Three months after the boulder monster incident
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Arlin was happy a routine that he loved was now normal. He remembered when he was first forced to guard a cave and how boring it was. Now he guarded the entrance to the town with pride—a funny twist, the more he thought about it.
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“Are you sure he’s here?” A voice from the crowd caught his attention, one he wasn't sure he ever heard before, yet when he looked, he knew the child well.
A young boy with a girl sister, maybe? She seems too shy for them to be dating; maybe they're just friends… As he pondered, they kept glancing around near the gate, just feet away from him, never really looking his way….
“I’m telling you he’s a shadow man, and he’s here !” He almost laughed out loud that rumor still was going around…. Or maybe it was true his gift did give him shadows, and he never really stopped it; even now it kept him warm from the cool air as he watched everyone else dressing for the coming cold. Even these kids looked bundled up…
“Why would a shadow man be here?” The girl asked, unsure.
“Don’t be dumb; he protects us from any monster coming here,“ the boy replied smugly, making Arlin feel a bit proud to be seen as someone famous.
“He’s not a monster? Why does he hide even from us?” That stung him a bit, and he was going to say something when the boy beat him to it, surprising him once more.
“How else is he going to stop bad guys and monsters if he doesn’t hide in shadows?” He wasn't sure what to say to that as he kept watching the kids look around.
“I don’t think he’s brave if he has to hide to fight monsters…” The girl was less impressed than the boy. He finally got tired of being a sideshow literally feet away from these two kids….
“You know I can hear you…” The terror in the girl’s eyes made him regret how he chose to address it, as that wasn’t his goal when he reached out to apologize and calm her. The boy startled him by jumping out in front of him.
“LEAVE HER ALONE!” He jerked back from the boy's voice and fierce look.
“Easy, kid.”
“I didn’t mean to scare her. I’ve just been guarding here….” I turn away, feigning indifference, hoping to break the tension. A few passersby saw the scene but knew it wasn’t too bad and left it at that since they knew he was the guard here.
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He glanced back, hoping they just ran off, but the girl stood frozen behind the boy, and he still stared him down as if he was looking for a fight… He was torn between laughing and pitying the kid at the absurdity but settled on pity.
“I’m not evil, I just guard here. I do like shadows; it’s part of my magic. Sorry I scared you.” The girl with tears in her eyes got a little braver hearing that.
“Ok,” she said but still just watched him as if waiting for something. The boy calmed a bit more, looking less hostile.
“Sorry, I wanted my sister to see you. I knew you worked here. I randomly see you… before you fade away…” That annoyed him; he never faded away; they just did not look.
“I can’t guard the people if everyone’s watching me, but I promise I’ll do what I can while I’m here.“
“Go on, shoo, I’m busy.” Feeling awkward, I tried to get them to leave, but the girl still refused to leave…
“Um… I have water magic, see?“ and made water flow in her hand. He wasn’t sure why she felt the need to show him, but he returned the favor by following shadows around him and his hand in a spiral before making them fade into wisps of smoke.
Both kids got excited, jumping up and down yelling, “AGAIN, AGAIN !” and dancing around him, freaking him out a bit, as this was a weird turn of events, so he shifted into a mist and pulled away from them, trying to get his bearings as they now both stared at him in awe.
“I told you, Kelly, he has real power.” She nodded in reply, both watching him in envy and pride. He always wanted acknowledgment, but from these kids it felt off….
“Uh… I can’t catch bad guys if you’re here, so… Please go away.” He felt off and was trying to reason with kids… But from fear to admiration, the kids now looked at him as if he was one of the few rare blessed, even though the girl was just showing off her power…. And still they did not leave…
“My power is air, but I hate my magic; the wind is boring…” The boy said, looking defeated, I did laugh at that, startling the boy and making the girl jump up and down, excited and wondering what made me so happy.
“I have a friend with wind magic—powerful stuff. He can hunt monsters with it.”
“NO WAY!” the boy said as the girl covered her face in shock.
“It’s true he works with the hunter guild better than me.”
“I needed his help hunting monsters. He does it every day; I just keep us safe here.”
“So he’s the real person protecting us?” The girl asked, stinging my pride.
“He… helping, yes, but he needs help too… It’s why I’m here.”
