Scarface flinches to the ground. His hands shaking, eyes about to light.
"Tell them," the girl says.
"Tell us what!?" Moon Black replies.
Scarface's hands rest on the ground. Tears drop onto the floor.
"Scarface, what is it? Tell us what you're hiding!" Uddin's eyes light, like she feels the weight of his pain.
"He left me," the girl says.
"Come again?" Daisy asks, raising an eyebrow.
"He left me to die," the girl's eyes glare at him. A weight that presses down on each response.
"The blue whale..."
"I've had enough of this love drama!" Moon Black's voice drops like shattered glass.
"Not you again!" Daisy says.
"Now the newbie talks, huh? The little kitten got to know their place," Moon Black replies, rolling her eyes.
Daisy launches against Moon Black. Moon Black grabs her hands, twists, and turns her to the wall.
Uddin intervenes. With a swift motion, she removes Moon Black's hands. "Don't you dare provoke me, you witch," she growls.
"We can't spend all day here discussing a broken love Romeo-and-Juliet sheet," Moon Black replies.
"Men are gone. Let's head outside," Jullian Nova says.
"Wait. Before we entered this room, you called my name. How'd you know my name?" Uddin's eyes widen in surprise as she asks the girl.
"I'll tell you later. The rude lady by the wall is right. We're not in the right place to discuss issues like this. Gotta get out of here quickly," the girl says.
Uddin and Daisy pick up Scarface from the ground while Moon Black's hands close around the door's handle.
"Wait. Please, quick tips. We head west this time," Justice says.
"Why west? The outlanders will raid us," Jullian Nova says.
"It's our best bet. Trust me," Justice assures.
Moon Black's gaze flicks between Justice and the group.
"Alright, west it will be. Hope your plan works. If we get slaughtered or caught, I'm blaming you." She twists the handle; the door bursts open. They all step out into the unknown.
The night solitude fills the air, a deep contrast to the tension inside. Justice leads the team to the streets. Sounds of their feet march through the ground.
As they run, Uddin's eyes flick to the girl. "Tell me, what's your story?" she asks, low and quiet.
The girl is silent at first, her eyes looking towards Scarface, who is still struggling to process his own hidden emotions.
"My name is Helma Herra." She finally speaks. "I was part of the very few people called the Signi."
"Wait, were you the woman in black that interrupted our mission in the Comptings Tower?" Uddin asks.
"Not me."
"So what about the Signi?" Uddin asks.
"Yes, the blue whale. I was..."
"Save it for later. We're not out of this yet. Right now let's focus on reaching home safely." Moon Black, who is running almost beside them, breaks through the night with her voice.
"Grr! You never let her land the cup. You always interfere. You're a cut to the flesh," Uddin's voice simmers through the air.
"Look, we're about to reach the Outlanders' territory. Say what you might, fool! I don't break. Moon Black's chick shifts one-sided, proof of her confidence."
Another quiet village comes into sight. This time its buildings are bigger.
"Stop. Now we walk. Slow your footsteps," Justice says, confidence proof of his bold persona.
Footsteps throb through the ground as several feet make contact.
"Follow this alley," Justice leads.
A tiny alley just between the buildings. Soon they burst out in a different place. Building walls fade petals to the ground. Unfriendly stench drifts through the air. Water mixed with dirt and grime seeps through the floor. Pieces of shattered glass rest on the ground.
Moon Black clutches her nose. "Ew! This place stinks!"
"Keep it low. We can't risk waking anyone up," Justice warns.
A soft knock at the door. Sounds of the visitors vibrate their arrival. "Who the hell's at my door?" a voice echoes inside.
The door creaks open. A chubby man clutching a bottle in his hand. "Who the—" "Oh! Young Boy Justice! Been a while. Where the hell have you been? And what are you doing here with these people?" The man's eyes widen.
"Just let us in," Justice pleads.
"Right, come on in." The door pushes open wildly. All enter.
"Mr Rob." Justice's hand meets Rob's, fingers crossing.
"Son, how have you been?"
"Better. We've got an issue. Trying to escape." Justice's hands hover. His eyes are a distant scar, desperation the potential harbinger.
"What have you gotten yourself into?"
"Can't explain right now. Time runs fast. We've got no time," Justice says.
"First of all, who are your friends? Where are you guys from?"
"We're from..." Ouch! Moon Black's foot meets Daisy's, a silent command for quiet.
"We're from a town nearby, sir," Moon Black says.
"Alright, it's past 5, almost morning. Can't risk daylight waking up on you guys here. Follow me."
Rob quickly takes them through a back door. It creaks open. "Go straight ahead. Don't stop running until you head home. The outlanders will soon start morning patrols."
They all quickly sneak through. Justice follows last. "Thanks, Mr Rob. I owe you one."
"No! Kid, you've been a good help. You know the door's always open whenever you wish to come back."
Justice slips, following the group as they run straight.
Moon Black slows her run, reaching Justice at the back. Her eyes widen this time. "Who's that man?" she asks.
"He's my former client," Justice replies.
"Client? Tell me more."
"Funny, you're not the type that wants to know someone's story."
"Cut it! Spill."
"He's my former client. I passed intel and directed him on how to succeed."
"You're not clear. Intel? I don't understand."
"Long story short, I've lived here before. Mr Rob does women trafficking for a dude named Silas. I'm the brain behind his success."
"Trafficking? No wonder you're unapologetically cold. What made you leave?"
"I got tired of the place. Simple. I got bored."
"That's your reason for leaving?"
"I decided to come to New Sage afterwards."
"Sure you're not gonna bail on us as well?"
"Don't think so. The real reason I came to New Sage was because I'll soon become of age. All males join the outlanders when you've crossed 15. I can't join, so I ran."
"That means you're a runaway wanted."
"Yes, and glad you stopped the newbie from speaking to Mr Rob earlier. Despite his love for me, he would have still wanted me back. So he'll tell on us."
"The newbie almost ratted on us. She's lucky I didn't give her a punch to the face. Sure he won't follow?"
"No, he won't—for now. But I'm sure he'll definitely come looking for me. God knows what he's planning."
"Good. We're on sight. I know the road from here. We're safe now. Soon we'll reach home." Moon Black's voice softly drops.