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Harper woke up with a sore back. From top to bottom, it ached. It took her a while to get off the floor.

She made her way out of the room and into the open living room. There, she saw Arthur and Hyde talking with each other. They had changed their clothes from the day before.

Arnest was dressed similarly to the locals of Itaria. He had a beige embroidered long-sleeved shirt and black slacks. His shoes were damaged sandals.

Hyde wore something similar but with a tank top tucked into his slacks. The scar from his neck to his lower abdomen swirled into hiding under the top. His hair was pulled in a high ponytail.

When Harper stepped in their direction, she understood why they were dressed the way they were. It was hot. Westona was always cold and chilled. But ever since arriving in this country, she was surprised at how humid the air was.

"Look who's finally awake." Arnest raised a brow at her. "The Shebeast graces us with her presence."

Harper ignored him. Hyde opened a drawer of a nearby dresser and tossed some clothes at her. A skirt with a flower pattern, a pair of black leggings, and an embroidered short-sleeved shirt.

"What's this?"

"Well, it looks like clothes. Something to cover the body to spare the eyes of others from bare skin." Arnest snorted.

"That's not what I meant. Why are you giving this to me?"

"You'll die of heat exhaustion with what you're currently wearing," Hyde replied, walking by her to reach for something on a nearby shelf.

"Isn't that what you want?" Harper spat.

"What I want...is for you to suffer on my terms. But that doesn't apply here. I don't need everyone gossiping that you're from Westona."

"What? Do people here have an issue with my nationality?" Harper frowned.

"WE have an issue with YOUR country's motives and values," Arnest answered abruptly. "Westona has a dark history with us."

"Whatever." Harper rolled her eyes.

"That attitude is exactly why we don't see eye to eye."

"Oh wow. What a shocker." Harper sneered sarcastically.

Hyde was about to step in and say something, but a loud knock on the door caught all of their attention. Arnest went over to answer. The moment he did, his expression sank.

Giada barged her way in with a loud greeting, shoving her son aside. "It isseh beautiful day outside. Perfeito. Hyde's amora. Sleep well? Yes?" She grabbed Harper's hands and smiled wide at her.

Before Harper could answer, Giada pulled her in for a hug. "So happy eyu stayed. Today, eyu will see the town. Mi boy, Arno, will show eyu around."

"Wait, what? Mama..."

"Don't eyu "mama" mi, Arno..." Giada scolded him. "Hyde, eyu, and Arno must show Harpy around."

Hyde narrowed his eyes at her but didn't say anything to refuse. "Mama Giada... are you—"

"Oh! Youra eyes are too keen!" Giada huffed. "I tell the whole village. Mi figlis returned, and with a beautiful Amora. So, I plan a huge feast. Everyone will see. Yes!"

"Giada—"

"Eyu must go! So I prepare!" Giada smacked her lips and waved her finger around in Hyde's fast. "And where isseh the boy?"

"Asleep."

"Eyu must wake him. Boys must play and run at his age. Early, tire them out before the day ends. Go and wake him, Arno."

"Well... um... I don't think it's a good idea." Harper mumbled.

Yanpu wasn't like a normal child. He was always surrounded by adults. She was afraid he would have a hard time adapting to other kids.

And the facility hasn't yet tested him to see if he is capable of getting along with another young person.

"No worry, Harpy." Giada smiled. "I take care of him well. He is young. Let him play. Eyu must go and be with Hyde."

Giada looked down and noticed that she was carrying folded clothes. "Oh! Eyu must change first! Go!"

