Pages Between a Cover ~Bravely Default~

Part 1: The Jackal

I really hate how Profiteur can boss me around so much. Makes me want to cut him down to size; too bad he's short to begin with. Just because he's got so much money, he thinks he can boss me around since I grew up with out anything! At least I can stay in my hideout and away from him.

A few days ago, Chief gave me this journal to 'record valuable information that could be helpful in the future', or something like that. What does he even mean? Nothing ever goes on since Profiteur sent me to rob everyone who comes to the oasis. Yeah, the first few days were great, I looted every merchant who came by good, but now words got around that I'm down here and no one wants to risk lossing their stuff. I may have to go into town soon and rob someone there if I want to eat anytime soon. Anyways, it's getting late, and I should turn in. Maybe someone will come by the oasis tomorrow. If not, Old Man Tick-Tock better not get pissed when I steal someone's food.

* * * *

I don't know what to do. Those kids are still out there, but I don't know what to do. Should I leave them? Gaaah, I don't know what to do!

It all started this morning. I went down to the oasis as usual, and there was nobody there; at least, at first I thought there was nobody there. I did my round, and then I saw them, two little kids just standing there. Maybe they were walking, I don't know. I looked at them and I remembered that I was hungry, and my orders were to rob anyone who came to the oasis. So I went up to them, knife in hand, ready to rob them blind, but when I stood in front of them, everything was different. I dropped my knife. And I guess you could say I stole the kids.

I took them to the hideout where they are now. But after that, I ran away. I ran back to Anchiem and talked to the Chief but I didn't bring up the kids. I just asked him generic things about partners and stuff. Why I mentioned kids he told me he knew nothing about them. After that, I tried talking to Old Man Tick-Tock about if he had kids, and he told me that he does, but he never met them. I didn't bother with Profiteur, he wouldn't have told me anything.

After that I headed back to the hideout, where the kids were still waiting. When I came in, I didn't know what to say; I had just taken these kids to a strange place and ran away. It turns out I didn't have to. The boy asked me my name, and for once, I didn't know what to say. As far as I knew, I didn't have one. The bandits that took me in gave me a title, not a name. It was all I had, so I told them I was called 'Jackal'. Then I asked them their names. They didn't have any.

Right then, I realized why I took them in instead of robbing them: They were just like me. Alone, abandoned in the desert without a name. I asked them where their parents were, and I expected what they were going to say: Gone.

That brings me to where I am now. I don't want them to be abandoned again, but I don't know if I can take care of them, I'm only 16! I hate this. I hate this so much! What to do...

* * * *

In the end I kept the kids with me, and it's been a whole week from then. So far, no one else knows they're here, and I want to keep it that way. I'm worried that if the Chief or anyone ever finds out they'll take them from me. By the way, I even named the kids. I named the girl Sky and the boy Ace. And they gave me a name, too: Papa Jackal.

But I find one thing weird. Sky always asks me for a blanket 'cause she's cold. The hideout is cooler than outside, but it's always at an almost uncomfortable warm. I've never thought it was cold.

* * * *

Today was a mess, everything went wrong, and I'm afraid that I'm about to lose everything. Today, I noticed the traps going off, and I knew someone was coming; an intruder. I hid the kids and got my knife out. In came four people. They accused me of working for Profiteur, and I denied them, but they pulled out my contract to him. We battled, and I ended up on the losing end, but right before they finished me off, the kids came out. They cried for me to get up, and I did. But it hurt like hell.