Saeran had taken Yeong back to the Mint Eye headquarters and presented him to Rika. Saeran kneeled before her, motioning Yeong to do the same. "I have brought another to join Paradise, Savior. I believe he will do well here."

"A job well done, Saeran. Welcome, young one. What is your name?" Rika asked Yeong.

"Yeong Jun, Savi- Ma'am. My lady," Yeong said, stumbling over his words.

"You may call me 'My Lady' - for now." Rika stood from her throne-like chair and walked to them, touching her hand to Yeong's bowed head. "Welcome to my family, Yeong. You will find many others like you here. However, for now you will only talk to Saeran. He will take care of you until your Orientation in a few days. Saeran," she addressed the silver-head, "Take Yeong to his room. Show him how this Family treats their siblings."

Saeran bowed his head once more. "Very well, Savior. Come, Yeong."

They both rose, and and exited out the door to the right of Rika. Going down a long hallway, Saeran went into a room at the end. He beckoned Yeong inside. Upon entering, he saw that it was a rather ornate bedroom. "Is...is this for me?" Yeong asked incredulously.

Saeran nodded. "Yes, this is where you will be staying. Do not come out of this room. The Family does not know who you are yet, and might take you for an intruder." This was a lie of course. Saeran didn't want him to know what happened to people who joined Paradise.

Yeong grabbed Saeran's hand suddenly. "Thank you! Thank you so much! I never even dreamed that this would ever happen to me. I don't have the words to describe..." Saeran saw tears in Yeong's eyes before the boy looked down. However, the tears were gone when he looked back up. "I don't have the words to describe. But sir, I do want to say this again," Yeong announced sincerely, not letting go of Saeran's hand, "Whenever you need me, wherever you need me, I will be there. I don't have many services to offer, but if there is anything I can do please tell me. The Lady might be your savior, but you are my savior. I'll always try to follow your example, Sir."

Saeran looked down at this...boy - for a boy he was, despite his big heart and sincere words - and instead of feeling accomplishment at a job well done, he felt horror. Saeran was now utterly and solely responsible for the boy, and it finally hit home to him. Yeong had just pledged himself to him, and now his every action would be done in Saeran's name. And in return, anything that happened to Yeong in this place - any pain or victory - would be because Saeran brought him here. I wonder if this was how Savior felt, when I started following her, Saeran thought. Probably not. She had always seemed to feel power and validation from gaining followers, not humility.

Saeran took a deep breath. "Don't follow my example. I'm not as good of a person as you think I am," Saeran said to Yeong, shrugging the boy's hand away. He walked towards the door. "Live your own life, don't base it on other people. That is the safest way to live in this world, kid," Saeran told him over his shoulder.

"I stand by what I said, Sir. I will never forget what you did for me," Yeong replied.

Saeran paused under the doorway. Turning slightly, he looked Yeong in the eyes. "Be careful in this place, Yeong. Not everyone has your best interests in mind."

"Like your savior? She doesn't seem to have anyone's interest in mind at all," Yeong perceived shrewdly.

Swiftly, Saeran fully turned to face Yeong. "Do not ever say that, boy!" Saeran said menacingly. Fearfully, Yeong backed away a few steps. "She is our Savior, and you will treat her as such! She is better than all of us." Even as Saeran spoke, he couldn't stop himself from wondering - Is she? Is she actually better than anyone? And seeing the fear and pain in Yeong's eyes made him question it more. God, this boy actually does look up to me. And I just yelled at him - for speaking the truth.

Slumping his shoulders, he gave a sigh. Saeran stepped forward and patted Yeong's shoulder, and then genuinely felt like a monster when the boy flinched at his touch.

"I'm sorry, Yeong," said Saeran, as softly as he could. "Just be careful." He studied the boy a few seconds. Yeong wouldn't look up. "Please," Saeran said, softer still. Yeong finally looked up into Saeran's eyes, and nodded once.

Giving a sigh of relief, Saeran smiled at Yeong and released his shoulder. "I'll be back later, kid."

Saeran exited the room, locking it behind him for extra assurance that Yeong wouldn't get out - and nobody would get in.

He went down a few halls to his own room, which wasn't too far from Yeong's room. Yeong's room was the initiates room, and Saeran was usually the one to integrate the new people in.

Unlocking his own room, Saeran went in and closed the door.

And immediately heard a knock.

Irritable, he ripped the door open again. "What?!" He growled.

The man outside promptly handed Saeran a tiny bag. "From our Savior. She wanted to remind you to take your medicine. She said she wanted you at your best health," the man said in a monotone.

Saeran smiled. "Praise the Savior! I needed these," he said. But the man was already on his way down the hall.

Saeran went back inside and filled a glass with water. Taking the pills out of the bag, he put them in his mouth - and held them under his tongue. Grabbing the glass, he took a drink without swallowing the pills. Once he lowered the glass, he spit the pills into it discreetly.

After setting the glass into the sink, he leaned onto the wall and slid down.

What am I doing anymore?

~~~

Yay for an actual chapter coming out! But wait, there's more! I originally had this chapter and the next chapter together in the same draft, but it was getting way too long so I split them up. So the next chapter is almost finished, and I will have it out in the net few days. Hurray! See you on the other side!

~Fir