Chapter 259
Aria pushed the unwellness aside, and her steps grew noticeably lighter.
Owen stopped, tentatively extending his left hand. “How about I…”
But as he caught sight of a figure coming into view, he left his words unfinished.
Caleb finished his tasks and, upon hearing Aria was there treating someone, rushed over immediately. Seeing this, he hurried over and asked, “Aria, not feeling well?”
Aria shook her head. “No big deal. Just a little.”
Caleb didn’t hesitate. He turned around, crouched down, and said, “Let me carry you.”
Aria stared blankly at the broad back in front of her, momentarily frozen, her mind going blank.
As far as she could remember, no one had ever carried her like that before.
“Come on, Aria. Hop on,” Caleb urged gently.
Acupuncture wasn’t supposed to be this exhausting. But for her, it was always a struggle. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to say no to the hope shining in Giana’s eyes.
Aria took a step forward. Caleb wrapped his arms around the back of her thighs and lifted her onto his back.
The winter clothing was bulky, making her heavier, but Caleb’s steps were steady, hardly swaying at all.
So this was what it felt like to be carried. It was so warm.
Gradually, she relaxed, leaning against Caleb’s back and catching the familiar scent of laundry soap.
It was the standard–issue soap they all used.
Caleb walked at a measured pace. He glanced at Owen and asked in a low voice, “How did she get so exhausted?”
“That patient’s condition was quite complicated,” Owen replied.
Owen glanced over, and his eyes fell on a face that was almost too beautiful.
Sunlight shone on her face, causing her to involuntarily furrow her brows.
He stepped half a pace behind her, using his shadow to block the beam of sunlight for her.
“Go and pick up that knife.”
A bunch of teenage boys had gathered together. Their leader had his foot planted firmly on the back of a little girl no more than seven or eight years old.
Her hair was matted and her face smeared with dirt, making her look every bit the street urchin.
The leader ground his heel into her shoulder and barked, “I said pick it up! Are you deaf?”
Just then, a tall figure and a small one approached from nearby.
The man with the yellow armband cast an icy, indifferent look at them, his eyes utterly impassive, as if the brutal scene before him was just routine. He said, “Marcus, don’t kill her.”
His voice was as flat and lifeless as stagnant water.
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10:59 Thu, 12 Jun D
Chapter 259
With that, he shoved the newcomer forward. “New recruit. Training starts tomorrow.”
“Oh? A new plaything?” Marcus Payne curled his lips into a malicious grin, grinding his foot against the little girl’s back a few times before finally pulling it away and strolling lazily toward the newcomer.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Madelyn,” she replied.
Madelyn’s gaze swept over the girl lying on the ground, then she looked up at the boy approaching her.
He looked about thirteen or fourteen, still bearing traces of childishness–square jaw, short thick eyebrows, thin lips, and a cruel glint in his eyes when he smiled.
For the time being, she couldn’t beat him nor the group behind him.
Marcus leaned down, staring straight into her eyes as he reached out. “Those eyes are beautiful. Makes me want to pluck them out.”
Madelyn turned her head, dodging his hand, and met the little girl’s gaze.
The girl looked even younger than she was.
“What’s her name?” Madelyn asked.
Before anyone started missions there, no one in Solemnity Guild had a code name.
Most newcomers showed fear and panic, just like the girl on the ground.
But this one was calm.
AD
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