"What the hell did you do, Elena?" Kate's shrill voice pierced the silence that had settled over the tavern.
Elena's body shook. Her hands trembled as she tried to speak.
"I–I don't know… He tried to—" she stuttered, struggling to find her words.
Gerald pushed himself upright, grunting heavily.
"You and your aunt are going to pay for what you did to me today!"
"Are you alright?" Elena asked, stepping closer.
"Don't come near me!" Gerald snapped, his eyes wide with fear. He staggered toward the exit, groaning in pain.
"You've ruined me, Elena!" Kate screamed, jabbing a finger at her.
"Gerald is never going to take this lying down. All my hard work for so many years is going down the drain — all because of you!"
"I didn't know when I did that," Elena said shakily. "I was scared. He was trying to harass—"
"Shut your filthy mouth!"
"You better find a way to fix this," Kate hissed, "or I'm going to sell you off!"
"Don't you think that's enough?" a calm voice interrupted.
Kate turned sharply, her eyebrow lifting in question.
"Who the fuck do you think you are to interfere in matters between my niece and me?"
"I'm just nobody," the young man replied evenly.
"But I saw everything that happened from the start. If she's truly your niece, shouldn't you be defending her? She was about to be harassed, yet all you have to say is this?"
Kate sneered.
"Do you know who Gerald is? You'd better mind your business if you don't want trouble. You're far too handsome to die young."
The young man chuckled softly. He raised his voice.
"Everyone, please. There's nothing to see here. Let's all return to what we came for."
The crowd, almost instinctively, settled back into their seats. Slowly, noise returned to the tavern.
"Who is Gerald?" the young man asked quietly.
Kate eyed him suspiciously.
"You aren't from around here, are you?"
"No," he replied lightly. "Just a traveler."
"That explains your foolishness," she scoffed.
"Gerald is the big dog around here. Anyone with sense doesn't cross him. Now that this girl has done this, he'll do everything in his power to ruin me. If Elena doesn't find a way to appease him, he'll destroy my tavern."
Elena sighed deeply. All her life she had tried to stay unnoticed — and now she had drawn the wrong kind of attention.
A gangster.
Before the young man could speak, Elena cut in.
"Don't worry, Aunt. I'll handle Gerald. I'll go see him tomorrow."
Kate sniffed.
"Good. You'll do whatever he says — and I mean it. You're no longer a child."
She walked away.
Elena gave the young man a small nod of acknowledgment and followed after.
He remained where he stood, his eyes fixed on her retreating figure.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Elena hurried toward the back, her eyes searching frantically.
"Amber! Amber! Are you still here?" she called, her voice cracking.
The weight of the day pressed heavily on her chest. She needed someone — anyone — who understood.
But Amber was nowhere to be found.
Exhausted, Elena sat on an old wooden barrel.
Her fists clenched and unclenched as she struggled to breathe steadily. She tried to hold it in, tried to be strong — but failed.
Tears fell onto her worn dress, slow at first, then in uncontrollable streams.
Her shoulders shook as she sobbed. Burnt bodies flashed through her mind again. The flames of the lamp seemed alive, dancing with memories of her nightmares.
A deep sense of loss settled over her like a shroud.
It was late when Elena began cleaning the tavern. Most patrons had long since stumbled home.
Her head throbbed dully as she gathered the rubbish and carried it outside.
The darkness was thick — almost suffocating.
The silence felt loud.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
Elena froze.
Was she imagining it? Who would still be around at this hour?
The hairs on her neck stood on end. The presence behind her felt deliberate — not drunken, not careless.
She tightened her grip on the can.
As the figure drew closer, she swung it with all her strength.
The can was caught midair and flung aside.
Fear surged through her.
Had Gerald already sent someone?
"Woah… easy there, tiger," a familiar voice said.
That voice.
"Who are you?" Elena demanded. "Why are you following me?"
"It's me," the man replied, raising his hands.
He lowered his hood slowly.
It was him — the stranger from the tavern.
Elena frowned.
Why did he always look so amused?
"What do you want?" she asked.
"I just want to talk."
"I have nothing to say to you. If this is about earlier, you have my thanks. So what else do you want? How long have you been waiting here?"
"Not long," he said casually, fiddling with his fingers.
"And?"
"I find you interesting, Elena. And I'd like us to be friends."
Her eyes narrowed.
"How do you know my name?"
"Relax. Your aunt's been screaming it all day. I'd have to be deaf not to know."
"Oh…" Elena muttered, lowering the piece of wood she had picked up.
"I'm Dante," he said with a smile, extending his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
She hesitated. His dark eyes held no malice — only curiosity.
After a moment, she accepted his hand.
He shook it firmly, then lifted it. His lips brushed lightly against the back of her hand.
A jolt of warmth shot through her. Elena pulled away, startled.
Dante laughed softly.
"I should be going now. See you later."
And just like that, he disappeared into the night.
Elena stared after him, her stomach fluttering — until a sudden chill crawled up her spine.
The darkness felt thicker now.
Somewhere beyond the tavern, a figure stood watching.
An axe rested across his back.
*****
A/N
Hey guys! I took a little break because of the holidays but now I'm back!
I Made this chapter longer than usual for Christmas.
I'll try my best to post chapters on weekdays.
Thank you for reading and have a gentle holiday.