"What are you doing here?" I ask him in a weaker voice than I intended. That's probably the price I have to pay for hardly saying a word for so long.  

The child flinches in fright and bangs his head against the trunk as he looks up abruptly. Pain flashes across his face for a moment, but then it seems to be forgotten. The shock has probably flooded him with adrenaline so much that he doesn't really feel it.

"Who-who are you?" he manages to say in a squeaky voice.

Ugh. I hate talking to people. I asked a question first, didn't I? Besides, I honestly don't know what to say to him. I am who I am. I am my sister's sister, and I escaped from the Organization. All I've ever known is how to kill. What else is there to say?

"What are you doing here?" I ask him again.

"I'm lost."

Surprisingly, he doesn't seem too bothered that I didn't answer his question, which makes the situation easier for both of us. At the same time, it suggests that he's not part of the Organization. However, that doesn't mean he's not a potential danger.

"Lost? That means there's a settlement nearby. A village or a town?" I try to find out more about him, even if I have to strain my voice to do so.

"Yes, I live in a small town nearby. Will you help me get home?"

Since he still can't control his sobbing, it's really hard to understand him sometimes.

"Tsk," I click my tongue.

"What's wrong?"

Frightened, he makes himself even smaller in front of me.

"I was just hoping you could take me there. I don't even know where we are. You could say I'm lost too," I reply.

"You're lost too?"

Didn't I just say that? Exasperated, I nod in confirmation.

"At-at least we're not alone now. And Mom and Dad will definitely come looking for me, and then they'll take us back home. I'll look after you in the meantime. Mom and Dad always told me to help others and be strong for them."

I stare at the boy in amazement. His sobbing has mostly subsided, and as if defying all the difficulties in the world, he returns my gaze. Admittedly, he doesn't look quite as heroic as he's trying to be, with snot running from his nose and traces of tears still clearly visible on his cheeks. Not to mention his reddened eyes. And yet he's trying to be strong for me? At least he seems to have some potential. Wait, potential for what? As an assassin? As a living weapon? As a member of the Organization? No, no, that's not it. But those who are weak are at the mercy of the strong. Just like we were all at the mercy of the adults in the Organization. And even in the wilderness, you're lost if you don't know how to defend yourself against monsters and aggressive animals. Or at least if you don’t know how to avoid them.

"You protect me? I doubt it."

But if his parents are looking for him, I'll sense it when they're nearby.

Parents. Mom, Dad. Words I've only heard during the last breaths of my victims and that I've never actually uttered myself.

"No! I'll definitely protect you!" he says, puffing out his cheeks. Whatever that facial expression is supposed to mean. 

"Stay here," I tell him, and quickly climb a tree in an attempt to get a better view of the surroundings and maybe spot someone. However, the vegetation is too dense, and even with my magically enhanced senses, I can't hear any sounds that would indicate anyone searching for us.

How the hell did a child get so deep into this forest? And obviously, a child who is not capable of surviving in this wilderness. I can't help but shake my head. Maybe I should just leave the boy here alone and look for the city or the searchers myself. That would probably be faster. For a few moments, I actually consider the idea, but then decide against it. After all, I would have to make sure that the boy was never found or that he would no longer be able to say a word about me leaving him alone in the forest. Otherwise, the town community would quickly exclude me as soon as they discovered the truth. Besides, I would be no better than I was during my time with the Organization. I would be responsible for leaving a child alone and certain to die.

I let myself fall from the tree and, with the help of my technique and magic, cushion my landing and land on all fours right in front of the boy, who, of course, has not followed my instructions and instead is staring at me in fascination.

"Wow!"

Apparently, he can't say anything more intelligent than that. Not that I would expect much from him. I'm sure he won't be of any help to me. He doesn't know where we are, and he doesn't look like he could help me find food or anything else. He's basically just a burden I have to deal with.

"Are you hungry or thirsty?" I ask him.

"No, no, I'm fine," he replies.

"Don't lie to me! I really don't want you to collapse and me having to carry you!" I hiss at him.

Frightened, he flinches and stumbles back a few steps.

"I-I’m sorry. I didn't mean to be a burden."

"You already are, but if you can't walk, you'll be even more of a burden. And I can't stand being lied to!"

I've heard so many lies. Lies that my targets uttered to save their lives. Lies from other children in the Organization who hoped to gain advantages from being close to my sister and me. And, of course, the lies from the Organization itself. The lies that are the basis for my sister and me having to suffer our whole lives. I've truly had enough of them.

"So?"

"I'm thirsty... and hungry too. But it's bearable at the moment because I divided my provisions well and only ate the last bit a few hours ago."

Provisions? He must have gone into the forest on purpose, knowing he would be staying a while. And he's not a complete idiot, at least he had the presence of mind not to use up all his supplies in a panic. Maybe I've been a little too hard on him. Whatever. It doesn't matter.