Chapter 19

Naomi sipped her seaweed tea while sitting on a purple couch. After fleeing from Pleasure Alley, the trio of Crows sought refuge in Sarah's home in C-5. The house was inside one of the apartment blocks. Despite its small size, the place was remarkably well-organized, Naomi noted as she took another sip. Under her feet, a fluffy rug featuring a capybara design stretched across the square living room. Two doors led to the kitchen and a bedroom—a cozy, compact space.

Mateus sat cross-legged on the rug, playing with a four-year-old boy. Though he initially wore a look of frustration after failing his part of the mission, his spirits lifted once they arrived at the apartment.

The place buzzed with noise as many children played around, leaving toys scattered across the floor. One had to tread carefully to avoid stepping on them. Arguments over trivial matters broke out frequently. On the way there, Cecília explained to Naomi that the apartment was a haven for the children of sex workers while their mothers were away. Each day, one of the women took turns caring for the children.

Naomi was surprised by the number of kids. She had always heard rumors that prostitutes often had abortions, which proved not entirely true. She didn't judge any of the women for their choices. After all, even if she wanted children, she couldn't have them—no Crow could.

During their training, young recruits underwent a form of chemical castration, rendering both sexes sterile. They could still have sex naturally, but the ability to have children was taken away. According to the Bunker, family ties were deemed a vulnerability too easily exploited.

Cecília had been in the kitchen talking to Sarah for twenty minutes. Sarah's initial reception had been less than warm; the chaos caused in the Burrow had quickly spread to the surrounding red-light districts. Mateus occasionally glanced toward the kitchen, trying to gauge what was happening, though the child he was playing with soon drew his attention back.

Naomi adjusted her position on the couch, which creaked under her weight, and studied Mateus' face. She hadn't seen it clearly until recently. To her surprise, the young man was strikingly handsome, with grayish eyes and a light beard. She couldn't understand why he was so adamant about hiding his face.

Sarah was the first to emerge from the kitchen. Tall and slender, with short black hair streaked with red, she wore a nightgown that fully revealed her legs. She sat next to Naomi on the couch.

Mateus tried to avert his gaze, blushing deeply, and his face reddened even more when Sarah smiled at him. Cecília followed shortly after, chewing on a piece of dried fish.

"I've heard about what happened," Sarah began. "Cecília must have 'forgotten' some details for my benefit, I assume."

"My memory's terrible," the blonde replied with her mouth full. "Hey, kid!" she shouted at a child tugging on her long blonde hair. "Do that again, and you'll see what happens."

The child ran off, startled, as Cecília laughed, earning a glare from Sarah. Sarah then called all the children together, and soon they had gathered in one place. Naomi counted eight of them.

"I need to talk to my friends," Sarah said gently.

"The Crow guy is my friend too!" said the boy who had been playing with Mateus on the rug. "I like him."

"I like him too," Sarah replied, casting a peculiar look at Mateus, who immediately turned crimson. "Here's what we'll do."

Sarah stood, walked to the bedroom, and returned shortly with three coins, which she handed to the boy defending Mateus.

"Go to the market and buy something to eat!"

No further instructions were needed. Within two minutes, all the children had left, leaving only the four adults in the apartment. Cecília exhaled wearily, turning to her friend.

"Three coins for eight kids," she said, shaking her head in disapproval. "You're as stingy as ever."

"I don't bring my problems into other people's homes," Sarah retorted bitterly. She turned to Naomi. "I assume you're a Crow as well?"

"Yes," Naomi confirmed.

"Plenty of Crows come through my house," Sarah said with a hint of melancholy. "Cecília mentioned you're investigating Andreir. It was about time."

"Things have been bad?" Mateus asked.

"They always are, but Andreir gaining so much power in our line of work is concerning. He doesn't see us as anything more than commodities. People have always disappeared in these parts," she paused, grimacing, "but I heard about the woman found with her kids near the beach. I don't like to think about it."

"Disturbing," Mateus murmured, having witnessed the scene firsthand.

"People have always vanished," Cecília agreed. "But not with this frequency. Don't tell me you go out at night without fear."

"Of the so-called monster?" Sarah scoffed.

"You know very well that's not what I mean."

Sarah sipped her seaweed tea, sitting on a purple couch. After fleeing Pleasure Alley, the trio of Crows took refuge at Sarah's house in C-5. The house was in one of the apartment blocks. Despite being small, the place was very well organized, Naomi noted as she took another sip. Beneath her feet was a plush rug with a capybara design, stretching across the square room. Two doors led to the kitchen and a bedroom—a small but cozy space.

