The warm air got knocked by a chill. Without visual, the seeming frigid atmosphere forbid any colour on my cheeks. One of my perplexed hands rose to my temple, touching the eensy moist exuding from the surge of fright. My lips parted once then twice yet no words permissible.

After a while in the mute showdown, Alfie eventually broke the silence. "Say something," he let out in a whisper.

His face somehow looked sad and innocent, it wasn't the expression of what I expected a killer would look like. But how could anyone be sure about their judgement only by looking on the outside?

I was in a war, either to continue speculating or to ask him directly. But I would shatter if I let the question dragged me much longer, so I decided on the latter. "What happened to her?"

He ripped his eyes away from me, the floor took the shift to bear his intense gaze. His mouth opened then closed at first, airing his hesitation. But following his sighed was his statement, "I found her dead in her room. I don't know what happened to her."

A heavy gasp made a run out of my mouth, placing a lucid charge for my shock. I scanned his face, searching any sign of falsity, but none. Could it be that he was good at deceiving? I was utterly confused.

"You won't lie to me right, Alfie?" I asked him earnestly.

He looked up at me, his eyes were teary and his lips were pressed into a thin line.

"I would never lie to you, I have no reason to. I only have you now, please trust me," he replied, a tear dropped from his eyes along the line.

My heart ached at his heartfelt words. Although I knew each tale had two sides of the story, I wanted so much to believe him. I couldn't find the right word to say about the matter at the time, so I nodded and gave him a smile.

"I need to go somewhere tomorrow. So I'm going to bed early. Good night," I told him.

As I got up, his eyes tailed me. An asymmetric smile with an expression of deep sorrow pasted over his face. With it, I let conjecture to devour my mind yet again; the meaning behind his sadness was grief for Amy.

So after washing my bowl of unfinished spaghetti, I quicken my pace to sanctuary, I needed the closed space of my bedroom wall. It was part of my jealousy that led me to end our converse. Another part of it was a shame that I even felt that way about a dead person who couldn't possibly compete for my Alfie.

The hallway leading to where the bedrooms were in line sight with the kitchen, somehow I knew he was still watching me. When I arrived at my bedroom door, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor made me halt.

"Charis," he called.

"What is it?"

"Don't leave without telling me tomorrow."

I nodded, then entered my room and closed the door.

***

Morning didn't come easy the next day, not without the hours of staring at the ceiling, twisting and turning. As soon as the hint of dawn seeped in through the window, I got out of bed.

After taking a quick bath, I put on the only dress under my possession. It was the same one my mother packed for me years ago. I brushed my hair and let it lay on my shoulder. I sat for a moment, staring at a piece of paper with an address written on it. It was a chance, and probably a risk that I had no choice but to take.

When I exited my room, the sight of Alfie sleeping on a bed welcomed me. He was in the room adjacent to mine, and he didn't close the door. With light steps, I walked to him, and for a moment, I relished his beautiful face while he was soundly asleep. A smile forced its way to my lips. I realised that I had missed it so much.

Absent-mindedly, my hand moved towards his face. But he took me by surprise and grasped my wrist. I forgot his sense of alertness, to say the least it must have multiplied along the years.

"Good morning," he started with a grin.

"Good morning, I'm--" I was momentarily stupefied just looking at his face "-- I'm going to go now."

I backed away from the bed as he stirred. Yet again, he snatched my arm, it was gentle but enough to send a wave of shock to my nerve.

"You forgot something," he said, rising from the bed to sit.

Trying to think at the time wasn't an option when the sheet suddenly slipped off him. Half of his body was in full view and I could descry he wasn't wearing anything under the mess of covers.

If there was a chance to escape this, I wanted so much to head that way. But my feet were bolted to the ground, refusing my brain's command.

"What?" At least my mouth complied with me.

One side of his lips tilted up into a lopsided grin. "My kiss... You always kiss me before you leave."

"Oh, you still remember that," I responded sheepishly.

Heaves of flushing tugged at me as I lean in to him, aiming for his cheeks. But he turned his head, and history repeated itself when my lips landed on his.

