PETBE

‘’Come with me’’said Nezha as he was dressed in a military uniform and we were both inside his room. Or was it mine? Did I ever belong there? No badge no lines but his hair was cut short and suddenly I felt like I saw a completely different person.

‘’What?’’I gasped but he was still beaming with a smile.

‘’I know that you are sad but’’He got on his knees and held my hands tight. His face, his eyes were dressed in fear.

‘’We can both get out now’’He scoffed. ‘’No more Diyu, Mammon, or anyone to get hurt. I can make sure that you will eat and have a house.’’

Mom gave me a roof and food.

‘’I might be absent for a few days a week but I swear.’’

Mom was missing for half the day. Was that what my life would be?

I did not know what expression I made but Nezha’s expression was broken. ‘’Come with me Petbe, I cannot leave alone.’’He cried.’’I cannot find Minerva, Mara won’t come Arsu left a few hours earlier without saying goodbye…’’ A long pause.

I imagined where my mother was. Maybe in a new happy house with a new husband and a daughter to raise. What would she do if she ever found me?

That is not my daughter. She would lie.

Petbe I am so sorry.

Who are you? She would lie.

I could not wait again. I could not wait for someone else to return for a long time. While that time I will be wondering if he will return at all.

‘’I am sorry’’I cried. ‘’I…will stay’’

Nezha's eyes became cold as he shook his head.’’You do not understand if you stay.’’

‘’I have nowhere else to go.’’I replied with a quick grin and with that Nezha’s gaze softened. As if he understood more than I meant. And then, he hugged me tight. Tight enough like I couldn't breathe. As if I would never ever see him again.

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‘’Please take care of-’’He cut his words fast and he moved back and smiled at me gently.’’Take care.’’

‘’Become a great soldier’’I laughed.’’You can send a letter here right?’’

‘’Yes’’He scoffed.’’I will write tons of them.

As he was now gone, I got outside the room and started walking far from it, like I was never there from the start.

I walked near Mammon’s office and Mara shifted to me, worried.

I wanted to ask her so many questions. But not yet.

‘’I want to work for you’’I said to Mammon.

He looked at me shocked and then smiled. ‘’Are you sure girl? Your mother…’’

‘’I know what my mother actually did.’’

Every sweet moment of her and me was corrupted by her selling me to him.

He kept looking at me confused. ‘’What can you offer me?’’ He asked.

Then, I panicked. What can I offer to him?

He stood up at my height and towered over me as if I was nothing. his hand cupped my chin and wished I did not speak.

‘’Why should I let you work for me?’’ Greed conquered his eyes and his lips were so close.

I couldn’t do anything more than cry before he walked away.

‘’You have a pretty face’’He said with a skeptical look. ‘’But I won’t let it get ruined.’’He hummed. ‘’Can you serve?’’ He said after.

I walked out with no collar and a contract from him, telling me I work in the new FOURTH CIRCLE as a waitress.

A smile of relief fell on my face as I saw Mara still looking at me. her hands fell to the collar.

‘’You stayed?’’ She panicked. No, no panic, she was angry.

I nodded fast.

She was ready to slap me but she did not.

‘’I want to see how it will go’’I explained. ‘’And I..’’My cheeks turned red. ‘’I have nowhere to go.’’

Her eyes did not stop being mad. But in the end, she gave up and looked away. ‘’Are you not scared?’’She asked with hesitation.

I was in a world of monsters from fairy tales. The tales my mother and father used to tell me. The liars who told me they loved me. Who should I believe now?

‘’Terrified’’I admitted. ‘’But it is also exciting’’My lips made a wide smile.

Mara faced me and I could see her ears flushing dark red.

As she walked away from me, she stopped and turned on my side. ‘’Are you coming Snowflake?’’