The Peak

Chapter 13: Message Delivered

A day before the end of the Cease Fire Month.

It was a rainy afternoon, Accendus was running towards the convenience store soaking wet. Mr. Morgan saw him enter his store." Kid, why did you not bring an umbrella ? can't you see how hard it is raining outside ?". Accendus dries his face using his face towel, " Ya.... I'm sorry if I wet your floor Mr. Morgan, don't worry I'll clean it up."

" Well you better be, my back is already killing me...." Mr. Morgan then hands Accendus a mop.

" I'm on it ! Can you bring me your mop please?"

Accendus wipes the floor.

" Mr. Morgan ? Do you have a strawberry flavor for this drin...Ahh...huh ?" Suddenly Lucia came near the counter where the floor was still wet. Lucia accidentally slips and her items are thrown flying up. Accendus reflexively catches Lucia with his left hand, and catches her items one by one using his right hand. Lucia is stunned as she looks at Accendus.

" Woah! carefull miss...? huh ?...Eh? !!!! "

Lucia and Accendus stare at each other's eyes with confusion and surprise, while Accendus is holding Lucia in his arms.

" Lu...Lucia ? "

Lucia is just stunned, and she begins to blush.

" Oi! Lucia ! Are you okay ?"

" huh? uhmm...ye..yeah, I'm okay " Lucia then stands up and awkwardly grabs her items from Accendus.

" You should have mopped this counter area first..hayzz" Mr. Morgan said.

" Right.... I'm on it Mr. Morgan" Accendus mops the floor as fast as he can.

Lucia realizes her clothes are now wet, she becomes upset. " Ahh now I'm drench ! Grrr ! it's your fault, Accendus !" she yelled. " Ha! ? How is it my fault ? you're the one not watching your steps !" he said. Now the two are arguing in front of Mr. Morgan again. " Well...you wet the floor ! look at you ! grrr!"

" Kids ! please ! I've had enough screaming from my wife, please spare me the silence ehh.." Mr. Morgan yelled. Both of them looked at Mr. Morgan and became silent.

"I am sorry Mr. Morgan" says both of them at the same time.

" Ahh no worries..." Mr. Morgan said. " Hayz.... anyways, I'm almost done Mr. Morgan, I've gotta run back home, my brother is waiting for me see ya'round Lucia !" Accendus grabs a few drinks and pays for it. He then tries to run out of the store.

" Huh?...oww...wait Accendus !" Lucia yelled.

Accendus stops and turns around at Lucia. " Huh ? What's the matter ? well, if it is about your clothes, you can hand them to me and I'll wash it for you okay ? I just have to go now ", he said. "Huh? Do you want me to strip my clothes off here ? Are you a pervert or something ? grrr ! " she then becomes upset again. " Ow no no no, that's not what I meant ! ... I got your clothes wet..so I just thought if I can wash it for you you know... I mean you might tell the Mayor about this ... or your brothers.. I don't want to trouble anyone.." Accendus explained himself and his intention to make it up for Lucia.

Lucia looks at Accendus and notices his genuineness and sincerity. She smiles.

" Hayz... don't worry, you don't have to.." She said,

" Are you sure ?" He asks.

" yeah... "

" Well then if there is nothing else, I would leave then... See ya !" Accendus said and left the store. " uh.. ya.. see ya" Lucia said.

Lucia watches Accendus leave with a sudden change of feeling in her eyes, like she is a bit sad that they only had a short time meeting again.

Mr. Morgan notices Lucia's sudden change of expression" I'm sorry about Accendus, miss Lucia, hayzz.. that kid, he is clumsy, but the residents and old people like us here in this street, we look up and care for him as he does with us. He's a kind kid, I wish every kid in this city is like him and his brothers."