Mateus sat cross-legged on the rug, playing with a four-year-old boy. His expression betrayed frustration over failing his part of the mission, but his mood lightened upon arriving at their refuge.

The apartment was noisy with the laughter and chatter of children playing. Toys were scattered across the floor, requiring careful navigation to avoid stepping on them. Arguments over trivial matters erupted frequently. On the way there, Cecília explained to Naomi about the house—it served as a daycare for the children of sex workers, where one of the women took turns caring for the kids each day.

Naomi was surprised by the number of children. She had always heard rumors that prostitutes frequently sought abortions, which proved not to be entirely true. She didn't judge any of the women for their choices, knowing she herself could never have children—not even if she wanted to. No Crow could.

During their training, young recruits underwent a form of chemical sterilization, leaving both men and women infertile. While they could still engage in sexual activity, the ability to have children was taken from them. According to the Bunker, Crows didn't need families, as such connections were weaknesses that could be easily exploited.

Cecília was in the kitchen, conversing with Sarah for the past twenty minutes. Sarah's initial reception hadn't been warm; the chaos they caused in the Hole had quickly spread across the red-light districts. Mateus cast frequent glances toward the kitchen, trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening between the women, but his attention was repeatedly drawn back to the child.

Naomi adjusted herself on the couch, which creaked, and observed Mateus' face. She hadn't seen it up close until recently. The man was surprisingly handsome, with grayish eyes and a faint beard. Naomi couldn't understand why he was so insistent on hiding it.

Sarah was the first to emerge from the kitchen—a tall, very slender woman with short black hair streaked with red. Dressed in a nightgown that revealed her legs, she sat beside Naomi on the couch.

Mateus shifted uncomfortably as Sarah gave him a hungry look, which deepened his blush when she smiled at him. Cecília appeared shortly after, chewing on a piece of dried fish.

"I heard about the incident," Sarah said. "Cecília must have 'forgotten' to share some details—for my own good, I assume."

"My memory's trash," the blonde replied through a full mouth. "Hey, kid!" she yelled at a child pulling her long blonde hair. "Do that again, and you'll see what happens."

The child ran away, frightened, as Cecília laughed, earning a sharp glare from Sarah, who called the children over. It didn't take long for them to gather together. Naomi counted eight.

"I need to talk to my friends," Sarah said kindly.

"The Crow guy is my friend too!" the boy who had been playing with Mateus earlier piped up. "I like him."

"I like him too," Sarah said, casting a peculiar glance at Mateus, who immediately turned red again. "Here's the deal."

Sarah stood, went to the bedroom, and returned moments later with three coins, which she handed to the boy who had defended Mateus.

"Go to the market and buy something to eat!"

No further instructions were needed; within two minutes, all the children had left, leaving just the four of them in the apartment. Cecília exhaled wearily and turned to her friend.

"Three coins for eight kids," she said, shaking her head in disapproval. "You're still as stingy as ever."

"I don't bring my problems into other people's homes," Sarah retorted bitterly. "I take it you're a Crow too?" she asked, turning to Naomi.

"Yes," Naomi confirmed.

"Many Crows visit my house," Sarah said sadly. "Cecília mentioned you're investigating Andreir. It's about time."

"Things have been bad?" Mateus asked.

"They always are, but Andreir's rise in our trade is worrying. He sees us as nothing but commodities. People have always disappeared around here." She paused, grimacing. "I heard about the woman found with her children near the beach. I don't like thinking about it."

"Disturbing," Mateus murmured, having witnessed the scene firsthand.

"People have always gone missing," Cecília agreed. "But not this frequently. Don't tell me you go out at night without fear."

"Of this supposed monster?" Sarah teased.

"You know very well it's not just that."

Sarah finally returned from the kitchen, carrying a basin with some small pots and water. She went to the middle of the room, kicking aside the capybara rug to reveal the concrete floor underneath. Setting the basin down, she turned eagerly to Cecília.

"Let's start your transformation!"

Cecília smiled at her friend and sat on the floor near the basin. Sarah picked up a pot containing a black liquid, pouring some into the water and stirring it with her fingers until the mixture darkened.

Lifting her fingers to check the color once, Sarah stirred again, satisfied on the second attempt. She positioned herself in front of Cecília.

