Tearfull run

It was already deep into the night when the children were woken up, some still dozing as they stood, barely awake. I turned to the window, watching the snowflakes fall in gentle waves, their beauty gave me a calming feeling.

I inhaled slowly, then exhaled, readying myself for the challenge ahead.

One of the still sleepy girls asked, "What's going on?" Another child chimed in, "Where are we headed, sis?"

Trying to soothe their fears, I replied, "We're just taking a late-night stroll through the woods." Their suspicion filled the room. They started protesting, saying they didn't want to go.

Marx appeared and declared, "Everyone is going with Liria, no exceptions!" 

The housekeepers and Marx hugged each child goodbye. Some of the kids sensed something amiss. I hugged Marx as well, trying my best to conceal my tears.

His gentle voice comforted me, saying, "Don't cry, Liria. Everything will work out." He tightened the hug, holding me closer. "Goodbye...and good luck."

"I'll miss you," I murmured. "Farewell, father." Marx was taken aback by my words. His eyes welled up briefly before composing himself.

The children went ahead and slowly left through the back door. I looked back at my home; it might be the last time I will ever see it.

Our journey to the city of Dalico had started. We all headed to the forest, it was the best way to safely and sneakily travel through the thick layers of snow.

Tom’s face was full of worry, his breaths became quick and shallow. Damp clouds fogged up his glasses with each exhale. He was in a true state of panic.

I rested my hand on his head, gently ruffling his bushy orange hair. "It’s alright, Tom," I whispered softly.

“Maybe, we should just go back sis, I’m scared.” He proclaimed, still burdened with worry.

“Don’s say that, Tom.” I whispered, I didn’t want any of the kids to suspect anything. “Listen to me, okay? No matter what happens, do NOT give yourself in, alright?”

Tom looked down at the ground. He let out a long breath, hoping to calm himself.

“We’re in this together, don’t lose hope yet.” I added with a smile.

I had never left Salt Village before, my initial hopes for this journey were low. Still, I was determined to keep these kids safe, no matter what.

"Your job is done. You can all go home now and forget this ever happened" Marx announced to the housekeepers. However, thanks to their loyalty to the orphanage, they refused to leave.

 "We're not leaving, Mr. Marx!" Hera insisted, her loud voice echoed through the building. "We'll stand by you until the end!" Liz chimed in as well.

"Your job is done. You can all go home now and forget this ever happened" Marx announced to the housekeepers. However, thanks to their loyalty to the orphanage, they refused to leave.

"We're not leaving, Mr. Marx!" Hera insisted, her loud voice echoed through the building. "We'll stand by you until the end!" Liz chimed in as well.

Marx sat down for a moment, rubbing his hands all over his face in an effort to hold back his tears. The housekeepers’ pleas struck his heart deeply. After a brief pause, he sighed and spoke, "Do as you wish."

As the two masked assassins walked toward the orphanage, Tuesday let out a big yawn. She was quick to voice her frustration. "Why do two of us need to handle a simple orphanage case?" she said. "One of us could’ve taken care of it just fine."

"Two of us were assigned, so two of us will do the job. Stop complaining already." Thursday replied, annoyed with Tuesday.

"Of course I'm not complaining, I'm just confused. Is this kid really that dangerous?" Tuesday fired back immediately in an offended tone.

"We don’t know, just don’t let your guard down Tuesday." Thursday responded, voicing his cautiousness.

After their bickering back and forth, they finally reached their destination. Standing menacingly before the door, they exchanged a long, steady gaze. The tension was thick, and the seriousness between them was clear.

"While you search the rooms for the kid, I'll talk to the person in charge." Tuesday demanded.

"Why don't you search, and I'll talk?" Thursday asked, disappointedly.

"Forget it. You're terrible at that. Trust me, I’ll do the talking.” She swiftly countered.

Thursday rolled back his eyes "Whatever, make it quick"

Without any knocking, the two of them stormed in the building. “Well, well, it’s been a while since I’ve been around this region.” Tuesday stated amused. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, I assume you all already know who we are.”

Tuesday’s voice filled the room with fear. Her appearance wasn’t the only eerie part about her, she had a loud and spine-chilling voice.

Thursday got annoyed by her behaviour, but he slowly went upstairs to fulfil his task.

Marx took a hesitant step forward, struggling to maintain his composure and not let fear take over.

After a deep breath, he straightened up, standing tall before the enemy. “Good evening, I’m the owner of the place, mister Lime. You must be one of the Days, it’s hard to not know who you guys are nowadays.”

“Oh my, am I really that famous?” Tuesday asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Marx's expression grew more intense, his face filled with anger. “I’d say you’re more notorious than famous.” He replied in a serious tone.

Tuesday noticed the change in tone. “Notorious or famous, it doesn’t matter.” She shot back. She gazed intensely into his eyes. Marx quickly felt intimidated by her demeanour. “I just need people to know how dangerous I am.”

Marx was nervous but he still stood his ground. He was hoping to at least buy some time for Liria to get away.

