Why do these officers have guns? No officer is allowed to have a gun in a public area, their colours are enough to protect the civilians if the need arises.
No one had a gun in Athsey, not even the officers guarding the government building. It was simply not allowed. And I didn't think they even manufactured guns, seeing as they were not allowed in the city.
I internally frowned at the thought, they were not even trying to conceal the gun. Their guns were strapped to their waists in plain sight, indicating not anything illegal but a clear threat.
I followed their movements with the corner of my eyes as I browsed the clothes absentmindedly. This is the second store I have entered with Zane, it was a large store but I wasn't expecting to spot a couple of officers from the window.
They were chatting casually, about what I couldn't tell. There is only so much I can guess with the glass blocking any sound from the outside.
Urydale is different.
It is weird, I can't really explain why, but it just feels like the people here are not invested in their colours. Colours make an important part of our lives, they are a part of us. But here people are detached, not grounded with their colours.
I haven't seen anyone, not even a single person use colour.
Even for the transport, everyone is on foot or bike. No one is using a shield or even a overboard.
Skye and me, we both are offenders, well I am for the namesake. We can't make a shield, but there should have been rentals here for hoverboards.
It is a very common thing in Athesy. There are rentals almost everywhere.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't see when the officers started moving.
I need to follow them, maybe I can get something from here.
" Did you find anything" I snapped my head to see Zane standing beside me with questioning eyes.
I opened my mouth to reply with a yes before I quickly gazed at the dress in my hands. It was a pink dress with flowers and butterflies. The only problem except the glaring pink was that, it was for a child of 5.
I blushed at that and quickly shook my head, dropping the dress.
" Come on, we should go to the next store" I grabbed his hand without a thought and dragged him behind me.
Although I am the, if I like it I will take it if I don't won't give it a second glance, type of person who shops pretty quickly. I may as well torture Zane today.
I followed the officers and they entered the street between two stores.
I took him to a random shop and pushed open the door, but I couldn't step inside because Zane yanked his hand back.
I dropped the door and let it close behind me as I turned my questioning eyes at Zane.
His ears were tipped red and he was trying to look everywhere but at the shop, that everywhere being at my shoes, jeans, my sweat-soaked top, and then finally meeting my eyes.
"I can't go in there" he mumbled looking embarrassed.
I raised an eyebrow at him, we are going to lose those officers, if we don't go in fast. This shop gives a clear view of where they are standing and I can eavesdrop their conversation from here.
" What why can't- I stopped mid-sentence as I looked at the shop and then at the board.
My lips twisted in a grimace and heat flooded my cheeks, spreading and probably colouring me like a tomato.
I turned to face him again, and my blush magnified because we were standing in front of a,- well a ladies shop.
Zane stepped back and I suddenly realized that I was still holding his wrist. I quickly dropped it as if I was burned.
God, this is embarrassing, I want to hide in my room and never come out after today. What he must be thinking about me.
This whole trip is turning out to be a disaster.
I didn't know if I should be happy that he isn't a pervert or if I should be sad that I have lost the officers. I looked around and they were not there, lost in the crowd.
For the rest of the trip I did the actual shopping, which happened quickly and without a glitch. I don't know if Zane was surprised to see me actually decide and buy clothes in 20 minutes. I didn't really pay much attention amid my disappointment.
We were done for the day, three shopping bags in my hand as we walked with the crowd. Zane was beside me, he had offered to carry the bags but I was just too embarrassed with what happened earlier.
I have lost those officers and I couldn't help but let the disappointment of my failure grow. We have just 2 days, had two days as I have spent half the day shopping.
Every second that I am here, it jeopardizes Ash's safety. We have decided to keep him in the house for these two days, faking a fever. But it can't last long.
What if, by accident, someone discovers our secret, what if they know that Ash is colourless.
The familiar fear started clawing inside me, my legs grew heavy with each step, turning to lead.
I glanced at Zane, shoulders broad and arms strong, he basically towered above all. Every second I spent distracted, it puts Ash's life on the line.
I looked around me. I don't know what I was hoping to find here, I was not really expecting to see a protest by the colourless the minute I stepped down from the train. I am not delusional. But I was hoping to find something here.
Not this mundane town with mundane people who were detached from the rest of the world. There is nothing special about Urydale, nothing that I have found.
Not like I have actually put any effort into it.
I smiled at my bitter thought. Maybe I should just yell the phrase here in the crowd and see who turned around to face me.
The thought was stupid, because if there was any truth in the articles, then I would probably be hauled to jail.
