Have to rush this out because my screen on the laptop is broken. So this un beta-reader. When I get my laptop back it will be beta-reader. So enjoy the show.

TW: Child abuse and drug

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Haelth got out sweep under the table. She was shaking dust and dirt like a dog. The living room has some people cleaning from the dinner last night. While it's true they could let house guests clean, some workers feel they should help. Even if Douma laughs and shakes his head

"My little lambs like to keep themselves busy!" He always said as he watched them.

Akemi laughs, "Thanks again Haelth. You're a big help!" She told her. The young child blushes at the compliment.


"Thanks!" She said and brushed her hair with her fingers.

Akemi giggled and kneeled in front of her.

"You're a good kid," She ruffled her hair, "You're going to do great things one day." She coos at her, "Just keep up the good work!" She told her.

Haelth nodded, "I will!" She said going to the next room where her sister was. There was cleaning off silverware with some soup and towels. Skylar was drying off one plates when she spotted her.

"Hey, Skylar!" Haelth greeted her sister. Who looks up from her work to see Haelth coming to her.

"Haelth wait! The flood is slippery!" She points out. Haelth stopped her running before she got to the polished wood floor and walked over. She stops in front of the counter. Skylar sighed and workers laughed noticing that Haelth was taking it easy now, "You got to learn not to run in the kitchen it's perilous and..." Haelth tones out her sister as ranting.

"Talking to your sister again?" A worker whispers to her. She looked up to see the worker-she thought his name was Toji asked her as scrubbed the dishes.

"Yeah," Haelth whispered back, "She nagged me again." She groaned loudly. The older man laughed quietly.

"Sisters tend to do that a lot." He said, "But hey if you want to sneak around then I won't tell if you don't." He told her.

Haelth's eyes lit up, "Really?" She asked him. Toji nodded, Haelth looked to see her sister was still talking, going off into her world. Haelth nodded along, inching her way to the door. Little by little done so so until she was at the edge before booking it. She was only there to check up on Skylar and nothing more. Now to see where the rest are. Haelth to the living room where the slid open with Douma and a couple of people coming in.One of those people was Fionn. It was easy to spot him with his blond hair.

"Fionn!" Haelth ran to her older brother. Fionn quickly turned around as she was coming to his blind spot. His blue eye softened a bit seeing his younger sister.

"Haelth!" He rushes to her side. The two siblings hug while some followers newcomers look at the confused. Douma laughs saw the newcomers' confused and wave them to the living room where they can talk to rest of his flock.

"Where are Leonard and Annabelle?" She asked him.

Fionn sighs, "They went into town to check if our parents are back." He told her. Haelth frowned and tapped her foot.

"Without me!?" Haelth asked, Fionn nodded. Haelth immediately rushed to the front door. Fionn's eye widen.

"Wait sister wait!" Before she can reach for the handler a large shadow looms over her.

"Woah, woah there!" One hand picks her up by the back of the kimono. She locked eyes with rainbow eyes that crinkled in amusement, "You can't go out there little one! It's still daylight out and police are still out there." He said carrying the squirming child back, "It is best if you stay here."

"But Annabelle and Leonard are still out there!" She told him, trying to wiggle out his gasp, "They could be in trouble!" She explains to him.

Instead of looking worried Douma snorted, "Well I'm sure they are fine." He said as he passed guests who looked confused as to why he was holding a wiggle child like one does for a kitten, "But the police are looking for my dear so you need to stay put." He set her down. Haelth huffed and tried to break for it only for Douma to grab her again.

"PUT ME DOWN I CAN FIGHT! WATCH!" Haelth wiggled out his gasp and then chomped down his hand. Everyone is stunned for a moment as Doug drop her but Haelth who growls grab his wrist, climb all the way up to his should chomp down on his skull. Douma's eyes widen see her chumping down head, but he laughing.

"Aww it's good that you have great spirit," He praise her before plucking off of his head. She pulls out a couple of hairs but he doesn't see to him, "But you're still too small to take my head."

Haelth huffed and crossed her arms, "Just wait until I get a grown spurt then you'll see!" She promises him.

Douma laughed and set her down, "Oh you shouldn't be so mean to someone who is helping to hide you." Once she settled down Douma pulled out his fan and waved, "Now run along now. I got to meet up with our new guests." Haelth huffed and glanced at the door. Douma notices this, sighing he kneels.

