"Get up, you stupid brats!" The shop owner kicked the two kids who were sleeping outside of his stall.

"We're up, we're up," Nera said as she rubbed her eyes and got up, still holding the book she had taken from the orphanage. She shook Aditya who was still fast asleep to wake him up as well.

"Wake up, Aditya. Wake up." Nera whispered to him.

"Five more minutes, Dad!" Aditya responded, sleepily.

"This isn't home Aditya. We've gotta leave or else this guy is going to beat us up." Nera looked up at the angry shop owner, who truly looked as if he was going to beat them up.

Aditya rubbed his eyes and finally opened them to end up looking at an angry, old man who was standing in front of them, looking like he was going to explode any second.

"Okay, let's get out of here," Aditya said as he quickly got up and waited for Nera to do the same, his eyes still on the man. Nera got up and the two of them made their way down the alleyway, quickly.

Once they had turned out of the street they were on and were on the main roads of Wasa, their pace slowed down a little bit. Aditya tried his best to start a conversation with Nera, asking her how she slept, talking about the book or what they were going to do next, but the girl barely gave a proper response back to him. Only one or two words for him. Finally, after walking through another two streets aimlessly, with no proper response from Nera, Aditya asked, "Hey, Nera. Are you mad at me?"

"No, of course not," Nera responded without hesitation.

"Then what's the matter with you? This isn't how you usually act, Nera. Tell me what's wrong," Aditya said, softly, trying his best to be as comforting and nice as possible.

For a long moment, she didn't say anything and kept walking, until, finally, Nera snapped back at Aditya. "Don't try to act like you know me cause you don't. We met two days ago, Malotas. We're not the "bestest of friends" or anything even close to friends, so just leave me alone."

Aditya stopped and swallowed whatever emotion was coming up his chest. He watched as Nera continued to walk forward, not looking back at him and, after a moment's thinking, he jogged to catch up with her as the sun slowly began to rise.

"You're right, Nera. I don't know you. Not one bit. But I do know why you're acting like this," Aditya said as he caught up with the girl, making Nera furrow her eyebrows, curious at what he was going to say

"You can't go back to your home because of what happened yesterday and you're sad," He continued, watching to see Nera's reaction, which was her rolling her eyes at him and whispering to herself, "Me? Sad? That's funny."

"And you're scared," Aditya continued, finally getting a proper reaction from Nera, a look of anger on her face.

"And what the hell would I be scared of, Malotas?" Nera demanded, stopping to face Aditya, her golden eyes burning with the same loath as the one she had against Viraj Malotas.

Aditya smiled slightly and faced her calmly, as he stated, "You're scared that, once all of this is done and we figure everything out, you won't have a place to go. You won't be able to go back home to the orphanage and nor would you be able to come to my home. So, where will you go, Nera?"

The anger and loath behind Nera's eyes disappeared and were replaced by a look of sadness and sorrow with a glint of worry. She was at a loss of words as the glare she had on Aditya turned into a sad, fearful look. As Aditya watched this change in Nera's expression, his facial features softened and a look of worry and guilt crossed over his own face as he realised what he had said and how it must have affected Nera.

"I am so sorry, Nera. I'm an idiot, I am. I always say the stupidest things. I am so, so sorry," Aditya whispered quietly as he inched his face closer to her, making Nera move away, quickly.

Without saying another word, Nera turned around and continued walking away from Aditya as he tried to catch up, continuously apologising.

"I'm so, so sorry, Nera. So, sorry," Aditya said as he was finally able to catch up with her, but Nera didn't stop nor did she turn to face him. She continued to walk, a neutral expression on her face. On and on, he tried to apologise to her, to even talk to her, but she didn't turn around. Didn't even glance at Aditya. And, soon enough he gave up. What was the point in trying to talk to a person who didn't even want to look at you?

So, the two of them didn't say another word as they walked through the streets of Wasa, aimlessly, no final destination in mind. Until, a young girl tapped Nera and Aditya on the shoulder.

Slowly, Nera and Aditya turned around, and, to their surprise, came face-to-face with Andrea.

"Andrea, what're you doing here?" Nera asked, worriedly as her eyebrows raised up high on her face as Aditya backed her up, "Yeah, what are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you about something important, Nera," Andrea responded, and then, turning to Aditya, rudely said, "And just Nera, for your information."

Aditya went silent and didn't say anything else, as Nera turned to face him, but didn't defend him anyway. Finally, she turned back to face Andrea and asked quietly, "What is it, love?"

Swallowing, Andrea closed her eyes and then began to speak with her sister. "I am so, so sorry for how Aunt Alani and Aunt Jaddua acted yesterday. It was horrible and they shouldn't have tried to control you so much. So, on their behalf, I'm sorry."

