Brokenly, Restored

Chapter #13

(Choco's POV)

     This new stranger leads us down several twists and turns. I have no idea who she is, or why Pete trusts her. There's no good opportunity to stop for a chit-chat, either. The stranger seems to know the perfect route to take to quickly loose the soldiers. She slows down to a fast walk after their voices fade.

     "Good, I think we l-lost them", she pants, "My name's Dalaina, by the way". It isn't until I hear her voice that I realize that she must be another Zemrlt. Her eyes are actually a dull brown instead of grey.

     "Why did you help us?", I ask in confusion, finally letting go of Matt.

     She glances at Pete, before replying with, "I'll explain it all later. Right now, we should get o-off the streets. The soldiers will still be looking for you th-three".

     "Where are you taking us?", I can't help but be jumpy. I'm not ready to trust a complete stranger when our last encounter didn't end up so well.

     "It's ok, Choco", Pete speaks up, "We can trust her. She's right, we need to hide". I look at him, still uneasy, but I don't argue anymore.

     Dalaina leads us away from the city shops, stores, and inns. The buildings quickly morph into small houses and bigger multi family homes. I'm surprised when Dalaina walks into a wealthier district. Her clothes definitely don't match the three story mansions. Still, she strolls right up to one of the iron fences. She opens up the unlocked door and motions us all inside. Matt keeps looking away in the direction to where I assume his coordinates lead. I don't think we're going to be able to keep him here for long.

     The inside of the big mansion is a lot more humble than the outside. The main room has a staircase leading to the second floor, but hallways leads off to the left and right. Numbered doors line both hallways. The room is also decorated with a few couches and chairs. Three Zemrlt are chatting on one of the couches, but stop to exchange greetings with Dalaina. She smiles and waves back. The three glance at us, but don't comment.

     "How many people live here?", Pete asks Dalaina. He doesn't seem at all bothered by the fact that we're in a stranger's house.

      "Well, every door on the f-first and second floor have a few of us Zemrlt living inside. The top floor is wh-where my siblings and I live", Dalaina says as we start to climb the stairs, "All of us pay a little bit of money each to maintain the house. Th-The rich neighbors hate it".  Pete laughs a little at that.

     Matt has been eerily silent this entire time. I wonder what his 'programming' thinks of this? Surly he can see some kind of danger or be more cautious? It seems like I'm the only one who's weirded out by the situation.

     "So if the third floor is for your family, why are you taking us up there?", I ask I could see strangers staying in one of those empty rooms, but not in Dalaina's personal space.

     "My sister and two of my brothers are home right now, but my eldest and youngest brother are out right now. I thought that they'd all like to meet you", Dalaina's reply is vague, and doesn't really answer my question. It's too late to question her any further as we reach the landing for the third floor. There's a door separating the landing from the rest of the floor, and Dalain opens it up without hesitation.

     The room beyond has a small kitchen on one side, the other filled with more couches and places to sit. There are two doors to the right and a hallway that leads to more on the left. The area is a little messy, as if there aren't many guests. There are two boys that were bickering and shoving each other on one of the couches, but they fall quiet when we enter. I get chills all over when they both stare at Pete. It seems like everyone on this continent is interested in him.

      "Dalaina? Is that yo-you? I thought for sure th-that you'd be-", the words are interrupted with a violent crash. I jump a little and bump into Matt. Another Zemrlt girl, this time with the gray eyes and pasty skin, had dropped a large pan in the kitchen when she turned around. She's also staring in shock at Pete.

     "Ok, someone needs to explain what's going on. Why are you so interested in Pete?", I frown, steeping a little closer to Pete. I take his hand, but he doesn't seem very scared.

     "I felt it the moment you st-stepped onto the shore, but I h-had to take you here to make sure", Dalaina slowly crouches down to be eyes level with Pete, "Your name is Pete, yes? I br-brought you here because you are our little brother"