Choice is Yours

I thought it was a shady job.

But my job was quite simple.

I delivered messages, as well as packages. But as I was just a child with no carriage or horse, I had to do it by foot.

Hmmm. Now I'm beginning to see this was a rather cruel job... but I can't complain.

Everyday became a montage of running. Even on my off days I was training to be faster and to parkour. My tiny body was light, so I could move across roof tops fast but running long distances in open spaces ... Everyday I prayed for my feet to quicken like that of a ninjas.

The job was hard when the packages were double my height.

There were times I made mistakes and got chewed out, but I wasn't fired.

More importantly the pay.

I was paid like an adult.

My first paycheck!

As I counted the money over and over some part of me wanted to cry. I tied the satchel around my neck and tucked underneath my shirt.

I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't want to spend this money.

My heart felt odd, light yet still anchored.

The misfortune I experience was a good one after all!

On my walk back into town, a shadow appeared before me.

I walked around it, my eyes glued to the lump underneath my shirt.

A familiar pair of shiny black boots blocked me.

"It's you!"

Ah yes, the ward of Lady Letrace's brother.

"Yes, hello."

I stepped to the other side and he mirrored me.

"I've been looking all over for you!"

For a second I felt special, then a sense of dread. Did something happen to Mom?

"Huh? Why?"

"The coin I gave you the other day it was the wrong one!"

I blinked at him. My smile waning.

"Coin? Ahhh, that coin?" How awkward!

He vigorously nodded, relieved for a second.

"Yes, the coin with the kracken on it!"

I blinked and squeezed the back of my neck as I avoided eye contact.

"It... got stolen by my co-worker."

He froze.

I waved a hand in front of his face, before eventually clapping my hands.

"H-haaaaaaah?!"

Seeing him panic, I felt partially responsible.

"If you want... I could introduce him to you, but... I don't think you'll be able to get it back so easily since he sold it already..."

The boy stooped to the ground like he was about to shit, he was quiet.

Seeing him like that, I feebly scooted around him.

"Wait!" His voice was a lot sharper than before. The gaze he held me in now felt off. Fire kindling in his eyes.

"Take me to that person!"

Awee, but I don't wanna! I have a bad feeling...

I found Musias at the bar, he was dining with Tulip who only watched in disgust as he scarfed down his food, before turning to leave. She spotted me and beamed.

"Candy, fancy seeing you here! Who's this?" She eyed the lad amiably at first but seeing the symbol on his uniform, it faded. She raised a brow.

"I'm showing him around."

"...I see, you be careful now."

"Mmm." I smile and nodded.

She left.

"Musias."

"Hmm?"

Musias looked up at me.

"Man, I haven't seen you in like forever. You been busy huh?"

The incident reached our boss's ears, so he arranged for us to work in different sections of the farm.

I gestured towards the boy behind me.

"The coin that you took from me belongs to this kid."

"Oh?" He glanced at the kid. "So he wants it back?"

I nodded.

"You already know I no longer have it."

"But you know who has it now right?"

Musias scraped up the remainder in his bowl before answering me. Studied me for a bit as he chewed.

"Candace. I'm saying this because you don't know anything about that coin but... the identity of this kid isn't that simple. You shouldn't be hanging out with him."

I blinked. He was right, us townies didn't associate with the militia unless it was for profit. But...

"But... you can still tell him who has the coin right?"

It seemed important, also he was just a kid like me. Us Kids have to stick together, life has been unkind. Yes.

"Hmm? Yeah, it's your new boss."

"Hmm? Ah, well..." I knew that. I knew that but I forgot in the moment see.

"I owed him a debt."

Everything was starting to make sense now, I've been stupid.

"Ohhhh...then."

"You can't ask him back for it."

"Why not?"

He sucked in air as if to give me a physical lashing. "Candace..."

I raised my brows.

"You need that money for you and your mom right, instead of trying to help this kid out like a fool, I suggest you distance yourself from him."

I was confused. I know it might be difficult to get back the coin, but...

"If... this boy gets back his coin, you're going to lose your job."

I stiffened and slowly bit my bottom lip. If that's the case then... I really can't... huh...

"Wait," I eyed him. "How do you know that?"

It's just a coin. That's what I thought but I had never heard of selling gold coins...? Was it actually something else?

I heard a sigh from behind me.

"So....you're really going to be like this?"

I felt heat emanating from behind me but ignored it, the only person there was-

Musias grabbed me by the arm and ran.

I heard glass shatter and looked in time to see the boy chasing after us.

Musias ran through the streets, darting in and out of alleys.

"What are you doing? Why are we running?"

""He works for the militia Candace! Haven't you heard of child soldiers?"

I winced as he doubled his speed. He was running around with me by the arm but my feet never touched the floor, so it was uncomfortable.

"No! I didn't-

Musias suddenly released me and I fell and rolled onto the ground, scraping the palms of my hands and shin.

"Musi-

That kid from earlier was standing on top of a knocked out Musias. Did he... just drop down from the sky on top of him?

"Musias?" I poked his body.

"He's alive, just unconscious." The boy eyed me sternly. "The person who has my coin is your boss right? Take me to him."

My face twitched. Ratting out Musias was one thing but my Sir Opium?!