"Look if your siblings don't come around night time then I go out looking them ok?" He told her.

Haelth looks up at him, "You promise?" She asked him.

He smiles softly, "I pinky promise ok?" He said holding up his hand for her to see. All the fingers were folded but his pinky, "Do you know it?"

Haelth snorts, "Oh course I know it!" She said as she interlocked Douma's pinky with hers, "Pinky promise I won't go out until nighttime." She promises.

Douma smiles, "And I pinky promise to take you out to find your siblings if they don't return after sunset." He promises. The pact has seals and they let go of each other pinkies. Douma stands back up, "Now run along and have fun." He said as he ruffled her hair as he walked past her.

Haelth grimaced a bit at that.

"Are you ok?" Fionn asked as he got to her side.

"I'm fine. Let's just go play for a bit." She suggests. Fionn nodded, seemingly glad that his sister stayed put. Even if Haelth glances at the room, she makes a promise and she is going to keep it.
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It was getting late, Haelth noticed as look out the window. She glanced anxiously to the door and the living room where Douma was talking to the guests.

"Haelth give him a second he talking to guests." Skylar scolded her.

Haelth sighs, "I know, I know..." She said look at at living room. The sound of laughter echoes from that room, along with the soft glow of the light. While it was warm and inviting the young child didn't move. But she didn't have to make a scene as the twins phase through the door along with special guests.

"Ma! Pa!" She exclaimed, running to the door. He heard something going on behind her but ignored it. Her parents were here! She ran up and hugged them tightly.

"How urr ye daein' lassie?" Her father thinks the Scottish accent sounds so comfortable to her. He accidentally sprayed some blood on her but it's fine.

"I'm braw!" She switches to speaking English with her pa. It is comfortable to talk to her father like because they always practice English because it's like their own little secret that no one else knows. Then she made a face, "Hauld yer horses na we git kicked oot fur th' polis fun us." She told them.

Her mom makes gurgling sounds. She couldn't talk about much as her jaw was crooked. She was hanging off by a tread. But judging by the angry sound and her eyebrows furrowed she was not happy.

"We heard," Her father said kneeling and pulling her close, "We sorry we left you, lass." He pulls away, "But we have good news-"

"Now who is this?" Douma's voice cut straight in the air. Her parents turn to see him and they have very different reactions. Her mom teased up like a cat, gurgling and growling, and held Haelth close. While father pales in comparison. Haelth feels tension build up and clings to her mother. While Douma looks down in amusement.

"Woah hey what can you guys work up?" Annabelle asked, trying to ease off the tension building up. Funny thing it helps Haelth relax a bit. But still, she glances anxiously between them.

"Haelth," Douma kneeled in front of her, "You still haven't introduce me to your new friends." He smiles wide.

"Well, they are not my friends! They're my parents." She told him. His rainbow eyes brighten at that.

"Your parents you say!" He exclaimed loudly. His flock and guests gather around. His guests look confused while followers get the memo, "Everyone little one here brought her family umm..." He trailed off when he didn't catch their name.

"Haza and Maxwell Francis," Skylar told him. But of course, Douma ignores her and looks at Haelth. He can be so rude at times. Haelth huffed, makes a gesture for him to kneel. Douma did so and the young child whispered in his ear.

"Francis Maxwell and Heza," She answers him. Douma nodded.

"Please welcome Francis Maxwell and his wife Heza," His flock shouted their greets while his guests looked confused but followed along.

"Am I pronouncing it right? Maxwell? Max... mum?" Douma asked as he played with the words, "Foreign names are not my strong suit I'm afraid. But it's a fun word to say." He laughs.

"No, you got it right with first one. Right, pa?" She looks up at her father.

Her father snapped out of it and nodded, slowly.

"Um...yeah right you got it right my lord," He said switching to Japanese, hurrying to bow down, "Me and my wife are glad you watch over our children while we are gone." He looks over his wife, who stands between her children and Douma. Who didn't glance her way? His eyes widen and he touches her shoulder.

"Now dear please be careful. We don't want to scare the children." He reminds her. Heza's gurgling growled but relaxed a bit. But she still stands over her children, protective.

