Following the alchemist is not an easy task, as Alros learnt the hard way.
The woman seemed to know every single paths in the city, able to weave through the alley with ease. If not for him being able to follow after her scent, he would have lost her a long time ago.
However, she soon reach the edge of the city. She seem to contemplate something. Alros decided it is time for him to make his entrance.
"Running away from the mob?" he asked, causing the twintailed woman to yelp, startled by his presence.
"W-what *hiccup* are you *hiccup* doing here?" she asked between hiccups. The incubus in disguise could tell she was crying, the tear streaks remained on their cheeks.
"I saw the mob and I decide to follow my favourite alchemist in this city," he replied before getting close to her. After all, he had some experience, or at least see people with some people with such face before. After all, it is the same face some of his friends made before they committed suicide.
"Are you-"he stop saying okay. After all, she is clearly not alright after what happened.
"Do you need help?" he asked instead.
"Yes," she said with a sad smile. "Please, let end this torture for me," she took a knife and was about to cut her wrist when he stop her, his hands grabbing the knife hand.
"No, I will not let you throw your life away," he exclaimed, keeping her wrist and neck away from the knife.
"Please, just end this for me!" she cried out, tears dropping from her eyes as she let go of the knife.
"They had been tormenting me for their entire life! They keep hurling abuse, cheat me of my earning, and sometime even beat me up! I can't stand this anymore!" she cried into his shoulder.
Alros let her cried out her frustration, until her sob hiccups turned into a soft snore. The demon in disguise looked at the sleeping alchemist and wondered, why did he help him.
A look on her told him all the answer she need.
"Then what do you want me to do!? To cry like child! I have been tormented since I am a mere child! Just because of something they are not even sure off! They keep throwing abuse, hurt me, and make my life as a whole miserable!
I will not let have them have the satisfaction of seeing me crying like this!" she yelled, tears string down her face.
The man in front of her quickly hugged. She did not know why, but the hug feel nice. 'Oh, no one ever hug me like this before. A truly caring one,' she thought as she leaned towards his shoulder.
Slowly, all the mask she wore, the barrier she put, all of them fell apart as she cried her frustration for the second time, sobbing out loud. As for the man, the only one who showed her kindness for such a long time, he remained, holding her.
-x-
'I wish I manage to stop them from killing themselves,' Alros though, keeping his hold over the smaller alchemist. He could remember his friends breaking down, before he would not be able to contact the man.
He only knew of his end when he read the news. It broke his hurt and spurred his revenge, for he would not let the one who harm all the people who cared for him, get out unscathed.
At the moment, he felt the desire to help her in getting her revenge, though whether she want to or not, is up for her.
"Do you feel better?" he asked, feeling it is the right time to ask such question. She hiccup but nodded nevertheless.
He rubbed the remaining tears, the alchemist leaning towards his touch.
"Do you want to talk about it or not?" she shook his head. Alros decide to respect her decision. If she trust him, she would let him in her secret, and maybe he would do the same to her as well.
"What do you want to do?" he asked. This is an important step. Whether she would let this place haunt her or choose a new place to stay, is up for her.
The alchemist looked at him with a determine glare.
"I would like to go to the Capital and set up the best alchemy shop in the entire duchy!"