Rosemarie patted Tom and Lt. Higgins’ shoulder wordlessly and took their offer. They didn’t get to say anything else even as Rosemarie picked up her bag, grabbed Verdell’s hand, and dragged her out of the scene.

Rosemarie and Verdell passed through the wall of people concerned about what just happened. The civilians dawned on them like bees and butterflies surrounding a flower, all their murmurs and cries turning into a buzz. Rosemarie raised her chin and smirked. Hate and worry contorted their faces, but when Rosemarie gave weight to her tired eyes and shifted her balance to show off her ripped clothing and the bloody hole on her shirt, they all stepped back and made way for them; some even started thanking her, though with a hint of reluctance. They expressed their gratitude with their gazes straight, heads lowered, and fists clenched, but it only made Rosemarie’s grin wider.

Verdell kept her head straight until they managed to escape to the streets fenced by tall and thick trees. They found comfort in silence, even with the sharp continuous hums of the plastic vehicles that would cut through the roads at their side. The houses that thickened their surroundings were all made with wood, with some appearing to be shinier than the brightening sunlight peering through the leaves that blanketed the skies from their view. There were those who were consumed by dark green moss and mushrooms but remained standing. It was where the elders watering their plants raised their hands and said hi to Rosemarie, who returned their warmth by waving back with her own pure smile. Verdell felt their sense of pride peaceful like a home, but it only made her step back as she sighed.

“Alright, I give up.” Rosemarie massaged her eyes as they moved on. “I’m not a morning person; fuck the nightshift.”

“About that,” Verdell swallowed, lowering her head and quickening her pace. “we have a nightshift?

“We don’t, it’s just that most assholes work at night.” Rosemarie chuckled and looked at her. “Sometimes, I do have to fool myself into thinking that that’s the only reason to make myself work; additional two cups of coffee and an occasional shot of an energy drink would make it better, though.”

“Are you—”

“Nope, I’m not okay; it’ll be fine as long as I get to appear otherwise, so I try not to overthink it.” Rosemarie sandwiched her face with her hands and kneaded her face to smile. “Everything would fall apart at the moment someone said that they understood my pain and thanked me, after all.”

“I… I see.” Verdell tightened her lips, seeing the reflection of herself in her dark red eyes.

“You just have to take everything,” Rosemarie widened her tired grin with pride. “their hate, their pity… their happiness, their adoration… You just have to grab them by the balls and die after. It’s them who would decide if you’re the hero or the villain, but then again, you’d be dead so that’s not your problem anymore.”

Verdell stopped and frowned. She straightened her coat and clenched her fists behind her. “So, you’re telling me to lock up everything that I’ve… and forget it?

“Don’t put words in my mouth.” Rosemarie tapped her shoulder and walked forward. “Relax, I’m just saying that you forgot to thank Lt. Higgins and Tommy properly; treat them to a cup of coffee next time you see them. We know that it’s their job to save people, give and take, but they absolutely have no reason to save a magus. Take that and be happy. Being saved is a privilege that only a few people could get.”

Verdell sighed and followed Rosemarie’s lead. She opened her mouth, but none of her words came out. It made her remember Tom that she began to scream internally. Rosemarie stopped a moment after and saw Verdell’s face twisting and sucking itself in confusion.

“Also, about the surprise party, let’s keep it a secret, okay?” Rosemarie winked at Verdell and chuckled. “I’ll have Penelope make you something special if you do.”

Verdell curved her back with a relieved sigh and scratched the back of her head. “Sure… I think I can forget about it,” she replied and they shared an awkward laugh. “W-why is that?”

“See,” Rosemarie patted Verdell’s head. “you look cuter when you smile and not monologue like an edgy cunt. So, let’s try not to make the boss cry by telling him that I ruined his ‘big brain plan.’ Not until I kick his balls that is.”