Back to the Truth

Connor woke to a heavy feeling on his chest, or rather just a heaviness pressing down on him. On his chest, cuddled up, blanket and all, was M. She was sleeping peacefully. She had a rather cute sleeping face, Connor noted.

'Do I wake her up? It's not uncomfortable.'

Connor was stuck in a dilemma. While he shunned such closeness, the girl sleeping soundly on his chest brought odd peace to him. After pondering, he decided to let her sleep a little longer. For he noticed the bloodied rags she used to clean him.

'Consider it repayment.'

*

After about an hour, M finally stirred awake. She yawned and sat up, the blanket fell and she stretched. After all that, she finally looked at Connor. He was staring plainly at her.

"How long have you been awake?" M asked, slightly becoming red.

"About an hour." Connor replied

"How long did you stare at me." M became further reddened.

"The whole time." Connor responded.

"Why!" M finally exploded.

"I don't know. Your face was cute." Connor answered bluntly. The anger dissipated from M's body. Replaced by sudden embarrassment.

"C-cute?" M stuttered.

"Hmm?" Connor looked on in puzzlement. M glanced at Connor a few times, before adjusting herself to be above him, looking down at him. Her face was red and where she was sitting, felt very warm. Not long after, M had leaned down locked lips with Connor.

Now Connor had a bigger problem. Would he allow for this girl to follow her feelings? Would he allow such Desires to win? Or would he follow logic and reason?

Compared to Invidia, M's kiss felt more honest and tasted oddly sweet. It was alluring, numbing and brought forth Desires of his own, but he chose the latter of the options and sat up, pushing M gently away. Her eyes spoke of longing, but Connors spoke of nothing.

"M, I can't let you do that." Connor told her.

"Its because I look fifteen, isn't it." M looked down dejectedly.

"That's not it. You told me you were an adult, I chose to believe that. It's more... personal." Connor replied.

"Oh, are you gay?" M asked suddenly.

"What? No! It's.. hah, I don't have feelings like you do." Connor sighed.

"So? You don't have to have feelings. Desires are fine." M replied, obviously confused.

"Huh?" Connor was confused.

"Oh, I see. Look, I would be lying if I said I didn't have feelings for you... Connor... are you by chance a virgin?" M inquired.

"... A correct assessment." Connor turned away.

"Hahaha!" M laughed. Connor stood up and walked towards the door.

"I see. Since I've lost. I'll be taking my leave now... and this mask." Connor announced, looked at the mask on the counter, and grabbed it.

"Wait! Why?" M stopped laughing and asked.

"I have important matters to attend. I've wasted enough time in those fights." Connor answered.

"Oh... Take me with you!" M jumped up and rushed up to Connor, grabbing hold of his arm.

"Where I'm going isn't safe. You'll get hurt or die." Connor stated bluntly.

"I'm not a kid! I get to make my own choices! So I'm rephrasing. I am going with you." M replied matter of factly. Connor stared at M.

"Hah, how could you even go with me, when I don't even know your name?" Connor asked her.

"Its Mina." M responded.

"Alright then, Mina. Don't regret that choice." Connor warned.

*

Robert met up with Connor and Mina and all three were now sitting at a table. Connor was wearing the leprechaun shirt, since he had none.

"Now, let's talk about that Portal." Robert began. They had just ordered some food, which Connor looked forward to hungrily.

"I've come to a conclusion. Though mostly speculation." Connor commented.

"What Portal?" Mina asked. Robert told the story, mainly because Connor didn't care to give many details.

"I see! So this Portal must connect out in a zone somewhere, where they could conduct experiments on the kids in secret!" Mina concluded.

"No." Connor dismissed.

"What do you mean by 'No'?" Robert questioned.

"Why would they come for the pieces of a Portable Portal, if the destination was within a zone?" Connor put forth a compelling question.

"Okay, that makes some more sense now. That Portal might connect somewhere in the wastelands. But where? The further into the wastelands you go, the deadlier it becomes. It's not exactly what one would call a 'safe place'." Robert mused.

"Exactly. Who would look there? If you want to hide from even the strongest of Seekers, what would be safer than in some desolate region in the most dangerous Wastelands?" Mina concluded.

"That is correct." Connor nodded, his attention drawn elsewhere. The food had finally arrived. A platter of sushi, barbecued eel, and an assortment of local dishes Connor couldn't pronounce. The three set about eating.

"So, how did you find that Portal?" Robert asked.

"Most of it was buried I the ashen remains of burned children. The rest was buried with the ashen remains of children under a rose bush." Connor bluntly answered as he took a bite of eel.

"You... dug around in the ashen remains of basically you siblings?" Mina asked, food hovering just before her mouth.

"More or less." Connor nodded as he continued to eat.

"Wait... that soot on your face when we met..." Mina paled.

"Yep. Ash of dead children." Connor continued uncaringly.

"I've lost my appetite." Mina dropped her chopsticks and sat back. Connor took her food happily.

"Bro... have some decency." Robert commented. He too had stopped eating.

"Look, if you can't handle me talking about what I did, you won't be able to handle what's beyond the portal." Connor remarked.

"A fair point. But I meant respect the dead. They were your orphan siblings at one point." Robert pointed out.

"I would agree. But, I have no memory of that time. Just that it wasn't grand." Connor finished all of the food.

"Well, regardless. I say we find a private place where no one will find or disturb us... wait, where is that Portal?" Robert began, but then realized Connor had nothing to carry a Portable Portal.

"I have. Don't worry about where." Connor stood up. He tossed a silver coin that seemingly appeared from nowhere, onto the table.

"...You're just one bundle of tricks, aren't you?" Robert shook his head with a chuckle.