22 Debt

"No one," Beth replied without turning around.

She quickly removed the bracelet from her hand and slid it back into the rolled futon. Turning around, she sat on the floor, leaning against the cushion. She put a blank face on, afraid that if she even tried to smile, the girl in front of her would know that she was lying. Fifty-eight cocked her head to the side in confusion.

"Do you look different somehow?" She asked, opening the door wider to let the sunlight in.

With no windows or ventilation, the door was the only source of light and air. But since it had holes on its surface, the light would seep in through them. Usually, it was enough for her to see during the day. Beth shielded her eyes from the sudden push of light into the room. It helped hide the nervousness on her face.

Though the system had told her that all the data about her would be reconfigured, he hadn't told her that it would change her appearance in people's memories. If that was so, then she was in a lot of trouble. Damn the system and its slow pace of leveling up, she thought, licking her lips nervously.

"Different? I don't know what you're talking about." She said, trying to appear as calm as possible.

"Are you taller?" Fifty-eight asked, blinking at her cluelessly.

Beth huffed. "I was always this tall, Fifty-eight." She said, putting down her hand to give a stern look to the girl.

She didn't want the conversation to continue any longer.

"I can't figure out what it is," Fifty-eight said, putting a finger to her chin.

"I don't think it's any of your business," Beth replied, narrowing her eyes at her.

Fifty-eight was taken aback by her tone. Her lips bulged in a pout as she sniffled, on the edge of tears. For a ten-year-old, the girl was quite chubby. Though she looked like a doll on normals days, on a hot day like this, Fifty looked like a walking candy cane- red all over with a dirty white dress. The poor thing must have run all the way to her room. She was still panting from it. Beth sighed, feeling guilty for being rude to her. The girl was her only acquaintance in this hell.

"Just tell me what you're here for." She said finally, waving the girl forward.

Fifty-eigh broke into a smile. Closing the door behind her, she scurried over to where Beth was sitting. The room immediately became darker, making Beth feel at ease once again. With what little light entered the room, her acquaintance looked around for a spot to sit. Finding a good place, she smiled, ready to sit down. But she looked doubtful.

"Ahh, can I sit?" She asked, looking at Beth with huge hesitant eyes.

Beth nodded. "Go ahead." She said, pulling her legs towards her chest.

Fifty-eight plopped down on the floor happily. She leaned against the worn-out cupboard, making its legs squeak. Beth raised her brows, pushing the girl to speak up.

"Can you keep a secret?" Fifty-eight asked, leaning close to her face.

"Sure. What is it?" Beth asked with a shrug.

Fifty-eight scratched her head nervously.

"I knew about the tree before." She said, lowering her voice.

"What?!" Beth exclaimed in shock.

Her heartbeat skyrocketed in fear. Did the girl come to her room to blackmail her? Had she seen her plant the seeds? Did she tell anyone else about it? What if that was how One knew about it, overhearing the conversation of the slaves. If there wasn't any proof of her planting the tree before, the minor gods now had a witness.

"Shh. Keep your voice low." Fifty-eight said, putting a finger to her lips. Taking a deep breath, the girl continued, "I found the sapling yesterday and had watered it, thinking how dry it looked. I didn't know that it would grow into a tree so quickly!"

"You what?!" Beth exclaimed, hearing the statement.

Then did it mean that Fifty-eight hadn't seen her but had come to her room to make her own confession? Fifty-eight shushed her again, looking scared. Beth nodded, calming down. The situation was better than she had feared. But did it mean that the girl had helped her grow the tree unknowingly? That could very well put her life at risk. She leaned forward, grabbing the girl by her hand.

"Did someone see you?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I'm not sure, but I think not," Fifty-eight answered meekly.

"What do you mean you're not sure?!" Beth shouted, irritated by the girl's carelessness.

Not that it would affect her in the slightest way possible, but she now felt a sense of responsibility towards the girl since it was because of her that she could finish the task so easily. Fifty-eight pulled her hand fearfully.

"Twenty-three, please. Keep your voice down. What if someone hears you?" She asked, her eyes wide with fear.

Beth gritted her teeth. It seemed like the girl didn't know the depth of the consequences. It was fine if Beth were to be punished. She would somehow find a way out of it with the help of the system. But how was Fifty-eight going to weather the turbulent storm?

"Damn it, Fifty-eight," She swore, pulling the girl close. "You could be in trouble."

"Why? Do you think they know?" Fifty-eight asked nervously.

It could very well be assumed, that they knew already. When she had overheard One telling the other minor gods that she had an idea who the culprit was, she had naturally assumed that it was her that the woman was referring to. Now that this event came to light, she wasn't sure which among the two of them was it that One was referring to.

Either way, she was going to have a lot of planning to do to keep the both of them safe. But she had no experience in caring for others. Fifty-eight's situation was now a bother to her- a debt that the girl had unconsciously given her, which now had to be repaid.