Chapter 182 - Day DXIX, Part I

I don't know for how long I slept. Maybe I didn't sleep at all, and just got lost in thoughts so deeply, that I lost track of time? Lost in my memories of her. Lost in pain.

Eventually, I realized I'm looking at the ceiling of my house. There was not much light coming inside, so I could barely see those few cracks up there, that's probably why it took me so much time.

I got out of the bed, thinking what to do now. My mind was empty. I really didn't want to do anything, to be honest, but out there were other people I cared about. I ignored them and came here. Now it was time for me to return.

I grabbed the backpack I bought yesterday and ate whatever food was left. Then I drank two bottles of water and went outside. It was a beautiful sunny day. Just like always.

The view made me sick. I realized that my neighborhood didn't change at all, like the invasion never happened. For a moment I got angry. I wanted to just go, and destroy everything around, but then I calmed down. It would be pointless anyway.

I started walking, without rush, straight to the city center. I remembered Hatta mentioning some orcs still roaming through the alleys, but I haven't met any. Good for them, because I would probably unleash all my pent-up pain and anger upon them.

After a while, I reached the city center. The huge grey tent was covering the device. Some guards kept watching here and there. People were working, mainly cleaning after the battle, but few focused on picking up the crystals, still hidden here and there.

There were also smaller groups resting, sitting on the cobblestone, and talking.

I noticed Martin, doing just that, under a wall of a completely collapsed building, that used to be a house for a bunch of people. He was eating a sandwich.

- Good to see you healthy, Peter - he said, as I came closer.

I sat next to him.

- I heard your spine is broken.

- I fixed it yesterday. There was a bunch of crystals prepared for you, in case you didn't have enough to heal yourself after waking up. Just like for the rest, but since you had enough, Hatta allowed me to use them.

- Good.

- How do you feel, Peter? Do you need somebody to talk to?

- No. I'm... I'm not fine, but I'm holding on.

- I'm sorry, Peter...

- I'm sorry too... - as I said those words, few tears just poured out of my eyes, I quickly wiped them.

I took a moment to calm myself, then cleared my throat.

- How's the situation? - I asked him.

- Strange. Very strange. We have few scavenging parties picking up the crystals, but there are still some orcs roaming around. People are dealing with them as we speak. As you can see the city didn't burn, but apparently the parts towards the goblin territory look terribly. Then there is also the dream we all had...

- A dream?

- A dream of a tree. Did you also have it?

- Gigantic tree nourished by blood, with bones of our people around it?

- Well... Yours sounds a bit different, but it's always a tree.

- I had it before. A long time before, and I also had it while I was unconscious.

- Hmm... That could be just a coincidence, or maybe not. Anyway... I need to go back to work. We are clearing up the rubble, to use some of the nearby buildings. People want to sleep under a roof. I was actually having only a small break here. Take care, Peter. Let's grab a beer later on, ok? - he patted me on the shoulder with his gigantic hand and stood up.

- Yeah... Hey, Martin... Did you, or maybe somebody else... Did you saw my chicken?

- Oh, yeah. Aisha is taking care of him for you.

- Where can I find her?

- Ask Hatta. He is probably inside the tent.

- Thanks, Martin.

- No problem, friend. And remember, time heals everything.

And he walked away.

I waited for a moment, then also picked myself up, and headed towards the temporary hospital.

Hatta was inside, partially occupied with the matters of the city, partially working with Marcella around the wounded and unconscious. As soon as he saw me he dropped everything else.

- Peter!

- Hi.

- Are you ok? Where the hell did you go? You should stay, we need you here.

- Where can I find Aisha - I ignored his words.

- Aisha? I gave her the room in our headquarters. She wanted to go back to Velvet Lotus, but I just couldn't let her.

- Thanks - I turned around to leave.

- Wait! Peter, let's talk...

- Later. I need to get my chicken back.

He sighed, and I went outside, heading straight to the right building. There was a hole in the wall on the second floor. Burnt marks indicated that's from a fireball explosion.

I went inside and started looking for her. Knocking on doors. A couple of rooms were empty, others filled with newcomers, that were looking at me strangely, as I walked away as soon as they opened for me. Some tried to ask what the hell is going on, but I ignored them.

I finally found her. She was surprised by my visit. There was a bandage wrapped around her head, and stomach. She was wearing only a sports bra and bloomers. Tam was walking around her room, observing everything.

- Oh... Hi, Peter.

- Hi.

- You came for the chicken?

- Yes.

She was kinda awkward with me.

- He is here. Come in - she stepped back, to make space for me.

I went inside and kneeled after two steps. Tam came running to me. I grabbed him and hugged him. He covered me with his wings, and I started sobbing. Uncontrollably. I couldn't stop it. Emotions just overflowed me.

Aisha came closer and crouched behind my back, then she hugged me also, from behind.

- I'm sorry, Peter. I'm so sorry...

She started crying just like me.