“Well, I and others, we need guards and hunters and others to make a town work.” He was losing himself in the thought of not really wanting to hunt monsters anymore and realized they never did any dungeons since that boulder monster incident; they just kind of drifted off…
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“Ok, thank you, shadow man,” the boy said, grabbing the girl’s hand to leave. She waved bye and added her farewell.
“By Shadowman, thank you for watching over us!” As they both ran away giggling and playing, he remembered more now that boy from before always looking for him and excited when he did find him. Guess he was making his own legend here in town…
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The day was dragging on, and he figured now would be a good time to eat and wondered if he brought any meat… He then remembered, belatedly, once more, he has not brought or made a meal in months….
Why does he keep forgetting that? Maybe his sister made it too easy, and he kept putting off being more personal and doing it himself…. He thought really it was being loved and having someone take care of him that meant a lot… He went to his favorite area; he always ate near a wall's edge, still with easy sightlines to the gate and where he tended to keep items he dropped off.
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He never cared to be in a guard tower too high for his taste, and others liked that view more…. He looked around, not seeing his pouch bag he kept for food. Odd? No one ever stole from here before. There was another guard on the far side of the gate, also keeping tabs. It allowed them both to randomly slack off, having another near…
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Since the town grew, the mayor has been employing more staff, which made him happy, as everyone should have it easy. He went up to the older guard with a potbelly but always kept watch and gave him time off, so it was with shame he did not want to confess he forgot his name…
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Jim? No… Jake?… Gods, no, Tom?… He was lost in thought… “It’s Paul, by the way,“ a voice spoke up near him.
“Paul! That's right, we drank a bottle the other night! He brewed,” I muttered out loud to the voice. I looked up, smiling. I remember till I noticed it was Paul that reminded me…
He was smiling back despite my souring face that I forgot. “ I wasn’t trying to be rude,“ I lamely said to the man who I even shared a drink with just the other night…
“Nonsense, boy, you’ve got things on your mind, I’m sure.”
“The fact you tried to show respect to me is enough.”
“So what is it? Kids stole your lunch or some such?” Paul asked why they were watching the random people flow into town.
“What?! Why do you say that?” I gasped, “Did those kids take my lunch?! Why would they do that?!” Paul laughed at my words.
“Boy, I was playing."
“You showed up empty-handed and smug-faced. I never saw you bring anything. Doesn't your sister always feed you?”
“At least that’s what you told me at the tavern…” he asked, nonplussed, and watched people indifferently, even scratching his belly with that same indifference…
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It did sound right. He'd gotten so used to his sister bringing him meals and dropping them off, he started to think he even did it himself… Which made him worried. He liked to be on a set schedule. It's why he loved this job; he knew what to expect… The worst he ever had to deal with was a random, rare daytime drunk, and that almost always resolved itself with them sleeping it off…
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He thanked Paul for the help and wandered back to his side, lost and unsure what to do. Was his sister safe? Did she get tired of feeding him? Guess I have to do it myself… He started sulking—no food and no love from his family… When a voice confused him, as he knew her well, it was his sister….
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“Sorry I’m late. I almost did not bring your lunch. I’m having lunch with Leena and the other girls. He smiled, happy she was there.
“Thanks, sis; this means a lot.” He started opening it to see what she brought and paused. Wait a minute… “Why are you hanging out with Leena? And why not invite me?“ He started getting heated about being left out! She just glared and spoke…
“Lunch. With. The. GIRLS.” She shouted the last bit to really drive home her point…
“I’m not deaf or stupid… But why not invite me? I’m friends with her more than you…” His sister looked offended at that, and he regretted his words but did not take them back. She sighed, breathing in and out slowly, used to his petty desires.
“Brother… I've been friends with Len for a while now, but since she trains, we never get much time, all of us… girls.” She clarified before I could speak, and she watched me, waiting for a retort. I wisely kept quiet….
Seeing I wasn't fighting her, she went on. "She told me plenty about Nina and Terra in gossip, but we never just hang out, and Teva will be there too. She loves her time with Wolf but wants more girlfriends and asked Nina if she could hang out with her and Len more.”
