ZEPHLEIT-LY 18.5

"Is this some kind of joke? 'Cause I ain't buying it!" Brent refused to believe what Farris had just said. "What kind of criminal would go admitting to his crime?"

"And a serious one at that." Ein added.

Aldin, Zeph, Brent, and Ein muttered and argued between themselves whether or not to believe the felon who had just confessed. "Why, what's wrong? You don't believe me?" Farris asked with a smirk on his face. "I did it. I really did." he insisted.

"I think you're the type who likes to play with people's minds. I wanna beat you up so badly to teach you a lesson but… I can't… For some reason I can't. I should be angry by now, but… I'm not." Zeph said as he shrugged, confused.

"I'm mad, I think? But I'm totally lost. I dunno… I'm really confused." Aldin said.

"Seriously, Farris, This isn't one of your games, right? Lemme ask you something." Brent fixed his stare at the young man. "And I want a straight answer. Did you really do it?"

"I told you, I did! I really did!" he responded.

"I really think he's telling the truth, Brent." Ein whispered as he nudged the big guy.

Brent was getting impatient and irate. He sat down on the nearest couch, crossing his arms. "Then spill the beans. Tell us everything! And I mean EVERYTHING! We'd like to know all the details behind this." he said tapping his foot.

"Only on one condition though…" Farris horned in.

"Criminals and their terms…" Brent let out a sigh. "You really want that raise? Fine, I'll triple your pay. Just--"

"He works under your wing? I KNEW IT! You're the mastermind!" Zeph sarcastically gasped pointing at Brent who was sitting just across him. "I was right! I knew you're the real culprit behind all this."

"Hey! Don't get the wrong idea! We're talking about something else!" he rebuffed. "He was hired by my dad to sculpt statues for our hotel. That's it."

"…hm… pff… Pffft… AHAHAHAHAH! Hey, relax! I'm just fooling around. Don't get so worked up!" jeered Zeph. Brent, on the other hand, is fuming.

"You guys are weird." Farris remarked. "A-anyway, that's not what I'm asking for, Brent. All I want is for you guys to cooperate with me… although the raise would be nice."

"Cooperate?" asked Aldin raising his big commanding voice. "What? In committing another crime? No way, 'pal'."

"Just hear me out first. Please." he pleaded clasping both of his hands together and kneeling in front of them as if begging to set him free from being bullied.

"Okay, okay… fine. Just cut to the chase already." Brent responded angrily. He sure likes to make fun of people, but he hates it when he is made fun of. Yep, that's Brent.

"Again, I am the real culprit behind this crime." Farris admitted once again. "But first, I wanna assure you something."

"And that is…?"

"Marcus is alive." he guaranteed. "He is alive, and I'm telling the truth."

"R-really? Oh, thank goodness." Ein jumped for joy. "I just knew it. I had a feeling that he's still alive. I'm so happy."

"Yeah, I'm happy too. But, what about the place crash? Where is he?" Zeph asked, worried.

"Easy there… I'll get into that eventually. Right now, let me confess and admit 'my' crime." Farris cleared his throat and began his explanation, "As you can see, and heard from Brent, I am an artist. A professional artist."

"What does that have to do with anything?" asked Aldin.

"I forged the evidence." Farris affirmed. "I know you're all wondering where that 'letter' came from? Well, my other cabalist gave me a sample note with ZL's handwriting. With my professional and artistic skills, I was able to fabricate the evidence and make that fake letter."

"Wait a minute." Zeph interrupted. "If that's the case, that only means that someone from this household is in cahoots with you."

"Right." Aldin agreed. "And there's only one person who fits into the bill…"

"GRAU!" Brent exclaimed.

"Yeah. He's been staying with us these past few days and he'd been into Marcus and ZL's rooms before." Ein inferred. "In fact, he and ZL had been having conversations inside. He even helped clean Marcus' room.

"So, you know Grau? Then that would make it a lot easier to explain things."

"Then, you're telling us that Ein is right?" Zeph asked.

"Yep. He is." ratified the forger. "I admitted that I am the real suspect, but I never said I killed anyone. I just confessed to my crime, and that is fabrication of evidence. Now, Grau is another issue."

"Damn you, Grau."

"Save the swearing and damnation for later. Listen first." Farris said with a serious face, trying to catch everyone's attention. "His Lordship played a rather large role in all this."

"Lordship? I thought he was forsaken by his father? He even said that he had cut ties with him." snarled Brent.

