Tied into a tail of rose-red, a young woman moved her hair behind an ear. She walked down an aisle of glass doors. Vegetables, meats and all sorts of perishables sat beyond. In her hand a bundle of notes tied together with string. Upon each a list written with scribbles. A basket of ingredients, fruits and condiments hung from the same arm as tired eyes of hazel browsed the selection.

  Flipping through the pages she spoke in mutters. Fruits for the younglings. Spices to refill shakers. Meat for lunch. A few of many necessaries to restock. Speaking the list out loud she grabbed the needed items without a look. Focused with her habitual motions she remained unaware for her surroundings.

  With hair of muddied red a lady remained unnoticed. Who quietly tiptoed through the store. A grin upon her face as she slowly walked forward holding back a giggle. Although the rose-haired lass would not have noticed. When the lurking one slid close enough she jumped. Hugging the sudden damsel from behind despite standing a tad shorter.

  A yelp escaped the younger of the two. Struggling bit before sighing, the lass said, "Hello Albel. Done working?"

  "Ama!" Albel massaged the lass' shoulders, "I'm exhausted ya know. A ton of heavy stuff today. Buy me a snowcone please."

  "Weren't you on break from new clients?"

  "I aaaaaam, but government paperwork is being sooooo slow ya know. Feels like the Cadastral Association is making fun of me. So I helped my juniors, but now I want to cry."

  Letting go of her friend Albel flailed with exaggerated arms. Her face pouted recalling the events of the week. Especially the nonsensical investigation of that magical art at Eastline College. Awful. Being called from her duties under the guise of urgency did not help either. Especially since she's forced to be on standby by Alteo Association. Investigation department her ass.

  Keeping the pout face, she commented on how her poor juniors had tend to those therapist duties. Downcast, she hung her head whilst pleading for a sweet treat. Only finding her would-be-savior browsing the aisle instead. Disappointed, albeit fleeting, she swiftly paced forward. Standing alongside her friend and stopped.

  A frown as she saw the face before her. Slight darkness below the eyes. Akin the hanging curtains. Signs of encroaching eyebags! Oh dear. That would not do she commented. Giving a strict lecture on the importance of rest.

  "Miss Amaryllis Alteo," Albel said with stern frown, "I've told you a thousand times over. Stop pushing yourself. It's your second year at Eastline I don't want to break down your door again."

  "Alba," Amaryllis replied, "I'm fine. Just doing quick errands. There's nothing to be worried about."

  "There it is again." Albel poked at her friend's cheek. "'I'm fine. I'm fine.' You always say. Listen to your elders at least or you'll meet an early grave."

  "But it's true. Look, my complexation has improved. Then again there's nothing much to look at in the first place."

  A stare retorted.

  Letting out a timid laugh Amaryllis suggested a visit to the plant nursery after. Her friend rolled her eyes and unwillingly agreed. Yet the moment after came a question of duration. Where only a wry smile replied. To such Albel sighed and walked alongside her friend.

  Up and down through the store the pair went. One poked and prodded while the other replied with a soft smile. Catching up with their lives since they last met. Laughter and giggles would arise within their banter. Along the way the eldest picked up a basket from somewhere. Scooping handfuls of wrapped sweets and sugars with disregard. She claimed those treats were for her juniors. Mostly.

  As always the cold greeted when the two walked out of the store. Amaryllis carried several paper bags of groceries, yet in contrast Albel swung a single, small pouch. Quick? Such a blunt question hit the lass. Proving her prior statements false.

  With a mocking expression the lady shared the burden. Swiping a few before any retorts were spoken. Along the streets the young lass led the way admitting defeat. Deliveries given out every once in a while. Salts to a local butchery. While spices and herbs went to a bakery. Even handing over fresh mints to a local hobby shop. In return at each stop were gifts, as such their load never grew lighter. Here and there the path bounced around.

  Hours ticked by. To which the last stopped came into view. Three hours of walking led to an approaching evening. Expected as much Albel joked. Arriving within the edges of the Bond District, a walled building came into view. Its stone barriers rose to half their height and bordered a yard of snow. The building within held a wooden look as if forgotten by time. An orphanage. Recent renovations renewed its lumber but the aim of preservation always was costly under the annual weathers.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Opening the gate the two followed the shoveled path, yet not towards the entrance. Instead around to the side. Knocking upon a wooden door it open after a moment with a gush of warm air. An elderly man in kitchen garbs answered. Behind sounds of distant laughter and childish chaos echoed. Finding familiar faces he smiled and accepted the bags and gifts. He insisted the two join in with the dinner plans, but Amaryllis shook her head.

  Departed from the property, Albel nudged, "Could of joined them. Those kids would love you there."

  Shaking her head. Amaryllis replied, "No, I promised."

  "You say that, but pretty sure the nurseries are closed up by now."

