Isa slept in her room as Nadir and Erik talked. It was now early morning but the sun had yet to come above the horizon. Erik stared blankly at the cup of coffee in his pale spidery hands, only barely listening to Nadir talk.

No matter how much convincing he attempted to do for Isa. She still stood her ground. She would not pursue a trial, and it angered what happened to her. But she had her own right to do so or not.

The thought of slowly strangling the life out of the man who was horrible to his daughter, who saw her as a burden and a mistake- something he very much could relate to- it would have given Erik the greatest satisfaction. He wanted to throttle some sense into Isa, that she was none of those things to him. There were things that Erik did not want to tell Isa. About his childhood. About the captivity he had experienced at the hands of a monster. But he would listen for hours, for her. Deep down in a small uncorrupted part of him, a more innocent Erik, wanted to run away from everything. To make a life for themselves, to have anything and everything on their own terms.

"Erik, I've just remembered something. M. Leos had a son. He was your age I believe."

He was still stuck in thought but nodded. He let fingers tighten on the warm cup.

"His son was executed by orders of the shah. His name was Judas Leos. he was assigned as your guard?"

This had caught Erik's attention finally. His mouth had gone dry suddenly. "Yes I do." he managed out as he looked up at Nadir. The lamplight bathing his face in a warm orange glow, his expression remaining neutral. Waiting for his reply.

"I believe that was Isa's brother. Now I have not confirmed this with her. But I would not mention it to her, at least for now."

The thick fog of his brain did not allow him to form a verbal reply, so he nodded silently. He willed his body to not shudder at the scream that had been seared into his mind. If Isa were to know, she might have not treated him with the warmth she did now…

He had been Erik's personal guard. Judas had done his best to make acquaintances with him. More of so tried to befriend Erik. And Erik had just begrudgingly accepted the annoying young guard.

But Judas had his vices and bad habits, just like everyone. Some abused alcohol. Some drugs. Some had their nights in bed with women. But him, his thrill was to steal. And it really cost him his own life.

Surprisingly, it pained him more than others. Not only that he knew Judas to be innocent.

He had been the senseless victim of circumstance.

And Erik had been a coward. Too scared to defend his friend. And Judas paid for it.

It ate away at Erik knowing he could have prevented it.

—

The door slowly opened, Erik was silent footed as he closed it, as he walked down the hall.

It was not aimless walking he was making. He had a destination. He wanted to do anything but sleep. As if he even could sleep.

The hallways and passageways were completely dark. But it was not a hindrance to Erik. His eyes had always been a strange amber color, not only had he been blessed with a strange color, but he was blessed with the ability to see through the dark, the ability had become rather useful. The only light that cut through the darkness was the silvery light of the moon. And even then it was still not a lot. Providing so little visibility.

He rounded a corner, and the briefest of torchlight caught his eyes. He slid back behind the wall away from the light. Anyone would have found it suspicious to find him walking the halls of the palace this late. He could hear shoes on the stone floor coming his way, this is where he slinked back into the dark. He gently opened the existing door. His eyes adjusting quickly to the outdoor walkway, no longer in the surrounding velvety blackness, now the moon being primary source of light.

And rounding that corner he was met with the cloaked face of a man. His hazel eyes widened as he took in Erik's form, jumping back then turning to sprint away. The window the man had crawled out of was still opened.

Erik wasted no time on giving chase. Down corridors, and stairways and out into the city streets of Tehran.

Whoever it was, the boy was fast. He was just two or three steps ahead of Erik. making large leaps and jumps over obstacles. Nothing Erik couldn't achieve with his limber legs. But soon the passage ways became more narrow, the passing buildings more run down, he was being led into the slums.

He didn't even know why he was running after him really. He didn't want recognition, nor to be a hero. And he could almost guarantee whatever had been stolen could be replaced. Perhaps it was curiosity, or even Erik himself looking for a thrill.

"Stop running!" He ordered. The man looked back momentarily. And continued to run. Erik's eyes searched for anything to make catching the thief easier. Grabbing a piece of wood and throwing it at the man's ankles. Causing him to trip instantly. Falling on his arms and rolling over to face his attacker. He dropped the bag and pulled out a knife to defend himself.

"I'm not going to turn you in!" He stood over him. Throwing his arms out in frustration

"Then why the hell were you chasing me?" The man responded indignantly.

"Been asking myself that for a good moment."

"That's a shit excuse." He replied angrily. "What do you want?"

Erik rolled his eyes. "I don't want anything. Whatever you took anyone can live without-" Erik did not finish that sentence with an arm wrapped around his neck, whoever it was they had to jump to do so. He quickly lashed out, throwing them to the ground. The girl groaned in pain. Erik looked down stunned. Dark strands of hair covered her face. She willed her arms to move to cover her face and neck as if she was expecting Erik to lash out again.

"Nira!" The thief bellowed in fear for his comrade.

His eyes looked at the man running at him, when he felt a sudden blunt pain in the back of his head. The world went completely dark. The darkness of unconsciousness welcomed him and so he fell into that.