Chester took a shaky breath as he collapsed into the couch.

  “The cellar. The few vials I had were in the cellars.”

  Sonnia got up and started walking to the back of the house. Chester stood up looking at his arms and opening his robes inspecting himself.

  Though his skin seemed clean the paranoia still won, he thought he felt more warm than usual.

  “How long do I have if I may ask? There has to be a cure of some sort right? I paid you to save me so your job isn’t done.”

  Sonnia looked down at the cellar door. It had a lock on it but Sonnia jammed her staff into it and pulled it open.

  “We agreed on 80 gold Chester. Pay me first then we can talk more details later. I don’t know how long you have so I would act fast. Eight stacks of ten please, counting hurts my head.”

  Chester got up and heavy footsteps were heard going upstairs as it sounded like stuff was being thrown around and a scream heard upstairs.

  “OUT OF MY WAY.”

  Sonnia shook her head at the noises as stomping and yelling was heard. Then looked down at the dark room below taking slow steps. In the room a wine rack full of dust and various crates down along with a rune that lightly glowed illuminating the room.

  “Selfish prick. Now where is it?”

  Looking around she looked at a random bottle of wine and bit down on the cork and pulled it out then drank the clear liquid. It had a sweet tangy taste. Walking to the back of the room one box was slightly open which revealed vials of purples dust.

  Sonnia tilted her head thinking to herself briefly on the best way to deal with the dust, there were about twenty small vials. Each the size of a small cup.

  Sonnia chugged down the rest of her wine until nothing remained. She let out a small hiccup and smiled as her cheeks lit up light red. She took the crate and walked back up the steps to see Chester already arranging the coins as in neat stacks. He looked at her with a sad look on his face.

  “It’s 80 as you said Sonnia. I can’t believe all that’s happened and to think that accursed woman caused all of this.”

  Sonnia paused and walked over her smile slowly evaporating. She down the crate near the front door and walked back and counted one of the piles slowly.

  “Freeg didn’t know, keep that in mind. She’s helped me a few times.”

  Chester's anger rose as he spoke. Each word got louder.

  “She still caused all of this. I should’ve known her estate was the root of this issue. All the money I spent taking care of things and now I’m at risk of death.”

  Sonnia counted the first stack of coins and then made sure the others were the same size. While Chester finally calmed down a little

  “Sonnia, the money is all there I promise. I need to hire you again. For the same amount, I can arrange it with a little bit of time.”

  Sonnia left the coins on the table and sat at a chair leaning back in it now while her staff lay against the table.

  “What’s the job? Try to cure you? I can try, no promises.”

  Sonnia could feel his eyes watching her like a kid at the candy store. It gave her small goosebumps while the man continued talking.

  “I want you to find a cure for me whatever it takes whoever you need to kill. Then next, kill this city's witch. Freeg needs to pay for what she did, she walked around like her own religion. Giving petals to all of them. Paul kept vouching for her when I should've had her thrown in the Quarantine zone with orders to kill on sight.”

  Sonnia continued leaning back in her chair, staring at the ceiling each word hit her ears like a rock against a pond.

  “Freeg? You want me to kill Freeg? Freeg already killed Marm so the source is gone. Besides, I like her. I don’t think I want to.”

  Chester though walked over standing over Sonnia.

  “Listen Sonnia, I am not in the mood for games. I paid you already. You know I am good for it. This is a lot of money we are talking about. I paid for a professional to end this and I will get what I want.”

  Sonnia stayed silent and she got up from the chair letting it hit the ground. She walked to the door but before managing three steps. Chester quickly pulled her back with a quick tug of his hand on her shoulder. His voice became panicked.

  “WE AREN'T DONE YET.”

  Sonnia turned around quickly like his hand triggered a hidden instinct. She grabbed his hand off and squeezed hard. A light crack was heard in Chester's hand before she pushed him to the ground.

  “Don’t ever lay a hand on me. Do I make myself clear!”