“Tell me Mr. Lime, do you think I’m dangerous?” Tuesday asked, tilting her head sideways. Marx wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear his answer or if it was just her way to scare him.

Marx clenches his fists before replying. “I don’t know about dangerous, but you’re definitely annoying.” 

Tuesday burst into laughter, caught off guard by his answer. "You're funny," she said, trying to suppress her laugh.

“But enough playing around. Let’s skip the comedy and go straight to the good part.” Her entire tone changed; she was finally done with the small talk.

“Tell me Mr. Lime, if I remember correctly, this isn’t the first time we met right?” She asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. “Who was it again? Right! Cherry!”

Marx’ heart dropped when she spoke her name. “I heard she still goes by ‘Lime’ as her last name, that’s also your name, right?”

“So Cherry is still alive huh?” Marx interrupted, trying to get under Tuesday’s skin. “I almost feel bad for you guys; you’ve been chasing her for years and still haven’t caught her.”

Tuesday seemed unaffected by his provocations. “Yeah, she is one heck of a runner,” She leaned her face closer to Marx’. “But she shall never escape from me again.”

Her mask hid all her facial expressions, but Marx could still feel her piercing blue eyes locking onto him, like a predator sizing up its prey. He was unable to conceal his nervousness any longer and Tuesday began smelling his fear.

Tuesday kept staring him down. “So, who’s the naughty, little kid this time?” She asked. “I heard his name was Tom, Correct?”

Marx was left speechless by her, slowly nodding his head in silent confirmation of Tuesday’s question.

Tuesday let out a chuckle before pulling back, finally breaking her intense gaze on Marx. “Let’s move past the earlier pressure and just take this easy. We’re both adults.” She stated, her tone more relaxed now.

 “Just hand him over to us and we’ll be on our way. We’ll both forget this ever happened.” She added.

Marx slowly spoke up. “Tom ... he isn’t here.”

Tuesday quickly looked into his eyes. “Let me guess, you let Tom run away. The same thing you did with Cherry.”

She took a step towards Marx, getting in his face again. “I remember when you let Cherry escape. We gave you a warning back then.” She started raising her voice, she was clearly infuriated by Marx.

“Now you try to abuse my kindness!? I won’t leave this unpunished! Hand over Tom, now!” She grabbed Marx’ throat, lightly choking him.

The housekeepers stood there in fear and worry. Tuesday’s intensity left them all frozen in place.

Marx managed to speak up. “Tom is not here! You can check every room.”

Tuesday tightened her grip on his throat. “You’re making me seriously mad, old man!” She paused for a moment before releasing him.

“My partner is checking the rooms, and my men are searching all over the area.” She continued, her voice sounded more relaxed and confident. “He can’t run that far on his own.”

Marx collapsed to the ground, coughing and struggling to catch his breath. As he looked up at Tuesday, his eyes lit up by determination, he spoke. “I never said he was on his own.”

Thursday stormed into the room with panic. “They’re all gone! Every single child!”

Thursday’s word sent a shiver down her spine. She looked at Marx who was still laying on the ground, with a grin on his face.

In a fit of rage, Tuesday kicked Marx in the stomach. “You sneaky old bastard! You will get what you deserve!” She shouted.

Tuesday quickly turned towards Thursday. “You stay here! I’ll find the children and kill every single one of them until I get Tom!” She snarled, her voice dripping with fury.

“Stay here!?” Thursday fired back in defiance. “What do you want me to do here?”

Before leaving, she glanced around, her eyes locking with the housekeepers in a terrifying gaze. She then turned back to Thursday. With a frightening, almost demonic voice she yelled. “Do what you do best! SHOW THEM HELL!”

By this point, we had already entered the forest. A sense of unease settled in my chest, and I could feel the same from the children. I told them to quicken our pace.

They already knew by now that we weren’t just doing a late-night stroll. It was obvious we were running from something. 

Gin, one of the older kids raised his concern and expressed his suspicion. “Please Gin, just trust me on this. We’ll be fine.” I reassured him with a smile.

“Where are we headed, sis? He responded in a confused tone.

I paused for a moment, looking at the kids. They all stared at me, awaiting my answer. "Dalico, we’re going to Dalico."

Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, narrowly missing the children. Armed men wearing white military uniforms appeared, surrounding us. “DON’T MOVE!” They warned.

Despair washed over me; I felt my heart stop for a moment. All the kids were frozen by fear. It was all over.

“Hand over Tom Lime, now!” One of the soldiers demanded.

The kids began to huddle together. "Sis, I’m scared." one of them whispered.

So was I. Terrified by the sight before me. I could only pretend to keep a straight face, but I trembled in fear. I held the children closed and

The kids began panicking, I was too scared to calm them. I need to keep myself together. I thought to myself.

As more and more soldiers surrounded us, I realized that our situation was hopeless. Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, Tuesday appeared, walking menacingly towards us.

She gave off a demonic vibe, every step she took felt like a step closer to death.

“HEY LITTLE KIDS!” She said happily as she stood un front of us. “Your little game of tag is officially over.”