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Adrenaline surges through my system as I sprint down the alley, Tenebris racing behind me. They’re faster—and gaining on me with every single second. But I’m smaller, which makes it easier for me to move around.
I duck into an alley, keeping low as I move beneath laundry lines that have been hung, and avoid bodies of those unfortunate enough to be caught in a war they likely know nothing about.
“Here!” someone whispers loudly.
I look to my right as a young boy—likely no older than seven—sticks his head out of a partially open plant in the side of a house.
“Come! Quickly!”
I dart to the side, rolling underneath.
It closes just as the soldiers pass, completely unaware that I am mere feet away. I look around, studying the drafty space. A bedroll has been set up, a small lantern with a doused fire, and a tin with no lid full of moldy bread.
The boy is young, but the little girl cowering in the corner is even younger. She stares at me with wide eyes the color of chocolate, her hair matted with mud.
Outside, the fight rages on, but in here, we are tucked neatly away from it all.
“Are you all right?” the boy whispers. “We don’t have medical supplies, but I can cut you some of my tunic.” He holds it open, the stained, dirty cloth likely the only clothing he has.
“I am okay.” I use my cloak and wipe Patrick’s blood from the blade.
“There’s blood on that sword.”
“Yes.”
“You are a warrior?” he asks, eyes lighting up even down here in the darkness.
“Something like that. What’s your name?”
“Anderson. This is my sister Andy.” He points to the little girl, who remains cowered in the corner.
“Are you both alone? Where are your parents?”
“They died,” he replies sadly. “About two years ago.”
I look once more at the little girl who looks as though she is only four—at the oldest. “You’ve been caring for your sister ever since?”
“What else could I do?” he asks. “No one else would do it. Not the way I can. They would hurt her.” He narrows his gaze, his expression turning untrusting. “Are you going to turn us in to the orphanage?”
“Absolutely not.” Even tucked in my tower as I was, I know what they would do to these children. At best, they’d be separated and allowed to live happy lives. At worst? They would be separated and sent to horrific orphanages where brothels and generals get their women and soldiers.
“I’m an orphan, too,” I tell him then look at the little girl. “And I also have an older brother who wants to keep me safe."
"Where is he now? Doesn’t seem like he’s doing a great job.”
I laugh lightly, my appreciation for this boy growing with every passing second. “He tried until he couldn’t anymore.” Fresh grief settles on my heart as I glare out through the small slats, noting that no one has passed in quite some time. With Patrick injured, my guess is they’re searching for a healer, but I imagine they’re locking down the city.
Which means that, with every passing moment, I lose precious time.
“Are they here for you?” he asks.
I turn to him. “What makes you ask that?”
“You’re running from them, and they chase. Everyone else, they’ve let run.”
I swallow hard. “Are you going to turn me in?”
He looks honestly offended. “Absolutely not.”
