Triiffic-Soul: Can I Be In Control?-Chapter 59 – Gone Again

Chapter 59 – Gone Again

The morning sun rose to welcome the new day, and it was genuinely hard for Anna to believe that it was now nearing five days since everything happened.

That simple thought was scary for Eva, as it just emphasised her feelings that everything was slipping away.

Anlesa had got up early for the sole purpose of leaving without issue.

[Let’s go quickly.] (Eva)

[We are, we just got to be quiet about it.] (Syrus)

They slept against the door so no one would sneak a peek while they were sleeping. They found out that they would stay in different forms while asleep, but Eva believed she didn’t have enough control to keep their horn gone throughout the night while unconscious.

She dashed into an alley and planned the rest of the day.

[We need to get some food then find a caravan heading towards Arisea Station.] (Syrus)

[We are in agreement with that option?] (Eva)

[Yeah, we didn’t talk about it much last night, but it ticks all the boxes.] (Syrus)

[I have no problem with it; the only issue is the fact that it is in no-man's land and that has its own dangers. One of the borders of that no-man’s land is the Nevald Kingdom, but to counter my own point, there is a mountain range in the way. So, the Nevald Kingdom shouldn’t be a big influence.] (Luna)

The no-man’s land was technically considered to belong to Arisea Station, but due to the dangers, political issues, and other surrounding borders, only the roads to and the surrounding area around the city of Arisea Station were considered official territory.

As they walked away, Syrus heard a stomp of footsteps heading towards them from behind.

Elly yelled, “Wait one moment!” Huffing and puffing all the way until centimetres away from Anna.

Anlesa turned around, “Elly?”

Elly snarked back, “Yes that’s my name, and now wait here, kid.”

Elly had been looking ever so slightly better. She had her first proper full night's sleep in days and learning that Anna was alive–even if she was determined to thrust herself into more danger–lightened her heart.

Luna asked, “Are you here to try and stop me?”

“Quiet brat.” Elly groaned, “I don’t want to admit it, but I got a feeling you will be able to destroy any attempt I make at trying to stop you.”

Elly continued, “...I would like you to stay though…”

Luna sighed, “I understand, but that’s not going to happen.”

“It was worth one final shot…” Elly felt horrible about letting Anna go. She understood whatever happened that night after she and the children left was horrible, and the only one who saw it happen directly was Anna. She was forced to grow physically and mentally, and Elly didn’t want any more burden on Anna. But like her parents, she was determined to follow her own path without outsiders’ input.

“...” Eva felt Elly’s genuine concern for them. “Thank you Elly for everything.” She gripped the wooden pendant around her neck, “And for teaching Dad how to carve.”

“!” Elly looked shocked as she only just realised what was around Anna’s neck. “Heh. After numerous attempts, he suddenly said he had a revelation and that was his final attempt.”

The pedant was as always, a simple wooden circle with a small hole for a string to pass through. It was slightly stained from the fires but wasn’t damaged due to the material.

Anna turned back and continued to walk through the alley.

Elly raised her hand to grab Anna, “Wait before you go.”

Anna turned around again, “Hmm?”

“I have something to give you. Elly pulled out a small pouch. “You are going to need some money.”

“Why… you don’t have to do this.”

“People don’t have to do anything. And because it’s my money, I can do what I want with it.”

Syrus scoffed, “Save it for the kids.”

“You are one of those kids.” Elly shook her head, “If you are THAT upset then pay me back.”

“Okay–”

Elly interrupted, “In person. So, I know you are still alive and well…”

Syrus sighed. “Well played…”

Syrus took the bag, and Elly added, “That should be enough to buy a few sets of clothes, food, and equipment to take you anywhere.”

Luna counted the coins, “You know your stuff.”

A pained smile appeared on her face, “Thanks, I had someone teach me efficient travel costs.”

Anna turned around to leave for one final time. “When the money starts coming in, I’ll send some in to help out. That’s not for repayment, but it’s what I want to do.”

Elly said, “Fine, but are you going to say goodbye to the other children before you leave?”

“No, they don’t know Anlesa, and it’s better that way.”

“Is it really?”

“Please, I don’t want to give them hope that Anna lived.”

“You can’t stop kids from dreaming that their friend is alive, you know.”

“I know…” Anna walked away and Elly didn’t chase any further.

