Althea stared at the man, her body frozen with fear. She opened her mouth to respond, but couldn't utter a word. She instinctively took a step back.
—I asked you a question — insisted the man, moving a little closer, reaching out as if to grab her arm.
—Leave her alone, Enzo! —Hael intervened, standing in front of her.
The man stopped, his gesture still frozen in the air. He turned his gaze to the boy, surprised and then annoyed.
—What did you say?
—Leave her alone. She's with me.
—With you? Who the hell is she? —Enzo growled, looking at Althea again as if she were trash.
—She's a friend —Hael replied, clenching his fists.
—A friend? —Enzo laughed dryly—. And who gave you permission to bring someone else? Who thought it was a good idea to bring people in without consulting me?
—I… we…—Hael swallowed hard. His heart was pounding—. We didn't think…
—Of course you didn't think! —Enzo raised his voice, growing angrier—. Not even a little! We don't have enough food or space for more people! And you bring a kid? Just like that?
Hael took a step back. "Damn..." he thought. "This wasn't supposed to happen. I have to hold on... just until Elion comes down. Just a little longer."
—So what? Now anyone can bring people in? Without telling me? —Enzo took another step forward, his face inches from Hael's—. Do you think this is a damn hotel?"
The boy tried to answer, but the words wouldn't come out. His body was shaking.
—Answer me! —Enzo exclaimed, extremely angry.
Enzo raised his arm with the bat, and Hael instinctively backed away. Just as the blow seemed imminent, a firm voice cut through the air:
—Stop! —Elion's voice boomed from the top of the stairs.
Enzo turned furiously. Elion was already coming down the stairs with a steady gait.
—Leave them alone.
—You brought her here? —Enzo roared, walking toward him.
He stopped in front of Elion and grabbed him forcefully by the collar.
—What the hell were you thinking? We don't have the resources to feed one more person! And without consulting me!"
Elion looked at him unflinchingly.
—I had no choice. She was alone... and don't worry, she'll eat from my ration. I promise it won't happen again.
The silence was thick for a moment. Enzo tightened his fist on his shirt... but finally let go, pushing him back a little.
—You better hope so. —He turned and walked toward the exit—. Don't be long. And I hope she's not in my way when we get back.
Silence returned as soon as Enzo disappeared between the houses. Elion let out a long sigh, as if he had been holding his breath the whole time.
Hael and Althea ran toward him.
—Are you okay? — she asked, concerned.
—Yes, yes… I'm fine —he replied with a forced smile—. Don't worry. It's over now.
— I'm sorry… —Althea whispered, lowering her gaze—. It's my fault you got into trouble.
—Don't think that. It wasn't your fault — Elion assured her, placing a hand on her shoulder—. Enzo is... difficult. Arrogant. If you don't do things his way, he explodes. But don't let that make you feel bad.
Althea nodded slowly, calmer now.
Then Elion turned to Hael, who was still silent.
—You did well, Hael. You spoke up when it was necessary— he said gently, crouching down a little—. You stood up to him to protect her. I'm proud of you.
Hael looked away, shrugging.
— I didn't do it because I liked him or anything. I just thought it was the right thing to do... that's all.
Elion let out a light laugh.
—Still, I appreciate it.
Hael looked up for a moment.
—Just… be careful with Enzo, okay? He's vindictive. I'm afraid he'll do something to you.
—I'll keep that in mind —Elion said, patting him on the shoulde—. But don't worry, I'll be fine.
Then he turned to Althea with a kind smile.
—I'll see you later. Take care, okay?
—Yes —replied Althea.
—All right —said Hael, raising a hand to wave goodbye. He stood watching until his brother disappeared down the road.
Then he slowly lowered his hand and muttered resignedly:
—Well... let's go see this Max guy.
Althea glanced at him sideways.
—Are you always this friendly?
—And do you always ask so many questions?
She let out a slight laugh, and without saying another word, she started walking. Hael followed her, one step behind, as if out of obligation... but with his eyes attentive to everything.
The air that morning was fresh, with a slight scent of damp earth. The silence between Althea and Hael lingered during their first few steps, broken only by the crunch of their footsteps on the ground.
—So… who is Max? —Hael asked suddenly, in a neutral tone, though without looking at her directly.
Althea blinked, somewhat surprised by the question.
—He's… my friend. He's hurt.
—A hurt friend? —Hael frowned—. And why do you care so much?
Althea paused for a second. She hesitated to answer, but then said softly:
—Because he's the only family I have left, and I hurt him by helping me." And I... I don't want to lose anyone else.
Hael looked at her sideways, as if trying to gauge whether her words were true. He said nothing for a few seconds, then muttered:
—My brother helps a lot of people too. But sometimes... I think people don't deserve it.
—What about me? —Althea asked, with a small smile—. Don't I deserve it either?
Hael shrugged.
—I don't know yet.
The comment didn't sound malicious, just brutally honest. Althea chuckled softly.
—All right. I guess I'll earn it.
They walked a few more steps in silence. Hael, without looking directly at her, muttered:
—Just don't do anything to hurt my brother. He's already lost so much."
Althea stopped, looked at him seriously, and then nodded.
—I promise.
Hael simply nodded back, almost imperceptibly. Then he quickened his pace as if he didn't want her to see the slight smile on his face.