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"Wow... this place is beautiful..."

There was a waterfall running down a tall cliff coated in green.

There were island houses made of straw and wood spread around in a way to compliment the scenery. The water led to a river, which there was a wooden bridge hanging over.

It was so clear that Harper could see the fish, many kinds with different bright colors in the water. Hyde was leading them toward the center, where a large wooden boardpost was planted.

"It's okay..."

"You don't think the water looks amazing?"

"I've seen Itaria." Hyde shrugged. "It's nice and open, with lots of sunlight. This place has sunlight, but it's damp and humid."

"Look at the positives."

"That was the positive." Hyde stopped in front of the board and skimmed over it. There was a map in the top left corner. Harper couldn't reach it, but with Hyde's height, he was able to see it clearly.

The map was weaved together with long grass and marked on with ink.

"Can you read it?" Harper glanced at Hyde. She couldn't see much from her eye level but it looked like symbols scattered on the map.

"It's just as I thought," Hyde groaned. "We're in Paradiso."

"Paradiso?"

"An island in between Itaria and Krahagh. The pod sent us in the opposite direction from Westona."

"That's a relief,"

"It's not." Hyde pointed to the small image of two messy circles in the bottom right corner, showing the full country. "It would've been better if we landed on the mainland. That way, I could've contacted Harald easily for assistance."

Harper kept quiet about her thoughts on the Kragite man.

"We are on this rural little part, beside it. There are no banks here, and no system in place for established functionality. I won't be able to withdraw any cash. They'll only take gold talents."

"So are we off the grid?"

"Unfortunately, yeah, until I find a trading post to contact Harald."

"Look at the bright side." Harper cheered. "No one will be able to find us here. The people here probably aren't even aware of what's going on with the other countries."

"I don't have any funds to do anything." Hyde shook his head. "There is no bright side to this situation. Without money, we're screwed."

"We can find a job." Harper glanced at another sheet stuck onto the board. "We just need to write down our special skills and apply."

"Not sure if they'll take severing heads and cutting throats as a special skill."

"Maybe they will! That sounds like a nice job for a butcher!"

Hyde glowered at her.

"No? Okay. Let's see..." Harper giggled nervously. As Harper ran her index finger down the list of jobs, a tall man, with a dark tan and long wavy black hair shoved Harper away from where she was standing.

"Hey!" She stumbled into Hyde, who caught her and steadied her. "I was reading!" She squeaked.

The man ignored her and took her spot. Hyde felt the urge to speak up about the man's disrespect. But he knew his urge would lead to a brawl. For now, he kept quiet and observed the man.

His arms and legs were covered in dark tattoos, markings similar to the ones on the map. He was also a lot taller and had more muscle mass than Hyde. He seemed completely unphased by Harper's attempt to get him to apologize.

"Let's go and find the village head," Hyde turned, deciding it wasn't worth it to speak to the local about his behavior.

"Rude!" Harper huffed and followed Hyde. But she felt a smack hard on her backside and yelped. Both she and Hyde turned around, and the man was smirking at Harper.

"Nephtu." He whistled at her while racking his eyes down her hips.

"Alright, this is what you're NOT going to do," Hyde stalked toward him. He grabbed him by the shoulder and shoved him into the board.

The man tried to move, but Hyde was using his super strength to keep him in place. His eyes began to glow. "You're NOT going to harass a woman like that. And you're going to apologize to her, then you'll disappear from MY sight, or else I'll wring your neck like a pig's tail." Hyde spat.

"Hyde, don't bother." Harper fumed.

"No, it was one thing that he moved you out of the way," Hyde seethed. "I let that slide. But putting his hands on you inappropriately crosses the freaking line, and now I'm pissed,"

The man backhanded Hyde, knocking him back by one step. Hyde spat out a drop of blood and slowly shifted his gaze back to the man with plans on dragging his headless body around the village.

Hyde reached for his sword, but Harper reacted quicker. She dragged Hyde away before he could cause trouble. "Calm down..." She said softly. "Don't draw any attention to us."

"He's still looking at your—"

"Let's go, like you said. Come on, Yanpu."

"Foreigners," The man tusked. "Run away, you cowards."

"He's asking for it," Hyde groaned.

"He's only doing that to rile you up. Once we find the village head, we won't have to worry about him anymore."

