Chapter 79: Bella

Chapter 79: Bella

Three hours. Four, if Chance counted the time it took Barbara to find yet another stack of papers shed somehow misplaced. That was how long it took them to fill out all the documents and get the keys to their room.

By the time Chance and Bella finally left the office and found their room on the fifth floor of one of the tall, square buildings, both of them were a gentle wind from being dead inside.

Bella pushed the small metal key theyd spent a good part of the day trying to get into the keyhole. It didnt move. She narrowed her eyes and gave it a sharp twist. There was a brassy click and the door creaked open, revealing the room behind it.

Two plain beds sat on either side of it, each with a white sheet and ratty pillow at its head. There was a single square window in the center of the wall. It was covered by a thin layer of dust, and the view through it was of the street below.

Not the most welcoming room Ive ever been in, Bella muttered as they headed inside.

Chance flopped down onto his bed. It bounced slightly and he grinned, bouncing a few more times before stopping when it gave him a slight creak of warning. Its got a bed!

Most rooms have beds, Bella pointed out. Id have been pretty pissed if we went through all that crap only to find out that our room came bedless.

Chance patted his pillow, checking it for bugs before nodding in satisfaction and testing it out. Not everywhere Ive been has a bed, and its been a while since we last had one. Its still nice.

Bella opened her mouth, then closed it slowly. She sat down on her own bed, testing how much give it had. She shifted, then stood back up and headed over to the window and peered through it.

Its fine if you dont want to answer this, but what exactly did you do when you were back on Earth? Before you were here?

Not much, Chance replied, sitting up and fluffing his pillow. Just kind of hung around, really. I guess I went to school for a while, but that seems like it was so long ago.

Id heard that people on Earth have a bunch of teachers that cover different topics, rather than a mentor that went over everything. But the way you say it makes it sound like you werent getting taught before you got sent to Gleam. Did you finish?

Chance waggled his hand from side to side. Not really. There was more, but I didnt really get to doing it. I couldnt afford it.

Schooling costs money? But your city would benefit from your increased talent.

Its a long story, Chance said with a chuckle. I was planning on getting more, to be honest. Not because I loved it or anything, but thats just kind of what a lot of people do.

Why didnt you?

Well, my parents got killed by a truck.

Truck?The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñòv€l-B1n.

A big carriage.

Oh. Im sorry. You were looking for them in Gleam, werent you? Bella asked, averting her gaze.

I put a bit of a pause on it, Chance admitted. A part of me hopes that theyre somewhere on Centurion, even though I know thats not very likely. Theyre probably just dead.

Im sorry.

Its fine. Its not like there was anything that could have been done about it, Chance said. Thats just how life is sometimes. All I can do is make the best of it.

Bella fiddled with the window until it creaked open, allowing a refreshing breeze to enter the room. It kicked up all the dust on the windowsill and she sneezed. Bella waved the dust away, rubbing at her nose with her finger.

Is that why you appreciate normal things so much? I dont think Ive met anyone that was excited to find a bed in their room, even after traveling without one for a few weeks.

Well, there was a little while in my life where I didnt have much of anything. No bed, no change of clothes, just whatever I had on me and in my pockets. Honestly, it wasnt even all that long. It felt long, though. Makes it a lot easier to realize what youve got after you dont have anything, you know?

Bella fell silent for several seconds. She stared out the window at the empty street below them. I never really thought about it like that.

Just some stuff my dad taught me, Chance said with a grin. You dont have to feel bad about it. I would have loved to somehow save my parents, but thats not something anyone can change. What I can change is the lives of people I meet now, and Im happy I was able to come to Centurion. Ive lived more here than I ever did on Earth.

Bella pushed away from the window. She stood in the center of the room for a few moments, her face unreadable. Chances grin faded slightly as he caught the look in her eyes.

Are you okay?

I Im just thinking, I guess, Bella replied. About what I could have done differently.

No point beating yourself up over the past. The only thing we can change is the future.

Bella let out a bark of bitter laughter. Yeah, thats a great thing to go by if you dont actually regret anything you did in the past.