"Now I know it's none of my business," Douma started which made Annabelle snort.

"Which means he is going to make his business," She joked which caused Haelth to snicker. Skylar gives them a pointed look while Leonard's lips curl up. Her mom and dad look horrified that they are making a joke in front of the important lord in their eyes.

While Fionn sighs, "Come on guys..."

"That you said you and your family have a new home." Douma finishes and ignores the attempts of her family. He looks down at her, tilting his head slightly, "Is this true?" He asked her.

"Oh, right!" She nearly forgot! She has to thank Douma for reminding her. Thought that might take a long time. She turns to her father, "Where is our new home?" She asked him. Her father looked at then Douma, gulping a bit.

"Well, you see...um," He looked at his wife who shook her head. His eyes darted between his wife and Douma. His wife looks like she is ready to fight while Douma still has a smile on his face, "You know what?" He said getting between them, "It's just a long way but we can make it there tonight. Come along Haelth." He told her grabbing her hand.

"Wait I need to grab my stuff!" She reminds him, dragging her feet. Her father's eyes widen when he is reminded of that.

"Oh right! Sorry!" He apologizes to her. Haelth rubbed her wrist and nodded.

"It's ok Pa. I go get my stuff now." She which to English as it always put her father in a better mood. It works as his eyes soften a bit.

"It's no problem sweetie just take all the time you need." He said ruffling her hair. Which Haelth squealed a bit.

Annabelle huffed, "Kissass." She mumbled under her breath. Her twin brother Leonard nodded and Skylar rolled her eyes at her little sibling's action.

"Aww, you leaving tonight?" Douma asked eyebrow furrowed in concern, "But it's dark out." He looks outside the window, "It's way too dangerous for you and your family to outside little one." He said, his tone softening a bit. Others of his flock raise their concerns as well.

"Our lord is right it's too dangerous to go out there now! Come and rest here!"

"You don't know what's how there!"

"Our Lord is strong and wise. You should listen to him!"

Her father looked at the crowd with a worried look on his face.

"Well um...just listen to us...we can ummm..." He tried to talk his way out but his voice was drawn out by all the noise. His wife however growls and hiss at all the people gather around. Like a tiger protecting her children. Haelth pressed close to her mother as a crowd gathered around them. This was getting too much. Her breath quickie and she look for exist or someplace to run.

Douma snapped his fingers as if he had an idea.

"I have a suggest!" He announces, and everyone looks at him, "What if I join you guys to travel to your new home?" He suggests.

Haelth tilted her head, "Why?" She asked him.

Douma looked down at her, "For protective of course." He said as if it was obvious.

Haelth tilted her head, "Don't you don't look like you can fight. I thought you were a priest that hear voices in your head." The crowd gasped in shock as she said that. Some start scolding her but Douma laughs.

"Oh trust me my dear I'm more can defend myself," He said, excited a bit. Haelth's eyes lit up, finally, he said something cool!

"Can he Papa?" She asked her father.

Her father objects, "N-no! We don't need him Haelth just come here and-" His eyes widen as Douma picks her up. Haelth giggled while Douma laughed.

"Ok let's all travel together now." He told them grinning as he and carry giggling Haelth to the other room, "I insist!"
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No matter how much her parents and his flock argued Douma went with them. Even Seiji insists on telling him to take guard, but Douma brushes him off. Saying he takes care of himself and he knows it. Ok maybe not in that way but Haelth giggled and saw the bald man's face crumpled a bit.

Akemi was at least sad seeing her go. When they were outside she made sure that Haelth got everything.

"You got your violin, your pictures and you're new sack right?" She asked her.

Haelth nodded, "Yep!"

"And your food, water, and money right?" The older woman continued to grill her. Akemi gives her family some money before they leave. Even as Haelth and her family tried to reject she insisted and put the money in the sack. She and others were blown out of the way by her acts of kindness her parents told her if she needed anything don't hesitate to call them. Akemi smiled and said it was fine.

"Ok then this is goodbye," Akemi told her. Haelth felt an ache in her chest when she said that.

"Well, maybe we meet again." She said looking up at her. Akemi kneeled to get a better look at the child before she went to her new home, "And if you do then I show you all the best hiding spots and best food places and-" As she was ranting on the older woman pulled in a hug.

