*Pov: Alicia*
...I failed to make breakfast…
I woke up early today, I wanted to make Rasmus some breakfast… but he had nothing in the fridge…
..Sigh.. I suppose it was to be expected, looking at his room. No decorations, not a single rug on the floor… no paintings… a bare light bulb for illumination…
...I knew it, he needs someone to care for him. I will care for him.
It took a lot of effort, but I managed to convince Rasmus to go buy some groceries later today.
After eating some canned food Rasmus did have, he guided me around the Arcology again…
That mechanic, Lee… he doesn't like me, I think he is afraid that I will take Rasmus from him… The way he looks at Rasmus… it reminds me of a puppy wagging its tail.
...It is kinda funny.
I think he is not that bad, atleast he isn’t secretly hateful towards Rasmus like everyone else… It feels awkward to walk the hallways with all those stares…
After that, we went to some kind of a shop that is apparently run by a friend of Rasmus.
…
..
.
‘Uuu… Why?...’
That is what I thought when they blocked me from following Rasmus…
...I don't like the people in this shop…
...Their eyes and faces smile, but every time they look at me, I can see it in their eyes…
‘Disgust…’ That is what they all feel towards me.
I can hear them whispering with each other…
“Look, Boss got himself a slave?”
...Yeah. That is the case is it not?... What else could I be to Rasmus? I am not his daughter, not his wife…. I am his slave I guess...
“Yeah, I would never have guessed, he has never done so before you know?”
….
“Yeah, I hear that it belonged to that shipment he turned in… It looks so feeble, It must be that right? A trophy slave.”
… I think I know what kind of a shop this really is… A slave market… That’s why they look at me so disgusted… Because I am just a slave...
...I want to leave...
After an agonizing while, Rasmus finally came back and we left. During that entire duration no one brought me a chair or came to talk to me… And all those disgusted stares… It was like I had gone back to THEM… But Rasmus escorted me out whilst holding my hand… He brought me to the market and we got some groceries…
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‘He is much better than those people. I don’t want him to leave me.’
...But I don't think he realizes that those people are slave traders… I must protect him.
The next morning I made him breakfast. Some strips of bacon, eggs etc. He seemed to like it… I am glad. I was afraid he would not like my cooking…
Later, he let me pick a job we would do… Honestly I wanted to take an easy one, but then I remembered all those people in that slaver shop yesterday…
‘Trophy slave’ …. I don't want Rasmus to think that way.
I have to show him that I am valuable… I will choose the one with the best income.
…
The people Rasmus Introduced me were strange, there is something familiar in their eyes… A certain coldness. It’s not as strong as Rasmus, but it is there. ...I wonder, is it from all the battles they have been in?
I like the Twins, despite having that same coldness they joke and seem happy. But I think it is a facade…
The old man, Charlie. He seems calm and polite, but I can see disgust in his eyes when he looks at Rasmus. After listening to him talk for a while I think he really hates Old Beasts a lot.
Aaron is.. Well Aaron. He is handsome and confident. I don't really like him, his arrogance scares me… it's like he thinks himself above everyone else.
They are all so different. But the way they chat together makes me think they have worked together often in the past.
…
There was not much talking on the way to where the horde was. Despite all that chatter before we left the Arcology. Their behavior seems really professional somehow.
Once we reached the horde they settled down and began discussing strategy… I did not really understand any of it… Just a lot of co-ordinates,directions and formations being talked about.
In the end though, we began attacking.
They had me at the back since I had the weakest frame and a sniper rifle. I set the sniper aim on my left screen and started shooting to the best of my ability.
It was scary. But I knew Rasmus would discard me if I did not show I can do this.
But at one point, I noticed something.
‘Why?!’
Whilst rasmus was fending off the Hounds with everyone else, Charlie pointed his gun at Rasmus.
‘Does he really hate Old Beasts that much?’
Before I could think any further, I aimed at Charlie and pulled the trigger.
‘...What?...What did I just do?’
I hit his Walker on the shoulder and then he got swarmed by Hounds.
...I killed somebody…
...I am a murderer…
‘No.’
I had to do it. He was going to hurt Rasmus.
...I protected Rasmus. Just like he protects me...
I did nothing wrong.
I did nothing wrong.
It was necessary.
He deserved to die for trying to hurt Rasmus.
... Yes. Yes he deserved it for trying to hurt rasmus.
Yes. he deserved it. I did nothing wrong.
He wAs TrAsH, hE dEseRveD iT.
After the battle was over. Everyone seemed sad that Charlie died.
I guess I understand… He was their friend after all.
...Rasmus seemed a bit more quiet as well.
I think it’s best that I never tell him what happened.
I chose the right job I think. Rasmus was really proud of me. He took me to a restaurant and let me eat whatever I want. He cares. <3
After we finished eating, he said he would give me one more present when we would get home. I was excited, so I had hurried ahead.
But then I caught by a pair of mean old men… The way they touched me was disgusting, just like when THEY did all of… that to me.
I was about to scream for help, but before I could. Rasmus was already there.
He took the first man by the throat and squeezed really hard… I could see it collapsing and blood splattering everywhere…
I was scared of him… His face was colder than ever. He really is a monster… to be able to do all of this…
Then he grabbed the other guy and said those words.
Words I will never forget.
“...Don't ruin her day.”
I realized…
He was doing all of this… For me.
He is protecting me…
But if he keeps this up, he will be feared by everyone even more…
I have to protect him.
“NOO!!”
I screamed out.
I grabbed Rasmus and hugged him.
“...I am alright… ...So you dont have hurt them anymore, ok?” I pleaded him, I have to stop him.
...He stopped hurting the other guy. And then turned towards me, checking that I was alright and fixing up my clothing.
He really cares about me.
After we got back home. He got me my own room next to him.
He cares this much about me… A mere slave.
...Back then during the battle I made the right choice. Rasmus will protect me from anyone who wishes to harm me.
He will protect me.
He will protect me.
...
And I will proTect hIM from aNyOne. ANYONE. WhO WisHeS to hArM HiM.