Money? check... Food? check…. Water? check… one gold… one silver… and ten copper. This is bad.
He didn't wanna waste his money on this place, but his body was shaking and almost wobbling with every step.
Deciding to take on a new strategy, he passed through a merchant stand and stole some bread and fruits that he started to eat right after, in a less frequented alley. Even if it makes his food less appetising due to the unsetting smell of the street, he can't wait any longer…
By the looks of his clothes, it was clear that he couldn't afford this food and money, which is why he decided to hide.
Better outfit… I need something better to wear. Maybe it's best to run barefoot for now.
He kicked off the old boots which only hindered his movements as he focused on making this meal as nutritious as possible, taking sips of water between each bite. The water ? Stolen from the belt of a traveler, of course!
Why so eager? He can always snatch up a few more pouches. They won't mind! He's practically dead! There's no need to worry about the supplies itself, but rather the body.
Maybe after a few more rounds of borrowing before I can finally move on.
His stomach felt lighter and the vibrating of his body finally took a break.
A satisfied inhale got ruined by the stench of trash. Never has he ever scooped so low! He grinds his teeth.
But whatever, I'm not prideful enough to hinder my own progress through ego.
It was still bright so I must've woken up like usual… the others should still be asleep. The others… Well, strangers already roam the road, obviously they are awake, what am I even thinking?
He finished his last bite, this time with an exhale, so his food wouldn't come right back out. Packing away his pouch and putting the boots to the side, he threw himself on top of the closed lid of a trash can and decided to take a rest.
My body needs time.
—
Some time later, his eyes slowly opened. His head was no more dizzy and his body didn't feel half as bad as at the beginning.
That's all I needed. I knew it.
He made his way out as the sun was going down, but it was not close to night yet.
Passing by a clothing store, he stopped to consider getting some, but after some thought, that seemed to be fully out of his budget for now.
Then, what about the budget I'm about to earn..
He chose different spots. Slow, steady, and most importantly, filled with spite, he walked for some time, hiding his anxiety behind a false confused expression…
Eyes, eyes everywhere. Do they want him to strip nude!?
Every intentional bump, every trip, every corner was his friend. He acquired many pouches which he all emptied into one large one. Many times, he needed to run. Many times he needed to discreetly let go of a pouch he acquired to make their suspicion ease and think it merely dropped.
These people are far more aware of their surroundings than I thought. I caught a lot of looks… some even chased me…
I almost got caught but that's fine... it's best to hide away and leave for now. I think i got enough money…
Since he made sure to follow the map in his memory, instead of hiding in a trash can again, he hid rather far away, near the end of the city to be exact.
His steps slowed as he began rummaging through the pouch. There was a heavy amount of coins in there.
"The fruit of my labour..." he mused with content as he threw the pouch up and caught it with no problem.
Heavy! He finally found a secluded wall that he could jump without any guards around.
I have no pockets... so maybe turn my crappy rag of a shirt into a pouch..
But then I'd be half naked...
He took the pouch in his mouth and began to shakingly make his way up. He was sweating so easily and his body felt so heavy and light at the same time...
When finally managing his way up, he sat at the top, taking a breather.
Thirty-five gold... fifty silver... only fifteen copper? Is it... really that low of value? That's good to know.
He began to put his money back. The pouch could hold it but it's still not very subtle to walk with an oversized coin pouch around.
"YOU STOP!" No.
This was on pure instinct. A man with armor was running towards him but he really didn't care to look, why would you waste your time looking!!!
He practically vaulted off the wall. The guard attempted to catch up but the climb was treacherous if you're in armor. Mikel sprinted the moment he landed, there was nothing catching up to him.
His laugh mercilessly echoed throughout the air as he vanished into the woods, following a dirt path.
He slowed his pace, taking a few breaths. If he follows this route it'll lead him to a smaller village.
Alright! I don't think they'll chase me there for now.
Upon arrival, he was quick. He bought some cheap wares, simple clothes and a bag.
Kicking off his torn clothes, he puts on his smooth shirt that stuck onto his body and some pants that hung loosely.
—
"Surround the area."
"YES SIR!"
—
Crunch!
