The Children Of Thalia

Initial Step

His manners are truly extraordinary. No wonder he carries such a big name. I saw Vald and Lee being wide-eyed and instantly awkward. They also placed their right hand on their chest, but with a more rigid motion.

"Good to see you again, senior Rolfe." Lee said, panicking in panic. Understandably, only this time did he face a person with a famous name. 

"Next time, senior Rolfe." Val said, calmer and stoic, but I could feel the panic from him as well. I guess Rolfe was also aware of that awkwardness. Rolfe took off all his formalities instantly and smiled widely.

"Rolfe is enough. I'm not that special person." He then glanced at our belongings, then walked to the back of the car. "Just keep all that in the trunk, let your seats be relieved."

They'll keep getting nervous if left alone, so I'll start moving. I took my sling bag from Rolfe, then kept it in the back trunk after Rolfe opened it. "You don't want to keep your bags either?"

Val and Lee shook their heads, simultaneously. 

"Oh, no. We're only five minutes from here, right? I can." Lee replied, while Val only nodded. I don't want to argue, after all, they're both not big bags, so it's up to you.

"All right." I glanced at Rolfe, who then nodded. He closed the luggage door, then walked to the driver's door.

"Then, come on."

The car is an ordinary minibus, like a family car. I was actually quite surprised when I saw him, considering he was the son of a conglomerate family, but I was also amazed because of his simple appearance. He was also friendly and polite, so in contrast to his friend, the redhead who needed time along the way to make him stop sulking. 

There's not much we're talking about in the car, just to melt the atmosphere. For a moment I didn't believe I could be more communicative than Lee, but I also knew that that was one of Lee's traits. It was quite difficult for him to talk to new people, perhaps related to his past. That's why he's easily become a bully. I remember that time Val and I needed to intervene in Lee's bullying at school. However, Rolfe seemed to be more good at coping with the situation. It didn't take long for Lee to be confident to talk more freely.

As promised, I talked about the main reason why I didn't want to enter Helder. Ansel wasn't surprised because I told him first, but Rolfe was really gasping. Lee and Val were surprised as well. Of course, I've never told you about this, not to anyone. Even I never discussed it with Lizzy, never expected to discuss it with anyone, but indeed no one could guess what I was going to face up front, that's why I also knew there would be a time where I would have to tell them about this.

Getting out of the district turned out to be quite jammed, but no one protested, or even realized because they were constantly asking me questions. Thank you to Ansel and Rolfe for helping me calm my two brothers. They probably understand my reasons better because they know him too, with the other Asera in Helder. Rolfe also sped up the pace of his car so that discussions about this could be resolved more quickly.

The car turned into an apartment. Not too fancy, but big enough. This is our temporary place to stay. This is the place that the Helder Security Division provides. After the incident, the police sealed the orphanage during the investigation, maybe a few months, but I asked the Security Division to keep an eye on them longer.

After the car stopped, I took a deep breath. I don't want to say at last, considering I'm leaving a week after this, but I'm also relieved that questions about my background have stalled until here. 

"Take your time, we wait ahead." Rolfe.

"Thank you for driving us, Senior Rolfe." Val said before opening the car door.

"See you later, Senior Rolfe, Senior Ansel." Said Lee.

As the person sitting next to the door, I got out of the car first, Lee and Val continued from the next door. The car turns in the parking lot, then goes ahead. I was silent, not knowing what to do, not knowing what to say. I mean, a lot of things in my head, what I wanted to say wouldn't be enough in the time they gave me, until I was confused which one to say.

In the end, I started with a long sigh.

"Bung, too, if this is so." I muttered while chuckling. "Lizzy and the others are still in school, right?"

"Yes." Yeah." Val replies, "you sure you don't want to see them first?"

"I'll be hesitant to leave. Anyway, I'll be late to reach Helder." It was a little disappointing, but there was no choice. I've made up my mind, it's not good for men not to hold onto his words. "I'll be back next week, doesn't mean I'll stay there."

"Well, if it was Theo, I'm sure he wouldn't bring bad news."

"You're exaggerating too much."

"No."

"Of course not."

They both deny together, with the same rhythm. I looked into their eyes, so full of faith and trust, so burning that I wanted to believe.

"We believe, because you're Theodore Radley." Val said with a wide grin.

"Even if you don't believe, we'll always believe you." Lee said, with a smile so warm.

I opened my mouth, wanting to put everything on my mind. Gratitude, gratitude, pleasure, I want to convey to them. But I realized it wasn't a word that should be an intermediary. I stepped up, slightly leaping, grabbing Val and Lee's bodies in my arms. I held them tight as if I would never see them again. I can't see their faces, I don't want them to see mine. But as soon as I felt their hands on my back, I knew they were smiling. No words, no saura, just ten seconds so warm. I took my hands off them after feeling that I could show my face again.

"Tell Lizzy I'll bring you some good news next week."

"I'm sure he never doubted you either."

"Go, this is your first step."

No more need for words. Everything I said, everything I said. I turned around, walked out of the parking lot. Not in the least I glanced back, because I knew there was no need for me to look back. As Val said, I just have to focus on my goals. I'll create a safe place for them, for Lizzy, I won't let anyone in the way.

The car is parked out front, according to Rolfe. I saw the shadow of the apartment from the dark car glass, but I got straight into the car without any doubt.

"Quite fast." Ansel said, looking at me in the back seat and feeling astonished.

"Oh, I guess you don't like waiting?"

"A little longer doesn't matter, for now."

"really attention. But no, this is enough."

In the end, I could not resist the urge to look again at the apartment on the side. Two people stood there, a little far away. They smiled at me, making me smile back. It's unfortunate I can't see Lizzy, but I don't think it's a problem either.

"Good brother, is that right?" asked Rolfe while looking at me from the windshield. I smiled, leaning my back against the car seat before answering her briefly and firmly.

"Of course."

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