“Wait! Just think about this for once, please!” Raine begged, as Erik was ready to pull the trigger, “Erik! Please trust me! I didn’t kill him!”.
     “That’s what all murderers say, just to make themselves seem innocent, but pulling that little trick? On me? No way.” Erik scoffed.
Raine’s eyes were full of fear and shock but Erik was true to his word, yet, he didn’t pull the trigger. Raine sighed to calm down, he got up despite shaking to the bone, he dusted off his arm and stood his ground, he had the look of determination.
    “I know there is no way I can prove to you my innocence but, you need help. And I’m willing to assist you.” Raine added.
    “But- “.
    “I’ll help you get what you need… and I’ll leave, but you need to promise not to tell the police about any of this, not even us meeting.” Raine suggested as their eyes locked. Erik knew better than to shoot someone who can provide what he needed, he slowly lowered his gun and hid it inside the inner pocket of his suit. Erik didn’t bother to look at Raine again, he had no choice, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of how Raine looked at him, in that moment.

         Meanwhile, in the palace of the royals, was Prince Avery sitting in front of his busy desk that was filled with textbooks and newspapers.
His hand was glued to his forehead as he kept reading the same page from a book repeatedly. His mind was going through circles, his theories didn’t make any sense, he made up countless plot holes, and more and more information kept piling up. It was utter chaos inside the prince’s head as he hadn’t been this stressed ever.
A knock was heard from inside his courters. “I’m busy!” the prince shouted but all he did was stare at a page, another knock was heard but it had turned even louder.
“Kyriel, I don’t feel like playing right- “He stopped when the door was wide open. The lights from the hall made a huge and beaming shadow appear. Prince Avery turned around to see who it was. It was Tara. She was his caretaker for a few months, but he was kind enough to not let her work that much. She was the same age as Raine, but she knew to watch the things she did and said around the council and royals. Tara had dark and smooth skin, beautiful black wavy hair that was always in a bun and her beautiful hazel eyes were what stood out the most. Overall, she was the definition of young beauty.
       “Tara?” Avery smiled and stood up from his chair to approach her.
      “Aren’t you supposed to be asleep by now, your highness?” She noticed that he got dressed for bed, but the sheets hadn’t been moved, nor any pillows. She took a peek behind Avery to see his desk light on.

    “I know your friend just passed but that doesn’t mean you have to stay up. You need to sleep, your highness.”, Tara added, walking up to his desk to fix messy papers and books, “I didn’t think you’d be here this late, especially since the last time we saw each other, you were- “.
     “That was months ago, your highness. I’d rather forget that I ever did that.”
    “How many times do I have to tell you to call me by my name? It’s not that hard and I don’t need the formality when speaking to you”. Tara sighed, and Avery sat down on his bed, relaxing his body, whilst she turned her head with the books in hand “Things have changed, ever since you left. It wasn’t easy finding another job while you were in Kasar. And this will be the last time we’ll probably ever talk again. “It was silent the moment she finished her sentence, Avery got up and walked up to her as she faced the desk.
     “Are you getting married?”. He asked, and Tara’s expression changed. He was right behind her as she was too nervous to move, “He’s a merchant. He has the money and it can really help my family. They approve of it”.
Avery clenched his jaw, “When are you leaving?” he kept asking questions but she was only nervous from how close he was.
      “Within six days, I proposed that we get to know each other more. At least, by then, I would get an idea of what he’s like.” Tara turned around and Avery stepped away.
“As much as I hate to say this, I think it is better this way, besides, it was one time and I did enjoy being friends with you”.
“Were we really just ‘friends’ to you?” Avery questioned, “I am sure, Avery. It was a one-time thing- “.
“Liking someone isn’t something to be embarrassed about, Tara”. He smirked, chuckling a little as he crossed his arms.
Tara approached him and looked him in the eye, “If you weren’t my future king, I’d kick you where it hurt.” She hit the books in his chest and left the room. Avery stood there like a statue but aside from how she wanted to kick him, he felt glad. He hadn’t seen her in months and what happened between them was something that Tara wanted to forget but Avery didn’t want to forget anything, after all, he did reject any girl who asked him if he was available.

