First step

I took two steps back, looking at the crying girl in front of me.

Should I help her? For a normal person, the obvious answer is yes.

Yet, I felt indifferent. What would this bring me? What if this was just a chance for fate to toy with me more?

But even if I thought so, the original Marik's memories were there; that part of me didn't want to leave this girl like this. I didn't want to see James suffer.

Maybe this is how others felt; it's too emotional, but it's also human. Being human is not wrong; if someone wanted to be kind, they should, and if they wanted to be evil, they should.

So what does the new Marik want?

I wanted to make my own choice, maybe not to think about it much. So I took off the apron I was wearing and went over to the counter, looking at Violet. "Lead me to him!"

Violet nodded, tears still coming out of her eyes. They walked outside the bakery. I flipped the sign to say closed, and I locked the door to make sure nobody would get inside.

Following the girl, I saw a surreal scene.

Inside the alleyway, a man was beating up James, who was leaning against the wall defenseless.

People saw and heard a man being tortured, yet they continued walking like it had nothing to do with them.

I clenched my teeth and sprinted to the man. Marik's body wasn't particularly strong, but I knew the consequences of my actions. There's no going back from this moment.

My fist connected with the man's jaw, which made the sound of a crack. The man's head snapped, making him turn around to the person who attacked him.

By the time the man looked at the person who punched him, I hit him again with my right.

The man grunted and used his legs to push me away.

Falling back, I tried to keep my balance, but the man put me down and started punching me in the face.

The fists quickened as the man screamed.

"You little brat! How dare you attack me like that!"

I grunted as I tried to protect my face with my hands. Yet it was of no use; the man continued to take his anger out on me until he was done.

The world felt blurry, colors mixed in one as I struggled to keep breathing.

The man got up, took a handkerchief from his pocket, and started cleaning his fists. "You are that kid in Dorothea's bakery? You will regret your actions!" Saying so, he walked away from the dark alleyway.

I looked at the gray sky. My face was probably a mess, but I didn't care.

To me, pain was merely a physical sensation. I was happy that I did what I chose instead of being a coward like the rest. For was it not a normal thing for humans to be kind? Maybe not, but if I weren't sick, I would've chosen to be kind.

James came into my view. He took my hand and held me up as I stood. I saw James's face.

He couldn't keep eye contact with me, but no words were spoken between us. Violet, realizing that the fighting was over, ran to the alleyway, her eyes red.

"Papa! Papa!" She hugged James tightly, tears not stopping.

James smiled as he put his hand on her head. "There, there, you're a strong girl."

He then turned to me, "... " The expression on his face was complicated. "Marik, I am so sorry. Please forgive me."

Looking at the middle-aged man, I didn't know what to say. Why was he asking for forgiveness? Is it because the man was beating him up? Yet, to me, it was my choice, and then I realized.

When someone is being kind to someone, usually, people expect something for that kindness. It's a normal trade; it was a law.

I shook my head. "Don't worry about it; you should go home and rest."

I didn't want to ask him about the man or what happened since it might be personal, but James couldn't help but look down and say, "He's a part of a gang that roams around this part of the city... They know who you are, so they might come to you and threaten you. You shouldn't have helped me..."

A painful look was on the man's face. My eyes opened, but then I suddenly let out a small laugh that nobody noticed.

"My consequences are my own; don't guilt yourself, James," I said.

"No, it's not like that. The man probably saw Violet and you. Soon they will come after me, so I will have to leave this city for my own sake. But for you, you have a person you have to protect. They will take everything." James's fists clenched so hard that his hands became red. "I didn't want to fight back, hoping they would leave me alone, but I am sorry. They will drag you into this while I run away."

I looked at the man in front of me with pity. Looking him in the eyes, I opened my mouth. "Then, escape."

Then we parted ways, and I returned to the dark bakery. I saw that the room in the back was lit up by a candle. Dorothea was still awake.

Walking inside the room, I saw Dorothea holding a few coins in her hand. Then her head moved to my position.

She couldn't see my face, but she spoke with a cheerful voice, "Marik, tomorrow is your birthday. Early in the morning, I want you to go to the marketplace and buy us some ingredients to make a small feast."

"..." I looked at Dorothea's smiling face. I felt guilty; I wasn't the person she had taken care of all those years. While I have Marik's memories, my personality and character couldn't be more different.

"Marik?" Dorothea repeated.

But I didn't want this old lady to feel that pain again; she probably lost people in her long life. But this is too cruel; I wasn't cruel, I wanted to be kind. While a lie is still a sin, my reason was carved by myself.

"Thank you very much, Ms. Dorothea. I will make sure to get up early tomorrow." I said as I took the coins Dorothea gave me.

Nerton, 1873. Nerton's Main Market.

Walking through the bustling market, I held a few bags in my hands. The sky here was a constant grey.

It rarely snowed during the day, but it fell heavily at night, covering the ground.

Nerton was near the sea, so people came in and out of the docks, which made fish really cheap. So I made sure to get those and save money. If we had a bad day in the bakery, we would keep eating bread for a while, which was unpleasant.

I saw a crowd forming near the open fountain of the market. Moving slowly, I got inside, curious about what they were watching.

As I neared the center of the crowd, I heard a beautiful melody played on what sounded like the lute.

Looking in front, there was a fountain, and on the edge stood a girl who looked shorter than I.

She was wearing a gothic black dress that complemented her long, bronze hair. With an abnormally pointed hat, she continued to play the instrument.

Everyone was enchanted by her playing; a sense of calmness spread around everyone.

However, then a guard with iron armor came in storming, "You don't have permission to play here! Who are you?"

He went in trying to talk to the woman. She then smiled and looked up, revealing her light red eyes.

"A—A vampire!" The guard pointed his sword at her.

Then the crowd started to panic, running around. However, I stood there looking at her as she moved at an abnormal speed, dodging the guard's attacks. It felt fascinating; however, for a second, I felt that her eyes met mine. So I decided to leave for my own good.

I didn't want to get myself into this, so I just took the path back to the bakery.

Who knew that vampires were real? I guess this world really is unique. Thinking back to that girl, she was abnormally beautiful. I guess that makes sense now.

Listening to the carriage and people walking on the sidewalk, I started to think. I need a way to get rid of the issue with that gang.

Asking the guards was out of the question since they were too expensive for the middle class, especially if it was against a whole gang.

Thinking this, I couldn't help but laugh. I guess Marik's memories really did affect me; I was starting to think about saving Dorothea even when, in reality, I don't care.

I will have to go to them and beg for mercy; otherwise, they will do something to her and the bakery.