Chapter 7: Chapter 7- Safe Haven
I had about two seconds to analyze our situation before they shot us full of holes. I hardly regenerated any of my mana back, which meant if we were to fight it would depend pretty much all on Luna. And without fully knowing what she is capable of, putting my trust in her is impossible in this life or death situation.
But maybe we don't have to fight...
I grabbed the girl's arm with one arm and put my hand on Luna's shoulder with the other.
"Luna! Teleport!"
"Roger!"
I heard bullets fly as we disappeared from the sketchy alleyway and on the other side of the Main Street. The girl we saved was wiping off her tears and looking at us with visible confusion. If anything, I should be the confused one. How did she get herself into such a horrible situation?
Realizing the men could still see us due to only being across the street, I figured it would best to get us out as soon as possible. I grabbed the girl's hand and started running as they came outside of the alley and continued shooting at us. I popped a piece of candy that I just bought into my mouth and super sped away while holding onto the random girl.
I'm pretty certain at this point Luna isn't really someone I had to worry about. She's strong enough to where I know she won't be in any danger.
I kept running up into I felt my rune imprint was about to expire before stopping and getting hit with a large gust of wind that screwed up my already messy hair. I spit out the gum, took a deep breath and sat down on the sidewalk.
I looked over it the girl, whose brown hair was in a worse predicament than mine. Her once straight hair was all over the place, and combine that with her dirtied blouse and miniskirt, fearful blue eyes and tear streaks running down her cheeks and you have a recipe for an extremely unstable looking women.
She looked over to me timidly. "Y-y-your friend, you l-l-left her with those horrible p-people."
I almost wish she'd get caught by them just so I knew she had a weakness. And it would let me get a moment of peace as well. Sadly, I'm aware of how unrealistic her getting caught by thugs was.
I frowned. "I wish all it took was some thugs to get rid of her."
The girl cocked her ahead, confused, but my face didn't change. I sat down next to the woman and waited. There was a brief silence before the girl broke the silence.
"S-shouldn't we keep running? W-w-what are we waiting for?"
Just then, Luna appeared in front of us with stars circle around her. She was giggling like a little girl and floating in the air. Only when she saw us, did she finally step on the ground.
I sighed. "Her."
"B-b-but that can't be!" She cried. "Those men were really fast and had tracking magic. Even if you teleport they can always find you."
Luna puffed out her nonexistent chest. "I won't lose our game of tag that easily!"
"They can track your location, but they still have to catch up to you." I reminded her. "Not to mention tracking magic fizzles after a certain distance."
I hate to admit it but if Luna didn't want to be caught, even with my super speed, I don't think I'd ever catch her.
"We should get going before we enter their range again."
"Go? Go where!?" She asked in a panic.
I offered her a hand up. "Why, the most obvious place in the world, of course. My house."
It took maybe five minutes to get home from where we were. The house key was under the mat where Esther left it, which meant she probably wasn't home yet. Most of the time she and I are too lazy to take our own key out and opt for the spare. It's one of the few things we had in common.
I opened the door to our small, quiet home and let the random girl, and Luna, who was still here for some reason, into the living room.
The home was as neat as always, with the couch and television on opposite ends of the room. A table sat in front of a the coach, which is where we usually ate. We had a dining room but it was hardly ever used.
I instinctively got out my phone and pulled up my messages with Esther. I texted "Home" and pressed send and closed my phone. As soon as I put my phone in my pocket it buzzed.
I hope she wasn't waiting for me to text her. What would she have done if I forgot?
Esther replied: If you have friends over please be hospitable and make sure the place stays neat. See you tonight.
The girl looked over to me, scared that an incorrect action might offend me, while Luna plopped right on my couch and sunk.
"It's so soft!" She yelled.
I looked at the random girl. "You may as well follow her lead. Make yourself at home for the time being."