“So we all agree, why not make it a girls day, and we all can catch up?“
A girls' day? That's the stupidest thing I ever heard, and I stared at my sister to show just how I felt, yet she ignored me, skillfully turning away. "You're lucky I love you enough to want to keep feeding you…”
“Don’t bother trying to chase us; we don’t need you drooling on Len while we’re trying to talk.” He was offended but wasn’t sure how to retort as she left him stewing….
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He wanted to give chase, but his shift was only half over… Need to call in a favor. He ran up to Paul, who was within earshot, but remained calm as if he heard nothing… I wasn't sure. “PAUL BUDDY!“ I shout with joy as if greeting a lost friend. His half-grin told me he already knew my pitch long before I uttered the words….
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“What do you need, kid? Not able to find your meal? Need to leave? Look for it.” I was dumbfounded he gave me such a clear pass—no bribe. I wasn't sure of his angle and kind of froze up. He saw my face and laughed.
“You’re not the first kid who wanted to spy on girls…”
“Why do you think I became a guard?“ Paul said, full of mirth, making me question if I trusted him and he wasn't a pervert…. He saw my face and sobered up quick. “Don’t give me that look, kid. We all look. I’ve seen you do it plenty of times…”
True… I was literally trying to do the same thing I was judging him for. “Sorry, Paul, but it’s not, uh… spying. I need to make sure she’s not doing anything suspicious.”
“With the girls,” Paul replied casually, making me flinch, so he did hear.
“OK, OK… I want to stalk my sister and her friends. They did not invite me, and I want to know why…” A random girl passing by gasped at his words, and he felt embarrassed, casually saying that he forgot this was public and literally a gate people walked by…
Paul grunted and went back to staring at the people passing by. “You’re fine, kid. I trust you, and I don’t sense any evil wandering today. The gods are kind today; I can cover your shift.”
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He was tempted to debate Paul's view of the gods and if he really could sense evil, but his sister really was getting away; even casually walking, she was far away…. “Thanks, Paul, I owe you,” as I dashed away. Crap… I wanted him to owe me or consider it a debt paid, not the other way around…. Whatever this is more important as I stalk after my sister…
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She went to Wolf's shop first and wasn’t in there long. Inside, I saw Nina Wolf and Teva talking with the other Wolf girl who works there—I forget her name—Mary or something. Nice girl, but that’s off-topic…
No, the real deal was Teva kissing Wolf goodbye, lucky guy, while his sister Teva and Nina slowly left the shop. He was thankful he could hide in plain sight now, or they saw him many times already in the bright day…
But lucky for him, they seem to care more about pointless gossip than seeing if they're followed. He could not hear much…
“How have you been?”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzBgsy2CYW
“We need to do this more.“28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRWZMEKU38
“You look pretty.”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraGZsONsjP
“Bla bla bla,“ pointless jabber, nothing good…
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He followed them till the blacksmith area, and he stayed away from them. Terra seemed to have a sixth sense about finding him, and though she left him alone, he still would randomly see her, and she never lost the look of longing in those red eyes….
He waited nearby, getting bored when they finally did reappear. It was now a crowd of them… Nina, his sister Leena, Terra, and Teva—he kept his distance, unable to hear their talks, but they ended up at the stupid cake shop?! Why go there… The tavern serves good food and is a hundred times better… As they went inside, he was kind of lost as to where to go from there. He did not think this through…
Whatever I got friends to, I’ll have a guys' day to counter you, he thought, defying his sister’s stupid girl day… It had been a while since he spent time with Wolf or Coby… and felt bad. Well, they did not go out of their way for him either, so it was fair.
He went back to Wolf's Shop full of swagger. He knew Wolf would be happy to see him; they had just both been busy, so it was a great shock when the wolf girl walked up to him instead…
“Good afternoon, sir. How can I assist you?” She was pleasant and kind but very businesslike…
“Uh… I’m here to see Wolf…” He swore he felt déjà vu…. This happened a while back… Oh yeah… with Tommy… He was happy Wolf was able to nip it in the bud but not that he had been forgotten so easily… She saw his mood shift and showed concern.
“Yes… I recall meeting you. Sorry, I forget your name, dear.” He wanted to be mad, but he forgot her too…
“It’s Arlin.” She perked up at that, surprising him.
“Your sister is Ziala, no? I just heard her mentioning you.” That surprised him. How would she know it was him?
“How do you know it’s me?“
“Your brooding, dear, and your shadows.”