She pushed Harper into another room.

~~~

"Sorry, Hyde. My mother can be a bit..." Arnest grumbled. "Well... controlling."

"It doesn't matter. I expected she'd do this. There's no use in wasting time drawling about it. Use this time to find any new ingredients you need for another batch of the Antidote." Hyde voiced authoritatively.

"What about you?" Arnest frowned. "Don't tell me you're just gonna sightsee."

"I'm going to the postal home to mail a letter to Harald, letting him know we're here in Piccposto. Then, I'm going to search for some weapons."

"The ones at the academy don't work for you?" Arnest raised a brow.

"Thanks to an ignorant twat, I lost my swords." Hyde spat viciously and Harper scoffed. "I'm not used to other weapons, so I need to find some new ones before anything else goes wrong."

"And what about her?"

"She'll come with me."

"What?" Harper blinked. "Are you scared that I'll do something to your minion? I won't. Can't I go with him?"

"And give me problems? No thanks." Arnest scoffed.

"Won't it be better for you to go by yourself, Hyde?" Harper bit her lips nervously.

"What's wrong? You don't want to spend time with..." Hyde snatched Harper's hand in his and tightened his hold. "Your oh-so-sweet, loving, husband?" The words were forced. She could tell he hated everything about that sentence.

"Try anything and I'll rip your kidneys out and put them on display to sell to the Itarian butchers wanting mystery meat."

"For my, oh so handsome and loving husband, you're awfully rude."

"Handsome?" Hyde's eyes twinkled and his smile grew wide.

"What?" Harper caught herself. "I was being sarcastic. I don't think you're attractive at all. Don't put words in my mouth."

"I didn't. You were the one who said it."

"Can you just drag me along and get it over with?"

Hyde chuckled at her. Harper bit her cheek and avoided eye contact with the two men. Hyde's laughter quickly diminished.

"We'll meet at the square when we're finished."

"If she tries anything on you..." Arnest glared at her.

"Oh, she won't." Hyde smiled wickedly at Harper before his fingers tightened around her wrist, and she squinted. His eyes were threatening. "Go on."

Arnest hesitantly walked away from the two. When he disappeared into the crowd of people, Hyde yanked Harper in another direction.

After a while of taking paths and alleyways further from the center of the village, Harper caught the eyes of several men. They eyed her as if she was strange.

Which, technically, she was. Her Westonian manners distinguished her from others. She didn't walk or look like them. Rather than carrying her head high, her posture was sloppy.

Hyde stopped to examine the area, not even paying attention to the looks they were getting. Then he continued.

Harper was starting to feel tired and hungry. She felt the sweat on her neck run down and seep onto her shirt.

The skirt she was wearing was so heavy on her. And the leggings weren't helping her either.

"Hyde."

No response.

Harper followed along as he kept his hold on her arm.

"Hyde, I need a break."

Again, no answer.

Harper fell onto her knees, dragging him back forcefully. Hyde only rolled his eyes at her and spoke under his breath, frustrated.

"So weak and feeble."

"It's too hot." Harper fanned her face and shielded her eyes from the sun. "Just let me rest for a while."

"I'll give you 30 seconds."

"Hyde. I come from a country where there is no sunlight, it's always cold, and to breathe I have to wear a mask. This is overwhelming for me. My body is in shock. All I'm asking is that you let me sit here for a while."

"If this is another one of your tricks—"

The sound of Harper's stomach roaring interrupted Hyde mid-sentence. Harper looked away in embarrassment, and Hyde pressed his lips thin.

After thinking about it, Hyde sighed. "Only this time, I'll let you rest. Don't move anywhere. If you're not here by the time I get back, I swear I'll—"

"I won't go anywhere." Harper frowned. Hyde observed her a moment more before finally leaving her there to rest.

Harper pulled herself up and went to a nearby bench to sit on. The sound of the soft breeze and leaves shaking on the trees eased her nerves. She was surprised at how quickly she felt at peace.

Harper began to observe the people around her. They were all smiling and talking with each other. Although the language they spoke was very different, she could tell they were having interesting or joyful conversations.

The men were probably exchanging good news with each other.

Two small children raced by on bicycles, ringing their bells and laughing at each other. And two women were strutting happily down the stairs as they gossiped and giggled about stuff.

To see so many uplifted and spirited people in one area was so surprising. Her whole life, she had known the opposite. Why was Westona so gloomy and dreary compared to this place?

