Chapter twenty two: getting the painting

Darius had no choice but to unleash the power given to him by his father. He blasted off the red soldier causing him to crash through walls. As the soldier struggled to stand up, Darius landed a killer punch on him. And with that he defeated the red soldier . He quickly went to find Angela before another red soldier get to her. Angela on the other hand, just kept running blindly, until she fell down hard on the ground. She tried to get up but fell back again. She tried to get up again , and she felt strong hands carrying her. She tried to struggle out of his arms but stopped when she that the arms belong to Darius. "Are you okay?" He asked her as he carried her. She hugged him tight and sobbed into his shoulder. Darius patted her back to console her, while trying to find a shelter for them. He finally found a small house with opened windows. He jumped through the window and brought out his lighter to light a small lamp he found on a table. He lighted the lamp and closed the windows. All this while, Angela was still crying. "Hey why are you crying? I am alright " he consoled her. "I.. l thought l lost y..you for good too... Just like mum and dad... Just like st..stanley " she cried. " But you didn't lose me ,and you will never lose me, l promise" he assured her. But she kept crying, she didn't cry out when her parents never came back , and shed a little tears when stanley died. But now she is crying out all her unshedded tears. She cried to sleep . Darius laid her on a mattress he found inside the house , and sat beside her, watching her as she slept peacefully.

Later, after the sky cleared , it started to rain. He sighed and sat beside Angela. He could use a good sleep too. He hasn't slept in three days. He watched her sleeping figure for a while , before submitting to the world of slumber. Angela woke up and found Darius sleeping beside her, she smiled widely. She had really thought that she had lost him yesterday. She stared at his peaceful face for a few minutes , then she began to trace the outline of his face. It was this movement that woke him up, his eyes shot open. He tilted his head and Angela giggled. " Good morning Angela" he greeted while patting her head. "Good morning, Darius" she greeted with a wide smile. After letting all her pains out yesterday, she felt light. It's really good to let out one's pain even if it is just once in a while. In order to have peace with oneself . Angela's tummy growled loudly, she and Darius looked at each other and laughed. " Wait here , l think l found some food in the kitchen" , he went to the kitchen. Later he came back with food. They both sat down to eat. After eating their fill, Angela said she wants to go home. "Let's go get the painting" she said as she stood up. Darius nodded his and carried his sword, and with that they both left the house.

They both got to Angela's house and found everything scattered. Angela was shocked to see this, she rushed in to find the painting. Darius ran after her, she picked the painting from the table in her room. She gaped, " what happened , what is it?" Darius asked worryly. "They've found out , they've found out that l still have the painting. This is not where l kept it" she explained . " Are you saying , people will be here to kill you soon. Then we have to get out of here, come on" he said as he dragged her out. As soon as they got out, they met a crowd of men stood at the entrance with swords in their hands. " What should we do now?" Angela panicked . Darius placed her behind him, " l won't let them hurt you". " Hey warrior, this doesn't involve you, don't get involved" one of the men said. " So you are all here just to kill a little girl , don't you have any conscience at all" Darius shouted at them. "Hey don't talk to us like that, this is how it is , and how it should be" one of the men shouted back. " You are all monsters , listen and listen good , anyone who wants to do anything to harm this girl will have to go through me" he growled and his eyes turned purple. He can't fight all of them at once without using his powers again. And his damn armour is in deep sleep. All the men took an attack stance. Both sides are ready to attack.____.