"Chill." Farris tried to calm the 'monster' down. "That's what he said. But really, he isn't." Farris continued. "I still remember him laughing when he said how 'stupid' you guys are for falling so easily with something he just made up. In all truth, his father, the Duke, was behind all this. How did I know? He told me."

"You sure you're not making all of this up?" doubted Zeph.

"No. I'm not conjuring up any lies." he persisted. "I think the Prince already told you that his mother, the Queen, is sick, right? And Grau might have already mentioned that the Duke wanted to kidnap Marcus."

"Yeah, they did."

"Well, I don't know the whole details but the Duke wants the Prince dead. For what reason, I don't know. I'm just sharing what I know. It's best that you hear all this from Grau himself, but I don't think he'd be willing. I don't even think he'll show himself up again." Farris shared.

"What about the Queen's illness?" wondered Aldin.

"Well, I can't say that it's really part of their plan, but I personally think that they've been waiting for an opportunity like this to happen. They thought that this was the perfect time to put their plan into action."

"I'm not trying to sound bad or anything but, they could've kidnapped or killed Marcus during his past trips to Europe." Ein wondered. "They were given a lot of favorable circumstances in the past, but why just now?"

"I can't answer that. I don't know." said Farris.

"My head hurts…" Brent closed his eyes and leaned his head on the couch. "Just continue…"

"Sorry, Brent. Hang in there. There's more where that came from."

"Oh boy…"

"Anyway, Grau and ZL's meeting at the park is not something that just happened out of coincidence." Farris continued. "It was also planned. He guised himself, waited for his chance, did his act and shared his sob stories to ZL. The guy bought his stories and fell for it. ZL's been the puppet since it happened. Not only that. The ambassador and a select few of their staff were also conspirators of Grau and of the Duke. The plane, even the pilot… everything's been planned out."

"Dammit. But, seriously, why are you telling all of this to us?" asked Zeph. "Aren't you betraying--"

"I'm not betraying anyone." Farris argued. "I just did my work, and that is to forge the evidence. It's not really my fault that I happened to know all this. It is Grau's. I didn't ask him of anything. He 'shared' it."

"Heh. That was a completely stupid thing to do." Aldin fleered.

"Yeah. I guess it is." agreed Farris. "He didn't tell me what the note is for. I didn't ask. After I did the work, he treated me with a drink or two. He got drunk and then he spilled it all. I'm just a concerned citizen. I'm doing all of this for someone. I wanna help this 'ZL' guy."

Inflamed with anger and excitement, Brent stood up and cracked his knuckles. "Wait till I get my hands on that guy. I'm gonna mash him like a dead potato."

"Wait, Brent! Simmer down!" Ein pulled Brent back into his seat. "Now's not the perfect time to . Besides, we've still yet to hear his 'terms and conditions'. You agreed to cooperate with him, right?"

"I never said 'yes' to begin with." Brent grumbled.

"Well, he already told us what he knows. Plus, he could help us turn the case around."

"Speaking of which, that's what I was going to ask you guys..." Farris said. "I want to get ZL out of jail. But breaking into prison is very risky. So, are you willing to cooperate?"

"Do you need to ask? HELL YES, I AM!" Brent replied vigorously. The others muttered between themselves and agreed to help as well.

"Nice! Okay, here's what we need to do…"

--

"F***! The police are here."

"The hell!? Who tipped us? What should we do?"

"Grab the Prince and go through the back door. Don't do anything reckless. Shoot only if you need to. Now MOVE!"

The goon ran across the hallway and barged inside the room at the opposite end. Inside, sleeping on the dusty wooden bed is the guy we all believed who was dead. "Hey, Mr. Prince, wake up! We need to escape!" he yelled kicking Marcus' gut. "Hey! I said wake up!"

"Owwww…" the Prince groaned. "Where are we going?" he asked, but he was ignored.

"Get your ass over here!" Weak and famished, he limped his way out of the room. "Faster!" Impatient, the ruffian dragged him onto the stairs.

"Hey, watch it! It hurts!" cried Marcus.

"I don't care if you're the Prince. We're the boss around here! Just do what we say and we'll let you live. Now stop complaining and follow me!"

It was past midnight, around 1 AM or so. The whole place is dim considering that they are in an old and abandoned apartment building. Some rooms have no electrical power running through so Marcus and the thug have to feel their way into the dark. "Faster dammit!"

"Hey! It's not my fault… you guys haven't fed me for days!" Marcus complained.

"Whatever. Just run faster!"

A few minutes and several dark rooms later, they finally reached the apartment's back door. But they didn't know what was ahead of them.