  "Sorry, I'll make it up to you."

  "Geez, don't look so down." Albel pointed towards a nearby cafe. "Buy me a honeyed tonic instead."

  A bit after the two gals leaned against the railing of a bridge. Watching as the trams passed below. Under the evening sky they chatted.

  "You really are ignorant ya know," Albel spoke, "Too busy to know the city's biggest story happed right in front of you?"

  Sipping a warm tea, Amaryllis laughed, "I never really paid attention."

  "Not even a bit from your peers gossiping?"

  "No." She hesitated a laugh again. "We only talk about classwork. Otherwise I'm busy."

  "By the wicked, you're as frustrating as that Menor. I told you. You. Need. A. Social. Life."

  "Like I said-"

  "No, how about this. Go poke those ATM students instead of our plant nursery visit. Then come back to me when you learn anything and I'll call us even."

  Swatting away the hand that kept poking her, Amaryllis laughed. The world would never hold such plans for the lass. Especially involving those of the applied theoretical magi degree who stood way above the norm. Those words drew out her friend's frustration. Within the moment the young woman attacked with her own probes. Was today's goodwill just to get a outsider to investigate?

  A tongue click replied. Of course not the rose-hair lady assured. Such was the lesser half of the intent. Venting held the larger portion instead. It had been a week since the training ground incident and nothing happened. No word, no statement, no explanation. Even in private meetings zilch.

  Worried the lass asked if spouting those secrets were allowed. Finding reassurance learning there was no violation if there never was a contract. Although those words did not merit trust, even from a close friend. Once the pair's cups emptied and a bit more chatter the two departed. Waving goodbye they headed their own ways for the evening.

  Left with her thoughts, Amaryllis' soft expression vanished. Darkened by a bit. Letting out a breath she watched the vapors dance in the cold. The day had passed and night had approached. The streetlamps would wake soon. However she still had much to do. Needed to do. Assignments, studies, caretaking, gig work.

  A sigh. She stop in her tracks; kicking a pile of snow that sat nearby. Smearing it onto the ground till it faded into the small steams between the tiles. Her mind quiet. Undisturbed as no one else was around. The cold brought relief yet she must not linger. Growing sick would trouble others.

  Meandering towards her apartment she thought about her friend's words. The incident at the testing ground. Such explained why reservations were impossible despite the early weeks of the quarter. Even those prodigies of the ATM degree got involved too. What bizarre turn of events would they experience she pondered.

  Mayhap take Alba's offer? No, too busy. If she did then everything else would fall apart. As of the moment she barely managed to reach the second year of her own studies. She had to succeed.

  While swirling through her own thoughts a poster caught her eye. One that she had seen many times. Dimly lit by the murky lighting the paper held her last name. Alteo. The Alteo Association, the governing body of welfare. Upon it, in letters of bold and extravagance, commanded all eyes to gaze upon it. Usually the lass would ignore it, but her friend mentioned its contents in passing.

  Estuary's Grant Contest. A quarterly competition used to promote the creativity and innovation of young minds. Mainly aimed at those involved in education and research. However the coming iteration, Albel mentioned, would be grander. She did qualify but...

  Amaryllis turned her head. Someone walked down the road behind her. At the current hour those of the moment would rush along while ignoring others, yet she felt their gaze.

  "Can I help you with something?" Amaryllis asked.

  When no reply came she returned to the poster. Probably nothing- Pain ruptured from her side. Stumbling back she clasped the area. Wet and warm. It burned painfully so. The person had stopped and watched her. In their hand something shined and dripped.

  Feeling the warm liquid stream down her body, she slowly rose her hand to see what it was. A dim, red liquid she knew all too well from her studies. A pitiful laugh came from her as she backed away. Clutching the cut side of her jacket to prevent further bleeding. Every step that she moved away the perpetrator would take one step closer, waiting.

  No one else was around. The moments before the streetlamps flickered alight only the dark linger. She understood the situation and could only laugh. How long has it been? She did not know as her mind rushed yet held no urgency. Staring back at the culprit unflinching.

  She could run, but she did not. Instead felt the cold mix with the warmth of her body. While painful it brought a bizarre relief. As if the burdens upon her slowly fell off and vanished. Bringing a haze. Then...

  A crash. The sudden sound jolted her from hazy thoughts. The perpetrator tumbled onto the ground as another person kicked them. They groaned in pain as the sound of stomps accented their cries. Whoever suddenly appeared shouted. However to her they felt muffled.

  From somewhere else another set of steps came scrambling, she did not know why but his words were clear.

  "Why... did you... suddenly run?" The person spoke, attempting to catch their breath, "What? What's going on?"

  "Get over here!" shouted the first person, "Hold these ropes tight."

  Through her hazy sight she saw dark hair that reminded her of the night. That person rushed over. That was the last thing she saw before collapsing.