“She mentioned she dropped off your lunch, and you upset the girl who was having a day out.” She looked at him, more curious. “Is that why you’re here? Upset stomach?" He grimaced, not wanting to talk to her, and before he could act more pissy, a voice broke his thought.
“Arlin?” It was Wolf. Looking surprised to see him
“Wow, we were just talking about you. What a surprise! How have you been?” He was conflicted. Wolf had been friendly, and he was wondering what they said… but decided to drop it in favor of his original plan. He watched the wolf girl bow respectfully and leave, giving them space, and he felt bad remembering the last time she showed him respect too….
“I, uh… wanted a guys day out…” He felt lame saying it out loud and Wolf tilted his head, unsure he heard right, before speaking.
“Odd timing when the girl plans the same…”
“Though I’m not against it, you and I won’t have much of a guy’s day. I can ask if Ben's okay working alone in the back. Viper got the day off." I nodded slowly, not sure who they were. He might have told me before, but I forgot… bad habit now that I think about it.
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The Wolf Girl Misty I heard Wolf say her name was Ok, running the shop, and Ben Catkin was fine with supplies. I know I never saw him before… Wolf asked if we could stop by Hunter Place, where Coby, his brother, works, and see if he could tag along. I did not object. I like Coby to a point… and it would not be much to brag about with only one guy vs. those five girls having a day out…
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The trip there was an easy affair. Wolf told me mostly how the shop got so much better with his new staff, and he's been enjoying life. I wanted to brag a bit myself, but we were near the counter, and Coby was indeed in the back with his dad overseeing training for new staff for key things to do in hunts, but when he heard about Wolf visiting him, he rushed to join the club.
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The three of us went to the inn, which was full of music and cheer. The big bear was extra happy today for some reason. As we went and found a table, I noticed he saw Wolf and went to the back and somehow shrunk!? No…
He has a son!? The little bear… Well, tall, but skinny Bear came to talk to us, confusing me till he spoke… ”Wolf, sir, happy you finally stopped by. I got some new stuff for you to try you interested?”
“On the house, of course. Can’t charge our hero!” hero? Wolf? Since when… I fought plenty of monsters and never got called a hero….
“Thanks, Ty. Your spices still sell at my shop. I feel bad. I don’t mind sharing if you need anything.” Wolf asked hopefully. Ty just waved him off.
“Nonsense, you gave me plenty, and me and Da are happy, especially if you try our new food!”
“Hint, hint,” he said, full of mirth. Wolf laughed.
“Ok, you sold me. Surprise me.“ He looked conflicted, then looked at me and Coby. “ I can't speak for my brother and friend, though?”
“I’m ok with anything.“ Coby said passively, “ I really wanted something good… and not some random new dish he just made up.
“Uh… same… thanks.” Not sure how to say how I really felt, so I agreed…
“OK~ I’ll be back with good stuff, a feast for a hero and his friends!”
A lovely new server girl took our drink order and was beaming a smile. I tried to return my best smile for her, but it seemed she cared more about Coby or even Wolf until he mostly ignored her… So she focused solely on trying to catch Coby's attention, and I got mild satisfaction watching her get ignored like she ignored me…
Settled with drinks, a nice blend, I got an alcoholic one with a nice kick, but Wolf and Coby settled for a more lame standard drink. While we waited for food, I decided to catch up.
“Well, Coby, are you going to say why you never visit? You know I’m on guard duty most days; it’s not hard to drop by.” I figure a little poking between friends would open talks more. Coby grimaced.
“Yeah, Dad, keep me on lockdown with stupid training and meetings…”
“I barely even get time to hunt; even then, he wants me to oversee things less hands-on and won’t even let me use my tracking…” Wolf looked saddened for him, and I was surprised. I knew how much hunting meant to him, and this was definitely caging a bird that wanted to be free…
“What about you, Arlin? I don’t mind you never visiting, but how has life been for you?” He blushed, unsure why getting noticed made him feel this way…
“Well, you know…”
“I love guard duty meeting the people…”
“Kids are even making legends about me,” I boasted a bit before hearing Wolf laugh.
“No way, kids, really? What do they say?”
“Uh… I’m a Shadowman who, uh… guards the town from the shadows…” It sounded much more lame now that he repeated it.