Hyde inhaled. She was right. He decided to listen to her now, but if it happened again, he wasn't going to show any mercy.

"Is your lip okay?"

"It'll heal." Hyde moved his face away when she reached to touch.

Harper pressed her lips together. "What's your plan when we meet with the village head?"

"We'll ask them how much their houses are going for, and if it's too expensive, we'll ask if we can build one."

"We can't tell him we're from Westonia."

"I know. We will tell him we're from Itaria."

"What? We don't speak a sliver of that language!"

"Speak for yourself, stupid." Hyde chuckled. "I can speak it."

"I'm not stupid, and lying about our nationalities is wrong!"

Hyde tilted his head to look at her. "Yeah, you are, stupid." He emphasized the word. "That's the STUPIDEST thing you've said today. Who cares about what's right or wrong? I should teach you survival basics."

"I should teach YOU about decent morals and manners."

"Oh wow, the Vixen is gonna teach me how to spread love and kindness to the world."

"It wouldn't hurt you to." Harper cringed at the nickname. She thought they were past that point.

"Bullshite." Hyde walked up wooden stairs to one particular shed. He memorized the locations of the different places on the map. He knew there was a marketplace, a spearfishing dock, several of the locals' homes, and a few other places.

This particular shed belonged to the head of the village. It was the largest one around, next to the waterfall. On the side of it was a small garden full of fruits or vegetables.

He knocked on the door. A moment later, it opened, and a tall but thin man in a long tapa skirt with vibrant patterns and feathers for the fringes peered his head out.

He was also very tan, and his graying hair was braided into two. He also had markings on his arms.

"Net akaphna?"

"Um... Hello." Harper chuckled nervously.

"Ah, foreigners," He smiled and came out completely.

One thing Harper noticed was that the men here seemed very fit, and in good shape. "What brings you to Alkapoltua, Our humble village?"

"A boat," Hyde stated blandly, covering up the fact that they landed by way of an escape pod.

"We heard about this beautiful place and wanted to relocate." Harper intervened before Hyde's cutthroat tone ruined their chances of getting shelter. "Um, Akamau told us to come here."

"Oh, Akamau, the weech."

Hyde shot a look at Harper. Maybe he had misheard, but it sounded a lot like he was saying 'Witch'. Harper paid him no mind.

"We wanted to know how much you charge for one of these?" Hyde whistled and knocked on the wooden shed's exterior.

"Are you looking to stay?" The village head wiggled his eyebrows. "Hm. Well since you are foreigners who came here willingly, I could give you a discount. 5,000 gold talents."

"5,000..." Harper repeated. "How much is that?" She glanced at Hyde. He didn't have a reaction, so she figured it must've not been that much in price.

"Estimate? 50,000 clikes," Hyde converted the currency, doing the math in his mind. "Give or take."

"50,000–!?" Harper gasped in horror. That was the same amount as her yearly salary at the Facility.

"What? That's pocket change." Hyde mumbled.

"Pocket change? That's how much I make in one year!"

"Really? Bomb didn't pay you more? My salary was 200,000. 16,000 clikes a month."

Harper felt lightheaded hearing that price. "Excuse me, sir?"

"Ah. Call me Chief Aleki."

"Chief Aleki, are there any alternatives? We just spent most of our income to travel here. Our son," Harper motioned Yanpu over.

"Our son?" Hyde laughed.

"Yes, Hyde, our son," She reemphasized coldly, "Wanted to explore the world. So we brought him here to give him a better life. But we're a little short on money."

"Allow me to give you a suggestion," Aleki smiled. "Because of the boy, he needs a place to stay, I will sell you a home for 500 gold a month. Until you fully pay the 5,000."

"That could work," Hyde said aloud. "What's the catch?"

"I'm sure you and your wife are very sweet people, but I still run a village. You must get jobs and work them until the 5,000 is fully paid. You can't decide to pick up and leave. There will be a fee."

"How many months is that?" Hyde calculated. He didn't plan on staying for long. He wanted to go to Krahagh. There was still something he needed to take care of. "10 months...that's a long time..."

"But it is affordable, no?" Aleki pursed his lips.

"It is... but..."

"We'll take it!" Harper grinned.

"Wait," Hyde stopped her. "You can't just rush ahead. You have to haggle."