I guess thats true.

They were silent for a few moments. Bella remained where she stood, perfectly between the beds and across from the window.

Do you want to talk about it? Chance asked.

In the rain?

She likes the rain. His voice broke slightly, but his face remained flat. He strode forward and grabbed Bella, pulling her toward the back of the house.

The window rattled as a peal of thunder shook the house. Bella craned her head back, trying to see what her father had been looking at. She let out a startled yelp. Water was pouring through the window and down over their couch.

The window!

Forget the window! Just

There was a sound like that of a watermelon being split by a knife. He staggered, his eyes widening. Bella, go to the safe room. Now.

But

Now! he roared. And close the door behind you. Ill join soon.

Bella spun and sprinted away, all thoughts of curiosity dead. She flew down the halls and sprinted into the small room at the back of the house. Grabbing onto the heavy metal door, she heaved it shut with all the strength in her small arms.

If the hinges hadnt been so well oiled, it would have been impossible. Even with their smooth movement, the door still closed at the speed of a crawling snail. The instant it slammed into place, Bella grabbed a crank wheel and spun it, locking the latch with a thick piece of steel.

Theyd had practice in running to the safe room before, but Bella had never seen her father quite this serious about it. She stared at the door, trembling, for several seconds. Bella leaned against the wall and slid down, hugging her knees to her chest.

Then she waited.

The roar of the rain outside didnt abate. Even here, she could hear its furious blows pouring down on the house above.

Something wet touched the bottom of Bellas shoe. She yelped, scrambling back and looking down at the floor. A puddle had formed at the base of the door, and it was quickly expanding.

The water churned and twisted into ropey vines that meshed together and melted into the shape of a person. His dark hair hung damp around his shoulders, and his eyes were as cold as ice.

A cultivator, Bella breathed, staring at him with wide, terrified eyes. Were you the one at the door?

The man paused. Then he tilted his head to the side, a flicker of a smile passing across his lips. No. Is that really the first question you have for me?

Bella swallowed. She scooted away until her back hit the wall. Dad? Dad?

Hes a little preoccupied, Im afraid, the man said, resting his hand on the door. Do you like cultivators much, girl?

Bella swallowed, then gave him a small nod. Why isnt my dad here?

I liked your first question more, the man said. He stepped closer and leaned down, peering into Bellas eyes. You look just like her. How amusing.

Bellas body screamed at her to run, but there was nowhere to go. She held his gaze, desperately fighting against her instincts. There was no ground left to give. Who are you?

I an old acquaintance of your parents, the man replied. Do you know what that word means? Acquaintance?

Like a friend, Bella said, swallowing. Her parents had never mentioned being friends with cultivators, but theyd also refused to let her meet any. Maybe they did know him.

Yes, that works. Im here to help you, the man said. His lips split apart in what was likely meant to be a reassuring smile, but it was anything but. Your mom and dad are hurt. They sent me to ask you for help.

Mom and Dad are hurt? What happened? Bella asked, scrambling up to her feet.

The cultivator spun the wheel on the door, unlocking it. It swung outward and he stepped out into the hall.

Come. If you dont act quickly, they may not survive at all.

Bella sprinted past the man. She skidded to a stop as she reached the front of the house, her eyes going wide. Her father lay face down on the ground, a pool of blood spreading around him and mixing with the rain pouring in through the window.

Daddy! Bella screamed, nearly slipping in blood as she ran up to him and grabbed his shoulder. Dad? Are you okay?

Im afraid hes going to die, the cultivator said, stepping from the darkness behind her. You see that hole in his back? Thats his heart. Clean through.

Bella spun toward the cultivator. Help him! Please! Cultivators can do anything!

Im afraid I wont, the man said. But I told you. You can.

How? Bella begged. Please!

The cultivator extended a hand. I will give you the strength to do it yourself. It is the only way. Then you will do me a favor in return. How about that?

Bella grabbed his hand. Thunder pealed outside, and the rain poured down even harder. A flash of lightning lit his face. Energy poured into Bellas body like a torrent of flame. She screamed in pain and crumpled to the ground beside her father.