“Wha-” Ailith staggered back, not believing what she was seeing. This woman. This woman that had appeared out of nowhere had the same face, albeit it being more aged, as her mother.

The woman took the chance to shove past her, out of the alleyway, and run.

It took a second for Ailith to register everything and when it did, it dawned on her that her mother was running away...again. ‘I can ask her everything later but that won’t happen if I lose her.’ Ailith dashed after her. “Wait!” she said as she reached for the woman’s wrist.

Her mother easily avoided her hand and ran faster.

No longer able to keep up her pace, Ailith slowed to a stop. 

Alex caught up with her a minute later. Panting, he placed a hand on her shoulder and said. “Don’t-run anymore.” “I can’t keep up.”

Still shocked, she turned to him. “Alex. Alex, that was my mother.”

He raised a confused eyebrow. “What do you mean? It thought you said your mother was dead.”

Ailith nodded. “Yeah, I thought so too but…” she trailed off, not knowing what to say. “I guess I was wrong.”

He beamed. “That’s a good thing right? Should we go after her?”

Saighing, Ailith shook her head. “No. She knew I was her daughter but she still ran away. Clearly she doesn’t want to see me.”

Reading the upset look on Ailith’s face, Alex gently patted her on the back. “That can’t be. Who doesn’t love their children? She probably had a separate reason.”

“How would you know that? Your parents didn’t seem to care about whether you died as an assassin.” Ailith spouted in a bout of frustration.

Momentary hurt flashed across his face before he made his expressions neutral again. “You’re right, I wouldn’t know.” He turned to leave.

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She stood alone on the sidewalk. Stubborn, stupid. No wonder her mother didn’t want her. If she were in her mother’s place, she would act the same way. Why is my life so screwed up?! Wiping at her eyes, she kicked a stray pebble lying on the road. 

There was a slight thud as the pebble hit a person.

“Ow!” a man walked out of a nearby alleyway clutching at his stomach. 

Upon closer inspection, she found that she was staring into the face of the man that had slipped her the note on the train. She quickly rubbed at her eyes, erasing any trace of tears. “You’re-”

He cut her off. “Lucas. Nice to meet you. Correct me if I’m wrong but,I believe we met once on the train? 

“Yes, we did.”

Beaming he picked up the pebble she had kicked at him and started toying with it in his hands. “And what might a pretty lady like yourself be so upset about?”

Ailith glared at him from the corner of her eye. 

Lucas chuckled.

“I bet your girlfriend doesn’t approve of you going around and flirting with other girls.”

That must have hit a nerve because he shut up afterwards.

Several awkwards minutes passed between them before he said, “So I heard Michael showed you around the base.”

“Yeah, where were you?”

He went silent once again.

She let out an exasperated sigh. “Look, it’s dangerous for us to be seen together. You should go…”

His face lightened up as he said. “And leave a beautiful lady alone on the streets? That’s against my virtue.”

She rolled her eyes. “What do you want?”

A satisfied smile formed on his lips. “Michael said to bring you in again.”

“Is MIchael your boss or something? Tell him to come himself!”

The corners of his lips twitched, betraying a small smile. “Actually, he’s more of a partner.”

Ailith tilted her head. “What do you mean by that? Aren’t you in the same group?”

“He didn’t mention to you that there was more than one rebel group situated in Vertlyn?” Lucas answered in return.

“What! There’s more than one!”

“Yeah.”

Annoyed, she hadn’t been told that extra piece of information from Clarice, she crossed her arms. “Is there anything else I’m missing?”

“That’s not for me to tell.” he said as he led her to the train station. “If you’re curious, ask Michael yourself.”