"You really caused a ruckus back there" The Taurus man rubbed the back of his neck, his tone tired and uncertain.
"Problems started before I got there... I just ended it" I awkwardly answered.
The moments after I burned that house were silent and calm for a second before they turned into complete chaos. The crowd surrounding the whole event taking place started fleeing and getting aggressive at what I did.
Thankfully, that chaos caused Uli to focus on calming the crowd instead of going at me. That gave Titiana and I enough time to escape—I actually had to carry her as I used some Body Strengthening techniques to escape faster—and hide in that cave I first woke up in.
Titiana wanted to be left alone in that cave, so I just stood outside of it, guarding the place and watching so that no one bothered us.
I wanted to get inside the cave and talk with her, comfort her since she spent the rest of the day crying inside that cave. But I respected the privacy she needed to mourn the death of her mother and take in the sudden change in her lifestyle.
Thankfully, the old Taurus man found us and brought us food. On Titiana's wish, we placed the food outside of where she was, while I talked with the man outside the cave.
Long story short, he said he could get us a way to leave on a truck to another town. Of course, I accepted and thanked him for the help.
Today, the day after that whole thing happened, all three of us found ourselves at the southeastern gate of the city, hiding inside an alleyway as we waited for the truck and the man to come pick us up.
Due to me burning an entire house—and technically being an undocumented illegal in this kingdom and city—the authorities are searching for me. Not only that, because Uli is part of that Pirate Mafia group, and because he stored lots of illegal things inside that house, I'm also searched by them.
"Geez, I know yesterday was a rough day, but you two are a lot more awkward now" The Taurus man with a chipped horn complained to me while Titiana was away at a bathroom.
"I'm sorry, I just... didn't expect her to come with me after what I did" I explained with a downcast look.
Truth be told, I didn't even show my fire breathing skills in front of Trudeia, whom I've spent lots of years working with. If I showed him this ability I have, would he have accepted me? Or would he also be scared of me and called me a monster? I guess there's no point in trying to guess how a dead person would react to unexpected situations.
"It's not me you have to apologize to. You saved the girl from a life she hates, and promised her a better life far away from here. I don't think she'd have ever rejected you no matter what other hidden trick you have"
"You think so...?"
"Doesn't matter what I think about it, kid. Stop worrying about it and make her overcome this challenge life posed to her" He stopped leaning against the wall and unfolded his crossed arms. "Also, I said that it's not me you have to apologize to, but make no mistakes, you don't have to apologize to anyone right now, even less to the girl!"
"I made a choice to take her with me, and I'll make sure she never regrets choosing me!" I looked at the man who was peeking his head outside of the alleyway.
"That's the spirit, kid!"
After saying that, there was a moment of silence before we heard Titiana's footsteps behind us. She had her head lowered, the robe the old man brought us to hide our identities obscured her whole face and her fire-colored hair couldn't be seen.
"Are you okay, Titiana?" I asked, worried about her.
"I'm fine... I just needed to get ready before leaving" Her voice was a bit raspy from all that crying, and I knew her eyes were red from all that crying.
Despite the moment of silence that formed, I thought it was for the best, as I got to wrap my hand behind her back and rest my arm on her shoulder. I held her shoulder and rubbed it while breathing heavily. While it may not have been a full-on hug, this sadly is the most I can do now.
She stayed there, accepting my gesture.
"...Thanks" She whispered something that I only caught the last part of. Yet the way she leaned into me and the slight break in her voice were enough for me to understand her gratitude.
"That's at least a nice way to start" The old man whispered.
The trucker in charge of driving the vehicle Titiana and I were escaping on came a minute after, right on the agreed time.
He and the old man spoke for a few seconds and later was introduced. He works for a furniture delivering and general moving company—or, at least that's what the outside knows—while being in reality a way for a mafia family to smuggle people or other objects to other parts of the Gtomika city.
We'd hide next to all the furniture and we'll arrive at the next city in approximately six to nine hours if there are no monster attacks.
"Well, Titiana, this is where we say goodbye" The old Taurus man began with a relieved sigh and crossing his arms. "It was a pleasure being neighbours on the market streets" He extended his hand to the Vogel girl.
