"I wonder, what type of food Asuka likes? I could just make the same meal I made the other day, but I want to put a little more effort than that."
Amelia had made it to the market but once she had got there, she realized that she didn't know what to buy. She did pick out some fish but that's a given Aboa is located so near to the coast. Amelia had been walking around row by row, basket by basket unsure of what Asuka would like.
Currently, she was looking different spices and wondering which would work well with the fish.
"I would suggest making some drying and grind some red peppers to flavor that fish."
Amelia spun around to see where the voice was coming from. When she turned, she saw an older woman smiling kindly at her. Her clothes were not that different from the other citizens but they were noticeably cleaner. She also wore a blue knitted poncho over her white shirt.
"Well, it's only a suggestion from an old woman."
Amelia was ripped from her daze by the woman's words.
"Oh, thank you for the suggestion. And please don't call yourself an old woman. You look not much older than my mother did."
The woman chuckled at the young girls words.
"You flatter me girl. Just for that, I'll assist you to pick out what you need today."
"Really! That would be super helpful. See, I'm trying to find ingredients to cook for my friend but I don't know what they like."
Amelia's face had a small somber smile as she finished that sentence.
"Oh dear. I'm sure your friend would appreciate any meal you make for them. All that matters is that you put your heart and soul into it."
"You think so?"
"Of course darling. I used to hate apples. Never liked them ever since i was a child. But one day, a friend who I was very close to made me some apple pie. I didn't know her at the time but it was the first act of kindness I received from another. Her smile was...unbelievably bright...and genuine. From that day on, despite hating it, I would always accept an apple pie made by her."
"What happened to her? Your friend I mean."
"...She died. But it was a long time ago. Probably before you were even born. So you don't need to worry about it."
"I'm sorry for your loss. My...my parents also died recently so understand how it feels to lose someone."
The woman's eyes widened and she covered her own mouth with a gasp.
"Oh darling. It must have been hard for you. I'm guessing it was your friend who helped you through your mourning."
Amelia nodded without looking up. She then looked the woman in the eyes and gave a bright smile while her eyes watered.
"Yep! I owe her my life. If not for her I wou...I would've.."
Unable to finish her words, she wiped the tears from her and took a couple deep breathes. Once she composed herself she continued to speak.
"She's more than just my friend. She's my hero."
The woman couldn't help but smile at the girl.
"Them we'd best hurry. I'll show you a recipe my friend had taught me. I promise it'll blow your friend away."
"I can't wait."
"Say, what is your name young lady."
"My name? It's Amelia."
"Amelia. A lovely name. My name is Margaret. Now, let us do some shopping."
~
Amelia was skipping through the streets of Aboa with her usual joyous expression humming a pleasant tune. It was still quite early in the morning so there wasn't anyone outside to stare at the girl. Amelia was carrying four baskets of food including fish, rice, vegetable some spices and some other things. Despite the many things she's carrying, the girl didn't have any trouble with carrying the goods. In fact, it was as if she wasn't carrying anything at all.
"Wow. I can believe how light this is. Must be the training Asuka's been putting me through. I didn't expect results to come so fast. I definitely need to thank her properly when I get back."
Beside was the woman, now named Margaret, who was looking at the girl with a look of intrigue.
"She sure is a lively child," she thought to herself, "Such a shame what I have must do to her."
"Amelia darling. If you don't mind, I would like it if you could help me with something."
"Help? With what?"
"Just need some help lifting something my back would never allow. You seem to be stronger than you look so it shouldn't take too long."
Amelia was pondering Margaret's request.
"Sorry ma'am, but can I at the very least leave these ingredients at the motel."
Margaret's expression darkened a little but not enough for Amelia to notice.
"Oh you needn't worry my dear. It will only take a few minutes."
"It really will only be a few extra minutes. I promise I'll be back soon."
