Suddenly, there was only me, Taren, and this heavy atmosphere that seemed to have disappeared before. I wonder if I will succeed in apologizing, it was never my strong point. But I have to admit my fault, otherwise I won't be able to sleep well.
« Uhm... Taren by the way... I- »
« Anyway! How about we go out? » he tossed, cutting me off, in a completely natural way while standing up, as we had just made a promise not to go away unannounced anymore so as not to worry everyone.
« Are you kidding me? » I swallowed, stunned by the hypocrisy.
« No more than usual if that's what you're worried about. »
« You want to bang, is that it?! » I proclaimed, annoyed by Taren's unabashed attitude.
« Idiot! » — I stumbled back, surprised by his surprising initiative — « You really think we're going to be able to make it up to you by sitting here quietly doing nothing? » He said to me in a sanctimonious tone.
« But aren't we likely to repeat the same mistakes if we do that? » I said before he interrupted me with a new, « Idiot! » even more uninhibited than the previous one.
« If no one takes notice of our absence, no one will worry. We just have to get home before Father does. That way we can go to the market and get a gift to make up for it without anyone worrying because by the time they find out, we'll be home. Especially since just walking around the market is not a risk, especially with abilities like ours. If something really happens, as father said, that even we can't do anything about, we wouldn't be safer at home. » he said confidently while I could only listen, dumbfounded.
Of course, I know that what he says sounds like an excuse, but what a nice excuse. And on top of that, we keep our promise not to worry them any more, while making up for it with gifts, or bribes, depending on how you look at it. But there is still something that bothers me.
« And with what money do we buy the gifts? » I advanced.
« Do you really think that I, the world's greatest detective, could forget such a detail? Of course I have money. Do you really think I learned to sew for fun? Of course not! It was the best way to earn money quickly, besides being able to save money later on buying clothes by repairing old ones, like the one you just crumpled up for me. So that one day, I'll have enough money to be able to buy that book I've wanted for several years! » Her rate of speech made me take three reflexive steps back. Was this his way of expressing his excitement?
« A book? You wanted to buy a book? In that case, are you sure you want to use that money for something else? » I asked, intrigued as to what someone as smart as Taren could be so passionate about.
« It's only a book, I'll have plenty of opportunities to buy it later. But right now, the main thing is my family, so if the money I've worked so hard for can be used to put a smile on Father's and others' faces, there's no hesitation. » I couldn't help but look at him with admiration after such a speech. He really deserves his title of 'world's greatest detective'.
« So are you coming or not? » He asked me one last time as he opened the window, a satchel of coins in his hand.
« What a question! Of course I'm coming! » I exclaimed before chasing Taren on his way. The goal was simple, get to the market, buy a few gifts and get back before Father returned. That should be largely doable for us.
______________________________________
A few minutes later, at the market in the underground city
I didn't think it was possible, but yes. We just had a fight and yet here we are walking down the street like we're best friends. In fact, I feel like I'm even closer to him than I was before.
« You know what would make Father and the others happy? » I asked him, not being used to giving gifts.
« Lots of things, cakes, new clothes, better blankets or even a new door. The orphanage isn't very well supplied so a lot of things could show them our gratitude as well as help them. »
I followed him through the market as I admired his initiative when it came to thinking of others. Maybe I should take inspiration from him to become a better person. After all, that's the only way I could become as strong as my mother.
« By the way Nora... » He called out to me as I was deep in thought.
« What's up? »
« I'm sorry about what I said earlier, I didn't mean it. Especially the part about your mother. » I was surprised by what he said. In fact, I had completely forgotten everything he had told me. I was blinded by my emotions and said things I didn't mean, so I guess it was the same with him.
« It's more like it's my turn to apologize. You took it upon yourself all those years because you knew I wouldn't listen to you in any case. And I couldn't even notice all the efforts you were making behind my back to give us a better life. I'm making a bad friend, aren't I? » I declared in a decadent and guilt-ridden tone.
« Let's not think about it, I'd rather see you full of energy than depressed. » He said, warming my heart once again.
It's reassuring to have such a good friend you can count on. I will try to take better care of him from now on instead of always getting him into dangerous stories. But now we have to think about making amends to all these people.
My gaze then turned to the sky. There wasn't much sunlight coming through the giant vents in the ceiling of this immense underground city. Yet the few rays of light that did reach us warmed our hearts, reminding us that outside this austere city of crime and misery lay a world just waiting to be explored.
I then noticed the giant elevator in the center of the city, which seemed to be in full operation. It linked the underground city to the surface, the upper city. It's a dream for any inhabitant to reach this place. Nevertheless, there's no need to worry, one day it'll be me in that elevator, and I'll finally be able to follow in my mother's footsteps.
Suddenly, the voice of a person talking who was passing a few meters from us reached our ears, freezing our blood on the spot.
« ... Apparently some kids from the orphanage attacked the Wolf group from the Lawless Zone, and they want to make examples of them in retaliation. »
These simple words were enough to bring up a scene in my head. I could already see Father and the others dying at the hands of a monster that I myself had provoked. They were going to die because of me, and I wouldn't even be there to help them.
« Nora... » I was panicking as I couldn't even see Taren in my field of vision. Only one thing was on my mind now, I had to go and help them... now!
Before I knew it, I was already running through the alleys at a pace far beyond what I could usually achieve. It was probably due to an adrenaline rush, it is often much higher in superhumans, at the risk of possible injuries. But I didn't care, only one thing mattered to me and that was to save my family, the only family I ever had.
Suddenly, an arm grabbed my neck, holding me back and making me stumble. It was Taren, restraining me with all his strength so that I could not stand up.
« Let me go! » I yelled at him.
« Calm down Nora, we'll never save them by running into the crowd. Please Nora don't make the same mistake again! » However, no matter what he said, I would not calm down. It's out of the question to just sit there and do nothing.
« You want to give them up is that it?! » I said without really understanding myself. At this point, I was just acting instinctively without really thinking about what I was saying. « I'm not going to stand by and do nothing while my family is being slaughtered! »
« I didn't say that! But if we go for it we'll get killed too, this isn't some little bandit we've set ourselves up against! It's a superhuman like us! So let me help you! » I began to calm down a little, as tears welled up in my eyes. As if the rage and panic had given way to fear and helplessness.
« So how are we going to do...? » I asked him in a desperate voice.
« It's simple, this time we'll plan our actions instead of improvising. »
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