BLLAAAAAAARRRRGGGG!!!

The metal door went flying towards them. Good thing Marcus was sitting by the nook because of exhaustion. But unfortunately, the thug was hit and was also sent plummeting across the room along with the door. Well, we can't say it's a really bad thing, ain't it? I mean, it's bad, in a good way. Right? Anyway…

"M-Marcus!?" a familiar voice exclaimed.

"E-Ein? Is that you?" he asked, although he was not entirely sure since he only based it from what he heard. He raised his head up and fixed his blurry gaze towards the light at the end of the room. All he was seeing though were a group of silhouettes, and it were running towards him.

"Marcus! Marcus!"

"Hi… guys……" Exhaustion and hunger took over the Prince, and Marcus had fainted.

"Hurry! Get them before they escape!" yelled Farris. Half of the police force they brought with them scurried inside the building and apprehended the poor guys, while the other half surrounded the outside perimeter. They turned the whole place upside down for other possible victims and evidence that they may find. Nothing was found though.

"We'll take care of him." The medic assured. "You don't have to worry though. He's just overly fatigued, dehydrated, and hungry. He'll be fine."

"I'll come with them." Zeph said as he run after the medics.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Ein insisted following behind Zeph. "Be strong Marcus."

"What's our next step, Farris?" asked Brent.

"Marcus is the key to our next step." he said. "So, our next plan of action would be tomorrow morning, when the Prince is feeling well. Besides, we need to hear his testimony. It's very crucial, especially if we want to know who's behind all this."

"I see… Then I guess we have to follow them." Brent proposed.

"Yeah." Farris nodded. "How 'bout you Aldin? Aren't you coming?"

"Go ahead. I'll just ask these hoodlums some questions." he replied. The Corporal gave the two a pat of the back as a sign of goodbye and went over the authorities.

On the other hand, Marcus was sent to the local hospital. Everyone but Aldin came along, also in hoping that the Prince hasn't developed trauma or anything of the sort.

--

"Tell me, who's your boss!?" Aldin barked.

"…" The thugs refused to answer.

"Don't make me repeat myself! Who's your boss?" he roared pounding the metal table denting the top.

"…c." The thugs kept mum about it. However, it was evident that they were trembling from fear. The Corporal is getting a lot scarier by the minute.

"Cough it up or else!" Aldin's voice thundered inside the questioning room, making the other police officers uneasy.

"C-Craigmartin! It's Craigmartin!" confessed the ruffian. "We were hired by Craigmartin. We only did what we're told."

"We don't really know him. We're only asked to keep watch on that blonde guy. He said that guy was a Prince and that we need to keep an eye on him. We asked him but he won't tell us. We're only doing what we're told to do."

"WHAT!?" exclaimed Aldin clenching his fists, steaming up.

"It's true. We're telling the truth."

Taken over by his anger and disbelief, he subconsciously punched one of the thugs. The other officers immediately restrained Aldin that very moment and brought the two suspects out of the room to avoid further disputes between them. "Damn you, Craigmartin!"

--

"I wonder how those guys are doing…?"

It's already 3AM in the morning and I still can't put myself to sleep. Mr. Sandman won't come and sprinkle some of his sand at me. I tossed and turned around my thin bunk, but no. I wish there was something to do in this boring place. I miss my mom. I know she's very worried. She hasn't visited me yet. I know it's hard to be in her place; to see someone you love and someone innocent behind bars.

I miss the mansion, I miss my bed, I miss everyone. *sigh* I wish what that guy said was true. And that I will be out of this jail later by noon. If not, oh well… as if I can do something. If only Marcus was alive and here, he can clear everything up and point out the real suspect.

"Marcus…"

I guess I did fall asleep then.

"….zzzz… zzz…"

"WAKE UP! MR. STALGAV!"

"ACK!" I shrieked as I jumped out of my 'bed'. "Who's there!?" I asked, still half-giddy, and half-hysterical.

"Congratulations!"

"Huh?" Congratulations? For what? Am I listed in death row? Oh joy. That is a wonderful thing indeed.

"You're free to go."

"Free to what?" I asked. I'm still confused.

"You've been cleared of all suspicions, accusations and guilt regarding your case. Get out there and enjoy your freedom." The turnkey unlocked and opened the rusty and creaking door of my jail cell. Is it too good to be true? I'm finally free? But how? "I said get out there, kid. We don't have all day. Unless you wanna stay here for the rest of your life."