Wolf laughed, and Coby smiled. “Well, at least they respect you, so that’s good.” Coby said coolly, and I refused to add they admired him too…
Wanting a shift off of me “So how do you know Ty? The innkeeper's son? Why is he calling you hero…?” That still stung and annoyed me. Wolf looked embarrassed but spoke clearly…
“Ty, or Tyler, is his name, worked for me a bit, made some spices, and wanted to work back with his dad. I try to stop by occasionally, but I like Teva’s cooking; she spoils me,” he smiled as he said that.
“I bet,“ Coby said, nudging Wolf, and they got into friendly banter, bickering, making me feel left out…
Before it got awkward, or more so… The food came, and true to his word, it was a feast by the gods… How much does this kid think we could eat, and it all smells good!
There were steaks, burgers, chicken wraps, sausages, and more…
“Uh… Ty, this looks amazing, but this is too much.” Wolf said it carefully, which got a bark laugh from Tyler.
“Nonsense, anything less for you would be an insult. Enjoy eating what you can. Let me know if I can improve more,” and he left…. The kid made this?
He tasted a bite from a chicken wrap, and it was divine! The meat seasoning put his sister's cooking to shame! He grabbed a slab of a steak to try, while Wolf and Coby also got random bits to enjoy. Even that steak had a flavor he never had before! How was everything so good?
“What are these spices?” I had to know…. Wolf finished his bite.
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“But old stuff he left me to make still sells out easily at the shop even though it’s easy to make,“ Wolf finishes saying before going back for more food…
“And when were you going to tell me?” I was annoyed I was missing out on better-tasting food.
“You never stop by?” Wolf said, plainly slapping me a bit, Remember, it has been a while…
“That’s why you should get some for me! Got to take care of your people!” I tried playing victim.
“I was there for you with the herb, remember!” I was just trying to change the narrative to feel less bad for never visiting, but it seems I was making Wolf lose his appetite, not my goal…
“Relax, Wolf. and I’ve been busy. We’ll hang out more later, I’m sure.“ Coby casually said between bites…
“Yea, uh… Sorry, kid, just my sister cooking a little bland. I got jealous…” I tried settling the mood, and Wolf beamed a smile, surprising me.
“Why do you think I stay home for Teva cooking? She's been spoiling me with these spices!” I laughed at Wolf's words, happy he was in a good mood, and the visit` remained pleasant after that.
It was nice catching up with the boys. We let Tyler know his cooking was top-tier and asked how he had been before we called it a day. He was happy cooking with his dad. I personally never knew the story. I guess everyone's got one?
I was wondering how Len was doing… I tried asking Wolf or even Coby, but both share the same line: “Dunno?” How do they not know what's happening in their sister's life?
Not that he was much better, she was his friend and even came a few times in the past to see him. He wondered why she stopped. He also wondered why he never cared. That scared him a bit, how easily everyone just went about their lives, living and doing their own thing... As they were walking home, he decided to try to address that while Wolf and Coby were still there.
Both looked happy living in the moment, full of good food and drink. He was mildly buzzed from his drink but still sober overall. “Hey, kid?”
“Not kid Arlin, how old do you think I am? You keep saying that,” Wolf replied with a smirk. He never thought about it? He still had that baby face and just felt like a younger brother, you know, like a kid…
“Sorry, uh… Wolf: “ I got quiet, losing the nerve I found.
“Well, are you going to say what it is or do you want me to guess?” Wolf replied causally even Coby seemed mildly interested, surprising him…
“Where… friends, right?” Not feeling so boastful now that Wolf hated his nickname he gave him…. Though he guessed kid wasn't really a nickname anyone would like, even though he heard it from older adults, he never cared.
“Never knew that was an issue?” Wolf asked, confused. Even Coby seemed to misunderstand his point….
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“I mean, if we’re friends, we should be hanging out more, no?”
“It seems like we’re all drifting apart and nobody cares…”
“Aha,” Wolf said as if it all made sense. Even Coby looked at him with pity, annoying him… as if he was the kid…. “Well, Coby and I agreed long ago that no matter what, we’ll be brothers, so I just assumed you felt the same with us being friends.”
“I mean, you literally dove into a dungeon to help my family and even helped train with my sister. We can’t get much closer than that,“ he replied casually, embarrassing me hearing it said like that.
