Chapter 4

I never thought I would be living like this with other people.

I grew up with Zero, both of us in a dark room with no windows. I honestly didn't know how long we were there until Stephen showed up, but I kind of wished he hadn't. At least in the dark room I was always with Zero.

In Stephen's manor we were kept separate in our own rooms. We were only allowed to leave them twice a day; once for breakfast and once for dinner. Other than that, everything else was forbidden.

How Zero had managed to escape still baffled me. He'd said he'd come back for me, but it had already been three weeks since he had been gone.

What if he had gone back and I wasn't there?

I'd been living in Ebel City for two weeks now without any problems. I rather enjoyed it. Leanne was the sister I had always wanted, and she often dressed me up for the silliest reasons. I didn't mind. I'd never worn pretty clothing before.

I brushed my long black hair, smiling softly.

Zero would be in for a surprise when he finally found me, that's for sure. I hardly even recognized my own reflection.

I slipped on the white headband Leanne had given me, making sure the tips of my ears were covered. I hated them so much. I knew they weren't normal once I started living with Stephen.

I tossed my pyjamas into the wash basket and straightened my pink and black dress. I wanted to look my best every second, in case Zero was to show up today.

"M-Morning," I pushed open our bedroom door, peaking my head out.

Zephyr and Vashyron sat in their usual spots on the couch, watching the strange picture box. I had to admit, it really was a extraordinary object. It seemed as if humans were trapped inside somehow, and were forced to perform.

"Morning," Vashyron responded.

Zephyr just ignored my presence completely like usual.

I took a seat between them, pulling my knees to my chest. It wasn't that I didn't trust them, but they still scared me a little.

Vashyron smelt of alcohol already while Zephyr…

I wasn't sure. His scent was odd to me. He smelt of death, but at the same time, something else…I knew I had smelt it before, but I couldn't be positive of what it was.

I watched him from the corner of my eye, looking for some kind of clue. It was a failed attempt since I hadn't even been outside long enough to tell the difference between things.

He still seemed on edge about something. His index finger tapped the arm rest several times until he stopped suddenly.

"What?" He looked at me, obviously knowing I was staring.

I shook my head quickly and looked down.

Scary indeed.

The front door opened noisily, Leanne's strawberry scent filling the room. It was a nice aroma, unlike Vashyron's or Zephyr's odd scent.

"There's a big job up," Leanne pulled her shoes off before handing Vashyron a slip of paper.

"Calling all Hunters: A rebel group has formed on Level Seven, blah, blah, blah," Vashyron read.

At the mention of Level Seven, Zephyr seemed to stiffed up.

"How bad is it?" He questioned, his stare piercing the paper in Vashyron's hands.

Leanne sighed.

"Very, by the sounds of it. A few stores on Razzel Street can't even have deliveries made because of it. There's a bunch of jobs from them, too…" Leanne reached in her pocket and unfolded several flyers, dropping them on the table.

Zephyr stood and made his way towards the wall of guns near the stairs. I was told not to go near it, but I wouldn't even think of it even if they hadn't told me not to.

"No point sitting in here if there's job to be done," Zephyr loaded the weapon with those strange metal things called bullets.

"What about Eri?" Leanne glanced at me.

I didn't want to cause problems for them. The thought of being alone was terrifying, but nothing had happened since they brought me here.

"I-I'll be fine. It's only for a while, right?" I just hoped I wouldn't have to spend the night alone.

"Are you sure, Eri? We'll be pretty far-"

"She'll be fine, Leanne." Zephyr interrupted, dropping her own gold gun in her hands.

I nodded, glad Zephyr was agreeing with me for once.

Vashyron gathered up the papers and refolded them, stuffing them into his shirt.

"Don't let anyone in, and don't burn the place down, okay, princess?" Vashyron patted the top of my head, messing up my hair.

I didn't know how I had gotten that nickname. He just started calling me that despite my protests.

"I'll be good. Have fun," I wasn't sure if have fun was the right thing to say or not, but it seemed appropriate for some reason. Zephyr always complained that fights weren't fun when he returned home from the arena, so I hoped fighting bad guys today would be for him.

He just raised his eyebrow before he shut the door, leaving me in silence.

Silence.

I hated silence more than anything; the pure void of sound was enough to bring back the things I wanted to forget.

I turned up the strange music device on the shelf, letting the melody that wafted from it to suppress my thoughts.

"Now what do I do…"

I looked around the living room and decided to tidy things up a bit. I straightened the blankets on the couch, positioning the pillows perfectly. It still didn't look as nice as I wanted, but it couldn't be helped.

Next was Vashyron's shelf of booze. Empty bottles littered almost every shelf, taking up enough room the full bottles couldn't fit properly. I moved a few bottles, one accidentally falling to the ground. The glass shattered as it hit the floor, a piece cutting through my stocking and into my foot.

I pouted, the hole in my stocking was at least an inch. I would have to ask Leanne to fix it later for me…

I grabbed the piece of glass and pulled it out of my flesh, the wound healing almost instantly. Black blood dripped off the shard and onto the floor, splattering on the other glass fragments.

I sighed and went looking for a broom in the kitchen.

A book on the counter caught my attention. I picked it up and flipped through the pages, the colourful pictures of meals and treats making my mouth water.

Leanne's cooking was good, but I was always still hungry after. I didn't want to ask for seconds in case someone else wanted more.

I found a recipe for a cake, and I knew I wanted to make it. Maybe Zephyr wouldn't completely hate me if it turned out well. Whenever Leanne made sweets he seemed to eat them all before anyone else could have any.

I cleaned up the glass and set to work in the kitchen.