A wide, sad smile spread on Nera's face as she wrapped her arms around Andrea, pulling her into a deep hug as the girl accepted it. "It's okay. It's okay," she whispered as she held her little sister.

Finally, when they pulled away, Andrea began to speak once more. "I know for a fact that you feel like you can't come home again because of that argument and it's not true. It is not true."

At that moment, Nera turned to Aditya and watched him, carefully, as he watched her back, his eyes gentle. At that moment, she realised that he did know her well. Very well, actually. As a matter of fact, he knew her better than she knew herself.

"Nera, are you listening to me?" Andrea asked, as she watched her sister and the rich, Malotas boy staring at one another, affectionately.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm listening," Nera responded as she turned away from Aditya to look at her sister again.

Andrea swallowed and, finally, asked a very important question to her big sister, Nera. "Are you really leaving and going to Neskarta with him, Nera?"

For a long moment, Nera didn't say anything, but, finally, she responded by saying, "Yes, Andrea, I am. But, I'll be back. I swear I will."

Andrea stepped away from Nera and watched her carefully. Finally, she whispered, "You swear, Nera?"

Nodding, Nera whispered, "Yes, I swear I'll come back."

"Okay, good. Now, I don't feel as guilty for giving you this address that'll help you get to Neskarta safely," Andrea responded, joy back in her voice.

"What-What do you mean?" Nera stammered as she moved closer to her sister.

"I mean that I got you an address and name which will give you transport from here all the way to Neskarta, for practically no price at all," Andrea responded, a wide smile on her face as she pulled out a small slip of paper from her pocket and handed it to Nera.

"I-I-I love you so much!" Nera exclaimed as she hugged her little sister once again, the slip of paper still in her hand.

"I know you do," Andrea whispered, knowingly, as she hugged her big sister back.

Then, once Nera had pulled away from Andrea, she turned around to face Aditya, and, to both Andrea and Aditya's utter surprise, she hugged him tightly. At Nera's touch, Aditya immediately tightened up and stood there, awkwardly waiting for her to let go of him. Finally, once Andra began to move away from the two of them and began to walk home, Nera let go of Aditya and turned back to Andrea.

"Thank you so much, Andrea. Thank you, and could you say sorry to Aunt Jaddua and Aunt Alani for me?" Nera asked, as a wide smile stayed plastered on her face.

"Of course, Nera,"

"Thank you. I love you, bye!" Nera responded, her smile going down a little bit.

"Bye, I love you too. Take care and don't get yourself killed," Andrea responded as she turned around and ran down the street, away from Nera and Aditya and back home to the orphanage.

Taking a deep breath in, Nera turned around and handed the slip of paper to Aditya as she said, "We better get moving, Malotas. We should probably eat before we go see this guy."

Aditya nodded, awkwardly as he followed Nera down the street and turned into a new street. Neither of them said anything for a long while, until, finally, Aditya asked, "Are you still angry at me, Nera? Cause if you are, I'm really, really sorry."

"I hugged you, godammit, Malotas. I don't hug people I'm angry at. So, that should be a good enough answer for you," Nera responded, harshly, as she glanced at Aditya for a split second.

"Right, yeah, you're right. I'm an idiot for thinking that," Aditya responded, quickly, as he ran a hand through his curly, rambunctious hair.

Once again, silence surrounded the both of them and neither of them had anything to say to the other person. And, so, they continued to walk in total silence, the only thing heard being the stomping of their feet against the cobble and pavement under them.

Slowly, the city of Wasa began to wake up and merchants came out, hawkers sold goods on the streets and commoners came out to bargain for and buy goods. Aditya, who had never experienced something of this sort, was extremely interested and found himself attracted to the big crowds who were surrounding merchants. He stared at all of the unfamiliar goods with his eyes glazed over as if he were a little kid who had just gotten a new present. And, Nera, who was watching him from afar, smiled as he took in all of these new, interesting things and experiences. She watched, like a proud parent, as he learned and listened to other civilians bargaining and took in the new innovations the people of Wasa had made. She had no problem with him joining big crowds and listening eagerly to the gossip happening between villagers, until an argument erupted.

You see, there was a huge bargaining debate happening between a merchant and a villager, where everyone started to surround the two of them, including Aditya. But, suddenly, things started to get heated and punches began to get thrown around. Nera watched from afar as this was happening, and didn't do anything, until a punch went the wrong way and just nearly missed Aditya's eye. Immediately, she jumped into action and pulled him out of the large crowd by the top part of his arm. Nera dragged Aditya, straight out of that street and into an empty, run down alleyway.

"Are you okay, Aditya?" Nera said as she faced him, her golden-eyes glinting with worry.