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  She stood over him and planted her foot on his groin and pushed in hard while he screamed in pain.

  “You don’t own me just because of one transaction. I do what I want when I want.”

  Sonnia slowly pressed the bottom of her staff against his neck then let out a small laugh. While Chester now went silent and looked up at her playful smile. The laugh she made had made goosebumps form on his skin.

  “No. Don’t do it. No. 100 gold to walk away please, take what you want.”

  Sonnia pressed down hard against his neck and listened to his coughs while looking at the tears forming in his eyes. He tried to move the staff out of the way while gasping for air. After a few moments she lifted her staff, Chester rolled to the side and started taking deep breaths while staring at Sonnia with a new found fear.

  “I’m taking the dust. I want my 100 gold as well. You are lucky Chester, remember that.”

  Sonnia took her 80 gold and put it in a bag she found and put it in the small crate of vials. She looked and stared at him with one last smile.

  “Pleasure doing business with you sir! If I find the cure I’ll be sure to let you know. Have a nice day.”

  Sonnia acted as if nothing had happened walking out the door and leaving it open as she headed towards the gate. Chester though slowly got up to his feet with hand rubbing his neck trying to soothe himself. Feeling a throbbing pain on his manhood. The terrified man went up stairs slowly walking with a slight limp. When reaching upstairs shouting could be heard from him along with the scream of a woman as violent slamming was heard.

  Outside Sonnia whistled going back to the stairs before she could reach the steps. Paul already intercepted her path with a stern look in his face as he crossed his arms as she approached.

  “I’ll be taking back my emblem if you don’t mind. It’s not something I’ll be wanting to lose so easily. I am guessing I can trust you to destroy the dust without issues?”

  Sonnia gave an awkward smile while pretending to look around for it.

  “Ahh yeah it’s here. Or maybe not. Umm it might be back in Chester’s place. He is a bit scared at the moment I imagine. We had a mutual agreement. Eh I’m gonna go destroy this and play with Freeg. Where is your woman?”

  Paul looked annoyed as he walked past Sonnia bumping against her.

  “She isn’t just my woman. You wouldn’t get it. She’s back at her house. Be gentle on her. She’s in a terrible mood. It took a lot to calm her down. Now move along.”

  Sonnia stuck out her tongue at him while he walked towards Chester’s estate. Then continuing her short walk to Freeg, Sonnia let out a small laugh thinking of Paul and Freeg together.

  “How does that even work? Haha Let me arrest you in the name of love. Stay here locked in a jail cell alone while I patrol. Oh yesss thank you sir I’ll learn my lesson and stay here. Ahhhh it can’t be a simple pleasure thing that’s for.”

  Sonnia continued through deep in thought, she smiled at people who walked past while the sun bathed her. Feeling calm for once she slowly approached Freeg’s home. Sonnia wasted no time knocking instead pushed the door open.

  “Freeg I got the stuff it’s mission accomplished.”

  Seeing Freeg sitting on a couch in the main room. She seemed to be wearing a new outfit. A simple blouse and a dark shirt. She wore a black veil over her face while she gripped a rose in her hand. Sonnia sat next to her, setting the crate off to the side. Her outfit from Derrick felt crisp and filthy.

  “How are you holding up? I like the outfit change its…. Chique.”

  Freeg clutched her rose harder.

  “Sonnia. I would prefer to be left alone….I have a lot to think about.”

  Sonnia turned and looked at Freeg with a goofy smile leaning over imaging her personal space.

  “Like what? You can tell me. We went through a lot together, the cell and catacombs and the assassination thing.”

  Freeg though just stared at her knees.

  “I’m gonna die soon.”

  The words went out smoothly even Sonnia for a moment was caught off guard. She only stared awkwardly.

  “Hmmmm?”

  Freeg continued on.

  “Marm kept my sickness under control. I was close to dying. Then you gave me the dust. And I pricked my finger tearing her apart. I’m infected plus my old ailments. I don’t know how long I’ll last. These are the clothes I want to die in.”

