Chapter 56: The Statue

Rusty stopped running when she remembered that Gaunt had beaten Grimm. Yes, she is guilty of what happened but she will only feel more guilty if she neglects Grimm. She took a deep breath to gain courage. Then, she ran back to Grimm. She could not speak when she saw him fall to the floor crying and tweaking his red hair which was very messy. The confusion on its face was obvious. It also does not matter even if everyone is looking at it. She walked closer to it. She bent down and hugged it silently.

"Sorry, Grimm..."

"W-Why did you hide it from me?"

Grimm's voice was full of resentment. She looked at its face. She gently stroked his cheek and pulled the hair off his face. Guilt enveloped her even more when she saw it crying. She bit her lip so hard.

"Can I explain later? The important thing is that we leave here first. Let’s go to Uncle Clemen to treat your wounds."

She should help it to stand but...

"I can handle myself."

Against her will, she was forced to release Grimm. Despite the obvious difficulty, Grimm was forced to stand up and walk to church. She hesitated to follow it. When they got there, her uncle Clemen was surprised to see Grimm's appearance. As it treated the young man's wound he inquired.

"What happened?" casual this question.

Rusty swallowed and looked at Grimm carefully. It averted its gaze from her. She understands why it worked that way.

"Gaunt and Grimm had an encounter..." she said shortly.

Clemen dropped the cotton he was holding when he heard what his niece said.

"What?! Where's Gaunt?!"

"Gone." Grimm spoke.

Clemen took a deep breath.

"What really happened?"

Crying Rusty looked at Grimm and then at her uncle. She gathered a lot of courage before speaking.

"I'm sorry, it was my fault. I met Gaunt and became friends. But I didn't know he was a demon and he was Grimm's twin-brother. I only found out recently. I did not say anything about him because I thought that trouble like this would have been avoided then. I avoided Grimm and Gaunt facing each other but this is still what happened. Sorry..."

Clemen shook his head and scratched his neck. He understands his niece's reason. The situation is 'It's Complicated'. It got stuck in the middle of the siblings. It is true that he wants to get justice for his friends who were killed by Gaunt. But that did not mean that he was really angry. He is only after justice. He looked at Grimm. It was puzzling and deep in thought. It does not even react while treating its wounds on the body. It looks otherwise hurt and there is no other medicine there.

"You know Rusty, it's better to just physically hurt people close to you than to hurt their feelings. That's a deep thing and trust, when lost... It's hard to get back or maybe not. And you, Grimm... Rusty is to blame for you but that did not mean that she meant it. She just did what she thought was right. She kept it a secret because she wanted to protect you. I hope you understand that."

No one spoke on either side. Clemen has arranged the equipment. He has finished treating Grimm.

"I'll go out first. Both of you must talk."

Clemen came out. Meanwhile... Laughing, Gaunt banged his head on the wall of his old house. After that, he clenched his fists tightly.

"I got my revenge..." he said softly.

That just made him not feel happy. He also seems to be hurt by what he did to his brother. He knew that was how he felt because he knew that it was not really Grimm's fault. He remembered what his brother had said.

"Dad gave me some medicine so I told him your secret..."

It repeatedly dominates his brain. After that, he angrily punched the wall he was leaning against. His blow was weak because the surroundings just shook and the wall did not completely collapse.

"You really are a damn, Belphegor! You are really shameless! AAAAAAAH!"

He cried out in extreme frustrations. He remembered Rusty. He became hasty in his last act. He closed his eyes tightly.

"I know Grimm is the one you say you like, Rusty... Why of all you can like, is he?!" his language is still frustrating.

He took a deep breath and became serious.

"Like I said, I will stole your heart. I will take you from Grimm and nothing will stop me from taking you... And in return for Belphegor, I will not say anything about my brother. He will wait for nothing." he spoke emphatically.

Meanwhile... A deafening silence prevailed between Grimm and Rusty. Grimm simply straightened his hair and pulled it back. Rusty sat across from him and stared at his face. He suddenly remembered the kiss Gaunt had made on her lips. A warm and painful thing he felt in his heart. His jaws simply tightened. He was hurt in that scene badly.

Rusty remembered what had happened earlier. She could not move so Gaunt was able to kiss her relentlessly. Because her necklace has broken. It is undeniably a very powerful demon. She took a deep breath and looked at Grimm. It was staring at her and there was something thinking. The kiss?

"I-It's just nothing, don't think about it. It just happened because I couldn't move anymore. I don't know why, as long as my necklace just broke. Its crystal has been shattered..." Rusty could not stand it.