She began to walk away but before she could take a single step, Margaret grabbed her arm trying to prevent her from getting away but she was instead pulled forward by the girl almost causing her to fall over. Amelia immediately turned back to see what had happened until an eerie voice came from behind her.
"Oh! This must be the friend of that hybrid."
Both Amelia's and Margaret's head snapped in front of them. There stood a boy looking no older than the girl who for some reason decided to not wear a shirt or shoes. He wore black pants and had his hands casually in his pockets. He had black hair and wore a welcoming smile on his face. But there was no mistaking the ominous aura emanating off of the boy.
Fears icy cold hands gripped on Amelia's heart, petrifying her in place. Beads of sweat began running down her body and her body started to shiver.
"What's with this boy? What is this thing I'm sensing?"
"I told you that I would come to you. Why have come out. It's too risky," said Margaret.
Amelia's head flipped around looking at the woman who was still hunched over. Her expression was calm, for streams of sweat on her forehead showed she was suppressing her fear.
"M-Ms. Margaret, what are you-"
"Sorry, but I was just sooo eager, I couldn't wait. Just the thought of tearing into the hybrids flesh left me salivating," he said with an abnormally long smile twisted on his face.
"W-what's going on? This can't be just an ordinary boy? And 'tearing into the hybrids flesh'. Does he mean Asuka? But she's a trinity? He probably doesn't know that though. Wait, non of that matters. He's going to harm Asuka. I can't let that happen. I might be too weak, but I have to try."
"Now girl," continued the boy, "I'd advise you come without resistance. You wouldn't want your friend to find you all bruised up."
Taking a deep breath, Amelia stepped aside to get out of the way of Margaret and promptly assumed a battle stance. She wore a serious expression on her face and the only hint of fear was the sweat on her face.
The boy merely chuckled at the girls antics.
"Please, there are better ways to get a laugh out of me."
He then began to walk toward the girl, who remained firm in place.
"Breathe Amelia. Just remember what Asuka taught you. You can do this."
The boy began to stretch out his hand intending to grab the girls arm.
"NOW!"
In a sudden burst of speed, Amelia swatted away his hand with his her left hand leaving a puzzled look on his face. This was quickly replaced with a look of anguish as the girl swiftly struck him in the solar plexus with a loud crack knocking the wind out of him.
"S-she can manipulate anima?!"
He crumpled over grabbing his abdomen but the girl didn't stop. She continued her relentless assault on the boy, her hits growing in both speed and power.
"Yes. Just like this. Don't give him time to think. Just keep going."
She knew the she was hardly even a beginner in the art of combat, so she knew that now that he was off guard now would be the best time to end it. The boys body began to deform as more and more of his body bent out of shape. Broken limbs, shattered skull and ribs, it really seemed as though the Amelia was going to beat him. But unfortunately for the girl, there was a single miscalculation she couldn't have thought of.
CRACK
A loud sound of something breaking erupted from where Amelia had last struck the boy. Then, that same girl shrieked as a sharp pain flowed through her arm all the way to her shoulders. She stumbled back and fell to the ground looking at her now mangled hand and limp arm.
"You bitch. YOU STUPID FUCKING BITCH!!"
Amelia looked away from her hand and stared at the boy. But where a boy once stood, there was a monster. A tall, lanky black skinned monster with three horns protruding from it's head. It's arms and legs which were too long for it's body, and slumped body gave an uncanny look to the creature. It was currently covering his face with its large hands, writhing in pain from the blows Amelia had dealt it. When it lowered its hand revealing deep crimson eyes filled with anger and hate, despair swelled up in the girls stomach. She knew she was going to die.
The creature walked up to the fear stricken girl and grabbed her broken arm making her scream and picked her up in the air.
"I really should kill you for this. But your needed alive for now. Though, it won't be a problem if a take a limb of yours. Especially a useless one."
It then grabbed her by the waist while still holding her arm. Amelia's face cringed as she stifled a scream.
And in one motion, without a hint of struggle, her arm was violently torn off.