Resilience Run

Chapter 24

I woke up bright and early the next morning, even before Rhys, Jagos, or even Baugh, who was usually an early riser, snuck out of bed without waking any of them, and made my way out to take a walk through the village by myself.

"You're thinking way too hard about this." Felice said as I walked past some of the shops and tossed a couple of kids their ball back when it fell my way.

"Am I?" I said, "You know Easton's crazy, and he's definitely crazy enough to burn down a whole village just to spite me."

"He was not sane, I'll give you that," said Felice, "But I would figure that he'd want to get rid of you as quickly as possible, so wouldn't he ensure you leave this place?"

"He still needs me for that stupid ritual of his," I said, "So he's gonna try to keep me here, that just makes sense. That means he'd definitely do it. Besides that, he'd probably do it just to spite me."

Felice didn't say anything to argue. She couldn't, she knew that horrible emperor even more than I did, and she knew I was right.

"So what would the game plan be?" Felice asked after a moment, "If he did decide to 'go nuclear' as you would put it?"

"Well... I think we should..."

My thoughts were interrupted when I ran smack into a taller woman that I didn't see in time and fell flat on my ass.

"Oh, pardon me!" the woman said as she reached down to help me back up, "A thousand apologies, ma'am, I failed to see you in time."

"That's alright," I said as I took her hand and she helped me up, "No harm done."

"Please forgive me though, I've been rather... distracted as of late," said the woman, "I seem to have misplaced a very valuable piece of property, and I'm looking to get it back."

"Oh, that's unfortunate," I said, "My friends and I have a bit of a reputation for helping others out, so if you'd like, I could get them to help."

"Moor-acu, be careful," said Felice, "I don't trust this woman."

"Well, now that I've met you, I believe things will finally turn a new leaf." said the woman.

"Huh? What does that mean? Are you flirting with me?" I asked.

"Oh no, that's not what I meant," said the woman, "I was just wondering why you haven't made any attempt to return my property to me?"

"Huh?" I said, "I'm sorry, you might have me confused for someone else."

"No, I don't think I do," said the woman, "You are Riley Newman, the escaped fugitive from the capitol, correct?"

"Never heard that name in my life," I said, trying to keep my cool, "I believe you have me confused for someone else. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

The woman stuck out her arm before I could slip past her, stopping me in my tracks, and she grabbed my wrist. I looked around for anyone who could help me, but all the people that were around just kept going about their business, like nothing was happening. It appeared the bystander syndrome was a thing no matter what universe I was in.

"I believe the time for games is over, girl," said the woman, "My name is Nalzosi, and I am the owner of the property you stole from me - the boy, Jagos. Did you honestly believe I had no way to track down my property when I lost it?"

I didn't respond, simply tried to pull my hand free, but the woman's grip was stronger than it had any right to be.

"Let go of me." I said, trying to keep my voice down low, threatening, but the woman's face indicated to me that she wasn't intimidated at all, more amused than anything.