No Honor among Liars and Thieves

Prose by Reishi Glynne L. Quibido

During the weekends when Lolo was out of the summer bungalow, Dongdong would sneak into the forest just behind their spacious home. The chirps of crickets and croaks of toads echoed in the dense forest, as Dongdong ventured into its depths with a dowser as his compass.

He called for his friends, shortstatured gray men dressed in colors. Every time Lolo was away, the dwarves would spoil Dongdong rotten. Each day, they’d promise him a treasure from the dwarves’ prized collection; filled with golden bracelets and shining crystals, all obscure possessions.

They greeted Dongdong like always, under the shade of an overgrown sapling. Their grin was kind and amiable as they gestured Dongdong to run quicker. Without wasting any second, they showed him their latest, adored find. Today, they found a rare treasure, a diamond jewel with a remarkable shine.

Already fifteen and exposed to the world controlled by wealth and money, Dongdong understood what it’s like to be avaricious and greedy. Still stained with soil, Dongdong’s hands swiped the diamond jewel.

His feet took off, the distraught cries of his friends barely acknowledged.

Dongdong was a criminal on the run, his mind devoid of conscience. However, evading the forest with a diamond in hand numbed his senses. Dongdong hid the filth-covered jewel in his suitcase, feigning innocence. Sin painted that summer solstice, signifying the end of his adolescence.

News arrived years later, saying Lolo was no longer in this world. His wife drove him to the house Dongdong used to visit every summer. While chatting across Lolo’s coffin, he caught a glimpse of a familiar shadow. A stone seemed to be stuck in his throat as his voice refused to utter.

The dim light revealed short-statured gray men dressed in black garments. Their eyes spoke hatred as they seethed with an unbridled vengeance.

“In exchange for the jewel you stole, the price is your Lolo’s soul.”

Yet Dongdong seemed unfazed, and instead, he replied,

“What do you mean? I’ve never stolen such jewel.”