"Thanks, Humbert." She also extended her hand. "Thanks for being such a good neighbour... and teaching me how to deal with customers:"
"This kid! Even now you won't tone down that fake strong persona!" The man complained with a fake tone of irritation while grabbing the girl's hand strongly and pulling her into a hug.
"Eek! No, stop..." Despite weak protests, Titiana returned the hug.
Once it ended, you could see a damp spot with snots on Humbert's shirt. Which caused a little giggle from Titiana, and a hearty chuckle from him.
"And you, kid, we haven't met for long. But I want to trust you and your decision because she chose to. Whatever you do, and wherever you take her, be mindful that someone is with you"
"I'll protect her, you can trust in me" I claimed with a confident smile.
"Ha, so you can truly show true emotions with your face! I'll trust you." He loudly chuckled and slapped my back.
After that, we got ready to get inside the truck's compartment. But we were stopped.
Suddenly, several men and women with elegant-looking clothes surrounded us.
"Just go! I'll handle them—" Humbert claimed while bringing up his guard.
"No need for that, old blacksmith" A voice echoed behind the crowd, and the men opened up a way for an athletic and fire-headed man to pass through.
"Uli!" Titiana spoke out with a worried tone.
"I'm sorry, mafia boy, but we're leaving" I confronted him with an angry tone.
"No need. While we are looking for you, Grey, I'm not here for that." He finally stopped walking. "Think of this as an errand that has nothing to do with my work"
"Then why are you—"
"Titiana..." The older brother's face was conflicted, yet he still gave his sister a solemn smile.
"U-Uli..."
"I understand that you wanted to leave without saying goodbye to your family. But I couldn't accept that"
"You... you left me, treated me as if I didn't exist... Why can't you accept that I want to know nothing about you, or Tri, or dad!?"
"Our situation wasn't the best. And in our specific case, it was better for you if we stopped interacting. I do apologize for how hard you had it, though."
Titiana grumbled under her breath, but quickly calmed herself. "I can't accept it. I don't know if I'll ever be able to accept it"
"That's fine, entirely acceptable and understandable. I also would never forgive me for all I've done"
"Ulises" Titiana used her brother's full name. "What will happen now?" She seemed hesitant to ask, as if knowing the future of her family could pull her back in.
"Dad will be imprisoned, although he almost died from what I did, he'll live—without a hand, but he'll live. Mom's funeral will be in a couple of days, with her second family also involved. Tri is currently missing, but it wouldn't surprise me if that shut-in, couch potato of a brother we have didn't appear asking for handouts. As for the little boy..." Uli stopped and looked to the side.
"Mom was really happy there, that man and the kid—our brother—loved her. As their kids, we both feel the same, a little bit of jealousy, don't we?"
Titiana didn't answer Ulises' question, she only clenched her fist and bit her lower lip.
"Either way, he's our brother. He'll be scared and traumatized over what happened, but I'll be sure to protect him and his family from the shadows"
Ulises stayed silent for a second, awaiting any kind of answer from Titiana.
"Farewell, Ulises..." Was all she said before getting herself deep inside the truck's compartment.
Ulises just sighed deeply and shook his head. "As for you, Grey, you've now become an enemy of the Pirate Mafia family now that you burned and melted several highly important items."
"I ended up freeing Titiana from her shackles that house formed. I'd do it again no matter what" I calmly commented, my body ready and alert if they planned to attack me by surprise.
"I like to hear that conviction" He nodded with an irritated smile on his face. "That's the least I'd expect from someone who's not only taking away my little sister... but also from someone who saved her. Don't ever make her regret choosing you, okay?"
"I am a man of my word. If I promised to be with her, that's where I'll be"
"Then safe travels, good journey, bon voyage. I hope my sister's well-being is in good hands, horned Reptilia"
I nodded with determination while also stepping inside the truck's compartment and closing the doors, darkness setting inside as I turned around and saw Titiana curled into a ball on the floor.
I sat next to her and, finally, gave her the hug I should've given her a long time ago.