"Oh. No, the price is set." Aleki shook his head. "I don't negotiate."

"Shite," Hyde growled.

"There's nothing wrong with 10 months. Who knows, maybe we will find jobs that will help us pay it off earlier?" Harper shrugged. "We'll be well adjusted. I think Yanpu will like it here."

Hyde didn't want to be well-adjusted. He needed to meet with Harald to get to Valheyna.

Hyde huffed.

He didn't want Harper to get the idea of settling down here forever.

"Thank you," Harper shook Aleki's hand. "We will do our best."

"I will write up an agreement and have it sent to you later this week. In the meantime, here is the map for your shed."

Aleki walked back into his shed before coming back out with a thin sheet of dark brown stained paper with symbols and drawings. He handed it to Harper, who took it excitedly.

Harper leaped down the stairs with a wide smile. Yanpu was also very curious about the new home. But Hyde stepped down carefully, not at all pleased by Harper's jump ahead.

"We have to talk about this before we make a decision,"

"What's there to decide? We got a place to stay for the night at a cheap cost!"

"What if we can't find jobs that will pay for it?"

"We have the rest of the month to come up with the money. Didn't you say early that we'll figure it out?"

"Yes! Figure it out as in 'something temporary'! Not 10 months..."

"I thought you would be happy with this alternative. We didn't even have to lie to him about our nationality."

"Did I look happy?" Hyde spat. "If we're gonna make this deal work, you've gotta learn to read faces." Hyde snatched the map out of her hands and stormed off in the direction of their shed.

Harper paused. She never asked him if it was okay to agree to the payment arrangements with Chief Aleki. Her acceptance was forcing him in a position to feel pressured to find a decent job that paid well.

It was similar to how he handled her when he kidnapped her. He forced her to do things she didn't want to do. That was a horrible feeling.

One could say that it was payback, but Hyde and she had already made a deal that they would help each other out. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

He helped her save Yanpu. So it was her turn to express gratitude. Harper caught up with him.

"I'm sorry," Her voice was genuine, warm to the tone. "I should've asked you first."

"What's done is done. Nothing will change."

Hyde studied the small paper map. Their designated shed was placed down the river. There were about 2 others many yards away from theirs.

Hyde folded it and stuck it in his belt. Then he pressed on. It was an 8-minute walk away. In the short distance, Yanpu spotted it. He brushed by Hyde's leg and sprinted forward.

"Someone's excited." Harper grinned. "Wow, this place is so spacious."

"If a killer was around, no one would know they'd committed a murder." Hyde folded his arms behind his back.

"That's... you just ruined the view for me."

"Not sure how," He shrugged. "The only killer around here is me."

"Okay, but, seriously? During our stay here, you have to tone that down."

"Tone what down?"

"Your anger issues."

"I don't have anger issues!" Hyde defended himself.

"You're raising your voice at me right now, Mr. Grump."

"I'm not the type to hurt someone without a reason. There's usually a line they have to cross."

"Just promise not to kill anyone."

"And what if we're being attacked?"

"On the condition that we're attacked will be the only time you're allowed to because it's self-defense."

"Who are you? My mother? Who are you to tell me what I am and aren't allowed to do?"

"We made a deal."

"That's included?" Hyde frowned. "You're killing me."

"It's for Yanpu's safety. He's still young. He needs time to get accustomed to a secure and safe space."

"You're asking me for too much." Hyde shook his head. "You're treating me like I'm his dad."

"You're his very much older brother."

"Not that old..."

"It won't be bad for you to form a relationship with him. You're all each other has, with the exception of me." Harper nudged his arm. "Think about it,"

"I'm not good with kids..." Hyde always had bad experiences with children. They were terrified of him. And that made him feel uneasy. He didn't want to be in the presence of someone who didn't want him around.

"Maybe Yanpu will change that."

"I'll consider it." Hyde and Harper both finally arrived at the shed and walked up the stairs.

It was fully furnished with decorations similar to Akamau's. There was a big spacious area with a weaved couch coffee table and two ottomans. A big window was behind the couch, with long grass drapes.

There was a small kitchen area, but no oven. Instead, there was a pan over some coal and wood tucked in between a stone sink.

Yanpu ran through an open doorway. There were two more rooms. One bathroom with a stone tub and sink, and a bedroom. There was a large cushioned mat, big enough for an entire family in the middle. Two side tables on either side and a wardrobe in the corner of the room.