"That's some good apple…"
Mikel stayed for a night but that was one fast night! He was totally drained after waking up. He finished counting his money and went strolling along the street with his bag hanging over his back.
While he was peacefully whistling, he suddenly heard hurried steps approach him. He turned around to see someone running, a sword on their hip, as they chased after him.
OH SHIT!
He burst into a run. Luckily he took a rest, his body was still unwell but the adrenaline was keeping him going. He hid away multiple times twists and turns left and right.
Holy-
His back was glued to the old house's wall as he peeked over the corner, guards walking all over the place.
Okay, damm! Over a bit of money! Ain't ya all rich!?!
He slowed his breath as he snuck around corners, not even the alleys were safe!
They were scouting every street, every corner and Mikel slowly started getting cornered.
He didn't buy any new shoes, so at least he could run more quietly.
"I'm so… sorry!" He whispered in defeat as he climbed through a stranger's broken window. The paper windows were not hard to get through; it seemed like no one was home but the floorboard creaked under his weight.
"Honey, are you there?" a voice called out, approaching the room Mikel was in.
I'm SORRY!
He lunged at the man who walked out the other room before they could even scream.
"Listen! Listen!!"
"MMMM-!!!!"
Both men panicked, their weight swaying back and forth, until Mikel finally managed to tackle him down, huddling up into a corner. They breathed heavily while the other man was stuck in a headlock.
"Shush!! I'll give you money, I got money!" Surprisingly, that worked, as the man turned docile.
Mikel carefully removed his arms to indicate peace, which was met with the other man silently moving away.
Mikel then reached for his bag, pulling out a pouch of money while the other was grabbing a broom in defense.
Mikel gently puts down three gold coins, five silver and five copper, each piece quietly clicking the wood below them.
The other party turned curious. "You were for real?" their whispers barely reached the other man's ears.
"Yes.. just be quiet…!"
There was a silent understanding as the man began sweeping the coins towards himself. Mikel then dared approach the door, cautiously pressing his ear against it.
"Do not stop until you find him! Keep the formation steady!!! He's not leaving unless you guys are slacking off!!"
"Sir, yes sir!" soldiers and guards yelled in union as they dispersed.
"If anything, we'll search people's homes too. Be sure to inform the citizens, is that clear?"
Another voice rang with a 'yes sir' before they ran away.
"You can't stay!" A growl reached Mikel's ears.
"I won't! Listen!" "You can't!" "I'll leave, just let me hide here!" "I won't!" "I gave you money!"
"I-" "exactly." Mikel points his finger accusingly.
"I'm not helping you escape…" clutching the broom in his hand, the man looked away.
"I'm not asking for help... I promise I'll leave." Mikel extends his hand, holding a bit of candy. "Here..." He pauses, seeing the distrustful face of the house owner. "I mean, it's not much! But I feel like a sweet treat will calm you down."
The man reluctantly takes a few before turning away.
"I bought these treats myself, with the money my HUSBAND earned." His eyes light up as he keeps with the story. "I was hiding away in a tree…" finally hearing the crunch of candy from the man's turned back, he hums with a chuckle.
He stayed for a bit longer, making sure to sit in a corner so as to not disturb the quiet man who was simply sweeping the coins back and forth.
With just a few more hours passing, Mikel found the right timing and snuck his way back out, feeling the man's eyes stab holes into his back.
When he felt far enough, he peeked over a corner to see a few guards walk by the house he came from. He leaned back again with a sigh of relief.
"Maybe if I-"
His breath hitched when a dagger pierced right through the wall, barely missing his nose.
His eyes carefully traced the path of the dagger, just to see a guard jump off the wall, approaching him leisurely.
Mikel's heart was still pounding as he took a step back from the thing that almost gave him free plastic surgery.
"Going somewhere?" "Not without you." "Excuse me?"
"NOTHING." He nervously ran his fingers through his disheveled hair. The man before him was large, with many daggers around his hips and a broad blade on his back.
His red hairs were tied into a bun, and his piercing red eyes barely glared as he looked Mikel up and down.
"So now, you finally look at me.." his teeth grit together as he glared down at what he assumed guard.
"What?" The scarlet man spun the dagger but Mikel wasted no time.
