How Things Are

eight

I lost track of time. This tub is so big. Winwrey bangs on the door. "Stop hogging the bath. It's my turn!" She's such a crybaby. I come out in a robe they left. It's XXL men's so I look silly. "Finally" I forgot about this part of her. The 'need for luxury' additute.
I put my clothes in a bin for the inn to wash. If it's too ruined they'll trash and replace it so I may receive new clothes tomorrow. When Winwrey comes out in her robe she does the same.
"What if someone picks the lock? I'm tired of sleeping on the floor." There's that whine again.
"I'll watch it first, then you so we can take turns." I rationalize.
"Alright." How the heck was she a slave? I take my spot leaning against the wall and holding my katana. Winwrey is tucked in the bed. She always said she's beautiful all the time but she's the ugliest sleeper. I wish I had a camera to prove it- "Tibby?"
"Huh" always the mind reader.
"Do you remember when we use to talk about the type of man we wanted?"
What brought this up? I turn my head to look out the window. "Yeah, did you change your mind ever since... you know?"
Her eyes are still closed but they close a little tighter. "I found one, but he was taken from me Tibs."
"What?" Tears are in her eyes.
"Yes. He- he was trying to help me escape. I was waiting for him but that stupid crew got to me first." She was sniffing and snorting.
"What happened to him?"
"He broke the rules of the neutral zone but he was protected enough. His friends made it look like he was pulling a prank on me to the Innkeeper. Then they dragged him out before he did it again."
She was sobbing. "I want to find him Tibs!" Oh crap. She sat up in bed and looked me in the eyes. "I know what you're thinking. I'm not crazy. He's worth it."
"Do you know what gang, crew or-"
"He's Mafia." I looked at her to see if she was delusional. We held our stares.
"You're serious?" I whisper. "Win there's always a price. Even if he gets you you'll be a slave!"
"I'm a slave now! And if you're caught you will be too!" Winwrey gets out of bed.
"Shhhh!"  She had tears in her eyes. "Gah seriously. Scream it to the inn!"
"I miss him." She whimpers. "I want him back. He's worth it."
This Inn was supposed to be my sanctuary now I have a martour here wanting to risk everything.
"I'm going to find him. With or without you!"
Freaking boy crazy! "Gahh! Fine!" I pull on my damp hair. I can see her smile. "If I get captured then I'm blaming you," I mumble
"Fine with me." She's so selfish.
"Who is this special guy anyway?" I better not be risking my life for some skum.
"His brother is next in line. He said his father should be retiring soon. Their symbol is a-"
"Dragon," I state. There's only one mafia person who's close to retiring age now and two years ago he received a threat from his son personally if he didn't step down he'll be forced to. I face palmed myself. "Get some sleep, we'll switch in a few hours. Before we leave this place we have to rebuild your stamina."
She looked at me with a scrunched-up nose. "Does that man voice come naturally now or only when things get really serious?" I throw a pillow at her and let her lay back down.

One month. It should take one month for her to rebuild her stamina if she's serious. Love pushes everyone.
I have never been in love. Having people who I care for and love is different. Simon was my brother and loved him as well as my mother Natalia. Though I don't think mom loves me anymore. Winwrey is my best friend and sister. I could say I love her. In love, no.
I just hope this isn't some small moment of hope she made up in her mind while she was being abused. It's not like I can ask her that. She said she'll go without me, and going without me will get her caught.
My head throbs and I rub my temples. All this stress. I'm no hero. I'm not the person who brings Romeo and Juliet together. Wait, don't they dye in the end? Forget how that love story works. I'm the one with the friggin katana that cuts things. That's it. That suppose to be my end. Now I run into Winwrey and she wants me to make her happily ever after?! The frick?!
And she called me selfish. Her boy toy is in Mafia City of all places. Ground zero for crime. If taking on a giant fuzzy jellyfish wasn't bad I have to what? Walk up to the Dragon Don and say 'Umm excuse me but may I speak to your second son?' That's exactly what she'll probably do.
Zero plans come to mind. Not to mention the journey there is costly. I might just boost a car this time now that Winwreys is with me. The citys and towns before we get there are named after individual gangs crews and clans. Some are old that no longer exist and some are run by the very same people who live there. However Mafia City will always be on top. It's where the best are. Even slave women are bedazzled just to show that you have money. If I walk in there with what I usually wear, and bring Winwrey to Carmen, the second son, like I dressed her. He'll be insulted. Carmen might try and kill me. He might succeed. Everyone is strong there. If he's a Dragon Dons son I'll just have to die.
Winwrey sucks. She's all googoo eyed and sees nothing else! I've only been fighting low-time thugs and boundy hunters. Mafia there are assassins, hitmen, true swordsmen, real samari not someone pretending to be. There soldiers are known martial arts above what my brother taught me. I have the extent our time here to train myself as well.

When Winwrey rolls out of bed the next day she sees me still staring out the window. "You never woke me up." She always mumbles when she wakes.
I sigh. "Look Winwrey, we have to extend our time here."
"What so you can have some vacation while my Carmen is locked away waiting for me?" Such a drama queen. I throw her a biscuit.
"No Win. So we can both get stronger." I speak slowly so she can comprehend.
I put my finger upto my mouth so she doesn't shout. "I'm not killing any of my loved men!"
"Not this that weak body you're not." Before she could interrupt I shove another biscuit in her mouth. "You're skin and bones and the way we have to get to The Dragons is in Mafia city. You think we can handle anyone on that path?" She remained silent. Good. "No one can attack us here. Not in this room. I'll train and fatten you up. We'll get us better clothes so boss. Carmen can see you pretty." Her eyes lit up. I just rolled mine. "We might boost a car somewhere to speed things up." I glanced at her and she was nodding. She kept shoving more breakfast down her. "We'll steal some cash before we leave. I only rented this place for three months. It's not a perfect plan and probably won't work but-"
She frowned " I have to make Carmen wait that long?" Her lip was trembling. Are you kidding me?
I faked a smile "Boss Carmen is probably sitting in a golden cage protected by his big brother right now."
"A cage." She whimpers.
"If you get caught by the wrong people he might cause a war." Which is very true. "He may even have people at the boarder waiting for us." Also true.
Her eyes shine again. "Alright. Start training."