Different Worlds

SIX - DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME

Sophie's POV

"Do you eat mushrooms?" I asked Sebastian as I entered the apartment. He was sitting at the small dining table, studying a map. When I came closer I saw he marked something in it. "What's there?" I pointed at the circle.

"I'm not sure but I remember Alex mentioned the street name once before. It's worth checking it. Maybe someone saw him there. We had to start somewhere."

"Fine. I will cook us some stew. We can head out after lunch. I crave something warm. So do you?"

"Do I what?" He looked at me, confused.

"Do you eat mushrooms? I know a lot of people hate them." I asked again.

"Oh, sure. I eat pretty much everything," He waved his hands in the sign that he didn't care and turned his attention back to the map, mumbling something quietly.

I went to the kitchen and started preparing the food, trying to ignore him. Mushrooms were the best I could afford right now. I was sure that Sebastian would prefer some meat but the butcher didn't have any for me today. I bought at least some fresh bread.

I was cutting the onion when he joined me in the kitchen, watching my every move.

"What?" I snapped at him. His stare made me nervous. "You've never seen someone cooking before?"

"Of course I did. It's just fascinating how good you are with the knife. When did you learn that?"

"That's an odd compliment but I take it. And to answer our question - in the orphanage. There weren't exactly too many things a child could occupy itself. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen."

"Is it normal to entrust a child with a knife?" He looked at me with wide eyes.

"I wasn't a child then" I laughed. "Firstly they allowed me only simple tasks like adding already chopped ingredients or mixing. I was much older when I could finally chop something myself. I learned a thing or two there," I said absently, chopping the onions with a little bit too much force than necessary.

"Like what?"

"Like how to defend myself or the others I care about."

"What?" He almost choked on his own saliva.

A finished with the onion and put it in the saucepan, moving on to the mushrooms. Without looking at him I continued. "I said that Alexander was too good for this world. He never knew how to say no so someone else had to say it for him. And when people did not want to listen to my words they listened to my fist."

"Are you serious?" He asked me, his voice full of amusement.

"I told you I can take care of myself, Sebastian. I always had to."

"I just can't imagine you punching anyone," he laughed.

"Do I have to show you," I put down the knife and threatened him with a clenched fist. He laughed even more but put his hands up in surrender. "Now be useful and set the table. Plates are in the top right cabinet."

He went back to the dining space and continued studying the map after he set the table while I finished the meal. It turned out better than I expected and with the fresh bread it was a decent meal. Sebastian even ate two portions.

The way out of my apartment was much easier than the way in. I knew that Madame Reeves was going for a short walk after lunch. And by short walk she meant a glass of gin with the neighbour. I was leading the way since I knew the city better, living here for my whole life.

"What could Alex do there? Whitehall is just full of government buildings," I asked Sebastian as we were walking though one of the side alleys.

"Government buildings? Right, the Ministry," he slapped his forehead.

"Ministry? Which one? I guess we can find some there. I didn't really pay too much attention to this stuff."

"It's nothing, just an idea," Sebastian waved his hand and quickened his pace.

"Slow down, Sebastian. That didn't sound like nothing. Tell me..." the last word was barely audible as suddenly me and Sebastian were separated by three men.

"What do we have here?" One of them asked, looking at me hungrily. Meanwhile the other two were forcing Sebastian to go further away from me.

"Leave her be!" Seb shouted angrily. I could see his body was tense. Both of his hands deep in his pockets, unable to move them out since those two were holding him for his forearms and biceps.

I looked back up at the man in front of me fiercely. He was even taller than Sebastian and he smelled of alcohol. A chill ran down my spine. "What do you want?"

"Just a little bit of fun, sweetheart," he raised his hand, trying to caress my cheek but I slapped it away.

"Don't touch me," I snapped disgustedly and tried to walk around him. But he quickly grabbed my arm and pressed me firmly to his body. But that was exactly what I wanted. He was much taller and stronger then I so there was only one way to overpower him.

"Feisty, I like that." He growled and the two started chuckling.

I locked my eyes with Sebastian who was watching me helplessly, still trying to pull his right arm from his pocket. I gave him a small smile and silently mouthed 'look'. As the man who was holding me raised his hand again I stomped his foot with all my strength. He yelled in pain and leaned slightly forward, releasing his grasp slightly. That gave me an opportunity to punch him to his jaw. I heard a loud snap as his teeth crushed together. I pushed him back and he fell to the ground not caring about me anymore. I quickly ran towards Sebastian. Those other two didn't even notice what happened. When they finally turned back towards the yelling man on the ground I was already free. The man on Sebastian's left jumped away so he could defend himself but my fist met with his face sooner than he could raise his hands. Sebastian took care of the last one in the meantime.

"Come one!" I quickly grabbed Seb by his hand and pulled him out of the alley. We kept running until we were far enough. People were looking at us as if we were crazy but I didn't care. I didn't stop until I saw Whitehall road in front of us.

"I have to say, that was amazing," Sebastian laughed, trying to catch his breath.

"I told you I can take care of myself. You should trust me more."

"I definitely should. I will also try not piss you off. I don't want to end up with a broken jaw. Where did it come from?"

I looked at him, surprised. Usually everyone scolded me when I got into a fight. Blame me for behaving like a boy. I was always the one who ended up with punishment even if I didn't start the fight and I was always just defending myself or my friends. Even Alex didn't like it.

"People tend to underestimate me," I shrugged my shoulders.

"I can see why, with the cute look and all," he laughed again.

"Did you just say I am cute? Was that another compliment, Sallow?"

"Maybe," he winked at me cheekily.

I guess he was not as arrogant and obnoxious as I thought.