"Just stay out there ok?" She asked her. She holds her close. Haelth feels a strange warmth in her as the older woman hugs her.

"I will! I promise!" She promised to her.

"Good," Akemi smiled before standing up, "And you are always welcome in our village as well. I bet other children will love you." Haelth smiled at her before going to her family and Douma while calling over her shoulder.

"Don't worry I figure out a way to visit!" She told her. Akemi smiled at her and waved goodbye. As caught up with her family Skylar held her hand.

"Don't worry we figure out a way to visit." She promises her as her hand. Haelth smiled at her.

"I hope so." She said. The town usually was busting with light but there were hardly any people around. The food stall that is still open has offices on stand-by. Douma shields her and her sister from them. People were rushing along that were out. Haelth raises an eyebrow at it.

"What's going on?" She asked her older sister. But before she could answer Douma did so.

"People have been missing lately so there's more officers on the portal," Douma explains to her. Waving his fan in front of his face, he said, "Such dreadful thing to happen." He sighed but looked down at her to see her deep in thought, "But don't worry I'll protect you. How lucky you have someone like me watching out for you." He said that last part smug.

Haelth huffed, "Well it's not just you. My whole family is here too!" She points out. As they walk down the street. Her siblings didn't mind the back and forth as they were used to it but her parents who were leading them glance back worry.

Douma snorted, "Can't argue with that little one." They were walking down a street that headed down when her mom tripped.

"Ma!" Fionn called out and the rest of the family got to her side. Douna stopped once he realized they were not following him.

"Is everything alright little one?" Douma asked walking to them. Haelth looks up at him with her blue eyes filled with worry.

"I don't know Ma kneeling at the side of the road!" She told him as she rushed to her mom's side. She heard Douma follow her. But once she got there her mom pulled her close. The young child shivered as she did. Her hands were freezing.

She was gurgling noise but luckily her dad was there to translate for her.

"Everyone," her father kneeled and leaned to whisper to them as his children gathered around him, "Me and your mother were thinking and, "He gulped looking over them in Douma's direction, "We should leave should go on our own," He glanced to make sure Douma wasn't listening in on them, "Without Lord Douma." Haelth blinks in surprise, such Lord Douma is weirdo but he's nice in his weird way.

"Wha-why-?" She was cut off as her mother covered her mouth.

"Argh!" Her mom gurgling screamed at her. Which made Haelth flitch, shaking a bit as shoved her face to her. Her jaw swings back and forth but still cling to her mom's face.

"Haelth," Her father's tone turns strict, "You can't trust that man. He's dangerous please just," His tone turns pleading, "Just listen to us ok?" Haelth looks up at her father's cloud-blue eyes.

Haelth gulp nodded, "Ok Pa." Her father nodded happily. Her parents were right and they always knew what to do.

Right?

"Is everything alright?" Douma asked walking closer.

"Everything is fine I just go to," She looked at her family. Leonard points to stand, "My mom needs some food!" She blurted out.

Douma tilted his head, "Food?"

"Y-yeah! My mom didn't have any food all day now she is hungry." She walked over to him and tugged on his hakama.

"Oh!" Douma straightened himself up, "I see! Well, we better get you something to eat then." He went to grab Haelth's hand but she pulled away.

"I can walk myself!" She points out.

Douma snorted, "Of course you can." He flashes her a smile. They got to a line at the food stand that sells Uden bowls. Haelth sticks by his side as waits. And shit she didn't think she get this far. Shit, shit! What to do?

She looked around and saw a couple walking by. Thinking fast when no one was looking she kicked as hard as she could at the poor woman's ankle. The woman yelps as she falls. Her partner's eyes widen to catch her. Everyone looks at them in surprise including Douma and Haelth sneak off.

Hiding in the shadows, pretending she belongs there. A trick that she found most effective. Used to this until she got other side of the plaza and ran into an ally. She stays next to the wall until her family meets up with her.

Her heart nearly leaped from her chest when someone burst into the alleyway but she relaxed seeing it was her family.

"Are you ok?" Her father asked hovering over her.

"I'm fine!" Haelth said straightening up. She looks at the mouth of the alleyway. She feels guilty for leaving Douma behind. Sure the man was...strange but he was nice. She scratches the back of her neck. It feels like an ants crawling in her skin.

