(CHAPTER 30: TAVERN)
The two of us sit side by side at the bar.
It was still rea awkward, especially after she confessed to me.
I mean , it was my first time being confessed, I didn't wanted to push her away, but…
Thought messes my mind, the take another big gulp from the tiger beer in my hand. My face twitched, it sure as hell is bitter, but it calmed myself down.
I stare at her, who is just gently sipping the sweet root beer in her hand. She is wearing a more, girlish outfit. A black shirt, dark blue coat and silver shorts. At least she looks better, at least after I knew she was a girl. She caught me staring at me like a fucking creep, and turn around to the other side. I turn back at the half drank beer in front of me, my face reflected on it. The face of an asshole, sure as hell she is hurt. I take another deep sick, finishing the beer. My mind drifted back, back to this afternoon, just an hour ago…
"Tora, you got friends?" The moment she rang the bell of a shabby looking house at the back of an alley, an old woman opened it and greeted us. "Tora, that's your name?" I stare at her and asked, she refuse to answer. "Oh a boy too! And why are you naked, come in don't get cold." Indeed, I feel kind of cold without my clothes on.
"I take a bath." The moment we step into the house, Toby grab the towel hanging beside a chair and dashes away. I saw a drip of water escape her eye and on the ground, she must've been holding her emotions, shit I felt like Satan himself. "Get used to this girl, she is just always like that." Upon seeing her weird action, the old woman shook her head and laughed. "Come, have a seat." She pointed at one of the cranky old stool at the corner of the house. "I will get some tea."
I sat on the stool, staring at her humming in the kitchen that could barely squeeze her down. She is somewhere at her fifty's, silver hair, black eyes, plump, always blossoming with smile just like her daughter. Her dress was stitched by cut out fabric, and according to the look of their house, they must've come at a lower class family, just like all the other half breeds.
"Here is the tea~" She place down a rusty tray with three small cups of milky brown tea in it. I take a light sip, it is still pipping hot. Sweet, milky, creamy with a hint of bitterness, taste natural enough. "You like it?" She stare at me, I immediately gulp down the tea and nodded. "Thank you." "Thank you I should say." She smiled seeing me liking the beverage she brewed for me, but her expression immediately change. From happiness in pain as she let out a soft groan, holding the side of her torso. "Hey, you alright?" I asked, concerned.
"Yeah I am fine." She squeeze out a bitter laugh while reaching for her pocket and poured out some medicine. She swallow it down with the help of the tea before letting out a deep gasp, she seems better right now. "Cancer is a devil." She let out a smile towards me, I am dumbfounded. "She is a great daughter. Always working hard, while other girls of her age attend tea parties, she does all she could for money." She stare at the closed bathroom door, a distant sound of pouring water could be heard within. "I am such a failure of a mother."
"Refill boss!!" The scream pulled me back from the past, more and more person start trickling into the tavern since it is dawn right now. I turn around at her, she is already completely drunk, lying on the counter like a lump of jellyfish on land. Her face redder than the sun, I have no idea how much serving she had take for such a short time. Alcohol, what a weird thing. Bitter, spicy, numbing, but it makes you felt better, makes you drift away from the cruel bitch call reality.
"This is the money of her first hunt." I hand her back, alongside a pouch of money. "That's huge! How much?" The old woman seem to be shocked. "Half, a split. Three million." I stuff the pouch forcefully to her before placing Tora on the moulded bed. "Stay strong." I whisper to her, before walking out. Leaving the dumbfounded mother, and the fast asleep daughter. Looks like I am going empty handed again today, I let out a bitter laugh, mocking my sudden emphasise one someone that I just met days ago. I rub my hair in frustration, feeling just a little bit of remorse, but whatever there will always be next time.
"Knock, knock, knock…"
"Rey?" The door opened with a slight creak by Raven, but outside the room was a stone cold crow mask. She immediately tried to slam the door back, but he placed his leather boots between the gap, blocking the way. With slight force, he forcefully pushed open the wooden door, slamming it with a thud as Raven fell back to the floor. The rest of the girls heard the commotion and immediately approach.
In front of the hut, was a man in black coat, with a gigantic oversize black top hat, black gloves, black cane, black leather boots, carrying a black suitcase with black crows resting on his shoulder. He is wearing a silver crow mask , identical to Raven's. One look at that mask is able to scare the hell out of Raven, feels like poking a needle into the softest part of her heart. She never expected she would met him again, nor he would hunt her down till this day. The figure tipped his top hat and bowed as a greet. Under the mask, they could sense a malicious smile forming on his face,
"Hello step sis~"