THE NOBLES OF NEWLAND (BLOODLINER AND THE TALES OF THE NEW SAGA BOOK 1)

Chapter 12: Mibell

"Mudstain."

Meanwhile,

In the Abandon City of Mudstain,

The Republic.

IT NEVER OCCURRED TO MIBELL THAT RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME WAS A BAD IDEA. It has been nearly six months since she left her home in Borneo, one of the country's major cities. Leaving school and her family. Don't ask why, long story. In essence, her mother died three years ago, and the relationship between Mibell and her father has not been so good ever since. Never, actually. Finally, after she couldn't stand their situation, she just ran away. From Borneo, she departs for Mudstain, a city half of which is already covered in hot mud, abandoned by the Government, and almost free from the reach of the law. The Republic no longer cares about the survival of life in the city as long as it does not cause a negatable impact for the Capitol.

Mudstain is a small town, with many buildings that have been abandoned by their original owners. Some are transformed into discotheques, inns, or the headquarters of certain plotters. Graffiti can be found almost all over the city buildings. Often, a group of people with large motorcycles, wearing leather clothes with many cheap accessories, were voting on the street while ruining anything according to their mood at that time. Sometimes disputes between groups occur for trivial reasons. There are also some people who spend time scavenging goods and scrambling for food from the trash in small alleys. Some live in low-security apartments, dress well, drive luxury cars, which most of their time were spent on sex and drugs. Despite the fact that this city is not a safe place for eighteen-year-old girls like Mibella Khan, everything is going normally.

Mibell chooses this dangerous place as an escape because initially, she tries to find her uncle, her mother's younger brother, Eds Farouk, Mibell only remaining relative besides her father. When Mibell was eight years old, Uncle Ed left them and lived in this place, there was no news from him after that. She remembers the last time before uncle's departure, the man came into her room, standing in front of the door as Mibell played her violin. His eyes occasionally moved towards the window, where strong winds were blowing down leaves from the trees in their housing complex. She could see the anxiety on uncle Ed's face, even though the man was trying to cover it up.

Uncle gaze returned to Mibell. The color of his gray eyes was the same as Mibell and her mother. With a smile uncle said, "You're so talented, Mibell, just like your mother. Even though I know you prefer to dance." Then he kissed his nephew's forehead. His face turned serious as uncle continued, "When the time comes, my Bella, you know where to look for me. If anything happens..." His sentence stopped when mom joined them.

"Don't burden her mind with it, Ed. Mibell is still a child, and I'll make sure she lives her life normally." Chleo expression seemed to hold back the annoyance, but she tried not to show it to Mibell. "We have to talk." Added. Her hair was black and untangled along her chest, shining over the lacy T-shirt she was wearing. Long cloth pants covered her slender legs.

Uncle Ed followed mom to the living room. Not long after, Mibell faintly heard their voices punching each other, arguing. And the sound of the door being opened and closed too loudly indicates uncle Ed chose to relent. The sound of that door, became her last memory of him.

Mibell first day in Mudstain was spent proving whether the information she had about uncle was accurate or not, which was the last address where the man lived. The good news, it turns out Mibell is right. The apartment belongs to uncle. The door is unlocked and there are some family photos. One of them is a picture of her together with uncle when she was five years old. The bad news, some of the picture frames were broken, the apartment was a mess, the fridge was filled with moldy stale groceries, thick dust was everywhere, and uncles were gone. But Mibell is a little grateful at least she has a place to stay while looking for the man. She must also try to begin her new life. She cleaned the place, and lived there until today.