Unfortunately, it was already too late for me to go back to the red light district that night. The sun would be up in a few hours and Lona would be coming into my room to wake me up.
I didn't want to risk getting caught so I decided to head back tomorrow just to be safe. Since Dante is going easy on me, I can easily return tomorrow and still not be exhausted.
The next day, I patiently waited until everyone went back to sleep and snuck back out. This time I was determined not to get distracted. I flipped up my cloak after scaling down the wall.
I went to the red light district and noticed some royal knights standing at the outskirts.
"Eek!" I quickly jumped behind a building before they could catch me. I poked my head out and frowned.
Why the hell are they there? I've never seen them camped out like this.
Well, whatever. It's not like they are looking for people on top of buildings or anything. Besides, I know Mama O has a skylight at her inn.
I rubbed my hands together and started to climb up the side of the building using a drain pipe. Once I got to the top, I poked my head out to see if the guards noticed. Luckily, they were still standing and talking to each other completely unaware of someone on the roof.
I chuckled to myself and started walking on the roofs, jumping from one to the other. Luckily the buildings are really close here and not that tall. I made it to Mama O's and looked down at the skylight.
I opened it up and jumped down. I landed in the room. One of the girls screeched, "FIFI (Seri)! DON GO JUMPIN IN FROM THE ROOF!"
I smiled, "Sorry Bella."
She took a dramatic breath, "You almost gave me a heart attack! You need to be careful. I mighta had a customer."
I nodded, "Yeah yeah. How is the customers tonight? You got lots of bites?"
She crossed her arm, "Hell no. Just one drunkard who tried to get violent."
I frowned, "What's he look like?"
"Shaggy lookin fella. He had a faded red shirt on and smelled like piss."
"Hmm. Nice description. I will keep a lookout for him and give him a peace of my mind!"
She cackled, "Don't chu worry about it. Mama O already beat him senseless."
I nodded at her. Mama O may not look it, but she can definitely handle herself. I walked downstairs and poked my head out. Two ladies stood at the door smoking.
I looked at one, "Sally, have you seen any royal knights around?"
"Sure did! We were hoopin and hollering at them to come spend a night with us. You shoulda seen how pale they got! HAHAHA!"
The other looked at me, "They've been going into stores and talking to people."
I frowned, "Why?"
She shrugged, "No idea. They haven't came here yet."
Well, I guess I need to be careful and not get caught.
I nodded back to the ladies, "Alright, thank you. Let me know if you find out anything."
Sally smiled, "You be safe now. Something is happening tonight."
I made sure to keep an eye open while I walked around. I walked into the bookstore and spoke to the man.
"Hey Gramps!"
He turned to me with a serious expression, "Fifi! What are you doing here?"
"You've been holding the new sequel for me right?"
He nodded but glanced to the door, "Yes, but you shouldn't be in here right now."
I was confused, "Why? Did something happen?"
He nodded with a serious expression, "Yes. Those Royal Knights were here asking about your master."
The blood drained from my face, "Oh really? What did they want?"
"They knew about you somehow. They didn't know who you were exactly, but they knew that your master had been sending someone here to do his work. They were trying to find out who you were so they could interrogate you."
Oh sh*t.
I forced a smile, "Well, that's not good."
He nodded, "Don't worry though. I didn't say a thing. I know no one else did too. No one dares anger your master."
I tried to appear arrogant, "Haha! Good. My master would be very angered by snitches. He would definitely make them suffer."
He nodded, "Yes. Yes. But be careful. There's one who I recognized as the King's right hand man. You need to watch out for him. He's cruel and cunning. One of my colleagues was caught by him and was tortured until he died."
I gulped, "O-oh. Really? What's he look like?"
"He's hard to mistake. A real handsome man with a scary aura. He's got a long scar that crosses his face."
I nodded trying to hide my nervousness, "Ah. I see. Well thank you for letting me know."
He smiled and chuckled, "But I'm sure that's not a concern for you. I know your master is probably worse than him."
I let a dry laugh out, "Uhh yup! Totally. He's truly the incarnation of evil."
I am so f*cked.
He went to grab my books and handed them to me. I thanked him and stuffed them in my bag. I tried to leave acting like normal, but I wanted to scream and run.
I never thought people would start looking for my made up villain!!! I thought it was just something I could use for my own benefit. If I get caught I might be tortured?! Oh hell no!
Wait, is torture even that bad? It can't be that bad right? Nah. I bet it's not bad at all.
I kept thinking about this and smacked into something.
