8 | Meetings

Jai's POV

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I clench my eyes closed and wait for agony. I know that I'm most likely going to bleed out and die in front of Mari, or live a life full of anguish.

"WAIT!"

There's a pause in the man's swing, the seconds move at a torturous pace. For a moment, I think that it's Mari that's shouting. But when I glance at her, she's blubbering and screaming nonsense. No, it was another voice, one that rings clear.

"Get back, girl!" The man shouts in his gruff voice.

"No, I- I'll pay you! Yeah, that's right, one pouch of gold coins in exchange of your release of that young man."

I look up to see the girl that I had approached earlier in attempt to flirt my way into a meal for Mari and I. She's the one who snapped at me to go away.

The man swipes the pouch from her and looks inside it. After a long look of skepticism, he shoves me back with a force that makes me collapse on the ground. Ripples of disappointment are uttered through the crowd before they all carry on with their daily lives. Mari throws herself upon me as her body is wracked with sobs. I pull her into a tight hug and plant a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper. I'm getting a little choked up myself.

"YOU IDIOT!" she shouts into my shirt, which is now soaked in her tears. I laugh a little and ruffle her messy blonde locks. I rub her back in circular movements to soothe her.

I glance up from where I lay at the girl, who peers at the two of us curiously. "Why?"

"Most would thank me first."

"Most would stand by and watch," I retort. I can't help but narrow my eyes and analyze her suspiciously.

The girl breaks our stare and glances at the ground with an anxious shuffle of her feet. "Well, um... I saved you because I felt bad how I treated you earlier. I was terribly rude and I wanted to make it up to you somehow."

I raise my eyebrows. "Surely you didn't do it out of the kindness of your heart, considering you risked your life for a complete stranger, let alone a thief. Not for money, because you have plenty of that. What's your motive?"

She crosses her arms and lifts her chin indignantly. "Maybe I wouldn't have if I'd known you'd be so ungrateful! Besides, if you were to die, that little girl would too. So yes, it was out of the kindness of my heart, but not for you."

Just as she says this, an emotion flickers in her eyes that I can't read. Her eyes fall to Mari wrapped in my arms, which I squeeze tighter from instinct.

I shrug. "Thanks. I guess I'll see you around then."

My legs feel like jelly as I stagger to a stand, somehow hoisting Mari onto my back as well. I can't shake off the dizziness from all the adrenaline and fear that was just coursing through my body. I begin to walk away, but she stops me again.

"Wait! Wh-what's your name?"

"Jay."

Something else sparks within her eyes, something unsettling. "I'm Amelia."

"Is that all?"

Amelia scowls. "Rude. I was going to offer lunch for you two. Looks like you need it."

My face lights up. "Well, if you must, I guess it would only be right if we accept. As long as we can pick the place."