«¿Fire?»

Her eyes lit up and a huge smile appeared on her face. She covered her mouth with her hands and tears began to fall down her reddish cheeks. I was surprised and worried at the same time. I'm not good with people who cry, and I'm afraid her family will kill me or torture me for making her cry.

—M-ma'am, are you okay, why are you crying?

–¡Honey! What's wrong?—Her husband appeared at her side, hugged her and then looked at me furiously—¿What did you do to her?

I squeezed the cup in my hands and frantically shook my head.

–I-I'm sorry! I didn't do anything to her. I swear.

—Then why are you sorry?

—I-I don't know. I'm sorry— I apologized again without being able to stop what was coming out of my mouth.

-aIt's okay, honey.— The woman stopped her husband before he could yell at me again. 

She turned to look at me and looked at me in a way I couldn't decipher. 

—Never doubt yourself. Doing the right thing doesn't always seem to be the right thing. You will achieve great things, just trust.— She bowed her head in a bow— We are in your care. 

—P-please raise your head. Y-you have nothing to thank me for. 

She did as I asked and gave me a motherly look that reminded me of my own mother. 

—My name is Kumiko and this is my husband Ren. And about your question, dear, as Ren said, our security system is the reason they haven't entered. The walls are thick and we have men surrounding the entire house. 

—But...those things are strong. The system could collapse at any moment. 

—That's why we're leaving. 

—Leave, ¿where?- the siblings asked in unison. 

Their parents exchanged glances for a few seconds before Ren was the one who decided to speak. 

–The Korean government just made an announcement. They are sending the army but it will take a while for them to arrive so they asked the citizens that if they are on the outskirts of the city and have the opportunity, we should go to Daejeon. Apparently they will make a shelter there for us. 

–Ask the citizens to risk their lives?-- Yuriko frowned in disagreement— Has the president gone crazy? 

— If we stay still we will die anyway, and he knows it. That is why the only thing he can do while the army arrives is ask us to escape in the hope that most of us survive.— Ren had a more somber expression than before, if that was even possible.—That way he will look like the good guy. 

—What stupidity. He doesn't even know how things are around here and yet dare to say that so lightly. It's impossible for us to escape from here easily. 

–Why is it impossible? — I asked bewildered, risking intruding on their conversation. 

When all eyes were on me, I had to make a great effort not to shrink and look away. Yuriko was the one who spoke. 

—We can stay in our area because here there are mostly only weak monsters. But both, in the downtown and on the outskirts of the city there are only monsters that are impossible to defeat by oneself. 

– It's as if they had planned a strategy to prevent us from escaping. – Ren supported his daughter, thinking about the possible fact that those things are smarter than they seem. 

The strength of my hands failed and my cup slipped from between my fingers. The sound of the ceramic breaking when hitting the ground was heard very far away. 

—Oh god! Darling, are you okay? — Kumiko asked as Yua came over to clean up my mess. 

— D-Downtown?

They looked at me in silence, confused by what my question could mean. Makoto was the first to understand. 

– Aisha, don't tell me that... Your brother is downtown? 

I turned to look at him and as soon as I did, unruly tears began to fall. Fear completely invaded me and my body jumped up, standing up. 

– I-I have to look for him. 

– Are you planning to face all those monsters alone? You couldn't fight the one who was chasing you, if it weren't for Mak you would have already died. 

«But I already killed one by myself»

— S-still, I have to go get him. What if he's in danger? I...

— Of course he is. 

— Ren! Don't tell her that— His wife looked at him angrily for having said something so insensitive.

— It's the truth. If you go there, not only will your brother be in danger, but you too. If my children had to save you, it's because you're weak. You won't last a second there.

I frowned and anger took over me, it even made me forget that the people in front of me were dangerous. 

–¿Are you telling me to let him die?

— If you want to survive, it's the only way. 

I held back his piercing gaze. I knew he wanted to intimidate me, but my anger was too great to notice. I felt upset and indignant that he even suggested letting my only family die just so I could live. 

I've always been good for nothing. If it weren't for Liam, I would have given up on my life a long time ago. I've only kept going for him. So what would I have left if I let him die? 

– I guess I'll have to die trying. 

He continued staring at me for what seemed like an eternity until suddenly his face twisted and from one second to the next he started laughing comfortably. I looked at him confused by the sudden change in attitude. 

– Honey, you didn't have to be so rough with her. — His wife sighed, embarrassed by what the redhead had just done. 

— I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Yuriko said you were a coward so I thought you would give up easily. You even stopped stuttering, huh. — He had a huge smile of amusement on his face that made me want to hit him, but I would never dare to do it. 

— ¿Was he just testing me? — I asked, still bewildered while my anger slowly decreased. 

— Even if it doesn't seem like it, we are loyal people. So we don't need as an ally someone who is capable of betraying or abandoning even his own family. 

–Am I... your ally? 

– Of course you are. My children decided to save you and bring you to our home. As a father I can do nothing but believe in their judgment. Besides, our little Yuri had never asked us for a favor. 

–Aww, yeah, it was so adorable to see how she asked us to help you find your brother.— Kumiko's eyes lit up with tenderness as she remembered her daughter's actions. 

—¡Mom, Dad!— Yuriko's face looked angry but that red tone did not help her hide the shame she felt. 

I looked at the redhead, stunned by what she had done for me, even though she showed hatred towards me she was willing to help me. Her entire family made fun of her for the noble act she had done despite acting as if she did not care. 

Again I felt a tightness in my chest when I saw that warm image and I was ashamed of myself for fearing such good people just because of their appearance. Suddenly the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" made real sense to me. 

—T-thank you,— I sobbed, unable to stop my voice from breaking. — Thank you so much.

I felt tears running down my cheeks, but unlike before, I didn't bother to wipe them away. I could probably never thank them enough for even having the intention of helping me despite the situation, nor could I return the favor, so at least I want them to see that I am deeply grateful to them. 

—We haven't done anything yet, you have nothing to thank us for, brat.— Yuroko crossed her arms and turned away, trying to recompose her tough girl posture. 

—E-Even so.

— Of course, I hope you understand that we can't take you directly there,— Ren said.— We'll help you as we can, but we can't risk our people."

I nodded slowly.

— I understand.

—Good.— He got up from the ground helping his wife to do the same.— We will all leave tomorrow morning. So get everything ready tonight. Okay? 

I wanted to ask how they would help me but I chose to bite my tongue and be patient. I just nodded silently along with the rest.

— ¿Why don't you relax a little and take a walk around the garden? Dinner will be ready soon.