"Just let's go," She said turning away from the mouth of the ally to the farther it. Before she could there was a bright light shining down on her.

"Hey, you!" Haelth jerks up. Like a rabbit being caught but a wolf. But the wolves wearing uniforms.

"Haelth run!" Annabelle screamed, and Haelth took off the police cursed and chased after her.

"Wait stop!"

"We are here to help!"

Like hell they are! They weren't here to help they were here to put her back in the bad place. She races across the alleyway but in effect to escape from Douma, she doesn't realize which alleyway she went into. Because of this, she finds herself at a dead end.

"Damn it!" The young child curses. In her fear, she tries to climb the wall. Grabbing some foothold and getting to a couple of feet off the ground. But her heart leaped from her chest as the officer pulled her from the wall.

"No! Let go!" She is like a feral cat.

"Young lady we are here today!" The officer yelped as Haelth bit his hand. Not enough to break skin yet but her office tried to pull her away.

"Let go!" The one that trying to get her off of the officer Haelth biting told her.

But Haelth didn't. Instead, she sinks her teeth in causing the other officer to howl in pain. Haelth was getting the copper taste of blood on her tongue making her hold down.

Suddenly the officer she was biting hit her. Her vision blurred for a moment, making her let go. The other officer looks at the one that holding his bleeding wrist in shock.

"You hit her?!" He shouted in shock.

"That little bitch bit me! Of course, I hit her!" The other defends himself. While the officers go back and forth Haelth whimper in pain. Her eyes catch the sight of her father's bright hair.

"Pa...help." She called out. But instead of helping her father look down at her sadly.

"I'm sorry lass." Her father looked down sadly.

Haelth looked at her father confused. Why isn't he helping her? Doesn't he love her? Did she do something wrong?

She looks to the rest of her family for support. But they either didn't meet her gaze or looked at her sadly. Why? Why are they not helping?

She tries to ask them but her voice croaks a bit. Still dazy from the bow that the officer did to her.

Did she do something wrong?

Was she a good girl?

She did what they asked her to do. So why...

The young girl feels tears well up in her eyes.

"Now gentleman!" A jolly voice calls out out. Making bothers officers and Haelth looks down the alleyway to see Douma standing there behind them. His eyes were narrowed slightly and his fan blocked his mouth.

"I believe," He pointed at Haelth, "You have my little guess there."

The officers look at each other confused.

"Guest? What guest?" The one holding her arm as put her down. Her legs keep her steady but wobble a bit in place so she sticks close to his side. Douma frowns a bit noticing this.

"I'm lord from mountains on a holy quest," Douma clapped his hands, "I came here to take a couple of poor souls to the village. If they chose to." The one holding Haelth's hand looks confused. But one holding his bleeding hand seems to get it.

"Oh you're that lord on that holy pilgrimage," He said matching up to Douma. Douma doesn't seem threatened by this. Seems amused as the man does so. Then again Douma was so tall that the officer barely came up to his chest.

"I don't know what that girl tells you but she is from an orphanage around here and she ran away." He points his good hand to her, "The staff requested her to come home and she refused. So my lord please let us take her back-"

"Are you aware that staff was abusing her?" Douma cut in, snapping his fan shut, "When I found her she was all alone in daylight. Dirty and half staved might I add. And not one staff seems to ask for her." His rainbow eyes look down at her, "Not to mention Haelth-chan here told me about the abuse and neglect she faced in that orphanage. So I'm not sure if giving her back would be." He tapped his long fingernail to his cheek, pouting in thought, "Would help her." He said as he found the right words. Smiling brightened thinking he was cleaver.

The other officers were too happy with that.

"Well we can check it out but I know the staff there and they take care of their kids perfectly fine." The one in front of Douma points at Haelth behind him, "You think she is telling the truth?" He asked Douma.

Douma hymn for a bit.

"Well the little one here never lied to me before and she been most helpful to me and my flock," Douma answered him. The officer didn't seems too happy about that answer and growl a bit at Douma. The one holding Haelth's hand looks back and forth between the two men in a worried fashion.

"Look why don't we just bring the girl back and Lord Douma here can talk them," he suggested causing the two-man look at him. He gulps but continues, "T-that way you talk to the staff about adopting this kid here. Because you seem to fond of her. And there won't be any trouble if just go through the process." He added in, a bit nervous.

