"Hello, how are you?"

"Financially ruined."

"...but alive, right?"

"Right."

"Mmm... so... you don't need anything?"

"Except a decent lunch... no."

"Mmm... okay! See you soon!"

"Bye, my whimsy hallucination."

My alarm beeped and I opened my eyes, pushing memories of a daydream into the void of my mind. Two months have passed since I alerted the bureau about the tunneler. My decisions didn't matter, they delayed the investigation until the pistons were repaired. Someone else took a bribe, and someone else repaired the pistons.

Only my reputation as a reliable freelancer suffered. I was paid, but I received an unfavorable review, like the situation with the tunneler didn't take place. It was an influential firm, so it was harder for me to find profitable errands. I was left with risky tasks that paid pennies.

Despite all that, I made it. I saved enough for a course, passed the combat training, and upgraded my spear with a drill. Now, I could try to hunt armored critters.

I still worked for the city, I needed it after the whole freelancing fiasco. The management sensed my situation and started sending me to areas where my new expertise would be helpful. I didn't get a rise, but I felt that promotion is near. I just had to prove myself.

It was time to get going, to work the night shift.

This time, it was the pest control in 'The End'. Remarkable name, considering it was just a long corridor that reached far outside the city. I could get there by metro, but traversing the place required the maintenance vehicle. It would wait outside, I only needed an access code, which would be given to me by the management once I arrived.

I put my headphones on, connecting to alternative rock radio. Lately, I liked to hype myself up before new challenges, this was also my to-go exercise music. I was no longer a rookie, I had to keep myself in shape.

I watched the metro, there was just one thing that was missing.

Alice.

I didn't see her since the events in the Hollowed Beneath. I hoped she was doing better, but... it's not what my guts were forecasting. Well, she wasn't there and it was very late, anyway. Kids shouldn't be outside at this hour.

I moved to a free seat and stared outside the window, at the purple twilight sky. The train stopped at the next station and I noticed her, she was standing there, with a large bento box. She looked around, like searching for someone.

I knocked on the window and she noticed me, her wide smile was even prettier than the last time. She ran inside, vanishing for a moment, then appeared right in front of my seat.

“Hello!” - She greeted me.

“Good evening, Alice.” - I said. - “Returning home?”

Alice giggled mysteriously. - “Maybe... maybe.” - She passed me the bento box, asking. - “Can you hold it for a moment?”

“Sure.”

She climbed onto the seat next to me, took off her small backpack, opened it, and started rummaging inside until she took out a yellow sewn star. - “For you!”

Another badge. - “You remembered.”

“Of course I did!” - She pouted.

“No doubts.” - I answered and stuffed it into my pocket.

“Don't lose it again! I want to see it attached to your backpack next time!” - Alice demanded.

“It'll take a special spot, you have my word.”

Alice smiled, rocking her legs back and forth, then took out two pairs of chopsticks. - “...and this too is for you!” - She handed me one. - “Could you open the box, please?”

I was surprised. I didn't want to deprive her of a meal, but when I opened the large container, it was pretty obvious that it was a portion for two... then, there was another issue. I was stupefied.

“Alice?”

“You don't like it?” - She asked.

“No... no, it's just. Where did you get all that?” - There was salmon, rice, neatly cut pieces of breaded chicken, shredded cabbage, potato salad, tomatoes, a plastic bottle of sweet sauce... and even two cheesecakes shaped like roses, for dessert.

“I made it!” - Alice said proudly.

I put the lid back on the box. There were two options, either I misunderstood where Alice came from, or she lied and stole it.

Alice's eyelashes fluttered. - “Are you not hungry?”

“I am... but we need to have a talk first.”

Alice sensed that I was serious, it scared her a little. - “Okay... okay.”

“Where do you live, Alice?” - I asked bluntly.

“I...” - Alice hid her head. - “...nowhere.”

“Alice, I'm serious. It's important.” - I said.

Alice's breath became unsteady. - “I... I don't have a home.”

“I understand, but I asked where do you live. Is it an orphanage?” - I kept investigating.

“No...” - Alice looked at me, then quickly changed her mind. - “...yes.”

I didn't have to ask which one. - “Alice, can you understand that no orphanage could afford those ingredients?”

Alice nodded.

“...did you steal it?” - I was sure she did, but part of me hoped I was wrong.

“No!!!” - She cried out, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Alice. I'm not angry at you. I just want to know, how did you get it.”

“I made it!”

“...and the ingredients? How did you afford them?”

“I... I...” - Alice covered her eyes with her tiny fists, then burst into tears. The train stopped and she ran out, leaving me and the bento.

I couldn't leave it like this, but If I ignored the job, I could forget the promotion.

...but you know what? Screw it. I don't think that I care anymore, so I grabbed the bento and ran out after Alice.

[ … ]

“Alice!? Alice!!?” - I looked around me, it was already dark. Where could she go? - “Excuse me, did you see a small, crying girl with white hair?” - I asked a woman next to the stop sign.

“Yes, a moment ago. She ran down the ramp, to King Queilon Street.”

I had no time to thank her, I just jumped over the rails and ran after Alice.

“Alice!? Alice!!?” - I kept shouting, unwary it would attract those who used to live on the streets. Three shadows formed in the dark, I sensed that they looked for confrontation, so I put the bento on the ground, grabbed my spear, and pointed it at them. - “Not a step closer.”

“Hey, better lower that weapon!” - The thug in the front spoke, walking slowly towards me, while the other two circled to the sides.

I stepped back, keeping my distance. - “I said, not a step closer.”

“Pal, you're about end up with a knife in your ribs.” - The thug to the left warned.

There was no use talking. As fast as I could, I struck the first thug at the side of his skull. No hesitation, I had enough experience and training to render him unconscious with a single blow. I felt like the time slowed down, the other two thugs jumped at me simultaneously...

[ … ]

“Alice!?” - Ugh. - “Alice!?”

I couldn't find her, not in time. I had to make sure that she would be safe... but at the same time, I needed help. I reached my comms, wondering who to call first.

I pressed the buttons, choosing the number three-seven-two followed by the mask of the alternate channel. - “Alice?”

A sobbing was coming from the speaker. - “Alice? Are you alright?” - I asked.

Although she kept crying, I could hear her calming down. - “...no.”

“Alice... where are you?”

“Here.” - I noticed her walking out from behind a corner of a closed convenience store. She held my radio.

I staggered closer, but I felt getting weaker. I rested my back against the wall of the store, then my body automatically slid down, leaving a red smudge on the wall.

Alice wiped her eyes and ran up to me. - “You are hurt!”

“Hah...” - I smirked. - “...that's nothing, but Alice... could you stay here with me, please?”

Alice nodded.

“Thanks.”

I called an ambulance, identified myself, and specified my location, then I dropped the radio, having no strength in my fingers.

“Don't worry. They'll find us.” - I said, with half-closed eyes. - “Here, your bento...”

Alice grabbed the box and started crying. - “I... I didn't want to.”

“I know. It's alright.” - My vision gradually faded. It was a cold night. - “Hey... Alice.”

Alice just wiped her tears.

“I am a little tired, I'll go to sleep, just for a moment. Be a good child and don't leave anywhere, okay?”

“Mhm... okay.”

“Good... good...” - A very cold night.

The last thing I felt, was the warmth of two little hands wrapped around my fingers.

Maybe the night wasn't so cold, after all.