Fallen Rose

Mama's Gun - Part 1

Rattle Rattle

"C'mon kid, cheer up..."

Katsumi opened the door, followed by the others as they attempted to console the weeping Hiroshi. A savory whiff breezed past them; eggs, carrots, rice, prawn cakes, cucumbers. She looked around, eyes drifting to the kitchen where a woman stands. Her hair was long and dark' tied to a ponytail which fell halfway to her back. Her jacket was dark leather, falling off her right shoulder. It covered a teal dress, that had a pattern of simplified eyes on the side of it. Katsumi shoved Hiroshi into Michael, who was closest behind him besides Billy.

"Who the hell are you?!" She stormed up to her as she decorated the plates with the meal.

"Ly Thanh." She smiled warmly, "Just call me Thanh. Cơm tấm?" She lifted up a plate to her, only to be met with angry eyes. Katsumi batted at it, causing her to retract it. She shrugged, placing it onto the counter. "Is everything al-"

"How did you get in here?!" She held her hand behind her back, forming a yellow ring. Minh looked up, nose twitching as she looked at the stranger's face. Hiroshi sniffled, looking up along as he tried to gather himself.

"Thanh...she's...you..." He recollected a moment "She helped me home..it's ok... uurgh." He clasped his own head, trying to ease his pain.

"Aw, as I suspected... You must have a hangover after all that drinking!" She picked up a light mango colored drink, swirling it around. "No worries! This will be just the cure for you, too!"

Katsumi continued to look on, suspicion on her face.

"I thought Hiroshi didn't drink?" She leaned over to her, "What did you get him into?"

"Katsumi, it's fine, she didn't do anything..." He stumbled forward out of Billy's grip.

"Yes, when I met him he seemed very drunk already, so I just helped him home!"

She stepped back, looking her up and down.

"I don't recall seeing you this morning. How did you get in here?"

Wshh

"I saw her this morning...?" Michael stepped forward with a loom of uncertainty. "Yes, right before I left..."

"When did you come home, Michael? We met you by the café."

"I stopped by to see if anyone was still here, belongings intact, yes. She was here when I popped in, beginning to prepare this meal."

"You didn't question it?"

"Of course I did! She explained herself, and I went on my way. What harm was a woman cooking breakfast gonna do to you all outside?"

Wshh

'Well, it checks out. Besides, anyone who helped Hiroshi must be good...'

She shook her head, confused, then nodded to herself. She supposed so, if there was an ulterior motive, she probably would've made a move at his weakest moment. Though he wasn't doing too great at the moment, but he was still well enough to fight back, not to mention the backup he had.

Minh walked over to Jasmine, who was nestled on the couch. She took him in his arms, her eyebrows down-turned as she looked to the wall. A small, circular dent by the table. She blinked, focusing in on it. She didn't really look around the room too much, but that didn't seem to be there before...

"Well, everything's ready!" She set the table, motioning everyone over. They complied, except Minh, who stay sitting up on the couch. She looked to the woman, trying to put pieces together.