"Dad!" Tiffany called out to her father who was in his room. "Dad, I'm heading out to the market." She was met with utter silence. He could hear her, but as usual chose to ignore it.
Determined to get an answer, she yelled, this time at the top of her voice. "Dad!" That only made Rotam who was already having a bad day angrier.
The door opened, and Rotam stood by the doorway, his eyes filled with anger as he looked at her. "Are you okay?" His tone was laced with disdain.
Tiffany lowered her eyes to the ground in fear. "I was just heading out so I said to inform you."
"Then go," He cut her off rudely. "You'd better not waste my money." He hissed. "You'll need it after all, perhaps you'll weigh less than a sack of potatoes."
His words slashed at her heart like a double-edged sword. Tears stung at the corner of her eyes, but she quickly wiped it off.
"Don't worry father," She slipped the basket into the crook of her arm. "I'll buy everything on the list." She assured him.
"That's if you can find your way around." He scoffed, and stepped into the room, slamming the door shut.
Tiffany wanted to say something, but he was already in his room, calling him out wouldn't end well for her. Since Irene left, it was like his hate for her had doubled. She had thought he'd as much as spare her a glance but he avoided her.
"Just you wait father," she tied the scarf around her head. "I'll make you love me just the way you love Irene." With that, she stepped out of the house into the bustling streets of valcoria.
The market was a stone throw away, so she walked there. The road had changed over the years, luckily there was a huge rock which jogged her memory.
"I have fresh apples for sale." A woman held up a transparent nylon with apples to her face. It's very cheap too."
"I'm not here for these," she walked past her, going deeper into the market. She went over the list once more: Fresh meat, fish, potatoes, lettuces, green peas, rice and tomatoes.
"Move aside madam," a middle-aged woman wrapped in a shawl shoved her aside. "The road isn't meant for just you."
Tiffany boiled with rage as she locked eyes with the woman. She had made her step into cow dung now her shoe was a mess. The road was wide enough for three people!
"I know you're old, but these eyes of yours are supposed to be working! She pushed the woman harder. She tripped on a tin can and fell on some crates of oranges. As usual, everyone in valcoria didn't meddle. She rose to her feet and closed the distance between them. Tiffany wasn't scared, respect was earned not given and she wasn't going to le—
Something sharp touched her skin, and she felt it cut her causing her to let go of the basket. She yelped in pain as she stared in horror at the cut that blood oozed out from .
Two boys, one held the weapon of assault, a jack knife while the other stole her purse from the basket and they fled, pushing their way through the crowds.
"Thief!" She screamed, pointing in their direction. "Someone please catch them!"
None of the market goers spared her a glance. They acted as tho they were blind. In valcoria, you could never tell who was human and who wasn't, so it was best to stir clear of any drama lest you ended up dead in your bed.
Tiffany tried chasing after them, but she didn't go far because soon she was out of breath and resting on a drum. Her father was going to kill her.
A young man tapped her on the shoulder. "Hold this ma'am." He handed his cap to her. "I'll be right back." He said, before running after the boys.
"Stop there! He jumped over a pile of melons. "Stop!
The boys turned down a corner, running in the direction of a dark alley. They were going to hurt this man who was hell-bent on interfering.
He had run past the alley but the wind blew and he caught a whiff of their scent so he came back. They were omegas.
"Hey little boys," he held his hands up in false surrender. "You shouldn't be doing this."
"What's it to you?" The other boy pointed the knife at him. "Is the lady related to you?"
"No," he shook his head. "I'm just a young man ridding the world of little thieves like you." He smiled.
The amulet the pack divinator had given him was truly potent, he looked down at the jaded amulet wrapped around his neck. This way he always had the element of surprise.
"Leave! The other lad with the purse yelled. "Get lost before we hurt you."
The man chuckled. "What if I don't? He moved closer. "What are you going to do about it?"
The boy moved backwards, and then lunged at him, slashing the knife through the air. The man caught the sharp blade, blood dripped down his arm. His eyes glowered green, revealing his true nature to the boys who shook with fear.
"A....Alpha ZIMION?" They said at once. Hot piss trickled down their legs as they went down on their knees, begging for their lives.
"Yes," he smiled. He threw the knife, wiping off the blood on the boy's shirt. "Now, it's my turn."
Tiffany on the other hand had made herself comfortable on a makeshift bench. The bleeding had stopped but she was scared to death. Father was going to tear her apart for losing his hard earned money. Being ignored would be much better than what he was going to do to her.
"Here you go ma'am." Zimion handed her purse to her. She took it from him and rummaged through; the money was there and it was complete. A wave of relief washed over her.
"Thank you so much!" Out of excitement, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight embrace. She let go of him when she realized. "I'm sorry." She looked away, embarrassed.
"It's okay." He smiled. "You should be careful, the market is a dangerous place with sneaky little thieves around."
" Well, i had to find out the hard way." Her grip tightened around her purse. "How do I ever repay you?"
"Well," He pointed at a stall that sold pretzels and some flavored drinks. "Why don't you buy me something sweet as a reward?"
"I guess I have a little change to spare." She led the way to the stand, got him what he wanted and he thanked her.
Zimion offered to walk her home since it was late but she respectfully turned him down. You could never be too careful in the city of Valcoria.
By the time she returned, it was already dusk. Rotam wasn't at home, that was good. She'd be able to cook dinner in peace and head into her room before he showed up.
He had requested mashed potatoes, and peppered pork ribs. She moved over to the window, to open it cause the kitchen was getting hotter then she noticed a tall figure in the backyard. He made his way through the cabbage patch.
A thief! Tiffany began to panic. Instinctively, she grabbed a butcher's knife, ready to defend herself just in case he forced his way into the house but he didn't enter the house, he moved down.
What should I do? Tiffany paced pack and forth. She was strong enough to fend the stranger off but she had to do something before he stole something.
Summoning courage, she made her way out of the house through the back, keeping a safe distance from him. There was an old shed which she had no idea was even there. It was well hidden by the weeds and a broken fence.
The person inside had noticed her presence because the door opened before she could push it. The hood of his cloak fell off, revealing his face.
Tiffany was surprised to see him. "Dad, what are you doing here?" She tilted her head to the side. "I had no idea something like this was here."
"Now you do," he pointed a finger at her, his voice carrying a warning because he knew how curious she could get. "The day I see you here, I'll make you wish you were never born."
She knew better than to flout his orders. Rotam ordered her back to the house and she hurried off while he locked the door, shoving the keys into his pocket.
Whatever that was behind the door had to stay secret until the time was right or else...It may be catastrophic for him.