Perhaps it was their adaption to dangerous Puron levels. This just made it evident that Yanpu was the key to their happiness. The future of Westona depended on his DNA.

But wait, were these people able to adjust their bodies to the chemicals? Was there toxic gas here? Harper was able to breathe without a mask on, so it was unlikely.

Harper had a theory. Perhaps in the future, not only could Yanpu's sample blood be used to help cure disease, but it would probably enable them to be able to create some sort of antidote to help them adapt to the gas and breathe as freely as this town. After a century, Westona could return to a normal state.

She wished she could tell Dr. Bomb about her discovery. This country needed to be studied. But there was no way he would be able to track her and Yanpu now. They were very far away from home.

"Stop daydreaming." Hyde's voice snapped her back to reality.

He sat next to her and headed her a small bottle of water, and a paper-wrapped bun. Harper was stunned, but she took the food and water from him.

"You look more brain-dead than usual."

"What?"

"Why are you zoning out? Thinking of a way to escape?"

"I wasn't."

"I don't tolerate deceit."

"Why do you always assume the worst about me? Are you that anxious that I'll run and successfully get away from your ugly face?"

"Ugly?" He smirked. "Now you say I'm ugly."

"You always were."

"I'm not worried about you running away because I know with your build you won't get far. I'm just anticipating the moment I get to hand out your consequences of going against me."

"As much as I want to get away, I'm not making any plans on running. I'd like to keep my kidneys. And I have to make sure you won't do anything to Yanpu."

"The brat should be the least of your worries."

"Well, he's not. He's the very first. But I doubt someone like you would ever understand what it's like to protect someone you love and care for, considering how vile you are."

"Vixen, I'd tread lightly with the person who just wasted money on your food."

"You don't get brownie points for feeding a hostage—"

Hyde snagged onto her hand holding the bottle of water and began to crush her wrist. Harper's eyes widened, and she dared not to move.

One wrong move and her wrist would be shattered. "Stop!" She huffed.

"You're a hostage, aren't you? So... you don't have any right to bark out orders."

"Please..." Harper whined. "Please don't break it!"

"As long as you sit there and eat quietly." Hyde sneered. He released her, and she quickly pulled away from him. "You keep testing me."

Harper kept her eyes on the bun and took a small bite, praying to the overseers about her situation. Her faith was running out. None of her prayers were coming true.

Was she really doomed for the rest of her life under Hyde's torture?

Hyde was wicked. She realized that she had to understand it sooner if she wanted to remain unharmed.

Even if she could never escape, she had to help Yanpu get far away from this dastardly being. Was that a sacrifice she was willing to make? Harper thought deeply about it.

As of now, she viewed her chances of living a prolonged life being very slim. If Hyde pushed her over a limit, she could see herself eventually losing the will to live.

Harper took another bite of the bun but her stomach felt heavy. She was losing her appetite quickly.

Was Hyde really the same man she saved a decade ago? The memory from a few days ago was still at the forefront of her mind. The two, one from her memory and the one sitting beside her looked exactly alike.

What was the cause of Hyde's insanity?

She remembered the red eyes that looked at her back then. He shielded her from the bloodhound without an issue. And those pupils used to be warmer and more welcoming.

Because of Bomb's explanation of what happened, she wondered what enabled him to start acting so aggressively.

"Are you finished?"

"I thought you wanted me to be quiet," Harper mumbled softly. She could feel his gaze burning onto her skin. "I'm finished."

"Drink your water and follow me. I don't want you slowing me down because you're weak."

"Okay." Harper sighed and downed the liquid as quickly as she could. When the contents inside were finished, she stood up and walked after Hyde.

She was silent as they walked by various shops and down an alleyway with stairs. The people parted subtly as Hyde made his way down. His presence was very intimidating.

But the crowd didn't look scared of him. They stared at him with admiration. Harper caught the soft smiles of children and women as he sauntered past.

They reached a building at the end of the alleyway. Hyde nudged Harper inside, and they were both welcomed with a loud greeting.

The small shop smelled like alcohol. Harper held in a gag. A tall bald man with blue eyes and round glasses nodded his head when he saw Hyde.

