ALICE

I walk through the marketplace, jostling for space within the crowd, clothes rustling as I slither past them to the sounds of coins and voices mingling. I stop by one of the makeshift stalls displaying trinkets and vibrant fabrics. "How much do you charge for the scarf?"

The merchant smiles, taking the crimson scarf made of silk and places it around my neck. "Thirty silvers." He smiles hopefully, "But for a beautiful lady such as you, I would sell it for twenty." A chuckle escapes me. "How could I possibly decline such a generous offer?" I take out the coins from the pouch hanging on my waistbelt to pay. "You have my gratitude." I smile before turning, and a man in a dark coat bumps into me, my jaw tightens with frustration as a frown escapes me.

"I am sorry." Watch where you're going, that is what I wanted to say but the words remain stuck in my throat. My heart is pierced by charming dark green eyes, and a charming smile. "I should've paid more attention." He lets out a sigh in frustration, brushing his dark, thick, and long hair to the side in a messy side part.

"It's alright." I smile, gazing deeply into his eyes. "In a crowd like this? Bumping into someone is inevitable."

"Thank you for understanding." He sighs in relief. "But it was still my fault, I should've been more careful. Again, I am sorry." He bows his head low before walking past me, and I resume my walk to follow the strong aroma of grilled fishes and fried dumplings Percy mentioned. Clattering pots and pans, sizzling grills greet me as I reach the food market.

The heat of the sun beating on my skin, I unfasten the button on my collar, tugging at it to let more air in before stopping beneath the roof of one of the food vendors and spotting my team further ahead. I inhale deeply, the scent of herbs and spices invading my senses as I approach them. "Have you finished your lunch?"

Reiner turns to look, his eyes wide in surprise before he puts down his bowl of fish to stand in attention. The others stand in a collective display of discipline before he salutes, save for Carla who remains seated. "Lieutenant."

I return the salute. "At ease, everyone." I relax, and everyone relaxes before returning to their seats, digging a spoon into the tender meat of the fish and savoring it.

Reiner rubs at his short blonde buzzcut as he glances at Carla. "I am glad you finally decided to join us." He smiles sheepishly at me.

"I've decided that it's in our best interest to spend some leisure time together as a team, unless the invitation had an expiration date."

Reiner lets out a nervous laugh. "Of course not, you're welcome to join us anytime." He smiles, and Carla pushes her empty bowl aside and wipes her mouth with a napkin in a permanent scowl.

I turn to Benzo as he walks by me. "I'll have a bowl of noodles." He nods before carrying on, and I take my seat. "The expense is on me today." Carla's large, suspicious eyes bore into me. "What is it?"

"To what do we owe the pleasure this time?" Carla's tone is skeptical. "Another bribe to work us overtime?" Carla smirks, arching a perfectly groomed eyebrow.

"I consider you a friend, and nothing more."

"I'll believe you; I am sure you enjoy our company." Carla's tone drips with mockery, making it clear she doesn't believe a word of it.

Marvin shifts nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the exchange. "The Lieutenant has been nothing but kind to us; you should drop the hostility already." Carla rolls her eyes at Marvin.

I clear my throat. "Is now a suitable moment to discuss the Firelights?" Carla bursts out laughing.

"I knew it." She says through her laughter, "We're not risking our necks; let Lieutenant Connor handle it." She crosses her arms in front of her chest as the corner of her lips tugs into a smirk. "It has nothing to do with us."

"The Firelights still plaguing your thoughts?" Reiner rubs the back of his head.

"I must apprehend them, Reiner. People are starting to talk."

"You don't have to prove anything." He smiles warmly, words meant to comfort me but I don't need comforting, I need action. Deeds that would silence them.

"I do have something to prove. Many believe I'm incompetent." Benzo places a bowl of noodles before me with chopsticks in them. "Besides, I could use more exciting work." I pick up the chopsticks and eat.

"More exciting work?" Carla scoffs. "Personally? I rather enjoy the dead patrols."

"I must say, Lieutenant, you are an inspiration." Reiner gushes, his voice full of admiration trying to defuse the tension. "I would be honored to help you make this city a better place." He nods his head with a grin on his face.

"Reiner please." Carla rolls her eyes, taking a deep drag as she holds Reiner's gaze. "Does your bootlicking never end?" Smoke puffs out of her mouth with each word, staining the atmosphere with an acrid and unpleasant smell of tobacco.

"I am just being supportive. It is our duty to protect the people and these Firelights are a threat. Who knows where they'll attack next." Reiner crosses his arms, resting his back against his chair as he hums.

"Have you figured out why they attacked the ship?" I shake my head in reply to Marvin's question, wiping my mouth with a napkin as I finish the meal. Checking both the shipment manifest and cargo, there are no missing items. In fact, there are no items of value for thieves to steal. I turn to look at Percy, who has been staring for a long time but has not said anything.

"You've been unusually quiet, Percy. Did Miche say something?"

"I was just admiring the view, my dear lieutenant." A mischievous grin on him, he has both elbows on the table, hands clasped together as he rests his chin on it. "Miche mentioned a warehouse, and that something big is going on tomorrow night, but knowing Miche, he's probably trying to kill two birds with one stone."

"It's a start. All in favor?" Reiner and Percy nod, Marvin then nods his head to follow them, and Carla relents. "Great. Capturing these criminals will be a service to the city. And when we do, I'll write letters of commendation and grant a day's leave." I reach for my pouch but could not find it, my eyes wide as I look at my belt, the strings holding my pouch are cut. "That scoundrel."

