The Adventure Of Orphans

Chapter 3: Lake Ren

[Ren]
<|1 Month Later|>

The past month went by quickly. Nothing unusual ever occurred again.
Not until this Monday afternoon, I had just finished working at the inn I took a breather outside.

I noticed that Eli, Jack and Alice were outside. Then I realized who were across from them. The kids from the western part of town. They always had a thing for Alice. Rather I found it funny but Alice seemed more uncomfortable than usual. Jack had always yelled at them for staring at Alice, today wasn't different. I really didn't want to step in if Jack were to be caught in a fight.

I don't really have time to fight because I'd have to go into town today to buy our food for the next week. All kids aren't alright, they seemed weird to me.
I guess I wouldn't understand because I was the weird kid.

Davon the innkeeper always mocked me. He always asked me why I never liked any girls. To be brutally honest love makes people weak. I need to be strong, if I am not strong enough I won't be able to keep this family together and that's the last thing I want.

The kids kept staring at Alice with barbaric intent. I feel sorry for Alice trying to deal with them. I stared at them and they looked at me I made sure I shot fear through their eyes. My red eyes aren't what you call friendly, they are menacing and cruel unlike my white hair. They genuinely looked petrified, as I laughed at them.

They left without looking back. A good choice to make when facing me. To the town I'm well considered as a maniac with my keen eye and amazing reflexes.

I could understand why the guards had kept a close eye on me. I seemed like a threat although how would a boy my age be a threat. I brushed my clothes from any dust and headed to town. Surprisingly the kids were also there, I never really understood them. They were part of the middle class or noble class and they would want Alice.

In the shopping district I looked and looked. I spent an hour in there. I found cool stuff but I didn't have the money for.

I bought all the nessecary food that could last us through the week. I've gotten crafty using cheap ingredients and turning them into actual food. I've mustered up enough knowledge about cooking. With delight I headed back to the inn but what I saw was a brawl between Jack and the noble kid Abraham.

Jack wasn't really much of a fighter. His stance was ridiculous and left way too many openings. With one punch Jack flew back feeling the tremendous pain. It seemed he hasn't given up. Such a dastardly way to go.

Jack swung left and right. Wild shots that didn't seem to hit, Abraham threw a shot towards Jack's stomach. A clean hit busting Jack to the floor. Jacks legs couldn't lift the pain he felt.

"Get up weakling." Abraham said kicking Jack in the stomach. Jack coughed, the fight seemed one sided. The kids from the western sector seemed entertained.

Abraham laughed beating up Jack, Jack would swing a low blow to Abraham getting Abraham on his knees. On the floor they relentlessly threw wild strikes. Miss or hit either way no one was going to come back winning.

I ignored it knowing all too well what the guards would do if I got in a fight with a noble kid. The "demon", the "monster" and I would easily be thrown in jail. They don't understand I'm just a regular human.

I walked to Alice, "Make sure to break it up when the other kids come in." I enter the inn placing our groceries in our room.

From the window I watch them continue to go at it. Until eventually Alice stops them. Alice wasn't as weak as people think she is. She's almost strong as an adult, I think so.

[Alice]

Ren left me to take care of these idiots. I'm stuck again with the chore of dealing with Jack and those snobby kids.

When they try to intervene I ran up to them and swing my fist right at their temple, one round knock out! The other kids seem to be more afraid as I ready my cat tails and flip another kid with my tail.

They go away back to their own homes as I drag Jack back inside the inn. Elli bandages the cuts he has and the bruises, well there isn't anything for those.

"Thanks Elli, again. He keeps getting into these fist fights and he loses so easily." I look at the cuts

"No problem. It's not his fault, they like to tease us." Elli continues to treat the wounds.

I walk back upstairs to our room and notice Ren. He was cleaning the room.

"Ren, do you wanna go to the lake?" I look down in the window.

"Yeah sure." Ren puts the broom close to the bed. He follows me to the lake far from that forest. I don't know what that book was but it seemed to hurt Ren mentally.

"Do you know what this lake is called?" I ask Ren.

"No, I don't even know what the town is called." He replies

"Well then we can name these places.. uh... I'll name it Lake Ren and the town of Alice!" I laugh at the idea of it.

"Not bad I think but that isn't as good as what I would name it." He said smirking , I know a terrible joke is coming from his smirk. "I would name it Lake Alice and Town of Ren."

I smack his head with the palm of my hand.

"Congratulations you ruined the mood." I shove him deep into the lake and dive in as well. I swim to the center as Ren followed suit.

"I'll race you, winner gets the satisfaction of naming the town. To the end of the lake" Slowly Ren swimmed

"You're on!" I swam as fast as I could when I reached the edge I crawl out of the lake looking for Ren. .

He was gone. Where did he go? I dive back into the water looking for him as I see him sinking in the water. I dove right into his chest then I pull him ashore, I was carrying a heavy fish to the edge. He was knocked unconscious. I slap him to wake up until I realize there was only thing I could do.

[Ren]

I saw the edge of the lake before darkness clouded me. I was falling in the water. I heard voices taking their claim on me. Slowly my vision blurred and my breath of air was crushed.

"Ren.." The voice called out. "Ren.." Again they spoke. A stocky male masculine figure stood in the middle of the water walking towards me. My brain was giving out, I knew for sure. He reached out to me but slowly disappeared.

Next thing I knew I was on the shore of the lake coughing up water.

"Ren!" Alice called out to me. It seems she had to perform CPR... yikes. I was alive and breathing for now.

Slowing I rose up looking at the lake.

"The lake was trying to drown me." I calmly dried my hair

"Tried to drown you!? Are you an idiot Ren! You were drowning by yourself." Her screaming got louder the more she talked. Even sirens were more silent.

"Okay, okay, just calm it take it easy. We're heading back to the inn." Looking up the sky was as beautiful as ever. As we continued to walk everything started to blur, only remembering the faint smell of smoke and the cold floor I slept on.