“I always thought we were friends,“ Coby added passively, as if it was enough, and he guessed it was. It seems everyone can live their life and still be ok.
“Thanks, Ki– WOLF.”
“Sorry, Wolf, thanks to both of you. I just felt we were drifting apart and wanted to know how you both felt…”
“I mean we were supposed to run more dungeons, and nothing came of that…” I wanted to add I no longer wanted to do them but kept quiet.
“Len has been talking to me between training.“ Coby said coolly, surprising me.
“What, since when?” She never saw me…. He looked over at me, confused.
“Maybe once a week and, uh… for a while? Depends on who's busy; we try to make time.” That stung to hear they made time…
“Oh yeah, Nina did mention something to me too. I told her I was fine, so I don’t recall much beyond that…” Wolf chimes in…. Was I the only one out of the loop? Why does his sister say nothing to him…?
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When he gave it more thought, he kind of blew her off… He needs to improve that…
He thanked Wolf and Coby for their time and headed home. His sister was still out, but he visited his mom for a bit, feeling he neglected her too. She was happy hearing about his adventure and was looking forward to him becoming a guard captain, making him blush. Why would they need a captain of guards, much less him?
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He spent some time in his room when he finally heard his sister come home. She was surprised when he shifted to the shadows, stopping her in the hall. “Brother? Why are you here?”28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fLYPQEU6z
“I live here?” unsure what she was saying?
“No… Why are you here blocking me? You could have asked, and I would have met you…”
“Is everything ok?” She showed concern as he never bothered trying to reach her beyond asking for food or asking about girls… She bet it was for both now…. “ I don’t have any leftovers, and it’s just been sweet anyway.”
“What? No…” He was trying to get focus…
“I just wanted to talk…”
“Really?” Her tail wagged, surprising him.
‘Yea? Why wouldn’t I want to see my sister and talk…” Her tail immediately stopped, and her ear went flat.
“What’s the catch….” She wanted to know his angle, and he could not help but smile.
“That’s why I love you, sis—always ready to stop a con.“
“Maybe you should be the captain of the guard.”
“Funny…” She did not look happy and was about to walk by him regardless, which hurt him. He really did just want to talk… So he tried a new angle, one of trust.
“I hung out with the guys today. I was jealous…” She stops watching him.
“And?”
“I uh… I learn we weren't close to the guys or us as a family…”
“So I wanted to fix that,”
“They put you up to this?” She still was looking for the con…
“What? No…. Give me a little credit. Am I really that bad?”
“Bad ? No.”
“Self-absorbed and only care when you need something? Yes.” He had no way to refute that…
“You’re right, it’s why… I wanted to talk and be a better brother and friend.” She tilted her head and sighed.
“Ok, I do miss you and rock … You know he never writes…"
“Really? I swear you write to him like once a week,” he replied, shocked for her.
“You noticed ?” She smiled, tail wagging again.
“Of course I was jealous he was getting more attention!”
“Hah, you would be even when I’m feeding you every night!” She replied, Feel better, which reminded him…
He told her about the spices, choosing his words carefully not to spoil the mood. He listened to her day, her fear, her life… It's strange how much each of them could say how close they were yet so far away.
He promised her he would make more time for her; he did not want to lose the family he had. Before he went to bed, he took the time to write. A letter to Rock, knowing all this time even he ignored Rock, yet cried he wanted people to remember him…
Hey Rock, this is Arlin.
I talk to Ziala, well, duh, but that's not the point. How have you been? I heard she keeps writing you, and you never respond you okay? Sorry I never write; life has been busy.
I am a guard now, yeah, a big change from a street rat. I have a lot of friends; I hope you do too. You are always welcome here. I still love you as family; sorry I never show it. Thanks for giving me a chance even as a boss.
I dunno what to write never done it before, but I do miss you at least a little. Sorry if that's mean, but I've learned we all are living the best we can. You can ignore me, but don’t ignore your sister; she needs her brother, both of them, ok?
28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t3VAk4Nup
Hopefully he doesn't mention that I asked him to write to Ziala. If he does respond, she needs support more than me, and she's been through more, even if I like to make it all about me…
It was getting late, and I knew change was coming; I just did not know how big.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERndcP554B