"Umm, uh, I-I-" At first I couldn't understand what she was trying to say. But when I studied her uncomfortable posture and watched her legs doing a little dance, I relaxed a little. I pointed to the hallway on the right leading to our bedrooms.
"The bathroom is the first door on the left."
She nodded and quickly walked into the hall.
I hope she doesn't snoop in our rooms. Specifically, Esther's room.
Be hospitable, huh?
I looked over at Luna, who was playing with her stars. Nothing out of the ordinary there. I tossed the phone at Luna, I didn't really watch t.v, but maybe she'll enjoy it.
She immediately turned on the t.v to anime channel. It was about this kid breaking his broken fingers in a tournament arc type of battle. The boy he was against was pretty overpowered, having access to ice and fire magic and using it interchangeably. Wish I had something that flashy.
I watched it with Luna for a little bit. Luna was yelling and screaming at the top of her lungs for the green haired boy to win. At a certain point, I decided to get up and check up on her. Maybe she ran away and I could rest easy. No I shouldn't say that. I don't want to get my hopes up.
I stood in front of the door and lightly knocked on it.
"O-one second please!"
"Just making sure your okay." I said as sincere as possible.
Seconds after I said that, the door opened and the girl came out. But unlike before, she looked completely different. Her hair looked lush and silky, her face was flawless and her clothes weren't all battered. Even the scrapes she had on her leg were gone.
"I'm sorry, did I take too long?" She asked apologetically.
"No, your fine."
She smiled and nodded. Then she scurried towards the living room.
Healing magic? No, that can't be it. Restoration magic maybe? Could even be a weak version of time or spatial magic.
I entertained the prospect before ultimately dismissing it. Doubt it though. That stuff is like one in a million.
Back in the living room, I noticed a clear distinction between my two guests. While Luna was pretty much all over the couch, the girl was sitting upright, back straight and legs centimeters from one another.
Is it worth telling her to relax though? At least until she explains her current situation, probably not. I probably shouldn't even bother trying to get information out of her until she lowers her guard a little.
Suddenly my stomach started growling and Esther's text echoed into my mind.
Hospitality.
I decided against asking if they were hungry. From what they've been through, the answer was obvious. Instead, I took the initiative and starting to cook burgers and fries. Besides, cooking can be pretty calming.
The whole process didn't take long, although I did cheat a bit using heat magic to unthaw the ground beef. From there, it was just going through the motions.
Since I didn't have to really pay attention to anything I was doing, I was free to sort my thoughts out. Thinking about what has happened today with the thugs, dealing with Luna, and fighting Conard's demon form. Also beating Durran with less than half of my mana available felt like quite the accomplishment. Then there's a suspicious girl in my living room who Luna decided to save on a whim. If anything, I'll let Esther handle her situation. I'm not sure what to do.
My thoughts started to deter. I started thinking about first seeing what an actual high school looked like just this morning, meeting Esther for the first time not too long ago, the horrible things I said to her, my mother...
"Eli! Eli, are you there!?" A loud voice boomed in my eardrums.
I looked over my shoulder to see Luna staring at me.
"Hehe, I thought I lost you!"
I didn't respond.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?"
Where I'm hurt can't be healed by magic.
"No, I'm fine. Just thinking about all that happened today is all."
"While making food? Isn't that dangerous!?"
Says the girl who just teleported into four armed men in an alleyway.
"I haven't hurt myself yet."
"Whose it for? Is one of them mine?" I could see her eyes sparkle (literally) and her mouth watering.
I lifted up a plate and handed it to her.
"Ooh, it smells good. Thank you, thank you!"
She was about to walk back into the living room when she stopped.
"By the way, why'd you make four plates? There's only three of us."
"One is for my Aunt. I figure she'll probably be hungry when she gets home."
Luna smiled. "And here I thought you were a meanie. You're secretly a nice person, aren't you? Even without me there you probably would've tried to save the girl, wouldn't you? Come on, admit it."
I smiled but didn't say anything.
