The night let out a slight sonorous breeze on Tyler's face who was near the living room window while he helped his mother with the chores around the house, releasing a small tingle in his ribs, making his nerves to the surface, the fact that he and his mother were alone that night was difficult for him, he knew that at any moment he had to face it. He waited for a long time while he finished his work, but the expectation did not come, he began to believe that his concern was unnecessary and when he finished, he said goodbye to his mother and then went to his room, but then his mother spoke.
—Tyler, stop. Come here. — She ordered, as she took a chair from the dining room and sat down to watch him in silence.
He felt his mother's strong and penetrating gaze and stopped immediately when he turned around, he realized that she was already sitting waiting for him, and the tingling in his ribs returned, which made him feel even more insecure, so he just nodded his head at her order and approached her.
—Sit down. —
Every move made by Tyler became short and very insecure, his mother very rarely showed a demanding and terrible aura. Surprisingly when his eyes met his mother's amber eyes she just smiled, he felt strange, he didn't know why, it was strange.
—I'm a little curious Tyler. His mother commented. The bouquet you gave me today, where did you pick them up? I am very grateful for the beautiful gift, but tell me please, I want to know. —
—The flowers... we picked them on our way home, Mother. He answered immediately, he knew that these words would not be enough, so he raised a few more. We returned home by another road, their color caught our attention and we decided to bring them to you, Mother. —
After this answer, the woman showed again that terrible aura, which provoked in Tyler an unpleasant feeling, making his mouth dry completely, this was the moment he had wished so much that would not come. Then that smile disappeared and in its place was a serious face.
—I see. Is it necessary to lie to me? His cold voice showed all the anger he had kept so far. I know where they got them, be honest this time and just tell me one thing Tyler, did you come across a hunter in that place? —
The boy couldn't lie to her anymore, because he knew she would notice it anyway.
—Yes, Mother. Dalia did. then she continued without stopping to avoid her mother's anguish. but I looked for a way to get her away from that guy and run away from there right away, Mom, she swore. —
It was too late, his mother's face was very pale almost pure white that could be seen even more despite the white complexion of her skin, it was quite noticeable how her world fell apart with the boy's answer.
— Tyler... his mother spoke in an agonizing voice. I have told you both many times, it is forbidden to cross the bridge! I thought it was completely clear, now... her voice broke for a few seconds, even so, she continued. Now... Dalia can be found easily, her appearance stands out from the crowd, she... —
Her tears fell at the thought that her daughter's life could end at any time.
His voice contained pure anguish. —The borders between cities are the favorite places for hunters to stalk, they are their comfort zones, however, that does not take away their right to come and go wherever they please. In these times the "kings" control the world and its people, the hunters are their faithful executioners, and everything is governed by the unwritten law of the "zodiac signs" everyone knows that they have no mercy. with these words, the poor heart of a mother was squeezed to the point of being pulled. they will have no mercy even with a little girl as small as Dalia, you understand. —
And before he finished speaking a loud bang coming from the door covered their ears, both turned at the same time while they stood perplexed, by instinct Tyler got up and took the broomstick that was near the table and placed himself all over the hallway that led to the rooms of the house, in one of them his sister was sleeping. On the other hand, without looking at her son, the woman slowly got up from the table and slowly approached the door, at the moment that her hand approached the knob of the place from where the strong blow came, she turned to the boy and both swallowed saliva.
When she opened the door, the young woman closed her eyes as hard as she could for a moment, when she noticed that everything was silent, she opened them suddenly, in front of her there was nothing, she looked everywhere and the only thing she got was a strong gale that made her whole body fill with chills and her hair stand up, then she hurried to close the door. Once inside she opened her mouth and took a deep breath, letting out a big sigh that by far was the longest of her life, her son seeing her, breathed again, he had held his breath since she was in front of the door without opening it.
Tyler was about to open his mouth, but his mother spoke first.
—Tyler gets ready, tomorrow we leave before dawn! — his mother shouted as she double and even triple-locked the door.
—Wait, what are you talking about, Mom? You need to calm down, where are we going to go? We can't move anywhere right now, besides, the house... —
His mother without turning around kept talking.
—We have to do it soon, every second that passes, the danger increases for Dalia, now more than ever, it's time to make her "an adaptation". —
The fright and the nerves left immediately and what came to Tyler was anguish that was later replaced with anger.
—an adaptation? Are you listening to what you are saying, that has too high a cost, even if we want it, we can't do it, I know Dalia is in danger, but this is out of our reach, Mom. —
She continued —Don't worry about that, with the money I have collected so far it is possible to cover the high price. Or at least I hope so. She murmured in a low tone. just hurry up. —
—What do you mean by the money you have collected so far, Mom? What you earn barely covers the little food we can buy and at night we only have to light the house with candles and what I earn is only enough for your medicines...he understood, Tyler could understand the reason why his mother assumed 'the adaptation' right away, the money she had given him so his mother could buy the necessary medicines for her illness, she had saved it all for Dalia, not even her own life mattered to her, only Dalia. you, really Mom. —
When she saw the sad and angry look of her son, she couldn't help but feel bad, even so, there was something much more important.
—Now is not the time to complain, Tyler, go and get ready, tomorrow we leave before dawn. — he replied again.
Without another word, Tyler went to his room, closed the door, threw himself on his bed, and remained silent for a long time.
Later the rage took hold of him, he could not understand how on earth his mother could do such a thing, all his effort was dedicated to covering his medications, and to coming to know from one moment to the next this had left him speechless.
Remembering the calmness with which his mother had spoken, he began to hit the bed and the pillows, completely unloading his fury, he also cursed under his breath as much as he could at everything that crossed his mind at that moment.
—Damn it! damn life, damn kings, damn hunters, damn zodiac signs, damn money, it's all your fault! Disappear all of them at once, even you Dalia, go to hell! She let out a little shriek and covered her mouth with both hands. I don't... it's not like that, she's my sister, me. — He just collapsed on his bed; helplessness was the final feeling he experienced that night.
Tyler loved his little sister, but he loved his mother, the difference was remarkable, what he would do for one was superior to what he would do for the other.
***
The early morning was very cold and the only thing that could be heard was a deep silence emanating from the darkness that still lingered in that house far from the city.
The young mother went in search of her eldest son when she opened the door of his room, she was surprised to see him sitting on the edge of the bed, he met her eyes and spoke in a low tone.
—It's not necessary, I'm already awake. —
Thus, passing by his mother's side in the direction of the living room. There he found his little sister covered by some sheets and lying on top of a poor piece of furniture that was the only one in the house when he saw her, he just turned his face ashamed, he still had in mind what he said the night before. his mother approached him and took the sleeping little girl.
—It's time, let's go. —
The three of them headed towards the nearest bus stop that was located after a long way of at least 35 minutes near the city to then head to ''Silver Keep'' one of the few smaller and richer towns around Kratos and then to 'death fall' just thinking about the last one, the young mother felt a bitter taste in her mouth that moved until it reached her stomach and made her nauseous, she knew well that this would be a long and exhausting trip, despite that, if everything went well they would arrive near the afternoon.
What they did not take into account was everything that destiny was preparing for them when they arrived at this terrifying place...