Douma think about it while the other officer look at the other other like that's the stupidest thing he ever heard.

"I suppose it's fine," Douma said but another officer shook his head.

"No, it's not. This seems suspicious," He narrowed his eyes at Douma, "Why are you so hellbent on getting this girl huh?" His tone turns sharp.

Douma laughed, "Woah there I think you got the wrong idea."

The officer jabbed his finger in the larger chest, "You calling me a liar?" The adults go back and forth. With one that Haelth bit getting more mad while one that holds her tries to get him to calm down. But Douma seemed to enjoy making other officers get mad.

Haelth didn't pay much attention to the adults the always shouting at each other. She was more focused on a family who didn't meet her gaze. She feels heat rise from her skin. Do they care at all what just happened to her? Why couldn't they help? They were family! They are supposed to have each other back!

Then her eye catches the sight of a woman in the shadows. Her face looked torn apart like some bear had gotten to it. Then another with her stomach ripped out, spilling her inside on the floor. But one caught her eye the most. It was one with a rip throat. The same one before. Their eyes met, and Haelth's blue widened a bit.

Before thinking she slipped from the officer that was holding her hand. It was easy as he wasn't paying any attention to her and she easily made her escape. The adults look at her in surprise as the breeze passes them and down the alleyway that Douma came out of.

"Hey wait come back here!"

"Little girl is too dangerous to be out there by yourself!" The two officers shouted at her but Haelth continued to run. If her family wasn't going to protect her then she would do it herself. She raced down the alleyway and went to another side. It was a dead end but there was a dumpster there so she hid behind there.

She took a deep breath and hid behind the dumpster. As she did so her family came up beside her and she narrowed her eyes at them.

"Why didn't you guys help?!" She shouted at them.

"Haelth,..." Fionn steps forward but stops when Haelth turns sharply at him.

"You saw them man held me and you just stand there," She growled at him. Fionn flinches, striking back. Their father steps between them.

"Now lass-"

"Don't make excuses!" Haelth cut him off. Her father was taken aback, "I don't understand what your problem is with Lord Douma. Sure he's weird but he's not that bad. And when those two officers tried to take me away you just stand there and let it happen." She glared at them all. Not one family member met her gaze. That only made her angry, "Answer me!" She demanded. Her voice was shouting now but she didn't care if the whole town heard her. She wanted answers.

Her mom looks at her eldest Skylar who sighs, "Haelth I-" She stops and steps back. Haelth looks before a familiar voice calls out to them.

"There you are!" Haelth looked up as the wood creaked a bit Douma leaned beside the dumpster, "I was wondering where you went." He smiles down at her. Haelth jumped back in surprise wondering how did he find her.

"Where did you come from?" She asked him.

Douma laughs at the small child, "I walk!" He told her. He walks to her and kneels in front of her, "Now what's wrong? You took off like you saw something scary? Did the officers do something to you?" He asked in concern. He grabbed her face to check if there were injuries. He frowns and sees a buried mark on her cheek where the officer hit her.

"No, I'm fine!" She exclaimed, pulling away from him, "Where are those officers anyway?" She asked looking down the alleyway for them.

"Don't worry about the officers. I took care of them." He told her. Haelth looks at him, like really look. He didn't seem so rough off despite how that officer treated him before. Did Douma talk them into giving on about her?

"But what about you? Are you alright?" He asked her in concern.

Haelth rubs her shoulder, "I'm fine." She said.

Douma tilted his head, "You don't seem fine to me." Taking her chin, turning her head to make her look at him, "Tell you what I listen to you to you." He told her.

Haelth looked at him, her lips tugged a bit, "I don't trouble want to bother you." She said sighing a bit, "You won't believe me anyway."

Douma laughs, "Trust me you're no bother to me little one. Just tell me what going on and I'll help you." He said letting go of her chin. Haelth plays with her fingers, thinking about it. Before she decides to tell him. She told him all about the vision of the woman in an alleyway, how the officers caught her, about her family convinced her to leave him and they stood there and did nothing.

His brows furrowed, "Oh you poor thing." He pulls her in a hug, "You have to go through that all alone. Why didn't you tell me this sooner? I could have helped you." He said, his voice breaking a bit. Haelth shivered his body was cold. But the young 7-year-old hugged him back.

