Blood in the water

CHAPTER 13 - CĂUTARE

— Hey, look — Cairo pointed at the poster across from where they sat in the subway train. — Star-crossed opens this week.

— I can't believe you guys like these cheesy movies — Dagon glanced behind him for the cliche image of a man and woman reaching for each other but not quite touching the other hand.

— There's no fun in only ever seeing good movies — Alina replied. — And don't act like you don't enjoy them, too. — She gently kicked her brother's shin as he sat in front of her, and he begrudgingly opened a smile. — Come on, are you still mad?

— Mad at what? — he faced the floor.

— That I came on the mission. I know you don't want me here — she shot back, earning his stare.

— You're phrasing this completely wrong. You know it's for your own good.

— Well, I'm an adult, I can choose for myself. And I'm tired of just sitting around in the castle all day, okay?

— Okay — the man shrugged.

"Next station is Waterloo" the voice announced, and the group got up and headed to the doors.

— How tragic is this? — Cairo turned to Lari. — We're getting off at Waterloo and we don't even have the time to break down some ABBA.

— It might be our darkest experience yet — the other one joked.

After a few minutes of silent walking, the group arrived at the address they had, a small and very old building in a secluded area of the city. The cement walls had grainy and faulty white paint covering most of it, and the front windows showed a variety of ugly curtains.

— Definitely not my scene — Cairo rested her purple pumps side by side, looking up at the building with desmay. Lari then took a light punch to the other's shoulder, indicating towards Alina with her head. Once the two look at their friend, however, she seemed quite aloof, popping the bubblegum she'd just made.

— What? — Alina looked at the two, as if there was no reason why she should be the centre of attention considering what they were about to maybe find. — Do the princesses need me to go in first and break in? Because unlike y'all, I am dressed appropriately — she then kicked her foot up to show the golden-painted sneakers on her feet.

— For your information, I always dress appropriately — Cairo looked up at Alina as she had started climbing up the fire escape behind Dagon.

For the next minute, the only sound that could be heard was the shoes cackling against the dark metal. But as they circled round to the fourth flight of stairs, bothered sighs and grunts joined in.

— You know, Ali — Dagon looked forward in discontempt. — You could've at least fallen in love with someone who hides on the first floor.

— I'm not in love — she diverted from the joke, and the response had her brother laugh. He looked back with an open mouth, ready to retort, but stopped himself. Alina didn't notice it, but his pause had been because he caught a glimpse of the necklace dangling from her neck.

— I know you, and I know I'm right, so don't even bother. Besides, you don't need to lose a love in order to gain another, you know.

In response, Alina grabbed the locket and pressed it against her chest. Maybe it was time to admit she needed to make some spaced in her heart for someone new.

— Freaking FINALLY — Lari told out in a dramatic fashion as they seemed to have reached the window of interest, immediately having Cairo spread her palm over the woman's mouth, Alina laughing at the scene.