Gordon smirked. "So what are we now? Conspirators? Partners in crime? " He joked. A bad joke.

I kept silently eating from my plate. We were having dinner; breakfast in a hotel restaurant.

Eventually Nathan broke the hanging silence, but as usual he didn't answer the question. "Gordon, finish this up and tell me where it is."

"Fine." And he took a big bite of his pizza.
It reminded me a bit of my failed attempts at making Nathan laugh. Yet more pathetic.
"But are you sure you can protect me?" Gordon asked nervously.

"Seriously? You don't trust me?" Nathan furrowed his brows.

"No, no. It's just. You're alone and I don't know, we're easily outnumbered. You know how strong they are." Gordon's voice trembled. His pupils enlarged, sweat shaped on his forehead. Symptoms of a liar. Or a real scaredy-cat.

"I'm not alone though," Nathan confessed.

"Nathan," I cut him off. "If you mean me, I'm not much help."

"No, no, I'm not referring to you, Mirith," he said gently. "I have a team."

That made me sink deep in embarrassment. Why did I thought I was useful to him? Why! Luckily they were busy with their conversation and didn't notice the blush on my cheeks.

"So it's settled?"

"I guess," Gordon replied, still not convinced.

"Then where is it?" He asked again.

"Wait. In the protection-packet you're also including my expenses right?" All of a sudden he brightened up.

"If you were not a gambling addict sure, but too bad you are. And I'm not going to cover your losses." Nathan saw him through. "So pay for your own meals, that will make you cherish the value of money," he said on a fatherly tone.

"That sucks dude. And what if I starve to death?"

"You don't die easily, like a cockroach," he joked. "By the way, I changed too less money. If you're done, first go to your rooms. We'll meet at noon." His eyes locked with mine. And then went to Gordon's. "Gordon, you better tell me when I'm back." Within seconds he disappeared from our views.

"He's no fun to be around right, Miriam?" He sulked at me.

"It's Mirith and from what I heard he's right. Otherwise you'll just carelessly spend money." He rolled his eyes.

The waitress stopped at our table. "And this is your bill sir."

"What? Our friend already paid?"

"Yes, but he said that you were paying separate."

I chuckled soundlessly. Nathan is a genius.

"Fuck Nathan. He didn't even pay this meal." He let out a frustrated groan and forked over two silver coins. "You may keep the change," he grumbled.

After the meal we went to our rooms.

He surprisingly didn't make a move on me. Maybe he was tired as well. All he said was "Good night, Meredith."

But how difficult is it to remember my name? Irritated but too tired for a discussion, I replied "Good night, Cordon Bleu." And slammed the door close.

Nathan and Gordon shared one room, while I had one with a full size bed all to myself.
I wanted to stay awake, to question Nathan, however the comfy bed and the fatigue welcomed me in dreamworld.

～ I was walking through the shopping street. On my way to the mall. Ready to search for some bras. Alone. I do and share a lot with my dad, but this is too awkward to have him around. And he shared the thought.

Suddenly a siren went off. I heard the sound of boots marching closer.

A shot. Followed by more shots and a series of screams. What to do? Everyone who ran away hysterically was shot.

I searched for a weapon and stride alongside the borders. There were enemies everywhere. I slipped to the nearest body "Sorry for intruding," I apologized. No success. I continued till I found a pocket knife. That will do for now.

Soon after the firing stopped.

An enemy approached me, pushing me towards the rest of the survivors.

We were surrounded in a circle. Guns pointed at our temples. Bodies piled up at the roadside. As if they're telling us no one would survive. Not even magic would help. I was not sure, but they nullified our powers -excluding the twelve year old me-. Otherwise we wouldn't go down without a single blow back at them.

"You! What're you trying! On your belly." The girl obeyed, shaking and sobbing. She was younger than me, at most ten. The others where guided away. It was only me and that girl now.

Za za za.... Za za za...
The sound of a gun swiping the asphalt.

"You!" He pointed with his gun at the girl and me. "Go with him." My eyes widened; shocked. What's Mr. Fay doing here?

"Miri, you're here too?What a surprise! You want some candy?" He reached out my favorites, jelly beans. I slashed away his hand. The candy rolling on the streets.

He's not Mr. Fay. He's not. Tears were filling my eyes. I was finally breaking down. All because of his familiar gentle tone. More scared of losing Mr. Fay than the attacks of the enemies.

"Oh well, I guess you don't like them anymore." He showed a disappointed face. "Come with me and don't try anything funny. Or you'll regret it." A wicked smile crept up his face.

The other girl struggled with our pace. Her legs were hurt. I went over to help her, but Mr. Fay fired a bullet through her skull.
"We don't need slackers," he said.

He's not Mr. Fay. ～

☆.........................................................................................................☆

I woke up, swimming in my sweat. It was real, a memory piece for certain. But what happened next? I pained my brain to recall it. With no fruition. It's all because of Nathan's meddling in my brain.

I wish my dad was here. He would stroke my hair and tell me everything would be alright.

I got up to knock at Nathan's door.
But he got to me first.

"Mirith, are you awake?"

"Yes," I answered and immediately regretted it. My gravelly voice made me sound like a man. I cleared my throat and opened the door.

"Hi sleepyhead. I brought you coffee and brunch." Luckily he didn't use his woman's voice, because that would be so misplaced.

"But hey what happened to your hands?" He started inspecting me. It was not that visible. But the palms of my hand were soiled with dried blood. "What did you do last night/this morning?" He interrogated.

"I, I...slept," I stuttered. "What's happening to me?" I panicked.

"Perhaps your nose bled?" He tried to ease me.

"Do you see blood strains on my nose?"

"No."

"That's out of question then," I concluded.
"It may have something to do with the dream I had."

I don't know why I blabbed to him. But the concerned look in his eyes gave off an intimate feeling. Perhaps I did forget him.

"What dream?" Nathan's voice echoed in the room.

I told him. About the enemies, the slaughtering and Mr. Fay. And asked how a gentle candy shop owner could turn into such a monster.

"I don't know Mirith. I'm not him. But one thing I can say, people change. It's the desperate ones we have to look out for."

"You wouldn't turn into such a monster, right?" I asked softly.

"No I won't. I won't abandon you," he replied firmly. Something in me said I could trust his words.

_____________

Hi guys!
This chapter is on the short side, but I promise the next one will be longer!

Thanks for your support! <3