"Heard you were back in town." His accent wasn't as thick as the other Itarians. "How was your trip up North?"

"Cold," Hyde leaned over the counter and shifted his eyes over to a small fax machine sitting on the counter behind the man.

"It's been a few years. Surely, Giada was very worried about you and Arno. She's so happy, the rumor of your return has spread so quickly. I thought when you both left you weren't coming back."

"Giada always worries."

"As she should. She thinks you and Arno are in love with each other." The man laughed and Hyde's expression remained the same. "Anyone would mistake you two running away together. But some of us had sense. I told her you and Arno are like brothers."

"I need you to fax a message to the border port." Hyde dismissed his small talk, wanting to finish what he came for.

"You're always in a rush. You haven't changed a bit. Arnesto's lessons aren't ingrained in your heart yet." The man placed his hands on his waist. "The fax machine is broken. In a few days, a repairman will come to fix it."

"Shite," Hyde grumbled.

"Who's the pretty femalia you brought with you?"

Harper placed her hands behind her back and looked at her feet.

"No one important," Hyde answered.

"Ah. Is she another friend you can play with?"

"Not in the slightest." Hyde scoffed. "When the machine is fixed, please fax a message to a Kragite man named Harald at the border port. He is there with a ship with the Krahagh flag. It should say we made it to Piccposto. Si?"

"No problem. No worries." The man smiled and nodded.

"Graci, Esteban." Hyde grabbed onto Harper's forearm and led her out of the shop. The moment the door closed behind them, Harper's question slipped out.

"They don't know you went to Westona? Is that what you told everyone? That you were going up North?"

Hyde didn't respond, but Harper persisted.

"Krahagh is up North. Is that where you met Harald? You can't trust the Kragites."

"You're so ignorant." Hyde finally spoke to reply to her.

"Just because you hate Westona does not change the fact that you are a Westonian. The Kragites will hate you. They're cruel and brutal towards people like us—"

"Towards people like YOU." He corrected her. "Stupid. I denounced my Westonian nationality the moment I escaped from that prison you call home."

"Prison?" Harper scoffed. "Westona may not be as bright or have fresh air like this place, but they are not as cruel as Krahagh! You are a serviceman! You were taught the same things I was when I first entered the Facility! You—"

"I'm not a serviceman anymore. It's not getting through that thick skull of yours."

"What exactly do you have against Westona? Tell me."

"I don't have to tell you shite."

"I don't understand it. Ten years ago, you vanished after murdering a line of guards on duty at the Facility. But what happened? What made you go insane?"

"Is that what Bomb told you? That I went insane?" Hyde chortled. "It's no surprise that you're stupid enough to gobble up everything he says."

"Even if he did tell me, your actions aren't proving otherwise!" Harper frowned.

Hyde began to walk away, but Harper stopped him.

"I remember it clearly. I saved you."

"Does it look like I care?"

"But I only saved you after you shielded me! And after I took you to my home, and bandaged you, I woke up and you had left. A few days later, I heard on the News that you vanished!" Harper bit her lip anxiously. "Your scar... your mission... it was that night, wasn't it? The night you met me!"

"You're thinking too much..." Hyde rolled his eyes.

"I don't think I did or said anything to make you... kill anyone. Unless I didn't remember correctly. Did I—"

"You can dissect a decade's worth of wasted time when we get to the square. Until then, move out of my way and stop slowing me down." Hyde nudged her away harshly and strolled ahead.

Harper mumbled to herself as she went after him.

~~~

Hyde and Harper went to several weapon shops before Hyde finally decided to head back to meet Arnest. He was leaving empty-handed, without any new blades he was starting to get antsy.

It had been days without a feel for a sharp object. And it had been a while since he kept up his training routine. It was starting to get to him.

In the square, there was a beautiful painted mural on the tile where Arnest was standing. They approached him and Arnest nodded.

"Find what you were looking for?"

"No." Hyde groaned. "It was a wasteful day."

"If I had to drag around a Westonian I'd feel the same way."

Harper rolled her eyes.

"The restaurant is nearby. Should we get something to eat?"

"Giada is expecting us."

"I know. That's why I'm hesitant to go back. Who knows what she has planned for us there."

"Whatever it is, we might as well get it over with." Hyde began walking back in the direction they came.