Finally, Elly was no longer in sight and it was time to prepare to leave.

[What should we do first?] (Eva)

[Food then clothes.] (Luna)

[Nah, let’s check the caravan schedules first, that lets us plan around when we have to leave.] (Syrus)

They ended up following Syrus’s plan.

First, they checked any caravans headed for Arisea Station. Thankfully because Arisea Station was a big trade hub, there were at least frequent merchant paths that went through it. Not every day, but it was enough that there was a good chance that a caravan going to it would come by soon. If there wasn’t one today, Syrus was going to rent a hotel room until the day came when one would arrive.

In a stroke of good fortune for Anna, there was one caravan leaving after midday. It would take numerous stops before reaching Arisea Station as they would have to go through the other half of Cancole. Their village was in the far north, and Greenvale was still in the top northern half.

After organising that and paying ahead of time. They got some breakfast and then went shopping. First, they bought a large backpack to properly store their items, and afterwards bought four sets of basic clothes. Dull brown shirts and long pants. They weren’t shopping for fashion, but just practicality. Syrus also wanted to buy some armour but that was hard considering there was no place in this city that sold good adjustable pieces–according to Syrus.

With all that done, it was nearing lunchtime.

[Do we just want to wait by the caravans?] (Syrus)

[Yes.] (Luna)

[...] (Eva)

[Lilly?] (Luna)

[...I think we should see the kids one final time.] (Eva)

[Seriously? That’s a terrible idea.] (Syrus)

[I know, I want to be the one to say goodbye, even if it’s from a distance.] (Eva)

[...] (Luna)

[...Fine. But don’t go inside.] (Syrus)

[Understood.] (Eva)

Eva was in control as Anna as she made one final pass by the house Elly bought.

She peaked through the window from across the street.

The children were huddled together. Some were looking better than yesterday while others still looked just as bad. They were quiet, but they were sharing food between them. Ella was the one who went into the kitchen to bring out more food. While Jerry stared off into the distance, Billy and Elliot were under a blanket together, and Tom was helping his sister.

[Goodbye everyone. May you be safe here.] (Eva)

As Eva turned to leave. “Do you know where Anna is?”

“Pardon?” Anna turned around to see one small child with light brown hair, and mucky blue eyes looking up at her.

“Do you know where Anna is?”

“I don’t know who she is?” Eva replied, but it pained her, as the one who was asking was Leah.

“Lair, I heard you and Elly mention Anna.” Leah only heard the name mentioned once when she was in listening range, but just hearing it once made her want to talk to this stranger.

Eva sighed, she didn’t want Syrus or Luna to start talking as that weird speaking habit would be easily identified as Anna’s.

“Sigh… sorry kid, I don’t know where she is.”

“Then why do you know of her?”

Eva crouched down, “How do I look like to you?”

“Like Anna.”

“Well, she is my cousin.” Eva continued with the reason they gave Elly.

“I see… Do you know if she will be coming back?”

Eva asked, “Why do you want to know?”

Leah paused. “Cause… she could do anything… so she can come back.”

It was Eva’s turn to pause. She swallowed and continued, “Sorry, but I don’t know, I don’t know if she will ever come back.”

Leah begged, “...but she has to…”

Eva sorrowfully sighed. “Is there anything else you want to ask?”

Leah shook her head. “No… not anymore.”

“Then, goodbye kid, it will be a long time until I visit again, and don’t go out by yourself.”

“Why are you going?”

Eva paused, and made a verbal promise, “Cause I’m going to get money and revenge.”

[What are you doing?] (Luna)

“Revenge?” Leah’s eyes sparkled.

“Yep, so you don’t have to worry about anything… just enjoy your life.”

“But can I…?”

“Yes, your family will be cheering you on all the way. So focus on you and your friends being happy, and I will focus on beating the crap out of those bad monsters.”

Leah nodded and walked back to the house, and with that Eva quickly walked away.

[That was risky, and I also can’t believe that–] (Syrus)

Eva’s brain finally caught up to itself, [Oh the stars that worked…]

[And apparently, I wasn’t the only one.] (Syrus)

[You shouldn't have done that.] (Luna)

[Maybe, but it has been done now. So, let's move on. We got a cart to catch.] (Syrus)

With their goal in Greenvale achieved it was time to move on to the next one. Reach Arisea Station.