Chapter 2 — The Vick House
The morning sun streamed through the golden curtains of the immense Vick mansion, located in the heart of the country of Zombo. From the outside, the property looked like a modern castle: towers with surveillance antennas, perfect gardens and luxury cars lined up like silent soldiers. This was the residence of the richest, most influential and feared family in the Zerk world — perhaps even on the entire planet.
On the third floor of the east wing, in an impeccably organized room, Houka Vick, 19, was preparing for another historic day.
She dressed with surgical precision. First, she combed her blond hair, adjusting each strand. Then, she put on her dark-framed glasses, revealing her red eyes like embers that never go out. The red tie was elegantly put on. Next, she tied her white sneakers, already matching the black uniform with details of the elite school.
Beside her backpack, a metallic object protruded subtly.
Without hesitation, Houka took it, looked at it for a second and put it in the pocket of his black pants. He didn't say anything. He just turned to the mirror, analyzing his appearance like an artist before his masterpiece. Then he smiled. That wicked smile, known throughout the school as a sign that something terrible was about to happen. "A great day for a historic event," he muttered, and left the room. He went down the stairs of the mansion and entered the gigantic dining room. It was already morning, and the buffet was set: fruits, fine meats, exotic drinks, but Houka only took a simple sandwich and a calming grape juice. He sat down elegantly. It was then that two hands covered his eyes from behind. "Guess who it is?" said a cheerful female voice. "Hmm... maybe someone I know... or maybe someone closer to me than any teacher or classmate..." he replied, smiling with slight sarcasm. "You fool!" said the playful voice.
— Let me think... — Houka said. — With that sweet perfume, that hair color and that manner, I can only say that she is my sister... Vick. Dina Vick.
— You got it! — she replied, laughing and giving him a loving kiss on the cheek.
Dina Vick, 21 years old, her older sister, had an elegant but unpretentious air, the kind of person who smiled even in the darkness. Despite belonging to a powerful family, Dina carried a rare lightness.
— It seems that someone woke up cheerful today. — Houka said, still eating.
— What's up, Houka? — she said, making a theatrical pout. — Can't I see my brother with so much joy in life?
— Of course you can. Joy is a natural and essential motivation for our Zombian race.
While Houka drank the juice, her parents appeared right behind her.
— What's up, son? — said Filipe Vick, in a black suit and a businessman's smile. — How are your grades? I bet they're... high.
— Nothing special — Houka said with a smile. — Just A, A, A in your main subjects.
— Hah! — Filipe replied in an ironic tone. — That's what it means to be a Vick.
Amelia Vick, his mother, approached with graceful steps.
— Son... you make me so proud. You're the class leader at the most important elite school in the country.
— That's why my goal is clear — Houka said. — To be number one. If I'm not... I'm not a Vick.
Dina hugged her brother from behind, squeezing him affectionately.
— Whatever happens... grades or not... you'll always be my most beloved brother. And you'll always be a Vick to me.
She kissed him on the cheek again, and his parents smiled.
— We feel that way too, Dina — Filipe said. — Houka is the top student in the popular class. Charming, brilliant. That's why he'll be the heir to the family... and maybe even president of the country.
"I totally agree," Amelia added. "Houka will make us even more proud. I can see that."
As the conversation continued, Houka just nodded, keeping his sinister smile on his face. But his mind was already elsewhere.
Without anyone noticing, he looked at the backpack behind the chair. Silently, he turned his eyes forward.
The smile grew.
Inside the backpack... there was a sniper rifle.
[End of Chapter 2]