The forest had become a fiery artwork. Light wind shook trees, scattering leaves over their heads. Maples, oaks and pines stood in perfect harmony as Dai admired the scene silently. Earlier, he'd scanned for hidden threats, but they'd confirmed safety long ago. Had Abrahams changed his mind about capturing Ren? Was Dr. Hans truly kind or just a fool? Dai loved him but couldn't accept him being friends with that pervert. He'd wanted to see Aldora foal - how often does one witness a horse birth?
Ren walked silently, eyes red (everything about her was red today). Colin tried small talk, but she only responded with facial expressions. Dai signaled him to stop - she was drowning in guilt. He wanted her to speak, explode, say something self-blaming so he could lecture her out of this silence. But years in that tavern had taught her mute acceptance. Damn that pervert!
Dai spotted a maple branch with red-yellow leaves barely hanging on. His sharp eyes saw they only needed a slight push...
He glanced back. Ren looked down. Good. He nodded at Colin, who raised an eyebrow questioningly. Dai tilted his chin toward the branch. Colin smiled, understanding immediately. They often had these silent conversations that saved them in tight spots.
"Ren, could you walk faster?" Colin suddenly grabbed her arms from behind, steering her under the maple.
"What? Why?" She looked around confused.
"Just stand here..."
A tap on the branch sent a crimson waterfall of leaves tumbling gently into her curly hair. The sight captivated the red-haired girl. She realized how foolish her prolonged silence had been. Why worry when she had golden brothers? Silence only created useless gloom.
She smiled clearly. "We're nearing the rock. Hurry before Sai and Matteo beat us there - I know they're racing through the streets."
"Monkeys love competing when left alone. Let's hurry - I don't want them panicking if we're late." Dai hid a laugh as Colin gave him a blackmailing look. They were all monkeys in this family.
...
"Matteo! Are you okay?" He opened his eyes slowly, focusing on Sai's face. His vision was still blurry. Damn - who had blocked his path face-first? He knew he shouldn't have looked away while running, but the collision had briefly disconnected him from the world.
"I-I'm fine. Who the hell hit me?" Sai pointed opposite them at a boy their age lying motionless. Matteo waited for movement from the dark-skinned boy, who remained doll-like on the road. Damn!
They rushed over. One thing was certain - the boy hadn't died from hitting Matteo! He was sturdy, but not deadly. Sai listened for breathing, then nodded confirmation. What would they have done with a corpse? Maybe hidden it in an alley, adding another reason to leave the capital forever. Sai sprinkled water from his canteen on the boy's face. No response. Losing patience, he slapped him hard.
"That might actually kill him," Matteo remarked, raising one eyebrow.
"He needs to wake. We're short on time."
"Let me try."
"Another slap should work."
As they argued over the prone figure, a weak groan emerged. They leaned in as the boy opened his eyes. "Wh-where am I...?"
"In heaven," Sai deadpanned. The fool apparently believed him, gaping upward as if recalling his life.
"You're in the capital," Matteo clarified quickly before the boy got carried away. "We collided hard earlier. You were knocked out briefly."
"Oh... s-sorry. I was running late for work and didn't see you coming."
"No harm done. My fault too."
The boy - Dylan - stood with Matteo's help, dusting himself off and adjusting his tattered red cap over messy blond hair. Sai watched expressionlessly, making Dylan nervous after the "heaven" comment. Matteo apologized profusely, but Dylan insisted he was fine despite looking as sturdy as a withered pea pod. He waved goodbye, his gray eyes glinting under falling leaves as they parted.
"Sai, do you think he'll be okay?"
"Don't know, don't care. We're late - the others might panic."
"Right. Hurry."
The groups finally reunited, with Dai and Colin predictably scolding them for being late. But Matteo was relieved to see Ren looking better - she'd been torturing herself with silence. They needed to plan their next move. Though they'd reached the forest undetected, they couldn't roam the capital's east side freely anymore. But first - lunch. Hungry minds don't think clearly.
...
Dylan slipped into a narrow alley from the main road, continuing through a street lined with taverns and nightclubs. The sun had set, and autumn nights were always dark without the moon, filled with wind that terrified children with its endless howling. His limbs shook from cold as he reached the widest building in the district. Entering through the back, he proceeded down a dark hallway until reaching its end. He knocked twice softly, then three hard raps on the wooden door.
A bald, pale giant of a man opened it, scowling as he motioned Dylan inside. Dylan followed nervously down an impossibly long wooden stairway lit by golden candelabras. If vampires were real, they'd surely emerge from these terrifying walls. At the bottom stood an ornate door where the pale guard ushered him into a windowless hall adorned with priceless paintings and headless statues. The rich's basement seemed endless - five full minutes of walking brought him to his least favorite place in the cold underworld.
"Dylan, my dear boy. Finally." The smooth voice came from behind a massive leather chair facing a long fireplace, surrounded by endless bookshelves. Dylan swallowed.
"Yes, sir. Mission accomplished."
"Marvelous! Did you confirm their identities?"
"Only two - the blond one Matteo and the Easterner Sai."
"Matteo and Sai... Perfect. You may go. Ewan will pay you."
"Th-thank you... Mr. Abrahams."
The door closed softly behind him. Dylan's forced smile faded. How long would this last? Probably forever. Once entangled with this man, escape was impossible.
Poor fools, he thought. They don't realize the spider has already begun weaving its web.