There were two torches, they weren't lit but hanging above the two side tables. There was a horizontal window on the right wall and more curtains made of long grass.

"There's clothes here for us, but None for Yanpu." Harper looked through the wardrobe. "I need to find a job soon so I can buy him some attire."

"Weeee!" Yanpu ran into the room and began jumping on the mat. It sprung him upward like he was on a mattress.

"Yani! Take your sandals off!" Harper scooped him off the mat. It was too late. There were already footprints on top.

"Kids..." Hyde leaned against the doorframe.

"There's only one sleeping mat?" Harper looked around, placing Yanpu by her feet.

"Looks like it."

"I won't have to ask, right?"

"Ask, what?" Hyde raised a brow.

"If me and Yanpu could share the mat?"

"And where will I sleep?"

"On the couch. You should be the one to keep watch."

"Nope." Hyde flopped onto the pay and began moving his arms and legs like he was making a snow Angel. "You can sleep on the couch."

"I'm a woman."

"And?"

"He's a child!"

"Does that matter?"

Harper grabbed one of the pillows and slapped it on top of Hyde. "Rude!"

"Wait, wait!" Hyde extended his arms to surrender. He was too tired to fight with her. "Let's just share it."

"Do you want another slap in the face with this?" Harper raised the pillow high again.

"What's the big deal? It's just sharing a bed. That's not weird. It's big enough for all of us." Hyde suggested. "I don't know about the kid, but I don't want to sleep on the couch, and I know you don't either. So let's compromise."

Harper bit her lip. "Fine. And first thing tomorrow, we go job hunting."

Hyde nodded in agreement.

And so the day went by, and the night came. Harper and Yanpu found some fruit from the trees outside, and they all snacked on that throughout the day. Harper knew that she would buy food as well, once they got the money to afford it.

They all went to sleep. The bed arrangement was for Yanpu to sleep on the right, Harper in the middle, and Hyde on the left. It went well for a few hours, but Harper couldn't sleep.

Every time she closed her eyes, she kept thinking about Arnest's family. Bomb's words kept coming back to her. 'I thought you'd understand'.

No matter how many times it replayed, she kept wondering why Bomb would ever feel that she would understand his cruelty. Did he think that she was the type of person to bat an eye at injustice?

Was she?

What if she was?

Without knowing all the facts, she was the one who lured Bomb to hurt everyone Hyde cared about. That was eating her up inside. Not even the overseers would forgive her for that mistake.

Harper turned on her side, facing Hyde. She was surprised to see that his eyes were still open.

"That's the 10th time..." He grumbled. "Quit moving around."

"S-sorry..." She croaked. Hyde heard her voice loud and clear. She sounded like she was crying.

Hyde rubbed the back of his fingers against her cheek, and a falling tear prickled his skin. She was crying. Harper quickly turned away from him embarrassed.

"What are you thinking about?" He mumbled tiredly.

"Nothing,"

"Spill it. What's got you all emotional that it's disturbing my sleep?" He mumbled into the pillow.

"... How come you're not angry about Arnest's death? Why is it only me feeling this way? It's not fair." She could feel her heart breaking with every sentence.

"We went over this before." Hyde voiced with a sigh.

"I feel so guilty. And you acting so nonchalant is making me feel worse." Harper sobbed. "You probably hate me. You're not going to break our deal and leave, are you?"

"Who said—" Hyde paused, and became annoyed. Why was she overthinking? He didn't hate her. He had already experienced his anger when he attempted to kill her on the airship.

He stopped only because she had volunteered to help him. And so far, she hasn't gone off to do anything to break their deal. So why was she worrying about him abandoning her?

"I don't hate you."

"Why not? You should!"

"I already told you. It was Bomb who decided to attack Piccposto that day. Not you. Until you understand that, I don't know how else to explain it. Stop overthinking and go to sleep."

Harper sniffled and wiped her tears. She felt Yanpu stir and didn't want to wake up. She decided to force herself to calm her heart and closed her eyes.

Hyde wrapped an arm around her, embracing her from behind. He didn't know what else to do for her that would help her feel better. But his warmth was already comforting her, he just didn't know it.

They fell asleep that way, peacefully.

~~~