"When do I start?" I asked, unable to hide the eagerness in my voice. Optimism coursed through me as I followed Roran deeper into the winding alleys, my eyes carefully observing his every move—how he walked, his posture, his subtle, almost ghost-like steps. There was something fluid about the way he moved, like a shadow slipping through the cracks, silent and nearly invisible. He was a true rogue at heart.
Without breaking stride, Roran cast a sideways glance at me. "First things first, we need to bring you and your sister in."
"In? Where to?" I asked, curiosity and a hint of wariness creeping in.
"Where else?" he replied, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Our hideout."
The word "hideout" set my mind racing with images of secret lairs hidden away from prying eyes. What kind of place was he taking us to? And more importantly, what kind of people were waiting there? I wasn't naïve—I knew this path could lead to more danger than I'd ever faced, but if it meant a real chance to change our lives, I was willing to see it through, no matter the risks involved.
We continued moving through the narrow streets, weaving in and out of the shadows, the city's mechanical hum growing fainter the deeper we ventured. Roran moved with confidence, his familiarity with the back alleys clear in every step he took. He seemed to know the city like the back of his hand, every twist and turn leading us further from the bustling streets into quieter, more forgotten parts of Sector VI.
After what felt like an eternity of winding through narrow passages and ducking under low-hanging pipes, we finally reached a dead end. At first glance, it seemed like just another abandoned corner of the city, but Roran didn't hesitate. He knocked three times on a rusted metal door that was half-hidden behind a stack of crates. A slit in the door slid open, revealing a pair of watchful eyes.
"It's me," Roran said casually, giving a small nod.
The eyes behind the slit narrowed, then the door creaked open, allowing us inside. I followed Roran through, and as the door closed behind us, I couldn't help but feel the weight of what I was stepping into—a world hidden in the shadows, full of unknown risks.
The hideout was a large, dimly lit room filled with a mix of people. Some lounged around tables playing cards, others tinkered with gadgets or cleaned weapons. A few sets of curious eyes turned our way as we entered, but most of them returned to their business without much fuss. The atmosphere was relaxed, yet there was an underlying tension that told me everyone here was ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. I was like a pup in a den full of predators, but I am pup full of ambition.
"This is it, kid," Roran said, spreading his arms wide. "Home sweet home, for now at least."
I took it all in—the dim lights, the worn-out furniture, the air thick with the scent of oil and metal. It wasn't exactly welcoming, but there was a sense of purpose here, a place where survival meant more than just scraping by.
"So, what's next?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the anticipation swelling inside me.
Roran let out a low chuckle and replied, "Next? What do you think, kid?" With a swift motion, he nudged me forward, right into the path of a towering woman built like a brick wall. She was smoking a cigar, her presence intimidating in every sense of the word. A large scar ran down the side of her face, leading to a gleaming mechanical eye that whirred softly as it focused on me. Her cold gaze sent a chill down my spine, but I refused to flinch, holding my ground with as much resolve as I could muster.
Roran crossed his arms, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, what do you think, Boss?" he asked, his tone casual but carrying a hint of respect.
The woman took a long drag of her cigar before exhaling slowly, the smoke curling around her like a shroud. She studied me in silence, her mechanical eye glowing faintly as it scanned me from head to toe. For a moment, it felt like she could see right through me, weighing my worth in those cold, calculating eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke, her voice rough. "He's scrawny, but there's fire in him." Her gaze didn't waver as she leaned in closer, her scarred face inches from mine. "You got guts, kid. But guts alone don't keep you alive in this game. You willing to do whatever it takes? No hesitations, no regrets?"
I swallowed, the weight of her words heavy, but I didn't back down. "I'll do what I have to. For me and for my sister."
She narrowed her eyes, then leaned back with a grunt, taking another puff from her cigar. "We'll see about that." She turned her attention back to Roran. "He's got potential, but potential's cheap. Let's see if he's got the spine to back it up."
The woman took another long drag from her cigar, her mechanical eye narrowing as she focused on me. "And what about your sister? What can she do?" she asked, her tone sharp and probing.
I hesitated, my mind racing but coming up empty. Avelyn was delicate, prone to illness, and not cut out for the rough world we were being dragged into. What could she possibly contribute? My silence stretched on, and I felt the weight of the decision pressing down on me.
"Well?" the woman pressed, her voice growing colder. "If your sister doesn't bring anything to the table, we won't take her. We'll only take you." She leaned back, crossing her legs with an air of finality.
Panic welled up inside me. Leaving Avelyn behind was unthinkable, but what could I say? Roran nudged me, leaning in to whisper urgently, "Come on, kid, think of something. Anything. Speak up."
Desperation clawed at me, and I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, my voice barely above a whisper. "She… likes to read… books."
The woman's gaze hardened, her eyebrow arching in irritation. "Speak up! I can't hear you!"
My chest tightened, but I forced myself to meet her eyes. "SHE LIKES TO READ BOOKS!" I shouted back, anger and frustration bubbling up. I caught my breath and continued, quieter now but with more conviction. "She loves reading… back when we were in the orphanage, books were all she had. She's smart, and she always loved teaching others what she learned."
The woman exhaled a cloud of smoke, studying me with a calculating look. For a moment, I wasn't sure if I'd made things better or worse. Then she leaned forward slightly, her gaze still intense. "Teaching, huh? There's not much use for scholars in our line of work, but knowledge has its value. Maybe we can find a way to put those skills to use."
She glanced over at Roran, who gave a small nod, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Alright," she finally said, her tone grudgingly approving. "We'll take her in, but remember this—you're both dead weight until you prove otherwise. If she's not useful, she won't last long here."
Relief and fear washed over me in equal measure. Avelyn was safe for now, but it was clear that this world wouldn't go easy on her—or me. I straightened up, determination hardening my resolve. We were in this together, and I would find a way for both of us to survive.
Roran clapped me on the back. "Good. Now, let's get you both settled in. There's work to be done, and you'll need to learn fast if you want to keep up."
I gave Roran a firm nod before saying, "Alright, I'll go get my sister and bring her here."
Roran raised an eyebrow. "You already memorized the way back?" he asked, sounding mildly impressed.
I shrugged casually, a faint smirk on my lips. "I've spent most of my life in these alleyways. Navigating them is second nature."
Roran chuckled, clearly pleased. "I knew I had a good eye when I picked you out of the crowd."
I turned to head for the exit, focused on the task of fetching Avelyn. But just as I was about to step out, the woman from earlier shouted after me, her voice cutting through the room. "HEY, KID!"
I paused, glancing back over my shoulder to see her leaning back in her chair, her gaze fixed on me. The mechanical eye whirred softly as it adjusted its focus.
"The name's Vora," she said, a smirk playing on her scarred face as she took a long swig from her cigar. "Don't forget it."
I gave a respectful nod, noting the hint of challenge in her eyes, before slipping out of the building. The dim light of the hideout faded as I stepped back into the network of alleys, ready to bring Avelyn into this new world we'd just been pulled into.