Bullet 2 : New home

"Ha," Lesley woke up gasping for her breath and cold sweat dripping on her forehead.

She looked around her surroundings, hoping to see that it was all just a nightmare. However, the sight of the burnt trees and blood proved that everything did happen.

"I may have failed our parents but I will always protect you, Harley. I will keep you safe and away from harm" Lesley whispered as she affectionally looked at the young mage sleeping peacefully in her embrace. She lifted him up carefully and disappeared.

She ran using her camouflage skill to make sure they won't be spotted in the city. Even though the news of her family being massacred hasn't been spread yet, it's still dangerous especially when their enemies might still be near.

Fortunately, they always hid their faces if they would appear in public, so no one really knows what they look like.

She swiftly moved in the alleyways and soon reached a two-story house that blended well with every house in the neighbourhood.

This was supposed to be their meeting point in her father's plan, but she knows it's only them now. After all, she saw them burn into ashes, in front of her very eyes.

Lesley opened the door of their new home with the key her father entrusted to her and she was greeted with a clean and simple place. The house was fully furnished, groceries piled up on the cabinets and every basic necessity they need to live was provided already.

"Sheesh dad, how much did you foresee?" Lesley muttered and slowly shakes her head with a disheartened smile on her face. She still can't swallow the fact that their parents were gone especially her father who was known to be a ruthless killer and unfeeling to his enemies, yet Lesley knows, underneath that cold facade, is a very gentle, caring, and loving dad.

She went upstairs and lied the sleeping mage on his bed then pressed a kiss on his forehead. Afterwards, she headed downstairs to prepare food while letting herself drown in her own thoughts.

~•~

BOOM

An earsplitting explosion and the ugly expressions of his family was the last thing he remembered before blacking out.

Harley woke up to find himself in an unfamiliar bedroom, "Where am I?" he asked himself and scanned everything in his room just to hear nothing but a grumble from his stomach.

Just then, a mouth-watering aroma filled his nose, "Perfect." he said as he grinned and followed the delicious smell.

The midget arrived at a simple kitchen and saw his sister cooking, "Hey sis." Harley smiled and sat on one of the chairs near the stove.

Lesley tried to ruffle his hair but he managed to avoid it, she chuckled as her mood brightens. Her little brother's attention then focused on the feast before his eyes, his mouth can't help but salivate.

Lesley had finished cooking and put the last dish down on the table, "Let's dig in." Harley happily took his utensils and began to eat.

"Sheesh shis, I misshed your dishesh."(Sheesh sis, I missed your dishes) he said, his sister sent him a glare which made him gulp down his food. "What did I teach you, Harley? Don't speak with your mouth full." She reprimanded as she handed him a tissue to wipe the bits of food in his lips.

Harley scratched the back of his head and said a small 'sorry' to his sister. "I mean, you rarely cook in the house. Oh yeah speaking of our house, why are we here? And where's mom and dad?" he asked.

That has been bugging his mind since the moment he opened his eyes, but momentarily forgot when he felt his stomach grumbled.

The atmosphere around Lesley darken a bit and she glanced at her brother with no expression at all. "We're not going back there anymore," she said straightforwardly. She decided that it's better to tell his brother without beating around the bush.

After all, the sooner he knows, the faster he'll move on.

Harley understood his sister, after connecting all the dots. He's called a prodigy for a reason. Tears were threatening to fall from his eyes but he kept them back, he doesn't want to let her sister witness it. He wanted to be strong for his sister. For both of them.

They continued to eat in silence, although the ambience around them turned a little gloomy, they still relied on each other to move on.

~•~

Lesley was just about to blow off her candle when she heard her door opening, she saw her little brother standing there, hugging his pillows.

Although Harley is too mature for his age, he still can't bear to hide his feelings, nevertheless, he was still a young child.

Upon seeing his sister, he ran towards the sniper and embraced her, fat tears were sliding down his cheeks. He's been feeling a bit uncomfortable since he woke up because his hat was missing and, but now while hugging his sister, he felt safe and secured.

Her sister is still there for him, he still has a family.

Lesley gently carried Harley who was crying in misery and sat on her bed. She didn't say anything and just let her brother cry. After some time, the two soon fell asleep because of fatigue.

The sniper woke up and carefully removed the sleeping mage's arms around her. She went downstairs to prepare breakfast.

She had decided to see the town, so she wrote a letter to Harley, stating that she just went out to check something and to not leave the house. She wore a black cloak and then disappeared from the place.

Lesley suddenly stopped in the alleyway of the marketplace as she overheard two people talking about something that caught her interest.

"Hey, have you heard about the Vance household?" A handsome and tall guy asked the beautiful maiden beside him. "Vance? One of the prestigious family in the Magical city?" the lady answered.

"Yes, I've heard a rumour saying they were annihilated overnight."

The lady's eyes widen in shock and exclaimed, "What? How can that be? How about their children, are they safe?" The guy shook his head, "I don't know, they said that the once beautiful mansion was burned into ashes and no bodies were found."

"How unfortunate, their family was really kind. Wonder who targeted them..." The lady sadly smiled. "True, they were also righteous people." The two continue to talk not knowing that someone was spying them.

After hearing most part of it, Lesley decided its time to leave the place.