The End of the Littlest One [Completed]

12. Like the mafia

The sounds of the market were almost deafening. People were walking all over the place, talking to each other. Vendors shouted at anyone walking past their stalls. Their products were obviously the best in the region. They had to make sure everybody was aware of that.

Benjamin walked around and was overwhelmed. Everything about the situation was new to him. Including some of the smells. The combination of all the odors swamped the market's attendees. Walking past the stalls, different smells would become more present than others. Benjamin was struck by the scents of bread, fruit, pies, and more; known and unknown to him.

Yesterday, he wasn't lucky. The plan was for him to leave his house the same day. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to do that. Instead, his brother wanted to have dinner together. Again.

What is up with Thomas lately?

Sure, Benjamin knew they weren't as close as perhaps both of them would like. But he didn't feel the need to get closer. Their relationship had been this forever and it worked fine for him. he wasn't sure why Thomas wanted it to change so all of a sudden.

However, Benjamin woke up early today despite the amount of alcohol that was probably still in his system. He succeeded in packing clothes and some personal belongings and left the house without anyone seeing him.

Dante would be meeting him at this town's inn later today. One problem: Benjamin hadn't found the inn yet. The last thing he wanted was Dante arriving at the inn, not finding him, and thinking something must've happened. Then he'd get stressed and worried.

Asking people where the inn was, wasn't an option for Benjamin, though. They're on the run, according to Dante, and should encounter the least amount of people as possible. Like they're some sort of internationally wanted mafia bosses.

This morning, he packed some clothes and personal belongings, like an old watch and some money. Since he wanted to leave as fast possible, the idea of having breakfast completely flew over his head. Now, he was hungry and surrounded by the smells of various breads, pastries, and other baked goods.

He couldn't help but give in.

He found a stall selling bread and moved towards it. No one seemed to be ordering, which was a good thing. For Benjamin, not so much for the vendor. For Benjamin, this meant only the vendor would pay attention to him.

The middle-aged woman saw Benjamin coming towards her and greeted him.

'What can I get you, honey?' she asked.

Benjamin looked at what the woman was selling. Whole breads, croissants, and pies. And that wasn't all. She also offered all kinds of pastries.

'The cinnamon bun, please,' Benjamin said.

'Good choice. How many?'

She walked towards the part of her stall that offered the cinnamon buns. Benjamin thought Dante would like on too. After all, he is possibly giving up his entire life just to run away with him. He deserved a cinnamon bun.

'Two.'

'I'll roll them in paper for you.'

'Thank you.'

Benjamin looked at the price displayed on a card in front of the buns. He reached into the pocket of his jacket and got out twice what was displayed.

He handed over the coins to the woman. She took them in her hand and put them in her apron. After that, she gave Benjamin the wrapped buns. He took them.

'Thank you,' Benjamin said.

'You're welcome. Come back soon, sweetie.'

Benjamin smiled at her and left the stall. He continued walking and observed the stalls. He made sure to keep his eyes open for an inn.

This entire situation was new to him. He barely got out of his house, and when he did it was to go to other people's houses. He never went to town to buy things. To do anything, to be honest. Dinner at a local restaurant is as far as he went. He was already nervous for when he would actually find the inn.

How does an inn work? How do I rent a room? And if I manage to actually rent one, how does Dante know where I am?

Even right now, he wasn't sure what to do. Sure, he should be looking for the inn. And then what? Wait for Dante, he supposed. He had no idea how long he would have to wait. He didn't even know if Dante successfully lied.

His legs carried him to the edge of the town. He found a bench in front of a lake and sat down. The water was frozen over and covered in snow. The sun was almost in the middle of the sky. Benjamin decided to enjoy the view for a while.