I recoiled, my heart leapt inside my chest with bliss. But as soon as I looked at the door, the ecstasy faltered. I was reminded of my mother, at the recollection of years ago. Of more reason why I had to start making my life better; so I could find her.

"Are you okay?"

Alfie's voice pulled me back from my retrospective. I nodded at him with a smile that failed to reach my eyes.

"I hope I won't be long. But just in case I'll prepare some food for you."

I didn't look back at him, nor wait for his reply. As if I was in a hurry, I rushed to the kitchen and made myself busy with cooking.

Moments later, he joined me. The sheets snugly wrapped his body, probably out of respect from my comment the other day. He kept watching me without making a sound.

Before I walked out of the house, he finally spoke.

"Charis, you will come back, right?"

I gave him a puzzled look. "Of course I will. Don't open the door unless it's--" I stopped to marvel at his smile, the euphoric look on his face gave me a warm feeling "-- unless it's me or ma."

The same eyes and the same flickered of sadness was looming over me as I walked ahead. Only once the distance was far enough, I lost sight of him.

***

After a fair duration of walking and episodes of perspire, at last I reached the highway.

Uttering my incoherent gratitude for the money Peyrel had given me, I skipped towards the bus stop that just made its appearance. The design was eye catching, it looked like a mini cupola made of flowers. The panels were steel, and the awning were mesh. Various climbing plants made up its canopy to veil the sunlight. The blossoms were marvellous after the flavour rain on the previous day.

It didn't take long for the bus to arrive and without further thinking, I climbed in. It was almost empty, two seats on opposite sides of the back row occupied by women mumbling words to thin air.

My eyes roamed around, trying to figure out how the ride works. Where would it take me? All the how's that went with it.

Deciding to do the classic asking for information, I took a seat next to the woman with almond hair. I quietly listened as she talked more. Although confused why she was talking alone, I didn't disturb her.

Some time later, I lost concentration on her. Instead, I observed the scenery outside as the public conveyance dashed along the road.

"Oh, hello."

Hearing that soft voice, I turned my head and looked back at her face. She pulled out something from her ears, it looked like a bud.

"Hello," I replied, smiling at her.

"I'd never seen you before, are you new around here? The name is July. And nope, I'm not born in July. My mom just like it maybe," she chuckled.

"I'm Charis. Yes, I'm kinda new," I simpered slightly at her jovial demeanour. "If you don't mind me asking. Where is this bus going? How do I know where to stop?"

Her eyes boggled up at me, seemingly shocked. "Is this your first time riding a public bus?" she asked.

I nodded sheepishly.

"This one is heading to town. Is it where you are going? If not, you can get off the next station. In every region, the yellow bus always stops in town. If you are going out of the region, just ride the green one, it will make rounds to the Metropolitan--" she trailed off, trying to peek at my shoulder "-- if you are over 18 you can ride the green one, no problem."

The simplicity of the public transportation system astonished me. It was easy to remember at least.

"Yes, I'm going to town. Thank you," I replied.

"Sure, it's no big deal."

Afterward, she put back the buds to her ears, following it was her head bobbing up and down. It was strange but I thought I'd served her enough impression of my oblivion.

Passing a few more bus stops later, we finally reached town. I got up, queuing behind the few passengers making their way to the exit. But I was shocked to see that they were using cards. I started fiddling with the few layers of cash in my hand.

When my turn came, I got nervous. With a worried smile, I flashed the cash to the driver. "Do you take cash?"

"No. We may have a problem he--"

"Nope, she's messing with ya. She's with me Adda," A familiar voice interrupted.

Following suit was a hand reaching from behind me, swiping a card over the box like machine. When I swiveled to my back, it was July.

"There. Come, let's go darling," she winked at me and put a hand to my back as we walked down the two small steps down the bus.

When we reached a corner of the pavement, July laughed. "I know there is something odd about you. Did you just come out of jail?" she asked in hush.

"Well..." I hesitated.

"You don't need to hide it from me. I understand since I came out a few months ago."

I was stunned at first, knowing she had also spent time in confined. But I was also relieved that I met someone who wouldn't judge me.

"I assume we are going to the Reypal Brew then," she added.

Alas, I was shocked again. "How did you know?"

To be continued...

***

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy this chapter.