Chapter 14

*trigger warning*

Mentions of rape

Perspectives on all protagonists 

Edan worried for his companions greatly, they had no idea what they were getting themselves into. Lillina had directed the group towards where she had ended up. She remembered it as a small town towards the sunset. He worried for her more, Ivan had told him last night how she had ended up there with a man. The man from his description was most likely an Amplimen. They were disgusting creatures who prey on children. They did not care what age or gender or condition, only that they still had their virginity intact. Any good creature in this world had a hatred for them even those who were not good still hated them a majority of the time.

“keep up kiddo,” Edan snapped out of his thoughts, in his distraction he had slowed getting further and further from the group's stride. They had left as soon as the sun came up and it was already getting dark. Lillina had given up walking many hours ago and now was asleep on Ivan’s back “we are getting close to the town, when we get there, we need to be less suspicious, so we are going to have to split off,” Edan had heard Addie and Ade talking about it quietly throughout the time they walked. “Rylee you will be with me and Edan,” they all knew the reason why, Rylee was hot-headed and quick to action while Edan was the newest, that made them a liability. “Addie will look after Lillina and Fenya and Ivan will also go together,” those made sense to Fenya and Ivan were the most level-headed fighters they could take care of themselves, but jealousy still burned his soul.

They all nodded their heads and began to move into the groups as they finally saw the town glowing in the distance, Ade would never get used to the new world back home you could never safely walk at night. Only because you could not see three feet in front of you. But this town was still bustling with activity. Fishermen still pulling into the jetty with their catch, the salesman still yelling out their best pitches.

Each person had a job to do Fenya and Ivan decided that gathering info was theirs’, Ivan knew well from his rebellion of how helpful a bar is. As he pulled Fenya in all sorts of directions she followed wordlessly. Ivan was not sure how he was able to read the unfamiliar text but the words, the bubbler stared down at him hope filled his heart. He placed a hand of Fenya’s waist as he led them inside feeling her finch in protest.

“It would look suspicious for a girl to come into a bar without a man to holding her, I don’t want you to get felt up,” Ivan whispered in her ear eyeing the men who watched her as they passed. “how much for a whiskey and a margarita,” Ivan only realised how bad he had messed up when the bartender threw a cloth over his shoulder and came closer with mischief in his eyes. “my apologies we are not from around here what drinks do you suggest,” the bartender placed a smirk on his lips before making something.

“This will cost ya,” he looked at Fenya “a kiss from your little lady.” A shiver ran down Ivan's spine.

“and how much would some information cost me,” it was not safe to be cocky but he needed to know.

“still a cost young man that is if you don’t drink the drinks,” he sneered, Ivan looked towards Fenya and she nodded willingly. Ivan gestured a go ahead with his hand. Watching them kiss was disgusting, of course, he had no feelings for Fenya, but the kiss was sloppy and forceful. Once they were finished the bartender raised his fist and cheered with everyone in the bar joining in. it was sick.

“I can't tell you much, but be careful in this town no going into dark streets if ya don’t want to end up dead, now leave my bar before the prude finds out I gave you two drinks,” before they could question further four men promptly kicked them out.

In the markets Edan was teaching Ade and Rylee how to get away with the trade without it affecting your entire life, they did not have much to trade and not enough time for services, so they went stall by stool slowly increasing the value of objects they traded. They had managed to gather good cloths from a man needing someone to load his truck and heckle for a vase, the snagged rope from a guy who was looking for some jewellery, some food from a bunch of people and a single bag from a guy wanting to test his invention on people.

“what are two lovely girls doing in a town like this all alone,” Lillina screamed as a man approached the girls sneering clinging tighter to Addie's hand. “she yours you little whore,” he continued moving closer until he had backed the girls in a corner. Addie’s eyes widened as Lillina called for her brother, for Ivan, they were lucky the pair were nearby. But she had lost her grip on Lillian's hand as she ran towards Ivan, unfortunately, the man grabbed her quickly by the neck.