They didn't speak for a while.
Alaric and Axel moved silently through the back alleys of the slum, their breath fogging in the night air. They avoided lit paths, weaving through broken fences, abandoned tenements, and loose trash that fluttered like ghosts between buildings. The memory of killing Murdock lingered bitterly on Alaric's blade—and heavier still on his conscience.
When they finally rested beneath a corrugated tin overhang, Axel broke the silence.
"You sure about this?" he asked, voice uncertain.
Alaric didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pulled out Murdock's bloodstained keyring and the bag of currency he'd taken from beneath the shop counter. The notes were old but meticulously packed, each bill sealed tightly in plastic.
"It's enough," Alaric said flatly. "With what I've saved, we can leave. We'll find a place where the system registries won't immediately flag us."
Axel stared at the money, his expression unreadable. He hesitated, clearly grappling with the enormity of what was unfolding.
"You're really leaving the slums," Axel finally murmured, disbelief coloring his words.
"For Lia," Alaric said quietly, determination etched in every syllable.
Axel nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Then go. Don't look back."
Alaric placed a reassuring hand on Axel's shoulder, sharing a silent farewell. They both knew there were no guarantees in their harsh world, but Alaric was determined to forge a safer path for Lia.
When Alaric returned home, dawn was just beginning to streak the horizon. He paused briefly at the threshold, steeling himself, before quietly approaching Lia. He watched her sleep, her peaceful breathing at odds with the turmoil inside him.
He gently shook her shoulder. "Lia, wake up. We need to go."
She opened her eyes slowly, confusion evident. "Al…what's going on?"
"Someone's coming for me," he said gently but firmly. "I can't tell you everything right now, but I will later. I promise."
Lia's confusion vanished immediately, replaced by resolve. "Alright," she said softly, her voice steady despite the gravity of his words.
Alaric felt a surge of gratitude. Her trust was unwavering—she didn't demand proof or hesitate. Her faith strengthened his resolve.
Quickly and efficiently, he retrieved the hidden stash beneath the floorboards—money he'd painstakingly saved over months. This had always been his backup plan, a desperate measure he'd hoped never to use. Now it felt like their only lifeline.
He moved efficiently through their small home, selecting only the essentials: burner IDs, travel tokens, a compact first aid kit, and carefully rationed food and water. His heart raced as he mentally revisited the escape plan he'd meticulously crafted over weeks of sleepless nights. Every detail had been accounted for: security patrol rotations, checkpoint surveillance, and train schedules.
Before leaving, Alaric took one last look around their home—a worn and modest shelter that had witnessed their struggles and hopes. A pang of nostalgia tightened his chest, but he quickly suppressed it. There was no room for sentimentality in survival.
Unallocated Stat Points: 2
With deliberate focus, Alaric summoned his system interface and carefully allocated the two available points—one into Strength and one into Agility. A subtle, invigorating sensation rippled through his muscles, the effects immediate and empowering.
Strength: E
Agility: E
A bitter smile tugged at his lips. He'd been weaker than even the average person, but now, finally, he was reaching normalcy. His newfound strength reassured him, adding confidence to his movements.
As they stepped out into the dim morning, the slum was unnaturally quiet, the tension palpable. Lia stayed close, her hand gripping Alaric's tightly. They moved swiftly and quietly, Alaric guiding them through the hidden routes he had scouted countless times before.
The city's checkpoint loomed ahead, a barrier both literal and symbolic. His pulse quickened slightly at the sight. Bribing a technician to disable the checkpoint's key surveillance cameras had drained a significant portion of his funds, but he considered it a worthwhile investment. They had only a thirty-second window of opportunity, and he intended to make full use of it.
As they drew nearer, he instinctively tightened his grip on Lia's hand. His thoughts raced, envisioning every potential obstacle they might encounter. Could the technician have betrayed them? Had the guards become suspicious?
A sudden noise from an alleyway behind them caused Alaric to whirl around, his body tense. His eyes narrowed, scanning the shadows for movement. After a long, anxious moment, he relaxed slightly, realizing it was likely just an animal rummaging through garbage.
He glanced at Lia, drawing strength from her calm, unwavering trust. Together, they approached the checkpoint, each step careful yet decisive, prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.