"Mafia..?"
We sat huddled by the fire as I continued to tell her tales of the outside world, things of which she'd be interested in. As the day progressed on, pieces of my memory returned to me as I recently came to realisation that I was part of the Mafia.
"Yeah... Though I'm not so sure if I should be telling you this."
"Why not? You told me many things already."
She shuffled closer to me as over the months I've spent with her, she's become more expressive. Seeing such gradual change further my resolve to perhaps make it a usual thing for her. If she were under normal circumstances, I wondered what kind of life she would have lived. A smart child such as her and the curiosity, no doubt, she'd be a renowned researcher.
"Well, let's just say, at times we didn't do things the law abides."
"Like, killing?"
She may have become more expressive, however, her twisted nature still ran through her.
"At times... Though we weren't just going out on streets shooting everyone we see. We had a system and generally, we were well received by the populace."
At least, I think so.
"But then, what happened?"
"...Ehh, well I can't say so for sure..."
I can't remember the everyone's face and generally, I had to do jobs some wouldn't. Perhaps from that, I earned some scorns. Can't say it particularly makes me happy to be betrayed by my lackeys, I guess it tells something of my leadership.
"Thinking back on it, I guess I'm glad they think I'm dead. Once you affiliate yourself with the Mafia, you can't just walk away."
The one who did remember me that day, I recall him receiving a cruel end. Though the specifics I can't be sure about.
"Because, you hold valuable information?"
"...Something like that, I was somewhat his right hand even if we didn't see eye to eye on most matters. He trusted me because he knew I couldn't betray him. Because I owe alot to him, he knew if I did anything that'd slightly resemble disloyalty, I'd be toss off the harbor, with my legs shackled to a cement brick."
Our meeting was rather peculiar as I joined from the bottom, just scurrying across jobs like an insect as I escaped many situations in which I should've died.
"I guess, I had too much pride in me, I couldn't see what others were thinking."
I didn't take the time to think of the repercussions of my actions, I was just living my life to the fullest.
"Hmm..."
As I try to dive further into my memories; or lack there of, not everything has come back to me. Which is why, I'm starting to think I'm forgetting something. Of course, such a thing is obvious but I feel a deep longing for something.
"I have been thinking," switching positions, she sits against my lap as she starts to rock side to side, "Those cigarettes, or cigars, how do they taste?"
"Eh, taste?"
Come to think of it, while I have explained that we had them, should I even be telling this to a child?
"Well, I don't think I should tell-"
She pinches my calves with such strength that I yelp before I could finish my sentence.
"I would be glad, if you didn't treat me like a child."
"Sorry, sorry, but how could I not with these cheeks of yours."
I softly pinch her cheeks in retaliation, however, she doesn't make any sort of reaction.
"Mphf, you're annoying."
She continues to lightly prod my leg until I let go as she then proceeded to softly hum a tune. A repeated tune that occurs certain times during the day, the first few that I spent with her, I didn't hear any of the sort so it was rather peculiar when she started.
"You hum that same tune quite often."
"It's, something she taught me. Or rather, I took from her."
The Master of the Forest; a motherly figure who looked after her in this forest and taught her all she knows. I could only imagine how she must have felt when she passed. She longs for her, that's why she saw me fit as a sacrifice in order to see her again. Though, perhaps there's more to it than a simple reunion.
"Hmm, how do you become a Witch anyways?"
"Practice. Years of practice, and knowledge. You know, I wasn't able to become one."
Yeah, as it turns out, she's not officially a Witch, but a mere apprentice. In order to transcend into a Witch it takes an existing one to deem one worthy and so offers a portion of their domain, or the power to create one. As the former Witch passed away before she could, this forest which was her domain is now dormant.
However, out of respect of the original Witch, this forest pays heed to her apprentice in honor of her memory. She must've been quite the character to say the least.
"Do you still want to see her?"
"...I do."
I suppose, you can't simply give up on a matter such as that. There are times in which I wonder what would've happened if she followed through with her original plan, what would have happened.
Would she have been happier than she is now?
Even now, I still don't have an answer to that.
...
"Are you ready?"
"I, suppose I am."