"Sorry, my family told me not to tell you." She answered him.

"Haelth," Her sister's voice hissed in her ear. Then her family started to yell at her. Causing the young girl to flinch.

Douma frowned a bit looking down at her, "They're talking to you again?" He asked her.

Haelth nodded, "I don't know how to make them stop." She whimpered a bit.

Douma looks at her in pity, "Oh you poor thing." He hymned a bit thinking what to do, "Ah!" He reach in haori, "I got just the thing!" He pulls out a roll of paper. At least what it looks like to the young girl.

"What's that?" Haelth asked him.

"Something that takes all your problems away my dear child!" He said proudly. He reaches back in his haori pull stick, "All you have to do is put this in your mouth and breathe. Then all your problems will melt away!" He told her.

Haelth tilted her head. Not getting how that would work.

But her father who was beside her looked at this thing and his eyes widened.

"Haelth do not breathe it in." He told her.

Haelth frowned, "Why?" Before her father could answer Douma answered her question.

"It's medicine! I use it all the time for headaches myself and it works wonders," His eyes spark in delight, "You should try it."

Her sister Annabelle shook her head, "No it's bad for you. I can't believe he trying to give it to you." She sticks her tongue out in disgust. Her brother nodded too. Frowning a bit.

Haelth huffed, looked at them then Douma. They can say whatever they want but they didn't help her when the officers were abusing her. They just stood there. And the last time she listened to them she almost got caught. So you know what? Freak them.

She took it and put it in her mouth.

"Like this?" She asked him.

Douma laughs, "Hold on let me get that for you." He use the match and light up the end.

"Now inhale," Douma told her. Haelth did so, at first the child didn't feel well anything. But then she feels it.

It was like a warm breeze melted her problems away. Her muscles start to relax. Anxiety, worries all that just melts away.

"Woah..." she said after taking a step back.

Douma chuckled, "It has that effect on people." He keeps the little girl steady as he holds her back.

"Woah..." She said her body felt like lying down. Not in sleep way more in. A relaxed way.

"Aww, you're tired?" Donna coos, "Don't worry I carry you back." In one swoop he picks her up and carries her. Haelth groaned and lay in his arm. It was like being carried by her father. It feels...nice.

"Oh Haelth-chan I think we need a serious talk," Douma said. Haelth's ears pick up. There was not a jolly or light-hearted tone in his voice, but a more serious one.

"W..what is it?" Haelth asked, her speech slur a bit feeling tired. Douma snaps his fingers in front of her face.

"Hey, now none of that." He laugh a bit before growing serious as Haelth rubs her eyes, "I know you said you really want to stay here with your family but it isn't safe here. You're going to have to face the fact they are not real."

"But they here..." Haelth trails off. What was once her family was nothing more than thin air, "Where-where are they?" The young girl looks around, "Pa? Ma? Everyone?!" She called out in English but alas they were not there. Was it real? Her family was here! Weren't were they? They were right there! She darted back around the ally in a panic but Douma turned her head to him.

"Woah, woah there!" Douma snaps her out of her downward spiral, "Hold yours together! It is alright. Come to my village and you'll be safe. We have plenty of food for everyone and a roof over your little head." He smiles at her, "What do you say." He smiles down at her.

Haelth looks down, "I don't know. It's all fast." Haelth said, rubbing her head. Douma laughed and ruffled her hair.

"Well we leaving in a couple of days and I need your answer now." He told sternly but still laughing. What weirdo.

Still, though, Haelth's brow furrowed in thought. She needs to make a choice now. Should she go to Douma's village? Away from this one that she grows up in? She huffed, there were no good memories here. Not one of the villagers liked them because she and her siblings were mixed. They either ignore them or sometimes bully them. That is out of the public but still. She would not miss this village.

"Ok," She said resting her head at his chest, "I'll go."

Douma laughs, "Oh good! I promise you you won't regret it!" He said as they exited the ally. The child was too tired to ask Douma where those officers before.

That's a wrap!

Sucks but I'm done with college and taking my summer break. Give me in Discord if you want to keep in touch.

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Now we finally leaving this awful village and heading to the cult. The next chapter is going to be in Douma's POV. So that would be fun.

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