"YOU COLD HEARTED MAN!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, gathering everyone's attention to their location, both curious and determined guards.
A small alley with not much space was now filled with onlookers while Mikel took the stage.
"OF COURSE you wouldn't say anything now!!! YOU NEVER DO!"
"what are you-" "SHUT UP!"
The man flinched in surprise.
"I LOST EVERYTHING FOR YOU!! HAVING TO GO TO THESE LENGTHS TO GET YOUR ATTENTION AND YOU WOULDN'T EVEN COME ALONE!"
"I-" the man barely could get a word out before a pouch filled with coins hit his chest pouring out its goods onto the floor. "HERE! TAKE IT!"
Some people were gasping, guards chuckling, while others were deeply invested in the drama unfolding.
"YOU COULDN'T EVEN TAKE ME YOURSELF! BUT I'M STARTING TO UNDERSTAND.."
"YOU'RE A WEAK MAN!! WHAT WAS THE POINT OF LOVING YOU WHEN YOU WOULDN'T EVEN GLANCE AT ME!" Mikel threw himself onto the red haired man's arms punching his chest as tears welled up.
"I LOST MONEY, HOME, FAMILY AND EVEN STARVED TO THE DEATH AT THE CITY YOU GUARD, IN HOPES THAT YOU'D GLANCE MY WAY!!"
Gasps echoed around the alley as Mikel stumbled back with a push, his eyes red in tears as the red haired man attempted to grab onto him just to be slapped off.
Idiot.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!!"
Red-head's never been confronted like this before, what was he supposed to do!
Before he could get another word out, Mikel fell into another mess of sobs.
"I stole.. I did everything to get your attention.. FOR WHAT?! LOOK AT HOW LOW I SCOOPED!" "I HATE YOU!"
Mikel turned his back, wiping his tears with his hands as another guard approached to soothe the crying man's tears.
"Listen i-" "Shi Fei, step back." Another voice commanded as Mikel accepted the handkerchief of the guard who was rubbing his back in soothing circles.
"please don't cry.. I'm sure it's just your pheromones, when was the last time you properly ate?" The guard took the drenched handkerchief as Mikel pointed accusingly.
"MAYBE ASK HIM! I'M SURE HE CAN PERFECTLY LIST THE AMOUNT OF DAYS HE DECIDED TO AVOID ME!"
The red man was baffled, but before he could counter back, the guard shot him a glare. He may have been a rank below him, but currently, everyone surrounding this scene was far above him.
Even the wailing thief.
"He THINKS he's so much better to me.. he didn't mind me dying with this heartache..." Mikel mumbled.
Pheromones, huh?
"It's okay, but-" "I know.. what I did wasn't right.." Mikel barely coaxed out between his cries.
"I just didn't know what to do anymore.. I did not wish to starve to death either nor live this life…"
His weak voice echoed as all eyes landed on Shi Fei.
Mikel buried his face into the guard's armored chest. When Shi Fei stopped to meet his eyes, he was only met with a mocking glare.
Before he could point it out, the man sobbed once more as the guard took him into a hug, fully focused on the younger man, afraid to break him by merely hugging him too tightly.
Soothing, this felt soothing.
I wonder what they would think if they saw me like this…
"I apologise." Shi Fei got down on one knee, his head lowered in shame.
"I not only caused you such heartache, I also almost injured you with my daggers."
With clinks, the daggers dropped, yet the blade stayed on his back.
"I cannot ask forgiveness when I am not even aware of what I caused."
I…
Mikel's heart ached.
He felt his lips shake as he buried his head back into the other man's armor, unable to look at the scene.
"Shi Fei-" "No. I won't get up. The same way he couldn't get up, I must feel the same as him."
The general saw the scene unfold, everyone did.
"Very well, disband and bring the thief back."
Rather than being detained, he was guided out of the alley, the guard that held him confiscating the pouch.
"I'm sure you understand." His voice rang gently through Mikel's crocodile tears, who merely nodded in response.
When someone attempted to cuff him, he was dismissed at once.
As the people disbanded, a voice called.
"Shi Fei," "Yes?" "Return when you're ready."
Their silence carried through the wind as Mikel was taken away, the guards whispers spreading like wildfire.
I'm sorry.