I had never baked anything before in my life, so I had no idea what the numbers beside the ingredients meant. I hoped they weren't important.

I found flour and butter, but we didn't seem to have any milk left. Digging through the fridge I found some odd looking juice. I sniffed it, the smell slightly fruity, but tangy. The label said wine, but I didn't know what that was. I was sure it could be used instead of milk.

I scanned the rest of the list, frowning when I couldn't find sugar or something to replace it.

I glanced out the window.

It was bright and sunny out, perfect weather to be outside. I was sure no bad people would bother me if I was to go buy some.

But at the same time…

Outside was scary.

I tried to run away like Zero had, but those scary men dragged me all the way to Level Ten before I could even get far.

I shook my head.

"Ebel City is full of nice people," I told myself.

I slipped on my shoes after grabbing some money. I wasn't sure how expensive sugar was, but I hoped it wouldn't be too much.

I inhaled sharply as soon as I was on the other side of the door, the sun warming my pale skin.

Mr. Old Man waved when he spotted me, smiling. I shyly raised my hand, too nervous to do anything else. I hurried down the pathway, trying not to make eye contact.

Leanne told everyone we met I was her cousin, so they were very friendly. It didn't mean I was less terrified. The world was huge, and filled with so many people. How could I not fear it?

I wondered how their job was going. It seemed like a big fight awaited them, and I hoped none of them got hurt. They were strong, but it didn't take much for something to go wrong.

I saw the scars Leanne had on her back, all from her days when she just started as a hunter, she told me.

Was it really worth fighting for money when your life was at risk?

I stopped, a naked cat-like creature sitting in the middle of the path. An old tire sat on its head like a crown, chain and bottles decorating it. It seemed to be looking for something, its huge eyes focused as its leathery hands dug through a pile.

Leanne said that Gremlins who lived in the city were usually harmless, but could be dangerous.

But why? It was cute.

I knelt on the ground and held my hand out towards it, wanting to pet it.

The Gremlin noticed me and hissed loudly, running away after, seeming terrified.

"You forgot your coins, Mr. Kitty," I pouted.

I scooped them up, deciding I would return them if I ever saw Mr. Kitty again.


I pulled the heavy steel door open that belonged to the Supply Shop. Several pretty dolls sat on the left side of the counter, drawing my attention. Some seemed rather battered, but still lovely.

"Nice, aren't they?"

I looked up, a young girl shyly stood in front of me. Her blonde hair was cut short, just touching her shoulders. Freckles dotted across her thin face. She was the shop owner's granddaughter, I remembered.

"V-Very. Where did you get them?" I wished I could have such pretty dolls.

The girl smiled.

"A boy named Zephyr found most of them for me in the lower levels,"

I was kind of jealous of her. Zephyr seemed to hate me. He refused to make eye contact and seemed to deny I was even living under the same roof.

"I-I-I see," I smiled back, although it was forced.

"Would you like one? I-I have plenty,"

"R-Really?" My eyes lit up.

She nodded.

"He keeps bringing them and I feel bad for not being able to play with them all," She picked up one with dark brown hair and almost white skin, a red and brown dress draped around her. "She reminds me of you,"

I took the doll gently from her, my eyes watering.

Why were they all so nice to me?

"I-I'm Eri," I wiped my eyes, smiling.

"Melly. I-I hope we can be friends," Melly smiled back.


It was only after I returned home I realized I forgot sugar. I was so distracted by the doll I completely forgot about it. It couldn't be too important.

I found a strange cup while looking for a bowl, one that had the same coded numbers in the book.

I scooped up one slash two cups of flour and dumped it in the bowl, followed by butter, the strange juice, some other powders and one Dwellist egg. The book said to beat until smooth, but the egg was proving difficult. No matter how much I tried, the white shell parts wouldn't smash completely. I reach in the batter and grabbed a fragment, breaking it between my fingers. A fine dust was the result.

Did I have to do that to every piece?

Yes, I told myself.

Almost half an hour passed before I no longer could find any shells. I added a little more wine, the batter turning a pretty dark pink.

"Yummy, yummy cake, Zephyr won't hate me, everyone like yummy, yummy cake," I sung to myself as I pouring the mixture into a pan.

I watched Leanne turn on the oven a few times, so I at least knew how to work it. I dropped the cake inside and closed the door.

I sat on the floor, the doll in my arms.


"We're home, Eri," Leanne called while taking her boots off near the door.

They all smelt like blood, which was rather overpowering. I didn't like that smell at all.

I smiled brightly, thinking of the cake I made. It turned out perfectly.

Zephyr frowned when he saw the doll in my arms.

"Where did you get that,"

I hugged it tighter.

"M-Melly gave it to me,"

Zephyr shrugged his jacket off, tossing it onto the couch.

"Melly from the Supply Shop? What were you doing there?" Leanne looked worried at the mention of me going outside.

I nodded.

"I needed sugar for the cake I was making," I pointed to the bright pink dessert sitting on the table.

No one said anything as they looked at it, which worried me. Had I done something wrong? It looked different from the book's picture, but it was only slightly lopsided. Did that matter too much?

"The princess can bake? Well, I'm starving." Vashyron marched over and cut a chunk, taking a large bite.

I bounced on my feet, waiting for him to say something. He didn't; just swallowed slowly while making a weird face.

"I-Is it good? I-I-I made it for Zephyr…" I lowered my head, knowing my face was going bright red from the embarrassment.

I was surprised when Zephyr cut his own piece an devoured it. Like Vashyron, he made an odd face, but half smiled after.

"N-Not bad, I guess."