The two stumbled into a narrow alley, the ground damp and filthy, with a dumpster emitting a sour odor beside them.
Laira failed to gain her footing again, seeing stars from the fall, while Fontana tripped, nearly crashing into the dumpster.
"Are... are we safe?"
Laira asked haltingly, feeling a metallic taste in her throat that made her almost want to puke.
Fontana didn't answer but slipped a hard object into her hand—Laira's most familiar, sapphire-embedded Magic Wand.
Holding her most crucial weapon should have brought her peace, yet uncontrollable fear rose in Laira's heart.
She gripped the wand, looking at Fontana, and asked tremblingly, "Do you think I'm a burden? Are you going to leave me?"
"No." Fontana coughed twice, a thin stream of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He wiped his face haphazardly and said, "I snatched this."
In his hand appeared an unfamiliar oak Magic Wand, about ten inches long. Fontana gave it a casual wave, releasing a jet of cold water from its tip.
Feeling the subtle resistance within, he frowned deeply.
But no matter how awkward, they had to make do with it now.
Fontana didn't hesitate anymore, pointing the wand at the two of them, clearing away all the dust and grime, changing their clothes into typical Muggle styles.
Except for looking paler than usual, they resembled ordinary people.
However, Fontana remained vigilant, glancing around cautiously, then swiftly leading Laira out of the alley.
"Something's not right."
He said tensely, "They shouldn't have tracked us to Yellowstone Park unless we're being tracked! We have to clean up thoroughly before fleeing."
"Why didn't you kill those guys?" Laira said under her breath, "Sir, with your skills, you could've done it. Are you hesitating even now?"
Fontana glanced at her, asking, "Kill those leading the charge, then what? When Grindelwald arrives, we'll be trapped!"
Laira finally fell silent.
The two quickly joined an afternoon street growing busier, Fontana scanning around, quickly pinpointing a bustling mall with people coming and going.
They merged into the crowd like two drops of water joining a river, squeezing into the busy mall.
Passing a shop selling discounted clothes, Fontana casually snatched a few inconspicuous dark hoodies and pants, and the shopkeeper seemed oblivious.
Soon after, they headed straight to the restroom, where at the entrance, Fontana handed one set to Laira with an undeniable command:
"Leave no tracking possibility, got it?"
Though Laira's mind was somewhat foggy, she nodded holding the clothes, watching Fontana slip into the men's room before entering the ladies' stall, locking the door behind.
The restroom was naturally not clean, with a pungent smell that could've been remedied with a "Scourgify", but Laira didn't waste a second on it.
Forcing herself to stay calm, she tore off her tattered robe unhesitatingly, tossing underwear and shoes onto the floor haphazardly, leaving no accessories.
Next, she raised her wand, aiming at her body, chanting an ancient and potent Purification Spell.
The wand's tip erupted in silvery light, sweeping across her entire body like tiny arcs of electricity, cool skin tingling and prickling, hair standing on end, her whole being seemingly glowing!
The death of Kobit was a lesson learned; after witnessing the ghastly hunt of her former colleague, Laira had specifically learned this spell from Fontana.
But back then, it was just to avoid being hunted, having her secrets exposed, never expecting she'd fall to the same fate as Kobit so soon, with the spell indeed proving useful!
The light vanished, Laira's raised hair slowly settling.
Even if someone had cast a tracking Magic Spell on her before, it was definitely erased now.
Laira quickly dressed, shifting the slightly long pants into black soft-soled shoes, then pointed steadily at the pile of debris:
"Incendio!"
Orange flames erupted, burnt smells filling the cramped stall, clothes promptly turning to ashes, while shoes took longer to burn.
The badges, bracelets, pocket watches she carried emitted sporadic bursts of cracking sounds.
Witnessing the chairman's badge being licked by flames, Laira felt her heart gripped tightly and pulled downwards, bringing real pain and a hollow sense of loss.
She bit her lip, shifting her gaze to avoid the heart-wrenching scene.
Just then, Laira glimpsed with her peripheral vision, a few tiny ants seemingly startled by the flames, scurrying along the wall behind the toilet, disappearing into the gaps.
She blinked, wondering blankly:
Ants? Aren't cockroaches more common in such places? Yet Muggle hygiene is indeed appalling...
Suddenly, a chill surged up her spine.
—Ants... insects... Poppet?
"Laira!"
Fontana's urgent prompting voice came from outside the restroom, "Done? We should go!"
Laira took one last look at the gap the ants had entered, guiding a flame through with her wand, igniting the entire stall.
She hastily pulled up her hood, concealing most of her face, and pushed the door open.
Fontana was already waiting a few steps away, frequently scanning the surroundings. Seeing Laira, he stepped forward urgently but didn't leave immediately, instead giving his wand hidden in his sleeve a subtle shake!
An almost undetectable detection spell swept over Laira's body, with Fontana finding no residual Magic Power, barely nodding.
Laira's lips trembled slightly, not mentioning spotting ants in the restroom.
Perhaps it wasn't them? Maybe she was wrong?
At this moment, she dared not have a conflict with Fontana, nor let him regard her as an expendable burden.
Without words, the two swiftly turned and headed for the nearest exit. Despite being anxious inside, their steps were neither fast nor slow, blending into the thronging customers, appearing entirely ordinary.
When they turned a corner, Fontana suddenly paused, body stiffened for half a second, Laira's breath seemingly halted briefly.
Near the mall's exit, stairs, and elevator key areas, there were several faces clashing with the surroundings. They bore a distinctly different demeanor from Muggles, their gazes probing like needles scanning everyone.
"Stay calm!" Fontana hissed under his breath, "Go!"
He quickly lowered his brim, keeping his head down, stooping slightly, appearing a bit aged.
Laira caught on, extending a hand to hold Fontana's arm without the wand, nestling her cheek against his side, her steps slowing in sync, like a caring daughter.
They adjusted their breathing, calming their heartbeats, blending with the flow, heading toward the nearest side entrance.
A man in a gray jacket stood inside the glass door, leisurely scanning the area.
They drew closer and closer.
Five steps, three steps, one step...
Laira could smell the faint tobacco scent on him and something mixed with Magic Potion.
She lowered her gaze, staring at her shoe tips, avoiding looking at his face, yet clinging more tightly to Fontana's arm.
That moment seemed elongated. Laira could sense the man's gaze lingering briefly on her and Fontana, as if carrying a hint of cold, arrogant scrutiny.
They brushed past each other.
Without pausing, without turning back, maintaining steady strides, continuing forward out the glass door.
They stepped into the slightly glaring sunlight, mingling into the street's crowd.
The next second—
"Bang!"
Inside the mall, the restroom door slammed open violently, constrained smoke erupted inside by invisible force, spilling out!