     Outside the palace, Tara wore a forest green scarf around her neck as she walked up to a bakery, she opened the door and a warm smile greeted her.
“Tara!” Kiyoko smiled in delight, “I didn’t expect to see you here.” Kiyoko and Tara had known each other because of Prince Avery but they didn’t talk that much.
“Hello Kiyoko.” Tara smiled and started walking up to the counter, “I’ll have three of those strawberry delights, please.” she ordered “No problem, that’ll be twenty kinza.” Kiyoko said “Twenty kinza? That’s rather cheap for three pieces”.

“Do you prefer forty then?” Kiyoko chuckled and took out a paper bag, “Were you able to see Avery again?” Kiyoko asked, and Tara immediately turned to her “Ah… I did but I’ll be leaving in a while anyways.” She responded as she started fixing her scarf “What!?! You’re leaving? But, hey, wait! How did Avery react?”.
“He was rather stoic about it, but I had to tell him.” Tara had a distant look in her eyes and Kiyoko immediately knew something was going on.
“When will you come back?” she asked.
“I’m not sure.” Tara chuckled, “But I want to spend as much time as I possibly can before I leave for good.” She smiled as she took the paper bag with the bread and gave the coins to Kiyoko. “Goodluck out there, Tara.” And as usual, Kiyoko brought that warm smile again, the smile that will always warm the hearts of others. Within seconds, Tara left the bakery, which made Kiyoko feel a little guilty that they didn’t get to know each other that well, however, she was still nice to her.
Kiyoko checked the time and saw that it was almost 10 PM, she quickly started cleaning around and locked the front door to show that the bakery was closing for the night. When Kiyoko closed the lights, she heard a noise from outside, the sound was coming from the left side of the building, she was nervous to look but Kairo had been sleeping early so she was all alone. She grabbed a bat and used the back door to check what made that noise.
She got out and saw moving shadows as she leaned on the back wall, she breathed in and out to prepare herself to hit whoever or whatever was out there.
She got out and closed her eyes, she heard a thud and when she opened her eyes, it was Raine standing in front her wearing a horribly-made stealthy disguise and a mask covering his face except his eyes.
“Raine?!?” Kiyoko shouted. She was able to recognize him, surprisingly, but Raine signaled for her to keep her voice down. Kiyoko rose a brow, if Raine was in front of her, who did she hit with the bat? Kiyoko soon looked down to see an unconscious Erik laying face flat.