"I-I'm fine. That was just...A lot," Aditya stammered, a bewildered look on his face.

"I know. It was crazy, but you've got to be a bit more careful, okay?" Nera demanded as she watched him carefully, making sure he truly wasn't hurt in any way.

"Yeah-Yeah I understand, Nera. Thanks for pulling me out of there, it was...terrifying."

"No problem," Nera responded, her facial features softening.

"What's the plan now, Nera? Where are we going?" Aditya asked as he shrugged the bewildered look on his face and he came back to his normal self.

"We go down to Jersa, the food square if you've ever heard of it, get some food and then make our way to that guy's address. Alright?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," Aditya responded as he smiled, gently to Nera.

They walked down the streets of Wasa and into the food square, Jersa. Every once in a while, Nera would nick someone's wallet or purse. She would even steal fruits and vegetables and hand them over to Aditya. At first, he didn't approve, but after having a bite of the delicious fruit that Mr. Jencoson sold at his stall, he couldn't deny Nera whenever she gave him something. Then, all of a sudden, Aditya noticed something.

He had just seen the most delicious chocolate bread, making his stomach grumble again. Nera followed Aditya's line of sight to the stall with all types of bread.

She smiled to herself, and whispered in Aditya's ear. "Hey Malotas! I'll get you that bread, you just distract the stall vendor somehow."

Aditya nodded, swallowed and walked up to the stall.

"Mr. Shop Vendor! Over here! Can you tell me what this is?" Aditya pointed at a basket full of crispy cheesy bread. A young man, slightly older than Aditya, who had pale skin, light brown hair and a slightly toned body walked over to the other side of the stall.

"That is cheese bread. We also have blue cheese bread." The young shop vendor moved to the far end of the stall and pointed at the blue cheese bread as Nera, slowly, approached the other side of the stall.

She was as quiet as an owl. As Aditya had a conversation with the shop vendor about what cow the cheese from the cheese bread had come from, Nera slowly approached the chocolate bread. She reached her arm to it and clasped it into her hand.

Right when she was about to pull away, holding the chocolate bread in hand, the shop vendor grabbed her wrist. He whipped around quickly and smirked at Nera.

"Nice try, kids. Very nice try." The vendor tightened his grip on Nera's wrist and walked towards her as Aditya walked towards Nera as well.

"I thought you never get caught! I thought you were good at this!" Aditya yell-whispered into Nera's ear, clearly frustrated.

"Enough of your chitter-chatter, you thieves." The vendor hissed the final word as he raised Nera's wrist higher up. "I can get the both of you arrested, you know! Get taken to the Malotas!" The vendor exclaimed, glaring at first Nera, then Aditya, and then Nera again.

Aditya tensed up as Nera glared right back at the man. "Yeah! Try me!" Nera challenged. Aditya quickly said, "Don't provoke him!"

Both the vendor and Nera ignored poor, worried Aditya.

"You've got a real smart mouth don't you?" The vendor asked Nera, challenging her right back.

"Yeah? What's that matter to you?" The vendor didn't say anything for a while, until finally he said, "You could get yourself killed!"

"Or I could kill you," Nera whispered towards the shop vendor.

"Oh, yeah? How?"

"I have the sharpest sword you have ever seen. It could kill you in a second."

The shop vendor raised an eyebrow and asked, "You're going to kill me, huh?" He tightened his grip on Nera's wrist, making her wince in pain.

Fighting back tears, Nera said, "That's what you're asking for."

"You're lucky I have to go to Neskarta tomorrow, or else I'd take the both of you to court," the vendor responded as he pierced his nails into Nera's skin.

"Wait..." Aditya whispered as he pulled the slip of paper out of his pocket and read it. "Are you Benigno Jones, you're going to Neskarta tomorrow?"

"Ye-Yes I am...How do you know my name?" The vendor dropped Nera's wrist, letting it fall to her side and turned to face Aditya.

"We were told to come to you to go to Neskarta...for practically no fee at all?" Aditya questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Well...there is no fee. You guys get transport to Neskarta for free if you do the job I ask of you," Ben responded as his hatred for the two of them disappeared.

"And what's the job?" Nera demanded her hatred for him, still alive and well.

"I'll take you guys home and I'll explain there as I do have customers to serve, but I can guarantee you that it's not a crazy, dangerous job," Benigno responded as a small, hopeful smile appeared on his face.

"How do we know we can trust you? How do we know that you won't kidnap us or something?' Nera demanded, still suspicious.

The vendor rolled his eyes and said, "Look at me! Look at what I do! I sell bread and earn money like an honest man. What is there not to trust about me?!"

