They reached the bustop and everyone
alighted from it, including Octavia.
She took a cab afterwards and proceeded to her final destination and as she got close, she felt so nervous.
So so nervous. Michael was likely to hurt her in the first place and she earnestly prayed he wouldn't. Getting him not to hurt her was one thing, and getting him to give the antiode to her was another. Almost, it felt impossible
to her. But she still needed to give it a try.
The car pulled to a stop in front of the
building and she got off and paid the cabby.
Then, she stood and stared at the old building in front of her and taking a deep breath, she walked towards it.
**
**
**
Mica was fixing somethings in the room
when a knock came on the door.
She left what she was doing and went to check it out and to her surprise, it was Moscow.
What?
"Where's Octavia?" He asked grimly, the lines around his eyes going dark.
For a moment, Mica was short of words.
"Wh... Why're you asking?" She fortunately found something to say.
"You have no right to ask me that, Mica"
he grunted.
"I'm her trainer, and I can demand her presence anytime, anywhere. Now, for the last time, where's she?"
Mica, who was still holding the door, stepped out and closed it behind her.
"She's sick and taking some rest" she answered.
"I don't care. Bring her out to me - now. We need to run a little training section".
Damn it! What the hell is wrong with him?
"Have you gone nuts, Moscow?" She
scoffed.
"The Master's lying on his deathbed and you're still thinking about training? If there's anything, we should be worried about him and finding a solution, not trying to punish a young
girl over some senseless feud!"
Moscow's eyes dimmed as he tried pushing Mica out of the way, but she was strong enough to stop him.
"Bring her out, Mica. Or l'll bring her out myself" he gritted and it stung Mica in the chest.
She could sense it - there was trouble coming. A huge trouble.
She blinked rapidly and took her gaze to
the floor.
"Give me sometime. I'l... I'll get her" she
swallowed hard and Moscow allowed some silence.
"Five minutes" he said. "If she's late, I'll punish her for it"
And with that, he walked away.
**
**
**
Octavia pushed the door open and walked into the store - slowly.
The place was looking more filled than usual and seemingly, business has been going on well for Michael.
It looked just like a medicine store, so many bottles and Wrapped portions arranged everywhere. Well, she didn't come here for them.
She took her eyes to the reception and found a strange boy scribbling something down in a book. He was dressed in sombre shades of black and seemed so focused.
Octavia cleared her throat and walked closer to him.
"Hi" she drew his attention and he paused to look at her.
"Yes? How can I help you?" His voice was strict.
Octavia looked around, wondering wheree
Michael could be.
"Um.. I'm looking for the owner of this place Michael" she said and the boy's brows knitted in surprise.
"Why?" He asked.
Oh, sh*t!
"I just...I just need to see him. I need to
ask him of a particular remedy". She
answered
"All our availabile remedie are arranged
here. Michael doesn't have any spare
with him. If you're having difficulties, let
me know and I'll help you" he said, and
Octavia looked around.
No; she knows Michael. He'd never keep the antidote so exposed in the store. If it's really available, then it must be with him - personally.
"Please..." She turned back to the boy.
"I really need to see him. Just tell me where he is"
"And what do you want with me - Octavia?" She heard that familiar voice and quickly turned around, her heart skipping a lot.
He was there standing in front of an
inner door, his dark eyes on her.
Suddenly, she felt her systems run dry.
The courage and boldness she had
exhibited a while ago seemed to flush
out of her memory as she recalled how
dangerous Michael.
Her eyes searched for the door. No. She couldn't think of running never.
So, she only had to stay and face him.
"What an unpleasant surprise he
grunted. " Ican't believe you even had
the guts to step your feet into my territory.
Octavia swallowed hard and said
nothing. Nothing at all.
"For your sake, I hope you get to leave
here alive" he added with a smirk.
Octavia felt her legs shaking but tried as
much as possible not to show it. She
needed to be strong - she assured
herself.
She needed to do this.
"I... want to see you - please" she said
nervously and the lines around his eyes
darkened.
He stared at her for a long time without
saying a word. Then finally, he turned
around and started towards the inner
room and Octavia knew she had to follow.
She gulped hard and followed him and getting to the smaller office, she found him already sitting on his rolling chair.
He reached for his tobacco pipe, lit it and set it in his mouth.
"So, what brings you here, Octavia?" He
asked gruffly.
"Did Mica send you to set me up again?"
She swallowed hard again, fisting her
hands beside her. She was still standing
and of course, couldn't think of taking a
seat. Michael would roast her @ss for it.
"I..I need the red antidote, please" she
said timidly, her eyes dancing on the
floor.
Michael scoffed.
"The red antiode?" He puffed out smoke from his nostrils.
"And what do you want with it?"
"It's for my sister. She's... She's sick and
I want to try it out on her".
Michael paused.
He leaned back on his chair and chuckled.
"Do you think l'm a fool, Octavia?" He
asked and and felt her heart skip.
Oh please! She was hoping he'd believe
her. She didn't have any more excuses.
"I'm aware you're trying to join the X- family. And I'm aware the Master of your clan - Khalid - was shot yesternight. He was shot with a poisonous arrow and you - Octavia - you're here for the antiode", he spelt everything out to her and she looked at him in awe.
How did he know so much?? How possible?
Well, she guessed she shouldn't be much surprised. Michael was a bad@ss and sure knew how to go around with information.
She was quiet and couldn't say a word.
"I have the antiode, Octavia" he continued.
"But I'm never giving it to you".
Her heart skipped again.
"Please..." She looked up at him and
said.
"I need it".
*
*
*
To be continued!