       Inside their apartment, Erik had to lay down on their couch, luckily, Kiyoko and Kairo shared an apartment as it was close to their bakery. Raine kept peeking out of the window to make sure no one was following them.
“Raine, I’m so glad to see you!” Kiyoko leaned in to hug Raine, she was worried sick about him, it felt like forever since they last saw each other, “I’m glad to see you too, Kiyoko.” He smiled and hugged her back.
“Where have you been? How did you get away? And who’s that?” Kiyoko asked, “I know you have a lot of questions right now but the reason I’m here is that, my friend over there was running out of food. I was wondering if I- “.
“If that’s all you wanted, why didn’t you just come through the front door?” Raine was in a hurry but he knew better than to rush things for her. As soon as he was about to say something, Kiyoko stepped back to see that Erik was awake.
She ran to him, “Are you alright?” she asked Erik, who was still recovering and rubbing his head while looking like a mess, “Come with me, you’re still recovering so it’s best to still lay down”, she gently took his hand and guided him to a comfortable chair to rest. Once Erik sat down, Kiyoko turned to the window right beside Raine, “You could’ve been badly hurt you know”. 
“I didn’t mean to make you worry, Kiyoko.” Raine took a step to her, she was happy to see him but something else was bothering her, “It’s risky to be here. Many police officers are looking for you. Explain, Raine! Please, give me an explanation as to why I shouldn’t worry!”. The look in her eyes showed how much she cared for Raine, she was always there for him, like brother and sister “I’m sorry” he pulled her in again for another hug and she started to cry, she buried her face in his arms as she felt whole again, “But you shouldn’t worry anymore. You know I’ll be fine”.
In a few minutes, Kiyoko had to go get the food they came to get. Since it was just Raine and Erik in the room, Raine’s look changed “You can stop acting now.” Raine said, it was then that Erik stood up from his little nap, “I wasn’t even acting but I saw how close you both are. It’s absolutely disgusting to witness.” Erik grunted.
“Kiyoko and I are just friends, plus, at least I wasn’t the one that got hit by a bat.” Raine chuckled, “Hmph, whatever reason, this place seems comfortable enough. More than my place underground.” Erik started looking around and noticed tons of pictures, even old ones. He noticed a specific picture, it was a group picture with two girls that were huddled together, and one boy who was trying to join them both, he chuckled at how one of the girl’s faces were filled with disgust. Just looking at the boy, Erik knew it was Raine.
“Like that picture?” Startled, Erik turned around to see Kiyoko behind him, with how close they were, he stepped back to give space between them, “I guess… It’s alright.” He cleared his throat and Kiyoko stepped closer to the picture on the wall, “That’s my other best friend, Kairo.” She pointed at the girl with the disgusted look on her face, “She used to think Raine was annoying cause he kept following us around school.” Kiyoko’s giggle sounded so sweet and genuine to hear, Erik kept looking at her as he noticed her smiles occasionally.
“Are you a friend of Raine?” she asked, “I just provided him a place to stay. I wouldn’t call us friends, more like, acquaintances”. Erik crossed his arms, “Oh, why? You were kind enough to give him a home after all.” Kiyoko was curious to know Erik more, and after all a friend of Raine, is a friend of hers as well, “It’s complicated. You… wouldn’t understand”.
“Ah, I see.” It was silent for a moment, them standing next to each other was awkward enough to begin with. Erik kept stealing glances at Kiyoko, he wanted some time alone and was hoping that maybe she’d leave to attend to Raine.
“I didn’t quite catch your name.” She turned to him once more, “Erik, Erik Zander Knox.” He responded but he was rather slow with that response.
“Are you from here?” she asked again.
“No, actually, I’m from Falkeninsel. Not a very popular region but trust me, the culture and food are to die for.” He responded.
“I’ve never been anywhere besides Arcelia.”
“Then maybe when I go back, I could have you accompany me.” He smiled “I hope you aren’t sea sick though.” he chuckled, fixing his glove as she laughed, which he found so soft and lovely.
“Please take care of Raine” she added, Erik suddenly turned to her as she still stared into the picture “He’s never been able to handle… certain situations and it would be really nice if someone other than me and Kairo, being there for him.” She continued but something bothered Erik “Do you really trust Raine? After all the wanted posters posted around the city?” it was a rather stupid question to ask, especially to someone who’s known Raine since childhood. Instead of having a protective look, she gave a soft one, “Of course I trust him, he didn’t do it and I believe him.”
“But how? I mean there has to be proof that he didn’t do it, belief can’t prove it.”
“No offense, Erik, but I believe Raine, I know it doesn’t prove anything but I’m saying this as someone who’s known him since childhood. I’ve seen him do things… Things that strangers would think he can’t do. I understand why you doubt him and your trust for him, since you two just met, but it wouldn’t hurt to give him a chance to prove himself. He’s the kindest person I know, and he’d never kill anyone.” Erik’s eyes widened when she finished her sentence, suddenly, he remembered how Raine was willing to still help him even though he threatened to shoot Raine.
“Oh, right. Here’s the food you asked for!” Kiyoko handed Erik a box which was half open and inside the box was many canned goods, bread, chips and some water.