I looked up and growled, "Hey dumb*ss! Get the f*ck outta my way! You wanna f*cking die?!"
I looked up and immediately smelled a god awful smell. I covered my mouth.
This guy smells like piss and booze!
He hiccuped and turned around. He wore a creepy and disgusting smile, "Oh hey little girl. Are you lost?"
I saw his red shirt and took a step back. This is the f*cking bastard that got violent with Bella!
He reached out and grabbed my arm roughly, "It's okay little girl. I will help you get home."
Sudden alarm bells went off in my head. I tried to peel his hand off. "Oi! You f*cker! Unhand me! Do you know who my master is?! My master is the Black Death!!!"
He sneered, "Nope. Don't know 'em."
F*******CK!
He started dragging me and I tried to get him to release me, but his grip only got stronger. I winced in pain.
Thinking quickly, I bit down on his hand and he released it with a yell.
"You dumb b*tch!"
I felt a hard smack across my face, forcibly knocking me over. I growled on the ground as I held my stinging cheek.
I hopped to my feet and put all my force behind my fists to punch him in the personal lower region. He doubled over and yelped. I didn't let up. I punched him swiftly in the adams apple. Then as he gagged I punched him in the nose as hard as I could.
He fell to the ground howling in pain. I shouted, "WHO'S THE B*TCH NOW MOTHAF*CKER!"
I noticed him getting up and quickly ran off. I heard him shouting after me, "COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE B*TCH!"
I ran and realized I was coming to a dead end.
"F*ck!"
I looked around in a panic and noticed a disheveled man sitting in an alley, leaning against the side of the building. He looked so gaunt I wasn't sure if he was even alive. But I didn't have time to worry about that.
I quickly ran over to him and hid behind him. Luckily he was still big enough to hide me. I heard running footsteps and held my breath.
"Where'd you go?! Come out! I just want to talk!"
I rolled my eyes. Yeah. I'm so sure.
I heard him curse, "Dumb little wh*re. Where'd she go?"
I wanted to growl. Who you calling a wh*re?! I'm 7!!! This bastard is lucky he is three times my size or else I'd beat his a**.
Finally he gave up, "F*ck!"
I heard him run off and I poked my head out. I let out a sigh of relief.
Good. The f*ckers gone.
I soon realized I was holding a man's arm. I jumped back, "Ack! Sorry mister! I didn't mean to use you to hide!"
The man didn't move an inch or respond. I poked him and noticed he didn't move at all.
"Hey mister. Are you dead?"
I looked into his face and saw his eyelids flutter. He was so thin it was almost disturbing. I moved my ear to his mouth and heard labored breathing.
He struggled to speak, "Back... Move back... sick..."
I tilted my head, "You're sick?"
I felt his forehead and sure enough it was burning up. He used the last of his energy to push off my hand.
He mumbled, "Contagious..."
I sighed, "What are you sick with?"
"Hay... Fever..."
Oh yeah! I know about that! They have a medicine for that. I remember the doctor that took care of me mentioned an outbreak of hay fever in the city. But he also said you can easily pick up medicine for it.
"Why don't you go buy some medicine?"
As soon as I asked that, I regretted it. Of course he can't buy it. He's clearly homeless. Although the medicine is available, it's expensive. That's why a lot of people were dying from it.
I patted his shoulder, "It's alright. Wait here."
I looked into the road to make sure the drunk man did in fact go away. Then I snuck off to a store and came back with my hands full. I mixed the medicine and held it to his lips.
He refused to part them. I forced his mouth open, "Say ahhh!"
After he took it I gave him some water. He finally was able to open his eyes. "Why... Are you... Helping me..."
I smiled at him, "Well we all need help from time to time. Plus, you saved my a** back there when you hid me."
"But I..."
I interrupted, "Try not to speak. You're pretty weak. I'm not sure if it will help, but here."
I grabbed my purse filled with gold coins and forced it into his hands. I also put out food, water, and the rest of the medicine by him.
I smiled at the man who looked at me with caution, "This should be more than enough medicine to help you get better."
"You don't need... To do this."
I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder. "I know I don't. But I am. Once you're better, find the Kane residence. He will give you a job."
"I-"
I waved at him, "Thanks for the help! I won't forget it!"
I quickly ran away wanting to get out the red light district as fast as I could. In my haste, I felt myself collide with someone.
F*ck! Is it him again?!
A cold stare greeted me with a large scar across his face. He smiled slowly, "What are you doing here?"