She could feel the warmth on her cheeks. She was ashamed of Grimm. Silently he stood up and walked towards her. when he got close to her and he put his right hand on her head and slightly messed up her hair.

"I hope this never happens again. I hope you will never keep a secret from me again. Kuya Gaunt's threat was clear. He is really doing what he said."

Rusty looked carefully at Grimm's face. He cheeks warmed as he bent down and stared at her face.

"We won't shake by him no matter what happens, right?"

Rusty answered with just a nod.

"We will be strong and will not lose to anyone..."

Grimm held out his right hand and she looked up in amazement. She tearfully accepted his handshake until she hugged him.

"Sorry!" she apologized again.

She felt the return of Grimm's hug to her.

"I should be the one to apologize because you were affected by the trouble between Kuya and me. You don't have to be afraid because I'm just here. I can fight anyone just so as not to ruin the people I love. You are one of them. Don't cry anymore because of me. I'm not mad at you. I'm sorry. Yes, earlier I was angry... But for now, it's gone."

Rusty laughed slightly at what she heard.

"You're really crazy, Grimm. But thank you. We're fine, huh?"

"Of course."

Suddenly the door opened and ...

"Ehem!" Clemen.

The two were very much stunned with each other and looked at the newcomer Clemen. They let got at each other’s hug.

"I said, just talk. I didn't say anything with a hug. Don't forget what I told you, Grimm..."

Then, the young man remembered about Rusty's father Constantine. He swallowed and shook. He was suddenly nervous. It might burn him with a very hot fire.

"I'll just take you both home. I need to explain to your parents why you are like that, Grimm. As usual, white lies again..."

Rusty and Grimm secretly looked at each other and then laughed even though there was no exact reason. Maybe it's because they easily overcame their resentment.

The next day, Grimm and his Kuwarog Boys will deliver bread orders to their customers, as well as his best-friend Mikee.

"Hoy, Grimm... Did you really get beaten up yesterday because of Rusty?" Salv asked curiously.

Grimm glared at his friend.

"It's obvious from the bruises on my face, isn't it?"

Father Clemen said that someone had abused Rusty and he defended her.

"Then, you get those good points?" his friend was still joking.

He didn't say a word but he just laughed. He noticed that his other friends were gathering in front of his Lola Epang. He and Salv approached the crowd.

"Grandma, then there really are tiyanak?” Rey asked swallowed.

"What kind of question is that, son. Naturally, there are tiyanak. You've already encountered a manananggal, you still have doubts if tiyanak existed?"

It turns out that his friends are just listening to his Grandma’s horror story. It was their favorite past time.

"Is it true that the tiyanaks are children who died without being blessed?" Salv asked again.

"Yes, that is usually the case. But the real is, they are creatures of darkness who use mercy for their victimization. Who else is capable of hurting an innocent baby? Mercy will be their deception and defense."

Grimm and Salv also listened to the story.

"The tiyanaks have skin and that is what they use to heal all their injuries. The tiyanaks are afraid of fire and sacred things, they do not like the light. Darkness is their weapon."

Grimm's Dad came.

"The best thing is, go for delivery because it might be late at night and you will encounter something malignant on the road."

"Sir Andy!" Rey's complaint.

Because he can't get over that old movie of the Tiyanak he watched. He has a phobia there.

"Rey is scared!" Ricky suddenly yelled.

"Tse!"

Rey was laughed at and tease but the young man was just shaken. Their salaries have been paid and they are each on their bicycles.

"This is the most important of all. Avoid trouble. Do not shoot at the fight if you do not want to imitate your face here with Grimm. Another, maybe this one will be end so avoid trouble."

Grimm frowned at what his Dad had said. Seriously, will he end?! That is unlikely to happen because he is a weed. He was just talking in his mind so that he would not be preached to. He got a lot of sermon yesterday. They have already gone to deliver. There was no problem with their walk because some people seemed to be avoiding them since the news of their encounter with the manananggal was announced.

They accelerated the delivery as the sky gradually darkened. Foretells heavy rain. They are now on their way home and they are not talking as they used to because they are all in a hurry. They look like they are racing because their bicycles speed them up. They do not want to be caught in the rain. After a while, the rain began to fall.

They were forced to stop.

"Let's find shelter!" the language is Grimm.

They all looked around. Until Ricky saw a very old mansion in the distance. That has been neglected and some parts have been torn apart. It is surrounded by many trees with lush foliage and branches. The gate is broken.

"Wait, we can take shelter there oh!" Ricky pointed to the old-mansion.

Everyone looked at it.

"All right, come on!"

Because the rain was getting stronger they no longer hesitated to go to the old mansion and take shelter for a while at the opening.