"Well hurry up and come watch anime with us! You're going to miss everything!" She said, running into the living room.
Nice? No Luna, that is something I surely am not.
I grabbed two plates and made my way to the living room.
I sat my plate down and handed the other to the unknown girl. She grabbed the plate and let it down gently. Then she began staring at me with a shaken look on her face.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Why?"
"Hmm?"
Tears began to roll down her eyes. "Why? Why did you save me? And let me in your house knowing I'm associated with crooks? Why did you make food for someone you didn't even know...and why aren't you asking me anything?"
Luna and I both stayed silent.
"People shot at you! They tried to kill you because of me. Because I put you in that terrible situation. And you don't even want to know why!? Or who I am?"
She looked at me in the eyes.
"I know you wanted to ask about my magic. But you didn't! What is it? Are you trying to be considerate? Even though I'm intruding in your house and wasting your day. Even though you know they'll be after you next? What do you gain from helping me?"
She took a moment to wipe the tears off her face. "Why are you being so nice to me?" She said almost in a whisper.
"...because you look like you're in pain," I answered honestly. "Interrogating someone whose suffering that much isn't too far off from bullying."
"He's trying time say we care about you obviously!" Luna butted in.
"B-but you don't even know me..."
Luna put her arm around the girl. "Don't hafta. Just know we're here to help you."
The girl looked over at me and I nodded.
"Now eat up!" Luna commanded. "I know your stomach's been growling."
The girl let out a small smile. "You're really nice Luna."
In return Luna gave her a childish grin. "I'm sure you're nice as well, uh, what's your name?"
"Renee" she said in a quiet tone.
"Ooooh, what a pretty name! Well that over there is Elijah and I'm Luna Astra, Queen of the galaxy and together we're-
Ah, she's doing it again.
"The lunch buddies!"
"Lunch buddies? What's that? A children's show?"
May as well be.
"It's a stupid club name she made up. Not that it's an actual club."
Luna raised a finger up at me. "Not yet, you mean!"
I sighed.
"I'm not dealing with this."
"You can't escape from crossing fate!"
"What does that even mean?"
"It means you're stuck as the leader of the lunch buddy squad."
"So I'll disband it then."
"I refuse."
"In what grounds? Aren't I leader?"
Luna pointed at me as if she was making a declaration. "You are, but as queen of the galaxy I'm overriding your decision!"
I frowned. "That's stupid. This is stupid."
I turned away from Luna, and I was pleasantly surprised to spot Renee quietly laughing. Her tears of sorrow were turning into tears of joy and her expression was bright for the first time since we saved her.
"You two are funny together. I'm jealous. I don't have anyone like that."
Luna then teleported in front of her and clasped Renee's hands together.
"Then join us!"
"Join you guys?"
"Yes! Be apart of the Lunch Buddy crew!" Luna's eyes were sparkling so bright the darkest crevices of the room were being illuminated.
Renee smiled. "I'll think about it."
I was about to walk into the kitchen and grab some water bottles when the front door flung open.
Esther stepped in looking as calm as she always does. Her silky, long silver-grayish hair and silver eyes were captivating and has been the result of many admirers from what I've seen in my short time staying with her. Her outfit, which consisted of a yellow shirt and light black unbuttoned jacket, along with a light gray skirt and dark gray leggings. Topped off with black flat shoes, simple stud earrings and the fact that she's not exactly tall and it's honestly hard to discern her from a stylish teenager.
"Welcome home." I greeted her.
"I'm home" she said. "And I see you brought company."
"Yes." I gestured towards the two, who were comfortably sitting on the couch. "That's Renee and that's Luna."
"I wasn't referring to them," she giggled. She threw a man dressed in all black on the floor in the middle of the room. He hit the ground with a thud and based on how lifeless his body was, it was clear he was out.
"I think you and I should have a nice talk, don't you think Elijah?" She said cheerfully as she slowly closed the door.
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