Nera turned to Aditya, who shrugged. "He is kind of right," Aditya said. Nera thought about this, and finally nodded to Benigo.

"So you agree to do it?" The vendor man asked.

Aditya nodded and said, "Yes, we do."

The vendor man smiled and nodded, happily. He said, "Why don't the two of you sit down in the back alley while I deal with my customers for the day. I'll take you back home after I close down."

Aditya nodded and went to sit behind the stall in the alleyway as Nera followed him.

The duo spent the rest of the day behind the vendor man's stall. They got to know more about Benigno and also the job they were performing. You see, Benigno was going to travel to see his mother, as well as, deliver some supplies/food to his uncle, who had been planning on starting a stall for himself. He was going by horse while bringing his baby sister, who had just turned one, along with him. But the problem was, the route to get his mother's home was extremely long and in recent times, many acts of thievery and murder were happening along it. So, Benigno needed someone to come with him to protect and care for his little sister if anything happened to him.

"That's actually kind of sweet, Ben," Nera had said to Benigno.

Ben smiled at Nera and said, "Thanks."

Nera shrugged and looked at her muddy blue dress, shyly. Benigno turned back around and helped a new customer who had just arrived as Aditya looked from Nera to Ben, then at Nera again, confused.

Finally, after a very successful day at the stall, Ben wrapped everything up and shut his stall down. With all his unsold bread in his arms, he turned around and said, "Time to go home, now," to Nera and Aditya.

They nodded and followed him out of Jersa, which had become way less crowded, and into the alleyway where Nera and Aditya had previously been seated

Finally after walking for a good ten minutes, they reached a bunch of old apartment buildings. Outside of them, there was one single carriage. It was not connected to the horses, since they were asleep in front of it. One of the horses was hazel, while the other was completely black.

"Here we are!" Benigno announced to his guests, Nera and Aditya.

"Cool," Aditya elongated the word while Nera, merely, nodded.

Benigno sighed and said, "I know it's not the best but it's all Lily and I have."

Nera walked up to the horses, without saying anything, as Aditya began to start up a conversation with Ben.

"So Lily's your baby sister?" Ben nodded. Aditya nodded as well as he looked thoroughly at the old apartment buildings. Finally as Nera went to touch the hazel horse, Aditya asked another question.

"So where does your mother live?"

Ben answered Aditya's question almost immediately. "Mom lives in the main city part of Neskarta."

Aditya nodded, understandingly as Ben asked a question. "Why do you and Nera need to go to Neskarta?"

Aditya tensed up and his mind began to spin. Finally, nervously, he said, "No reason."

Ben nodded, slowly, at this odd change in behaviour, but didn't further question it. After all, he was the one in need for help and he couldn't quite judge who he had. Ben turned around to where Nera was gently petting the hazel horse's nose. Ben walked towards her, as Aditya followed.

Ben said, "That's Valentine by the way. Or Val for short."

The hazel horse opened its eyes, when it heard its name being said. Val neighed, happily at the sight of her owner. She looked curiously at the girl who was petting her and the boy who was standing behind Benigno. When Ben saw Val wake up, he, immediately, began speaking to her. He kneeled down beside Nera and put his hand beside hers.

He began petting Val and saying, "Good morning girl! How was your nap?" Val neighed again in response.

Nera smiled at Val and whispered"You're so pretty, Valentine." Val blinked and then nuzzled Nera's face, lovingly. Nera giggled happily at this show of affection, as Ben removed his hand from Val and turned to Aditya who was standing behind Ben. "

Come join us! I bet Val will love you. She loves everyone she meets." Aditya shook his head. "I'm good, thanks."

Ben got up and tried his best to convince Aditya even more to pet Val. "Come on! She doesn't bite." Aditya shook his head harder.

Ben rolled his eyes and said, "Fine! Do you wanna go inside so you can meet Lily? Then we can sort out a place for you and Nera to sleep for the night before we leave tomorrow.

"How's that sound?" Aditya swallowed and said, "Good."

"Good." Ben then turned to Nera and spoke to her. "Nera, we're going inside to discuss some things. Come in soon, alright? I live on the third floor, room number 304. Okay?"

Nera nodded, as she continued to pet Valentine. Ben and Aditya walked inside the first apartment building and went up to Ben's home. They talked in his house and Aditya met little Lily, a blue-eyed, blonde haired little girl and Ben's grandmother, Jillian, who was extremely kind. Nera joined them once Valentine had gone back to sleep with Nightmare, Ben's black horse. They talked for a while and finally they decided that Nera and Aditya would go to sleep in the living room. Aditya on the couch and Nera on the floor(she insisted she liked it better like that.) All five of them went to sleep, peacefully, not a bad dream in mind.