EPISODE 112
We arrived at our designated area. Syrus started giving out orders. I also helped carry lighter loads, with Caleb following behind me. I barely had a moment to breathe before Caleb tugged at my sleeve, his eyes locked onto something beyond our
Caravan
“Mom! Can we check that out?” He pointed at a small stall set up near one of the other camps. From this distance, I could make out the gleam of obsidian wares laid out on display.
“Can we do that later? Let’s help them arrange our stuff first,” I said.
“No,” Caleb answered. “There will be a lot of people later. Let’s go now.
Syrus, standing at the forefront of our troop, glanced over with a chuckle and shook his head.
“You can go see it. We can handle everything here,” Syrus said.
“But…”
“It’s okay. I just can’t take you and the pup now. I need to meet with the main coordinator. You’re the only one who can take him.”
He looked at Caleb with a smirk. “And I’m sure the pup doesn’t want me to accompany him.”
Caleb barely waited for confirmation before running forward with a snort, but Syrus caught the back of his collar, pulling him back just enough to speak.
“Guard your mother well, he said with mock seriousness.
Caleb scoffed. “Like I don’t already know that.”
Syrus laughed and pinched Caleb’s cheeks, much to my son’s frustration. Then, turning to one of the Beta warmors, he instructed, “Guide them. They don’t know the way.”
We set off. Caleb dashed ahead, his excitement palpable, and I had to pick up my pace just to keep up. The store was a simple setup. Just a wooden counter, likely temporary, since I could see people behind the stall unpacking supplies. The table was filled with various knives, trinkets, and tools made of polished black obsidian.
Caleb’s eyes shone as he pointed at one of the sleek, lethal–looking knives. “I saw Syrus take one of these from Alpha Sayeru’s stash!”
I frowned. “And how exactly did you see that?“%
Caleb, ever unbothered by secrecy, shrugged. “I went over to the Alpha Pack’s house to play. Then, I caught him messing with his brother’s things”
I blinked, looking at Caleb, who was giggling and wearing a crafty smile. From his expression, it was clear that Syrus had caught him watching,
“And what did he say when he saw you?” I pressed.”
Caleb grinned, puffing up his chest. “Told me to keep it a secret. But I told him I’d snitch.“%
He gave a smug little smirk. “So, he bribed me,“%
I stiffened. “Bribed you with what?”
“He said he’d let me hold the knife, or even play with it.” Caleb crossed his arms. “But I think he tricked me. The one he gave me felt off. It wasn’t sharp enough. I think it was just a gem knife.”
The store owner, a burly man with graying hair and an amused expression, chuckled. “That’s so? Well, pup, the ones I have here are the real things. Take a look.”
Caleb studied the knives on display before sighing. “Yeah, these are sharper. He tricked me.“/
He clicked his tongue. “Damn it, I got duped.“”
The store owner burst out laughing, thoroughly entertained by Caleb’s complaints. I stood back, watching as my son chattered away, utterly fearless despite the imposing figure in front of him. He had no hesitation, no caution, just pure confidence and wit, even attempting to haggle the price down with the few broken silver pieces he had in his pouch.
Then, suddenly, something massive flew toward us. A ball, propelled with such force that it could have knocked over the entire stall if left unchecked. Although it wasn’t strong enough to injure someone seriously, it was enough to throw someone off balance.
Caleb moved faster than I could react. His hands shot up, catching the ball mid–air before it could cause any damage. His small brows furrowed as he inspected it.
Laughter erupted behind us. A group of children, roughly Caleb’s age, ran over, all grins and carefree mischief. One of them stepped forward, smirking. “Hey, give it back.”
Caleb frowned. “You need to be careful. You could’ve hit someone.”
The boy rolled his eyes. “Don’t be whiny. Just give it.”
Caleb didn’t like that response. With a smirk, he tossed the ball back, except he threw it with far more force than necessary. The boy caught it but was instantly knocked off his feet, hitting the ground with a loud thud. His head struck the dirt, a thin line of red appearing where he made impact.
Silence stretched between us for half a second before the boy let out a wailing cry. “MOM
A chill ran down my spine.
From the crowd, a woman rushed forward, her face twisted in concern. Her figure whipped around as she crouched beside her son, inspecting the small wound. Her expression hardened.
“Who did this?” she demanded. X
The boy sniffled and pointed straight at Caleb. Her eyes flashed with fury as she stood up, stalking toward my son. hand shot up, poised to strike. I moved without thinking, catching her wrist before she could land the blow.
Her
She turned to scold whoever had dared stop her, but the moment her eyes met mine, her entire body froze. The blood drained from her face. Her breath hitched.
The air between us changed, charged with something far beyond mere recognition. The bustling market became a distant hum. My grip tightened around her wrist, but she wasn’t even struggling anymore.
Her lips parted, but no words came.
I saw it in her eyes, the horror. As if she had seen a ghost.
After all, when I died she watched as they buried my head, the only body left after I got devoured by the wild wolves.
I did not expect to see her here. And from the way her body trembled, she hadn’t expected to see me either. For a moment, nothing else existed
Then, with a voice barely above a whisper, she finally spoke.
“Marian…”
Her voice cracked, her pupils blown wide.
“How….are you alive?”
