Chapter 19. True Colors

"How the hell do they expect me to give so much when they haven't followed through with the original agreement?!"

"Madam you know that I don't care as long as my experiments can continue to be conducted. These wars, these individuals... even you, mean nothing in the face of my research. I will provide as long as you hold up the bargain. Problem or not I shall abide by my word."

Shawn had heard the conversation and was sure that it was Tabitha and Sir Uris. Shawn was nervous about whether to step forward or not. Maybe if it was Tabitha herself, he could approach but he didn't like the old fart Sir Uris.

Unfortunately for Shawn, life moved contrary to his wishes. With a wave of a hand Shawn was sent flying forward and hit the ground in front of the pair. Tabitha lowered her hand and looked at the boy with a slightly complex expression. That however, quickly disappeared.

"Well, Well. A stray has appeared before us, are you aquatinted with this rat?" Said Sir Uris, his raspy old voice lingering in the air.

" He is.... a loose end." Tabitha had lightly bit her lip while looking at Shawn.

Sir Uris laughed as if it had been a long time since he found something so amusing. Shawn on the other hand, he was baffled. This woman was like a warm auntie to him even though she wasn't around much. She had helped him and his grandfather in their time of need and he was trying to repay the favor.

" Does the boy remind you of yourself my dear? You're still too weak, not callused enough to commit yourself! I almost regret supporting you. Oh, how sweet Nara would've reacted seeing you like this." Sir Uris's words held a viscous steel in his voice, he was like an instructor disdainfully lecturing his student.

A biting chill filled the air in the underground basement, cold air releasing from Tabitha's body. Shawn was in a bit of pain after hitting the ground but felt uncomfortable with how Tabitha looked at him. She was a well-known philanthropist in the town that was loved by most because she helped people. It was her and the mayor that fixed roads, helped properly fund the night watch, and feed the homeless.

Shawn met her the very first time after being beaten by older urchins after making a decent wage for a day. She had come across his battered body and helped heal him. As he got older, he would see her sometimes and she would read to him, heal him, or feed him. Shawn believed that she really cared for him.

Part of the reason Shawn didn't struggle too bad as a panhandler was the scraps, she would allow the homeless to take. The town didn't have a large number of homeless but that became a less volatile issue with her help.

Shawn looked at Tabitha and realized that maybe he had made a mistake. He should have left immediately this morning and focused on his own safety. There was coldness in Tabitha's eyes as she looked at Shawn. A feeling of alienation enveloped the boy.

"I knew your grandfather was a cultivator because of how he arrived 7 years ago. Beaten, bloody, distraught, and defensive. The man settled into town but kept a low profile; I had been the only one to notice his dantian was destroyed. I made a deal with that old man to feed, clothe, house, and watch over you for a while after his death. That deal however has come to completion."

Sir Uris looked on with anticipation but was surprised by Tabitha's next move. Expecting her to kill Shawn he waited, only to find a sword through his gut in the next instant, his body chilling until he fell over. Turning to face the trembling Shawn, she continued to speak to the boy.

"I made no moves on him but who would've guessed that he would offer up a deal. Take care of you in exchange for certain recipes and formulas. The clause on that contract however was that if I protected your life from danger thrice, then I could renounce the contract in advance. The first time being after you went out and purchased items; it was foolish of a child to think only one weak drunkard would attempt to harm you after such an extravagant purchase. Now is the second time that I have protected your life, by not killing you. This town is dangerous, leave now."

Shawn was despondent but caught on to the inconsistency. "Wait, you said three times. When was the third time?"

"The second clause on the contract was that if I couldn't uphold protecting you then I would give you a means of protecting yourself based on how many times I've acted to protect you."

Throwing something to the boy, Tabitha started to walk deeper into the basement.

Shawn was about to catch something when the object sped up and hit his chest. a light flashed and Shawn felt some warmth.

Turning back to Sir Uris, she spoke. "Old fuck, never bring my mother into this, and I fucking mean never. You may be a valuable asset but that's all you are to me, an asset. I'm the one in charge and should your question my patience again, I'll send you to hell. Get up and finish the batches."

Anyone watching Sir Uris would believe the man to be on death's bed. However, reality proved that assumption wrong. The old man got up still leaking blood, while the sword wound closed up like magic. Chuckling, the old man gave a ghastly smile at Tabitha.

"Seems like I am following the right person, heaven favors you today child, run before it's too late." The blood on the ground raised in the air and entered the man's mouth that now had protracted fangs. Licking his lips he laughed before his expression became aloof and calm, the change was as fast as lightning. Shawn was shivering because of what he had saw; the boy left immediately. Forgetting his original purpose, the boy ran with everything he had up the stairs and left.

"The child is still a loose end. He has seen too much, and she shouldn't have given him something so precious." Sir Uris watched the boy seemingly deciding on something.

Running down the stairs to the main lobby, Shawn breathed a deep breath as he found a bunch of shriveled corpses in the main lobby.