Just beyond the house I've been living in for some months, I waited for her. It took some time for me to persuade her, however, her curiosity of the outside world remained; how much of it has changed and what remained. So, as a result I thought I'd invite her out. In the end though, I left it up to her; what she wanted to do. If she had wanted to cut out that part of her life, I wouldn't try to convince her otherwise.
Stepping out of the house, she has a summers hat and a whiter dress; a gift from me as I took the liberty of washing it for her in the underground lake. Though, it's still not enough. I'd like to do more for her. This desire of mine, I think it's more than wanting to protect her.
Why is it that I'm willing to go so far for her?
"What are you doing? Let's go."
We stepped into the forest shrouded in darkness even though it should be in the middle of the afternoon. The days I continued to spend with her in addition to the strand of hair she offered me that day, I was bound to her. As a result, the forest itself began to watch over me.
However now, we'll be leaving this place behind.
...
Exiting the forest, the walk would be relatively long as the town is a trip down the mountain. There's a small possibility that I'd meet a fellow member of the Mafia while there, however, all we need to do is stay clear from that prefecture.
"How are you holding up?"
I look to her as she seems to be okay, though I can never tell what she's thinking.
"Feels, strange. Bright, and windy."
"I guess we never did get much sunlight, and breezes were a rarity. But isn't it refreshing?"
"I, hate it. I hate that ball in the sky."
Taking cover in my shadow, she grasps my shirt while pushing up against me.
"H-hahaha..."
It's a good thing she's wearing a summers hat, though at this pace, I fear we'll arrive in the evening.
...
"Well, we made it I guess."
The sun's setting and the streets are flooded due to rush hour, I guess it's just about the end of usual work hours. Cars fill the roads and the pedestrian traffic's rather hectic. We wait just off to the side for awhile for the traffic to die down in case we lose sight of each other.
"...I don't recognise any of this."
Peeking out from behind me, she gazes around at the sights as it makes me wonder just where abouts the orphanage is. Are they still operating or was it all burnt to the ground?
"How long has it been since?"
"I, don't know. But, these buildings are different."
"Hm, well I do remember they did change the materials used for construction. Made to be sturdier, the previous were prone to collapsing or required frequent maintenance."
Well, whatever the case may be. It seems she hasn't been here for years on end. Even though I spent my lifetime here, it's daunting to me also.
"Well, let's get going. If I remember correctly, there's a place we can stop nearby."
Pushing pass the crowd, there's a small apartment room I've rented since I became affiliated with the Mafia. A safe house is what you'd call it, best of all is that I haven't mentioned anything of it to anyone.
"H-Hen-..? W-Wait!"
Passing by numerous people, before we could cross the road a female voice calls out to us. A familiar voice, one that I think I should be able to recognise however, the woman the voice belongs to, I'm unable to remember.
"Henrik... Y-You're... Henrik, aren't you..?"
A wearied woman dressed in a worn business suit greets me, it's as though she hasn't slept in days.
Someone, who seems to know who I am, or was... After all, I may know my past, but I've thrown that all aside, I've discarded my name entirely which is why I never tried to remember it.
"Sorry, I don't know you."
Whoever it may be may lead to trouble, so as the next pedestrian light turns green, I back away from her.
"Y-You don't, w-wait!"
Before I could gain ground, a loud sound emits from behind as I look back to see her clutching her hand.
"What..."
In surprise, she looks to the girl before me who seems to have slapped her hand as she attempted to stop me.
"Who, is that?"
Pointing at the woman, she looks to me for an answer but I could only shake my head.
"Y-You don't know wh-... I'm Mari! Your wife!"
"Wife..?"
"Yes! I've been looking everywhere for you, ever since that night... You never came back, you never answered my calls..."
In tears, her knees buckled as she drops against the floor, bawling.
"...I called the police, but after weeks of search, they found nothing... You didn't leave even a note, or a trace, and then, when I finally see you again. You have a girl I've never seen before..."
Continuing to explain the situation in between her sobs, a memory tugs against my mind, however, nothing else comes to me besides a silhouette and a strong emotion.
"She says she's your wife."
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