Chapter Two: Sins On Your Shoulders

The ship landed on the ground with a THUD. She-Beast was sharpening her spear and examined it before pressing a button in the center of the staff and it retracted to the size of a dagger. She sheathed it on her belt. She changed out of her dress to better prepare for combat, but she was kind of disappointed she didn’t get to show off in front of a large crowd.

Runaway: You sure you know the way to this orphanage?

Echo: Yep. Just give me time to change and we’ll be right out.

Merchant: Hurry! I don’t want that bastard to lay a finger on Eraser.

Merchant and Runaway exited the ship, and Echo began to undo his tuxedo.

Echo: I’ll be right out Aldanna. You can go wait with Merch and Run.

She-Beast: I need to talk to you, Inex.

Echo: Oh? What’s up?

She-Beast: Remember the flowers you sent me?

Of course he remembered. It was the gift he gave her out of love and she simply friendzoned him. How could he forget when that memory was right before he found out he had a brother, let alone an alive one.

She-Beast: I think- I think I understand what you meant by them.

Echo: What?

She-Beast: I know how you feel about me. It should’ve been obvious to me before.

Echo: Look, Aldanna, I just- I’m sorry. If you don’t feel the same-

She-Beast: Oh Ollara- Inex, shut up.

She-Beast leaped forward and cupped Echo’s face in her hands. Echo stared at her hazel brown eyes as the light from the inside of the ship reflected off of them perfectly.

She-Beast: I’ve never felt this way about someone. I’m conflicted about how I feel about you. I never even thought about you that way before, but when I saw it could be real, my heart just wanted it.

Echo: Aldanna, I think that’s a cliche.

Echo watched as she chuckled at him before kissing him. ON. THE. LIPS?!?!

He silently panicked as the hottest woman he ever met was kissing him, after professing her love for him. Now, he had to think about how to respond, because she’s also the scariest woman he ever met.

He slowly wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her in tighter. Then, they stood there, kissing and holding each other.

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Merchant stood outside of the ship, waiting for the love birds to finish up whatever they’re doing. He patted his shillelagh that was attached to his belt. He still remembered the day he got it. The day his uncle died and he was put to the mercy of his parents. Now, he was going to use it to save a family member. Eraser.

Merchant: Fecking hell, E, ye better still be alive. I’d never forgive myself.

Runaway: You can say he’s your son. Everyone sees how you treat him.

Merchant felt a chill run down his spine. He forgot that the little demon was still here.

Merchant: Jaysus. Remind me to put a cowbell on ye.

Runaway: We should just leave without them. They’re taking too long.

Merchant: Didn’t it take all over ye to just knock out this eejit? I wanna save E just as bad as ye do, but we need to be smart.

Runaway: Smart? That’s the opposite of anything you do.

Merchant: Yeah? Well, not when Eraser’s on the fecking line. If anything happens to that little spectre…I wouldn’t sleep sound at night. Just…wait.

Runaway stood there silently as Merchant leaned against the ship.

Merchant: So, why’d ye lie about yer age?

Runaway: What?

Merchant: Listen, pipsqueak, I hate ye, but I draw the line at killing kids. Why would ye just put yerself in a bloodsport with people shooting at ye? Even I wasn’t that desperate to escape my problems when I was yer age.

Runaway didn’t look at Merchant.

Merchant: Where were ye parents? Yer uncle? Yer auntie? Yer-

Runaway: They're dead. Oni ki- I killed them. I was alone, and had no way to gain money. I was homeless. I saw an ad and just took it. That’s all you need to know.

Merchant looked at Runaway and saw the image of a broken young boy forced to grow up faster than he should’ve. He saw himself.

He reached to put a hand on Runaway’s shoulder, but Runaway pulled away and walked a few feet farther from him.

Merchant looked at Runaway and felt something in his gut. He knew what it was and whispered the quietest he’s ever whispered.

Merchant: Feck, I’m attached.