"Ahehehe." I laughed nervously as I stepped out of my pen still surprised. "Hehe. Sorry, it's just that--"

"Hey, ZL!"

That voice was familiar. I'd know that voice from anywhere, but I haven't heard it for days. "…Marcus?" It was indeed the Prince, whom I've thought had died from the recent pane crash. I run towards him and gave him the tightest hug I'd ever given someone. "It's true! It really is you! Thank goodness you're alive!!!" I snuggled up on him and continued to hug him tight. I am so happy right now. It felt so good.

Outside, I was welcomed by four of my other friends, as well as my mom. She cried for joy as soon as she saw me. She gave me a hug and a back rub. I wiped her tears off. "It's okay. Everything's okay now…" I said. "Thanks guys…"

"Don't thank me." crooned Marcus. "Thank Farris."

"Farris?"

"Hello! I'm Farris. Nice to meet you." The turquoise-haired guy shook my hands and smiled at me. This was our first meeting but I had a feeling that I had already met this guy from somewhere before.

"Hi!" I greeted back. "Uh, Thanks."

"Well…"

Marcus and the gang explained to me everything that had happened; that Farris was the one who tipped the police about the site where Marcus was being held captive. Marcus also testified about what really happened; that his uncle, Duke Bsyvhalt was indeed the person behind the plane crash and kidnapping. They also told me that Grau, the ambassador, and several of his staff were accomplices. It also came as shocking that Craigmartin is related. Marcus doesn't know about the ex-general's involvement though. Even that news came to him as a surprise. Well, it did to everyone.

What surprised me most is that, Farris was the one who fabricated the evidence that incriminated me. I know that I should be feeling bad and mad, but for some reason, I don't. He seems like a good guy.

Right now, most of the suspects were apprehended and was sent in for questioning. However, the authorities have yet to arrest Grau, Craig, and the Ambassador. They are missing. Meanwhile, the English authorities have already been informed about the incident, and an international order had been dispatched to search and arrest Duke Bsyvhalt.

The Palace had also been informed about the matter at hand. Marcus' international flights will be cancelled until further notice. Regarding Farris, Marcus and I decided not to file him of any case, and everyone agreed.

--

"Phew! Finally! I finally got out of that cold slammer. It feels so good to be back into the real world where I really belong." I said as I slowly dipped myself into the hot spring.

It's been a while since I last visited this place. In fact, it's been month's since I last visited this located hot spring. Good thing we had one in this city. Oh wait… I forgot. This resort belongs to the Valen's. Aren't there any buildings or establishments here that don't belong to either Brent or Zeph's family? Anyway, who cares? I'm just glad I'm finally out enjoying a peaceful life.

I was happily whistling and relaxing when I noticed a bit of rippling and bubbling of water several feet beside me. It was nearing me when suddenly, to my surprise, a head slowly protruded out of the water. "Oy!" I said. "What are you doing here? What are you doing under the water?

"Hi, ZL! What's up?"

Farris jumped out of the water and sat beside me.

"Y-You surprised me! What do you want?" I asked.

"Nothing. I just wanna talk with you. I saw you so I chased you down here and entered before you." he prattled. "Come on, I just wanna make friends."

"Okay, okay."

Farris and I had been having a good chat. I gotta admit, he's a nice guy. We talked about lots of things; he even told me that he was the same guy who went to prison the other day. No wonder his voice was familiar. He even told me that Brent used to bully him back in college. I told him I was bullied by Brent back then too. Well, even until now though.

"Thanks!" I said.

"For what?"

"Thanks for helping us out."

"Oh, that. Don't worry about it. I'm just glad I could help."

Farris and I were having a nice and good conversation. We're also having a few good laughs, until a big red-headed hulking man with a very dark aura entered the room. There's only one thing I can say about this guy… I don't like him.

"Hrmmm…"

He sat on the opposite side of the spring, across me and Farris. He's as big, if not, maybe a bit bigger than Brent. He was staring right at us; his eyebrows contracted, his mouth showing displeasure, and his eyes shining blood red.

"What's your problem?" yelled Farris raising his fist.

"Shh! Stop it, Farris." I whispered pulling him back down. "Just ignore him."

"But--"

"Just ignore him."

Farris and I just shook our heads down and looked at our own reflections in the water.

"HEY YOU! Guy with the brown hair!"

"Huh? Who? Me?" I'm pretty sure there was nobody else around here with brown hair. Besides, there are only three of us using the spring at the moment.

"Yeah, you! You're Zeph's brother, right?"