Kept on Walking

~six~

The next day came faster than Lenalee would have liked. Nevertheless, she gets ready for the day, as does Lavi, who is excited to meet Allen. They leave their rooms shortly after and walk to the cozy cabin Allen and Mana call home. It was a long walk from their hotel, but chatter and laughter filled the air, so it seemed far shorter, only to end with Lavi smacking into the door.

The door opens to a frazzled Allen, toothbrush in his mouth. He stares at the two before calling for Mana.

"Hey, Dad! Someone's at the door! One is that dodgy lady from last night!" Allen shouts, taking the toothbrush out of his mouth.

"I'm coming!" Comes Mana's sleepy response.

Lavi wasn't even slightly bothered by Allen's harsh words. Instead, he was practically vibrating from sheer excitement. Gray eyes watched them before Allen walked away and back to the bathroom.

Mana peeks at the door to see who the visitors are before gaining a slight frown at Lavi's familiar coat. He steps closer before he speaks, his expression serious.

"I apologize, but I won't allow anyone wearing that coat into my home," Mana states with a firm tone.

Lavi calms within moments, "Is it because of Yuu?"

"I'm unsure who that is, but either way, I don't trust any of you, as the last group tried to make my son do something that makes him uncomfortable," Mana states firmly.

Allen leaves the bathroom, putting up his wild brown-ish hair in a just as wild ponytail, "I'll make some breakfast, Dad."

"Awww, that's so sweet!" Mana coos, rushing to Allen and hugging him.

Allen fights, trying to push him away and break out of the embrace simultaneously. But, to Lenalee and Lavi's amazement, it doesn't seem to bother the older man in the slightest. However, it does elicit a small giggle from Lenalee. Lavi's gaze falls to Allen's left hand. He can see the discolored, rough skin. It raises suspicion, but Lavi will leave it be.

Finally, Allen escapes Mana's embrace, landing on his rear while glaring playfully at Mana. Unfortunately, Mana is too busy laughing heartily to notice the glare. Allen stands up, prioritizing his right hand before walking off while grumbling to himself. Mana smiles softly before returning to the door, bidding the pair a good day and closing it.

Allen watches Mana for a second before going back to cooking.
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The brown-haired teen left to visit Miranda and see if she'd help with some much-needed shopping. He'd also gotten worried when he hadn't seen her for a while. He stops and scoffs when he sees the two strangers, one being the girl who tried to sell that wild story of 'Akuma' and 'Innocence,' enter the town, but a man in a tan coat stays behind.

Allen keeps walking, ignoring the man, and walking in without hesitation. He heads straight to Miranda's apartment, scaring off the group of kids. He knocks on the door gently. The door swings open, and a crying Miranda embraces Allen.

"Miranda? What's wrong?" Allen asks worriedly.

"Well, I thought I would try getting a job again because I felt confident this time, but I was fired again!" The older woman wailed.

Allen huffs softly, "Their loss. You're a dedicated person, and thanks to you, I can use my arm better than ever."

Miranda looks at Allen and smiles, "Thank you, Allen. You always seem to know what I need to hear."

"Of course, Miranda. You're someone I trust and consider important to me. Is there anything else, though?"

"Oh, Not much unless you count October 28th repeating for fourteen days in a row as something."

Allen's jaw drops, "Repeating? For fourteen days?"

"Well, yes. But Something changed." Miranda says.

"Well, okay then... I wanted to get some help with shopping. So Dad gave me some money." Allen states, trying to shrug it off.

"Oh, of course! I would be happy to help!" The older woman agrees quickly.

They talk as they walk around, happy enough. Miranda helps Allen as much as she can, holding and grabbing things for him. Allen grins as he picks up a small bag of chocolate drops.

"Aww, Dad would love these!" Allen announces. Miranda hands the shopkeeper enough of her savings for two bags.

"You can't hide it from me, Allen. I know you want some, too, " Miranda says with a warm smile.

Allen thanks her happily. He wonders if that's what A mother is like. Mana could tell him. They head towards the cozy apartment that Miranda calls home.

Allen walks back to the town's entrance and attempts to leave, only to find out he can't. Something didn't want Allen to go, turning him around as soon as he stepped past the arch.

Mana will be worried if Allen doesn't get home by nightfall, but Allen hasn't any idea what is keeping him from leaving.