Cairo
XXIV
As we walk to the west, the sun begins to set, casting its golden rays throughout the island. The buildings begin to fade away into luscious trees and foliage. Cobblestones and cement turn to dirt and pebbles under our feet. Eventually, we reach our destination.
“Finally,” she exclaims. “It took long enough.”
“Well, princess, we’re here now. So, what do you think? It’s no mansion, but it’s what I call home.”
“It’s pretty nice,” she says, her eyes still scanning the area. She still looks... nervous.
“Relax, it’s highly unlikely that Zaro and the guards can find us here, especially after we injured them so badly!”
“But... that’s the problem,” she mumbles, turning away. “I... I injured that guard. A lot. Now we have an attack charge added onto a basic stealing charge. On top of that, I wouldn’t say that I’m of the highest moral character, but...” She begins walking away slowly, and I can hear a choked sob.
I walk up to her, and put my hand on her shoulder. “Hey, it’ll be okay, Jas. Come on, it’s not like they were the nicest either, I mean, they planned to execute us, right?” I begin to feel lightheaded at this notion. “Plus, I’m sure the guy you hit with the pan is fine. You have no idea what kind of training they put these guys through; it’s ridiculous. That’s probably his fifth time this week!” I hope I can make her feel better, if only by a little, using my annoying humor.
“How would you know?” she asks.
“What?”
“How would you know the kind of training they’re put through?” She turns back to me now, and I can see that she is no longer crying. Well, it didn’t help the way I’d hoped it would, but at least it got her mind off of the subject.
“Ah, well, I...” she looks at me expectantly, waiting for an answer. No use in stalling this.
“I might have maybe perhaps possibly trained for them a while before finding out that they have horribly corrupt standards, before I had to resort to stealing for money.” Well, I didn’t plan on spewing that much information, but I suppose it’s fine.
She raises an eyebrow. “You? Knowing your tolerance for fear their “corrupt standards” weren’t the only thing keeping you away from a job as a guard. You were probably knocked out at the first mention of blood!” She chuckles at her own joke, and I can feel my face begin to burn.
“I-I”
“Don’t deny that it’s true, Ro,” she interrupts me.
Okay, fine. Maybe it is true. I roll my eyes, and head to the door, finally ready to open it, but I hesitate.
“What’s wrong?” Jasmine asks.
What is wrong? I’ve been wanting to come back here ever since we escaped the jail, so... why can’t I do it?
“I don’t know. I guess... I guess that I don’t want them to see me after I’ve been thrown into jail again. Of course, they know it’s the only way we can make money, but... it’s not exactly... respectable.”
Jasmine walks over to me, and... hugs me? This is the first time she’s done that. It feels... nice.
“It’s your family. They’ll understand. Trust me, Ro. Open the door! It’ll be okay.”
I oblige, and open the door.
“Mother! Serena! I’m back!”
We’re met with nothing but silence and an empty room.
Jasmine
XXV
What’s going on? Are his family on a trip without him? Maybe at the store? Why aren’t they here? Cairo steps into the house, and begins opening doors, calling for his mom and sister. I tentatively take in a step after him. Where could they be?
After he’s opened all of the doors, Cairo’s demeanor becomes slightly more frantic, and he begins checking everywhere. In cupboards, behind vents, and so on. As if two entire people could fit there.
I walk up to him and place my hand on his shoulder.
“Ro, I don’t think they’re here. Maybe they’re out at a store, or at the city square? It’s definitely possible.”
He turns around, a pained and fearful expression on his face. “No, Jasmine. They can’t be. They never go out without me... even when I’m in jail. We have a whole supply of food and other things just for this!” He swings open a cabinet door, and the inside is stocked with every type of canned food imaginable, proving his point.
“Well, they could be...” Before I can finish my sentence, a piece of paper catches my eye. It’s tacked to the back of the door, which has now swung shut.
“Actually, go check in the drawing room again, Cairo. I’ll be there in a second. We’ll find them; trust me.” With a worried look painted on his face, Cairo heads down a hall into another room, and I approach the paper. It’s folded, so I rip it off the door, and unfold it. My eyes scan over the paper as I take in the information written on it.
What the hell?!
This... this is bad...
Very bad.
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