Destined to be an orphan.

first victim.

In the deepest corner of an empty alley lies a young girl curled up in a fetal position, her deranged appearance matted to the filthy environment seamlessly, no different from the others residing next to her. Just a few days ago, she was screaming and clutching her head perilously, alarming those next to her greatly. They had been too afraid to approach the young girl so they watched from their post, helplessly. Some held fear in their eyes while others held pity. They were all bound to the same fate - there was no use in helping.

Dying is an act of mercy.

It has been more than two days and yet, the girl remained immobile - only her breathing indicated that she was indeed still alive. When the third day settled in, the girl finally emerged from her fetal position, her malnourished body seemingly weak enough that a simple breeze could hoist her off and far away.

"Ah, what a nice nap!" Sweet, alluring, and extremely hoarse, the voice echoed throughout the passageway cheerily, prompting its residents to nearly jump and run from their post.

Nap? she's been sleeping for two days. The onlookers kept silent, merely casting her quick glances to watch as she moved in a strange manner. The young girl, however, remained ignorant to the eyes on her — or perhaps chose not to acknowledge the curious stares as she stretched her stiff limbs.

It was strange being in a different body: it was even more absurd that she was in a child's body. She also felt hungry as her stomach was growling for attention continuously. Thanks to the two-days rest, she felt much alive. Groaning at how dirty she felt, Daxia shook her head as she could smell her own flesh reek of filth, but she swallowed her complaints as she was still alive. Whatever situation she was in, she was alive and that was above everything else. This is a second chance - a very depressing one, but a chance nonetheless!

"Xinyi, since you've lived such a pitiful life, I'll live to the fullest for you! I, Daxia, will bury you in loving memories." Daxia pumped her left fist in the air ambitiously before she looked around her surroundings. It was still dark and a bit chilly, the sun has not even shown up. Looking left and right, her gaze settled on a girl, no older than 10, maybe?

"Hey, are there rivers nearby? Or bathhouses?"

"...Bathhouse?"

"River, I mean river." Ah, so it hasn't been invented? Daxia made a mental note of that simple fact.

"There's a river near the abandoned courtyard... but the place is haunted." There was fear in the girl's voice, causing Daxia to almost, almost coo at how cute she sounded. Taking a few steps forward, the young girl, however, backed away in fear.

Frowning, Daxia brought her bony arm out for a shake, but she quickly retracted her outstretched arm once realization smacked her right across the face. Idiot, you have to act like those people in historical drama!

"A-ah! Uh, I greet you, young...miss?" She quickly lowered her upper body for a stiff, uncomfortable bow, straightening up seconds later to find the girl looking at her with a black expression.

Was this not how it's done? Ah, fuck tradition.

"Anywho, uh, can you show me where it is? I feel like a fleabag, I really need to shower - wash up, I mean!"

After a long, really long uncomfortable silence, the girl finally took a step forward and nodded to the other end of the alley.

"I will lead you, but that will be it." Gleeful, Daxia hooked her arms around the other playfully, a habit that can either be perceived as endearing or clingy. The girl immediately tensed, her eyes wide as a glint of fear appeared over her dirtied features. She didn't withdraw but stiffly walked forward with Daxia sticking to her side closely. Once they've approached the end of the passageway, Daxia's jaw dropped in astonishment upon the scene before her eyes.

"Holy shit!" She exclaimed loudly, gathering strange looks, but she ignored all the unwanted attention and took in her surroundings, truly amazed. In the 21 century, China had turned into... a wasteland. The air was far too polluted for it to be breathed in freely, and the streets were overcrowded with buildings, people, waste, and strays.

The air here, however, was fresh and there was no thick fog - no pollution! Nothing like previous China she knew of. Her eyes sparkled with a sense of encouragement as she stalked the foreign location, taking in notes of the people, place, and everything her eyes could seize. In her previous life, Daxia had been homeless for most of her childhood and teenage years. She was taken in by a group of con artists, using her as bait, and teaching her all the necessities for survival. They weren't bad people, no, they weren't criminals who assaulted, or killed bystanders.They were merely homeless cons robbing the rich. Growing up in such environment, Daxia developed a pragmatic mindset and keen eyes to her surroundings. Her life wasn't tragic — but it was certainly not the best.

"Let us keep walking straight." The clear voice of the girl pulled her back to reality and she flashed an easy smile, withdrawing her arm to clasped her hands together.

"What's your name? I'm Daxia, and I'm 9 years old." Daxia turned to the expressionless girl with her lips slightly parted in expectancy. The black-haired girl was thin, even thinner than Daxia. Her features were dirtied, but Daxia observed with a hint of curiosity in her gaze. Dark slanted eyes, round nose and thin lips, she looked way too mature for her own age. There was no trace of the childishness that would usually cling to kids her age before they slowly outgrow it. But then again, this was ancient time, kids were married off before hitting puberty for heaven's sake!

Puffing her cheeks, Daxia shrugged her frail shoulders when the other didn't reply.

"It's alright, you don't have to tell me! We just met - but since you're the first person to not ignore me and help, I'll repay you someday." Determined, Daxia reached out and squeezed the smaller girl's forearm whilst smiling brightly. "I promise!"

Turning her attention back to her surroundings, her eyes caught on a person dressed in a light blue robe, his hair neatly tucked in a bun with an expensive-looking pin to hold it in place. On his waist, a white sachet hung loosely, almost begging Daxia to snatch it off. As he approached, her eyes scanned him from head to toe before she leaned slightly to the side, her small hands clutching onto the sachet.

"If I were you, I'd wash the dirt and blood off my nails and walk properly. Why are you limping, young master? Where are your servants? Would you like me to call for help? The officers are just a few feet away." Wide-eyed, the male glanced behind him to notice a group of officers approaching his way, frantically looking around. His gaze narrowed as he glared at a pair of bright, innocent eyes. The color resembling the fallen leaves during fall — golden with tinges of green.

"Give me your sachet and I'll let you be!" Grinning brightly, Daxia roughly tugged on the sachet and shoved it into her robe without waiting for his response, patting his hand in mock comfort after. "You better get going, young master."

Without a second glance, the male took off and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Daxia a laughing mess. Her expression soon faltered as she stared at the crowd before returning her gaze to the blank-faced girl beside her.

"How did you — ?" Daxia cut her off with a smirk.

"His robe was too loose on him, and if you looked closely, his nails were covered in dirt and blood — his knuckles were also bruised. He was limping on his left foot, seemed to be on edge. He's definitely in trouble. A young master like himself dressed so nicely, surely he wouldn't be alone in this area." She finished with an evil tilt to her lips, her fingers moving to take hold of the sachet.

"...I'm Xiao."

Surprised, Daxia scrunched her nose as she displayed her cheesiest grin.

"I knew you'd open up to me, ahhh!"