"What's wrong?" Percy watches with concern.

"Someone cut my purse." A frustrated chuckle escapes me; you can never trust a handsome face. I shake my head in disbelief, to think that scoundrel could manage a smile after having stolen from me. Does he have no conscience at all? That bump was on purpose. "Worry not, dear Lieutenant; your expense is mine." Percy smiled mischievously. 

"I'll reimburse you."

HASKELL

I walk through the narrow gravel street of The Gift; the buildings, worn out by time and weather, are tightly packed on both sides of the path. Unlike the Inner Districts, the air is noxious and unpleasant as the street lights are powered with coal. The homeless poor watch us, faces gaunt and sickly, wearing nothing but threadbare garments.

"Are you lost?" A man sits on a barrel with a smoking pipe in hand; its smoke ascends lazily in the air. His stature is robust and imposing, with well-defined muscles and a grizzled stubble. "I don't remember inviting anyone into The Gift." He smiles widely, his square face hard and weathered. It is Evander, the Hound of the Underworld.

"How nice of you to welcome us." I smile, puffing my chest out as I stop a few steps away from them. "Give back what you stole from us, and maybe a few more as an apology." I take out my long knife, its blade glinting under the street light. "Otherwise."

"Stole?" I turn to look at the young man standing next to him, back resting against the wall as he looks up at the dark sky. "I won it fair and square; you should apologize for trying to rob me." He stares with defiant dark green eyes, cold and calculated.

"It doesn't matter. Big Mouse wants his coins back, and you will give it to me." He puts his hand in his pocket, pushing his back against the wall before moving to approach, but Evander raises an arm, barring his path. Taking one last drag from the smoking pipe before rising up to take slow and deliberate steps towards me.

"I've put on these knuckles; but it'd be a shame if I had to resort using them." I look at his hands to see him wearing the iron knuckles. "Cast iron, hard to clean off." The young man behind him smirks, raising his brow arrogantly in challenge. Evander may be a great fighter, but he is old, and we have the numbers. It won't be too hard to bury him here.

"Take it off, old man, and we won't harm you or your family." With a whistle, my gang draws their weapons, though his expression remains calm, unaffected by the threat. I grit my teeth to fight back the uneasy feeling creeping over me. "Refuse, and we kill you right here."

"Stay out of The Gift, and you might live to see the sun rise." A short laugh escapes me, and my gang laughs as well, though his eyes remain serious, casting a cold gaze on me. A gulp escapes me; does he really think he can take all of us? Why does he make me so nervous?

"You old fool, I am going to bury you." The wind whistles as a cold breeze past, the unnerving caws of ravens echoing in the silent night. "Kill him." I raise my knife to slice him, but he is faster; my vision fades to black, returning as I crash onto the ground. My jaw feels like it was broken from the punch.

I push myself up; the two are fighting side by side but find themselves quickly surrounded. I pick up my long knife and rise to my feet; a whistling sound of an arrow pierces through the air before thudding. And one of mine crumples to the ground with an arrow stuck in his forehead. My gaze flickers to the windows but could not see anyone.

Another arrow pierces through the air and lands with a sickening thud, staggering one of my men as he lets out a shriek of pain, falling to one knee as he presses a hand to the wound on his chest. Evander is knocking my men down one after the other, and the young man is slicing them up. And the arrows are catching us unaware.

Before long, everyone is running away, scattering into different directions screaming in fear and pain. "Cowards!" I yell; one runs past me as the other bumps into me. The streets are now stained with blood, littered with dead and wounded men. I always imagined dying in the lap of a woman, fat and content with life, but it seems that my life would end in the darkest of night with no woman to keep me warm.

"Allow me." The young man takes slow steps towards me, clutching a gleaming knife in his hand, and my jaw clenches at his arrogance. He smirks, lunging at me as he slashes, and I leap back, barely avoiding the deadly arc of his blow. My chest pounds furiously; he is faster than I expected.

He lunges at me, coming slightly at an angle causing my blow to miss, and he catches me by the shoulder. He dives for me again, and I swing, but he ducks under my blade as he slices me on the arm. He rushes me again, again and again. Slicing me on my thigh, back, and chest before stopping with a smirk. Eyes gleaming with pleasure. "Quit playing and be done with it!"

He lunges forward; I duck under his blade before swinging back, but he catches me by the arm. Stopping my counter mid-swing. My arm twisted, breaking as he slams an elbow through my arm with a sickening crack, and I let out a scream of pain. My knife falling out of my grip and falls to the ground with a metallic clink. "Tell me everything there is to know about Big Mouse, and I'll make it quick."

My breaths ragged, heart pumping furiously as if it might explode. Face grimacing as I hold my broken arm, bone protruding out of my skin revealing the flesh beneath. My muscles tense as he leans closer; swallowing the lump in my throat, trying hard not to show my fear. "What do you want to know?" My voice trembling as my legs quiver.

"I want to know about his operations, his bases, and everything important." His tone casual, as if he is just having a late-night stroll. Eyes sparking with amusement. "Now talk."

"Will you let me live?"I'd die for the gang. But this monster won't kill me, he will torture me for as long as he could. And I don't think I have the strength to endure it, I reach for my long knife but he stomps my hand. Pressing his boots and crushing my hand against the ground. He won't let me kill myself.

"It depends on the information, make it worth your life."