DOOM SAGA I - I'll be home tomorrow

Day 229

Argent d'Nur

The path got quickly muddier and broken after they had crossed over the bridge that connected the Sentinel's complex with the town that clung to both sides of the mountain bottoms. It kept a distance from the ravine that encircled the complex, and only a few ruins were still visible under the growth and snow.
The sun had not yet risen above most of the low buildings, but life was audibly progressing. Though she had expected more people, and for sure more... space stuff, it felt weirdly homely to her. The small cobblestone streets snaked downwards right along homes and shops, and in the windows or opened shutters she saw handmade items and tools, but little luxury. The people looked well dressed but yet most of their wear was tattered or stained.
She froze as she noticed that everyone that had come by was staring at her, and maybe she felt a little embarrassed for staring at them as well. They were standing still, brooms and crates still in their hands, but she was continuously pulled along by the Slayer and further into the city.
She tugged her coat tighter and hid in the frame of him as she held onto his arm, but no matter how much she tried, the tension in her spine did not disappear. At least they weren't bowing down or something as they passed, but some still gave a welcoming nod to him. Io was way too focused on everything around them, barely holding back her curiosity as they came by a little stall that had jewellery, gems and crystals. Like a magpie, she was drawn to it, as its colours felt so much more brilliant compared to the poor houses around. The elderly woman that was sitting on her chair against the wall of the building smiled tiredly as her fingers hovered over the shiny display. Awestruck Io picked up one after the other carefully, feeling smooth or rough surfaces and holding them into one of the sun's beams to look at it glistening. While she stared at a beautiful green mineral that shine milky in the light a thought hit her, just for a heartbeat, but enough to make her face stiffen. Her smile subsided as she placed it back in its spot.
"Do you want some?"
His quiet voice next to her gave her a start and felt his hand on her smaller back tenderly resting. She slung her arms around herself and shook her head without looking at him. She wanted them, a lot even, but she could not keep them anyway. She would not want them to be thrown away in her absence, like the ones--
She picked something that looked like a bracelet up and felt over the tiny golden emblem it had. She did not like what was going on in her mind, yet she couldn't stop it either. The old woman cleared her throat to get her attention and had her head cocked lightly.
"Oh...", she breathed as she noticed that she'd been holding onto it for a little too long. She placed it back down and waved her hand at her with an apologetic smile. The woman frowned and gave the Slayer an angered look, but Io did not catch it as she was already turned to leave.
Lost in her thoughts she watched buildings and people pass by like she was just driving by in a car, their noises and smells and colours faded like in an old memory.
What was going to happen to her stuff while she was gone? She had never thought about it before. Would her dad take care of it in hope of her returning? Or would he at least not throw it away? No, he wouldn't. He knew how much everything meant to her. And she knew how much she meant to him. She missed him.
"Oof!"
She suddenly bumped into the back of the Slayer. Three women were right at his toes, gleaming at him as they chattered like chickens and flirted. He growled at them and without saying another word stepped around them but was stopped in his movement again as more and more began to flock around him. She tried to hold onto him but was pushed and pulled further away as the women nearly beat each other to become the closest to him. It was like a river of bodies and arms and with their head above her, she could no longer orient herself. She had been in such a crowd before, nearly suffocated as they had no longer noticed her small frame in between them. She tried to flail her arms around to make them let go of her as she saw something right before it hit her face. She stumbled backwards and unexpectedly fell as there were no more bodies left to hold her on her feet.
She tried to blink away the stars and the darkness as she glared at the ice blue sky above her, already tasting the blood, as her body was pulled once more.
"Oh, no! Come on, dear!", a gentle voice said as arms picked her off the ground. The world was still swirling around her as she managed onto her feet, hearing the woman fight with the others as she scolded the ones in the crowd. An arm wrapped around her and led her aside before sitting her down on a chair at the shop entrance. Io was still too confused to understand what had happened, but couldn't stop staring at the young woman that kneeled in front of her.
"They are just like back then...", another voice said, smooth like wine. A cold, wet towel was held to her face and when she grabbed onto it she began to sniffle as the pain finally came through as a whole. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself and embraced the caring warmth of them both.
"I can't believe how they are acting out there...", the younger one said as she looked through the open door from where a noisy hustle was overtaking the whole road.
"They are fools to believe he would be interested in such mindless behaviour! Especially now that he has someone to look after...", she could hear the age and the amusement in the older woman's voice when she still had her hand lying on Io's shoulder.
"Y-you know who I am?"
Both giggled.
"Yes. I work as a maid in the complex, where I saw you like a dozen times before."
Io's eyes widened surprised.
"Oh... I-I..."
"It's okay, we are not supposed to be muchly noticeable so we don't interfere with their daily lives, bla-bla-bla..."
"That's enough, honey... you know other women are jealous of your work, and that they will easily replace you if you get snitched by them!"
The young woman sighed in acknowledgement.
"I know, mum.", she whispered and her mood had suddenly changed a lot.
"Come here.", her mother said and embraced her.
"You're doing great. And soon when it's warmer we will all go to your grandfather's, you hear me? Just you, and me, and your aunts.", she caressed her cheeks and shook her in an attempt to lift her mood as Io, watching in silence, coughed and nearly wretched.
"Oh, no, keep your head bent down or the blood will run into your lungs or stomach!", the woman said quickly kneeling at her side. She rubbed her back as she spat some more blood out and groaned in pain.
"Oh, look, there he is.", the mother said cockily as the Slayer had finally scattered the crowd.
"I hadn't thought that a couple of young ladies would be much of an obstacle for you!"
He grunted with a roll of his eyes at her before kneeling down as well. With his giant fingers, he gently examined her nose and caressed her eyes and jawline. To her surprise, the touch didn't hurt as the mid of her face had gotten numb, though the burning sensation was still raging. She opened her mouth but her throat was tight, and as the thoughts of fear and pain overwhelmed her, she began sobbing.
His warm hands held her softly on her neck and she could feel his calm breath on her forehead as the vision of the dripping blood forming stains on her knees blurred with her tears.

"Take good care of her.", the mother whispered as they were standing at the doorway. Io was already standing outside, her daughter holding her up as she swayed.
"Thank you, Wespa.", the Slayer said in a low tone as well and gave a light kiss on her cheek.
"Ewww...! Mum!", it immediately sounded from outside, but an amused giggle showed that it wasn't meant in a mean way. Wespa chuckled as well and patted the Slayer on the chest before he turned with a smile to follow behind.
He carefully rose Io in his arms to carry her back and turned around for one last glance.
"My name is Uta, by the way!", the young woman called excitedly behind as if she had nearly forgotten to tell them.
"It's Utamarrin in full but everybody just calls me Uta!"
He nodded slowly, and still watching everybody in silence Io rose her hand shyly to sign her goodbye to them.