Again, I can't risk being stupid here.
What if I don't find anything here, what if Ash is the only Colourless.
The thought was too heavy for me to bear. I shook my head and exhaled.
I have to at least try.
A flash of dark blue in the crowd caught my eyes, I shifted at different angles to catch another glimpse. Hoping that what I suspected was true.
I moved a little away from Zane and there, I finally saw them. Two officers in Azure uniform walking in the crowd.
They were changing way, approaching an alley.
I looked beside me at Zane, he was blissfully ignorant to my wandering eyes. I stepped away a little, increasing the distance with every step, eyes concentrated between, him to watch his movements and on the officers.
I lost him in the crowd and slowly shuffled in with the people. I followed the officers a few feet behind, enough to keep a track on them and not get identified.
They were walking slowly, curving to the alley on the left. I followed silently, eyes watching their everyone. One of them was, unfortunately, the pervert officer whom I had rescued Mick from.
They entered an alley between two stores and I waited a few seconds before following.
They took a turn again and I followed, light on my feet. Every sound magnified in my ear, their footsteps stomping on the ground to mine lightly scratching on the ground.
I tried to calm my breathing and inhale as soundlessly as possible. I took to the wall, silently creeping after them but keeping to the shadows and the corners.
They took another turn, going deeper into the alley. The sound of the crowd started fading as I followed them deeper, the alley started getting unclean, the walls changed colour, covered in graffiti as I went deeper.
My heart was roaring loudly in my ears as my nerves grew tense.
Maybe I should have come here with Zane.
But, I don't trust him, I don't trust him more than my colours. The constant warmth of my colours in my fingers was the only comfort, I can count only on myself and my colours.
Urydale holds no loyalty to me.
" They are coming today" One of them grumbled and it echoed in the hollow alley, reaching me.
" Why do they keep sending them here, this shit town is overflowing with mutts." the blond pervert replied, I could practically hear the scowl in his voice as I stood, my back pressed to the wall in the corner as I waited for them to take another turn.
"Hm, we do what we are told Ky. Besides he is coming back, maybe next week" the other one informed.
Ky snorted at that" ya right"
I peaked from behind the wall, they were not walking anymore. Just having a conversation in the middle of the road.
Ky picked a cigarette and lit it with a lighter, taking a puff. The other one followed suit and soon the ally was burning with the stench of cigarette smoke.
I tried to keep my eyes open and not cough as the putrid smoke evaded my nostrils.
I stepped a little away from the wall and covered my nose with my elbow as the smoke entered my lungs. My nose tingled as I suppressed a cough.
I waited for a few minutes while all I wanted to do was run away from here right now.
It is all for Ash.
I reminded myself as I waited for minutes before they started speaking again.
" They are coming in tonight" Ky enquired, his voice raspy from smoking.
" After midnight at the station" the other man replied vaguely, showing his displeasure.
They didn't say anything and I slowly started returning the way I have come.
With each turn that I took, new questions started sprouting, each one laced with suspicion.
Ky, the pervert, he looked far too young to be an officer. Officers undergo at least five years of strict training before they are even assigned a field duty.
But somehow, he lacked both the muscles and the moral to be an officer. I have never seen an officer smoke before, hell I have barely seen anyone smoke. In Athesy people rarely indulged in drugs and narcotics.
The more turns I took through the familiar walls the more the alleyway started opening up. I walked quickly, glancing behind my back every now and then to make sure they were not behind me.
I reached the mouth of the alleyway and mingled in the crowd. My mind still reeling with the possible outcomes of my action, of what I was thinking to do, of what I could find.
I found Zane pretty easily, he was standing a few steps away from the alley, arms folded.
I approached him, separating from the crowd. Zane scanned me head to toe. I would have frowned at that but somehow the action was similar to how Skye or Kayden look at me, in concern. And not at all like the perverted officer in the alley.
I stood before him and he narrowed his eyes at me, almost like he was going to scold me but was trying to hold back.
" Where did you go?" he asked with a tight voice.
" I- "I cleared my throat before continuing, "I got lost, should have kept a better track of you" I replied as casually as I could.
The sun was setting, casting a warm glow on both of us. His features looked golden, black hairs glowing in the light.
I shook my head, I won't be here after tomorrow, no need to develop any crush when I know I won't be returning to this town.
Zane swallowed whatever he was going to stay, instead giving me a curt nod he started walking away.
I followed after him wordlessly.
If I am going to find something, then that is at the station, tonight.
That is my only window to get any information. My only shot at finding something.