mine.

"This cake is so delicious," Officer Butch said, the leader. The rest of them agreed.

After the officer bid their farewells, Sheil nudge her arms playfully on my arms. I look at her. "Officer Jonathan seemed so interested in you," she giggled, referring to the officer who said about thoughtful. "I can also see some of them steal glances at you, my, my..." she said excitedly.

"What are you talking about?" I asked. Confused and dazzled.

"Stop clouding Issa's mind Ate, those men are creepy!" Levi said. Huh? "Don't listen to her Issa," Levi approached me, he suddenly gave me a hug. "Stop wandering around, you made us real worried..." his voice concerned.

I nodded at him. Shoot, I forgot that I'm mad at them.

It's inevitable. My punishment. I thought that grandpapa and grandmama forgot about the punishment. But they didn't. It midnight when I was woken up by grandmama and grandpapa, everyone was sleeping except for us.

They made me do seventy thousand squats and sit ups. They made me run across a hundred miles(back and forth), after that they made me do a post where my head on the ground and my feet points on the sky. I was able to do that in 6 hours, all of it.

"You seemed to like your punishment," Grandpapa butted in after I slump my body on the ground. I couldn't help but smile.

"I miss running around gramps," I told him. "Moori and those other beast must be wondering why I didn't show up," I chuckled. It's true that I miss my playmates.

"You're taking this lightly now, eh?"

"It's still not enough grandpapa, I need to get stronger so you won't be worried if I ever go out alone again."

"I heard that brat!" Grandmama yelled. "So you're planning to go away again ha. You're grounded today, no going out!"

I hastily get up. "But grandmama, I told my friend that I'll be coming over!"

Friend. Wow. It's almost so foreign in my tongue to say those words. My first village friend.

"Well, you are breaking your promise to obey the elders." Grandmama said.

"Is obey and respect the same thing?" I ask before running away trying to active grandmama's water bend attack. It's not just water though, the water comes with sleeper.

I don't ever know where she got those many slippers.

Another day comes and I'm not grounded anymore. I didn't get to see Betty and Arnold yesterday. I'm planning to go there today anyway.

I thought the fam is going to argue with me going out but they all agree as long as Levi is with me.

I thought that walking with Levi is awkward considering that I don't wanna talk to him since I'm still pushing that I'm still mad at them. No matter how I tried to stay mad at them, I just can't. There are times when I ended up having a normal conversation with them.

I cringe at how softie I am. I've been sulking for years over for nothing! They just gave me small excuse and I accepted that.

"Yah! Do you wanna die? Stop putting your arms on my shoulder!" I shouted at Levi.

"Whoa! You're scary sis. Are you still mad at Kuya?" he teased, he playfully stab my side with his finger. I took his finger and bend it enough to hurt him. "Ow, ow, ow! Let my finger go! Ow, ok, ok, I'll stop!"

I feel satisfied. I smirk at him.

"Hey Levi!" A man the same age as Levi called. We both look at his way. "What a beautiful lady you got there!"

"Oi, what's up man? This is my sister, Isabela. Isabela this is Jake, my friend." Levi said. I smiled at Jake and he smiled back.

"Wow, I didn't know you have another sister. And a beautiful one," he complimented. I thank Jake for his compliments.

Levi slightly pushed his shoulder playfully. "That's my sister man," Levi rebuke Jake. "Let's go Issa," Levi holds my arm and he drag us out of there.

"Bye Jake. It's nice to meet you," I smiled as I wave.

Jake wave back. "Bye Issa, it's nice to meet you as well."

"Ahh don't turn back." Levi said stopping my head from looking back.

"Why? He's cute," I told him.

"Aish. I told you not to read ate Sheil's book. Look how tainted your mind is," he said annoyed. I giggled. Yesterday, Sheil gave me a romance books. I didn't know that kind of book existed, I am now so addicted of it.

"Your mind is tainted, I just said that he's cute."

Now, Levi looks really annoyed with me. "Stop it Issa," he huff.

I pouted at him but I couldn't help giggling. Levi and I continued walking. As we went closer to the village, people were accumulating in front of Betty and Arnold.

"What's going on?" I ask. My heart is beating rapidly and I became nervous.

"You okay?" Levi ask. "Wait!" he exclaimed when I ran up to see what was going on. Levi pulled me back.

"That must be the new demon living in the village,"

"What about demons?" I ask curiously.

"As you can see, the creatures don't live the same way as it used to be. There are rumors about demons getting savage. Last month Prince Yohan was killed by his trusted friend which is a demon--"

I left Levi right before he could finish his story. I tried to seek in to see what's in front.

I can hear people's question rose to a clamor.

"The innocent girl must be dead!" a heard someone said in the audience.

I saw Betty crying, she shakes her head as she denied their accusation. Arnold's arm was wrap around her wife's body, protecting her.

"They are pest in this village. How can the king accepted such hideous creatures!"

"You demons should rot in hell!"

Betty and Arnold was held in captive. It was the officer from yesterday.

"Mrs. Betty!" I said aloud. "Mister Arnold!" I gasp.

I met their eyes and I can see that it screamed for help.

"Isabela! Isabela! There's the girl, we wouldn't harm her! I told you, please sir. Spare us!" I heard Arnold says.

"What's going on?" I asked as I step in closer to the scene.

"Isabela, tell them..."

I was about to go closer when Levi's hand gripped my arm, stopping me from walking.

"T-they didn't do anything wrong," my voice tremble.

"Issa, stop it. Come here..." Levi called but I ignored him.

I calculated what's happening on my mind. They must've thought that they poisoned me with cake that's why I didn't show up yesterday.

"They didn't poisoned anyone. I know because I shared the cake with my family," I said. My hands pointed at the officers. "They ate the cake as well, they even told me that it was delicious! Right, officers?" I ask. I can hear them gasp. The officers look at me dumbfounded. "Officer Butch can attain to that, he told me it was the mooost delicious cake he has ever tasted!" I exclaimed, emphasizing each words. To my surprise, Officer Butch was on his knees. His hands are on the ground. He lowered his head as he started to sob.

People's curiously grew stronger and I can hear their whispered.

"Maybe the poison is working!" someone shouted.

The whispered became more louder. Oh, shit. This is bad. Some of the officer gathered in Butch's side to comfort him until Butch outburst in laughter. More like in joy.

"Oh no! Officer Butch became crazy!"

"What did this evil demon put on their cake?"

"HAHAHAHA!" Officer Butch. He quickly stood up and approach the scared couple. "Which one of you made the cake?" Butch ask with so much emotion. His eyes are glittering.

"I-i was the one who made it sir. Please spare me. My wife didn't do anything!" Arnold protected his wife, afraid that Butch might do something bad to her.

"No officer! I was the one who made it!" Betty defended. "Please spare us!" Betty begged.

"Officer Butch, which demon shall we behead first?" ask one of the officers.

Surprisingly, Butch attack the officer with his water bender. The people and I were shock.

"I don't care which one of you baked it but it was the most delicious cake I have ever tasted!" Officer Butch. "From this day on, I, Officer Butch Delfion welcome you to this village demons. Whoever harm you shall face my power!" Officer Butch declared.