CHAPTER 15:

Arriving at the shelter, Althea could not help but look around curiously. The place was somewhat neglected, the walls looked worn and cracked, typical of a neighborhood where low-income people lived... but, even so, there was a warm and cozy atmosphere.

—It's a bit humble, I know —Elion commented, noticing her expression—. But several of us who stayed at home managed to survive. After things got worse, we closed all the entrances and took shelter here. It's our safe place.

—I understand… —Althea answered quietly.

—It's not much, but I hope you feel safe while you're with us.

—Thank you… really.

Elion nodded and then pointed to a house in the background.

—Let's go there. That's where a friend of mine lives and she's a doctor… maybe she can do something for your little friend.

—Yes, please! —Althea replied, hugging Mian tightly.

Arriving in front of the door, Elion knocked softly.

—Stella, are you there? I need your help.

On the other side of the door, a calm but firm female voice was heard.

—It's open… come in.

—Come on —said the young man to Althea.

Inside, there was a young woman sitting at a desk, reading. She had dark skin, wavy brown hair, glasses and a serene gaze with blue eyes.

—Well, who do we have here? —Stella asked, getting up and approaching them.

—Hi, Stella. I met this little girl on the road—explained the young man—. Her little dog is in bad shape? Can you do anything to help him?

Stella crouched down in front of Althea, speaking softly to her.

—What happened to your friend?

Althea, her voice breaking and tears held back, answered:

—He... hit a tree very hard.... Please... can you save him?

Stella picked up little Mian very carefully.

—I'll do my best — she assured her.

Then she looked at the boy.

—Elion, why don't you take her to get something to eat, it looks like she had a very hard day. She needs to refuel.

—Sure —he nodded.

Elion held out his hand to Althea.

—Come on, little one. You've been through a lot today.

But Althea shook her head, holding on.

—I don't want to…I don't want to leave Mian...I want to be by her side.

Stella smiled gently.

—I'll take care of him. You know the best thing you can do for him now? Get your strength back. You don't want him to wake up and see you all emaciated like this, do you?

Althea hesitated for a few seconds... but in the end, she nodded.

—All right…

—I'll let you know when I'm done treating him —said Stella.

—Let's go, then —said Elion, gently taking Althea's hand.

But before they left, Stella stopped them.

—Ah, Elion… Make sure they don't cross paths with Enzo.

Elion let out a sigho.

—Yes, I know… it would be a problem…

—A big problem—Stella said seriously.

And with that, the two left the place, while Stella began to attend to little Max.

Elion took Althea to his house. It was a small, simple space... and a bit messy.

—It's a bit messy… I hope you don't mind —said Elion, a little embarrassed.

—Don't worry… I understand —Althea replied, looking around curiously.

Elion invited her to sit in his small dining room and, after a while, served her some bread and tea.

—I'm sorry if it's too little… but it's all I can offer you for now —Elion commented, scratching the back of his neck.

—Oh no... on the contrary. Thank you very much… you have helped me a lot —said Althea sincerely.

—You're welcome —smiled Elion.

For a moment, they were both silent. It was a bit awkward… until Althea decided to break it while taking a sip of tea.

—So… your name is Elion, right?

Elion blinked, surprised. It wasn't until that instant that he realized they hadn't introduced themselves yet.

—Ah… I'm sorry —he laughed nervously—. I didn't even introduce myself, how absent-minded… I'm Elion.

—My name is Althea —she introduced herself.

—Althea… —Elion repeated—. That's a very pretty name.

—Thank you —she replied, a little shyly.

—And how old are you, Althea?

—I'm nine years old —she answered naturally—. And you?

—Twenty-five —Elion replied.

Althea's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

—Really? I thought I was younger…

Elion let out a small laugh.

—Do I look that young?

—Yes... a Little —she admitted.

As she took a better look around the place, Althea noticed several toys in one corner.

—So... why do you have so many toys here? Why do you have so many toys here? Aren't you a little old for that? —she asked innocently.

Elion froze for a second, somewhat embarrassed.

—Oh, no, no… they're not mine —he hastened to say—. They belong to my little brother.

—You have a brother? —asked Althea, curious.

—Yes… he's about the same age as you.

—And where is he? —Althea lowered her voice a little—. Don't tell me that… those things took him away…

—¡No, no! —Elion became alarmed—. He's in one of the rooms on the second floor. He was playing with a friend up there.

Althea sighed, relieved.

—I'm glad they're still together…

Elion stared at her for a moment, with some concern.

—What about you? —he asked softly—. Don't you have anyone left? Anyone looking for you or waiting for you?

The little girl looked down.

—Well… my parents are gone… and Max is hurt… —she answered sadly—. I only had Miss Delma left…

Suddenly, as if remembering something very important, Althea stood up suddenly.

—Delma! —she exclaimed.

She quickly reached into her backpack, pulling out her cell phone. She checked it anxiously, hoping for a missed call… but there was nothing.

She stared at the screen, feeling an emptiness in her stomach. Had Delma really not tried to contact her? Or maybe... she had simply forgotten her?

Elion, noticing her expression, decided to speak.

—If you were expecting a call… maybe it didn't come in —he commented.

Althea looked at him, confused.

—Huh? Why?

—Well… —explained Elion—. After all the fires and accidents, the signal became very unstable around here. It's likely that the call couldn't get through.

—Oh…

—If you want to try, the third floor usually has a better signal.

Althea looked up slightly, hopeful.

—Really?

—Yes. Do you want a ride?

—Please… —Althea nodded.

Elion smiled and stood up.

—Let's go. Hopefully, you can get through to her.