"Do you want to take off your shirt to avoid stains?"

"No need. I know you'll lend me a beautiful outfit for later," Cecília replied, winking at her friend.

With a steady breath, Sarah grabbed a piece of cloth, soaking it in the dyed water. After ensuring it absorbed enough, she began applying it to Cecília's hair, not wringing out the excess liquid. Cecília shivered at the cold sensation and complained about it.

Naomi watched as the Corva's blonde hair gradually turned dark brown. The dye worked impressively fast. Seeing Naomi's expression, Sarah explained,

"This dye is used for certain jobs. Some clients prefer specific hair colors—or even colorful ones."

"How do you remove it?" Naomi asked, intrigued.

"It doesn't come off with sweat or alcohol. Seawater does the trick; the salt helps with removal."

"Are you almost done?" Cecília grumbled, fidgeting.

"Just the eyebrows left."

Sarah worked deftly, her fingers separating Cecília's hair strands while using her free hand to rub the dye-soaked cloth. She dipped the cloth into the basin with each new section. Holding Cecília's chin, she began gently applying the dye to the Corva's eyebrows. Cecília closed her eyes as dark streaks trickled down her face.

After inspecting her work one last time, Sarah let go, her hands now stained black with dye. Cecília kept her eyes shut, uncertain whether it was safe to open them.

"Go wash your hair in the kitchen," Sarah said, tossing the cloth back into the basin. "You can open your eyes now."

As Cecília headed to the kitchen, Sarah added, "Use the sink."

"Got it," Cecília replied, dipping her head under the running water.

"Did you hear anything about the basement?" Naomi asked, setting her empty cup aside. "Any idea what we should look for?"

"No," Mateus answered bitterly. "Just that the guys were terrified of being sent there."

"From the name alone," Cecília shouted from the kitchen, "it's pretty obvious where we should search!"

"Still as pleasant as ever," Sarah muttered, smiling at Mateus.

The sound of running water stopped, and moments later, Cecília appeared in the doorway, holding the old shirt she'd worn, now used as a towel. She wore only a black crop top, her skin glistening with water droplets that splattered across the room like a dog shaking off after a bath.

Removing the soaked shirt from her head, Cecília revealed her new look. Her once-blonde locks were now jet-black, as though she had been born that way. She looked like a completely different person. Only someone who knew her well and was close enough could tell the difference.

— Judging by your expressions, — said the Corva cheekily, — I must look hot!

— You'll do, — Naomi replied.

Satisfied with the reaction she had caused, the Corva theatrically plopped onto the couch, making a show of playing with her hair constantly. The attitude reminded Naomi a lot of Gabriel.

— So, — Mateus began, — how do you plan for us to get in unnoticed?

— Mateus, — Sarah answered, — they don't care who walks in. Night workers are replaced all the time in big brothels.

— We'd just be the new faces, — Cecília added. — Sarah, do you have any clothes I could borrow?

— Of course, — Sarah said, standing up and guiding her friend toward her room. She glanced at Mateus. — I have some men's clothes too.

— Perfect! — Cecília cut in before her colleague could respond for himself.

Once again, the two disappeared, leaving Naomi and Mateus in an awkward silence. They hadn't built much rapport, but Naomi felt the Corvo was trustworthy. Running her fingers along the rim of her mug, she turned toward him.

— Do you think Andreir is responsible for the disappearances?

— I don't know, — Mateus replied quickly. — Probably some of them, but all of them? I have my doubts. Either way, taking someone like that off the streets would be a win.

Naomi agreed with his reasoning. She also doubted Andreir's full involvement in the incidents, but he certainly wasn't innocent. Loud, raucous laughter erupted from Sarah's room, and moments later, the door swung open.

Cecília emerged first, wearing shorts so tiny they looked like denim underwear, fully exposing her legs. The red crop top she wore wasn't much better; it barely covered her chest, leaving most of her torso on display. The Corva was red-faced from laughing so hard.

— What did you do? — Mateus asked, narrowing his eyes.

— I found something perfect for you! — Cecília replied, holding up an item in her hands.

It was a single pair of shiny black leather briefs. She turned the garment over, laughing again. Naomi saw the reason and had to fight to keep from laughing along. The leather briefs left both butt cheeks entirely exposed.

— Is he going to wear anything else? — Naomi asked, trying to keep her composure.

— Nope!

— I'm not wearing that! — Mateus exclaimed indignantly.

— Oh, yes, you are!