  Sonnia immediately pulled her in for a hug catching Freeg off guard.

  “You talking all depressed isn’t gonna help anything silly. We are supposed to have fun before passing on, otherwise why live?”

  Freeg stayed silent.

  “Maybe it’s for the better. Veythe would already deem me guilty, who knows what would happen to me.”

  Sonnia stared and sighed at her. Thinking quickly she tried to change the topic while rubbing Freeg’s back.

  “How did you and Paul meet? What’s the story behind that? I wanna know more about it.”

  Freeg hesitated for a second. She coiled up for a brief second and then a small smirk broke through, although very weak.

  “We grew up together. Me, Alton, and Paul. Alton and Paul never liked each other. They tolerated each other when it came to caring for me. Paul trained for the guard and Alton became a caretaker for me. Then I became alone, Paul always watched and cared for me from afar. He’s like a brother to me, although I know he wants more than that.”

  Sonnia grinned some.

  “What a man then. As is the way with love. It might make you feel good, who knows what might happen, try him sometime. He looks strong”

  Freeg looked up Sonnia.

  “It’s too late regardless. But can I ask a favor, Sonnia please.”

  Without waiting for a reply Freeg blurted out.

  “Can you stay with me? Maybe I shouldn’t be alone right now after all. I hope it isn’t selfish to ask. I just have a lot on my mind.”

  Hearing the request Sonnia sprawled out on the furniture and got comfortable, she let out a yawn.

  “Only because we are friends. I’ll stay Freeg but don’t be boring or depressed. We need to share laughs and drinks! Do you have any wine or alcohol? I wanna try the rich people stuff.”

  Freeg smiled a little then slowly got up and thought to herself. Walking to the kitchen she got a bottle and two cups and came back. She struggled to take the cork off. After a few tugs she gave it to Sonnia who instantly pulled it off with a firm pull of her teeth. Sonnia smelled it and smiled.

  “This is the fancy stuff.”

  She sipped from the bottle letting the strong taste linger in her mouth before swallowing. Then looking she poured some into Freeg’s cup while grinning. Freeg took a small sip while sulking. Sonnia pouted.

  “Come on bottoms up, you don’t get any reward for taking long.”

  Sonnia chugged from the bottle and got comfortable on the couch. While Freeg took a bigger gulp and made a face of disgust as the alcohol settled in her stomach. Sonnia, seeing this, laughed at her.

  “Ahhh light weight!”

  Taking another drink Freeg made a hiccup noise now letting the alcohol talk for her Freeg started talking.

  “Sonnia. In Veythe’s religion death is not the start, yet I’m scared. When my soul is judged and I am guilty or is it just nothing in the river of souls until I wander back. I never really got into religion much, what do you think happens when people die?”

  Sonnia face went playful to a more saddened look.

  “It’s torture. It’s empty, nothing but white. Then voices of dead friends talk to you, you go for so long until you can't even remember who you are and your legs break. I died. After that a man and a woman fought Sonnia and murdered me and her friends. I remember it.”

  Freeg looked at her and gulped down the rest of her wine before pouring another cup.

  “It sounds lonely. Then I guess I’m lost either way.”

  She let out a hysterical laugh.

  “I already feel hot, you know. I debated ending myself before it could take me. I didn’t have the strength though. Sonnia. Can I ask a favor?”

  Sonnia shifted uncomfortably away from Freeg.

  “Depends on what you ask?”

  “When the black lines form. Can you end me? I don’t know if I’ll come back as one of those things. But I don’t want someone to see my face before they die if I do.”

  Sonnia gulped down the rest of her wine and sighed. Her voice went low.

  “I guess I can. If that’s what you want, Freeg. Let’s change the topic huh. How about a walk or something?”

  Freeg nodded and the two women got up and walked outside. In the distance deep smoke could be seen in the distance and a crowd gathered at the stairs. A sea of words were being exchanged as another woman screamed of a massive fire.