For a split second, Klaus felt his life confined between the dark walls of his home and the wretched job that stole his breath. He saw nothing but the courtyard in front of him, as if all of existence was collapsing into darkness.
But the moon in the sky was pulsating, sending out its silver throbs like a living heart. Its light fell on Elias's smiling face—a small smile, but to him, it seemed like a window to another world.
She looked up at him and said lightly, "Look at the sky... at the stars. Don't you want to play?"
Klaus stared at her in bewilderment, his eyebrows slightly raised. "Play?"
She laughed lightly, her eyes twinkling. "Yes, you fool! Why do you think I brought you with me?"
He turned his head, confused. "Wait... you brought me? Wasn't I the one who brought you outside?"
Her face flushed a little and she laughed. "Heh... I got my words mixed up."
He took a deep breath, staring at her with a hint of suspicion in his gaze. "You're not in the habit of sneaking out without us knowing, are you?"
She lowered her eyes. "And how could I go out? Without you all, I'd just cause trouble outside..."
As they exchanged words, Elias's thoughts raced: Why does he become sharper and more perceptive with every passing moment? Is this a sign of him maturing?
Klaus smiled a half-smile. "Well, alright... I have no proof against you. You're lucky."
...
A furious voice suddenly boomed: "Yes! That's the girl, right down to the last detail! She hit my son and stole my bread!"
Klaus turned towards the source of the sound. A portly baker was shouting in a guard's face, pointing directly at Elias. Klaus's heart clenched, and his eyes met hers.
Elias said in a low voice, trying to smile, "I think we should run..."
The policeman raised an eyebrow, a hesitant look crossing his face, but he didn't hesitate for long. The moment the town clock struck midnight, Klaus grabbed Elias's hand and dashed off with her.
From behind them, they heard the policeman's voice, exhaling wearily: "Always... we end our shift with a chase. These brats... Damn it, I hate routine."
...
They ran through the dark streets, pushing past pedestrians, jumping over barriers. Elias displayed a nimble skill closer to parkour, but Klaus... Klaus surpassed her many times over. His feet moved unconsciously, his body ahead of his thoughts. Is this what they call muscle memory? he wondered.
But before he could finish his thought, another policeman emerged from an alley, a hysterical smile distorting his face: "Finally! Got you, you little ruffians!"
Without hesitation, Klaus grabbed Elias and threw her aside, then roared strange words: "The monkey steals the peach!"
In an instant, the policeman's body convulsed, his face transforming from glee to bitter agony. He screamed, grabbing his groin with force, writhing as if his life was being torn out. Elias, meanwhile, regained her balance, her heart pounding madly, before she started running again, with Klaus behind her.
The policeman's scream still echoed behind them, but Klaus didn't look back. No time for mercy... he thought to himself. Every second I spend looking back could be our last.
As they ran, Elias looked at him in astonishment. That voice... those words... Since when did Klaus know how to fight like that? What was that?
Klaus smiled a small smile, half-sarcastic, half-angry. "Is this what you call playing?" he muttered to himself.
When they reached the harbor, they sat down panting, their breaths ragged. The waves crashed powerfully against the rocks, and the smell of coal and iron permeated the air.
Klaus turned to her, his eyes holding a mix of exhaustion and sternness. "Elias... You owe me an explanation."
She flustered, laughing lightly in an attempt to break the tension. "Heheh... Before the explanation, teach me that technique! What's it called? The monkey... what? You were amazing!"
He pursed his lips, his voice cold. "Don't try to change the subject. It's called 'The Monkey Steals the Peach.'"
Her fingers trembled as she rubbed her hand, searching for words. Should I confess? If I tell the truth, he'll be angry... but he's smart enough to figure it out on his own.
Finally, she said in a hesitant voice, "Yes... sometimes I would sneak out without Felix knowing... or Elizabeth... or even you."
Klaus felt a heat surge in his chest, but his expression didn't change. "Really? And we risk our lives day after day... while you sneak out to play as if it doesn't concern you?"
She raised her head defiantly, her eyes flashing with anger. "And who asked you to take risks?! I never asked anything of you! Just leave me alone!"
Her words fell on him like knives, but he didn't respond. He kept staring at her in silence until regret began to crush her heart. She wanted to apologize, but her tongue was tied.
He turned his back, his voice low but sharp as a blade. "Do as you wish. The city is yours to command now."
She shuddered. "Klaus... I didn't mean to..."
But he walked away, leaving her standing by the harbor, swallowed by the silence of the night. She knew him well... he wouldn't soften easily. But he knew her too... she would return, remorseful.
…